379 replies to this topic

[CJChap]

I agree with ya.

I tend to give Bradley and Co. the benefit of the doubt because there's probably more going on behind the scenes. For one, Osario has really made a point to stress that he's been very fatigued. He hasn't been getting full minutes bc of nick nack injuries.

He's also got a ton coming up for the US. You figure he'll be at the Olympics and whatever that entails, which will probably take him away from Red Bull for quite a while. Plus there's a good chance you might not see him even return to Red Bull after the Olympics because he may head to Europe.

Plus, he missed nearly their entire pre-season to be with the Olympic qualifying team.

I'm not sure how the Concacaf qualifiers match up with the Olympics, but he could miss time for those too in the early fall if he's still a Red Bull player then.

[CJChap]

Puuuke

Howard

Cherundolo – Onyewu – Bocanegra – Pearce

Dempsey – Clark – Bradley – Beasley

Johnson - Wolff

[mic99]

Wolff?

good lord

[njingles3]

So that's what a good free kick looks like.

[ham_sandwich]

Redemption for Terry.



Probably not but it must feel good for the poor bastard.

[Carmine Hose]

One week to the day, JT hits the net. Thanks for waiting.

[Jeff Van GULLY]

Updates appreciated.

[Carmine Hose]

Terry put a header into the corner from the box after a nice Beckham cross.

Cherundolo got a yellow near half time. I think the shot count is something like 10-1 in favor of the previous government of the middle North American land.

[Carmine Hose]

Second half underway. David Bentley on for Becks. Hejduk on for Cherundolo.

[njingles3]

They need to do a lot better on set pieces when they can't generate any other offense.

[allaboutthesox]

Well, I am at work while the game was going on so all I had was blog updates on ESPN. Based on the blog entries per minute, the US was dominated and looked lifeless. Apparently Adu, did add a little spark to this team when he came on the field. I guess I can't make any rash conclusions because I have not seen the game, but it appears Bradley is about what I thought he was....an Arena clone. His team plays the way he coaches, which is apparently lifeless. I am really looking forward to seeing the game on replay.

I guess I am more concerned about how this team will look after the next two games. If they continue to downward spiral, I am pretty sure you will start to hear possible grumblings of wanting Bradley fired. I would almost go as far as to say fire Sunil Gulati as well, since it appeared that he [Gulati] was the reason why Jurgen Klinnsmen changed his mind about coaching the US. I am sorry, I just want the US to live up to the potential I feel this team has in WC 2010. I am sure I will catch some 'flame" posts for what I have said. Unfortunately, I probably have allowed my desire for success of the USMNT to overule sound thinking and patience. I apologize in advance for this post. I am just so damn frustrated with what my perception of what Bradley is doing and how I feel time is being wasted with him as coach.

[CJChap]

Other than not ever allowing Josh Wolff to touch the pitch, and maybe starting a really green Adu, what would you suggest they have done?

Though he's controversial in his performance, they were missing their best player in Landon Donovan and probably their best (only) striker in Altidore.

[sweet sox]

Why was Donovan not playing, actually? I didn't even realise until 20 minutes in because I missed the teams being announced.

Very, very disappointed with the US team.

They looked physically weak, not just the skinny Beasley but even guys like Onyewu were being pushed around by the English players. I think this is a major problem with the American national side, they have lacked power since McBride quit - Wolff and Johnson never looked like getting any change from Terry and when they did get in to good positions they completely fluffed their lines in front of goal. England played well once they scored but USA seemed to be waiting for that goal from the first minute. Not impressed at all, they need to be more dynamic; hopefully Altidore can provide the power upfront.

[CJChap]

Donovan pulled his groin.

I think he changes things a bit if he's there. Do they win? No. But I think it helps create some things up front and get some more worthwhile posession in the attacking third of the field.

I also think Altidore would have helped. Right now there's just nobody else in the US Camp that can hold up the ball and play with their back to the goal.

Lacking that is something the US can survive when playing against Concacaf teams, but it won't work against the better national sides. Unless you can take advantage of your set pieces....

And again, I'm not saying there's a 180 degree change if those two play, but it makes it a better game for the US, I think. It's sad that I can only think of 1 natural American striker (McBride doesn't count).

[Spacemans Bong]

I recall saying something about a B team....

