Howard was out of position on that goal, true, but they're no way Birsa should have had all that space. It wasn't all Howard's fault, the defense should have closed Birsa down.
And I don't know what you're watching but Altidore is having quite a good World Cup. He's being played as a classic target forward which means he's getting the ball with his back to goal most of the time, and then he has to either hold it to wait for support for the midfield, or turn his marker, which he's done a few times quite nicely.
Findley was the problem up top - thankfully he's out for the Algeria game. Like to see Buddle in there, but I won't complain if they just go with the second half side against Slovenia with Dempsey and Altidore as strike partners.
As others have pointed out the real problem is holding the ball and passing. Maybe with Feilhaber in there they'll settle down. Edu on the other hand, goal-non-goal notwithstanding, did not look comfortable out there. But again I won't complain if they go with the second-half lineup.
Altidore is overrated and is someone who should not be "inside" up front. One assist means squat, I'm sorry. When the ball was kicked to Altidore in that 1st half, he lost the ball. The identical thing happened to him in the 1st game against England. Coach Bradley looked like a confused mental case that 1st half against Slovenia. He should have had those "attacks" made defend-able in the 1st half. It shouldn't have taken a Halftime speech to light a fire under their tulips to finally play like they gave a damn.
Howard was NOT out of position, he was where 99.99% of GK's would stand on that Free Kick (middle of the net). But, he never moved once the ball was kicked. Sh*t, shuffle your feet, attempt to look like you GAF and dive, if even for naught. But he stood there like a statue. I don't have to watch a replay of it, because I remember it. It was a soft goal and was DEFINITELY save-able.
Again, they will be eliminated, if they even advance in the first.