Watching Tim Howard for USA

[Rook]

It's true, Donovan had some decent set pieces, and Dempsey was well involved in the 15 minutes of possession not dominated by the Argentines.

I didn't see the match but I know what you are talking about. I thought the reason why we lost to Ghana was that we never did get the ball wide to Dempsey and Donovan. Both players had quiet games against Algeria and I think were determined to make more of an impact against Ghana. Unfortunately they did this by cutting inside again and again so we resorted to trying to jam the ball down the other teams throat and hope for a penalty or an ugly goal. I don't remember more than 3-4 shots on goal in that match (could be wrong).

 

[TX Bill]

I admit I'm not an expect on US Football but aren't you always awful in the first half but much better in the 2nd? I thought that was your trademark.

It sure seems that way. It takes us getting knocked back to wake up. Shouldn't be that way but it is.

For some reason, we play well with our backs against the wall. I think it's partially because we come out of our bunker ball shell. It's almost like we realize, hey we actually have some talent!, and finally go at it.

Agree with your assessment TX Bill. I hope we get to see more Chandler on Tuesday. And I think Agudelo may have earned himself a start. The question is, who will his partner be?

And who are we going with at midfield against Paraguay? Especially since a host of veterans already played. Here's the thing: Mexico absolutely walloped Paraguay - anything less than a win on our side is going to start tongues wagging about this potentially being the year for Mexico (at the Gold Cup) instead. Which may be good for us since we seem to like to play as underdogs rather than favorites.

Good games of football this coming week - another USMNT game, hopefully the Galaxy can erase their absolutely dire game against RSL, and an Everton game too! Hope I'm not depressed all week.

With Buddle heading back to his club team, I think that Bob should start with a 4-4-2 with Altidore and Aguledo up front. Jozy played much better having a partner next to him.

Too bad Holden isn't healthy. Would have loved to have seen how he would have fared in the middle of the park.

Oh, and all the US supporters who were absolutely sure that Jermaine Jones was the answer in the middle of park, they can think again. That game (yes, I understand it was Argentina) passed him by too easily. He struggled big.

As for Mexico, they concern me. They haven't had a threat up top in recent years but now with Chicarito, that all changes.

 

[Kay20]

With Buddle heading back to his club team, I think that Bob should start with a 4-4-2 with Altidore and Aguledo up front. Jozy played much better having a partner next to him.

Oh, and all the US supporters who were absolutely sure that Jermaine Jones was the answer in the middle of park, they can think again. That game (yes, I understand it was Argentina) passed him by too easily. He struggled big.

As for Mexico, they concern me. They haven't had a threat up top in recent years but now with Chicarito, that all changes.

Agree on the 4-4-2. Do NOT start with 1 striker - let's see what the tandem can do! When Jozy had a partner he was suddenly tremendous up top and the two together took my breath away at moments. Just might be what we need to combat Chicarito. Our physicality upfront will be a problem for the Mexican defense.

I'm also wondering how we deal with Chandler/Lichaj now that we have two potential RB prospects (thank god). Steve Cherundolo has the nod, but these two are making things mighty interesting. Meanwhile, at LB...(crickets).

Well, I'm not sure on Jones. I felt like he broke up play better than Bradley, but Bradley was smoother. I sure would like to see a Jones/Edu combo before I make the final call. In all honestly, I thought both Bradley and Jones had terrible moments of play, so I don't think yesterday was the decision maker. Bob should really test a Jones/Edu combo tomorrow.

Finally, we should be seeing Diskerud tomorrow as well. Yay!

Looking forward to a good game.

Mexico concerns me too, but from what I've read, their defense is poorish. That's what's going to decide the winner at the Gold Cup I think - how porous the backline is. Our duo will give their backline fits, but Chich will for us as well. My concern is if we overly rely on Lando/Dempsey to shut him down. That effectively negates our offensive ability.

 

[Rook]

Mexico concerns me too, but from what I've read, their defense is poorish. That's what's going to decide the winner at the Gold Cup I think - how porous the backline is. Our duo will give their backline fits, but Chich will for us as well. My concern is if we overly rely on Lando/Dempsey to shut him down. That effectively negates our offensive ability.

From what I've noticed about Mexico's defense is that in matches that they don't have majority possession that they have been quite good. However when they do have possession they get suckered time and time again on the counterattack, which is the one thing we're good at.

 

[TX Bill]

Crappy result tonight against Paraguay but Chandler once again looked good. Impressive debut.

