USMNT 2, Mexico 2 -- Reliant Stadium, Houston
Who would have thought Pedro Gomez would bring something to an ESPN soccer telecast. His mastery of the Spanish language allowed him to score El Tri's two-goal hero Jonny Magallon following the full 90.
Normally, postgame interviews are about as useful as a one-legged man in an asskicking contest. Yet, Gomez managed to coax Magallon to call the draw a "moral victory" for Mexico.
So, I guess, as an American that's a decent way to spin an otherwise dreadful showing. If it's gotten to the point where Mexico takes solace from a draw, well, it's something.
Otherwise, let's memory wipe this one as soon as possible.
No rhythm on offense.
Acres of space in the back.
Nonexistent wide play.
Silly fouls that conceded free kicks in dangerous areas.
But hey, despite Mexico really taking it to the team for the bulk of the first 70 minutes it still ended at 2-2. So it's something.
Out of the 15 Americans that saw action only two stood out -- Tim Howard and Jozy Altidore.
So in that regard, another spin doctor direction is that this could have been the arrival of Jozy Altidore, as one commenter noted, the first American superstar. I like the sound of that.
Another positive was that a slew of younger players -- Altidore, Freddy Adu, Maurice Edu -- got a taste of the CONCACAF super clasico. That trio should form most of the backbone of the 2008 Olympic team and who knows come 2010.
Maybe it's crazy to feel overtly negative following a semi-positive result. The atmosphere was excellent and came across on the television. The ESPN2 HD looked amazing and Reliant Stadium reminded me of one of those 'opera house' European venues. Maybe Rotterdam's De Kuip. (Sans roof.)
That flurry of goals toward the end of the first half was nice. Of course, we had to wait until the half to see that reason Dempsey's would-be third goal was disallowed was because he was pretty clearly offside.
Again, watching the US/Mexico rivalry unfold for cost for over 15 years, it's crazy for an American to lose sleep over a draw -- in a friendly no less. But Wednesday their were times that reminded me of the old days against Mexico when every time El Tri held possession you were scared they could score. No, Mexico didn't create a flurry of chances that needed to be swept off the goalline or anything to effect. It was mainly from the boneheaded fouls conceded that gave Mexico around 10 good dead ball opportunities.
Maybe I'm shortchanging the defensive aspect of this game, as space was as hard to come by as a likable presidential candidate. (Sorry, let's stay apolitical. Safe to say none of the 2008 candidates watched last nights game. Well, maybe Hill-Dog, right?)
Aside from the roughly 20 minutes of chaos on the US backline, the No. 1 glaring problem from the match was the utter lack of wide and midfield play. I'll break them down as individuals, but Bob Bradley did field a questionable lineup. Did Drew Moor and Ramiro Corrales do enough against Sweden to warrant the full 90? On the flip side, he obviously learned quite a great deal about both the players.
Apparently I'm just a glass half-empty guy. On a night that Jozy nets his first senior team goal and the team plays like caca and still manages a draw. Go figure.
Player notes:
Tim Howard, GK -- By my count he had nearly 10 saves -- though only had to go full stretch once or twice. ... Both goals were not his goal or could have been saved. ... A little bit of Kasey Keller disease, i.e. screaming at the defenders, in this case well-warranted. ... At first I thought it was a dirty play by Antonio de Nigris, when he slid into Howard, but the New Jersey native gave the Ankaraspor-forward the business, which I approve.
Ramiro Corrales, LB -- Egads. After about three I stopped counted the bad tackles that gave Mexico dangerous set piece chances. ... Didn't provide any service from the left. ... Was the culprit, in tandem, with Drew Moor on Magallon's second goal from the corner. ... Other than that, well done. ... Sadly, with our glaring hole at left back he's likely not be totally out of the mix. ... Oh right, he's 30.
Carlos Bocanegra, CB (Captain) -- Yikes, the collison with Howard wasn't good. ... Started slowly, but kept things together toward the end, probably since he's rusty due to lack of P.T. at Fulham. ... Overlooked fact, his casual clearance when Bofo Bautista was prone in the box led to the corner from which Mexico drew the game.
