No need to worry... I think
Sorry for the time away... 2 weeks and counting...
So now time for some talk about the USA. My first reaction after the MAR game was disgust (1-nil loss). I had trouble sleeping, no lie, and worried about the next game, today against VEN. Today's game marred by yellow cards and the suspected foul play by a team that has never qualified led to the dismissal of an American. But overall I can breathe a little bit again. We are not in the clear however with only a 2-nil win and VEN having some scary counter-attacks. However, this is the way the USA will have to play, when we have the ball forward, everyone has to be forward.
Convey led the way once again, improving his case to be a starter. In the game against MAR, only when Convey came in for the 2nd half did the USA seem to pick up their play. In a few days I will do a profile on Ghana and USA (dream lineup for USA included). Josh Wolff once again showed why he has no right to be on the National team, had no impact on the game and the one time he was in on goal after some great touches he squandered his chance. Eddie Johnson showed moments of brillance and he will be a force in any role he plays. And as highlighted at halftime by the lovely ESPN 2 crew, Gooch was solid in the back. The only thing that worries me about Gooch is that any time he gains control of the ball in the back is that he kicks it out right away. Dempsey showed that things were "Goin' Down"(Click on video to see Clint Dempsey's celebration - Announcer said it was rock-n-roll if only he knew) after his goal in the second half. Great run by Johnson and header by Dempsey, with the original pass by Donovan (give him some credit although the pass was strong, and only Johnson would ever be able to catch up to that pass).
At this point I am scared for Beasley to be playing in any more warm up games. I also wish Hahnemann got the start or some PT. Howard had an incredible save and his distribution looked great. A few too many throws out of the back but then again that was the pace of the game.
Overall I was happy with the performance, especially coming from most of the subs. Lewis coming on as a sub showed that our defence has the potential of holding the line, if they are on the same page. Looking foward to Latvia and Sunday in Chicago.
Convey led the way once again, improving his case to be a starter. In the game against MAR, only when Convey came in for the 2nd half did the USA seem to pick up their play. In a few days I will do a profile on Ghana and USA (dream lineup for USA included). Josh Wolff once again showed why he has no right to be on the National team, had no impact on the game and the one time he was in on goal after some great touches he squandered his chance. Eddie Johnson showed moments of brillance and he will be a force in any role he plays. And as highlighted at halftime by the lovely ESPN 2 crew, Gooch was solid in the back. The only thing that worries me about Gooch is that any time he gains control of the ball in the back is that he kicks it out right away. Dempsey showed that things were "Goin' Down"(Click on video to see Clint Dempsey's celebration - Announcer said it was rock-n-roll if only he knew) after his goal in the second half. Great run by Johnson and header by Dempsey, with the original pass by Donovan (give him some credit although the pass was strong, and only Johnson would ever be able to catch up to that pass).
At this point I am scared for Beasley to be playing in any more warm up games. I also wish Hahnemann got the start or some PT. Howard had an incredible save and his distribution looked great. A few too many throws out of the back but then again that was the pace of the game.
Overall I was happy with the performance, especially coming from most of the subs. Lewis coming on as a sub showed that our defence has the potential of holding the line, if they are on the same page. Looking foward to Latvia and Sunday in Chicago.
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