I'm not going to do a full match reaction post for DC's 2-0 victory over Ocean City in the Open Cup. Suffice it to say, it wasn't inspiring. A PK goal 15 minutes from time made it 1-0 after Gomez trotted on as a sub to chip N'Silu into space and take the resulting PK after the OC keeper bundled N'Silu. Kocic needed to make a couple of huge saves as OC piled on the late pressure, but in stoppage time, the OC keeper dropped a blast from a dead ball situation and N'Silu pounced on the rebound to make it 2-0. Too close for a match against amateurs, even if it was effectively a reserve team we sent out.
Some quick points to note...
* We're going to miss Jakovic severely while he's on Gold Cup duty. Janicki was getting beaten by school teachers and college kids and his distribution leaves much to be desired.
* Kocic had long stretches of boredom, but made the saves when called upon.
* I wasn't terribly impressed by what N'Silu was bringing to the table. Perhaps another international + senior roster spot waiting to be cleared?
* When Pontius came on, he started creating chances left and right. Doesn't say much for N'Silu + Khumalo up top, though Khumalo had moments of danger on the right flank...
* Speaking of which, how many times was our "buildup" the Burch long ball to Khumalo for the cross in that second half?
* If this is our defensive depth, we're in deep trouble when the injury bugbear comes knocking.
If you want the rest of the gory details and fingernail biting, you can go read the electronic detritus over on Twitter.
Out of Africa...
...with lessons in hand.
So what did we learn in the Confederations Cup? It's a strange boat we find ourselves in this week. Are we far removed from the creeping despair that led to the universal wailing and gnashing of teeth in the wake of the 3-1 and 3-0 losses to Italy and Brazil? Are we still wondering how the US not only managed to escape the group stage when all seemed lost, but somehow snuck past the best team in the world and into their first FIFA tournament final? Let me present the three big lessons that I think we take away from the experience...
Lesson #1: Put down the remote, Bob. (Or, Back to tactical basics)
When push comes to shove, a counterattacking 4-4-2 that defends in two banks of four is the way to go. Bob's formation experimentation seems to reek of watching too much La Liga and "Big Four" Premiership games. Single strikers. Two deep-lying mids. Fullbacks bombing forward. Staggered defense and midfield layers. Maybe we can play that way against the lesser lights of CONCACAF (though I'd argue we don't score enough goals that way--witness the rewards a 4-4-2 brought against Trinidad & Tobago), but against sides of roughly our quality or better, the 4-4-2 provides the most bang for the buck.
Note that I'm not abandoning the idea of overlapping fullbacks just itching to get into the attack. We need that width when we're controlling a game. But much of the time we end up being the less technical, but more athletic side. In other words...not the side carrying the play. In this respect (and contrary to my own previous directive to ignore the "Big Four"), I'm reminded of Liverpool, who struggle to break down lesser sides when they're in possession, but flourish against sides that want to attack them or possess the ball. Why is this? Rafa Benitez' system emphasizes a strong defense that generally keeps 5-6 back at most times, employs hard-workers on the flanks of midfield to close down opposition fullbacks, and counters, typically with 4 (sometimes 5), often with lethal results.
A back line of Boca-Gooch-DeMerit-Spector suits this system. Boca and Spector are "defend first" fullbacks, though Spector has the added benefit of being able to get off a cross or two (though if you'll notice, they tend to come from deeper areas, rather than from overlapping runs to the byline). It'll be interesting to watch both the Gold Cup and qualification going forward to see the direction of Bob's tactical thinking. The Gold Cup may not be the best measure in the group stage, but the knock-out stages might give a clue as to his mindset. The bigger answer will come in how we line up against Mexico in August.
Lesson #2: Lookie what I found here! (Or, Look Ma, defenders!)
I think perhaps the biggest find of the tournament has got to be Jay DeMerit. Not that he was hiding under a rock or anything, but, for a long time, we've been riding Gooch and Boca with little viable alternative in the center of defense (Danny Califf, anybody?). DeMerit took Boca's unfortunate injury and ran with it, establishing himself as a genuine alternative, so much so that Boca, when he returned, was pushed to left fullback. I don't doubt that DeMerit also played himself into a move to one of the mid- to lower-tier Premiership sides in the process and pretty much booked his passage for a return to South Africa next summer.
Likewise, Spector, healthy at last, was finally given a solid run at right back with both Hejduk and Cherundolo unavailable. The result? Solid, calm defense and nice possession play. Fullbacks in possession is a feature of the modern international game, and Spector played smart with the ball at his feet, whether it be the early crosses to Dempsey or keeping possession by playing lateral or back rather than booting long. The biggest surprise to me was watching him hit what looked like clearing balls forward, the kind we normally see our backs and mids doing just to relieve pressure, that ended up on the chests or feet of our attackers.
With Beasley at left back dead and buried, Pearce struggling, and Bornstein a reasonable, if not entirely palatable option, I think we now boast six solid alternatives in defense: Gooch and DeMerit in the middle, Boca in the middle or wide, and Hejduk, Dolo, and Spector wide. I still have my doubts about Hejduk technically and tactically, but he's rarely failed when called upon, so I include him in this mix. If all six remain healthy, I think we're looking for just one more quality option, either wide or in the middle, for the 2010 roster.
Lesson #3: Still in the shallow end (Or, Out of our depth)
While we can field a starting team that can compete with the best in the world, our depth peters out far too quickly. A handful of injuries or suspensions leaves us with nothing coming off the bench at this time. You only need look at the final to see Brazil bringing on Alves and Elano while Bob sends on Kljestan, Bornstein, and Casey. Not exactly a level playing field is it?
Of course, we do have the likes of Edu, Dolo, and Ching returning from injury, might be acquiring the services of Jones from Germany, and you've got to think that Adu and Torres (and perhaps Kljestan if he pulls out of his funk) will continue to grow, so all is not lost. But we're miles away from being able to put together a B (or even C) team that can really compete internationally, and not just in CONCACAF. Of course, this isn't a unique situation for a national team. Only the best of the best feature such deep player pools, but if the US is to make the next step, we need more guys who can fight for spots and guarantee that those currently holding the starting spots need to stay sharp to keep their places.
Having said that, I was surprised and pleased to see two of those players with "locks" on starting spots, Donovan and Dempsey, really stepping up their games. Both, despite hefty reputations, haven't been in great form for the national team for some time now, but as this team came together, they both emerged as emotional leaders and consistently quality performers. Let's hope that this is a sign of things to come, and that these guys have decided, as arguably the most talented fish in the pool at this time, to step up their level of play and make this "their team."
There were other things that we learned in this tournament. Beasley is done until he works his way back to form (if ever). Clark is reckless but is still a viable option against top sides. Altidore needs playing time and encouragement to work harder. Kljestan needs to be dropped until he remembers how to play again. Casey is no Chinger. Bob gets the pre-game tactics right, but struggles to make changes (tactical and substitution-wise) in-match. And on and on the smaller points go. Regardless, the three I outlined above are what I take to be the most important things we learned in South Africa.
Thoughts?
So what did we learn in the Confederations Cup? It's a strange boat we find ourselves in this week. Are we far removed from the creeping despair that led to the universal wailing and gnashing of teeth in the wake of the 3-1 and 3-0 losses to Italy and Brazil? Are we still wondering how the US not only managed to escape the group stage when all seemed lost, but somehow snuck past the best team in the world and into their first FIFA tournament final? Let me present the three big lessons that I think we take away from the experience...
Lesson #1: Put down the remote, Bob. (Or, Back to tactical basics)
When push comes to shove, a counterattacking 4-4-2 that defends in two banks of four is the way to go. Bob's formation experimentation seems to reek of watching too much La Liga and "Big Four" Premiership games. Single strikers. Two deep-lying mids. Fullbacks bombing forward. Staggered defense and midfield layers. Maybe we can play that way against the lesser lights of CONCACAF (though I'd argue we don't score enough goals that way--witness the rewards a 4-4-2 brought against Trinidad & Tobago), but against sides of roughly our quality or better, the 4-4-2 provides the most bang for the buck.
Note that I'm not abandoning the idea of overlapping fullbacks just itching to get into the attack. We need that width when we're controlling a game. But much of the time we end up being the less technical, but more athletic side. In other words...not the side carrying the play. In this respect (and contrary to my own previous directive to ignore the "Big Four"), I'm reminded of Liverpool, who struggle to break down lesser sides when they're in possession, but flourish against sides that want to attack them or possess the ball. Why is this? Rafa Benitez' system emphasizes a strong defense that generally keeps 5-6 back at most times, employs hard-workers on the flanks of midfield to close down opposition fullbacks, and counters, typically with 4 (sometimes 5), often with lethal results.
A back line of Boca-Gooch-DeMerit-Spector suits this system. Boca and Spector are "defend first" fullbacks, though Spector has the added benefit of being able to get off a cross or two (though if you'll notice, they tend to come from deeper areas, rather than from overlapping runs to the byline). It'll be interesting to watch both the Gold Cup and qualification going forward to see the direction of Bob's tactical thinking. The Gold Cup may not be the best measure in the group stage, but the knock-out stages might give a clue as to his mindset. The bigger answer will come in how we line up against Mexico in August.
Lesson #2: Lookie what I found here! (Or, Look Ma, defenders!)
I think perhaps the biggest find of the tournament has got to be Jay DeMerit. Not that he was hiding under a rock or anything, but, for a long time, we've been riding Gooch and Boca with little viable alternative in the center of defense (Danny Califf, anybody?). DeMerit took Boca's unfortunate injury and ran with it, establishing himself as a genuine alternative, so much so that Boca, when he returned, was pushed to left fullback. I don't doubt that DeMerit also played himself into a move to one of the mid- to lower-tier Premiership sides in the process and pretty much booked his passage for a return to South Africa next summer.
Likewise, Spector, healthy at last, was finally given a solid run at right back with both Hejduk and Cherundolo unavailable. The result? Solid, calm defense and nice possession play. Fullbacks in possession is a feature of the modern international game, and Spector played smart with the ball at his feet, whether it be the early crosses to Dempsey or keeping possession by playing lateral or back rather than booting long. The biggest surprise to me was watching him hit what looked like clearing balls forward, the kind we normally see our backs and mids doing just to relieve pressure, that ended up on the chests or feet of our attackers.
With Beasley at left back dead and buried, Pearce struggling, and Bornstein a reasonable, if not entirely palatable option, I think we now boast six solid alternatives in defense: Gooch and DeMerit in the middle, Boca in the middle or wide, and Hejduk, Dolo, and Spector wide. I still have my doubts about Hejduk technically and tactically, but he's rarely failed when called upon, so I include him in this mix. If all six remain healthy, I think we're looking for just one more quality option, either wide or in the middle, for the 2010 roster.
Lesson #3: Still in the shallow end (Or, Out of our depth)
While we can field a starting team that can compete with the best in the world, our depth peters out far too quickly. A handful of injuries or suspensions leaves us with nothing coming off the bench at this time. You only need look at the final to see Brazil bringing on Alves and Elano while Bob sends on Kljestan, Bornstein, and Casey. Not exactly a level playing field is it?
Of course, we do have the likes of Edu, Dolo, and Ching returning from injury, might be acquiring the services of Jones from Germany, and you've got to think that Adu and Torres (and perhaps Kljestan if he pulls out of his funk) will continue to grow, so all is not lost. But we're miles away from being able to put together a B (or even C) team that can really compete internationally, and not just in CONCACAF. Of course, this isn't a unique situation for a national team. Only the best of the best feature such deep player pools, but if the US is to make the next step, we need more guys who can fight for spots and guarantee that those currently holding the starting spots need to stay sharp to keep their places.
