[quote=“J Felt, post:100, topic:27433”][quote=“NinerAdvocate, post:99, topic:27433”]Reminder:
USA vs Azerbajian (Friendly, WC Tuneup)
When: Tuesday, May 27 at 10 p.m. EDT
Where: Candlestick Park; San Francisco, California
TV: ESPN2
Live Stream: WatchESPN[/quote]Hopefully it doesn’t happen, but if it does… is Donovan now first in line if someone gets injured before June 2nd?[/quote]
Has to be.
[quote=“NinerWupAss, post:101, topic:27433”][quote=“J Felt, post:100, topic:27433”][quote=“NinerAdvocate, post:99, topic:27433”]Reminder:
USA vs Azerbajian (Friendly, WC Tuneup)
When: Tuesday, May 27 at 10 p.m. EDT
Where: Candlestick Park; San Francisco, California
TV: ESPN2
Live Stream: WatchESPN[/quote]Hopefully it doesn’t happen, but if it does… is Donovan now first in line if someone gets injured before June 2nd?[/quote]
Has to be.[/quote]
One of 7 who would likely be brought on potentially.
Nice to see us close it out last night vs. Azerbaijan.
Altidore looks rusty, but he did do a great job at times of holding the ball and waiting for someone to pass to.
I’m on board with Lalas about Wondo, he will score in the World Cup.
Bradley and Jones looked out of sync with each other in the midfield for the entire first half. Opened up in the second, but after we scored both appeared to have tired legs. They have been practicing hard for a week or so now, so it’s understandable.
Brad Davis was put on this team for his free kick accuracy, and it might just pay off. Will it work against the likes of Portugal and Germany though?
Defense needs work. That’s an understatement. Hopefully after these three games they will improve communication and marking. CR7 would’ve had 3 goals last night.
All in all, I’m still feeling optimistic. Lots of talent on this squad.
I thought chandler looked pretty good. But I doubt he can get that involved in the attack against the group of death.
Also, to put it into perspective, Portugal beat the same team 2-0 and 3-0. We had at least one, maybe two, penalties that weren’t called, and Wondo may have put that first one away given a proper warm up.
Wondo is weird. There’s nothing imposing about him and he’s not a speedster, but the guy just gets free and can score.
[quote=“CharSFNiners, post:106, topic:27433”]Wondo is weird. There’s nothing imposing about him and he’s not a speedster, but the guy just gets free and can score.[/quote]Poacher. Pure and simple. Mix of effort, smarts and luck.
Also, I thought about everyone chipping in $5 or $10 and pooling our money to buy Cass a Kyle Beckerman jersey.
[quote=“CharSFNiners, post:108, topic:27433”]Also, I thought about everyone chipping in $5 or $10 and pooling our money to buy Cass a Kyle Beckerman jersey.[/quote]You can get one on aliexpress.com for $20 total.
Is that a cheap indian one?
I dont know how much you can take away from this result considering Azerbaijan plays such an ugly, ugly style of soccer. But for as frustrating as that bunker style is to play against, you do see it often in the group stages of WC games as teams try to not make stupid mistakes. Obviously though none in our group will be putting 10 men back though.
We continue to struggle with any sort of creativity in the final 3rd, but thats nothing new. Its really one of the things that separates teams like the US vs teams like Germany. Until we can find that, we will look stagnant. I dont think its on this team personally.
I do have some concerns about the midfield. I know that JK likes that diamond formation but i think it neuters Bradley a bit. There just seems to be little cohesion between Bradley, Zusi, Bedoya, and Jones.
Nice to see Mix play so well.
Wondo has got to convert the chances he had early. Unmarked headers that deep in the box have got to get finished.
Timmy Chandler still not giving ANYTHING out there. So frustrating.
Turkey will be a better test imo. Especially for the defense
LOL
I saw Beckerman on that ESPN doc and he was talking about how he used to sign his notes as Kyle Beckerman US Soccer #15 when he was still a kid. He seemed like a super good dude and i felt bad for about half a second giving him as much shit as i do.
