Brazil as a measuring stick

Discussion in 'USA Men: News & Analysis' started by Pragidealist, May 30, 2012.

  1. Pragidealist

    Pragidealist Member+

    Mar 3, 2010
    http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_...measuring-stick-before-qualifying-1.html#more

    "Taking the game to the young Selecao side is part of the plan for the United States. Just as they did against Scotland last Saturday and to a lesser extent against Italy in a historic win in February, the Americans want to try and get forward and exploit some of the space the Brazilians might leave as they push forward."



    This might belong in the changes thread but most of that revolved around formations.

    I am looking at the tactics. I was thinking that the plan would be smilar to Italy and plan to play solid defensively and rely primarily on the counter-

    but this sounds like JK wants to try to take it to Brazil and see what happens. THAT could be very interesting, where this match is less about getting a result and more about measuring how close the US is in being able to go toe to toe with the likes of Brazil.
     
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  2. Nutmeg

    Nutmeg Member+

    Aug 24, 1999
    Why not? The worst that'll happen is we get beat and the Klinsmannistas have some fodder for bitching on a message board.

    I think going after their midfielders makes sense. May as well see if Jones and Bradley can apply the same up field pressure now. If not, fine. We adjust and move on.
     
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  3. TrueCrew

    TrueCrew Member+

    Dec 22, 2003
    Columbus, OH
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Yeah, if we decide to try to go toe-to-toe with them, it will be really fun to watch. Hagler-Hearns type stuff. Unfortunately, I think we will play the role of Tommy Hearns.
     
  4. Pragidealist

    Pragidealist Member+

    Mar 3, 2010
    That's the way I see it. Especially as we go into a qualifier where we are expected to do well. Up the excitement and highlight how much the team has to do now... they built some confidence with the Scotts. Go at Brazil and see what happens. Learn from it and get motivated to who what they are made of during qualification.
     
  5. Statman

    Statman Member+

    May 25, 2006
    Los Angeles
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    The good thing is that a bunch of them have been quoted as saying that friendly results don't matter. :rolleyes:
     
  6. WrmBrnr

    WrmBrnr Member+

    Apr 12, 2001
    San Carlos
    Agreed. Eager to watch this match.
     
  7. Suyuntuy

    Suyuntuy Member+

    Jul 16, 2007
    Vancouver, Canada
    Going at them in the middle is key. Their CMs are far from impressive. Sandro, Romulo and Casemiro have 14 caps, all three combined. Sandro is by far the most experienced, but in Tottemham he plays with the very experienced Van der Vaart in front, and the very experienced Gallas behind. Here, he'll be playing with the still-green Oscar in front, and the even-greener Juan Jesus behind.
     
  8. Sam Hamwich

    Sam Hamwich Member+

    Jul 11, 2006
    With a healthy Dempsey and Jozy, I would have liked to see a plain old 4-4-2 with Johnson overlapping and Donovan hugging the line. Then whip in as many crosses as possible. But they apparently have Thiago Silva and we dont have either jozy or Dempsey so a more central attack
    with Donovan/Torres making the diagonal runs inside and Jones / Bradley running off them for the shot or return pass.

    But the real story is going to be how we defend their counter if we press. Brazil can score in seconds from one end of the pitch to the next. We havent faced that yet in the JK era.
     
  9. drgonzo

    drgonzo Member+

    Jun 1, 2011
    Club:
    San Diego Flash
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    If the game doesn't go the way they want it they'll be back with pitch forks
     
  10. SamsArmySam

    SamsArmySam Member+

    Apr 13, 2001
    Minneapolis, MN
    Wonderful news.

    And now is a great time to do it. We just had a strong win against Scotland. We have another friendly upcoming to reset ourselves prior to qualifying.

    Perfect opportunity to take this risk.
     
  11. Ironkick14

    Ironkick14 Member+

    Sep 29, 2011
    Chicago, IL
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I'd honestly be disappointed if we didn't try to take it to Brazil. I've had enough of the passive tactics against the big teams. If we keep playing like the America of the late 1980s against them, they will never see us as a country to respect. If we lose, that's what everyone expects anyway. But what if we go out and pressure the Brazilians like they never have been before from a non super power, and win. People would have to pay attention.
     
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  12. West Coast Futbol

    May 7, 2008
    The Beach
    I just want to see more of positive futbol. It is working now. We may have a few bumps along the way, but keep the team moving forward. It is good to see the learning of guys who played the "bucket".

    Go USA!
     
  13. Suyuntuy

    Suyuntuy Member+

    Jul 16, 2007
    Vancouver, Canada
    An article about the coming friendly, from the Sambafoot site (Portuguese):

    http://www.sambafoot.com/pt/noticia...anos_onde_tudo_comecou_para_mano_menezes.html

    "Putting memories aside, the game this Wednesday is important for both sides. The United States come very confident after having defeated Scotland by a crushing 5-1 this last weekend. Before that, already Donovan & co. [they know Donovan didn't play that game, but outside USA the press often uses him as the symbol of the USMNT] had defeated the powerful Italy 1-0, in another friendly on February 29th.

    Now, they intend to keep the run and bring down another giant. Klinsmann should have the center back Oguchi Onyewu, from Sporting, recovered from injury. Midfielder Clint Dempsey, one of the stars of the team, also should make his return to the center of the field, in place of Jose Torres."
     
  14. Clint Eastwood

    Clint Eastwood Member+

    Dec 23, 2003
    Somerville, MA
    Club:
    FC Dallas
    Surely good preparation for Antigua and Guatemala :)
     
  15. minya

    minya Member

    Mar 27, 2008
    san diego, ca
    You can't press Brazilians, they are too skilled. That might be a suicide.
     
  16. FirstStar

    FirstStar Hustlin' for the USA

    Fulham Football Club
    Feb 1, 2005
    Time's Arrow
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    You can press anyone, you just have to be smarter about it against some teams. "Pressing Brazil" is much different than "pressing Scotland", I suspect. It's more opportunistic and balanced. In a sense, I hope to see us press Brazil the way the Italians would- in spurts and at key moments. Of course, I trust their central defense more than ours, but we'll see.

    Regardless, it's a friendly- we shouldn't get too up or down about the result (see, 5-1 v. Scotland) but rather about the quality of play (see total midfield domination v. Scotland). Winning is more fun, though. :D
     
  17. Ironkick14

    Ironkick14 Member+

    Sep 29, 2011
    Chicago, IL
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    that attitude wont win us the game, and who cares if we lose. Its a friendly. I would rather see good attacking soccer and a 3-2 loss than stagnant, defensive soccer and a 1-1 or 0-0 tie. A win would be great, but we stand a better chance of winning by playing exactly how we did against Scotland. We scored 5 goals without Jozy or Dempsey. Dempsey will be a sub today and Jozy may start. If we arent willing to take it to Brazil in a meaningless friendly, when will we be?
     
  18. Reccossu

    Reccossu Member+

    Jan 31, 2005
    Birmingham
    The US is very short compared to that stick.
     
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  19. Bajoro

    Bajoro Member+

    Sep 10, 2000
    The Inland Empire
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    The main thing we have to learn is how to recover defensively after committing to a full-throttle attack. Hopefully a lesson learned today.
     

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