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| USA vs Turkey (Friendly); 1 June 14; Red Bull Arena, Harrison, N.J | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: May 29 2014, 02:10 PM (547 Views) | |
| shelsoccer | Jun 1 2014, 01:15 PM Post #16 |
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I guess I feel slightly better than after the Azerbijan game, but not much. Some nice stuff going forward. Bradley's chip to Johnson was sublime, but I didn't think Bradley contributed a whole lot more. Altidore again worked hard but couldn't finish. Davis and Zusi on the flanks were nothing special. The central defensive triangle of Cameron-Besler-Jones leaves too much space, and Chandler looks shaky. |
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| raconteur | Jun 1 2014, 01:16 PM Post #17 |
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For the record the US lineup and subs: Howard (Guzan 46); Johnson (Yedlin 64), Cameron, Besler (Brooks 46), Chandler; Zusi (Diskerud 69), Jones (Beckerman 46), Bradley, Davis (Green 64); Altidore, Dempsey I liked how the US went forward but the overall defending as discussed left a lot to be desired. Some encouraging signs but also plenty to work on ahead of the Nigeria game next weekend. I am thinking right now Klinsmann pretty much has his starting lineup decided and it was what we saw today with the one exception of an issue between Chandler and Beasley on the left. Well maybe Davis/Bedoya are also fighting for the left midfield spot too. otherwise the rest of the team is I think fixed. BTW, see how much difference Dempsey makes? |
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| Roosevelt | Jun 1 2014, 02:06 PM Post #18 |
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Most of the high/lowlights already covered. I guess I thought Yedlin looked a little better than Green, but it's raw and rawer. Chandler I really thought was borderline awful. JK famously said 'anyone can play left back'. I'm not so sure, at least not with more practice than three games. I like Besler-Cameron, I just wish all these back line fixes (experiments) were taking place a year ago. I appreciate in a diamond your wide midfielders don't need to be as speedy, and the backs are to overlap, but during the time Zusi and Davis were out there I thought there must not be two slower 'wingers' as possible starters for any of the other 31 nations. Jones was Jones, covers a huge amount of space, is disruptive, but gets out of position and gives the ball away in a very bad place at least once a game. But he's Klinsmann's guy and only injury or cards will keep him out. On the positive...Altidore's pluses and minuses are well-documented, but I'm glad he was in there battling all game. And speaking of the other 31, I only bring it up in this thread/forum because the announcers mentioned it in passing, but I wonder how many other WC nations would take Guzan over their own #1. I bet it's a good number. It's nice having one worry-free position. Nobody here seems too convinced by the result, I hope the manager and team aren't either.
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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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| tnorth88 | Jun 1 2014, 07:22 PM Post #19 |
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my one take away is Johnson is the rt back. The defense looked vulnerable and against their WC competitors the 1/2 score would have been different. The weak part of the team. We allowed too much space in the mid field which Turkey took advantage of. Offensively we were ok but not very diverse - only bradley and dempsey. The outside guys didn't add much. Bedoya may be the starter. We don't know the extent of Gonzalez problems. Will we see him against N? And I continue to be negative about JK bringing in the 3 young players. All got time today but IMO not the best options in the WC. JK has weakened the team particularly in late game substitutions. |
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| Johnbuildr | Jun 2 2014, 05:10 AM Post #20 |
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Yep, this is shakey folks. The defense has never been cohesively formed by JK and staff and short of some miraculous GK play, which is possible of course, we are going to get run out at the group stage. Let's be brutally honest here. The absolute waste of roster positions at Green and Yedlin'spots are dreadful, more particularly so when you look at who were left at home could have been major contributors. Spectacularly poor managing decisions at those two spots. I'll eat a soccer ball on you tube if either of those two do anymore than occupy two spots two excellent international level veterans should have and would have been able to contribute at. Yes, I an being a Johnny Downer at this point. I am disgusted with this roster situation and after all the positive build up from the Confed Cup to now go into this World Cup with such a shakey defense and short and limited roster is inexcusable. Anything is possible but this has all the makings of a train wreck. Especially so if Dempsey, Bradley, and a others on the D don't play out of their minds. :angry: |
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Qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum | |
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| Winslow | Jun 2 2014, 05:47 AM Post #21 |