I'm kind of bitter about that performance. The US didn't really play with any intelligence. Trying to overpower England is stupid, and Bradley didn't help by playing clowns like Wolff and Johnson who have zero value to any good US team. Onyweu getting pushed off the ball so powerfully by Rooney that he fell over kind of defined this team's performance last night.

That performance sucked. The foul by Clark that led to Terry's goal was fucking stupid. Grade A fucking stupid. Brown had already lost the ball to Pearce and Clark rammed into him. Other than that I thought the US defended relatively well considering the situation where Bradley had basically cut the balls out of the US team. Onyewu, Bocanegra, Cherundolo and in the second half Hejduk made some good and smart plays and Guzan made a good point blank save from Defoe. That's the positive we can take IMO.

But playing long balls to Johnson was retarded. Does Bradley seriously think that Ferdinand and Terry aren't going to deal with that? England's playing Wes Brown at right back, why weren't we targeting the guy who is by far England's weakest defender? Brown and the monolithic Beckham on the right presented a clear path for the US to attack and we did NOTHING there.

I wasn't really expecting a win and I would have been estatic at even a draw, but it's the naivety and stupidity of the performance that really annoys me. I'm not really that mad we lost Klinsmann because Joachim Low was the real coach of that German team and if Klinsmann was brought in guess who his assistant would have been? Bob Bradley.

But we need a better coach. Bradley isn't going to take this team any farther than the last 16 of the World Cup and that's if we're lucky. And I can't describe how pussy it is to finally get three really good friendlies and end up with baldy playing a motherfucking B team, which I bet he will do in every game. How can the USA get any better if the clown who is coaching us takes England at Wembley about as seriously as a mid-season friendly with Guatemala or Norway?

[CJChap]

Who did you want him to start!?

Altidore has had nick nack injuries, like I said, and is going to be worked to the core this summer. Ching and Cooper had games, so they were trying not to disrupt the MLS too much. Donovan was hurt. Adu should have started, but he is internationall inexperienced.

Its not like there's a bunch of guys sitting around that would step in and just star.

[Vinho Tinto]

Its not like there's a bunch of guys sitting around that would step in and just star.

That's it. The US does not have quality depth (At CB, they don't feature quality first choice players either).

England is a good team who plays very good at home. All things considered, yesterday's game could have been much worse. Disappointing game, but losing 2-0 at Wembley is probably the most likely result right now.

[CJChap]

I know that's it and I know they don't have depth.

I'm just wondering why people keep saying this was their B team and the players selected were an absolute disgrace. Were there a few questions? Yes. But not much could have been done differently in terms of player selection. Unless there's a bunch of guys I'm not aware of.

[Spacemans Bong]

I know that's it and I know they don't have depth.

I'm just wondering why people keep saying this was their B team and the players selected were an absolute disgrace. Were there a few questions? Yes. But not much could have been done differently in terms of player selection. Unless there's a bunch of guys I'm not aware of.

Call it grumpiness, but the national team should come first. The full national team.

Not MLS, not age-group jollies, the national team. We basically play very few important games because we play in a shit confederation and could send teams much worse than tonight out here and win every game except Mexico and away to Costa Rica.

I'm just terribly frustrated because I think US soccer is at a cross roads, the last 20 years the country's soccer people have busted ass to make the US from a team unable to qualify for the World Cup to a team that regularly qualifies for World Cups and looks at going out in the first round as a disappointment. We're at that juncture where we are looking at wallowing in mediocrity or turning the US into a real force in soccer. And I'm not entirely certain the powers of US soccer seem to grasp this.

These three games are the most important games US soccer has that year (I believe WCQs start this year but it's the preliminaries and I'm pretty sure we aren't losing to Barbados). And we aren't taking them all that seriously. Just like we didn't take the Copa America seriously, so we could play in the fucking Confederations Cup. Ooh, wow. Opportunities missed.

[mic99]

Call it grumpiness, but the national team should come first. The full national team.

Not MLS, not age-group jollies, the national team. We basically play very few important games because we play in a shit confederation and could send teams much worse than tonight out here and win every game except Mexico and away to Costa Rica.