Having said that, I was surprised and pleased to see two of those players with "locks" on starting spots, Donovan and Dempsey, really stepping up their games. Both, despite hefty reputations, haven't been in great form for the national team for some time now, but as this team came together, they both emerged as emotional leaders and consistently quality performers. Let's hope that this is a sign of things to come, and that these guys have decided, as arguably the most talented fish in the pool at this time, to step up their level of play and make this "their team."
There were other things that we learned in this tournament. Beasley is done until he works his way back to form (if ever). Clark is reckless but is still a viable option against top sides. Altidore needs playing time and encouragement to work harder. Kljestan needs to be dropped until he remembers how to play again. Casey is no Chinger. Bob gets the pre-game tactics right, but struggles to make changes (tactical and substitution-wise) in-match. And on and on the smaller points go. Regardless, the three I outlined above are what I take to be the most important things we learned in South Africa.
Thoughts?
MLS Dogpile | The Pile Nonplussed
In the midst of a sinking SuperLiga (Is anybody paying attention to this tournament this year? Does it last another?) drawing more than a quarter of the MLS teams away from action, and with many of MLS's domestic stars away making a dramatic run at the Confederations Cup, MLS plods on, slogging through a handful of matches that don't really accomplish a whole lot on the table and leave the Dogpile nonplussed. Let's review...
The Alpha Dog
1. Houston Dynamo (WWWDL)
Ouch. Throw the form-book out the window as the Galaxy tame the Dynamo. I only saw highlights, but I wonder about that lineup for Kinnear's boys as they didn't seem to have too much bite available in midfield. With Rico Clark back in the fold as Ching and Holden head the other way in a national team swap, that shouldn't be a problem next time around, but scoring might be. Time to test the depth once again. Fortunately, nobody else is doing much to try and claim the Alpha Dog crown. Can they recover from their wobble away to KC next weekend?
Next: KC Wizards (Away)
The Playoff Pack
2. +1 Columbus Crew (DWWLW)
Back on track, though you'd have to say that wins against the Red Bulls aren't exactly a rare item in MLS these days, and you might have expected them to win by a more significant margin considering the recent fortunes of both sides. Still, the Crew are steadily climbing their way up the conference ladder and look to be on the slow-burn path to post-season success once again. Next weekend brings a chance to host DC United and to climb atop the East for the first time this season.
Next: DC United (Home)
3. +3 Seattle Sounders (LWDDW)
Back on song, and I wonder if Bob Bradley is noting the kind of form that Jacqua's been in this year. Casey may have been his choice to replace the injured Ching for the Confederations Cup, but Casey isn't really a target forward, despite his size. Jacqua, on the other hand...Two well-taken goals and an assist that would have been a goal (if Montero didn't stick his noggin in the way to deflect it home) confirm the Sounders' choke-hold on the #3 spot in the West and give them a healthy boost up the Pile. Despite the margin of victory, the 3-0 win was more a result of taking the chances they created while the Rapids did not. Sadly, a week off doesn't give them the chance to build momentum.
Next: bye
4. -2 Colorado Rapids (WDWDL)
You see what happens? You go and give a club some laudatory boosting up the Pile, and then they go and drop points at home to lowly Dallas. That said, they created more than enough to win, but couldn't take their chances. And the end of the week confirmed a slide back down the Pile as the Sounders gave them a hefty thumping to confirm their place as #3 in the West. Despite the scoreline, the Rapids created enough chances but just couldn't find the finishing. The question becomes: does that finishing fare better with Casey returning and Cummings heading off to the Gold Cup?
Next: Fire (Home)
A week off but no damage done as far as conference standings are concerned. But the Crew have pulled to within a point, making next weekend's encounter a battle for all the Eastern Conference marbles.
Next: Crew (Away)
6. -1 Chivas USA (DLWLL)
They went down fighting, but down they went down in SuperLiga nonetheless. With that competition out of the way, Preki's boys now get a week off to recover ahead of their return to league action. Fortunately, a draw and loss from Houston have kept the latter from extending their lead at the top, so Chivas will be poised to contest the crown upon their return.
Next: bye
7. Chicago Fire (WWLLL)
The Fire advance in SuperLiga, but their absence from league play sees them slip to the fringes of the playoff qualifiers. A trip to Colorado awaits with an opportunity to solidify their position, but they'll have to do it sans the Gold Cup call-ups.
Next: Rapids (Away)
8. Kansas City Wizards (WDDLW)
The Wiz can't make it happen in SuperLiga and will return to MLS to engage in the playoff dogfight. First up? A visit from the Dynamo, still stinging from this weekend's loss to the Galaxy.
Next: Dynamo (Home)
Bum-Sniffing Omega Mutts
9. +1 Real Salt Lake (LDWDW)
The revival seems to be well and truly on for RSL with four games unbeaten and a 3-0 hammering of their fellow playoff fringe dwellers, TFC. So how much longer does Kreis have to keep this run going to restore confidence in his regime, and will RSL miss the driving force and energy of Beckerman in midfield when the Gold Cup sucks him up for a few weeks?
Next: Quakes (Home)
10. -1 Toronto FC (LLWWL)
TFC follow up their qualification campaign for the CCL with a mauling of the Red Bulls. 2-0? They could have put six past the Bulls with better finishing. Sadly for the Reds, RSL seem to have found the form we thought they'd be capable of--when they're in Rio Tinto in any case. Frei probably kept this one from turning into 5 or 6 goal rout rather than the 3 they conceded. Also, a note to Mad Mo: Nick Garcia was not the upgrade you were looking for in central defense. Time to go shopping with some of that cap space you cleared.
Next: bye
11. New England Revolution (DLWWL)
No rest for the weary and injured Revs as they advance in SuperLiga, prepare to lose a couple of key components to Gold Cup call-ups, and face a cross-country trek in their return to league action with a date in LA.
Next: LA Galaxy (away)
12. FC Dallas (WDLWD)
Huh? When did FC Dallas suddenly become hard to beat? What is that, one loss in seven? Of course, making such a claim would ignore the Rapids squandering chance after chance to make their dominance pay. But the result is what counts, and Dallas have slowly been accumulating points. Not enough to make a serious playoff push, but the momentum could be building. Then again, this is Dallas, so we're probably only a week or two away from the wheels falling off. Could it happen at home to the hapless Red Bulls?
Next: Red Bulls (Home)
13. +1 Los Angeles Galaxy (DWLLW)
Huge win for the Gals over the tog dogs. Donovan will be returning full of confidence after his excellent Confederations Cup, and the prodigal Becks is due back in a couple of weeks as well. The problem is this: they're still not in a playoff position, Donovan might have turned a few heads for the summer transfer window, and Becks brings the circus back to town. Break out the black top hat, Bruce; it's going to be a long, long summer.
Next: Revolution (Home)
14. -1 San Jose Earthquakes (LWDLW)
Only the woeful Red Bulls are keeping the Quakes off the bottom, but Yallop is making moves to spur another second-half run. Can they replicate 2008's push? We shall see, though a trip to Rio Tinto, where RSL have been in full-on recovery mode of late, is not promising.
Next: RSL (Away)
15. New York Red Bulls (LLDLL)
The first leg of this week's away jaunt was a mild capitulation to a rampant, pink-shirted TFC, who, but for lax finishing, might have put away a half-dozen. The second leg involved more of a fight against the Crew, but much wasted finishing (by Robbie Rogers in particular) kept things interesting, enough so that the Bulls might actually have snatched a point. Unfortunately, individual points, while morale building, won't do much for Osorio's cause these days. Will he still be in charge against Dallas next week?
Next: FC Dallas (Away)
The Agony of Defeat | a USA Match Reaction
If you were following me on Twitter, you would have seen my reaction, as it happened, in all its knee-jerk, frazzled-nerve, obscene glory. From the disbelieving joy of the first 45 to the creeping, inevitable gloom as we closed on 90 minutes, it was all there. So the way I'm going to play this is...I'll (1) summarize my tweetage from this match and (2) do a second post, probably later today, bringing together my grand thoughts on the entire Confederations Cup experience and what it means for the US going forward. Got it? Good, let's hit the talking points...
* Donovan's righteous anger. You know that old saw that goes, "Donovan only plays well when he's angry"? Well, if you were watching the pre-game exchange of pleasantries, you witnessed (or maybe it was just my imagination?) Donovan prepping the big smile and leaning in to be friendly with Lucio (presumably a, "Hey, remember when I was on loan with Bayern?"), only to be completely cold-shouldered. At that point I wondered if Donovan might not come out with the proverbial chip on his shoulder, and if that might not be the best thing the US could wish for. But then I realized, and I think many of us who question Donovan's heart and commitment in general realized, that he had been in consistently excellent form for much of the tournament. Not just in the usual bits and flashes either, but a regular danger displaying insane energy that would see him on the back line with a clearing header one minute (but wait, isn't he only 5'2" or something?!?!) and blitzing through defenders leading the break the next. Here's hoping he's finally decided to don the mantle that's been his for the taking for a long while now. And I just wonder if a few Euro-noggins were turned...
* Speed up top. If Donovan is going to be a consistent contributor on the wings (there will be much more on this in the Confed Cup wrap-up post), that means we don't see him up top, which makes Charlie Davies all the more valuable. Speed on the break makes us a much more formidable counter-attacking side, and, given that we're not a "pass it about and break them down" side against any but the minnows and small fries of CONCACAF, on the break is where I'd expect to find us against more formidable opposition. That said, while Davies did actually get his head up once to find Donovan for 2-0, I wish he didn't have the blinders on so often. It's nice for a forward to have that single-minded, "go for goal" attitude, but at the international level, I think he needs to be more ready with the pass as well. The other big problem is: who do we go to if Davies is injured, tired, out of form, or suspended? Any other burners with big engines and loads of attacking intent? Anybody? Bueller?
* The killer goal. Ah, to inhabit the Land of What Might Have Been! Let's face it, the goal right at the start of the second half was a double-whammy of the highest order. Not only did it settle Brazilian nerves, alleviate their first half frustrations, and allow them to play an entire half knowing they just needed one more goal to take things to extra time, but it was a crushing blow to the US. Since losing to Brazil the first time around, they had not conceded another goal in the tournament, blanking Egypt and Spain on their miracle run. But when one finally went in, it couldn't help but severely dent American confidence. It also piled on the pressure as they players knew that they'd be under siege the entire half and couldn't concede. The wags among you may say that we faced the same pressure in the semifinal up 1-0 to Spain, but I'd argue that our confidence, and Spanish frustration, remained high as we hadn't conceded anything to them. Scoring the second in the later stages boosted us and sunk them. In the final, we scored our second early to raise confidence, but saw it rocked back by that early goal in the second, after which we seemed to fade. 2-0 proves, once again, the most dangerous lead in soccer.
* A Solomonic Whistleman? Of all the refs we had in the Confed Cup, the guy we had in the final called the most even and consistent game. But he was also loathe to influence the game too much as he let a retaliatory swipe from Kaka go unpunished and didn't deal a second yellow to Brazil's left back for a particularly violent foul. That said, I also only noticed a few of the sort of "take no prisoners" dive-in, full-blooded tackles that saw the US punished so heavily in this tournament. Was that a reaction from the US players learning that they just can't get away with that stuff, or did it come down from on high with Bob issuing words of caution?
* Still in the shallow end. The biggest difference in this match? Benches. While Brazil's starters were no doubt of higher pedigree and quality than our starters, our first eleven matched up really well with them and could fight them at their own level. The difference came when Dunga looked to his bench and saw the likes of Elano and Dani Alves, and Bob looked to his and came up with Kljestan, Bornstein, and Casey. Bit of a drop off in quality, no? But therein lies another question. I asked when Kljestan and Bornstein came on, "Bob knows he's coaching the USA, not Chivas USA, right? Bornstein AND Kljestan on makes you wonder." And I sure wondered what he was thinking when Bornstein popped up driving down the middle on the break, with a man in space to his right and another, though marked, to his left. What did Johnny do? Took a pop from 25 yards. Ugh. And Kljestan's only consistency was in turning the ball over. And Casey did what he's been doing all tournament as a late game sub, jogging and looking disinterested. I'm not going to claim that the likes of Torres and Adu would have delivered a different result, but it sure would have been nice to give them that shot.