Oguchi Onyewu, CB -- Even with the goal -- which was HUSK -- I won't go ga-ga for Gooch. ... Lucky that Hugo Sanchez picked the slower forwards of Bofo and de Nigris for the bulk of the game. ... Still, did close down on a lot of space. ... First good performance in an US shirt in some time.
Drew Moor, RB -- Two wrongs don't make a right. Inexplicably beaten twice by Magallon at the far post. I'm sure he feels like dog crap, so I won't pile on...but very, very unlucky. ... At least his good ball from the right set up Altidore's first goal. ... Like Corrales, due to lack of depth at the position didn't play himself out of contention.
Bobby Convey, LM -- As a commentor said on the last post, we've all seen enough. Get healthy DaMarcus. We all kind of know what Convey is at this point -- smallish, skilled player of which the USMNT is chock full of. Where was Brad Davis? Not to pile on Convey but in the 40th minute the US broke and Convey for the only time in the game had space to operate -- only he never played in a ball on goal or to Dempsey who ran with him.
Michael Bradley, CM -- Everyone's due a bad game, and Bradley put up a stinker Wednesday. Didn't do much of anything, except get his token yellow card. Put it in the rear view and move on. He's 20.
Ricardo Clark, CM -- Since I wasn't actually at the game it's hard to say someone was exposed, but Clark didn't do much to slow up Mexico's attack or create anything for the Americans. He hasn't played regular first team football since what, September? It's hard to kill him for that fact alone, but he was poor Wedenesday.
Landon Donovan, RM -- After a effective game on the right against Sweden, was left at sea vs. Mexico. Probably had under a total dozen touches throughout. You can hate him, but his cheeky flick to keep the ball alive did set up Gooch's header that opened the scoring. He probably would have been better served playing in Dempsey's role and going off Altidore. Then again there wasn't any of the space that Donovan excels in, so go figure.
Clint Dempsey, For. -- Other than maybe winning a Pigpen from the Peanuts lookalike contest, Dempsey was a non-factor. Yeah, if his goal counts its a different story -- but it didn't. It was weird to see him playing so deep in the first half, checking back. Maybe he's just used to helping the defense because of how lousy Fulham has been. It's not to this point yet, but perhaps my dad isn't crazy when he wondered aloud the other day if Dempsey is a sure-fire starter for 2010.
Jozy Altidore, For. -- He scored. On that note alone it has to be considered a good game. Making the goal all the sweeter that was he lost the marking of Rafa Marquez and cooley headed it past Ochoa. Thank goodness Bob Bradley came to his senses and started the phenom.
Subs:
Benny Feilhaber, for Bradley, 63rd -- Of the two, certainly looked a little sharper than Bradley. Wonder why he didn't get the start? Nothing special, but nothing bad either.
Freddy Adu, for Dempsey, 63rd -- How great would it have been if Adu could have linked up with Altidore for the game-winner? Ah, youth. ... Did have a great breakdown of three Mexicans that gave the US at last-gasp freekick in the 93rd minute. Freddy should get a start in one of the two up-coming European friendlies, for certain.
Eddie Lewis, for Convey, 70th -- This game's winner of the 'Put his uniform on correct' award. Considering Derby County issued a release he was hurt it was a mild surprise he played. Maybe he's trying to get away from the doomed club. Again, where was Brad Davis?
Maurice Edu, for Clark, 79th -- Probably should have come on at the half, but it's understandable that Bradley didn't want his entire U-23 game out there, even for a friendly.
Bob Bradley, coach -- For the first in three times, Bradley was probably out-coached by Hugo Sanchez. Maybe it' just because El Tri wanted it more?
ESPN ZONED -- Well according to Matt Reiss, Steven Garard plays for England. Not as bad as the constant herky-jerky camera changes and cutaways. (If a relatively stable wide-shot too much to ask for?) Maybe its only because I'm used to the weekend Premier League telecasts, but these high-angle, angled shots take away from the game. And honestly, do we need live cutaways to Duke/UNC? If I wanted to watch that, I'd put it on. I choose to watch soccer, can the suits respect that? Ever?
