Convey vs. Mexico I had a class and wasn't able to see the USMNT's "friendly" against Mexico, but after checking out the USA boards I find that Convey came on late in the second half and played somewhere between very good and sensationally. I think he was in the middle of the midfield. Let's hope that Ray was watching!
He provided a real spark in the midfield and the attack after he came on in the 66th minute. On what I think might have been his first touch he made a great run down the left, executed a slick little move to get by a Mexican defender and hit a beautiful cross into the box for McBride whose touch sent the ball all the way to the right side of the field for a throw-in. Let's hope this ends the experiment in defense. On another note, Stewart wasn't terribly effective. But he did take some CK's. They weren't bad. (That's a hint, Ray! Did ya' get it?)
Re: Convey vs. Mexico everyone seems waisting his talent, i knew he played so good at midfield (better than as a left back), i watched him in U-20 and during US-Brazil friendly, i think he should start the match at midfield period, thats my opinion.
Convey did play very well, but I wouldn't say sensationally. He used his speed against tired defenders very effectively. He consistently beat players on the dribble. He made many very good off the ball diagonal runs. He played defense well--an increasingly common occurance for him. As soon as he came in he blew by one defender and managed to get a cross off while being closely guarded. The cross was perfectly on-line, but it wasn't high enough to head nor low enough to finish with a foot. McBride got a knee on it, but that was all he could do. It was a brilliant play by Convey, and if it had been higher or lower it would have very likely been the game winning goal. But, Convey still does not show for the ball enough. He seems to be improving in this department, albeit slowly improving. When the team finds him with the ball good things consistently happen. In this regards he's a lot like Donovan. But, Donovan has progressed to the point where he makes himself available consistently, whereas Convey is still learning how to do that. IMHO, during the run of play Convey has the best crossing ability of any US player. His crosses are driven, accurate, and he has the uncanny ability to get a cross off while closely marked against almost anyone. His decision making going at goal is also very good. His short passing game is stellar, and his timing on his runs and passes is extroidinary. But until he demands the ball and shows for it, he's not going to be the first choice in the center. He has the most talent there, but he's got to start imposing his will. Hopefully, Hudson lets Convey get experience in the center, so that he can develop his skills. IMHO, Convey was a stellar substitution, but Klein was at least as dangerous on the right wing. -Digital
Convey looked good, and not just because he was wearing white cleats (white cleats at 19, that kid must be good), anyway, he looked excellent, as Tron pointed out, he needs to get more touches, but, when he did touch the ball, he looked amazing. The question of where to play Convey is going to be very important and confusing in the coming years. How do you fit Convey and Martino in the same lineup?
To be fair, I think McBride was trying a no-look pass to the right side of the goal. If we had someone there, it would have been brilliant. But we didn't, so it went all the way to the sideline. He didn't have much time when he played that ball, so I thought it was a good idea.
Convey played well, in my opinion, and seemed to play without pressure. Hopefully he saved some of his spark and drive for this weekend.
actually earnie did a lot of hustling back on defense, including a key tackle in the box to win a ball on a guy who broke through. he had one nice run on offense right after the half and then seemed to spend the rest of the night out of the offense and back helping with the defense. especially after bobby came in for masteroni and then pushed up much more than pablo did.
Well, we could have tried them out at DC United if Hudson hadn't drafted the Cartographer... Imagine Convey and Martino in the middle for us...
He needs to take the corners for DCU. I wouldn't say Convey is wasted on the wing since he does cross well, but he clearly does better in the center. Unless DCU has an eye on a new mid to replace Marco next season, it's way past time to start letting Convey gain experience. And if they are going to use a SI to take Marco's role, trade Convey for a striker. Better for DCU, and better for the USMNT if he gets a chance to develop.
Convey is wasted on the wing because the sole purpose of a winger in this unimaginative offensive setup is to run forward and get the cross off, and we don't have an aerial threat in the box (during the run of play) who can convert them.
