***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (9 Viewers)

[NewlyRetired]

Gooch on racism

Four years ago while playing for Standard Liege in Belgium, American defender Oguchi Onyewu (Sherwood High School) sued an opposing player for calling him names. (The issue was resolved out of court.) In a 2006 profile in The Post, Onyewu recalled similar incidents:“There are some racist teams and racist players in Belgium,” he said. “One game, the fans were making monkey noises at some of our players. They just don’t like foreigners. It’s just ignorance. Some [opposing players] will say stupid stuff: ‘You black this, black that.’ And you think to yourself, ‘Now what did you achieve by saying that?’ It makes you feel like cutting the guy’s head off, but you just try to control your emotions.”Has he ever retaliated?“Oh, yeah,” he said, with a sly grin, “but discreetly.”

 

[NewlyRetired]

And the Revs preseason is off to a thunderous start! Already down 2-0 inside of 3 minutes of kickoff.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Here is the US lineup. A couple of surprises for me. I am guessing formation base on line up........................S. Johnson Beltran....Gonzalez....Besler.....Morrow.........................Beckerman.....................Zusi.......Evans..............EJ..........................................Davis.....................Wondo============Might also be a basic 4-4-2 with Evans and Beckerman in middle, Zusi and Davis wide with two traditional strikers.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl)1/29/13, 8:14 PMUSA bench: Hamid, Morales, Bedoya, Agudelo, Gatt, Feilhaber, Bruin. Not in uniform: Hall, Lade, Diskerud, Parke, DeLaGarza.

 

[El Floppo]

Jozy interview on the incident. He comes off well, but I'm a little non-plussed that he appears to be pulling a "Brad Friedel" by adopting a tinge of a ridiculous foreign accent.

I would normally bag on something like this, but it took just three days in Atlanta at the home office this December for words to start coming out of my mouth funny.

So- what do you guys think... better for players and/or clubs to combat racism in soccer this way, by essentially ignoring it? Or better to pull a KPB and make a big deal out of it?

 

[El Floppo]

Here is the US lineup. A couple of surprises for me. I am guessing formation base on line up........................S. Johnson Beltran....Gonzalez....Besler.....Morrow.........................Beckerman.....................Zusi.......Evans..............EJ..........................................Davis.....................Wondo============Might also be a basic 4-4-2 with Evans and Beckerman in middle, Zusi and Davis wide with two traditional strikers.

hmmmmm. that's an OLD forward 3. Not sure what the point of having those guys in there is... unless JK really considers one or more of those guys as being an 12-18 bench player for WCQ and WC?I don't know Morrow at all. I'd have liked to see Bruin get a start up front based on the positive reviews he's been getting in camp; I watched him torch the RedBulls, IIRC for a natural hat-trick. But then next time I saw him play he was completely ineffectual (maybe NY has that affect on forwards).

 

[NewlyRetired]

Jozy interview on the incident. He comes off well, but I'm a little non-plussed that he appears to be pulling a "Brad Friedel" by adopting a tinge of a ridiculous foreign accent.

I would normally bag on something like this, but it took just three days in Atlanta at the home office this December for words to start coming out of my mouth funny.

So- what do you guys think... better for players and/or clubs to combat racism in soccer this way, by essentially ignoring it? Or better to pull a KPB and make a big deal out of it?

I don't have an educated opinion but here is what the Den Bosch guys are saying

The Associated Press reported that Den Bosch director Peter Bijvelds blamed “malicious supporters making a scandalous mess. … We have a structural problem with a group of people who ruin things. We have to crack down on it.”

 

[NewlyRetired]

Here is the US lineup. A couple of surprises for me. I am guessing formation base on line up........................S. Johnson Beltran....Gonzalez....Besler.....Morrow.........................Beckerman.....................Zusi.......Evans..............EJ..........................................Davis.....................Wondo============Might also be a basic 4-4-2 with Evans and Beckerman in middle, Zusi and Davis wide with two traditional strikers.

hmmmmm. that's an OLD forward 3. Not sure what the point of having those guys in there is... unless JK really considers one or more of those guys as being an 12-18 bench player for WCQ and WC?I don't know Morrow at all. I'd have liked to see Bruin get a start up front based on the positive reviews he's been getting in camp; I watched him torch the RedBulls, IIRC for a natural hat-trick. But then next time I saw him play he was completely ineffectual (maybe NY has that affect on forwards).