I'm just terribly frustrated because I think US soccer is at a cross roads, the last 20 years the country's soccer people have busted ass to make the US from a team unable to qualify for the World Cup to a team that regularly qualifies for World Cups and looks at going out in the first round as a disappointment. We're at that juncture where we are looking at wallowing in mediocrity or turning the US into a real force in soccer. And I'm not entirely certain the powers of US soccer seem to grasp this.

These three games are the most important games US soccer has that year (I believe WCQs start this year but it's the preliminaries and I'm pretty sure we aren't losing to Barbados). And we aren't taking them all that seriously. Just like we didn't take the Copa America seriously, so we could play in the fucking Confederations Cup. Ooh, wow. Opportunities missed.

Think we have to be careful about expectations. Getting to our current position was the easy part (automatic WC with a shot at making it out of the group stages). Competing with sides like England at Wembley (as overrated as England might be) is going to take some time

I believe Bocanegra was the captain last night.....he couldn't get a game at Fulham this year.

We are still a long way from where we need to be and only time is going to get us there

[sweet sox]

I think the USA has a shot at being a major force in the future, but these things take time.

The MLS is getting more and more coverage in the UK (mainly Beckham based but still) and there are always stories of players from both Scotland and England thinking of going over to play. These guys are good players (Peter Canero aside) and should improve the league.

If the MLS can keep up its popularity, hopefully less kids will be tempted to play football, basketball, baseball, hockey etc and want to become 'the new Becks' or, if he lives up to expectations, 'the new Freddy Adu'.

What is the popularity of soccer in the States? 5th most popular? I know it's very big on the female side of the game but not so sure about the men. I think getting kids involved, making it more accessible, promoting the sport etc is going to lead to benefits in the future. I just dont think the US team has good enough players to really do well against the bigger teams on a consisten basis right now.

[Snakebauer007]

I think the USA has a shot at being a major force in the future, but these things take time.

The MLS is getting more and more coverage in the UK (mainly Beckham based but still) and there are always stories of players from both Scotland and England thinking of going over to play. These guys are good players (Peter Canero aside) and should improve the league.

If the MLS can keep up its popularity, hopefully less kids will be tempted to play football, basketball, baseball, hockey etc and want to become 'the new Becks' or, if he lives up to expectations, 'the new Freddy Adu'.

What is the popularity of soccer in the States? 5th most popular? I know it's very big on the female side of the game but not so sure about the men. I think getting kids involved, making it more accessible, promoting the sport etc is going to lead to benefits in the future. I just dont think the US team has good enough players to really do well against the bigger teams on a consisten basis right now.

I honestly dont think the USA is that close to being a power, maybe the 2nd tier level but now a power. Not too long ago most people felt North America was the next continent to win the WC and produce a power house nation, but Africa has flown by.



We still havent produced a single world class field player.

[Titans Bastard]

Call it grumpiness, but the national team should come first. The full national team.

Not MLS, not age-group jollies, the national team. We basically play very few important games because we play in a shit confederation and could send teams much worse than tonight out here and win every game except Mexico and away to Costa Rica.

I'm just terribly frustrated because I think US soccer is at a cross roads, the last 20 years the country's soccer people have busted ass to make the US from a team unable to qualify for the World Cup to a team that regularly qualifies for World Cups and looks at going out in the first round as a disappointment. We're at that juncture where we are looking at wallowing in mediocrity or turning the US into a real force in soccer. And I'm not entirely certain the powers of US soccer seem to grasp this.

These three games are the most important games US soccer has that year (I believe WCQs start this year but it's the preliminaries and I'm pretty sure we aren't losing to Barbados). And we aren't taking them all that seriously. Just like we didn't take the Copa America seriously, so we could play in the fucking Confederations Cup. Ooh, wow. Opportunities missed.

I feel the frustration too. It's one thing to take a Euro-based squad to a friendly in South Africa or Switzerland, but when you are a country without exception depth, when you play England in Wembley you bring your best. I understand Bradley's concern about maintaining relationships with MLS clubs, but it wasn't the right call in this situation.

I'm not frustrated with the loss. I expected to lose. It's how we lost. Meekly throwing a guy who just got released by a mid-tier 2.Bundesliga team up front. Oh, by the way -- Kenny Cooper scored his 6th goal in 10 games the very same night in Dallas. Bob Bradley has gotten decent results, but we've been winning ugly and are clearly tactically inferior. We play the exact same formation no matter who we are playing or what the situation is. As you said -- it's a damn shame Josh Wolff couldn't beat out Rio Ferdinand and John Terry for all those long balls that Bocanegra booted up there. Maybe he'll get them next time.

