The Soccer Thread

[wolf stansson]

Taking into consideration the opponent, the venue, and the team on the field, I think the result wasn't too bad. In fact, it's kind of encouraging. Other than a poor clear, an unlucky deflection and a horrid penalty, Howard was really tested just twice. We scored on Holland and had three very good, clear chances (Torres, Goodson, Altidore) that were close.

 

Still, left back needs to be resolved.

See, I wasn't comforted at all. Our goal was an absolute disgrace to set piece defending, the Dutch had clearly checked out mentally and again we had the shocking lack of depth in our squad rubbed in our faces. We had 3 starters that flat out had no business being on that field.

 

I guess you could take comfort in a) three of our players with real class were hurt, Bradley played an offensive midfield to start but when he brought in Beasley and Edu the bend-but-don't-break system that worked well in the Confed's cup worked well again (I still think it's flukey, but maybe less flukey than I did the day before yesterday) and also the players who did play didn't play to their potential (mainly Landon). Which pisses me off as a fan but also makes you feel like not all is lost for the World Cup. So I guess those things give you a shred of hope, but the results itself was totally misleading. We were owned.

 

Sniejder is obviously really good, but was anyone really that impressed with Holland? Are they that dependent on RVP? Kuyt to me is just a worker bee, they don't rate Huntelaar very highly and Robben is internationally inconsistent.

 

They should have throttled us last night but just lacked something. I wasn't impressed.

They lacked urgency. With good reason, it was a friendly in the height of their league seasons and the Champions league. If that was a must win game, they could have won 4-0.

 

I wasn't bowled over by their play, but I think their talent is much better than England's. I think they're better in every area. The only place I'd give England the edge is striker because of one player and one player only. Take Rooney out of the equation and Holland is miles ahead in strikers. Their midfield is better. Their back line is faster, more athletic, more technically proficient and more talented. England's goalkeeping is a joke.

 

 

... but in terms of pure talent, I rate the Dutch 3rd in the world off the top of my head.

 

Behind Brazil and Spain, I presume?

Yes. In that order. They'll disappoint, falling apart with bad coaching, no organization and team in-fighting as is their wont, but their talent pool is superb.

[brinoch]

Responding to Wolf's thoughts here... Since I was at work I couldn't watch with my normal firm attention, but I thought that the Dutch did an excellent job of taking Donovan out of the game.

 

I would counter that if Boca's goal was a disgrace in defending (which is certainly was), then the PK was an absolute disgrace of a play -- they were equivalent and cancel each other out. Mental mistakes that cost each team a goal. The second goal was off a deflection. That happens. No shame in that for Howard. Bornstein turned and it cost the team.

 

BS and other USMNT conversations are all aflutter about losing, but it's Holland. We're supposed to lose. It was a friendly several months before the WC, we're supposed to experiment to find the right fit. The reason I see it as encouraging is because of the strength of the Dutch team. They are a great team. Bradley was clearly evaluating players for the 23, and that's the right thing to do. Sure, the Dutch were obviously the better side, but we were in the conversation and were able to generate solid chances late in the game. And if we'd had a proper line-up (no Findlay, Torres, or Bornstein), I think we'd have done better still. I like Holden, and he's the best of the up and comers, but he's no Dempsey. If Davies is in shape to play by the WC (and your guess is as good as mine if he will be), I like this team:

 

---------Jozy----ChuckD---------

LD--------Edu/JJ----MB------CD

Boca--Gooch---DeMerit--Specs

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

 

If Davies can't make it, I think we need to go with a 4-1-4-1.

---------------Jozy---------------

LD---------MB----CD-----Holden

--------------Edu/JJ-------------

Boca--Gooch---DeMerit--Specs

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

[wolf stansson]

---------Jozy----ChuckD---------

LD--------Edu/JJ----MB------CD

Boca--Gooch---DeMerit--Specs

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

 

If Davies can't make it, I think we need to go with a 4-1-4-1.

---------------Jozy---------------

LD---------MB----CD-----Holden

--------------Edu/JJ-------------

Boca--Gooch---DeMerit--Specs

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

I agree. The top lineup is, I think, our best XI.