I am a huge EJ fan so I think he has a good chance to have an effect on the hex.Davis deserves a shot even at his advanced age, and might be a captain type player for the US in the Gold Cup. I am sure Bruin will get a chance sometime tonight. I am not a fan at all of his game but welcome the chance to be won over. Evans starting was a big surprise for me. Morrow had a break through season at SJ, which at LB for US, means he was not spinning like a top every 3 minutes .

 

[Txns8]

What time is kickoff? Anyone have a watchespn login they'd PM me so I can watch from my iPad in Urugua? Apparently the Uruguayans aren't impressed with the UAS v. Canada matchup.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Anyone else confused that Canada has a midfielder named Kyle Becker?ETA - it's spelled Bekker, apparently. And he was drafted by TFC. Shows how much I've been following the MLS offseason.

 

[TLEF316]

Really just can't stand Wondolowski. He's always in a decent spot but NEVER does anything with it. I get that Agudelo has had an awful year or so, but i just don't see why you don't play him over a no-upside guy like Wondo in a game that means something. There are a dozen other young forwards I'd rather see get a shot in a game like this. Same thing with Beckerman. He just infuriates me. Shanks every change he gets and is always just one step away from committing a bad foul. I don't blame Klinnsman for playing him this game, but he just can't be a part of any important qualifiers. Too risky and no upside.

 

[ffldrew]

Wow - this is just a pathetic attack - no speed - no touch

 

[Good Posting Judge]

This is near-unwatchable. I want to move to another country.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

So awful.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

You know those Next Football Star reality shows. This was like the audition shows where they show the guys who can't dribble around cones.

 

[NewlyRetired]

:X At least Gonzo and Besler looked decent but it was masked by an utter lack of effort and ingenuity (bad combination).

 

[Good Posting Judge]

"Go deep, guys!"I hope we don't qualify for the World Cup. There, I said it.

 

[Slapdash]

What a waste of time that was.

 

[TLEF316]

"Go deep, guys!"I hope we don't qualify for the World Cup. There, I said it.

Tonight was super ugly, but these aren't the guys that will be on the field next week. (at least not most of them)

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Am I allowed to jump the fence into Mexico?

 

[NewlyRetired]

I hope we don't qualify for the World Cup. There, I said it.

So our B side, most of whom have not played a game in months, has a poor game (in which they did not lose) and suddenly we don't want to make the cup?Yeah, that makes loads of sense.

 

[El Floppo]

:X At least Gonzo and Besler looked decent but it was masked by an utter lack of effort and ingenuity (bad combination).

yep. and I actually thought Gonzales didn't look that good- defensively solid, but useless with the ball at his feet; not an approach JK has been saying he wants from his backs.obviously not the end of the world- the US B/C squad comes out misfiring. BUT... they're going against the Canada B/C squad and they allow essentially semi-professionals to dictate the game. Yes- it was from a negative, defensive standpoint rather than any kind of offensive prowess, but the US players had no idea whatsoever how to unlock all those guys behind the ball. How many times did players hit it long straight to the CB of Canada? And even when the ball got played to feet to a forward/MF checking back... I only saw a 2nd runner ONCE the entire game (when Wondolowski turned beautifully for a give and go and then hit the ball weakly from under himself). SOOOOOOO static from the entire attack after the first run. They needed to move the ball much faster through the MF and then switch field quickly. The switches were happening (or at least trying to happen), but the couple of short/short passes before that didn't, so the switch would mostly get gobbled or covered up the defender who could just watch it happen and stay his ground rather than get sucked into the quicker short passes inside. Ugh. Zusi disappointed the hell out of me. Evans Shmevans- I guess the hard-working decent MLS pros should get their chance with the Nats, but I've seen enough mediocrtiy from him thanks.Kyle Beckerman was the MoM for me, which is a bad sign. But he controlled the apace as he always does and did as well as anybody distributing the ball and moving it around "quickly". Dammit- every time I see him I keep wishing he just had that extra step in him. Oh well. And Unfortunately the guys in front of him spaced themeselves horribly leaving a ton of room in the middle behind the attack. EJ showed some nice flashes coming back to the ball and holding it, but then got overly complicated and slow with his decision making on the pass (and wouldn't move to receive the next ball).Bleh. Agudelo showed something winning fouls, and Gatt is fast. So that's something I guess.

