U23 Olympic Tryout Roster

I was expecting better. Would have liked to see Adu more involved. He should have stood out as the class on the field next to those players. Too much passing in the air and too much sloppy passing. In short, that didnt look like a Caleb Porter team to me. Found it strange.

My first good look at Joe Corona. The boy can finish.

 

Mo, Porter wasn't pleased w/the performance either in the post match report, but they are just beginning the process (and a 6-0 drubbing is a good place to build off of). Haven't seen Corona yet, how does he look size and speed wise?

 

I read that too Joe. And I guess there were better stretches in the second half, but like Heather I fell asleep for part of it so I didnt see it. They are going to have to do better though. I want them in the Olympics so badly. I read both Dempsey and Donovan want to be the over 23 players. I'm hoping something like a little Olympic competition might satiate Dempsey's desire for Champions League ccasion-olympics:

And as far as Corona, I didnt notice his speed because he was more in the playmaker role, but he has quick feet. As far as his size, he's not big but he's not too small either.

 

It's OK, Heather.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khSIYmTzt6U[/youtube]

 

Lineup v. Canada:
Shea------------Bunbury-------------Adu

----------Diskerud------Corona---------

--------------------Jeffrey-------------------

Villafana---Opara---Kitchen----Valentin

---------------------Hamid--------------------

Aguedelo tore his meniscus against Cuba - no prognosis as of yet, but, that can't be a good thing. Damn.

 

...and now, Shea, with the mohawk as well. I guess it's better than his previous mullet, though,.,,.

 

First half: US, not so good...

Adu, Shea on wings have been solid - midfield seems to be lacking and Burbury I didn't even know was playing.

I expect the US to come out and hit 3 in the second half. Hooodeeeehooooo!!!

 

Ouch right now

 

(insert negative comment here)

 

Disappointed.

But the US thumps El Salvador and then a do die with Mexico bc of the 2nd place in group. Drama will be high.

 

Really awful. Possession with no purpose. I like it that they go so wide, but that was all they did. They never penetrated the center of the field; with players like Adu, Mix, and Corona that shouldnt have been a problem. They needed to get some shots off with the way Canada was sitting back. They looked panicky, rushed, and like they didnt know what they were doing. I agree with Heather. I'm not seeing them turning this thing around.

I'm sick of all this talk about the new US style and attractive soccer. You have to be able to get a result against inferior teams, first and foremost. Canada's coach is figuring out how to get a result in a qualifying tournament and we are thinking about attractive, entertaining soccer. It's just stupid.

And a big congrats to Canada. A well deserved victory for the team and coach.

 

The thing is, this squad has the talent to play "attractive" soccer at this level. And they do for the most part - however, the end product and defense were abysmal last night. Opara made several passing blunders and Hamid, should they get there, made Porter look up T. Howard's number in Liverpool.

Again, all is not lost and I hope for a match vs. Mexico for Olympic qualifying...it will be a dandy.

Ives' article: http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/usa/ ... um=twitter

 

Why can't anything ever be easy?? El Salvador will be playing their usual 1-10-0 formation, so patience and precision will be the key words of the day.

 

All is not lost but I'm still not feeeling good about qualifying. If El Sal sits back Porter better adjust and put more men in the midfield. Hopefully Canada knocked him down a notch and he wont be so arrogantly stubborn