Friends of Fulham

The victory last night was expected but looked a bit Fulhamish given the differences between the halves. The first half was a thing of beauty with total domination by the US. Most of it was in midfield, to be sure, but beautiful none the less. Danny Williams may be the answer to getting Jones out of the line up once Bradley returns. Torrez just doesn't have it at this level. He's too easily pushed off the ball and while he was OK last night, Mexico will eat his lunch. Dolo still has it and I'd like to think that his direction helped Zusi have a strong first half. He was a bit inconsistent but may be of help in getting Donavan back into the middle where I feel he belongs. Cameron may be the real deal. Lord knows we need central defenders. Fabian Johnson appears to be our current and future left back. Thank God no more Bornstein! I like Gomez. Certainly not the greatest talent but he does a lot of the dirty work and runs the back line ragged.
That brings me to Klinsman. When a team changes as much as it did after the goal, I have to fault the coach.  Bob Bradley fielded a boring team but it fit the talent level of the US players where athleticism and effort made up for a lack of world class skill. He fit the tactics to the players on hand ala Roy. Klinsman wants the US to play like Germany and I question if we have the ability to do so. We might be more entertaining but under Arena & Bradley I never questioned if we would qualify. The way the team backed off after Gomez's spot kick was alarming to me. One bad bounce and we drop two points. One need look no further than last Friday to see what happens when a squad takes their foot off the gas pedal. Why didn't Klinsman pull an obviously gassed Dempsey rather than Gomez and do it ten minutes earlier?
I liked the formation. Don't know if you could have called Williams a sweeper but he provided strong support in the middle, took away the counter and as a result Jamaica was forced outside into the good hands of Dolo & Johnson. Bradley in place of Jones should provide the link to the attack that we often miss and having a match fit Dempsey and a recovered Donavan should bring us to the hex with ease.
Wish I was now as confident about the Whites.
starsnstripes starsnstripes starsnstripes

Quote from: YankeeJim on September 12, 2012, 07:12:45 PM
Danny Williams may be the answer to getting Jones out of the line up once Bradley returns.

I'm confused, are we trying to get Jones out of the lineup?  Given your comment about Torres (which I agree with), wouldn't he be a more likely choice to sit?  Jones and Bradley in the middle are a formidable pair.  (I like Maurice Edu a lot too, but I wonder whether Klinsi maybe sees him as more of a center back at this point.)

Quote from: jmh on September 14, 2012, 08:45:18 PM

Quote from: YankeeJim on September 12, 2012, 07:12:45 PM
Danny Williams may be the answer to getting Jones out of the line up once Bradley returns.

I'm confused, are we trying to get Jones out of the lineup?  Given your comment about Torres (which I agree with), wouldn't he be a more likely choice to sit?  Jones and Bradley in the middle are a formidable pair.  (I like Maurice Edu a lot too, but I wonder whether Klinsi maybe sees him as more of a center back at this point.)

As I said, I find Jones to be a walking redcard. I've never liked cheap shot artists and IMHO, that what Jones is. Drop Jones and utilize Williams in his spot.
Williams in frt of the back four with a midfield of Bradley, Donavan & Zushi with Dempsey and Gomez up top. In  short a 4-1-3-2. You could sub in Jozy for Zushi & drop Dempsey to the right if you are chasing the game. Might work. Jones is a liability.

That opinion is probably about as valuable as my vast experience as the US Nats head coach.  064.gif

Quote from: YankeeJim on September 14, 2012, 09:26:04 PM
As I said, I find Jones to be a walking redcard. I've never liked cheap shot artists and IMHO, that what Jones is. Drop Jones and utilize Williams in his spot.
Williams in frt of the back four with a midfield of Bradley, Donavan & Zushi with Dempsey and Gomez up top. In  short a 4-1-3-2. You could sub in Jozy for Zushi & drop Dempsey to the right if you are chasing the game. Might work. Jones is a liability.

That opinion is probably about as valuable as my vast experience as the US Nats head coach.  064.gif

Huh.  I've personally never found him to be quite so risky a player as you seem to, but maybe I'm just blinded to it by all the hype that surrounded his switch to play for the US.  I think we've had our share of players who fit the "walking red card" bill in the past (Pablo Mastroeni comes to mind) and it hasn't turned out TOO badly.

Part two

I don't think I have ever worked as hard watching a soccer match as I did last night. The field was pitiful and the camera work was no better then some fan with a video camera. The camera must have been mounted 50 yards off the side line. The far line was invisible and the weather terrible & the lighting was bad. The wind adversely effected the match. The Antigua keeper threw the ball further when he had the wind in the 2nd half then most keepers punt the ball.  At least the normal horrendous CONCACAF refs were not in evidence.