 

[El Floppo]

I hope we don't qualify for the World Cup. There, I said it.

So our B side, most of whom have not played a game in months, has a poor game (in which they did not lose) and suddenly we don't want to make the cup?Yeah, that makes loads of sense.

yeah, wat? is that a lhusk alias?

 

[Rustoleum]

"Go deep, guys!"I hope we don't qualify for the World Cup. There, I said it.

Tonight was super ugly, but these aren't the guys that will be on the field next week. (at least not most of them)

Serious question from a soccer neophyte: Why play this match at all then? Seems like the equivalentof a preseason NFL game, only featuring strike-replacement players. I guess learning that some of those guys "are who we thought they were", is something, but what's to gain?

 

[NewlyRetired]

"Go deep, guys!"I hope we don't qualify for the World Cup. There, I said it.

Tonight was super ugly, but these aren't the guys that will be on the field next week. (at least not most of them)

Serious question from a soccer neophyte: Why play this match at all then? Seems like the equivalentof a preseason NFL game, only featuring strike-replacement players. I guess learning that some of those guys "are who we thought they were", is something, but what's to gain?

Roughly 7 of these players will make the roster for the Honduras game and it is important to get some live action for the players who are in their offseason. Much better to let them get a crap game out of their system now rather than next week when it counts.

 

[El Floppo]

"Go deep, guys!"I hope we don't qualify for the World Cup. There, I said it.

Tonight was super ugly, but these aren't the guys that will be on the field next week. (at least not most of them)

Serious question from a soccer neophyte: Why play this match at all then? Seems like the equivalentof a preseason NFL game, only featuring strike-replacement players. I guess learning that some of those guys "are who we thought they were", is something, but what's to gain?

Roughly 7 of these players will make the roster for the Honduras game and it is important to get some live action for the players who are in their offseason. Much better to let them get a crap game out of their system now rather than next week when it counts.

Not likely not a single one of these players sees the field next week, barring injury or maybe as a sub.But if the injuries happen to the top 11 (and they always do), one of these guys will need to step in and step up, and this type of game is vital for them to get used to things and for the coaching staff to see what they can do when they pull on the US jersey. For that matter, it's useful for Klinsman and the staff to try and figure out ways to break down a Guat or Jam when they come to the US and possibly park the bus. I liked that he went with a 4-3-3 to shake things up (didn't work, but at least he tried something).

 

[NewlyRetired]

"Go deep, guys!"I hope we don't qualify for the World Cup. There, I said it.

Tonight was super ugly, but these aren't the guys that will be on the field next week. (at least not most of them)

Serious question from a soccer neophyte: Why play this match at all then? Seems like the equivalentof a preseason NFL game, only featuring strike-replacement players. I guess learning that some of those guys "are who we thought they were", is something, but what's to gain?

Roughly 7 of these players will make the roster for the Honduras game and it is important to get some live action for the players who are in their offseason. Much better to let them get a crap game out of their system now rather than next week when it counts.

Not likely not a single one of these players sees the field next week, barring injury or maybe as a sub.But if the injuries happen to the top 11 (and they always do), one of these guys will need to step in and step up, and this type of game is vital for them to get used to things and for the coaching staff to see what they can do when they pull on the US jersey.

Interestingly there are already a bunch of injuries but not in areas where these guys would likely fill in anyway.Although we all may be too quickly forgetting that with out Zusi and EJ's play in the last two qualifiers, we might not have made it to the hex. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that multiple players who played today will have an effect (be it good or bad) in the 10 games of the hex.Plus today also helps to start to think about how Klinsmann wants to build the Gold Cup roster, whether he goes young, experienced or mixed.

