"Setting sun deals hands of gold
There's velvet eyes in Mexico
From so far away and all she said was true
Speak in tongues, speak in lies
drooling livers, born to die
It’s a wonder that those guns don't point at you", Queens of the Stone Age, 'Mexicola'
(Live blog, here)
This is probably going to sound weird coming from a guy that could write 2,000 words without breaking a sweat about the USMNT playing a meaningless winter friendly with Sweden, but ahead of Wednesday's game with arch rival Mexico I honestly don't think there's a ton to say. Don't worry, I've got talking points, but this is one of the rate oppurtunities the U.S. actually plays a team on its level in a game that matters so the usual speculation about lineups, tactics, etc. gets tossed out the window. All that matters at Crew Stadium in Columbus is getting the three points to get the final stage of CONCACAF qualifying off on the right foot.
And let's face it, even if Mexico were to end it's decade-long drought on U.S. soil, the Americans are still going to make it to South Africa next year barring a total meltdown.
If anything, this game will be a defining moment for Mexico coach Sven Goran-Eriksson, who unlike his U.S. counterpart Bob Bradley actually faces day-to-day scrutiny by the media and populous at large. It's hard to recall a time where morale was at such a low ebb in the Mexican camp, not that I feel sorry or anything.
Mexico almost missed out on the final CONCACAF qualifying stage, finishing behind Honduras and only edging Jamaica via goal-difference. Last month El Tri lost 1-0 to the same Sweden team that the U.S. beat 3-2. Factor in the distaste of Eriksson's use of naturalized players in the El Tri setup, and the knives are certainly out for the bespectacled Swede, who probably now has his bifocals focused on Roman Abramovich's Chelsea money more than anything.
Now granted I'm not the authority, but Mexico seems at a bit of a crossroads. The core of the team -- Marquez, Pardo, Salcido, etc. -- are creeping towards and over 30. Then the next wave of young guns -- Gio Dos Santos, Carlos Vela and Nery Castillo -- have all fizzled in Europe this season. Vela, who's been in-and-out of the action at Arsenal, isn't even in the squad and Uno-brow (Castillo) has been MIA since the 2007 Copa America, and I'm not talking about the Paper Planes version.
Mexico almost needs a good result in Columbus, too, with three of its first four qualifiers away from the Azteca.
Sum all this up and this serves up a tremendous, underline, tremendous opportunity for the U.S., should it want to take it. In one fell swoop, Bradley could both get three points and land a right cross to the jaw of Mexico and further rattle it's increasingly fragile cage.
That said, have we ever seen Bradley's team go for the jugular?
If it were up to me I'd push the tempo and attack-attack-attack for the first 10-15 minutes to see if I could catch Mexico on its heels. Yes, there is the fear of the counter attack, which is Svennis' wont, but why not press the issue? If this doesn't work, there's always the last 15 minutes where Landon Donovan tends to dominate Mexico anyway.
To follow the sports blogger credo in that you must quote a Rocky movie every six months, why can't the U.S. channel it's inner Apollo Creed and 'Go for it!'?
Talking points
** The Kljestan Question -- Based off of last month's hat trick vs. Sweden, the Chivas USA midfielder deserves a place in the first XI. As we've seen, though, that doesn't mean Bradley will opt to give him a place in the team. At the very least, Kljestan needs a place in the team, either on the right side of midfield, or more specifically paired with Michael Bradley in the middle, because he can provide something on set plays, an area the U.S. is sorely lacking with Freddy Adu marooned in France.
There is a huge chance that if Kljestan starts in the center of the park, he could be massively exposed and exploited. If the Seton Hall product doesn't play in an important game like this, when will he ever in his career? Let Kljestan sink or swim.
** Form or glory (just another story) -- Sorry for the mangling of the Clash right there. My biggest question for this match is if Bradley will take the pedigree DaMarcus Beasley has accrued in the last decade and give him the starting nod, despite his fade into oblivion at Rangers?
Via football-lineups.com Beasley has played four SPL matches for Rangers. His leg might be fresh, but rusty. One thing working for Beasley is that he's been pretty good against Mexico in the past. It also doesn't hurt that the only other alternative on the left side is Robbie Rogers, who I'd like to see play but will likely ride the pine.
