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Started By
Message
A Few Thoughts from Yesterday's Match
Posted on 8/15/13 at 12:37 pm
Posted on 8/15/13 at 12:37 pm
Brad Evans is not a great international caliber right-back. Brad Evans is smart and composed enough to fill in at rightback when we need him. He knows when to make overlapping runs and when to stay back. With Donovan and Zusi in the team, we have our most dangerous creative midfielders on the righthand side, giving Evans a bit of leeway in not pushing forward constantly like a modern right-back. He stays positionally aware in holding a high line and on his feet unlike a certain former Chivas USA left-back. He's not near as good as Cherundolo (injuries finally catching up to the legend) or Timmy Chandler (who the hell knows) or Eric Lichaj (again who the hell knows). In a 23-man World Cup squad, he's worth a spot as backup.
Eddie Johnson cannot play the role of a traditional left-winger. As a player, Johnson's biggest weakness comes from his overzealous touches on the ball. He likes to take people on like a good winger, but he's not technically gifted enough to actually beat them. GAM has always been a fairly efficient one-touch finisher back to his MLS days and even during his torrid time in Europe. (His spell at PAOK Thessoloniki comes to mind as a productive loan.) GAM = CFW. Eddie Johnson
= Winger.
Jozy thrives on good service. Jozy has finally received good service with the USMNT. Jozy scores hat-tricks with good service. Watch the highlights of his 2009 hat-trick against Trinidad and Tobago. Donovan put in three fantastic balls to Jozy. Even as a 19-year-old, he showed the ability make timely runs in and around the box. LINK
Fabian Johnson is an average left-back. Average left-backs are usually a godsend for the USMNT, but Fabian Johnson happens to be an exceptional left winger. I'd almost rather have to put up with the finicky Run DMB or Edgar Castillo at LB, to allow Fabian to push forward.
I think it's safe to say that Michael Bradley is the most important player the US has ever produced. Donovan and Dempsey have been the best from a historical standpoint. Bradley is the first true glimpse into an American player who combines our "SUPER MURICAN" athletic genes with a classically polished technical game.
Geoff Cameron poses a conundrum. He can play almost anywhere on the field, but I wouldn't consider him first choice at any position. Besler and now John Anthony Brooks look like better options at centerback. Jermaine Jones is a less consistent but much better player as a defensive mid. Perhaps Cameron can slot in as right-back, which is now our most pressing need.
Aron Bacon, albeit based on an extremely small sample size, finally looks like the Charlie Davies replacement we've been yearning for since Davies' car accident...BUT BETTER. He's polished on the ball, and matches Davies' (or GAM's or Josh Gatt's or Will Bruin's) general speed. As a pressing forward, he could do wonders taking the pressure off our always in-limbo defense.
Jermaine Jones is Jermaine Jones. At his best, a superb defensive midfielder with a decent passing range. At his worst, a fouling machine who takes too many liberties in possession and undisciplined going forward. We knew that.
For the first time since probably 2006, Clint Dempsey's starting spot in the lineup might have competition. Aron Bacon might be a better partner up top for Jozy. Fabian Johnson is better suited for providing Jozy service on the left flank. Donovan is a more creative option as a withdrawn forward or classic #10. Zusi, Corona, Torres, and Diskerud are all better possession midfielders. I'm not advocating for Klinsmann to bench Dempsey, but I think his spot in the lineup is no longer guaranteed.
Eddie Johnson cannot play the role of a traditional left-winger. As a player, Johnson's biggest weakness comes from his overzealous touches on the ball. He likes to take people on like a good winger, but he's not technically gifted enough to actually beat them. GAM has always been a fairly efficient one-touch finisher back to his MLS days and even during his torrid time in Europe. (His spell at PAOK Thessoloniki comes to mind as a productive loan.) GAM = CFW. Eddie Johnson
= Winger. Jozy thrives on good service. Jozy has finally received good service with the USMNT. Jozy scores hat-tricks with good service. Watch the highlights of his 2009 hat-trick against Trinidad and Tobago. Donovan put in three fantastic balls to Jozy. Even as a 19-year-old, he showed the ability make timely runs in and around the box. LINK
Fabian Johnson is an average left-back. Average left-backs are usually a godsend for the USMNT, but Fabian Johnson happens to be an exceptional left winger. I'd almost rather have to put up with the finicky Run DMB or Edgar Castillo at LB, to allow Fabian to push forward.
