6/7, USA v Guatemala -- the attackers {R}

[lmorin]

Discuss

[Beech]

Dempsey - Johnny on the spot
Twellman - sucked
Johnson - sucked a timid sucky suck

[lmorin]

Thought Twellman was good, but obviously could have done better. Dempsey was also flawed, good. Why, oh why, EJ? He is so timid, never challenging to create defender errors, not taking shots when they are presented on a platter. It was just more of the same for him as a Nats player.

[mdfc]

Dempsey - he drifts too far back to the midfield, makes it tough to build up an attack on his side of the field - got his goal and might of had another if it wasn't for a meddling teammate
Twellman - gives great effort, but got in the way of a rush by DMB and LD, and then missed a free header that Dempsey could have pooped into the net...looked surprised to see DMB play him into space, luckily his defender was even more surprised, and he made a good run and cross to set up the goal
EJ - Remember when he was going to take Europe by storm? He looked like he didn't know what net we were shooting at

[FakeFlopper]

Dempsey is a scorer, but the goals he's scored are ones he can do from the mid-field.

Twellman made a good pass for the goal and good workrate, but everything else was signs of his international curse re-hexed. He should have gotten the hell out of Donovan's way on that run and put the sitter away, had he missed that Dempsey would have had 2.

Eddie Johnson is one good MLS player right now.

Donovan was moved up to forward too late when we were defending most of the time to be effective.

[DoctorD]

If having his confidence built up so much is critical to EJ's game, it's hard to see how he'll have a career outside MLS; in Europe you get crucified in the press for errors.

[Dr.Phil]

So no third hat trick for EJ

[theleftside]

Twellman - gives great effort, but got in the way of a rush by DMB and LD, and then missed a free header that Dempsey could have pooped into the net...
hahaha!

Twellman wasn't too bad. Excellent assist to Dempsey. I thought he really should have finished that header late in the 1st half though. Other than that his workrate was pretty good.

EJ needs to take defenders on. Once he does this his confidence will grow internationally. He will never get confidence as a striker retreating as much as he did today.

Dempsey had a strong game. He finished his goal well.

[pwip]

TT, zero excuse for not finishing that service from LD.

[Aaryque]

Dempsey - Just one of those people with the amazing ability to be in the right place at the right time. Although it is a bit concerning that our 2 best Forwards (w/ Landon) are actually midfielders.

Twellman - Not a bad game. Clearly not a player who is ever going to be a difference maker. But not bad filler.

EJ - I haven't been watching EJ in MLS but the guy with back-to-back hat tricks can't be the same guy I saw tonight v Guatemala, right?

If there's one thing I learned from watching our attackers (besides the ones who are midfielders playing up top because our other attacking options are so poor right now) it's that the trio of Altidore, Ferrari, and Davies can't possibly get to the full team fast enough.

[pwip]

like to see a Demp and LD combo in the future. i think they are our best finishers. screw all that target and withdrawn forwards stuff

[pwip]

Dempsey - Johnny on the spot
Twellman - sucked
Johnson - sucked a timid sucky suck

GAM = back pass

Beaz made a run near the end and EJ didn't even think of trying a flick

[olephill2]

Dempsey - Johnny on the spot
Twellman - sucked
Johnson - sucked a timid sucky suck

You must not have watched the match. Twellman sucked? Give me a break.

I thought Taylor Twellman played well. His workrate was good, he was able to hold possession up top, his link up play with the midfielders was excellent and he did not turn the ball over. His assist to Clint Dempsey was beautiful--excellent movement off the ball and then a good run with it once he was fed by Beasley. Our attack became non-existent once Dempsey and then Twellman were substittued. Yes, Taylor missed the golden header opportunity, but that first goal doesn't happen without him, and I would bet he buries that header 9/10 times, as Max Bretos mentioned.