** Torres, José Francisco not Fernando unfortunately -- He plays in Mexico and likely knows the bulk of the El Tri unit better than anyone else. Will that be a benefit for him why it comes to the starting XI? I'm still waiting to see where Torres' best spot in the U.S. lineup is, but he's shown some potential at least.
** Hello Jozy? -- So let's get this straight, Bradley recalls Altidore from Spain where he just transferred to Xerez in the second division, yet Freddy Adu and Maurice Edu get the cold shoulder? All three haven't seen extensive playing time since moving to Europe, but does Jozy get the nod? I can understand Adu, since he doesn't have a place in the team, but the Edu omission is puzzling considering Bradley's fondness for holding midfielders. What makes this all the stranger, I'll bet anything Brian Ching starts at forward, so at best Jozy makes a cameo. Odd.
** Old or new? -- Will it be evergreen Frankie Hedjuk or greenhorn Jon Borstein rounding out the U.S. back four? Hedjuk might pick up an unnecessary card, but starting Bornstein could lead to an epic fail.
** Uber Donovan? -- Will the time spent in Bavaria with FC Bayern have helped Donovan take that next step? After playing with the likes of Ribery, Toni, Klose, etc. is Donovan ready to take it to the next level and dominate? Personally, it'd be nice to see him channel his inner Marshawn Lynch and enter Beast Mode.
Running Items Dept.
** Will Rafa Marquez continue to get away with bloody murder against the U.S.? (Considering it's a CONCACAF match, yes.)
** Can Donovan and Dempsey function in the same lineup effectively?
** How many times will ESPN mention that Beckham guy during the telecast?
** How many times will ESPN cut away during the match to a split screen of a meaningless college basketball game or something else we don't care about. This has become my one pet peeve with ESPN since it jettisoned the terrible twosome and brought in JP Dellacamra and John Harkes. If I wanted to watch what was on the other ESPN networks -- I'd put them on myself, no need for a studio moron to update me. Plus, there is that slightly noticeable crawl across the bottom ad nasuem.
** Bob Bradley has to be able to out-coach Svennis, right? Right?
Lineup guess
Let's just put this down, here's how I'd assemble the XI puzzle.
GK -- Howard
Def -- Hedjuk -- Onyewu -- Califf -- Bocanegra
Mid -- Donovan -- Bradley -- Kljestan -- Rogers
For -- Ching -- Dempsey
A couple notes, Bocanegra is playing leftback at Rennes. The upgrade of Bocanegra over Heath Pearce outweighs the downgrade from Bocanegra to Danny Califf. This will never happen Wednesday.
In the midfield, I'd start Donovan wide right and see what happens and juggle it if needed. Rogers looked ok against Sweden and is likely in better shape than Beasley, of course this will never happen either.
I'd leave Dempsey behind Ching, who's been effective against Mexico in the past. This leaves the door open for Altidore as a sub.
Here's Bradley's XI...
GK -- Howard
Def -- Hedjuk -- Onyewu -- Bocanegra -- Pearce
Mid -- Donovan -- Bradley -- Kljestan -- Beasley
For -- Ching -- Dempsey
I'm crossing my fingers that Kljestan starts over Clark. He has to, right? There are no surprises in this potential lineup aside from the possible inclusion of Kljestan, so since the teams know each other so well, it'll come down to which side executes.
Final thoughts -- Is it just me or is it possible the US/Mexico rivalry has peaked? The last 10 years the U.S. has held its own in the once lopsided rivalry, including the eternal 2-0 win in South Korea.
Gone are the players like Blanco and the rest of his generation who had no respect for the American team. Perhaps the only left Mexican that truly ruffles my feathers is Marquez. Donovan can rehash those 'Osama' comments but those were a looooong time ago. ESPN might try to play up this angle extensively, I just think it's lost a lot of its heat considering how much the on-field dynamic has changed.
Don't get me wrong, itt's still an awesome fixture to watch live in-person. There's still plenty of animosity on both sides but until Mexico can get things going again the level of heat won't be exactly the same.
As for the game, if it's anything like the last couple matches, it'll be decided on set pieces. Bradley's reliance on the Onyewu-Bocanegra pairing probably proves its worth here. ... U.S. 2, Mexico 0.
Enjoy...
[FYI, I'll probably be hosting a live chat/blog thing at FanHouse on Wednesday night, so please check it out. I don't want to be typing to myself. Also, I'll have a full recap up here Thursday a.m. depending when I watch my DVR of 'Lost'.]
