Agreed. It's interesting though, all the pre game complaints about the lack of "vets" and here, we can find Keller, TT and Olsen at fault. I am very proud of the back line. and the two central mids.
It was a very good first half for the US. A solid mixture of possession and ball control. We even took a few shots from outside the 18, something that we need to do more often. Keller with some very nice saves. Crespo's goal was a very sweet play. Nice chip off of the free kick and even though Keller made the initial save, the D stood around and didn't mark up and gave up the rebound goal. Still all in all the US has played very well and and held their own. This has been a far more enjoyable match to watch then any Gold Cup match I saw. I hope the US keeps up this level of play in the second half.
i could see olsen getting subbed out early- been working his head off, and might be completely gassed... on another note i'm going to have these telefutura commercial jingles in my head all day tomorrow
Tim Howard... if you want the full time job at GK, then simply hang onto balls. Okay, so perhaps a bit harsh on the freekick, as two US defenders cannot possibly hold off 5 Argentines running onto it. Nonetheless, I do believe Howard's athleticism wins that battle. Also, Keller's near debacle on the corner kick two minutes from the halftime whistle could have been deadly. I agree about Twellmen for the most part however he and EJ when they do have and hold possession seem to have a touch of chemistry together. I wish GAM would simply take on the last two defenders more often... seemed to work the first time around. I have been impressed however with the overall gameplan and execution for the most part so far. Two disappointments however for me are Mapp's tentative play in attack (he could be a royal pain in the Argentina backline's ace if need be) and our distribution from Clark. Unfortunately for Ricardo, he operates very well with space to cover and right now the game is still a half-field game... one team gains possession, the other drops to half, and compacts. Looking forward to the second half. Cheers. GO USA!!!!
bennys pass was world class who else on this squad can or has hit a through ball splitting two Argentine defenders
For all the "Good" Bornstein is doing in shutting down Messi he sure left Veron wide ********ing open out on his flank to blast one on net that almost went in. Bornstein still can't cut it sorry. Wynne is clearly over his head. Mapp and Bornstein have failed to click offensively on the left and do anything. Twellman blows but hey what's new. Hate on EJ but he scored. Yea it pains me how he basically plays dead and gives away the ball without challange when Mascherano comes near him. But shit he won the penalty and converted it. Where the hell has Twellman been? More invisible than EJ who is at least making runs.
I don't like the empty bucket look we've pulled out...especially with no true right wing. It looks more like an empty bucket with a broken handle than anything. I'd like to see us sub out Olsen, shift Feilhaber playing beside of Clark, and put Klejstan (sp?) or even Hercules at RM to give us some width. I don't want a second half like Mexico had with Brazil, where Argentina just pounds us for 45'. I don't think we'd wind up as lucky as Mexico, and we don't have a two goal lead.
this is exactly what ive been screaming to my tv. he has the defender beat and all he has to do is make a slight cut inside or outside - but then he pulls up and, lo and behold, there are no streakers on either side of him because he is up there all by himself. just put your head down and run at the damn goal! i dont think he realizes that he is faster than those guarding him!
This is just a little game being played in the backyard. I'm sure that most backyard games are better than this. Argentina's defense is falling apart and cannot keep up with Johnson. US defense is doing very well for the most part.
Marvell Wynne screwed up on Argentina's goal. The whole defense stepped up and Wynne didnn't leaving Argentina onside.
Anyone else notice that Conrad-Demerit look a lot steadier against Argentina than Onyewu-Boca against everyone in the Gold Cup? Very interesting...
Not bad at all... The goal we gave up is just the kind of goal you'd expect a team that has just come together to give up...lack of organization on a set piece. In fact Argentina's set pieces have pretty much been our biggest problem. (Except for Veron's shot) Here's hoping we don't fade down the stretch...you know Argentina's bench will be more effective then ours
If Benny would've had a little more of a bounce on that ball, that would've been a great goal. He's starting to look like Stevie Gerrard out there.
Johnson is doing well with his runs. He shouldn't hold the ball up, just continue to attack and get shots off. Twellman isn't suited for this kind of match. I wouldn't mind bringing in Nguyen or Gomez. Wynne, Demerit, Conrad, Bornstein playing tremendously right now. Bornstein has shut down Argentina's one man attack SO FAR. i love the way the Univision announcers pronounce Bornstein.
While I agree that Olsen is slow, he seems to be the only person actually connecting on any of his passes tonight. And...he works his butt off. Also, I think the criticism of Wynne is fair, but some of his saving tackles after being beaten have been just fine. (I do realize that it's the fact that he's being beaten that is the scary part...but I think for a guy who has rarely played at this stage, he's doing alright). Finally...Twellman has to go.
My only complaint obviously is our lack of confidence in attack. We are not moving the ball up in numbers and EJ has had two chances to turn on his jets and go straight for goal and instead decided to stop and pass back. We need to move up in numbers and stop playing bunker, what do we have to lose?
Exactly! Grow a pair Justin. He can be great!! The only thing I can think is if BB told him to hang back and not get caught up top.