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USA at Jamaica (WCQ); Friday June 7, 2013; Kingston, Jamaica
Topic Started: Mar 30 2013, 10:50 AM (411 Views)
shelsoccer
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Brad Evans? WTF? Nice quick turn and, maybe, a hopeful shot to the far upper 90.

Defensively, I thought Evans and Beasley managed to hold their own (not much else) on the flanks but didn't contribute much offensively. Gonzalez and Besler were pretty solid.

Fabian Johnson wasn't as dynamic as he was against Germany. Jones was fine until leaving with a concussion. Bradley and Zusi were very good and co-candidates for MOTM.

Nice goal by Altidore off the Zusi cross. Dempsey was pretty quiet.

Zusi suspended and Jones probably out for the next game, which raises questions. You probably keep Cameron in central midfield (he came on for Jones). As for replacing Zusi, is Holden ready?
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Roosevelt
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Well, I guess I'm first, though I type so slowly, someone may beat me to it. Or everyone's tuned in to the two qualies still going on. In any case, 2-1 USA, skin-of-teeth style, after looking like two points had just been coughed up before the end of regulation. And my man :lol: Brad Evans, with the game winner in injury time. He still may not be a right back (a fine, heady player, don't get me wrong) but he sure saved the Nats bacon.

On the good: obviously, a victory first and foremost. And the team looked reasonably coherent (unchanged line-up helped?) though it seems to me that the more helter-skelter the game is, like the first 15 minutes were, and the last part of the match, the more effective the US attack is. The team may retain a lot of possession, but it's fairly toothless, when things slow down.

Zusi had some good moments, as did Altidore. Bradley remains the general. It was nice to see Cameron be used in position that better fits his skills. My great appreciation for DMB only deepens.

On the negative: Just how green the centerback tandem is certainly showed itself again. I think it can grow and work, but they do make mistakes. Jermaine Jones left with a concussion, not sure if he's available for Panama. Fabian Johnson was very quiet before giving way to Castillo, and Dempsey only slightly louder. Tim Howard. I know he's an automatic starter, but I do think he's not as sharp as he was a few years ago.

Not that I think it will happen, but I might actually be a little happier with Guzan back there. Beyond even form/ability. According to reports, he had a very calming influence on a young/inexperienced back line at Villa. Howard is the kind of keeper who gets agitated, and I'm not sure that's what this group needs.

I said I'd take one point, but I have to admit, it would have been a bitter one if Bradley/Evans hadn't played hero. Three on the road is pretty sweet. Oh, and Klinsmann's shirt was enough to make me want FIFA to institute a dress code for coaches. :o
Another day in June, we'll pick eleven for football
We're playing for our lives, the referee gives us f**k-all

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TonyDE
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I'll join in the astonishment of seeing Brad Evans become the US' hero. Nice finish but once more Bradley was there to provide the service. Bradley and Zusi were the two players who impressed me the most last night. Zusi works hard and finds ways to get good crosses in. Altidore is relishing the service he provides.

I liked how the US reacted to Jamaica's equalizer but did not like how they switched off in the final 15 minutes. It probably did not help that Jones had to leave with a suspected concussion. Cameron did OK and showed his versatility but on Tuesday at home the US will need more than that in midfield if Jones cannot play. I also will be hoping Altidore will be good to go too as he was grabbing the back of his leg as he went off. Add in Zusi's suspension and Klinsmann will have some lineup concerns but those can be the subject of a subsequent post.

The US gave up another goal off a set piece which is a little troubling. But the defense did a better job in containing Jamaica's attacks. Maybe some cohesion is starting to slip in there?'

Jamaica keyed in on stopping Dempsey and did a good job in taking him out of the match, I thought he was a non factor in the game. More will be needed from him in the future.

It was not pretty but a valuable win on the road and with 7 points from these first 4 games the US is sitting pretty well right now. As for Jamaica, they have just lost 2 straight at home and with only 2 points from 5 games (remember they and Mexico have played one more) their hopes of going to Brazil look dim.
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vince stravino
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It is too bad Jamaica is pretty much toast now. I kinda enjoyed their danger. They really have a few fellows that can crack the ball. They are very physical, big and fast as heck. Problem was they just did not have enough cohesion and team quality. Still, they may prove a factor later in qualifying by busting someone's balloon. They ain't bad. They are just too inconsistent.

The US got a bit lucky, but I am fine with that. Zusi played well, but he still must be held accountable for the foul/card that led to the late Reggae Boyz goal. Plus, he misses the Panama match.

Doubtful Jermaine Jones will go in Seattle as well. He was out like a light. Will we see Holden? Can the US bring in another player? Donovan??????

