CONCACAF Playoff - Mexico v. US

The words most frequently yelled at the TV here: "Pass the ball to someone on your own team dammit."

 

Exactly. Mexico played a lot of crisp clean passes while we had so many underhit, erratic ones. And Jozy should never attempt another backheel. He's embarrassingly bad at them.

 

Was disappointed at the way we sat back like minnows and allowed them to dictate the style and pace of the game, especially in the second half. Dempsey and Altidore might as well have been midfielders. We gave them no chance to play their games. When we did manage to get possession, well, see the articulate TV response from the right honourable gentlemen previous. Frustrating to see at this stage of the Klinsmann Era. Not sure we're progressing under his watch now.

 

When the JK era is over his record will be filled tons of great moments and results. However, as was the case with Arena & Bradley 1 WC cycle is the tipping point. Going to be a very bumpy ride to even get to Russia.

 

Spot on about Cameron, Don. Couldn't agree more. And now that Klinsmann's jettisoned half the squad, might we see he and Ream together for Tuesday's "friendly" against the Bryan Ruiz's?" Oh, and did anybody see who scored for Greece today against Hungary? Mitroglu AND Stafylidis. Makes me want to puke.....

 

Spot on on all counts, Don. I didn't like Jones in a wide position at the start, let alone after 120 minutes. You could say Jozy and Clint both had bad games, but they were set up to fail by the tactics employed. And all due respect, I wouldn't have been upset if Beasley had remained retired.

I have a hard time reconciling JK's talk with his actions. As much as he talks about youth and letting our players express themselves, he sends out the senior citizens and has them defend in our own half for the entire match.

Big picture - we've had some decent wins in friendlies, but in meaningful matches, JK has failed pretty consistently. Not that I was his biggest supporter before, but add me to the chorus singing for his dismissal now.

 

Certainly was true for Vincente del Bosque, wasn't it? I thought sure Spain would repeat after 2010's result. Didn't even get out of the group stage, thanks in large part to several howlers from the overrated Iker Casillas.

 

BUT!!! This WAS a sweet pass by Yedlin...and perfect run by Bobby. Textbook. I could watch it over and over....

 

Chiming in a bit late here, but I agree with just about everything that's been said in the aftermath of this game. The biggest disappointment for me in this game was Altidore and Dempsey up top. They just gave us absolutely nothing. No possession, no creativity, no hold up play, now incisive runs, no defending from the front, NOTHING. Our movement off the ball was poor all over the field, but it was especially evident in those two. As a result, when we did win possession we were forced into difficult passes and long balls.

I think the days of playing Altidore and Dempsey up top needs to come to an end, they're just far too immobile, and that was evident when Wood came on. I think the jury's still very much out on Wood, but he does bring energy and makes the defense at least track his runs, and it was paid off with a goal.

If I was US Soccer, I would send Klinsmann packing, hire Tab Ramos, and starting bringing through the next generation ASAP. If we want young players like Emerson Hyndman, Matt Miazga, Gedion Zelalem, Will Trapp, Jordan Morris, Rubio Rubin, etc. to be ready for the next WC, they need to be involved with the squad as soon as possible. Why not give the players the continuity of hiring a guy they've all played under, and by most reports has done a very good job.

 

Good comments. Jeez, I didn't think anybody else watched the match (then I recalled that lives outside of FUSA take place).

JK won't be fired over this, and if he is, then I will celebrate my incorrect statement. Lack of pace and continuity were problems for the US. Neither Dempsey or Altidore are burners, and while I like Beckerman (to an extent), he runs around in shoe boxes. That leaves one of the quickest players for the US stranded out on the wing (Zardes), another on the opposite side that has good pace (Jones) and Bradley to run his ass off just for the US to remain 'in the match.'

Mexico was definitely better overall, but the US blew a great opportunity.

The trigger finger must be itchy for Roman at Chelsea and if it goes down, I will dream that the US hire Jose Mourinho and move JK to strictly a director position. However, I don't think an office space throughout the country could handle the initial meetings between those two egos...maybe they could schedule those meetings at "The" Horseshoe, Levi Stadium or Chavez Ravine...

In any event, and while my son was distraught over the loss, the US still has talent to dominate in CONCACAF, but hasn't utilized it properly in the past two years. Again, that responsibility should fall on the manager...paging the Special One.

 

@dcheather So you'd go for Roberto Martinez? I don't think he would leave Everton for us. He seems to like the day-to-day work of a club job.

@nevzter For entertainment purposes Mourinho would be amazing, but there's no way that happens. He's another that loves the day-to-day player interactions too much to leave the club game. Plus, don't think there's enough money at US Soccer to make this happen. We don't have the pockets that Chelski do.

I'm dreaming a bit here since I don't think JK is going anywhere, but if I had to put together a shortlist, here are a few names I'd have on it.

• Peter Vermes - All he's done a SKC is turn a struggling franchise into a model of American soccer clubs. I'm not saying he's done it by himself, but his teams over the last few years have been about as consistently competitive as is possible in a league with so much parity.

• Tab Ramos - Though he doesn't have the experience of some others, Ramos has gotten good results with the US youth teams he's coached, including a very good showing at the U20 WC this year losing to eventual champs Serbia in penalties (and playing an exciting brand of soccer). I think if maintaining continuity is important within US Soccer, Ramos might be the guy.

• Ben Olsen - Like Ramos, he doesn't have a ton of experience, but what he's done after a tough start at DC has been really impressive. Part of me thinks it's too soon for Olsen, but part of me thinks a young guy with his charisma could really be galvanizing for a group of players in transition.

 

Both very fair points.

Rehiring Bradley would seem an awful lot like Brazil rehiring Dunga. Safe, but not at all sexy.