http://www.soccer365.com/_365_Features/page_121_111006.shtml As always an interesting bit of commentary from Richard. Comments?
"Few observers will give the Yanks any chance against such high-profile talent, but the U.S. team played respectably against Italy in a 2002 friendly and has improved since." I believe this game was given to the Italians by a bonehead defensive mistake by quasi-American defender David Regis. Who bascially earned himself off the WC 2002 with this performance. " while a back four of Steve Cherundolo, Carlos Bocanegra, Cory Gibbs and Eddie Lewis should be able to cope with most threats, particularly with a superb veteran like Kasey Keller behind them. " No Gooch? And like I have stated in previous threads. Lewis on the left is interesting to say the least. " Without doubt, the U.S. team's task will be a very difficult one, but if the Yanks can cut through all the hype and prove that the 2002 quarterfinal run was no fluke, they will have earned the right to be called world class." Amen to that brother!
I just re-watched that Italy-USA game the other day. USA easily could've been up 1-0, Donovan hit the post on a break, and Reyna & JOB had the Italians chasing. Armas had (a very fatigued) Totti under wraps. Also notable is the fact that during the game Jack & Ty mentioned that "an Armas injury in May before the world cup would be disasterous for the us's world cup hopes". They jinxed him but blessed us!
Good article. I'm liking the way our MLS/Euro mix is shaping up. The fact that the MLS'ers are in mid-season form in June will nicely compliment our Euro talent.
Is MLS really worse competitively now that 2-3 years ago? And, to be honest, nothing he said about Donovan hasn't already been discussed here. We're all hoping LD can produce his best form in the WC...
mastroeni, donovan, johnson are about the only mls guys I see starting... it's a mostly euro based mix, with donovan and johnson clearly being top league talents... mastroeni as d-mid is in a unique situation... and with bocanegra, convey, o'brien being the top 3 sub possibilities, it becomes even more eurocentric.... I agree mls is better now than in 2002.
I think that Snowden is pretty much dead on with his analysis of the situation. We're going to find out if we are a real power.
The bonehead mistake was being grabbed with two hands by the waist and thrown to the ground. My friend the Azzurri fan still laughs at the 1-0 result, and freely admits that was an only-in-Sicily noncall. As he says, "In Serie A, that's a foul even for Juve." Regis had some royal screwups in later friendlies, but in that game he got jobbed.
The Donovan thing has been beaten to death. It's clear how he is: he can get up for the big games (for US or club) but sometimes disappears in regular season matches or less-than-tournament US matches. So what? I'm not exactly worried about him having trouble getting motivated to show the country of Germany that he can play the game. I'm not sure that MLS is a lesser league than in 2001-02. But I don't think it's improved much, either. The problem is that there hasn't been enough personnel turnover or fresh foreign talent. It boggles the mind that Leo Cullen and Brandon Prideaux and Steve Jolley and Mike Petke are still on MLS rosters when all they've gotten is older and slower. And Jeff Cunningham is still among the top goalscorers. Maybe he's right on this one.