 

[TLEF316]

So what's the starting 11 for next week at this point?Howard (duh) Chandler Cameron and Bocanegra seem like locks, but who plays LB? (assuming Fab is legitimately hurt). Apparently Castillo has been decent lately for his club in MexicoDanny Williams would be the obvious choice in the spot that Beckerman played tonight, but he hasn't seen much action lately. Have a bad feeling he rolls dreadlocks out there again. Bradley is the obvious choice at the top of the diamond if that's what they go with. But then do you play Dempsey as the right wing or in the hole behind the striker (where I guess EJ played tonight). Does he go with both Clint and EJ or does Jozy get first crack? Should be interesting.

 

[The Gator]

Am I allowed to jump the fence into Mexico?

 

[NewlyRetired]

Assuming everyone healthy...............HowardCher......Cam.......Boca.......Fab.................Williams .........Bradley..........Jones......Dempsey...............EJ/Gomez....................Jozy===========================Chandler in for Cher if Cher still hurtCameron/Castillo in for Fab if hurt (if Cam then Gonzo or Goodson at CB)Zusi in for Jones if Jones still hurtCameron played today so I think his hamstring issue was just a caution. We will likely get a good read on Cher and Fab this weekend in Germany.While Williams has not played much, he is still paying more often than Beckerman is in the offseason, so while Beckerman makes the roster I still think Williams starts. Also, Edu may reemerge now that he is finally getting some playing time and playing well at the holding midfield role in Turkey. Am I missing any obvious injuries?

 

[Rustoleum]

"Go deep, guys!"I hope we don't qualify for the World Cup. There, I said it.

Tonight was super ugly, but these aren't the guys that will be on the field next week. (at least not most of them)

Serious question from a soccer neophyte: Why play this match at all then? Seems like the equivalentof a preseason NFL game, only featuring strike-replacement players. I guess learning that some of those guys "are who we thought they were", is something, but what's to gain?

Roughly 7 of these players will make the roster for the Honduras game and it is important to get some live action for the players who are in their offseason. Much better to let them get a crap game out of their system now rather than next week when it counts.

Not likely not a single one of these players sees the field next week, barring injury or maybe as a sub.But if the injuries happen to the top 11 (and they always do), one of these guys will need to step in and step up, and this type of game is vital for them to get used to things and for the coaching staff to see what they can do when they pull on the US jersey. For that matter, it's useful for Klinsman and the staff to try and figure out ways to break down a Guat or Jam when they come to the US and possibly park the bus. I liked that he went with a 4-3-3 to shake things up (didn't work, but at least he tried something).

I didn't the realize the first qualifier was so soon. For some reason I was thinking March. When does the "a" team get released from their club obligations? Seems like there is little to no time for any meaningful practice. I get that there isn't exactly a play book to digest, but is that enought time to get any sort of feel for timing, etc? Do Bradley, Dempsey, et al just fly straight to Honduras?I guess I'm just being too nationalisticin wanting to follow a national team foremost and not truly grasping how much the leagues/clubs dictate the way things are.

 

[NewlyRetired]

"Go deep, guys!"I hope we don't qualify for the World Cup. There, I said it.

Tonight was super ugly, but these aren't the guys that will be on the field next week. (at least not most of them)

Serious question from a soccer neophyte: Why play this match at all then? Seems like the equivalentof a preseason NFL game, only featuring strike-replacement players. I guess learning that some of those guys "are who we thought they were", is something, but what's to gain?

Roughly 7 of these players will make the roster for the Honduras game and it is important to get some live action for the players who are in their offseason. Much better to let them get a crap game out of their system now rather than next week when it counts.

Not likely not a single one of these players sees the field next week, barring injury or maybe as a sub.But if the injuries happen to the top 11 (and they always do), one of these guys will need to step in and step up, and this type of game is vital for them to get used to things and for the coaching staff to see what they can do when they pull on the US jersey. For that matter, it's useful for Klinsman and the staff to try and figure out ways to break down a Guat or Jam when they come to the US and possibly park the bus. I liked that he went with a 4-3-3 to shake things up (didn't work, but at least he tried something).

