This off season has been especially long and difficult. After having one of the craziest endings to a season, we had to sit and wait (quite impatiently I might add) for our boys to defend their crown. However, as you all well know, it seemed as though this could be in jeopardy. The possibility of a strike and the uncertainty that surrounded that probably route were like a storm just waiting to strike. But, as many storms we have seen in this valley, it turned out to be all for not. The players union and owners/league officials pulled out a deal and we all went back to peace. What was said during that rough time is in the past, the yelling, the bickering, the (for lack of a better term) bitching are all old news now. We have ourselves a season, we have ourselves a title to defend.
Coming out of the gate, RSL will travel to San Jose. The Quakes were one of the worst teams last season, but that doesn't mean they will be an easy game by any means. In fact, RSL got only 1 point out of a possible 6 against San Jose last season and that one came off an own goal in the RioT in the 89th minute. Add to that that the loss at San Jose was, I believe, one of the ugliest of last season and this "easy match" becomes anything but that.
San Jose has improved their team from last season, no doubt about that. I haven't done extensive homework on them, but everything I read hints towards them being a much improved squad. RSL is in the same boat. The form at the end of last season came with the group of guys that are still around, commonly referred to as the "core" of the team. With a couple additions here and there and a loss or two, this squad should be coming out where they left off. The key word there is, without a doubt, SHOULD.
The starting XI for this one is anybodies guess. There are some positions that, in my own and many other people's opinion, "set". However, there are some where I believe Jason might be flipping a coin this week (kidding obviously). If I had to put money on it, this is what we will see Saturday night at Buck Shaw:
GK: Nick Rimando
LB: Chris Wingert
CB: Nat Borchers
CB: Jamison Olave
RB: Robbie Russell
LM: Will Johnson
CDM: Kyle Beckerman
CAM: Javier Morales
RM: Ned Grabavoy
LF: Fabian Espindola
RF: Robbie Findley
Bench: Kyle Reynish, Tony Beltran, Andy Williams, Nelson Gonzalez, Pablo Campos, Alvaro Sabirio, David Horst
I expect to see Alvaro regardless of how the match is going (less productive FW off)
Andy if it is tied or we are winning (Grabs off)
The last sub will be between Beltran, Gonzalez, and Campos.
If we need some D (winning), Beltran will come on for a midy (likely javi) and Russell will slide to the middle.
If we are tied and lucky to be doing so, I believe JK will sacrifice a forward or a midy and bring on Gonzalez for some possession.
If we are losing, I see Pablo coming on for the other forward (Sabo the first sub) or maybe even dropping a midy and going to a 4-3-3
This is the MLS and parity be thy name. Who will win this game? I haven't got a clue. My gut tells me that RSL will play well, much better than previous road form, and will get some goals no matter what. However, I fear our D will struggle and give up a goal or two to San Jose (they always find a way through us). In the end, the safe bet is a draw. 2-2 I say with Findley and Alvaro getting goals for the "good guys".
Lets hope for a good game and great season. I want to win that cup again!
Cheers,
15 to 32
3.21.2010
3.04.2010
USA vs The bloody Dutch
Well, the last road friendly before the big show is in the bag. While it didn't end with a W, there are things we can take from this game that are both good and bad for the Yanks.
The Pros:
First off, this team will NEVER get blown out. Our first team has the ability and talent to hang with anyone (list includes Brazil, Spain, and Netherlands... the top 3 teams in the world according to some). That is a great thing considering our ability to also take advantage of other teams mistakes.
Another piece of good news is our ability on set pieces is still quite good. With how we are going to have to play the big teams, set pieces will make or break us. Bocanegra showed his skill in the air (though I think almost anyone could head that one in) and we nearly added another when Goodson (who is a great rising star) nearly found the net with his wonderful half bike half scissor kick.
Another promising thing from this game was the "youth" on the squad showed they are developing and will be ready for not only this next world cup but the one in Brazil as well. Torress had a decent game in the middle (what a strike) and Holden was doing a pretty decent job until De Jong went all karate on his leg (quick recovery please).
The last thing this team showed in that game and showed in a lot of games is that they face adversity very well. When they went down a goal, it was completely against the run of play at that time. The US was on the attack, and the Dutch were the ones hoping to keep the ball out. In the second half the US had to deal with wave after wave of Dutch attack, and did well to control it. If not for an unlucky deflection (cant be too harsh on Bornstein for that one) then who knows how the game would have ended. The end of the game was the most promising, obviously, as the US showed it can push forward, has the conditioning of the top teams (and maybe even better) and will punish mistakes if they are made most of the time.
The Cons:
While we did see some decent play from certain players, others that needed to step up simply didn't. Findley tops the list with a very lackluster performance. He had opportunities to make the Dutch pay by getting in behind them, but he seemed nervous to really go at them or simply lacked the ability and skill to do so.
Our defense has no depth at LB. I think every other spot in the back 4 is fairly solid given a healthy team. However, the left back position is a scary one. I think, with a healthy team, you would see Bocanegra slide left and Onyewu take his spot in the middle with Demerit, but after Bocanegra, its Bornstein. He has been a weak spot, and if he sees the pitch in SA he will be the likely point of attack for the opponent.
Donovan showed how easily he can be shut down. By taking away his space, the Dutch completely eliminated our best player, which doesn't say much about him. The top players in the world will adjust their game when the other team is keying on them, Donovan didn't seem to do this at all. He got stuck out wide for most of the game and was a non factor. I think if this happens in the world cup, which it almost surely will, adjustments need to be made to slide him into the middle as a "withdrawn forward". If he gets a lot of attention there, it will only open things up for everyone else. On the wing, it doesn't do that as much.