I think it's safe to say that Michael Bradley is the most important player the US has ever produced. Donovan and Dempsey have been the best from a historical standpoint. Bradley is the first true glimpse into an American player who combines our "SUPER MURICAN" athletic genes with a classically polished technical game.
Geoff Cameron poses a conundrum. He can play almost anywhere on the field, but I wouldn't consider him first choice at any position. Besler and now John Anthony Brooks look like better options at centerback. Jermaine Jones is a less consistent but much better player as a defensive mid. Perhaps Cameron can slot in as right-back, which is now our most pressing need.
Aron Bacon, albeit based on an extremely small sample size, finally looks like the Charlie Davies replacement we've been yearning for since Davies' car accident...BUT BETTER. He's polished on the ball, and matches Davies' (or GAM's or Josh Gatt's or Will Bruin's) general speed. As a pressing forward, he could do wonders taking the pressure off our always in-limbo defense.
Jermaine Jones is Jermaine Jones. At his best, a superb defensive midfielder with a decent passing range. At his worst, a fouling machine who takes too many liberties in possession and undisciplined going forward. We knew that.
For the first time since probably 2006, Clint Dempsey's starting spot in the lineup might have competition. Aron Bacon might be a better partner up top for Jozy. Fabian Johnson is better suited for providing Jozy service on the left flank. Donovan is a more creative option as a withdrawn forward or classic #10. Zusi, Corona, Torres, and Diskerud are all better possession midfielders. I'm not advocating for Klinsmann to bench Dempsey, but I think his spot in the lineup is no longer guaranteed.
This post was edited on 8/15/13 at 1:03 pm
9
Posted on 8/15/13 at 12:44 pm to thenry712
BACONBACONBACONBACONBACON!!!1111
Posted on 8/15/13 at 12:45 pm to thenry712
I can agree with all of this.
I would love to see a diamond midfield again. Get Dempsey playing in the hole with LD and Jozy up top, or vice versa.
I'm a huge fan of Fabian at LW. I would feel much better about him playing there if we had a better LB to take his place.
I would love to see a diamond midfield again. Get Dempsey playing in the hole with LD and Jozy up top, or vice versa.
I'm a huge fan of Fabian at LW. I would feel much better about him playing there if we had a better LB to take his place.
Posted on 8/15/13 at 12:51 pm to thenry712
quote:
A Few Thoughts from Yesterday's Match
Fewer thoughts on yesterday's match:
We looked the hot garbage Klinsmann side from 2011-2012 in the first half. Sloppy, lethargic, lots of unnecessary turnovers and wasted opportunities.
We looked like the US team from 2013 in the second half. Don't know if it was personnel changes, formation, motivation, change in Bosnia's side.... dunno. But figuring out the difference between the two halves is probably the key to our success next summer.
I wish it hadn't come out that lots of friendlies are/were fixed. When I see something improbable like the second half, I don't know what to think.
Posted on 8/15/13 at 1:00 pm to thenry712
I pretty much agree with all of that.
I also love FJ as a LW. Good things happen when is on the ball in the final third. I think at this point I am willing to roll the dice with Run DMB at LB even though that scares the ever living shite out of me next summer. To me Castillo is not a good option there.
I think one of the big changes from the 1st to 2nd half yesterday was bringing Corona on for Mix who was getting out muscled big time out there. I'm a Mix fan but he was getting pushed off the ball way too easy out there. This allowed GAM to go up top with Jozy and play off him which nobody was really able to do in the 1st half despite his good hold up play (see: Mix getting pushed off ball).
And yes GAM as a LW just doesnt work against that level of competition. It is fine against GC competition but once we take that next step up his lack of quality on the ball becomes apparent
I also love FJ as a LW. Good things happen when is on the ball in the final third. I think at this point I am willing to roll the dice with Run DMB at LB even though that scares the ever living shite out of me next summer. To me Castillo is not a good option there.
I think one of the big changes from the 1st to 2nd half yesterday was bringing Corona on for Mix who was getting out muscled big time out there. I'm a Mix fan but he was getting pushed off the ball way too easy out there. This allowed GAM to go up top with Jozy and play off him which nobody was really able to do in the 1st half despite his good hold up play (see: Mix getting pushed off ball).
