WORLD CUP USA ’94 / ROUND OF 16 : Milutinovic Must Have the Answers : Americans: As usual, however, coach isn’t telling who will replace suspended Harkes in midfield against Brazil.
Way back in the good old days, in pre-Colombian times, it was nothing to talk to a player on the U.S. soccer team, ask a straight question and get a thoughtful, straight answer. The team’s coach is not included in this scenario, of course, but he has always allowed his players to speak freely with reporters.
Now, in the post-Romanian era, the muzzle has been strapped on. Take, for instance, the simmering question of who will replace the suspended John Harkes in the midfield for the second-round game against Brazil. It’s a reasonable question, but don’t try asking any of the players.
A week ago it was appropriate for the players to discuss their positions and speculate on Coach Bora Milutinovic’s tactics and decisions. Only talk, but it offered an insight on the team’s performance.
Now, ask a question about the midfield situation and you will hear, “Whatever Bora decides. . . .”
Tab Ramos, one of the team’s most engaging personalities, sidestepped, saying, “I don’t think I want to answer that question.”
Ramos said it politely but firmly. And he did allow himself to be drawn into a discussion of what he would have to do personally against Brazil.
“I have to have the ball a lot,” he said. “I have to hold the ball. I can’t think of anything else. Obviously, for us to be successful it would be easy for me to say, ‘I need to get the ball every time and score as many goals as I can.’ I’ll try.”
Ask Milutinovic whom he has in mind to replace Harkes, who received two yellow cards in the first round and must sit out one game, and get this response: “I don’t like to tell in public.”
The fact remains that the U.S. team must find a way to replace Harkes, one of the most experienced and creative players on the team.
Milutinovic might choose to replace Harkes with a defense-minded midfielder, in anticipation of Brazil’s offensive onslaught. Mike Burns might be considered.
Or, if creativity and holding the ball is deemed important, Milutinovic might give Hugo Perez his first start.
Milutinovic also could drop Eric Wynalda back from the front and slot proven scorer Frank Klopas into the forward position. Or, he could put the speedy Cobi Jones on the wing. Or, he might get a few minutes out of Claudio Reyna, who is recovering from a torn hamstring.
Considering the problems the U.S. team had moving the ball forward in its first and third games, a creative midfielder might be a good choice. Ramos, and others, have talked about how long it takes for the defense to work the ball out of the back. In the interim, the opposing team’s defensive players have been able to move forward and pick up the U.S. attackers.
Whatever Milutinovic has in mind for Monday, it’s in his mind alone.
No doubt he knows that he needs his team’s full attention going into what will be its biggest game yet, facing Brazil in the second round of the World Cup.
Enough said.
