Lessons Learned - Confed Cup Group Play (r)

[Nutmeg]

To the US Team:

1) Our players are running themselves into the ground, and that is a very bad indicator. Look at the top players in this statistic (http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/statistics/players/distanceandspeed.html). Not only do we occupy the top three spots, but 6 of the other Top 10 players are on their respective way home. Remember the Gold Cup, when players like Michael ran themselves into the ground and ended up making exhausted challenges and rash decisions? We seem to be repeating the same mistakes. Overall, the trend is clear, better teams run less, but with more purpose. The second-fiddles chase more, to less effect.

2) To our players, please stay on your feet. This is quite possibly a result of point #1. Our players may be running themselves either (a) out of position, (b) into fatigue, or (c) both. Either way, we're substituting slide tackles for good defense. Ricardo's card? Probably unfair, but fair's got nothing to do with it. You'll notice that in the world's best leagues, players more often defend with movement, focus, positioning, and technique. Slide tackles are far more infrequent, and they are ALWAYS a risk. Every time a player goes to the ground, they risk taking themselves off the field, whether they deserve it or not.

3) Holding the ball is a good thing, but we aren't doing it well. This is both a contributor to and a result of point #1. Two more trends to learn from in these statistics (http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/statistics/players/passes.html). Good teams complete a high percentage of passes, and a high percentage of their completed passes are of the short and medium variety. Our best passer - Onyewu - had the 66th best pass completion percentage in group play. If you complete more passes, your team will run less. To do that, we'll need to play guys better at creating passing options for their teammates and guys who are good at finding the options their teammates make available. I hope the team will make this more of a priority, both in player selection and team tactics.

4) The games begin at kickoff, not 10 minutes after. Our team cannot ease into games. Our team needs to be on edge and dying to get on the field to play. "First foul, first shot, first goal." Instead, our team has given up early goals in 4 of the past 5 games. Our pregame preparation needs to be reconsidered.

5) KISS - Guus Hiddink's first priority when he took over Chelsea? He wanted to return the team to simple football, and he had among the very best soccer players in the world at his disposal. Sexy new formations are fun. Putting players in unfamiliar roles can I guess be fun. Neither one is actually working for the US. Let's keep the 4.4.2. Keep each player's role simple. Keep the expectations clear. Let our team go out and execute.

I wish Bob and the team the best against Spain, and I don't expect or care about the result. Spain might be the only team that could have beaten Barcelona this year. Go out, have fun. Cut the kids loose and enjoy the experience. Play your hearts out, and please know that for all our criticisms, you have a little nation of fans behind them.

[flyerhawk]

Of your 5 points the only one that seems applicable to Bradley is No. 4. And No. 5 seems to be in direct conflict with points 1, 2, and 3.

We run around a lot because we aren't as talented as the other teams and we playing about a full game down a man to 2 top tier teams.

I suspect that Bradley would love to play a ball control style game. Who on the team is capable of doing that? one or two players?

Either we play a pressure style game which tires the players out or we drop back and wait for the attack. Which do you prefer?

[LBS8844]

Spain might be the only team that could have beaten Barcelona this year.

Gospel there.

[Nutmeg]

Of your 5 points the only one that seems applicable to Bradley is No. 4.

Psst... This thread really isn't about Bob. Pass it on.

[quinn]

Well, you did write Dear bob... so that is the natural assumption.

I agree with the stay on your feet bit though. I think that it is a combination of two things- young players and players who dont play at a high enough level in club. The young players do impulsive things like slide in. Hopefully bradley matures, BF gets more games, Spector gets more games, SK goes abroad and it all clears up. I have no hope for the LB position. We will probably give up bad fouls along that wing for a while.

4 and 5 combine, the players need to keep it simple in addition to bob keeping it in a 442.

[dark knight]

1) You're running our players into the ground, and that is a very bad indicator. Look at the top players in this statistic (http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/statistics/players/distanceandspeed.html). Not only do we occupy the top three spots, but 6 of the other Top 10 players are on their respective way home. Remember the Gold Cup, when players like Michael ran themselves into the ground and ended up making exhausted challenges and rash decisions? We seem to be repeating the same mistakes. Overall, the trend is clear, better teams run less, but with more purpose. The second-fiddles chase more, to less effect.


