OT: Post Portugal observations
I know we have a POSbang thread, but I'd like to start one with a more strategic dialogue.
So what do we know about the USMNT this World Cup? We are prone to making some mistakes, but also seem to be prone to some amazing play.
I think we have more playing in our favor come Thursday than we do playing against us. Portugal will not let Ghana surprise them, as did Germany. If Ghana wins, it is not due to oversight.
I think that Germany will be content to play keep away, as a draw eliminates the other game from becoming a factor at all. Germany knows that even if they lose to us 1-0, they get through as well, due to GD. I hope for a very passive game from both sides.
Our worst case scenario is that we lose and Ghana wins, but we'd still have a solid shot at making the knockout round, even then. If I were a betting man, I'd say that Thursday is not our farewell performance.
- Howard looked a lot shakier this game. I'm a former keeper myself, and he didn't seem to have that killer instinct on when to come off or hold his line. His athleticism saved him a couple of times.
- I really liked Yedlin's cameo, a lot. He looks like a bright spot for our team in Russia.
- Dempsey played very well for what he is being asked.
- Bradley played like himself, which thank God. He had a couple of mediocre balls, but mae some really nice reads as well. Our whole team played some amazing through balls.
- I wonder/worry about the extra day of recovery that Germany gets, and for that matter, Ghana as well. That could be a big factor to play out to our disadvantage.
As a hypothetical, if the US were somehow, someway, able to make it to the finals, I will guarantee that the viewing for that game will match or surpass Super Bowl ratings in the US.
Another hypothetical, to test the chemical makeup of the board: What 2014 Michigan football game(s) would you assign a loss to the good guys, if it meant that the final cross was shanked by Portugal and that the US would be through? Just curious...
Lot of criticism about Bradley and the turnovers.
It was a real shame that the game was tied, I was out at a huge public setting for the game, they were showing it on a big screen outdoors. The first and second US goals, the place absolutely erupted. And then dead silence in the 95th.
Regardless, seeing a game outdoors if it is available in your area is a great way to take in the game.
- Howard played exceptionally well except for the first and second goal. Deflected a lot of shots
- Bradley turned the ball over a lot and I was pissed when he tried to hit that shot and it got deflected. That was a goal right there.
- US started off poorly but had grit and heart to come back and tie, and later take the lead. It's just a damn shame that they had to give up the tie and send this team into a huge question mark going into Thursday. This is why they call it the Group of Death. It will honestly come down to the last day.
Watching the game on a workday is highly complicated, especially when your place of employment forbids "non-work related" use of computers. I will do my best to follow the game during lunch breaks as well as ESPN radio app. Let's hope the lads can get it done Thursday.
I think we tie Germany and advance with 5 points.
Howard was put in completely untenable positions by his defense on both of Portugal's goals. I don't put either of those on him.
No. But he did make a couple of sloppy plays outside of those. I didn't see any failure to execute in the Ghana game. Everyone talks about getting beat near post, but for people who have played the position, you can't hug near post at that angle. If he was closer to the end line, then you should not be beaten near post, but he had no responsibility over the Ghana goal.
He just made a couple of tenuous decisions on whether or not to hold his line this game. Luckily, he got away with them. I would have graded him an A for the Ghana game, and a B or B- for the Portugal match. He played well, but did not dominate as he did during the previous game.
I agree Bradley hasn't been good, but it's getting annoying hearing everyone say he's only on the team because of his dad. I'm sure the guy who was fired still has so much sway, especially over a guy like Klinsmann who surely wouldn't be willing to kill any sacred cows. You do realize Klinsmann couldn't see into the future and magically know that one of our best players would be off his game in the World Cup, right?
He isn't on the team because of his dad, he's on teh team because of the long haul he's one of the top 1-3 players in our nation. My point was his play has been so uncharacteristically bad, it's like someone kidnapped Bob on his way back from Egypt and was holding him ransom for Michael to play bad. The comment was a tongue in cheek criticism like BRadley's been tanking on purpose. I'll include appropriate hashtagz and sarcasm markers for you next time.
He's been overhyped though, to be honest. He was pretty meh at Roma and never would have commanded anywhere near that kind of transfer price tag to a league outside MLS.
He's better than he's shown these two games, but on the team I would not rank him ahead of Howard (who is seriously one of the top keepers out there) and Dempsey. Take either one of those two off the team and we'd be a world of hurt right now.
