I figured we could start a thread for tonight's game. Final tuneup before the Netherlands game, and could be the deciding factor for RSL's trio. All three RSL players are starting. Hopefully they make a good mark on Bradley's roster. Here's the starting lineup: [LINEUP-4-4-2]Casey, Findley, Davis, Beckerman, Kljestan,Rogers, Pearce, Bornstein, Goodson, Evans, Rimando[/LINEUP-4-4-2] Subs: Perkins, Wynne, Marshall, McCarty, Cameron, Gaven, Pontius, Cunningham, Ching. I'm predicting a 2-1 win for the US, and Findley with a brace. Have at it!
Canada 3- Russia 2 my prediction for tonight's action...... Hope the boys play well tonight.... but frankly nobody cares and very few will watch.
Ching MOTM with honorable mentions to Kljesalkdjf;alskdjf;alkstan and Pearce. Findley wont be on the roster that goes to Netherlands and will not be going to SA. Rimando did his job, got hung out to dry on the goal. Beckerman struggled at times but settled down as game went on. Ching, as much as it hurts to say, is going to take that other starting spot unless Davies comes back
I agree that Ching increased his stock quite a bit last night. I think he and Pearce played the best last night, with Kljestan getting some nice touches as well (although he did miss two freebie goals). Findley didn't play his best, and the injury won't bode well with Bob. I think Conor Casey played himself off the list last night. I understand that the target forward is supposed to hold the ball up to allow for others to make a run, but he is then supposed to make the pass. Casey held the ball way too long, didn't make the necessary passes, and turned the ball over too much. It doesn't pain me to see him go. Overall, I thought the passing was terrible. Way too many balls passed right to El Salvador. Glad they salvaged a win, but the drop off between the A and B team is staggering.
Agreed. Robbie Rogers in particular made some horrible passes. The kid oozes talent, and had some great set pieces last night, but most of the time he appears clueless out there. I'd still probably rate him as above average with the group that was out there, but he could be so much more. It's hard to argue with Kljestan or Ching for MOTM, but I thought Pearce showed the best quality from start to finish of any player on the pitch.
I still take Findley over Ching. The difference being that Ching has nothing that the other people in the same position don't. Findley brings serious athleticism, fitness, and speed. Ching is just a watered down version of every other forward.
Really? I think Findley is an incredibly one dimensional forward; who, without speed, has nothing. I hate Ching's guts, but it only took a few minutes for him to make an impact on the game, and Findley had absolutely none.
Not a rabid USMNT supporter (I hold my nose & force a grin)... ...but between the two... Ching 200%. I sincerely wish the answer was different. But it's not. Bradley knows.
I take Findley WITH Ching. Pairing two guys like Cunningham and Findley is a waste - too similar. Casey didn't seem to be playing the right balls to Findley so I think the jury is still out on Findley. In order to take advantage of Findley's strengths you have to play balls behind the defense that he can fun on to... then his pace becomes a big advantage. He also has one other strength - he's composed in his finishing. Findley RARELY blows his finish, he's good with both feet and he doesn't overcomplicate or overpower it (unlike Yura). Findley is a poor man's Charlie Davies - if Davies is 100% then you don't need Findley... Ching is a target forward and is very good in the air, but likewise he's not going to blast past the last man either. Findley should be making runs off the target forward just like the Klejstan did off Ching on his goal. In the U.S. 4-4-2 the two forwards need to be complimentary not cut from the same cloth (so to speak). Conor/Ching/Altidore are the typical "target" forward - big, strong, not necessarily fast, but good in the air / in a crowd / with a good shot. The other type of forward should be the quick/fast player who does a lot of the unselfh running to pressure/stretch the defensive line AND get balls played to them where they can take advantage of space. This is where you get Davies/Findley/Cunningham. I actually think Findley has a good chance to make the roster because he brings another dimension to the existing forwards IF Davies is unhealthy. EDIT - If you look at 90% of the goals scored by Findley the opportunity is created by his quickness/pace. It's ENOUGH of an advantage IF it's used correctly. I still think Findley would be a great RW in a Dutch 4-3-3 or the FW playing off the "Target Forward" in a 4-4-2.