That will all go away the moment I see him on the field again
Is that a cheap indian one?[/quote]Either from China or Taiwan, typically. I’ve got a couple, they aren’t bad, actually.
[quote=“casstommy, post:111, topic:27433”]We continue to struggle with any sort of creativity in the final 3rd, but thats nothing new. Its really one of the things that separates teams like the US vs teams like Germany. Until we can find that, we will look stagnant. I dont think its on this team personally.
I do have some concerns about the midfield. I know that JK likes that diamond formation but i think it neuters Bradley a bit. There just seems to be little cohesion between Bradley, Zusi, Bedoya, and Jones.
Nice to see Mix play so well. [/quote]US typically has been one of the most athletic teams in any tourney, but we always lacked creativity and finesse. Got by on hunkering down and then using speed to score goals on the counter or size in set pieces. I think guys like Mix and Johannsson bring that creativity, and Klinsmann has been challenging everyone on the team to take people on.
The lack of creativity has been an issue for American soccer at all levels, but the youth are being taught differently now. I watched some state cup prelim games a few weekends ago and was blown away by how often players were going one-on-one. Completely different than what I was taught.
I agree about the diamond, Bradley and Beckerman work well together better than Bradley and Jones. But I think Jones still has a higher ceiling in WC play. IF he gets more comfortable with this defensive role, it should allow Bradley the freedom to move forward.
Still excited about this World Cup.
Save your money and buy Beckerman a hair cut…
My Thoughts on the Friendly:
1.) Lots of cheap turnovers in the midfield. Portugal would easily have put 2 goals past us yesterday.
2.) A number of missed chances. Wondo gets lots of praise, but in the World Cup he’d be a scape goat for missing those two sitters. Can’t miss those at the international level. He also gave the ball away way too often. Johansson should be the first option off the bench after last night.
3.) We struggle for spacing and movement in the midfield. Bradley and Jones don’t play like guys who trust the other to cover them on a run.
4.) Thought Bedoya was a joke offensively, one good cross and about 10 balls lost. I’m still struggling to believe that he’s a better option than LD. I think JK just likes the fact that he’s in Europe.
5.) Zusi will be playing in Europe soon. Probably after the World Cup.
6.) Brad Davis is slow. Can’t see him being of much use versus this group. I wonder if he’s a locker room pick. Would have liked to see Julian Green
7.) Yedlin is fast, but he doesn’t trust his touch in defense and he fouls too much.
8.) Chandler is a physical specimen but seems clumsy going forward.
9.) Fabian Johnson is going to be a monster at Right Back.
10.) Gonzalez looks more than a step slow due to his knee injury. Besler looked better as the game went on. Cameron was a rock.
11.) If Jermaine Jones and Bradley can figure out how to play together we’ll have a very very good midfield.
12.) Jozy holds the ball up well, but I think he moves out to the wings too often. Doesn’t attack the ball. Plays like he has no confidence. But I did like towards the end of the game when he dispossessed his man and lined up a shot from 30 yards. That’s what you expect a striker to do, have a go sometimes.
[quote=“J Felt, post:114, topic:27433”][quote=“casstommy, post:111, topic:27433”]We continue to struggle with any sort of creativity in the final 3rd, but thats nothing new. Its really one of the things that separates teams like the US vs teams like Germany. Until we can find that, we will look stagnant. I dont think its on this team personally.
I do have some concerns about the midfield. I know that JK likes that diamond formation but i think it neuters Bradley a bit. There just seems to be little cohesion between Bradley, Zusi, Bedoya, and Jones.
Nice to see Mix play so well. [/quote]US typically has been one of the most athletic teams in any tourney, but we always lacked creativity and finesse. Got by on hunkering down and then using speed to score goals on the counter or size in set pieces. I think guys like Mix and Johannsson bring that creativity, and Klinsmann has been challenging everyone on the team to take people on.
The lack of creativity has been an issue for American soccer at all levels, but the youth are being taught differently now. I watched some state cup prelim games a few weekends ago and was blown away by how often players were going one-on-one. Completely different than what I was taught.
