World Cup and European leagues

[ScotsFan]

Nice overview of that US/Belize match jk. 

I too got sucked into watching although I went to bed about the 80 minute mark.   

It was nice to see Donovan back on the pitch for the US and he looked pretty good in doing so.  Probably a good game to get him back into the swing of things for the National Team.  It was also good to see Holden back as well and I was happy to see him get a goal.

Overall, I'm happy with the lopsided scoreline as the US did what they were supposed to do.  But, Belize is just not a good squad and there isn't really much you can take away from this match.  Nice to see some new faces get a chance, but the question is, how would they do vs. tougher competition? 

[jknezek]

But, Belize is just not a good squad and there isn't really much you can take away from this match.  Nice to see some new faces get a chance, but the question is, how would they do vs. tougher competition?

Agreed. But let's face it, the competition in the Gold Cup is what it is this year, and that means not a single CONCACAF hex team brought more than an A- squad (Panama). Most brought B (U.S.) or even C (Mexico) squads. Heck, even some of the teams not in the hex brought weakened teams (Canada), although they could hardly afford to do so. I understand why the Gold Cup is played every other year, but it is something of a bad joke at times.

On another note, last night's games were not much of an improvement. Panama is 2-0-0, scoring 3 goals, but 2 came on penalty kicks. I don't think anyone is really going to fear that squad right now. Martinique can play solid defensively, but they don't seem capable of generating any offense (1 wonder goal in the dying minutes of the first game, pretty limited opportunities last night).

Canada is woeful, although they played better last night than against Martinique. And Mexico is a very limited squad. That 2-0 win didn't do much to convince me they are anything but a talented group of young individuals with no team play and limited tactical ability. Plus, like the real senior team, they show no ability to score on any chances they create. Mexico has 1 goal from the run of play, one from a set piece, and one from a penalty kick.

It will be interesting to see if Mexico can get it in gear versus Martinique, as I think Martinique will be pretty worn out in game 3. Fatigue showed early last night, not helped by playing shorthanded thanks to the stupid ref giving an unjustified second yellow, and the final group game is in Denver. The altitude will be much harder on Martinique than on the Mexicans, and Mexico is a much deeper team. A 3 or 4 goal game, going into the knockout stages, might get Mexico back on track.

As for the Americans, Cuba will be better than Belize (provided the team waits until the end of the tournament to defect) and Costa Rica will be better than Cuba. Then it will depend on our next opponent. I'm interesting to get another view of Haiti tonight, as they looked insanely athletic in their unjustified opening loss. Not a team I'd want this U.S. team to face in the first knockout game.

[Gray Fox]

It was fixed.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/20130711/belize-gold-cup-fix.ap/

They should fix the name CONCACAF name.

[jknezek]

It was fixed.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/20130711/belize-gold-cup-fix.ap/

They should fix the name CONCACAF name.

I've seen this story and just don't understand it. You were paying the weaker team to lose, so you would have had to bet on the favorite. The players say the fixer just wanted to make sure they lost, not lost by a certain margin, and since the U.S. was heavy favorites the odds on a straight up win for the U.S. had to be a pretty poor payoff to begin with. Not sure how fixing this game, in the way describe, would have made the fixer much money...

[jknezek]

The U.S. played a good game against Cuba yesterday. Went about how I expected, as I really think the U.S. is not good enough in defense to keep a clean sheet. All 3 goals were well taken, and the PK was earned unlike against Belize, and I'm coming around on Wondo. He's making good runs and finishing them off, there isn't much more you can ask for. At a higher level, I don't think he has the speed to make those runs count, but for this level of competition he looks like a good choice for Golden Boot.

Klinsi has asked a lot of Donovan, I think he is one of only 3 players not rested in the first 2 games, so I think some of this is a bit of punishment for Donovan's defiance. Donovan has responded well, although both goals have been PKs. Still, he has created a lot of chances and not missed any sitters, plus he's been invaluable from every area in tracking back. Klinsi will not be able to ignore him, not matter how much he wishes he could.

