Aug 21
USA 1-0 Guatemala: 5 Points to Take a Look At
The morning after let’s me see things so much clearer. I ‘ve got some post-match thoughts which many of you might share (Carlos Ruiz anybody), and some quotes from Tim Howard about Senor Ruiz.Carlos Ruiz
After a good night’s sleep, I’m still fuming at Ruiz. He is a dirty dirty player and I’d say just about everybody who witnessed last night’s match would say the same thing. He started his antics about four minutes in when he slapped Heath Pearce in the face receiving no card. On the running commentary, I remarked he had already been called for four fouls in 20 minutes. I’ll give it to Ruiz, he looked dangerous as a player, but that’s not what anybody will remember. When he kicked Howard, he had me up in arms practically spitting at the tv. If there was ever a red card in this game, it should have been when Ruiz kicked Tim Howard in the face after the play.
Tim Howard
On the flip-side of this whole ordeal is Tim Howard. Not only did he play the game of his life, denying every Guatemalan opportunity with a diving save, or a perfectly timed slide to the ball, he also took a malicious kick to the face. I’m not going to try to analyze this one, here is what he had to say:
“He caught me. He kicked me straight in the head. With Carlos, you expect that. You know what? He’s dirty. I wish I could say otherwise. I’ve seen it [in MLS]. There is no place for it. It’s reckless. It’s there for everyone to see. I kind of expect it….
“That’s what he does. I think you would rather have him be a man out there and say, ‘Look, I don’t like you, I am going to kick you.’ You can almost respect it in a funny way. He has this way about him. He kicks, he punches, he’s an *&%$@#. And he wants to come and be your friend [when he tried to apologize]. There is no place for it.”
Howard is spot on, Ruiz is a a-hole.
Damarcus Beasley
Was it just me or was Damarcus Beasley one of the only reasons we held on. I’ve come to the conclusion that Bob Bradley doesn’t understand how to best utilize the players at hand. I understand Beasley was injured, but not only did he assist on the goal, he was the only American player attempting to keep the ball away from Guatemala. Good game for Beasley.
Brian Ching
Brian Ching is good for one thing. Holding the ball up. It’s a good trait to have, but as a forward, you need to be able to score goals and move without the ball. Those are two things that Ching doesn’t do when he plays forward internationally. He’s worth a late sub because he’s good at possessing the ball, but no more starts for Ching. Can we please call up Cooper and Altidore, they’re 100 times better than Ching.
Estadio Mateo Flores
I’m sure it was a great atmosphere in the stadium, but the Central Americans so called “passion” is some times too much. When Eddie Lewis left the field, he was escorted by 3 policeman with shields and machine guns. Not the safest environment to be in would you say? On hand at the game to control crowds and to protect players were 100 special forces agents, 1,200 police officers, 1,000 soldiers, 250 transit police, 180 private security guards and one anti-riot squad. If the Guatemalans could tone down their “passion” just a bit, it would be a bit safer for all parties involved.
What do you think of the points? Are they off, or are they on? Any more you’d like to add to the list? Your thoughts on the game below.
August 21st, 2008 at 9:23 am
Here’s my individual player analysis:
Howard: Played very well. He took command of his area and was a real leader on the field. He made some very strong saves. However, he really needs to do better with his distribution.
Dolo: Has been unimpressive in his last few outings for the Yanks. He took 2 silly yellows which could have cost the US dearly. Think it’s time we giev Wynne some time there.
Gooch: Looked very strong. Not too much of the Guatemalan attack came through the middle. Needs to be more vocal.
Boca: He also played well defensively, but resorts to the long ball too much. Did great to bury the US’s only clear cut goal scoring opportunity.
Pearce: Was getting burnt all night and was unable to add to the attack at all. Not a good showing for Heath. (may have much to do with Lewis’ terrible play)
Lewis: Finally looked his age. Was not involved at all. Only bright spot was going in strong and getting an oppopent a red card.
Bradley: Played well enough defensively, but added nothing to the attack. Lacks that creativity to be a playmaking CM.
Mastro: Was carless with the ball. Was one more slide tackle away from being sent to the showers. I’ve seen enough of him.
Dempsey: Showed no desire at all. Only fire I saw from him was when he felt he was subbed off too early. He needs to want the ball and take on defenders.
Donovan: Did nothing in the midfield(but did check back to play solid defense). When playing forward he played way too high and made no attepmt to come back and get the ball.
Ching: I guess he worked hard but never really at all created anything that looked like a goal scoring opportunity.
Subs:
Beasley: Showed how important he is to this team. I think he and Pearce should have switched to counter that speed down the left suidde.
Hedjuk: Again I know what he brings and I’ve seen enough. Bradley need to not bring in anyone over 30 (minus a keeper)
Edu: Looked solid in his few minutes (helped his work permit situation)
Overall it was a pretty poor showing but ultimately it’s about results and they were able to gain 3 points on the road in a very hostile environment.
