I thought it would be a good idea to set up a thread like this. Ryan Nelsen The first New Zealand result is in and it's pretty discouraging 3-0 loss to the lately listless Japan. Here's the post match thread: https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=55572
I watched the first half of this match. Nelsen was solid for this half and had easily the most touches of any of the New Zealand players. His cohort in central defense, the team captain Zorocich, was single-handedly responsible for the lone Japan first half goal and gave the ball away regularly. Nelsen only had one bad pass from what I could tell. Not sure what happened second half. Tim
Things are looking good for Bobby and Stewart to be back for the 28th as well ... Convey started the Turkey match and Stewart came on as a sub in the second half. Here's the post match thread: https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=55809
Convey played the whole game. Stewart came in sometime in the second half. From listening to the audio feed, it sound like Bobby had a decent game, but needs to work on crosses. I'm not sure if he was on the right wing today or what. I'm not really sure what type of game Stewart had. The US had a few stretches of good attacking, but our crosses are poor, essentially rendering the good runs by our strikers and midfielders useless. There were some good crosses though. I think that Bobby will get better, but he seems to be a little jumpy... maybe will overplay the ball. But I think that is just nerves. Overall, I think this was a good game for him. He needs to get his feet wet in International tournament play. I doubt we'll see him on Saturday though, unless it is as a sub. Maybe I'll make it too Summers or someplace to watch the game tonight. -ted
Marc Connelly (at the ESPN site) had very positive things to say about Convey. After pointing out a range of deficiencies by the team (and individuals) in the Turkey match, he acknowledged at least 2 viewpoints. He said Howard played a fine match and directed traffic well. Gave me the impression Howard was having to do more organizing than he should have had to. And he praised Convey significantly. While he pointed out Bobby had some errant passes and poor decisions, this was a good match for him and that Arena was likely to feel good about Convey's role. He indicated that Convey showed: --lots of hard work, covered a lot of territory; --won a lot of balls and gained possession; --No-one else is going to be playing a 20-year old in A-mid with the kind of responsibility that Bobby had.
Bobby was very good in the first half, winning balls and making some good passes to release our wide players. He was not as large a presence in the second half. One problem was that Armas was worthless so that Bobby basically had to win the ball and do the passing, effectively playing A-mid and holding mid at the same time. Also, both Armas and Convey started to move back in the second half to protect our two stationary center halves. Finally, the Turks worked to control the middle and only gave us any space on the wings. That's why the best contributions to our attack came from Lewis and Beasley out wide. By the way, even though he scored the goal, DMB has got to develop another move or in ten years we will think of him as Cobi II.
Nellie gets the armband http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sports/sp...subsection=soccer&thesecondsubsection=general Will captain New Zealand today. Congrats Kiwi!
Just started listening to the New Zealand / Columbia match. I haven't heard about anything about Nelsen yet, but he half just ended. Sounds like Columbia are missing a lot of opportunities in front of the goal. (the fact that their getting so many opportunities doesn't sound as if Ryan is having his best game) But NZL sounds to be playing well enough at the end of the first half.
Commentators are talking about how Nelsen and Hayes(?) are consistently standing up firm for NZL defense. Sounds like he's had a busy day and has been playing well.
Well, the NZL defense has just given Columbia one too many chances. The commentator have said that NZL is not use to the heat in France and are allowing Columbia to constantly attack. If this keeps up, expect the score to look a little more like the defeat that the Kiwi's experienced earlier this week. We should probably expect to see Ryan back next weekend, but I hope that he gets some time off to recover from what has to be a very physically demanding (games, practices, and flights... don't forget he flew to Colorado and then to France) few weeks.
Chances of the Kiwis pulling out this one just became smaller. NZL just went down a man to a red card. Have a safe trip back Ryan.
Ryan should be home soon. Playing a man down and against constant attack, the All Blacks weren't able withstand the pressure. The commentators gave credit to the New Zealand defense for their ability to hold Columbia to 3 goals. Final 3-1 We love you Ryan, hope you enjoy the rest of your time off. We'll see you next Saturday.
SoccerAmerica thinks so. He's not listed in their SoccerAmericaDaily email: ----------------------------------------------- Key Players Out: D.C.. United -- M Bobby Convey (U.S. national team duty), M/F Earnie Stewart (U.S. national team duty), D Milton Reyes (L ACL surgery) -----------------------------------------------
I think Ryan should fly home today and play tomorrow!!! Actually the other center back who had been captain the first game (too lazy to look up the guys name) got injured the first game so Ryan needs to stay and beat up some French guys.
I agree. Convey had to do way too much ball-winning. Overall, I thought he played well and was one of a small number of guys whose performance was at par or better. We were easy pickin's up the middle. Let's hope Bocanegra and Mastroeni change that today.
he looked pretty good, the score might have really gotten out of hand in at the end save some last second tackles by nelesen and three insanely good saves by the keep.
Dear Bruce, Now that we've been eliminated from the Confederations Cup can we please have our players back? Sincerely,
a beautiful moment there was a play today vs. brazil where earnie got a ball on the right, played it forward with his head far in stride and then, with a defender draped over him, controlled the ball and then played a thick ball that donovan ran onto but was possibly tripped. it was just a nice moment of some real skill. i know people have been frustrated with him a bit but he had some nice moments today. he also sprung the good US break early with a clever little ball. other than earnie we struggled a bit in the midfield.
Bobby played all 90 and picked up a yellow in the 0-0 draw. He was credited with a shot on goal in the 36th minute and took a corner or two. Earnie came on in the 71st for Kirovski and had one shot from 35 yards out that went wide.