So, did we just give the Colombians some good game tape or what? Is this a ruse to lull them into a false sense of security?
These 2 friendlies was a pathetic display... I couldn't believe my eyes.. These are talented players and to go out there a lay a shitty effort and performance is mind boggling. Something is going on behind the scenes is only explanation.
Unfortunately, I don't see it that way. There was a gulf in talent between these two teams. That's even more depressing than if it was just something "behind the scenes." This group did lose AT HOME to Honduras recently. I'm not sure why folks are surprised that we looked bad on the road against Brazil.
We didn't have a chance in these two games fellas. Not to mention. We were missing our top players....not sure what you guys thought was going to happen here....that Brazil side is very talented.
Wow. Not sure why you schedule Brazil if they are going to have your top players and you're not. Has anyone else got the feeling that Cropper drops at least two catch-able balls every game? Most of these players are too young or not up to this. Sure hope they can figure out the right guys quickly. I'm really hoping the MLS season and especially now the playoffs are contributing to certain players not getting a chance and not a lack of awareness of those players. Would love to see a Trapp / Acosta pairing in a 4-2-3-1 type system and some burners at outside back seem a necessity if Colombia has the same type of backs as Brazil. CCV is better already than O'Neill as are probably Zimmerman and Parker and of course Miazga. It's time for the US to make demands for some of the center forwards who never seem to be released.
After watching the first game between these two, I never considered watching one second of this match.
why does everyone say CCV is better than Miazga? i just dont get it......one guy was probably one of the better CB's in the MLS this year and the other was playing U-21 games....i think CCV will turn in to a great player as well, but Miazga just saw the field at CB on the MNT....thats no small feat at 20.....although i think i just misinterpreted what you were saying, but whatever lol
Did Brazil have their top players? Its worth noting that Colombia finished ahead of Brazil at their qualifying event for the Olympics (which in their case was the South American youth championships). In theory you schedule Brazil to give the players a feeling of what Colombia will be like. I just wonder if this was a real confidence crusher for the group. These games weren't even contests. There's not one aspect of the game where I felt our kids were on the same level as the Brazilians. That's not a shocking statement..........................because its Brazil.
Don't know for sure but they commentators talked like they were. For what that's worth. Who are our best and more importantly what formation and players are best to go against Colombia? Knowing the opponent gives a good chance to pick a system and personnel to combat that as I doubt Colombia changes anything to go against this US bunch. That actually could be a benefit if used.
If we assume all players available (may not be the case with Morris, Yedlin, Brooks, Miazga, etc.), something like this? We'll probably go a bit defensive in the away leg, though. ------------Morris------------ Green------------------Rubin ---------Gil-------Acosta--- ------------Trapp------------ Miller---Miazga--Brooks-Yedlin ------------Horvath------------- Who the hell knows? I'm as pessimistic about this group as I've been in a while.
The display by the U23 MNT against Brasil yesterday was the worst I have seen any National Youth team older than U15s. While the players are talented, it is obvious that there is absolutely NO SYSTEM in place. The least experienced U17 team that I coached a few years ago knew more about closing down players, spacing, cover, balance, support than what was on display yesterday. Unfortunately, it was obvious that it wasn't just about a few new players in the lineup. And it simply emphasizes that even though a player might have been great on the field, it doesn't mean you can just put them in charge of a team and it will all work out. There is a technique, art, and a whole lot of knowledge and experience in coaching and, frankly, I saw NONE of that yesterday. This team is in shambles and something needs to be done immediately. I would be flabbergasted if they qualify for the Olympics. Do we hire a highly experienced assistant coach that actually employs the structure for success while still letting the head coach save face? It's happened before on a full national level. Maybe this is a one-off and we had an amateur day out there, but I've seen enough futebol to see otherwise. If it was just a limited time during the game, that would be different. But for the entire broadcast portion of the game, our play was pathetic. There were 11 players on the field, and no one was on the same page. There didn't appear to be a system in place and no one worked to support each other. No combinations, no intelligent runs, no anticipation. Players were acting individually and the play looked completely reactionary and haphazard. I'm not faulting the players ... they played hard, but the coaching staff HAS to install a system to give them at least a fighting chance to be SUCCESSFUL. AND THAT ... AINT ... IT!!!
What's so distressing is we started preparations for the Olympic qualifying so much earlier this cycle. In the previous cycles it really was a haphazard, last-minute type of a deal. It was never a surprise that the team played as if they'd never played together before. To some degree, they hadn't. This time they really tried to make the U23s a real team that got together more often for training and games. And they still play like they've never seen each other before. Its alarming....................
It does look this way. And, as a consequence, our teams at all levels suffer because we have no idea how our teammates will be playing in any situation, let alone a specific defensive or offensive circumstance. It's obvious to me that US development is failing, and I put that on the coaching staff.
Coaching plays a role in all this, it certainly does, but I think some are using it as a crutch to ignore poor player development and the clear gap in quality we're increasingly seeing across youth competitions. Sure we have a handful of quality prospects, a CCV or Miazga or Zelalem or Pulisic, but by and large those are exceptions and there's an enormous drop off after them and we've got numerous players who don't belong on the same pitch as our competition. Guys like Alashe, Shelton and Polster....SMH. That's a lack of talent issue. Fact is, there's very, very few 18-22 yr olds doing much of anything in MLS. There's very few 18-22 yr olds doing much of anything overseas as well. So why would it be any surprise our youth NTs lack quality? By comparison, and I like this stat, the Ered last year had 29 players 22 or under who scored 3+ goals, many scored 10+ and the majority, domestic. Name a single player U23 eligible in MLS who's scored three goals. You can't. Not one did.
Acosta has three goals and two assists. Manneh is close to being eligible and has seven. Larin was once eligible wasn't he? Your point is valid but you have to include all leagues as not every Dutchman plays in Holland. Surely some of the U23 US Euro's have at least three.
Also Marco Delgado scored 3, Serna had 3, and there are a few more at 2 (Pfeffer, etc). In terms of abroad Americans U-23, none to my knowledge have 3 or more goals this season. Assuming you are only talking about senior teams, if we include youth squads then you have a bunch. If you include the USL and NASL, a few more could be added like Lassiter and Belmar ( I think he is eligible)
The 2011 team that played under Porter played a very nice proactive, 1-2 passing game. Their undoing was injuries, lack of stamina (training) and/or player rotation between games. This group doesn't seem to be able to play a cohesive game which falls into the coaching staff fault.
the only age group that played somewhat proactive was u-20's. The thing that un-did us at u-20's was the need for a destroyer, but we played well and almost won, i still havent seen team oriented pressing yet from any age group