Phew. That was my reaction after watching the game (which I recorded on DVR this morning). The USA is still a work in progress, for sure, but they got the result they needed and now need to take the good things they did today and apply them to their upcoming matches against Holland and Nigeria.

What went well? Well, luck for one. The USA got lucky on two Japanese set pieces that inexplicably did not find the back of the net in the first half. There was also one other opportunity for the Japanese in the 80th minute and about two times that US midfielder turned central defender Maurice Edu could have been called for a foul in the penalty area that were not called. On the other hand, Freddy Adu was fouled about five times – nary a foul or yellow card awarded on those occasions, either.

The US defended well and goalkeeper Brad Guzan was pretty solid overall. The US also showed some of the attacking verve one had hoped for before the tournament started, including technical skills demonstrated by the likes of Stuart Holden, Robbie Rogers, and Freddie Adu.

The bad? The US did not do a good job in the midfield in keeping possession against the Japanese. The US was on the back heel too often due to the swift Japanese attack. The US possession and attack has to hold possession better and make better passes. They also need to link up better and move better off the ball to find the open man in the decisive third of the pitch.

But, who can complain with the 1-0 victory by the US? Three points in a tough group and some increased confidence and comfortability playing with one another. I believe the US can win this group if they can draw against the Netherlands and beat Nigeria, no small task. But they might have to win the group because a 2nd place finish in group B probably means they’ll face Argentina in the quarterfinals.