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Speakers' Corner #46 Responses
Aug 07, 2007 | 5:53PM | report this

Footie fan - Do you think Tevez and Rooney combo will work upfront?

Bobby – We discussed this topic on Monday’s show and I don’t see how these two can’t play together. Both attract multiple defenders when they get the ball so I can see lots of opportunities being created. More importantly I can’t see how any coach worth his salt would turn down having two players like that on your team.

Ulsterson - Heinze (or his agent) seems to badly want the move to Liverpool and first team football, but I'm not sure Heinze would start in that back four. Would he move to the middle? Riise?

Bobby – I think Heinze’s versatility as well as his aggressiveness is what Benitez likes about him. Riise has often pushed forward into the midfield as well so overall it gives Benitez a lot more options to pick from.

CIAO - I'm not sure if you read Atleti's blog, but we from her blog, were wondering if you would participate in a fantasy footie league with some of us? That I know of Atleti, gabemar, Verbal, LGB, VVV, ulsterson and last but not least, the crowd favorite, Ringo were also interested in the idea.

Bobby – You can forward details to fsr@mts.net and the e mail should reach me. No promises.

LetsGoBuffalo - Why doesn't Liverpool build the new stadium to full capacity? After seeing United draws in 3 million pounds per match, what are Hicks and Gillette thinking?

In the same article it talked a little about Man U's transfer activity. First, are most deals between clubs now performance based with escalators? Secondly, seeing as two of United's signings have a hard time with injuries(Anderson and Hargreaves) Who do you see as doing the best with their money out of England's top five?

Bobby – Sorry can’t help you on the stadium issue. In terms of transfer deals there are certainly a lot more incentive based deals than you would have found even five years ago. Re best with their money – it would be Chelsea. They needed more depth in certain positions and they have achieved it.

CIAO - will you also have a review of the upcoming Serie A season?

Bobby – A Serie A preview will be up the week of August 20.


CIAO - Since you will not review the Bundesliga can you please give us your opinion on how Bayern, Stuttgart and Werder Bremen prepared for the new season? I know that Stuttgart added Basturk (a big +), but lost Hildebrand and replaced him with a goalkeeper named Schafer. Do you know anything about him? Bremen lost a defender to Real and Klose to their main rivals. Speaking of, Bayern hit the jack pot with all the talent coming to Munich. What do you make of these three teams in their domestic vs UEFA/CL cups?

Bobby – I haven’t had time to look at the Bundesliga yet so I don’t think I can be of much help. Here’s what I know. Stuttgart was the youngest side to win the Bundesliga for 30 odd years so I’m not surprised that they have not made many moves. Schafer was with Nurnberg and played in the side that beat Stuttgart in the German Cup Final in May. Werder Bremen is one of these teams not somehow find a way to replace players when they move on – almost seamlessly. They have signed Carlos Alberto who played and scored when Jose Mourinho’s Porto side won the Champions League in 2003.
Bayern has splashed some serious dollars this summer and none to early. They should have done this a couple of summers ago instead of allowing the team to grow stale.

Neophyte - What do you think of DeMarcus Beasley at Glasgow Rangers? This seems to be in complete contradiction to his slight frame and easily bumped off the ball style. Do you see this working out? Ally McCoist has been complimentary of him so far. Your thoughts....

Bobby – It was DaMarcus Beasley’s performance for the US against Scotland in November 2005 that set the move to Ibrox off. Walter Smith was managing Scotland that day and in the press conference he was very complimentary about Beasley’s performance and remarked that he was the type of player Scotland use to produce but no longer. Beasley needs a shot of confidence and if he gets it you won’t find him being bumped off the ball so much. I don’t think it has anything to do with his “slight frame.”


Henry14 - 1 What happened to Nakamura, he looked like a guy who had a big club waiting to take him?
2 Who do you think are favourite to win the champions league?
3 Do you understand the ac milan transfer policy because they have money and are linked with everyone but are not buying

Bobby–1. He plays in front of 60,000 every second week, how much bigger can it get? I doubt that there are another ten clubs in the word that attract crowds like that.  2. The bookies say Barcelona. 3. They are linked with everyone because that is how it is with big clubs. There is still over three weeks left before the transfer window closes so it is a bit early to draw the conclusion that because they haven’t spent money they won’t spend money. 