Jones didn't start but still managed to get his normal cheap yellow. I don't know if it was the weather & the pitch but the US left their passing game home. The back line looked like they were playing Brazil constantly giving up chances. Really, the US was bad. I mean Eddie Johnson had to score a brace to keep us in the hunt for the hex.

Which brings me to Klinsman. The US team seems not to put out the effort under Klinsman that we have always shown. There is little movement off the ball and a lot of walking back to position. This team lacks pace and Antigua exploited that fact often. Jozy leads his league in scoring and we bring in Alan Gordon who can't even consistently make first 11 for San Jose in MLS. That being said, he actually affected the game, putting out a lot of effort.

This team will quaify which speaks more to the quality of CONCACAF then the management skills of Klinsman. With a good draw we might even win a game in the group but I don't think we'll get to the knockout faze.   :002:

A number of people looked like they were more concerned about avoiding ankle/knee injuries than in actually winning the game.  I'm not sure I've ever seen a slower attack.  The possession stats were dominant in the US's favor, but I'm skeptical of the value of that stat if the other side is just ceding the ball to you the way A&B ways.

Very few players showing any willingness to try anything - Zusi, Gordon, EJ, and to a lesser extent Bradley were about the only people I thought had positive performances.

I agree with the "walking red card" assessment of Jones.  I'm not sure what's going on, but the way he's played in the WCQs I consider it a positive development that he's suspended for the Guatemala match.

I wrote a bunch more about this here: http://legionofpog.tumblr.com/post/33481667487/this-was-the-text-i-sent-a-friend-in-brooklyn (http://legionofpog.tumblr.com/post/33481667487/this-was-the-text-i-sent-a-friend-in-brooklyn)

Can't argue with your post except that I believe that it was Bruce Arena who made the comment about Deuce.

Quote from: YankeeJim on October 14, 2012, 07:35:46 PM
Can't argue with your post except that I believe that it was Bruce Arena who made the comment about Deuce.

Thanks, you're right!

talented teams struggle against weak opponents especially on the road because they need to be free flowing like they were against guatemala... the pitch is a 12th man that hurts the US when they travel as they do any of the top teams, the fact that we won and finished with as many points this go round as we did last qualifying campaign means our angst was misplaced. In the early qualifying, the team was learning a new style, but I find this team able to win ugly but also win with style... style doesn't earn you many points directly but it does earn you respect from your opponents refs and fans, which can contribute to points. With a winning style, winning will beget winning. Now if we could just learn how to f'in defend... lol.

Can't argue with you Dave. I'd add that we need a CB from somewhere. I think Gooch's knees are done and Goodson doesn't have it at this level much less against high quality teams. Boca for all that he has given has always lacked pace and is near his Social Security. Cameron has some possibilities. That leaves few other options. Omar Gonzales is finally back from injury but he needs to prove himself in the Hex to be considered for Brazil. Edu might be a possibility but going to Brazil with two grandfathers an uncertain and a guy out of position on the back line on the back line is scary indeed. I think Fabian Johnson should be the real deal and Dolo & Boca seem to have the fitness for another go round. Lets hope so.

I though we looked good against the 12 man Guats. How a guy that is being considered for Brazil can miss a clear handball and a clear penality (against Bradley) is beyond me. That's CONCACAF.  :035:   I'd love to see this forum if every match was refereed as if it was at Red Nose's house.

We have to go down to those crappy venues and win ugly like we did in Antigua. At lease in the Hex we won't have the Guats or El Salvadore to deal with. Panama. Costa Rico and Asstica will be bad enough.

On the positive side Klinsman had the lads ready and his subs seemed to work. BTW, who is this Eddie Johnson guy? We had a player by that name at Fulham once but this guy has to be someone different.  :027:

Boca looked incredibly vulnerable to quick strikers last night -- not just on the Guatemala goal (which was a debacle), but on a few other instances where Ruiz just ran right past him.

I really hope Dolo stays healthy through 2014, as I don't know what the backup plan is.  (Beitashour?????)

Lack of pace has always been the knock on Boca. When he gets beat it is almost aways by being caught out. Since we have no pace in the center someone has to stay back to cover. I'm not sure what Klinsman has them doing. I suppose either of the out backs could stay back if the other goes forward but what happens when one or the other misreads the situation. I'm sure Carlos the flopper could tell us. BTW, did you think Timmy mis-handled that one on one.

Yes went down way to early but to see Boca jogging back boiled my blood.  Run!

Howard could have done better.

Quote from: SCFulhmFan on October 18, 2012, 12:35:32 AM
Yes went down way to early but to see Boca jogging back boiled my blood.  Run!

It's hard to run when your embarassed. BTW, is your avitar your location? I spent a tough three weeks there after Hugo. Charlestown was a mess.

come on boys you can't even think timmy was at fault for that, the reason he is so good is because he plays on instinct... timmy thought he was going early, he didn't, and he went around. One on one with the keeper you can't blame him for that. We sometimes expect too much from our number 1.

