Feel like this is the first time I've seen this vintage of the u20s where I'm like, "could use a traditional #9." That said they're starting to work some combinations.
mcglynn has shot blocked by own guy at top of the box, then cuevas with a really nice low cross to far post but just missed connecting with forward. better play the last few minutes.
Horrible play by the US in the first half, notable how Clark had a nice counter with someone open in the middle only to pass through the avenue. As i say that, US scores.
He hasn’t been great but it’s also his first time playing with the U20s with this group so there’s that to consider too.
He certainly flashed in qualifying, but I watched him with NYRB after and it just always seems to look sloppy with him. Like the ideas are definitely there and he can creat chaos because of it, but the conversion to useful on field play has been missing.
We sucked for 43 minutes and then learned how to play the game last 2 minutes. Cuevas to Gutierriez in extra time. Invasion of the bodysnatchers..who took over Mcglynn, Gomez, Gutierrez, Craig and Alvarado's bodies?
Brian Gutiérrez u20 goal vs Peru pic.twitter.com/A6q05MifNq— FalseFullback (@FalseFullback2) September 21, 2022
McGlynn was solid to excellent during the qualifiers. He was also solid during his club minutes. In this game, he is a shell of himself. Is like the boys just got off the plane.
I'm hoping to chalk that first half to sports psychology and not some trend. We don't know why it happens in sports but the total spreading of something intangible through the team to make everyone move slower, think slower, make physical and mental mistakes at rates much higher than their mean skill level have applied to their soccer play in a very long time. Every player and coach sucked in that first half.
Well, there was a massive 7.6 earthquake 48 hours ago so maybe they're still getting their feet under them. As someone who made it through the bay area one back in '89 (and had friends who had the misfortune of going through that one, and then going through the LA quake in '94 as freshmen in college), it does make you a little sketched out to say the least. Sounds like there were very few fatalities though (probably because it was Coastal) and it sounds like they were fine. Not sure if people even in felt it in Mexico City? Anyone know.
very tepid first half from the US - not sure how much was the field....seems a rather "off-the-beaten path" pitch didnt look like the team would even get a shot on goal in the first half but picked it up a lot in the final 5-10 minutes the shape of the team is weird....huge gaps between the lines....almost playing without a center midfield, it seems.....reminiscent of some bad games under berhalter most of first half.... both teams not really creating much of anything peru is better in the duals...winning a lot of 50-50 but not dangerous, overall backline too cautious and too deliberate with passsing....thus unable to get much going in attack doesnt look like the team from qualifying at all...which is weird cuz this was supposed to be a stronger roster this is where Varas can show what he's got as a coach....adjustments will be key....us is better than peru...but peru's gamesmanship and approach was better first half....
I'm not going to say that goal at the end of the half takes away what happened the first 35 minutes. The last 10 minutes were better, but we were terrible the first 35. They look so disjointed. Misplaying too many passes, no energy, poor positioning, stupid errors, can't keep hold of the ball. I don't think we should overreact. These kids are U-20. These games happen. We struggled at this tournament last year. They are playing this game in the middle of the day in Mexico City (not always easy). Saying that, I expect better. Peru isn't a bad team, but it should not be that bad. Regardless, hopefully that first 35 shows us that we aren't playing these CONCACAF minnows anymore. The games only get more difficult. We shouldn't be too content with winning the qualifying tournament.
you mean Edelman??? does pukstas even play for NYRB?? I was underwhelmed by Edelman in qualifying after reading the hype on him....