Dolo in Confederations Cup [R]

[Nutmeg]

Before the Confederations Cup, a couple of posters, one of whom I respect very much in dark knight, expressed the opinion that Steve Cherundolo was too slow, too weak, and too small to make an impact on the US team.

Now that we all have had a chance to see him against two very fast, very strong, and (especially Cameroon) big teams, what are your thoughts?

Mine are as they were before this tournament started. Dolo's game has come a long way since he first made an entrance to the MNT. He has an excellent touch on the ball for a defender, he times his runs wisely, and his read of the game has improved, although there is still room for growth in this particular area. Also, his ability to contribute from the wing with good crossing and speed to get behind defenders is something the US lacks right now.

As for being too slow, too weak, or too small, I simply disagree. These games showed very well that Steve can hang with a very quick Brazil lineup, a very strong team in both Brazil and Cameroon, and the size and strength of Cameroon.

I look forward to seeing more of Steve when he can get time away from Hannover in the Bundesliga, where he'll likely start and go 90 just about every game he's healthy.

[The Wanderer]

I think Steve has Landon's, Clint's, Convey's, DMB's, JOB's problem----in order to fully express themselves we need all 11 guys on the same page and on the same skill level. We're getting there, and Steve is a near lock for WCQers IMHO....

[Tejas]

I like Dolo's confidence, and he does have some fair skills on the ball. However, I did notice in this game when marking up tight on someone he had a tendency to get knocked off the ball and in the cases when he did win the ball, he got knocked off of it again. He had to resort to fouling in these cases. It didn't happen often, but frankly I don't see Steve ever overcoming that part of his game. That being said, I do prefer him over Hedjuk.

[Parmigiano]

He may have gotten knocked off the ball a few times, but I was impressed with the balls that he won from very big players. He impressed on more than one occasion defensively. He has the skill, the head and the speed we need. I don't see how this team can do without those qualities, which hardly abound.

Moreover, when matched on the left wing with someone of Gibbs' stature, I think that somehwat makes up for his size.

[harttbeat]

He's a better passer than heydude.

[MLSNHTOWN]

I have consistently been a big Cherundolo fan.

He looked very solid during the Confed Cup and has looked solid most of the year in the Germany.

My opinon of him is that his first touch is fantastic, his crossing is very good, he is good at reading the game and he is very good at recovering when he is beaten. He is very fast, good quickness.

He is not good in the air though. Onandi Lowe exposed him v. Jamaica. I think he is becoming a much much smarter player and thus he is minimizing the impact of this negative (i.e. using his other attributes such as speed and quickness to make up for some of his lack of height).

That being said, I think he is a damn good option on the right. I would like to see him at right mid in a 3-5-2 because, hell who else do we have on the right. If we are playing four in the back, then in my mind he gets 95% of the games. Over the next two years I would start Sanneh against teams with extremely powerful type forwards, like Jamaica with Lowe for example or teams extremely solid in the air.

That being said, Dolo matched up well enough with Cameroon today. He is not an ideal right back in my mind. (too short/small) But he is the best right back on our roster.

I agree also that if we get Gibbs, Pope and Boca as the other three defenders, have Pablo at d-mid and McBride at forward, Dolo wouldn't have to mark too many people on set pieces as this group is all good in the air.

[appoo]

I love Cherundolo for the simple fact that he has better than avergae skill on the ball and he his positioning is always imprving. He is also a pretty good 1v1 defender. He has come a long ways since that Germany game and right now has to be considered entrenched as our Right back unless Sanneh is suddenly healthy

[lurking]

Hes done a good job in the confed minimizing his lack of height by being aggressive and smart in his position. He wont nescessarily win a lot of headers, but he will make it very hard for opponents to do what they want with the ball.

[rollo]

From a non-Cher fan I was pleasantly surprised at his touch and passing. If he can dribble into the middle of the field like DMB and Lewis then he will also be a greater threat going forward. He has shown some great attributes but after a few mroe like this tournament I will be completely convinced. In my mind, He can replace Frankie at least in a 4 back without loss of overfall effectiveness.

[Mason16]

Dolo has become alot more physical than I remember him. He seems to have picked this aspect up during his 1st B1 season and it has made him our best RB option. I would also like to see him in a 3-5-2 at r-mid. He did not have the opportunity to be an offensive threat during the confed cup but was praised as a potent attacking RB when he was in B2.

[mikesterw]

I am a big fan of Dolo. He will only get better in the Bundesliga. I think he had a solid tournament. Yes Heydude is faster, but Dolo has more confidence on the ball and skills. Sometimes his D is suspect, but I think everyone here has hit the nail on the head with Dolo. I am interested to see the difference during the gold cup with regards to the RB position. We'll probably just see more Heydude though.