Well, when you have someone as good as Timmy, you expect perfection. He is always so consistant and I for one, do not want to give ANY credit to the skill of the THAT flopper. He is worse than Suarez.

Quote from: YankeeJim on October 18, 2012, 07:06:57 PM
It's hard to run when your embarassed. BTW, is your avitar your location? I spent a tough three weeks there after Hugo. Charlestown was a mess.

Yes but in the Upstate.

The American Nats have always used fitness, effort & a no quit demeanor when they have been successful. Yesterday, they looked a bit more like Fulham against the Ha-Ha's. They were flat and lacking any spirit. When Dempsey took his goal (a fine volley BTW) only two players went over to congratulate him.

Klinsman keeps trying to fit square pegs in round holes. The US will never be Barca and a 4-3-3 on the road isn't going to work, especially at a hostile, hot and very humid ground. He started three defensive minded mids so there was little continuity and no flow. He burnt his three subs, did I say it was hot & very humid, by the hour mark and none of them brought anything to the match.

I really fear that the US will be scraping for the third spot or even the play in for fourth. We won't beat Mexico either home or away. We won't win in Costa Rico and likely Jamaica plus Panama plays on a cricket pitch and is tough at home. If we slip up at home, we might be watching the next WC from somewhere other than Brazil. There is a reason Klinsman was canned at the German Nats and from the Bundesliga.   :026:

Jimmy jimmy jimmy... you have been hangin with the english too long. It was the first game of the hex even the mex had a bad hex opener... and they were at home... honduras is a good team, especially at home, and let's be honest their first goal more often than not ends up in the stands... my only concern is if something happens to deuce where will our goals come from?

Yes it is just the first game BUT, Klinsman hasn't a clue what to do with this team. We might be able to play a 4-3-3 if Donovan comes back and brings some desire with him but short of that, he needs to shift back to a 4-4-2 with some midfielder who knows that the ball is supposed to be sent up to the strikers. That, and his German mercenaries need to get some life in them. Johnson was fine, not his best game but fine. Yellow card Jones is not, has not and will never be a player I want on the field. Lastly, explain to me what all the hype about Jugbutt Tim Chandler was all about. With a derriere like that he should be sitting in a library somewhere rather then huffing & puffing as he chases some quick little Hispanic who nugmegs him at will. That, and 33 year old Dolo had knee surgery today. We finally get a left back and now we need a right one.

I always said that the US would miss Bunker Bob, to be fair the only teams that really performed to or above expectations were Honduras and Jamaica yesterday, nonetheless Jurgen really failed to do his homework on Honduras. Had he scouted Honduras in the past few months there's no way he would have lined up with such a defensive minded 4-3-3, when Honduras relies on the long ball and wingplay to generate chances its no use clogging up the centre. To be fair to Chandler, Costly and Boniek Garcia are both top notch players even if they haven't shown in the MLS and I don't see any right back in CONCACAF having an easy time against them. Klinsmann should consider switching to a 4-2-3-1 against Costa Rica and Mexico as both teams have very attacking minded fullbacks that like to overlap, they're going to need the wingers to hustle back when they lose possession. That being said, the first round of the hex is rarely indicative of who makes the big show, otherwise last time around we'd have seen Costa Rica, Trinidad and the USA as the likely favourites.

We have an amazing qualifying record at home games.  We'll be OK.  Honduras scheduled the start time for the hottest time of the day.  They are used to that weather.  Our German American contingent sure isn't...  They didn't cut their grass, and must have practiced playing on a meadowlike condition, with what looked like high ankle level grass, which deadened the ball.  Plus, Honduras has got a pretty darn good team!  Having said all that, though, I agree Klinsmann is the wrong guy for the U.S.  We should get rid of him and quick.  Being a former great player doesn't qualify you to be a great coach.  It's a different set of skills.  U.S. Soccer made a big mistake, and we shall pay dearly for it. 

How about the home leg with Honduras be played at night in Fairbanks?

Quote from: YankeeJim on February 12, 2013, 05:57:01 PM
How about the home leg with Honduras be played at night in Fairbanks?

:Haynes The Maestro:

well after the mexico game one thing can be said... our back four and our back up keeper are looking pretty good. Beser, Gonzalez, and Guzan were awesome, period. That is huge going forward. Admittedly mexico didn't play very well but our back four were solid when they did manage to put together an attack, and very good on set pieces as well. When demps, donovan, et al finally play together things could look very good indeed. I thought Jermain Jones (injured) was what we were missing in midfield for the mexico game, he and Bradley together could really boss the midfield. With Edu, a solid back up. Brek Shea on the left wing and Donovan on the right with altidore up top and demps playing behind him, bringing on Hercules around the 60th minute to add to that attack... I salivate for a string of games with that line-up. Now with our back four a little more solid, things are coming together very nicely. You have to look at the big picture, as woy did with fulham, we are building from the back. No more getting caught out and giving up early leads would make us that more dangerous.