August 21st, 2008 at 9:53 am
agreed chuck. The 3 points are all that matters, but it is time to bring in Wynne, Holden, Altidore, and Cooper. We can be more dangerous if we have those guys.
August 21st, 2008 at 10:01 am
I really think Holden would have fit in nicely being able to pretty much play any attacking role in the midfield. Wynne’s pace is unprecedented. And obvisouly Jozy and Kenny would have created a lot more chances. That being said, it seems Bradley has stalled in his youth movement and now seems to be relying way too much and over the hill journeymen who are way past their prime.
August 21st, 2008 at 10:21 am
He’s caught up in the notion that you need experienced players for WCQ, which is fair, but it’s also true that you need the best players possible. Is Eddie Lewis still better than Stuart Holden. Are Brian Ching and Eddie Johnson better than Kenny Cooper and Jozy altidore? I’d say they’re not, and Bradley needs to realize that.
August 21st, 2008 at 1:06 pm
Not sure about having 1) Jozy, fresh out of the olympics (with an injury) and needs some time with his new team or 2) Cooper, whose never played in a game like this before on the roster for this one. Not the time or place. When will folks realize this? There is plenty of time for everyones mancrush on KC to come true. Hang in there, that time will come.
As for the game, great win! The team our COACH picked got the result.
August 21st, 2008 at 4:40 pm
I actually gotta agree with Green a little bit, but I think our COACH may need to do a better job utilizing the players he brought. There’s no reason to have Dempsey at Striker and Donovan on the wing-switch them. Also, why drag Sacha around the world to sit on the bench? He’s got the ability to make some plays and with Adu not available and Feilhaber on planet bizarro, we needed him out there.
August 21st, 2008 at 6:55 pm
All I’m saying is that it’s a no good excuse to say that we don’t want players to have their first cap in a hostile environment. If they’re going to be a long term player like Wynne, or Holden, then they need experience in an environment that is hostile. I understand the situation with the clubs, but it’s only one more game. Even if you take a look and decide they’re not ready, you don’t put them on the game day roster. You take 20-22 and you put 18 available. There’s no problem with that is there? Unfortunately, our coach doesn’t realize this stuff. Props to him for getting the win, but Guatemala dominated that game. We scored on our one good clear cut chance, and surprise surprise, it was a set piece. If we’re serious about not only winning, but actually playing quality football, then we need to look at some new players, and try some current players at different positions.
August 21st, 2008 at 7:32 pm
well, the time and place for blooding Cooper, Wynne, Holden, etc was in the friendlies against Spain, England and Argentina, as well as probably the qualifiers (glorified JV scrimmages) against Barbados.
I completely agree with you one hundred percent that new players need to be used, but I don’t want to gamble with a Cooper or an Altidore when I don’t know really how they’ll respond to that sort of environment. Although Ching was useless yesterday, its hard to argue his experience, and in past performances he’s played very well (Mexico, gold cup anyone?)
I thought this was interesting: Someone on a board from one of soccernet’s articles posted Sunil Giuliati’s email address. Not that I think it would have much of an effect flooding the dude’s inbox with fan’s thoughts, but it may not hurt. I dunno, anyway here it is if anyone wants it:
skg21@columbia.edu
August 21st, 2008 at 7:45 pm
I guess i can understand that, but I can’t believe that Bradley didn’t try more people in the 5 prior games. He tried Chad Barret, and he couldn’t get Cooper in for the second game against Barbados. Really, that just sounds crazy to me.
August 21st, 2008 at 7:51 pm
i’ve just sent an email to Gulati asking for Bradley to explain his tactics and techniques and why we play such poor football. Additionally I asked why he neglects players like Cooper and Wynne.
August 21st, 2008 at 7:55 pm
I think it may be a cool idea to have a voice of the fans thing going on… maybe use your blog as a way for fans to have their voice heard, and responded to by someone in the US soccer hierarchy. I think it could be hugely beneficial if the fans were able to start demanding some accountability from the organization. This is no longer the pre-soccer days, we are here and we are for once passionate about our team. Its time for USSF to really recognize that and hear us out.
August 22nd, 2008 at 3:48 pm
I will say that I’m not a fan of BB’s conservative view. But the bottom line for him is keeping his job. Us fans would love to see more flair with our play, but BB isn’t about to roll the dice in the first real game of WCQ. I don’t know that he will ever “roll the dice” for that matter. He was never gonna take chances with youngsters in this game.
I would like to see him give in to his overly defensive line-ups. The whole 2 Dmids to start and sub in a third Dmid for an attacking player IS played out.
Dom K would be my pick to run this team if we’re to stick with an american coach. I’m afraid BB isn’t changing his style before 2010.