There's velvet eyes in Mexico
From so far away and all she said was true
Speak in tongues, speak in lies
drooling livers, born to die
It’s a wonder that those guns don't point at you", Queens of the Stone Age, 'Mexicola'
(Live blog, here)
This is probably going to sound weird coming from a guy that could write 2,000 words without breaking a sweat about the USMNT playing a meaningless winter friendly with Sweden, but ahead of Wednesday's game with arch rival Mexico I honestly don't think there's a ton to say. Don't worry, I've got talking points, but this is one of the rate oppurtunities the U.S. actually plays a team on its level in a game that matters so the usual speculation about lineups, tactics, etc. gets tossed out the window. All that matters at Crew Stadium in Columbus is getting the three points to get the final stage of CONCACAF qualifying off on the right foot.
And let's face it, even if Mexico were to end it's decade-long drought on U.S. soil, the Americans are still going to make it to South Africa next year barring a total meltdown.
If anything, this game will be a defining moment for Mexico coach Sven Goran-Eriksson, who unlike his U.S. counterpart Bob Bradley actually faces day-to-day scrutiny by the media and populous at large. It's hard to recall a time where morale was at such a low ebb in the Mexican camp, not that I feel sorry or anything.
Mexico almost missed out on the final CONCACAF qualifying stage, finishing behind Honduras and only edging Jamaica via goal-difference. Last month El Tri lost 1-0 to the same Sweden team that the U.S. beat 3-2. Factor in the distaste of Eriksson's use of naturalized players in the El Tri setup, and the knives are certainly out for the bespectacled Swede, who probably now has his bifocals focused on Roman Abramovich's Chelsea money more than anything.
Now granted I'm not the authority, but Mexico seems at a bit of a crossroads. The core of the team -- Marquez, Pardo, Salcido, etc. -- are creeping towards and over 30. Then the next wave of young guns -- Gio Dos Santos, Carlos Vela and Nery Castillo -- have all fizzled in Europe this season. Vela, who's been in-and-out of the action at Arsenal, isn't even in the squad and Uno-brow (Castillo) has been MIA since the 2007 Copa America, and I'm not talking about the Paper Planes version.
Mexico almost needs a good result in Columbus, too, with three of its first four qualifiers away from the Azteca.
Sum all this up and this serves up a tremendous, underline, tremendous opportunity for the U.S., should it want to take it. In one fell swoop, Bradley could both get three points and land a right cross to the jaw of Mexico and further rattle it's increasingly fragile cage.
That said, have we ever seen Bradley's team go for the jugular?
If it were up to me I'd push the tempo and attack-attack-attack for the first 10-15 minutes to see if I could catch Mexico on its heels. Yes, there is the fear of the counter attack, which is Svennis' wont, but why not press the issue? If this doesn't work, there's always the last 15 minutes where Landon Donovan tends to dominate Mexico anyway.
To follow the sports blogger credo in that you must quote a Rocky movie every six months, why can't the U.S. channel it's inner Apollo Creed and 'Go for it!'?
Talking points
** The Kljestan Question -- Based off of last month's hat trick vs. Sweden, the Chivas USA midfielder deserves a place in the first XI. As we've seen, though, that doesn't mean Bradley will opt to give him a place in the team. At the very least, Kljestan needs a place in the team, either on the right side of midfield, or more specifically paired with Michael Bradley in the middle, because he can provide something on set plays, an area the U.S. is sorely lacking with Freddy Adu marooned in France.
There is a huge chance that if Kljestan starts in the center of the park, he could be massively exposed and exploited. If the Seton Hall product doesn't play in an important game like this, when will he ever in his career? Let Kljestan sink or swim.
** Form or glory (just another story) -- Sorry for the mangling of the Clash right there. My biggest question for this match is if Bradley will take the pedigree DaMarcus Beasley has accrued in the last decade and give him the starting nod, despite his fade into oblivion at Rangers?
Via football-lineups.com Beasley has played four SPL matches for Rangers. His leg might be fresh, but rusty. One thing working for Beasley is that he's been pretty good against Mexico in the past. It also doesn't hurt that the only other alternative on the left side is Robbie Rogers, who I'd like to see play but will likely ride the pine.
** Torres, José Francisco not Fernando unfortunately -- He plays in Mexico and likely knows the bulk of the El Tri unit better than anyone else. Will that be a benefit for him why it comes to the starting XI? I'm still waiting to see where Torres' best spot in the U.S. lineup is, but he's shown some potential at least.
