I was only able to watch the first half, but it looked sloppy to me. Guatemala had several real chances in the first to score on what almost always looked like big mental lapses on the part of the US. Just guys taking it easy and getting caught. I don't know if thats playing down to the competition or what, but you still have to do well here to qualify.
I also agree with a couple posts above, the passing from the midfield does not look crisp at all. Lots of giveaways and terrible balls played forward. I don't know what the deal is with Bradley. He can look great one game and then look like a complete amateur the next. Last night he had 4 or 5 balls in the first half that looked like I was out there kicking around.
Last observation: The US seems to get really clogged down at the top of the box against poor competition. They seem to control the possession, get the ball down to the 18 and then kind of dink around. They never make a run in, they struggle to push the ball out wide and cross it. They just kind of play keep away up top and never take a shot. It seems to me like only Dempsey has any sort of killer instinct and even he seems a touch indifferent on this stage.
I think they would actually fare better against some stiffer competition because they just look unmotivated here. Like they know they're going to advance so why bother. But as a US national team fan it would be nice to see some inspired play.
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They look like they're burned out. Maybe the long season in Europe is the real problem...look, England & Ireland also look like they just don't belong there. The biggest problem are the unforced giveaways....they play like they have nothing left in the tank....and maybe they don't have.?
Spain doesnt look so burnt out. Almost all the European leagues have the same schedule. Nothing's really changed. Basically the same schedule every year and the players have something to deal with nearly every summer (at least even years.) I do know Klinsmann was working them very hard with two a days leading into and during these past matches. Its a hard spot to be in as a manager due to the schedule of these matches right after the season's over and trying to make a team gel for WC qualifiers in a short window. The players will have time to recuperate over the next couple of months at least.
I'm sure he will eventually but he's in the pool with guys like Agudelo, Sapong, Cooper, Wondolowski, etc. Shea in there too but I feel he's a little ahead of those guys and a move to a decent European team would really solidify that. Then you have the guys that were just called up in Gomez and Jozy, both of whom had excellent seasons and to me, deserve to be the front line guys right now. There's decent depth right now fighting for a couple of forward spots. Once we get to a few more friendlies, I'm sure you'll see a wider variety getting callups.
I'm sure he will eventually but he's in the pool with guys like Agudelo, Sapong, Cooper, Wondolowski, etc. Shea in there too but I feel he's a little ahead of those guys and a move to a decent European team would really solidify that. Then you have the guys that were just called up in Gomez and Jozy, both of whom had excellent seasons and to me, deserve to be the front line guys right now. There's decent depth right now fighting for a couple of forward spots. Once we get to a few more friendlies, I'm sure you'll see a wider variety getting callups.
I hope so. Not sure if hes returned to pre-accident form but i recall our counter attack being incredible when he played. And ojr regular attack was swift between him and Altidore.
I think Clint to LFC wouldnt be a bad move. They certainly need someone to fill Kuyts' role.
How bout PSG signing Thiago Silva AND Zlatan Ibrahamovic ? Both from AC Milan. Clearing some money for a big name transfer maybe?
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Not liking the idea of Clint to Liverpool. He's such an important part of our national team and you have to figure his role will be significantly decreased once he's in prison for murdering Luis Suarez.
GOALKEEPERS (3): Tim Howard (Everton), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
DEFENDERS (6): Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Steven Beithasour (San Jose Earthquakes), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Edgar Castillo (Club Tijuana), Michael Orozco Fiscal (San Luis), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim)
MIDFIELDERS (9): DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04), Jose Torres (Pachuca), Brek Shea (FC Dallas), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
FORWARDS (4): Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Herculez Gomez (Santos), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)
GOALKEEPERS (3): Tim Howard (Everton), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
DEFENDERS (6): Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Steven Beithasour (San Jose Earthquakes), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Edgar Castillo (Club Tijuana), Michael Orozco Fiscal (San Luis), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim)
MIDFIELDERS (9): DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04), Jose Torres (Pachuca), Brek Shea (FC Dallas), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
FORWARDS (4): Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Herculez Gomez (Santos), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)
DEFENDERS (6): Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Steven Beithasour (San Jose Earthquakes), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Edgar Castillo (Club Tijuana), Michael Orozco Fiscal (San Luis), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim)
when mexico missed that header was pretty sure us would score soon afterwards
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