That's not all I have stirring in the old gray matter, but at the moment, I'll put those initial thoughts out there to see what y'all think. I have some concluding thoughts from the entire tournament brewing, and I'll get those up, probably this evening. But in the meantime, I'd like to hear from the peanut gallery. What are we supposed to feel? Are we proud that we reached a final and went toe to toe with one of the true giants of world soccer, rocking them back on their heels before being pummeled into submission? Or are we disappointed that, having grabbed a two goal lead at halftime, we couldn't hang on to it in the second half and had to watch in horror as our coach entrusted our survival to the likes of Kljestan, Bornstein, and Casey? Personally, I'm inclined to be delighted with the run to the final, ecstatic with the win over Spain, but distinctly disenchanted by the meek performance in the group stage match against Brazil and the second half collapse in the final.
Your thoughts?
* Donovan's righteous anger. You know that old saw that goes, "Donovan only plays well when he's angry"? Well, if you were watching the pre-game exchange of pleasantries, you witnessed (or maybe it was just my imagination?) Donovan prepping the big smile and leaning in to be friendly with Lucio (presumably a, "Hey, remember when I was on loan with Bayern?"), only to be completely cold-shouldered. At that point I wondered if Donovan might not come out with the proverbial chip on his shoulder, and if that might not be the best thing the US could wish for. But then I realized, and I think many of us who question Donovan's heart and commitment in general realized, that he had been in consistently excellent form for much of the tournament. Not just in the usual bits and flashes either, but a regular danger displaying insane energy that would see him on the back line with a clearing header one minute (but wait, isn't he only 5'2" or something?!?!) and blitzing through defenders leading the break the next. Here's hoping he's finally decided to don the mantle that's been his for the taking for a long while now. And I just wonder if a few Euro-noggins were turned...
* Speed up top. If Donovan is going to be a consistent contributor on the wings (there will be much more on this in the Confed Cup wrap-up post), that means we don't see him up top, which makes Charlie Davies all the more valuable. Speed on the break makes us a much more formidable counter-attacking side, and, given that we're not a "pass it about and break them down" side against any but the minnows and small fries of CONCACAF, on the break is where I'd expect to find us against more formidable opposition. That said, while Davies did actually get his head up once to find Donovan for 2-0, I wish he didn't have the blinders on so often. It's nice for a forward to have that single-minded, "go for goal" attitude, but at the international level, I think he needs to be more ready with the pass as well. The other big problem is: who do we go to if Davies is injured, tired, out of form, or suspended? Any other burners with big engines and loads of attacking intent? Anybody? Bueller?
* The killer goal. Ah, to inhabit the Land of What Might Have Been! Let's face it, the goal right at the start of the second half was a double-whammy of the highest order. Not only did it settle Brazilian nerves, alleviate their first half frustrations, and allow them to play an entire half knowing they just needed one more goal to take things to extra time, but it was a crushing blow to the US. Since losing to Brazil the first time around, they had not conceded another goal in the tournament, blanking Egypt and Spain on their miracle run. But when one finally went in, it couldn't help but severely dent American confidence. It also piled on the pressure as they players knew that they'd be under siege the entire half and couldn't concede. The wags among you may say that we faced the same pressure in the semifinal up 1-0 to Spain, but I'd argue that our confidence, and Spanish frustration, remained high as we hadn't conceded anything to them. Scoring the second in the later stages boosted us and sunk them. In the final, we scored our second early to raise confidence, but saw it rocked back by that early goal in the second, after which we seemed to fade. 2-0 proves, once again, the most dangerous lead in soccer.
* A Solomonic Whistleman? Of all the refs we had in the Confed Cup, the guy we had in the final called the most even and consistent game. But he was also loathe to influence the game too much as he let a retaliatory swipe from Kaka go unpunished and didn't deal a second yellow to Brazil's left back for a particularly violent foul. That said, I also only noticed a few of the sort of "take no prisoners" dive-in, full-blooded tackles that saw the US punished so heavily in this tournament. Was that a reaction from the US players learning that they just can't get away with that stuff, or did it come down from on high with Bob issuing words of caution?
* Still in the shallow end. The biggest difference in this match? Benches. While Brazil's starters were no doubt of higher pedigree and quality than our starters, our first eleven matched up really well with them and could fight them at their own level. The difference came when Dunga looked to his bench and saw the likes of Elano and Dani Alves, and Bob looked to his and came up with Kljestan, Bornstein, and Casey. Bit of a drop off in quality, no? But therein lies another question. I asked when Kljestan and Bornstein came on, "Bob knows he's coaching the USA, not Chivas USA, right? Bornstein AND Kljestan on makes you wonder." And I sure wondered what he was thinking when Bornstein popped up driving down the middle on the break, with a man in space to his right and another, though marked, to his left. What did Johnny do? Took a pop from 25 yards. Ugh. And Kljestan's only consistency was in turning the ball over. And Casey did what he's been doing all tournament as a late game sub, jogging and looking disinterested. I'm not going to claim that the likes of Torres and Adu would have delivered a different result, but it sure would have been nice to give them that shot.
That's not all I have stirring in the old gray matter, but at the moment, I'll put those initial thoughts out there to see what y'all think. I have some concluding thoughts from the entire tournament brewing, and I'll get those up, probably this evening. But in the meantime, I'd like to hear from the peanut gallery. What are we supposed to feel? Are we proud that we reached a final and went toe to toe with one of the true giants of world soccer, rocking them back on their heels before being pummeled into submission? Or are we disappointed that, having grabbed a two goal lead at halftime, we couldn't hang on to it in the second half and had to watch in horror as our coach entrusted our survival to the likes of Kljestan, Bornstein, and Casey? Personally, I'm inclined to be delighted with the run to the final, ecstatic with the win over Spain, but distinctly disenchanted by the meek performance in the group stage match against Brazil and the second half collapse in the final.
Your thoughts?
Bob Rolls the Dice
Bob's got it in for the BigSoccer servers.
How else do you explain the one-two punch of the miracle run to the Confederations Cup final followed by a Gold Cup roster that has to leave even those of faith questioning some of the choices of their skeletal lord and master? Let's review (you can figure out the color coding as you play along at home...
The Keepers
Perkins: Understandable. He's been in and out of camps for a while now and is in the frame for the #3 spot.
Robles: A young gun, getting shots at decent Euro-club. He must have impressed in the Confed/qualifying camp, so I suppose it's worth bringing him in to challenge Perkins.
Busch: WTF? Yes, I've heard he'll stay with the Fire and be the emergency option, but there are other keepers having better MLS seasons, and I'm not even sure he cracks the US's top 10 keeper list at the moment.
Assessment: I wonder why Guzan (the supposed #2) isn't being handed the reigns here? It's not like he's going to be picking up serious minutes for Villa next year. I can understand giving Hahnemann the summer off on that basis, but Guzan?
The Defense
Cherundolo: Working his way back to fitness. A veteran (50+ caps), leader (some-time captain of his club side), and solid pro. Works for me.
Marshall: Young, promising, seems to have left the noggin-knock troubles behind him. Good choice.
Pearce: Is Bob doing him a solid by giving him a shop window for the summer? I'm personally not a big fan of his, but he's not a bad choice, as he was holding down the left back spot for much of qualifying and would be sorely needed depth there if he can get regular club playing time.
Conrad: Another veteran leader, and a good man to have in the locker room. Not getting any younger though. Wonder if Califf's "family matters" led to this call-up?
Parkhurst: Smart player, though maybe without the physical gifts necessary to play the international game effectively. Time to see what changes Denmark has wrought upon his game.
Goodson: He didn't look awful last time he put on a US shirt. And apparently he's doing well in Norway. But still, I have quibbles...
Heaps: I think my head just exploded.
Assessment: Not exactly an awe-inspiring group. It'll be good to see how Goodson and Parkhurst are progressing in the Scandanavian Defender Mines and to see how Marshall stacks up outside of MLS, but Heaps?!? Can one pick make the entire selection an epic fail? Yes, when that one pick is Jay Heaps. Solid (if thuggish) MLS defender. But internationally? If you need center/left back depth, wouldn't Gibbs suggest himself more readily? Orozco? Whitbread? Also, aren't the Revs in the midst of an injury crisis? How does this pick make any sense?
The Midfield
Colin Clark: Yes, yes, and triple yes. A left mid with some tricks in his pocket who can score goals and cross the ball? I've been wondering how long it would take to get him a cap.
Robbie Rogers: Not having the best of seasons for the Crew, but he can play on both flanks, is highly technical, and can pull the spectacular out of his derrière on occasion. Time to give him the incentive to step up his play a little.
Beckerman: We've got loads of depth at defensive and 2-way mid, so Gold Cups and the Annual Scandanavian challenge might be the only looks he gets. Still not bad to see how the "third chair" players hold up.
Holden: He hasn't filled DeRo's shoes in Houston, and I've never really been convinced by his play. But he's young, makes smart runs, and can thump a ball. Wonder where Bob sees him lining up?
Arnaud: Determined, multi-position player who will add experience to a relatively young team, but I'm not sure he'll ever be anything more than "C" team material (maybe "B" with injuries). An older version of Holden?
Cronin: Left-field selection here. Young and has shown promise for TFC, but there are a handful of other MLS rookies I would rather have seen called up, particularly at positions that we aren't already stuffed to the gills at.
Pause: Really? He's been quietly effective for Chicago, but I can't see this as anything more than Armas chatting up a guy to his old mentor.
Evans: Another one from left-field. He's a decent player, but is he really cap material at this point? And how many central mids do we need?
Assessment: I'm guessing that Torres either needs some rest or requested out of the Gold Cup to settle contract talks with Deportivo, otherwise, I can't see why he wouldn't be here. Tack on some strange choices to round out the group, and I'm pegging this as the weakest area of this selection, despite the presence of Heaps in the defense.
The Attack
Adu: Get the kid some minutes and a shop window cause god knows he needs playing time...any playing time. I wonder if Bob sees him up top or on the flank?
Cooper: Another shot for the BigSoccer messiah. He's still young, still technical, and still dangerous. Now to see if he can get some discipline and refrain from hitting every 35-40 yarder that presents itself.
Davies: Looks like Davies is still part of the "B" squad despite his solid play in the Confed Cup. Or maybe his Swedish suspension makes this a no-brainer. Whatever the case, Here's hoping that Bob stays with two up top and that more minutes makes the blinders fall off a bit for Charlie.
Quaranta: Feel good, comeback story of the year, though I expect he'll probably be lining up wide on the right, rather than in attack. He's been on the national stage before, but here's hoping the newfound maturity serves him better this time around.
Ching: I'm conflicted here. Sure, it's good to have a veteran head amongst all the kiddies in attack, but we already know what we get from Chinger. Isn't the Gold Cup a chance to experiment? With Houston in mid-season, it's not like he needs the matches to regain fitness (see: Cherundolo, Steve). I don't question his inclusion in the national team picture, just his inclusion here.
Assessment: Strongest bit of the selection (it feels odd to say that, considering the questions we have up top in general), though there are some notable exclusions. That said, I don't think any of those exclusions are necessarily better than the group assembled here.
Thoughts?
How else do you explain the one-two punch of the miracle run to the Confederations Cup final followed by a Gold Cup roster that has to leave even those of faith questioning some of the choices of their skeletal lord and master? Let's review (you can figure out the color coding as you play along at home...