I didn't want to make my last response too long, so I broke it up...

I know we all want an american to lead the team to greatness some day, but there just isn't great coaching in the us... sorry bob was our best and he was miserably lacking. Do we want to get better or do we want to remain that scrappy underdog that runs around and tries real hard but loses. Or do we want to become a team that can get results in mexico, italy etc... We are now able to get points against European teams, I think Klinsmanns only downfall was under estimating concacaf competition, and the physical demands of playing those games... he is building us to be able to beat European teams but hasn't had us prepared to play the physically demanding games against concacaf. I don't think he will make that mistake again. We will be ok, we just need to get the first team together for this summers games. I love that klinsmann has brought in new guys to challenge the starting 11, our boys were getting complacent, and this coach has given them what they needed, a good swift kick in the ass. He is doing things the right way, its just that we've never seen the right way to build a team before. Well we've seen it at Fulham, and the parity between Fulham and the US is unmistakable in my mind.

Who is this negative idiot, Yankee Jim?
He never sees the positive side. He likely doubted that a center back pairing with a total of seven caps could stand up to Mexico in their house. I, for one, knew that Matt Besler was the savior we have been needing. Everyone needs to be consistent, like me.    :Get Coat gif:

I had to miss the Jamaican match. Any comments from Sam's Army?

Quote from: YankeeJim on June 08, 2013, 08:01:14 PM
I had to miss the Jamaican match. Any comments from Sam's Army?

Im hoping for the same, missed it due to afghan but caught the honduras match.

Watched the Cuba match. Best player on the pitch was the Cuban keeper. It could have been 7-8 to 1. Donavan seems to have his desire back. I say this not because he tormented the Cuban back line all match but because about the 75th. minute he crossed a ball which came back out  quickly and a fine pass from some Cuban at the back caught their striker at almost full stride and Donavan made the defensive play at the top of the US box. Well done! That's a pure gut play. Not a word I have used much where Landon is concerned. Holden looked good and even Beckerman looked class. I can't wait until some one starts pushing for Wondo for a better league. Five goals in two games is a fine achievement but consider the opposition.

BTW, what the devil happened to our northern brothers?

No clue up on the north!  But he did make key saves for Cuba, if it werent for him and the fact that Mr Shea was playing like he didnt want to go to Brazil next year I would agree with your score assesment. Holden is looking like he is coming back, slowly but surely.

I'm beginning to think that Stoke bought a turkey. He hasn't had a good match since before his injury.

Quote from: YankeeJim on July 13, 2013, 11:35:22 PM
I can't wait until some one starts pushing for Wondo for a better league.

I'm not sure what club in a stronger league would take a chance on a 30-year-old who's only even been a regular in MLS for three years, especially with his strike rate down so far this year.  If Fulham signed him Jol would be slated for signing an old unproven player.

Quote from: jmh on July 18, 2013, 12:24:24 AM

Quote from: YankeeJim on July 13, 2013, 11:35:22 PM
I can't wait until some one starts pushing for Wondo for a better league.

I'm not sure what club in a stronger league would take a chance on a 30-year-old who's only even been a regular in MLS for three years, especially with his strike rate down so far this year.  If Fulham signed him Jol would be slated for signing an old unproven player.

If FFC signed him it would be like throwing raw meat to a few on the board. People use to wonder why Taylor Twellman never got a shot at a bigger league. I saw Twellman get a hat trick against Norway at the Home Depot Center but the marking by Norway's B team was abysmal. Aside from that and Wondo's recent heroics you can't be slow AND small as a striker which is what both of them are.

Quote from: YankeeJim on July 18, 2013, 01:52:40 AM

Quote from: jmh on July 18, 2013, 12:24:24 AM

Quote from: YankeeJim on July 13, 2013, 11:35:22 PM
I can't wait until some one starts pushing for Wondo for a better league.

I'm not sure what club in a stronger league would take a chance on a 30-year-old who's only even been a regular in MLS for three years, especially with his strike rate down so far this year.  If Fulham signed him Jol would be slated for signing an old unproven player.

If FFC signed him it would be like throwing raw meat to a few on the board. People use to wonder why Taylor Twellman never got a shot at a bigger league. I saw Twellman get a hat trick against Norway at the Home Depot Center but the marking by Norway's B team was abysmal. Aside from that and Wondo's recent heroics you can't be slow AND small as a striker which is what both of them are.

It worked for Robbie Fowler.  (Of course, he was faster before he got, you know, bigger.)

