USA vs Slovenia Post-Match Report

Discussion in 'USA Men' started by USAsoccer1, Nov 15, 2011.

  1. USAsoccer1

    USAsoccer1 Member

    Jul 15, 2011
    Sacramento
    Club:
    Liverpool FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I will start it off. With our past few losses and draws, the threads have been extremely negative in the US Forums. I would hope that after our match against Slovenia today that changes a little. The USA went into a hostile environment, in the fog, and scored 3 goals to win the match. I am hoping this is the match that turns it around for us. Looking forward to seeing everyone's ideas on our Victory today.
     
  2. TrueCrew

    TrueCrew Member+

    Dec 22, 2003
    Columbus, OH
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Well, I was thrilled with the first half attacking play. Scored 3, should have been 4 (Jozy's sitter).

    The switch, both to a two forward setup and a diamond midfield both helped the attack immensely. With all this talk of implementing the same system at all youth levels and 4-3-3 (4-5-1) this and that, I was afraid we were becoming too tactically rigid and predictable for our opponents. Good moves by JK in the main.

    Player wise, starting with the attack and attacking mids.

    Thought Fabain Johnson was the story, Created the penalty. Should have had an assist on the one Jozy missed. Good crosses. Poised and controlled on the ball. Intelligent and incisive runs off it. Real deal. Keeper. Can play either wing, #8, and possibly fullback.

    Buddle cemented himself as a top 2 pure striker (not counting Clint/Landon), and our best pure target forward. Wonderful strike. Nice work rate all night. Good control for the most part. One bad turnover in our end, but stayed with it after he lost it.

    Altidore was not at his best, but he put in a great shift against France last week. For that, and the obvious signs of improvement, he gets a pass. He's still a top 2 striker for us, but I think maybe Buddle + someone else (Clint/LD) might warrant a look from time to time. That sitter miss was horrid.

    Dempsey was his usual dangerous self playing as the #10 (CAM) behind two forwards. A new role for Clint today. Scored one on a header, his pressure caused the turnover Buddle hammered home. Almost scored on another header. Had several incisive runs. Drew a yellow.

    Bradley was good, though I think he is not a wing player. Involved in several nice buildups. Very good on set piece delivery. His usual indefatigable self. He did drift central a lot, which was good, because Beckerman needed help in there.

    The defensive side wasn't nearly as good.

    Beckerman was poor, but the formation put him in a bit of a bind. His lack of athleticism (and that of the CB's as well) was exposed w/out a CM partner. I think he's a piece of the puzzle going forward, but better with a partner. When we go diamond, I'd prefer a more athletic #6 (Jones, Edu, Bradley, Williams, even Clark).

    The defenders nearly all had their issues. Dolo and Boca the least, Chandler and Goodson the most. In general, Slovenia's attackers were either bigger, faster, stronger, or all the above, than there American defenders. Our clearances were poor all night (Dolo and Boca at the start of the second half, Goodson with some others). We had trouble in the air. Chandler played people onside all night and got beat inside repeatedly. Goodson again gets outmuscled on a goal. I can understand a CB getting beaten for pace, but not outmuscled.

    CB, RW, and CM have been the areas where I've been most critical of JK.

    Hopefully Johnson helps us on the wing, as will LD's return. Shea/Beasley should be the subs. And MB proved he's serviceable. And Dempsey is an option as well.

    At CB, I think it's time to see Cameron, John, Parkhurst, Gonzalez, Marshall, DeMerit, and Whitbread have looks. Gooch/Boca are the preferred pair, but I think #3 & #4 slots are wide open, Neither Goodson, Ream, nor Orozco Fiascal have claimed them yet.

    Beckerman as DM still mystifies me a bit. Hopefully, JK is trying to send JJ a message about following instructions and Bradley a message about earning his spot.

    Also, a nice article at YA explaining the German philosophy of playing MF players at each MF position to increase their understanding of the game, via Charles Renken. Maybe that explains some of the Williams/Bradley wide right, Edu/Bradley as #10, and Dempsey all over the place.

    http://www.yanks-abroad.com/get.php?mode=content&id=8483

    Still, a very happy end to the year.
     
  3. UnionDues

    UnionDues Member+

    Aug 16, 2011
    Philadelphia
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Agreed, and this created a nice attacking display. Just about everyone up front did a good job, especially Dempsey. He's a beast. It seems the US is the most comfortable in a 4-4-2. BB played a 4-3-3 against Colombia last year and it generated nothing. We were lucky to escape with a scoreless draw from that match.

    I'm glad you didn't mention Ream in your first list. There's a lot of decent options at CB that Klinsmann should consider calling up. Boca is really getting old so there has to be a replacement for him on the horizon soon. Omar Gonzalez would probably be my top pick out of your group right now. I would like to see what he can do on the int'l level.

    Klinsmann should really consider calling up Sheanon Williams at RB. He's been terrific for us in Philly. He's a strong defender and can generate some offense up the wing as well.
     
