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That game was a disgrace. Bradley is really starting to piss me off as coach, and his son is terrible. That lineup was a joke, the subs were rediculous, and Bradley better pull his head out by Thursday or we are going down.
I didn't think Michael Bradley had a bad game yesterday. In fact he played fairly well, Hejduk and Bornstein at outside backs is terrible for the attack--both played fairly well defensively but neither could carry the ball in to the offensive end without giving the ball back to Panama. Neither is the answer at outside back - Simek and Spector have outplayed both of them when given the chance.
I thought Bradley's first sub should have been Demerit for Onyewu, I was really worried with him carrying that yellow, I was sure he would get a second and we'd be down a man.
Twellman is incredibly frustrating but I'd still start him over Ching. Ching holds the ball well but when he runs it looks like he is running in mud--he makes McBride look like a sprinter. Twellman at least created several chances, his shots were just off, not sure if it was nerves or what. I'm not saying Twellman is the longterm answer but with a choice between he and Ching I pick the more creative of the 2. Unfortunately the US still doesn't have the answer up top, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that one of the youngsters steps up during qualifying and becomes our answer at striker for the next 10 yrs (Altidore, Ferrari or Smith).
As has been the case for years the US has problems finishing in the run of play but does well on set pieces. Bocanegras goal was a thing of beauty, perfectly struck by Beasley and just buried off of Carlos' head.
The thing that disappointed me most was the fact that we didn't take advantage of the man advantage. We didn't take the game to Panama at that point, the Panamanians controlled the midfield for about the last 10 minutes of the game. That was terrible...nearly every 50-50 ball was lost, they always had an open man which should never happen when its 11 on 10.
I think we beat Canada, easily. Panama was a better team than Canada, the Canadian style of play plays to our strengths. They don't have the speed in the back to keep up with Donovan or Beasley and if Eddie Johnson is healthy its the perfect match to get him in the game as his athleticism will give them fits.
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As has been the case for years the US has problems finishing in the run of play but does well on set pieces. Bocanegras goal was a thing of beauty, perfectly struck by Beasley and just buried off of Carlos' head.
Isn't the US so good at set pieces because their competition is generally has shorter players? I'm definitely looking forward to Copa America to see how potent the US looks on set pieces.
It was nice to see a goal off of a Beasley free kick. I think Donovan is way too inconsistent in his free kicks to be the automatic choice for set pieces.
I hate to say this but after seeing Real Madrid win the championship I have to say US soccer is decades behind in talent. That game was incredible.
Real are one of the top teams in the World though. Most MLS teams could compete at the top end of the English Championship division or the bottom end of the Premiership. That is a pretty good level IMO and one that will only get stronger. The main problem that seems to come from American sports fans is the attitude that they want to be the best right away. The USA have made great strides in the game and will continue to do so.
I hate to say this but after seeing Real Madrid win the championship I have to say US soccer is decades behind in talent. That game was incredible.
You can't compare club teams and national teams, IMO. Real Madrid are the richest club in the world and can basically pick and choose the best players to play for them. They have top players from England, Spain, Brazil, The Netherlands and Italy among others.
National teams are much more limited in the talent they can draw from.
Its funny how so many people can see such opposite things in Bradley. I've read so many contrary opinions on the net about Bradley's play ranging the entire spectrum from horrid to outstanding. The truth probably lies somewhere in between, but at 19 years old I think he has a great NT career ahead of him.
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