Some random thoughts and links to fill the morning/afternoon:
- I didn't actually get to write about the attendance figures for my PE column. In case you hadn't noticed, attendance figures around the league are sagging. MLS Daily does an excellent breakdown of this so you can click on this link to check out the figures.
Now, it's a little early in the season to say that the sky is falling or anything but there have been some wretched attendance figures around the league thus far.
* Real Salt Lake drew 11,806 to their season opener against Columbus. Yes, it was on a Thursday night but the game kicked off their home schedule. And it was against the defending champions. They actually drew 13 less fans to a Saturday match against DC United about 10 days later.
* FC Dallas drew 6,524 fans to a Sunday afternoon match against Chivas USA.
* The Galaxy drew 23,317 fans Saturday against Chivas USA. Now, it wasn't the most poorly-attended Clasico they hosted - only 18,260 showed up in June 2006 to watch Chivas-Galaxy, but it was just the second time the Galaxy did not sell out a Clasico.
* The Galaxy also drew just 18,013 to their home opener. It was the first time since the Galaxy moved to Home Depot Center that they have drawn fewer than 20,000 to their home opener.
* Kansas City, Columbus and San Jose (twice) have played home games with fewer than 10,000 in the seats.
Anyway, I'm not going to make any sort of final judgments on this - it's still too early to do so - but this certainly bears watching.
ADD: Thanks to Michoacano, I remembered to add the second part of this attendance thoughts. Not all attendance figures have been negative. Seattle has made a splash in their games, averaging just under 30,000 in three home dates. Chivas USA also has enjoyed a bit of a rise in attendance, which is encouraging.
So while the overall figures look bleak there are some stats to be encouraged by.
- Fredy Montero won't face any sort of criminal charges for an alleged sexual assault. That's good. MLS has nowhere near the media exposure of the major American sports leagues, but it also doesn't have many of the off-the-field problems those leagues deal with either. Last thing we needed was for one of the brighter young imports acting badly. Well now, not sure if he did or didn't act badly but at least there was nothing criminal about his behavior.
- President Obama threw his support behind a US World Cup bid. Here's what he had to say about the matter, according to a US Soccer press release:
Hosting another successful World Cup is important for the continued growth of the sport in the United States. And it is important to me personally. As a child, I played soccer on a dirt road in Jakarta, and the game brought the children of my neighborhood together. As a father, I saw that same spirit of unity alive on the fields and sidelines of my own daughters’ soccer games in Chicago. Soccer is truly the world’s sport, and the World Cup promotes camaraderie and friendly competition across the globe. That is why this bid is about much more than a game. It is about the United States of America inviting the world to gather all across our great country in celebration of our common hopes and dreams.
- San Diego might be one of the venues for some possible World Cup games. Or it might not. The Union-Tribune's Mark Zeigler looks at "America's Finest City" and their prospects of potentially hosting World Cup matches.
- In case you aren't aware, Chivas and America will play on Sunday in the best football rivalry north of Boca-River on this side of the world. I'd put them in the same category and I'm not about to say one is better than the other. Of course, I follow the Mexican superclasico more but that's natural. My family's from Mexico.
Anyway, Chivas didn't look very good against Lanus on Tuesday in Copa Libertadores although they could have won the game had they not had a late goal disallowed.
And for overall coverage of the game and the Mexican league, stop by Goal.com. I'm treating it as a national team game and will have a lot of coverage before the game and on matchday.
Showing posts with label USMNT. Show all posts
Showing posts with label USMNT. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Got you covered
Remember to check back on Goal.com for both coverage on Mexico and their qualifier against Honduras and the US national team's game against Trinidad & Tobago.
Goal.com is staffing the latter as Shane Evans is in Tennessee to provide coverage. Hopefully, at least one future US game will feature coverage from yours truly. But let's not get our hopes up quite yet. After all, I might not be able to find my passport.
Goal.com is staffing the latter as Shane Evans is in Tennessee to provide coverage. Hopefully, at least one future US game will feature coverage from yours truly. But let's not get our hopes up quite yet. After all, I might not be able to find my passport.
