It really did look like they were about 1/2 the players England was. England had such pretty passing and the U.S. could barely control a ball in the air. That would be because they are 1/2 the players England fielded. That was our B squad and the players missing are perhaps our two best offensive players. Donovan definitely and Altidore maybe. At our best, our A squad can hang with England's. You were looking at a motivated, on form England A squad and an awestruck, strategically poor American B squad. Do you know very much about soccer, specifically this US side? If you do, you realize that despite how you feel about Landon Donovan, he is our talisman. His pace would have stretched the English midfield loosening the stranglehold they had. His passing would have sprung Dempsey, who would have played up front in place of Wolff (who I'll get to later). His vision would have found offensive opportunities that weren't there without him. Now to our ridiculous strike partnership. I don't EVER want to see either of those guys in the American colors ever again. Ever. One is a recently converted right-winger for a MID-TABLE, BUNDESLIGA 2 side. That's right, their second tier league. Eddie Johnson is a RESERVE PLAYER for a Premiership side that should have been relegated. RESERVE PLAYER. Wolff has no pace, no ability in the air and no finishing instincts. This isn't a recent development either, which is why I find it so mind-boggling that he is on the squad let alone starting. Eddie Johnson is a [expletive]. That pretty much sums him up. If Josh Wolff had Eddie Johnson's ability, he'd probably be a world class striker. I understand that Jozy is only 18 and stretched pretty thin right now and I understand Bradley didn't want to drag a bunch of MLS players all the way to England, but give me Brian Ching and Kenny Cooper over those two guys every day of the week. Hell, give me Taylor Twellmen. Dempsey and Adu should have started up front with Eddie Lewis on the right wing. Our midfield was pretty meh. Our 4 was better than their 4 but neither did much. Beasley was very active, but we know enough about DeMarcus to know that he can't create on his own. His elite speed and shiftiness are best utilized when he doesn't have the ball at his feet. He had the ball at his feet more than any other front 2/3 player for us today. Clark did nothing. Dempsey did nothing. There was really nothing for him to do. Clint is a nice offensive player, but you can't expect him to thrive taking on Lampard, Rio, Terry, Gerrard and Cole by himself. Our central defense was good. I thought Gooch and Boca did an excellent job on Rooney (most overrated player in the world? Possibly.) and Defoe. Cherundolo and Pearce tried to get forward, but that is a tough midfield to get through with no support. Howard and Guzan were faultless. Nothing spectacular, but nothing bad. Bottom line, we really need another midfielder to step up and lock down that spot next to Bradley. I don't see any coming up the pipeline unfortunately. Feilhaber needs to step up and outside of him, I guess Kljestan is another to look at. I am a Bob Bradley fan, but until he starts using these friendlies to actually experiment with his lineup, we are not going to have an identity. As great as that Poland game was, it was from set pieces and Landon Donovan. It has been far, far too long since Clint did anything on the National level. I love Clint, but all this bouncing around is screwing him over. I will say that his time at Fulham has greatly improved his defensive work rate. I was very impressed with that aspect of his game today. I say move him inside. I think this lineup would have competed today. ----------Altidore-----Adu------------- -DMB--Bradley--Dempey---Donovan- -Pearce--Boca--Onyewu--Cherundolo- --------------Howard------------------- Bench - Guzan, Feilhaber, Edu, Cooper, Bornstein, Lewis, Kljestan, DeMerit. God that game was annoying.