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U20 World Cup Qualification (R)


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#1 stopper

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Posted 18 February 2013 - 08:43 PM

Just watched the US U20s play Haiti.  US got the win 2-1 with goals from Luis Gil on a PK and Daniel Cuevas late in the first half.

 

Overall, the US performance was choppy.  Lots of the boys up top and in the midfield have comfort on the ball, but they didn't quite link up on a consistent basis.  Lots of turnovers from poor passing.  Maybe some misunderstanding between players, but not a fluid performance.  Moments when they clicked but not overall.  Daniel Cuevas played on the left wing in a 4-3-3 and was the best player in my opinion.  Set up the first goal by being pulled down in the area and hit a great shot into the far upper 90.  Plays for Santos Laguna, one of two Americans on the team on this team.  Though Gil and Villarreal looked solid but not spectacular.  Still haven't seen what all the fuss is over Mario Rodriguez quite yet.

 

The backline was a disaster.  The center backs were flat-footed, slow, and cumbersome.  Boyd Okwuonu at right back is a disaster.  If the US is going to qualify, those guys have to get better.  And if they do qualify, Tab Ramos has got to find better to take to Turkey.

 

Costa Rica on Friday.  Games on Fox Soccer.  Mexico tomorrow.  Wonder how many Mexicans on the team are Americans.

 

One more thing--Juan Pablo Ocegueda subbed in for the US late.  He plays for Chivas Guadalajara.  A few years ago, Omar Salgado accepted a US youth call up over Mexico and Chivas cut him.  Wonder if Chivas is changing their stance.  Thought that was interesting.



#2 BassplayersFC

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Posted 22 February 2013 - 04:04 PM

Today @ 3:30pm

 



#3 fredo9

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Posted 22 February 2013 - 06:38 PM

Watching the game. Do it Inglewood!
"That's life." -Bruce Arena

"There's no easy games in The MLS." -Robbie Keane


See You Later, My Friend!

#4 BassplayersFC

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Posted 22 February 2013 - 07:58 PM

1-0.  Villarreal.



#5 fredo9

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Posted 23 February 2013 - 01:28 AM

I thought Joya showed some ball skills. Villarreal scored on the set piece, but offered little through the run of play. Too much holding onto the ball throughout the midfield and up top. But, I guess that's to be expected from these guys? Qualify and advance.
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#6 stopper

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Posted 27 February 2013 - 12:58 AM

Inglewood scored two today as US beat Canada 4-2.  You have to see his goal celebration after his first goal.  Showed some nice jarabe skills in Mexico!!!  Sweet.



#7 stopper

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Posted 02 March 2013 - 11:27 PM

Dominant performance from our boys.  Mexico had a tougher game v El Salvador.  Final tomorrow at 4.



#8 stopper

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Posted 04 March 2013 - 12:50 AM

Bummer.

 

But what a performance from a 12-man US team against a team whose nucleus was the U17 champion.  I was very happy to see how this team performed in the situation it was in.  Tab Ramos is to be commended.  Of course, the biggest issues with this team was the defense.  The back four, specifically the center backs, were a huge drop off from the rest of the team.  Hopefully, this gets sorted out.



#9 Eric B

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Posted 04 March 2013 - 07:29 PM

They did settle down after that initial ten minutes and were doing pretty good possession-wise. They were that late missed header away from actually taking the thing.

 

I would hope most of the defense comes from players that weren't made available for the qualies, like John Anthony Brooks at Hertha Berlin who's supposed to be a stud.  I don't think Marc Pelosi is supposed to be healed by the summer, which would be a bummer...



#10 stopper

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Posted 22 June 2013 - 12:17 AM

Spain 4 US 1.  Comprehensive performance from Spain.

 

Let's review--if you have a weak defense, you try to make your defenders do less.  US U20s are very strong up top.  Good forwards and attacking mids.  So, Tab Ramos decides to play high pressure 4-3-3 with a high line and leaves his back four helplessly exposed.  No bueno.  Naive, as Landon Donovan would say.  That, or Tab is under strict orders from Jurgen to play this way.

 

Either way, Spain's attackers left the US looking like scrambling amateurs  Stanko sucks big balls.  The dmid Trapp is awful.  Torre, the other US center back is overmatched.  Yedlin was always caught too far out--it took him way too long to recognize a change in possession, and Ocegueda looks like he was in over his head.  Maybe if the U20 backline was anchored by Alfredo Morales and John Anthony Brooks this would've been a prudent strategy.  But the center backs weren't at the level necessary and the keeper Crapper is not very good.  This game was lost in the coaches' office.  

 

Why do the US think it is being sophisticated by playing a system that looks sexy but is not based on tactical reality?  If the US have a good set of attackers--which they do--then let them work themselves into the game as offensive players.  The constant high press was eventually solved by Spain and America's best attackers were reduced to jogging behind the play.  Set a dmid in front of a flexing back line and let the best attacking five do their thing.  Instead, the US backs were constantly exposed.  It could've been 7-1 or 8-1.  Of course, the US has some early chances that didn't make the score sheet, but the 4-1 result was fair, and almost flatters the US.  Not a good start. 



#11 stopper

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Posted 25 June 2013 - 12:39 AM

Better showing from the boys today.  Not a coincidence that this result came with a change in formation and tactics.  Tab used a more traditional 442 and did away with his full court press.  He played the French straight up.  Although they didn't create as many chances as France, they kept the French in check pretty well and gave themselves a chance at the end by keeping things close.

 

Hate to rag on a kid, but Javan Torre is awful.  Seriously, the best the US can do at center back against professionals in this kind of tournament is a UCLA freshman that only started five games?  

 

Inglewood hasn't had his shining moment yet.  Not sure why Ramos hasn't started Daniel Cuevas.  He was outstanding in the qualifiers. Glad Tab sat Stanko.  Having a wing in front of Yedlin has relieved him of some defensive responsibilities and he has done pretty well going forward.  The Alonso Hernandez experiment hasn't really worked out yet.  Benji Joya sitting out will be a problem for Tab.  Let's see how he manages.



#12 stopper

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Posted 28 June 2013 - 12:20 AM

Well, that sucked.  a -8 goal differential is way too much.  Not good enough, Tab. 

 

Stanko sucks.  So does Javan Torre.  No way either of these guys should ever represent the US again.  

 

US really missed Benji Joya today.  Subs didn't work out for Tab.  Good luck next time.






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