I didn't the realize the first qualifier was so soon. For some reason I was thinking March. When does the "a" team get released from their club obligations? Seems like there is little to no time for any meaningful practice. I get that there isn't exactly a play book to digest, but is that enought time to get any sort of feel for timing, etc? Do Bradley, Dempsey, et al just fly straight to Honduras?I guess I'm just being too nationalisticin wanting to follow a national team foremost and not truly grasping how much the leagues/clubs dictate the way things are.

I believe the players will be released after there games on Saturday or Sunday. The team will have a couple of days of practice but not enough time for a friendly. There is so little time that they may fly into Honduras directly but I am not sure.

 

[NewlyRetired]

There is also a decent chance that where Zusi is hardly in mid season form right now, that Sacha will take on a bigger role as he continues to perform well (yes, I know he is not an FFA favorite but still worth keeping in mind).

 

[NewlyRetired]

Update on Fabian

AMSTERDAM – Hoffenheim wingback Fabian Johnson (above, right) has been forced to train to the side that last two days due to a knee knock, but the club is hoping he will be able to rejoin the team session on Wednesday.The US international suffered a bruise and ligament strain in a challenge during practice late last week, forcing him to miss Saturday's Bundesliga loss at Eintracht Frankfurt."On the inside of his knee, the ligament is a little hurt," Hoffenheim press officer Holger Tromp told MLSsoccer.com on Tuesday. "More or less, he was [kept out of the weekend match] to prevent it getting worse."Still today, Fabian had to practice individually. For tomorrow afternoon, the plan is to bring him back to the group in order to be an option for the weekend. Not sure, though, if that will work out."

 

[Good Posting Judge]

I hope we don't qualify for the World Cup. There, I said it.

So our B side, most of whom have not played a game in months, has a poor game (in which they did not lose) and suddenly we don't want to make the cup?Yeah, that makes loads of sense.

yeah, wat? is that a lhusk alias?

I was engaging in hyperbole. As frustrating as the USMNT can be, I'd much rather see us in than any of the other ####ty o####ries we're in the hex with.I also realize the game was stakesless and meaningless, but just from an organizational perspective I hate watching us launch long ball after long ball to a forward who has little support should he gain possession, which was more often than not.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

I also realize the game was stakesless and meaningless, but just from an organizational perspective I hate watching us launch long ball after long ball to a forward who has little support should he gain possession, which was more often than not.

I don't think the US played many aimless long balls. They possessed the ball in the Canada half much of the game. But they had very, very few ideas on how to get past Candada when they defended deep. One reason why that's disappointing, IMO, is that a Davis and Zusi in particular are supposed to be the players who can do that. I think Zusi is a good player, but he seemed to lack ideas. I thought Benny was better, but I was disappointed that Mix didn't make the 18 (I understand that JK was frustrated with a lack of physicality from Mix in camp, but I just think he brings more to the team right now than someone like Gatt.Gatt might be one to watch for the future, but his footballing IQ is somewhere in the single digits right now. At least, he has no place on the left side. He might be able to hack it on the left. I continue to feel bad for Chris Pontius, because even if he's not international caliber (and he might not be), he could have offered something more on the left than Evans/Gatt. Poor Eddie Johnson looked completely lost, so I think it was odd that Bruin got so few minutes (then again, I don't think I heard Bruin's name for the 15 minutes he played). I don't feel like I know a thing more about Gonzo or Besler than I did before, because they essentially faced a toothless MLS attack. Likewise, I think I'd have rather the US lost with us learning a bit more about Morales than have us come out with KB as the man of the match. We know exactly what Kyle is capable of, which is a commanding, assured performance in DM against Gold Cup competition.

 

[JaxBill]

If Lenny Dykstra played soccer, he’d be Josh Gatt. Great athlete, ton of energy, totally out of control.

 

[The Gator]

I hope we don't qualify for the World Cup. There, I said it.