Craigyf - So Bobby, love to see if you have any opinions you can publish or share on the coverage of the MLS, how it's packaged, what it could learn from the more established football broadcasters (if anything) and do you have broadcasters/commentators you like.

Also we have had the Beckham stuff play out a little - what is your take on the whole pulava so far?

Bobby – Because there are multiple MLS broadcasters there is no standard presentation. I have seen good and I have seen awful this year. However, the MLS site is excellent and MLSTV is great. To be able to sit down and watch a game on the laptop or to grab the highlights is fantastic. In terms of broadcasters/commentators in general there are a lot more bad ones than good ones unfortunately - particularly in the area of colour commentators. There are far too many that seem to think that their job is to (a) second guess the officials courtesy of replays or (b) act as back-up play-by-play announcers. The colour guy’s job is to tell us why something happened not to repeat what we can see for ourselves.


As for David Beckham – I have a self imposed Beckham embargo in place until he kicks a ball in anger. Until then I don’t care.

 

 

184 Comments | Add a comment   categories: Carlos Tevez, Wayne Rooney, Gabriele Heinze, John Arne Riise, Liverpool, Anderson, Owen Hargreaves, Nani, Chelsea, Stuttgart, Bayern Munich, Werder Bremen, Jose Mourinho, Carlos Alberto, DaMarcus Beasley, Rangers, Shunsuke Nakamura, Milan
 
Speakers' Corner #45
Jul 15, 2007 | 4:16PM | report this

Speakers' Corner is a bit early this week.

A look at what we might see from Celtic on their US visit.

Stewart Fisher talks to Steve Nicol in the run-up to the MLS All-Star game against Celtic.

Gabriele Marcotti with a preview of the Copa America Final that is still worth reading even though we know the outcome.

Glenn Gibbons looks at interfering owners at Chelsea and Hearts.

A report of DaMarcus Beasley’s Rangers debut.

The obligatory Carlos Tevez/MSI/West Ham United article. Duncan White tries to explain.

Roy Collins compares the arrival of David Beckham to that of Wayne Gretzky’s move to the Los Angeles Kings in the late eighties. Given the NHL’s almost joke-like status in the US it is not something that MLS should try hard to emulate. 

43 Comments | Add a comment   categories: Celtic, Steve Nicol, Chelsea, Hearts, DaMarcus Beasley, Rangers, Carlos Tevez, MSI, West Ham United, David Beckham, Wayne Gretzky, Los Angeles Kings
 
USA move on to the final and Canada rightly fume
Jun 21, 2007 | 7:27PM | report this

Canada has shown that they are a legitimate challenger for one of the CONCACAF spots on offer at the 2010 World Cup. However, at this moment that is probably of little consequence given the nature of their controversial loss to the USA in the Gold Cup semi-final.

With only seconds left and Canada pushing for an equalizer a ball was lofted forward towards the US penalty box. Onyewu stretched for the header and finished up heading the ball to the feet of Atiba Hutchinson who calmly side footed it past Keller in the US goal.

From the limited TV replays we received in Canada – apparently the Toronto thingies were playing a game of rounders – Hutchinson was not in an offside position when the initial ball was played forward and although he was in an offside position when he benefited from Onyewu’s wayward header the only way it could have been judged offside was if the ball had deflected of the big US defender.

It would require an active imagination to construe Onyewu’s header as a deflection. But an active imagination apparently is exactly what the assistant referee has as he immediately flagged and the referee accepted his call. If there are any referees out there who might shed some light on this decision I know a good number of Canadian fans would love to hear from you.

The first thirty minutes of the match consisted of the USA trying to play a bit too quickly while Canada could have done with a bit more pace to their game. Although the US may have had the better of the play Canada had a couple of set piece opportunities that might have turned profitable.

But it was the USA that opened the scoring through full back Frankie Hejduk. Hejduk may have trouble with his distribution at times but you have to admire the enthusiasm and energy that he brings to every game. And you have to admire the way he struck the ball from just outside the box to put the US into the lead.