Potential US lineup
I was going to write about a possible lineup for the US but then I read Paul Oberjuerge's blog and, well, he pretty much stole my thunder. I agree with him on all points, particularly starting Jose Francisco Torres in Sacha Kljestan's spot. Sacha has been a huge disappointment during the Hexagonal, and I would be shocked if he started in place of Torres.
Paul also suggests one other change that I probably wouldn't have considered - Jozy Altidore for Brian Ching - but I'm coming around to that. I guess I think that Altidore on the field is better than Altidore not on the field. And the only way that might happen is to bench Ching. A means to an end, I suppose.
Paul also suggests one other change that I probably wouldn't have considered - Jozy Altidore for Brian Ching - but I'm coming around to that. I guess I think that Altidore on the field is better than Altidore not on the field. And the only way that might happen is to bench Ching. A means to an end, I suppose.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Jonny's back
Heath Pearce has been rather disappointing in two qualifiers, and DaMarcus Beasley was atrocious there on Saturday.
Good to see the best left back is finally with the team.
Jonathan Bornstein will join the US ahead of Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Trinidad & Tobago in Tennessee. Bornstein's stock has risen after Pearce's poor showings against Mexico and El Salvador.
Now, I know I've taken a lot of flak for having heaped praise on Jonny B before, and there has been a lot of support in the Pearce camp. However, I stand by my initial belief that Bornstein should be the first-choice left back. Bornstein offers far more than Pearce does on the offensive side of the ball and he's not a terrible defender either. I can tell you that he would not have gotten undressed like Beasley did on El Salvador's second goal Saturday. That cross never would have gotten off.
Anyway, here's hoping Bornstein not only joins the team well but that he gets the start.
Good to see the best left back is finally with the team.
Jonathan Bornstein will join the US ahead of Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Trinidad & Tobago in Tennessee. Bornstein's stock has risen after Pearce's poor showings against Mexico and El Salvador.
Now, I know I've taken a lot of flak for having heaped praise on Jonny B before, and there has been a lot of support in the Pearce camp. However, I stand by my initial belief that Bornstein should be the first-choice left back. Bornstein offers far more than Pearce does on the offensive side of the ball and he's not a terrible defender either. I can tell you that he would not have gotten undressed like Beasley did on El Salvador's second goal Saturday. That cross never would have gotten off.
Anyway, here's hoping Bornstein not only joins the team well but that he gets the start.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
More analysis
Andrea Canales chimes in with some spot-on analysis of the US team.
More coverage, including video footage, from Canales who was down in El Salvador for the game.
The only other American scribe, Paul Oberjuerge, has some post-match thoughts on his blog.
Oberjuerge's story for the New York Times.
More coverage, including video footage, from Canales who was down in El Salvador for the game.
The only other American scribe, Paul Oberjuerge, has some post-match thoughts on his blog.
Oberjuerge's story for the New York Times.
Point taken
I've got some time now to reflect a bit on the US-El Salvador match. Overall, the US fell flat on their faces for 72 minutes, then got back into the game when El Salvador let them into the game.
There are a few ways to look at this I suppose, the good and the bad. On one hand, the United States played terrible soccer for most of the game, were out-worked, out-muscled, out-everything-ed for more than 70 minutes, fell behind by a pair of goals and still came away with a point. Even at their worst, the US needed just 15 minutes to come from behind and nearly won it.
On the other hand, a more experienced team would have put the US away, may have even scored a third goal, and would have sent a message to the supposed superior team. The US seemed disinterested, lost out there. It may be a bit alarming that the US couldn't muster up the effort and energy to put forth a strong performance on the road from the first minute, and had to wait until the very end of the game to get their acts together.
I think it's somewhere in between. The US did do well to get a point but it is a bit troubling that the Americans were so flawed for large stretches of time, against a team many expect to finish last in the Hexagonal.
Individual performances mostly fell in the terrible category, so I'll highlight the few particularly bad ones.
