Guys who play in MLS (Gonzo, Besler, Zusi) looked very very comfortable in this game. That is a HUGE deal. MLS players can play in big games without freaking out. I think the Rubicon has finally been crossed.
I noticed both Honduras and Costa Rica were sprinkled with MLS players in the starting lineups. CONCACAF teams are getting a boost by having their players get experience in MLS. The USA had success with a combination of MLS and European-based players against Mexico; the other teams are also using this formula. It also appears the Hex is starting out to be very competitive as a result.
The last 6 years have boosted the quality of MLS. The international game is now seeing how the MLS has improved the game in this region. It will only get better. 2007 changed a lot for the region and it continues to grow and get better. Good observation.
I noticed this last night as well. I think every player on the field last night is either in or started in MLS. You pepper in the best players from Jamaica and Honduras and you get a region with very strong internationals from or currently in MLS. It is a good thing for our national team to see empirical evidence of a stronger domestic league.
Good point OP. The MLS players definitely belonged on the field last night. A good marker for quality of MLS play.
MLS got a bad rap with USMNT fans after the 5-0 results in the '09 Gold Cup. Since then, I've seen so many people suggest playing Euro players out of position rather than resorting to playing MLS guys; people pining for Edu to move to CB because Gonzalez and Besler aren't ready. We need to trust and value our domestic players.
I'm sure Morrow would have been fine, especially since Beas was giving us all fits with a somewhat terror inducing display in the first half.
MLS has really boosted CONCACAF and not just the US team. Current or recent MLS players on other hex teams: Honduras - Costly, Boniek Garcia, Espinoza, Martinez, Bernardez , Najar, Bengston Panama - Perez, Sanchez Jamaica - Ricketts, Taylor, Watson, Richards, Johnson, Cummings Costa Rica - Miller, Saboria, Arrieta, Wallace
Despite the rest of this being true, Roy Miller completely undoes this argument alone. /kidding //sort of ///seriously, Roy Miller sucks
I agree with you. I honestly would've preferred him. I'm glad it worked out, but was more taking a dig at the U.S. coaching staff because I would've rather seen the MLS all star left back instead of the left mid who falls down from a slight breeze. We got the desired result, but I disagree with the process.
Yeah, this is the point I was going to make. In the past, alot of these guys would be playing on one of the 2 or 3 dominant teams in their home country and playing a bunch of 2nd rate teams most weeks, with maybe 2 or 4 big, competitive matches per year. Now they're playing against good teams week in, week out. And that's why Mexico has 3 draws and is in 5th place.
This was a surprise to me, also. I also remember the Beasley at LB experiment the last cycle at Saprissa. I wonder what JK was thinking to go with the Beazer?
Think four years down the road--having MLS teams and academies will begin to pay dividends for our frosty friends up north. I think it's quite conceivable that Canada will be in the Hex the next time around. The question is: Which one of the present teams won't be?
it is really the only part of the roster i can nitpick, while i love DMB, Morrow just made more sense to counter the threat. but hey it worked. Next time hopefully Morrow gets the go
Panama imo. They are still in their golden generation, but they are towards the tail end of it: Felipe Baloy - 32 years old right now Henriquez - 31 Blas Perez - 32 Luis Tejada - 30 That is a major core of their team and success...they have some good up and comers but once those dudes are gone there is going to be a major void.