I agree about the diamond, Bradley and Beckerman work well together better than Bradley and Jones. But I think Jones still has a higher ceiling in WC play. IF he gets more comfortable with this defensive role, it should allow Bradley the freedom to move forward.
Still excited about this World Cup.[/quote]
You know my feelings on Jermaine Jones… I actually thought he played pretty well against Azerbaijan but it’s hard to really rate our performance versus such a weak opponent. That was some of the worst set piece marking I’ve ever seen.
Back to Jones though. I think his passing going forward is better than Beckerman’s and in the role he plays on the field the transition pass from defense to attack is key. However, I feel like he will lose the ball in that position once or twice a game and against the speed we’ll face from Ghana, Portugal and Germany, that will be deadly. Beckerman would offer a much more conservative presence but he probably wouldn’t be allowed to cross into the attacking third.
US vs Turkey thoughts?
Much better offensive movement during the first half. Bradley and Jones seemed better connected (even though Jones continues to turn the ball over too often) and we had a tons of chances. Zusi with a few great services. That Johnson goal was class.
Jozy has GOT to get some finesse to his game. He relies far to much on his size and strength and it leads to a lot of whistles. Still i think he had a nice showing and really opened up space. Dempsey looked unfazed by the injury.
Oh man that backline. Timmy Chandler should absolutely not see the field. He just seems like he goes through the motions. Yedlin showed some promise after a few giveaways early. Brooks isnt ready. Beasley looks to be our best option at LB as crazy as that is to type. The thought of Ronaldo and Nani getting the type of space Turkey had today scares the shit out of me.
Julian Green looked like a kid out there, which isnt surprising since he is a kid out there. He needs time. If someone can explain Brad Davis or Green being on this team over Donovan i’d love to hear it. Brad Davis is not international quality.
[quote=“casstommy, post:118, topic:27433”]US vs Turkey thoughts?
Much better offensive movement during the first half. Bradley and Jones seemed better connected (even though Jones continues to turn the ball over too often) and we had a tons of chances. Zusi with a few great services. That Johnson goal was class.
Jozy has GOT to get some finesse to his game. He relies far to much on his size and strength and it leads to a lot of whistles. Still i think he had a nice showing and really opened up space. Dempsey looked unfazed by the injury.
Oh man that backline. Timmy Chandler should absolutely not see the field. He just seems like he goes through the motions. Yedlin showed some promise after a few giveaways early. Brooks isnt ready. Beasley looks to be our best option at LB as crazy as that is to type. The thought of Ronaldo and Nani getting the type of space Turkey had today scares the s*** out of me.
Julian Green looked like a kid out there, which isnt surprising since he is a kid out there. He needs time. If someone can explain Brad Davis or Green being on this team over Donovan i’d love to hear it. Brad Davis is not international quality.[/quote]Brad Davis is on the roster for one thing: Free Kicks. He’s extremely accurate and the US might only be able to score from set pieces against the better teams. Won’t get many chances in the run of play. I like to think he’ll be an 80 minutes gone, we need a goal, substitution.
Green’s selection is for the future, give him a chance to learn and gain invaluable experience.
Donovan isn’t there because going into camp he wasn’t in top shape, hadn’t looked good in MLS play and, oh yea, quit on his team 2 years ago. We know JK hated that break, and I’m sure the team didn’t like it either. He would’ve been coming off the bench anyway, not sure he would’ve accepted that.
The US doesnt have the depth to take fliers on guys like Green or Davis during a world cup. Unless you are planning on punting the world cup. And you never punt on a cup. I think Green will be fine with age and experience, but he’s not there yet and will not help this team. I know people think Davis is some set piece maestro but he’s not. Its his strength for sure, but its not as if he’s some Del Piero.
Like i said before, on its face i dont have an issue with Donovan not being selected. His sabbatical didnt sit well with JK and I get that. But you cant say that he wasnt selected because he was disinterested and then bring in a guy like Chandler. Or say that he isnt in top form and then bring in a guy like Jozy. Its just hard for me to fathom that we are trotting guys like Green and Davis out there while he is sitting at home. He can help us win now. They cant.