Dempsey Downs The Azzurri

"Deuce!"

Sitting on my couch, rain pelting down from the Honolulu sky I sat, clammy palmed as watched the US National Team defeat the four time world champions 1-0. Forgive the dramatic first sentence as I am reminded by the ever-growing cynic Alexi Lalas that this is only a friendly. I won't ignore this fact because well it is only a friendly, with nothing more than just pride on the line for the Italians. You would expect to see a different result under different circumstances, as the will to win was valued more by the American side and thus put forth the effort. I praise what Jurgen Klinsmann has done with these international friendlies, taking the opportunity to throw his American boys into the fire pitting them against top opposition in Argentina, Belgium and Italy. The threat of a destructive, morale splitting, confidence destroying defeat is their but in the tests that our men have faced, they have looked  at adversity and smiled. 

Dempsey's Goal:

It was once again the American footballing bad- boy Clint Dempsey that made the difference with the goal, but on a whole the team played very well. Some of the old negative habits returned with an isolated attack in Jozy Altidore and poor defensive positioning from Bocanegra and the rest of the back line. For me what separates this game from the rest is the over commending commentary on the what the US does well was actually justified. Often times the commentary team is too quick to commend the US on doing  mundane things... well. Ian Darke and Taylor Twellman in the booth told it like it was, praising what was worthy of praise, and slighting what was worthy of slight. Jozy Altidore did hold the ball up well, especially in the second half, and really was the one worthy of most the fanfare associated with the goal, as he chested, and layed-off the ball for Dempsey's strike. Not letting in a goal masked the ease that Sebastian Giovinco and the Italian attack had in springing the US defense. Lucky for the US the Linesman seemed to have money riding on the boys from the red, white and blue, as every defense splitting run from the Azzuri was called offside. We escaped without any of those chances nestling into Howard's net...but just barely.

I often feel as though as the US suffers from the curse of the commentator far to often. When ever the team manages a coup, the surprise factor spurs constant mention on how this is a huge upset and this and that, to the point where I found myself saying out loud "Darke, cool it with the chatter, your gonna jynx it." Luckily it was not the case this time round.

USMNT Road Strip

With the USMNT registering their first win against the Italians in 11 attempts, bringing Klinsmann's record to 5-4-1 as head coach I can honestly say that this was a huge success for the Yanks. Friendly or not, it was the best performance so far under German rule, No doubt. Done without Landon Donovan, and in a new road strip that looks absolutely brilliant. White sleeves, black stripe across the chest, and a majestic red, white, and blue collar some of the German'd new-boy's had a chance to shine, and shine they did. Fabian Johnson looked really handy in the left-back spot, and when he broke forward with pace opportunities where created. It was his cross that led to the goal, and further down the road looks a possible answer for the spot with a question mark hanging over it in terms of Brazil 2014.


If their was any question over Michael Bradley's place in the squad, their shouldn't be. His work rate, passing and vision is integral to the teams play. Paired with Edu in the center they clogged holes well, and both made some timely tackles in maintaining the purity of the scoreline.

My thoughts, take them as you will.

USA vs. France preview.

The USMNT takes on the French National team tomorrow, Friday @ 2:30 ET on Espn 2, and as American, I am hoping for a French breakdown akin to the one in South Africa 2010. 


This is likely not to happen, as the bad blood has been willed out since the departure of manager Raymond Domenech and the introduction of Laurent Blanc. The former Bordeaux manager has reigned in the respect of the French team, stamping his seal on the team with mixing up the line-up and injecting new blood into the side. This French side is ranked #15, in terms of Fifa's rankings, and with a weakened side most likely played, the U.S. will still struggle to find any joy from the game.


This game, be it a friendly, poses the most strenuous test for Jurgen Klinsmann's yanks, and prepare your self for NO real change what-so-ever. I predict a 3-0 defeat, in which my disappointment will be compounded with John Harke's top-notch analysis, saying, Well...


Brek Shea has announced himself as an International player, showing well on the left side of midfield.


Kyle Beckerman holds the ball well, and is very helpful to the back-line with the added support he provides, all be-it letting in 3 goals.