The guys looked good against an aggressive Salvadorian side who spent more time stomping on the top of feet than playing the match. Donavan seems to have found his desire. Beckerman, Beasley & Goodson would seem to be a reasonable third/fourth stringers. Eddies new hairdo is stupid although that lighting bolt served well on one occasion and also was used on the pass on Donovan's breakaway. The rest of them (except Holden) are likely not heading to Brazil. Mix has been a revelation & might have a strong future with the Nats. It is nice to see that our second string can be competitive. Honduras will not be a push over and than there is the revenge minded egos from south of the border looming out there. Come on Panama! They do have the defense so one can hope.

Quote from: YankeeJim on July 22, 2013, 07:16:00 PM
The guys looked good against an aggressive Salvadorian side who spent more time stomping on the top of feet than playing the match. Donavan seems to have found his desire. Beckerman, Beasley & Goodson would seem to be a reasonable third/fourth stringers. Eddies new hairdo is stupid although that lighting bolt served well on one occasion and also was used on the pass on Donovan's breakaway. The rest of them (except Holden) are likely not heading to Brazil. Mix has been a revelation & might have a strong future with the Nats. It is nice to see that our second string can be competitive. Honduras will not be a push over and than there is the revenge minded egos from south of the border looming out there. Come on Panama! They do have the defense so one can hope.

Corona may have an outside chance

Diskerud is still young and should have a nice career ahead of him.  I'm not sure he'll see much playing time when Bradley and Jones (one of Klinsmann's favorites, like it or not) are called in and Holden is healthy, but at this point I don't see any reason he shouldn't be playing ahead of Beckerman and Kljestan and Feilhaber.

Watched the Honduras match yesterday. Who exactly is that guy wearing #10? I have never seen a US player dominate like he has. I really don't recognize him. He looks a little like Lanneycakes but this guy has a pair.
Bedoya looked good. Holden is still rusty. Eddie's hairdo looked blonde last night rather than the apparent white from the last match. I think is has earned the backup role to Jozy or perhaps even the super sub (sorry Finney) role. Beasley (my favorite US player after McGod) is a usable backup at left back and perhaps left wing. Mix may be a little short given the crowed midfield  but going forward he is the likely replacement for that yellow card machine Jones.
Rimaldo looked good but he has to wait for Timmay & Guzman to die to see the sticks in any meaningful match.

As a negative note; did the US seem (especially Torrez) seem to whine a lot. They seemed more like El Tri (Ha!Ha!Ha!) than a US side. When a team is desperate as Honduras was they often fall into cheap shots. That really is a CONCACAF norm and that coupled with the usual abysmal CONCACAF referees can test a team. They should all do as DaBeaz did, simply get up and get on with it.

And  :drums:, Panama will not be a pushover. They are big, pacey and confident. This match will really test Landon. I promise you, they'll beat him up. If they don't, look for a repeat of last night.

And (finally), way to go Klinsman, show some fire!

Every country fielded a bunch of reserves for the most part.  The U.S. has proven we are deeper than anybody else.  This is really a testament to Klinsman changing the style and mentality to a more attacking personality even though some have accused him of being technically challenged.  It's taken awhile to set in, but they are getting there.

Well, the US managed to win the Gold Cup despite a strong effort by a pacey, big & rough Panama team. I don't think Donavan started since I didn't see him in the first half. He did come alive in the second half, missed two sitters and had a hand in the winning goal. Rimaldo is a decent keeper. His distribution is good and his feet on the ball are excellent. Shea got the winner on a play I'm going to elaborate on in the main forum. I have a question for our betters in the plantation house.  DaBeas played well as did Beckerman & Bedoya. How did EJ sky that ball over the net from the 6 yard line? Besler was solid & my MOTH match is either Goodsen and/or Mix. Goodesn was solid all day and Mix changed the match when he came on. Holden....lets hope the knee turns out to be nothing. The TV said he bumped knees but it looked to me that he bumped his left knee and landed oddly on the right one. I hope I'm wrong.


Oh! and the ref stunk. Why isn't something done? We're richer than those south of the border so we ought to be able to come up with a fatter envelope.

Hate it for Holden. He's the soul of that team. Plus he's a Clemson man. Any news on how bad Shea injury that he took in the philadelphia exhibition is?

I've seen Shea play well at times (spurts more like it) for FC Dallas.  But i think he's a knucklehead without discipline.  He'd never be in my starting 11.  Have they given a timeline for Holden's recovery?  He's the real deal.

Got to say, the US really demonstrated themselves to be heads and shoulders above the rest of the hex depth wise at this Gold Cup. I'm still very curious to see how them and Costa Rica will stack up against each other with their respective first 11s but the US won this cup with a completely reserve side at a walking pace. Literally the only two teams to give them a run for their money were Panama and Costa Rica who brought about half of their starting 11s from the hex. I was skeptical of herr Jurgen but I have to say he's won me over.

