Player Ratings vs Italy

Agree with everything except DMB’s rating. I’d give him abaout a 2 (on a scale of 5-10). Nice goal (correctly disallowed), but the fact that a young kid with fresh legs fails to track back when he’s one of only 8 field players is absolutely inexcusable. He should not play in Germany again, and should be made to watch video of Reyna, McBride and Donovan from this game until his attitude changes. A disgrace.

“Gooch” needs to learn to slide tackle the ball, not players’ feet.

Only followed the first half via only audio, and the commentary I heard was inline with you’re rankings for the most part.

Mastroeni’s card was warranted, and would be on any similar occasion. That was an “I’m tired” tackle and he lazily didn’t go after the ball, or he was truly trying to take the man out. I think the former, but either way not a heads-up play and worthy of a red…you can’t go in cleats up unless you KNOW you’re getting the ball.

I wish FIFA had included DMB’s shot in their highlight clip of the match, would dearly love to see it myself.

Gooch was VERY impressive against Toni. He basically mandhandled him the whole game.

Pope and Conrad were both decent. I thought Eddie had a few very good plays one on one (He also had a few kep stops in the Czechh game too)

The player that impressed me the most was Donovan. He refused to give up, ran around like a madman, and didn’t look anything like the Czech game.

I also liked Dempsey. He and Convey make for a fantastic pair of attack minded wingers.

Claudio and McBride were their normal, excellent selves.

I cant believe people were calling for us to sub in Johnson for McBride in the second half.

Johnson isn’t half the defender McBride is. He is also nowhere near as tactically aware at McBride. Great call by Bruce on the “no sub”

I have to say goodluck to the US team. Im from Northern Ireland, and seeing as we ain’t quite made it to the finals (for 20 years), i’ve a soft spot for your team and i’ll be cheering you on. Footballs about the only sport where you are the underdogs lol. Great performance against the Italians.

ETucker you are exactly right, the only reason I think that Mcbride should have been subed is because he worked himself to near exhaustion and with Johnson’s fresh legs we could have had some chance for a counter-attack.

I’ll be very surprised if Mastroeni is playing for the Colorado Rapids for much longer.

Gibbs, Boca, etc., on EPL teams, yet Maestro is not? I think that will change. I hope it does, anyways.

I’m also hoping that Dempsey showed enough for a top European team to take a flyer on him. (Sorry, Revs fans).

Landon Donovan looked great — we should have played him against the Czechs. heh.

Dave-

I just don’t trust Johnson defensively. I agree fresh legs would have been fun to watch and may have led to counter attack chances, but the risk of him getting out of position (or hovering around the backline waiting for a pass) was just too great.

Besides, now Johnson will be fresh for the Ghana game…

Dempsey definitely impressed. His crossovers and panache against a very talented Italian defense definitely should draw interest….

Pablo is just a bit old. Plus, his distribution is a bit slow at the top level (though slow but steady to be sure). I thought Pablo would go to the EPL after 02, but Europeans are still very suspicios of US midfielders….

Ratings for this game are tough because everyone except beasley earned a 10 for efford. I just hope we have enough left for gahna, but to our disadvantage we took a lot out of italy. I was disappointed that Beasley didn’t try and push their backs the last 15 minutes after all he only had to get lucky once against an exhausted opponent there is no reason to think that if he had put the same pressure dempsey put on they would’ve cracked eventually.

As a former keeper, I might be overly quick to defend Keller, but I would like to point out that there probably isn’t a keeper in the world who could have stopped any of the four goals scored on him so far. I’m not really lobbying for a higher score or anything, I just don’t think it’s exactly fair to say that he “got beat” by the Italian goal (or the Czech goals, for that matter). Not any fairer than blaming a keeper for failing to stop a well-struck penalty kick–or than blaming a striker for failing to head home a ball floating eleven feet above the ground.

You have Beasely too high. He was barely running despite being the freshest guy on the field.

What happened to him? He’s a major disappointment these days.