 

The bottom lineup is our second best XI, but in my opinion, I'd switch Deuce and Holden so going forward, you could shift into a defacto 4-3-3 with Donovan and Dempsey cutting up and in.

[brinoch]

I might use Feilhaber in the middle with Bradley, pushing CD out wide and Holden to the bench. But in the 4-1-4-1, I think Dempsey can play his game -- wandering into space, holding the ball, linking the attack, sometimes acting as a withdrawn striker, and just generally playing to his strengths. Edu and Bradley can play to theirs, D-Mid and Box-to-Box.

 

I believe it is a coach's responsibility to determine his best players, and where possible, build the system around their skillset, rather than forcing a square peg into a round hole. For example, Holden and Feilhaber are clearly better than any of Ching, Casey, EJ, or Findlay.

[wolf stansson]

This is from Greg Seltzer at soccer365:

http://www.soccer365.com/us_national_teams/story_4310230620.php

Josmer Altidore (7) - Lemme tell ya something. I somewhat know a lot of the Oranje players from last night, have known them for a half dozen years. Jozy freaked them out a little, man. They were all seriously impressed, and one former Ajax player told me the next day that he belongs at Amsterdam ArenA before he's too expensive for anyone but the glamour clubs to afford. It's coming, my friends. Oh yes, that is coming. His Hull time is clearly working out, for each of the numerous tools in his belt.

 

Ajax would be pretty much my dream destination for Jozy's next stop. They've developed a forward or two in their time and they're definitely going to have to replace Suarez after the World Cup. In fact, he can go right ahead and follow the Suarez game plan. Go to Ajax at age 20, spend 3 years there, show at a World Cup and make a huge money move to a big club.

[shnsajax]

This is from Greg Seltzer at soccer365:

http://www.soccer365.com/us_national_teams/story_4310230620.php

Josmer Altidore (7) - Lemme tell ya something. I somewhat know a lot of the Oranje players from last night, have known them for a half dozen years. Jozy freaked them out a little, man. They were all seriously impressed, and one former Ajax player told me the next day that he belongs at Amsterdam ArenA before he's too expensive for anyone but the glamour clubs to afford. It's coming, my friends. Oh yes, that is coming. His Hull time is clearly working out, for each of the numerous tools in his belt.

 

Ajax would be pretty much my dream destination for Jozy's next stop. They've developed a forward or two in their time and they're definitely going to have to replace Suarez after the World Cup. In fact, he can go right ahead and follow the Suarez game plan. Go to Ajax at age 20, spend 3 years there, show at a World Cup and make a huge money move to a big club.

 

This would be unbelievable.

[brinoch]

That would be great for Jozy. Great.

[USSoccer]

I wish more of our attacking players would spend a couple seasons in Holland.

[wvcbxl]

I wish more of our attacking players would spend a couple seasons in Holland.

 

Some players go the other way.

34yr old striker Blaise N'Kufo (who was born in Congo but has a Swiss passport) is going from FC Twente to Seattle Sounders after this season.

[shnsajax]

Michael Owen is out for the season with a hamstring injury.

[shnsajax]

random junk news, but Tony Romo is playing indoor soccer where I play. Not sure what night he is playing in though. But pretty cool.

 

http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/03/tony-romos-off-season-includes-indoor-so.html

[wolf stansson]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1256088/Manchester-United-poised-swoop-free-agent-Joe-Cole--favour-Chelsea-stars-new-contract-talks-fail.html

Ancelotti is also rumoured to be lining up Cole's replacement and is keen on Everton's on-loan American Landon Donovan, who has impressed since joining from the LA Galaxy in January.

 

I'd be fine with it after the World Cup. If he doesn't play enough, that will be rectified by the end of the cycle.

[shnsajax]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1256088/Manchester-United-poised-swoop-free-agent-Joe-Cole--favour-Chelsea-stars-new-contract-talks-fail.html

Ancelotti is also rumoured to be lining up Cole's replacement and is keen on Everton's on-loan American Landon Donovan, who has impressed since joining from the LA Galaxy in January.

 

I'd be fine with it after the World Cup. If he doesn't play enough, that will be rectified by the end of the cycle.

 

I would be happy with him staying at Everton, I am just not looking forward to him going back to LA.

[USSoccer]

I think LD would kill at the Shed with all that talent around him.