Quote from: Forever Fulham on August 08, 2013, 05:29:23 PM
I've seen Shea play well at times (spurts more like it) for FC Dallas.  But i think he's a knucklehead without discipline.  He'd never be in my starting 11.  Have they given a timeline for Holden's recovery?  He's the real deal.

Shea is a knucklehead. Definitely not a rhodes scholar but appeared to be playing better and getting back into stokes good graces before his injury. Holden is an ACL so imagine another year.

After today, is Jozy for real?

He is certainly a handful.

The free kick today??? My gosh, still a bit unsure if he can do it for Sunderland though. I hope I'm wrong.

Chapter 10 of the qualifying.
I guess I am now a Klinsman man. With half the US quality sitting out due to various knocks, we still managed to put out a strong effort against a game Panama side. We did play 12 against 11 since the ref was completely in our pocket. We has one definite penalty go uncalled and two strong shouts for a penalty handled likewise.
Guzan handed back Timmy's job with horrendous distribution in the first half (4 out of play kicks) and looking slow over all. Guess he doesn't have webbed feet.
Goodson will head south next year but not likely onto a pitch baring injuries.
Bedoya likewise just because he busts his hump.
Zusi didn't have a good day at the office but came up big when it mattered. He still tracks back better than most others.
Castillo was at a loss in the first half but came out stronger on the attack in the second half. Trouble is he is supposed to be a defender and based on that, I suggest a new rod & reel for next summer.
Beckerman breaks up a few plays and puts out great effort but he just isn't good enough for Brazil.
Diskerud will be a star but he isn't there yet.
Kljestan, Boyd, Evans & Davis- see Beckerman.
Jozy. Is there a more Zamora act alike (on the pitch, not attitude) than this guy. He has developed a strong hold up game but needs someone running off him to be effective.
Aronson. Now this is an interesting chap. I think come 2018 the US mids will be the strength of the squad. With Diskerud & a in prime Bradley this guy will look great either alongside Jozy or in the hole behind him.

Overall, great Hex mediocre final match.

Totally agree with you YJ, we have quite a squad to look forward to internationally if the players youve highlighted continue on their upward trajectory.

What's the latest on Holden's condition?  When did he have his surgery?

Its sad about Holden's luck, or lack there of he looked like the US' big hope in midfield, though i am glad bradley made that step up. I dont know a date of return but he is rehabing and seems to be in good spirits about it, even though this is number 3

I don't know how far we'll go, but I love this squad and the mentality Klinsman's brought. It will serve us well in the future regardless, I think.  This was supposed to be the WC that our best players were aging and nobody was there to replace them, but suddenly we have depth and purpose.  I've gained a lot of respect for a lot of our squad over the last year, and I love the fact that suddenly the US is a team young players want to get cap-tied to.

A quick note on Aron Johannsson. I don't know how many saw the game (I was on a plane, but somehow the flight magically had BeIN Sport), but in addition to his goal he had an earlier chance when he got the ball  with his back to goal about 20 yards out, took a touch, spun, and put in a ridiculous curler that nearly caught the back post. It was done effortlessly.  If his game improves, I'm not sure the US will have had someone quite like him.

Quote from: YankeeJim on October 16, 2013, 10:39:05 PM
Chapter 10 of the qualifying.
I guess I am now a Klinsman man. With half the US quality sitting out due to various knocks, we still managed to put out a strong effort against a game Panama side. We did play 12 against 11 since the ref was completely in our pocket. We has one definite penalty go uncalled and two strong shouts for a penalty handled likewise.
Guzan handed back Timmy's job with horrendous distribution in the first half (4 out of play kicks) and looking slow over all. Guess he doesn't have webbed feet.
Goodson will head south next year but not likely onto a pitch baring injuries.
Bedoya likewise just because he busts his hump.
Zusi didn't have a good day at the office but came up big when it mattered. He still tracks back better than most others.
Castillo was at a loss in the first half but came out stronger on the attack in the second half. Trouble is he is supposed to be a defender and based on that, I suggest a new rod & reel for next summer.
Beckerman breaks up a few plays and puts out great effort but he just isn't good enough for Brazil.
Diskerud will be a star but he isn't there yet.
Kljestan, Boyd, Evans & Davis- see Beckerman.
Jozy. Is there a more Zamora act alike (on the pitch, not attitude) than this guy. He has developed a strong hold up game but needs someone running off him to be effective.
Aronson. Now this is an interesting chap. I think come 2018 the US mids will be the strength of the squad. With Diskerud & a in prime Bradley this guy will look great either alongside Jozy or in the hole behind him.

Overall, great Hex mediocre final match.

COME ON YOU KIWIS!