Holden didn't have his best night and Shea looked like he needs to go back to remedial soccer lessons. I'm hoping Shea is still in an injury and rusty hangover, because if this is what we can expect he is not a winger for the future. Gooch was ok, but I think he's topped out. He might be a 3rd centerback option for World Cup coverage, but I just don't see him getting a starting job back. Beltran needs some work.

I'm always hard on Beckerman, but he had a good game last night. Much more offensive minded, broke up attacks nicely, and had a beautiful assist. He's not World Cup quality given our midfield choices, but credit where it is due for last night's game.

Costa Rica had a bad night against Belize. While they had the better of play, and probably should have scored another goal or two, Belize almost earned that late draw. If Costa Rica comes out that same way against the U.S. I'd expect a 3-1 or 4-1 game. If they play like they did the second half against Cuba, I expect the U.S. to win 2-1 or 3-2. 

Either way, I've said it before. The U.S. should not lose in the group stage and I really hope being C1 does not land them a date with Haiti. That team would be a bad matchup for the players we have available.

[Gray Fox]

Villain's guide to football.

http://www.economist.com/news/international/21581724-football-clubs-can-easily-be-used-stealing-machines-here-instruction-manual

Cleaning Up Football

http://www.economist.com/news/international/21581725-fight-against-corruption-football-should-start-top-ref

[jknezek]

Well, much like the first night of group play at the Gold Cup, the last night did not go as I thought it would. Martinique has to be wondering if the fixers finally offered something Belize couldn't resist. That was not the same defense as what we saw against Costa Rica or even the U.S. Very interesting. It also hurt the U.S. Instead of getting a weakened Martinique team in the first knockout round, the U.S. gets a much tougher game against El Salvador. Mexico and Panama now get the easy opponents, T&T and Cuba respectively, while Costa Rica gets to face another CONCACAF middleweight in Honduras. Overall, Cuba's 4th goal was a bad thing for the top of Group C.

As for the U.S.-Costa Rica game, I'm surprised the U.S. kept a clean sheet. I think we also saw a U.S. team lacking the finishing we saw previously. Wondo missed the chance or two that he converted in the previous games, Donovan missed a sitter, and generally the offense did not look sharp. However, the Costa Rican defense is no joke, despite Roy Miller's inclusion (why is he so good for the Ticos and was so bad for NY Red Bulls??). The goalie should have been red carded, that was an intentional handball, outside the box, on a shot on goal. There is no room for interpretation there and the ref just blew it.

The goal was pretty, but it was a counter-attack. So the U.S. was unable to break down Costa Rica's base defense. Not a good sign for later in the tournament. On the upside, the defense looked better, much more organized and in the game, even if it lacked the ability to go forward into attack effectively.

Best game belongs to Beasley. Worst game has to be Torres or Wondo. Neither were particularly bad, but they both had moments that killed promising attacks or just bungled simple plays. Holden also lacked something creative and the ability to get involved, although he was playing a bit deeper than usual.

Kudos to Klinsman for putting an offensive team on the field. No Beckerman meant no true defensive midfielder. Unfortunately it didn't really pay off in finding ways to unlock the Ticos. But we're on to El Salvador and the knockout rounds with 9 points, so it is hard to complain too much as the U.S. did as expected.

[jknezek]

A bit surprised that Klinsmann used all 4 of his Gold Cup roster subs heading into the knockout round. I'm going to go on record as saying I think allowing this is stupid, a roster for the tournament should be stable throughout the tournament and you stick with the guys that got you where you are headed. That being said, I do see a method to Klinsmann's choices.

Gooch and Gomez need to go and start their club prep. Plus neither has been a prime cog with Gooch nursing a minor ankle injury and Gomez mostly ineffective, especially compared to Wondo. I'd say Shea needs to go try and claim a spot with Stoke, but I think Klinsmann is so afraid of Shea's psyche he kept him around just to keep the kid from going off the deep end thinking he failed.

