sunday 11/4 AZ VVV-Venlo 14.30 CET (wintertime!)

The first ever professional socccer match that took place in the Netherlands was between these teams in 1954 Alkmaar '54 vs Venlo (3-0). Alkmaar '54 is one of the merger clubs of AZ.
VVV never won in Alkmaar.

Interesting remarks in an interview from goalie Esteban about Verbeek. It seems they practice a little bit of boxing and Esteban thinks Verbeek knows a bit about that. He also cocky said that if he really practiced boxing he could beat Verbeek. That's like throwing a glove at his feet.

Verbeek makes him practice boxing so he doesn't have to kick the next fan that rushes him, but can deck him with a good combo.

Altidore starts.

Utter dominance, but 0-0 as AZ fail to get the breakthrough. Something like 66-34 possession and 10-0 on shots. Only 1 was Altidore's, an early shot from a very tight angle after the keeper flapped on a corner.

Feels like the VVV goalie is out missing the ball on every cross.

for all the possession in the final third AZ has NOTHING.

Its like their forward cant find space and doesnt link up at all. It looks so familiar.

Jozy's getting swarmed anytime he's near the 18 yard box. AZ is totally dominating possession but they almost got caught on the break around the 40' or so.

- Altidore is looking really sharp and is great with the ball at his feet. His short passing game and off-the-ball runs have both been great.
- VVV is double-marking him whenever the ball is anywhere near him.
- He's doing the exasperated body language thing on occasion when a team-mate fluffs a pass or makes a decision he doesn't approve of.
- This game is utter domination by AZ. It looks like what would happen if the USA played Aruba or something.

But nothing in the final third.

This is where jozy struggles to lose his man and find space.

This is the next step in his developement. Linking up when he is being covered and finding space.

If he does that we will have one hell of a player.

Think I saw some Altidore info in dutch during the game. 236? league minutes without scoring?

He isnt getting swarmed. they left one man on him and he dribbled the ball for a corner. he wasnt double teamed.

needs to have quicker decision making.

(something all US players struggle with)

Dempsey on Tottenham is painful when you watch how slow his decision making is.

michael bradley is one of the best at making quick decisions.

in this match jozy needs to make confident quick decisions to escape a man and let loose on goal.
he will do it in the 2nd half.

Yep. All teams do is just mark a man on him and he never escapes the man anymore. he just sticks right with him and doesnt find space.

altidores first touch just let him down. was potentially thru on goal

"Oh dear, dear, dear!"

VVV just missed a sitter in the 58th minute.

Oh man VVV blow it on their first chance of the match. If that had been Altidore that would have prompted a hundred jeering posts in the national team subforum.

Oh you...lol

Ya they're getting blown out by vvv.

VVV is the worst team in the Eredivisie.

Verbeek took over AZ took them to the top now they are midtable and cant beat the worst team in the eredivisie at home.

at least their home fans are getting pissed.

Blown out? VVV hasnt won a single game for good reason.

They are terrible.

They lost / sold their best players.

too many poor touches from altidore today.

You're berating an overachieving team, that was gutted over the offseason, that is extremely young with a subpar back line. Your particular judgements come from a match being played in pouring rain. A bit harsh, no?

hahahaha no not harsh. I thought verbeek was a genius.

so its just a let down for you