US vs. Egypt the defense (R)

[superdave]

Pretty darned good. Demerit was strong. Spector was fantastic.

Hopefully nothing changes int he last 10 minutes.

[dark knight]

Pretty darned good. Demerit was strong. Spector was fantastic.

Hopefully nothing changes int he last 10 minutes.

I thought Gooch was the best of the bunch - but all were really good except Bornstein.

I beat this dead horse but he can't judge headers and is exposed at this level.

[dwsmith1972]

Gooch stock has risen so much in this tournament. I think Demerit is like a facsimile of Boca which is good to know at a minimum. Id still prefer a different sort of player paired with Gooch. Bornstein gave good effort but is just not quite athletic enough or good enough for this level. Spector was impressive.

[FC Tallavana]

Gooch was world class. Demerit was quality. Spector was good. Bornstein was barely adequate.

[JeffreyWyatt]

Very impressive defensively all tournament besides Bornstein... but we've overcome his deficiencies thus far.

When the midfield is actually intact and the twin d'mids do their jobs, this is a pretty good back line. The real test is against Spain... is the DeMerit Gooch combo quick enough? We know Gooch can handle Torres... but will there just be too much speed?

[IndividualEleven]

The question I put the forum is should Demeritt start over Bocanegra? To my mind he been less mistake prone and has better range.

[Arid_Torpor]

For the third game in a row, Gooch is the second best American (behind Landon). Spector started slowly but had a good second half. Demerit was strong throughout. Am I alone in thinking that he's going to supplant Boca if he keeps this up? Bornstein. . . okay.

[Kalur]

The defense has been solid if not spectacular all tournament. Why did we bring Bocanegra if he wasn't going to play in any of the games?

[Tonerl]

I thought Spector looked tired. Not surprising, really, given his season of injuries and three 90's in six days. He defended okay, but was not as good as in the first two matches. Where it really showed was in attack, though. I thought he took the first option much more often than in the Brazil match, for example. Still, it was a great ball to Dempsey for the clincher.

Onyewu was again impressive, but his technique on clearances I think has been disappointing. He's gotten himself into fantastic position for what should be easy clearances over and over again, only to give up a needless corner or have a header go right back into a dangerous spot. Still, as I said, he was mostly great.

Bornstein is useful against dribblers. Versus teams that don't use a right-sided player who plays that way, he doesn't really do anything for us.

Demerit is a little bit scary, to me, but he's avoided calls so far, so I guess I shouldn't complain. He's not much of a dropoff from Bocanegra.

[lilking24]

Boca should be moved to LB.

Boca----------------Gooch-----------------Demerit----------------Spector

Not a bad defensive lineup.

[TrueCrew]

Gooch was the best of the bunch, though DeMerit was also good.

Spector was gassed, but played OK, and a great ball to Dempsey on the finish.

Bornstein was the weak link, but did avoid his customary glaring error.

I think we should seriously consider letting Boca play LB.

[adeav7777]

Boca should be moved to LB.

Boca----------------Gooch-----------------Demerit----------------Spector

Not a bad defensive lineup.


Demerit was a beast tonight.

He must pair in the middle with Gooch with Spector and Boca as fullbacks.

This is the defence.

[IKickAndIm50]

I cant believe Egypt never scored, they scared the bejeezus out of me numerous times

Guzan and Onyewu are immortal legends now

[cpwilson80]

Onyewu played tremendously well.

DeMerit is this cycle's Jimmy Conrad: a very reliable central defender who could start or who could be the first option off the bench.

Spector has locked down the right back position. Who else provides that cross for the third goal?

Bornstein was up and down, and I think left back is still wide open.

[IKickAndIm50]

My problem with Spector is he is slow, he kept not being able to catch up to balls.... but i agree he is good vision wise at blocking and passing himself to others

[jamtime]

Is it just me, or is Demerit faster than Bocanegra? If so, he needs to start.

[SixSeven]

Boca should be moved to LB.

Boca----------------Gooch-----------------Demerit----------------Spector

Not a bad defensive lineup.

I think that Dolo is the starting right back, when he is healthy. He gives the team possession, good crossing, and he still gets back and covers really well.

I remember Boca being experimented with as an outside back, but he isn't fast enough...he isn't a good enough dribbler (I think)...and he is an inside thread on corner kicks and set plays, so you don't want him playing on the wings.

My guess is that we'll see Bornstein again, and Bradley will hope that he develops some in his role as a potential backup. I see him as behind Spector, Frankie, and Dolo as a wing defender. I can't tell if Albert Wynn is in front of or behind Bornstein.

I think Boca has to be in the middle.

[lmorin]

I thought Gooch was the best of the bunch - but all were really good except Bornstein.

I beat this dead horse but he can't judge headers and is exposed at this level.
Succinct and on point.

[lmorin]

I think that Dolo is the starting right back, when he is healthy. He gives the team possession, good crossing, and he still gets back and covers really well.
.......

Don't be surprised if he loses out to Spector. Cherundolo seemed to have lost a step before his injury.

[Lloyd Heilbrunn]

Gooch and Demerit kicked ass and took names.Spector is in our top three players this tourney.Bornstein was OK and Guzan did what he had to do.

Great defensive job in midfield, really choked things down......