Michael Orozco- Fiscal is crap, and should not be playing for the USMNT, but in John Harke's words, "He has room to improve." But once again we will see, even if Jurgen doesn't, that Fiscal is not a class player.


Jozy Altidore, struggles up-top by himself, making no impact really, beside maybe one or two good hold up's. He will be removed at the 73' mark, only to be replaced by____ shit? insert the blank, with Agudelo not selected to travel. 


But with all that said, it;s " The Big Picture," that matters.


With Landon Donovan competing in the MLS cup final, the American talisman has not traveled to France, so in this light who's his replacement?  Looks to be the 23-year old Hoffenheim, "German-American" midfielder Fabian Johnson.


Now I present the US Lineup:

The side that will be under the cosh from the start, and will sitting deeper than this image portrays.


For the French side that we ride out to battle will see some refreshment, with on-form PSG striker Kevin Gameiro getting the nod from the start, but not in his usual lone-striker role for his club side, but as a support striker for Karim Benzema, with Marseille's Loic Remy's questionable inclusion.


Influential defender Patrice Evra will not ply for Les Bleus, which for me is not a loss at all. Once the worlds best left-back, the Man United player has been in decline the last couple years,  caught out of position to often, unable to make it back to defend after his marauding runs forward. In all honesty against the US that's not a real big issue, but having the on-form Valencia left back Jeremy Mathieu is better value for your franc's...sorry euros.


Look out for midfield dynamo, Yann M'vila from Rennes to be holding it down in the middle of the park. Somewhat overlooked by media outlets, this Makelele reminiscent player has exploded through the ranks of late, being target by Arsenal for a move to London last summer. Partnering M'vila in the center will be either Marvin Martin or Newcastle newboy, Yohan Cabaye.


We all know what to expect from Franck Ribery and Blanc's favorite Jeremy Menez, who will ask some real soul-searching Q's of Timmy Chandler and Steve Cherundolo.


Here's the French Line-up:

Ouch that hurts!


Line-ups provided by The Shin Gaurdian

The "Big Picture," MNT vs. Ecuador

The "Big Picture." A valiant justification for the the U.S. mens national teams 1-0 loss to Ecuador in New York, which makes it 3 defeats in 5 under Jurgen Klinsmann. There is nothing the German could really do with the U.S. boys coming off a game on Saturday night, in which fatigue was a factor in their second half complacency. At the half wholesale changes were made, which in a high paced match against Ecuador -who came to play- makes it tough for the subs to get up to match speed and with this the visitors dominated play.

Playing in front of a vocal crowd at Red Bull Arena, Klinsmann's side started the game like a thoroughbred out of the gates, with both wings occupied by Brek Shea and Danny Williams looking integral to a positive outcome. The best play from the U.S. came in the first half, but still failed to mount any notable goal chances- a continuos problem that has plagued the the US.

Not scoring is never good, but it is masked slightly when you don't let goals in but that is not the case for the USMNT. Second half substitute and NY Red Bull player Tim Ream came on to the cheer of his home fans but his failing to get the right side of for Ecuadorian Jamie Ayovi lead to oppositions winning goal.

I like what Alexi Lalas said, when he stated " It's all positive," referring to the result even though the defeat. A statement that I don'y necessarily like, but I agree with and I can't really afford not to with the rebuilding under Jurgen. But I remain smiling through gritted teeth every time John Harkes and analysits alike point out:

" You can certainly pull some positives out of the game."

USMNT takes on Ecuador tonight (video)

The USMNT takes on Ecuador tonight Oct. 11at 7:45 pm ET, looking to hit two on the trot after winning against Honduras at the weekend. The venue for the match will  Red Bull Arena, which is the first time the US boys have played at home stadium of the NY Red Bulls. 

USA defeats Honduras 1-0

Yesterday at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, the USMNT registered their first win under new coach Jurgen Klinsmann, defeating Honduras by one goal to nil. Clint Dempsey scored in the 36' with a sweet foot change in the box, whacking the ball in to the top of the net.

Though only winning by one, the US looked looked dominating at times, and had a goal disallowed for a nothing-push by Dempsey robbing him of his second as he rose above his defender in the box.

