Reyna is Back (R)

[Karl K]

Happened to be in Columbus on a youth soccer Super Y excursion, and we all took in the game today.

I was particularly intrigued when Reyna came on in the second half; it's been a long long year or so since he's been in a national team kit.

Anyway, some observations about his play, in no particular order of importance.

--As soon as he came on, the crispness of our game picked up, even in the heat. Not the speed, but the execution. The combination plays were more inventive, the one touch passing more on target.

--The team began to use the width of the field more. Almost all of the first half action went down the left hand side (one of the reasons, I think, that Mathis wasn't all that involved in this game). But with Reyna orchestrating, ball advancement was much more balanced.

--I was particularly struck by Reyna's ability, once possession was lost, to somehow figure out the best central position to take up to slow down the Paraguayan attack. A number of times he would shadow the player on the ball, not stepping in, but taking a postion here, then there, circling methodically to close down passing options. By the time the ball DOES go forward, the defense is organized and only the hopeful ball is available.

--His ball support was almost flawless. He always seemed to find a position to receive where pressure was minimal and marks were distant. And despite the layoff, the good first touch was there.

In sum, he seems to be picking up exactly where he left off in the Germany game, field generalling in a way that adds a ton of value to the flow of the game, the creation of danger in the final third, and the ability to control middle third possession and add to defence.

I expect him, if he remains healthy, to have an exceptional Gold Cup.

[sch2383]

I think he won't be able to play a full game during the Gold Cup. Make him a sub at the start of the second half so he won't strain his body by pushing it in the heat. Maybe in the quarters or semis he will be ready to go a full 90.

[Scoey]

Good observations, Karl. I fully agree: we were better in all facets of the game once he came in. Reyna and O'Brien are absolutely irreplacable. With them, I truly feel we can compete with anybody in the world. It's amazing how he elevated everybody's play today, even though it was his first live-game action in 8 months.

[The Lieutenant]

He did look good, considering 8 months off.

Was it just me, or did he look smoked after 5 minutes in. Zoomed in on him with the camera and he looked like he had played 90.

[woodwork]

Yeah, the close-ups showed that he was sucking wind pretty hard, but that's to be expected from a player who hasn't played a real game in like 8 months. You can do all the rehab and fitness training you want but nothing will duplicate the nerves and adrenaline of game conditions. He looked smooth and solid as ever. Great to see him being worked back in slowly.

[atorres4]

i was really happy he played. that guy is really something. when he entered the game fans stood up to applaud him...i was in my bed...and as soon as he was announced that he was going in i stood up with happiness and applauded real loud...hehehe
i was happy...:)

[RevsRule]

He settled the game down immediately and made many good passes. We need him and don't have anybody that can do what he does. I think he may very well be the guy that bumps Clint out of the lineup once he can go 90

[Melloblkmon]

Reyna came in and proved who should be wearing the #10 shirt. Karl mentioned and I agree he shadowed played very well. He almost slipped a beautiful through ball to DMB that would have likely been a goal.

Reyna plays soccer like Chess. He is always 4-5 moves ahead of his own teammates. It was great to see him on the field!

[mikesterw]

I agree, he looked good for someone who just had an 8 month layoff. I was a bit worried about his first touch though, but he was typical CR. And thats a good thing.

[ReynaFan]

Reyna Sucks!!!
Maybe he could help fill our need at right back.

[CrewToon]

Originally posted by The Lieutenant
He did look good, considering 8 months off.

Was it just me, or did he look smoked after 5 minutes in. Zoomed in on him with the camera and he looked like he had played 90.

No, he looked a bit drained after about 10 minutes. But I agree that when he took the field, the US seemed to play much more organized.

[cyberwarman]

Went to the usa soccer game yesterday…

Cory gibbs, bobby convey and DMB put on a great show…
More impressed with DMB and Landon in person than on TV…same with Convey…

First time I have seen keller and reyna live…reyna is such a calming presence out there on the field it is amazing…and keller is so confident and big compared to the others on the field - he is a stud out there…

Overall - awesome day...

[Captain10]

I'm glad Reyna is recovered and back on the field. However, I don't think he'll ever be the true #10 that we want or need. This quote sums it up ...
Originally posted by Melloblkmon
He almost slipped a beautiful through ball to DMB that would have likely been a goal.
In Brasil they have a saying ... "Brasil is the next superpower, and they always will be..." Unfortunately, I don't think Reyna has it in him to be the creative, attacking-midfielder and leader we all had hoped for. I don't think he'll ever reach the level of the hype/expectation ...

