Aug 07
USA Downs Japan 1-0 in Olympic Opener
Good Morning All. I was going to do a running commentary of the game as many of you know, but I slept right through my alarm this morning. That’s the price you pay for some jet lag I guess. Anyway, the US Olympians took a giant step towards qualification for the knockout rounds by winning against Japan. Stuart Holden’s 47th minute goal was the difference and the US held on for the win.
A Huge step forward for the US. If the US had failed to beat Japan, they were in some trouble, but they were able to win and now they’re in good shape to advance. Although, with games upcoming against Nedtherlands and Nigeria, nothing is gauranteed.
The Lineup was as follows:
—————Guzan——————–
–Wynne – Edu – Parkhurst – Orozco–
–Holden – Bradley – Kljestan – Rogers–
—————Adu———————
——————–McBride (capt.)——
The big omission from the lineup was obviously Jozy Altidore who came on as a “super sub” in the 74th minute.
Let’s hear your thoughts on the game, the lineup, the opposition, the prospects for advancement to the next round, all your thoughts go below.
August 7th, 2008 at 8:56 am
Guzan: Played very well. Only gaff was Japan’s last attempt where he missed a punch attempt. He should have come much stronger
The backline looked decent.
Wynne: did well, but needs to use his speed to make some overlapping runs and get forward.
Parkhurst: didn’t hear his name to much which means once again he quitely played well. However, he needs to be a lot more vocal in controlling his line bacause too many times a player didn’t pull out keeping Japan onsides.
Edu: showed skill on the ball, but could have certainly been the goat with bad positing twice in the box forcing him to take down the forward which may have resulted in a penalty.
Orozco: was servicable at best. clearly showed he’s not a natural left back. He didn’t get forward at all and often got beat by speed down the wing.
Midfield could not maintain possession but did make decent runs down the flanks:
Rogers: possibly the most dangerous US player in the attack. He looked very good taking on defenders one on one and had some nice crosses.
Bradley: played the D-Mid position very well. broke up some attacks with good tackles and got forward to take some cracks on goal.
Kljestan: did not look good at all to me. Gave the ball away far too easily. Not a good night for him.
Holden: like Rogers, Holden was very good in the attack. Did well to keep his shot on frame for the US goal.
The attack could maintain too much and didn’t look dangerous:
Adu: He needs to play way deeper. He Cannot play with his back to goal. He’s best suited as a withdrawn forward and not playing even with McBride or Jozy.
McBride: Played just OK. Drew many fouls but didn’t do great at holding up the ball for his wingers to run on to.
Subs: No one really made a big impact on the game
Jozy: had some decent runs but his first touch was pretty heavy. Some nice thru balls from Freddy could be the best way for him to get involved.
Feilhaber: I think he should have been brought on for Kljestan at the half. We could use his vision and calmness to help maintain posession better.
Szetela: n/a
August 7th, 2008 at 8:57 am
We got tremendously outplayed and are VERY lucky to walk away with 3 points. Seems like Japan has a work lack of finishing then us. I can see them making some waves against the other teams in this group though.
August 7th, 2008 at 9:03 am
I’d say we played even against Japan. I’ve just finished watching the game and I thought we shared play pretty well. Rogers, Holden and Wynne were fantastic i thought. Parkhurst was quietly good like always. Orozco was a bit shaky, he’s clearly out of position. Kljestan was not very good. Bradley was pretty good. He won a lot of balls and made some smart passes. Adu was poor, he kept getting double teamed and didn’t pass. Mcbride never was really involved in the game.
August 7th, 2008 at 9:17 am
I think the US accomplished exactly what they wanted to. They knew that if they did not win this game, they would have practically no chance to advance. I think there should be some concern over Orozco’s play, but given the lack of defensive options (ie. Ianni is rubish) I am sure he will be playing in the next game. It also became clear from this game that the US will not be able to get by with 3 defensive backs as many of us had hoped they would try.
Now that the US has the monkey off its back, I expect the next game to open up and the team to take more risks. I also think that Kljestan will be replaced by Feilhaber.
Man of the Match: Wynne
August 7th, 2008 at 9:29 am
agreed daniel. The only other option is putting Edu or Parky on the left and that would be worse than Orozco. Feilhaber or Szetela needs to replace Kljestan because he’s not effective playing in the center, I’d like to see him play on the right wing, but Holden did so well that there’s no chance we see him there
August 7th, 2008 at 10:41 am
I thought the forward interplay as better the second Jozy got on the pitch. Everyone in the midfield looked good aside from Sacha. I thought Edu was doing great at CB until the very end of the game.
August 7th, 2008 at 10:54 am
Thoughts on the lineup I’d like to see vs. Netherlands:
———-Guzan————
Wynne—-Edu—-Parkhurst—Orozco
Bradley
Holden—–Feilhaber——-Rogers
Adu
Altidore
August 7th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
i like the lineup chuck. Unfortunately Nowak won’t leave out Mcbride. We could leave Feilhaber out and go with Altidore and Mcbride up top. That’s a possibility.
