For the WC, looks like we need to move Cameron to CB with Besler, Parkhurst at RB and F.Johnson at LB.
This is what my dad keeps bringing up every time we watch a game in which Omar plays. He's trying to do WAY too much. His best games are the ones where he dominants his man and cleans up any cross that comes into the box. Now he's trying to play from the back, and go toe to toe with the other teams forwards even if they're craftier or speedier. That doesn't suit him, and frankly, if he can't do those things I dont know if he is a WC player. It's a real conundrum.
Of course he's onside. It's absurd to argue differently. The only point that can be made in regards to the screen caps is that it was close. But close isn't offsides, Offsides is. Don't see what the screen cap posters are trying to argue here, he's clearly onside, and any ref that thinks different really needs to hang up his whistle.
But did he show well enough for an extremely promising 18-year old who would undoubtedly benefit from traveling to Brazil this summer? I think the 23rd spot would be a good investment for his future.
Arriola is on and off with playing time with TJ. Let's also remember this is Green's first appearance ever. For comparison purposes, Yedlin looked nervous as hell and pretty poor vs. South Korea's B team back in January and tonight versus a decent Mexico squad he put in a pretty good performance on a much bigger stage.
A few thoughts. *I am shouldn't be surprised, but our CBs look really shaky. I agree with the majority that things Goodson+Besler pairing deserves more of a chance by JK. *Dempsey spent so much time on the floor tonight. What the heck is wrong with him? Very little brilliance, I think he needed to play in Zusi's position to be more effective. I just don't see heart in him. *I haven't determined yet what happened in that set piece goal. Beckerman's man got free, but I am not sure if they were zoning and Gonzales was supposed to collapsed unto him. *Jones and Bradley oozes a lot of technical ability and skill, but Beckerman and Bradley are like peanut butter and jelly. They are just better when they are together. Jones's individual skill still suits better the US team against elite teams. What a conundrum. *I am a fan of Yedlin, and I hope him and Gil see a great World Cup in Russia. Also, I don't think Beltran should make the world cup at all. Despite the better pace by Yedlin, I still think Beltran played better tonight and I am surprised people think otherwise. Beltran combined better with the midfield, his crosses were more accurate, had an a assist, and caused Layun to drop back and delaying more his offense. Yedlin doesn't have the experience that Beltran has yet, and it showed. *I am not buying the hype on Green yet. I really don't get it. He looked unpoised, tried a few fancy passes but went nowhere. I think the second goal happened because Green got caught ball watching and didn't cover the passing the lane that created the first shot attempt in that sequence. His few moments of brilliance were very few. The only break I can give him, besides being raw, is that I think Green was playing LM and it doesn't seem to be his natural position. I think Gil would have been better than Green, but I am glad we cap-tied the kid. *I was dissapointed to see so many fresh legs and very little moving forward by the players in the last 20 minutes when Rimando wanted to restart the attack. Playing it safe? *This draw feels like a loss.
Respectfully, you're putting too much emphasis on facing European competition in the case of Zusi. He's played consistently average to good for the national team, and you can only fairly evaluate him against his competitors. I know you like Bedoya, but Zusi has been the better player. He's not a new Donovan, but he's shown enough and been consistent enough that he deserves more respect. You're knitpicking Zusi to a degree that just isn't warranted.
"@FrancoPanizo: Klinsmann says Donovan is bothered by a left knee issue but also didn't train well yesterday, which led to his benching. "He had no tempo.""
No, his falling over drives me insane as well. His staying down too long makes it worse. I'm with you there. Decent in the 1st= he was combining well with Bradley and Beckerman, playing the ball out wide and moving well. He was moving the ball quickly when he got it-the other thing that drives me nuts about him is when he holds onto the ball and dances around. He wasn't doing that at all, and it was a big reason why we controlled the play. The 2nd goal doesn't happen without him playing a good ball wide to Beltran. Decent /= amazing. Just decent. And maybe my expectations are coloring my view of LD in the one, but he just looked off the whole time. He made some really odd, really slow decisions off the ball, and that isn't like him.
If Shea gets called into the May camp and ends up having an impact as a sub in those friendlies, I want him on the bench. For how poor his club situation is, Shea still produces for the NT. Still is a good spark to have. And, he's pretty experienced against top NT's as he's played at Belgium/Italy/France/Bosnia and had success against Mex multiple times. That experience can't be ignored. We still don't know how a number of NT guys will show against top competition, whether it's Zusi or Omar or Evans or Besler among. Can even add Mix and AJ to that. We're stacked with inexperience. Club form needing to be good for callups is generally a good rule of thumb. Brek might be the one guy it doesn't apply to and if we're down against Ghana in the 75th min, would you really want to bring Green off the bench instead of Shea? Green was a bit of a dear in the headlights tonight. Shea has produced at this level numerous times, club form being good or not.
I get that but it's still higher level than Green is getting at Bayern 2. I would wish both were given a look tbh.
The ball out wide to Beltran was good. We needed more of that. Agree that he also didn't hold the ball too long. But I just don't think his incisive play was present. Still looks rusty to me and trapped in his head. I'm still concerned about him. Agree on LD for the first 15 minutes. Thought his last 15 minutes he settled in and looked better. Still on balance, for the 30 I would call it a poor game even relative to his LA standards for the first 4 games he's played in. He looked just fine against RSL twice and in CCL. Odd.
- He was 9/14 passing which is pretty decent..I counted two that were a bit aloof...for a player's first appearence ever with only 30 mins to integrate himself...that's not bad. - The second goal was more Beltran applied 0 pressure to the crosser and Omar was caught in no mans land...Should you ever play the ball in the center? No, but 35 yards away from goal...that rule starts to fade. I'm not sure how he got caught ball watching? - LM is where he plays with us (Bayern Munich's senior side) and he's played well (preseason, Sao Paolo friendly, etc.) - Gil plays a different position - Green also almost got in a good scoring position with a nice Dempsey through ball - Also almost drew a PK (or what at least should have been a FK in a very dangerous spot)
Beltran got a chance at the Gold Cup, and he looked bad. He's not even one of the best RB's in MLS. He doesn't deserve to get called up the National Team. Yedlin is the best RB in MLS, and played much better than Beltran in this game. Beltran was constantly caught out of position by through balls and speedy wingers. He didn't look good enough for this level. I paid special attention to him, and I thought he was the worst player on the field. Yedlin deserved a chance in this game because there is a good chance that he is the best current RB besides Cameron. Beltran isn't a top ten RB in the USMNT player pool. I think that Wondo is better than EJ, but not better than Agudelo and Boyd.
I just have to say, passing under 65% at the professional level is NOT "pretty decent." It is poor by almost all measures.
Personally, I think that making a case for Eddie Johnson's ticket to Brazil based on how good he is on set pieces is not very cogent. When Eddie Johnson is not involved in the average four or five set pieces during a match, what else is he bringing to the table? Useless step-overs and getting stripped of the ball? He has speed - yes, but doubtful his speed will give him an edge over the best teams.