Hispanic Impressions/Mexicola -- Mexico didn't play all that great, in all honesty, but they seemed the more urgent team. When the whole nation puts pressure on you, aside from a few yahoos like myself in America, it does indeed make a difference. It really should be fun to see the young guns from South of the Border -- Gio, Vela, Castillo, Guardado, etc. -- do battle against Adu, Altidore, Bradley, etc. Both teams are pretty safe bets for the next couple World Cups, but bragging rights, well's that's an entirely different animal.
Running Items Dept. -- So, who exactly can take a set play for the US? ... Bob Bradley continues to loathe Heath Pearce. ... Lucha Libres heart El Tri. ... The new US shirts looked good, but with tonight's result, could they be a bad omen?
Finally -- What more is there to say from this one? It had it's moments of excitement for a good 20 minutes -- pins and needles the rest. I tend to doubt my queasy stomach was from the black beans I ate from La Salsa.
Bring on Barbados!
Who would have thought Pedro Gomez would bring something to an ESPN soccer telecast. His mastery of the Spanish language allowed him to score El Tri's two-goal hero Jonny Magallon following the full 90.
Normally, postgame interviews are about as useful as a one-legged man in an asskicking contest. Yet, Gomez managed to coax Magallon to call the draw a "moral victory" for Mexico.
So, I guess, as an American that's a decent way to spin an otherwise dreadful showing. If it's gotten to the point where Mexico takes solace from a draw, well, it's something.
Otherwise, let's memory wipe this one as soon as possible.
No rhythm on offense.
Acres of space in the back.
Nonexistent wide play.
Silly fouls that conceded free kicks in dangerous areas.
But hey, despite Mexico really taking it to the team for the bulk of the first 70 minutes it still ended at 2-2. So it's something.
Out of the 15 Americans that saw action only two stood out -- Tim Howard and Jozy Altidore.
So in that regard, another spin doctor direction is that this could have been the arrival of Jozy Altidore, as one commenter noted, the first American superstar. I like the sound of that.
Another positive was that a slew of younger players -- Altidore, Freddy Adu, Maurice Edu -- got a taste of the CONCACAF super clasico. That trio should form most of the backbone of the 2008 Olympic team and who knows come 2010.
Maybe it's crazy to feel overtly negative following a semi-positive result. The atmosphere was excellent and came across on the television. The ESPN2 HD looked amazing and Reliant Stadium reminded me of one of those 'opera house' European venues. Maybe Rotterdam's De Kuip. (Sans roof.)
That flurry of goals toward the end of the first half was nice. Of course, we had to wait until the half to see that reason Dempsey's would-be third goal was disallowed was because he was pretty clearly offside.
Again, watching the US/Mexico rivalry unfold for cost for over 15 years, it's crazy for an American to lose sleep over a draw -- in a friendly no less. But Wednesday their were times that reminded me of the old days against Mexico when every time El Tri held possession you were scared they could score. No, Mexico didn't create a flurry of chances that needed to be swept off the goalline or anything to effect. It was mainly from the boneheaded fouls conceded that gave Mexico around 10 good dead ball opportunities.
Maybe I'm shortchanging the defensive aspect of this game, as space was as hard to come by as a likable presidential candidate. (Sorry, let's stay apolitical. Safe to say none of the 2008 candidates watched last nights game. Well, maybe Hill-Dog, right?)
Aside from the roughly 20 minutes of chaos on the US backline, the No. 1 glaring problem from the match was the utter lack of wide and midfield play. I'll break them down as individuals, but Bob Bradley did field a questionable lineup. Did Drew Moor and Ramiro Corrales do enough against Sweden to warrant the full 90? On the flip side, he obviously learned quite a great deal about both the players.
Apparently I'm just a glass half-empty guy. On a night that Jozy nets his first senior team goal and the team plays like caca and still manages a draw. Go figure.