Eddie Johnson was useless, which was disappointing because I was VERY EXCITED to see him play after his sparkling MLS form. He looked completely lost out there. Part of it was a lack of service, but he didn't make the same effort to get the ball or get involved as much as Twellman did.

Clint Dempsey was good, but I object strongly to him playing forward. As another poster mentioned, he tracks back so much that it leaves one half of the attacking third empty and it's almost as if we're playing with 1 striker at times. Also, I believe that all the goal scoring chances he gets at striker he can get at his usual midfield position with the national team.

Finally, Dempsey needs space in order to be effective. He thrives on 1v1 opportunities running at the goal. It's not his game to force him to play with his back to goal, and I'd much prefer to see Dempsey return to the right wing. It's the best use of his talents.

[sidefootsitter]

I didn't see the game on FSC, so I am not sure what the announcers were describing but Dempsey properly went back to around the midfield spot since he played a central attacking mid in 4-3-3.

This is not the formation I would have chosen for this match ... but oh, well...

[GooolGolGool]

Twellman miss that header. Can't do that in big games. Well, he did and it sucks.

EJ was not getting the kind of service he gets in KC. Our Nats was hesitant and slow. Most passes EJ got are behind him not over where he can use his speed. I hope Bradley figure out how he can use the guy, because he is very good when used properly. Maybe they need more games together to gel.

LD non-factor today. Maybe he need some time off?

[toh2007]

we have no good strikers.

Twellman works his butt off, moves well and combines with others ocassionally, but doesn't put himself into goal scoring opportunities enough and when he does he doesn't finish.

EJ is just plain. He doesn't do anything at all. He is just there and adds nothing really.

Dempsey is our best CF and is naturally a rm or winger.

can McBride come out of international retirement? Wolff? Wynalda?

[FakeFlopper]

EJ was not getting the kind of service he gets in KC. Our Nats was hesitant and slow. Most passes EJ got are behind him not over where he can use his speed. I hope Bradley figure out how he can use the guy, because he is very good when used properly. Maybe they need more games together to gel.

LD non-factor today. Maybe he need some time off?

I think LD had about as good as a game you're gonna get with him at RM. Non-factor is his game against Ghana, tonight he showed what he would bring as a RM, so he needs to be closer to goal.

EJ just isn't going to get those balls and time like he does in the MLS at this level or in Europe. He's going to have to create for himself or the team. He got the ball plenty in some pretty good areas and dropped it back. He made a good run atempt on one of his first touches, but then didn't try again.

[sidefootsitter]

Donovan played well tonight but this was some odd formation.

[OWN(yewu)ED]

and i get stick for bagging on Twellman.....why? BS never ceases to amaze. That said, he was better than Eddie Johnson today. Great, theyre good MLS forwards, wonderful. I think even they can score against T&T and El Salvador, but dont think for a second theyre the second coming. If you still have faith in Twellman and Eddie Johnson.....wow, the prosecution rests. Too bad we'll be getting one if not both of these guys alontside Ching in the Copa, thats a scary thought. I know again, Twellman "set up" the goal, but any one of us could have set up that goal with that marking. I know ill get crap for capping on twellman again, but you know what...bring it. Crying Norway isnt gonna get you anywhere now.

Re-enforces what we already know, despite being on a cold streak in the MLS, Ching is the best forward we have on the national level. And thats simply on the basis he works well with Landon Donovan and doesnt embarrass himself and well, Get in the WAY when your only good forward is making a dash down the field.

Hell Mr Clint Dempsey might have made a case above EJ and Twellman for forward today.

And after this summer, the only two forwards we better be looking at are Altidore and Davies.

[ATLGunner]

I know EJ didn't look good but I'm not going to judge him too much by this game. The team was already mailing it in when he came on, and we went down ten men. Everyone was playing cautious. I think if we can use him properly he can be great. If BB is going to be a good manager, he needs to figure this out.

I want to see him start versus T&T, that is the type of team he can thrive against.