I would like to see what Kljestan could do in the starting 11 along side LD, Dempsey, Bradley, and Altidore. Not saying I know what the outcome would be for sure, but since Klinsmann has taken over, I don't think he has had the opportunity to actually play in a regular side in the middle. This after being a fairly regular guy for Bradley. The most ironic thing is he probably fits Klinsmann's style more than Bradley's. An odd situation to me.

If nothing else, he can score a free kick goal. I don't think the U.S. scored one in the entire Hex.

I was just thinking along the same lines as you re: Kljestan.  He's proven he can stand in the fire in big tournament games.  What's going on? 

Nil-Nil with power house Scotland.
Now this was a boring match. For a while there we looked liked a Jol team, passing left, right and back with little going forward.
My man DeBeas while still my favorite player, needs to improve defensively. EJ really isn't ready for prime time. While he is a lot better than he was at FFC, he doesn't have the first touch or the control for the international level. I had high hopes for Omar Gonzales but I think pulling his hair back into that little bun in back has squeezed his brain. This guy is the USA's Senderos. Good in the air, strong but way, way too many mistakes. Cameron is a fantastic squad player, bring able to back up at several positions but also not ready for prime time. Perhaps, if he played the same position two games in a row he'd be better. I like Bedoya. I think he'll get better. I'm not a Sacha Kljestan fan but he did ok today. Jermaine Jones is growing on me and Michael Bradley would look fantastic in black & white. Jozy looked a bit like the initial Bobby Zamora. He held the ball well when it finally would get to him but his shooting was off target. Based on today, I can't understand why Fletcher is starting for Sunderland. He couldn't shoot either and he couldn't hold the ball up at all. Evans, see Cameron & EJ. Timmay is a quality keeper. Mix will be fantastic in 2018. Shea was surprising. His first touch is weak but he seems to have recovered his pace since the injury. The other subs didn't do much. EXCEPT for Aron Jóhannsson. I'm beginning to think this kid would b do well in a 4-4-2, paired with Jozy. This pairing seems a natural to me but since Klinsman gets paid to make these decisions and I don't and he has proven me wrong several times in the past, I'll defer to his wisdom. Course, if he doesn't start Aron Jóhannsson  in the next friendly I'll revert to my criticism.  :022:

I'm convinced that Gonzalez is the USA's Senderos. He had a great view of Austia's goal as he was caught ball watching and was way to slow to cover Brooks. Cameron looked good at fullback. I was disappointed by Aron Jóhannsson. He isn't a playmaker & IMHO, he would fare better as a forward pairing with Jozy.
The center back position is the teams main weak point. Brooks might be the answer but he looked a little out of sync with Gonzales. The US hasn't had a solid center back since Gooch took his knee and haven't had a good one since Eddie Pope. Oh well, trust in Klinsman. Maybe he'll find another that had a yank serviceman as a father. If we go into the WC with Gonzalez at CB, he'll get whiplash watching world class forwards run by him.

YJ, if you wanted to see an International Jol team, you needed to look no further than the England match against Chile! And then last night, I saw where we got this idea for passing ten times in the space of 20 yards from, before losing the ball.

Jermaine Jones isn't consistent in his play.  He makes me nervous. 

As a thought/question, if you combine their group points at the upcoming WC, will the USA, England & Australia combine for more than 5 points? England will beat Costa Rico (despite a hat trick by Ruiz) and perhaps the US & our friends down under might pick up a point. What should the over & under be, 8?

I don't believe in pixies or fairy dust, but I'll tell you this, YJ: We are a  better TEAM than Sweden.  We can beat Portugal.  We might beat or tie or Germany.  And it's time we beat Ghana.  I like our chances.  I don't think England handles Central/South American free flowing creative soccer very well.  They are geared to playing European style soccer.  Costa Rica can beat them.  It's about time we didn't get easier early opponents. 

Folks are agonizing over the humidity of our Amazonian venue, but we have plenty of players more accustomed to that kind of weather than ANY of the Germans or Portgugese.  Ghana can handle the humidity with ease.  But do they travel well?  Do they have the funds and resources to make their players comfortable there.  The food will be different; everything will be different for them.

Well, if you can play a game in Columbus or Washington DC in August, you can play in the rain forest. One thing to consider is that the best players from Ghana  play in Europe. So maybe the humidity will effect them as well. If we don't handle Ghana, no way will we handle the other two. The thought of that pretty boy running at Cameron at right back or Gonzales at CB scares me to death. Do you think Dolo can make it back? If we play our best and get some luck, we could be playing the Germans for the group lead. I don't think I'll hold my breath.
England will beat Costa Rico but lose to the other two. The Aussies, well the term lambs to the slaughter comes to mind. I think the surprise from CONCACAF could be Honduras. But honestly, I don't think any regional team will make it out of group. It'll be the same last eight as always what with the brown envelopes to Mr. Septic Bladder have provided for. I guess I'm a glass half empty guy.