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I was on hand for yesterday's big event (bonus: hanging out with Vince and family in the upper deck before the match). The sellout crowd provided an international-class atmosphere. This was certainly an improvement for the US, especially from Bradley, but the concerns about the defense are well-placed. I got so used to seeing Turkey's right wing getting the ball in 20 yards of space that I finally concluded Chandler was being told to pinch inside. Meanwhile, Cameron kept cheating to the right as Johnson pushed up. That may explain all the space in the box; if this happens against Germany, it could turn into a shellacking. Was glad to see Beckerman come in at halftime for Jones, who had been pretty poor IMO. We should also give a thumbs-up to Guzan, who had a fine second half. You never know when you'll need your backup keeper. |
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| alabastergremlin | Jun 2 2014, 09:39 AM Post #22 |
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The defense is clearly going to be scary when the tournament starts. That is pretty obvious. Just as big of a concern for me though is the lack of goals from our attack at times we should be finishing better chances. Atlidore is being praised for his work in this game...and while it was nice to see him be strong and use his strength well, all of that is for nothing if we can't convert chances. And he botched several. I know we've scored two goals in both games and that is fine but we had 4 or 5 great chances we blew in both games. And we might not get 5 chances like chances in any single game. As for Green and Yedlin, it is concerning. I'd almost be fine with ONE player that we were concerned about but two (maybe three or four) is not ideal. I have a funny feeling that Green is going to get some time and find a way to do something that gives us a glimpse into the future. Just a hunch...it might just be gas. That said, this IS the team we are bringing. And as big of a Landon Donovan fan as I am, I'm tired of hearing the media continue to harp on his absence. Unless there is an injury, to a forward, he is going to miss it. Right or wrong, that is the fact. Major props to Guzan who was complimented well with the comment that many teams in the tournament would take our back-up as their first string keeper. He showed well in that game and makes me feel like we have a solid Keller/Friedel type deal. Count me in with those that want to see Beckerman on the field before Jones. And one who wants to see AJ get more than cleanup time after Altidore. |
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| americafutbol10 | Jun 2 2014, 02:17 PM Post #23 |
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I was VERY happy with our attacking play, especially from our midfield...though, I was not thrilled with our missed opportunities! Bradley's chip to Johnson was WORLD-CLASS Jozy had one of his best games in quite a while IMO...though, the disallowed goal was the right call. Jozy definitely pushed off on the Turkish GK. Read an article where Jozy seems to be handling the lack of goal-scoring very well & not letting it affect him, too negatively. Still, hope he scores soon. Our backline still scares me, though I'm ok with Besler & Cameron. We were VERY lucky that Turkey didn't finish their chances! Chandler MUST GO :angry: I'm liking Johnson at RB, more & more. REALLY wanted to get the clean sheet but that was not on Guzan or Cameron...it was ALL on Chandler <_< LOVED the support...wasn't sure if the game would sell out but the 99% pro-USA crowd was very cool to see & loved the "New American Dream" banner, with the WC trophy in Lady Liberty's torch
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US Soccer...Don't Thread On Me! Michigan Football...Harbaugh Effect (GO BLUE!) LA Galaxy...5-time MLS Cup Champions! Colombia...VIVA, Cafeteros! | |
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| James | Jun 2 2014, 04:32 PM Post #24 |
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Evaluating my pre-match objectives: 1) Get a run-out with Dempsey -> Done. All systems go. 2) Altidore continue to play with strength, but stay closer to goal and bang one home -> Partial; Jozy's lack of finishing is an issue and it's hard to understand how it's gotten so chronic; but he did put a good header in the net, foul or no foul. The one-on-one fails really seem like they're going to end at some point... aren't they? 3) Keep it clean and no mistakes on the defensive end (particularly in the first 15 minutes); use the same central pairing -> 75% here. Again, a little queasy at the start, but I though both center pairings were competent. Any question about Johnson's positioning can be dealt with. The left side, though - WTH? 4) Jones maintains the defensive discipline shown vs Azerbaijan and no reckless challenges; or will it be Beckerman? -> 50% here. If the left side is the biggest issue, this would be the second. Jones is just not quite at the right depth and more frenetic than desired. The distribution needs to improve. To the good, he has been breaking up plays and never quits. It seems to be more fear than failure with Jones. By the time Beckerman came on, it was a new center back along with the continuing problems with left side and then Green and Yedlin...so really too fouled up to judge whether anything improved in the switch. 5) Any change at left back in the cards - or is Beasley what we're going with? -> Surely from a population of ~350M there is a left back worth a darn. Nothing decided here for me. I'm not sure the issue wasn't more with positioning from Davis than Chandler. Bringing on Green made the problems worse. Chandler was bad though. With that result and one game to figure it out, you've got to expect Beasley is the favorite. Having played right back for most of my years as a scrub, I can say that the couple times I tried the switch were horrible. You're thinking is continually backwards and behind the curve, aside from the problem of not being able to get your feet where you want them to go. All-in-all a qualified success and no injuries. I put in a post on the Group G thread about how Portugal and Ghana are coming along. It could certainly be worse. |
