Since my last post the USA has beaten Canada 3-0 to qualify for the Beijing Olympics (thank god!). The U-23's played their best game of the tournament against the Canadians, where Freddy Adu scored on two spectacular freekicks. The third goal was well orchestrated from the run of play and provided some pay off for all the possession the US has had in all of their games.
Unfortunately the US lost to Honduras in the final. It was a game the US dominated by could not produce any goals. Robbie Findley missed the most glaring chance when he failed to convert a perfect cross from Barret, instead heading the ball directly into the ground causing it to bounce up into the crossbar. Speaking of Barret, I stick by my story that he is a good forward. He still makes mistakes but his ability to move into spaces and hold the ball help open up the play. Findley played well overall and demonstrated his speed and skill on several occasions, but failed in front of the net and often seemed to not be within the right passing lane, with multiple passes pushing slightly wide of him. Altidore came on as a sub and did very little. In fact he didn't play well at any time in the tournament. He seems to never be moving back to show for passes. At least not doing this well. He's a strong skillfull player but still has a lot of work, no doubt a lot of it tactical.
Some other positive notes from the final was the play of Maurice Edu and Eddie Gaven. Edu was very noticeable, breaking up plays, making good passes, and generally looking far more mature than any other player on the US team. Eddie Gaven was very creative and pushed forward, taking on players and putting in dangerous crosses.
The US found themselves in front of the Honduran goal so many times during the course of the match, and their attempts on goal were generally dismal. A few players took at least one strong shot - Edu, Barret, Altidore, and Gaven. But most of the shots were really sad. One of Kamani Hill's left footed shots sailed out undeflected for a Honduran throw in. The US combined on several occasions with tight passes in the box, but all chances coming to naught. Overall a disapointing result but mostly strong play from the young pups.
On the US roster for the game against Poland...what is Bob Bradley's deal? Brian Ching? Really? And why call in Eddie Johnson? Johnson's play for Fulham has only served to reinforce my view of him as a terrible soccer player. He has no willingness to play hard, in fact he seems fearful of getting involved in the play. Not exactly the mentality you want in a striker. I'd much rather see Altidore. Why not try some other guys up front? Like maybe Chris Rolfe or Chad Barrett. I saw this coming. Bradley thinks like Arena. I'm convinced they think having a guy like Johnson just being on the field in a top European league is enough to improve his play. Like through some sort of soccer talent osmosis. As for the other call ups...why not bring some of the young guys that may be involved in the Olympics this summer (or fall whenever it is)? Bring Edu instead of Clarke, bring Adu and maybe Stuart Holden, Sascha Kljestan, or Eddie Gaven. Jay Demerit? Eddie Lewis? Come on Bradley bring in some young guys and give them a chance. Maybe try a different tactical strategy that puts players like Donovan and Dempsey in roles where they can thrive and be the most effective. I think Nowak did a great job with the U-23's. Maybe we could pull a pot-bellied switch and install him as the national team coach. Of course we can't but I still don't put much faith in Bradley. I guess only time will tell.
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2 comments:
I think that the US played just as well against Honduras in the final as they did against Canada in the semi. The only difference was Altidore wasn't in to create free kick opportunities near the goal, and Adu wasn't in there to finish them off. You aren't giving Altidore the credit he deserve for drawing tons of attention in a target position and creating opportunities for other players up front.
As for Gavin, I thought he looked sloppy, yet effective, often running into defenders causing fouls one way or the other but being more willing to take people on than he, or any one else has in a while.
Findley's miss was unlucky, the rest of his play is what was disapointing.
Edu was the best player on the field whenever he was on the field.
I'll post about the senior national team later.
What you say about Altidore may be true, but my concern was that he doesn't show for the ball very well. I want to see US strikers moving a lot and helping the US build attacks. It's more entertaining than posting a guy in front of the goal to wait for scoring chances. Plus that strategy may work for a team like Italy, but I'm not sure it will work for the US.
And on Edu I think he's inconsistent usually and this final game was his best performance. He wasn't the best player on the field in any other game except for maybe the final. His performance there gave me a lot of hope for him in the future. He could be great but he needs to tighten the screws, too often he makes mistakes trapping the ball, allowing it to pop up on him. That and hospital ball passes are the two mistakes I see him make the most. But him and Altidore are good players already, and I'm still optimistic they can become even better.
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