We have enough talent that we'll qualify for the World Cup and maybe, depending on the group and luck, make it to the next round. Bradley doesn't have what it takes to push us higher. Not that God Himself could coach us to a WC final -- but Bradley is an example of a much larger problem. The biggest problem in US soccer by far. Coaching. Coaching, from the National Team on down to U-12s is the key to unlocking our potential in this sport. Right now our player development system is thoroughly inadequate and our youth players are falling behind before they even turn pro. NCAA soccer is a joke. It cranks out a bunch of 22 year old amateurs who don't know how to use space. I imagine it will improve over time. Having so many professionals abroad and in MLS, some will filter down the coaching ranks. Sure, a squad player in MLS isn't going to be the next Brian Clough, but there should be slow improvement. It's going to take a long time though and there are going to be long slow cycles. I'm not a disciple of Europe. MLS is the only league I follow closely simply because I don't feel a connection to any European leagues. There are many who do have family connections or whatever or want to watch top-standard club football, and many more who scorn US soccer because of the great US soccer inferiority complex. But even as someone who is very pro-MLS, we need to import as many quality coaches as we possibly can. I believe LA is already making strides under Gullit. Of course, it takes way, way, way more than that to change the byzantine, monolithic Youth Soccer structure. But we've got to start learning sometime and if we have smarter players with better vision playing, we're more likely to have better coaches in the future. And a better national team.


Now as long as Bradley keeps getting results the wrong way against lesser competition, our team won't learn how you need to play against world-class competition. Knowing how won't get us results immediately, but it's a goal to work towards. I don't believe there's any sort of vision like that right now. Just 4-4-2, long ball, twin d-mids. Few goals from the run of play.

[Titans Bastard]

I honestly dont think the USA is that close to being a power, maybe the 2nd tier level but now a power. Not too long ago most people felt North America was the next continent to win the WC and produce a power house nation, but Africa has flown by.



We still havent produced a single world class field player.

Yeah, we've made excellent strides in the last 20 years, but the step up from 2nd tier to 1st tier is so much harder than 3rd to 2nd.

The state of US soccer right now is like the long-time casual baseball fan who just decided to start following the minors and gets really excited about the 24 year old DH who is slugging .600 in low class A. The enthusiasm is there, the effort is there, but there's so much nuance and detail and knowledge of subtlety that needs to be learned, and it takes time.

[kenneycb]

What is the popularity of soccer in the States? 5th most popular? I know it's very big on the female side of the game but not so sure about the men. I think getting kids involved, making it more accessible, promoting the sport etc is going to lead to benefits in the future. I just dont think the US team has good enough players to really do well against the bigger teams on a consisten basis right now.

The NHL has really fallen that far? Given I am a bit biased as a hockey player but I like to consider myself as someone who appreciates the aesthetics of a fine football match (i.e. Champions League, Euro, World Cup, and the MLS Playoffs [the rest of the season is hard to watch for a casual observer such as myself]). I've gotta have the top 3 as being (in no order) NFL, MLB, NBA. Next is NASCAR (TV contracts rock!!!) followed by the NHL (TV contracts rock!!!!). Soccer has to be a distant 5th. I've tried to get into US soccer recently but it is far too sparse as I don't have Gol or Sesenta or BBC.

[Snakebauer007]

I think the coaching at the youth level is a huge problem, but for the Senior National team, the problem isnt coaching(the biggest problem I should say), it is the player's skill level.

We might one day have really talented skillful players, but on the other hand, you gotta except me may never be one of the best.

I just dont see it happening, when Soccer is so far down the list of popular sports here. In other countries it isnt just sport, but a way of life. That kind of cultural gap is never going to be made up, we are what we are.

[Titans Bastard]

I think the coaching at the youth level is a huge problem, but for the Senior National team, the problem isnt coaching(the biggest problem I should say), it is the player's skill level.

We might one day have really talented skillful players, but on the other hand, you gotta except me may never be one of the best.

I just dont see it happening, when Soccer is so far down the list of popular sports here. In other countries it isnt just sport, but a way of life. That kind of cultural gap is never going to be made up, we are what we are.