August 7th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
I would be OK with that but Bradley will really have to step up and play huge in breaking up the Dutch attack because Freddy’s defense is suspect. That being said Freddy needs get the ball in the midfield in order to create and leave his footprint on the game.
August 7th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Freddy wasn’t good today. He lost the ball too much, wasn’t passing well, and couldn’t beat anybody. He needs to show up big for us to win. Against the Nedtherlands, we’re not going to do anything to risky, it’s going to be very defensive and tight in the back. We’re really going to depend on freddy to spark the attack.
August 7th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
I like chuck’s line-up without McBride, I wish we could get rid of the politics of the line-up and put out our best product…McBride is apparently too old to handle it anymore and we should let Jozy get a starting crack. We could also go to a 3 back set which I know someone thinks isn’t a good idea after seeng this performance but you have to realize that the game would be played far differently in the back with 3 you can’t correlate a weak back four to a weak back three because we would in theory drop the weak man and everyone else would fill in better.
August 7th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
I also still believe 3-5-2 is our best option since it seems McBride has to play…this allows freddy to play in a position that he is far more suited to and allows for that other attacking option and with michael bradley being held back just a bit more and dropping our weak defensive link the back line should still be able to hold
You have to think that with the back four you think you have more cover than you do if one of your players is weak because you dont naturally assume you have to cover for him…but in a back three you know that there isn’t that extra man so you play a little differently plus with bradley able to basically play a sweeper role I think it would be good, but it wont happen
August 7th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
I like the 3 man back line, but we wouldn’t be replacing the weakest man who is orozco. We unfortunately have no lb’s so we’re in a bind there. I’m all for giving altidore a crack, but it’s not happening unless we go to two forwards. That’s my view.
August 7th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
I seriously doubt we’ll see a 3man backline unless we find ourselves trailing late and need to attack. Wonder if Szetela can play LB? Kljestan needs to Not start against the Netherlands and I’d swap Jozy fo McBride, but I think we’ll likely see both of them and have Freddy drop deeper to play the CAM. Also, there seemed to be a lot of Red cards handed out today so we’ll need to be very smart in our tackles. I’m just happy I didn’t wake up early to watch them not win. Sunday may be a different story but if we can get a result and if Japan ties Nigeria I think we may get thru.
August 7th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
really, the 3 points are the most important. I actually think Japan will give trouble to Nedtherlands and Nigeria some trouble. If we can win against nedtherlands or nigeria we’re through. I think two draws would also be enough.
August 7th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
I really think Altidore should start up top with McBride, especially because i think he works really well with Adu every time they play together. Micheal Bradley didn’t impress me and i wouldn’t mind having Feilhaber start. I really like the way he plays. and sings. My lineup:
———-Guzan————
Wynne—-Edu—-Parkhurst—Orozco
Feilhaber
Holden—–——-——-Rogers
Adu
Altidore——McBride
August 7th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Feilhaber cannot be a CDM, but if there is a way to have them on the field together I’d like that.
August 7th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
I really want to see more of feilhaber. I like him and bradley in the mexico game and I’m anxious to see them together. Kljestan needs to make way for feilhaber. Cameron, you could replace feilhaber with szetela if you don’t like bradley. We haven’t seen much of him, but I know he’s a pretty solid ball winner.
The person that impressed me the most today was Edu. For someone who has said he doesn’t like playing defense, he is one hell of a defender. he always won his one on ones and was even strong in the air. It’s a shame we have so many good midfielders and not enough spots to put them all. Kljestan is good if he’s on the right wing, but Holden is really strong there as well. Szetela and feilhaber could play central midfield, but that spot is already really clogged.
It’s going to be interesting come sunday to see what nowak changes.
August 7th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
I thought Edu played really well for about 3/4 of the game, and then he started getting a little sloppy. But he isn’t a true CB either, so I am happy with his performance. Tense last few minutes though. I am glad we got the win. I agree with all of you that Kljestan didn’t play well, he seemed very uncomfortable and it showed through his passing.
McBride was ineffective, but I think there are a couple of reasons. 1) is that this is his first real game since may, and he is surely a little rusty/out of sinc, and he probably isn’t in the best shape either. 2) No one gave him good service. That was the most disappointing thing about us, was that our crosses and passes in the attacking third were so weak. Except for Wynne’s cross (and the deflection) there was none that even gave us a chance to make a play.
I definitely think that Feilhaber comes in for Kljestan, we stay with the 4-4-1-1 or 4-4-2, as Orozco will get better as the tournament goes on and he gets more comfortable out there.
Adu seemed frustrated as he was double teamed all game, and didn’t get some calls to go his way (refs weren’t great, too many cards at some times and no cards at others)
Jozy was pretty good as a super sub, his speed helped split some tired defenders. I liked him.
Holden and Rogers looked fantastic, really giving their markers trouble and attacking well. really pleased with them.
Now, we just have to win one more or tie a couple and we will be through. Sadly I will be missing the rest of the group games, as I won’t be next to a computer or tv but I think we looked pretty good for the first game. I was also pleased with Japan. If they can tie up one of the others, then we have a really good chance of winning the group since Netherlands and Nigeria tied today.