And yes GAM as a LW just doesnt work against that level of competition. It is fine against GC competition but once we take that next step up his lack of quality on the ball becomes apparent
Posted on 8/15/13 at 1:27 pm to thenry712
i agree with most of your post.
been saying since the first time I remember Fabian being in the lineup that he needs to play higher up on the pitch, i'd much prefer Beasley back there at left back and have Fabian on LW.
I do not think Dempsey's starting spot is in any doubt at all, unless JK just tries to prove a point that he shouldnt have moved back to MLS. To me, Dempsey can up top with Jozy or drop back as a CM, he's always one of the best players on the field no matter what position he is at.
I am really excited to see Aaron Bacon develop, kid looks like he could be a star
been saying since the first time I remember Fabian being in the lineup that he needs to play higher up on the pitch, i'd much prefer Beasley back there at left back and have Fabian on LW.
I do not think Dempsey's starting spot is in any doubt at all, unless JK just tries to prove a point that he shouldnt have moved back to MLS. To me, Dempsey can up top with Jozy or drop back as a CM, he's always one of the best players on the field no matter what position he is at.
I am really excited to see Aaron Bacon develop, kid looks like he could be a star
Posted on 8/15/13 at 1:29 pm to etm512
quote:
Run DMB at LB even though that scares the ever living shite out of me
why is this? when I've seen him play he seems pretty solid. his speed makes up for his sometimes bad judgment and he always plays with a very high energy level which i like
Posted on 8/15/13 at 1:41 pm to chickman1313
I think people can't get over the stigma that Beasley, a guy who was thought to be out of the picture not too long ago, is the starting LB.
He has reinvented himself though and has given us the most solid LB play from anyone in a US kit in quite a while.
He has reinvented himself though and has given us the most solid LB play from anyone in a US kit in quite a while.
Posted on 8/15/13 at 1:48 pm to Broski
It's just how small he his. Can't be very physical
Posted on 8/15/13 at 1:51 pm to etm512
quote:
It's just how small he his. Can't be very physical
This is a fair point, but for a left or right back though I would rather speed over size, especially when we will likely trot out two big center backs in Besler and Gonzales/Brooks.
Posted on 8/15/13 at 1:52 pm to etm512
Beasley has yet to really play and impress at LB against anything other than Concacaf competition. Even there, where he's most certainly gotten the job done, he always seem like he's defending by the skin of his teeth. I do think he's earned a couple of high level games at LB to at least see how it goes
Posted on 8/15/13 at 1:59 pm to Broski
He certainly has quality going forward. Just worried about him against WC level competition. Also worried about the other side at RB as it stands right now
Posted on 8/15/13 at 2:04 pm to tigerfan88
As a leftwinger by trade, Beasley's problem is obviously his positional awareness. He gets caught up field too often while aiding in the attack during parts of the game where he would be better served holding the line. He also looks really skittish defending one-on-one and too often needs the aid of his centerback or the right winger tracking back.
The best example of his defensive frailties happened during the El Salvador game when he needlessly conceded a penalty trying to shield Rodolfo Zelaya in the box. He could have easily won the ball or conceded a corner/throw-in without touching Zelaya, but opted for a risky challenge faraway from the touchline.
He doesn't need to be physically robust to defend against opposing wingers, unless he's going against manchildren like Bale, Robinho or Hulk. He just needs to be smart enough to time his challenges perfectly, and his opportunities to burst forward. This is what made Cherundolo such an exceptional, yet unheralded rightback.
Run DMB is a more athletic version of Bornstein. Johnny B. was a left-sided midfielder converted to a leftback simply because of his decent pace. As we saw, he was a disaster defending one-on-one and really only had positive contributions when using his recovery speed to break up an attack. Beasley played LB in the Confederations Cup and had the same issues as our least favorite Bob Bradley era player.
The best example of his defensive frailties happened during the El Salvador game when he needlessly conceded a penalty trying to shield Rodolfo Zelaya in the box. He could have easily won the ball or conceded a corner/throw-in without touching Zelaya, but opted for a risky challenge faraway from the touchline.
He doesn't need to be physically robust to defend against opposing wingers, unless he's going against manchildren like Bale, Robinho or Hulk. He just needs to be smart enough to time his challenges perfectly, and his opportunities to burst forward. This is what made Cherundolo such an exceptional, yet unheralded rightback.
