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Hey Zeppo haven’t had a chance to rap to you for awhile. Wanted to ask your thoughts on a few topics regarding US soccer.
First topic is the US’ form in qualifying. I know that contrary to what fans think qualifying is truly a slog more than a display in artistry. It is all about getting that ugly win while letting the other team fret about how “unlucky” they were to lose. With the US currently first in qualifying I am fully aware that I am going to sound like a moron when I say this but the US’ form has been a true mixed bag.
At home they are perfect winning every match. But when you watch their games they are losing the middle third of the field every time. Their inability to hold the ball in that part of the field is going to see them packing early next year if Bradley doesn’t find a better mix of players there.
I believe there are two reasons for what is happening in the midfield.
My first thought is that the US is very comfortable playing a counter attacking style of ball. When they are at their best is when they are able to absorb pressure and get a team to pull itself out of shape and then go after them. Where they struggle is when they have to take the game to an opponent. Whether it is a team that sits 10 behind the ball or they are in a situation where they are down a goal and have to get the result they just don’t do well. In those scenarios they lose possession way too cheaply and lack the sophistication to break an opponent down.
My second though is I think Bob Bradley is mostly to blame for this as he refuses to adapt to the situation and play the appropriate players at the appropriate times.
If you’re heading into a match and you know that the other team is going to lay back why would guys like Feilhaber, Torres or Holden not be on the field from the start? What is his fascination with having two defensive midfielders on the field at the same time in a 4-4-2? I can’t argue with the results as they are top of CONCACAF currently but looking ahead I don’t see where this is going to help the US at all against the stronger teams they’ll meet in SA.
You can’t win a world cup playing for your dear lives every match with defenders desperately throwing their bodies at the last second in front of shots. At some point you have to win matches with a level of quality. Hard work and industry while great for one game will not replace quality over the course of a tournament. Unfortunately we are not seeing that from the midfield of the US right now.
Speaking of midfield players would you agree with me that Landon Donovan has earned the title of greatest US national team player of all time? I don’t think 2nd place is even close. So far in qualifying out of the US 14 goals he has had a hand in 10! (2 goals, 8 assists) For as poorly as the mid for the US has looked he always bails them out in the end by making the final pass or scoring one himself. While I curse Bob Bradley many a time when I watch the team play one of the best moves he has made is moving Donovan to outside left mid. It gives him so much space to do what he does best. It also makes doubling him problematic for the other teams.
Speaking of midfield players pt 2 would you agree with me that Clint Dempsey needs to be moved from right mid to striker where he belongs? He is completely wasted out wide. Actually I can’t say completely as he still finds ways to score but he really is a liability out there. He is just not a mid-fielder. The thing he does well is for players with little defensive responsibilities. As well he plays striker for Fulham and if you watch him with that team he does a good job. His work rate is much higher and you can easily see his comfort level with his responsibilities on that team. I know BB would rather have him on the field rather than not but I think after the qualifiers he should simply have Dempsey fight it out for one of the two striker positions with Altidore and Davies.
Ok onto the Michael Bradley. Have to call a spade a spade and say that he has been rubbish in qualifying. The man losses the ball so often that sometimes I have to wonder if Sascha Kljestan (sp?) has snuck onto the field.
Every player losses form at some point but he has been out of form for sometime now. It is hard to ask a father to sit his son but I believe BB is at the point now where he cannot justify starting MB. So while I don’t expect him to sit his kid I do believe that MB needs to improve greatly as it has become almost comical how many times he gives away the ball. You can call it almost every time….Bradley gets the ball….Bradley losses the ball....Bradley fouls the man…..Bradley gets the ball….Bradley losses the ball….Bradley fouls the man….. It is borderline ridiculous.
Ok regarding the US’ away from…..I can’t knock going to Mexico City and losing 2-1 or going to T&T and getting 3 points. All positives as far as I am concerned. As well I don’t really blame the players for the poor away results they have had in qualifying. I think the reason their form away from home is so poor is due to the fact that they don’t play friendlies or gold cups in Central America. I don’t see how a program can expect to get results on the road in qualifying if they never play these teams on the road outside of qualifying.
Every time the US plays a friendly against a Central American team they always play it in the US. Every time the US plays a Gold Cup they play it in the US. I understand why from a financial stand point but from a developing the program stand point it really hurts the US. The players simply lack the mental toughness to perform in those venues because they are not exposed to those conditions until it is too late.
They need to get used to playing in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico etc.,. I think they should make it a point that after the World Cup to start playing more friendlies in Central America. As well they should make a move to have the Gold Cup rotate. It would be a much better measuring stick for the players rather than some nonsense statistic like “Mexico hasn’t beaten the US on US soil in X-amount of years”. At first I was wondering if US Soccer was trying to fool the public with that stat but it seems as if they have been successful in fooling themselves.