The second goal came from the penalty spot after Beasley was tripped by Canadian keeper Pat Onstad. Beasley was played in by the simplest of passes inside full back Paul Stalteri. Donovan drilled his penalty down the middle.

The two goals the USA scored in the last ten minutes or so of the first half served to change the shape of the game in the second half. The play spread out and as Canada tried to push forward there were acres of space for the US midfielders and forwards to run at the Canadian defence. As the second half progrressed the US’s bad habit of spurning chances reemerged and it proved costly, although thanks to the officiating, it was not fatal.

The emergence of Ian Hume was a turning point for Canada as the wee man starting hustling the US defence and running at the them at every opportunity. Suddenly Canada’s attacks became more intense and threatening and when Hume equalized with a quarter of an hour left we knew we were in for a barnstorming finish.

Ratings
Canada
Onstad (6)
– Had no chance with either of the two US goals. Otherwise rarely tested.

Stalteri (4) – Was guilty of a sloppy back pass in the second half. Was unable to get forward into attacking positions.

Hastings (6) – Handled Dempsey and Johnston well.

Hainault (6) – Ditto.

Jazic (7) – A very competent performance.

Bernier (6) – Pace of the game was a bit too quick for him but he made few mistakes.

Hutchinson (7) – Never imposed himself on the game but he showed again that he is type of player who can turn a game in an instant.

Nash (4) - When given time he sprayed a couple of great passes but in close quarters he was ineffective.

De Guzman (7) – Victim of a brutal challenge in the first half but De Guzman was Canada's most consitent performer over 90 minutes.

De Rosario (5) – Looked like he was going to pull off something special in first half but faded in the second.

Gerba (6) – A thankless task being the lone striker with little support for long stretches of the match. Fought valiantly.

Subs.
Hume (8)
– A terrific performance off the bench only reinforced the unanswered question as to why he was used so sparingly in this competition.

Nakajima-Farran – no rating

USA
Keller (6)
– Handled what he came his way.

Hejduk (8) – Scored a call and was here, there and everywhere…although you may not want to see that in your right back.

Onyewu (3) – He might be a fan favourite but too often he is an accident waiting to happen.

Bocanegra (4) – Was lucky to be on the park after a spectacularly late challenge on De Guzman in the first half.

Bornstein (5) – Showed great promise and energy in the first half but suffered in the second half as much of the US attacks avoided the left side.

Dovovan (6) – The upside his Donovan continued to look for the ball even though he struggled most of the evening. He will want to remember his set up for the first goal and his well-struck penalty. He will want to forget his wiff with an open goal in front of him. That was in the 50th minute and would have killed the game as a contest.

Bradley (4) – Was prominent in the early stages of the first half but his performance dropped off alarmingly as the game progressed. Rightfully shown a straight red card for a challenge that was late, high, from behind and designed to stop a player breaking away from him – the referee got that one spot on!

Mastroeni (7) – Patrolled his area well with a minimum of fuss as a good holding midfield should do.

Beasley (6) – Everytime I watch Beasley I am left with the feeling that he could have contributed so much more.

Johnson (4) – Poorly timed runs and failed to link well with Dempsey and the midfield.

Dempsey (5) – Absolutely starved of the ball but failed to go and get as well.

Subs.
Feilhaber
– no rating

Clark – no rating

Twellman – no rating

 You can check outside the offside at youtube. It shows around 6:30.

 

142 Comments | Add a comment   categories: CONCACAF, Canada, Kasey Keller, Atiba Hutchinson, Oguchi Onyewu, Frankie Hejduk, DaMarcus Beasley, Pat Onstad, Paul Stalteri, Landon Donovan, Richard Hastings, Andrew Hainault, Ante Jazic, Patrice Bernier, Ian Hume, Dwayne De Rosario, Carlos Bocanegra, Ali Gerba, Pablo Mastroeni, Eddie Johnson
 
Weekend Preview
Jun 14, 2007 | 6:45PM | report this

The Golden Shoestandings.

Paul Doyle looks at the African Cup of Nations and the grief it causes European clubs.