Be it a friendly, It was a good day for American Soccer fans as we take our first win under the reign of the German, shoeing promise in things to come. When the USMNT lines-up against Ecuador on Tuesday at Red Bull Arena, Jurgen will look for a repeat performance from his boys and If they manage to keep the confidence shown against Honduras, it should be all but a formality.

Some key points that I feel are pertinent to mention:

How good Jozy Altidore looks when he gets regular playing time for his club side. Having moved to Dutch side AZ Alkmaar this summer, Altidore has had regular playing time that has kept his touch and tempo for the game up. When he was not getting playing time at previous clubs, the ask of being the lead goal scoring threat for the USMNT was too much. Now that he has the confidence of three goals in the Eredivise, Altidore's touch has looked more assured, has been working harder, and looks overall a threat when in possession.

The left side of Brek Shea and Timmy Chandler looked lethal yesterday, combining well as the marauding left back Chandler is complimented well by the defense cautions winger Shea. Shea made the statement yesterday that he has arrived on the International platform, becoming a consistent attacking threat on the left and delivering teasing crosses that sliced open the Honduran defense like a preserved frog in science class-suppling the cross to Dempsey for the winner, from (not to mention) the opposite side of his starting position. The only real low point in Shea's game was when he fluffed a sitter, set up by a cross-goal pass from Altidore.

Out of favor Oguchi Onyewu or " Gooch,"seemed to have taken his final bow as a USMNT player under Bob Bradley, looking god-awful amongst other things, until last night. Having being recalled from the doldrums, the cast-out center back made a triumphant return to relevance as he started alongside Capt. Bocanegra in the heart of our defense, helping to secure a clean sheet. I will have to see a few more performances akin to this one to be throughly convinced, but one thing I can say for sure is that he made Michael Orozaco-Fiscal look like a proper donkey.

After this result I would hope the US boys push on and take Ecuador to the chopping block on Tuesday and taking Clint Dempsey's form into account, you might as well call the undertaker.

USMNT vs. Belgium preview and thoughts.

When the USMNT takes the field against Belgium, in Brussels on Tuesday night the pain associated with the loss against Costa Rica will have dissipated, and it will be on again. The US now faces a far more difficult opponent in the shape of Belgium, where a win is absolutely crucial. This friendly marks the 3rd test for new coach Klinsmann and I demand a result. he can only work with the players he has at disposal, and after a grueling travel schedule it's likely that not all the big names will start. Reading various sources from around the web, it seems that  the  prospected line up will be:

                                  ---------------------Altidore---------------------------

                                  -----Shea-----------------------------Dempsey--------

                                  ----------------------Torres----------------------------

                                  ----------------Edu----------Beckerman--------------

                                  -- Spector----Bocanegra-------Goodson---Cherundolo

                                  -----------------------Howard----------------------------

As you can see the line-up sets up on the defensive side, and given the attacking weapons in Belgium's arsenal, having Edu and Beckerman sitting in the hole is a necessity in  quelling the threat that will be evident with Lukaku running at the back line. The US will need to be defensively sound, so starting Castillo should not even enter the German's mind. Looking brittle, on the verge of collapse against Costa Rica, Castillo left the right flank wide open, inviting forays forward from opponents. 

On an attacking standpoint, I'am disgruntled with the fact that we find our self with Altidore being the only logical option up-top. As much as I hate it, he is the only option. Altidore has been scoring freely for his club side in Holland, but with the responsibility of doing it on the National Team level, he lacks the clout. Not sure if it is the pressure of being center stage, or being marooned alone,  but he cannot stick it.  He's a better option than Buddle and young  Agudelo, but he's in no way the answer. Instating Torres into the no. 10 position gives the US attacking creativity, with his smart passes and possession retention. Torres looked good against Costa Rica and deserves the role against the Belgians.

For my prediction: I have to go  against my team, regretfully. I am not feeling the conviction in the US squad, and with the stresses of travel I am going with a 2-0, or 2-1 to Belgium. 

