Sorry USA

[Zeppo]

Johnson is not a great dribbler. That's fact. Why then would you want him to often attempt to 'take on' opponents...particularly as every half-dead coach and footballer knows that the easiest way to get by an opponent or opponents is 'use a TEAMmate'...pass and move into space?

He can take them on without dribbling by simply knocking the ball into space beyond his marker and then outracing him to it. Beasley can't really dribble either, but that strategy has been quite successful for him for years. EJ could do this, too. But over the last few years it seems that he rarely has the cojones to try it anymore.

Johnson does that "pass and move into space" well! It was not his fault that his TEAMmates could not make an acurate pass to save their lives or on receiving the ball not lose it MOST often.

Johnson also in that match had no support when he fought for and won ball in the air while under pressure. Not one of his TEAMmates seeing Johnson go up for a ball (aside: Usually Johnson was under pressure! ) ran into the open space for Johnson's head pass. What were they doing sleeping?

Let me state that again that no forward was going to get any kind of service from that midfield performance. So he can't be written off from that game alone.

But I have been watching him closely for a long time now. And there's no way that you can convince me that Eddie "can't score outside of CONCACAF" Johnson has good off-the-ball movement. In fact, the term "headless chicken" comes to mind when trying to describe him. Hopefully that part of his game will improve at Fulham, since he's now in a more tactically advanced league than MLS. Learning that would be a huge boost to his game.

If the present sorry lot continues as that last display against England USA may not make it to the World Cup and that would be a pity for football in our region.

You seem to have forgotten that we qualify within the CONCACAF region. Enough said.

[Me]

I think Kyle Beckerman is needed in the US midfield. He didn't seem to be developing at the rate he should a few years ago, but over the past couple I have been quite impressed. He is an excellent passer, who is willing to work hard. Haven't been impressed with Benny this year. Lack of football seems to have taken away some of his sharpness.

One passing midfielder along with Landon Donovan and the team should improve greatly.

[T.K.]

Interesting talk, sah!
...and you are 100% correct on
i) missing Donovan (this should give pause for those who think he is no good!);
ii) this current USA team being not able to 'see, think and adjust' during matches.

...but you are dead wrong on Eddie Johnson. Presently he is the only good pure striker USA has.

The new boy, young Aliadore (Is that his name? He was not in the last squad.) would be next in line. Both Johnson and young Aliadore also play excellent TEAM.

I have to respectfully disagree regarding Johnson.

The US' best forward is still Brian McBride even though he has retired himself from international ball. If you talk about the current player pool Kenny Cooper and Jozy Altidore are better than Eddie Johnson. Johnson's has so many weaknesses as a player it is time for the US to admit that this dog simply won't hunt.

He can't trap and pass. His feet are slow. Can't dribble. Can't shoot. Horrible finisher. Makes terrible runs without the ball. Decision making is non existent. Is unable to hold the ball up to allow the team to get forward. At this point he brings nothing to the table outside of being able to run in straight line from point A to B and even then he is suspect.

He is still living off of the 3 goals he scored against a very bad Panama team back in 2004. - T.K.

[Karl]

He can take them on without dribbling by simply knocking the ball into space beyond his marker and then outracing him to it. Beasley can't really dribble either, but that strategy has been quite successful for him for years. EJ could do this, too. But over the last few years it seems that he rarely has the cojones to try it anymore.

Pushing and out-running opposition?
Agreed!

...but even that has to do with where you receive the ball. (Back to goal! Surrounded by two or more opponents! High ball i.e. to your head being able to nod on and chase...etc., etc.) The service as you agreed was baaaaaaaaaaad!

But I have been watching him closely for a long time now. And there's no way that you can convince me that Eddie "can't score outside of CONCACAF" Johnson has good off-the-ball movement. In fact, the term "headless chicken" comes to mind when trying to describe him. Hopefully that part of his game will improve at Fulham, since he's now in a more tactically advanced league than MLS. Learning that would be a huge boost to his game.

I do not agree that Eddie does not 'have it'! ...so we'll see if he is given a chance and if he gets that chance he comes good or not.

You seem to have forgotten that we qualify within the CONCACAF region.

No! ...and that not qualifying from CONCACAF would be the tragedy