Nicky Campbell delves into the vaults for the story of Joe Baker. One of the comments mentions that Joe’s brother Gerry played for the USA. Something I thought the writer would have mentioned. Joe Baker was a legend at Hibs and scored 42 goals in the 1959/60 season.

The Stevens’ Inquiry looks to moving to the arrest and charges stage.

And to this weekend’s football.

Gillette Stadium is host to a triple header on Saturday with two Gold Cup quarter finals (Canada vs. Guatemala and USA vs. Panama) and New England Revolution vs. Columbus Crew in MLS.

Traditionally Canada has found goals difficult to come by but are scoring on a regular basis at the moment. In Guatemala they face a country that they have only ever lost to twice in their history – 11 games in all. However, on both occasions the losses were costly.  In World Cup 2006  qualifying Canada lost 2-0 at home in the first game of the semi final round robin group stage. Canada did pull off a notable 1-0 win in the return fixture but the opening game loss was devastating. 

Back in 1988 Guatemala inflicted on Canada their worst ever win!! Sound strange then let me explain. The two countries were drawn against each other in an early stage of qualifying with the winners moving on to the group stage. Two years earlier Canada had made it to the World Cup Finals in Mexico and was favourite to beat Guatemala.  

Guatemala won 1-0 at home and the return was at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby, British Columbia. My recollection is that the game was at least partially played in a downpour and Guatemala led 2-0 at half time. Although Canada came back (Ian Bridge and now soon to be national team coach Dale Mitchell with 2) and won 3-2 they went out on the away goals rule.

You may remember that Mexico was suspended for the 1990 World Cup for using ineligible players in age group competitions and the USA – courtesy of Paul Caligiuri’s goal against Trinidad and Tobago – went to Italy representing CONCACAF together with Costa Rica. In those days I think it is fair to say that Canada got the better of the US more times than not. The defeat to Guatemala and with it, a possible chance to return to the World Cup Finals, coincided with the second season of the fledgling Canadian Soccer League.

Given that a number of the national team players played in the CSL a successful World Cup qualifying campaign might have been enough to provide the new league with some traction. As it was the league died a lingering death and was deceased before the 1994 World Cup was held in the United States. In my opinion the loss to Guatemala was a pivotal moment in Canadian soccer history and one that I would suggest it has yet to fully recover from.

The USA picked up the pace against El Salvador and has now scored seven goals in three matches. The goals have come from six different players with DaMarcus Beasley notching a double on Tuesday. Despite some reports to the contrary there is no indication that Rangers have in fact signed the American winger from PSV Eindhoven. In the second quarter final the 2005 Gold Cup Final will be repeated with Panama providing the opposition. Panama continues to grow in stature and should provide the USA with a stiff challenge.

After last weekend’s sensational finishes in La Liga it is probably unrealistic to think that there could be a repeat. However, with the title to be decided, UEFA Cup spots still in doubt and four teams trying to avoid the last two relegation spots you can bet that there is going to be drama somewhere.

The Spanish League has opted to split the final round of La Liga matches on Sunday into two batches. Generally the first group of games at 9:00 EST will decide the drop spots. (Celta Vigo v Getafe, Racing Santander v Real Betis, Valencia v Real Sociedad, Athletic Bilbao v Levante and Espanyol v Deportivo Coruna).

Four hours later the matches to decide the champion club and UEFA Cup qualification will kick-off. (Gimnastic v Barcelona, Osasuna v Atletico Madrid, Sevilla v Villarreal, Real Madrid v Real Mallorca and Recreativo Huelva v Real Zaragoza).

It is extremely likely that the tie breaker rule will need to be used to decide final placements. So here for your ready reference is the rule. 1. Most points obtained in the games between the teams in question 2. Goal difference in the games between the teams in question  3. Goals scored in the games between the teams in question 4. Goal difference in all league games. 

There are another three criteria but given the standings it the first four should suffice. At the top of the table there appears to be the following permutations. Real Madrid wins the league if they at least match the results of Barcelona and Sevilla. Real Madrid would also take the title if they drew as did Barcelona and Seville won. All three teams would finish on 74 points but Madrid would win based on a mini-league table.