Run DMB is a more athletic version of Bornstein. Johnny B. was a left-sided midfielder converted to a leftback simply because of his decent pace. As we saw, he was a disaster defending one-on-one and really only had positive contributions when using his recovery speed to break up an attack. Beasley played LB in the Confederations Cup and had the same issues as our least favorite Bob Bradley era player.
This post was edited on 8/15/13 at 2:10 pm
Posted on 8/15/13 at 2:07 pm to thenry712
I agree with just about everything in the OP.
I completely agree! I thought of Davies for the first time in years watching this kid fun around. Fantastic.
No argument here. We are obviously a year out, but I envision him starting 1 or 2 games and coming off the bench in 1 or 2 in the group stage.
quote:
Aron Bacon, albeit based on an extremely small sample size, finally looks like the Charlie Davies replacement we've been yearning for since Davies' car accident...BUT BETTER. He's polished on the ball, and matches Davies' (or GAM's or Josh Gatt's or Will Bruin's) general speed. As a pressing forward, he could do wonders taking the pressure off our always in-limbo defense.
I completely agree! I thought of Davies for the first time in years watching this kid fun around. Fantastic.
quote:
For the first time since probably 2006, Clint Dempsey's starting spot in the lineup might have competition.
No argument here. We are obviously a year out, but I envision him starting 1 or 2 games and coming off the bench in 1 or 2 in the group stage.
Posted on 8/15/13 at 2:09 pm to chickman1313
quote:
why is this? when I've seen him play he seems pretty solid
Did you see him against Mexico in the draw at Azteca?
He survived at LB that night and we held them scoreless, but the key word is survived. If he starts the group stage, he will get abused to the tune of at least 2 goals, IMHO, depending on who we draw.
Posted on 8/15/13 at 2:13 pm to thenry712
I think it's unfair to compare Beasley's little time at LB in the Confed cup to what he is doing there now.
He's much more comfortable and more defensively savvy.
He's much more comfortable and more defensively savvy.
Posted on 8/15/13 at 2:15 pm to uway
quote:
He survived at LB that night and we held them scoreless, but the key word is survived.
Survived in the since that he was our started by necessity that night, but he was more than solid in the Azteca mind you.
quote:
. If he starts the group stage, he will get abused to the tune of at least 2 goals
Based on...?
Posted on 8/15/13 at 2:16 pm to thenry712
quote:
For the first time since probably 2006, Clint Dempsey's starting spot in the lineup might have competition. Aron Bacon might be a better partner up top for Jozy. Fabian Johnson is better suited for providing Jozy service on the left flank. Donovan
Thank you for actually having the balls to suggest this. Surprised the board isn't already in a huff about it though.
Dempsey is a great player but is just hard as hell to actually fit into a spot on the pitch
Posted on 8/15/13 at 2:16 pm to thenry712
quote:
Geoff Cameron poses a conundrum. He can play almost anywhere on the field, but I wouldn't consider him first choice at any position. Besler and now John Anthony Brooks look like better options at centerback. Jermaine Jones is a less consistent but much better player as a defensive mid. Perhaps Cameron can slot in as right-back, which is now our most pressing need.
Cameron's versatility is a great thing for the international game. He can take the position of a defensive midfielder or a defender so we can maybe take a chance calling up a guy who shows a lot of promise but we normally wouldn't be able to bring in for a World Cup.
You can also have him come in at 3 positions so it makes substitutions a lot easier.
quote:
For the first time since probably 2006, Clint Dempsey's starting spot in the lineup might have competition. Aron Bacon might be a better partner up top for Jozy. Fabian Johnson is better suited for providing Jozy service on the left flank. Donovan is a more creative option as a withdrawn forward or classic #10. Zusi, Corona, Torres, and Diskerud are all better possession midfielders. I'm not advocating for Klinsmann to bench Dempsey, but I think his spot in the lineup is no longer guaranteed.
It would take GIGANTIC balls for Jurgy to put Dempsey on the bench. Aron Bacon looked like the real deal though, so we'll see how he fits in.
Posted on 8/15/13 at 2:46 pm to hendersonshands
He could not call Dempsey in for these qualifiers as part of his forced sebatical program when he's not happy with a players club moves
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