Besler and Gonzalez need intense matches like this to gel. Besler still is a bit sketchy on his timing and pace of back passes to Howard, but he plays with total heart and soul.

Castillo? Really? Again? Does Klinsmann owe him money or something?

Great for Brad Evans. He may not be in the Final 23 if we make it to Brazil, but like Alan Gordon in Antigua, he has proved supremely valuable in getting the Yanks there.
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raconteur
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A good and swift reaction to Jamaica's tying goal. Evans, woah I did not know he had it in him. But thankfully he did. I am with those praising Bradley, Altidore and Zusi for their play, they were the outstanding players for the US in the game. Before he went off with his concussion Jones was all right as were Besler, Gonzalez, Beasley and Evans. Not the best of games from either Fabian Johnson or Dempsey but ultimately it is the result which counts and those were 3 golden points on the road.

7 points from 4 games, 3 of them on the road, that exceeds what I expected at this point. Qualifying to Germany now seems a matter of when not if.
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libero
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Not a pretty game but 3 points. As others noted, a welcome reaction to the game tying goal. Good to see Altidore continue his revival. He will be needed and I hope his twinge on his leg is just minor as he will be needed for the next game(s.)

Besler-Gonzalez are not perfect but there are signs of improvement and a growing understanding between them. But they and the rest of the team will need to defend set piece plays better. Something to watch in the future.
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alabastergremlin
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Most of what can be said has been said...

But I hope the team gets some good rest before Tues/Fri turnaround. Several players looked tired and I think Dempsey was first among that group. He provided a good run that drew attention on the first goal (I believe) but was relatively invisible.

The center back combo actually looks better when things are a little hectic. Am I the only one who sees that?

One thing I didn't see mentioned, and I could be wrong as I was watching in a bar while the audio from the Pens/Bruins game played, but I think the card on Zusi was a bit harsh as I didn't see a whole lot of contact. It looked to me like the attacking player fell after Zusi knocked the ball away. AND the goal scorer looked like he was off when the kick was taken. Again, I was in a crowded bar so I didn't get the best chance to see it on replay.


If we can get the 6 points from the next two home games (and we should) then we will be a very nice spot in the group. A far cry from where we were a few months ago...
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shelsoccer
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You can question if the Jamaican goal was offsides. As for Zusi's yellow, I think it was somewhat tactical and probably deserved. However, it was 40-45 yards out from goal on the left -- not a bad foul and not in a dangerous place despite the result.
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Johnbuildr
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The real B.S. yellow card was given to Brad Evens for his goal celebration. :angry: WTF?

When is the last time in soccer a guy was carded for a goal celebration??? I am sure it happens, but how often?
Qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum



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autogol
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Johnbuildr,Jun 10 2013
04:51 AM
The real B.S. yellow card was given to Brad Evens for his goal celebration.  :angry: WTF?

When is the last time in soccer a guy was carded for a goal celebration??? I am sure it happens, but how often?

Lifting his shirt apparently.

Overall I thought a good job by Panamanian referee Roberto Moreno, now one of the top referees in CONCACAF (although I am reminded of the old saying, "In the land of the blind, the one eyed man is king!") Can't blame him if his linesman did not spot Beckford being slightly offside on Jamaica's goal inside a sea of bodies lining up for that late free kick.

John, Mrs. Buildr thinks Beasley needs to lose a few pounds???? My sarcasm meter may be off this a.m. , otherwise that would be a first for me, somebody claiming Beasley is too heavy!
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Johnbuildr
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oh, sorry, yes she was being sarcastic autogol. Heck that guy was never heavy enough for a wing midfielder, so playing wingback is pretty ironic and funny to my way of thinking.

It is interesting though, wingbacks used to regulary and consistently knock DMB off the ball. Refs rarely called fouls against his opponenets because DMB was so easily dispossessed at the slightest shoulder charge.

But now, as a wingback, it is he doing the challenging. While he is still questionable at it if you ask me, he does better in this new agressive defensive role than he did in a strictly offensive one, or so it is beginning to look like.

As I said, that's ironic to me.
Qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum



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Winslow
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Roosevelt,Jun 7 2013
08:02 PM
Tim Howard. I know he's an automatic starter, but I do think he's not as sharp as he was a few years ago.

...

Oh, and Klinsmann's shirt was enough to make me want FIFA to institute a dress code for coaches. :o

Yes, I think JK was late getting back from the beach!

The defending was generally appalling on Jamaica's goal, but it looked like a pretty easy ball for Timmy! if he had bothered to come off his line. Bad mistake IMO.
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