From the Sidelines: May 2010

I needed a little perspective after the US laid an egg against the Czech Republic and announced it's World Cup roster. So I emailed my close friend and From the Sidelines Soccer Analyst, AC!!

Debo emailed:

AC,

I need you to learn me some more soccer! Team USA (albeit with a second teir roster) just suffered an ugly loss to a bunch of Middle European chumps. I've got a few questions before I hit the panic button...

AC replied:

1. I know we rested several starters and Bob Bradley wanted to get a look at players on the roster bubble, but isn't this still an indictment of American soccer? How good is the Czech Republic?

It was disappointing to see our team lose Tuesday night, but it cannot be regarded as a blow to our American soccer image. Bob Bradley made it very clear by his team selection that this was an experimental friendly match. Even the great Fabio Capello did some extensive tinkering with the England national side for the Mexico game played earlier this week. Granted England won 3-1, however it does go to show that managers are using every last opportunity to test and prod any player that may be on the bubble.

With the focus on the fringe players, some of the team USA’s most prominent players (Landon Donovan, Tim Howard, Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley, Carlos Bocanegra, Jay DeMerit, Jozy Altidore and Benny Feilhaber) did not even dress out for the game. Instead, Bradley used the game to help determine which seven players would not make the 23-man roster.
The game in and of itself self was hard to judge. Normally we look for a really strong team effort, but this match was truly about the individuals striving to make an impression. Needless to say it didn’t help that it appeared almost as if two completely different US teams played that game. The first half was played with the starting eleven players and by the beginning of the second half the US team had a different look with six substitutions made. Overall the team produced a subpar performance. There were a few bright spots, such as a second-half goal by Herculez Gomez. He was among the players on the bubble and his ability to score no doubt helped his cause. Another borderline player, forward Edson Buddle, assisted on Maurice Edu's goal, which gave the United States a 1-0 lead in the 17th minute.

Now, why was the Czech Republic a smart opponent to play leading up to the World Cup? Firstly, they are good. At one point they were ranked 2^nd in the world by FIFA during the late 1990’s and early 2000’s. Their form has not been stellar as of late, but as the score line showed they can put up a fight. Secondly, scheduling a match versus the Czechs was very wise because they have a similar playing style to their Middle European neighbors, Slovenia. Team USA will face Slovenia in Group C of the World Cup. The Czech Republic shockingly failed to qualify for South Africa 2010 by placing third in their qualification group. Slovenia edged them out to capture second place. Thirdly, the players should have relished the chance to test one of the world’s best goalkeepers, Petr Cech. Unfortunately we rarely created shooting chances and our two goals came from set pieces with defensive mistakes.

2. I heard the announcers tout several US players performance in MLS, Mexican leagues, etc. Isn't that a lot like you dominating Brentwood's 10 year-old league? Sure the stats look great, but those players aren't really prepared for the World Cup level of competition we'll see next month, right?

There was a stat given out during the game that said that of the 30 players considered for the final US squad 19 played for clubs in Europe, 2 for Mexican clubs, and 9 based in the MLS. A player’s club background is usually a good indicator of how a player will perform on the international level. Those Americans who consistently start for their European clubs have had the best prep for the World Cup stage. Many of these players have rubbed shoulders with world superstars and understand the pressures of high stakes football. That is not to say that the MLS players are not ready. However, these US based players will not truly grasp the monumental atmosphere of the world’s largest event until they step onto the pitch for the first game. But for now, let’s say that ignorance is bliss. Select players will come into this tournament with high confidence after a successful start to the MLS season. Like in many sports, when a player is in form and in a goal scoring hot streak let the momentum push your team to higher heights.

3. Team USA has a few more warm-ups before facing the Red Coats on June 12th. What would be considered a success in terms of preparation for the big day?

There are only two more international friendlies for the US national team before the World Cup begins. We will face off against Turkey and Australia. Two wins would be nice, but what we need is to use these games to build cohesion and momentum. Bob Bradley will use these last matches to find the winning formula for personnel combinations and team formation. The job for the players will be to forge connections and partnerships with their teammates. Hopefully these friendlies will help the strikers find the needed chemistry to be able to read each other’s movements and runs. The backline must find ways to deal with the injuries to Gooch, DeMerit, and Bocanegra. The team’s health depends on their health. Most importantly the midfield must understand each individual’s role in transition between attack and defense and vice versa. This is especially vital in the wide areas. Turkey and Australia may not be prime examples, but many of the top countries deploy fullbacks to maraud up and down the sidelines. Maicon from Brazil, Philip Lahm from Germany, and Glen Johnson from England come to mind. Outside midfielders will have to retreat back to cover these uniquely talented defenders.

The ultimate goal for the US is to meet or exceed our best performance in recent history by finishing in the Quarterfinals. In 1930 the Americans finished third, but that is not a realistic goal now. To start the team’s focus should be on getting out of the Group Stage. Fortune has smiled upon the US to give us a favorable draw. If we play to our potential second place in Group C is very achievable. Ideally winning your group puts your country in a better position to advance further in the tournament, but for us that would mean that team US must beat England. And what do you know? England is the first opponent we face on June 12^th.

If our preparation has been sound, then taking on England will become a less daunting task. The US can find success by dominating possession, passing with intelligence, and making every shot count. A win over England would be glorious, a draw would be a job well done, and a loss would be only a minor setback.

The roster:

Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa, England), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton, England), Tim Howard (Everton, England).

Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes, France), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover, Germany), Jay DeMerit (Watford, England), Clarence Goodson (IK Start, Norway), Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan, Italy), Jonathan Spector (West Ham, England).

Midfielders: DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland), Michael Bradley (Borussia Moenchengladbach, Germany), Ricardo Clark (Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany), Clint Dempsey (Fulham, England), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles), Maurice Edu (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland), Benny Feilhaber (AGF Aarhus, Denmark), Stuart Holden (Bolton, England), Jose Torres (Pachuca, Mexico).

Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Hull, England), Edson Buddle (Los Angeles), Robbie Findley (Salt Lake), Herculez Gomez (Puebla, Mexico).

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Morning Blitz

Special Report - Team USA World Cup Prep

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

The Morning Blitz is Back!

Just for the hell of it...

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