well he says the American's never really threatened during the match...seems from my memory that we had more scoring chances than Mexico. and on his comments about things that could improve american soccer.....duh rehashing things that have already been brought up millions of times.
Am I the only one who gets sick of hearing that Brian improved from his loan spell? Give me a break. He was a great player before he went there, and he's the same great player now.
Actually, that was the kind of article much in vogue four years ago. It also seems rather dated now. The current team seems quite capable of winning games on a short ration of chances. Not scoring on Mexico seems less significant than gaining the shutout. I can rember a half dozen dangerous situations where a US goal could have resulted. If this were something other than a meaningless friendly, it might be cause for concern. As it is the article seems more like mental self-flaggelation.
My first impression was sustained by reviewing the tape -- Mexico had the advantage in ball control through the midfield; we had the more dangerous scoring opportunities -- or MORE of the more dangerous scoring opportunities. Whatever.
He certainly seems to be sharper than he was before. Brian is one player who benefits from having quality around him and raises his game to match it.
We probably don't that we've been adopted the Italian style of play that is taking advantage of fast the counter attacks
Agree wholeheartedly on most points made by the writer. He was wrong about who created the more dangerous chances though. Funny oversight.
Here's an e-mail I just shot off to soccer365.com ************** Re: Snowden's "Lackluster Mexico Draw Highlights U.S. Inadequacies" I wanted to respond to Richard Snowden's article "Lackluster Mexico Draw Highlights U.S. Inadequacies." His view is a tired old Europhile refrain about the inadequacies of US Soccer. Here are the facts: --MLS is improving, every year, year after year. --MLS tried to be a league as a pre-retirement home for aging international stars. This approach failed. The League is now doing what it SHOULD do: give young and gifted US players a chance to play 1st division professional soccer. --McBride was a quality international level player BEFORE he came to Everton, and remains one AFTERWARD. His Everton gig was not a source of improvement, but rather confirmation of his existing gifts. --I don't know what game Mr. Snowden was watching, but the USA created more dangerous chances in the match at Houston. --The USA will always play Mexico the way we did at Houston: cede midfield possession, present an organized disciplined defense, and strike with the quick counterattack. That how we beat them in Columbus in our opening hexagonal qualifier, 2-0. That's how we beat them in the knockout round of J/K, by the same score. This is the reason why over the last 7 games we are 5-2-1 against them. Watch this dominance -- on the scoreboard, where it REALLY counts -- continue. --Our "inadequate" youth system is producing dynamic young stars like Landon Donovan. There are more coming...many more. In sum, enjoy while you can the "damn with faint praise" attitude. The USA is coming to get you, we're going to ascend the ranks of the world's premier international teams, and we won't look back. We suggest that, given such backward looking articles, Mr. Snowden do the same. Regards, Karl Keller
Karl, you're an optimist. You overlook the glaring deficiencies that the team has: What's going to happen when we face a REAL team. ************ Mexico. They are world nobodies, ETERNALLY 2ND TIER. They are not our goal. Yes, we have made progress. But we are nowhere near elite level yet and still have a long ways to go to get there. Just because Brad Friedel can win us a few games doesn't mean that we have our fair share of the run of play....our current style of play is dependent on not giving up the first goal. If that happens, we're going to lose 18 times out of 20. Continued bitching like this needs to happen, so it can hopefully open people's eyes up.
Hey, I didn't say when, did I?? I've said this before on the boards, and it's worth repeating. In 1999, I happened to have a nice conversation with Charlie Cooke, the great Scottish international. He's living in Cinncinati. I was bemoaning our performance in '98, saying that we've got so far to go in so many ways. You know what he said to me? "The United States is going to be a powerhouse in international soccer, and it's going to happen sooner than you think."
the u.s. needs better ball control, better quick passing skills - better touch in general. i think we all agree that that's a true statement. mr. snowden might have been a little harsh, but he was telling the truth!! it's possible to acknowlege our growth in the game without being blind to the areas we are still behind in.
I am not concerned unless Bruce contiunes with the Mastroeni - Armas center mid pairing. Obrien, Reyna, Convey, and Martino would have all added sharper passing in the middle of the field. With Wolff or another speedster yet to play (Ed Johnson, Adu etc..) Donovan can also play the vital central midfield position as well. I also wouldn't mind seeing Twellman paired with McBride up front and Donovan in support. Twellman can finish in the box, he is clearly not a playmaker however. I trust that Bruce will figure this one out come 2006.
Mexico world nobodies? If they hadnt played the US in the second round, i could have easily seen them going to the quarters at least, possibly the semis. They were on at the World Cup, easily one of the top 3 teams after the first round, so long as the US continues to get better, Mexico will be forced to get better, and the rivalry will be advantageous for both countries. And I am all for a strong Concacaf.
And that's the way it should be. It can only help both countries and help strengthen regional soccer.