[cubsfan]

Donovan scores in his last home match.

 

And now an assist as Everton is embarrassing Hull.

[Jon]

Nothing like a stadium full of Brits chanting "USA."

 

He should have had two assists. He played quite well in his brief time in the game.

 

I just finished this great article about Joe Gaetjens. Very interesting read.

[wolf stansson]

I think LD would kill at the Shed with all that talent around him.

I agree. He's a better, more skilled Joe Cole. This loan has highlighted that he really is as good as the talent you surround him with. He's a truly class complimentary player. Kind of why he can be so hit or miss in MLS and with the Nats, he can't be expected to be able to enforce himself on a game with sub par supporting casts.

 

I wouldn't hate him staying at Everton either. They were ridiculous today out there with the midfield of LD, Rodwell, Arteta and Pienaar. Just flying.

 

That's also why Jozy needs to get the hell out of Hull. He can't get anything from his teammates.

[USSoccer]

I think LD would kill at the Shed with all that talent around him.

I agree. He's a better, more skilled Joe Cole. This loan has highlighted that he really is as good as the talent you surround him with. He's a truly class complimentary player. Kind of why he can be so hit or miss in MLS and with the Nats, he can't be expected to be able to enforce himself on a game with sub par supporting casts.

 

I wouldn't hate him staying at Everton either. They were ridiculous today out there with the midfield of LD, Rodwell, Arteta and Pienaar. Just flying.

 

That's also why Jozy needs to get the hell out of Hull. He can't get anything from his teammates.

 

Yeah, LD is a classic second banana. Far more comfortable being a dime guy than the spotlight guy, but thats okay. Thats why our offense running through the wings with LD and Deuce works-one takes the pressure off the other, defenses can't mark them both out of the game and they have freedom to pinch in and roam a bit.

 

Hull have the worst midfield I've ever seen out of a top flight side. Truly terrible.

 

I can't wait til Jozy comes correct this summer and goes to a real club with a real midfield that can, you know, pass the ball properly.

 

EDIT: I will say that, prior to his injury, Joe Cole and his short shorts were a hell of a player. I thought he was England's best in 2006. Dangerous attacker. Indifferent defender.

[wolf stansson]

http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/tm_headline=fergie-to-nab-cole-15-years-on%26method=full%26objectid=22091457%26siteid=93463-name_page.html

With Portuguese ace Deco set to join Cole through the Stamford Bridge exit door this summer, Ancelotti has earmarked Donovan as an ideal replacement.

 

Ancelotti has been so impressed with the Los Angeles Galaxy forward during his loan spell with Everton, that he has asked club chiefs to open talks with Major League Soccer chiefs about a permanent transfer.

 

Success

 

Donovan, 28, is due to return to LA for the start of the MLS season after today's Premier League clash with Hull - although Everton boss David Moyes hopes to extend the loan deal.

 

But Moyes knows Everton cannot afford to sign the player on a permanent basis.

 

Donovan's spell at Goodison Park has been such a success that the player is said to be tempted by the prospect of a permanent move to the Premier League.

 

And Ancelotti believes Donovan would fit perfectly into a front three with Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka.

 

Like all MLS players, Donovan's registration rests with the League rather than his club and Chelsea would have to negotiate with them.

/boner

[USSoccer]

There's also the chance that this is all posturing to get Cole to drop his wage demands.

[wolf stansson]

I don't know if he's got the mentality to belong at Chelsea, but I will say that he's a better passer than Cole.

[shnsajax]

My biggest problem with him going to Chelsea would be having to actually cheer for Chelsea every now and then.

[Mark Priors Calves]

My biggest problem with him going to Chelsea would be having to actually cheer for Chelsea every now and then.

 

nothing wrong with that. you get used to it after awhile.

[USSoccer]

My biggest problem with him going to Chelsea would be having to actually cheer for Chelsea every now and then.

 

Its like the decided to make half the team decent guys (Lampard, Joe Cole, Kalou, Ballack) and half the team insufferable doucebags (Terry, Ashley Cole, Malouda, Le Sulk)

[wvcbxl]

Arsenal off to a flying start against Porto, putting pressure from the first minute and being rewarded after 10 minutes with a Bendtner goal.