Here’s an American’s view on Carlos Vela’s performance against USA the other day
I was born in the United States and am a U.S. citizen residing in New York, that said, I have a certain obligation to feel at least some commitment to the futile cause that is the United States National team. So I was pleasantly surprised to remember at the last minute that their friendly against Mexico was being televised live. I was even happier, as an Arsenal devotee, to see Carlos Vela starting for Mexico, and in doing so, making his third appearance for the Mexican first team. This start would be his first in the heated competition against the United States. It’s important to note that while the quality of most North American national teams is often overlooked by their European and South American counter parts, there is definitely skill and a physical edge to the games featuring Mexico and the United States. So to earn a cap in this “derby” is seen as very well earned. I was excited to see how he would handle the challenge. Had I known I would be writing an evaluation of his play, I would’ve taken notes on what he did, instead I can only really offer a recollection and summary of his play. I apologize for the not-quite so detailed analysis of his game.
Vela started as a left sided attacking midfielder, lining up against young FC Dallas right back, Drew Moor, also on three caps. Vela started off brightly, getting involved in two early attacks and showing up on both flanks, his pace and quick feet causing some discomfort for the patchwork American back four. In gaining these early touches, Vela was picking up the confidence on which he would thrive later in the night. What I thought was a good facet of his game was not only his aggression to attack, but his ability to drive forward with his head up and search for the pass. He occasionally snubbed the pass in order to dribble at his defenders, but it’s great to see in a young player the instinct to look up, and also the confidence to drive at a defender. Not only that, but he also managed to come back in his own half in order to provide a speedy outlet for Mexican ‘keeper Guillermo Ochoa.
What he gave Mexico last night is ideally what he will give to Arsenal in the future, width and commitment. In the second half he moved more into a left winger’s position in 3-4-3. He stretched the pitch to its full extent pulling the play wide in his characteristic forays down the sidelines, often rewarded with a chance to cross. On one specific occasion, in the second half, he whipped in a beautiful cross with perfect height only to see it flash just past the waiting Mexican forwards, only inches away from what would likely have been a goal bound header. On another, he sent a driven low cross central only to see it cut off by his teammate Bautista, and wasted with an over-audacious back heel, despite the fact that De Negis was perfectly positioned to slam it home.
In the same vein, he showed prowess on set pieces, taking the Mexican Corner kicks. Early in the second half, his near post corner was flicked on to Magállon who bundled the ball home at the far post. That leveled the score 2-2. From there Mexico looked the more likely to find the third goal that would inevitably elude both teams. They looked the more likely in large part due to Vela. On the sixty minute mark, Vela ran into acres of space down the left corner of the 18 yard box where he was played in to shoot. With composure he took one touch and dispatched a shot that was well blocked by the desperately back tracking Moor. Had Moor not deflected it wide, it would have caused the excellent Tim Howard all sorts of trouble.
Unfortunately, only a few minutes after this chance at goal, the game slowed down drastically. The United States made two excellent substitutions, bringing on teenagers Benny Feilhaber of Derby County and Freddy Adu of Benfica for Fulham’s Clint Dempsey and inept Heerenveen midfielder Michael Bradley, who managed to take the pace out of the Mexican attack.. Feilhaber quickly stamped his authority on the midfield and held possession for the United States. In doing so, the game’s balance went into the favor of the United States. The ball never really came to Carlos again until he was substituted in the seventy-first minute for Giovanni Dos Santos. It was in this moment that the quality of his performance was assured by the traveling Mexican fans. As Carlos walked to the sidelines, he was given a roar of approval from his loyal fans, as he joined the impressive De Negis and Bautista on the bench, capping off a well performed night.
What an Arsenal fan should take away from this performance was the testament it gave to his skill, work-rate, and fantastic ability to cope with the physical edge of a big match. He displayed good vision and trickery while plying his trade out wide, and composure and aggression in more central areas. This was all well complemented by the good deliveries provided on his crosses. Most importantly though, he knew where the space was and how to find it, making intelligent runs in behind and getting into threatening positions, thus showing a precociousness not found in many young footballers. Finally, he completed the night by making a visible effort to come back and provide an outlet when his team were pressured, something always useful in the battleground that is a premiership match.
There were, however, some small downsides. He tended to try and dribble a bit too much when the pass seemed more readily available, occasionally trying too hard to beat his man. He also conceded position a bit too easily at times and could’ve had a goal. Overall, he proved to be the player Wenger sees in home in a very strong showing in a tough physical match. Bring on the summer, so Vela can join up!
