It gets "owned" when we play big teams (and in 2002, many people would say we outplayed Germany when we had McHead as targe forward). A big target forward against Latin/smaller teams seems to work pretty well (again refer to 2002 Portugal).
But none of them can hold the ball like Ching. Don't you remember how many possessions we gave up in the Confederations Cup, simply because Altidore couldn't trap the ball properly?
I have seen Ching play so much for the Nats and this Gold Cup was painful. He has lost his speed and I really am skeptical as to if he can be an effective player on this level anymore, and at 31 why bring him to the Gold Cup where we are testing our young talent?? Am I the only one who would have liked to have seen Marcus Tracy instead of the likes of Arnaud or Ching? Why not? Even bring in a Jerry White(was he called to a preliminary roster and then cut?). Before it's all said and done would also like to see Special Eddie Johnson get another run with the Nats(I still pray that one day he starts to understand the game better and not seem so lost all of the time).
1. It's an open question as to whether Ching can trap balls at the speed of the game as played at that level. 2. Altidore created goals and drew penalties.