THE FEW PARTICULARLY BAD ONES
Brad Guzan. It's not that he was necessarily at fault on the goals - and he did come up with a strong save that could have buried the Americans. But Guzan had the deer-in-headlights look we've seen from time to time. He wasn't confident and that lack of confidence spilled over into the defense. When Guzan is confident, makes himself a presence in goal, the defenders play off of that energy. That wasn't the case at all on Saturday.
Sacha Kljestan. We're still waiting for his potential to pay off. He had a good game against Sweden but that kind of performance is needed in games that matter, particularly road games. Kljestan had little impact on the game. His touch was off and his one open shot from distance was awful. Here's hoping Bob Bradley opts for Jose Francisco Torres on Wednesday.
Central Defense. Yikes. I've been critical of Oguchi Onyewu in the past but there is no better way to prove someone's worth than a poor perforamnce in his absence. Carlos Bocanegra made a monumentally horrendous decision to try and clear a ball with a slide tackle that instead went to a player he should have been marking, which resulted in a goal. It was an unbelievably bad decision by the US captain. Danny Califf didn't offer much in the area of support. And why was Frankie Hejduk left alone in the middle of the box to try and clear a cross that came in from the US' left side?
BRIGHT SPOTS
Frankie Hejduk. Yes, he was at fault for the second goal. But his central defense partners left him out to dry a bit. But Hejduk did well to not quit, not give up, continue working hard. He assisted on the first goal with a well-place cross, then buried a header to level terms. Hejduk is and will be a key part of this team during qualifying, no matter how old he is. I dare anyone to criticize his game and his value to the team.
Jozy Altidore. Remember that other forward who scored his first qualifying goal at El Salvador? Let's hope this one turns out to be more useful than the other one. Altidore was in good position to bury a cross, did well to put it in the back of the net. Although that shot looked simple enough, it's a play that a young player like Altidore may have easily pushed over the crossbar. Altidore hasn't been playing much, has never played in a game of this magnitude with the senior team, yet there he was showing maturity and composure while several of his teammates wilted.
There are a few ways to look at this I suppose, the good and the bad. On one hand, the United States played terrible soccer for most of the game, were out-worked, out-muscled, out-everything-ed for more than 70 minutes, fell behind by a pair of goals and still came away with a point. Even at their worst, the US needed just 15 minutes to come from behind and nearly won it.
On the other hand, a more experienced team would have put the US away, may have even scored a third goal, and would have sent a message to the supposed superior team. The US seemed disinterested, lost out there. It may be a bit alarming that the US couldn't muster up the effort and energy to put forth a strong performance on the road from the first minute, and had to wait until the very end of the game to get their acts together.
I think it's somewhere in between. The US did do well to get a point but it is a bit troubling that the Americans were so flawed for large stretches of time, against a team many expect to finish last in the Hexagonal.
Individual performances mostly fell in the terrible category, so I'll highlight the few particularly bad ones.
THE FEW PARTICULARLY BAD ONES
Brad Guzan. It's not that he was necessarily at fault on the goals - and he did come up with a strong save that could have buried the Americans. But Guzan had the deer-in-headlights look we've seen from time to time. He wasn't confident and that lack of confidence spilled over into the defense. When Guzan is confident, makes himself a presence in goal, the defenders play off of that energy. That wasn't the case at all on Saturday.
Sacha Kljestan. We're still waiting for his potential to pay off. He had a good game against Sweden but that kind of performance is needed in games that matter, particularly road games. Kljestan had little impact on the game. His touch was off and his one open shot from distance was awful. Here's hoping Bob Bradley opts for Jose Francisco Torres on Wednesday.
Central Defense. Yikes. I've been critical of Oguchi Onyewu in the past but there is no better way to prove someone's worth than a poor perforamnce in his absence. Carlos Bocanegra made a monumentally horrendous decision to try and clear a ball with a slide tackle that instead went to a player he should have been marking, which resulted in a goal. It was an unbelievably bad decision by the US captain. Danny Califf didn't offer much in the area of support. And why was Frankie Hejduk left alone in the middle of the box to try and clear a cross that came in from the US' left side?
