Dropping deep and ceding the midfield to Honduras worked in the first half and helped us get the lead while also conserving energy. However, in the second half when both of the teams were gassed, Klinsmann opted to sub out three midfielders all in a six minute stretch. That prevented any opportunity for us to press late with a fresh quick winger or forward, like say a Herculez Gomez.

Another thing that irritated me was our center backs hoofing the ball down the field to spur on the counter, when there was time and space to control. That was an old Bob Ball trick that used to drive everyone crazy in the past. It just cedes more unnecessary possession to Honduras.

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Posted by UASports23

Member since Nov 2009

24350 posts

Posted on 2/6/13 at 11:34 pm to thenry712

Figured you'd find this interesting:

quote:
but to a sputtering midfield that often lost the ball as quickly as it won possession. "That's why we did the subs in midfield," Klinsmann said. "We didn't find our passing flow, we didn't combine well enough, we didn't hold the ball well enough. We often lost the ball far too early."

This post was edited on 2/6/13 at 11:35 pm

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Posted by Sheep

Neither here nor there

Member since Jun 2007

19534 posts

Posted on 2/7/13 at 6:32 am to thenry712

quote:
Dropping deep and ceding the midfield to Honduras worked in the first half and helped us get the lead while also conserving energy. However, in the second half when both of the teams were gassed, Klinsmann opted to sub out three midfielders all in a six minute stretch. That prevented any opportunity for us to press late with a fresh quick winger or forward, like say a Herculez Gomez.

The game SCREAMED for fast, counter attacking wingers. Of course Jurgen didn't bring any of those.... so the next best thing is to take some slow(er) central midfielders and stick 'em out wide.

Same thing, right?

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