USA – El Salvador (2 -1) Post-Game Thoughts

February 24th, 2010 | by: Marlon |

sachaching
Despite the 2 – 1 victory, tonight’s performance by the USMNT was less than spectacular. In my notes I found myself criticizing more often then praising, and when El Salvador took the lead I feared our fringe players would let us down again on home turf. So, to be absolutely fair, it was nice to see the team battle back. Brian Ching is very much able to score when a goal is put on a plate for him, and he absolutely buried the open header he was given. Sacha Klejstan’s last minute winner was a very cool finish, and I can say I feel this win was deserved. I’ll also say I felt like there wasn’t enough quality out there for the US tonight. Too many wasted opportunities and too much sloppy play in the midfield. A win is a win, but now is no time to rest on our laurels. Here are my notes from tonight’s match.

- I’m told Conor Casey is important to have around because he can hold the ball up, but tonight he wasn’t very good in possession and the timing of his runs was generally poor. He was caught offside in places where he didn’t need to be, and this irked me somewhat.

- The central midfield needs to have more quality in it then what Kyle Beckerman and Sacha Klejstan can provide. Sacha’s finish at the end of the game was nice, but neither of the two looked very confident with the ball. I don’t get the Beckerman buzz at all. I’ve never been very impressed with him. I’ll be honest here, I respect all kinds of beliefs and counter culture movements, but I don’t want the US to be the only country that brings a hippie to the World Cup.

- Dear Bob Bradley: Can we stop picking Robbie Rogers over Freddy Adu now? I realize the whole Adu thing is controversial. Freddy isn’t very popular with the USSF these days and Bob seems to be pretty pleased with finally getting rid of him. Adu, however, has been showing he hasn’t lost much from what we last saw from him when he was playing well. He has two goals and an assist in three games in the Greek league. Meanwhile Robbie Rogers spent most of first half running up and down the pitch like a lost puppy. Yes, he did assist Brian Ching’s goal in the second half, but he also wasted several chances and I don’t think he deserves the World Cup roster spot ahead of Adu. Adu is just much more talented.

(EDIT: It was Heath Pearce who assisted the Brian Ching goal. My analysis now becomes stronger.)

- Robbie Findley is not an acceptable Charlie Davies replacement. I’ve seen him play twice now with the national team and both times he was off the pace of the game and contributed nothing of real value. Even at the MLS level I didn’t think Findley was the best of finishers. Charlie Davies is fast, strong, skillful, has a good touch, and is blazing fast. People seem to be forgetting that there is much to Charlie’s game then speed and in an attempt to replace have simply said, “Well, who else do we have that is fast?” Let’s stop trying to replace Davies and find quality to put in this roster slot. Here is another place where I could nominate Freddy Adu.

- Goodson looks like a solid choice as a back up defender, but his positioning on the goal was a bit dodgy. I’m not sure why Bornstein was played as a centerhalf (though I have seen him play there for Chivas) but he didn’t look uncomfortable and his lack of pace wasn’t there to be exposed when playing in the middle of defense.

- Eddie Gaven? Seriously?! Eddie Gaven?!

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Jennifer

Findley and Casey did not play well. Findley has speed, but in these last 2 games hasn’t shown much else. How Casey was that far offsides I do not know. He looked around and could see he was off, but just kept on running instead of getting even with the line.
Sacha had a nice goal, but it came off a lazy pass by a tired goalie. He had his chances in the first but didn’t captialize.
The El Sal goal was (for me) more about Evans header than Goodson’s positioning.
Adu has been playing well in Greece and if he keeps it up, deserves a call up to the May camp and possibly the Netherlands game with all the injuries the team is dealing with right now.

Sidenote: Pearce, not Rogers, had the assist on the Ching goal.
http://usa.worldcupblog.org Marlon

Well then my overall analysis on Robbie Rogers stands even firmer.
josh

finley looked confused especially in the second half. robbie rogers had several opportunities to set up goals but was selfish and shot instead of pass. frustrating. i’m with ya bring on adu and why aren’t we seeing castillo? from what i’ve read he’s pretty good.
Jimmy

Yeah, I have no idea why our head coach hates Adu. Yeah, he did not turn into the next Pele, but he still has more skill than most of these “solid MLS players” we like to throw at other countries.

And from what I heard about Davies, I am more confident that he will be fit enough to play in the World Cup. He may not be at the 100% he deserves to be at, but as far as I am concerned, our strikers need to be Altidore + a gimpy Davies/Dempsey/Donovan.
Carl

I don’t understand why DC United’s Chris Pontius was left off the roster tonight in favor of Robbie Rodgers and Brad Davis. Pontius showed last year in matches during the US Open Tournament, Concacaf Champions League, and regular MLS season that he a coplete player. His first touch is great, his field vision superb, he sets up other players and finishes goals too.
Rodgers was terrible tonight – his turnover rate was unacceptable. Even worse was his lack of vision and selfish play in the final third. Those are Pontius’ strengths – he just needs to be on the pitch in order to showcase how he can help the team. Davis was a non-factor in the match as well. Time for some new blood – he has been to the camp twice and it’s time to put him on the pitch!
Taylor

We said it in the podcast, but it merits repeating… If you’ve ever played “Be A Pro” mode in FIFA, then you’ll understand Robbie Findley’s performance tonight… It was like Bob Bradley said, “I want seven shots and two goals or you’re out.” Findley constantly took away space from his own players and looked determined to make something happen, often times to the detriment of his own team… Kenny Cooper anyone?
Conor

I thought the best player on the pitch was Eddie Gaven tonight…don’t know if that’s what you are implying with the Seriously Eddie Gaven? But he deserves more PT…He did look a little exhausted at the end tho.
http://usa.worldcupblog.org Marlon

I was shocked to see Eddie Gaven. That is the only thing to take from that.
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Eddie Gaven did play really well, I know what you mean about Findley trying to make stuff happen, but lets be honest, who eanrs the big bucks and gets the fame, is it the guy who pass the ball to his team mates so they can score… or is it the guy who scores…..
Squinty Bob

All – Although I agree with the overall comments about BB not liking Adu, no coach would have selected him in the last year and a half with almost no field time for his club.

Also, remember that European (and Mexican and South American) players were not available for these last two matches. Non-MLS clubs are just past mid-season, and theu are going to let their playes leave for over a week and risk injury. In other words, Bradley really only had MLS players available. No Adu, No Torres, No Jozy, No EJ, etc. How Goodson got away with it is unknown (is the Eliteseiren still on Winter break?).
http://www.thegloriousworldcup.com Alan Black

Weakness…it seems to be very close to the US surface. It could spell disaster against aggressive teams.