Someone (Joya?) played in a nice ball inside the 18 to Gil and he shot a slow dribbler the goalie got easily. Could have maybe blasted it and scored. Soft shot it should have been better.
45+1' (of +?) 0-0 USA somehow get to 6m wide right, cross to wide-open Villareal at 6-top center. Awkward header, he pikes and tries to put it back toward the right post -- but glances it too square, and France clears. Joya collects at box top left, does cutbacks, shot blocked. 45+1' (of +2'?) 0-0 France counter long to box top right. O'Neill comes across and blocks ball high. 45+2' (of +2'?) 0-0 USA counter up the center. Villareal lays off at 25m center to Gil clean through box top arc left. Gil one-touch right instep, straight into Areola at 6-top center. He couldn't get any hip action to pull left post or curl upper right 90. HT 0-0! yaaay
Villarreal picks the ball up around midfield and penetrates into the final third of France. Gil makes a run out of midfield to Villarreal's left. Villarreal puts a nicely weighted pass into Gil's path from about 25 yards to put Gil in at 17 yards out, Gil tries to slot it first time with his right foot into the far corner but hits it almost right at the keeper. It was a very good chance.
Gil found space between their defenders on the break. Had a perfect ball slipped right to his right foot, but his first time shot was weak and directly at the keeper. He was contending with a fully committed sliding defender so I think that threw him off.
I'd say Hernandez and Rodriguez are the weak links. I'd rather take Rodriguez out and put Garcia on......................... Rodriguez is really not contributing.
0-0 pretty nice to be level still at half. USA does have the tools to get a goal or 3 here vs France...they're walking a cautious line for now, which is fine because they're breaking quick enough to still cause France issues when it happens. Good half from O'Neil, Gil, Yedlin....Torre doing a much better job this game so far as well, thank god.
US had a chance in the box but couldn't get a foot on it. France countered and it looked dangerous but was broken up at the moment of truth by a strong play by Shane O'Neill. The US, in turn, countered back and Villareal led a break and drew some defenders too him and slipped a pass to his left to Gil just inside the 18. Gil had some space but didn't get a lot of power on his shot and hit it right to the GK.
Lopez and Garcia on, Hernandez and Rodriguez off please. Joya and Garcia on the wings, Villarreal to CF and Lopez and Trapp in midfield behind Gil.
I agree but he's also playing as a wide midfielder he's no good there. That's why I think Tab should bring a CM on and shift some players.
Good half. Other than the spots that set pieces have been given up i , the defending has been great, night and day from the Spain game.
Our fullbacks are playing really well, as is Trapp. You can see the potential in our attack, but everyone is lacking that killer instinct right now. I could easily see us stealing all 3 points today.
The defensive effort as a team was phenomenal in the first half. If they keep that intensity and cohesion the second half should get very interesting.
I thought that we were very good in the first half. The possession isn't even that lopsided, its about 40/60 or 45/55. One thing that we need to do better is to take a few more shots. I think our attackers have not been very decisive. Whenever they have some open space, they hold the ball and wait for more players to get forward. It is allowing the French defenders to close our attackers down. They need to take a few more shots and test the GK.
Or losing all three. Anyway, the worst part of that first half was either Hernandez basically being a black hole, or Twellman referring to a hospital ball as a hospitable ball. That's a good sign.
Bonjour enverybody! Well, well not a great match of football. Boring. French forwards very weak, heavy touches. On the forums the fans are grumpy! Two nice opportunities for your team. Missed.... Well,elite football requires to be lethal in front of the goal otherwise punishment might arrive sooner than later. Fair result so far. Let's see whether the second half will be more attractive and if the French team raises its game (as they did against Ghana). I know they are wary with the heat: so maybe this lethargy was the plan ! (joke)
Gil and Yedlin seem to be on a different class than everyone else on this team. O'Neill was very solid. Torre held his own but every time France attacks the left side of our D I get very nervous. Need more from Villareal but promising end to the half. Rodriguez looks completely out of his league though, I'd bring on Cuevas or Garcia (if healthy).
Shocking. Don't give skilled fast players a ton of time and space. Swarm and play hard committed D. U don't look like an U12 team. I really think some BS posters of last cycle wrote the curriculum for each coach this cycle, from top to bottom, and then reality set in.
My thoughts on the first half: - Torre played a solid first half. He's doing what's asked of him but I still get nervous anytime he has the ball at his feet - You can see why O'Neill, Gil, Yedlin, and Villarreal are first team regulars for their clubs - Ocegueda's lack of pace at his position is a bit worrying - Hernandez and Rodriguez look like they have no chemistry and one or both need to be subbed off I'd like to see what Pineda can do. I think Danny Garcia might not be available for today's match after his injury last game. There was a little "i" next to his name when they showed the lineups.