The Keepers
Perkins: Understandable. He's been in and out of camps for a while now and is in the frame for the #3 spot.
Robles: A young gun, getting shots at decent Euro-club. He must have impressed in the Confed/qualifying camp, so I suppose it's worth bringing him in to challenge Perkins.
Busch: WTF? Yes, I've heard he'll stay with the Fire and be the emergency option, but there are other keepers having better MLS seasons, and I'm not even sure he cracks the US's top 10 keeper list at the moment.
Assessment: I wonder why Guzan (the supposed #2) isn't being handed the reigns here? It's not like he's going to be picking up serious minutes for Villa next year. I can understand giving Hahnemann the summer off on that basis, but Guzan?
The Defense
Cherundolo: Working his way back to fitness. A veteran (50+ caps), leader (some-time captain of his club side), and solid pro. Works for me.
Marshall: Young, promising, seems to have left the noggin-knock troubles behind him. Good choice.
Pearce: Is Bob doing him a solid by giving him a shop window for the summer? I'm personally not a big fan of his, but he's not a bad choice, as he was holding down the left back spot for much of qualifying and would be sorely needed depth there if he can get regular club playing time.
Conrad: Another veteran leader, and a good man to have in the locker room. Not getting any younger though. Wonder if Califf's "family matters" led to this call-up?
Parkhurst: Smart player, though maybe without the physical gifts necessary to play the international game effectively. Time to see what changes Denmark has wrought upon his game.
Goodson: He didn't look awful last time he put on a US shirt. And apparently he's doing well in Norway. But still, I have quibbles...
Heaps: I think my head just exploded.
Assessment: Not exactly an awe-inspiring group. It'll be good to see how Goodson and Parkhurst are progressing in the Scandanavian Defender Mines and to see how Marshall stacks up outside of MLS, but Heaps?!? Can one pick make the entire selection an epic fail? Yes, when that one pick is Jay Heaps. Solid (if thuggish) MLS defender. But internationally? If you need center/left back depth, wouldn't Gibbs suggest himself more readily? Orozco? Whitbread? Also, aren't the Revs in the midst of an injury crisis? How does this pick make any sense?
The Midfield
Colin Clark: Yes, yes, and triple yes. A left mid with some tricks in his pocket who can score goals and cross the ball? I've been wondering how long it would take to get him a cap.
Robbie Rogers: Not having the best of seasons for the Crew, but he can play on both flanks, is highly technical, and can pull the spectacular out of his derrière on occasion. Time to give him the incentive to step up his play a little.
Beckerman: We've got loads of depth at defensive and 2-way mid, so Gold Cups and the Annual Scandanavian challenge might be the only looks he gets. Still not bad to see how the "third chair" players hold up.
Holden: He hasn't filled DeRo's shoes in Houston, and I've never really been convinced by his play. But he's young, makes smart runs, and can thump a ball. Wonder where Bob sees him lining up?
Arnaud: Determined, multi-position player who will add experience to a relatively young team, but I'm not sure he'll ever be anything more than "C" team material (maybe "B" with injuries). An older version of Holden?
Cronin: Left-field selection here. Young and has shown promise for TFC, but there are a handful of other MLS rookies I would rather have seen called up, particularly at positions that we aren't already stuffed to the gills at.
Pause: Really? He's been quietly effective for Chicago, but I can't see this as anything more than Armas chatting up a guy to his old mentor.
Evans: Another one from left-field. He's a decent player, but is he really cap material at this point? And how many central mids do we need?
Assessment: I'm guessing that Torres either needs some rest or requested out of the Gold Cup to settle contract talks with Deportivo, otherwise, I can't see why he wouldn't be here. Tack on some strange choices to round out the group, and I'm pegging this as the weakest area of this selection, despite the presence of Heaps in the defense.
The Attack
Adu: Get the kid some minutes and a shop window cause god knows he needs playing time...any playing time. I wonder if Bob sees him up top or on the flank?
Cooper: Another shot for the BigSoccer messiah. He's still young, still technical, and still dangerous. Now to see if he can get some discipline and refrain from hitting every 35-40 yarder that presents itself.
Davies: Looks like Davies is still part of the "B" squad despite his solid play in the Confed Cup. Or maybe his Swedish suspension makes this a no-brainer. Whatever the case, Here's hoping that Bob stays with two up top and that more minutes makes the blinders fall off a bit for Charlie.
Quaranta: Feel good, comeback story of the year, though I expect he'll probably be lining up wide on the right, rather than in attack. He's been on the national stage before, but here's hoping the newfound maturity serves him better this time around.
Ching: I'm conflicted here. Sure, it's good to have a veteran head amongst all the kiddies in attack, but we already know what we get from Chinger. Isn't the Gold Cup a chance to experiment? With Houston in mid-season, it's not like he needs the matches to regain fitness (see: Cherundolo, Steve). I don't question his inclusion in the national team picture, just his inclusion here.
Assessment: Strongest bit of the selection (it feels odd to say that, considering the questions we have up top in general), though there are some notable exclusions. That said, I don't think any of those exclusions are necessarily better than the group assembled here.
Thoughts?
South Africa State of Mind
So I'm watching Brazil struggle to get past South Africa, and you'd be right to wonder at times which of these teams is considered among the best in the world. For all of their talent and personal fortunes, Brazil look rather pedestrian, and we nearly went through the wormhole to a USA v. South Africa final. Temporal crisis aside, a few other things crossed my mind...
- A Tale of Two Ricardos. Ricardo Izecson "Fish-Lover" dos Santos Leite (or Kaká to you and me) has delivered a couple of shivering body blows that I'm pretty sure would have drawn red if his name is Ricardo "Fish-Kicker" Clark, but the Brazilian Ricardo of AC Milan (soon to be Real Madrid) fame gets...nada. Different standards for the Whistlemen? You think? Just a helpful visual reminder for those keeping score at home...
- Oooooooooh! Did you see that big bald brute Booth from South Africa getting the "BOOOOOOOOTH" chants every time he came near the ball? Remind you of anybody? Maybe "GOOOOOOOCH" Onyewu? Won't some enterprising club think of the marketing opportunities for this center back combination!?! Hell, better sign up "KUUUUUUUUUUN" Aguerro and "RUUUUUUUUD" van Nistelrooy for the front line as well.
- Convergence of the twain. Maybe the heat is getting to me, but it looks like the US and Brazil, starting from opposite ends of the tactical/flair spectrum, are both working towards a unified theory of athletic, counterattacking ball punctuated by moments of skill. Seriously, why does Brazil look completely inept when trying to break down South Africa anywhere but on the break? What are Brazil and the US going to do in the final, sit around and stare at the ball, waiting for one side to try a little possession so the other can counter?
Random Pings...
As we wait with bated breath for the announcement of the Gold Cup roster at some point today and continue to bask in the glorious 2-0 of yesterday, let's see what stories are pinging the FBF satellite...
- Kevin Harmse goes back to LA, but this time as a Goat. Hmmm, so which is the more predictable trend here? Is it (1) that Mad Mo continues to wheel and deal, jettisoning dead wood for cap and roster space, or (2) that Chivas just got more Hacktastic!™?
- It says here that Osorio's continued presence on the Red Bulls' bench is almost as much of a shocker as the US knocking off Spain. After last night's 2-0 loss to TFC, the Bulls are left all alone at the foot of the table, with just two wins and 10 points from 17, yes you read that right, 17 games. That leaves them 9 points shy of the last playoff spot, with the final playoff spot holder having 3 games in hand. Osorio's men caught fire at just the right time last year after backing into the playoffs in the eighth and final position. That's not going to happen this year, despite Osorio's best efforts on the foreign markets. How long can it continue?
- Did Junior do something naughty after yesterday's miracle? Rumors and allegations abound, but nothing has yet surfaced this morning in the English-language major media.
Shock and Awe | a USA Match Reaction
Admit it. You were tempted, weren't you? You watched the first half, saw the US up 1-0, but Spain having most of the play, and thought "this second half is going to be a bloodbath." You were tempted to just flip the power off and let that good feeling roll for a couple of hours before you dared to check the RSS feeds for the bad news. The feeling of being up 1-0...against the #1 team in the world...in an honest-to-goodness competition. I'm with you, brother. I expected Bob's Bunker to be absolutely peppered and Howard to make at least ten saves, with another handful getting past him.
But a strange thing happened on the way to full time.
Sure, they got close, even had clear looks at net. But a body always seemed to get in the way, or the shot was scuffed. And when Dempsey scrambled home the second, you could see it on the majority of the Spanish players' faces. They knew it wasn't going to be their day.
And speaking of days...where does this one rank on your all-time table of big US victories? I'll give it a couple of days to sink in before I go printing the "Greatest. Victory. Ever." t-shirts, but it's surely in the top three.
So how about some talking points?
Is Bob a tactical genius? Not by a long shot. A motivational one? Then what happened in Saprissa Stadium, or at the half against Italy, or before a ball was kicked against Brazil? Is it any coincidence that no goals have been scored against us in this tourney when Junior and Rico patrol the midfield together, and we've given up six when they don't? Does that give you anything resembling hope going into the final? Then again, did you have any hope going into this match?
I'm still a skeptic when it comes to the Skeletor regime, but I'm a skeptic that's been duly impressed over the last couple of matches. The soccer hasn't been glorious, but it's gotten the desired results, and there were certainly moments to be proud of, moments where we shined. If this is indeed a warmup for what we can expect next summer, then maybe we can sound a cautious note of opposition against the baying of the internet blogosphere hounds. Of course, we could just be getting insanely lucky...
But a strange thing happened on the way to full time.
Sure, they got close, even had clear looks at net. But a body always seemed to get in the way, or the shot was scuffed. And when Dempsey scrambled home the second, you could see it on the majority of the Spanish players' faces. They knew it wasn't going to be their day.
And speaking of days...where does this one rank on your all-time table of big US victories? I'll give it a couple of days to sink in before I go printing the "Greatest. Victory. Ever." t-shirts, but it's surely in the top three.
So how about some talking points?
- Taking chances. Once again, I wasn't particularly impressed with Dempsey for most of the match. He was a little lighter on the trickery than in previous matches, which was good, but my two abiding images of him from the first half were (1) a Ronaldo-esque, hands in the air moment after a supposed foul and (2) his glacial closing down of the crossers on the Spanish left. But, once again, when a half chance presented itself, his special talent for being in the right place at the right time paid off, and he struck. Likewise, Altidore was little more than a "cough the ball up to the opposition" machine with a sorry assortment of heavy, negative touches. But when he got his chance, it ended up in the net. Let's contrast those two moments with the two chances presented to Davies. The bike was audacious, and I applaud the attempt, but he really should have tested Casillas from the headed opportunity. Unquestioned starter? Not yet.
- A defensive back four. I think we roll out the same back four if (when?) Brazil make the final. Sure, they wouldn't be my first choice against equal or lesser opposition as Spector doesn't sparkle going forward, and Bocanegra offers even less. But against a strong offensive side that will have boatloads of possession? Pretty damn good. Look, this was España. You're not going to not give up chances. You just have to limit the mistakes, stay disciplined, and anticipate situations. These four did that, particularly DeMerit and Gooch in the middle, each of whom stepped into various breaches with aplomb. A query: has Spector leapfrogged 'Dolo and the Dude at right back? If not, do you try him on the left with Boca and Gooch in the middle? Also, I wonder if any of the promoted sides in the Premiership have scouts watching DeMerit and happen to have a couple of loose pounds stashed under the floorboards? Count DeMerit's ascension to unquestioned #3 center back as one of the major finds of this tournament.
