“Landon. Donovan. Period.”
That’s the text I sent to Pete and Mark following his world class and powerful goal. It wasn’t powerful just with its velocity but the fashion and the timing of it told his teammates, Slovenia and the world, “the US team wasn’t going anywhere.” Not yet. I credit his time at Everton for his performance these last two games. As Pete mentioned, he’s a different player now than he was 4 years ago. I would say he’s a different player than he was a year ago. He’s always been fast and talented and a goal scorer but this quality (that’s spread through the US team) should be reckoned with and, as Keith said, makes us an incredibly dangerous team.
First half
They had 2 good chances and scored twice where we had 4 – 5 and didn’t. Our defense looked awry and the fact that no one on our team trusted Torres with the ball resulted in the first half’s long ball fest.
Bradley’s coaching
In hindsight, Torres’ inclusion was a monumental mistake, but the subs he made at half time were brilliant. Demps wasn’t doing anything on the wing and Findley was pretty hopeless up top. Benny and Edu had an immediate impact on the team’s confidence with possessing the ball. It seemed like the team, led by Bradley and Donovan, made the decision that we can’t afford to play scared. The first 10 minutes of the 2nd half were probably some of the best I’ve ever seen from a US team. Also, these subs allowed flexibility so Gooch could come out, we could score and then Edu could be dropped back into the defense.
Second half: This team.
Hunter FC pretty much was able to watch this team qualify in person.
Of course, we had already qualified for the World Cup at this point. This goal was scored simply for Charlie Davies. This team knows how to use emotion (not to mention pressure) to its advantage. Be careful, Slovenia, we’ve come back from 2 down for less.
Bring on Algeria
Timmy
Cherundolo, Gooch, Demerit, Boc
Donovan, Edu, Bradley, Demps
Buddle, Altidore
And then the crazy line-up
Timmy
Cherundolo, Edu, Demerit, Spector
Donovan, Holden, Bradley, Demps
Buddle, Gomez
I wouldn’t mind seeing Spector in for Boc- he got worked all over the place vs. Slovenia.
Curious how Holden and Bradley would do together for longer than 15 min.
Buddle deserves his shot. It seems downright silly to bench a striker on a scoring streak.
Sometimes when a team's midfielders are both right footed their passes go to the left side with a much higher frequency than to the right because it is an easier pass for a right footed player to make. Until Edu entered the game almost everything was to the left side. After Edu entered the game the right side, a stronger side for us was given more opportunity to play. We should continue to use Edu.
ReplyDeleteI would certainly keep Jozy in the lineup, he's the only striker on our team that can turn a game on his own.
ReplyDeleteI like Edu and think he was much more influential than Torres (obviously.) I'd start him and either put Demps up top and start Holden/Benny outside or I'd keep Demps outside and put Buddle up top. Part of me wants Demps up top so that he can get more involved in the play. I'll let BB figure it all out.
Oh, I also like the fact that we have so many different views on this blog. We have a coaching view, we have 3 field playing views and we have a GK/referee (Boooo ref booo) view. We also have 5 fan views... many views. Just wanted to throw that out there.
ReplyDeleteBe careful, Slovenia, we’ve come back from 2 down for less. - nice, julikins
ReplyDeleteTurnaround is quick in these (hopefully) games, so giving Boca a break is a great idea. Spector is more than capable, in fact, it would give us another back to bring down the wing and send quality balls into the area. - I like where your heads at on this one, Jules.
Torres is left-footed so that might complicate my father's theory.
Start Buddle/Altidore, it gives us more flexibility should we need to make a change.