Not directly related to the Canada game but I didn't want to start a new thread: Jeff Carlisle has an interesting article on ESPN about the US chances and the recent changes to the lineup. A couple quotes: There's a few comments by Tony DiCicco as well. Overall, he seems pretty positive.
I saw Cheney played defense more when Lloyd was on the field because Lloyd certainly did not play much defense compared to Boxx.
I don't mind if our CMs drop back to help pick up the ball and move it through the midfield and up... IMO, that's one of the advantages Cheney has over Lloyd because Lloyd goes forward too much. That leaves our defensive players and attacking players unconnected, which accounts for part of the reason why there's a giant hole in our midfield from Boxx to Lloyd. That being said, if Pia is referring to some slightly more risky (and opportunistic) passes or chances in the attacking third... sure. Some of that seems fine. As for HAO, I'm not sure Heath should be the one to replace her - she's getting better than before, I guess, but she can dawdle on the ball way too long and slow down the entire attack flow and I'm not sure she defends all that well - but I'll agree that HAO has gotten pretty predictable in her moves. I hope HAO uses this as motivation to improve her skills and vary her tactics more.
Yao is an "old dog" in her soccer development. She may not be able to learn new tricks at the world competition level. Heath is unpredictable and difficult for defenders to shift to only one foot, plus pia says she tackles more willingly. I think she makes the team better, even tho I love, love, love hao.
Jeff Carlisle is a good, knowledgeable soccer writer. Most of his piece was spot on, but one paragraph confused me. "Rampone is indeed the key, as the U.S. captain's speed allows her team to recover and reorganize in almost any situation. Just as critical will be the play of goalkeeper Hope Solo, who will be hoping to reprise her heroine's role in the gold-medal victory over Brazil four years ago. But the developments at the back also explain Heath's inclusion in the lineup. While Heath isn't one to contribute that much in the final third, her willingness to tackle will provide some defensive support for the inexperienced O'Hara as well as allow the left back to get into the attack more often." Hasn't the knock on Tobin Heath always been that she is lackadaisical on the field? If anything it's the opposite of what Carlisle writes, in my opinion. Heath adds some much needed unpredictability to the attack, but she isn't a great defensive player and certainly not a great tackler. At least that I've seen on this team. She's got a full bag of tricks, and has improved significantly with her decision making the last 12 months. But I wouldn't call her "defensive support for the inexperienced O'Hara".
Right. I agree - HAO is the better (and more willing) defender although Heath adds more unpredictability on the attack. Too bad we can't fuse them into one player...
I usually like and agree with about 80 percent of what jeff writes and very much disagree with the other 20 percent. sometimes so much, I wonder where he's getting his information from or if he even watches this team play. While I'm not sure i've never seen HAO tackle (or am i having a brain fart?), she does hustle on the defensive end. I have seen Heath tackle and she even played leftback a few times 3 or so years ago.. but I'd say in no way is Heath a defensive specialist. Leroux is a much better defender than heath, why i'm bringing this up, i'm not sure. I also disagree with Pia's comment of Cheney plays too much defense.
Neither player is appreciablly better than the other. Heath a little more offense, HAO a little more defense. Pia seems more offensive-minded with this "best Xl" and her comment that Cheney "plays too much defense" seems to support that. No clean sheets for a while now, so the back 4 remains a concern. It adds up to a team that wins, sometimes ugly, and sometimes lucky. It's not a team that dominates. Lot of nailbiting coming up in a couple of weeks.
True, the Olympic games will be a lot of fun and maybe ugly at times. Lloyd as a back up to Boxx on DMID? i smell some bad yellow cards coming...