- Mind the gap! It's interesting that we looked much more vulnerable when Spain had the ball around midfield and Fabregas and Xavi were dancing about between the midfield line of four and the backs. Once things got closer to goal and we got compact, things dried up for them. Of course, much of that had to do with the ground the midfield covered in front of the back four, limiting clear looks from distance (And how many times did Donovan end up on the back line making clearances, only to pop up leading the break a half-minute later? Astonishing stamina). It's a shame that Bradley won't be in the final, because I can't think of anybody to pair with Clark that will have the range that Bradley does. Speaking of which...
- Refs hate Rico. Seriously, he suffered a handful of ticky-tack fouls that pretty much everybody else on the field was getting whistles for. For Rico Clark? Nothing doing. Is it just that he doesn't have the rep, or do refs just see something in his play that they just don't like? Of course, it wasn't he who saw the red this time out. Three reds to central mids in four matches has to be hugely worrying for Bob. Does it speak to our discipline? Our aggressiveness? Or is it just a lack of respect from the Whistlemen? I've yet to see a half-decent replay of Bradley's red, but it looked a yellow at most from the live shot.
- Conor Casey's clandestine cameras. Seriously, how else do you explain his continued presence late in games unless he's got some dirt on Bob? He holds the ball...a little. He runs...very little. He defends...with minimal effort. In what has to be the biggest game of his national team career, he's the sole front-runner with the side down to 10 men and desperately trying to kill the game against the best team in the world, and he's...jogging around like it's the Rapids playing a late-summer meaningless match against the Wizards in a three-quarters empty stadium.
- And finally...the 4-4-2 stays. We're not the sort of team that can possess the ball and dictate play against any sort of reasonably competent side. We need forward outlets and fast-breaking counters. We need two forwards to hold and run into channels. It's just a shame that, as I mentioned before, we won't have our two most dynamic and athletic central mids available for the final.
Is Bob a tactical genius? Not by a long shot. A motivational one? Then what happened in Saprissa Stadium, or at the half against Italy, or before a ball was kicked against Brazil? Is it any coincidence that no goals have been scored against us in this tourney when Junior and Rico patrol the midfield together, and we've given up six when they don't? Does that give you anything resembling hope going into the final? Then again, did you have any hope going into this match?
I'm still a skeptic when it comes to the Skeletor regime, but I'm a skeptic that's been duly impressed over the last couple of matches. The soccer hasn't been glorious, but it's gotten the desired results, and there were certainly moments to be proud of, moments where we shined. If this is indeed a warmup for what we can expect next summer, then maybe we can sound a cautious note of opposition against the baying of the internet blogosphere hounds. Of course, we could just be getting insanely lucky...
MLS Table Talk | A Tale of Two Conferences
MLS rolls up to the brink of mid-season with the type of parity-infected table we've all come to expect by now. The Dynamo have their noses in front in a nip-and-tuck battle with Chivas for the top spot, while DC United fly the flag for the East in their wake. Arrayed behind United are the surprise package, the expansion Sounders, followed by the Fire, Rapids, and a three way Eastern Conference dogfight for the last two playoff spots between the Crew, Toronto, and the Wiz. Within a three-point striking distance of that struggle are RSL and the Revs, trailed slightly by the Galaxy. And down in the relegation places we have Dallas, the Quakes, and the Red Bulls.
The points-per-game table, a fitting measure given the handful of outliers beyond the 14-15 games played mean (DC United, Colorado, the Revs, the Red Bulls), paints a somewhat different picture. In the ppg context, the Dynamo (2.0 ppg) are clear leaders, followed by Chivas (1.8) and the Rapids (1.7), highlighting the both the disparities in the West and the parity in the East. Hereafter, the Fire (1.5) carry the banner of the East in a dead heat with the West's #4 side, the Sounders. Behind them is a four-way Eastern scrum on 1.4 ppg consisting of DC United, the Crew, TFC and KC. The Revs (1.3) are also part of that Eastern parity party, just above the West's scrubs, from RSL and LA (1.1) to Dallas and the Quakes (0.9). And rounding out the bunch are the lowly Red Bulls, struggling along at 0.6 ppg.
- It's in the net! We have a new leader in the goal-scoring sweepstakes, and yes, it is the freakin' Rapids, scoring at a 1.7 goals per game clip. Hello, rest of the league? The Rapids? DC United (1.6 gpg) and the Fire (1.5 gpg) are their closest competitors, but the field is fairly even, save for the Red Bulls (0.9 gpg), limping along in league's wake.
- Kick save, Onstad! The cliche runs that defense wins championships, and the Dynamo (0.6 allowed per game) and Chivas (0.8) are making it hold up. At the opposite end of the table, it's (shockingly!) not the Red Bulls setting the bar low, but the Quakes, who surrender to the tune of 1.9 goals allowed per game.
- The Difference Engines. The Dynamo and Red Bulls sit on opposing ends of the spectrum, with the former at +11, and the later in perfect symmetry at -11. The middle is messier, but generally holds to form.
- The Eastern Mediocracy. How shamed must the Red Bulls be? Every side in the East is packed into a narrow band of points per game, from the Fire's 1.5 to the Revs 1.3, save for the lowly Bulls, haunting the basement at 0.6.
- The Great Western Divide. I mentioned it above in the points-per-game discussion, but it merits repeating that the four top sides in the West all equal or better the best in the East, from the Dynamo (2.0) to the Sounders (1.5). The bottom half of the conference is completely detached and possessed of a kind of parity of its own with every side between 1.1 and 0.9 points per game.
Of course, this is MLS, and the Parity Police are sure to wield their truncheons with devastating effect in the second half of the season. But, just for kicks and giggles, let's imagine the playoffs were they to occur tomorrow. And I'll base this on points per game, seeing as how not every team has played the same number of matches (and yes, 2-4 in the East are a mess as they're all on the same ppg, have all only drawn with each other, and thus go to goal difference for distinction, if I'm reading the rules correctly).
The East
(1) Chicago Fire v. (4) Toronto FC
(2) DC United v. (3) Columbus Crew
The West
(1) Houston Dynamo v. (4) Seattle Sounders
(2) Chivas USA v. (3) Colorado Rapids
I wonder just how much will have changed by the time the dust settles on Round 30?
MLS Dogpile | The SuperLiga Shuffle
SuperLiga rears its SuperHead again, taking four MLS sides (Chicago, New England, Chivas, Kansas City) out of rotation for a couple of weeks. Considering the fact that three of these teams are in a dogfight for playoff places and the other has a slight lead on most of the pack, might the MLS landscape have shifted drastically around them by the time they return? Judging by just one "contender" side grabbing three points this week, maybe not. Oh Parity Police, will you never cease to taunt and frustrate us with your capricious machinations?
The Alpha Dog
1. Houston Dynamo (WWWWD)
Despite RSL having few chances, the Dynamo didn't create enough of their own at home, particularly after Olave walked for RSL. Although there were some baffling decisions by whistleman Maruffo (really? shocker!), they seemed to go both ways and thus cancel each other out. Fortunately, Houston will be served the recovery softball with a visit to the moribund Galaxy, who, thanks to the USA's remarkable victory today, will still be Donovan-less.
Next: Galaxy (Away)
The Playoff Pack
2. +4 Colorado Rapids (DDWDW)
Seven unbeaten for the Rapids as they return, refreshed, from a week off and prove they don't need Conor Casey to bag the results, scoring a big 3-0 over DC United. Which is probably a good thing, seeing as how he might be seeing Gold Cup duty on the back of his South African travels. But what will happen if Omar Cummings is Gold Cup-bound as well? They've got two make-up matches to rectify their games played deficiency this week. Can they make a move on Seattle for #3 in the West?
Next: FC Dallas (Home), Sounders (Away)
3. -1 Columbus Crew (WDWWL)
It all looked to be going so well for the Crew in the first half, but somehow they managed to surrender that advantage to one of the worst teams in the league. In so doing, they squandered the chance to move up to second in the East. Home to the Red Bulls next week will give them another opportunity.
Next: Red Bulls (Home)
After a bit of a surge in recent weeks, the cross-country road double proves too much for United as they fight back impressively in Seattle for a draw, only to watch it all fall apart against the Rapids in a heavy loss. Next week brings an opportunity to rest, lick wounds, and prepare the reserves for the Open Cup.
Next: bye
5. -1 Chivas USA (DLWLL)
The Sounders had a big chance to make a bit of a move on the idle Chivas, but could only creep along in pursuit on the back of a pair of draws. The Rapids, however, might prove more lethal as they close to within 7 points with three games in hand. Chivas looked strong in their SuperLiga opener, but were undone by poor finishing and Livingston's terrible judgement. SuperLiga will keep them idle once again next week.
Next: bye
6. +1 Seattle Sounders (DLWDD)
It all looked to be going so well after the Sounders stormed back from a goal down at home to lead 3-1. But United's cardiac attack snuck another barely deserved result to leave Sigi's men frustrated. At the weekend, they turned the table by coming back from 1-0 down to draw with the Red Bulls. Despite the positive of taking a point, they'll be frustrated that their second half pressure didn't lead to all three, particularly against the league's worst side. Home to Colorado next weekend will be for the #3 spot in the West.
Next: Rapids (Home)
7. -2 Chicago Fire (WWLLL)
One week survived without any damage to their league standing, but another SuperLiga-imposed week away from the league might see the Crew and TFC making significant noise. Will the win in their SuperLiga opener start to build confidence eroded by three consecutive league losses?
Next: bye
8. Kansas City Wizards (WDDLW)
Idle, but largely unpunished, the Wiz make their SuperLiga bow by shading the match against Atlas, but failing to get three points. Next week brings another chance for their league position to slip further away as they continue in SuperLiga.
Next: bye
Bum-Sniffing Omega Mutts
9. Toronto FC (LWLLW)
A remarkable result books their passage into the Champions' League, and the Crew fail to leap clear of them on the MLS table. Not a bad week for TFC. Two matches this coming week give them a chance to build on their Canadian championship.
Next: Red Bulls (Home), RSL (Away)
10. +1 Real Salt Lake (DLDWD)
A solid road result for RSL given Houston's league dominance over the last month or so. With only a couple of chances presented to them, RSL manage to find net on one of them, then survive a sending off. Next up is a visit from the newly crowned champions of Canada. Can the mini-revival continue?
Next: Toronto FC (Home)
11. -1 New England Revolution (DLWWL)
A barnstorming performance in SuperLiga does nothing for their yo-yo MLS fortunes. By the time they return to league action, they may be cut adrift from the playoff contenders. And what does the future hold for Taylor Twellman? Questions abound, but will remain unanswered next week as SuperLiga continues.
Next: bye
12. +1 FC Dallas (DWDLW)
A huge win for Dallas that leaves them, somewhat surprisingly given their league position, with only one loss in their last six league outings. Does Hyndman have them pointed in the right direction at long last, or is this just standard operating procedure for Dallas: grab a few results that make them look moderately dangerous, and then fall away precipitously when push comes to shove in the playoff run? A midweek road date with the surging Rapids may give us a clue.
Next: Rapids (Away)
13. +1 San Jose Earthquakes (LWDLW)
Big win at home for the Quakes, though admittedly their defense were not under the heaviest amount of pressure they'll face in MLS this season. Will the return of Huckerby boost their struggling attack? Can they offload Convey for some defensive help? All these questions and more to be answered in this, your MLS summer swap extravaganza! Unfortunately for Yallop, the MLS scheduling gnomes give him a week off to stew and ponder the extraordinary roadblocks that summer throws in the path of every side in this league.
Next: bye
14. -2 Los Angeles Galaxy (DDWLL)
Ouch. After that long stretch of draws, the away win against TFC seemed to indicate that maybe Arena had figured something out. Obviously not. Berhalter continues to give away cards and goals at an alarming rate, and the Gals, who looked like they might be in adequate shape with Donovan and Beckham due to return, are now in the almighty floundering state they've been saddled with for the last few years. Home to the Dynamo next weekend wouldn't seem to offer any relief.