I agree with the bold - but I don't blame him for the style so much as the lack of planning and integrating other players. If he somehow manages another miracle in the next game, is he just going to start the same basic group again? That might work for a team like Brazil that doesn't have to run itself in the ground to get past teams, but for a team like ours, we need more players to carry the load.

To reference a quote by Arena after our last advancement out of the first round of a Confederations cup:

Two days after losing to Brazil 1-0, Arena used only five starters from that match to face Germany, knowing a tie or victory would mean advancement to the semis. Goalkeeper Kasey Keller, midfielder John Harkes and midfielder Cobi Jones did not play tonight. Strikers Brian McBride (15 minutes) and Ernie Stewart (25 minutes) came on as late reserves. Defender Carlos Llamosa suffered a leg injury against Brazil and did not play tonight.

"My rationale (for the changes) was that I knew we could advance, but in order to play well in the semifinal on Sunday we couldn't afford to use the same players for three games in five days," Arena explained. "We felt that this group could at least get one point and maybe even the victory, so we're obviously pleased with the outcome of the match."

http://www.soccertimes.com/usteams/1999/games/jul30.htm

You could argue that in this group, advancement alone is a major achievement, but holding on to subs when he could be giving a little rest to his key players - and not giving some minutes to guys like Torres and Adu which would have helped prepare them for the 2nd round if needed is probably what I'm most disappointed about Bob's handling of this tournament.

The team that defeated Germany was:

Line-ups: United States: Brad Friedel (captain), Jeff Agoos, Marcelo Balboa, C.J. Brown, Frankie Hejduk, Matt McKeon, Richie Williams, Eddie Lewis, Ben Olsen (Ernie Stewart 65), Joe-Max Moore (Jovan Kirovski 83), Paul Bravo (Brian McBride 77

[KALM]

We run around a lot because we aren't as talented as the other teams and we playing about a full game down a man to 2 top tier teams.
Before this line gets repeated too often, I'll mention that both Dempsey and Bradley (and probably Donovan, though I haven't checked) covered more ground in the match against Egypt than they did on average in the previous two matches. Those two players are the leaders in this tournament in terms of ground covered.

Meaning, it is not because of the cards or the strength of the opposition that our players lead the tournament in that particular category.

[Maximum Optimal]

We run around a lot because we aren't as talented as the other teams and we playing about a full game down a man to 2 top tier teams.

I suspect that Bradley would love to play a ball control style game. Who on the team is capable of doing that? one or two players?

Either we play a pressure style game which tires the players out or we drop back and wait for the attack. Which do you prefer?

Agree that the red cards have contributed significantly to the running, but it is certainly not the whole story. On the third point, I think we should emphasize maintaining shape as opposed to chasing against Spain. I say emphasize because on a very selective basis we should apply some pressure, but we need to be smart about where and when to do it.

Your second point is the most interesting and imo important, but only for after the tournament. The Bob ain't changing the lineup to get more players with good on-the-ball skills out there. We've been playing with two (Donovan and Dempsey) and that's it. When he is sharp, I consider Altidore to be a skillful big man, but he is a bit rusty right now. If we eventually want to be a team that possesses more and chases less we will have to find ways to include more skillful players in the lineup. There are some in the cupboard (Adu, Feilhaber, Torres). But they're not starting and only Benny has been seeing sub's minutes.

[burud111]

Lessons learned:
1. We have to play a 4-4-2, or else other teams push up way too agressively into our half.
2. Spector needs to be in the lineup.
3. DeMerit is a quality defender who should be on the WC squad.
4. Davies deserves at least more minutes to show what he can do.
5. Howard is human.
6. Casey doesn't like to run that much.
7. For some reason, we don't like using our third sub.

[Mille_RULZ]

I like most of nutmeg's points, but I'd like to take issue with point one about running players into the ground.

You have to get there...and we had to put our best players out there to even have a hope of advancing. So Landon and others have 280 minutes of football played in 8 days. It is what it is, so the first point is more a given. Sure, if you had won the first game and did have 2 red cards....Bob could have done things differently.. But it didn't work out that way, so the minutes and mileage have added up.