BRIGHT SPOTS
Frankie Hejduk. Yes, he was at fault for the second goal. But his central defense partners left him out to dry a bit. But Hejduk did well to not quit, not give up, continue working hard. He assisted on the first goal with a well-place cross, then buried a header to level terms. Hejduk is and will be a key part of this team during qualifying, no matter how old he is. I dare anyone to criticize his game and his value to the team.
Jozy Altidore. Remember that other forward who scored his first qualifying goal at El Salvador? Let's hope this one turns out to be more useful than the other one. Altidore was in good position to bury a cross, did well to put it in the back of the net. Although that shot looked simple enough, it's a play that a young player like Altidore may have easily pushed over the crossbar. Altidore hasn't been playing much, has never played in a game of this magnitude with the senior team, yet there he was showing maturity and composure while several of his teammates wilted.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Come from behind draw
The US looked terrible midway through the second half of Saturday's match with El Salvador, trailing surprisingly by 2-0. But then the States pulled off a pair of goals and finished 2-2 and a late opportunity nearly gave the Americans a win.
In the end, though, it was one well-earned point.
In the end, though, it was one well-earned point.
Meanwhile, in San Salvador
Couple of things from our respective journalists down in Central America.
- Check out Andrea Canales' stuff at Goal.com. Some good stuff from a wealth of different players including Jozy Altidore, Heath Pearce and Jonathan Spector.
- Paul Oberjuerge has some stuff over on his blog too. He's writing for the New York Times. He writes about the country of El Salvador itself. I've never been there myself but I always kind of thought it was the way he described it.
It’s like Mexico. Except moreso. A bit poorer, a little more ramshackle, a tad more random/ad hoc/chaotic. If you wonder where those rickety buses go when Mexico decides they’re too far gone? To El Salvador, apparently. This is a country where every bus is a 30-year-old, soot-belching monstrosity, often with someone hanging out the front door.
- Check out Andrea Canales' stuff at Goal.com. Some good stuff from a wealth of different players including Jozy Altidore, Heath Pearce and Jonathan Spector.
- Paul Oberjuerge has some stuff over on his blog too. He's writing for the New York Times. He writes about the country of El Salvador itself. I've never been there myself but I always kind of thought it was the way he described it.
It’s like Mexico. Except moreso. A bit poorer, a little more ramshackle, a tad more random/ad hoc/chaotic. If you wonder where those rickety buses go when Mexico decides they’re too far gone? To El Salvador, apparently. This is a country where every bus is a 30-year-old, soot-belching monstrosity, often with someone hanging out the front door.
Guzan likely starter
Likely US national team starter Brad Guzan talked to Andrea Canales about several things, including facing a penalty kick against Liverpool's Steven Gerrard in his first Premier League minutes.
Not sure what was worse - having the task of stopping an EPL great as your first-ever Premiership challenge or what he went through in 2005 with Chivas USA, particularly in his first five games or so.
Not sure what was worse - having the task of stopping an EPL great as your first-ever Premiership challenge or what he went through in 2005 with Chivas USA, particularly in his first five games or so.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Safe in San Salvador
Looks like Andrea Canales made it safely down to San Salvador. Incidentally, it's awesome that Paul Oberjuerge made the trip down there. Obviously, I had no idea he was going (thanks for heads up Nicole). I'm guessing they took the same flight down there (how many red-eye flights from LAX to San Salvador are there a night?) so I'm assuming he made it safely as well, but we'll see.
Anyway, Andrea filed her first story, something on the US team participating in a clinic for underprivileged kids. Good PR for the team, so maybe the locals won't be upset when the US drops three on them on Saturday.
Anyway, Andrea filed her first story, something on the US team participating in a clinic for underprivileged kids. Good PR for the team, so maybe the locals won't be upset when the US drops three on them on Saturday.