Yikes, I’m finally going to have to part ways with you on these ratings. I’m usually on board, but…

Donovan was horrible, like a 4 or a 5. He was so tired, he literally walked the last 10-15 minutes. Why wasn’t he taken out?

Keller was the man of the match, meriting at least an 8.

DMB was quite effective as a sub. I’ll go with 7, would be 8 if it were more minutes. He fulfilled his purpose of striking fear in European defenses – plus, he played a little defense.

agreed on all others – Mastro was phenomenal, but for a poor decision that was obviously not going to be rewarded by that ref.

Donovan- the end of the game and the guy is trying to make a breakaway to score. That’s heart and he deserves high scores for that. He played much better this time

DMB- first 5 minutes he was in were good and then where did he go? Everyone on the field was tired and DMB should have exploited that.

Pablo- too bad with the late tackle ( he should have known better) but he played well and showed heart.

Keller- much better

McBride- 2 complete games, no goals, no assists, he should sit out next game because obviously he isn’t the solution

Gooch- settled down better on this game

Dempsey- showed that he deserves to start

Reyna- needs to be subbed at the 60-70 minute mark.

Team- 2 games and still no goals by the team. Attack, Attack, Attack!!

Iwanna Win-

McBride played a good game against the Italians. However, he definitely needs service (which he is not going to get in an 9 vs. game). He should definitely start against Ghana. I really think the goals/assists count is too simplistic.

Based on the numbers, the entire US attack should be replaced. Dempsey didn’t score or assist. Neither did Convey.

That being said, despite the lack of goals the US played fantastic attacking soccer the first 20 minutes. If we come out like that against Ghana, we have a chance.

GO USA!

I cannot wait for the next game! USA is going to kick some ass!!! (I hope lol)

Posted by ETucker: “Gooch was VERY impressive against Toni. He basically mandhandled him the whole game.”

He committed four fouls in what, the first 8 minutes?
That’s manhandling, alright. The problem is, “manhandling” is not what this sport is about.

He played like a thug, and he needs to watch himself.

Heart is great, but it can’t excuse spotty play. McBride can mark well and obviously has a good head. Aside from that, he can’t finish with his feet and is not a playmaker.

Donovan played well for about 20 minutes in the second half.

Removing Dempsey was a mistake, along with Arena not using his last sub. Playing the last 45min with 9 players, the US was lucky not to cough up a goal. Whether they were playing for a draw or a win, use the last sub to help your team.

If the US has a chance against Ghana, they need two strikers up top and have Donovan as an attacking mid. Have Reyna slide back to cover for Maestro. Maybe I’m too cynical, but I do not see the US advancing. Not because they don’t have the talent, but because it’s not used properly. I hope I’m wrong.

Johnson definitely should have subbed in for McBride . . . he was dangerous against the Czech Republic, and would have been dangerous against Italy . . . not something I can say for McBride . . . also while McBride’s tactics might be a little better, Johnson’s fresh legs would have made up for it and having a threat and a little offense actually translates into defense

Beasley looked dangerous – he will play again

Most impressed with how threatening Convey and Dempsey looked . . . Convey taken out for tactical reasons, Dempsey I guess for fresher legs

Donovan looked really good, though a slightly slow start . . . though I think we should expect even more from him . . . he should be a little more selfish and aggressive sometimes and a little more creative on the dribble . . . I just think he is even more dangerous than he showed in a very solid performance against Italy

LD left all he had on the pitch. He was the LD we expect to see, and it was great! DMB had a few good runs, but did he even bother to play defense? If so, I didn’t see it. Dempsey was amazing. He thoroughly abused the Italian defenders several times. Reyna was solid again. Mastro was very good until the foolish red card foul. What McBride lacks in technical skill and youthful vigor, he more than makes up for with sheer determination. I say keep him out there for sure!

