11/17: USA vs Jamaica WCQ post-match thread, N&A version {R}

Those are the only three in my mind, though I think maybe Cherundolo ought to be, all things consdiered.

 

Keep in mind we're holding Donovan to a much higher standard than Corrales. If Corrales had played like Donovan we wouldn't be saying he disappeared we'd be saying he played great. Donovan based on great previous games and is more skilled than anyone else played a quiet reserved game for him. He didn't look as forceful as in the past. Also keep in mind he was playing with Corrales and Ralston who did not hit Donovan when he was open and are not as skilled as other first teamers.

I still think Mullen should have started since Gaven wasn't there. He should play the C.Jones role. Late game winger who has more skills that Jones and hustles just as much. Also keep in mind they played a very strange formation tonight. Gibbs did not play left back. He was more of a left middie and Corrales did not play left wing. He played more centrally next to Mastroeni. It was a weird one for sure. It was more of a 3-4-3 with Donovan pushed up too. Not a good match for Gibbs who is not a winger and Corrales who is not any type of central mid.

 

Oh hell yes. Easily the best kit I've ever seen them wear.

 

Corrales and Mastroeni were playing as twin defensive central mids behind Donovan, so you wouldn't want Mullan playing that position. Better would have been Mullan on the left wing, Sanneh in Corrales's spot and Gibbs in the center of D.

 

Gaven was not listed on the U20 roster. Maybe he's out searching for himself a la Mathis last December or maybe he really did go fishing.

 

Will give my right eye for a winger.

Seriously.

 

By the way Apoo, watching Telemundo right now and they listed a time for the replay of the US game as 12:35am/11:35pm central time. I don't know where you're at, but check at 10:35, 11:35 and 12:35 and you'll probably catch the game at one of those times if you get Telemundo.

Right now it's St. Kitts and Mexico on the channel.

 

Spector had to be playing left back and Gibbs moved inside because he was doing the throw ins on the far side. Central Defenders don't run up and do that. Also his little fancy dance was coming in from the sideline way up the field. It looked at times he was playing centrally because there were times we had 6 defenders.

 

Final standings's points:

Group 1:
USA 12
Panama 8
Jamaica 7
El Salvador 4

Group 2:
Costa Rica 10
Guatemala 10
Honduras 7
Canada 2

Group 3:
Mexico 15
Trinidad and Tobago 12
St. Vincent / Grenadines 6
St. Kitts and Nevis 0

 

BTW, only 9k at CCS. What's up Columbus? I know it's a Wednesday night match with crappy weather, and it was a pretty much meaningless game, but come on. You better bring it for the hex.

 

And I'll give a right pinkie. Only for a right winger though. I like Beasley and Lewis out left. If we get enough body parts we may be able to have the technology to build one like Steve Austin the 6 million dollar winger.

 

If we can get a few good friendlies and a long camp, I wouldn't hesitate to put an all rookie squad on the field, or mixing in just 2 vets max. There is alot of talent coming through and the kids can play.

One thing concerns me though. I have LD written in ink as our #10 (so to speak). Who else can be an offensive threat from the center of the pitch? I see Reyna as a holding mid much more so than an attacking one. Martino needs to get a shot and maybe Gaven too. If/when LD goes to Bayer Lev and can't make a few of the friendly callups, I have no idea how we would perform. That position, RM and LB need more work in my opinion.

 

This is one of those matches where the no results from other matches rule is somewhat difficult because the result of the other game was so important as to how this one was approached (particularly from Jamaica's point of view).

 

YES

 

This was probably the last time Corrales will ever wear the USMNT jersey, he was just awful, nothing but a liability, I can't think of any logical reason Bruce would call him in or even worse start him. Ralston wasn't terrible but still he isn't that young either so I don't expect to see much of him anymore. Albright played suprisingly solid, nothing spectacular but no glaring mistakes either, I'd still choose Dolo over him though. SAnneh was off and on, his passes weren't that accurate but he still did his job. Gooch did alright for his first cap, I don't think his first yellow card was deserving, just some bad luck. He'll definitely get called in again, he has to much talent not to. Dempsey looked shaky for the first 2-3 minutes he was on the field but then he settled in and played well. Spector didn't blink once while he was on the field, he took the game in stride wasn't intimidated at all, he looked real composed out there, probably has the best ball control at his feet then any other defender we have. A bit dissapointed but I guess its ok, at least we didn't lose. Hopefully Bruce saw the game the same way we did and won't call up the wrong players anymore.

 

I really can't believe I am going to say this....

Albright was the MOTM.

I can't believe I said that.

 

unfortunatly, I don't think my cable package has that. But I'll check it out and make sure...thanks for the heads up!

 

Well, Twellman won himself some consideration there, too.

Joking aside, I was surprised to find Albright to be the most composed amongst the back three.

Has any other US player ever been ejected on his debute?

 

No. Spector played DM. Spector had a number of runs up the field and Mastro was withdrawn to CB to replace the reded Gooch. Dempsey played LM and Gibbs was at LB.

Interesting, he looks like the new JOB to me, but I expanded on this already.

 

Maybe he shouldn't do so many back flips.

 

only 4 players have played a true central attacking midfield role for USA in recent memory, Landon Donovan, Clint Mathis, Bobby Convey, and Kyle Martino did it for 60 minutes against Cameroon in the ConFed Cup. If Convey looks so bad that Bruce doesn't even name him to the gameday roster after flying in from England I don't expect to see him there anytime soon - or anywhere really, and Martino I don't think is strong enough to play centrally at the international level for 90 minutes. Mathis? the best I can say abot him is that he is an enigma

 

I assumed Spector was playing left back in a four man back line with Gibbs and Sanneh playing centrally and Albright still on the right.

 

I was telling Kasey to go right... seems he didn't hear me.

Corrales donde estan las vacas?

Albright representin' like he belongs in the mix.

Mastro really is aww dat an'a bag uh chips.

Sanneh's a stopgap.

Dempsey has a future.

Spector has a future.

Grown Ass Man keeps getting it done.

Gooch will have learned a lesson tonight.

McBride will always be McBride.

Bruce Arena starts Johnson and Gooch, subs in Dempsey and Spector, yet he'll still get hammered by the moron nut-jobs about how he ignores the yutes.

Buh-bye Dyr Maker.