AC in SLV
Goal.com Chief Editor and my former blog buddy Andrea Canales is in El Salvador for the US-El Salvador match. She might be the only American writer traveling to the match. I'm excited for her to have the chance to travel to Central America for a World Cup qualifier.
Anyway, make sure and follow Goal.com to check out her stuff.
Anyway, make sure and follow Goal.com to check out her stuff.
Friday, March 20, 2009
US roster for El Salvador, Trinidad
The United States national team announced the roster for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers at El Salvador and at home against Trinidad & Tobago.
First the squad, then some thoughts:
Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Marcus Hahnemann (Reading)
Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Danny Califf (Midtjylland), Jay DeMerit (Watford), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United)
Midfielders: Freddy Adu (Monaco), DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers), Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado), José Francisco Torres (Pachuca)
Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Xerez), Brian Ching (Houston), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (Galaxy), Eddie Johnson (Cardiff)
Yes, that's Eddie Johnson on the list. I don't know if that speaks well of Johnson's ability and time with Cardiff or if it speaks poorly of the depth the U.S. has. Charlie Davies made the second-to-last cut for the US-Mexico match but has apparently been surpassed by Johnson. Maybe US coach Bob Bradley feels that El Salvador will be beneficial to Johnson since he scored his first international goal there in 2004. I don't expect him to play, however, as I'd say he's the fifth-best option at forward. But he is experienced and has had success in Central America, and that has to count for something.
The defense features Jay DeMerit and Jonathan Spector, two players who have battled through some recent injuries. It does not feature Steve Cherundolo. Perhaps Frankie Hejduk will once again start for the US, or maybe Spector could be an option on the right.
I'd expect to see several of these players see time on the field. I don't think Bradley will use the same lineup twice. We may see Jose Francisco Torres for the first time in the Hex as well as Freddy Adu or Danny Califf or Pablo Mastroeni.
Players who saw time or were on the benc in the Mexico game but are not part of this roster are: Marvell Wynne, Ricardo Clark, Jonathan Bornstein. I wouldn't read too much into their collective absences, though. It's likely a combination of the league schedule, the chance to bring other players into the mix (DeMerit, Spector, Mastroeni) and the need to continue giving as many players the chance to see time and participate with the team. Remember, this summer will be busy and we'll likely see the trio suit up for the US soon enough.
First the squad, then some thoughts:
Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Marcus Hahnemann (Reading)
Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Danny Califf (Midtjylland), Jay DeMerit (Watford), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United)
Midfielders: Freddy Adu (Monaco), DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers), Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado), José Francisco Torres (Pachuca)
Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Xerez), Brian Ching (Houston), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (Galaxy), Eddie Johnson (Cardiff)
Yes, that's Eddie Johnson on the list. I don't know if that speaks well of Johnson's ability and time with Cardiff or if it speaks poorly of the depth the U.S. has. Charlie Davies made the second-to-last cut for the US-Mexico match but has apparently been surpassed by Johnson. Maybe US coach Bob Bradley feels that El Salvador will be beneficial to Johnson since he scored his first international goal there in 2004. I don't expect him to play, however, as I'd say he's the fifth-best option at forward. But he is experienced and has had success in Central America, and that has to count for something.
The defense features Jay DeMerit and Jonathan Spector, two players who have battled through some recent injuries. It does not feature Steve Cherundolo. Perhaps Frankie Hejduk will once again start for the US, or maybe Spector could be an option on the right.
I'd expect to see several of these players see time on the field. I don't think Bradley will use the same lineup twice. We may see Jose Francisco Torres for the first time in the Hex as well as Freddy Adu or Danny Califf or Pablo Mastroeni.
Players who saw time or were on the benc in the Mexico game but are not part of this roster are: Marvell Wynne, Ricardo Clark, Jonathan Bornstein. I wouldn't read too much into their collective absences, though. It's likely a combination of the league schedule, the chance to bring other players into the mix (DeMerit, Spector, Mastroeni) and the need to continue giving as many players the chance to see time and participate with the team. Remember, this summer will be busy and we'll likely see the trio suit up for the US soon enough.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Non-committal
I felt this was worthy of its own post since it deals with something a bit secondary to his return and the Galaxy and David Beckham and all that good stuff.