The US MUST come out exactly as they did against Italy when they play Ghana. They have to shell-shock Ghana and put them back on their heels, just like they did the Italians. It gets lost in the shuffle because the Italy game was so weird, but we staggered the Italians badly in the first half. Took them right out of their game. We have to do that against Ghana now. If we come out and play the first few minutes tentatively or even just ‘normally,’ they could well hit us fast with a score. The best strategy is to try to repeat the first 20 minutes against Italy. Shock and awe, boys!

4 fouls for that Urguayan referee is the equivalent of a half a foul in any respectable league. How many yellow cards did Gooch get?

And lets talk about the other 82 minutes of the game. How did Toni do?

I eagerly anticipate your response.

I was very impressed with Bocanegra. I’ve always felt that (given the roster) he should start at left back and that Lewis should start as left wing midfielder.

I am a big McBride fan, but I am always concerned about him playing as a lone striker as he is not a poacher and doesn’t have a good foot.

He needs service to his dome, like Lewis or Olsen. The problem is balancing the slower, but more steady and systematic players like Lewis, McBride, Reyna, and Olsen, with the quick paced, one on one attackers like Bealsey, Dempsey, Johnson, and Convey. Donovan seems to be the link.

If McBride is going to be effective, it is not with the one on one players. He needs Lewis in the midfield or at the very least, attack minded left back (has everyone forgotten just how good this guy can pass and how good McBride can head the ball? I know everyone has forgotten how good Olsen can pass.)

So it would seem a good idea to play Bocanegra as left centerback, Lewis as left back and Convey as left midfielder.

But to be honest, more than anything next game, I’d like to see Bocanegra play the defensive midfielder spot for Mastroenni. I’ve always felt that Bocanegra (if other defenders were available) would be a formidable defensive midfielder.

What do you guys and girls think?

Bocanegra as defensive midfielder? He definitely has the tenacity, but I’d be wary of his distribution.

Also, good points about McBride. As much as I love the guy, he is not much of a poacher (thought he has scored a few EPL goals of that type this past year) and his two feet have failed him often enough.

I think Convey and Dempsey both provide good crosses from the wings though.

I also dont want to see Lewis at leftback because he is not physical enough. He also is too offensive minded: we need someone to hold down the fort to let Convey run free.

Here’s an inflammatory pictre that represents Gooch vs. Toni in the last game:

http://www.funnypostcard.com/funny/posts/182.shtml

Guess who is who?

First off, congrats for showing real fire. I didn’t like the hack-a-shaq approach (to mix sporting metaphors) but at least we showed some grit.

But before awarding high points to everyone, especially the offense, keep in mind we have a do-or-die game coming up and we have yet to score a single goal. Not one! In two games we’ve taken 14 shots, only *one* of which was on goal (Reyna clanking the post against the Czechs.) That is not going to get it done. Sure, Dempsey, Convey and Donovan (a 9??) showed real hustle this time, and McBride is as tough as they come. But they need to get some balls in the back of the net or we’re three and out.

Good point IKT-

however,we are on an upward trend. The chances were significantly better in the second game, and I think we could see a goal or two in the Ghana game.

I’d much rather go 0-1-2 then start out with 3 goals in the first game and not score the last two (which may happen to the Czechs)

And the own goal was the culmination of a corner and solid offensive pressure.

If we can keep it 10 vs. 10 I’m sure we’ll have some good chances.

Lewis was not good against the Czech Republic defensively or offesensively. Offensively, the balls he played were forced and off-the-mark. He should not play at midfield with talent like Convey, Dempsey, Beasley.

Bocanegra, while solid ddefensively, looked quite average with the ball. Putting him at center mid would be a terrible mistake. O’Brien will play and play well (possibly with Reyna at defensive though and O’Brien at offensive).

What I’d actually like to see (but not happening) is to put O’Brien in at left back (he played there with Ajax), have Reyna and Donovan in the middle and Johnson and McBride up front. Boca in the middle with Gooch.

O’Brien just isn’t physical enough to play leftback.

Also, we desperately need his midfield passing.

But Bruce seems to think he’s not match-fit yet. Does anyone think Ben Olsen can step it up?