** Hello Jozy? -- So let's get this straight, Bradley recalls Altidore from Spain where he just transferred to Xerez in the second division, yet Freddy Adu and Maurice Edu get the cold shoulder? All three haven't seen extensive playing time since moving to Europe, but does Jozy get the nod? I can understand Adu, since he doesn't have a place in the team, but the Edu omission is puzzling considering Bradley's fondness for holding midfielders. What makes this all the stranger, I'll bet anything Brian Ching starts at forward, so at best Jozy makes a cameo. Odd.
** Old or new? -- Will it be evergreen Frankie Hedjuk or greenhorn Jon Borstein rounding out the U.S. back four? Hedjuk might pick up an unnecessary card, but starting Bornstein could lead to an epic fail.
** Uber Donovan? -- Will the time spent in Bavaria with FC Bayern have helped Donovan take that next step? After playing with the likes of Ribery, Toni, Klose, etc. is Donovan ready to take it to the next level and dominate? Personally, it'd be nice to see him channel his inner Marshawn Lynch and enter Beast Mode.
Running Items Dept.
** Will Rafa Marquez continue to get away with bloody murder against the U.S.? (Considering it's a CONCACAF match, yes.)
** Can Donovan and Dempsey function in the same lineup effectively?
** How many times will ESPN mention that Beckham guy during the telecast?
** How many times will ESPN cut away during the match to a split screen of a meaningless college basketball game or something else we don't care about. This has become my one pet peeve with ESPN since it jettisoned the terrible twosome and brought in JP Dellacamra and John Harkes. If I wanted to watch what was on the other ESPN networks -- I'd put them on myself, no need for a studio moron to update me. Plus, there is that slightly noticeable crawl across the bottom ad nasuem.
** Bob Bradley has to be able to out-coach Svennis, right? Right?
Lineup guess
Let's just put this down, here's how I'd assemble the XI puzzle.
GK -- Howard
Def -- Hedjuk -- Onyewu -- Califf -- Bocanegra
Mid -- Donovan -- Bradley -- Kljestan -- Rogers
For -- Ching -- Dempsey
A couple notes, Bocanegra is playing leftback at Rennes. The upgrade of Bocanegra over Heath Pearce outweighs the downgrade from Bocanegra to Danny Califf. This will never happen Wednesday.
In the midfield, I'd start Donovan wide right and see what happens and juggle it if needed. Rogers looked ok against Sweden and is likely in better shape than Beasley, of course this will never happen either.
I'd leave Dempsey behind Ching, who's been effective against Mexico in the past. This leaves the door open for Altidore as a sub.
Here's Bradley's XI...
GK -- Howard
Def -- Hedjuk -- Onyewu -- Bocanegra -- Pearce
Mid -- Donovan -- Bradley -- Kljestan -- Beasley
For -- Ching -- Dempsey
I'm crossing my fingers that Kljestan starts over Clark. He has to, right? There are no surprises in this potential lineup aside from the possible inclusion of Kljestan, so since the teams know each other so well, it'll come down to which side executes.
Final thoughts -- Is it just me or is it possible the US/Mexico rivalry has peaked? The last 10 years the U.S. has held its own in the once lopsided rivalry, including the eternal 2-0 win in South Korea.
Gone are the players like Blanco and the rest of his generation who had no respect for the American team. Perhaps the only left Mexican that truly ruffles my feathers is Marquez. Donovan can rehash those 'Osama' comments but those were a looooong time ago. ESPN might try to play up this angle extensively, I just think it's lost a lot of its heat considering how much the on-field dynamic has changed.
Don't get me wrong, itt's still an awesome fixture to watch live in-person. There's still plenty of animosity on both sides but until Mexico can get things going again the level of heat won't be exactly the same.
As for the game, if it's anything like the last couple matches, it'll be decided on set pieces. Bradley's reliance on the Onyewu-Bocanegra pairing probably proves its worth here. ... U.S. 2, Mexico 0.
Enjoy...
[FYI, I'll probably be hosting a live chat/blog thing at FanHouse on Wednesday night, so please check it out. I don't want to be typing to myself. Also, I'll have a full recap up here Thursday a.m. depending when I watch my DVR of 'Lost'.]
Labels: bob bradley, Mexico is our bitch, Soccer, svennis, USMNT
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