Mapp?

I agree 100%. I thought I was watching a junior Jeff Cunningham out there.

As I said in another post, Arena gave him the hook immediataly after he lost the ball trying to dribble through two defenders. This was during a period where the Nats has strung 15+ passes together. Our offense started moving better when he, and Martino were pulled.

I don't think Justin will be dressing again anytime soon.

 

I'm sure if you asked the Panama defense this morning which player gave them the most trouble last night, the name they would say is Mapp.

Quaranta was consistently forced wide, and his crosses were easier to defend than Mapp's runs.

Martino's goal was a well taken volley that caught the goalie by surprise. Yes, it was near post, but surprise is why it worked.

Twellman created a goal off a defensive misplay and hard work.

But Mapp was the one who unsettled the defense on numerous occasions. Space opened up for every other attacking player each time he would beat a defender or two with his ball control.

And he made good decisions when to take on defenders and when to pass. I don't recall any of his turnovers leading to dangerous counters.

We'll see Mapp get another shot. Shame he isn't right-footed.

 

Maybe next time you post you should get a good nights sleep first. I thought Mapp looked great tonight. He had some quality crosses and was willing to take people on. He is nothing like Cunningham whatsoever. He is a much more skilled passer and actually plays some defense. Mapp may have been knocked off the ball a few times, but I think with maturity he provides the left side of our MF with great depth. Listen Eddie Lewis isn't going to be around forever and with Beasley's all out style he is bound to be hurt every now and then. So Mapp proved himself on some levels tonight. Granted he did not play the best team in CONCACAF, but he showed that he can adjust to the international game.

 

All I saw out of Mapp was try something, wait and see. Whenever he did pass the ball (and I thought he was only a little reluctant to do so) he stopped running; he walked and watched the play develop. What he needs most IMO is to continue to work.

 

At least he tried to do something. Dempsey still fell down on occasion which he always seems to do and Quaranta didn't really try to take on too many players from what I saw.

Of course we'll have to see him against a stronger team than Panama, and hopefully with some of the more veteran players to see really how he meshes.

 

You guys are right. No good guys playing in the forward position ever get stripped by players as they try to make a couple of moves to get in behind the last defender. The biggest of games are won by players who step up and create something. Name the incredibly long list of players that the US has who are able to challenge and beat as many players as Mapp was. We don't have anyone in the pool who can beat players one on one of the dribble. If people think that we can win every game with 10 guys successfully pinging the ball around 15 times like an automaton, people are fooling themselves, because we're not going to be able to do that against every team. Sometimes, you just need a spark. Different players and styles are needed to make up a team.

 

exactly the point, well said

now...if only Mapp were right-footed...

 

Touche'/well done. You get it.

My god-ok, so we've graduated from the Chris Armas's of the world (who struggle to string together passes) to a group that can. That is a one-step up improvement...but stringing passes with no penetration and no cleverness in attack is not much better- you will get bogged down 30 yards from goal and wind up either (A) slinging over a cross in a crowded box with little chance of success (a past/current US Men's Nat favorite) OR (B) you will lose possession (but at least close to THE OTHER TEAM'S GOAL).

What the REALLY GOOD TEAMS around the world have- are some players that are unorthodox when needed, and can create something out of nothing- or do the unexpected under control. Those are the 'hard' and 'valuable' players to find. Mapp is one. Now, of course, he needs to learn to do this within the confines of workrate, good defense, doing the sensible thing much of the time. But for goodness sakes, let's not turn one of the few gems we have into a 'pass the ball 5 yards and create nothing' clone that we have plenty of.

Rather, let's get Mapp in better shape, better focused for 90 minutes BUT ENCOURAGE HIM to blend his unique dribbling with doing the everyday things.

Look no further than Convey at Reading for a guy who seems to have figured out some things in his personal crucible of a last year...and look how well he's doing/Reading's doing in the Coca. Its because of guys like Convey (all the 'normal' things + the unorthodoxy and ability to beat people to throw chaos into a defense)...

Keep on truckin' Justin...and lay off those what-a-burgers...

 

Interesting, because I'd have rather seen a motivated Cunningham in this match than say, Twellman or Ching.

Mapp: I enjoyed watching him, but he also made me yell at the TV (just as with Fire games). I think he needs to get away Chicago, Sarachan, and the Armarsch. Maybe go abroard where his gameday spot is not assured and improve his awareness and fitness. Holland maybe? Colaship? If he were right footed he might have a shot at the WC, but we are simply too deep on the left for this cycle. A strange problem.

Still I agree with SASam--if you asked Panama who the real danger-man was, they'd likely point to Mapp.

 

You must spread rep around before...etc.

 

Well I thought he held onto the ball a bit too much but I chalk that up to 1) his first cap and more importantly 2) he didn't have much rapport with his teammates (how could he?) and so the opportunity to pass wasn't clear to him.

He'll do better in the future; he was pretty good as it was. His chances for Germany are very slim due to the position he plays but he should after Germany be a major player.

 

People are going to take this the wrong way, but I believe Mapp is/will be our version of Ryan Giggs. He's a fast, excellent dribbler of the ball who can take on defenses and will score his ocassional spectacular goal and can get off good crosses. He can also be pushed up front if needed. Take me to task if you want.

 

I think there are some serious fitness issues here .He tried to track down and move without the ball a lot more than he usually does and was very tired looking by the time he was removed.

 

I'd bet more than a penny that Bruce took him out at a pre-arranged time.

As to Justin tracking back, he played a wing in a 4-3-3 last night and didn't need to drop all the way back to his own penalty box.

 

I'll just say that I've been more impressed with him during the season (often wishing that he was still with United) than last night (kind of glad that he wasn't).

I think he'll do better.

 

And exactly how is this any different than what he's done with the U-17s, the U-20s, and in four years in MLS?

He is what he is: A great dribbler who is also a lazy. And I doubt he will ever change.

 

Mapp is what, 19 or 20 years old and a professional athlete? Exactly how does someone of his age ever get tired? Exactly how does a professional athlete [for four years now] not find a proper level of match fitness?

My suggestion, after having seen him for a few years now: He's not out of shape, he's just lazy and has a poor work-rate when the ball is not at his feet.

 

ditto!!! I think that there is a 75% chance we will se him come Jan.

 

Justin was a big banged up coming into this match. He was subbed out at half-time in the last Fire match. But yes he is lazy.

 

Not being a Fire fan nor having seen him for the U-18s or U-20s I don't have much to compare his performance to; I was just stating what I saw.

 

He is good with the ball at his feet, but does little to go get it. And doesn't tackle - how many national teams get away carrying a player like that?

 

Understood. But after years of hoping Mapp will grow up and become what he might be, many Fire fans have given up on him.

Remember, this was Panama, a national team that probably could be beaten by the better MLS teams right now. And this was an opponent with nothing to play for, and for Panama, on the road. If a 19 or 20 year old "gets tired" against a decidedly inferior opponent, what are his chances of "being fit" v. similar-quality [i.e. Mexico] or superior [i.e. Brazil/Argentina/Italy] opponent?

 

For that matter, how many MLS teams can afford do the same?

Perhaps Preki or Valderrama or Etcheverry fit this description, but Mapp isn't in the same class as these three legends. And I agree with you: The national team has little use for a slacker like Mapp.

 

True, but in an athletic contest as a soccer match [even v. an inferior opponent] it helps a player and his team when he at least tries to run when the ball isn't at his feet.