Post USA vs El Salvador

During my wonderful, but not long enough, Labor Day weekend I had time to reflect on one of the most memorable games I have ever been to. Here are my thoughts:

The Crowd:
I arrived a bit later than I had wanted to as my dinner took longer than expected and parking/traffic was a bit of a pain. However, I did get there in time to soak in some of the pregame activities.
First off, the El Salvador fans (along with pretty much any other country that LOVES football) were fantastic. They were loud, emotional, and most importantly passionate about not only their team but the game in general. The chants, the drums, just simply the noise was something that stadium had yet to experience at that level (no offense to La Barra or Chivas USA fans). I made my way over to the south end stands and was delighted to notice that that was the area with the most "passionate" of fans, on both sides. The American Outlaws were doing there best to make sure that the rest of the stadium showed its true colors, and the El Salvador fans were making sure all of their fans were just as loud. Honestly, in a couple of years, I likely wont remember much about the actual game. However, I know for a fact that I will remember the experiences I had for those far too short 90 minutes of football in the stands.

The Actual Game:
El Salvador is no push-over, I must apologize for thinking that they would come into the RioT with their heads down, willing to accept defeat. While overall I fell the US was the better team, there were good chunks of time where El Salvador was the better team. The opening minutes were fantastic I thought. Some people call it sloppy, I think its more of an emotional high the players are running on. Such a huge event with such a great atmosphere will get players on a high that one can only dream of. The US was the better side, however, they could not get that finishing touch. Then, after a horrendous mistake by Bornstein, El Salvador punished the US. A very nicely placed cross was met with an astounding header (how did that guy get so tall all of the sudden?) that got Timmy crossed up and found the back of the net. The US was not going to put its head down though.
After that, the crowd really got into things. The El Salvador fans were doing there best to keep their team on a high, but they were simply too out-numbered. The US fans rose to the occasion and lit a fire under the ass of the yanks. A wonderful set piece found the lone on-sides player in Clint Dempsey and things were all square. Its funny to go back and watch the replay. Clint, seriously, is the ONLY US player on the screen that is on-sides. We are very lucky that not only did he make the run, but that none of the other players went towards the ball.
From there, the yanks continued on their push to get a goal. Cross after cross went begging, but with only 15 seconds left in the allotted extra time, Cakes found a wide-open Jozy Altidore who put his corner down and in the near post. A world class finish for a player that is simply on fire right now.
At the break, it was 2-1 for the yanks. Everyone in the stands had the feeling that the scoring wasn't over, and they were right. However, the final scoreboard would prove them wrong. A few confrontational calls/non-calls in the second half left many fans scratching their heads. First, the third goal by Jozy Altidore was called back after what appeared to be an offsides call. However, if you go back and look, the AR never raises his flag to signal for offsides. So then it must have been a foul correct? Well, with where the center gave the foul at, it would mean that Jozy had somehow fouled his mark when he received the pass from Dempsey. Once again, if you go back and watch the replay, there was no foul. The defender lunged for the ball, he missed, Jozy took it to the goal, and calmly slotted it in. I have still yet to hear what the official "foul" on the play was. This, sadly, was not the only MAJOR questionable incident with the official directly involved. With about 15 minutes left in the game, an El Salvador player made a cut inside the box and was completely hacked down by Bornstein (not his best night eh). Nothing was called... All of the fans around me, the strongest US supporters around, all agreed that there should have been a penalty awarded. So, in the end, I guess you can call it even. The center took away 2 goals, one from each team.
The closing minutes of the game were not the prettiest football to be played. Heck, they were some of the ugliest football, lets me honest. El Salvador was showing its class of possession and the US was showing some of its flaws defensively. If not for a tremendous save by Timmy Howard (how he got so low so fast is still beyond me) then this game could have easily ended in a draw.

Player Evals:

Timmy Howard: B+
Got caught out of position on the first goal, but made up for it with some great saves and stellar play the rest of the game. Isn't it nice to have a big man inside the 18...

Bornstein: C-
Awful awful AWFUL night. How he got the nod over dolo is beyond me. He continued his bad form from a couple weeks ago in the RioT this game. Against a better opponent (Mexico, Honduras, Costa Rica) he would have been responsible for another goal or two.

Marshall: B
He couldn't touch a guy without it somehow being a foul. It was really sad to see how cautious he had to be just to stay out of trouble. I think he can be a great player, but he needs to get out of the MLS to learn how true center backs play.

Boca: B+
Good night, solid in the back. When there isn't much to say about your center back, it usually is a good thing.

Spector: B-
The guy can cross a fantastic ball, however he didn't have the cleanest of touches and his speed was exposed by the quick number 11. Not an awful night, but he didn't do much to make that "his spot"

Deuce: B
The guy can be so good for spurts, and so bad for others. If he put together a full game, or even 70 minutes, he would be the best player for the nats. However, its getting him to put out that effort that's holding him back. Great goal though

Bradley: B
He can be really great at winning tackles, distributing, and being the central figure. However, once he starts to slip, it gets ugly. There were a couple minutes where he looked simply awful and others where he looked brilliant. There are going to be ups and downs, but that much of a variation is not a good thing. Learn to control that, and he is our best center mid.

Benny: B-
This guy never seems to be fully fit for a game. He was doing great in the first half, but in the second he seemed to run out of steam. If he gets his fitness up for the world cup, he should be a starter for us. The Brazilian part of him shows when he is on his game.

Cakes: A- (co MOTM)
Mandon showed that he is one of the fittest players in the world this game. His sprints up and down the pitch were a beauty to watch. If other players on this team had his work rate and fitness, we could push for some very high results.

Davies: B+
I love this kid. His skill, speed, touch, vision, etc all make him look like a fantastic player. If he continues to develop, this team is going to turn heads (again) on the big stage.

Jozy: A- (co MOTM)
Altidore looks like he was made in a factory. The guy is built, tall, strong, fast, and just plain and simply smart. He looks a whole lot more experienced than he is. Like Davies, lets hope this kid continues to develop. A Jozy-Davies duo in the next two world cups could make for some great things for this country.

Holden: B
Stuart needs to get out of the MLS, sorry to say it, but his talent is greater than the league can handle right now. I really hope he gets a shot at going to a bigger club. This kid looks like a true winger that we have all dreamt of playing for our team.

Beckerman: C
Simply awful. He pushed, and in my mind passed, Borstein for worst player on the pitch and he was only out there for 10 minutes. I could spin it since he is the home-town boy, but honestly he has zero chance (well at least that's what I hope) at making the roster for the world cup (if and WHEN we qualify). Beckerman, you had your shot, and nearly were directly responsible for dropping 2 vital points in a tight race.

Torres: B
Jose came on in the final minutes when things were hectic and put into a position that really didn't get to see much of the ball unless it was flying over his head or being brought at him by the El Salvador players. I like what this kid has to offer, but I don't think he is going to be seeing much time in '10.

USA: B
Not the greatest game I have seen from them. Against better opposition, that game ends differently (who knows what would happen with a quality ref) and likely not good for the US. We got the 3 points that we needed to get though, and that's all that matters. Now, moving on to T&T... a game where 3 points could put us on top of the group once again.

Cheers,
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