I have my doubts, but then again, I had my doubts about Convey and Dempsey (both of whom looked fantastic)

Perhaps Arena is engaging in a little gamesmanship by suggesting that O’Brien isn’t ready while he is planning to play him? Would love to see him in there, but he probably would be playing already if he were fit.

I’m not one who gnashes his teeth over the US not scoring a goal yet. It’s easy to forget that the US played two of the toughest teams in the world back-to-back. How many other quality sides would also go scoreless against CR and Italy?

While Ghana is playing great ball, they are not as deep or, frankly, as scary. If the US comes out and goes right at them, I think the goal chances will come and one or two will find the net. Against CR and Italy, it was basically speed (US) vs. size and technical skill. Against Ghana, it will be speed vs. speed, and I think that is a game the US is more comfortable playing.

Ultimately, with the US, it seems that attitude is key. They’re good, but they’re not good enough to beat teams unless they also have a ‘take charge’ attitude to go along with their talent. They’ll be tired after playing nine for a full half, but that’s where Arena can do his job by subbing wisely.

I say play whoever is faster at a position he is even marginally comfortable playing, and sub out anyone who isn’t giving 100% every minute he’s on the pitch. Our subs are high quality, and if we lose, we go home. Forget planning ahead for Brazil. The US wins if it makes it to that round. Put it all out there against Ghana and to hell with tomorrow!

Just to clarify, I didn’t mean that the US would beat Brazil if they get to that round. I meant they will be considered winners just to make it to that round.

When was the last time pretty Diva Donnovan did anything special?
when was the last time he made a difference in a big game?
when was the last time he scored?
when was the last time the team depended on him and he was there for them?
when was the last time he was a “bee” midfielder?
when was the last time he showed up in big moments and scored?
the only thing he does is bullshit and look pretty to the cameras(even though he looks like a sick rat)
weeks ago he was ready to beat any team in the world? mmm I wonder why he was benched the entire time when he was in Germany.
you guys need to wake up and admit that he SUCKS. I bet you he is probbaly THE worst midfielder in the world cup.
Dribbling no
passing no
powerfull shots no
headers no
leader? HELL NO
captain? YEA RIGHT!!

donoVAN sucks AND ARENA IS SICK FOR NEVER SUBING HIM

“I’m not one who gnashes his teeth over the US not scoring a goal yet. It’s easy to forget that the US played two of the toughest teams in the world back-to-back. How many other quality sides would also go scoreless against CR and Italy?”

No one questions the competition, but aside from Reyna hitting the post, there haven’t been many threats of a score. For as well as the US came out against Italy, they really didn’t break through the last line. Against the Czechs the US found some offense when they switched to a 3-5-2 (of course the czechs were pretty content to defend by that point). What do people think about the US going with this kind of lineup? That way Donovan, Reyna and JO’B could start in the middle. The US can’t afford to win on guts, heart and sports cliches. Ghana is playing with a chance to win the Group, and I fully expect them to try and jump on the US quickly.

Zaccardo as man of the match?!? How about Convey who placed that ball such that it was either going to be an own goal or a score by McBride? Or give it to McBride for forcing Zaccardo into that position in the first place?

I guys I am an Italian supporter. Let me suggest you to give Zaccardo American citizenship, he may be useful against Ghana…just kidding. Congrats, a great display of pressing, will to fight and to struggle when 9 vs 10. I must admit I was really surprised by your team. Maybe a real striker is the only USA team is lacking at the moment.
I can’t understand why most of you are complaining about Donovan, he played a very good game in my opinon.

humble opinion, of course

Hey guys, I’m an Italy supporter, and something just struck me as funny.

Going into this tourney, the US media was heralding the USMNT’s #5 ranking as evidence of their prowess… Mind you, at the same time, Italy was #13.

Now there’s no mention of the rankings – only that the US played with heart and “upset” Italy.