Now, as for how you want to proceed for the next two games -- I'm no sage with formations and who's a better fit for certain game strategies, even what's better for the program and next year. But I do want to say this to the choir of voices that have been crying for Torres and Adu.

How many of this choir are invited into see this team TRAIN? Is anyone in South Africa? I don't care if you play the game, or did play the game, or coach or have some official capacity with a soccer team. If you are not there to evaluate a player's fitness... then the sad fact is that the coaching staff has better knowledge of the current state of the team then you do. Maybe Adu and Torres are not as fit as they need to be, or perhaps they are. But its a factor that posters simply don't know about.

Another factor about putting a given 11 on the pitch for a match...is that while a lot of guys have familiarity with each other...they don't get that many chances against quality competition where you get marked tightly right from the first whistle. Wednesday is not a friendly where the staff can say..."Well, let's have a midfield of Torres, Adu, Donovan and Clarke, keep Jozy and Charlie up top and watch what happens". I say you have to try and get a result, and you need to have your best team out there, not just to get a result today..but perhaps 12 month from now where the USA might be drawn into the same group that Spain is in for the first round of the world cup. For that reason, you might see Dempsey out there again...because he's been there before and he know how to mesh with the players who will play.

I have the following "lessons learned" regarding certain players. At least this is what I've learned.

1) against better teams, Landon is better suited being the attacking mid than he is being a forward. 3

2) Is DMB really healthy? I don't think so, he seems to be only 85% of what he's been. But if he's really healed....then he's lost a step. Still, an 85% Beasley is probably better than most 100%...but he's getting shut down a lot more often.

3) Dempsey, his goal not withstanding, has not played well this month. He may be gassed from his season in the Prem.

4) Tim Howard may be a good Keeper. But I don't think he's a great keeper. True, he's been hung out to dry on some goals this month...but I need to see him make a great impossible save on one of these dead to right chances an opponent has. Case in point -- just watched one of these "year in Review shows" about the Premeirship --- all these awesome goals, and awesome saves. Howard doesn't appear in the "great save" department. No videotape. Maybe you keep Guzan out there in goal against Spain -- certainly he could use the game.

5) Sascha has been the little girl with the curl this year. When he's been good, he's been very good, but when not, he's horrid. Good reason he didn't get called to a club in Europe. I can't see him starting against spain unless there are fitness issues with a dempsey or Bradely. But...this team does need youth to get experience, so I wouldn't right him off the team. OTOH... I would keep Charlie & Jozy up top in a 4-4-2 against spain -- this youth must be served.



So the lessons learned apply not only to the national team, but for their fans as well.

[Maximum Optimal]

How many of this choir are invited into see this team TRAIN?

A fair point. But the sad thing is that even with the benefit of seeing Jonathan Spector in training, it took a while (as in not even having him on the game day squad) for the Bob and company to realize he should be on the field.

[The_Dude]

7. For some reason, we don't like using our third sub.

Against Brazil, this was stupid. We were getting creamed and someone could have used the experience.

Against Egypt it was criminally inept. Essentially, the game would be a loss if Egypt scored again and Bradley chose not to milk the 30-45 seconds that a substitution would count for.

THIS is why Bradley is so easy to criticize. I'm sure Bradley has forgotten more than I'll ever know about the game, but I DO know to use my three substitutes. It is these sickeningly amateur decisions that make me scratch my head.

[Craig P]

...our team has given up early goals in 4 of the past 5 games.
Past 6, now. It was past 5 going into Egypt, with Italy as the other exception.

[IndividualEleven]

1. It's nice to see the 4-4-3/4-5-1 nonsense is being dropped by BS and hopefully Bobitto.

2. Always play with a defensive midfielder, even if you have to move a fullback(like Spector) into to slot.

3. The players:
A. Beasley is through as a starter unless club play rejuvenates him
B. Conor Casey - deserved his shot. Next
C. Kljestan - Trying to covert a club winger/forward into a deep central mid is one of Bob's most hair-brained schemes. Huge waste of the team's minutes.
D. Bornstein - Marginal. The position needs upgrade.
E. Demerit- should start over Bocanegra
F. Donovan - should continue as captain. He and M. Bradley are the leaders on this team
G. Spector - We have our starting right back.
H. Davies - Needs to continue to get major minutes

[IndividualEleven]

On the issue of the distance covered: If you like at passes made and passes completed the US is I believe very far down the list. Spain has completed almost twice as many passes in the tourney and Brasil aren't too far behind. The team also loses shape far too often imo. The central mids need to do a better job of coordinating with one another. The same goes for the wide mids and fullbacks.

