OT: USA vs Mexico open thread

Submitted by Creedence Tapes on

Looks like both teams are playing without some key players. Lets go USA! Watching en vivo on Unvision as I don't get ESPN2.

MGoShoe

August 10th, 2011 at 11:07 PM ^

...and the draw is a positive result for the Yanks. A very good second half for the USA.

Finally demonstrated an ability to connect the midfield and the forwards.

 

marlon

August 11th, 2011 at 11:22 AM ^

I don't doubt that the U.S. will do well under Klinsmann, but I don't think this match proved anything.  It's only one match, and Klinsmann has only been the coach for just over a week.  I suggest waiting until he's had time to leave his mark on the team before drawing any conclusions about his effectiveness.

maizenbluedevil

August 10th, 2011 at 11:25 PM ^

Glad we at least made second half adjustments, something that seems like it never happened under Bradley.

Also, Shea is a baller.  Hopefully we see a lot more of him in the future.  I don't know what people see in Altidore, I'd rather have Shea out there than him.

Anyone know why Freddie Adu wasn't on the roster tonight?

EDIT:  Robbie Rogers is a baller too and hopefully we see more of him.  Not only did he finish on that great set-up from Shea, but, he made that great run towards the end that the Mexican player should've got red carded for.

MGoShoe

August 11th, 2011 at 9:38 AM ^

...because he hasn't been training with a club team. That doesn't lend itself well to successfully competing for a slot.

Here's hoping the deal is made to get him back to MLS (Chivas USA DP is the current thought) so that he gets regular playing time. Training and playing at the Home Depot Center certainly won't hurt his chances with the USMNT going forward.

WarhawkMO

August 10th, 2011 at 11:22 PM ^

In my opinion, going forward Klinsmann needs to go to a 4-1-3-1-1 for the games that he wants to be attacking, which based on his history is every game.  The back four is TBD and this is just my opinion on one possible group, and the holding mid can be anyone of Edu/Bradley/Beckerman, then you go Dempsey-Torres-Shea across the mid, Agudelo up top and Donovan sitting just behind in the #10 position, giving him the freedom to roam and make all the plays he is capable of.

----------------Howard-------------

Chur-------Gonzo----Boca----Lichaj

-------------------Edu-------------------

Dempsey----Torres---------Shea

----------------------Donovan-----------

----------------Agudelo---------------

GoBlueBrooklyn

August 11th, 2011 at 11:14 AM ^

Swap Bradley for Torres  and I am with you... Torres to sub for Bradley later in the game when he has more time on the ball. When Holden is healthy again, slide him in for Bradley. 

Lichaj for Castillo seems like a NO BRAINER as Castillo was atrocious last night. 

Otherwise, this proposed lineup is 100% what I was hoping for and was shouting at my TV to see when Donovan and Torres were on the wings with Buddle alone up top; let's hope that is the last time we see that, even when Altidore is back in September. 

Also, did anyone find a link to Mike Bradley's thoughts on playing for the coach that replaced his dad? His scowl last night was no joke, although he always seems to be scowling (which I like in general)...

Needs

August 10th, 2011 at 11:27 PM ^

Given the situation, I'm mpressed by orozco as well. He was kind of thrown in there without much prep or any recent time with the USNT (has he ever played CB for the full natl team?) He kept things pretty quiet at the back, esp with the castillo disaster going on.

smwilliams

August 10th, 2011 at 11:28 PM ^

Positives -

Brek Shea showed great composure on the ball and had a fantastic pass to Rogers for the goal.

Once Donovan got into more of a creator role, he distributed and defended much better.

Juan Agudelo continues outplaying every other US striker.

Negatives -

The US back line makes the 2010 Michigan secondary look like a brick wall of inpenetrable force.

Castillo, especially, was just awful.

Ricardo Clark.

 

Needs

August 10th, 2011 at 11:39 PM ^

Agree on castillo, but thought the others in back did well, especially given the situation. Mexico's goal was mostly on Bradley and other than the marquez header, they really didn't have any clear cut chances.

ken725

August 11th, 2011 at 12:18 AM ^

I agree especially with your Orozco post above.  Luckily we have Lichaj that will probably lock down the left back position.  

I actually think Castillo is better than how he played tonight, but he might have played himself out of contention.  We should give someone like Zach Loyd a shot to see how he preforms.  He played pretty well in a friendly early in the year.  

swan flu

August 11th, 2011 at 8:44 AM ^

i'd rather have dempsey on the left and I'd start Bedoya over Brek Shea at this point.  Its nice to know we have Shea to come off the bench, but he isn't a starter yet.  Niether is Agudelo.  I love the kid, but he's not ready to start against premier competition. 

 

And Jose Torres is ok.  Stewey Holden will lock down a midfield position.