I watched all the goals for 2013 and Jones did some nice assisting, if Jones can play like that and 'destroy' like the game against Jamaica in the midfield; I pick Jones, but all the games since summer (minus Jamaica) to now he has been off and on, even within one game. The D-Mid spot needs to be up for grabs if it isn't already. For the USMNT Bradley as more offensive D-Mid is much better. We can use that passing to go somewhere other than backwards.
If Geoff Cameron starts at RB going forward as a result of these 2 friendlies, I'd call them a success. I love Shea, but he is a 75 minute sub and nothing more. Only use him when you have to, otherwise he should ride the pine. But I want him on the team. I don't think these friendlies were as bad as most think, if we weren't robbed of the goal our outlook would be completely different. We had plenty of chances to score today, but we just didn't. I think when this team can say that without F. Johnson, Dempsey, and Donavon on the field, it says a lot.
Beckerman was definitely who I was thinking of too. He isn't flashy, but you know he will at least be in front of the back four and has played well with Bradley. I also like Mikey getting the chance to roam forward a bit too, which having Beckerman in the lineup allows.
I think 2014 Jozy is clearly better than 2010 Jozy. His link up play with other players has improved. Here is a very anecdotal example of that improvement . I'm not sure Gonzo = DeMerit. Gonzo might be better in the air, but I don't remember DeMerit making so many mistakes. I also think Cherundolo at right back > Cameron. Cherundolo in 2010 was an offensive weapon at right back and occasionally trotted out at right midfield. Cameron is decent on the ball, but I don't think he is as threatening going forward as Cherundolo was. Sadly, I'm also not sure Mix > Benny. Benny has/had a guile with the ball that allows him to play at a very high level when he is/was focused. We do however have Graham Zusi, who has been impressive for the US and possibly Brek Shea, who has shown moments of brilliance coming off the bench.
The opposite of what was suggested could have worked too, at least for this match, which is Bedoya pinched in and Shea out wide instead of the reverse. I would think that would have been obvious given the strengths of each, Bedoya while a more technical player isn't a crosser, doesn't have much pace and prefers linking more centrally while Shea is more a vertical player who wants to exploit his pace out wide. Neither were set up to succeed tactically by JK, along with AJ. What also didn't help was when anyone did drop more centrally to hold up they had few options, which of course Doyle didn't go into. All three, AJ/Shea/Bedoya were dropping deeper and centrally to try to get involved due to our mids playing too deep themselves and not providing quick enough service to the flanks or up top but when they did there were few options. The entire setup was off today. It's all connected, as much as people don't want to admit it or refuse to look at it.
I also question whether or not our mids were comfortable passing with Shea and/or Beasley. I'm not sure if it was just positional or what, but that whole side was rarely shown the ball when we were attacking all through the first half. Partly I feel, because Shea was messing up a bunch, but also because I think that our CB's and Jones+Bradley felt much more comfortable passing the ball around with GCam and Bedoya.
By my count, they had 2 starters earning their first caps, Hinteregger and Hinterseer. Wimmer got his first cap, but it was as a sub in the 92nd minute. Zulechner also earned his first cap, but it was as a sub in the 85th. Other than that, it was Austria's first choice team, most of the starters from their World Cup qualifiers.
Alaba was quite good, but I wasn't overly concerned about him for long portions of the match. Goddamn it, aside from one little bit of good attacking play, we pretty much blunted Austria's attacks... Frustrating, and it's a loss that we didn't deserve...
I think this match really helped to identify what should be our back four assuming everyone is healthy: F. Johnson Besler Gonzalez Cameron If Beasley or Evans are starting in the WC our opposition will eat us alive on the wings. Also: 1. Shea is not sharp and needs to get games. Right now he's suitable for sub time only. 2. Jones's form is a problem 3. Bedoya is useful in certain situations but doesn't provide the end product 4. playing short corners with four 6'4 players seems like a waste.
Come on guys, we all know this was a sabotage effort from Hertzog to help out the motherland, even if it was a friendly ... nothing to see here
I agree...I'm not a fan of Evans or Beasley especially with Cameron putting in a fantastic performance tonight, but... Who do you propose we put at LW if Fabian at LB? Dempsey - out of form and has noticeably lost a step or two LD - Want him at RW...Zusi at RW will leave our RB vulnerable (see Jamaica w/ Evans) Shea - Super-sub only Brad Davis - Not happening
The starting 11 for me at this point: ---------Altidore----Dempsey ---Donovan------------------Zusi ----------Cameron---Bradley -Johnson-------------------------RB ----------Besler------Gonzalez -----------------Howard RB = one of Lichaj, Parkhurst, Chandler, and Cherundolo Donovan and Altidore taking pks. Zusi and Donovan on most dead balls. Altidore on direct free kicks are the area Donovan providing creativity out of midfield Zusi providing pin point crossing out of midfield. Cameron providing a more effective shield for the backline.
Better question is 'is he sharp'? His sharpness has dropped off since going to Sunderland. He strikes as the type of player who needs to be playing 90 and playing well at club level to be sharp for internationals. He was sharp when at the Metros and sharp when with AZ. He is a better player now than 4 years ago but the sharpness isn't there.