But I honestly thought Bradley was probably 1 or 2 on the squad coming out of our qualifying campaign with Altidore; Dempsey, Howard, and Cameron as next best tier. The fact that we're in position to advance (and should have!) with next to no Altidore, Bradley playing poorly, and Cameron playing like a roller coaster actually has me feeling kind of good. Besler, Beckermann and Jones playing as revelations with Dempsey reverting to his killer form has been a hugely surprising balance to the poor play from others. And Howard I would say has been good not great-- what I expect out of Howard.
Well I probably shouldn't be looking at comments on cnnsi or espn stories, but that's what EVERYONE was saying, that he's on the team only because of his dad, and I'm sure they weren't kidding.
Yeah, I think his quality of play is being overshadowed by that final turnover there. He played pretty brilliantly on the attack. I was bummed that his put-back hit the defender but that happens. In that scenario you're basically doing your damnedest to make sure you don't get under the ball and drill it over the bar. Maybe this game goes differently if that finds the net or maybe it doesn't.
The US team as a whole seems to have this ability to play quality ball when they need to but then make 1-2 major errors that cause complete disaster.
Michael Bradley CANNOT give the ball away in the center of the pitch to a forward in the 94th minute. That cannot happen. Hoof it into touch. That can't happen.
You bring on a THIRD CB in Omar Gonzalez and you get beat on a diving far post header? Take a look at that ball. Geoff Cameron is eyeing Eder and has no idea Varela is coming in behind him. No idea. Not running full out to clear the ball, he takes a half ass swing at it as Varela bursts past him to score. Couple that with his absolute howler that set up Nani for their first, and he has to raise his hand for the two goals, with an assist from Bradley on the second.
So many chances to put this away, none taken.
That goal will haunt me for a long time.
I hope this doesn't cost us qualification as even a pre-arranged draw would be a feat for this team. They are gutsy and they play way over their heads, but they give away so many huge, soft goals for no reason. Kills me.
Someone put together a handy table of advancement scenarios which, looking at the stats so fr, seems pretty accurate, so I thought I might share it for the discussion here:
United States advancement scenarios, for those interested. cc:@clubtrillion pic.twitter.com/bW2dW2emIJ
— Andy Keller (@KellerAndy) June 23, 2014
haha the coin toss scenario is amazing.
My general thoughts is this is not working out to US advantage. Germany and Ghana are the 2 most impressive teams in this bunch, and Portugal is overrated and plays as individuals rather than a team.
I see Germany beating a hard working and spent U.S. team which seems to be incurring a lot of injuries. German depth is going to help - they can plug in 2-3 subs in this game from the start, and put in starters from games 1-2 as subs late if needed. The luxury of depth. If there is no wink wink between JK and Germany I am very worried about the last 30 minutes of the German US game as I could see the U.S. simply wear out using the same players over and over for 3 games in X days.
I see Ghana running Portugal into the ground. Maybe a pair of 3-1 games.
I would like to see myself wrong. Strangely I feel more confidant if I am wrong it would be the U.S. tying Germany.... rather than a tie between Ghana and Portugal or a Portugal win. Only because maybe Germany relaxes if they get a goal thinking the worse they do is tie.
So who tosses the coin if it comes to that? What currency?
to town on us.
Thanks for the chart.
but overall we played awesome. Ronaldo was basically a non-factor until the 95th minute and we held posession for huge stretches of the game. We earned those two goals. The only fluke in this game is that Portugal scored at all.
In 2014 I see Grant Park filled and people celebrating. I see people cheering and witness friends who knew nothing about soccer 8 years ago celebrating this World Cup.
Enjoy the ride, it's only going to get better.
For all the criticism and complaints I've heard from my US friends directed at Jermaine Jones, he has put in one of hell of a tournament performance. He and Dempsey, not Bradley surprisingly, have dragged this team beyond what I expected them to achieve. A solid, committed, and brave player. As much as I hate cliches, he definitely displayed incredible spirit.
I'm no expert, but aside from Dempsey, hasn't he been our best player?
He made some good plays vs Ghana and obviously scored what is probably one of the US' best ever World Cup goals. He's been great for the most part
My friends were really critical of him during qualifying. He made many clumsy fouls and consistently picked up stupid yellow cards. His concentration and discipline have tremendously improved over the last couple of months. I was expecting him to be the weaker in his partnership with Bradley.
