I thought Gordon's sub marked a turning point in the game. Not only did he demonstrate his trademark desire to win the ball, but he played simply and effectively with his back to goal. On a field that small with those conditions, we needed that ball movement. Loved Bradley's play tonight. Controlled the ball well, hit two posts, and rightfully got fired up around the 84th minute off that tackle.
I think Kljestan's sub made a big difference as well, I think our midfield starting linking up much better once he was out there, although it came very late. The last goal really changed the final narrative of this game. It went from being a pretty much shameful performance, to very ugly but with the result we needed. Hopefully our coaching staff can trying to figure out what few things worked and build on that while helping fix all the things that went really badly.
Look hard at the second goal that EJ scored. Unmarked, absolutely no defense for A&B. The only way they scored on us is by pulling down Goodson from behind, a no-call. That is major. Both european-based with the exception of MB, and MLS stunk up the house.
JK finally seeing the light regarding MLS based players. A couple of players who I thought might have contributed more than what was on offer last night are George John, and Dax McCarty. Something else that comes to mind, not being well versed on strategy and all, is that it seemed to me that with a team like A&B that were packing everybody behind the ball and it was difficult to keep the ball on the ground without it bouncing like a pinball machine, would it not have been helpful to take a few shots from middle/long range to maybe make some of those defenders step up to defend, therefore creating more space to operate? Maybe I'm wrong, but it just seemed like something logical to force them to push forward more and create more space by surprising them with a longer range shot every once in a while.
What!??! What planet are you living on? Golden bathtubs?!! Not important?!?! Next you are going to tell me that having four refrigerators full of vitamin water is silly.
Clint tweeting picture of pitch Clint Dempsey @clint_dempsey Field we played on last night for a WCQ. Hahttp://instagr.am/p/QvJn_eHb2B/
Goodson looked like he slipped more than anything. Still as a central defender you have to be much stronger than that, and Goodson keeps getting pushed around. That said, this goal was like most a chain reaction of disasters, Bocanegra gives the ball away and Cameron gets burned, Goodson slips, and goal.
Well frankly I'd suggest hosting it Barrow or Fairbanks. I mean anchorage has a terrible old AstroTurf field than can fit a 1000 or so, but if you really want to go all out Barrow will have no daylight, a frozen dirt field and polar bear patrols. Alternatively Ketchikan can offer a gravel field with almost guaranteed rain and fog.
Sir! Now you have gone TOO far! Next you will say that there is no purpose to the spinning rims on my chrome plated Dodge Dart. They go round and round buddy. "ROUND...AND...ROUND!" It's like i don't even know you any more.
where is this bout time Jurgen thought the MLS blah blah blah crap coming from? Jurgen has called many MLS players up for matches and camps. MLS players called up in JKs tenure but not all played due to injuries or other factors of course.... Kyle Beckerman Nick Rimando Geoff Cameron Chris Wondolowski Sean Johnson Bill Hamid Steven Beitashour Matt Besler AJ Delagarza Zach Loyd Jeff Parke Heath Pearce Omar Gonzalez George John Brek Shea Ricardo Clark Brad Evans Benny Feilhaber Jeff Larentowicz Landon Donovan Edson Buddle Teal Bunbury CJ Sapong Juan Agedelo OH MY GOD HE JUST IGNORES THE MLS. (this was only from 2012 call ups too)
The ONLY people who say this about gold bathtubs, are those without gold bathtubs. I take it you don't have one. I feel sorry for you.
I hope he gets more of a chance. When he came on he pressed got the ball in dangerous positions and added more bite then anybody else on the field
wow. ok. i will definitely agree now on the excuse of the bad field. ironically there is this discussion about "what's our style of soccer? etc" well, the us style is to play counter against superuior enemies and to play a balanced build up play against same level or inferior opponents. Want more? support a different national team. Unfortunately a balanced build up play type of game requires a workable pitch. and reference to all: the pitches in Brazil will all be absolutely top tier quality.
Other than the disappointment of giving up the goal, I thought the team played fine. MB had a chance go off the post and Gonzales had too good chances which were killed with poor chances. Add a missed header by EJ and you have a decent amount of opportunites on goal. Unfortunately, we needed a few players to play better than they did. Dempsey gave the ball away too easy and came back too often for the ball. Hercules game didn't play well with the field conditions. Congrats to EJ and Gordan. Both played well and made a big difference in the win. Add MB as the other additional outstanding player for the team...
Why on earth did the USA even agree to that venue? Why did we not launch a protest? That field is completely unacceptable for a World Cup qualifier. Does Gulati have no balls at all?
It's not a question of balls, it's a question of smarts, and Sunil Gulati is an experienced negotiator. Admit that you too would have dropped all threats of a protest if A&B had offered to comp you a continental breakfast.
They don't ask you to agree to the field. The ref decides if it's playable. You play or you don't; but you lose in case you don't play.