[Martin Fischer]

No doubt that Dolo is the best right back in terms of offensive skills. Unfortunately, Peruvian TV dropped the US/Cameroon game at the last minute and I didn't get to see him go against Cameroon. Since I still think he matches up poorly against big strong guys, that would have been the most interesting of the tournament for me in terms of Dolo (Brazil's left winger was not all that dangerous).

I hope you guys who said he did well defensively against Cameroon are correct.

[Woodrow]

His time in Germany has most certainly improved his qualities as a defender; but one thing that isn't likely to improve is his ability as a goal-stopper. That is why you have Eddie Pope and Carlos Bocanegra. That is why you have Tim Howard. That is why you have Chris Armas.

Cherundolo's game as a defender is to harry and harass the opposition, strip the ball on occasion, but mostly just contain, slow down attacks from the opponent's left wing. This allows the center of defense to organize itself. His also able to quickly transition forward and support the US attack. It is a role to which he is well suited; but it does require some solid central defenders.

I could see in the future having Cherundolo at a right wing position which would at times look like a 4-4-2 or 3-5-2, punching up the offense. If you assume that Pope gets back, the have him and Boca with Gibbs alongside. Other defenders for the future would be Onyewu and Gbandi. I don't see size on the backline being a problem.

But please, no donkeys.

[Karl K]

Originally posted by Martin Fischer
No doubt that Dolo is the best right back in terms of offensive skills. Unfortunately, Peruvian TV dropped the US/Cameroon game at the last minute and I didn't get to see him go against Cameroon. Since I still think he matches up poorly against big strong guys, that would have been the most interesting of the tournament for me in terms of Dolo (Brazil's left winger was not all that dangerous).

I hope you guys who said he did well defensively against Cameroon are correct.

I only saw the Brazil game, and Dolo played well there.

But I agree with Martin, he can match up poorly against bigger guys. Oh, for 4 more inches!!! (in height that is).

He can be inconsistent too, with some stinker games. I recall the Azteca qualifier being particularly odiferous. But he was just 22 at the time, and I believe that defenders need lots of experience.

My guess is that he will be a role player on this team as time goes on, and not necessarily be installed as first choice right back.

Meanwhile, he's only 24, so there's still some upside available.

[Woodrow]

I think perhaps the reason why one should be excited about his performance now is that it shows his continued development. In games against two quality opponents he has shown well and should have a promising future.

Like I said he adds a dimension of offense from the back, which taller and more robust defenders cannot easily match.

[mundial]

Originally posted by MLSNHTOWN


That being said, Dolo matched up well enough with Cameroon today. He is not an ideal right back in my mind. (too short/small) But he is the best right back on our roster.



No, no, no. Claudio Reyna is the best right back on our roster.

[maccabee]

I thought Dolo looked good, very composed on the ball, which is something we desperately need out of our D. (No more Danny Califf, please!)

IIRC, when he started some games in the Hex a couple years ago, Dolo had a tendency to get burned defensively, especially by speed, which led to him losing his starting spot. I think he's earned another shot at extended playing time to see if he's improved this part of his game.

I think the size is no big deal; can't understand why so many on these boards think it is. There's a long list of world class players, including outside backs, who are under 5'7".

[Casper]

Originally posted by maccabee
I thought Dolo looked good, very composed on the ball, which is something we desperately need out of our D. (No more Danny Califf, please!)

IIRC, when he started some games in the Hex a couple years ago, Dolo had a tendency to get burned defensively, especially by speed, which led to him losing his starting spot. I think he's earned another shot at extended playing time to see if he's improved this part of his game.

I think the size is no big deal; can't understand why so many on these boards think it is. There's a long list of world class players, including outside backs, who are under 5'7".

That period in September '01 was by far his worst for the National Team, and cost him dearly in terms of earning a World Cup spot - he only got there because of injuries.

However, he's gotten stronger, more skilled, and more experienced in the two intervening years. Someone said we don't lose much with 'Dolo playing over Hejduk - I think Steve's higher on the depth chart right now, actually.

[Nimbus2000]

I didn't see any of the CC but in terms of Dolo's defending, I think his strength is out on the flank one-on-one, as opposed to in the box with a lot of traffic. He's a strong tackler but seems to get lost when it's a push and shove match, actually, a place where our less skilled but stronger defenders have done well in the past.

It would seem in a 4-4-2 where the game plan is for him to cheat forward and the left-back to stay home is a game plan that works to his advantage.

[Woodrow]

It is a fact that with the US of late, the strength of the left flank offensively has rested largely with Beasely and Lewis. OTOH the offense on the right flank has been more evenly balanced between the mids and the backs. That is why Cherundolo has a role; because there is no true right mid who can obviate his role in support.