2-2 As USA Scores Late + Twitter Page
Monday, 13 July 09, 11:31 AM · Comments (8)
Houston, we have a problem. Well, at least from the highlights that I've seen and the reports that I have read. Unfortunately, I was on the road back from my little holiday getaway when the USA kicked off against minnows Haiti. While it was my first US game to miss in years, I had no doubt as to the result, so I felt a little better about it. Of course when I got home and looked up the score I was shocked.
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2-2? Hmmm. The only good thing to happen from that match seems to be my prediction that Stuart Holden has it in him to play for the full national team. With an assist already under his belt, he swept forward 2 minutes into stoppage and struck a tremendous shot into the upper 90 to level the match late on. It was a helluva shot. But before we get too excited, it was to TIE HAITI. I'm not even sure which of the two words should have been emphasized so I bolded them both.
Like I said, I only got to see the highlights on Sportscenter, and they were not good what-so-ever. I remember seeing Jay Heaps get turned around horribly before Haiti scored on of their goals. There's a reason he's 30 something and never been selected for the national team. His poor defending led to both goals. He's just not good enough. I mean its Haiti we're playing. Sure, they are big and athletic just look at Jozy Altidore whose born to two Haitian immigrants. But we should have been able to easily out class them, even with a B-team. Both of their goals were possible because of mistakes at the back.
For some reason, it seems that all the US players with the exception of Holden, and later Davies, were playing timid. On the few highlights I've seen, Michael Parkhurst was bad on the night. He got pushed over, down, and around by the bigger Haitian forwards. A center back needs to be physical, thats part of the job description and unfortunately Parkhurst doesn't have the build for it. Imagine the US has to play the Ivory Coast in the World Cup. Who would you rather have marking Didier Drogba, Parkhurst or Onyewu? Thanks for trying Michael, but the national team set up just isn't for you. Another disappointing performance was turned in by goalie Luis Robles. He was undoubtedly nervy in his performance to say the least. On the first goal, he half-heartedly slapped at the cross which sailed over his head to the back post. Then he was out of position on the second goal after confusion with Jay Heaps led to an open net goal (clinically taken though).
That's all I've got for you guys today, but hopefully I'll be able to catch the next match and give you more analysis, hopefully on a better result than this one. Cheerio laddies
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Star_Spangled_Cannon said:very true, it comes down to the fact that we as of yet, do not have a possessio...
On Thoughts on the Azteca match + Player Ratings, albeit late
Danking said:well remember thats what the team did against spain and brazil after they took ...
On Thoughts on the Azteca match + Player Ratings, albeit late
Star_Spangled_Cannon said:yeah, i'm assuming he still sees him as an 'adequate' replacement to cherundolo...
On Thoughts on the Azteca match + Player Ratings, albeit late
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Star_Spangled_Cannon
Oklahoma City, US
An in depth US soccer and Arsenal F.C. blog with perspective and analysis of major events.
8 Comments · Add yours
consumer report since you did not see the match.
Robles .5
back four .5
Bob Bradley 6.5
Davies 8.5(he really changed the match late)
I understand building depth, resting players, and getting guys experience, but you are right. Haiti?
i saw most of the game and except for holden and davies the whole team seemed to play like a high school team. the dribbling and trapping was terrible to watch. theres no way a ball that was passed from 5 yards away should pop over your head when you go to trap it. as sad as it is to say haiti was the better team on the night but at least bb seemed to learn when to sub when the game isn't going to plan.
Reply to Danking:
yeah thats what i've heard. it just shows that even though ppl think the MLS gives the US depth, it really doesn't give us quality. I also think the MLS needs to instill more technical ability in players rather than solely focus on tactics. but i'm glad to hear bob is starting to make better subs. whats your line up for panama?
Reply to Star_Spangled_Cannon:
my lineup would probably be:
perkins
'dolo - marshall - goodson - pearce
holden - beckerman - pause/feilhaber - rogers
adu - davies
subs that should get some time: quaranta, arnaud, and feilhaber if he doesn't start
i like having the two speedy guys up top b/c that fits more what this team does. this isn't a big bruising team, more of a finesse passing group like barcelona and arsenal.
Reply to Danking:
adu is with his club team and will miss the rest of gold cup. i hope bb will bring up jozi, but i doubt that will happen.
i forgot about that, thanks for reminding me. in that case i'd choose arnaud over ching, or put quaranta up top with davies. and i'd think if adu is with his club team jozi would be too.
I don't understand your point when you said to TIE HAITI.That is an Insult, as a Haitian I can tell you WE can play football not like the hand ball the US INVENTED.If you don't know anything about Haiti don't write an insult comment like that.Read Our HISTORY, You'll see what happened.Go back from seventies.
Reply to joseph:
Ok i will break it down for you. Haiti as of the latest FIFA rankings is 120th in the world. Their highest ranking came in 2007 and that was 66th. You are behind teams like Luxembourg, Kuwait, and even Thailand. The USA leads the CONCACAF rankings, just beat the European Champions Spain (formerly #1), beat back to back ANC Champions Egypt, and are ranked #12 in the world. So yes, I fully understand what I'm talking about. The score was an insult, but to the US. We should have beaten Haiti handedly. I'm not insulting your country, I'm just stating the facts from an American perspective. And what handball are you talking about?