My Bad

Okay Coach, when the pink slip arrives, I'll hire you as a correspondent for Project 2010ish. You really shouldn't have listened to me. What do I know about football?

Let's get serious. What went wrong last night? everything. In order of blame: turf, wingbacks, 4-3-3, and motivation.

Turf: Don't listen to the talking heads who say that you can't blame the pitch since both teams had to play on it. There is no way this pitch should be allowed to host a FIFA-sanctioned event. It was an absolute disgrace. The way the ball bounced, the difficulty of getting stuck in on a tackle, and the inability to pass along the ground changed the entire complexion of the game.

Costa Rica had a lot more experience playing on this pitch, and it showed. Most of the Ticos play their club ball on this pitch, and it's clearly a surface you need time to adjust to. The US players started off tentatively because of the pitch. The first goal was a combination of bad play by Beas, bad tackling by Torres and Pablo, and a top drawer finish. The first two factors wouldn't have happened on a regulation pitch.

One minute into the game and everything changed because of the pitch.

Wingbacks: I was wrong about this, and so was coach. Some positives to take out of this though. The Beas Experiment is officially over. He doesn't have the size or technical ability to play wingback at the highest level. Unless he is playing regularly at this position for some club team, I never want to see Beas anywhere but left midfield. We got a definitive answer last night. full stop.

Oh, Marvell Wynne. As my colleague at Project 2010ish likes to say, a cool first name will only take you so far. I have to agree. Marvell, you are not ready for prime time. The experience was good for him, and I loved seeing him pushing forward even after being beaten for the second goal and, truth be told, exposed another time for what should have been a goal. He kept attacking, which was great to see since so many others out there rolled over after 2-0. He has a place with the Sons, but not until he moves to Europe. He needs much more seasoning.

4-3-3: There was some discussion before the game as to whether this was a 4-3-3 or a 4-5-1, but in either case, it was a bad tactical formation. The midfield looked absolutely gassed last night. The combination of heat and space to cover was deadly to the midfield. I've never seen Pablo look so bad. Sacha was exhausted about 20 minutes after coming on. The wingers contributed nothing. Beas and Torres kept getting into each other's way. Wynne and Dempsey left the back exposed. All told, this was a disaster of tactics and personnel.

Motivation: This is my biggest concern. Forget players, formations, and environment for one moment. The last two away games have been defined most clearly by the lack of commitment and mental strength on the part of the players. But wait you say, the Sons fought back from 2-0 down in El Salvador. That's true, but the only player I remember playing with intensity and heart from that game was Frankie. It was definitely not a team effort. Frankie was so possessed he literally threw Altidore out of the way to score a goal. That kind of passion was missing in the rest of the team that night, and it was completely absent last night.

Bob, when the axe comes (and it won't come during this qualifying circuit), the most damning aspect will be the failure to bring the best out of your players. The U.S. has not been ready to deal with the mental challenges of playing on the road against tough competition. They are not prepared to play - that is on you coach. This group is the weakest collection of Sons I've been witness to. I'll take my obligatory shot at Golden B*tch at this point. The team seems to follow Donovan's personality when it comes to backing down from challenges. And no, a successful penalty in the 90th minute of a 3-1 butt-kicking does not deserve praise, no matter what the TV booth says.

Today, I'm embarrassed to be a supporter of the Sons.

Coach, I misunderestimated you

Tonight's lineup:

Howard; Wynne, Onyewu, Bocanegra, Beasley; Mastroeni, Bradley, Torres; Dempsey, Donovan, Altidore

I'm lovin' this lineup. It's basically the lineup I pleaded for this afternoon, with mastroeni instead of adu being a much better choice (to be fair to me, I was exaggerating for effect). Altidore is a little bit of a risk for 90, but since Ching is injured, its the best we can do.

Please no Charlie Davis. Please.

Gooch makes international news

Not with his stellar Belgian play, but with an aggressive stance against racism. I don't expect cowards like Platini and Blatter to do anything about this in Europe, but I'm happy to see Gooch making a stand.

Deuce's tat is almost as cool as Highlander's

A noble attempt Deuce, but Highlander wins this one

Long Summer Ahead

Hopefully we will see more posts this summer, as the Sons of Thomas Dooley have a full slate of games ahead, starting tonight with the second (maybe third) toughest match of the final round of qualifying.