The most cringing thing was Marcelo Balboa. He drove me insane, and was a terrible color commentator. Maybe it was just that it was 4 in the morning, but he was bad.
August 7th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
at least it wasn’t brandy chastain. I watched the womens game yesterday morning and she was unbearable. She said the most obvious things. I liked Adrian Healy, he did the Italy Honduras match and he was excellent. I like JP Dellacamera too, he’s the best american announcer. I’m impressed greatly with the defense and midfield minus kljestan. I want to see Altidore in next game. He was really good in his cameo.
August 7th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
One thing our whole team really seemed to lack was good communication. There was too many times when our defenders would pull out, but someone would stay back and keep Japan onsides. A better team would have finished those miscues. Edu and Parkhurst need to be a lot more vocal when controlling their line. Agreed, Kljestan out-Feilhaber in, But we may see Freddy dropped back there.
August 7th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
What do you guys think of this:
We sit adu and go to a regular 4-4-2 If it doesn’t work, we take off Mcbride and put adu in a withdrawn striker roll.
August 7th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Ehh. I still like having Feilhaber as CAM with Adu playing as a withdrawn forward behind Jozy. I think there’s a good chance we may see McBride not start the game since Jozy is so fresh and Brain is not in full fitness and played 75 minutes.
August 7th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Freddy Adu needs to play his regular game for all 90 minutes of every game this tournament for us to get somewhere. Pulling him is not the answer to anything.
August 7th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
That could work. I want to see more of Jozy because he was dangerous. if jozy and mcbride don’t work, maybe we could see charlie davies. He’s got speed and can work openings against the dutch. One nice thing is that the dutch don’t have a great defense so we might be able to sneak a goal or two. Especially if it comes early, we could be in good shape.
I’m worried about Orozco going up against Babel. He is going to get torn up by babel. I’m not sure how we give orozco support, but he’s going to need it.
August 7th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
I’m not convinced that Davies can play at this level. He certainly didn’t show me anything during Qualifying. I know he’s playing well for his club team but again that’s in Sweeden. I’m sure Babel really attacks the wings. He seems to attack more to the center which would be best for us. I’m worried about Drenthe though. I really think Jozy may be a more effective forward since he doesn’t necessarily require good crosses to be effective. He can latch on to thru balls with his speed and he has the abaility to take on defenders one on one. Regardless though the US attack needs to be MUCH improved if they hope to stand a chance against the Dutch.
August 7th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
The only good thing is that evander sno was red carded in the Nigeria game and he’ll be sitting out. Even with Sno out, we’re still in for a difficult game.
August 7th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Yea, Sno didn’t even start so they’re pretty deep at midfield. I think the US usually plays pretty well in the second game of tournaments.
August 7th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
that is true, we tied world champions Italy in the second game of the World Cup. Let’s just hope Brian Mcbride doesn’t get another bloodied face this time.
August 7th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Well if he does it may mean that a Dutch player got sent off so it wouldn’t be too bad a trade off.
August 7th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
yeah, and if we win we’re through to the knockout stages so as long as he can get stitched and because of the red card we win, I’m fine.
August 7th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
I just was this on espn “The Netherlands likely will have to play the United States on Sunday without Makaay, who left the game at halftime with what de Haan said was an injured foot. He was doubtful about Makaay’s availability against the Americans.”
Makaay looked very dangerous the first half of that game. If he is out that is another plus for the US team
August 7th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
This gives the US an even better chance. That’s good because although the defense was good, the dutch are a step above the japanese and makaay is a very talented player.
August 8th, 2008 at 11:40 am
So Here’s the lineup I like best: (I would also like to possibly see Holden moved over to the left and Szetela slotted in at the right. Rogers looked very good going forward but his defense was lacking)
—————-Altidore——————-
——————Adu——————–
—-Rogers——————–Holden—–
———–Bradley——-Benny————
—-Orozco–Parkhurst—Edu——–Wynne
—————Guzan——————-
August 8th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
looks good. I’d like to see Benny in front of bradley though, maybe a 4-1-3-1-1 Bradley at D-mid and benny controlling play and feeding adu. Benny got talent, we just haven’t seen it since the last gold cup. Maybe he can show it again this summer.
August 8th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
ive got 2 say you guys r creative when it comes to modules! 4-4-2/4-3-3/4-3-2-1 are the best tactical modules. you need a great defense to sustain a 3-5-2. btw all usa needs against holland is a draw no need for attacking modules. remember defense wins championships! i wish you guys good luck in the next game! hopefully u knock out a big in holland and nigeria!
August 8th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
one win and we’re through. If we knick an early goal and hang on, we’re through. I don’t care what formation we use as long as we get at least a draw. The US has a difficult time working in all of the personnel they have so we use odd formations. We need 4 or 5 midfielders, but we also would like to use 2 forwards, and that means 3 in the back or u sacrifice a midfielder. That’s why we’re having a tough time.