USMNT v. Guatemala: POST-GAME analysis [R]

[FirstStar]

10 minutes left, but this one's been over for awhile. I will start this off by giving the USA my grade: A+.

We didn't play A+ ball at all today (although we didn't play poorly). But we used a B/B- squad and thoroughly dominated the game, imposed our will and won 4-0 (and that scoreline is not deceiving). How many years have we all wished that the USA would make it a habit of killing overmatch opponents? Looks like it's starting to happen. A+ for that.

[MikeLastort2]

We won 4-0.

Predictions for this thread - lots of people will tell us that Guatemala sucks and that we didn't learn anything from this match.

:D

[El-Professor]

We have depth.

[CK]

Predictions for this thread - lots of people will tell us that Guatemala sucks and that we didn't learn anything from this match.

:D

We learned the Eddie Johnson can still score a goal.

[Knave]

El Guzano!

The Bozz!

:D

[USvsIRELAND]

OMG

We don't suck without Donovan!

:eek:

[Cweedchop]

I wonder which excuse will be drummed out this week?

Let's face it, regardless of the opponent and their relative desire/strength, the US has really stepped it up a notch.

And this was with our "C" team facing a full strength Guatemala who just missed out on the last WC spot.

Our depth is very very good right now.

[Wasted]

We learned the Eddie Johnson can still score a goal.
Yeah, and then be unable to give a coherent post game interview.

[USvsIRELAND]

EL Guzano + EJ!!!!!!!!!!!!

Are awesome!!!!!!!

EJ's was seriously a nice goal.

[CK]

Too Bad Guzan and Wells were never really tested. I would've liked to have compared them to Reis and Hartman.

[socluis90]

Yeah, and then be unable to give a coherent post game interview.
I saw that, he was stuttering like crazy...

[USvsIRELAND]

Seemed like all our goals today were very fancy, nice looking goals.

[El-Professor]

Yeah, and then be unable to give a coherent post game interview.

Yeah, but I hate those "how do you feel now that..." questions. So lame, reveals nothing, and no good way for a player to answer.

[thedukeofsoccer]

What B squad? This was like an E squad and Eddie Pope. Putting a 4-0 hurting on Guatemala shows how bad Concacaf is moreso than how much depth we have as a soccer nation. A lot of putrid touches on the field, but players were fairly opportunistic when they had chances. I'm not sure what Arena thought he would learn from this. Conrad improves his chances of making the world cup, Rolfe sets in stone that he should never get capped again, and nobody else changes their status.

[Knave]

Too Bad Guzan and Wells were never really tested.
Maybe. But don't you think that's the best way for a goalkeeper to get his first cap?

[Saltenya94]

Gua sucks - and I learnd nothing.:D

That said - great work by Conrad, a lot of heart by Olsen, and I can see why Rolfe didn't start earlier matches. Or was it an off day. Wolff might have missed the boat. Guzan not tested at all. Pope playing in great form. EJ scoring. BUT WHAT most impressed me is the US Soccer style is emerging even in the C squad. Sorta of reminds me of the best of Dutch Soccer - at least offesnively. Attacking on the sides. Bypassing opponents with hypnotic over-the-head passes to a teammates a few steps away. This naturally open's up the middle - where we can attack with head balls. McB + EJ + TT. All we'd need now is to shoot more from outside the box ala Olsen's great goal. Than we'd be the real deal.

Now defensively, relatively well organzied - but not as dominating. But Bruce & Staff. have done a great job. 14+k saw the match.

[T Nitty]

From GAM's post-game comments, he sounds a bit po'ed that Dallas traded him and evidently he was pointing to his back because he was healthy finally?

Hopefully he can take that resentment toward Dallas and turn it into some great performances in Germany and get picked up in Europe in August.

[fidlerre]

All this game told me...

If Arena plays Klein on the right wing, and not as a defender, he'll make the World Cup roster over Ralston. He obviously won't be a starter but to me he makes an intriguing back-up at right mid.

[CK]

What B squad? This was like an E squad and Eddie Pope. Putting a 4-0 hurting on Guatemala shows how bad Concacaf is moreso than how much depth we have as a soccer nation. A lot of putrid touches on the field, but players were fairly opportunistic when they had chances. I'm not sure what Arena thought he would learn from this. Conrad improves his chances of making the world cup, Rolfe sets in stone that he should never get capped again, and nobody else changes their status.

Well...I guess Mike called it first.....



Predictions for this thread - lots of people will tell us that Guatemala sucks and that we didn't learn anything from this match.

[djdustmite]

I've not seen this match yet, but caught a few of the goals (Cheers Fleetwood) All I can say is that I CAN NOT wait to see the final roster and this team kicking arse/taking names in Germany.

Well Done Bruce, keep up the good work.