Besides the cauldron that is Mexico City, playing in Saprissa stadium has caused the US Men's National team the most difficulty. Still without a win in 7 games played (0-6-1), the Sons look to break the golden goose egg tonight. Already the same old excuses are being trotted out: artificial turf, hostile crowd, boiling temperature, deadly smog, and elevated altitude. Okay, I threw in the last two just to make sure everyone was paying attention.

Forgive my ignorance, but when you dream of winning the World Cup, playing the 41st ranked team in the world shouldn't lead you to alter your game plan as drastically as the Sons do when they go on the road to La Rica. Sure, the Sons are a little delusional when it comes to Project 2010, but the point still stands. The Nats are the biggest baddest boys on the CONCACAF block, and they don't need to go conservative when they travel.

Here is the lineup I want to see: Howard; Wynne, Charlie Blackmouth, Gooch, Beasley; Torres, Bradley, Adu; Donovan, Deuce; Ching.

Here is the lineup we will see: Howard; Spector, Bocangra, Gooch, Beasley; Dempsey, Bradley, Mastroeni, Kljestan; Donovan; Ching.

Instead of an attacking lineup that can hold the ball, Bradley will opt to pack the midfield, hope to soak up the pressure and hit back when the chances arrive. I find this strategy strange because when you let the home team play with the ball, all it succeeds in doing is making sure the home fans stay in the game. I would much rather see Bradley come out with an offensive team, smack Costa Rica in the face, and see if they wobble. My guess is that they would topple over. Alas, with Bradley at the helm, we won't ever get the chance to know.

Tuesday Mornings

This is an Arsenal heavy morning. Great FA Cup replay win yesterday against Cardiff, 4-0. The highlight of course was the return of Eduardo (and two wonderful goals). After the horrific scenes from over a year ago, just to see him walking again was wonderful let alone playing and scoring against top competition.

Bendtner is an idiot

Seriously, this guy is a fool. Sons were discussing the relative merits of Bendtner versus Fletcher yesterday (everything in the Sons' lives revolves around Arsenal and Man U), and it was agreed that Fletch strictly dominates the Dane. New rule: if you are a striker and have scored only four goals in 19 games, you are barred for speaking to the public. 

Bigger they are, the harder they fall

Great picture of the oligarch. Chelsea are falling apart before our very eyes, and for those of us who think that Chelski have done so much damage to club level football, this is a sweet time to be alive. Now if only the Gunners could jump them for fourth in the league. Oh, and just for fun. 

Giggsy

The only United player you will ever hear me speak well of, I fully support the Giggsy for POTY movement. Probably the most amazing career of any British player EVER, Giggsy has been long on team achievements, but woefully short on individual accolades. Now is a good time to change that. And yes I have a man-crush on the Welshman - he oozes machismo.

Expected Lineup (guestimation)

Howard

Bornstein Bocanegra Gooch Hejdunk 

Da Beas Bradley Sacha Deuce 

Donovan 

Ching

The Big Chalupa

Recipe for a great game: mix 1 part Mexican flair with 2 parts US industriousness, bake in Columbus for 90 minutes.

Is anyone else about to pop with excitement right now? As my esteemed partner in crime notes, the game tonight is the second biggest event in the four-year world soccer cycle. USA v Mexico. Its enough to bring out the ethno-nationalist in all of us. 

Right now the weather for tonight's game is looking decidedly dreary, which no doubt excites the U.S. fans - just not the ones attending the game mind you. (Highlander's mom flat-out refused to travel to the game because "watching on TV is far more comfortable". My guess is that Highlander's mom's sentiments accurately captures the sentiments of the Mexican players.) True, it could be a little colder from my perspective, but a little rain, a lot of hostile crowd, and a long trip could spell trouble for the Mexicans.

Alas, I smell a trap tonight. Yes, the U.S. has dominated the results against Mexico on U.S. soil over the last decade, but they have by no means dominated on the field. The U.S. has been consistently good at catching a lucky break at the right time in these games. The worry is that this luck must run out at some point. I expect the Mexicans to show some steel away from home for once, and a 1-1 draw seems in the offing. 

Of course, if the U.S. comes out on top tonight, I expect Sven to be fired before he sets foot back on Mexican soil. I am still one of the few people who thinks Sven knows what he is doing, but he clearly doesn't understand Mexican culture (neither do I), and his inability to bridge this divide is overshadowing any improvements on the field in terms of tactics and players. The coach-culture fit here is a disaster, and I don't see Sven survivng until SA. 

I could say "let's have a good game", but I wouldn't mean it. Instead, let's have a U.S. win.

