US vs. Guatemala, the attack (R)

[superdave]

Let's discuss our attack here.

[Sachsen]

No EJ in the starting XI.

[Rahbiefowlah]

We should have outstanding hold-up play. As for scoring goals...

[Scoobs]

Bringing along EJ slowly as he hasn't played that
many minutes in 6 months. Seems reasonable.

I actually like that formation. This a 4-3-3 that makes
since with twowing forwards who can actually
complement the target player and one
another.

[ursula]

No EJ in the starting XI.

I'm guessing he'll sub in again as he gets hits fitness back.

[Bajoro]

...

I actually like that formation. This a 4-3-3 that makes
since with twowing forwards who can actually
complement the target player and one
another.

I agree 100%. I'll be watching to see what kind of combination play Ching, Wolff and Rolfe can work, especially with Klein and Olsen. I think this could be a really fun game. We have a lot of experience, and motivated players, on the field.

I'll bet Wolff is itching to prove something today. He made some very nice plays last week and he seemed to be disappointed coming off the field -- as if he had done half the job and felt like he was on the verge of finishing it off.

[Liviu]

I fully expect Ching to score today - at least 1 goal. He will get lots of good passes from Rolfe and Wolff.

Hopefully Rolfe can have the game of his life and hopefully convince Bruce to leave Wolff HOME!

[babytiger2001]

A 4-3-3 might be a bit of a risk -- but then again, I can see this as one that could morph into a 4-5-1, as Wolff and Rolfe have the pace to be wing forwards.

Will be interesting to see how this pans out.

And indeed, those who are saying that this is Ching's "last chance" -- no one thinks that his sentence had been over and done with when Twellman hit his hat-trick against Norway? I like Ching and all, but he may just be making up the numbers as the target forward for this one, and moreso this might be a match that puts Wolff and Rolfe under the microscope...

[ty webb]

I expect Ching and Olsen to score today as well..... hahahaha.... what a surprise!!!!!!

It is good to see our C team can completely dominate the GUAT's A team at least in the first half. In 2002, we would not have been able to dominate GUAT with a C level team.

[superdave]

Rolfe missed alot of chances, and, IMO worse, had a number of situations where he hesitated a half second with the ball, and an opportunity was wasted. In international soccer, even against the Guats, you can't do that.

[Shaster]

I will give Rolfe some of slacks. He is still learning to thnk/act faster, but he may just need more experiences and at least his goal called back is a little questionalbe. In other hand, Wolfe did a squad.

[DoctorD]

Too bad Ching scored a goal because otherwise he sucked. Just too slow at this level.

[gazza]

Too bad Ching scored a goal because otherwise he sucked. Just too slow at this level.


I don't think that goal really helped his chances for the WC squad, probably would have needed to do more. Plus he was pretty invisible for the match, other than the goal of coarse.;)

[Scoobs]

A Josh Wolff like game for Chris Rolfe which ain't good when you're trying
to jump over Josh Wolff.

A better game from Ching who didn't him Twellman jumping
into him in the box. Needed to put away that header though.

EJ looked very composed on the ball. Did a good job coming back to help
out in the midfield. Composed on goal.

I wanted to reach through the screen and choke that gre@##^%#l after
that rediculous foul EJ.

Josh Wolff. A Josh Wolff game. Made a few nice passes. Got himself
involved in the attack. All good if he had been a central midfielder.

[Dooglas]

pearce for 2010, the kid is amazing. hes making mistakes no doubt about it. but i like him a lot.

lewis dunivant, and boco are all in the running for lb now.

[WShine]

Johnson passed very well for a guy who just came back from injury. He was smart with the ball and is looking fast again. Good signs. If he continues to progress, he can make a difference in June.

[guido303]

Pearce looked average, i think clearly dunivant is ahead of him right now. his service kinda sucked, he was out of position defensively lettin guys get behind him a lil much. he is promising for next world cup maybe.
pope, conrad, and hedjuk looked good. Klein had a good game but i dont see him makin the squad. zavagnin played fine, olsen played good, what a goal. wolff played like usual, creating, causing problems but not scoring. rolfe had his chance but couldnt even get some simple ones on target. held on to the ball a little long. not ready til 2010 is my guess. ching, too little too late, nice goal but didnt do anything the rest of the game really. johnson, is looking better, glad he got a goal finally. i may have missed a game, but i have yet to see him play against quality competition, or when the game is close against a quality opponent. im curious to see how he responds to huge italian and czech defenders. i hear he is a headcase and may lose confidence easily.

[sidefootsitter]

Johnson made too many backpasses. I don't recall him leading anyone into the hole with a quality through pass.

Having said that, the emphasis on speed is paying off for Bruce.

[Jabinho]

There were at least 3 times players made good quick runs into the box and the passing lane was open for the pass but it didn't come..
That's when I noticed no Donovan.. ;)