Kratzel: Thoughts from the Italy game

[illinizissou]

Interesting Thoughts (http://www.yanks-abroad.com/content.php?mode=extratime&id=001950)

On Dempsey; I knew he was good, but not this good. He seemed to relish going right at Cannavaro and Perrotta with crossover dribbles.

If Dempsey doesn't end up in Europe in August, it will likely be due to MLS's transfer by committee approach which drags out the process ad infinitum.

OK, I'm officially off DaMarcus Beasley. There has been a definite change in his play, and he looks very tentative when forced to go forward and unwilling to take on larger defenders with his speed. He can still track back and harass players on the ball, but it always seems his first option is to pass back.

However, it IS good that Eddie Pope won't be playing, as he has been the main culprit on nearly all the goals the Americans have surrendered in this tournament. Moving Bocanegra inside and having Jimmy Conrad in the left full back position looks, based on their play against Italy, to be a better combination.

Having just dissed Pope, I have to say he was probably one of the best defenders we have ever had put on a US shirt. Ah, what the passage of time does to a man. I can sympathize.

Maybe I'm in the minority, but I thought the majority of US soccer fans already knew how good Dempsey was. It's not like he hasn't been producing and attacking like the Italy game for a while now. Sure it hasn't been at that level, but he's always seemed to produce on offense given the chance.

Any chance Beasley gets moved to another European team? I really have to question the coaching staff on his current team. He looks like a shell of his former self. Someone has taken away nearly all of his confidence.

[ninnid]

Any chance Beasley gets move to another European team? I really have to question the coaching staff on his current team. He looks like a shell of his former self. Someone has taken away nearly all of his confidence.

The guy that took his confidence away was almost certainly that very large Dutch man who bent Beasley's knee all kinds of sideways. He just hasn't been the same since. I think it is mostly mental, but its enough.

[LittleMaradona]

The guy that took his confidence away was almost certainly that very large Dutch man who bent Beasley's knee all kinds of sideways.
That and the alcohol.

[dcc134]

That and the alcohol.


:rolleyes:

[spot]

Dempsey's detractors have been grasping at straws for a long time.

On Beasley... A big part of his game was being the gnat that gets swatted at 20 times a game, but keeps coming back anyway. I wonder if he's just more tentative then he once was. It's almost as if he's figured out that his body doesn't like being knocked to the ground on every other play. He's still got the speed, but I think he's missing the fearlessness that once allowed him to utilize the speed. As a result his touch, which I contend was always questionnable, is much more exposed.

[QuakeAttack]

Conrad at leftback? :eek:

Good to see someone had been drinking a lot of German beer...

[NHRef]

Dempsey has been un-tested at this level, I thought he made a good showing against Italy and hope he starts against Ghana, when he had the ball he was pushing it up trying to make things happen, had no hesitation when confronted with legends such as Totti. Beasley on the other hand was put in for his fresh legs and speed to try and push forward, he didn't. He should be riding the bench.

[IndividualEleven]

Dempsey's detractors have been grasping at straws for a long time.

On Beasley... A big part of his game was being the gnat that gets swatted at 20 times a game, but keeps coming back anyway. I wonder if he's just more tentative then he once was. It's almost as if he's figured out that his body doesn't like being knocked to the ground on every other play. He's still got the speed, but I think he's missing the fearlessness that once allowed him to utilize the speed. As a result his touch, which I contend was always questionnable, is much more exposed.

I think it's fatigue. He's played non-stop for 2 years, suffered
a nasty knee injury that would have sidelined most players
for 8 months, and has taken a beating along the way.

He just needs rest. Hopefully he avoids all soccer the summer
after the '07 season.

[uniteo]

Interesting Thoughts (http://www.yanks-abroad.com/content.php?mode=extratime&id=001950)

However, it IS good that Eddie Pope won't be playing, as he has been the main culprit on nearly all the goals the Americans have surrendered in this tournament...

okay, I'll give him the goal by Italy

And maybe the first goal by Koller (though I'd have to put as the MAIN culprit on that one, whomever wasn't playing left back at the time)

That still leaves 2 on which he wasn't involved at all or only marginally in the play. Gooch, while playing well for the most part, is at least as responsible for Pope for the damage the US has suffered.