Tunnel Chatter: USA vs. Mexico

When the USMNT steps out onto the link this evening against Mexico, American soccer fans will be   watching the dawn of a new era in American Soccer.  The usual suspects will for the most part, be playing right where you think they would, but when it comes to the new-boys, its a horse of a different color. Some of the names include, Brek Shea of FC Dallas, Omar Gonzalez, Edgar Castillo, Michael Orozco Fiscal and Kyle Beckerman. Many had brief  appearances for the squad, but never got a good look in under Bradley's regime. From the 22 men squad their are 7 from MLS, 4 playing for  Mexican clubs, and 11 from England and Europe. For me, the most exciting player that will take the field in one form or another is Brek Shea. The dynamic winger is the future of the USMNT wide game, giving excellent showings week- in week- out in Dallas. I am interested to see what position he occupies if he gets the nod? Hopefully he will start in the left back role, which is entirely possible with the mass of injuries. Primarily a left winger he has been used as a left back on occasion, and has shown brilliantly. FC Dallas coach Schellas Hyndman uses him in one, one week and one, another week, but

 he's  consistent in his performances, no matter where he plays.

Here is my projected starting line up for Klinsmann's first match:

Howard

 Cherundolo      Bocanegra       Ream   Pearce

    

Bradley    Torres

Donovan       Adu           Shea

Agudelo 

Here is the Line-up I want to see: " taking into account that Timmy Chandler, and now Clarence Goodson are injured, plus Dempsey and Lichaj are tied to their clubs:"

Howard

Cherundolo   Bocanegra   Ream    Shea

Jones

 Donovan       Bradley           Adu

                                               

 Buddle     Agudelo

Be it Jurgen's first game at the helm, I would be surprised to see anything overly poetic from the German.  A lot is at stake,  if an experiment  goes pear shaped, so I figure he plays it safe. Mexico are a fantastic squad, and have a star-studded line up ready to prove once again they're the heavy weight in the CONCACAF region, so some familiarity in the  US line-up is a must. Due to personnel loss, the USMNT ,will not have all their starters available, making for a perfect opportunity to give the fringe players a run out.

If Jurgen is to impress me in this game, win or lose, I require this:

Freddy Adu starts, behind the striker or pushed out to one side. He needs to be our trequartista if have you, that no. 10, allowed to make mazey runs into the box. If Shea occupies the left back spot, he will have free reign to overlap Adu as he cuts inside.

Bradley played way to deep under his fathers control. I Want to see him pushed higher up the field  in a more attacking role, box to box, rather than a holder.

A 2nd striker needs to be played. Agudelo cannot do it on his own, he's to young, inexperienced, and not strong enough. Looking at the roster Edson Buddle ticks all boxes needed to get the best out of the young Redbull. At his age Buddle is not one for the future, but if played shows attacking intent from Jurgen, which we need more of.

Prediction: There will be goals, for both sides, rendering it an all to familiar to the finale of the Gold Cup played last month. The final ended 4-2 in Mexico's favor, as once again are defensive frailties cooked our goose. This time it ends, painfully said: 2-1 in Mexico's favor, as our  team still struggles to find an identity. 

This and more can be viewed @

www.worldfootballdaily.com

Demands of an American Soccer fan! Jurgen take note...

After half a decade as U.S. Men's National Team Bob Bradley is out! After coaching his gang of Patriots to the round of 16 in last years World Cup and the Gold Cup final, he has been rewarded with a pat on the back and cold shower, by American soccer officials.  Opinions on Bradley's tenure seem to be about 50-50, split between him being an inept, one-dimensional coach, and the best option in bad system. I side with the latter. The player's at his disposal-in terms of U.S. teams of the past- are decent. With this said the  squad has notable holes where the talent is non existent, most striking is the lack of forwards in the U.S. set-up.  I often thought Bradley received to much criticism for working with what he had, and is used as the scapegoat for are faults as a soccer nation. Are these critics' expectations too high, or are they justified? We're not going to win the World Cup, so winning our group  in South Africa was a tremendous feat, even if our strongest opponents were a mediocre England Team.  

