Where in the hell was the midfield vs Mexico? It looked like a pinball match instead of a well thought out attack from the midfield that I hoped would feed our forwards. Also Frankie Hejduk is hopeless when it comes to dribbling and crossing. It just trips me out that guys on the national team still cannot make a normal cross.
Our Midfield? Same place it usually is ... out to lunch. Even with Reyna and/or O'Brien, our midfield is often dominated -- see friendlies vs. Germany and Ireland as examples. Without those guys, forget about it, unless we're playing some crappy team like Jamaica or something. Maybe it's just me, but I thought that Frankie hit a few decent crosses. I mean, in MLS, you frequently see guys hit "crosses" behind the net. At least Frankie's balls were reasonably in the right spot.
Where was our mid-field? Relax. He's only 13. You'll get to see "our midfield" perform at the U-17 World Cup coming up in a few weeks.
Who was missing for the US side ? Injuries or otherwise ??? Wolff, GKs Friedel & Keller... who else ???
Missing John O'Brien Claudio Reyna It's funny, Ty & Rob talked about Wolff being missing but who the heck is Wolff? A sometimes useful mostly-sub competing with several other forwards for playing time. Even Friedel/Keller didn't really matter, since Howard is a damn good 3rd keeper. No, the only meaningful absences were O'Brien and Reyna. Unfortunately, since they are our only two midfielders who can hold the ball under pressure (with possible apologies to Convey, who might soon fill that role), in this particular instance 2 = more than 1 + 1.
Re: Missing I realize it may be a stretch to call Donovan a true mid; but he was outstanding at holding the ball against Mexico. Donovan also adds the quality of being able to create space for himself and look for the pass. He still has a ways to go on vision and touch. Perhaps not even vision; but ideas of what to do with the ball once in control. There is no doubt he could pretty much hold the ball as long as he wanted to against Mexico.