Barcelona can win the league if they can produce a better result than Real Madrid even it was only a draw. In that situation Sevilla could win and tie with Barcelona on points but still lose on the head to head rule. The only way for Sevilla to win the league is for both Barcelona and Real Madrid to lose and Sevilla to win or for Real Madrid to draw, Barcelona to lose and Sevilla to win. That would leave Sevilla and Real Madrid tied at the first three levels but Sevilla would win on a better league goal difference.

Sevilla has the least chance of winning and they have to play a rampant Villarreal side that has won their last seven league games and now sit in fifth spot. However, Sevilla has a cracking record against Villarreal and have only lost twice in the last 13 head-to-head meetings.

Barcelona is at already relegated Gimnastic and would seem to be a banker bet to win. That leaves Real Madrid in the poll position. Unless you have been asleep under a rock it will be the final game in Madrid colours (if white is a colour) for David Beckham. The same goes for Roberto Carlos. A final game win would be a remarkable triumph for a Madrid side that for most of the season played quite poorly.

However, it would also mark an incredible season for Ruud Van Nistelrooy. Van Nistelrooy has scored in seven consecutive matches equaling a club record set by Hugo Sanchez. He has scored 25 league goals and is one behind the current Golden Shoe leader Francesco Totti who has completed the Serie A season.

Should Madrid stumble on the final day of the season it will not be the first time in recent memory. In 1992 and 1993 Real Madrid lost their final game of the season at Tenerife and allowed Barcelona to take the title.

At the wrong end of the table four teams are fighting to escape the two remaining relegation spots. Real Sociedad (34 points), Celta Vigo (36), Athletic Bilbao (37) and Real Betis (37) are involved in a fight to the end. There are so many possible permutations it drives you nuts trying to come up with them – I know I have tried.  Suffice to say that Real Sociedad (away to Valencia) is in the most difficult position, followed by Celta Vigo (home to Getafe) and Athletic Bilbao (home to Levante). Bilbao has never been relegated but they are cutting it mighty close this season.

Real Betis is in the best position and cannot be relegated as long as they at least match Athletic Bilbao’s result. In most of the possible tie situations Real Betis holds an advantage although they would lose out if they finished equal with Real Sociedad alone. In the event of a four way tie then the mini-table would be Real Betis (10), Real Sociedad (9), Celta Vigo (8) and Athletic Bilbao (5). Celta and Athletic would be relegated.

 

60 Comments | Add a comment   categories: African Cup of Nations, Canada, Guatemala, USA, Panama, New England Revolution, Columbus Crew, Ian Bridge, Dale Mitchell, Mexico, Paul Caligiuri, Trinidad and Tobago, Canadian Soccer League, El Salvador, DaMarcus Beasley, PSV Eindhoven, Rangers, Celta Vigo, Barcelona, Real Madrid
 
Speakers' Corner #40
Jun 10, 2007 | 7:03PM | report this

The latest Euro 2008 betting odds.

Recently retired FIFA Vice President David Will gives his view on the world governing body. I remember when Will was the chairman of Brechin City - at that time Brechin were usually battling out with East Stirlingshire as the worst team in Scotland. Even then when I played against Brechin in a mid-season friendly - our ground was one of the few playable in the area - we lost 5-2. There was a noticeable gulf between a very good amateur team and a poor professional team.  

Rangers fans are frustrated at the lack of transfer activity. However, DaMarcus Beasley is noted as a possible Ibrox target.

Graham Hunter believes that Fabio Capello’s fitness regime has given Real Madrid the edge in the chase for La Liga title.

Jonathan Northcroft on Sam Allardyce’s first efforts to turn Newcastle around.

Hugh McIlvanney on the resurrection of David Beckham and England’s Euro 2008 hopes.

Patrick Barclay on England’s fall home and home series with Russia.

Simon Turnbull with a look at the man who won the FA Cup for Sunderland in 1974, Ian Porterfield.  Porterfield is currently in charge of Armenia and is battling cancer. He spent time at Chelsea as well as ####mp;T.

Nick Harris with a very un-English view of MLS albeit with some factual errors.

Thanks for all the feedback and suggestions on the blog last week. Please do not hesitate to post links to your own blogs when you post something. 