Next: Houston (Home)
15. New York Red Bulls (LLLLD)
Damn, I bet people actually in New York City could probably hear Cepero screaming for Hall to "Leave it!" but somehow the message didn't get through. From then on it was all Seattle after an early Red Bulls onslaught. Angel bagging a goal, even a gift, is a bonus for the Bulls, but they'll be frustrated not to have closed this one out. One-point hauls won't get them back into the playoff frame any time soon, and they're in serious danger of being the only ones left in the MLS basement after Dallas and the Quakes grab wins. Time to hit the road in search of precious points.
Next: TFC (Away), Crew (Away)
USA Reaction Pile-On
- How many guys did we have in the box on those second and third goals? That's the attacking intent we're so often missing
- I wondered in the Italy reaction about our lack of goals from the run of play. Here we got three of them. The first may have been a scramble and the third a none-too-subtle cross and headed finish, but the second was the best run-of-play goal I've seen from the US in a while. Nothing technically spectacular, but a good team goal. Ball is won, Bradley leads the break. Numbers up confuse defenders while runs stretch them wide, Donovan left alone, Bradley finds him. Bradley keeps running, Donovan plays him in, Bradley with a trademark sliding finish from his Heerenveen days. Lovely stuff.
The Great Escape | a USA Match Reaction
Well, well, well. And where exactly did that "stars aligning" moment come from? The US wins 3-0 and sees Brazil do the same, leading to three nations locked on three points after the group stage, with the US and Italy edging Egypt on goal differential (-2 to -3), and the US edging Italy on goals scored (4 to 3). Some alternate headlines...
Not exactly.
Look, it was a fantastic win, but there are caveats. So let's hit some talking points and take those questions on board as we do...
* We're stuck with Bob. Well, I guess that pretty much assures that any chance we had of Bob getting the boot just went down the proverbial drain. Nothing against Bob. I think he's a really good coach...for MLS, and will probably be a great option to be the big man for the US...in 10 years with a hopefully more broad range of experience. I still think he got a bit (okay, more than a bit!) lucky here. I'll gladly chow down on the crow if we make it out of our World Cup group (and it'll probably be a damn sight easier than this group was), but I just don't see it happening (again). Bad decisions in this one? How about starting Dempsey? Yes, his capper put us through and was a fantastic piece of noggin-work, but he was also caught trying to dribble out of the box and generally held the ball too long, shot too early, and failed to produce any real danger through much of the match, much as he did in the previous matches. I would have liked to have seen Torres in his place. Need another? Why bring on Casey, a big man with lazy tendencies, when dribbling runs were giving a tired Egyptian defense fits? Wasn't this the perfect situation for Freddy Adu to exercise his particular talents?
* Bullets dodged. Egypt had more than a few good opportunities, as you knew they would, but being without their two best attackers surely helped when it came to dodging said bullets. That said, the defense looked more sure against the often direct play of Egypt than they were against Brazil and in the second half against Italy. Between the two fullbacks, Spector was the more solid, though I liked some of Bornstein's attacking thrust. I wonder if Spector gets tried on the left when Hejduk/Cherundolo are fit to play on the right? Or maybe we can play Frankie there, as his crossing isn't particularly dangerous? DeMerit has had head-slapping moments filling in for Bocanegra, but the more direct play of this game suited him pretty well, and his (often physically brutal) efficiency was encouraging. He's never going to be a great option against highly technical teams, but then, none of our central defenders are. DeMerit is efficient and hard-nosed depth of reasonable quality, though I'd prefer more and better options (wouldn't we all?).
* In the bucket. Junior has fantastic energy and range, and his ability to get on the end of things in the box is one that we should be exploiting. I think that was one of the problems against Brazil. He had to do so much work covering for Kljestan defensively that he couldn't contribute on the other end enough. With Clark for cover, he was free to break out, as he did on that penetrating run, dish, and finish for the second. Potentially, I think he and Edu are of a similar two-way mold and will probably be competing for the same spot, and while I like Clark and think he has an intriguing future, the enticing combination in the middle is Bradley with Jermaine Jones. That could be one hard and energetic midfield combo that covers serious turf, but I wonder about Jones' effect on the locker room.
* Is Davies the answer? Doubtful. I loved his energy and willingness to go for goal (even when ill-advised--see a few sentences later), and his speed was causing problems. That speed and energy should make him a great late-game option off the bench, but I'm still not convinced that he's done enough to grab a automatic starting berth. The major shortcoming? His blinders. He goes for goal relentlessly, even at the expense of better options. Case in point? A dash, late in the first half, down the left when both Egyptian defenders go for him, leaving the trailing Jozy in acres of space all alone. But Davies has eyes for only one thing...the net. That served him well in the almighty scramble a few minutes earlier when he grabbed his street-fighter's goal, but what value would a second just before the half have carried..?
* Death to the sole striker? So, what do we think? Does this game convince Bob that he needs to be playing two up top, or will we see Jozy all alone against Spain the next time out? Having the second striker definitely pays off when it comes to having bodies in the box (first goal; having multiple targets for Donovan on the second) and more outlets for a defense under pressure. Likewise, it gives the wide-midfield runners (Donovan and Dempsey) both (1) more targets to pick out when they're on the run and (2) more off-the-ball movement going forward to pull defenders out of position for those same runners to exploit on their own. Speaking of runners, while I wasn't terribly impressed with Dempsey, this was the best game I've seen from Donovan in a long while, and, however much I may question his ability to step up to the plate at times, he certainly did here and did it with a remarkable amount of stamina and quality.
A couple of moments that linger in the old gray cells...
* Donovan, on 15 minutes, bursts through the defense but opts to square the ball for a run that Jozy had already abandoned rather than putting a shot on frame. Is Donovan to blame for not taking the initiative and having a go at goal, or is Jozy's breaking off the far-post run to cut inside suspect? Considering the reward Donovan provided for Junior busting a gut going forward and several other abandoned runs by Jozy that others were looking to slip him through on, I'm going to side, shockingly for me, with Donovan. I almost jumped out of my chair for joy when he decided to keep the next one, darting through everybody to get in on goal. Though the keeper cut out the move, I was delighted that he wanted to take that opportunity on. I wonder if he turned any Euro-scouts' heads?
* Altidore, on 51 minutes, settles the ball and fires on goal, only for the shot to be cleared off the line by a chest-shoulder-biceps combo. Egypt have already been whistled for one handle on the line in this tournament, but this one goes uncalled. It's tough because the ball bounces off the Egyptian defender's chest onto his arm, but his arm definitely prevents the ball from crossing the line. Kudos to the US for not bagging it and trying to blame the Whistlemen later, but it highlights what seems to me to be a lack of respect from the referees for our players. If a more feted player turns to the ref pointing to his hand, does the whistle blow? If Kljestan and Clark have bigger names or bigger clubs, do they get the benefit of the doubt on their reds? If players with more rep than Dempsey and Donovan take deliberate elbows to their noggins, do the Egyptians see red? Blaming the refs is a suckers' game, but that subtle bias has hurt us before in World Cups...
So what now? Oh, only Spain. Probably the best team in the world at the moment. We haven't exactly shone against the big name teams in this tournament, but at least we'll get a shot at taking honors when we inevitably face South Africa in the third-place match (defeatist, moi?). I wonder what Bob does against Spain. Is it back to one up top? Does Dempsey's goal keep him on the field despite a lackluster and, at times, quite suspect performance? Howard is due to stand on his head any day now, though he'll have to be superhuman to keep out the Spanish. Then again, Spain have often stumbled in the elimination rounds of major tourneys...
Nah, the stars couldn't align for us twice could they?
- Take that, Joe Red! (dismissed as I'm loathe to jump on the Rossi hatred bandwagon)
- Bob's Your Uncle! (unless you're Michael Bradley; dismissed as I still question Bob's subs and don't think Dempsey should have been on the pitch, even if he did score a lovely, violently-noggined goal)
- The Biggest Fathers Day Gift of All (delivered by Junior to his pop and by the USMNT to all of us who happen to be fathers and fans; dismissed for being a bit too long for even my lax standards)
Not exactly.
Look, it was a fantastic win, but there are caveats. So let's hit some talking points and take those questions on board as we do...
* We're stuck with Bob. Well, I guess that pretty much assures that any chance we had of Bob getting the boot just went down the proverbial drain. Nothing against Bob. I think he's a really good coach...for MLS, and will probably be a great option to be the big man for the US...in 10 years with a hopefully more broad range of experience. I still think he got a bit (okay, more than a bit!) lucky here. I'll gladly chow down on the crow if we make it out of our World Cup group (and it'll probably be a damn sight easier than this group was), but I just don't see it happening (again). Bad decisions in this one? How about starting Dempsey? Yes, his capper put us through and was a fantastic piece of noggin-work, but he was also caught trying to dribble out of the box and generally held the ball too long, shot too early, and failed to produce any real danger through much of the match, much as he did in the previous matches. I would have liked to have seen Torres in his place. Need another? Why bring on Casey, a big man with lazy tendencies, when dribbling runs were giving a tired Egyptian defense fits? Wasn't this the perfect situation for Freddy Adu to exercise his particular talents?
* Bullets dodged. Egypt had more than a few good opportunities, as you knew they would, but being without their two best attackers surely helped when it came to dodging said bullets. That said, the defense looked more sure against the often direct play of Egypt than they were against Brazil and in the second half against Italy. Between the two fullbacks, Spector was the more solid, though I liked some of Bornstein's attacking thrust. I wonder if Spector gets tried on the left when Hejduk/Cherundolo are fit to play on the right? Or maybe we can play Frankie there, as his crossing isn't particularly dangerous? DeMerit has had head-slapping moments filling in for Bocanegra, but the more direct play of this game suited him pretty well, and his (often physically brutal) efficiency was encouraging. He's never going to be a great option against highly technical teams, but then, none of our central defenders are. DeMerit is efficient and hard-nosed depth of reasonable quality, though I'd prefer more and better options (wouldn't we all?).
* In the bucket. Junior has fantastic energy and range, and his ability to get on the end of things in the box is one that we should be exploiting. I think that was one of the problems against Brazil. He had to do so much work covering for Kljestan defensively that he couldn't contribute on the other end enough. With Clark for cover, he was free to break out, as he did on that penetrating run, dish, and finish for the second. Potentially, I think he and Edu are of a similar two-way mold and will probably be competing for the same spot, and while I like Clark and think he has an intriguing future, the enticing combination in the middle is Bradley with Jermaine Jones. That could be one hard and energetic midfield combo that covers serious turf, but I wonder about Jones' effect on the locker room.
* Is Davies the answer? Doubtful. I loved his energy and willingness to go for goal (even when ill-advised--see a few sentences later), and his speed was causing problems. That speed and energy should make him a great late-game option off the bench, but I'm still not convinced that he's done enough to grab a automatic starting berth. The major shortcoming? His blinders. He goes for goal relentlessly, even at the expense of better options. Case in point? A dash, late in the first half, down the left when both Egyptian defenders go for him, leaving the trailing Jozy in acres of space all alone. But Davies has eyes for only one thing...the net. That served him well in the almighty scramble a few minutes earlier when he grabbed his street-fighter's goal, but what value would a second just before the half have carried..?
