U.S.A. v. Guatemala (Frisco, TX)

Will the USMNT carry the momentum into this one and teach the Guats that you "Don't Mess With Texas"?

We shall see. Appears Boca, Gooch, Howard and Carroll(?) received their walking papers to head back to their respective teams. Seems Bradley has seen enough from each. Can't help but think it means something almost completely different for Carroll than for the others.

Starting XI:

-------------------------------- The Old Man ----------------------------------

----- Cherundolo --------- Spector -------- Simek ---------- DeMerit -----

---- Dempsey -------- Feilhaber ---------- Donovan -------- Beasley -----

----------------- Cooper --------------------- Twellman ---------------------

Bench/Subs:
Ching
Bradley
Mapp
Johnson
Guzan

Final: U.S.A. 2 - 0 Guatemala

 

Word is that Pearce is hurt, so that leaves....

Is Carroll the only player that has a match this weekend? Maybe I'm missing something here. Is he in the Confed Cup? I honestly don't know. Regardless, not exactly impressive the other day. I doubt we'll miss him much.

 

Granted, most of his play was at the other end, as we were with Sam's Army in the opposit endzone stands, but I think most every opinion about Johnson was pretty much, "oh well, another no show game for Eddie. When will we stop putting him in there and hoping he actually catches on?"

So I wasn't all that impressed, and neither were most around us.

Who were the buzz names: Donovan (obviously), Feilhaber, Bradley and porbably in that order. On defense, Gooch dissapointed quite a few with that first goal, but seemed to get back in the match, Conrad showed he belongs, Cherundolo has RB locked up IMO, and Bocanegra put in a solid performance. Midfield see above, buyt Dempsey seemed nearly non-existant to most and while Beasley tried, he just seemed not to be able to deal with the stronger Ecuador guys. Forwards: Twellman, who? Ching, o.k. I guess. Can't decide if sticking your face that low to the ground, knowing there is a good chance of getting kicked in the face is a really committed thing or not so bright thing. I'll go with really committed.

 

as much as I don't like Ching...he does hold the ball up nicely. Was that him that put Donovan through for that goal as well? whoever that was, that was a nice play. I'd like to see Pearce go the full 90 as well.

 

Well, a tough game for the US. Guatemala played nearly all of their team behind the ball and it was difficult for the US to break through. Further, they shut down Donovan quite well. Still, the US had chances but couldn't finish. Deuce again had an average game although he was more involved in the second half. Eddie Johnson still needs that killer instinct; he looks like he's not confident to me.

On the upside, I thought our midfield, especially Bradley and Feilhaber, played very well as did our defence. DeMerit, Spector and Simek all had strong showings and should get return calls to the USMNT.

Overall, average performance for the US but some good individual performances by some of the newer players. Guatemala executed their gameplan well and shut us down.

After his first 4 games, I'm feeling pretty good about Bradley. I say we keep him.

 

What he said. But I reserve the right to reserve judgment on his last call.

 

Our wingers, specifically our very own Clint Dempsey, were non-existent. I am not sure what the deal is with Dempsey, but if he continues to play as he has the last two games, he will not be getting off the Fulham bench anytime soon.

Because Guatemala was keeping most every man behind the ball, the US needed to spread the field and get their wingers involved in the game. Mapp did a decent job at times running at players, but Dempsey could not seem to get around anyone and his passing was not so good.

It was a dull match to say the least. I do like Bradley in the midfield and I like Feilhaber as well. I think Feilhaber was pushed back a bit too close to the defense last night, but I might be wrong on that one.

The Guatemalans did a nice job marking Donovan and taking him out of the game. I hope the US can find an answer for these defensive tactics before the Gold Cup in June.

 

I agree Tom..there is something with Dempsey right now...he just doesn't look right.

I think Bradley has solidified a spot. He's been solid the last two.

 

Well it was a very young line-up, Donovan and Keller being the only regulars over the last cycle included, and it showed. Unfortunate but I'm not over concerned.

I think the issue with Dempsey is that he's simply not sharp. His strength is his decisiveness, and confidence. He knows what he wants to do, where he how he wants to do it, and then he just does it instinctively. Obviously having not played in a while he has lost the edge.

Its chicken and egg for Coleman, give the guy some time and he'll probably come along and find form continue to let him rot and he's not likely to.

As for the rest, Demerit, Conrad, and Spector were good. Some would disagree but Smiek didn't do much for me. Bradley and Fielhaber were good, Mapp is not national team material, and Johnson needs to be dropped now! He's had his chance over and over, the guy scored a mighty two goals all last season in MLS, he shouldn't be getting call-ins at this point.

 

Don you are correct about the D's formation. Playing Gautemela here is always like a trip to the dentist...entertaining as root canal. Simek was solid if unspectacular, he certainly deserves another call-up, but he's not challenging Cherundulo anytime soon. Glad to see Spector healthy, I'm sure he wishes to have that wide open shot over again (brutal attempt). Deuce while not spectacular did have a hand in the 2 best chances of the night. Just an aside dug the new kits, just wished they had kept the blue shorts from Sun.

 

I didn't think Mapp was all that bad. He could stand to get stronger on the ball, but the way Dempsey and Beasley have been playing lately, we are in need of some wingers with some speed and guts to take it at the opposing team.

Mapp still needs to get tougher physically and mentally, but remember, he is only 22 years old. He is still relatively young. He is just starting to get his chances in the national team. I think he warrants more call ups.

 

You are definitely a card-carrying member of the Heath Pearce Fan Club. Hell, I'm dissapointed I didn't get to see what all your fuss was about.

 

When Bobby Convey gets healthy I think he'll be the true winger we lack right now!! He and Beasley could be real good for the MNT. Just if one of them could play the right wing! Last nights game was boring, however I was impressed with Bradley and Feilhaber. I like the young guns getting the chance to play and showing that they can play!!

Also, has Kenny Cooper been able to play a whole 90 yet?? I really want to see him get some extended time up front. Anybody know much about him? Am I wrong to want to see more minutes for him?

 

Being a fellow Eagle, I'm totally biased, but what about giving Charlie Davies some run up front? He had a great collegiate career at BC and has proven to have a nose for the net on the U-18 and U-20 teams. After gaining some professional experience in Europe he could be another option for solving our striker woes as we get closer to 2010.