50 Comments | Add a comment   categories: Euro 2008, David Will, Brechin City, East Stirlingshire, Rangers, DaMarcus Beasley, Fabio Capello, Sam Allardyce, David Beckham, Russia, England, Ian Porterfield, Sunderland, Armenia, Chelsea, Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago
 
Transfer Window closes today and has West Ham stolen the show?
Aug 31, 2006 | 6:38AM | report this

Not surprisingly the pace of transfer and loan moves has accelerated in the last forty-eight hours. If the story is confirmed by the Hammers then pride of place has to go to West Ham who looked to have pulled off the biggest double move since Ossie Ardilles and Ricardo Villa moved to Spurs after the 1978 World Cup. It is being reported that Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano are to move to Upton Park on a season long loan with an option to make permanent. No one saw this one coming - an absolute stunner.

Some other moves that have been confirmed.

Ricardo Oliveira from Real Betis to Milan with Johann Vogel moving in the opposite direction.

Juan Pablo Sorin to Hamburg from Villarreal.

Andy Cole joins English club number 8 as he leaves Manchester City for Portsmouth. Harry Rednapp seems intent on building football's version of Dad's Army at Fratton Park.

Jonathon Woodgate on loan to Boro from Real Madrid.

Steed Malbranque - Fulham to Spurs with Wayne Routledge on loan to Fulham for a season.

Tommy Smith from Derby County and returns to Watford.

Nacho Novo to Coventry, from Rangers

Rangers have signed Sasa Papac from Austria Vienna

Aberdeen has let Stevie Crawford move back to Dunfermline.  

Dwight Yorke to Sunderland from Sydney FC.

Some deals rumoured to still be in the works at 9:30EST

Chelsea and something big - yes bigger than Robert Huth to Boro from Chelsea.

Jose Antonio Reyes and Julio Baptista swithching clubs (Arsenal / Real Madrid)

Kevin Kilbane - Everton to Wigan

Graham Kavanaugh - Wigan to Roy Keane's Sunderland

Damarcus Beasley from PSV to Manchester City (consider this one as unsubstantiated)

James Milner to Aston Villa from Newcastle

Patrick Kluivert to PSV from Valencia.

Florent Sinama Pongolle on loan to Recreativo de Huelva from Liverpool.

Highly speculative.

Ronaldo from Real Madrid to Inter Milan with Adriano going in the opposite direction.

Ivan Helguera and Roberto Ayala a swap between Real Madrid and Valencia.

 

 

 

96 Comments | Add a comment   categories: Carlos Alberto Tevez, Ricardo Villa, Ossie Ardilles, Javier Mascherano, Ricardo Oliveira, Johann Vogel, Juan Pablo Sorin, Robert Huth, Andy Cole, Harry Rednapp, Steed Malbranque, Nacho Novo, Stevie Crawford, Dwight Yorke, Chelsea, Jose Antonio Reyes, Julio Baptista, Kevin Kilbane, Graham Kavanaugh, DaMarcus Beasley
 
The next generation...
Jun 22, 2006 | 11:28AM | report this

Ok this one is for the way forward, those of you who need to still vent (and having gone through this a number of times there is nothing wrong with you continuing to vent) can continue on the inquest blog.

Consider the age of the spine of this squad - up the middle in other words.

Keller (36); Pope (32) & Onyewu (24): Mastroeni (31) & Reyna (33); McBride (34).

If you go back through teams that do well at World Cups the core of the teams is usually between 25 and 29. Clearly this USA  team that is beyond its shelf-life and has to be re-built.

I thought that the Donovan, Beasley age-type players would step up but they didn't but I don't think it makes a lot of sense dumping these players given that the next WC should see them at their peak.

However who is the next genearation?

 

45 Comments | Add a comment   categories: USA, Kasey Keller, Eddie Pope, Onyewu, Pablo Mastroeni, Claudio Reyna, Brian McBride, Landon Donovan, DaMarcus Beasley
 
Going home after three....the inquest.
Jun 22, 2006 | 9:18AM | report this

Well let's get the excuse out of the way first. The referee's decision on the penalty was a shocker. Almost everyone will agree with that.

However, by any measure the US did not deserve to qualify for the last sixteen.

