Gold Cup: USA v. El Salbador

Doesn't the U-20 WC conflict with the Copa anyway?

 

I just wish the US would put a greater emphasis on Copa America, because it is a more prestigous tournament with loads of talented nations. Just hope they don't essentially "wing it" and hope for the best.

With a good showing in the Copa other nations will take notice of the potential that the US has. Odds are the young players will get the majority of time on the field.

Saying we won the Gold Cup...whippy. Don't get me wrong it is great, but who are we really competing against that has quality?

Saying you won or made it to the Copa America final...WOW. People will start to take notice.

 

I think so. So that may be a decision hanging in the balance of MB's future also. Arguably, he would have more of an impact in the U-20.

 

That is a tough choice for MB. Both tournaments have great talent, but where can he make the greatest impact?

If he will get a fair bit of time in Copa might be worth a shout. If not then he should assuredly play in the U20 WC.

 

Well in other years I might agree with you ToC, but the Confederations Cup is much more important than prestige in a tournament 3 years before the WC.

I do think that MB should play in the U-20 WC, and agree he would have more of an impact in that tourney.

 

The confederations cup is vital. Just want the US to show the level of committment to Copa America as they have shown in the Gold Cup.

 

Of course I miss the 4th goal as I turned off the tube at the 87th minute. That would be my luck.

Overall I was really pleased with the game, and especially after Bradley made the switch to the 4-4-2 lineup with Dempsey playing midfield. That shot Duece ripped from outside the 18 was beautiful. Oh how I wish that had gone in.

A couple of things come to mind though - I am far from impressed with the defense. Spector seemed on edge the entire match, and Bornstein didn't seem all there either. And Gooch is starting to become my player to be annoyed with. How do you come back from a game suspension for getting two yellow cards, and then talk yourself in to a stupid yellow? That seems dumb and irresponsable. He's lucky he didn't get ANOTHER yellow and had to sit out the quarterfinals, or more.

Overall, I'm thinking we can take this pig. The only team I think who can stop us is the usual Mexico match up.

 

I wouldn't be hard on Spector. He had his best match for the USMNT, IMO. He defended fairly well, linked up well in attack and provided some great service to the box. Donovan should of put that header in the back of the net. Much improvement from him, but the back line as a whole leaves something to be desired.

 

Playing as defender will never bring you the accolades of a striker or midfielder. In fact, I would argue that you are setting yourself up for an inevitable perception of failure by playing such a position. Any little error is magnified significatly, because if that little failure leads to a goal, your game will be considered in the toilet, at least for that match.

You better be tough physically and mentally to play as a defender. So isn't it interesting that our Gold Cup USMNT has all but two defenders who play in Europe. And while one has played okay, the other one who doesn't play in Europe has been the least impressive, in my opinion.

Bob may not have settled on a starting backline, but I don't think that means our backline is bad. In fact with Dolo in, it is probably the stronger area of our squad, with midfield only very recently catching up, and possibly surpassing, the capability of our internationally experienced and appreciated defenders.

 

Goalkeeping for quite some time has been the yank's best position. For some odd reason the US seems to be blessed with fantastic keepers...Friedel, Hanneman, Howard and even Keller are quality keepers.

The mids are catching up as the most formidable position on the field, while forwards are just a stride or two ahead of defense. Overall I am impressed and we look much better going forward in attack. Defense still leaves something to be desired.

 

Strikers/forwards are our weakest positions. But thank you for playing.

 

Oh right...I'm sorry, I forgot. PCB's opinion on any topic relating too football, Fulham, politics or just pretty much anythign in general supersedes all other logic or opinion.

A thousand apologies. It will never happen again.

 

Well....yes.

But actually, I defer to PettyFog as the foremost authority on all things that make my head spin.

I acknowledge that you think the defense is our weakest position, I just disagree.

As "they" say, opinions are like assholes. Everybody has one.

 

I am just happy to see that you chose to leave poor Bradley out of your rant this morning. Well done...you are improving.

 

I actually think our defense is pretty good.

Simek-Demerit-Boca-Spector/Bornstein

We may not have the best reserves in the world, but I like our first string

 

Well, that's one of us. :banana:

 

Deuce was solid as usual. Hit wood twice, as was pointed out (huhuh, wood), and hit a rocket that the El Salvador keeper had to make a great stop on, and made a gorgeous dish to Beasley for his second goal. Kid can play.

Boca only sat because of his yellow, no need for concern. Is the Gold Cup like the World Cup where if you pick up a suspension after the group stage (e.g. if Boca had played last night and picked up another yellow) it carries over into the knockout rounds (e.g. Boca would miss the QF), but you're carrying a single yellow it's wiped clean (e.g. if Boca picks up a yellow on Saturday he doesn't miss the semifinal)?

Spector was solid last night, I thought, though (like so many of our players) he doesn't deliver many great crosses. He seems to have the size to fill in at center back if need be.

In the QF, if we play Mexico:
Howard
Hejduk - Gooch - Boca - Bornstein
Feilhaber - Mastroeni
Dempsey - Donovan - Beasley
Johnson

In the QF, if we play anyone else (seems like it could be Guadeloupe or anyone from group C):
Keller
Simek - DeMerit - Boca - Bornstein
Ralston - Feilhaber - Clark - Mapp
Donovan - Twellman

(Just my guesses, of course - against Mexico you play your best lineup obviously but I think against a weaker team you try to continue with a rotation to keep guys fresh; also you'd like to get Keller his 100th cap in here somewhere and give him another chance to audition for a contract somewhere)

 

Did no one else see Spector's beautiful cross to Donovan that he wasted? Wonderful set up. I am often times critical of our LB and RB getting forward and the quality of their service. Last night Spector did everything he was suppose to, wasn't dissapointed in the least.

 

I must've missed it. There were parts of the game that I had one eye on something else so it's possible that he delivered some better crosses I didn't see.

 

Gold Cup is like the World Cup: single yellows gained in group stage are wiped clean, but if you get your second yellow in the 3rd game, you miss the first game of the Single Elimination Stage.