| ... Ain't no pity in the Rose City ... | |
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| TonyDE | Jun 2 2014, 06:20 PM Post #25 |
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I know Jone sis a Klinsmann favorite but like some others here I think he is too rash, and too undisciplined in his passing. Beckerman may be slower but is more steady. I'd like to see Beckerman paired with Bradley against Nigeria to see how the two play together. I think Chandler is a pretty decent right back but he definitely is not a left back. Beasley will be playing there in Brazil. Altidore has been working hard but the team needs more than that from its center forward. Would like to see him score a goal against Nigeria and thereby recover his confidence. |
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| vince stravino | Jun 3 2014, 04:41 AM Post #26 |
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Great seeing Winslow Sunday. Just wish the tailgate was longer and wetter. The great news was my daughter asking me is next game we could sit behing the goal with the supporter's section....beautiful:) Klinsmann is asking guys to do things they have not or can not do with world-class regularity. I really think we will beat someone in Brazil (and maybe get a draw as well), but this team is not finely tuned. Without a doubt, we are going to need some unknowns (or unexpected) players to really step up to this level. |
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| Johnbuildr | Jun 3 2014, 05:06 AM Post #27 |
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The questions really come down to the left back situation and Beckerman v Jones issue, now doesn't it then? Since no one else has stepped up to even really challenge him, it will probably be DMB until he inevitably gets badly burned. It still amazes me that a guy who would constantly get knocked of the ball by the slightest shoulder bump as a wing midfielder has eventually been reincarnated as a defensive back in his latter years. It's just too ironic for words. Was long time in the Jones' camp, but Beckerman has kind of won me over. He has very good, broad field vision and distributes the ball much better. That alone is a mouthful at that position. Kyle is also calmer on the ball and plays with more confidence, less frenetic action. But, either way, we need the player at this position to step up and play above their heads, or at least at their very best, for the team to be successful in group. I like James' analysis a lot. Need someone to be more positive around here with the likes of me panicking..... |
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Qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum | |
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| Martin | Jun 3 2014, 09:49 AM Post #28 |
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No question Jones can sometimes be scary with his rash play and his dashing all over the field. As Tony wrote Beckerman is more steady but I think the reason Jones starts is that he is able to cover more ground than Beckerman does as he is quicker and better able to close down opposing midfielders, plus he is more dynamic when he does play the ball (although clearly not always accurate with those passes.) Beckerman, on the other hand is better able I think to protect the central defenders as he is more likely to "stay home," defend and plug the gaps. Which of the two starts is a major question Klinsmann has to answer going into the Ghana game. So it will be fascinating to see who gets the nod to start in midfield next to Bradley on Saturday against Nigeria. |
| Club Sportivo Desamparados | |
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| Yogi | Jun 3 2014, 06:17 PM Post #29 |
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You raise an interesting issue Martin about the plusses and minuses of Jones and Beckerman. I agree with your analysis of the players but it seems that no matter what we all think, Klinsmann is really fond of Jones and he will start come what may. Beckerman will be the backup. Still even Klinsmann must see what we saw not only in the spring friendly vs Mexico but also the 2nd half vs Turkey, that Bradley and Beckerman mesh together better than Bradley and Jones do. |
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| shelsoccer | Jun 3 2014, 06:33 PM Post #30 |
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JK's infatuation with Jones aside, I'll bet he starts him vs. Ghana, rationalizing that he'll need more speed. While I'd prefer Beckerman, I won't really argue if that's JK's choice. However, I can see Jones getting a card, maybe red, in a physical match like we're sure to see vs. Ghana. |
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Nobody here seems too convinced by the result, I hope the manager and team aren't either.


11:25 AM Jul 11