They didn't have much to do. I liked Conrad's play, altho I still don't think he's a serious candidate for Germany. Sanneh was horrible. Armas defended well, but his passing was poor. Hejduk was Hejduk.
No MAS Armas - and he was wearing the captains arm band too. Sanneah - no more I was scared the whole first half when I saw Frankie starting most of the attacks. This defense was terrible and allowed what no other team has allowed for 50 odd years. A goal. I think it was Sanneah's mark that scored.
Sanneh just played his way off the team IMO. I used to think he was a good player a while back but he's clearly not starting material anymore. Conrad... I can't say I saw many bad things from him, just maybe that one corner which he f-ed up. To me, though, he still has a lot to prove. Hejduk, like superdave said, was Hejduk.
I could have told you Sanneh isn't NT material anymore before this game. Nothing shocking there. Anyone who's been following the Fire this season could have told you that.
Okay, Sanneh reacted slowly on the first goal but Beas sure didn't give him a chance with that atrocious attempt at a header which lead to the whirlwind goal. I guess we need speed in the back to cover up for such errors though. Hejduk was Hejduk, which translates to: a solid defender who ain't going to let a defender beat him without a fight, but will still leave you wanting for better options.
Sanneh basically confirmed everyone's nightmares about a Nat team resurrection tonight. Tonight's performance alone should be enough to officially wipe him from qualifier and definitely World Cup consideration. It was that bad. Hejduk was his usual "caution to the wind" self. The defense was scary bad all night long, and also in set pieces. We're lucky it was Cuba we were playing this line up that's for sure. Wasted vet call-ups on Sanneh and Armas were confirmed tonight in my opinion. If course, it's easy to disagree as a fan but the proof is definitely in the play. Neither one looked like they should be wearing the shirt anymore. Not saying they're horrible and should leave the game pronto...they just aren't Nat caliber anymore that's all. I'm anxious to see Gooch back in there.
Conrad was absolutley solid. definately desreves another look. Better than any Berhalter performance. Hejduk was fine. Don't have to say it, because it's already known be any non-blindman...Sanneh was brutal.
Trying to be positive here: The thing I most liked about Hedjuk was that as the game went along in half 2, he pressed harder and harder for the tying goal. It's that attitude that will land him on his third world cup team. Just think of it. How many US field players have been on three world cup teams? Wynalda, Ramos, Balboa (who didn't play in 98), Sideshow Cobi, Stewart. To this list we might be adding Pope, McBride, Reyna, and ... Hedjuk(!) Yeah I know what the cynic in each one of us says: it's talking quite loudly to me now. Still that will be quite a feat if Frankie does it and I have to give him grudging respect for it.
Add one of the Cubans to the short but slowly growing list of players who have been beaten by Hejduk's stepover.
Very true. I'm very nervous when he's on the field for the Fire too. His nickname should be changed fron Big Cat to Big Bear.
The way I see it, whether or not Frankie makes the WC team has a lot to do with how much Spector develops over the next 9 months or so. In my opinion, we'll be taking 7 defenders to Germany and Pope, Gooch, Gibbs, Boca, and Cherundolo are locks if healthy; the other 2 spots will be taken by a LB (a true 4-4-2 LB, that is, not a converted CB) and a CB. Hejduk and Spector are competing for the LB position (Burciaga and Dunivant could make a case there too, but I really think it's down to those 2 guys; I'm not sold on Vanney at this point) and a whole slew of guys--Marshall, Conrad, Berhalter, Califf, and Robinson at least--are competing for the final CB position. Versatility will help, as always. I don't see any guys making the squad who can't play at least 2 positions unless they're good enough to be automatic starters at their one position or unless their one position is GK, CB, or CF (all positions that are more specialized than anywhere elseo n the field). The one exception to this is Eddie Lewis, who isn't a lock starter due to the presence of Beasley and who doesn't really play anywhere other than LM--although I'd absolutely love to see him get a look at LB--but who is simply too good to leave off the team if healthy.
That has to be the worst back line I've ever seen the US put out there. It just doesn't take the game seriously to put out a 3-man line with those guys. That was Conrad's 1st cap - it's like feeding him to the dogs to put him alone in the middle between the Frankie & Tony show. And why was Sanneh on the left & Frankie on the right??? Didn't Sanneh always play right back for us before, or am I dreaming? Isn't Frankie the one who can play either side? Yikes!! And, I'm sure I wasn't the only one thinking these things at the beginning of the game. After it was played, I had to give Hejduk credit. I admit he had a decent game, and I am not a fan. Conrad also acquitted himself well. I will refrain from piling onto the dead. Hahnemann looked nervous. I thought (BIG maybe) the cross before the goal was a looper that he could have challenged.
While Hejduk may seem strage as a three world cup participant, in the 98 cup, he (along with Regis) were actually our most lauded players. He also did a good job in 2002. So, while we are probably surprised considering his club play, Frankie seems to show up for the Cup.
Frankie did add a sweet backheel to his arsenal tonight. Anyone see it? It was late in the 1st half...I think a few minutes before the goal.
To me, Sanneh almost redeemed a miserable performance with an excellent pass that led to the game-winner. Perfect probing diagonal ball to Donovan's feet that led Pedro to panic and foul in a dangerous spot. Of course, I'm not forgetting his weak effort when he had the best chance to stop Cuba's goal, a couple of terrible tentative turnovers, and the fact that Conrad looked more like a Nats veteran than Tony...
Thomas Dooley would be a better option right now than Sanneh. Conrad is likely in a VA hospital undergoing treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder after being stuck out there for his first cap between The Big Scat and Frankie. I'm not sure if BA has a daughter, but Conrad must have shagged her rotten to deserve that treatment.
You know, Sanneh *DID* make a number of sweet passes. Perhaps he could help us as a DM with size. He brings better passing to the table than Armas, and while he won't win as many balls on the ground, he'll win more in the air. Armas as Pablo's backup is Bruce saying, I'm bringing a backup who is a close match. I have one vision for what I want, and if the #1 choice is out, I'm plugging in the nearest thing to him. Bruce taking Sanneh is him saying, I want an option, something different. *I* wouldn't do it based on current evidence. But I see the logic.
You know, I kinda agree Sanneh the defender might be overmatched and a weakness for the team but I don't think he could have done any worse than Armas in the midfield. Maybe that's where he'd be a better fit.
I know he had a good game last night, and I know he is working on his 3rd Cup, and I know he is funny looking to watch play the game, and I know he works hard, and I know he is a goofy surfer boy he parties with the best of em', and I know with his cast on he looks like a character in He-Man BUT I would get awfully afraid next summer to look on the field and see Hejduk on instead of Dolo, at any point in any game. He makes strange, seemingly drug-induced descisions, has no great communication with any teammate past or present, and has lost a bit of his greatest asset - his speed..
After the goal, Sanneh settled in and was much better. No excusing that goal, but I'm just saying... He tracked back, broke up plays, and did have some nice passes and feeds. Just not sure what his role might be. He's a utility guy, but it seems to take him a lot of minutes to get going. Conrad looked solid. Frankie seems WC bound barring injury. Armas did his job and did it well. People ragging on him around here need to try a hint of objectivity once in awhile. I'm no Armas fan, and this was only Cuba, but he seemed very effective in that role. We can argue that the team doesn't need a d-mid specialist role anymore, but Bruce begs to differ. Chris played it quick and simple and they could not go through him. Marcus seems competent.
I just read that piece and Arena said Bruce is talking about Cuba (They). I don't think you read that correctly.