Bradley was  seen as a coach who always' played it safe. Stubborn in his plight to play 4-4-2, even when the game called for a more attacking formation, he often failed to change tactic's. Selecting players who where out of form, and seemingly hesitant to inject new faces into the set-up, It could be said that Bradley had the motto, " if it ain't broke don't fix it," motto tattooed on his chest. The system isn't broke, but needs an oil change every now and again. This stance could be down to the extreme pressure he was under.  Pressure is a given for all national team managers, and Bradley had his fair share as as the USMNT coach. This may not be blatantly apparent due to our countries' seemingly disinterested stance on soccer, but I would argue that he has more than most. The only time this nation comes together in the sense of soccer is during the World Cup, seen in video clips of bars across the nation exploding in fanfare when Donovan scored the stoppage time goal against Algeria. Even for the casual fan who supports the USMNT only during the World Cup, expectations are high, because we are American and we expect  success. Taking a gamble was not in his nature for many possible reasons, but as a fan I felt that a stale team was often selected, lacking youth, invention and ingenuity.  

With the 2014 World Cup some years away, US Soccer President Sunil Gulati, has chosen this opportune monument to make a change in management, implementing  Jurgen Klinsmann as  the USMNT head coach. The German, who lives in Los Angeles has a mixed record as a player and manger, coaching Germany to the Semi's in the 2006 World Cup, but failing to make any sort of impact at Bayern Munich. With Bradley out, the pleas were split once again 50-50, for the installment of a  European coach Vs. a  domestic one. Klinsmann is what you would call a hybrid.  Has European pedigree, blended with knowledge of American soccer and culture. Although I am slightly saddened to see Bradley go, I am not opposed to see what Klinsmann can do with the team. 

To help the lad out , I outlined a few guide-lines to insure maximum success:

1.) Give younger/ new players' more of a chance in the first team:   Eric Lichaj, Timothy Chandler, Brek Shea, Justin Braun. Often times Bradley was too set-on his player's "Jozy Altidore," when they weren't necessarily fit or on form. Take some gambles Jurgen, it's pays off sometimes. 

2.) Play Justin Braun.  Refer to piece I wrote  about him my blog;  Is a good talent who's of age, strong and could be an answer to the striker predicament. Altidore is no longer the answer, maybe he will be in the future, but he should not start until he gets so games at new club AZ Alkmaar.

3.) Michael Bradley has to play farther up the field.  Klinsmann needs to push Bradley's son higher up the pitch. Michael has been very much a holding midfielder, but has looked brilliant when he gallops forward. With the introduction of Jermaine Jones to the defensive midfield role, there is lessor a need for Michael to be the second man in the hole; which leads to my next point.

4.) Think beyond 4-4-2. Oddly enough in Bradley's last game against Mexico in the Gold Cup Final, he was able to change to a more attacking style. We needed to see this more during his tenure, and the fact that we didn't paints him as a one dimensional tactician. Klinsmann should learn from this and think of playing a 4-1-3-2.

5.) Freddy Adu gets the benefit of the doubt and plays. After one-time American Soccer golden boy has fallen by the way side, a resurgence of form has seen him enter the frame again. In Bradley's last 2 game's as coach- ironically enough, shuffled the pack a bit and brought on Freddy Adu, playing him as a #10. He looked good in flashes, still very capable of beating 1 or 2 players, though looking slightly out of touch. This promising re-entry should see this still youthful star get more call-ups.

6.) Jonathan Bornstein never walks onto a pitch wearing a U.S. jersey again. Simple as that.

7.) Work with Claudio Renya on the youth level. KilnsmannBayern Munich- but this should be welcomed by the US. Development is key, and what we need to develop is an U.S. soccer Identity, emphasize youth development, and bring new faces into the first team.

If Klinsmann follows these 7 golden rules (Demands) he should be fantastich. What Klinsmann brings to the USMNT is International recognition, but does that matter? Apparently to American soccer fans. They have been yearning for a big name coach to come in and take the helm as USMNT coach.  But does America need an American coach? I think Sunil Gulati was wondering this himself, that's why Klinsmann has been selected,  a coach who may not be the best, but works for our current state of affairs, and tick's both boxes. I'm not necessarily  happy with the selection, but I am excited for the change.