[Melloblkmon]

Originally posted by CrewToon
No, he looked a bit drained after about 10 minutes.

This is true, I saw Claudio sucking a little wind after 10 minutes but it was violently hot!

[Nutmeg]

I generally agree with the initial observations, although I think they are a bit overdone. One thing that I will add to this discussion:

We have spoken in depth about possession vs attack, and my stance has always been that a balance between the two has to be found. Today we saw that balance. In the first half, Bobby Convey running the show had the US going directly after Paraguay. We were on the attack, Bobby did a tremendous job of seeing players in front of him and playing beautiful through balls into space that players can create with. Play was a bit too frantic at times, but the US was absolutely dangerous the entire time.

When Paraguay began to press and the situation called for calmer, more calculated possession, Claudio Reyna was the player we needed on the field. Convey has not yet matured to Reyna's level of play where he can general a team, recognize space and position, and get the entire field involved in a possession game. I think he will get there, and I think Arena is grooming Bobby for the role, but Reyna has about a decade of professional experience on Bobby, and the contrast between the two was readily apparent yesterday.

Having said that, I don't see Reyna as the savior of US Soccer. We have won without him in big-time games before, and we will again. He is another piece in the puzzle that makes the US team a better team. He certainly helps the US find that balance between possession and attack.

Finally, I hope that at least once in the Gold Cup we get to see a combination of Reyna and Convey in the central midfield. Because both focus and do well offensively and defensively, it could be an interesting combination.

[JohnR]

Originally posted by Nutmeg
In the first half, Bobby Convey running the show had the US going directly after Paraguay. We were on the attack, Bobby did a tremendous job of seeing players in front of him and playing beautiful through balls into space that players can create with. Play was a bit too frantic at times, but the US was absolutely dangerous the entire time.


You saw Bobby as "running the show" in the first half?

Hmmm, I remember an ensemble production that was highlighted by - a) no-pressure defense from Paraguay, b) frequent Beasley attacks, and c) clever passes and runs from Donovan. Don't remember a lot about Convey except that he seemed energetic & frantic, a la Frankie Hejduk. Didn't really have a sense that anybody was running the offense from a traditional center mid viewpoint.

I'll watch the first half again.

[rollo]

Originally posted by Nutmeg


Finally, I hope that at least once in the Gold Cup we get to see a combination of Reyna and Convey in the central midfield. Because both focus and do well offensively and defensively, it could be an interesting combination.

I was really hoping to see this yesterday. But I can wait a little longer. ;)

[monop_poly]

Originally posted by JohnR
You saw Bobby as "running the show" in the first half?

Hmmm, I remember an ensemble production that was highlighted by - a) no-pressure defense from Paraguay, b) frequent Beasley attacks, and c) clever passes and runs from Donovan. Don't remember a lot about Convey except that he seemed energetic & frantic, a la Frankie Hejduk. Didn't really have a sense that anybody was running the offense from a traditional center mid viewpoint.

I'll watch the first half again.

Don't bother. You saw it right the first time. What's with all the Bobby Convey worship? He did basically zero yesterday. If someone wants to blame Marco Etcheverry ... fine. That doesn't make Convey a maestro in the middle.

Note to Ray Hudson: Please continue to play Marco. You need him on the field for 90 every game ... or 100 when you play the Metros. :D

[Melloblkmon]

Contrary to one of the last posts I will rewatch the first half as well. I don't remember Convey doing all that much except help overload the left side by means of overlapping runs with Beasley. DMB seemed to have all the touches.

[Nutmeg]

Admittedly I watched the game on video tape at 12 AM this morning after returning from vacation, so my judgement is probably suspect, at best. I also realize that there are a few, like JohnR, who have soured on Bobby Convey.

From what I recall, and I too will re-watch the game this evening, Convey played a very active game, especially in defense. He also placed more than one very nice through-ball into dangerous spaces to US front-runners. Another aspect of Convey's game that I noticed was how active he was off the ball with his supporting runs and combination play.

Having said all that, he does not run the show in the same way Reyna or O'brien would. He goes after the goal a lot more than Reyna, especially, often-times at the expense of team organization. I think he can, and given time, will improve in this area.

I've said all along that Convey and Martino are long term prospects for the MNT. Neither one is where JOB or Reyna are at right now, but both of them are in the youth of their professional careers and have a ton of upside. I also happen to think that both are further along at this point in their careers than were Reyna or JOB at the same age.