USA/Revs Midfield: Noonan, Dempsey, Ralston

[Dr Jay]

Wow did our three guys look good yesterday.

Why not 3-5-2 for the Revs? Add Cancela at AM, Shalrie at DM - reads like a strong midfield to me.

[Soccer Doc]

I read somewhere that Cassio played both left wing and left back and was a "Roberto Carlos" type player. If we had another solid forward maybe we could keep Cassio as a left back and play Noonan on the left wing like Da Bruce had him playing yesterday in the USA 3-5-2.

Agreed, both Ralston and Noonan had stellar games. Dempsey seemed to fade a bit in the second half but had another solid game as a DMF along side of Pablo M.

[The Magpie]

Why not 3-5-2 for the Revs? Add Cancela at AM, Shalrie at DM - reads like a strong midfield to me.

Because the 5 in midfield look a far sight stronger than any 3 we might have in defense.

[JMMUSA8]

The only question mark in the midfield is Cassio, and that's only because none of us have seen him play. But Nicol has only had good things to say about him, so I trust him.

If Cassio turns out to be the type of player that we have heard him to be, we have potentially 7 All-Stars.

Is there any better midfield in MLS?

[Jim Dow]

I agree that we have an excellent midfield and that it may even be the best in MLS. Ralston looks like he has been drinking from the fountain of youth (he absolutely deserved to have a goal yesterday), Dempsey played very well most of the time as did Noonan.

One thing to remember though re. Noonan taking over at left side MF. In the first half he beat Milton Reyes, ex of DC United like a drum, using his cutback move that is part and parcel of every MLS defender's book on his play. Reyes just couldn't keep up. In the second half a new defender came in and the party on the left side essentially ended. I'm not sure that week in, week out Noonan is as effective as a midfielder as he is as a forward. He is a terrific player, and getting better all the time but I think most MLS outside backs know what he is going to do when he comes at them a la Ralston from the outside.

I may be wrong and it would great if the answer to our left side questions was, so to speak, "in house." We'll see who stays with the team v. Mexico but, regardless, we do have soime serious talent at midfield.

bring on Cassio.....please!!!

JIM DOW

[taco jones]

Wow did our three guys look good yesterday.

And to think, they looked even better vs. Colombia a couple weeks ago. When you add in Twellman, I must say I'm jealous of the yank firepower you guys have lined up in the offensive half. I honestly think they're capable of winning you the East, assuming they don't miss too much time on nat duty.

[Fohlen61]

The thing I don't understand about the "Nat duty" problem...Why doesn't the MLS and the USmnt synchronize it's matches like some European leagues do to minimize this disruption??? Is it that they've tried and can't handle it or are they incapable of working together? Something else?

[scaryice]

The thing I don't understand about the "Nat duty" problem...Why doesn't the MLS and the USmnt synchronize it's matches like some European leagues do to minimize this disruption??? Is it that they've tried and can't handle it or are they incapable of working together? Something else?

Because, they would have to play many more games on Wednesdays instead of Saturdays, which would result in much lower attendance (and therefore less money).

[goussoccer]

I agree that we have an excellent midfield and that it may even be the best in MLS. Ralston looks like he has been drinking from the fountain of youth (he absolutely deserved to have a goal yesterday), Dempsey played very well most of the time as did Noonan.

One thing to remember though re. Noonan taking over at left side MF. In the first half he beat Milton Reyes, ex of DC United like a drum, using his cutback move that is part and parcel of every MLS defender's book on his play. Reyes just couldn't keep up. In the second half a new defender came in and the party on the left side essentially ended. I'm not sure that week in, week out Noonan is as effective as a midfielder as he is as a forward. He is a terrific player, and getting better all the time but I think most MLS outside backs know what he is going to do when he comes at them a la Ralston from the outside.

I may be wrong and it would great if the answer to our left side questions was, so to speak, "in house." We'll see who stays with the team v. Mexico but, regardless, we do have soime serious talent at midfield.

bring on Cassio.....please!!!

