First i was just wondering if anyone could clear up a few things for me please. First, I was just wondering if someone could shed some light on the match vs the Netherlands for me. Was is a friendly? also how did we fair against them. i know we lost but i heard we played well. Did Gibbs "shut down" RVN as i am hearing? Secondly, the match against Germany in WC02' I know we lost that one too, Im also just curios as to how we played in the game. Thirdly, What do you think the Backline will be in WC06' Who would work the best together and be the most productive. Lastly, Do you think any of our young players have a legitimate shot to play in WC06' (ie Gaven, Adu, Szatela, Johnson, Buddle, Esky, etc) or should we jsut continue to heavily anticipate 2010? which i personally cannot wait for. Thanks in advance
We played badly beside the last 10 minutes. The only good player is Reyna and Beasely did OK. All others not doing too good especially McBride who cannot held the ball. We did great in defense to kill almost all Dutch's attack. RVN is totally shutdown by Gibbs. The player killing us is Robben who keeps kill Hedjuk and scored the only goal in the game in a tough angle. The problem is in offense. We cannot string three passes together. Reyna is the only one can held the ball. In the last 10 minutes, Berhalter did few good long balls. Convey wasted one chance and Beasley wasted two. We can tie that game and even steal a win, but we are not playing good at all. The Germany game is different. We should beat them 3:1 if Donovan knows how to finish. For 2006, Adu has no chance with his current playing level. Gaven maybe get a sub spot. Szetela is depends on how good next season he will be because he is physically ready (different from Adu). Eddie Johnson is a lock if he keeps improving with current rate. Tough for both Buddle and Esky depends how other guys--McBride, Ching, etc. doing. I think that Spector maybe a lock if he can quickly secure a starter job in one of EPL team beside Man. U.
Correct me if I am wrong here, but I recall the US played a really strange formation against Holland with a midfield slated toward left and Hejduk was all alone on the right flank. You have to wonder what made Arena think that's the way to deal with Robben.....
What was wrong with Donovan's finishing in that game? sorry, but i wasnt a soccer fan AT ALL back then
I agree. One moment I still remember from that match is Donovan striking an awesome shot, low and headed for the side netting, and Kahn diving and at full extension managing to tip it away -- it was really an amazing save, and I didn't see how Donovan could have done any better with his shot. Overall, I thought the U.S. looked great against Germany, and were unlucky not to win...
Hejduk had Reyna with him on the right, and other than that the US overloaded the left. But Reyna spent most of the night chasing Davids all over the park, so basically Hejduk was all alone. And Robben scored the loan goal, didn't he?
I think the clinical name is Oliverkahnitosis which renders one's scoring ability useless. The antidote is Ronaldotin, but we don't have that here in the U.S. You have to go to Brazil for that.
Robben made Hejduk look stupid on the goal. That puts Hejduk on a long list of defenders that Robben has/will make look stupid in his career. Volz's name was added to that list shortly after he was called up to the German full national team.
what language is this? anyways: 1.gibbs was great in the holland game, his size and mobility provided problems for RVN all game long. if anyone follows world soccer, they would know being beaten by arjen robben 1 v1 is nothing to be ashamed of, hejduk should have had more help. 2. donovan and most of the team were great against germany, just happened to be beaten by the man who was at the time, the best goalie in the world(oliver kahn). donovan beat his marker and went in on goal, released a great shot low and towards the corner, and kahn got a finger on it, an amazing save. germany also had a handball on their goal line that wasnt called. 3.adu would have to improve alot, he has the ability and his speed would be a great spark off the bench, but right now its a longshot. 4. as for the forwards, i think johnson, wolff, and casey will be there, and that doesnt leave too many more spots.
There were some great 1 v. 1 battles on that field and unfortuneately for the US one was Hejduk vs. Robben. Other than that we held our own.