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Retired US Soccer / World Cup Thread (RIP)

Saw the replay again and there was no contact at all. Also, Jones dove like 3 feet after "contact".
 
We looked good overall, but of course looked even better when we got to play counterattacking soccer after the goal. We are a top 40 national team at breaking down bunkering defenses, but probably a top 10-15 national team at counterattacking. If only we could start every game with a 1-0 lead.

Howard didn't have to do much but was there when he was called on.
Good games from our entire back 4.
Bradley was hit or miss today and had some sloppy passes.
Jones was pretty good, but seemed to be straddling the line between aggressive and reckless play.
Edu played very well in his limited time.
The three attacking mids and their subs all played well.
Altidore gets an incomplete, while Agudelo was ok in his first big game.

Bradley the coaching version had an outstanding game.
 
It's just strange to me that we are so good at counterattacking when our midfield is our biggest strength.
 
Nice breakdown 03. Unfortunately, we seem to always start down a goal instead of up.
 
Deacsfan27 said:
Saw the replay again and there was no contact at all. Also, Jones dove like 3 feet after "contact".
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Well, that's kind of unfair - if there was contact while in an all out full sprint (and JJ showed some speed there that I didn't know he had), you would absolutely fall three feet or more after contact
 
Deacsfan27 said:
It's just strange to me that we are so good at counterattacking when our midfield is our biggest strength.
Click to expand...

If you're being really general, then yes, our midfield (or goalkeeping) is our biggest strength. More specifically, though, speed from our wings/attacking mids is our biggest strength. Counterattacking fits perfectly because we have CMs like Bradley, Jones, and Edu that are good long passers and wings/AMs like Donovan and Dempsey that are fast and technical.
 
  • Lichaj looked very good. I like his future, and with Chandler, we might have solved some outside back needs for the future
  • Goodson was OK. Couple of sloppy touches
  • Boca was Boca...solid
  • Dolo had his usually solid game
  • Jones was OK
  • Baby Bradley wasn't his best, but was still our anchor (and IMO, our most indispensable player besides Howard)
  • Sacha was very good
  • Bedoya was pretty good, too
  • Deuce is pure awesomeness (and loved how we told everyone to fuck off after that goal which, BTW, many quality players would one touch and miss)
  • Agudelo was just OK, but that pass was brilliant
  • Landycakes wasn't good at all (that poor backpass could have easily led to a JAM goal), but I think sitting his ass on the bench is a good thing and will work to his, and our, advantage
  • Edu - Not enough time to make a real evaluation
  • Howard - great first save, that's all that was needed of him today
 
The Jones thing would bother me more if the Jamaican hadn't obviously been trying to take him down. I slide at your legs from the side/behind will really mess you up.
 
WFU03 said:
If you're being really general, then yes, our midfield (or goalkeeping) is our biggest strength. More specifically, though, speed from our wings/attacking mids is our biggest strength. Counterattacking fits perfectly because we have CMs like Bradley, Jones, and Edu that are good long passers and wings/AMs like Donovan and Dempsey that are fast and technical.
Click to expand...

I was saying midfield is the best in regards to either attack/midfield/defense.
 
NYT player ratings:

http://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/19/players-ratings-u-s-vs-jamaica/?smid=tw-nytimesgoal&seid=auto

The Ratings (on a scale of 1, diabolical; to 10, world class):

U.S.

Goalkeeper

Tim Howard
Key save early in what appeared to be a shot from an offside position by Phillips, then Shelton blasts rebound over bar with open goal as big as the ocean in front of him. Hey Tim, take the rest of the afternoon off. Grade: 7

Defenders

Steve Cherundolo
Veteran right back overlapped, and this guy’s crosses are rarely wasted efforts. Second-half cross off one-two combo with Bedoya found Dempsey alone in front for a header right at Ricketts. Could have salted away the match in the 60th minute.Grade: 6

Clarence Goodson
A bit too reactive on swift Jamaica counters. Brain fart late in first half and some miscommunication with Howard almost cost U.S. a goal. Nervous play in front of goal midway through second half nearly ended in disaster … but it didn’t. Grade: 5

Carlos Bocanegra
Back at more favored spot in the middle for second consecutive game. Experience and calm will probably keep Tim Ream on the bench for a while, at least for the balance of this tournament. Grade: 6

Eric Lichaj
Looks like the U.S. has found a near-term solution at left back, until a better one comes along. Skill and enterprise going forward. We may have seen the last of Jonathan Bornstein as a starter. Grade: 7

Midfielders

Michael Bradley
He’s 23. He’s the coach’s son. And put simply, he’s the linchpin for any U.S. team. Do we have anyone with his depth of experience at such a young age. Time to stop the harping and embrace the present/future of the national team. If his dad is often described as unanimated, a bit dispassionate, Bradley the younger is the emotional, fiery heart of the team on the field. And he is a darn good player. Grade: 7