Is that so? LOL! I thought we were going by rankings here! If so, it’s Italy who pulled the upset, drawing a fantastic #5 team! Way to go Italy! Forza Italia! Forza Azzurri!

Kasey Keller 9 – header was pope and other defenders fault – what idiot thought you should press for offsides within two yards of your goal line!? protect the effing net!

Steve Cherundolo 7: agreed

Carlos Bocanegra 8: agreed

Oguchi Onyewu 6 – lucky not to get 2 yellows

Eddie Pope 4 – not even unlucky to be dismissed – was asking for it the whole time

Mastroeni 7 would be an 8 without the stupid challenge

Clint Dempsey 7 – needs to cross better (all the US team does)

Bobby Convey 6 – see Dempsey but not as effective

Claudio Reyna 7 – has to be a touch faster with the release but can’t fault his effort and his heart

Landon Donovan 8 – man of the match for me – again – faster release for balls in behind the defenders – let Dempsey, convey and even mcbride show they can run onto the ball

Brian McBride 7 – would be lower but what a warrior – tough as a boot and completely agree about helping defend

Subs:

Jimmy Conrad 5 – I know we needed fresh legs but none of the subs impressed

DaMarcus Beasley 5 – ditto

I absolutly agree with everything espiecially Donovan’s!

Mike wrote:

“aside from Reyna hitting the post, there haven’t been many threats of a score.”

That’s true, but then if McBride had taken one or two steps forward, DMB’s goal makes it 2-1 US over Italy. If you watch the replay of that goal, it didn’t matter one bit that McBride partially blocked the goalie. The angle DMB took was perfect and that ball was going into the back of the net either way.

And that’s my other point re: Ghana. The reason we had DMB and McBride essentially all alone in front of the goal that late in the game – playing a man down – was because we played so hard. Skill aside, it does matter to just play your guts out (sports cliche is applicable here). If you wear down the other side, you get late chances. DMB’s called back goal is the perfect example. With Ghana, who is faster than us, being 2 men down and not as deep as the US, I say come out and try for a repeat of the ‘balls to the wall’ maximum effort of the first 20 minutes against Italy. Ghana has their two main strikers out on yellows, so we need to hit them early and keep them defending their own goal. As long as we defend set pieces better than we did against Italy, we can keep them scoreless. The harder we press offensively, the more chances we’ll get, and even as inept as we’ve been shooting the ball, more chances equals the one goal we’ll probably need to eek out a win and move on.

We only need to beat Ghana by 5 points to guarantee we advance… Woot!
On the other hand, that bunch o divers have started to grow on me… Andiamo i azzurri!
Gyan and Muntari are out for Thursday’s game… that’s good news, right? Now what to do about Essien…

All we need to do if beat Ghana, and have Italy beat Czech!

I’m confident Italy will win their game, but the US – Ghana match will be tough!

IS IT OFFICIAL NOW, THAT GYAN IS NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO PLAY AGAINST THE US TEAM THURSDAY?

Jono,
Yes, both Gyan and Muntari are out, and they scored the goals in the game against Czech Republic. I was only able to watch the v. Italy of Ghana’s 2 games… my feeling was that Ghana’s best defense was a good offense, which is now relying on the bench.
I’m very worried about Italy beating Czech Republic. If they draw, they still win their group. Czech Republic will be fighting like crazy to avoid Brazil. This is a good setup to our worse-case scenario, an Italy-Czech draw.
For our match, I don’t know who we mark Essien with…. but our plan of attack must be very offensive.

“…I’m very worried about Italy beating Czech Republic. If they draw, they still win their group.”

I retract that statement….This of course is only true if we win. If Ghana wins, Italy needs to win in order to avoid Brazil. Therefore, I guess another M.O. is to rest all first half (assuming the backup strikers don’t cause us a lot of trouble), and help give Italy the urgency they need to win as we both take halftime breaks.
I say we beat Ghana 5-0 and therefore Brazil gets scared and purposely takes 2nd place in Group F

Oh com’on America, you can do it! We Singaporeans have high expectation for you ppl to advance to the Round of 16… All you have to do is beat Ghana later and pray that Italy beat Czech! Good luck to you hillbillies…

Kaya… you think the US is going to be able to rest during the first half VS Ghana?

