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.