Really, I don't think you can make any connection between this game and our WC prospects. It wouldn't matter if we had Capello with Hiddink and Sun Tzu as his assistants -- if we had to run out our third-stringers against WC opposition, then give up a goal and go down a man within 15 minutes...I don't think we'd have much chance either. Do yourselves a favor, US fans. Forget the result and focus on how the players responded to adversity. Most of these players are gunning for a substitute's role in SA. We now have a better idea of what fringe guys respond well to an bad situation and which don't. Nobody got injured, we got to see some new guys, and confirmed some things about guys like Wynne and Cunningham. It's not how anyone wanted this game to go but it's better to learn this stuff now than not to know it until next summer.
Perhaps in these type of games Bradley is more interested in seeing which player(s) can move to the next level than winning the game. If so I'm fine with finding a few players to add to the cup team. I'm not convinced that's what he's doing though. He shot himself in the foot starting the stick a fork in him he's done Conrad. Could BB and Conrad conspired to do the double yellow on purpose to see who would step up? BTW, is there any reason for either team to keep playing a friendly a man down? I thought these were practice games so how much does either team learn with/without a man for 70 minutes?
Were they given a goal and a man advantage in the first 1/4 of the match? If not I don't think the matches are comparable. But even if they were, the revelation that our third string team is worse than the worst CONMEBOL team doesn't particularly bother me. I'm more concerned that guys like Marshall and Findley didn't take a giant step forward when given the opportunity.
The fans would riot if you canceled the game after 20 minutes, and the players would riot if you didn't penalize hard fouls with anything more than a free kick.
This can't be emphasized enough. Our depth this cycle is very very weak, I mean it wasn't strong in previous cycles but we have nothing after our top 13 or so. We found that out in the Confed Cup and no one has stepped up since then, only BS dreams of the guys who haven't played any somehow suddenly stepping up to be good.
There is no perspective to this game, other than we are not Brazil or Spain with a 3rd team that can look like a first team... Unless your name is conrad, in which case you may have finalized your summer plans. I just rue the time spent watching it, and now I should stop discussing it, as it has taking more of my energy than is deserved,,,
This... I think that Wynne was by far the worst player out there today. I think he was at fault (at least partially) for each of the goal. #3 he clearly let his man run past him...and on the first two, the attacks started on his side with him being horribly out of position... Every time Bob had a sub waiting to come in I was hopeful that he would be taking Wynne off...and every time I was flabbergasted that Wynne got to stay on the field.
Dax and Brad Davis should be used against El Salvador. Dax specifically has good technique over the ball.
Tonight made me glad that I removed Fox Soccer Channel from my cable package. Watched the first half via Veetle stream and was as everyone else is, disappointed. I didn't expect too much from this roster, but did expect cohesion with a 3 week camp and obviously they couldn't put it together. *Final thoughts...Bornstein looked good.
I was very impressed with Bornstein...as others have said, he was clearly our MOTM. Also, Goodson was quite good...even without the goal I think he had a very solid game and some top-notch distribution we don't normally see from our CBs. Speaking of distribution, I thought Perkins had a few too many wildly errant goal kicks and clearances...but he did a pretty nice job of bossing the box. I'm looking forward to seeing more of Bedoya.
So the 4th CB position continues open, as does the 2nd, 3rd and 4th forward positions. At this rate, a change to a 4-5-1 may be the only solution. The good: Bornstein and Benny are in.
. . . focus on how the players responded to adversity. Most of these players are gunning for a substitute's role in SA. We now have a better idea of what fringe guys respond well to an bad situation and which don't. Nobody got injured, we got to see some new guys, and confirmed some things about guys like Wynne and Cunningham. It's not how anyone wanted this game to go but it's better to learn this stuff now than not to know it until next summer.[/QUOTE] I went to the game. I think Findley was able to trap the ball once. He and Rogers were always double, triple or even quadruple-teamed. Wynn's speed is the only reason he is on the field and it's not enough. It was heartening to see the team regroup and come back in the second half. I believe this is key. Conrad had been seriously taking charge and directing the field. When he was ejected, it really left the team lost. However, since we often are playing a man short in int'l matches, you can look at it as realistic practice. Yet, I'd much rather we learned to avoid the red card. Sacha had a typical badSacha game. He needs to leave MLS to improve. Overall, the worst things were: 1) Slo Mo speed of play 2) Not going to the ball 3) Poorly weighted passes (usually too slow). Would like to see more of Bedoya, Goodson and Davis.
Bingo, we have a winner If that was the best effort he could get after 3 weeks with them than the answer is: 1) Wrong guys 2) Wrong coach 3) Wrong starters 4) All of the above Conrad has lived with the clutch and grab for years in MLS. They don't buy it at the international level. He's done Beckerman is not international caliber I feel asleep in the second half but up to that point, we had one Rodgers shot. One shot ... there's something wrong when you cannot produce shots Finally, BB reminds me of my daughters HS coach where the team succeeded in spite of him, not because of him. That is the story of US Soccer. The A team has success because BB usually cannot screw them up too much. I think he does enough though to kill any real progress. Put BB in charge of the B team and we look pathetic Will somebody please tell me that Alston was hurt. I would hate to think Pierce made the bench while he didn't. Fire the tool
Most of the negative observations (which is about all I had) that I was going to mention have already been covered, but there are a couple of things I want to add. When did these guys forget the importance of observing their surroundings before they receive the ball? Tonight (especially in the first half) it was receive ball-> look around for a teammate-> dribble in a circle-> attempt a pass. Unfortunately, the ball went to a Honduras player or out of play (Wynne, Rogers) most of the time. Way too slow moving the ball around, and way too predictable. After we went down 3-0, I couldn't believe how casual we were about possessing the ball. When we had it, we gave it away far too easily, and when Honduras had it, we were way too casual about getting it back. I've never heard so many consecutive "ole's" in my life. For crying out loud, take a few chances, apply more pressure, try to get the ball back and make something happen. Yes, it's more difficult when you're playing with ten guys, but watching your opponent casually take minute after minute off the clock when you're down 3-0 in a friendly is pathetic. Wynne looked lost on defense, and impotent in the attack. I don't see him play very often, but I'm not sure I need to see much more. Speed is good, but it takes a lot more than that to hold your own at this level. Marshall simply had to be better on that second goal. I think he's a better player than what he showed tonight, but still, he may be a bit too slow at this level. Conrad, same thing. I still have respect for the guy and what he's done for us in the past, though. It's hard to single out any of our midfielders or forwards either positively or negatively. There just wasn't enough understanding and quick movement with and without the ball. Dull and embarrassing all around. I generally agree with the person who said that our subs played better than those they replaced, but I was pretty disappointed with Casey, whose brain seemed to be a step behind almost every time he received the ball.
Who would you have wanted BB to pick...?? How are you supposed to win playing 10 vs 11 and a goal down for 73 minutes...??
Well, step 1 might be not playing the aging defender whose not on his best form who also happened to get 2 yellows in 17 minutes...
You can't win with 10 but he not only picked that fool Conrad, he started him and made him capt. When he picked up an early card, and knowing his clutch and grab defense style, he was a second card waiting to happen. BB should have given him the hook immediately Who not to pick; Conrad, Wynne, Pierce, Beckerman to start Who to play more but he never will (of this group) Dax I still havent heard if Alston was hurt or just not picked. If he was OK but not picked then Bradley is a total fool. Wynne is what you saw tonight ... nothing