Mexico vs. USA: The Hype

Here we are on the eve of what I would say is the second biggest event in the USA's four year soccer cycle. We hardly get excited about the Gold Cup or the Confederations Cup, and US Soccer isn't ready to take our entry into Copa America seriously, leaving the USA v. Mexico in world cup qualifiers as second to only the World Cup Finals on our soccer calendar. Tomorrow's version takes place in Columbus with the USA riding an 8 year undefeated home game streak against Mexico. Most of the pundits are reluctant to pick an upset here, but I worry that just such a result could be in the cards. Our full squad hasn't played together in a competitive game recently, and I'd argue we limped to the finish line of the last round of qualifying. MLS players are on a break while many european based players are just emerging from the busiest part of their schedule. It's not exactly a recipe for disaster, but it doesn't lend itself to success either.

USA v Sweden: Final Thoughts

What have we learned? Nothing. No one out there will come anywhere near the field in Columbus, I would guess. Sacha had a nice game, and with more performances like this, he might earn his way onto the field this summer in the important games. The players that looked poor tonight (looking in your direction Davies) have hurt themselves significantly. If you can't make your mark in this game, its unlikely you will do so against better competition. 

3 Stars:

1) Sacha:  3 well-taken goals.

2) Rico Suave: Dominated the midfield in the first half; quieter 2nd half, but still kept things running smoothly offensively and forced Sweden to attack wide rather than centrally.

3) Brian Ching: fell over to earn a free kick that setup Sacha's first goal, and made an extraordinary play to set up the third goal. Held the ball well, and tracked back nicely. Solid game all-around.

3 duds:

1) Charlie Davies: I keep hearing about this joker, his exploits in the Swedish league, and his great pace. All I see is a player without the touch or skill to compete at the highest levels. Even this moment was too big for him.

2) Robbie Rogers: He hasn't bad, but he wasn't good. Besides some decent corners, he was anonymous when he should have been dangerous. He won't have many chances, so he needs to take them when they come. 

3) Ugo Ihemilu: What were you doing on the second goal? terrible defending. 

I, for one, am looking forward to February 11th. I love world cup qualifying, and I love beating Mexico. Put those together, and it doesn't get much better. 

USA v Sweden: Live Blogging

Well, its been about 6 months since our last post, and I would like to say that I expect to post more regularly moving forward, but I can't make that commitment at the moment. Still, since I am motivated tonight, let's start this bad boy up again.

USA v Scandinavia-Yellow Division

18 Min: The game has been short of skill for the first 18 minutes. Mainly, we have been forced to watch Ching and Davies trip all over themselves and the ball. Apparently, this is a new offensive strategy: Ching falls over about 30 yards from goal, and the ref confuses the Hawaiian for Ronaldo, blowing the whistle. Sacha hits a curling cracker into the top left corner of the goal. Shocking piece of skill from the player.

Apparently its his first goal with the Nats. No real surprise there, I guess.

25 min: Couple of players to keep an eye on tonight. I haven't watched much of Wynne in his short career, but you have to love the physical skills. If he could develop some technical skills, the Nats would be in business on the right side. So far he has had one right side run that ended in a mediocre cross. 

Robbie Rogers is another I'm interested in watching. I've enjoyed his exploits at the junior level, but I am doubtful it will translate to higher levels of competition. Still, I'm always hopeful when a young player gets to go abroad in his formative years. Maybe he will make it back to Europe shortly.

I know lots of people are excited about seeing Charlie Davies get a run out. Not me. I could care less. Even if he maxes out his potential, he gives us nothing more than a poor man's version of EJ. thanks, but no thanks. 

We want Cooper! We want Cooper! The greatest travesty with the USMNT is the mysterious case of Kenny Cooper. Clearly this guy should be getting some games, against Sweden in January and Costa Rica in June. I demand the FBI investigate this crime. 

34 min: Not much going on. I don't see Sweden scoring in this game, unless the US D commits a major error, which is always a strong possibility.  All one way traffic at the moment. Classic Americana though - no skill in the final third of the field.

A round of applause for the right side of the US midfield: Young Hwang gets the start. I have loved this guy since I discovered him playing for Huddersfield Town on an old FIFA video game. Its a sign of the meritocracy that is US soccer that a player of Thorrington's skill can ever pull on a US jersey.

36 min: That is the Davies I have come to know. A modern day Cobi Jones. On a 3v2 break, Ching lays off to Davies in the box, who centers for....no one. Great vision.