Everyone was worried about him playing behind Bradley because he likes to move up and he did a wonderful job in qualifying and then he got some help with Beckerman coming in to play with him.
He's been wonderful.
However he was gassed in this game, even went down in the 90th minute and we played 10v11 with him on the ground.
IMO he should've stayed down if he was hurt or couldn't go. I mean I literally watched him just fall like he was doing the beep test.
He's given everything he's got. A lot of guys have and that's what worries more more than anything. I wanted us to win so badly because I think we would've started a brand new 11 vs. Germany and said "fuck it."
Brad Davis, Julian Green...you're in. I would've came with a completely different lineup just to give guys rest.
--------------------Johnansson--------------------
--------Davis------Diskerud--------Green------
------------Chandler------------Yedlin------------
--Beasley---Gonzo---Brooks---Johnson---
----------------------Guzan--------------------------
Halftime sub Beasley and Johnson out...push Chandley and Yedlin back to the defensemen line and let Beckerman and Davis play in their place with Wondo taking over for Davis.
The lineup would've been wonky and had guys out of position, but shit, who cared at that point. Let guys rest. Oh well.
Thoughts on midfield:
Jones has been fantastic. Today was impressive - he had a great shot in the 1st half that just missed as well, along with the one that went in. Great marking.
Bedoya was great game 1, and sort of diappeared today with hands full with Nani.
Let's also not forget to appreciate Beckerman. In full disclosure I thought he was a pretty bad player at the international level a year ago - but he was playing higher up the field in those games. He is a great fit as the "1" in a 1-4-1-4. Notice how little of the damage is coming down the middle of the field, it comes from the outside and then in on crosses. That's Beckerman. He is doing almost nothing on offense but his role is essentially "advanced defender".
Bradley has been disappointing relative to potential - decent today between minute 15 and 75 but bad late, and bad all game last game. People forgot because we won but he did the same type of error versus Ghana when he could have ran out of the clock and had a turnover. It just didn't cost us that game.
Jones was a foul machine and seemed out of control at times, I think this hurt him at the club level as well. In the past several months he has played much better and we are finally understanding why Klinsman liked him so much.
Honestly, I think it might be something as simple as confidence and being very fit. He looks faster and his motor seems relentless.
I thought Bradley did decently, but yeah he had a couple of bad turnovers. He also had a couple of nice services that flipped field position and set the US up, and I'll take it from a guy who isn't an elite athlete (but has good stamina) or immensely talented. Both goals given up were kinda flukes in hindsight, especially the first one. That was a great pass by Ronaldo to set up the equalizer, but the first was just a flukey turnover. I thought the US played well enough to win, and that's pretty amazing.
My issue with him is that he, IMO, is supposed to be the Kovacs. He may not make every play...and that's fine, but he can't fuck up.
When Bradley shoots and misses, I go "oh well." When he doesn't get a great header or he makes doesn't make the "great" play...I can live with it.
But he's made some HORRIBLE errors. And that can't happen. I can live with him not being the most talented guy - even though he's extremely talented. But just don't mess up.
He played extremely well during qualifying, played better today, but I still think he can play better. If nothing else just control the ball and make good reads/passes.
He almost cost us the win against Ghana at the end doing the same thing he did against Portugal. All he had to do was not turn it over for like 15 more seconds. Very frustrating.
Do we start a different lineup just to get some fresh legs out there?
I just do not see how Bradley, Jones, Beckerman, Johnson, Beasley and Bedoya can keep at it...
Not suggesting, I'm asking. Would it be better to sit a couple of these guys and let them come in off the bench for 25-30 minutes in the 2nd half?
Bradley hasn't played extremely well although he played better. Could Diskerud give us 60-65 minutes at that spot?
This is where we miss Edu because he could come in for Jones or Beckerman and allow them to split the game. Can Chandler play that role for a game and let Jones play 60 and Beckerman finish it off?
Start Brooks or Yedlin?
In the end, you only have 3 subs, so you have to trust certain guys to go the distance if you're going to make a switch.
Just tossing ideas around. For the experts...is it worth it?
I don't trust any of our backup midfielders as defenders for 40-45 minutes. This is where the Jozy injury hurts - forced to play Clint up front rather than in midfield. I guess you could flip Zusi, Bedoya around for some relief. I don't see how you take Jones off the field for a minute at this point - can't believe I am saying that. I don't think you can take Beckerman off the field for a minute at this point - can't believe I am saying that. As average as Bradley has played who else can drive the offense from that spot. We don't have like players to guys like Jozy or Bradley unfortunately. We lack depth.