* Death to the sole striker? So, what do we think? Does this game convince Bob that he needs to be playing two up top, or will we see Jozy all alone against Spain the next time out? Having the second striker definitely pays off when it comes to having bodies in the box (first goal; having multiple targets for Donovan on the second) and more outlets for a defense under pressure. Likewise, it gives the wide-midfield runners (Donovan and Dempsey) both (1) more targets to pick out when they're on the run and (2) more off-the-ball movement going forward to pull defenders out of position for those same runners to exploit on their own. Speaking of runners, while I wasn't terribly impressed with Dempsey, this was the best game I've seen from Donovan in a long while, and, however much I may question his ability to step up to the plate at times, he certainly did here and did it with a remarkable amount of stamina and quality.
A couple of moments that linger in the old gray cells...
* Donovan, on 15 minutes, bursts through the defense but opts to square the ball for a run that Jozy had already abandoned rather than putting a shot on frame. Is Donovan to blame for not taking the initiative and having a go at goal, or is Jozy's breaking off the far-post run to cut inside suspect? Considering the reward Donovan provided for Junior busting a gut going forward and several other abandoned runs by Jozy that others were looking to slip him through on, I'm going to side, shockingly for me, with Donovan. I almost jumped out of my chair for joy when he decided to keep the next one, darting through everybody to get in on goal. Though the keeper cut out the move, I was delighted that he wanted to take that opportunity on. I wonder if he turned any Euro-scouts' heads?
* Altidore, on 51 minutes, settles the ball and fires on goal, only for the shot to be cleared off the line by a chest-shoulder-biceps combo. Egypt have already been whistled for one handle on the line in this tournament, but this one goes uncalled. It's tough because the ball bounces off the Egyptian defender's chest onto his arm, but his arm definitely prevents the ball from crossing the line. Kudos to the US for not bagging it and trying to blame the Whistlemen later, but it highlights what seems to me to be a lack of respect from the referees for our players. If a more feted player turns to the ref pointing to his hand, does the whistle blow? If Kljestan and Clark have bigger names or bigger clubs, do they get the benefit of the doubt on their reds? If players with more rep than Dempsey and Donovan take deliberate elbows to their noggins, do the Egyptians see red? Blaming the refs is a suckers' game, but that subtle bias has hurt us before in World Cups...
So what now? Oh, only Spain. Probably the best team in the world at the moment. We haven't exactly shone against the big name teams in this tournament, but at least we'll get a shot at taking honors when we inevitably face South Africa in the third-place match (defeatist, moi?). I wonder what Bob does against Spain. Is it back to one up top? Does Dempsey's goal keep him on the field despite a lackluster and, at times, quite suspect performance? Howard is due to stand on his head any day now, though he'll have to be superhuman to keep out the Spanish. Then again, Spain have often stumbled in the elimination rounds of major tourneys...
Nah, the stars couldn't align for us twice could they?
Brainfarts R' Us | a DC United Match Reaction
Well now, that wasn't a bit predictable, was it? United at altitude hasn't been a pretty picture for a number of years, and that pattern continued with terrible inevitability last night. Fortunately, I was making smores, hot dogs, and mountain pies around a fire last night, and so went to bed without having to witness said awfulness. And when I went back to watch the match this morning, the abortion that is Windows Media Player managed to kill the feed at just past the hour mark, though by that point, the damage had been done, and I look on that failure as a Fathers Day gift from the gods of the electronic ether trying to spare me a half-hour of suffering. So I'll bring you these talking points sans the last half hour of the match (MLS highlights not being live yet for some reason)...
* Brainfarts R' Us. I identified in the match preview that we need to keep the brainfarts to a minimum and watch out for the counter. So what do we proceed to do? Get countered for two goals, each with the mandatory mental walkabout (Janicki diving in when he should have crowded out; Jakovic missing a trap combined with ridiculous marking at the back post), and play them through with a self-generated counter courtesy of Avery John for their other tally. It's like they read my post and decided to run as hard as they could in the opposite direction.
* 4-4-2? I understand wanting to guard against the Rapids' wide threat by putting on a fourth defender, but I do have questions. One, if we're going with four in midfield, I don't think you can afford to have the limited mobility of Olsen and the limited defense of Gomez as half of that four. Two, I think John and Burch are a wash at left back in a back three, but surely Burch gives you more going forward from a back four? Realistically, I don't think that we can play 4-4-2 with Gomez in the middle. Maybe a 4-3-1-2 would be more effective, but we'll need fullbacks that really bomb forward in such a formation, probably necessitating Wallace as the left back.
We'd also need midfielders with greater range...
* Maybe a good thing. I'm hoping that this sort of thrashing is exactly the sort of thing that the FO needed as a reminder that maybe we're not as good as we think we are. We've had a remarkably good start to the season considering the doom and gloom of preseason, but there are areas that can still be addressed in the transfer market, particularly with Crayton's senior roster spot and cap money likely to be available. Given Peters' lack of contribution and taking of a senior spot, offloading the two of them would give us just over $200k and two senior roster spots to land a mobile, hard-tackling midfielder and another competent, journeyman defender. Anything else on your shopping list?
* And yet... Despite exiting the first half down 2-0, we weren't completely outplayed. True, we shipped a couple of goals, they pinged the post a couple of times, and we didn't create much going forward, but we didn't give up as many chances as we normally do early in matches, and we did have some moments going forward. In other words, the sort of performance you look for on the road, in trying conditions, in your second match in four days, in a place you just can't seem to get results in. Much of this result, I feel, swings on John's errant back pass. If we go into the half down 1-0, maybe we make a few tweaks and see a chance to fight back for something in the second. Instead, we lose a second goal at the worst possible moment and have to make changes to really chase the game in the second half. That said, we had nothing resembling the sort of possession and attacking pressure that a DC United side should have, even if it's only in fleeting moments, in that first half.
So that's about all the mileage I'm going to get out of this one. Time to go get ready for Egypt to destroy the US in the Confederations Cup to make my weekend misery complete. Ah well, at least the cookout last night was pretty good. Let's bring this to a close with an emphatic...
Ugh!
* Brainfarts R' Us. I identified in the match preview that we need to keep the brainfarts to a minimum and watch out for the counter. So what do we proceed to do? Get countered for two goals, each with the mandatory mental walkabout (Janicki diving in when he should have crowded out; Jakovic missing a trap combined with ridiculous marking at the back post), and play them through with a self-generated counter courtesy of Avery John for their other tally. It's like they read my post and decided to run as hard as they could in the opposite direction.
* 4-4-2? I understand wanting to guard against the Rapids' wide threat by putting on a fourth defender, but I do have questions. One, if we're going with four in midfield, I don't think you can afford to have the limited mobility of Olsen and the limited defense of Gomez as half of that four. Two, I think John and Burch are a wash at left back in a back three, but surely Burch gives you more going forward from a back four? Realistically, I don't think that we can play 4-4-2 with Gomez in the middle. Maybe a 4-3-1-2 would be more effective, but we'll need fullbacks that really bomb forward in such a formation, probably necessitating Wallace as the left back.
We'd also need midfielders with greater range...
* Maybe a good thing. I'm hoping that this sort of thrashing is exactly the sort of thing that the FO needed as a reminder that maybe we're not as good as we think we are. We've had a remarkably good start to the season considering the doom and gloom of preseason, but there are areas that can still be addressed in the transfer market, particularly with Crayton's senior roster spot and cap money likely to be available. Given Peters' lack of contribution and taking of a senior spot, offloading the two of them would give us just over $200k and two senior roster spots to land a mobile, hard-tackling midfielder and another competent, journeyman defender. Anything else on your shopping list?
* And yet... Despite exiting the first half down 2-0, we weren't completely outplayed. True, we shipped a couple of goals, they pinged the post a couple of times, and we didn't create much going forward, but we didn't give up as many chances as we normally do early in matches, and we did have some moments going forward. In other words, the sort of performance you look for on the road, in trying conditions, in your second match in four days, in a place you just can't seem to get results in. Much of this result, I feel, swings on John's errant back pass. If we go into the half down 1-0, maybe we make a few tweaks and see a chance to fight back for something in the second. Instead, we lose a second goal at the worst possible moment and have to make changes to really chase the game in the second half. That said, we had nothing resembling the sort of possession and attacking pressure that a DC United side should have, even if it's only in fleeting moments, in that first half.
So that's about all the mileage I'm going to get out of this one. Time to go get ready for Egypt to destroy the US in the Confederations Cup to make my weekend misery complete. Ah well, at least the cookout last night was pretty good. Let's bring this to a close with an emphatic...
Ugh!
The Colorado Curse | a DC United Preview
United's recent struggles in Colorado would tend to indicate that any points at the Dick would be surprising ones. That said, this United side has shown a remarkable proclivity for grabbing unlikely points, often in late, dramatic circumstances (see: the majority of this season). It might be argued that both sides are punching slightly above their apparent weight this season, though Colorado's current league position doesn't indicate this, given that they've played fewer games than anybody else. So let's break things down a little further...
Team News
Watching Points
Set the Table
Nostrodameter
Aw, crud! Don't ask me to pick this one. The Rapids have been idle and are missing the guy who gets their goals, but they're on a pretty good run of results as well. We're sure to be tired from Wednesday and the travel, are missing a couple of creative pieces, but should have enough depth that we can challenge for a result. Then again, we've been pretty terrible in the Rockies (Salt Lake and Denver combined) for a while now...
And the Nostradameter says (drumroll please)...1-1 draw. United controls possession early, with Gomez and Quaranta both going close from range, and Colorado looking dangerous on the counter. A Burch and/or Jakovic brainfart lets the Rapids in early in the second for 1-0, after which they pour it on for a bit, but United emerge unscathed. More late heroics result in yet another equalizer at the death.
Go on, you great uncertain universe, prove me wrong!
Vamos United!
Team News
- DC United will be missing Jaime Moreno and Fred to injury, while Colorado's Terry Cooke is dinged but probable, and their big man up top, Conor Casey, is in South Africa.
- United center back Dejan Jakovic is one yellow away from suspension, though if he manages to make it through the next three without a card, he'll get one yellow wiped for good behavior. I wonder if he makes it to the Gold Cup without incurring that suspension (if indeed Canada calls him up)?
Watching Points
- Counterstrike! From the little I've seen of Colorado, they appear to operate much like our previous opponent, the Sounders. Keep things simple and solid at the back and look to counter.
- Flank play. That said, it seems to me that more of Colorado's attacking buildup (when the counter is not on) comes down the flanks, something that United needs to be well aware of given that the three backs can get stretched by a team playing with width. The wide midfielders will have significant defensive responsibilities requiring lung-busting running.
- Tie me up! The Rapids are riding a six-game unbeaten run in the league, though many of those games ended in draws. United have discovered an uncanny ability to find late equalizers. Is a statistical convergence in the offing?
- Vengeance is mine! Gomez is going to get the start. Even with a healthy Fred, it would be hard to deny that the passion and ability still seem to be there for Christian. Combine that with his disappointing season in Colorado, and I think we'll see Gomez looking to prove a point. The question becomes, can he channel that passion properly, or does he end up trying to do too much?
Set the Table
- I'm hugely tempted to sit Burch, but I'm no fan of John either, so Burch starts in a big "meh?" selection on the back line. The rest of the back remains unchanged. We really need a left back.
- The defensive effort on the flanks is going to be key, so that means Wallace on the left and Quaranta on the right. Olsen is a bit of a gamble in the middle, particularly given the altitude and his time off, but I think we take that gamble with only Gomez also likely to require substitution. We'll need some extra feistiness in midfield that neither McTavish or Jacobson bring to the table (though one of those likely comes on fairly early for Olsen--Jacobson if we're down, McTavish if we're up). We really could use a mobile, gritty midfielder...Where is Vide again, and why did we sign a 25 year-old center back with no professional experience to our senior roster, only to send him to Bermuda every couple of weeks?
- I like the idea of getting Khumalo on as well, but probably as a sub (on for Gomez, Quaranta goes to attacking mid, Khumalo to the flank or up top with Pontius on the flank).
