2 games, 1 shot on goal

[Scotty]

Wow. I mean, I knew that we were having problems scoring, but I didn't realize that things were this bad.

But this stat pretty much says it all.

So, what are we going to do to change this trend?

Field two out-and-out strikers against Ghana? Start EJ? Ideas?

[shooter6065]

Wow. I mean, I knew that we were having problems scoring, but I didn't realize that things were this bad.

But this stat pretty much says it all.

So, what are we going to do to change this trend?

Field two out-and-out strikers against Ghana? Start EJ? Ideas?

Yes........both.

I assume we are going to have to up front with Donovan trailing behind. Expect EJ and McBride to start up top with Dempsey and Convey again making a start on the wings.

[TUGoldenHurricane]

naw, lets play it safe with a 4-5-1. McBride up top, maybe bring on Wolff for him around minute 65. (<--- mocking Bruce Arena)

[NoSix]

Wow. I mean, I knew that we were having problems scoring, but I didn't realize that things were this bad.

But this stat pretty much says it all.

So, what are we going to do to change this trend?

Field two out-and-out strikers against Ghana? Start EJ? Ideas?

Actually, it is 2 games with 0 shots on goal. If you look at the official match report, Reyna was credited with a shot on goal against CZE, but we all know his shot hit the post - which if scored correctly isn't considered a shot "on goal".

[Roehl Sybing]

naw, lets play it safe with a 4-5-1. McBride up top, maybe bring on Wolff for him around minute 65. (<--- mocking Bruce Arena)
And using only one sub this time.

I can only think EJ was being saved up for Ghana. Put him in with McBride. McBride only goes in if Bruce is confident the US can send balls into the air for him. That didn't happen that much against Italy.

[USAfutbol]

Could have something to do with the fact that:

1) In the CR game we were a tactical nightmare trying to attack down the wing despite having zero presence in the middle to pull CR out of it's defensive shape and create space on the wings to employ the strategy

2) That we were down a man for a long part of the Italy match

3) That we rely too much on getting deep into the attacking end and lobbing crosses in rather than varying point of attack?

1&3 are tactical issues that Arena needs to sort out in order for any of this to change.

[Nutmeg]

I can't believe how anemic our attack has been. We've played against two of the best goalkeepers in the world and basically given them the day off.

[uniteo]

(<--- mocking Bruce Arena)

So how's your international coaching record? MLS? College?

[uclacarlos]

Could have something to do with the fact that:

1) In the CR game we were a tactical nightmare trying to attack down the wing despite having zero presence in the middle to pull CR out of it's defensive shape and create space on the wings to employ the strategy

2) That we were down a man for a long part of the Italy match

3) That we rely too much on getting deep into the attacking end and lobbing crosses in rather than varying point of attack?

1&3 are tactical issues that Arena needs to sort out in order for any of this to change.
I can't believe it took 6 posts to point this out.

Yes. I'm concerned about the lack of scoring. Very concerned.

But.

This is an extremely challenging group that required certain tactics. If Italy is a high-flying squad, slowing things down in the first half was wise. Second half, we had 8 field players. What more do you expect?

And in the CR game, if they had played like they did against Ghana, we would've beaten them 5-0. Ghana cannot finish if their life depends on it.

It's as if they have 8 Josh Wolfe's out there. ;)

[dfb547490]

How ironic that when I clicked on the N&A forum this appeared directly above the "Why isn't EJ playing more??" thread. :rolleyes:

[Blue Moose]

We need to start EJ and Bruce must tell Landon that he must take his shots.

We don't have enough punch for our CAM (Donovan) to not take shots on goal. He has to look to score more.

Hopefully, EJ, Dempsey and Landon will look to score more against Ghana.

What we have been doing hasn't really been working.

[Tigerpunk]

Reyna, Convey, Dempsey, Mastroeni, and McBride have all had dangerous opportunities, and have failed to put on frame (often by inches). Had they all kicked straight at the GK, leading to 5 shots on goal, all saved, would that have been better? Had McBride not been quite offsides, would Beasley's shot have been wide?

We need to learn how to put the ball on frame, and we need to take more shots from distance. Also, we need to work on our finishing. But the stats aren't making quite the case you'd like them to make.

[Metrogo]

Reyna, Convey, Dempsey, Mastroeni, and McBride have all had dangerous opportunities, and have failed to put on frame (often by inches). Had they all kicked straight at the GK, leading to 5 shots on goal, all saved, would that have been better? Had McBride not been quite offsides, would Beasley's shot have been wide?

We need to learn how to put the ball on frame, and we need to take more shots from distance. Also, we need to work on our finishing. But the stats aren't making quite the case you'd like them to make.

exactly.

[Nutmeg]

But the stats aren't making quite the case you'd like them to make.

So I take it you're happy with the number and quality of opportunities we've created.

[uclacarlos]

So I take it you're happy with the number and quality of opportunities we've created.
strawman.

Read what he says. It's not quite making the case.

[DSM1]

Sure hope UCLA Carlos is correct about the Ghana attack. As for ours, if there is ever going to be a time to play EJ, this is it.

[Nutmeg]

Read what he says. It's not quite making the case.

Ah, so there really isn't a problem. Good to know.

[uclacarlos]

Ah, so there really isn't a problem. Good to know.
Definition of strawman, courtesy of wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strawman).

Again, stop making shit up. Tigerpunk did NOT say any such thing. Look at his quote:

We need to learn how to put the ball on frame, and we need to take more shots from distance. Also, we need to work on our finishing. But the stats aren't making quite the case you'd like them to make.
He's provided several areas that need work. In other words... he's acknowledged that there's a problem.

[Craig P]

So I take it you're happy with the number and quality of opportunities we've created.
I can't speak for him, but I was relatively happy with the number and quality of opportunities in the first half against Italy. Obviously, calling the circumstances in the second half extenuating would be an understatement.

[superdave]

If there was a stat for "shots that miss by 1 yard or less" we wouldn't be freaking out. OF COURSE the attack hasn't been good, but we've created a helluvalot more chances than 1 SOG in 2 games would indicate.

Stats are useful tools to guide our thinking, but soccer stats are pretty primitive (at least what the papers report). So we shouldn't use them as a substitute for thinking.

Actually, it is 2 games with 0 shots on goal. If you look at the official match report, Reyna was credited with a shot on goal against CZE, but we all know his shot hit the post - which if scored correctly isn't considered a shot "on goal".
IIRC, Reyna had another shot, a weak long shot, that Cech "saved." It was a save my father could have made.