There's this guy...his name is Jonathan Spector...word is he plays LB in one of the best leagues in the world against the best wingers in the world...seen the guy play, makes some mistakes once in a while, but hardly gets made a fool...definitely a better option than Bornstein or Pearce... Leave Boca in the middle, move him left if necessary...
um...no, no, no - but not at all a good game for him, no, yes (beas did alright), and they both suck, so no.
3 and Out. The starting defense is only slightly better. 3 and Out. The over under on the D giving up 15 goals in group play is big on Over. 3 and Out. Is Howard having nightmares tonight? Oh yeah. 3 and Out. Will we ever solve the problem of Defense? With an American Coach? No. 3 and OUT. Can't wait until Brazil 2014. And another. . . 3 and Out.
I was impressed by Buddle's overall game. By Hector's focus on finishing. Ching was the intelligent, useful player he has always been when healthy. With Altidore, I would keep 4 forwards. EJ, take a Flight back to Aris. Findley, thank ye and fare well with Salt Lake. I'd be tempted to go with 2 keepers, if WC rules permit. Guzan adds absolutely nothing. Better Josh Saunders than what we saw tonight, for bloody sakes. Defender..... Gooch must be considered damaged goods until he can show otherwise. But he will go [although I hope like heck he doesn't start unless he is truly ready]. Boca, Spector, Dolo, DeMerit, Goodson. Then who the heck do we really want out of Bornstein and Pearce? Marshall, I guess, ain't healthy and he hasn't earned enough cred to be given the Gooch consideration. So RoboBob looks really fine now for refusing to consider "shorties" such as Parkhurst, or Castillo. Or young uns like Gonzalez. Midfield. Bedoya and Rogers are out, I think. [I liked Rogers ability to power a solid shot from distance.... but too much else with his game isn't up to standard for the WC]. If Klejstan is not out, then the world is mad. Happy to see Beasley play reasonably well. Torres was reasonable. Edu fine [when in midfield]. So, in sum, I would cut Findley, Johnson, Bedoya, Rogers, Klejstan, Marshall, Pearce. Although Guzan would be gonzo if it was allowed.
I just believe that he is overrated if Bob wants to start Holden. If he works on his shots then that would changed me view. In International play he seems to lose composure before he shoots.
IMO - these are the 7 left behind: Onyewu Johnson Kljestan Bornstein Feilhaber Bedoya Torres I think nerves will be more settled after 1 pm tomorrow.
If Feilhaber was on the bubble, I think he would have been played out there. I would be shocked if he doesn't make it. Same for Torres and Onyewu. At half time I would have agreed with the inclusion of Bornstein.... but then came the second half.
Yeah, I've heard of him. And watched a lot of him this season. He's a terrible LB. Oh, and he is on the squad...saw him sitting on the bench tonight...I suspect Bob knows he can play there in a pinch. Boca should play on the left. It's not a perfect situation, but it's the best we can do.
I think the Guzan bashing is unfair; what exactly did you want him to do? Did he do nothing? Yes...But he didn't really have a CHANCE to do anything now did he? I don't care who was in the net tonight, it would've been the same result.
Without question. There were a handful of guys who played tonight who I won't wet the bed worrying if they are called upon in the WC, and he's one of them. As for the rest, they almost make me wish the squad limit was more like 18 than 23.
Yeah, I do believe you're right. But tonight showed the danger of committing to a keeper who is a back up on his club.
I suspect Bob played Brad because both Marcus and Tim were starting for their respective clubs at the end of the season and he wanted a chance to see Brad in a game situation. I believe that his performance confirmed Marcus should be the back up.
i thought that too, and then I saw him bring Kljestan on, so I don't know what the hell is going on with him. I mean, wouldn't Bob give Hanhemann a half then? It's not like he's going to get a lot of playing time for the US any other time
How, exactly, does an NT coach "develop" a left back? Isn't that kind of stuff usually done at the club level, where players get most of their training and playing time?