What'd we learn on Saturday, watching our squad come from behind to defeat a solid European challenger? First of all, Dempsey is in form. The game winner he put away was really one of three he could have had and maybe not even his best opportunity - 'til he slots with the outside of his right foot. Now there's a cheeky, crafty strike from someone outside of Italy or South America! What's that? He's American?
But he wasn't the only Yank playing aggressive, take-the-ball-at-your-opponent soccer. Jozy Altidore, with his weave pass to himself in the box looked confident and ready to compete. Not that he didn't at the Confederations Cup last year, but still the move he made was class and then to have to where-with-all to look up and try to pick out Dempsey. Fantastic. They're playing together folks, and giving some teams something to think about.
Landon, oh Landon. Though Bradley has actual progeny on the field, Landon, you know, you are his boy. Right down to the matching veins popping out from their temples, Coach Bradley and Landon Donovan seem to be on the same wave length as far as game plan is concerned. Quick counters, use your speed, and stay attack-oriented. No more of the slow build-up, please. PLEASE!!! We might have some success, that is, of course, if you two (Coach, Landon) can get your squad amped enough not to give up the early goal.
EARLY GOAL SYNDROME - we have it. Not cool. It can be fatal for inexperienced squads. Solution? Other than a general, play deep behind the ball until our fitness can take over the other team? No. I don't have a real answer for this one, other than we're not going to win much if we continue to consistently go down by a goal in the first half. We will see...
Side notes: Torres - the guy has got style. His dribbling reverse to escape pressure in our own end spoke volumes of the guy's mental acuity for the game. I look forward to seeing what else he can do, as I didn't get to see much of him in qualifying. (And no, I don't like him just because he has the same last name as a certain Liverpool/Spain striker. Though I did like his old-school 'five' celebration with Dempsey after the goal.)
Robbie Findley - Nice chip to Donovan to what became one of the cleanest, sharpest goals by the U.S. squad against a solid opponent in some time. And Findley had a nice fro going too. Cheers
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Yeah...I didn't get to see the match, but it is good to hear that Altidore is looking good. He seems to appear at the international level and is only 20!
ReplyDeleteHe has been mostly discounted in the UK because he was transferred to Hull City which is now relegated and never really started. Maybe he didn't train well with Hull and that is why. But the Brit sports writers mentioned how good he looked at Confederations Cup...then proceeded to talk about his crappy year with Hull.
Bollocks I say! He def needs to start and I love the fact that he is still underrated...what better time to surprise than at the World Cup. He is really "pacey" as they say and Jon, you said he is improving his touch.
Couple that with Dempsey and Donovan...a good midfield...only one weakness = the D
Let's hope Onyewu Spector and BocaNegra are fit next week. Oh and Tim Howard...pretty good.
My predictions via the BBC site...check it out. It is pretty sick.
ReplyDeletehttp://news.bbc.co.uk/sol/shared/inc/v4/world_cup_2010/wallchart/main.html#p02479bdejgkmorut07429ebdjmkgotur90b4joukj9ubb9ju
Final = Nederlands beat Spain
That tracker is fuckin rad. I don't have time today but I'll do mine soon. I like your final. Van Persie is just coming into form after his injured season - and then they've got Kuyt, Babel (both threats), and then the unpredictable Huntelaar as well. Oh and then Robben - arguably the most dangerous player on the pitch this champions league campaign for any team. Talk about depth. Nice find with the tracker...
ReplyDeleteSO...Robben is out...Obi Mikel is out...Drogba is out...Ballack is out...Ferdinand is out...
ReplyDelete