Tonight's lineup: USA (4-4-2): Robles; Evans, Parkhurst, Conrad (c), Heaps; Quaranta, Holden, Cronin, Clark; Cooper, Arnaud
Totally agree, except for that fella you mentioned...he looked like he could belong on the international stage. A couple of good strikes, and unlike most players for both teams, he could dribble, pass and control the ball, at least most of the time.
Holden looked good in the Grenada match too. I don't know if many of you made the connection with Holden from a few years back. He was having a trial with Sunderland when he was mugged by a gang of thugs. He was beaten pretty badly and, while he was in a poor condition, Sunderland ended the trial and sent him home. He's a talented kid and very gutsy. His parents are Scots, so he doesn't have to worry about residency. He'll be over the water again some time after the next WC I'm betting. I just hope it's not to Sunderland. As I expected, Bradley emptied the bench for the last qualifier. I'm not too disappointed at the level of the play since neither of the fullbacks was playing his regular position and we didn't have a load of steel in the midfield until Beckerman came in. We're through to the next round. Side note: Pleased to see that FSC took a regional play-by-play team and put them on site rather than having Christian the Screamer attempt to call it from LA. The only thing that kept me shaking my head was "Brian's" habit of using someone's age as his main modifier-- A nice save by the 23-year-old goalkeeper. He did it CONSTANTLY. I even found out how old Bob Bradley was when he referred to him as "the 51-year-old manager."
Didnt know that story 'bout Holden, thanks. Agree about the play by play. First time in a while that I havent been annoyed by the commentating in a match. I was, however, annoyed by the camera work. It's nice to see a replay after a big goal or a critical call but they took it to an extreme.
Tell ya Whut!!!! I'm thinking this site needs a Q&A column: "Ask HatterDon" He's, fer sher, our local Wiki-an on 'fitba' and all things Brit.
It took three sittings but I finally finished watching the match. I did not watch this match in my normal state of enthralled rapture that I normally watch any US match but I did take some general impressions away from it. Who played well and has a shot for the 2010 WC squad? Stuart Holden can strike the ball from distance can't he! He was the most influential US player throughout the match putting the nice ball through on the first goal and delivering two laser strikes from distance. If Charlie Davies improves as much over this year as he did last year we will have a threat no team can ignore up front. I really had no idea he could hold the ball up as well as he did. Kyle Beckerman brought some steel and stability into the central midfield. Who played well but probably has no shot for the 2010 WC squad? Jimmy Conrad and Davy Arnuad had a solid nights but there is just too much depth in front of them. Who would I like to see some more of after the 2010 WC? Sam Cronin was not overly impressive but he showed enough good qualities to warrant future looks. Guys who had a chance to grab the bull by the horns but got dragged around by the tail? Kenny Cooper and Michael Parkhurst.
Again, Barry, thanks for the reviews. And I've felt the same way about this tournament - intrigued, but not excited. I guess after the adrenaline rush of the Confed Cup, this was always gonna be a let down. However, now into the knockouts, the tourney will get exciting for me, no doubt. I'd like to add Colin Clark to the final heading - dude had a chance to show he belongs and all I learned about his game is that he can't cross to save his life; and we're not exactly brimming with left footed wingers who are in form and/or proven on the "A" world stage, so that's a tough go for the kid. And as for Beckerman, while I don't dislike his game, I haven't seen the quality to which many of you are professing. I find his game rather pedestrian, but I'll continue to watch. I think his passing is rather lazy.
Here's a question for BarryP and others who might have watched the pre-game program. Is Jozy still with the squad, or did he go join his new team? I haven't heard his name. And, of course, FSC NEVER gives a list of the available subs, and there are a limited number of them for every CGC match.
Don, those last 7 guys added to the squad sound like they haven't been with the team unless they were called in like Feilhaber. I know Adu and now Feilhaber have left the team to head to Europe for preseaon stuff with their club teams. Based on Jozy's twittering, he hasn't been with the team as he mentioned something about being in Miami a couple days ago and now Los Angeles today.
I hope USSF isn't paying them for being on the squad when they're not. I mean, it's not coming out of my pocket, but it does seem a liberty. Wait a minute ... you twitter with Jozy?
I follow him.....but I am pretty sure he doesn't know I exist other than the fact that I am one of 6000+ that follow him.
I noticed the same thing. In fact I've noticed it from a number of MLS guys (most notably Klejstan and Clark). Don has mentioned that in watching MLS, it resembles the Spanish or Italian game more than the English game in pace. If so, being accustomed to a slower pace may contribute to passing that is less crisp.
From a BS thread: "What the hell did they do to Parkhurst in Denmark?!!! PLEASE no more guys to {Scandi..} Yeah... remember when 'he wuz a contenduh'? BTW, Barry. some Crew fans bitched that Marshall didnt look as good as he could have because he was having to cover for Parkhurst a lot. Is that how you saw it, or was it run of mill second-stop? and how long is Cooper going to be selected before we just 'give up'? I know we aint got too many choices, but geez. PS: "Dina, we hate to ask this, you been such a trooper. But..." "It's JUST for next summer."
My comments were focused on the third match only. I thought Marshall and Rogers both played well in the first two matches. I liked Marshall's performance a little better than Rogers but both did well. Looking back over the three matches of pool play here are my observations: Making travel plans Ching, Davies, Feilhaber and Cherundolo will be on the 2010 WC squad barring injury or a terrible drop in form. Guys Bradley will be watching closely in GC matches Stuart Holden is at the top of this list. He is versitile and Bradley loves versitle players. On top of that he seems to have the whole package includiing good vision, nice skills, the willingness to track back and a blistering shot. If anyone has played their way onto the the 2010 WC squad so far it is Holden. Robbie Rogers has played well to date but probably needs to show some consitency through the rest of the Gold Cup matches to really push the door open. The good news for Rogers is the left-wing position on the USMNT is incredibly thin. Unless Beasley shows a return to form there is not much competition outside of Torres. Chad Marshall has played very well IMO but barring injury there will probably only be one spot one for a CB on the 2010 squad. Gooch, DeMerit and Boca will not be left off. Califf, Goodson and Marshall may be battling it out for a spot on the bench. If the knock he picked up against Grenada is not serious Clarence Goodson is another player who shoud get a run during the final Gold Cup matches. Pearce has played solidly and will get more looks between now and 2010 becasue Bradley needs some depth at LB. Beckerman has also played solidly but with the depth at central midfield and the possible inclusion of Jermaine Jones in that mix I cannot see him working his way into the squad. Guys who had a chance but have not impressed At the top of this list has to be Freddie Adu but Parkhurst and Cooper will keep him company. I thought about adding Colin Clark to this list but I guess deep down I never really thought he was on Bradley's radar.