Their record against Mexico in the new millennium would not be so flattering if they had played some of those matches in their backyard. So while the countries in Central America are getting more comfortable playing the US on their soil the US’ ability to play on their soil is virtually nonexistent. We need to toughen up and expose the team to some adversity. Win or lose the experience is well worth it heading into 2014 qualifying.
All right onto my man Freddy……I know you and Paul Marin disagreed with me when I said I thought he played himself off the WC roster in his appearance at the GC but can we agree that his loan move to Belanese (can’t spell the name) is his absolute last chance?
He came off the bench over the weekend and by all reports played well setting up three clear cut chances for his team but he hasn’t played in the two league matches he was eligible. I just can’t see a scenario where he works himself back into the picture.
The US team is taking shape more and more and that includes a crowded midfield with players who are playing regularly for their clubs. (though MB has been benched at his for his run in with his coach)
The more I think about it the more I believe that Freddy left DC United 2 years too early. He needed that game experience and needed to mature more before jumping to Europe. I mean Jozy was transferred for 10 mil and he didn’t even start regularly for the Red Bulls. They made a conscious effort to bring him along slowly and I think it helped the kid to keep his head down and expect nothing. It sort of puts it into perspective. I hate to say it but I just can’t see a scenario where BB takes him to SA.
Ok last thing Zeppo…..who are you picking to win the MLS Cup?
My pick is Houston. They were the best team last year and found some way to lose to the Red Cows in the first round. I don’t think they will make the same mistake again.
I like to deceive myself and say that DC United is the MLS franchise but I am living in the past. That would have been true in the 90’s but the new millennium was definitely dominated by this Houston (formerly San Jose) franchise. They have been the standard for the past 10 years and remain so today as far as I am concerned. As well I have to give them and Columbus a lot of credit for fighting hard in the CL. Heck I’ll even give my pathetic United a bit of credit as they are somehow still in the race for that 2nd spot. Not a bad showing for MLS at all if they are able to get 2-3 teams out of the group stages.
To be honest I think Dominic Kennear (sp?) is an excellent coach and I wish my beloved Reggae Boyz would hire him. He would bring those intangibles that our teams seem to always be missing. I predict he will be the next coach of the US team. He is quality.
Last but not least give me your thoughts on the U20's prospects?
Ok I realize I am all over the place but heck I had a lot of things to get off my chest regarding US soccer right now. Give me your thoughts on some, all or none of what I said. What are your thoughts on where the US program is right now? – T.K.
First topic is the US’ form in qualifying. I know that contrary to what fans think qualifying is truly a slog more than a display in artistry. It is all about getting that ugly win while letting the other team fret about how “unlucky” they were to lose. With the US currently first in qualifying I am fully aware that I am going to sound like a moron when I say this but the US’ form has been a true mixed bag.
At home they are perfect winning every match. But when you watch their games they are losing the middle third of the field every time. Their inability to hold the ball in that part of the field is going to see them packing early next year if Bradley doesn’t find a better mix of players there.
I believe there are two reasons for what is happening in the midfield.
My first thought is that the US is very comfortable playing a counter attacking style of ball. When they are at their best is when they are able to absorb pressure and get a team to pull itself out of shape and then go after them. Where they struggle is when they have to take the game to an opponent. Whether it is a team that sits 10 behind the ball or they are in a situation where they are down a goal and have to get the result they just don’t do well. In those scenarios they lose possession way too cheaply and lack the sophistication to break an opponent down.
My second though is I think Bob Bradley is mostly to blame for this as he refuses to adapt to the situation and play the appropriate players at the appropriate times.
If you’re heading into a match and you know that the other team is going to lay back why would guys like Feilhaber, Torres or Holden not be on the field from the start? What is his fascination with having two defensive midfielders on the field at the same time in a 4-4-2? I can’t argue with the results as they are top of CONCACAF currently but looking ahead I don’t see where this is going to help the US at all against the stronger teams they’ll meet in SA.
You can’t win a world cup playing for your dear lives every match with defenders desperately throwing their bodies at the last second in front of shots. At some point you have to win matches with a level of quality. Hard work and industry while great for one game will not replace quality over the course of a tournament. Unfortunately we are not seeing that from the midfield of the US right now.
Speaking of midfield players would you agree with me that Landon Donovan has earned the title of greatest US national team player of all time? I don’t think 2nd place is even close. So far in qualifying out of the US 14 goals he has had a hand in 10! (2 goals, 8 assists) For as poorly as the mid for the US has looked he always bails them out in the end by making the final pass or scoring one himself. While I curse Bob Bradley many a time when I watch the team play one of the best moves he has made is moving Donovan to outside left mid. It gives him so much space to do what he does best. It also makes doubling him problematic for the other teams.