  4. unclesparks

    unclesparks Member

    Mar 19, 2011
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Unfortunately I completely missed the game because I wasn't able to get near my computer until 3pm. I scrolled through some of the blow by blow posts in the other thread and it looks like Fabian Johnson stole the show. Which really upsets me because I was looking forward to his debut.

    Thanks TrueCrew for a concise assessment of the players.
     
  5. Bruce S

    Bruce S Member+

    Sep 10, 1999
    FJ was good. He definitely reminds me a bit of Landon. Smallish, very quick feet and good skill.
     
  6. SOCCERMARINE

    SOCCERMARINE Member

    Jun 28, 2011
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Can anyone provide me a link to where I can watch this game, I was at school:eek:
     
  7. DamonEsquire

    DamonEsquire BigSoccer Supporter

    Sep 16, 2002
    Kentucky
    Club:
    Leeds United AFC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    That game was awesome. A+ match plan. Both sides came out and attack. The Fog and the humidity just added to that one. If both teams want to win, both should consider that style. I was entertain from start to finish....
    ESPN3
     
  8. diagoro

    diagoro Member

    Sep 4, 2009
    Orange County
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    While I was enthused to see some proper offense, the defense was mostly confused and desperate. For a time it looked like FIFA 12, with the Slovenian players dribbling through multiple defenders or down each line.

    I'm also wondering where the 'control' game went. That's one of my greatest pet peeves with the mnt. They rely far too much on kickball and luck than proper control and enforcement of their will.

    All things considered, a good game, but far from great.
     
  9. maze2daze11

    maze2daze11 Member

    Jan 17, 2009
    So Cal
    Club:
    CDSC Cruz Azul
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    LOL I was at school too. Stupid math class but am grateful for ESPN3 because I was able to rewatch the game in its entirely. Great finish for the year to end!
     
  10. USAsoccer1

    USAsoccer1 Member

    Jul 15, 2011
    Sacramento
    Club:
    Liverpool FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I saw a completely different game. Kick Ball, I saw as one touch...Which I rather see than trying to dribble through 3 people at midfield and losing the ball and seeing a counter and getting scored on, which actually happened. Over all, I feel a weight was lifted of our shoulders. You did make some good points about the control game being lost. But all in all, I am extremely pleased.
     
  11. Ironkick14

    Ironkick14 Member+

    Sep 29, 2011
    Chicago, IL
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    The one touch was promising but I'd like to see a more varied one touch game. Most one touch passes were either 5 yards or 50, I need to see middle length passes.
     
  12. diagoro

    diagoro Member

    Sep 4, 2009
    Orange County
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    The first few games after JK took over, there was a decided improvement in the control game. You could see an immediate change in the way they passed the ball around. Sadly, due to the skill of our opponent or otherwise, things seemed to have declined the last few games.

    I think this continues to be the overriding difference between us and other (better developed/ingrained) nations. We just don't have a proper control game, or enough of the player that are confident in moving around properly to do so. It's a huge eyesore in MLS (where oddly, many of the players are international), and one that plagues the U.S.

    Really wish futsal would take off here, at least in the cities. I'm seeing a small growth of 'small-field' facilities in Orange County (California), and some younger players that can really play with both style and control. It bodes well for our nation.........perhaps we just need some patience.
     
  13. 7211

    7211 World Class

    Jun 28, 2010
    Why exactly do you need to see it?
     
  14. Bob34

    Bob34 New Member

    Jul 6, 2011
    Club:
    Fulham FC
    What I'd like to see no matter what formation we play is better weighted passes and even more importantly much better receipt of passes. Maybe no one has mentioned this because it's soo basic but if you go back and look at our first goal, it was a direct result of one of the Slovenia CB's mishandling a pass that Dempsey jumped on and Slovenia's was a direct result of Beckerman's aweful first touch, instead of keeping the ball on the ground and touching it away from the oncoming defender, he popped the ball up and it got stolen. There's no excuse for an international to let a received pass pop up in the air unless it's a friggen rocket. There's not enough time and space for that at that level. However, I will say that Jozy has improved tremendously pulling rockets out of the air with a really soft touch into space he creates for himself.
     
  15. kokoplus10

    kokoplus10 Moderator
    Staff Member

    Feb 5, 2008
    Club:
    New York Red Bulls
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    A national team manager can't coach first touch or passing ability.

    He can coach tactics, formulate a game plan, develop set piece efficiency, pick the right players and put them in roles that give the team a chance to win, etc.

    He can to SOME degree coach movement off the ball and speed of play. However a player's movement off the ball mostly comes from development somewhere else (youth/club). Speed of play? Well you either learn to keep up or you don't.
     
  16. Bob34

    Bob34 New Member

    Jul 6, 2011
    Club:
    Fulham FC

    Absolutely agree with you. I'm not asking/expecting JK to coach that stuff. I'm hoping he'll select players that already have it...