They play an exhausting match. I know the US is a fit team, but these Ghanans run like crazy until the 80th minute or so.

The Fifa technical study group says that the Italy game was the “most exciting game so far.”

http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/060617/1/7s1m.html

some good comments, some dumb ones

Keller is fine–at least an 8
McBride Heroic–but lonely and should be subbed at the 60 minute point (no point winning the goal kick if there is no one there to retrieve his header)–7
Dempsey–exciting! Best one on one soccer of the Cup for the Americans–9.
Donovan worked hard and used his dribbling skills well–7
Convey–Unforgivable shot over the goal–lean back and punt! Run a lap!–5
Onewyu–better effort than against Czech but needed a little more tact. Also, whose idea was the offside trap on the six yard box? Italy’s goal was the coach’s responsibility–7

Vin…
I mentioned that scenario half sarcastically, and then upped the ante by suggesting we “decide” to win the game 5-0.
I do hope that our supposed fitness is our strength and therefore our matchup with Ghana, especially sans starting forwards, is a good one (for us). If we play like we did against Italy, I feel very positive about the game. If we play like we did against the Czech Rep, we’ll get torn to shreds. Anyway, what an exciting end to round play! Go red, white and green/blue!

I guess I am the only one who sees Claudio Reyna as a week spot in the team.

McBride v. Johnson at the end: if Arena didn’t want to put in Johnson because he was playing for the one point… then sub in fresh legs of a defender. Still don’t understand not using the last sub. It’s like punting on third down.

We need to be on the attack against Ghana and hope the Italians pull off a superb performance against the Czechs in order to advance. It would be an accomplishment to be in the knockout stages but it’s dubious how long we would last in the knockout stages as we would be facing Brazil in the Round of 16.

If we make it out of the group, we have accomplished enough for this world cup!

If that happens, we would have overcame all odds.

I would glady make a bet that the US beats/draws Brazil. I know it’s dreaming, but it’s just one of those feelings lol)

Before jumping ahead, let’s see if we even beat Ghana and Italy beats Czech. I’m worried that we may only tie with Ghana.

Wish our team the best!

Harry-

I’m pretty sure Claudio Reyna has had two impressive performances (he was the only decent player in the Czech game) and may be the greatest player ever to wear a US jersey.

He has incredible vision and controls a game’s tempo. He may not do stepovers like Dempsey, but the US team without him would be unfathomable

ETucker: Thank you for clearing that up about Reyna. You are spot on correct.

No disrespect Harry, but you may be the only one who thinks Reyna is a weak spot. He is the exact opposite. He is the glue.

Look, we all have our favorite or un-favorite players. I bet many comments are based upon how players play with their respective club, not on the USMNT. The fact is that the USA has scored no goals and basically other than Reynas post shot, the only other highlight was the called back shot by DMB thanks to the “striker” that can’t use his feet and with the formation used by Arena, won’t succeed. We’ve seen what the players do together; now field a team with players that can best use that. One up top with McBride isn’t that. Heck, if you wanna see McBride, then use him as a sub but the 2 games show that he should not start as he hasn’t produced; more so he cost us a goal and didn’t come close to finishing when the ball was at his feet. Put youth and hunger up top with EJ and perhaps Ching. Keep Dempsey and Convey on the flanks, Reyna and LD in the middle and sub out Reyna when he gets tired at 60-70 minutes and use OB.

The current “strategy” has produced zero goals and zero wins. This is the World Cup and the next game is the game of their lives; pull out all the stops and try something different.

Iwanna_Win-

The Italy game had several good scoring chances for the US team that was on the field (before the red card) and a few after. I wouldn’t change a thing.