Competing sports are a problem, but we have such a huge population advantage on every single European soccer power that it should mitigate that particular disadvantage.

I agree that our skill level is the main issue separating us from the first tier countries, but coaching goes hand in hand with that. A good coach can't turn the entire ship around, but he can start pushing in the right direction. Bradley is merely a placeholder type. He isn't going to be a colossal failure and not qualify for the WCQ, but he has basically no chance of accomplishing anything new. It would also help if we signed a good technical director for our national program. It doesn't matter if winning the World Cup is unrealistic -- we should have a coach who will be able to get the most out of what talent we do have. I don't think Bradley has the acumen to be that guy. Don't underestimate the value of the US making the round of 16 or QF vs. crashing out like we did in 1998 and 2006. World Cup performance is the major indicator of the status of US soccer in the eyes of most Americans (and really, in general) and doing well will do a lot to boost interest in the sport and in MLS, which will accelerate the development of the overall picture.


This is a subject of much debate, but I don't think it's an athleticism thing. Some people have long argued that US soccer's problem is that all the top athletes end up playing different sports. Sure, we lose some guys, but there is enough collective athleticism in this country that it's not that big of a problem. It's a mental thing. If you follow all the Americans who move to Europe to play, the constant theme you hear from coaches is "raw, tactically naive". Kids aren't being taught the same things that their peers are being taught in other countries. A lot of this has been attributed to our youth club structure. In Europe, youth development is entirely handled by professional clubs. The idea is to take youth players and mold them into players who will help your first team, or at least net a transfer fee. In the US, youth clubs are not tied a professional team. In Europe, an academy is measured by how many impact professionals it produces. In the US, the only barometer for effectiveness is performance in youth tournaments. So a club can play long ball using big strong kids who hit puberty early and they win lots of tournaments, but when their temporary physical advantage is negated, they don't have the technical and tactical skills needed to excel. Why should the club care? They win tournaments, have a good reputation and keep the money flowing in.

It's slowly turning around, but it will take a long time. MLS academies are a good thing -- for example the Revs are starting a fully-funded academy this fall that should draw some of the best talent in New England. We're starting to see academy players from other teams pop up on U-17 and U-20 rosters. But they're still a drop in the bucket. The Bradenton Academy is a good thing, but that's a few dozen guys and it's damn hard to figure out who's going to be good at 16. There are other isolated success stories. It's slowly filtering down to other youth clubs and HS. But if you don't know much about the subject, you'd be shocked at how much politics and turf wars among the youth soccer ranks -- there's a lot of money to be made and as such there are a lot of obstacles between where we are now and a more efficient system.


That said, I do believe at some point in my lifetime, we'll be a legitimate WC contender. Winning the whole thing? That's a different story. The Netherlands hasn't pulled it off. Spain's never even made a final. Hell, over 18 World Cups only 11 countries have ever made the final -- and that includes has-beens like Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and Uruguay. Furthermore, Brazil is the only country ever to win a World Cup outside their own continent (eh, Argentina in 1986 in Mexico is a borderline case). US soccer is one hell of a long-term development project though.

[inter tatters]

...and that includes has-beens like Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and Uruguay

I understand that was probably a typo, but just in case...

I would hardly call the Czech Republic (there is no longer a Czechoslovakia, it is the Czech Republic and Slovakia two seperate Countries) a 'has-been', they are one of the better teams in Europe and are at least in Euro 2008, more than England can claim.

They have appeared in every WC or Euro since the 2 nations split, got to the Final of Euro 96 in England, losing to Germany on the, now defunct, 'Golden Goal' in Extra-Time and reached the Semi Finals of Euro 2004 losing to eventual Champs Greece on another defunct attempt to cut down on PKs, the 'Silver Goal'.

The Czechs are my dark-horses for Euro 2008, BTW!

[CJChap]

Before I throw the squad vs. Spain out there, I'd also like to add that Weds. game against England might not have been an official International date, whereas this Weds. is. Not 100% sure on that though...

Squad

GOALKEEPERS (3): Dominic Cervi (out of contract), Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Tim Howard (Everton FC)
DEFENDERS (9): Carlos Bocanegra (out of contract), Dan Califf (FC Midtjylland), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Jay DeMerit (Watford FC), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Michael Orozco (San Luis), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Freddy Adu (SL Benfica), DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Eddie Lewis (Derby County), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids)
FORWARDS (5): Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Nate Jaqua (out of contract), Eddie Johnson (Fulham FC), Josh Wolff (out of contract)


No Jozy - I'd bet my life you'll see him in NY against Argentina next Sunday.

