Do you mean next week in Mexico? I could see that formation, but not as a general rule. I also wouldn't start some of the guys you pencil in because of the smog/altitude problem. Specifically Cher on the wings wouldn't last a half and with Pope not playing much lately... actually we need a higher fitness level team in Mexico if we want to have a chance.
it seemed to me that the US was hiding something, i think BA knew Mexican and Guatemala were spying on us. This was the game where Bruce trying our midfielders, that's why we had formation 3-5-2 not 4-4-2.
I was at the game and tend to agree with most of the assessments given above. Noonan was the best all around on the field in my book (not to knock the GAM in any way), and he's versatile (LM was a surprise to me). I think he's got a good shot at getting into the team as a sub if nothing else simply because he's versatile and not scared to take it to someone (even if it was only M. Reyes). Regarding Ching, I thought the service was non-existent for the most part. I can recall Johnson serving a sweet cross in the second half, and Ralston with a couple pinpoint forward passes, but not much more. Ching's dependent on decent service, which wasn't really there today.
I agree with this notion when it comes to Mathis.. I just don't think the US' style of play can afford to have such a luxury around at times.. Mathis was very dangerous on his few chances today but something that got overlooked by the Bretos/Sullivan tandem ( ) was that on Mathis' first shot on goal, he had a simple touch pass available to Eddie Johnson who would have walked in on goal without a Catracho in miles of him and he decided to shoot instead.. I don't have a problem with being aggressive with shots outside the box, in fact, I think it's one of the US' biggest offensive weak spots. But on this occasion, I would have liked to have seen a clever thru pass for an even better opportunity to score..
Ching had a great chance that he blew by shooting at the keeper's chest. That is something that happens at all levels but I hate to see it at this one. The ability to over-ride the automatic inclination to shoot where you are looking when you are looking at the keeper is a learned skill (imo) and it has to happen in a small part of a little bit of a fraction of a second sometimes. Also it didn't help that when he did shoot wide of the keep he also shot wide of the goal. Still a great player (imo) just had a not-so-good day. Any thoughts on Cannon not getting a full 90? Busch did against Colombia as a point of comparison. Joe hadn't made any mistakes or even been tested so far as what I saw in the first half. Hartman had a great save but just maybe if Cannon was still on it would have looked a little less great because he makes the difficult look pretty easy sometimes. On the replay Hartman did appear to bobble it a little before he smothered it but regardless of who was keeper the breakdown on the shot they got began elsewhere up the pitch. I was a little disappointed right after the match because I wanted more dominance but a win is a win and they have probably noted some things to polish this week as the Euros trickle (flood) in. Mostly secondary players at altittude in a friendly does not predict much about the next match(es) with multiple variables changing.
Some one compared Bergkamp to Mathis...decent comparison in style. They are poachers. In "games that count," why not put Mathis up front with EJ with zero responsibilities besides bulging the back of the net?
I hope that Mathis is played as a withdrawn forward with Donovan in midfield. Aiming for a point, for the first half at least go 451 and then maybe change tactics in the second half as necessary.
Didn't Ralston have similar hype after a good run in the Gold Cup a couple of years ago? Color me skeptical, but a couple of solid performances in these "B" side friendlies at home isn't exactly going to get me screaming for more Steve Ralston in my life. I think he is what he has been for the past 5 years, a very solid MLS player but far from spectacular. Can he be a sub? I guess, but I think Eddie Lewis does the same job a bit better. I expect Ralston to fall back to earth soon as he always seems to after these peaks in form, not that earth is a horrible place for him, but I'm not sold that earth includes a regular spot on the USMNT's top traveling squad. Don't get me wrong, these friendlies have been plenty useful. They've showed us that Mathis still can have value to the USMNT, that Martino is probably a lost cause for a variety of reasons (not the least of which being his conversion to forward under GA), but most importantly they have allowed us to blooden some young MLS talent like Borchers, Marshall, and Noonan (who probably won't feature much in the Hex if at all) while continuing the development of Dempsey (who might play a important role in the Hex). I think friendlies like these are great; but I wouldn't put too much stock into the performance in a veteran like Steve Ralston wrestling away a spot. Same goes for Mathis, and if he plays in Mexico at all (in fact, if he even makes the bench) I'd be shocked.
How could Hejduk be fit? - he's been too injured to play the last two games. The same for Pope. I don't see how he can play in Azteca. It's got to be Euro defenders or Marshall/Kotschau/Borchers. Or Mastroeni.
Imo, Ralston made more dangerous passes than anyone else in the game. The guy showed attacking vision and smarts today. I'm not saying he should be in the starting 11 but I think it is unfair to say he hasn't improved in the past year or so. just my 2 cents. i guess i take issue with your term "hype" ... based on his play i think accolades are appropriate.... but each their own.
