The Official US Soccer thread

[gr000000vy]

Ching was very good in this game... as was Sasha... Which is a bummer because I think they are both two of the over hyped players the National team has right now....

 

[Zeno]

Ching was very good in this game... as was Sasha... Which is a bummer because I think they are both two of the over hyped players the National team has right now....

I think Sacha will only get better, he still has a problem with turning the ball over in the midfield but his runs off the ball have improved game by game. I think by 2010 he'll be a mainstay to start. He isn't ready yet to be a lock every game...BB obviously disagrees.

Ching...yeah he had a good game but he's a striker, did he get a single shot on goal all game? He wins the ball in the air but most of the time his headers go nowhere, either straight up or to the other team. I might as well accept the reality that as long as BB is in charge Ching is a first team choice.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Altidore is back on the move, this time on loan to Xerez of the Spanish second division.

Jozy Altidore's loan move to Spanish second division leaders Deportivo Xerez is now official, a source close to Altidore confirmed on Friday.
Altidore joined his new club today for the start of a half-season loan that should afford him the opportunity for much more playing time than he has been receiving with Villarreal.
So why would Villarreal loan Altidore out to Xerez and not a bigger club like Everton? It's pretty simple really. Villarreal have long-term plans for Altidore to be a part of its club. Keeping him in Spain will allow Altidore to continue his assimilation to the culture, and will also allow Villarreal to keep close tabs on his progress. He is also joining a club that is currently in first place in the second division so he won't be expected to come in and carry the team. Xerez is also coached by respected former Barcelona player Esteban Vigo.
For those wondering, Xerez returns to action on Sunday to face Alicante CF, which currently sits second from bottom in the Segunda standings.

http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2009/01/altidore-loan-deal-to-xerez-is-done.html

 

[Zeno]

Good move for Altidore as long as he gets playing time. If he sits on the bench I'd rather him get training time with Villarreal then Xerez.

Kljestan's transfer to Celtic was killed...he'll be in MLS at least until the summer transfer window.

Mexico lost 1-0 to Sweden and has 1 win in their last 6. They have multiple significant injuries heading in to the WCQ in less than 2 weeks. Hopefully we take advantage of it and hammer them worse than our normal 2-0. Thats my next trip after the Super Bowl, Columbus for one night to see us beat the Mexicans Feb 11.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Cherundolo is out for the Mexico game due to a strained hip. Ugh... looks like we're gonna get treated to another Frankie Hejduk performance...

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/soccer/wires/02/06/2050.ap.soc.us.cherundolo.0169/index.html

 

[Zeno]

Here is the roster for the Mexico game. I guess the only surprise is Robbie Rogers and no Freddy Adu....

Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton)

Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Danny Califf (FC Midtjylland), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard Liege), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)

Midfielders: DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers), Michael Bradley (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), Jose Francisco Torres (Pachuca)

Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Xerez), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Charlie Davies (Hammarby), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (Bayern Munich)

 

[Peter C]

Here is the roster for the Mexico game. I guess the only surprise is Robbie Rogers and no Freddy Adu....

I don't think it's a surprise. Rogers has had far more regular time than Freddy. One of the complaints of Freddy that I've read is that he is getting muscled out of plays. Against Mexico, at least at this stage, I think Rogers is the better pick.

by the way: some EV fans will be watching today's game at Wings & Rings on Chandler Blvd, just east of Dobson Rd.

 

[Shzm13]

Looks like US will have a homefield advantage in US soil for once

 

[Shzm13]

That US Defense is rock solid!

Great win for the stars and stripes.

 

[Stout]

That US Defense is rock solid!

Great win for the stars and stripes.

Okay, awesome and incredible win, which inspires hope going forward. Still, HUH!?!?!? Yeah, our defense was good...at times...but it was absolutely atrocious for short stretches. Without a few great saves...not normal saves, but really tough ones...our defense would have surrendered a couple goals. A good or decent defense does not allow some of the opportunities we allowed.

Like I said, though, the rest of the game was outstanding. Man, did Beasley play well! And Bradley, WOW! I think most of our guys had solid outings. Didn't see anything positive out of Kljestan, though--in fact, he kept just giving the ball away. I REALLY don't know what the announcers were talking about in regards to Ching. They were slobbering all over his jock, and yet I wasn't noticing how he was holding the ball up at all. In fact, the only times you really notice him touching the ball was outside on the wings, where he's uncomfortable with it and usually turns it over.

Great, great win, though. Another 2-0 victory over Tri Colores...flippin' sweet!

 

[Chaplin]

Yeah, our defense in the first half was downright shaky. Bad clearances and at least 2 solid chances by the Mexicans within the first 20 minutes!

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Some good, and some bad from the game. It's essentially the same US team as always...decent D, superior goal tending, and uninspired offense, relying on corners and set pieces to get goals. It works against the CONCACAF opponents of the world, but against great teams is why we falter.

I wish they would run Adu, Edu and Altidore out there every game, Adu and Altidore especially. They are the most creative attackers available, and have much greater upside than Ching, who I think is just worthless. He's a homeless man's McBride.