So our B side, most of whom have not played a game in months, has a poor game (in which they did not lose) and suddenly we don't want to make the cup?Yeah, that makes loads of sense.

yeah, wat? is that a lhusk alias?

I was engaging in hyperbole. As frustrating as the USMNT can be, I'd much rather see us in than any of the other ####ty o####ries we're in the hex with.I also realize the game was stakesless and meaningless, but just from an organizational perspective I hate watching us launch long ball after long ball to a forward who has little support should he gain possession, which was more often than not.

UStokeA

 

[NewlyRetired]

I continue to feel bad for Chris Pontius, because even if he's not international caliber (and he might not be), he could have offered something more on the left than Evans/Gatt. Poor Eddie Johnson looked completely lost, so I think it was odd that Bruin got so few minutes (then again, I don't think I heard Bruin's name for the 15 minutes he played). I don't feel like I know a thing more about Gonzo or Besler than I did before, because they essentially faced a toothless MLS attack. Likewise, I think I'd have rather the US lost with us learning a bit more about Morales than have us come out with KB as the man of the match. We know exactly what Kyle is capable of, which is a commanding, assured performance in DM against Gold Cup competition.

Pontius keeps getting hurt at the wrong times. Shame, because he is one of those players that might get caught between cycles. He is most likely not going to make the WC2014 roster (unless he has a killer season and is given a chance after the hex), and he will be 30 by the time 2018 comes around.I have not been impressed with Gatt yet in the small amount of time I have seen him. He is stuck with the Big Soccer stigma of "oh he is doing great in a middling European league, there fore he has to be so much better than any MLS player" only to realize he is not much different. Great turn of pace at least, which is something the US needs.I thought EJ was the only offensive player with a small clue last night. Most of the report card grades have given him an average of about a 5.5. Not great but considering how useless the midfield was last night, it is hard to expect much more out of a striker getting zero service.Totally agree about Besler and Gonzo. But when they scheduled this game, I think we kind of knew that Canada was not going to poise much of an offensive threat. Klinsmann has shown in the past that he has the balls to make a surprise move so it would not utterly shock me to see Gonzo get a start at Honduras but I certainly would not feel secure.I was most frustrated with the fact that while Canada was bunkering, the fullbacks were not getting involved enough in the game. Your point about lack of ideas was the central problem with the attack last night.Is this two straight 0-0 draws against Canada now? I think the US has clearly shown that no matter who is on the field representing the US (be it the A, B or C+ side), that they do not possess the type of team that understands how to break down an inferior opponent who is bunkering. The small silver lining in this is that Honduras is not likely to bunker unless they get a two goal lead.

 

[Slapdash]

I still like when Benny gets time, he just plays at a different speed in the attack and the US needs much more of that. I hope he stays in the mix for 2014. Not too sure service was the issue last night, seemed like a lot of chances were sent sky-high by EJ and company. Pitiful effots on headers in the box.Gonzo looks like a disaster waiting to happen when he has the ball in the back, there were a couple of times last night where he looked on the verge of giving it away.Beckerman is still a no-upside type of guy who I really don't think should be in the sqaud when something is on the line.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I still like when Benny gets time, he just plays at a different speed in the attack and the US needs much more of that. I hope he stays in the mix for 2014.

Benny was a lone bright spot last night (outside of Beckerman's performance, in which we really did not learn too much new anyway. He is what he is).Benny is in an infinitely better club situation now surrounded by Besler, Zusi, Sappong, Kamara, Convey, Bunbury and their new DP Bieler. He could not ask for a more balanced team around him in MLS. This is really a chance for him to shine, or to forever wear the strange distinction of being a better international player than a club player.

 

[dparker713]

I continue to feel bad for Chris Pontius, because even if he's not international caliber (and he might not be), he could have offered something more on the left than Evans/Gatt. Poor Eddie Johnson looked completely lost, so I think it was odd that Bruin got so few minutes (then again, I don't think I heard Bruin's name for the 15 minutes he played). I don't feel like I know a thing more about Gonzo or Besler than I did before, because they essentially faced a toothless MLS attack. Likewise, I think I'd have rather the US lost with us learning a bit more about Morales than have us come out with KB as the man of the match. We know exactly what Kyle is capable of, which is a commanding, assured performance in DM against Gold Cup competition.