Edit - and it looks like Donovan probably won't play...

Edited by CJChap, 30 May 2008 - 07:35 AM.

[Snakebauer007]

In terms of coaching turning things around, for me we need to be built as a solid defending team that uses it's one advantage(speed) to counter attack. The problem is we might not have the defenders, or at least we are not picking the right ones.

Bradley is not good enough, but the people running the USSF are not making the right decisions, and have not been for awhile.

[Titans Bastard]

I understand that was probably a typo, but just in case...

I would hardly call the Czech Republic (there is no longer a Czechoslovakia, it is the Czech Republic and Slovakia two seperate Countries) a 'has-been', they are one of the better teams in Europe and are at least in Euro 2008, more than England can claim.

They have appeared in every WC or Euro since the 2 nations split, got to the Final of Euro 96 in England, losing to Germany on the, now defunct, 'Golden Goal' in Extra-Time and reached the Semi Finals of Euro 2004 losing to eventual Champs Greece on another defunct attempt to cut down on PKs, the 'Silver Goal'.

The Czechs are my dark-horses for Euro 2008, BTW!

It was not a typo, it was Czechoslovakia when they made the World Cup final. I have been to both Czech Republic and Slovakia so I am well aware they are separate countries.

Czech Republic is a very good squad but I don't really consider them to be WC contenders. They are kind of like Portugal -- at times very good, but it would still be a pretty big upset if they made it all the way.

[Titans Bastard]

Before I throw the squad vs. Spain out there, I'd also like to add that Weds. game against England might not have been an official International date, whereas this Weds. is. Not 100% sure on that though...

Squad

GOALKEEPERS (3): Dominic Cervi (out of contract), Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Tim Howard (Everton FC)
DEFENDERS (9): Carlos Bocanegra (out of contract), Dan Califf (FC Midtjylland), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Jay DeMerit (Watford FC), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Michael Orozco (San Luis), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Freddy Adu (SL Benfica), DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Eddie Lewis (Derby County), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids)
FORWARDS (5): Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Nate Jaqua (out of contract), Eddie Johnson (Fulham FC), Josh Wolff (out of contract)
No Jozy - I'd bet my life you'll see him in NY against Argentina next Sunday.

Edit - and it looks like Donovan probably won't play...

Yay, the exact same squad, with the addition of Pablo Mastroeni. I think we can all agree that what the US was missing was a defensive midfielder with little ability to go forward.

With nobody but Dempsey to play on the right, that leaves us with Jaqua, Johnson, and Wolff up top. Oh my god.... I suppose Adu could start up top, but really Adu's best position doesn't exist in Bradley's formation.

[Spacemans Bong]

Yay, the exact same squad, with the addition of Pablo Mastroeni. I think we can all agree that what the US was missing was a defensive midfielder with little ability to go forward.

With nobody but Dempsey to play on the right, that leaves us with Jaqua, Johnson, and Wolff up top. Oh my god.... I suppose Adu could start up top, but really Adu's best position doesn't exist in Bradley's formation.

It's the tactical rigidity that kills me. Bob Bradley wouldn't change from a 4-4-2 if Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez all somehow got American nationality.

[allaboutthesox]

I would really like to see us play our best players and actually see where we stand against some of the better teams. We really need to bring the "A" team instead of the mixture Bradley continues bring to International friendlies. Bradley, the man doesn't seem to have a method to his madness.

[allaboutthesox]

Donovan out for the Spain Friendly.

Donovan out

[bosox4283]

Any news about today's match? The game is on now and I'm having trouble finding information about it.

[Jeff Van GULLY]

1 Tim Howard (G)
6 Steve Cherundolo (D)
22 Oguchi Onyewu (D)
3 Carlos Bocanegra (D)
12 Heath Pearce (D)
11 Eddie Lewis (M)
26 Maurice Edu (M)
19 Freddy Adu (M)
8 Clint Dempsey (F)
4 Michael Bradley (F)
9 Eddie Johnson (F)

[AusTexSoxFan]

We are playing well. Following the game on Spanish Cadena SER and Marca's live commentary. They are killing their own and complimenting us. Eddie Johnson had a header but missed. So far, good going for Bradley's Boys. 0-0. 2nd half.