 

[johnnydawg68]

Crappy result tonight against Paraguay but Chandler once again looked good. Impressive debut.

Man that kid looks not good but GREAT. Where did he come from? One to watch.

 

[Kay20]

Okay. So, we need a RB to replace Neville eventually, if Coleman stays at RM, Timmy Chandler would be an EXCELLENT pick up by someone in the EPL (cough cough). He has helped take his team on a stunning run in the Bundesliga apparently (Nurnberg). And imagine him + Coleman on the right - it's basically what we're trying to do with LD + Coleman on the right.

I'm calling it based on two games. That kid was STUNNING. I mean STUNNING. He was that good.

The sheer prospect of him and LD combining makes me drool. Sure, Cherundolo is good, but Chandler would blast by him in a foot race. That one play in the first half where Chandler and Donovan took off to the races together and basically left everyone in the dust my heart practically stopped. The only thing that stopped a beautiful counter goal was Timmy getting tripped up on the ball.

If Lichaj can be converted to LB, cause he looked good too, we officially have a team folks. I sure hope he can be converted to a LB, cause Bornstein needs to NEVER be called up again. When he shanked that LD through-ball I just groaned. He stank. Again. I don't mean to be mean, but he just cannot play at the level of the rest of the team. He has pace, and that's about it.

Crappy result yes, but still encouraging - the team stepped up their play. I wish we had one more friendly before June.

LD needs to get his act together by June too. He looked rusty (and is getting reamed a bit by critics). I don't quite understand the dire criticism. It's his FOURTH 90 minute game of 2011 after a four month rest. He's rusty, not terrible! The majority of other players have been playing for months (and some looked tired). And the first two of his games were in beyond crappy conditions that weren't conducive to good soccer against the Sounders and Revolution. Really people? I know we expect a lot of him, but it's ridiculous to expect him to be in WC condition. Minus his set pieces which were uncharacteristically bad (Arteta-itis?). I fully expect him to be in form by June.

Meanwhile, Clint just looked *tired* and he held the ball way too long on several plays, effectively killing some counters. Hope he gets some rest before June.

Agudelo continued to look good and may be lapping Jozy. Ream = welcome to being a starter buddy.

Apparently I needed to say my two cents.

 

[RAFUH]

The result didn't turn out how we all liked, but I did like that we tried to play it on the ground..... just still not there yet*
*she types hopefully

Would have loved to see how this looked with Stu.

Loving what Timmy C brings going forward, but defensively maybe still needs some work (shades of Seamus). Based on the last couple matches, a line up could look something like (assuming all healthy)

Howard
'Dolo DeMerit/Gooch Ream Boca/Bornstein
Chandler Bradley Holden Donovan
Dempsey Agudelo

Since BB likes to start defensively, I could see him having Jones or Edu for Chandler to start moving Holden to RM, then as a sub straight swap Chandler for Dolo or Chandler to RM, move Holden central and take out Jones/Edu...

'Course since Stu is out for Gold Cup my fantasy is ruined for now. It will be Edu or Jones with Mikey. The question will be: Demps up top or at R/LM with Jozy up top. I think the 4-2-3-1 is (should be?) dead until we can see Stu in the center.

Agree with Kay that we desperately need one of Chandler or Lichaj to find a decent left foot....

I know he is still a pup, so trying not to get too excited about Juan. Was impressed with his hold up play.... hadn't really expected that from him.

 

[TX Bill]

I'm going to go our on a limb right now and say that Chandler just worked his way into the starting right back position. Cherundolo has been a solid player there and has really done well for us but Chandler, at 21 years of age, needs to be in there now.

 

[icburns]

Agree.

 

[Kay20]

Dolo apparently has been fantastic in Germany this year, so since we didn't see him it might be a little unfair to unseat him immediately. I want to see Dolo and Chandler against Spain to evaluate - one half a piece. Also, I pray that Chandler or Lichaj develops a left foot. If we can have a back line of Dolo/Chandler, Ream, Boca and Chandler/Lichaj I think I might just palpitate.

Regardless, Chandler earned himself a spot in the squad for the Gold Cup. He will see playing time, just a question of which games he starts vs Dolo. But I'm sure Bradley is happy to have another option back there.

I do think Chandler passed up Lichaj - who has still looked decent. A 7 to Chandler's 8. The fact that Bradley started Chandler vs. Paraguay rather than giving Lichaj the start? Telling.