New views on Claudio slowing down the attack

[uniteo]

Monday press conference..."Does Reyna slow down the attack too much?" Loved that the question was posed first to LD, then answered by Arena. Both of their replies to the question taking on the tone of incredulity that it is even asked...

LD states without qualification, "Claudio is our best player"

Arena finds the idea "illogical" (true, he finds a lot of questions illogical)

http://podcast.ussoccer.com/June19a_PressConference.mp3 round about minute 25

[davidalanreese]

That's interesting because I do find myself wondering if Reyna's presence helps or hurts the U.S. - particularly in the pace of the game. It doesn't surprise me that the U.S. team is defensive about that question. Reyna is probably the most respected player by his teammates. I've thought Mastreoni and Donavan would be a better central mid-field duo and would keep the pace up-tempo but I can't dispute that Reyna's presence has a calming effect when the U.S. starts to get out of rhythm.

dave

Monday press conference..."Does Reyna slow down the attack too much?" Loved that the question was posed first to LD, then answered by Arena. Both of their replies to the question taking on the tone of incredulity that it is even asked...

LD states without qualification, "Claudio is our best player"

Arena finds the idea "illogical" (true, he finds a lot of questions illogical)

http://podcast.ussoccer.com/June19a_PressConference.mp3 round about minute 25

[QuakeAttack]

Monday press conference..."Does Reyna slow down the attack too much?" Loved that the question was posed first to LD, then answered by Arena. Both of their replies to the question taking on the tone of incredulity that it is even asked...

LD states without qualification, "Claudio is our best player"

Arena finds the idea "illogical" (true, he finds a lot of questions illogical)

http://podcast.ussoccer.com/June19a_PressConference.mp3 round about minute 25

I thought Landon said JOB was the best US player. Can't he make up his mind? :)

In the past, I have felt in some games that he did effect the pace of the US game (I.e. slow it down too much). However, he has played very well in this WC and has not slowed down the game. It will be interesting against Ghana who seem to play fairly fast (similar to us).

[Winds350]

I thought Landon said JOB was the best US player. Can't he make up his mind? :)

In the past, I have felt in some games that he did effect the pace of the US game (I.e. slow it down too much). However, he has played very well in this WC and has not slowed down the game. It will be interesting against Ghana who seem to play fairly fast (similar to us).

Against Ghana, I'm afraid it's not the 'Reyna speed of play' debate that will be answered, it's more likely the 'Reyna as sole dmid' debate. Frankly, the thought of Essien moving up to an attacking midfield role and he and Appiah going after Reyna alone or paired with any of the remaining choices scares me. But like everyone else, I don't have a real answer for it, either with the players available in Germany or the ones left home.

[dawgpound2]

My soccer adage is this...

If you play Claudio Reyna, you really have no interest in scoring.








Now, I know that's a bit harsh...but just the tiniest bit.

[Sean Donahue]

Against Italy, most say he played well, but I noticed many, many times in the second half where he had a winger with acres of space open, but didn't pass to them. He waited instead and ended up needed to pass it backwards.

[VOwithwater1]

Reyna has always slowed down out attack. When you considwered we have a very small but fast team we are not using the counter well. Reyna would be better at defensive mid and let Donovan be the offensive mid.

However in the Ghana game we might want to slow down the pace of the game.

In the Italy game we are down two players they are down 1 player. We did look to counter so we bring Beasily in for that. Why not keep Convey game he helps the counter. Why not bring Johnson in very fast he could help our counter no leave in a tired and beat up and slower McBride.

Not good soccer in that situation.

Again see reyna in the middle close to goal the pass he always makes is to the flank which has to lead to another pass from the flank.

Not all his fault I would like to see a run from the flank to the middle then a pass or a shot. If the run from the flank is not used. That player runs to the far flank. He may drag a defender from themiddle so we can at least open up the middke more, We never do that.

What good is having speed with out making space to use that speed, Every back pass and every pass outside angle pass after we win the ball slows down are counter attack chances.

[QuakeAttack]

Against Ghana, I'm afraid it's not the 'Reyna speed of play' debate that will be answered, it's more likely the 'Reyna as sole dmid' debate. Frankly, the thought of Essien moving up to an attacking midfield role and he and Appiah going after Reyna alone or paired with any of the remaining choices scares me. But like everyone else, I don't have a real answer for it, either with the players available in Germany or the ones left home.

Yeah. The problem with Essien is that he play offense, defense, and holding midfield. He can appear in the back, up front, on the right, and on the left. There have been several quotes on how well he is playing...

If Essien has a good game, we will have to rely on our flanks to attack and hope to send in crosses. As others have mentioned, the Ghana GK is weak on crosses.

Donovan really needs to step this game. Otherwise, Reyna and whoever replaces Pablo will be under a lot of pressure.

[GaetjensGhost]

That's interesting because I do find myself wondering if Reyna's presence helps or hurts the U.S. - particularly in the pace of the game. It doesn't surprise me that the U.S. team is defensive about that question. Reyna is probably the most respected player by his teammates. I've thought Mastreoni and Donavan would be a better central mid-field duo and would keep the pace up-tempo but I can't dispute that Reyna's presence has a calming effect when the U.S. starts to get out of rhythm.

dave

I had my doubts about Claudio's age and speed and overall health coming into this tournement...but to his credit, he's done very very well.

