USMNT v. Cuba

Team played pretty well. Ching proved why he is called up; he had almost a McBride like performance with his target-man hold-up play.

 

There's only one Clint Dempsey.

 

Been a while since Dempsey scored, nice to see him notch another one.

 

Dempsey's strike was good, but he was lucky that it was the Cuban defense in shambles that led to the chance. Unfortunetly, Dempsey continues to look poor for the US. I was pretty disappointed in him. Not a great game by the US as a whole, but whatever, 3points on the road.

 

The US was a bit disappointing. I dont really understand why they couldnt create more chances vs a team that comes from a small nation that doesnt care much about soccer and has recently lost 7 of it's top players. I could understand against the Guats because the game was so nasty, but the only excuses last night were the rain and field conditions. Oh, the stadium also had a carribean version of the cottage where the Cuban team stayed. The announcers said the Cuban players and coaches sat on the balcony and watched the US practice. Maybe that took an edge away from their strategy but I doubt it - not sure Bradley has much strategy. They will need more against T & T.

The best story of this game is again the fans. Read this one

http://www.fannation.com/blogs/post/246875

 

WOW!
Now THAT is a FAN!!!

 

USA policy on Cuba? Perfect example of bass ackwards.

 

Do you think Bob Bradley received a solid gold telephone while in Cuba?

 

All and all I think things went pretty well. I'd like to more from a few players but they did what was needed to get three points, and thank god for Tim Howard.

 

A win's a win of course, but I'm getting really frustrated with our conservative style. 1-0 wins versus mid to low end CONCACAF teams isn't going to cut it when it really counts. We simply cant keep playing two holding mids and expect to compete with WC caliber teams.

 

Geez Don, talk about selective editing of my post. That's a high horse you're riding on

 

I don't mind admitting that I am a flag-waving homer for the US national teams at all levels but the most apt description I can put on this game, after days of thinking and waiting to post, is that it was a good result from a poor performance.

Timmy, Ching, Gooch and Bradley all had good performances.

Duece was better than he has been but I am really questioning his finishing ability. I know he scored but not to even put the breakaway on goal was really poor. If he had gone just wide or just high I would understand but that was a scuff my eight year old would not make.

Speaking of poor shooting, I can only hope DMB finds both his form and confidence soon because what he can bring to this squad is irreplaceable when he is on.

Boca, Donovan and Pearce all had unmemorable performances. They were neither very good or very bad.

Edu needs more time with the team. His passing was awful at times and brilliant at other times. All-in-all he gave the ball away to much and a truly good team would have made us pay.

Hejduk=I cannot cross in algebra. Too bad Wynne didn't get any minutes.

Klejstan really stood out in his cameo. His off the ball running nearly created several chances and I hope to see much more of Sacha with the senior team. He is rapidly becoming one of my favorites from the USMNT.

Having said all that I will go back to flag-waving and point out that good teams grind out wins from poor performances.