In fact, your “bottom line goals” approach would lead to us benching Donovan (who has not scored in 14 games) and Johnson (who last scored…when?) Correct me if I’m wrong, but McBride scored against Angola.

Also, DMB hasn’t scored in a while, but was an offsides blunder away from getting the game winner in the Italy game.

The US team on the pitch at teh start of the Italy game is the one we should use against Ghana. (Obviously subs for Mastro and Pope)

How would replace Reyna? Ben Olsen? Ha. An injured JOB? Eddie Johnson? (He’s not much of a midfielder). Even when Reyna’s tired, his positioning and passing make up for a lack of pace.

Dempsey, Convey, and Johnson are everybit as inexperienced as McBride and Reyna are old and slow.

McBride as a forward has to be able to shoot, period.

Having said that, I remember Convey squandering a great chance as well, and Johnson and Dempsey still have the same amount of goals as McBride for all their royal greatness.

The key is balance.

I agree with others that the key is the formation that arena uses.

If McBride has service to his head, then he is without question the top forward on the team. Without service, one can argue that he shouldn’t be the lone striker, especially with his tendancy to back track into the midfield.

He should still start though because he draws and absorbs defenders. He should be paired with Johnson in the Ghana game, help control the flow of the game, and come out for fresh legs toward the end of the game.

Reyna is the glue, that holds the team AND that holds the team too much.

I think that if the younger players can learn to make their runs with him on the field, he is essential, BUT I would rather see him behind the attacking midfielder, not AS the attacking midfielder. He seems to have different ideas of where to play the ball then most of the MLS and former MLS players and this needs to be addressed.

The Italy v. US game was very entertaining and a step in the right direction for soccer in America. However, the team we have right now is not going to go anywhere. There is not one player on the squad that would see the field on any European team. Until we begin to develop players with creativity, soccer in the US will not be successful.

I’m pretty sure McBride sees the field for Fulham (Premiership, team’s player of the year)

Reyna sees the field for Manchesther City of the EPL

Bocanegra sees the field for Fulham of the EPL

Dolo sees the field for Hannover of the bundesliga

Gooch sees the field for Standard Liege of Belgium

Convey sees the field for Reading of the EPL (recently promoted)

Keller sees the field for Borussia whatever of the bundesliga.

Beasley plays for PSV of Holland

That’s 8/11. Not too bad if you ask me…lightyears better than it has been.

Although Donovan should go back to Europe, and stay for at least a year (the first year is always rough, but look at Bobby Convey). He is the only player who could maybe make it.

I think we need un-glued (O’Brien for Reyna) for Ghana. We have nothing to lose…

If Beas never played another game for the MNT I’d be happy. Dempsey was great. Loved him!

Am I the only one who would much rather see JOB in for Convey or the very least take Mastroeni’s place? We need JOB’s vision and playmaking abilities against Ghana for sure!

You guys are delusional if you think that Kasey Keller (man of the match) deserves a lesser score than anyone on the roster. If you don’t want to give a 10, fine…technically he got scored on…but dont give anyone else a 9 over him. He is the reason this game is in the books at 1-1 at least 2 times.

Next up the 2nd highest rated player…if it is not Brian McBride the integrity of this post has been compromised. Are you kidding me? The guy wins every header like a target should and because Donovan and the others are too tired he ends up chasing down balls into space AS WELL AS tracking all the way back into the defense to follow a forward who made an off the ball run. I was at the game and am not sure what they showed you on tv…but 7 of the 8 field players literally WALKING around the pitch at the end DONOVAN INCLOUDED!!!!! except McBride still working hard til the final whistle…

Finally, we have a problem with the final pass. Every other team has a player or two who feel the need to go to goal the moment they get it…and they ant to. 1v1 is an advantage for them. We now have CLINT DEMPSEY. The first US player i have seen who is not scared to attack opposing defenders no matter what their world ranking is. DONT TREAD.

These 3 players are your top three rankings, and if thye are not, the media must not have shown all of the game.

Well played Etucker! 6/20/06 11:55 PM

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