I agree wtih jessyca, Findley is in the MLS for a reason. With speed like that, and being that athletic, one would only have to haev a mediocre touch to play somewhere in Europe. However, Findley's touch is so awful and inconsistent that coaches dont want to take the risk. His touch usually kills any speed (see him blow past the El Salvy player last night just to have his 2nd touch go negative and kill the space he created). Ching has the experience that a lot of the other players lack, and it shows a ton. Last night was a veterans dream, just slide into some holes, and make the pass, get it back, and score. For some reason, nobody on the US could seem to do that in the final third. Then a veteran came on and took full advantage of it. Rogers showed a lot of potential, but his decission making is atrocious at times. Taking a shot on the near post when 3 other players stand inside the 12 waiting to just one time it into the net... thats horrible. Also, deciding to dribble far too much (like Casey) when an early cross every now and then does the job so much better (thank you Pearce for proving that). I am honestly amazed that Findley is going to the Netherlands game. I think that the potential strike (though it isnt official I know) had a lot in making that decision. Also, it was interesting that Ching didnt make the roster. To me that signals that Bradley already knows what he is doing with him, and IMO that is taking him to SA2010.
The Ching last night is quite different from the beaten up and injured player we saw last August. He looked like the player form a couple of years ago. Findley's tendonitis has to be a concern, but I guess not enough to leave him off the roster for next week's game. I was surprised to see him on the roster for Holland.
Yep. Then it does become questionable... or 85% or 95% (I hope) However, if Bradley wants to bring 4 strikers on the 25 man roster (is that how many they bring?) then I guess you have: Altidore Davies (say 90+%... he seems to be recovering very quickly) Ching (target man) I think it starts to come down to Conor Casy or Findley type choices and there is where I'm not sure Findley loses because you have 2 BETTER "target forwards" and Casey doesn't have the speed to make runs off the ball and beat anyone. It's about the compliment of players you have up top. I agree he's probably not the right tool for the job you describe above. I think there might not be many opportunities where they U.S. is down in the England side of the field and Ching needs service to get a header on a ball... So, you want Findley helping defensively and Ching holding the ball up at times or RELEASING Findley into space. I just don't know if Altidore AND Ching get the job done better than Altidore OR Ching coupled WITH Findley... because ONE thing Findley can do in the England game that neither Altidore or Ching can do is outrun John Terry in a quick counter attack. That's my point, ít's not the expectation that Findley is a quality first choice for 1 of the two starting spots in every game instance... he just gives you something that you don't get with Altidore/Ching/Casey/McBride or any other target man type forward. The USMNT used Landon Donovan this way against both Spain and Brazil in the confederations cup and in both cases it worked brilliantly (they just couldn't stop Brazil from scoring more goals). If I were going to have a bunker and counter strategy against say England, I wouldn't necessarily want to waste Donovan at that spot... OR, more likely, I might have a one dimensional role players like Findley as a back-up plan rather than have 3 deep of various quality for the same role/type target man forward. Hence, I think this is why we see Bradley continuing to look at Findley as a roster option. It's not a statement that Findley is the 2nd best "striker" in the U.S. pool but rather with a possibly injured or out Davies he may be the best complimentary player to the other 2-3 strikers. That's all I'm saying.
Dont think that Bradley HAS to take 4 "forwards". We are deep at mid (sorta) and he could classify Dempsey and Donovan as "forwards" if Findley isnt up to par. Its not about taking the 4 best forwards but the 23 best players that can make a complete squad. I would personally rather see some guys in the midfield get a nod over someone like Findley. As much as it pains me to say, Kljestan is the type of player that should go over Findley. The guy has shown he can play at the level (be it only for short stints, but he at least does it). 3 GK) Timmy, Guzan, Haneman (sp) 8 DF) Gooch, Boca, Dolo, Demerit, Bornstein, Spector, Goodson, Pearce 9 MF) Cakes, Dempsey, Bradley Jr, Edu, Feilhaber, Holden, Torres, Kljestan, Clark 3 F) Jozy, Ching, Davies
I get your point, but when I see 3 forwards and those 9 midfielders I'm not sure I agree. I think Bradley will bring 4 forwards at least... perhaps not Findley.
Since both Donovan and Dempsey have proven able to fill the forward role, I don't think you can count out the "many midfielders" approach as a possibility.
Sorry but last night Ching was a game changer and showed much more than Findley did. With only 3 forwards called in for next Wednesday match in Holland, Findley will have another chance to show what he has got and I really believe he has something to show. Robbie Roger's showed less than nothing and was for me the most disapointing player last night.
I liked Ching's face when Rogers opted to shank a shot instead of passing the ball far post for the guy running on (don't remember who it was). Ching put his hands out, and had a look on his face that screamed, "Seriously?! You have two guys running on to an open goal, and you choose to shoot near post with the keeper standing on the post? Seriously?!" It was priceless.
That's the problem... the USMNT is full of solid midfielders. They have tremendous depth there and there is a point of diminishing returns. Obviously, coach Bradley sees some reason to take Findley to Holland - and I think it's the reasons I pointed out previously. Findley may not make it but teams aren't about the 23 best players but about the best combination of players.
Yeah. I saw that too. I'm always surprised when I see players at that level making such poor decisions.