Seemed like the same old story of Jozy being alone and cut off up top for much of the game. Herc had to do a lot of dirty work in midfield. Nice assist from Agudelo to Bradley.
I dunno why, but both Jones and Jozy are not the same players for country that they are for club, even in the same week. Frustrating. The key to the attack is figuring out the midfield, getting another creator in there along side Bradley, like Mix is what we need. Also, not playing Goodson and his ilk who waste good spells of possession by hoofing idiotic long balls will also help. I believe Jozy will be one of the best forwards to ever play for us eventually, it is easy to pile on guys when they are struggling, but he has the tools to come good imo.
It's concerning that Agudelo coming off the bench had a better touch than Altidore in general during the game. Altidore sort of sucks holding the ball up. And these finesse patterns of movement goals he likes to score with his club, which he got when FJ put it on a plate, he needs to put those on target. Agudelo is still our best forward prospect. Gatt used his pace and to put pressure on Russia. He was scared to dribble but that's expected. Gomez works his butt off but he really shouldn't be on the wing. Not really going to analyze Diskeruud's or Boyd's play.
I thought Jozy started off the game well, but he faded until his cross to Jones. I think it's obvious that Herc and Jozy cannot be on the field together. Herc didn't have a good game either.
I think Gomez is overrated on this team, he scores goals but he also gets lost in the play. I can see us playing him because we're going to be playing against Concacaf teams, but outside of the region he's not much of a threat. Altidore: I"m a supporter of his and only really support his call ups because I don't like any of the other options. His first touch is really bad, it improved as the game went on, but he never seemed connected with his team mates. His strength is that he doesn't need to connect very well with his team mates, he can take the ball in the midfield and take on players and score from nothing. But he needs to play with another striker to be effective. Boyd: This kid is amazing, his positioning, his movement off the ball, his physicality. We shouldn't be asking for EJ, Wondo, or some MLS scrub (with the exception of Cooper), this kid is the future (2014). All he needs is to get his opportunities to shoot the ball and I think the goals will come. With him, Shea and Gatt we might be able to play a real 4-3-3 in the future. Agudelo: I never gave up on him, he will have a future in this team and deserves to be in winter camp and the Gold Cup. What he has that other MLS strikers don't have is the ability to step up in big games (South Africa, Argentina, Mexico, and now Russia). I don't know how we can have strikers like Boyd, Agudelo, and Altidore and still call for Gordon, Lenhart and Wondo. No offense to SJ. The future is now. Boyd is a starter on this team, no doubt, you can play him alone or with Dempsey, and we would still have Altidore and Agudelo on the bench. But for the attack to function we still need Donovan. Jones and Bradley are good but we need someome that won't be preoccupied with defending that can link the midfield.
Voice of dissent. I thought Gatt was OK. First game, tough opponent with good outside backs, he stuck in and mixed it up. He's a pass and move winger, so people are going to be disappointed if they expect Ronaldo2.0. He's worth more looks. Altidore needs to say "F it" and just be his natural self. He's thinking too much out there.
Boyd does the simple things that Jozy struggles with. He wins 50/50 balls and cycles them wide to the wing players. He combines quickly with his back to the goal, and then he turns and makes runs. He seems to look more confident every time out there. Boyd has real potential to be the linking forward the team will need in 2014. Jozy is still too undisciplined. His game is not yet made efficient. He thinks too much about doing too much instead of being mentally a step ahead when the ball gets to him. He should make quick decisions and use his creative mind to focus on ensuring that his first touch is the right one rather than trying to hold the ball up while he can't decide what to do with it.
Of silly things being flung around this forum today...this has to be quite possibly, the most preposterous statement so far
Nope he's right. Thats preposterous. Jozy's touch and hold up play were good for the first 60 mins and he looked solid. Then he made a couple bad plays and was a bit downhill from there. Probably tired as he worked hard today. As for the Johnson ball to Jozy, i think theres maybe one player in our pool that could have controlled that ball and he's playing tonight in Seattle.
Gatt will get better. Not sure people are remembering the opponent, location, and it's his first appearance. Anyone else feel more confident in the Boyd, Agudelo, and Mix players than with some of the older guys?
Well Agudelo has more caps than some of the older guys. But, yeah, I agree. These guys having attacking instincts that don't disappear against good sides like say and EJ or Wondo, maybe. Agudelo especially. It's a shame he is going to be on a terrible Chivas team. You don't need to tell Boyd what to do in the box or when to make a run, Agudelo is a sort of a jack of all trades with sublime skill. I need to see more of Mix but htere is not reason why he can't get a run out in Jones spot.
Altidore was fine for the first half, but a bit isolated. Worked hard and had some good touches. Then he faded in the second half, except for his nice cross to Jones. Gomez worked hard as usual. You have to respect his effort. Like Jozy, he's not a true winger, but gave a good effort. Agudelo and Boyd were fine in limited minutes. For those of you overly praising their knock-downs, please keep in mind that the US played much more assertively forward late in the game and for a short time even had more true attackers when JK began his subbing surge and pulled Cameron. So, Agudelo and Boyd had more targets and more runners to knock the ball down to than Jozy did in the first half.
Need to watch a second time, but I agree with those who say that Jozy is thinking too much. Looks to me like he's playing scared that JK is going to exile him again. I don't like Herc as a starter against top 25 quality competition- he'd be better as a sub. I give Gatt high marks for his first cap- he gained confidence as the game went on (remember that attempted back-heel flick to get into the box) and started to cause trouble for the Russian backline. He needs to get better- much better, really- but I think he showed that the ability is there. Juan looked good in limited minutes- I was especially impressed that he was content with playing for assists rather than goals. That's maturity from the kid. Boyd looked big. Mix's hair was a bit too wavy, but still looked good when he scored his goal D). I'm pissed that he didn't take my suggestion for goal celebration, but whatever . . .
Jozy overall was fairly effective. His hold up play worked probably 75%. Excellent run and pass that Jones put over. Touch let him down on the goal chance. Gomez wasn't a factor. Not much else to say. Agudelo certainly helped with the "knock-down" header. Certainly see he's trying to impress. Needs to go impress in MLS still, though. Boyd showed very well, some nice touches, with the ability/willingness to challenge. The role he played this morning is one that we may see quite a few more times in the next couple years.
Yes Shea was poor in his first cap, too. And now he's kind of a fringe player for the US and a so-so MLS player.
Jozy was strong in his hold up play. He played big and won headers. He shielded the ball well enough. His passing killed several promising attacks however. Herc. Not a wing forward. Gatt. Too green. Boyd. Once again in the thick of a big win on the road. Showed better touch than usual. Agudelo. Better than I'd expect him to be. Hopefully the club situation improves.