SJ: Donovan 90 minutes 2 goals MVP Walker 59 minutes (subbed due to injury) 1 assist, made dangerous runs and passes throughout; he definitely stepped it up today; I'm already excited to see how he developes next season Chicago: Beasley 90 minutes 1 goal, made some good runs with the ball (including his hard struck goal) just outside and a few into the box, but the SJ defense roughed him up and he started falling pretty easily Gray 45 minutes (came on at halftime) Jaqua 9 minutes Mapp 20 minutes Overall an exciting game to watch in which Chicago had a huge amount of posession during the first half but failed to convert while San Jose scored 2 off an amazing free kick and a very nicely sprung counter by Walker and Donovan. The second half had more even play, although Chicago still had more posession. The big stat: SJ 11 shots, 8 on goal, 4 in the back of the net.
If you want to know why Landon Donovan is a deadly player at the international player, this game should tell you. Two shots, two shots on goal, two goals. You may only get 1 or 2 cracks in a game against a top team, better make them count. Overall the U-23s did well, wit the possible exception of Gray.
Yeah, Donovan sured looked like a forward in this game. Great runs and precision finishing. He hardly had a bad touch all game. San Jose's play was sophisticated and a joy to watch (Chicago's was too). Beasley had a great game too -- San Jose took off Waibel who had been repeatedly burned by DMB, though Roner was even worse, having one of the worst games in the history of soccer. The other guys were OK. Gray didn't do anything special, but he certainly showed his versatility -- Central Mid, Right MId, Right back, Center Back and now left back. That's somewhat impressive, regardless of how he played.
What's the deal with Dunivant? Have others outperformed him of late? Has he not shown as well? I haven't had opportunity to see his game, but it seems to me that he has gone from a highly touted position to a barely there state. Is this true or not?
First off, he's not a U-23. He started every game for the Quakes during the regular season and the first game of the playoffs against LA. He didn't play in the rest of the playoffs for a couple of reasons. First: Tactical. Yallop wanted his strongest defense on the field and with Eddie Robinson finally healthy he had the chance to do that by moving Agoos to LB while still keeping a very strong central defense with Robinson and Dayak. Second: He had a slight injury after the first LA game and probably could have still played, but Yallop went for a more expericienced and relatively healthier player at LB. Third: Yallop is a coach who thinks, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," except for rare instances. The Quakes were 0-2-2 coming into the playoffs and lost their first against the Galaxy. The Quakes won the next game without him and the KC game without him so there wasn't much of a chance to start against Chicago.
on gray: i'd say he did pretty well coming on at half-time. he definately sparked more energy to chicago's attack from the left back position than perez did. he made a couple strong runs up-field and was more willing than perez to take on opposing players one on one.