39 min: Wynne is released in the box by Thorington, and gets tripped up. Penalty! Sacha cool dispatches the ball into the bottom right corner. 0 Nats goals prior to tonight, now sitting on a hat-trick. Quick Sacha, make a big money move to Sweden. I hear Brondby is looking for players.

Correction: I have been informed that Brondby is a club team in Denmark, which comes as a surprise to all of us who didn't realize there was a difference between Denmark and Sweden.

Halftime: I am not sure this game should qualify as a Friendly. Doesn't FIFA have a designation like Friendly B, where none of the stats count? I think that designation was made for games like this. When I think of the skillful players that Sweden has developed over the years, I cringe at this sorry display. Maybe its the long flight to Cali. Maybe its the winter break in the Swedish domestic league. Maybe the Swedish golden generation has passed. Whatever the reason, I think my department intramural team could keep pace with these stiffs.

The USA hasn't been much better. Sacha had the nice strike, a touch of class in an otherwise pedestrian game. No other players have really stood out. At the least the US has kept possession. Rico Suave has dominated in the center of the park, but given the quality of the players out there, it would have been notable only if he hadn't. Davies has proved he has no business being considered for the Varsity team. We want Kenny!

Puberty Alert: Just saw a closeup of Sacha. Dude can't grow facial hair. Sacha, just go clean shaven and make it look like a choice rather than a physical inability.

Advertising Alert: Looks like US Soccer has either learned a thing or two from Nike, or Nike is now producing their commercials. Either way, love the new behind-the-scenes-of-a-qualifier commercial. perfect music.

Start of the second half: Don't see any immediate changes. Scratch that. Cooper on for Davies. Yes! 

Look at that vaunted frontline of Cooper and Ching - even greyhounds would be intimidated by that pair. 

47 min: US corner turns comical, and the ball almost trickles in before being saved off the line by unidentified Swede.

54 min: Better Swedish play to start the second half. Holding the ball in the middle of the park. No threat going forward, but not bunkered down like the majority of the first half.

You know what's delicious? Swedish fish. I've always wondered why they were red, though. 

60 min: Rolfe on for Young Hwang. Our chance to get a look at another player who should never get a sniff of a real cap.

62 min: Wynne has a nice throw into the middle of the box, causing some confusion. Now that is a nice weapon to have. 

66 min: Kenny hasn't done much in his first 20 minutes, but he looks so much more comfortable on the ball than Davies did. This might just be a case of me seeing what I want to see. 

69 min: Rogers is off. Didn't really show much tonight. Back to the drawing board that is Columbus.

73 min: Sweden claws back a goal, and shows I'm fallible all in one move. Not a defensive breakdown, but an excellent Swedish attack. Beautiful little pass beats the flat back four, and a nice little header beats the keeper.

74 min: US hits right back. That man Sacha again. Most of the credit has to go to Ching, who gets in deep, holds of two defenders, and lays off to Sacha in the box, who dutifully finishes. I don't see any hats on the field, but that was a beautiful collection of goals for Sacha. He is counting the fistful of Euros at the moment. 

76 min: Sweden should have made it two. Open header in the box from 6 yards out, straight into the ground and over the bar. Again, the D is cut open easily. Couldn't see who was responsible on D.

77 min: Gaven on for Ching; Gaven? Is he still playing? I remember watching him in MLS about 8 years ago, and his skill level was head and shoulders above everyone else on the field. Unfortunately for him and the Nats, it has never really come together for him. 

79 min: Who the hell is Chris Wingert? Doesn't matter, replacing Bornstein makes him a winner in my book.

87 min: Sweden tries the long throw into the box trick, and after a near post flick on, unidentified Swede #2 has a free header on goal from 6 yds out. No magic this time.

89 min: Jesus, another free header in the box, after a cross from the left wing. #3 was to blame. Nowhere near the goalscorer.  Not a good way to start, Ugo. The defensive was pretty strong the first 70 minutes of the game, but they have come a little unstuck here with substitutions from both sides. 

90 min: 3 minutes of added time. The Nats don't deserve to lose this game, or rather the Swedes don't deserve to win, but with a couple minutes to go, it could happen. The US is all over the place defensively at the moment. 

92 min: Oh Kenny! You need to do better than that, Son. breakaway with the keeper, tries to go around him, but manages to hit the keepers arms. Not so much a save as a poor shot. Kenny, when you fail to take your chances, you make your supporters look stupid. Taylor Twellman would have finished that. 

Final Score, 3-2. Sacha was the star, scoring his first three goals at the senior level.