I like Mix. He is soft as hell as a defender. One mistake vs Germany out of the midfield defense and it's a goal. See Bradley today. You need grinders versus that level of team unless you can make it up with splendid offense....i.e. Ronaldo who plays no defense. Mix is so not physical. As for Yedlin if you want to put a 20 year old guy out there against a German for 45 minutes,.... it's a gamble. I have not seen enough of him versus top end competition to give a view. I've seen him mostly against CONCOCAF talent.
Yes, the part about not being part of the play. For the life of me, I still think Dempsey was marginally offsides. Fricken Bruno Alves just laid there for some reason. Maybe he was tired.
The only player that is involved in an offsides call is the one touching the ball. In theory you could have 8 players offside, but if the 9th player is onside and scores the goal there is no offsides. It's sort of like hockey where the player won't touch the puck if he is an offsides position and the ref won't blow the whistle until / unless he did touch it.
Not quite: if a player in an offsides position interferes with an opponent being able to play the ball, it could be called. Players can be offsides, but need to be "out of the play" for it not to be called.
Agreed. Sorry I oversimplified. I meant it more like 8 guys stood offsides with no impact on anything playing checkers in the corner :)
Like when Portugal had 5 guys offsides on one play yesterday?
He had possession of the ball when he was on-sides, if the ball went back to him when he was on the line, in front of the defenders, he would have been off-sides.
It's confusing and I'm not sure I explained it very well.
Even for me, a complete soccer novice and admitted idiot when it comes to the nuances of the game (much less many of the standard penalties -- it took me a while to understand why the refs were drawing shaving cream lines on the field), that was tough to take.
Had a great time watching at my local watering hole with a very vocal and fun crowd...but damn. Even my uneducated ass could see that Bradley should have sold out at the end to keep possession of the ball then and there.
In any event, I watched -- and enjoyed -- a soccer game today. At least enjoyed most of it. So hey...that's pretty cool.
The defender on Raynaldo's pass blew it--let him get it off. Of course, the three guys who let the scorer get by--atrocious. And finally, what the hell was the goalie doing? Watching the cross, only ONE guy had a chance--you get up on that guy--don't let him get his head on it to re-direct it. Gross incompetence at a crucial moment.
You want to blame Beasley for letting Ronaldo get a cross off ... That is the world player of the year being essentially locked down until stoppage time.
And you want to blame Howard? He stopped a put back from 8 yards, an acrobatic diving flick over the bar, and generally controlled the 6 yard box. No goalie comes out on that cross to challenge ... It was 4 feet of the ground when the guy headed it and it was bending away.
Blame Cameron for not marking. Blame Gonzalez for being a sub late to help prop up the defense but not really doing much. Blame Johnson for getting sucked up field and not getting back tracking the goal.
But don't blame Beasley or Howard. There was nothing much else they could so on that play.
People want to pile on Bradley for giving up possession, but that happens - anyone who's played the game should understand that. And Beasley giving up a cross against Ronald on a breakaway? Not many can stop that.
The real problem for me was Cameron ball-watching rather than marking as Ronaldo brought the ball into the U.S. half. That simple step was the difference in the game. (Of course Ronaldo's cross was absolutely brilliant, as was the finish. But if Cameron had marked Valera, it's unlikely that Valera is able to get his head on the ball, and we're all talking about whether to rest players for Germany.)
For all of that, it was a fantastic game, and overall the U.S. played very well. According to the WWL, 538 Sports (Nate Silver) has the U.S. at something over 70% to advance - either on a win, tie, or GD. After the early first goal yesterday, I'll take those odds!
If the U.S ends up not qualifying, that mistake by Bradley could set U.S. soccer back a decade. Just compeltely inexcusable.
the other 7 guys did not. If it were hoops and the winning team had the ball and all they had to do was run out the clock wouldn't you be pissed at the guy with the ball passing it to the other team? Think Isiah to Bird or Freddy Brown to Jordan. That is how bad it was.
throws a 20 yard interception directly to the other team's player, and then that player returns it for a touchdown--are you gonna blame the 10 other players for not tackling the guy, or gardner for throwing the interception?