    BTW: I'm not just picking on one play, everyone makes mistakes, but some of the players first touches and weight of thier passing is pretty consistently bad. Those guys need to go.
     
  17. kokoplus10

    kokoplus10 Moderator
    Staff Member

    Feb 5, 2008
    Club:
    New York Red Bulls
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    The problem is that if you have 1 field player who is not up to snuff with touch and passing he ruins it for everyone else. And if he isn't good off the ball? Forget it.

    Want to be able to possess the ball at the international level? Then everyone called in already has to have a high level of individual technical and tactical skill. The U.S. is a long way from fielding a starting 11 with that talent. Not to mention 23 players.
     
  18. dban

    dban Member

    May 20, 2003
    PhillyBurbs - Delawareside
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I thought Bradley's touch was markedly improved. Get Landon back, swap Bradley for Beckerman, then we might have something.
     
  19. kokoplus10

    kokoplus10 Moderator
    Staff Member

    Feb 5, 2008
    Club:
    New York Red Bulls
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    He has always had a good first touch and passing ability and it improves every year.

    He is also prone to a bad touch or pass every now and then just like everyone else on the squad. His worst touch came in the opening minutes of the Slovenia match when he one touch passed the ball to the sideline which missed it's mark and lead to a counter.

    He's always been a good protector of the ball.

    If anything has "markedly" improved in the past year it's his long range passing (specifically when switching the field) and his set piece delivery.
     
  20. Bob34

    Bob34 New Member

    Jul 6, 2011
    Club:
    Fulham FC
    I tend to think it's more mental then technically apt. Remember Brek's first game with the Nats. He looked like a deer in headlights. He didn't technically get that much better between that first game and a few months later. He got more confident but then I think his confidence might've caused him to get a bit sloppy lately and maybe some fatigue. I'm not saying it's all mental but a good part of it. I don't think Beckerman has the mental toughness right now. Ream definitely doesn't. Bradley has always been pretty tough but he had success in the eredivisie early and that's a big part of the guys that play first team regularly in the BL, EPL & Serie A. They know they can atleast compete with the some of the best players in the world. It won't be long before we have a 'complete' 23...
     
  21. kokoplus10

    kokoplus10 Moderator
    Staff Member

    Feb 5, 2008
    Club:
    New York Red Bulls
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    It's all mental. There are tons of guys who can juggle a ball and not a lot who can handle the riggors of the pro game. There are tons of guys who are tactically smart and technically deficient. National team players need to have the whole package.

    Again, that's not a national team coaches job. By the time you reach the national team you should have the smarts and mental toughness to deal with it. If you aren't (Shea, Ream, etc.) you go away for a bit, hopefully develop, come back and succeed (Shea).

    Sure maybe a coach can inspire you from time to time and give you a sense of confidence, but that is really secondary to the most important issues.

    Define this. Because I don't think we have a punchers chance in hell of winning the World Cup (even as a dark horse) or consistently troubling the big teams any earlier than 2022.
     
  22. Bob34

    Bob34 New Member

    Jul 6, 2011
    Club:
    Fulham FC

    Not sure why you keep throwing in the; "That's not the National teams coaches job" I AGREE :)

    To your last point, I guess I need to define complete as a solid team that is very competative against the top 4-6 teams in the world. Germany beat Holland the other day pretty soundly but I'd still say Holland has a squad of 23 very solid players. I'm hoping & wont be surprised if that happens by 2018. Our biggest advantage is the sheer numbers of players we're producing now. I'm not sure when we'll win a world cup. I'm just hoping it happens during my lifetime :D
     
  23. kokoplus10

    kokoplus10 Moderator
    Staff Member

    Feb 5, 2008
    Club:
    New York Red Bulls
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I think by your due date of 2018 we will have a very deep pool of capable players at every spot on the field.

    However, I don't think we'll have a pool of world class players such as Germany, Holland, etc.

    That last hurdle will take the longest and may never happen in my lifetime or yours. It has mostly to do with an established domestic league that scouts and develops talent properly at an early age. That means each MLS club having a fully funded academy and scouting program from U-12 up. That has not happened yet. Not for every club anyway. When it does happen project 10 years from that date and THAT is when we'll have a real shot.

    By my own math and predictions that actually puts us at 2026.

    :(
     
  24. USAsoccer1

    USAsoccer1 Member

    Jul 15, 2011
    Sacramento
    Club:
    Liverpool FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Koko, I would disagree with this one. We are not too far off from Holland...Maybe not Germany but not many countries are. It was a terrible post world cup year but sometimes you have to take a step back before you take a step forward. We will be good in the next World Cup, and the years after... it's just hard to feel like that right now.
     
  25. kokoplus10

    kokoplus10 Moderator
    Staff Member

    Feb 5, 2008
    Club:
    New York Red Bulls
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    It has nothing to do with our success past or present.

    Every legit world cup threatening team has a domestic league that scouts and develops world class players.

    IMO we aren't even close to that. Not at all.
     

Share This Page