The attack. Well. I saw very little attack in that game. Mathis has skill, but I don't like how he fits with my idea of a good attack. He doesn't work hard & his decisions are questionable. I think he gives about 10 good minutes per game - not enough. Donovan should be the A-mid (duh!), and maybe Clint could be the backup, if needed. The problem with having him on the bench is that he's not that versatile. I would take Eskandarian over Mathis any day. Eddie Johnson is a good player, but still raw. He looked like he was limping out there for about half the match - did anyone else notice that? But he still had some gas in the tank at the end of the game. My favorite play in the game was Ralston to Ching to Ralston for the missed shot. Ralston was dangerous but didn't finish that time. Noonan gets a big thumbs up for a spot on the bench. He played very well & was my MOTM. I really think we have some problems at forward. I don't think Brian Ching is the answer. I like having EJ out there, but his passing could be better & he's inconsistent. I think we need another speedster/poacher out there with EJ, someone like a Beasley or Donovan or Wolff back in the day. Maybe there's a kid out there who's going to surprise us & be a great breakaway threat. It may just be Beasley. And our depth at forward could be better. I would have liked to see Twellman for Ching in the 2nd half.
What team did we play again? I saw Borchers hit a slightly driven longball that the defender headed away that fell to Mathis about 50 yards from goal.
As I've mentioned before, I think this is a result of him playing a deep midfield role. You saw what happened the one time he had a chance to go at a guy on the dribble: great move to fake him out of his jock before whistling it past the far post. I want him trying that a dozen times a game, not once. He can't do it playing as deep as he did today. But, oh lord, does this kid have technical skills completely out of place for an American player. Just the way he receives the ball is completely un-american. This kid is not a defensive midfielder for any National Team outside of South America (well maybe Holland). Putting him there restricts far too much of what he's got going for him when we already have perfectly suitable players for that role. He'll get his tackles in regardless of where you play him, so move him closer to goal.The McBride role beckons... Noonan was excellent though I'd be concerned about using him on the wing in a match where we didn't have so much possession. His pace isn't great, but the game played into his hands today as we had the possession of the ball in front of Honduras most of the match, and as you can see he excels in those situations. Clint Mathis appears to be reduced to being a threat only on long distance shots. He had good ideas on some of his passes, but mostly lousy execution. Ching didn't do much for me except work hard and play smart. He also missed a couple of very good chances and missed them badly. Convey was wretched. Martino was a little better but not much. The sweet nutmeg which drew the yellow late was priceless though. Ralston was Ralston. Would have liked to have seen young master Gaven in the match.
Is everyone forgetting that Donovan or Reyna will play that position? Mathis will be on the bench, if he makes the cut
Re: USA-Honduras post-game, the attack (R) I really think Ching's minutes were a final test to see if he belongs and I think he will not be in Mexico. EJ - will obviously be in MEX but I still feel he's riding and very large lucky streak and will benifit from it. I think the true story on him is in the bad passes, poor tough and not much 1v1 ability. However, that doesn't matter if he can continue putting them away. I would like to see him take McBride's place and pair him with a speed forward As for Noonan & Ralston. They are in tough positions. Ralston may make the cut because he can play half or defense. Noonan has to deal with the Lewis/DMB problem but still should make the cut. I for one am not that big a believer that DMB adds that much to the attack but most don't agree. Granted his speed does streach the defense at times but his horrible crossing, substandard passing and poor skills cancel the speed factor. Arena seems to love the guy so I'm sure he'll start. Mathis - tough spot for him. With Donovan and Reyna available, I can't see where he fits Dempsey will be in Mexico
I was not impressed with Mathis.he hit one very good shot, but his work-rate is poor.It just sucks, and that hurts when you are trying to presure a team, as the US does. One of our strengths is the speed and fitness of our players. We make it hard for the other team to play 90.Yet Mathis trots over the field at a snails pace.He is a good player, but really stands out on this team for his crap work-rate.
Re: USA-Honduras post-game, the attack (R) Sigh....ridiculous. Let me guess, Twellman has a better touch, better passing ability, and better 1v1 ability, right? EJ's touch and passing are actually pretty good. Unbelievable. I guess that's DMB's cousin over there at PSV scoring goals, taking CK's and free kicks, making assists.... Granted, you're entitled to your opinion, but GOOD LAAWWD...get a clue.
Good post. However, I think his game improves somewhat with Donovan on the pitch as they both played for the Quakes and know how to work well together. He did miss two shots that I thought he should have put away and his first touch needs some work but overall I'd give him a C+ for the match.
Re: USA-Honduras post-game, the attack (R) The thing that bugs me about Mathis is that he's always talking to the refs. I think he should shut up and play the game.
Noonan looked great. Unfortunately he looked great on the left wing, where we already have an embarrassment of riches. I have seldom seen a guy not named Cristiano make a defender look that bad, that many times. I thought Dempsey was passable but he didn't play to the level I was expecting based on all the things I'd heard of him. I did like the fact he was trying some longer shots, although he needs to get them on frame for that to be effective. For the first 20 minutes and the last 20, I got the feeling the team was executing the same plan we'd see in Mexico City. Lots of concern with keeping possession (with varying degrees of success) and not giving up a chance to the other team rather than attacking the goal. In other words, it's the dreaded 'Anti-Soccer' that Mexican fans always gripe about. Ralston, Mastro, and EJ are likely to start in Mexico, based on their performance. Some of the others have a chance.