[KMJvet]

He just needs rest. Hopefully he avoids all soccer the summer
after the '07 season.

And uses all that free time for therapy with a sports pyschologist.

[Tony in Quakeland]

[URL="http://www.yanks-abroad.com/content.php?mode=extratime&id=001950"]
Maybe I'm in the minority, but I thought the majority of US soccer fans already knew how good Dempsey was.I thought he was good, but he has shown that he has a fire that goes beyond what I imagined. Don't get me wrong--I applaud anyone who hits Joey Franchino. But Dempsy is one driven mother flocker. I love Landon Donovan and have followed his career for a long time. Much of what his critics say about him is utter bs. But I can't help but think that if he had Dempsy's heart and fire, he'd be starting for Arsenal or some equally huge club.

[Curvaceous Corners]

I agree Beasley is playing tentatively. He was the most fouled player on our team by far, and thats definetly missing. Dempsey has the same fearlessness as landon and beasley had back in '02. I thought eddie might too, put em in coach.

[Hatrick]

When I saw Deuce running down the right flank with three Italians chasing/surrounding him and he still didn't lose his cool, I thought "Damn you, Clint. You make us proud." I wonder if those who spewed out crap about him on this board ate it. If they still think that Clint can't play at international level, they never will.

[dcole]

okay, I'll give him the goal by Italy

And maybe the first goal by Koller (though I'd have to put as the MAIN culprit on that one, whomever wasn't playing left back at the time)

That still leaves 2 on which he wasn't involved at all or only marginally in the play. Gooch, while playing well for the most part, is at least as responsible for Pope for the damage the US has suffered.

Exactly right. Pope has made a few key bad plays, but he was only at fault on two of the four goals. Why slander him?

[appoo]

Maybe I'm in the minority, but I thought the majority of US soccer fans already knew how good Dempsey was. It's not like he hasn't been producing and attacking like the Italy game for a while now. Sure it hasn't been at that level, but he's always seemed to produce on offense given the chance.

That's not true at all. I had huge doubts about his ability to play at this level. I thought he was National Team version of Rafer Alston. I was completly wrong about him though and he's a damn good player. Now.

[GONATS]

Proud to say that I was on Dempsey's bandwagon before one even existed. Early in his rookie year with MLS I knew this kid was special.

That said, I was never, even in his heyday, on DMB's bandwagon. Please let us not use him again this cup. Give me Lewis at left half if we need a true two way player. Convey if we need to emphasize the O. Heck, I would rather see a half-fit JOB at right half if Dempsey wears out again around the 70 minute mark over DMB.

[Scumby]

Proud to say that I was on Dempsey's bandwagon before one even existed. Early in his rookie year with MLS I knew this kid was special.

That said, I was never, even in his heyday, on DMB's bandwagon. Please let us not use him again this cup. Give me Lewis at left half if we need a true two way player. Convey if we need to emphasize the O. Heck, I would rather see a half-fit JOB at right half if Dempsey wears out again around the 70 minute mark over DMB.


I was on the DMB bandwagon. I think I will be again when he regains his form, but for now I think we need to give him some time off to figure out his game.

I am not yet on the Dempsy bandwagon. I thought he played well. I need to see it in another game against a quality opponent before I jump on. I am hopeful however. I truly hope he becomes the player that people on this board hype him to be now.

Scumby

[appoo]

forget the bandwagon. No bandwagons.

[DurlP]

Beasley on the other hand was put in for his fresh legs and speed to try and push forward, he didn't. He should be riding the bench.It was to cover on defense, not to push forward with 9 men. Bruce already said so.

[appoo]

it was odd hearing the ESPN piece today praising Beas, everyone associated with the National team seems to think he's earned redemption vs Italy. It tells me that Convey is bench bound