Releasing Jack Mac makes no sense to me unless he was disappointed in the kid. If he brought the kid in to give him exposure, then keep him around for the tough part so he knows what he is looking at. If he brought him in and it turned out to be a mistake, which is why he never played, then sending him home makes sense. From Klinsmann's comments, however, disappointment didn't seem to be the problem. I guess Klinsi just thinks he needs more immediately useable offensive power after the Costa Rica game. Plus it's possible Klinsmann thinks he cost Jack Mac a shot at the MLS All-Star game, and sending him home now allows him a shot at being the first alternate. That might be more important than sitting on the bench as far as Jack's progress goes.

Sending Ashe home makes sense since he was mostly around to round out the roster and he was the best hope for adding depth to the outside back position. Probably just isn't good enough to consider right now, which is why he never sniffed the field.

As for who got called in, that is more interesting. Gonzalez and Besler make sense because you want them building chemistry. Absolute requirement for center backs, even though I think O-Fiscal and Goodson were good enough for this tournament. It is interesting that you now have 2 pairs of central defenders on the roster, something that probably doesn't make much sense. I'm wondering if Klinsmann is hoping to move O-Fiscal to the outside, a position that Goodson is ill-suited for, since I don't think Parkhurst has impressed. I also don't know why he didn't call in Evans instead of Johnson. Both play for Seattle so the complaining would have been limited, and bringing in Evans and giving him more exposure at the back spot makes sense. Also it would have given you a full four possible best choices along the back line to keep building cohesion. Very strange.

Johnson as a speed winger does make some sense, as we seem to lack some speed on the wings although we have more technical ability. I think the lack of final third ideas against Costa Rica worried Klinsmann, so Johnson comes in to provide more tactical options and some more experience. As for Alan Gordon I just don't know. His call up again points to Jack Mac being disappointing, as Gordon isn't exactly lighting the world on fire. Still, if you are looking for that last piece of depth, and Jack and Gomez aren't it, I guess Gordon is the next in line for a look.

It's going to be interesting to see who gets on the field going forward.

[jknezek]

Hard to take too much issue with the U.S. team yesterday. Yeah, the goal they gave up was painful. Not the PK itself, although I'm sure the way that was taken irritated Rimando, but more the way he dribbled through 3 guys before the 4th fouled him for the PK.

Still, the 5 goals were all strong. Couple from set pieces, one or two from fast breaks, and a couple from the run of play. That was not El Salvador's A team, mostly a young group getting blooded for the next World Cup cycle, but it still was a credible CONCACAF team that the U.S. absolutely shredded. Fun to watch. This offensive minded "B" team might be my favorite U.S. tournament team of all time. Granted you have to take into account the competition, but even doing that, we've never played with so much offense in a Gold Cup before. And we've never been so efficient. Klinsmann, at least for this team and this tournament, has turned a team that should have been a favorite into a team that is really playing like a favorite.

In the second game I think the U.S. caught a break. Not having to play Costa Rica twice is a relief. Their defense had us locked down pretty good, and I think Honduras will be easier to break down. Would not surprise me to see a 3-1 or even a 3-0 game as I don't think Honduras has much in the way of offense. Andy Najar has a good future ahead of him, but I don't think it's quite there yet. Costa Rica really blew that game with Saborio missing two sitters. Seems to be a phobia with him and, maybe, the whole Costa Rican team when it comes to Honduras and the Gold Cup.

Similarly, I think Panama is actually a better team than Mexico right now, but I just don't see them beating El Tri twice in one tournament. It will be an interesting game to watch though, as Mexico has to feel some heat when the game starts not to let the unthinkable happen. El Tri was not sharp against T&T, haven't been sharp all tournament or all year, and just look very vulnerable right now. In fact, I feel a bit of role reversal. The U.S. is playing the way Mexico has usually run through CONCACAF tournaments and Mexico is playing the way the U.S. usually does, just doing enough to win without making it look good or easy.

