Donovan dancing on the side line makes as much sense as him having his back to goal. Klinsman's infatuation with having creating midfielders on the wings makes no sense.
Game looked like a repeat of U23 qualifying. Canada had everyone on defense just about denying the USA at the midfield stripe. Anytime the US stepped over the line, tiger teams, usually a destroyer and a defender, sometimes with even more help, were there to frustrate play before it began. Tulsa struggled against the same tactics at times last season as well.
These tactics led to some sluggish defense and chances late in the game for Canada. The USA had trouble holding the ball late and letting the defense rest -- a huge problem in the 2006 WC.
Watching Donovan sit wide and try to turn defenders or break them down on a first step was painful. That has never been his game. Get him in space facing the goal. Get him on a counter or in transition. That's where he is America's best player, not that mess during the first 10 minutes of the second half.
One thing Donovan did do was make Castillo look good on the ball on the overlaps. Everytime he pinched in, Castillo had success. Now if Castillo was just as consistent on the defensive side of the ball, we'd have two left defenders -- a nice problem to have.
Still struggling to swing the ball in on crosses. That's the USA's game in CONCACAF. We are bigger, meaner, and quicker in nearly every qualifying game. Get that ball on target into the mixer and its a goal. Im wondering if we are able to do that in the 4-2-3-1 we are currently seeing.
Torres had a bad game. Dispossessed a lot. A liability on defense.
Not a lot of positive to say in a game that looked like the US was throwing to avoid injuries and be diplomatic.
Eff DeRo
This post was edited on 6/4 8:59 AM by HuffyCane
This post was edited on 6/4 9:01 AM by HuffyCane
Game looked like a repeat of U23 qualifying. Canada had everyone on defense just about denying the USA at the midfield stripe. Anytime the US stepped over the line, tiger teams, usually a destroyer and a defender, sometimes with even more help, were there to frustrate play before it began. Tulsa struggled against the same tactics at times last season as well.
These tactics led to some sluggish defense and chances late in the game for Canada. The USA had trouble holding the ball late and letting the defense rest -- a huge problem in the 2006 WC.
Watching Donovan sit wide and try to turn defenders or break them down on a first step was painful. That has never been his game. Get him in space facing the goal. Get him on a counter or in transition. That's where he is America's best player, not that mess during the first 10 minutes of the second half.
One thing Donovan did do was make Castillo look good on the ball on the overlaps. Everytime he pinched in, Castillo had success. Now if Castillo was just as consistent on the defensive side of the ball, we'd have two left defenders -- a nice problem to have.
Still struggling to swing the ball in on crosses. That's the USA's game in CONCACAF. We are bigger, meaner, and quicker in nearly every qualifying game. Get that ball on target into the mixer and its a goal. Im wondering if we are able to do that in the 4-2-3-1 we are currently seeing.
Torres had a bad game. Dispossessed a lot. A liability on defense.
Not a lot of positive to say in a game that looked like the US was throwing to avoid injuries and be diplomatic.
Eff DeRo
This post was edited on 6/4 8:59 AM by HuffyCane
This post was edited on 6/4 9:01 AM by HuffyCane