Why is defensive midfielder(Edu, Clark, or Mastro) getting forward along with or too often ahead of Michael Bradley?

[cpwilson80]

The biggest lesson learned: 2 true strikers at all times. We're damn near impotent in attack when we stray from this tactic, or expect Donovan to be the second guy up top.

[JohnR]

To our players, please stay on your feet.

In fairness, CONCACRAF is terrible training for this. Was watching U.S.-Guatemala 2007 Gold Cup match last night (bored). A U.S. player moves the ball, the Guatemalan flies in, catches him on the ankle studs up, even worse than that, as the Guat is standing up at the completion of his tackle, so he's not following through and pushing through the American, he's pressing down against the ankle that is pinned on the ground.

Straight red in Confed Cup. Not even a yellow in Gold Cup. We get in bad habits playing here, and I can't say I blame the guys -- they are trained that lunges are not penalized.

[Rob Base]

1. It's nice to see the 4-4-3/4-5-1 nonsense is being dropped by BS and hopefully Bobitto.

2. Always play with a defensive midfielder, even if you have to move a fullback(like Spector) into to slot.

3. The players:
A. Beasley is through as a starter unless club play rejuvenates him
B. Conor Casey - deserved his shot. Next
C. Kljestan - Trying to covert a club winger/forward into a deep central mid is one of Bob's most hair-brained schemes. Huge waste of the team's minutes.
D. Bornstein - Marginal. The position needs upgrade.
E. Demerit- should start over Bocanegra
F. Donovan - should continue as captain. He and M. Bradley are the leaders on this team
G. Spector - We have our starting right back.
H. Davies - Needs to continue to get major minutes

Bornstein has truly looked off the pace and quality in this tournament. With Demerit's play, I wonder is Demerit with Boca at left back better than Boca central with Bornstein at left back?

[FirstStar]

In fairness, CONCACRAF is terrible training for this. Was watching U.S.-Guatemala 2007 Gold Cup match last night (bored). A U.S. player moves the ball, the Guatemalan flies in, catches him on the ankle studs up, even worse than that, as the Guat is standing up at the completion of his tackle, so he's not following through and pushing through the American, he's pressing down against the ankle that is pinned on the ground.

Straight red in Confed Cup. Not even a yellow in Gold Cup. We get in bad habits playing here, and I can't say I blame the guys -- they are trained that lunges are not penalized.

That was the tackle on Conor Casey, that cost him two years of his career? No wait-- that was in 2005. No card on the tackle I recall. May have been Honduras instead of Guatemala. Later in the match, a two-footed tackle with studs into Mastro's knee. Only reason he's still playing soccer is that he was in the air at the time and got up-ended instead of having his ACL blown out. Yellow Card. IIRC, our opponents from that match won the "FIFA Fair Play" award for the tournement.

This is why I now think we should skip the Gold Cup in the run-up year to World Cups. There's nothing to play for. Since we don't have the guts to do that, playing a B squad is acceptable, although there still are some guys on there who are risking great futures for this meaningless tournement.

Back to group play-- I ask everyone to please remember the 2007 U-20 WC. Same lineup, game after game. Lots of high pressure and running. We got tired and lost to a clearly inferior Austria side.

Lesson learned-- in a tournement, you MUST have faith in your top 18 - 20 players and USE THEM if you are going to advance.

[ironduke2010]

Bornstein has truly looked off the pace and quality in this tournament. With Demerit's play, I wonder is Demerit with Boca at left back better than Boca central with Bornstein at left back?

i've never seen boca at LB, but even so, i gotta think he'd be at least as good offensively, and very likely a better defender in that position than bornstein.