Last thoughts... what happened to Wondo? He rolled through 3 games with the weakest opponents but can't seem to do anything against the last two better opponents. It reminds me of what I thought at the beginning of the tournament, Wondo has a hard ceiling. He's crafty and he positions himself well, but he's not athletic or quick enough for the real international game. Against the minnows he can find those spaces and gimmes, against the better teams he's just not a big enough threat. Even with Donovan taking the majority of defenses' attention, Wondo just doesn't have enough innate ability.

[jknezek]

Yet another game for which it is hard to find anything to complain about. Yes, set piece defense is still a problem, but we knew going into the tournament that defense was an issue. We're leaking goals, and last night's goal looked suspiciously similar to the one Belize scored on us, but it should be fixable. It's just a matter of better organization. Not sure why it hasn't been addressed regularly in practice. Working on set pieces is something that can be done in a light practice during a tournament.

The three goals were all well earned. Donovan is the man of the tournament so far. The most disappointing players last night had to be Stu Holden, who disappeared for long stretches and made his biggest contributions laying on the awful looking turf, and Brek Shea. Shea came in as a sub and it was a flashback to the Cuba game all over again. Bad touch, no clue where he was supposed to be or where to play the ball. Similarly, Mix Diskeruud came in and did not look great. Mix seems much stronger when he starts, he really has struggled when he's come in off the bench.

The ref was awful. He let the game get out of hand with fouls, missed some dangerous ones, gave cards when they weren't deserved (although EJ got one rightly for being stupid) and didn't give cards when he should have. Hopefully we will not see that ref again in the final, although the ref for the other semi was hardly any better. We'll have to wait and see on the verdict for Klinsmann, but the ref was just wrong about that whole series. He was wrong about who got the throw, he was wrong not to call a foul, and he was wrong to remove Klinsmann from the bench. Thankfully the U.S. scored early and controlled enough of the game that the ref was not a real factor.

As for Panama and Mexico, all you can really say is the two best teams in the tournament are meeting in the final. I understand that was a Mexican "C" team, or at best "B-", but they were not good enough for this level of competition. Panama, on the other hand, with essentially an "A-" team, is going to be a very tough out in the final. This is not Panama's first Gold Cup rodeo, they own the only Group Stage win in tournament history against the U.S., they have beaten Mexico twice in one tournament, and they have played in a Gold Cup final in 2005, losing on penalties to the U.S.

This is a Panama team good enough to beat the U.S. if the Americans get sloppy or don't take the game seriously. Blas Peres will be a nightmare on set pieces, and the defense is organized enough to hold the U.S. if they get a little lucky and the goalie has a good night. The U.S. should win 2-1 or 3-2, but there will be nothing easy about it. A win is important not only for taking the title and a shot at the Confed Cup in 2017, but also because we have the Canalmen on the road coming up in WC qualifying. A win here will keep the other Concacaf teams on their heels, something that should help smooth out a first place qualifying campaign.

[woacfan]

Nice win for the USMNT capturing the Gold Cup.  It was a struggle to break through the Panamanian defense, but the result never seemed to be in doubt.  Loved the passing.  Was looking for a few more runs (I though the commentary was spot on in that regard).  Wondering who will make the World Cup squad that's on the bubble.  We seem to have a multitude at the midfield position.   

Loved Klinsmann's post game interview! 

[jknezek]

Definitely a good win. That was not the game I expected Panama to play. They didn't play that defensively either game against Mexico, but they sure bunkered back against the U.S. If nothing else, it's a huge mark of respect for how the U.S. is playing and how they are changing the way they play. When you have 70%+ possession in a regional championship game it's because your opponent is afraid of you.