[bosox4283]

Just by reading the comment on Marca.com, it seems like this line up is better for Spain and it also appears that this line up is not our (the U.S.'s) strongest. The U.S. has had few chances in the second half, and I think that this is due in part to the lack of Adu.

[AusTexSoxFan]

Xavi scored and Senna was a nightmare for the US defense. Spain all but owned the last 30 minutes.

But still, not too bad of an effort for the US against a quality side. Had been looking forward to this game for a while doing some friendly trash-talking with my Spanish buddies. They are impressed with Eddie Johnson and Michael Bradley.

[Snakebauer007]

Not sure how anyone would be impressed with EJ, but to each his own. He has little confidence and it shows, and his ability to control, holdup, and distribute is terrible, all of which is magnified with a 1 striker system.

I thought Edu was better than Clark, and Bradley looked better, but both may have been due to Adu being in there at CAM. Evrything positive in attack went through him, and he showed his ability with nice passing, dribbling, and that great lob from deep to Johnson. When Donovan is back, Id be more inclined to sit Dempsey than Adu. Certainly having 3 of Dempsey, Adu, Beasley, and Donovan playing behind Altidore is our best team. Although at least against weaker opposition, some 4-4-2 would be a nice change.

[kayhovah]

I thought the US played very well tonight despite taking a loss. That Spain squad was stacked with so very many superstars and for the US to prevent them scoring for 78' is commendable on the heels of that nightmare match vs England. Just a few observations:
-Somebody needs to sit Michael Bradley down and explain the difference between playing hard and stupid tackles.
I am seriously at the point where I'm just grateful when he doesn't get sent off.
- Does Eddie Johnson suck? I'm pretty sure he does. I can remember watching him be seriously over matched
in MLS games yet he is starting for the national team & playing in the Premiership. Seriously what gives?
- Idk what the deal has been with Dempsey he has looked a little flat lately. He wasn't much of a factor in
either of the recent matches. Lets hope he turns a corner soon.

[Titans Bastard]

I thought the US played very well tonight despite taking a loss. That Spain squad was stacked with so very many superstars and for the US to prevent them scoring for 78' is commendable on the heels of that nightmare match vs England. Just a few observations:
-Somebody needs to sit Michael Bradley down and explain the difference between playing hard and stupid tackles.
I am seriously at the point where I'm just grateful when he doesn't get sent off.
- Does Eddie Johnson suck? I'm pretty sure he does. I can remember watching him be seriously over matched
in MLS games yet he is starting for the national team & playing in the Premiership. Seriously what gives?
- Idk what the deal has been with Dempsey he has looked a little flat lately. He wasn't much of a factor in
either of the recent matches. Lets hope he turns a corner soon.

I'm not a big EJ fan but I thought he looked ok out there. He really should have scored, but he made some good runs and looked a little more productive. FWIW, he did have a good bounceback 2007 season in MLS but hasn't achieved anything of note with Fulham. Adu in the CAM role was great. It's too bad he had to come out at halftime because our attack wasn't the same without him. I'd love to see him playing behind Altidore and Donovan against bunkering CONCACAF opponents, although Bradley would never go without two d-mids against a Spain type.

Dempsey has played a ton in the last 12 months. I think he's tired. But the truth is, he's been a little overrated. He'll be a valuable member of the 2010 squad, but we'll be in trouble if he's a focal point of our attack. On the other hand, I'd be grateful if I never saw Josh Wolff in a Nats uniform again. He is well past his point of usefulness.

The US did a pretty effective job of stifling the Spanish attack in the first half. Sure, there were a few chances (free header that Bocanegra should have cleared, etc), but they didn't get a lot from the run of play. We were able to do this by applying a ton of pressure. The problem is that the entire team was absolutely gassed by the 70th minute. Furthermore, the tactic is even less useful when in official competitions you only get three subs. of course, the fundamental problem is a talent disparity and no coach and truly overcome that. Still, Pablo Mastroeni isn't exactly the ideal late-game sub when you are down one.

