The DOA status of the United States attack has been greatly exaggerated.
In the past two weeks, a half-dozen members of the American squad have found the back of the net in Europe. Benny Feilhaber cannot be stopped, albeit in the Danish second division. Michael Bradley showed off his aware brand of football, finding space while trailing the play and one-timing a smart pass home.
Clint Dempsey used his noggin to help Fulham earn a draw. Herculez Gomez displayed the super sub form that landed him a contract with Pachuca.
There are two points to take away from the collective hot streak.
First, Americans are increasingly finding themselves in favorable club situations. After all, you can't score if you don't see the field.
The list of players earning time on clubs around the world grows every week. While previously an American might choose a bigger club over guaranteed playing time, the trend is now swinging in the other direction. They understand that one can only improve so much in training. Playing time is of the utmost importance when choosing a club.
The second observation is that despite the lack of goal-scoring production from the forward position, the US attack is better than most believe.
With the exception of the match against Brazil, the USMNT has tallied in every game during 2010 thus far, averaging more than a goal-and-a-half in 10 games played. Their four strikes during the group stage of the World Cup left them tied for seventh (and they would have been alone in third if wrongfully negated goals against Slovenia and Algeria had counted).
The American squad proved it possesses players who can score. The latest run of good form may be a bit more than one can reasonably expect, but not dramatically so. Don't expect three or four goals every weekend, but a couple isn't out of the question.
Then again, finding the next Brian McBride wouldn't hurt, either.
