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Post by zizou on Jun 5, 2014 8:54:48 GMT -5
I have been watching the pre-World Cup Friendlies mostly to find inspiration and hope for the USMNT. Not by focusing on the USMNT, but by recording matches involving CONCACAF sides. Turns out this has been terrible for the psyche. Here is what I have seen so far. The first one I watched was Panama-Brasil. I was optimistic for the first 20 minutes, then there is the Neymar free kick from the top of the box and everything was over. Just different classes of football between those two teams. I think the only thing that can stop Brasil is their own arrogance (if you know what I mean). Then I see Japan outclass Costa Rica; Kagawa and Honda are good (I am not sure we have anyone in their class in the US), but they are not their entire team. Very impressive technical footballers on that squad. El Salvador against Ivory Coast was men against boys even though score was only 2-1; it was no where near that close. Size, speed, and skill were shockingly different. This is the only match I might discount because of the El Salvador National Team scandal. Honduras is whacked by Israel and Turkey. Mexico is outclassed by Bosnia (stop whining about the lineup cards! they were better, much better). Jamaica is also 0-2 in pre-WC friendlies but I have not seen those matches.
So what are we to conclude? The USMNT is 2-0 so far in their tune-ups, looking unimpressive in both matches. But they are 2-0. For comparison Italy just had a draw with Luxembourg! But the eye test tells me the USMNT does not handle these CONCACAF sides the way I have seen them handled by these other squads. Please tell me I am wrong and I am just catastrophizing. I hope my eyes are deceiving me, because I have been hoping for some sort of escape from Group play (just beat Ghana and then manage a result against a Germany side that will already be through by the time USMNT plays them in third match), but now I am just not optimistic.
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Post by mamampira on Jun 5, 2014 13:27:25 GMT -5
I think this is a pretty fair analysis; I watched the El Savador v. Cote d'Ivoire friendly – indeed men against boys. I have noticed and I don't know what it is about the media or various football pundits that makes them think the USA has a chance against Ghana. For the past two World Cups, the Black Stars of Ghana have defeated the USA and will do the same in Brazil.
The best the USA can hope for is a draw. JK, I have come to believe knows that the USMNT have little chance of coming out of the group, hence his inclusion of so many young and untested players. The obvious objective is to get them bloodied and ready for 2018 and beyond.
I believe the USMNT will play with a lot of heart and determination. But I also believe that sadly, they will fall short for the same reasons as before - no technically gifted players - There is no one on the USMNT that strikes fear (LD may have had that factor, methinks).
Meanwhile, Ghana has arguably the best midfield in the group. They are too hot to handle! In fact, Portugal will also struggle against Ghana. The way I see it, both Ghana and Germany will qualify from the group. The USMNT will gain experience.
Ghana's midfield is simply sick full of talented gifted and proven players. The most deadly are Asamoah, Badu, and Muntari. Most underrated is Atsu. Everyone knows Essien and Ayew and what they bring. While Boateng will seek and destroy the best the US has to offer.
He will also provide goals. Here's a link showing highlights to the US v. Ghana 2010 match:
Goal for Ghana within first five minutes due to a mistake in the midfield by Clark…
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Post by zizou on Jun 6, 2014 10:02:47 GMT -5
I have noticed and I don't know what it is about the media or various football pundits that makes them think the USA has a chance against Ghana. For the past two World Cups, the Black Stars of Ghana have defeated the USA and will do the same in Brazil. The best the USA can hope for is a draw. JK, I have come to believe knows that the USMNT have little chance of coming out of the group, hence his inclusion of so many young and untested players. The obvious objective is to get them bloodied and ready for 2018 and beyond. Yes. Ghana are a very good side, but those highlights also reminded me that I lamented all the failed chances USMNT had in that match. They were not outclassed. The problem this time around, and maybe this is your point, is that while the USMNT might be a bit better than they were 4 years ago, Ghana are a lot better. I still believe their best chance for a result is against Portugal with neither CR7 nor Pepe at 100%. And JK back in December said that the USMNT have no realistic chance of winning the World Cup this time, so perhaps your analysis is exactly the approach he is taking to this tournament. But it is a shame that with the unbelievable resources we have in this country the Men's National Team always seems to be rebuilding rather than being ready to compete with the world's best. |
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Post by jack4343 on Jun 6, 2014 10:44:55 GMT -5
I am very cautiously optimistic that the US will advance out of this group (call me a dreamer LOL) but wow, what a group it is! Bradley has to create chances and Altidore needs to find a way to get his mojo back for it to happen. Dempsey looks good in the warmups and I am hoping that they are playing a bit reserved in the warmups to kind of avoid showing their hand. With Klinsmann publicly stating his team will not win I am hoping it's a bit mental games with the other teams to get them to take the US lightly. At least I hope so since if he truly believes that then he's not doing a good job psyching his team up for the Cup.
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Post by mamampira on Jun 6, 2014 12:04:34 GMT -5
I am very cautiously optimistic that the US will advance out of this group (call me a dreamer LOL) but wow, what a group it is! Bradley has to create chances and Altidore needs to find a way to get his mojo back for it to happen. Dempsey looks good in the warmups and I am hoping that they are playing a bit reserved in the warmups to kind of avoid showing their hand. With Klinsmann publicly stating his team will not win I am hoping it's a bit mental games with the other teams to get them to take the US lightly. At least I hope so since if he truly believes that then he's not doing a good job psyching his team up for the Cup.