Pontius keeps getting hurt at the wrong times. Shame, because he is one of those players that might get caught between cycles. He is most likely not going to make the WC2014 roster (unless he has a killer season and is given a chance after the hex), and he will be 30 by the time 2018 comes around.I have not been impressed with Gatt yet in the small amount of time I have seen him. He is stuck with the Big Soccer stigma of "oh he is doing great in a middling European league, there fore he has to be so much better than any MLS player" only to realize he is not much different. Great turn of pace at least, which is something the US needs.I thought EJ was the only offensive player with a small clue last night. Most of the report card grades have given him an average of about a 5.5. Not great but considering how useless the midfield was last night, it is hard to expect much more out of a striker getting zero service.Totally agree about Besler and Gonzo. But when they scheduled this game, I think we kind of knew that Canada was not going to poise much of an offensive threat. Klinsmann has shown in the past that he has the balls to make a surprise move so it would not utterly shock me to see Gonzo get a start at Honduras but I certainly would not feel secure.I was most frustrated with the fact that while Canada was bunkering, the fullbacks were not getting involved enough in the game. Your point about lack of ideas was the central problem with the attack last night.Is this two straight 0-0 draws against Canada now? I think the US has clearly shown that no matter who is on the field representing the US (be it the A, B or C+ side), that they do not possess the type of team that understands how to break down an inferior opponent who is bunkering. The small silver lining in this is that Honduras is not likely to bunker unless they get a two goal lead.

There was a small stretch where the US actually played ok. Took the width Canada was giving and played some dangerous crosses. Problem is, they should have been doing that all night long. The team last night lacked the touch and technical ability to break down a team that parks the bus in the middle, yet either do to the players or the coaching they seem unwilling to add width to their attack. I think that problem is somewhat alleviated with Cherundolo or Chandler, but the B squad was decidedly uninspiring last night and heighlighted a problem that has been evident since Klinsman took over.Anyone know what percentage of that squad would regularly start for Canada in a meaningful match?

 

[NewlyRetired]

One interesting piece of trivia about the FFA's favorite whipping boy.Most people know of the golden U17 US team that had Landon, Gooch, Convey, and Beasley on it. Beckerman was also an important part of that team, but did you guys know that he was a striker on that squad? Can't even begin to picture that

 

[NewlyRetired]

Anyone know what percentage of that squad would regularly start for Canada in a meaningful match?

I don't know their team much at all. Looking at their typical qualifying lineup and comparing to last night it looks like ~3-5 players.Beckker started last night for them and does not even have one MLS game under his belt yet so they definitely started some very inexperienced players as well.

 

[Slapdash]

I still like when Benny gets time, he just plays at a different speed in the attack and the US needs much more of that. I hope he stays in the mix for 2014.

Benny was a lone bright spot last night (outside of Beckerman's performance, in which we really did not learn too much new anyway. He is what he is).Benny is in an infinitely better club situation now surrounded by Besler, Zusi, Sappong, Kamara, Convey, Bunbury and their new DP Bieler. He could not ask for a more balanced team around him in MLS. This is really a chance for him to shine, or to forever wear the strange distinction of being a better international player than a club player.

I really hope so, I've always been a fan of him but he will never get better without significant club work.I just struggle to see who is going to play a creative role in the midfield if LanDon doesn't return. Can Bradley fit in as a 10?

 

[GoFishTN]

I'm glad to see 'arry and QPR being fiscally prudent, given their current standing in the table.

Queens Park Rangers have triggered the £10 million release clause in Christopher Samba’s Anzhi Makhachkala contract.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I still like when Benny gets time, he just plays at a different speed in the attack and the US needs much more of that. I hope he stays in the mix for 2014.

Benny was a lone bright spot last night (outside of Beckerman's performance, in which we really did not learn too much new anyway. He is what he is).Benny is in an infinitely better club situation now surrounded by Besler, Zusi, Sappong, Kamara, Convey, Bunbury and their new DP Bieler. He could not ask for a more balanced team around him in MLS. This is really a chance for him to shine, or to forever wear the strange distinction of being a better international player than a club player.