 

[Zeno]

Just got back from Columbus this morning. That was absolutely one of the best sporting events I've ever attended. Great crowd, great atmosphere and more importantly great win. It wasn't perfect..far from it, but the Mexicans couldn't manage any sustained possesion.

 

[Zeno]

I wish they would run Adu, Edu and Altidore out there every game, Adu and Altidore especially. They are the most creative attackers available, and have much greater upside than Ching, who I think is just worthless. He's a homeless man's McBride.

I agree with you on Ching, he's nothing special, but he is a play it safe type guy and Bradley is going to go with him more often than not (unfortunately). Altidore is going to have to force Bradley's hand eventually by stringing together some consistent performances--buts it hard to do when you are only getting 10+ minutes a match.

I can't agree on Edu getting playing time, he's not going to replace Kljestan or Bradley. Adu should have made the roster but not have been a starter, he's a good offensive sub late in a match but his lack of PT probably means he isn't in form for a full 90.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Adu should have made the roster but not have been a starter, he's a good offensive sub late in a match but his lack of PT probably means he isn't in form for a full 90.

I'd love to see Adu start mainly because I think our offense is so stagnant. Adu has an uncanny ability to see holes where others don't and makes things happen offensively, something we desperately need. I guess the question would be who does he replace.

 

[Zeno]

I'd love to see Adu start mainly because I think our offense is so stagnant. Adu has an uncanny ability to see holes where others don't and makes things happen offensively, something we desperately need. I guess the question would be who does he replace.

I agree with you, in fact I'd go as far to say that when he and Kljestan have been on the field together (mostly during the U23's) that Adu was the superior player. The problem is Bradley prefers his players to think defense first and Adu is not a defensive player, Kljestan at least is disruptive when he attempts to win back possesion, Adu tends to give up defensively more than he should. One thing is for sure Adu would draw more free kicks, would make better runs off the ball and would probably take on more defenders than Sacha. Don't get me wrong I do not dislike Sacha, but I think Adu would add more to the attack then he does (despite his 3 goals against the Swedish B team).

I think Adu will get a lot of playing time this summer in the Gold Cup as we field 2 teams--our A side in the Confed Cup and our B side in the Gold Cup. If he shows well (which i think he will) he should make a good impression.

 

[gr000000vy]

I think Adu could easily replace either Ching or Sasha... Sasha just plain out sucks and I get tired of people thinking he is all that.... Just depends on what role Bradley would want him as... If he is a center mid he is a defensive liability... up top he is not a burner or a threat in the air... I agree they have to find ways to get him on the field though and I agree with the super busy summer he will get his chances...

 

[slinslin]

Bayern won't keep Donovan.

He is too old and too expensive to be their #4 striker.

 

[gr000000vy]

Bayern won't keep Donovan.

He is too old and too expensive to be their #4 striker.

we will find out this weekend... with Toni out Donovan has this saturday and the Champions league match to impress or he will be back in the MLS.....

 

[slinslin]

We already found out, Rummenigge already said they would rather have a younger striker.

Also Podolski is fit again, so Donovan will probably not play even if Toni is out.

 

[Zeno]

Roster for next 2 qualifiers...

ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa: 4/3 SO), Tim Howard (Everton: 8/6 SO), Marcus Hahnemann (Reading: 1/1 SO)

DEFENDERS (7): Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes: 17/2), Danny Califf (FC Midtjylland: 3/0), Jay DeMerit (Watford: 1/0), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew: 15/1), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege: 13/1), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock: 8/0), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United: 2/1)

MIDFIELDERS (7): Freddy Adu (AS Monaco: 5/1), DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers: 22/6), Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach: 7/4), Maurice Edu (Glasgow Rangers: 3/0), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA: 7/0), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids: 12/0), José Francisco Torres (Pachuca: 2/0)

FORWARDS (5): Jozy Altidore (Xerez C.D.: 4/1), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo: 13/6), Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC: 13/4), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy: 26/9), Eddie Johnson (Cardiff City: 9/8)

Eddie Johnson? Really? I guess that one goal he has in England must have really pumped up Bradley. Otherwise I don't have any issues, although I'd like to see Wynne & Cooper get more chances.

 

[Chaplin]

I don't get why Kenny Cooper doesn't get called up more and Eddie Johnson and Brian Ching do.

 

[Zeno]

I don't get why Kenny Cooper doesn't get called up more and Eddie Johnson and Brian Ching do.

Brian Ching has gone 2 games without a single shot on goal, yet he still gets praised after every game. I don't get it. I always thought it was the job of a striker to score goals...I guess I was wrong. Bradley loves the guy, because he does all the "dirty work" and draws fouls. Against Mexico he didn't draw any fouls that I remember closer than 40 yards from goal and when he won a header it ended up either going straight up or to a Mexican player. I wish someone in USSF would point that out to Bradley...Cooper, Altidore, Adu, Davies can't possibly do much worse.

As for Eddie Johnson, 1 goal in 14 months in England and he is back with the National Team? I just don't get it, how many chances does this guy get. I will say this, if he does play against El Salvador it wouldn't shock me if he scored, their defense is ripe for someone with speed to get behind them.

 

[Stout]

Why no Cherundelo? Is he still hurt?

 

[Zeno]

Why no Cherundelo? Is he still hurt?

Yep...he is just recovering right now.