Jermaine Jones
Must have been a hard decision sticking with Jones, instead of starting Maurice Edu. Petulant tackle midway through first half drew a yellow card. Not the smartest play in a benign situation. After flubbing and open shot after a rebound, we know why the guy’s a defensive midfielder. O.K., perhaps a bit harsh because … military salute from the son of an American serviceman followed his 35-yard blast that was deflected past Ricketts for game’s first goal (which was ruled an own goal). Burst to loose ball, then green space ahead led to questionable red card against Taylor for denying clearing scoring opportunity: 11 on 10 for final 20+ minutes. His most impressive game in the Gold Cup, and perhaps in U.S. colors. Grade: 8

Sacha Kljestan
With Bedoya, gave U.S. a bit of dynamism in the first 45. Decent corners and free kicks. Brought some needed emotion and fire to the field. One request: Please shoot the darn ball when you have an opportunity. Grade: 8

Alejandro Bedoya
Earned the start after some strong performances off the bench. Ah, to be young and speedy. Has been dynamic, if unpolished since he first suited up for the national team. Early play Sunday did nothing to dispel that impression. Brought some spit and vinegar to the lineup. Replaced by Donovan in the 65th minute. Grade: 7

Clint Dempsey
Big hit on sliding volley pushed over bar by Donovan Ricketts, then impressive control. But can any of that make up for criminal miss in front of an open goal against Guadeloupe? Read on. If it was not Bradley’s intention to move him up from midfield, it probably should have been. Collected pass from Agudelo and calmly walked around Ricketts to give U.S. two-goal led. Where his patience against Guadeloupe was a bit much, skill and confidence in front of Ricketts this time showed by he has become top scoring threat for Fulham and U.S. Grade: 8

Landon Donovan
Entered the match with less than a half-hour left, replacing Bedoya. Pass to Agudelo led to second U.S. goal. If he starts in the semifinal, who sits? Grade: 5

Maurice Edu
After coming on, quick turn and hard shot over the bar from 20-25 yards. Grade: Incomplete

Forwards

Jozy Altidore
Lasted 10 minutes before leaving with a hamstring injury to his left leg. Grade: Incomplete

Juan Agudelo
Just settling in on the bench when pressed into action for the injured Altidore. Completed a high percentage of passes throughout the game. Did not overdue one-on-one stuff. Perfect lead into the box for Dempsey on second U.S. goal. With or without Altidore fit, does the kid deserve another start on Wednesday night. Grade: 8

Coach

Bob Bradley
High marks for pulling the trigger and benching Donovan, moving Dempsey up top and/or as the spearhead in a 4-5-1 formation, and giving starts to Bedoya and Kljestan. Desperation? Perhaps. But at least the elder Bradley acknowledged that changes had to be made, but that’s his job … init? Brought on Donovan late after the vet attended a wedding, had a long flight back for an afternoon start.

Coach has taken an enormous amount of criticism, some justified, as team sleepwalked through first round. Boldness to change lineup should put to rest of charges of favoritism and sticking with “his” guys too long. Still a game to go before an expected meeting in the final against Mexico. Fire Bob? Remain calm, (mostly) all is forgiven. Until next time. Grade 8
 
xmandeac said:
The Jones thing would bother me more if the Jamaican hadn't obviously been trying to take him down. I slide at your legs from the side/behind will really mess you up.
Click to expand...

This is actually an interesting point. The ref could realize that the Jamaican didn't touch Jones on that play and still actually award a red card.

Direct free kick fouls (if done carelessly, recklessly, or using excessive force):
-kicks or attempts to kick an opponent
-trips or attempts to trip an opponent

So, if the ref thought he attempted to trip Jones in a reckless manner, it's a direct free kick.

Then we go to the red card section:
-denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity by an offense punishable by a direct free kick

It's debatable that he actually denied anything if it was just an attempt, but you could argue that Jones altered his run (or stumbled or dove) because he feared for his safety in heading toward goal. Then, it at least seems possible for the ref to argue the red was justified. Granted, I'm sure if he had the benefit of replay, that wouldn't be his call. But it's at least not completely ridiculous.
 
It was pretty obvious that the Jamaican player was trying to take down from behind a player with a clear path to the goal. Not sure that can be debated, though obviously the contact can.
 
Let's see what these kids have got.

FIFA U-17 WC on espnU and espn3 against the Czechs
 
Guido looks quality. Very good on the ball and that goal wasn't half bad either.
 
If we win this match we are all but assured a spot in the knockout stage. The other two in our group are Uzbekistan and NZ (who are actually pretty good).

As good as Nigeria has been in the U-17, you would think that they would compete better on the international stage/WC.
 
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