Speaking of midfield players pt 2 would you agree with me that Clint Dempsey needs to be moved from right mid to striker where he belongs? He is completely wasted out wide. Actually I can’t say completely as he still finds ways to score but he really is a liability out there. He is just not a mid-fielder. The thing he does well is for players with little defensive responsibilities. As well he plays striker for Fulham and if you watch him with that team he does a good job. His work rate is much higher and you can easily see his comfort level with his responsibilities on that team. I know BB would rather have him on the field rather than not but I think after the qualifiers he should simply have Dempsey fight it out for one of the two striker positions with Altidore and Davies.
Ok onto the Michael Bradley. Have to call a spade a spade and say that he has been rubbish in qualifying. The man losses the ball so often that sometimes I have to wonder if Sascha Kljestan (sp?) has snuck onto the field.
Every player losses form at some point but he has been out of form for sometime now. It is hard to ask a father to sit his son but I believe BB is at the point now where he cannot justify starting MB. So while I don’t expect him to sit his kid I do believe that MB needs to improve greatly as it has become almost comical how many times he gives away the ball. You can call it almost every time….Bradley gets the ball….Bradley losses the ball....Bradley fouls the man…..Bradley gets the ball….Bradley losses the ball….Bradley fouls the man….. It is borderline ridiculous.
Ok regarding the US’ away from…..I can’t knock going to Mexico City and losing 2-1 or going to T&T and getting 3 points. All positives as far as I am concerned. As well I don’t really blame the players for the poor away results they have had in qualifying. I think the reason their form away from home is so poor is due to the fact that they don’t play friendlies or gold cups in Central America. I don’t see how a program can expect to get results on the road in qualifying if they never play these teams on the road outside of qualifying.
Every time the US plays a friendly against a Central American team they always play it in the US. Every time the US plays a Gold Cup they play it in the US. I understand why from a financial stand point but from a developing the program stand point it really hurts the US. The players simply lack the mental toughness to perform in those venues because they are not exposed to those conditions until it is too late.
They need to get used to playing in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico etc.,. I think they should make it a point that after the World Cup to start playing more friendlies in Central America. As well they should make a move to have the Gold Cup rotate. It would be a much better measuring stick for the players rather than some nonsense statistic like “Mexico hasn’t beaten the US on US soil in X-amount of years”. At first I was wondering if US Soccer was trying to fool the public with that stat but it seems as if they have been successful in fooling themselves.
Their record against Mexico in the new millennium would not be so flattering if they had played some of those matches in their backyard. So while the countries in Central America are getting more comfortable playing the US on their soil the US’ ability to play on their soil is virtually nonexistent. We need to toughen up and expose the team to some adversity. Win or lose the experience is well worth it heading into 2014 qualifying.
All right onto my man Freddy……I know you and Paul Marin disagreed with me when I said I thought he played himself off the WC roster in his appearance at the GC but can we agree that his loan move to Belanese (can’t spell the name) is his absolute last chance?
He came off the bench over the weekend and by all reports played well setting up three clear cut chances for his team but he hasn’t played in the two league matches he was eligible. I just can’t see a scenario where he works himself back into the picture.
The US team is taking shape more and more and that includes a crowded midfield with players who are playing regularly for their clubs. (though MB has been benched at his for his run in with his coach)
The more I think about it the more I believe that Freddy left DC United 2 years too early. He needed that game experience and needed to mature more before jumping to Europe. I mean Jozy was transferred for 10 mil and he didn’t even start regularly for the Red Bulls. They made a conscious effort to bring him along slowly and I think it helped the kid to keep his head down and expect nothing. It sort of puts it into perspective. I hate to say it but I just can’t see a scenario where BB takes him to SA.
Ok last thing Zeppo…..who are you picking to win the MLS Cup?
My pick is Houston. They were the best team last year and found some way to lose to the Red Cows in the first round. I don’t think they will make the same mistake again.
I like to deceive myself and say that DC United is the MLS franchise but I am living in the past. That would have been true in the 90’s but the new millennium was definitely dominated by this Houston (formerly San Jose) franchise. They have been the standard for the past 10 years and remain so today as far as I am concerned. As well I have to give them and Columbus a lot of credit for fighting hard in the CL. Heck I’ll even give my pathetic United a bit of credit as they are somehow still in the race for that 2nd spot. Not a bad showing for MLS at all if they are able to get 2-3 teams out of the group stages.
To be honest I think Dominic Kennear (sp?) is an excellent coach and I wish my beloved Reggae Boyz would hire him. He would bring those intangibles that our teams seem to always be missing. I predict he will be the next coach of the US team. He is quality.
Last but not least give me your thoughts on the U20's prospects?
Ok I realize I am all over the place but heck I had a lot of things to get off my chest regarding US soccer right now. Give me your thoughts on some, all or none of what I said. What are your thoughts on where the US program is right now? – T.K.
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