Post-match: Russia vs. USA: goalkeeping and defense

Can't blame Howard for the goals. And he had several huge saves.

Goodson can't make those kinds of fouls in the Hex.

I thought the full-backs looked solid.

Goodson... it just is what it is, time to send him to purgatory with Tim Ream.

Cameron is solid, where would we be without him at this point?

Time to open the auditions at CB.

The Full Backs are the strength of the defense for sure.

Why aren't we calling up new CBs again?

Omar would have been in the squad had LA not advanced.

And yet there are potential USA CB's playing at (or above) Goodsen's level in Europe- Brooks and Seb Hines come to mind- who were available and not called. Brooks is probably a bit young yet, but Hines is not. Hines isn't a world beater playing for 'Boro, but (let's face it) we are far from "world beater" quality right now with our current CBs.

What is Chad Marshall,s current status. Has he opted out of USMNT play? He seemed to avoid inury this yer. Does he deserve a look from JK? The back line must be strengthened.

Probably no chance for Chad - he doesn't have the pace for soccer above the MLS level and their are better options ahead of him at this time. He had his window a few years back but unfortunately the injuries really damaged his chances at the Int'l Level.

Cameron was the best defender today, bailing the team out a couple of times and generally playing fine. Had a couple of head-scratcher passes, though.

The Boca/Goodson spot remains the same concern it has been since the 2010 World Cup ended. It is well past time to test some other CBs. But this is an old, old complaint.

The outside backs were OK. Some questionable defending at times. The Russians got behind Johnson too easily for my taste. But Johnson was mostly effective going forward. Chandler was adequate going forward, but not as good as I had hoped, or seen from him before. Still, with Cherundolo, Parkurst and presumably Lichaj, outside back may become a strength for the US. Strange.

Howard was fine, but I still wish Guzan could have gotten this match.

Bobby Boswell? I know he's 29, but he can't be worse than Goodson. He's really stepped in for us since Geoff left.

Also, this is clearly a homer post, but I think it is reasonable.

I like the thought, but clearly we needed Howard for his shop-stopping ability in there even though his distribution was (typically) poor.

Personally, I can't wait for the day that the USA no longer needs goal keepers like Timmy Howard.

Sure but KC didn't advance so Besler could been tried. Guys like John, Demerit or Okugo were finished a while ago. I think Pearce would good with what we are trying to do and he was available when NYRB didn't advance. Hell, I'd rather have Orozco than Goodson, Goodson just isn't very good, he's too slow for the high line and not agile against quick strikers and top that he doesn't have the strength and toughness of guys like Boca/Demerit/Gooch/Gonzalez, nor are his ball skills particularly good and he's prone to blunders and falling over. Maybe he's not the worst backup and is even better than some of the unproven guys, but he's had his chances and we need to see if someone better is out there.

fyp

Howards best save was the dipping shot head for the lower corner that he palmed away.

other than that they kicked it right at him. the chip towards goal he easily pushed out.

You had me until you said that!

I agree we had other options and this was a great chance to test them out. That's not to say I think Klinsmann is oblivious to our needs or our player pool. I am certain he is aware of both.

Howard shouldn't have played. He is who we thought he is.

Fabian Johnson I think may have been my MOTM (I guess Howard and Bradley maybe share it too). Lost a couple of times and foul unfortunately helped set up PK (it shouldn't have though). But overall defense was excellent. Very dangerous and smart with his movement forward. Thank God for this guy.

Chandler wasn't tested all that much, but he looked good. Has some pretty impressive shut down speed. Wish he would have offered a bit more getting forward. FEBRUARY.

Cameron was good. Snuffed out a bunch of stuff. Needs to be careful playing balls out of the back on the ground. I know we all want that style to work, but passing dangerously to the other team is never a good idea.

Boca had a short and unimpressive day.

Goodson stunk, as per usual. Actually, this time worse than usual.

I think Goodson is out.
Definitely, Gonzalez, Brooks, and Whitbread still figure.

Unfortunately, this is going to be an issue for a while.

Assuming Guzan is the heir apparent to Howard right now, his distribution is even shakier than Howard's.

I think Goodsen just played himself out of his role.

I'm really hoping one or two of Brooks, Besler, Gonzalez, Hines, John, Okugo, etc. step up to the plate. Otherwise, we are in trouble against good teams.

I'm really hoping one or two of Brooks, Besler, Gonzalez, Hines, John, Okugo, etc. step up to the plate. Otherwise, we are in trouble against good teams.

Didn't Brooks just accept a call up for the German U20s?

The CB race is going to have to come down to the MLS guys (Gonzo, Besler, with Okugo as the darkhorse heading towards 2014), Seb Hines, or a converted midfielder (Edu or Jones). OR a return to form of Gooch, but I'm not holding my breath.

If anyone has been watching Villa this season, then you'd know Guzan is an excellent shot stopper and his distribution isn't that bad. It's better than Howard's.

Any updates on Boca's injury?

I've only seen this so far ...

http://www.soccernation.com/usa-vs-russia-ends-in-draw-on-the-soccer-field-cms-3540

What was John busy doing that JK decided he wasn't worth a look? Omar obviously has the playoffs, but I see no reason why John isn't being given a look and i do rate him above Besler.

John is a more physical version of Goodson who's better with the ball at his feet. I'd even say he reads the game better and his positioning would be better but we won't until until he's given a chance. Meanwhile, Goodson continue to show he's a liability and is not improving and most likely will not improve.

It's great JK would have called Omar, but he's not the only freakin CB candidate who hasn't been called.