To state the bloody obvious, the USA let in too many goals and scored far too few.

Teams that make the last sixteen do not let in five first half goals in three games. Nor do they only score one goal (yes I know it was two but the other was an own goal) and none in a second half.

No doubt Bruce Arena will be the lightning rod for the early exit but I think we have to go deeper and look at the players performances. The 4-5-1 never clicked but when the USA switched to a couple of players up front, the USA still didn't create many chances.

How many players are going to come away from this tournament with enhanced reputations?

Maybe Jimmy Conrad who played competently, perhaps Clint Dempsey who was one of the few players who looked comfortable on the ball, and Brian McBride who always gives an honest effort.

After that's it's slim-pickings.

Onyewu is very raw and without a solid central defense you have nothing to build on.

The midfield was too slow in the build up and when the USA got into the last third can anyone recount a defense splitting pass over the three games?

Donovan, Beasley, Convey contributed little. As it stands the USA is not a team that can go out and dominate another side of any quality for large stretches o####ame. Again can anyone point to any periods of the three games where the US dominated play and created chances.

The next step in the evolution of the US game must be to produce a truly creative midfielder.

Anyway that is some early thoughts.

86 Comments | Add a comment   categories: USA, Bruce Arena, Jimmy Conrad, Clint Dempsey, Onyewu, Clint Dempsey, Brian McBride, DaMarcus Beasley, Bobby Convey
 
USA vs. Ghana - line ups
Jun 22, 2006 | 6:47AM | report this

Ghana: Kingston: Mensah, Pantsil, Shilla, Mohamed: Appiah, Essien, Dramani, Boateng: Amoah, Pimpong. - Substitutes; Eric Addo, Otto Addo, Adjei, Ahmed, Kuffour, Owu, Pappoe, Quaye, Sarpei, Tachie-Mensah.

USA: Keller, Onyewu, Conrad, Cherundolo, Bocanegra: Dempsey, Reyna, Lewis, Beasley, Donovan, McBride. - Substitutes; Albright, Berhalter, Ching, Convey, Hahnemann, Howard, Johnson, O'Brien, Olsen, Wolff.

Interesting choice by Arena. What do you think - Eddie Lewis wide on the left in midfield and Beasley up front with McBride? Reyna as the holding midfielder? Back four is not a surprise.

Watch out for Derek Boateng who has come in for Muntari. He was highly touted as a youngster and looked good when he came in against the Czechs.

Add a comment   categories: Ghana, USA, DaMarcus Beasley, Brian McBride, Claudio Reyna, Eddie Lewis, Derek Boateng, Czech Republic
 
Half time and so much to talk about.....
Jun 17, 2006 | 1:06PM | report this

I just lost the original blog. It will have to wait for full time.

Oh God. Pope has just sent off - this referees pulling out cards like a Vegas dealer.

8 Comments | Add a comment   categories: USA, Italy, Pablo Mastroeni, DaMarcus Beasley, Bruce Arena, Marcello Lippi, Gennaro Gattuso, Francesco Totti, Cristian Zaccardo
 
Time running out....inquest
Jun 12, 2006 | 11:16AM | report this

Twenty minutes left and the Czech's have this one in hand. Eddie Johnson shows some life with a shot that goes wide.

A flowing move from the USA at last. They move the ball quickly and Convey puts in a cross that Cech gathers. Josh Wolff on but not before Rosicky gets his second and the Czech's third. At least Arsenal fans will be happy. McBride leaves the game - he has received no support whatsoever.

Johnson with another effort - he's playing his way into the starting line-up against Italy.

There as a huge gulf between the Czech Republic and the USA today.

Man of the match - Tomas Rosicky.

