I'm not sure what we're doing about spoilers in here, so all I'll say right now is that I'm EXTREMELY excited about Convey-Adu wearing black next season.
There's an [R] so spoil away. Convey's set up for Mapp's goal was unbelievable! Adu drew the penalty that Johnson converted.
This is the second game in a row that Q1 has been on the bench behind Freddy. Any indications why? Has Freddy simply beaten him out for the job? Is Santino nursing another injury?
It's good to hear that one of Freddy's coaches thinks he's good enough to start ahead of an MLS player. I hope this is a serious wake-up call for Santino. He either needs to work his ass off this off-season to get back into mental and physical shape to be a starting striker or he's got to start thinking about becoming a better midfielder. When one of Santino's best quality is his size is negated because he's beat out of his position by someone much smaller than him, then he's clearly not doing something right.
Convey had a very good match. He commanded the midfield, providing excellent leadership and setting up both goals. If I doubted that Bobby could effective play in attacking midfield, this game dispelled all those doubts. Bobby also had his solid game in spite of a ref who seemed to just plain have something against him. Bobby got whistled left and right, but couldn't buy a call. Now...as for his midfield mates, Clark and Grabavoy... Clark was solid, but Grabavoy -- ugh. EJ was the US's other stud. Iv. C. had no answer for him. If his finishing hadn't been slightly off today, he would've bagged a hat trick. Adu and Mapp were also outstanding in spurts. Santino came on the last ten minutes and managed to get caught offside, stand around, and look unhappy. I'm thinking Hudson traded the wrong youth international to Chicago when he sent Mapp there. A final note, the US goalkeeping factory is still cranking full time. Cronin was an absolute stud. He looks like he could start in MLS right now.
Mapp's goal. Convey receives the ball on his chest right at midfield under pressure and with his back to goal. Before the ball hits the ground he lofts it up over his head to Mapp who receives it on his head, controls it and beats the defender to take the shot.
Man, the next match - USA vs Argentina, faces the top two scoring teams in the tournament against each other. Who would have thought that the USA would be ranked number 2 in goals? Our defense is going to have a tough time holding Fernando Cavenaghi (3 goals) and Leandro Fernandez (3 goals), but their defense gets to face Freddy Adu, Bobby Convey, and Eddie Johnson. I really wish that I watch that match... DAMN WORK!
My $.02 Convey and EJ are the cream of the crop in this bunch (Adu's future aside). Anyone who doesn't understand why Arena keeps calling Convey in needs to find tapes of these matches and watch how well he's played. Still a bit careless with the ball every now and again, but, then, he's 20. Adu has been quiet in the last two matches, but drew a PK and got the IC keeper sent off by playing a perfect ball to Johnson (handled outside the box), so made the most of his limited touches today. Quaranta came on very late, not enough to talk about. I'm not sure if Johnson has the physical presence to play at the top level yet, and he's not going to blow past full internationals like he does U-20s, but he's got a fantastic first touch, great pace and sees the field well. If he matures well in the next two years, he's got a shot at Germany. Justin Mapp also had a good match. The attacking quartet of Johnson, Convey, Adu and Mapp is going to create problems for any team they play. Lots of pace and great speed of play with the ball. Defense was a bit shaky against the highly technical/athletic players. We are spoiled in this country for keepers. We get solid-to-great performances from anyone we put in goal. Just watch the US's first goal to see what other countries have to deal with.
This is what perhaps excites me most about Adu. Granted I've only seen him play the Youth USAMNT matches from these two World Cups, but he consistently makes plays. He doesn't need to get 50 touches to make something happen. He'll be quiet or clamped down for a stretch and then, WHAM, turn a half-chance into a goal or PK. This kid, flat out, creates goals. If I'm not mistaken, this is what DCU needs.
I think Rongen did a good job with US U20. He handled Adu very well and found Bobby's true position. He should come back to coach DCU next year.
Matty? I'm not saying he is now (or that he ever will be for that matter), but Convey is really starting to remind me of Mattheaus in the '90 World Cup. Powerful, well timed running - Intelligent passing - good shot. If he grows into his body and doesn't loose speed, he's gonna be something special. Modern player comparision - Nedved.
Man, this team is doing great. Who is their coach? That's who DC United should go after. He would be perfect for this team.
That first half was nerveracking. Ivory Coast's passes were sharp and completed most of the time. Ours, on the other hand, well let's just say they weren't. Most of the Ivory Coast players also dribbled very well and controlled the ball and were able to beat the US defenders 1 v 1. Luckily, the US played a swarming helping team defense. The 2-0 lead at the half was definitely against the run of play. Very nice Convey heel flick over his head pass to Mapp who controlled the creative pass nicely and headed it into space for a race to the goal. Game was over after their keeper got his second yellow (first for the foul on Adu that led to the PK) for handling the ball outside the box. It was actually a close call. Adu's nice weighted ball with Johnson closing fast. Their keeper met the ball at the line to block it down and carried it outside the box with his momentum. While on the ground and the ball under him, he tried to push it back inside the box to pick it up. 2nd Yellow and ejection! Looking ahead to the Argentina quarterfinal match, I note that they have received 13 yellow cards and 1 red card in four games so far while the US has a total of 5 yellow cards. Do any of their first team players have to miss our match due to disciplinary cautions? Also, isn't it great that Canada is also through to the Round of 8, knocking out the last remaining African team. 2 of Final 8 from CONCACAF!!! Super.
I was semi-joking when I said Rongen should be their next coach. However, I am still not convinced Rongen was their problem and not the players or management. Afterall Rongen won championship in 99.
Re: Matty? That might be a bit much, but then again this is the place where Adu and Pele are one in the same.
Re: Re: Matty? Ha - that's funny. I say "reminds me of '90 Mattheaus or modern Nedved" - and you say Nedved might be a bit much. Not giving you a hard time, but if you're gonna pick one of those two to give me a hard time about - a least pick the better player. I just hope whoever the coach for DC is, they let the kid play.