Our best soccer style is going to be an Italian style. While it sounds good to play "Italian football" given they are arguably the second best team all time (behind those damn yellow shirts of course) it does not mean it will be pretty. This style relies heavily on staying composed in the back and in the middle, usually having a more defensive presence. The US can do this fairly well with two center mids that are defensively focused. This will irritate many fans, though, as they want to see an attack or someone be a "#10" but it simply wont happen. We don't have the ability/talent across the board to attack teams like a Brazil, England, or Spain. Given that, I like what Bradley does, sits back, feels out the opponent, and finds gaps to attack with force on the occasion.
Conclusion:
While there is much that could be said about this game, the truth is we saw about half of what the team will look like in South Africa. I have sadly come to the conclusion that if we don't have Davies healthy by June 12th, then a 4-5-1 would likely be the best route for this team. Nobody has stepped up in that other striker position save Ching, and he isn't the type of player you play with Jozy. The starting XI, for me right now, would be this (assuming health to all those expected to return by June):
Timmy
Dolo Demerit Gooch Bocanegra
Dempsey Edu Bradley Holden
Donovan
Jozy
I am optimistic for the world cup. I think this team has the ability, if they stay focused and attack at the right time, to make a run to the final 8. Yes, the final 8. With a healthy Davies, I would guarantee this, but without him its going to be hard to score (as we have seen).
Get your US flags, jerseys, and bandannas ready. The world cup is less than 100 days away
Cheers,
15 to 32
The Pros:
First off, this team will NEVER get blown out. Our first team has the ability and talent to hang with anyone (list includes Brazil, Spain, and Netherlands... the top 3 teams in the world according to some). That is a great thing considering our ability to also take advantage of other teams mistakes.
Another piece of good news is our ability on set pieces is still quite good. With how we are going to have to play the big teams, set pieces will make or break us. Bocanegra showed his skill in the air (though I think almost anyone could head that one in) and we nearly added another when Goodson (who is a great rising star) nearly found the net with his wonderful half bike half scissor kick.
Another promising thing from this game was the "youth" on the squad showed they are developing and will be ready for not only this next world cup but the one in Brazil as well. Torress had a decent game in the middle (what a strike) and Holden was doing a pretty decent job until De Jong went all karate on his leg (quick recovery please).
The last thing this team showed in that game and showed in a lot of games is that they face adversity very well. When they went down a goal, it was completely against the run of play at that time. The US was on the attack, and the Dutch were the ones hoping to keep the ball out. In the second half the US had to deal with wave after wave of Dutch attack, and did well to control it. If not for an unlucky deflection (cant be too harsh on Bornstein for that one) then who knows how the game would have ended. The end of the game was the most promising, obviously, as the US showed it can push forward, has the conditioning of the top teams (and maybe even better) and will punish mistakes if they are made most of the time.
The Cons:
While we did see some decent play from certain players, others that needed to step up simply didn't. Findley tops the list with a very lackluster performance. He had opportunities to make the Dutch pay by getting in behind them, but he seemed nervous to really go at them or simply lacked the ability and skill to do so.
Our defense has no depth at LB. I think every other spot in the back 4 is fairly solid given a healthy team. However, the left back position is a scary one. I think, with a healthy team, you would see Bocanegra slide left and Onyewu take his spot in the middle with Demerit, but after Bocanegra, its Bornstein. He has been a weak spot, and if he sees the pitch in SA he will be the likely point of attack for the opponent.
Donovan showed how easily he can be shut down. By taking away his space, the Dutch completely eliminated our best player, which doesn't say much about him. The top players in the world will adjust their game when the other team is keying on them, Donovan didn't seem to do this at all. He got stuck out wide for most of the game and was a non factor. I think if this happens in the world cup, which it almost surely will, adjustments need to be made to slide him into the middle as a "withdrawn forward". If he gets a lot of attention there, it will only open things up for everyone else. On the wing, it doesn't do that as much.
Our best soccer style is going to be an Italian style. While it sounds good to play "Italian football" given they are arguably the second best team all time (behind those damn yellow shirts of course) it does not mean it will be pretty. This style relies heavily on staying composed in the back and in the middle, usually having a more defensive presence. The US can do this fairly well with two center mids that are defensively focused. This will irritate many fans, though, as they want to see an attack or someone be a "#10" but it simply wont happen. We don't have the ability/talent across the board to attack teams like a Brazil, England, or Spain. Given that, I like what Bradley does, sits back, feels out the opponent, and finds gaps to attack with force on the occasion.
Conclusion:
While there is much that could be said about this game, the truth is we saw about half of what the team will look like in South Africa. I have sadly come to the conclusion that if we don't have Davies healthy by June 12th, then a 4-5-1 would likely be the best route for this team. Nobody has stepped up in that other striker position save Ching, and he isn't the type of player you play with Jozy. The starting XI, for me right now, would be this (assuming health to all those expected to return by June):
Timmy
Dolo Demerit Gooch Bocanegra
Dempsey Edu Bradley Holden
Donovan
Jozy
I am optimistic for the world cup. I think this team has the ability, if they stay focused and attack at the right time, to make a run to the final 8. Yes, the final 8. With a healthy Davies, I would guarantee this, but without him its going to be hard to score (as we have seen).
Get your US flags, jerseys, and bandannas ready. The world cup is less than 100 days away
Cheers,
15 to 32
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