I thought the game SUCKED. So lately most of us have seen 3 0-0 draws. That's the 2 0-0 DC games at home, and the 0-0 Mexico game. There's no reason why Convey shouldn't show for the ball more. That's what forwards and midfielders must do. The attitude should be "give it to me and I'm gonna kill the defense" Watch Real Madrid. Figo, Zidane, Ronaldo, Carlos, Raul....all these guys are like GIVE ME THE BALL and I'll make something happen!! And they're ok w/making mistakes-they don't play scared. That's why they are among the BEST IN THE WORLD-they FORCE things to happen. That makes them draw attention and by doing so they open up space for their teammates Did Convey had a good game yesterday? No. But then again I give the whole US offense an F. In a home exhibition match w/60,000 people in attendance, there's no excuse for why they shouldn't have produced more scoring chances and a goal.
I've blasted Convey repeatedly for his play at left back and I still think that he is not suited for that position, but it's not his fault that Arena has played him there. He does get a lot of credit in my book for his play yesterday in midfield, however. He looked quite good on both sides of the ball. Congrats to Bobby on a fine performance.
A good part of Convey's problems in getting the ball for DCU is that all roads lead to Marco, and he just doesn't get it enough. I've seen him many times, all alone out on the wing, waving his arms, while Marco plods along.
I've seen Bobby calling for the ball wide open in space many times...we then are too slow to switcht he field..taking 2 or 3 touches to switch fields..or marco plays a ball into a crowd. Or they hit a ball int he air tha tmost of the time Convey isn't going to win against a bigger defender.
I just want to say that I agree Bobby had a great game last night. This cross into McBride (which has already been mentioned in this thread) was a amazing. He had absolutely no room to get it off. As Tron (I think) suggested, it would have been better if it were a little higher or lower, but I think the reason Brian wasn't able to do anything more with it was that he just didn't expect Bobby to get it off. Watch the replay, he looks surprised to see the ball coming and threw his knee up trying to get some sort of touch on it. I'd love to see Bobby run the show in Marco's absence against KC. Cherno
I'd just like to point out that twice Stewart during the run of play had to tell Convey where to go and once Armas did the same thing. Convey did make a nice move down the left side which deserved a better finish, but neglecting the fact that the other players were having to explain to him where to be positioned on the fly doesn't leave me saying he was excellent. I did think he looked more comfortable when he floated out wide than when he got the ball in traffic in the center as well.
3-5-2 -------Martino Beasley-----------?????? ---Convey----- R. Clark Maybe we'll see something like this for the Olympics.
You're talking about guys who've played together maybe 4 or 5 times as a unit...it would be of much greater concern if they weren't talking to each other and directing traffic, especially with the guy who just entered the game As for the showing for the ball...it is almost a Catch 22 for Convey in playing the wing, where he has a very definite defensive assignment and not a lot of cover. Offensively it would be great if he came to the ball and demanded it, but on the turnover he is responsible for that left flank and he has to either cover it himself or know it is covered. If you're Bobby do you come to the middle and assume Marco will pick up the flank for you when and IF he gets you the ball?
In fairness to Bobby, this was right when he came in for Mastroeni. Those guys were more likely pointing out his marking assignment and what to watch for. Adding what they'd picked up on the field to the instructions he got on the sideline from Arena and Myernick. Bobby was excellent last night in attacking the tired Mexican defense and tracking back to mark the dribblers. He made a number of good runs to space to draw defenders away from other American players (one in particular where he freed Donovan up for a shot from distance that Landon passed up on). I agree with the sentiment that he still needs to show for the pass and demand the ball some more, and I think that will come with more playing time on the National Team. With United however, he should already be demanding the ball and showing for the pass. When this part of his game falls into place, he will be a monster in the middle.
I'm not a troll. I just wanted to say that I was impressed with Convey. He hustled and the game had a different urgency when he came in. If DC doesn't want him, send him west. Caro Francesco