Landon Donovan was asked about this summer with the US national team, Confederations Cup and Gold Cup. Now, the US will have two consecutive tournaments once again as they did in 2007 and fielding the same team in both the FIFA tournament and the CONCACAF tournament will likely not be possible or an option for US coach Bob Bradley.
In 2007, Donovan was adamant about wanting to participate in the Gold Cup only and passing on Copa America. Two years later, it's not quite the same tune.
Donovan was asked whether he would prefer to play in only one tournament:
You'd have to ask Bob that. My guess is that he would keep that in mind with guys who are going to miss a lot of games. I don't necessarily have a preference but that's a question for Bob.
Landon Donovan was asked about this summer with the US national team, Confederations Cup and Gold Cup. Now, the US will have two consecutive tournaments once again as they did in 2007 and fielding the same team in both the FIFA tournament and the CONCACAF tournament will likely not be possible or an option for US coach Bob Bradley.
In 2007, Donovan was adamant about wanting to participate in the Gold Cup only and passing on Copa America. Two years later, it's not quite the same tune.
Donovan was asked whether he would prefer to play in only one tournament:
You'd have to ask Bob that. My guess is that he would keep that in mind with guys who are going to miss a lot of games. I don't necessarily have a preference but that's a question for Bob.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
General commentary
A little late in linking to this, but my former boss Paul Oberjuerge wrote about US-Mexico and it's worth reading no matter how far removed from the game we are. Paul has a great perspective on the game as he has covered many US games in his day, including the US-Mexico game in Azteca in 1997.
Anyway, Paul offers his thoughts on the match here.
One of his first thoughts...
"Once we get past the instinctive 'beating Mexico is always good news' … it occurs to us that Mexico is barely a worthy opponent anymore. The American team is getting better, yes … but Mexico seems to be regressing into fairly thorough mediocrity."
Anyway, Paul offers his thoughts on the match here.
One of his first thoughts...
"Once we get past the instinctive 'beating Mexico is always good news' … it occurs to us that Mexico is barely a worthy opponent anymore. The American team is getting better, yes … but Mexico seems to be regressing into fairly thorough mediocrity."
Friday, February 13, 2009
Picante analysis
This is some pretty good stuff here. It's the Futbol Picante crew talking about the US-Mexico game. Good analysis.
I won't take the time to translate all of it for you English-speaking readers but I will sort of paraphrase one part towards the end.
One of the commentators talks about how, even though Mexico lost to the US again, he doesn't think the US is an equipazo, a great team. The other commentator says "They're not, but neither is Mexico."
They go back and forth. The one falls back on the security blanket many Mexican media are seemingly clinging to, and says that the US would play the same in Azteca and that Mexico would play better in Azteca, and that no matter how bad Mexico was they wouldn't lose to the US in Azteca.
The other commentator returns to the debate over the US and Mexico and brings up a question Ricardo Osorio fielded, where he said he didn't think the US was a great team. He says he would have fired back to Osorio "And what about your team?"
I won't take the time to translate all of it for you English-speaking readers but I will sort of paraphrase one part towards the end.
One of the commentators talks about how, even though Mexico lost to the US again, he doesn't think the US is an equipazo, a great team. The other commentator says "They're not, but neither is Mexico."
They go back and forth. The one falls back on the security blanket many Mexican media are seemingly clinging to, and says that the US would play the same in Azteca and that Mexico would play better in Azteca, and that no matter how bad Mexico was they wouldn't lose to the US in Azteca.
The other commentator returns to the debate over the US and Mexico and brings up a question Ricardo Osorio fielded, where he said he didn't think the US was a great team. He says he would have fired back to Osorio "And what about your team?"
