Have to say I was pleasantly surprised by Bornstein. Several times down in the corner he was able to clear. Also Boca had a great save and DeMerit played his usual scrappy best. Dolo put amazing service into the box.
DeMerit was solid, as was Boca. Bornstein was better than I expected...maybe the secret to his success is to only have him play for 60 minutes or so...that way he can't make too many mistakes. Did play well tonight. Dolo was also solid, but did not have quite as good a game as previously. He stayed home, I think, more than usual, which was probably because of not having Gooch in the lineup. Still need more work, and a better team...which we will meet on Sat (no matter which team we play)...would have taken advantage of the holes in our back line. Timmy was solid, and hopefully can shore up the defenders for the next game. Saw him giving instructions all during the game. Will Gooch be back? Probably just being rested for the next game.
I thought the defense was troubled several times by high bouncing balls. I believed Demerit outright missed ones a couple of times and allowed a defender to get inside of him. These were pretty much the only instances the US looked in danger.
I was worried after the early blunders, but it came together nicely. Cherundolo was great again, Demerit and Bocanegra were solid, Bornstein didn't screw up. My only major concern after this game was the team's seeming struggle to deal with corner kicks without Onyewu. Our potential opponents seem more capable than Algeria of capitalizing on that.
Bornstein sucks... But he was decent today because nobody on that side really exposed how bad he is in terms of mobility and defending 1 on 1s. Dolo and Demerit were the best of the bunch, with the exception of that one Demerit play early on that should have resulted in a goal against. He can't miss the ball in that spot.
Are you serious? Bornstein got ran at ALL GAME. He shut down his side nicely. I just can't believe the gall of people on here. Can't give credit when credit is due.
Bornstein represented today. He has taken so much abuse from the BS community (I am guilty, too). Hopefully the BS community will recognize his contribution to the effort. Oh yeah, this is the first shutout since 2009. Not shabby in a do-or-die siutation.
I've criticized Bornstein constantly, but he was outstanding today. Dolo looked a little worn out, but he was still decent. Boca and Demerit were easily the best centerback pair we have seen in a long time.
Dolo looked a little out of sorts early but was tremendous with multiple crosses. He's has been our best consistent defensive performer. He had a few duds with the crosses but he also played many dangerous balls, as well. People should not overlook how crucial he has been - today and in the other two matches. DeMerit really stepped up when he absolutely had to - great showing in Gooch's absence. Bornstein was much improved from his usual form. Boca was strong. I think our biggest defensive issues originate in the midfield.
I'm not sure the defense in this game was overall that much better than the defense in the Slovenia game (although the fact that the US was frantically attacking obviously made it harder for the defense). They both made their share of mistakes and conceded chances, but Slovenia finished and Algeria didn't. If that shot had slipped under the crossbar early, the entire game might have been different. And then there was the guy who was unmarked and headed right at Howard just before the US goal. We were very unlucky not to score before Donovan's goal, but also slightly lucky not to concede before then.
Complaints about Bornstein's mobility and Cherundolo's crosses? IMO,the best thing Bornstein brings to the pitch is mobility, and the best part of Stevie's game is his crossing. Bornstein may make poor decisions on occasion, but rarely gets outpaced. And did you notice the sequence in the second half when Cherundolo made a fine right-footed cross into the box which was partially cleared then moved over to the left side and collected the ball and made a fine leftfooted cross into the box which Buddle headed wide.
And BTW, is there any news about Jay DeMerit's next club? I understand Watford hasn't resigned him. He was their captain.
The best that can be said about Bornstein today is that he did not contribute to any goals against. IMHO, he was repeatedly a liability and his speed and left footedness added little or nothing to the team play. He made his usual number of tactical blunders, but they - fortunately - did not matter because Algeria was simply not strong enough up front. Cherundolo was his usual solid self. Demerit had some serious blunders, but again, blunders don't matter if the opponent can't use the advantage. Boca was solid. Perhaps too many long balls from him.
Clean sheet for 4 guys who never played together, if Harkes was right. A+ Demerit was a beast after the early whiff. Dolo solid as ever. Boca well positioned. And Johnny B Good!
Algeria knew from tape to run right at Bornstein with numbers, and he stood up to it and did well. Credit to JB for a good performance where I was scared we'd be crucifying him right now.