I really hope so, I've always been a fan of him but he will never get better without significant club work.I just struggle to see who is going to play a creative role in the midfield if LanDon doesn't return. Can Bradley fit in as a 10?

yeah, we don't really have an abundance of #10's sadly.Bradley and Jones will have to do in the midfield and Dempsey is certainly created enough to provide that role in a 3 man front line.One thing we have not talked about was the utter lack of ability of anyone to dribble past an opponent last night. We don't have a lot of that even when the full side is together, but Fab is pretty much the best we have. This is another reason we need Shea to get his head on straight. He brings a specific skill (being able to run at players with the ball), that the US does not have many of.

 

[gianmarco]

I still like when Benny gets time, he just plays at a different speed in the attack and the US needs much more of that. I hope he stays in the mix for 2014.

Benny was a lone bright spot last night (outside of Beckerman's performance, in which we really did not learn too much new anyway. He is what he is).Benny is in an infinitely better club situation now surrounded by Besler, Zusi, Sappong, Kamara, Convey, Bunbury and their new DP Bieler.

He could not ask for a more balanced team around him in MLS. This is really a chance for him to shine, or to forever wear the strange distinction of being a better international player than a club player.

I really hope so, I've always been a fan of him but he will never get better without significant club work.I just struggle to see who is going to play a creative role in the midfield if LanDon doesn't return. Can Bradley fit in as a 10?

yeah, we don't really have an abundance of #10's sadly.Bradley and Jones will have to do in the midfield and Dempsey is certainly created enough to provide that role in a 3 man front line.

One thing we have not talked about was the utter lack of ability of anyone to dribble past an opponent last night. We don't have a lot of that even when the full side is together, but Fab is pretty much the best we have.

This is another reason we need Shea to get his head on straight. He brings a specific skill (being able to run at players with the ball), that the US does not have many of.

This was the thing i noticed. I'm nowhere near most of your levels in terms of breaking down the game , but this was painfully obvious even to me last night. That, and their spacing and passing lanes were non existent. Not only could they not dribble past anyone, there was no immediate help when this would happen and possession would be lost every time the defense collapsed on a player. This is what was so frustrating to watch. And while Canada may have packed it in, we're not talking about world-class defenders here. If these guys can't create AT ALL against this caliber of defensive player, they have no shot against players with class that can take the ball away with ease.

 

[Slapdash]

I still like when Benny gets time, he just plays at a different speed in the attack and the US needs much more of that. I hope he stays in the mix for 2014.

Benny was a lone bright spot last night (outside of Beckerman's performance, in which we really did not learn too much new anyway. He is what he is).Benny is in an infinitely better club situation now surrounded by Besler, Zusi, Sappong, Kamara, Convey, Bunbury and their new DP Bieler. He could not ask for a more balanced team around him in MLS. This is really a chance for him to shine, or to forever wear the strange distinction of being a better international player than a club player.

I really hope so, I've always been a fan of him but he will never get better without significant club work.I just struggle to see who is going to play a creative role in the midfield if LanDon doesn't return. Can Bradley fit in as a 10?

yeah, we don't really have an abundance of #10's sadly.Bradley and Jones will have to do in the midfield and Dempsey is certainly created enough to provide that role in a 3 man front line.One thing we have not talked about was the utter lack of ability of anyone to dribble past an opponent last night. We don't have a lot of that even when the full side is together, but Fab is pretty much the best we have. This is another reason we need Shea to get his head on straight. He brings a specific skill (being able to run at players with the ball), that the US does not have many of.

I really hate that triple pivot formation, but I agree it is probably the best one the US can put out there. Fabian and Shea on the left would be pretty strong.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

I'm glad to see 'arry and QPR being fiscally prudent, given their current standing in the table. Queens Park Rangers have triggered the £10 million release clause in Christopher Samba’s Anzhi Makhachkala contract.

Getting relegated isn't fiscally prudent. Harry is desperately trying to buy his way out of the relegation zone - nothing wrong with that.