On behalf of our editorial staff, a very heartfelt, very public apology for our most recent game of the week. We picked the U.S. men’s national team against Sweden as our game of the week because it was the first time the U.S. team had set foot on European soil since the debacle of the last World Cup in Germany, and we thought the resulting tensions and the wounded pride of the players would drive them—even the younger ones heretofore bereft of World Cup experience—to a greater level of play. For anyone watching, however, it was painfully obvious that there was no such effect.

Poor U.S. Play
The U.S. players looked tired, lethargic, jet-lagged, dehydrated, and possibly arthritic. Tim Howard was one of the few bright spots for the U.S., and he came up big on a number of occasions. However, he was only given the opportunity to shine because of the ineffectual U.S. defense, who looked especially weak against Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the twenty-five year old Swedish striker.

Ibrahimovic attacked the U.S. at will on Wednesday night, and in one memorable ten second episode, took a ball played from half and broke in on Howard, only to strike the ball against Howard’s chest. The resulting rebound was crossed back into Ibramhimovic, who overpowered the US right back like a pit bull on a poodle, and struck a stinging header off the crossbar.

What’s next for the U.S.?
Their defense was exploited time and again by a single Swedish player with a somewhat competent supporting cast.

Their offense was nonexistent—did Donavan ever take the field? Dempsey looked as bad as he did in his previous game with Fulham, when he had an opportunity to tie it and missed the net from just outside the six yard box.

Speaking of Fulham, when will Bocanegra pack it in? His clumsy, sometimes vicious tackling cost Fulham a penalty shot and the lead in a game they would eventually lose. He looked no better in tonight’s game.

The younger players look out of place, especially Bradley—by now the ‘coach’s son’ refrain should be getting louder. Although he often brings a strong defensive presence, his absolute lack of creativity with the ball is a serious handicap.

What will the U.S. do to turn things around?