I never ever want to see that ref again. That dude was horrible. I was scared that someone was going to get seriously hurt. I don't like the lack of seriousness at the end of the game. We act like we're Brazil or something. I want to punish the other team with 3 or 4 goals like we did Canada earlier in the year. Klein did well. He's sometimes technically inconsistent, but if he can beat people off the dribble like he did, then he's the man at that position. Well taken goal. Berhalter's distribution was horrible. Twellman at least has the Confed Cup...... Stewart was totally invisible, you can tell that he's having trouble adjusting to the heat here in the states.
The US Junior Varsity Squad[R] Thats what we looked like out there. For awhile I thought this was a brand new Chris Klein, but then he reverted to form. Earnie Stewart somehow dissapeared while playing central midfielder. Twellman actually had a good game but you can tell that he is a bit depandant upon the service. Berhalter didn't do very well, and Vanney was kind of spastic on the offensive end. It was funny how things immediatly changed once Bobby Convey got into the game. I guess its nice to know that we can beat up on smaller teams with our lesser squads but I think its pretty clear of who should be a first team player and who shouldn't be a first team player. This wouldn't even have been close if we had Donovan, Beasley, and Convey on the field.
Yea I thought that was a brand new Klein. He never even showed he was capable of doing the things he did early on. But for most of the match he reverted to form. I personally thought that Armas should have been Man of the Match. He saved our backline numerous times. won the ball fairly often, and basically forced NZ to go wide. He also kick started the offense very well and did a great job connectingthe defense to the offense. Easily the best I've seen him play since coming back.
If Greg Berhalter was 7'7" he would be the spitting image of Sean Bradly of the Dallas Mavericks. Thats just creepy. I wasn't impressed with Berhalter either, I don't think anyone on defence played particularly well. Chris Armas came back a couple of times and bailed them out. I did however, like the way the Right and left backs got into the attack. I think we need to take an attacking posture like that.
Not a really a great game by the US. They could have won the game by a lot more. Klein had an awesome goal. Kirvoski did well dribbling around players. If his shots were better, he could have had a hat trick. Twellman had an okay game.
Twellman Disappoints Again Although he had a few nice passes today, Twellman just doesn't show well in international games. Maybe he's unlucky, but I just don't see much there. It reminds me of England's John Barnes who was a great player for Liverpool, but who never lived up to his promise internationally.
I liked how the outside backs didn't totally give every ball away. I think we reverted a little too much to 'get it out to the wings' and cross. Klein's goal came off a sweet through ball, and someone set Twellman up nicely on a great pass. New Zealand was very, very physical.
Players that I thought did well - Lewis, Twellman, Bocenegra, Armas, Subs: Convey and Gibbs Players that played poorly Berhalter, Stewart Everyone else seemed mired in mediocracy. Glad to see the team win however. All in all not a bad way to spend a Sunday morning. Scumby
Re: Twellman Disappoints Again I would have rather seen him go near post than shoot that ball right at the keeper. Or maybe rip off a weed cutter. There's an adjustment to the international level, and he's still making it. I guess the Confed Cup will make or break his short term international career.
A very uninspired, mediocre display for the United States over an equally uninspriing, but solid, New Zealand. Both teams were missing the exceptional player that could take over a game. Except for a few moments of magic from Klein, Kirovski, and Lewis, the game was rather dull and workmanlike. It's a good thing the US was missing many of its key players, for if they had been there we would have regressed back to pre-1994 standards. Thank god Mathis, Donovan, and Howard will be there in France.
At the risk of disagreeing with the standard hand-wringing after a win, I think y'all are showing a tremendous lack of respect to that NZ goalkeeper. He was the reason it wasn't 4-1, not our play. And also keep in mind that NZ had their best 11 out there and they are probably better than that lousy team Wales sent over to play in San Jose. Even if Wales was more talented NZ at least played like they were there to win the game and fought hard.
I can't take much more of Jovan Kirovsky. Regardless of his effectiveness or contributions, he's fingernails on the blackboard for me watching him play. I'm at my wits end. Right now just about any MLS forward would be a welcome respite. Bring back Joe-Max Moore if you have to. And people criticize Landon Donovan's finishing...
He made a nice save on Twellman, but he didn't have a clue on Kirovski's rebound. Kirovski hit him with it.
I think Berhalter looks like Craig Kilbourn. Oh, and did I miss much, since I was sleeping during this game, and forgot to set me VCR? Darn cold. .
It was two hours of my life I'll never get back. It wasn't that bad, but you'll live without it. The nicest play came from NZ on their goal as that was an impressive finish.
Personally, I thought the entire starting back line played very poorly, including Bocanegra. No need for me to say it, but Berhalter played like crap. Cherundolo simply can not play defense on an international level. Opponents victimize his lack of size time and time again. If he filled a type of Roberto Carlos role in the back, I would be fine with his inclusion into the starting lineup, but he consistently gives the ball away when playing out of the back. I hoped a season in the Bundesliga would clear this problem up, but apparently it has not. Yes, he made some effective forays up the field, but his shortcommings negate these positives in my opinion. I think this game will be the first of many to prove how valuable Eddie Pople had become in the center of the defense. Armas played extrememly well. The guy clearly destroys opposition attack better than anybody in the pool, and when he can distribute quickly and simply he is the best D-mid the US has. Klien turned in a respectable performance, but the difference between him and Lewis/Beasley is immense. Lewis played an incredible game again in all facets. I cringe when I hear JP talking about Stewart on the 2006 world cup team. At 34, I think Stewart's position as a key US international has passed. Heck, he needs to rediscover form in the MLS. Personally, if Arena wants veteran leadership for the next cycle, pick Cobi Jones instead. He's three years younger than Stewart, and his form for the Galaxy remains good. Bring him into camp, fine. Play him in meaningful games, no. Kirovski actually played well today for the second game in a row. However, I won't give him credit for being a decent international until he performs against somebody besides a depleted Wales team and a decent at best New Zealand team. Twellman made run after run through the New Zealand defense, but rarely saw the ball. I want to see this guy play with Donovan and especially Mathis in the Confederations Cup. Otherwise, I thought Twellman played decently. Personally, the real highlights of the game came the moment Convey and Martino stepped onto the field. Those two put together some beautiful one touch passes and really ignited an otherwise boring game.
Central midfield play for the US was nonexistant for most of the game, and as a result space on the wing was tight as the Kiwis collapsed out there. As soon as Martino came on suddenly the US could attack up the center of the field, space opened up on the outside and Klein suddenly was dangerous again. So the lesson learned I think should be let us hope we never see Steart as a central midfielder in a 4-4-2.
Berhalter looks a lot like a young David Letterman. Twellman did not have much service, but he worked hard. I like to see Gibbs and Martino get more playing time.
Martino has to calm himself down and make himself more availiblle to the ball. Especially when he is playing central midfield. He's just testing out his international wings, but him and Cory Gibbs are gonna be really thrown to the sharks in France.