His uncharacteristic blast from 30 that hit the post.
His Constant defensive runs.
His dispossessing of Pirlo.
His ability to hold the ball and not be dispossessed by any opponent.
His passes that unleash the few solid Donovan runs we've seen so far.

His only blunder was the Rosicky blast ...where Reyna din't close down the shot quickly enough...pure laziness.

Other than that he has been very very good. The glue that holds the team together. Not bad against the No. 2 team on earth and the Italians. Hats off to Claudio...I doubt Essien will be able to disposses him...and I don't anticipate too many passes to "the other guys"....give credit where credit is due...he is playing at a high level.

[GaetjensGhost]

My soccer adage is this...

If you play Claudio Reyna, you really have no interest in scoring.


Now, I know that's a bit harsh...but just the tiniest bit.

Claudio is a bit like Bergkamp in his last 3 years at Arsenal. Not all that interested in scoring...but very interested in that one killer pass that unlocks the defense and releases a midfielder or striker.

That's always been claudio's game...the clever no look ground pass between defenders...I didn't see him at Leverkusen or WOlfsburg....but at Rangers Sunderland and Man City...that's been his best offensive attribute...and he is pretty good at it.

[hirtme]

I will never understand anyone who buys this.

Granted he is getting older, but he has been the best player on our team for years and has been the best player in this World Cup.

Why did he get honors of top player in 2002 Cup?
Why is has he been the highest paid US player for years? (I don't know this for a fact, but I believe its gotta be correct outside of Fridel maybe)

He always makes the right pass (and yes, that often is a backpass) and very rarely turns the ball over compared to our other midfielders.

Yeah, lets bench Reyna. While we're at it might as well sit McBride and Landycakes.

You people are crazy. Ya know Freddy is faster than Reyna I think. You probably also think we should make the finals as opposed to just being happy if we get the chance to play Brazil.

[GaetjensGhost]

I will never understand anyone who buys this.

Granted he is getting older, but he has been the best player on our team for years and has been the best player in this World Cup.

Why did he get honors of top player in 2002 Cup?
Why is has he been the highest paid US player for years? (I don't know this for a fact, but I believe its gotta be correct outside of Fridel maybe)

He always makes the right pass (and yes, that often is a backpass) and very rarely turns the ball over compared to our other midfielders.

Yeah, lets bench Reyna. While we're at it might as well sit McBride and Landycakes.

You people are crazy. Ya know Freddy is faster than Reyna I think. You probably also think we should make the finals as opposed to just being happy if we get the chance to play Brazil.


Agree re: Reyna and LD....but BMB can sit this one out as far as I'm concerned....

[hirtme]

Agree re: Reyna and LD....but BMB can sit this one out as far as I'm concerned....


Come on. You want Ching or Wolf? I understand the EJ arguement, but IMO people don't give McBride enough credit for his off the ball runs. He creates space for other players. That said, I'm in the 4-4-2 camp with BMB and EJ.

[Craig P]

The problem with Reyna in this tournament doesn't seem to be so much slowing the game down, as it is decisionmaking around the 18. He seems to have a tendency to overlook good passing options.

[GaetjensGhost]

Come on. You want Ching or Wolf? I understand the EJ arguement, but IMO people don't give McBride enough credit for his off the ball runs. He creates space for other players. That said, I'm in the 4-4-2 camp with BMB and EJ.

Wolf???? GOD NO.

Ching and EJ would be fine. BMB is old, banged up and tired. He was way to slow to track down ANY longballs. Again WAY TOO F*ng Slow. Let EJ and Ching chase them down to open up the defense. I love McBride...but we need fresher and faster weapons against a very speedy team.

[zico82]

Both of their replies to the question taking on the tone of incredulity that it is even asked...

Incredulity! Yes. That pretty much sums up my reaction whenever I see such stupidity posted on BS by people who have never progressed past the "kick and run" phase of playing or analyzing the sport.

I'm embarrassed for the person that actually asked that question in public (to players like Donovan and Reyna no less).

[VBSoccerFan]

This thread was badly mistitled. Haven't seen a single new view.

[Nutmeg]

This thread was badly mistitled. Haven't seen a single new view.

Bingo. I had no idea Arena loved Reyna, and am shocked that Landon would say nice things about his teammates. We haven't seen revelations like this since Isaiah.

We averaged 2.5 goals per game when Reyna wasn't in central midfield in the last World Cup. We averaged less than 1 per game when he was. 98? About the same. 2006, we're right on track.

And yet I still hold out hope that we can somehow improve with him in central midfield because there's no doubt in my mind he'll be there again on Thursday.

[Red Card]

Bingo. I had no idea Arena loved Reyna, and am shocked that Landon would say nice things about his teammates. We haven't seen revelations like this since Isaiah.

We averaged 2.5 goals per game when Reyna wasn't in central midfield in the last World Cup. We averaged less than 1 per game when he was. 98? About the same. 2006, we're right on track.

And yet I still hold out hope that we can somehow improve with him in central midfield because there's no doubt in my mind he'll be there again on Thursday.

No doubt in my mind that he will also be there in 2010.

[Phuqinu]

Wolf???? GOD NO.

Ching and EJ would be fine. BMB is old, banged up and tired. He was way to slow to track down ANY longballs. Again WAY TOO F*ng Slow. Let EJ and Ching chase them down to open up the defense. I love McBride...but we need fresher and faster weapons against a very speedy team.

If Wolff starts, I'm turning off the T.V.

I do like the GAM and Ching idea I've seen thrown about.