JIM DOW

I seem to remember Noonan playing some left side midfield for us and not doing so well. His defensive lapses cost us. This was early in his stint with us, but even last year when we needed someone there, he wasn't used there. I found it quite interesting that BA used him in that position. Glad to hear that he did well. While I didn't see the US game, I tend to agree with Jim on this one, from past experience with watching Noonan, leave him at the striker position.

[BrianLBI]

I seem to remember Noonan playing some left side midfield for us and not doing so well. His defensive lapses cost us. This was early in his stint with us, but even last year when we needed someone there, he wasn't used there. I found it quite interesting that BA used him in that position. Glad to hear that he did well. While I didn't see the US game, I tend to agree with Jim on this one, from past experience with watching Noonan, leave him at the striker position.

I had the same impression of Noonan defensively. It looks like he may be addressing the problem, based on his performance Saturday. I think got involved defensively more than I was expecting.

Brian

[mosler]

I had the same impression of Noonan defensively. It looks like he may be addressing the problem, based on his performance Saturday. I think got involved defensively more than I was expecting.
YES, both he and Ralston were regularly pinching back to help out the 3-man back line. I can only assume that this awareness was stressed by BA during training the past few weeks.

This was a good reminder to me that the back line in a 3-5-2 is not constantly alone on an island. No reason a similar concept can't be used by the Revs when they are in a 3-5-2.

[spatters53]

Just have to say that it is SOOOOO sweet to see all the love our boys are getting on the USA Men: News and Analysis boards. I'm going to savor it as long as I can.

And I agree with Dr. Jay, Shalrie for Pablo, Jose for Clint, our young guns in the back vs. Bruce's young guns, and a revived TT up front... hey, the Revs are national team quality!

Ah, the dreams of Spring.

[ProfZodiac]

Wow did our three guys look good yesterday.

Why not 3-5-2 for the Revs? Add Cancela at AM, Shalrie at DM - reads like a strong midfield to me.
Cause if it's nae Scottish, it's cr-r-r-rap!

[idiot wind]

I finally got to watch this game last night on the FSC replay. It was the SLOWEST game I've seen in years. Hard to see how anybody got anything out of this sorry affair.

[Jon Martin]

It was the SLOWEST game I've seen in years.
You mean it was the slowest USMNT game in years - the pace was typical of MLS play, IMO.

[J-Rod]

Re: new Steve Ralston fan:
Just wanted to send you NE fans a hello from Albuquerque. Had a chance to be at the USMNT game on Saturday and had field level seats. From our vantage point, the player I was most impressed with was Steve Ralston. He showed unmatched technical ability and confidence on the wing. Ralston had great command of the ball and always found the most dangerous way to attack Honduras. He put on clinic when it came to moving without the ball in combination with his teammates. I thought Mathis and the forwards were at their best on plays initiated by Ralston. Of course, you get to see him in person every week during the MLS season. But after watching him in person with the USMNT we are Steve Ralston fans in southwest.
JR

[Jeremy Goodwin]

Re: new Steve Ralston fan:
Just wanted to send you NE fans a hello from Albuquerque. Had a chance to be at the USMNT game on Saturday and had field level seats.Was that game held out at the soccerplex or at UNM?

[mosler]

Hey J-Rod, welcome to the boards and thanks for sharing your thoughts from the match. I think we're all enjoying Steve getting some PT and playing well of late. The real proof will be if he sees the field on the road in qualifying, perhaps even in Mexico this Sunday. Now that would be exciting.

[Soccer Doc]

Good to see both Noonan and Ralston get some minutes against Mexico today although neither got enough time to really get going. Nice defensive play by Noonan in the box as well as one of his one-on-one take-on's of a Mexican player going at the goal. Little on nothing from Ralston. Mexico was clearly the better team today and we were lucky to come away with only a one goal loss.

[BrianLBI]

It's going to be interesting to see if they will still be with the MNT through Wednesday. If so, they won't have much practice time with the Revs before Saturday's match. On the up side, they're probably more match-fit then the rest of the guys.

Brian