It was a good game, regardless of the score. The U.S. created 3 or 4 good chances, missed all but the one, and a half dozen or so half chances. I think Panama had maybe 1 or 2 half chances and never even threatened. I'm not sure why they played the game they played. They were either going to need to be very lucky on a counter or play for penalties. While the U.S. has definitely played that game in the past when faced with superior opponents it is tough to win a major championship that way (and yes, for Panama, the Gold Cup is a major championship). Panama had proved to be a good enough team to open it up a little more. They chose not to and lost about the way you should expect.

On to some player commentary. That's a bummer about Stuart Holden. Hopefully it's nothing major but I just can't help thinking he won't survive an English Championship season. Fortunately there was very little drop off when Diskerruud came in. Joe Corona played oustanding, as did Bedoya. Johnson had a bit of an off night. Beckermann had another good performance. He elevated his game real well for this tournament. I still think, like Wondo, he's capped out at this level (and Wondo not sniffing the field in the final despite our lack of offense should tell you something there) but he played his way into a trophy for the national team and earned it.

Donovan should be back with the full national team, even though last night wasn't the magic he had been earlier in the tournament. Corona maybe as well. Bedoya didn't hurt himself. Torres, Brek Shea (despite his two gimme goals), Parkhurst, Fiscal probably put themselves a bit further down the list. Goodson and Beasley played like we thought they would, though for the 5 minutes Gonzalez was in the game he was dominant as Panama pushed at the end. Besler was fine for our purposes. He's still probably the best pairing with a physical center back. For the most part, other than Donovan, I don't think anyone forced Klinsmann to truly re-evaluate. We are still looking for outside backs, we should be strong up the spine with O Gonzalez, Besler, Bradley and Jones as well as Goodson, Beckermann, Holden, Diskerruud, and Torres as backups and Fiscal as a last option in the back.

The midfield will be crowded and we're still an impact forward short right now, but the depth for the U.S. is looking as good as it has for a while. A few more young kids to come good at the U20 level in defensive backs and we'd have decent coverage across the board. Or maybe our German contingent will get healthy enough to help out.

Either way, on to a friendly in August in Europe for our overseas guys, then hopefully we can wrap up qualifying with 4 points or so from Costa Rica (road) and Mexico (home).

[jknezek]

So Stu Holden goes down in the final game of the Gold Cup, Brek Shea goes down for a while in his first exhibition game with Stoke (and boy did he not need that!), Herc Gomez is staring at some surgery... good thing we've developed some depth. Apparently the Gold Cup is cursed!

[woacfan]

Okay, JKnezek,  educate me...why is Dempsey playing in the MLS?
I thought he wanted to be on a Champions League Team.  I had read that Tottenham wasn't pleased with him, and of course they didn't make the CL. 

It almost seems a shame that he left Fulham.  Now they have American owner and that's where he made his name. 

Also,  would he be better off playing on a top German or French squad instead of coming back....

They may be dumb questions,  I just don't get his return to MLS....

[jknezek]

It is definitely an interesting choice. Not one I expected him to make. The thing to remember is Dempsey is now 30 years old. He had some very good years at low to mid table Fulham and one very mediocre year with Spurs. I'm sure he could have gotten a 2 year deal at a mid table team but his big shot to play Champ League soccer went past last year. Seattle gave him a huge 4 year deal and almost guaranteed playing time going into a World Cup year. Not a bad deal.

There are some other advantages as well. We need Clint to be a big fish player for the US team, something he will get a lot of practice at with Seattle instead of just fighting for field time with a new team. Second, MLS is no longer a joke league. It is not a first tier league by any stretch but the better half of MLS teams would survive the second division of England or Germany. At a fraction of the cost as well. So it probably won't hurt him much, pays him well, and secures his future. It also helps the league.

Overall I'm not thrilled as I think he could have aged at a higher level for another year or two, but I can see how his choice makes sense.