Thursday, February 12, 2009
US players: the good and the bad
Some thoughts on some of the US players and how I felt they performed in Wednesday's 2-0 win over Mexico:
GOOD
Michael Bradley: He scored both goals so of course he did well. But more than just the goals themselves were the positions he put himself in to score those goals. The first goal, he did well to find room amidst a crowd and did equally as well to finish the ball. It wasn't an easy tap-in as he had to elevate his foot to get to the ball. Oswaldo Sanchez made a gaffe on the second goal, but Bradley had the presence of mind to lay into a long-range shot and did well to get it off. He did his usual grunt work in the midfield as well.
Brian Ching: He didn't score a goal and wasn't involved in the goals but he was far from inactive on the night. He was a physical presence that the Mexican defense couldn't easily deal with. He drew some key fouls early on and helped set up some early chances for the US.
Landon Donovan: Mexico did well to stifle Donovan for most of the game, but Donovan still was a key part of both goals. He had the presence of mind to drift to the far post, underneath a ball that appeared to have been sailing far out of anyone's reach. He beat a pair of defenders to the ball and sent it right to Oguchi Onyewu, whose header and subsequent rebound led to the first goal. Donovan assisted on the second goal as well, and he drew three defenders towards him moments he passed the ball off to Bradley. Coupled with Mexico's red card, the move helped create the space Bradley needed to settle the ball and unleash his shot on goal.
Tim Howard: He came up big several times. He was in perfect position to stop Giovani Dos Santos' close-range shot in the opening minutes and he was in a good spot for much of the game. He took the brunt of the damage from Rafael Marquez's cleats and did not seem rattled by it.
DaMarcus Beasley: Beasley showed why he's a first-choice player. His speed is lethal out there, as he was very active on the flanks. His touch inside the area might need some improvement but that's never been a big part of his game. He's most dangerous when he makes runs and puts himself and teammates in position to do damage, which he did a lot on Wednesday.
Frankie Hejduk: Anyone still doubt Hejduk's ability to perform and contribute at this level? The guy does not stop working, and he plays as hard and as all-out in 2009 as he did in 1998.
BAD
Oguchi Onyewu: Yes, he played a key role in the game's first goal but too often Onyewu was in bad spots on the field and gave away several bad fouls. The knock on Onyewu before was his penchant for giving away silly fouls in inopportune spots and that was what we saw a lot of yesterday. I'm still not convinced that Onyewu is the beast of a central defender seemingly everyone makes him out to be.
Clint Dempsey: He spent as much time diving as he did trying to get into the game. I can't remember... when was the last great game he had while playing for the US? He had a terrible game against Cuba a year ago but still got the game-winning goal in the game down in Havana, so I wouldn't necessarily call his last great game. I expected more from him and also expected Bob Bradley to have replaced him with Jozy Altidore, but neither happened.
Heath Pearce: It's not that he played a terrible game - I thought he did well at times to play the ball out of danger - but some of his crosses were gawdawful. I guess you could say I'm back on the Bornstein Bandwagon.
Sacha Kljestan: Again, not a completely terrible game but his contributions offensively were nil. He had what could have been a chance for about a 25-yard shot in the first half but the ball bounced way off his foot and got away from him. "Kleckstein" - as the Univision announcers called him - would have been hard-pressed to have a good game though. It was his first game against Mexico, and coupled with it being a World Cup qualifier, well, nerves possibly got to him.
GOOD
Michael Bradley: He scored both goals so of course he did well. But more than just the goals themselves were the positions he put himself in to score those goals. The first goal, he did well to find room amidst a crowd and did equally as well to finish the ball. It wasn't an easy tap-in as he had to elevate his foot to get to the ball. Oswaldo Sanchez made a gaffe on the second goal, but Bradley had the presence of mind to lay into a long-range shot and did well to get it off. He did his usual grunt work in the midfield as well.
Brian Ching: He didn't score a goal and wasn't involved in the goals but he was far from inactive on the night. He was a physical presence that the Mexican defense couldn't easily deal with. He drew some key fouls early on and helped set up some early chances for the US.
