In the Wake of Adversity, Benny Shows Up

If you were a knowledgeable US Soccer fan watching the match on Wednesday night, you probably would not have blinked twice if Benny Feilhaber did not make an appearance on the pitch at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas.

Knowing that Benny has been banished to the depths of the Derby County pine, you could see why he wouldn’t be selected for as pivotal a game as USA vs. Mexico.

It was a startling downward turn for Benny, after he was the man to capture one of the biggest US victories ever over Mexico, in this summer’s Gold Cup final with that match-winning, never to be forgotten, full volley into the upper corner to seal the title for the USA.

Nevertheless, Bob Bradley sent on Benny Feilhaber in the closing stanza of the friendly against Mexico, and much to the surprise of many, Benny did a pretty good job. And that is a lot to say for a player in his position.

Although when he walked out onto the pitch he slightly resembled a corpse, much to my surprise he actually provided some nice skill on the ball and that controlling yet creative dimension he so often added to the US lineup throughout the summer.

He is still young and still shows the qualities that made him a well known prospect across the soccer landscape from the time he played in the U-20 World Cup. I think all it will take to get Benny back to Summer 07 version will be a change of scenery where he will get playing time day in and day out.

He certainly made a case for himself to be starting over midfielders like Ricardo Clark or Bobby Convey.

Hopefully things are on the up for Benny from that substitution on.