Player notes:
Tim Howard, GK -- By my count he had nearly 10 saves -- though only had to go full stretch once or twice. ... Both goals were not his goal or could have been saved. ... A little bit of Kasey Keller disease, i.e. screaming at the defenders, in this case well-warranted. ... At first I thought it was a dirty play by Antonio de Nigris, when he slid into Howard, but the New Jersey native gave the Ankaraspor-forward the business, which I approve.
Ramiro Corrales, LB -- Egads. After about three I stopped counted the bad tackles that gave Mexico dangerous set piece chances. ... Didn't provide any service from the left. ... Was the culprit, in tandem, with Drew Moor on Magallon's second goal from the corner. ... Other than that, well done. ... Sadly, with our glaring hole at left back he's likely not be totally out of the mix. ... Oh right, he's 30.
Carlos Bocanegra, CB (Captain) -- Yikes, the collison with Howard wasn't good. ... Started slowly, but kept things together toward the end, probably since he's rusty due to lack of P.T. at Fulham. ... Overlooked fact, his casual clearance when Bofo Bautista was prone in the box led to the corner from which Mexico drew the game.
Oguchi Onyewu, CB -- Even with the goal -- which was HUSK -- I won't go ga-ga for Gooch. ... Lucky that Hugo Sanchez picked the slower forwards of Bofo and de Nigris for the bulk of the game. ... Still, did close down on a lot of space. ... First good performance in an US shirt in some time.
Drew Moor, RB -- Two wrongs don't make a right. Inexplicably beaten twice by Magallon at the far post. I'm sure he feels like dog crap, so I won't pile on...but very, very unlucky. ... At least his good ball from the right set up Altidore's first goal. ... Like Corrales, due to lack of depth at the position didn't play himself out of contention.
Bobby Convey, LM -- As a commentor said on the last post, we've all seen enough. Get healthy DaMarcus. We all kind of know what Convey is at this point -- smallish, skilled player of which the USMNT is chock full of. Where was Brad Davis? Not to pile on Convey but in the 40th minute the US broke and Convey for the only time in the game had space to operate -- only he never played in a ball on goal or to Dempsey who ran with him.
Michael Bradley, CM -- Everyone's due a bad game, and Bradley put up a stinker Wednesday. Didn't do much of anything, except get his token yellow card. Put it in the rear view and move on. He's 20.
Ricardo Clark, CM -- Since I wasn't actually at the game it's hard to say someone was exposed, but Clark didn't do much to slow up Mexico's attack or create anything for the Americans. He hasn't played regular first team football since what, September? It's hard to kill him for that fact alone, but he was poor Wedenesday.
Landon Donovan, RM -- After a effective game on the right against Sweden, was left at sea vs. Mexico. Probably had under a total dozen touches throughout. You can hate him, but his cheeky flick to keep the ball alive did set up Gooch's header that opened the scoring. He probably would have been better served playing in Dempsey's role and going off Altidore. Then again there wasn't any of the space that Donovan excels in, so go figure.
Clint Dempsey, For. -- Other than maybe winning a Pigpen from the Peanuts lookalike contest, Dempsey was a non-factor. Yeah, if his goal counts its a different story -- but it didn't. It was weird to see him playing so deep in the first half, checking back. Maybe he's just used to helping the defense because of how lousy Fulham has been. It's not to this point yet, but perhaps my dad isn't crazy when he wondered aloud the other day if Dempsey is a sure-fire starter for 2010.
Jozy Altidore, For. -- He scored. On that note alone it has to be considered a good game. Making the goal all the sweeter that was he lost the marking of Rafa Marquez and cooley headed it past Ochoa. Thank goodness Bob Bradley came to his senses and started the phenom.
Subs:
Benny Feilhaber, for Bradley, 63rd -- Of the two, certainly looked a little sharper than Bradley. Wonder why he didn't get the start? Nothing special, but nothing bad either.
