17' 0-0 To and fro, and Italy is missing only a few passes less than we are. Italy #10 surges to box arc top right, tries right-outstep flick to wide-open #2(?) wide right, and he misses a high trap. 19' 0-0 Italy chips over the top, onside? #10 Sebastian Giovinco blazes through box top arc left, drills a high shot directly to Howard. 20' 0-0 #4 Criscito lurks at 25m arc top, leaning forward between two defenders, timing the through-ball into box -- offside, he cannot believe it.
I dont understand how the US doesnt realize you cannot let Pirlo just pick his passes at leisure. Suicidal to keep letting him send balls over the top of the defense. Let anyone else do it.
Is anyone else with COX communications getting interrupted by commercials from ticket master for the USA-Brazil match every 10 minutes...this is unacceptable...Sorry rant over..
Maurice Edu's shooting is horrible. In the last few friendlies hes had shots like that right at the top of the box and they're all abysmal.
Maurice Edu...is he even on the field? He's found a way to get lost in the game already...oh wait, there he is...Shanking the ball wide with zero pressure. Why is he a mainstay in this team? I just dot get it.
See, this is what drives me nuts about this kind of play. Defense starts with ON THE BALL pressure. If you dont put pressure on the guy with the ball, your defense is at the mercy of the offense. Now, maybe you pack it in deep enough that the attack doesnt meet the level of skill required to beat you in the space you are giving them, but thats not a bet I would make against the Italians.