As to Ronaldo making runs at U.S. defenders, no sure how to best defend him--zonally or with an assigned speed merchant?  We don't have blazing speed in the mid or back.  Do we assign a defender to just harrass the hell out of him, denying him, or what? 

Maybe put Zushi at right wing and let him grab & bump and harass anyway he can to take some pressure off Cameron. Trouble with that is it takes him out of the attack and pretty boy can still cut inside and we don't have a CB with any quickness. IF we can keep him under control, we can beat Portugal, but that's a big if.

We are missing real speed at CB, that's true.  And you can only deny a player of that quality the  ball for so long.  He will eventually latch onto to something and penetrate with pace.  We need more speed in the back.  Somebody.  Maybe Klinsman needs to reassess his lineup in light of the Group the team has been thrown into. 

I think a lot of people are writing off Costa Rica and the United States unfairly. Both sides have a decent chance of making it out of their respective groups. For the United States, yes, Ghana is a bogey side, but you have to think Klinsmann knows the German side well enough to put up a real fight against them, and Portugal frankly does not really impress me, the United States is a better side than Sweden and 3 points against them are not inconceivable (they sure weren't in 2002). As for Costa Rica, their opening match against Uruguay will be a huge decider. Its not impossible for them to beat Uruguay, against an Uruguay side that was just as good in 2009 they only lost out 2-1 over two legs, including a 1-1 tie in Montevideo, and Costa Rica has gotten significantly better since then, and if this England is anything like 2010's England, they may well be able to steal something, their coach reminds a lot of Bob Bradley in terms of his style.

Quote from: Forever Fulham on December 12, 2013, 07:33:28 AM
We are missing real speed at CB, that's true.  And you can only deny a player of that quality the  ball for so long.  He will eventually latch onto to something and penetrate with pace.  We need more speed in the back.  Somebody.  Maybe Klinsman needs to reassess his lineup in light of the Group the team has been thrown into. 

Matt Besler?

Well, when it comes to defending, a lot depends on the refereeing at the Cup games.  Every four years, the refs are given a set of directives, but it seems like ten minutes into any game, those new rules get thrown out the window and the refs call it like they always have.  And players and fans get confused.  Who remembers Holland's disgusting rough house tactics at the last WC?  Remember Nigel de Long?  It will be interesting to see how refereeing biases play a part in U.S. games against Portugal and Germany.  Also, the Powers the Be want Christiano Ronaldo playing deep into the tournament.  Those Powers care about the U.S. sticking around a while only because of U.S. money dedicated to FIFA activities.  Money talks in odd ways.  Those same Powers want an African team to go deep into the tournament as well.  Nobody, I think, cares one way or the other about Sweden, except for Sweden.

It is true that money talks and a fat brown envelope will get you the WC awarded but I don't think it extends to the refs. Too many people involved to be a conspiracy . Besides, if it were true someone would have spoken up by now. FIFA is powerful but is hardly the NSA. Individual refs might have a bias but we should be ok as long as we don't get a CONCACAF ref. The US will have to play hard and bang a few people (notably the Pretty Boy) to succeed. If we get a ref from card happy Spain or falling down Italy, we could be in deep doo-doo. Also, the TV revenue is vastly important. I would think that any American company that is shelling out has a clause to lower the cost if the US goes out early. Thing is, as the country song says, "rich man busy dancing, poor man pays the band".

I agree with all that, YJ.  I wasn't suggesting the refs would in any way conspire.  Rather, the knock against them in WCs has been that they and the teams are made aware of particular rules and officiating direction expected of them--intended to be neutrally applied of course--at each WC, but then the whistle blows and play begins and the refs drift back to how they always ref a game.  And I think you are dead right about cultural identity  baggage that refs from certain countries bring to officiating.  Refs used to seeing endless Swan Lake diving will tend to disfavor the team with the more rugged 'stay on your feet' mentality, disfavor the hard but fair shouldering, checking, jockeying, 50/50 mentality of northern European and North American squads.   

I only watched the first half, well most of it. This bunch isn't going to get out of group. Three months to the cup and we're giving Gooch a run out? We have to look that far a field for some defense? Reminds me of a certain team down by the Thames. I'm now convinced that something has gone radically wrong with Dempsey. He just doesn't seem to care much. I hate to say it but all the anti-yanks on the other side were right.

When the pole was taken on the posh side of these threads I voted as if it was US glory or FFC staying up. Knowing what I know about the current side (youngsters not ready, the "cream" over the hill and the rest not up to the task), the decision was easy. Fulham will qualify for Europe before this lot gets out of group.

Comedy back four and nowhere near our starting lineup.  This was one of Klinsmann's tests, and most were found wanting.

The Dempsey situation is a concern.