Freddy Adu, for Dempsey, 63rd -- How great would it have been if Adu could have linked up with Altidore for the game-winner? Ah, youth. ... Did have a great breakdown of three Mexicans that gave the US at last-gasp freekick in the 93rd minute. Freddy should get a start in one of the two up-coming European friendlies, for certain.
Eddie Lewis, for Convey, 70th -- This game's winner of the 'Put his uniform on correct' award. Considering Derby County issued a release he was hurt it was a mild surprise he played. Maybe he's trying to get away from the doomed club. Again, where was Brad Davis?
Maurice Edu, for Clark, 79th -- Probably should have come on at the half, but it's understandable that Bradley didn't want his entire U-23 game out there, even for a friendly.
Bob Bradley, coach -- For the first in three times, Bradley was probably out-coached by Hugo Sanchez. Maybe it' just because El Tri wanted it more?
ESPN ZONED -- Well according to Matt Reiss, Steven Garard plays for England. Not as bad as the constant herky-jerky camera changes and cutaways. (If a relatively stable wide-shot too much to ask for?) Maybe its only because I'm used to the weekend Premier League telecasts, but these high-angle, angled shots take away from the game. And honestly, do we need live cutaways to Duke/UNC? If I wanted to watch that, I'd put it on. I choose to watch soccer, can the suits respect that? Ever?
Hispanic Impressions/Mexicola -- Mexico didn't play all that great, in all honesty, but they seemed the more urgent team. When the whole nation puts pressure on you, aside from a few yahoos like myself in America, it does indeed make a difference. It really should be fun to see the young guns from South of the Border -- Gio, Vela, Castillo, Guardado, etc. -- do battle against Adu, Altidore, Bradley, etc. Both teams are pretty safe bets for the next couple World Cups, but bragging rights, well's that's an entirely different animal.
Running Items Dept. -- So, who exactly can take a set play for the US? ... Bob Bradley continues to loathe Heath Pearce. ... Lucha Libres heart El Tri. ... The new US shirts looked good, but with tonight's result, could they be a bad omen?
Finally -- What more is there to say from this one? It had it's moments of excitement for a good 20 minutes -- pins and needles the rest. I tend to doubt my queasy stomach was from the black beans I ate from La Salsa.
Bring on Barbados!
Labels: bob bradley, Freddy Adu, Jozy Altidore, Landon Donovan, Mexico is our bitch, Soccer, USMNT
Dempsey might have been dropping so deep b/c Clark and Bradley couldn't win a ball or hold possession for the entire first half. They looked mismatched out there.
Altidore played great overall but Mexico exposed his youthful exuberance by getting in his head a bit. That yellow card was pretty stupid, but we can chalk it up to inexperience.
Feilhaber held down the midfield for the small amount of time he was out there. Like Harkes said, the only time the US reversed the field was when he was in there. Why isn't Derby County playing him more?
Landy did what was expected. Played hard for 15 minutes then disappeared. Enough with the "pissing" features already, it was like four years ago.
I love Howard but I have a feeling his insanity will hurt the US at some point in qualifying. His flying leaps perpendicular to the ground make me queasy. He did make an amazing punch to Convey, which Keller probably would've busted his wrist trying to do.
Finally, enough with Convey already. I like him but he isn't bringing anything to the table at this point. His first touch was shit all night and he didn't run down a few plays where something could've been strung together.
Overall, I think the US earned the result but they gave Mexico waaay too many chances.
-SUPPE-
I swear to you that I didn't read your Pigpen comment before I posted the same thing.
Weird.
Thought Bocanegra's clearance actually went off Bautista and the ref blew the call. Harkes said the same on the broadcast and every American in sight was indicating a GK (not that they wouldn't) but they all looked genuinely surpsrised when a Corner was given.
Ref blew it.
I thought Onyewu was the best player out there for the US last night... which isn't saying much of anything.
Both midfields played like crap and it's amazing that neither team was able to take advantage of it.
This Gio kid is going to kill us in the future. Neither the US or Mexico has ever had a player like him in the ten years I've been watching the two teams.