[Snakebauer007]

You dont need to forgo the two DMids to play Adu and Donovan. Also I wish Bradley would unshackle his son, the kid is not a detroyer.

Also what exactly is Dempsey's best position? I have a strange feeling he is best being played where Donovan does, ditto for Adu. With Donovan and Adu they both have the pace to do other things, does Dempsey? I hate his game, and how loose he plays.

[Titans Bastard]

You dont need to forgo the two DMids to play Adu and Donovan. Also I wish Bradley would unshackle his son, the kid is not a detroyer.

Also what exactly is Dempsey's best position? I have a strange feeling he is best being played where Donovan does, ditto for Adu. With Donovan and Adu they both have the pace to do other things, does Dempsey? I hate his game, and how loose he plays.

Well, you'd need to dump a d-mid if you were to play Adu, Donovan and another forward, unless you throw a 3-5-2 out there. I don't see Bradley going with a three-man backline, although this would be a good idea against someone like Guatemala.

Dempsey rose to prominence as a center mid with the Revs. Since then he's played up top, on the wing, and in a central attacking mid role. He's been all over the place with Fulham and has never settled into one particular role. To be honest, he baffles me. He is a good dribbler but he doesn't have blazing speed and he's not a great crosser. I think all three players you mention are best centrally and we probably only have room for two of them at once. It's not a bad thing to have a guy like Dempsey on the bench though.


Looking ahead to Argentina, I am excited to see our MLS and Mexico-based contingent. Cooper, Rogers, Altidore, Orozco, Kljestan. 2/3 of our NT will be based in Europe, but MLS has many players better than the likes of Josh Wolff and Danny Califf.

[Snakebauer007]

Well, you'd need to dump a d-mid if you were to play Adu, Donovan and another forward, unless you throw a 3-5-2 out there. I don't see Bradley going with a three-man backline, although this would be a good idea against someone like Guatemala.

Dempsey rose to prominence as a center mid with the Revs. Since then he's played up top, on the wing, and in a central attacking mid role. He's been all over the place with Fulham and has never settled into one particular role. To be honest, he baffles me. He is a good dribbler but he doesn't have blazing speed and he's not a great crosser. I think all three players you mention are best centrally and we probably only have room for two of them at once. It's not a bad thing to have a guy like Dempsey on the bench though.


Looking ahead to Argentina, I am excited to see our MLS and Mexico-based contingent. Cooper, Rogers, Altidore, Orozco, Kljestan. 2/3 of our NT will be based in Europe, but MLS has many players better than the likes of Josh Wolff and Danny Califf.

On point 1, you dont need to lose a midfielder as you'd be playing the same system as yesterday. For example:

----------------Altidore
Beasley--------Donovan--------Adu
----------Bradley-----Edu

On Dempsey, my question was some what rhetorical, I know his history and what he has played, but after seeing it all, Im not sure what is best for him. It seems like no matter where you can put him, I like someone better for that spot.

On the last part, Id ike to see Cooper as well, Rogers has some potenial, havent seen much on Orozco(background?) and I like Kljestan but in midfield, not out wide where I see him play on occasion.

I hope Feilhaber gets his shit together, midfielders who can posess and distribute are a rareity for us.

[Philip Jeff Frye]

Early report from the parking lot of the Meadowlands before the USA-Argentina match tonight: The Argentina jerseys outnumber the US jerseys at least 20 to 1. It must be discouraging to be a US player...

Edited by Kevin Mortons Ghost, 08 June 2008 - 04:53 PM.

[CJChap]

Even more discouraging must be the fact that Eddie Johnson is starting his third straight game.

Freddy isn't.

[Spacemans Bong]

Early report from the parking lot of the Meadowlands before the USA-Argentina match tonight: The Argentina jerseys outnumber the US jerseys at least 20 to 1. It must be discouraging to be a US player...

Hell, it's discouraging to be a US fan. How many of those bandwagoners are Americans? Respect if you're Argentine - a couple Argentines I played rugby with are without doubt there - but nothing pisses me off more than an American who supports the opposition against the US.

[Philip Jeff Frye]

Oh, I'd say a pretty large majority of the Argentina shirts are being worn by genuine Argentines, or at least Latinos. Hell, there may be more Boca Juniors jerseys here than USA jerseys.

Edited by Kevin Mortons Ghost, 08 June 2008 - 06:26 PM.