Comments on: What did We Learn? http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/what-did-we-learn.html World Cup 2010 - South Africa Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:21:25 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Jon E http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/what-did-we-learn.html/comment-page-1#comment-93937 Jon E Tue, 17 Jul 2007 22:32:33 +0000 http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/what-did-we-learn.html#comment-93937 I agree with Carter's individual evaluations. Mybte84 is right that Bradley deserves some respect, and Jake is right that a lot of the U-20s hint at a bright future. Here's a couple other things I learned: 1) As Carter said, we need finishers. I don't know if it's something about the way MLS develops players or if it's just a fluke of generational timing, but we don't have any genuinely top-level finishers at the national team level. I enjoy watching Twellman play in MLS. Ditto Johnson. But watching them play for the USMNT makes me miss Brian McBride. 2) We need defenders but will probably get them by 2010. Central defenders would be a particular blessing, and I'm a little worried there. 3) We have great depth present and future at midfield. Only the top 8 or 10 teams in the world have the kind of midfielders we do. That's no small blessing. Again--is this something about the way we train players in the US? Or just a fluke? 4) The US has great goalies. Granted KK was a bit shaky in the Copa, but he's probably nearing the end with the USMNT. (I say that with some sadness because he's one of the best keepers ever in the US system, if not the best. And he's definitely the most cursed of recent keepers--to play in 1998 and 2006 but to have to sit out 2002. Ouch.) Some day soon we may get to savor the irony that the same hand sports that lure away some of our best athletes are also the ones that ensure our kids have all the training in hand-eye coordination needed to help them make the saves that push us through to a WC semifinal. (Dare to dream, no?) I agree with Carter’s individual evaluations. Mybte84 is right that Bradley deserves some respect, and Jake is right that a lot of the U-20s hint at a bright future.

Here’s a couple other things I learned:

1) As Carter said, we need finishers. I don’t know if it’s something about the way MLS develops players or if it’s just a fluke of generational timing, but we don’t have any genuinely top-level finishers at the national team level. I enjoy watching Twellman play in MLS. Ditto Johnson. But watching them play for the USMNT makes me miss Brian McBride.

2) We need defenders but will probably get them by 2010. Central defenders would be a particular blessing, and I’m a little worried there.

3) We have great depth present and future at midfield. Only the top 8 or 10 teams in the world have the kind of midfielders we do. That’s no small blessing. Again–is this something about the way we train players in the US? Or just a fluke?

4) The US has great goalies. Granted KK was a bit shaky in the Copa, but he’s probably nearing the end with the USMNT. (I say that with some sadness because he’s one of the best keepers ever in the US system, if not the best. And he’s definitely the most cursed of recent keepers–to play in 1998 and 2006 but to have to sit out 2002. Ouch.) Some day soon we may get to savor the irony that the same hand sports that lure away some of our best athletes are also the ones that ensure our kids have all the training in hand-eye coordination needed to help them make the saves that push us through to a WC semifinal. (Dare to dream, no?)

]]> By: Jake http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/what-did-we-learn.html/comment-page-1#comment-93806 Jake Tue, 17 Jul 2007 13:39:40 +0000 http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/what-did-we-learn.html#comment-93806 I think you have to be excited about the combination of young players on the MNT combined with the potential addition of several from the U20 team. Based on their play this summer, would you honestly be disappointed to see any of these players on the squad in South Africa: DeMarcus Beasley, Michael Bradley, Ricardo Clark, Bobby Convey, Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, Benny Feilhaber, Justin Mapp, Gooch, Jonathon Spector, Freddy Adu, Jozy Altidore, Chris Seitz, Danny Szetela, or Sal Zizzo? That's 15 players all currently age 25 or younger. With 3 more years of seasoning they could be tough in 2010. I think you have to be excited about the combination of young players on the MNT combined with the potential addition of several from the U20 team. Based on their play this summer, would you honestly be disappointed to see any of these players on the squad in South Africa: DeMarcus Beasley, Michael Bradley, Ricardo Clark, Bobby Convey, Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, Benny Feilhaber, Justin Mapp, Gooch, Jonathon Spector, Freddy Adu, Jozy Altidore, Chris Seitz, Danny Szetela, or Sal Zizzo? That’s 15 players all currently age 25 or younger. With 3 more years of seasoning they could be tough in 2010.

]]> By: mbyte84 http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/what-did-we-learn.html/comment-page-1#comment-93778 mbyte84 Tue, 17 Jul 2007 10:56:09 +0000 http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/what-did-we-learn.html#comment-93778 How about a mention of Michael Bradley? He might not have racked up the scores, but his tireless brand of futbol proved vital in the USA's tourneys (Gold & U-20). I believe his impact will be greater than Benny's in the future. Freddy Adu still plays selfish. How about a mention of Michael Bradley? He might not have racked up the scores, but his tireless brand of futbol proved vital in the USA’s tourneys (Gold & U-20). I believe his impact will be greater than Benny’s in the future. Freddy Adu still plays selfish.

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