You know what, I have to admit that I too am a bit of a dreamer sometimes and I do subscribe to underdog soccer fantasies. I read an article in the most recent "Outside Magazine" – outsideonline.com (not available online yet), entitled "Captain Under Dog – Why Clint Dempsey is The Perfect Player to Shoulder Team USA's Daunting World Cup Campaign." It was such an interesting read, I especially enjoyed learning a bit more about his background. I've always liked his rough, edgy look…LOL…actually find him hot and sexy…mmpphh…(I know I have to keep it PG here). Anyway, here are some quotes from the article I so thoroughly enjoyed it talks about CD being the "epitome of a dark horse himself…" "As a kid, I used to play in Mexican leagues on Sundays. I was playing against men out there….forced be to be tougher." "…Often overlooked in Donovan's triumphant score in the final minutes of the game against Algeria, which advanced the US past the knockout round in the last World Cup, is that Dempsey, after a full field sprint, was the player who collided with the opposing goalie, allowing the ball to pop up right in Donovan's path." "Clint has daring, quickness, and incredible technique," says national coach JK, who was one of the game's canniest scorers during his prolific career playing in Germany, "And he can create something out of nothing." I think that dreams and hope are powerful motivators. At the end of the article, CD says: "We have a difficult group, but we're doing everything we can to do something special. The team is getting stronger and stronger." No one is giving them a chance – and that's just how he likes it. |
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Post by mamampira on Jun 6, 2014 15:46:35 GMT -5
I have noticed and I don't know what it is about the media or various football pundits that makes them think the USA has a chance against Ghana. For the past two World Cups, the Black Stars of Ghana have defeated the USA and will do the same in Brazil. The best the USA can hope for is a draw. JK, I have come to believe knows that the USMNT have little chance of coming out of the group, hence his inclusion of so many young and untested players. The obvious objective is to get them bloodied and ready for 2018 and beyond. Yes. Ghana are a very good side, but those highlights also reminded me that I lamented all the failed chances USMNT had in that match. They were not outclassed. The problem this time around, and maybe this is your point, is that while the USMNT might be a bit better than they were 4 years ago, Ghana are a lot better. I still believe their best chance for a result is against Portugal with neither CR7 nor Pepe at 100%. And JK back in December said that the USMNT have no realistic chance of winning the World Cup this time, so perhaps your analysis is exactly the approach he is taking to this tournament. But it is a shame that with the unbelievable resources we have in this country the Men's National Team always seems to be rebuilding rather than being ready to compete with the world's best. "But it is a shame that with the unbelievable resources we have in tis country the Men's National Team always seems to be rebuilding rather than being ready to compete with the world's best." I absolutely agree with you on that statement. I guess one of the key questions is...Does the USMNT have a footballing philosophy? In other words, what are the attributes other than heart that one can be guaranteed that the USA will bring? Is there a certain style of play other than sending 11 on the field and have them play hard? And on that I look forward to reading the NYT article that addresses JK's ambitions with the USMNT and the landscape going forward… In watching the various youth teams here in Georgia, I am amazed at the level of talent on display. There must be a disconnect somewhere as to why US soccer/USMNT is not taking it to the next level. Granted, there are some average players but the gifted and talented ones stand out. Maybe having a system where they eat, sleep and breathe soccer as they do in Europe and other parts of the world might help. Be it the jurisdiction of the DAs, or the ODPs or other organizations (without the politics) we might actually see the USA really performing. |
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Post by zizou on Jun 16, 2014 20:03:40 GMT -5
Of course, just as expected, CONCACAF is 3-0-1 after their initial games. An absolute powerhouse of a Confederation.
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Post by Soccerhouse on Jun 16, 2014 20:35:51 GMT -5
Unreal!!!!!
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Post by mamampira on Jun 16, 2014 20:45:56 GMT -5
Well done CONCACAF! Good job to the USMNT. Costa Rica's 3-1 win was awesome.
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Post by zizou on Jun 26, 2014 13:52:16 GMT -5
And now 3 of 4 CONCACAF teams go through. Remarkable. Considerably better percentage than UEFA, with only CONBEMOL having a better percentage. CAF (Africa) also not close. Asia (CAF) a zero.
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Post by zizou on Jun 30, 2014 10:14:30 GMT -5
Still an amazing showing by CONCACAF sides. Mexico acquitted themselves well. I think we can blame this loss on their coach for his lame end of game tactics. They were controlling the game, get ahead, then take off the player that was looking the most dangerous and go into a defensive shell. Herrera can whine all he wants. By the way, do you really want someone like this guy being the face of your national team regardless of how he got team to respond? Personally think he is an embarrassment to Mexico soccer. When we win it is our brilliance, when we lose it is the officials cheating us. This is a constant refrain from this guy.
Costa Rica did not play pretty soccer, but they persevered under adverse consequences. Ruiz is very good. They can play defense. Campbell (another typically unapologetic cheater and diver by the way) worked himself to the bone. Thank you to Greece for being the most boring and offensively uninspiring team in this tournament. Same thing from them over and over. But still, Costa Rica got through. What an amazing achievement for this team.
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Post by youthsoccerdad on Jun 30, 2014 14:51:39 GMT -5
Maybe US coaches can now move over to England/Spain/Italy/Portugal and help them develop a youth soccer system that can properly support a national team.
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