Notable Performance Evaluations: Bradley - As usual THESE days, can't say a bad word about him. He's steady as she goes. And he plays killer balls over the top on occasion. Omar - I thought he was our best player today. He had one major gaffe as is common, but outside of that made a # of hero stops, and stepped up frequently at the end to break up counter-attacks and keep us in possession high up the field for a chance at the game equalizer. Shea - He keeps reinforcing that he sucks as a starter. His touch isn't good enough against fresh opponents. But we shouldn't throw the baby out with a bath water. Performances like that don't say anything about his benefit as a super sub, using his speed against gassed opposition, who are providing him more space. Jermaine Jones - Sadly, that was one of his better performances in the last year plus. His tenacity at breaking up attacks was good. But he was 2nd best on ball winning. His passing was inconsistent. And once again he's drifting up, preventing Bradley from doing it. Jurgen won't give Cam a shot to prove he's better in that role. He said it's his best position. Listen to your player. Eddie Johnson - he sucks against anyone with a pulse at doing just about anything but rising for headers. His decision making is painfully slow and bad. Cut back, send an early ball in, don't dribble the ball over the end line, and go into retreat mode. Give us something outside when you're standing in front of goal. I wouldn't like to see him going to Brazil. AJ - To a lesser extent but like Brek, seems to have questionable touch and decision making in the starting dynamic. I wouldn't say the nail is in his coffin as a starter, but the door is shut, and now he has to bust through it like Dracula. Right now looks more like a super sub. Not a serious threat to Dempsey, Donovan, or the other vets. JAB - should have cleared the goal, and was dropping too deep. Others had to play the hero too much for him. He can go to Brazil, but has done nothing to stake his claim as a starter or rotational defender, yet. Cam - came up with some hero defensive plays, and came forward with purpose at times. But he's only serviceable at this position, IMO. His crossing is lackluster, he doesn't get forward far and quick enough, and his defense is passive. He doesn't get beat badly, nor does he kill attacks. As I said I like him more at CDM where he destroys aggressively and goes on hero runs up the middle like a poor man's Yaya Toure. Bedoya - he's just a guy. Doesn't really make any glaring mistakes, but also is not standout at anything like passing, shooting, speed, invention, etc. I'm fine if he makes the 23, but let's not get it twisted that he's any more than insurance. Beasley - he's still not instinctual enough as a defender, and his lightweight stature plagues him on both ends. In this game if somebody challenged him before he got rid of the ball, he'd almost just concede as to say "I know I'm too much of a weakling, just take the ball, you got me". Lichaj - give the man a chance beyond 10 minutes
For a former winger, Beasley is incredibly ineffective pushing forward. He almost always loses the ball when he gets it in the oppositions half. One would think that attacking would be the biggest plus to him playing left back.
Yeah, I concur with a high majority of your preferences. My only question is how to arrange the midfield, if you're going to start Zusi. He has trouble getting a step on the outside to send in his beautiful crosses, and defending end to end. I like him more centrally where he can play balls sweetly on the ground as he's capable of, short precise crosses, and shoot from distance. To make that possible, it might best serve us to play a diamond. Zusi could be the RCM. Bradley the LCM. Cam the CDM. And Lando the CAM. Lando can shoot to either corner to provide with, and have some speedsters catching up at fullback to support him. Speaking of which, Lichaj and Chandler should get more of a chance to be one of those speedster fullbacks!
Beez was at his best at PSV a wing forward playing on the counter off an mid in the CL. As a midfielder he's got great work rate and is tactically smart. Not a ball handler. He needs to play off creative types. If he's a fullback you wouldn't want Brek Shea in front of him.
Zusi had nice crosses for goals against Jamaica and Germany. He has quick release on this shots. He's not Arjen Robben. It's more about getting him the ball in a good position rather his breaking ankles or blowing past people.
much like already said, Shea is bench nothing more at this point. But lets focus on Jermaine Jones......we really, really have to start looking at options. Bradley-Jones is hitting Gerrard-Lampard status. I hope someone emerges out of Camp Strudel. It is just getting incredibly.....incredibly foolish omitting so many potential MLS candidates. theres just so much talent not even being looked at. its a shame.
Just finished watching. Haven't read the thread. My initial comments... 1. Mix's streak ends. 2. As in his first start, AJ only makes a case for him to be a sub (IMO). Maybe it's the position he played or nerves, but so far in his US appearances, AJ has appeared far more comfortable as a sub than a starter. Posters suggesting he should be ahead of Dempsey are way premature. And I'm really high on AJ. 3. GC at RB - good job Klinsi, now learn from it . Only complaint of GC is he doesn't seem to know the concept of switching - in the second half there were times Shea or Altidore were wide open on the left and he played a short ball in the middle. 4. Jozy challenged a header at 62:21. 5. Did Bedoya pass to anyone besides Bradley (rhetorical question - I know he made about 6 passes to other players). 6. I've never seen Shea as a starter, even if he's game fit. Still the same. I can see value in him running at a tired defense though. 7. Still too much possession for possession's sake for me.
I like the 4-4-2 and Cameron in the middle. I only have Cameron at RB because he is best option at the moment. Not sure how you can leave Bacon out of the squad with the goals he is scoring at the moment. This is how I would go without Bacon though.
The problem is you need someone who is an ankle breaker centrally to draw 2 defenders and set him up, then. Who is that for us? It's not Bradley, that's for sure. I'd say AJ, but he's not in your lineup, and you aren't playing a withdrawn striker. I think Donovan would be your best midfielder at it these days. His dribbling has been better than ever. But he's all the way out left, too far away to link up with Zusi. As is, I think the RM has to do it himself, and Zusi's cross rate at that position has been rather low. That's why I like Zusi more at RCM, and Donovan at CAM. Shorter crosses/passes, and Donovan can set him up in space. Then the fullbacks can maraud forward to provide more width.