Nostrodameter
Aw, crud! Don't ask me to pick this one. The Rapids have been idle and are missing the guy who gets their goals, but they're on a pretty good run of results as well. We're sure to be tired from Wednesday and the travel, are missing a couple of creative pieces, but should have enough depth that we can challenge for a result. Then again, we've been pretty terrible in the Rockies (Salt Lake and Denver combined) for a while now...
And the Nostradameter says (drumroll please)...1-1 draw. United controls possession early, with Gomez and Quaranta both going close from range, and Colorado looking dangerous on the counter. A Burch and/or Jakovic brainfart lets the Rapids in early in the second for 1-0, after which they pour it on for a bit, but United emerge unscathed. More late heroics result in yet another equalizer at the death.
Go on, you great uncertain universe, prove me wrong!
Vamos United!
The Ironies of History
Every once in a while, history lobs up such a softball that you've got to crank it out of the park. To wit, in a discussion of the staging conventions for Elizabethan drama...
Carnage and comedy, coming to north Jersey!
(Still can't help being the slightest bit jealous.)
After 1600, the bawdy jigs fell into derision and contempt and were only performed at theatres such as the Red Bull, which catered to an audience appreciative of the lowest humor and most violent action.
Carnage and comedy, coming to north Jersey!
(Still can't help being the slightest bit jealous.)
The Cloying Stench of the Inevitable | a USA Match Reaction
Hey, guess what! You know those teams with all the World Cup trophies? The ones with the history, tradition, and piles of expensive players commanding vast sums of Euros for their talent, drive, and ability to perform consistently on the big stage? They're still much better than we are. Shocker, I know. Still, none of that excuses some of the crap on display, both from players and from coach in these two opening matches of the Confederations Cup. So let's dish, shall we..?
* Too many simple mistakes. True, the first goal came from a free kick awarded to Brazil for a player tripping over his own feet. That doesn't excuse the lack of marking from said free kick. And how is it that Bob can't see that Beasley is a walking turnover machine? I counted at least three occasions where he coughed the ball up that led to direct chances for Brazil. And that's just in this game! Wake up, Bob! Beasley may be one of our most experienced players, and he's had some good success at club level as well, but at the moment, he shouldn't even be getting called up, much less be starting. The fact that he was taken off at the half says that Bob saw the problem, but why didn't he anticipate it, given all of the prior evidence?
* Bad decisions. Hand in hand with the first point, and really more of a rephrasing than its own distinct complaint, but I've got a bit of bitching to do, so excuse my piling on here, will you? Kljestan's tackle was pretty much a rerun of Clark's. Dumb tackle. Probably would have been a yellow were it not for the tackler being a no-name MLSer and the tacklee being a member of the vaunted Azzurri or sparkling Seleção. But a dumb tackle that could have been avoided nonetheless. Not that you'd have expected anything different from those two, considering the number of forced, direct balls, wayward one-touch play, and "passes" to the opposition keeper or end-line. And not that they were the only ones at fault.
* Bob overmatched? Let's review. Bob in CONCACAF? Not so bad. He reeled in a Gold Cup, has us on our way, though not particularly comfortably, to qualification, and sometimes puts out teams that look like they know what they're doing against the best the Caribbean can throw at us. But in non-CONCACAF international tourneys? And I'm not talking friendlies, because those aren't the real deal. I'm talking honest-to-goodness, multiple-game, elimination tournaments. What has he done? Let's review Copa America 2007 and the Confederations Cup so far. No wins, no draws, five losses. Three goals scored, fourteen conceded for a -11 goal difference. Hey, you got any hopes to move beyond the group stage of South Africa 2010 with Bob at the helm? Really? Pass me whatever you're smoking/drinking/shooting up.
* Altidore needs a running mate. Maybe one day, in the fullness of time, Altidore will develop into the type of striker that can play alone up top. At the moment, however, he is not that type. He functions much better with someone nearby to play quick touches with, someone to draw a little attention so that he can dart into space or have room to receive the ball. Neither Bob's awful attempt at a 4-3-3 or the 4-4-1-1/4-5-1 provides Jozy this opportunity. Is he too young to be carrying the burden of getting the goals? Maybe. But he'd probably do a damn sight better if he wasn't so isolated up top.
* Demspsey Diving. Clint used to be my favorite national team player. Used to be. I love that he still feels confident enough to break out the tricks and take on defenders. But do it in the attacking end, and do it with productive intent please! And, for crap's sake...STOP DIVING! He must have a rep by now, because even when he is getting fouled, the Whistlemen are motioning him to get up. You'd almost excuse it if he made his living in La Liga and had spent his entire career there. But for a player that made his name sticking his noggin in where it hurts and plying his trade in MLS and the Premiership...
* Reflection of Donovan. I've figured out why this US team pisses me off so much. It's because it's an almost perfect reflection of Landon Donovan. Moments of promise, even in lost causes, that ultimately fizzle? Sure. Dominant on the home front (MLS/CONCACAF), but pissy and ineffective abroad (Germany for club and country, international tournaments)? Got that too. Majority of goals coming from set pieces and not the run of play? Oh, now this is getting freaky! The thing is: there are bits and pieces there that really seem like they'll be great, but they never seem to pan out when the chips are tossed on the big table. It's frustrating. Like the frustrations I'm sure most of us have that Donovan has never really seemed to fulfill his promise or become a dominant figure on the big (international) occasion. The frustration of seeing a team that, while not a world-beater, can certainly be competitive with the world's finest. In fact, they often are...in friendlies. But when push comes to shove...
I'm tempted to go on here, but I'm going to end this by inviting you to have your say about what's going wrong, if indeed there is anything to worry about. It's not like Italy and Brazil are easy pickings. Needless to say, I'm continuing to compile a "list of what we've learned" seeing as how this is supposed to be a fact-finding mission and/or dry run for next summer. And I will present that at the conclusion of the tournament, but for now, all I feel is frustration blended with embarrassment.
Does that mean I want to see the same old "proven" players sent into action against Egypt? Hell no! We know what we're going to get out of those players. Let's see some of the kids in a more apt test. No World Cup group is going to include both Italy and Brazil. Egypt is much more reflective of the type of opponent we're going to need to beat in order to advance. So run out Torres, run out Adu. Heck, throw on the blazing-fast stone feet of Wynne. I'm pretty comfortable with the core of the team being Howard, Gooch, Boca, Bradley, Donovan, and Altidore. Around that you can mix and match. Feilhaber, Torres, and Spector should probably be in the picture. But some of the others need to rediscover themselves or make way.
* Too many simple mistakes. True, the first goal came from a free kick awarded to Brazil for a player tripping over his own feet. That doesn't excuse the lack of marking from said free kick. And how is it that Bob can't see that Beasley is a walking turnover machine? I counted at least three occasions where he coughed the ball up that led to direct chances for Brazil. And that's just in this game! Wake up, Bob! Beasley may be one of our most experienced players, and he's had some good success at club level as well, but at the moment, he shouldn't even be getting called up, much less be starting. The fact that he was taken off at the half says that Bob saw the problem, but why didn't he anticipate it, given all of the prior evidence?
* Bad decisions. Hand in hand with the first point, and really more of a rephrasing than its own distinct complaint, but I've got a bit of bitching to do, so excuse my piling on here, will you? Kljestan's tackle was pretty much a rerun of Clark's. Dumb tackle. Probably would have been a yellow were it not for the tackler being a no-name MLSer and the tacklee being a member of the vaunted Azzurri or sparkling Seleção. But a dumb tackle that could have been avoided nonetheless. Not that you'd have expected anything different from those two, considering the number of forced, direct balls, wayward one-touch play, and "passes" to the opposition keeper or end-line. And not that they were the only ones at fault.
* Bob overmatched? Let's review. Bob in CONCACAF? Not so bad. He reeled in a Gold Cup, has us on our way, though not particularly comfortably, to qualification, and sometimes puts out teams that look like they know what they're doing against the best the Caribbean can throw at us. But in non-CONCACAF international tourneys? And I'm not talking friendlies, because those aren't the real deal. I'm talking honest-to-goodness, multiple-game, elimination tournaments. What has he done? Let's review Copa America 2007 and the Confederations Cup so far. No wins, no draws, five losses. Three goals scored, fourteen conceded for a -11 goal difference. Hey, you got any hopes to move beyond the group stage of South Africa 2010 with Bob at the helm? Really? Pass me whatever you're smoking/drinking/shooting up.
* Altidore needs a running mate. Maybe one day, in the fullness of time, Altidore will develop into the type of striker that can play alone up top. At the moment, however, he is not that type. He functions much better with someone nearby to play quick touches with, someone to draw a little attention so that he can dart into space or have room to receive the ball. Neither Bob's awful attempt at a 4-3-3 or the 4-4-1-1/4-5-1 provides Jozy this opportunity. Is he too young to be carrying the burden of getting the goals? Maybe. But he'd probably do a damn sight better if he wasn't so isolated up top.
* Demspsey Diving. Clint used to be my favorite national team player. Used to be. I love that he still feels confident enough to break out the tricks and take on defenders. But do it in the attacking end, and do it with productive intent please! And, for crap's sake...STOP DIVING! He must have a rep by now, because even when he is getting fouled, the Whistlemen are motioning him to get up. You'd almost excuse it if he made his living in La Liga and had spent his entire career there. But for a player that made his name sticking his noggin in where it hurts and plying his trade in MLS and the Premiership...
* Reflection of Donovan. I've figured out why this US team pisses me off so much. It's because it's an almost perfect reflection of Landon Donovan. Moments of promise, even in lost causes, that ultimately fizzle? Sure. Dominant on the home front (MLS/CONCACAF), but pissy and ineffective abroad (Germany for club and country, international tournaments)? Got that too. Majority of goals coming from set pieces and not the run of play? Oh, now this is getting freaky! The thing is: there are bits and pieces there that really seem like they'll be great, but they never seem to pan out when the chips are tossed on the big table. It's frustrating. Like the frustrations I'm sure most of us have that Donovan has never really seemed to fulfill his promise or become a dominant figure on the big (international) occasion. The frustration of seeing a team that, while not a world-beater, can certainly be competitive with the world's finest. In fact, they often are...in friendlies. But when push comes to shove...
I'm tempted to go on here, but I'm going to end this by inviting you to have your say about what's going wrong, if indeed there is anything to worry about. It's not like Italy and Brazil are easy pickings. Needless to say, I'm continuing to compile a "list of what we've learned" seeing as how this is supposed to be a fact-finding mission and/or dry run for next summer. And I will present that at the conclusion of the tournament, but for now, all I feel is frustration blended with embarrassment.
Does that mean I want to see the same old "proven" players sent into action against Egypt? Hell no! We know what we're going to get out of those players. Let's see some of the kids in a more apt test. No World Cup group is going to include both Italy and Brazil. Egypt is much more reflective of the type of opponent we're going to need to beat in order to advance. So run out Torres, run out Adu. Heck, throw on the blazing-fast stone feet of Wynne. I'm pretty comfortable with the core of the team being Howard, Gooch, Boca, Bradley, Donovan, and Altidore. Around that you can mix and match. Feilhaber, Torres, and Spector should probably be in the picture. But some of the others need to rediscover themselves or make way.
Sad to Say...
...but no DC United match reaction from yours truly to what was either an enthralling or exasperating affair. Or maybe it was both. Crappy highlights over at MLSNet.com. Kudos to the Mouse for botching the whole affair. Despite having done "match reactions" based on highlights and recaps before, I'm going to let this one pass for now. If I ever get a chance to sit down with more than three minutes of highlights and a browserful of text, I'll update. Until then, prep for the USA reaction and United's visit to Colorado at the weekend, where hopefully we will have rediscovered how to defend...
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