Player ratings

Keller – No chance with any of the three goals. 6

Cherundolo (sub 45) –A tactical substitution but the full back rarely got forward in the first half to support the attack. 4

Onyewu – He took an earlier booking and was guilty of a poor clearance that dropped to Rosicky for the second goal. 4

Pope – He did not look to smart on the first goal but it was wicked cross to deal and Koller added a little nudge. Pope adapted well to a back three in the second half. 5

Lewis – For a defender to be caught so badly out of position five minutes into a game is a cardinal sin. Lewis never looked comfortable all game. 2

Beasley – Was he playing? It was a bad day to try out the Harry Potter invisibility cloak. How he stayed on the field, I do not know. 1

Reyna – The captain battled away but his promptings did not receive much support. 6

Mastroeni (sub 45) – He was a victim of the half time situation and found himself sacrificed for a more creative player. 5

Donovan – He flitted in and out of the game. 3

Convey – He did not hide but he did not contribute much either. When he found himself in good wide positions, he failed to deliver quality crosses. 3

McBride (sub 77) – He should be able to sue for lack of support. Big Brian was isolated all game although his first touch was poor. 4

Substitutes;

Johnson (on 46) – When he came on he added a drive to the US game that had not existed previously. He has surely played his way onto the starting line-up against Italy on Saturday. 6

O’Brien (on 46) – He looked badly short of match practice and never made a telling contribution. 3

Wolff (on 77) – Not rated.

 

10 Comments | Add a comment   categories: Czech Republic, Eddie Johnson, USA, Tomas Rosicky, Brian McBride, Arsenal, Kasey Keller, Steve Cherundolo, Oguchi Onyewu, Eddie Pope, Eddie Lewis, DaMarcus Beasley, Claudio Reyna, Pablo Mastroeni, Landon Donovan, Bobby Convey, Josh Wolff, John O'Brien
 
Fifteen minutes in...
Jun 12, 2006 | 9:31AM | report this

The US has settled into the game but has yet to make an impression on the Czech defense. Czech marking is excellent and they are not giving the US time on the ball.

The USA needs to get the ball wide where Convey and Beasley can use their speed. Reyna is beginning to get time on the ball and to dictate the play. Nedved is playing a more central midfield role than we see him play with Juventus.

When the Czech's get the ball they are playing at a higher tempo. The US is not able to use any speed adavantage because of a slower build-up.

Reyna's shot hits the post at the end of a better move. The ball was moved quickly and the shot was an inch or two out. Cech well beaten.

Thirty minutes in and if you were marking a score card I would say that the US has come back to match the Czechs.

1 Comment | Add a comment   categories: USA, Czech Republic, Bobby Convey, DaMarcus Beasley, Claudio Reyna, Pavel Nedved, Juventus
 
USA vs. Czech Republic
Jun 12, 2006 | 9:11AM | report this

It looks as if both sides have opted for a 4-5-1. Bruce Arena has made sure he has got some real pace in the line up with Convey, Donovan, and Beasley.

Key match-ups; Onyewu vs. Koller; McBride vs. Ujfalusi; Nedved vs. Mastroeni; Reyna vs. Rosicky; Convey or Beasley vs. Grygera

We are off. Beasley lines up on the right side which puts him up against a very left footed Jankulovski. A showing a few nerves by conceding a number of early free kicks. They need to settle down asap.

Onyewu - yellow card, a card as early as this will be a problem. Koller scores. Lewis caught out of position that frees up Grygera and he plays in a fantastic cross that Koller can't fail to score from. A bad and costly mistake.  

Add a comment   categories: Bobby Convey, Bruce Arena, Landon Donovan, DaMarcus Beasley, Oguchi Onyewu, Jan Koller, Brian McBride, Tomas Ujfalusi, Pablo Mastroeni, Claudio Reyna, Thomas Rosicky, Eddie Lewis, Zdenek Grygera, Marek Jankulovski
 
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ABOUT ME


BobbyMcMahon
I am the soccer analyst for the Fox Soccer Report and appear twice a week - every Monday and Friday at 10:00 EST. I have also been a regular contributor to the Fox Soccer Channel website since the summer of 2004. Over the last twenty years I have contributed to various radio and television programs throughout North America as well writing about the game for newspapers, magazines and websites. Thank you to all who take time to visit this blog and especially to those of you who post your comments and thoughts. PS - If you have questions please post them on the regular Monday blog. I am unable to answer e mails posted to the inbox on this site. And one more thing. If you have questions or complaints or compliments about programming please contact Fox Soccer Channel or Fox Sports World Canada directly. I have no control over what the stations televise.
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