RSL vs DC UnitedIn my pre-game post about the RSL game I said it could have been a great match. That, given the talent on both teams, it had the potential to be a fun match to watch. It wasn't. Neither team played much attractive football. In the rare occasions that either did, the ref was sure to call some bogus foul that disrupted play and returned it to its brutish form. RSL, despite being the home team, did not start the game well at all. DC took control of the match early and was just a pass or two away from finding the goal on a few occasions. RSL, to their credit, did eventually step its game up. Fabian Espindola was essentially the lone man who pulled the team out of its early slump. His hard work rate and tenacity were paying off with chances left a right. Eventually, through some great short passing, RSL worked their way into the box. Jean and KB worked a nice little 1-2 and the DC defender slid to try and stop KB from getting in. The ref could have either called the hand ball or the tackle, in either case a penalty was awarded. Espy didn't let anyone else on the spot as he instantly went and asked for the ball. He burried it and, sadly, RSL slowly let off the gas.
In the second half it got more and more chippy as the game went on. DC was looking for a counter goal, especially with the introduction of Davies, and was trying to get the ball to Pontius when not going over the top. Pontius rung one off the cross bar on a great passing sequence and was unlucky to not get in behind on a few other occasions. RSL looked pretty lack luster in their offensive half as they simply couldn't get anything on goal. Then, in the 83rd minute, the games deciding moment came. RSL had a set piece about 40 yards away from goal. A poor service led to a quick counter by DC. Davies was sent onto a long ball down the RSL left flank. He dribbled his way into the box (dude still has quite a bit of pace) and looked up. RSL had recovered enough that the only real option Davies had was a shot with essentially no angle. He wound up, Wingert slid, then suddenly Davies decided to take an extra touch. At this moment, Wingert pulled out of the tackle (as can be seen on multiple replays). Davies, knowing he had lost the ball out of bounds now, dove. The ref bought it. Upon review, Davies was never touched. Wingert got a piece of the ball, so maybe it should have been a corner, but a pk was just unbelievable.
Most in the stadium were simply in shock. It made no sense. Even the DC bench and players seemed to be a bit caught off guard as they were hesitant to celebrate. Eventually, after much debate, Davies stepped up to receive his award. A well placed penalty beat Nicky even though he guessed the right direction. From there, it seemed things couldn't get much worse, right?
Actually, RSL was lucky not to lose it late. Olave, in what can only be described as completely retarded, fouled a DC player on a break away when Olave had time to pass the ball to Nicky or clear it himself. He was clearly frustrated with the AR on the west side and wanted more words with him. This approach, though, was inches from being very costly. DC ran an impeccable set piece and Pontius put one over the bar, barely.
The game ended, the players were pissed, the fans booed, everyone was frustrated. Everyone except Davies. He had his award and was no responsible for 2 points DC earned this season they didn't deserve. One against RSL and one against LA earlier in the season.
Man of the Match: Nobody
Honestly, it felt as though nobody wanted to put their stamp on this game save Davies. He sure as hell isn't earning MOTM honors for the way he did, though. Espy started on fire, but really fatigued later in the second half. Turns out, after a little reading, that Espy strained his hammy and asked to be subbed at half. Kreis, for whatever reason, pushed him to keep playing. Piss poor management.Wanker of the match: The 3 stooges (Officiating Crew)
While I'm sure many were betting this would be Davies, I just couldn't rob the officials of the wonderful job they did to earn the award. Davies had one moment - though really big - where he was a wanker. Vaughn and his crew had several. And, honestly, they were the only ones who bought the dive. Thats pretty sad.US vs Jamaica
Over at RFK stadium in DC, ironically enough, Jermaine Jones must have felt jealous. In a game that showed the US is in fact capable of making all other CONCACAF opponents look weak (save Mexico) Jones played an incredibly large role. And I'm not saying this because he scored what proved to be the game winner. It's because his dive shortly thereafter resulted in a straight red for the Jamaican defender and sunk all hopes they had of making a comeback.
Given the whole scope of the game, though, the Yanks were the better team. The adjustments Bradley made paid off huge and, hopefully, were just the beginning of a new mentality of this team. It has been quite awhile since I've see the Yanks play with that chip on their should. It had large part to do with, in my opinion, the youngsters being given a chance. Aguelo, Lichaj, Kljestan, and most importantly Bedoya stepped it up on the big stage.
Panama knocked off El Salvador in the game after so the US will have its chance at revenge. If Bradley can keep that kind of attitude instilled in his players, Panama could get routed. Dempsey, Donovan, Bradley, Jones, and Agudelo could all run havoc over a Panama team that simply doesn't have the same skill to keep up.
Man of the match: Alejadro Bedoya
Honestly this award could have gone to a lot of different people. Contrary to the RSL game, players and management stepped up when needed. The Bradley's deserve credit, so does Jones (even with the dive), as well as Agudelo, Kljestan, Lichaj, the back 4, Dempsey, etc. For me, though, Bedoya stood out the most. Maybe its because I was really scared to see him in the starting XI, but Bedoya had a hell of a match. Really hope Bradley recognizes that and gives him a go against Panama.Wanker of the match: Ryan Johnson
This may seem a bit cruel, but I thought Johnson had quite the temper in the game. He constantly gets into little skirmishes with Olave when RSL plays him at San Jose so it shouldn't surprise me much. He seemed to be pretty harsh on his teammates, though, and that really wasn't a bright thing given he didn't do his job incredibly well, either.For me, the best starting XI that Bradley could place out there for the Wednesday game against Panama is:
GK: Howard
LB: Lichaj
CB: Goodson
CB: Boca
RB: Dolo
RM: Bedoya
CDM: Jones
CDM: Bradley
CAM: Dempsey
LM: Donovan
FW: Agudelo
The Bright Side of the Weekend
There were positives this weekend.
1. I gotta see the stanky leg back at the RioT.
- Even if I was calling Davies a Tijuana night walker (to put it nicely) during it, it was nice to see Davies putting the ball in the net. For awhile there, I wasn't sure the kid would ever see the pitch again.
2. The US with some fight in 'em.
- Too many fans of the yanks have this sense of entitlement when it comes to CONCACAF. We don't want to give the other teams/countries in this region (besides Mexico) much credit. Truth is, many of them are making great strides forward. Thus, we need to respect them as such. I think this entitlement spread to the team in some ways, as was seen in the group stages.
3. Rory Mcilroy
WHAT?!?! you say... Yeah, after what that guy did this weekend, gotta give him some credit. Love the kid and his attitude. Though he might not be as exciting as Tiger quite yet, he is getting close.
FORZA REAL
Cheers,
15 to 32
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