Coach Bradley played a lot of size at the back, and the fact that the size lacks speed was exposed by Mexico's attack. The US team looked slow in general, which is not shocking based on the size/speed choice.
However, if the US is gonna go "big," I would assume they would do better at defending set-pieces through the air. The goals they allowed sure made the US defense look un-organized.
Great that Jozy got the start and nice to see the coach willing to put faith in the youngsters in general. That being said, the best youngster on the field was Gio. He makes me skerred.
Our set piece defense looks so confused. it was scary last night every time Mexico lined up a free kick in the offensive third.
Jozy is a beast and I was shocked to see him get the start, let alone the full 90.
I actually agreed with Harkes on the broadcast...why is your biggest player taking throws instead of being a huge target in the box? His goal was maybe the luckiest header i've ever seen.
Agreed on Convey, enough of him. I thought this after about his second or third touch on the ball. And yes, that open space botch job was absolutely depressing. I'm from Philly, i know depressing.
Lastly, Tim Howard is a lunatic.
Dempsy is a mid, not a forward no question about it. He had an opporunity last night just inside the 16 outside the left post where instead of taking it at the last defender, he did his best donovan impression and danced with the ball for a few seconds. That time wasted allowed the keeper to cut off his angle and gave the defender the chance to fully center himself in front of him. Bradley and Fulham need to start playing him at mid where he has more time to be creative. The more time he spends out of position the more of a chance he won't be a big factor in 2010 which would be a shame.
I did like to see that the Mexicans actually bothered to shake hands and exchange jerseys with Americans at full time. Usually the Mexicans leave the pitch in a huff.
I was furious last night that ESPN waited almost 30 minutes to show us the Demspey offside penalty. First of all, I said alot of really profane things about the officials during that time that I would now like to retract. Seriously, I thought to myself "how could they have missed it with their sweet two camera coverage." If the coverage of Monday Night Football is called ESPN 360, this is more like ESPN 20, but I doubt the ratio of cameras for the two broadcasts is even 18-1. More like probably 90-1. ESPN 4, I guess.
Damn, if Beckham had been there ESPN would have a camera on each of his golden balls, one on Tom Cruise, and one on his Austin Powers-style femme-bot wife.
Davis tweaked a groin (I think) a day or two before the game and was scratched.
That Moor-Corrales duo on the corners at the back is a recipe for disaster, so hopefully something solidifies that between now and the Olympics, or at least the World Cup.
Moor was miserable most of the game and Corrales looked like one of those guys playing FIFA soccer on Playstation - you know, the guy who sucks so he just tries to dirty slide tackle you all the time, hurt people and ends up playing like 11-on-7 because the virtual ref hands out a ton of red cards.
We've got enough depth to be rid of both Corrales and Moor, unless something catastrophic happens to our first and second choices. Steve Cherundolo, Jonathan Spector, Heath Pearce, Jonathan Bornstein, even Marvell Wynne are better than Moor and Corrales. Jose Burciaga, Jr. anyone? I didn't like our central mid pairing at all. Bradley and Clark couldn't get any rhythm and keep possession at all, and they could not work well together. Things were better when Feilhaber and Edu were in.
The entire midfield was terrible. Clark and Bradley are too similar to be playing together even though Bradley has seemingly transformed into a scorer at Herenveen. ESPN's shitty coverage extended to Sportscenter where John Anderson inexplicably gave Justin Mapp credit for Moor's assist. Perhaps he did it on purpose as Moor didn't deserve credit for much of anything last night. I wonder if Magallon got Moor's jersey after the game.
All the anti-convey talk seems a little out of line to me. Did he blow anyone away with that performance...no way, but i felt like him and a select few players were the only ones that were trying to bring the ball down and try to play with some possession. It did not help that Convey and Landon had to play with those outside fullbacks that clearly could not cut it and in my opinion cost the US the game. I would have loved to see a win and I am not happy we didn't get one but it was just nice to see the US out there again.
convey is not a bad player, but he does nothing impressive either. i'd rather see beasley.