Re: USA vs. Costa Rica 9/3 Post-Mortem [R] 3 pages of solid overreacting so far, that's a good start. 1st half was great. Lots of good ball movement, no real negatives other than the fact that we couldn't finish off any moves. But when have we ever been good at scoring goals and killing off a game? It's a process, and I've liked what I've seen so far. The one thing we're lacking is just a killer-instinct when it comes to taking that final shot. Torres was phenomenal, Shea was good, and Jozy had some really great hold up play. Defense was solid, though Castillo looked rather shaky at times. Chandler was quiet, and I have no real issues with Boca/Orozco. This game was just another in a string of poor performances from Landon. He fades too often out of games and has a tendency to make bad decisions when it comes to taking players on and when to take the shot. I know I might get slammed for saying this, but if it doesn't get better does Jurgen consider benching him? If you're going to be the focal point of the attack you have to change the game. He just hasn't been right this past year. Looking forward to seeing Dempsey and Beckerman in the lineup. I'd go with the same starters except Beckerman in for Edu and Dempsey in for Robbie. Side note: I hate this whole late-game shit. I need sleep.
Wow, Lalas singled out Donovan along with Torres as the best guys for the US. I don't know what to say to that.
Toooo Slooow.Toooo Soooft. Lots of weak crosses and hospital balls. And don't be afraid to take a shot. Nice rhythm early, not at all sure that the incessant fouling and typical CONCACRAP reffing, not stopping it with early cards, didn't ruin what we were doing well. We really need to score off some FKs when we get fouled this much. Shea and Rogers started like a house afire and then were crap after 20 minutes. Jozy and LD not on same page. Castillo still seems shakey. I like Chandler, but floated too many balls. Edu was OK, Torres strong, fouled often.
Re: USA vs. Costa Rica 9/3 Post-Mortem [R] There were several shots on target, but I'm pretty sure all of them were from outside the box.
No, it's just that the typical American way of thinking is that you can't turnover the ball anywhere, make mistakes, etc.... But the other way of understanding the game is how Klinsmann does; that you need to take chances up top, be creative, and mistakes happen. You need to attack, and there's a big difference between stupid Bornsteinin-the-box turnovers vs a lost attacking pass, but most americans that i've spoken to don't differentiate; it's just black and white. But that point of view is limiting, imho.
Re: USA vs. Costa Rica 9/3 Post-Mortem [R] A guy like Ruiz, you know, one of their actual first teamers, would have embarrassed Castillo. He's faced NO ONE with any attacking prowess and still he's failed.
Re: USA vs. Costa Rica 9/3 Post-Mortem [R] You all must be watching a different game smh. He was solid on defense and had some offensive bursts (which he needed to define more). For some reason some of you guys are fixated with this idea that he is awful.... But on the Mexican Broadcast they even said he had played the best in comparison to Torres & Orozco...
In the spanish broadcast, that was something that was asked about the fitness of the US players. While the played a good 1st half, there were quite a few that the announcers thought ran out of steam.
Thus, since he was again good defensively, I rate him a solid "average" compared to the rest of the team.
Castillo is a turd Our defense was too young Altidore needs a partner Torres, Shea, and Kljestan impressed Donovan, Rogers, and Edu did not
Re: USA vs. Costa Rica 9/3 Post-Mortem [R] As the Brits would say, the problem with Cakes is that he needs his bird back.
Torres US Player of the Match. Held the ball well, distribution was ok, also got back on defense very quickly. Shea was ok, I appreciate the fact that he would like push the ball towards the center to the goal and that is at least a sign of an attackers mentality but his game is better suited for the wing at the moment. Although Edu didn't do anything to hurt us, really didn't do much to help either. Just a tough game for Donovan, should have put away that goal and most often then not he does but will again. Castillo. Crap.
Okay, how about turning over close to 50% of your passes? That's good as long as they are attacking passes? Put me on the field, I can do that.
IMO, Castillo made more negative contributions than positive contributions. If you don't agree, there is no point in having a debate. Frankly, I'm not sure what other barometer I could use to judge a player's performance.
Re: USA vs. Costa Rica 9/3 Post-Mortem [R] BigSoccer is certainly living up to its reputation tonight! I think the rest of this calendar year is going to see the growing pains of the transition from Bradley style kick & rush to the awe inspiring jogo bonito lite we saw in the first half hour. We're going to take our knocks but it's going to be for the best once 2014 rolls around. It wasn't a matter of ability, it was a matter of discipline tonight. We panicked @ the start of the 2nd half and regressed to our poor spacing/long ball hitting/impatient style that was so characteristic of the Bradley regime. Work the ball and work it up slowly - we can do it....the chances and goals will come. The only negatives I'll single out tonight are Rogers, Oroczo & Castillo....especially Castillo. He's a physical liability in defense (getting bull rushed by CR attackers all night, close call giveaways that might've been clean breaks) and is too erratic/inconsistent going forward. Next candidate not named Eric Lichaj, please.
Yeah that's my verdict on Edu, pretty invisible stuff. Would like to see Bradley back on his defensive spot once/if he gets settled in Chievo.
Go watch a replay when it is available. He was NOT good defensively, he just didn't get punished when he made a mistake because he was up against CR's second rate attackers. Same thing against Mexico. These teams weren't even that interested in winning these games and still he looked poor, when he was obviously trying his hardest. It is sad, he is not the answer. Oh and one more thing, his giveaways were not all in the attack. He gave the ball away numerous times in all situations.
I want to know which one of you douche nozzle mods changed the thread title from "Post-Mortem" to "post-match". Post-Mortem was clever and it isn't offensive. Don't censor things just to be a douche. That is piss poor moderation.
Re: USA vs. Costa Rica 9/3 Post-Mortem [R] They must be high then because Torres was exponentially beter. Trust me, everyone here wants him to succeed. Mentally he's just not up for it.
You really disagree with him on that? For the most part we played pretty well. How do you come up with something like this? This. I don't feel confident whenever he gets the ball. He's just too all-over-the-place to be a left-back at the international level. Once Lichaj gets back he's gone.
Re: USA vs. Costa Rica 9/3 Post-Mortem [R] Yeah I thought Edu was excellent defensively for most of the match. As Ramos said, he did get tired and couldn't shut down everything alone. In the first half, he was a beast for sure.