Landon Donovan: Mexico did well to stifle Donovan for most of the game, but Donovan still was a key part of both goals. He had the presence of mind to drift to the far post, underneath a ball that appeared to have been sailing far out of anyone's reach. He beat a pair of defenders to the ball and sent it right to Oguchi Onyewu, whose header and subsequent rebound led to the first goal. Donovan assisted on the second goal as well, and he drew three defenders towards him moments he passed the ball off to Bradley. Coupled with Mexico's red card, the move helped create the space Bradley needed to settle the ball and unleash his shot on goal.
Tim Howard: He came up big several times. He was in perfect position to stop Giovani Dos Santos' close-range shot in the opening minutes and he was in a good spot for much of the game. He took the brunt of the damage from Rafael Marquez's cleats and did not seem rattled by it.
DaMarcus Beasley: Beasley showed why he's a first-choice player. His speed is lethal out there, as he was very active on the flanks. His touch inside the area might need some improvement but that's never been a big part of his game. He's most dangerous when he makes runs and puts himself and teammates in position to do damage, which he did a lot on Wednesday.
Frankie Hejduk: Anyone still doubt Hejduk's ability to perform and contribute at this level? The guy does not stop working, and he plays as hard and as all-out in 2009 as he did in 1998.
BAD
Oguchi Onyewu: Yes, he played a key role in the game's first goal but too often Onyewu was in bad spots on the field and gave away several bad fouls. The knock on Onyewu before was his penchant for giving away silly fouls in inopportune spots and that was what we saw a lot of yesterday. I'm still not convinced that Onyewu is the beast of a central defender seemingly everyone makes him out to be.
Clint Dempsey: He spent as much time diving as he did trying to get into the game. I can't remember... when was the last great game he had while playing for the US? He had a terrible game against Cuba a year ago but still got the game-winning goal in the game down in Havana, so I wouldn't necessarily call his last great game. I expected more from him and also expected Bob Bradley to have replaced him with Jozy Altidore, but neither happened.
Heath Pearce: It's not that he played a terrible game - I thought he did well at times to play the ball out of danger - but some of his crosses were gawdawful. I guess you could say I'm back on the Bornstein Bandwagon.
Sacha Kljestan: Again, not a completely terrible game but his contributions offensively were nil. He had what could have been a chance for about a 25-yard shot in the first half but the ball bounced way off his foot and got away from him. "Kleckstein" - as the Univision announcers called him - would have been hard-pressed to have a good game though. It was his first game against Mexico, and coupled with it being a World Cup qualifier, well, nerves possibly got to him.
US-Mexico highlights
Some of you probably will watch all seven minutes of this, while others wouldn't glance at this for any reason. But here are the highlights of Wednesday's US-Mexico game.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
United States wins again
The United States continued their home dominance over Mexico with a 2-0 victory over their biggest rivals.
The match was more of the same for both teams: the Americans played disciplined, organized and took advantage of their opportunities; Mexico meanwhile faltered all over the field and two of their most dependable players (Rafael Marquez and Oswaldo Sanchez) made glaring mistakes.
I will have more on this result later, what it means for both sides and who some of the players that did well and who let their teams down were.
The match was more of the same for both teams: the Americans played disciplined, organized and took advantage of their opportunities; Mexico meanwhile faltered all over the field and two of their most dependable players (Rafael Marquez and Oswaldo Sanchez) made glaring mistakes.
I will have more on this result later, what it means for both sides and who some of the players that did well and who let their teams down were.
Oh Captain, My Captain
Goal.com's Allen Ramsey compares the respective captains of the US and Mexico national teams.
Here's his take on Carlos Bocanegra of the US.
And here's the write-up on Rafael Marquez of Mexico.
Here's his take on Carlos Bocanegra of the US.
And here's the write-up on Rafael Marquez of Mexico.
Whole greater than sum of parts
If you want to read an excellent story on the US national team ahead of tonight's game against Mexico, look no further. Mark Zeigler of the San Diego Union-Tribune chimes in with his usual gem.
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