Comments on: USA VS. Cuba Match-day: Your Running Commentary

By: Charley

Charley — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 02:45:34 +0000

how many more games do we have in this qualifier and can we after we play TT bring in different guys? because if we win that one too, which we should, we are practically assured a spot out of this qualifier, and can get some of those other guys in that aren’t on the team now to see if they are ready. i can’t wait for some friendly action, so that we can see some young guys play in the good ol red white and blue.

By: Max Zeger

Max Zeger — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:13:51 +0000

yeah, we need to see at least 10-15 players against decent competition before the next round of qualifying for sure.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 22:51:04 +0000

Lets hope the federation does us the favor of scheduling as many friendlies as possible between now and then.

By: Max Zeger

Max Zeger — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 22:19:35 +0000

yeah, there is cause for concern, but right now, we don’t have to worry much because the team’s we’re playing are not very good. We’ve gotten rid of our two most challenging games on the road, and now we can cruise to qualification which doesn’t start up again until next year which is more than enough time to work in the likes of Altidore, Cooper, Adu, Wynne, Kljestan and company.

By: Jim Lacoss

Jim Lacoss — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 10:03:57 +0000

If you can (via tape maybe) re-watch the game. Beasley and Dempsey turned the ball over far too much. I like them both, but they both did not play well. Ching did do better holdng the ball up with no support present (hello midfield) but was ineffective in front of goal. Beasley even passed back from midfield to the defense only to find a Cuban player who nearly went in on goal. The bright spot for me was Edu. He looked sharp. We are trying to qualify to play in the WC, yet can barely beat weak teams fielding 17 year old kids (and not superstar ones at that.)

By: Ryan

Ryan — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 17:29:29 +0000

I’d like to see him be a bit more dangerous, but I think Doug McIntyre pointed out in his post’s player ratings on soccernet that Donovan did a lot of really subtle things extremely well, with a lot of clever combinations and passes.

By: Max Zeger

Max Zeger — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 16:38:37 +0000

i agree with both of you in some respects. It was a much better performance than Gutemala, but there is room for improvement. I thought Beasley was very dangerous, and Ching did his job to hold up the ball. If anybody didn’t show up, it was Donovan, he was non-existent.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 15:49:19 +0000

woah, Jim did we watch the same game?
I’m usually no big Brian Ching fan, but he may have been the best player on the field. His hold up play was superb. Beasley did have a lot of turnovers, but again he held the ball up well, and he’s got to make up a lot of missed time. As for Dempsey, he could play better but given (a) his recent performances and (b) the awful field conditions, I’d say he had an improved showing. Oh yeah, and he scored.

By: Jim Lacoss

Jim Lacoss — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 14:10:29 +0000

Beasley and Dempsey looked weak and gave the ball up quite a bit. Dempsey really dissapointed. Beasley rarely completed his passes. I taped the game and counted numerous turnovers. We greatly need to improve and should try calling in European players and Kenny Cooper. Ching was woeful and we need to look at some other players. Hopefully they will be tired and Bradley will be forced to change his lineup. We won’t go far playing so poorly.

By: Max Zeger

Max Zeger — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 13:09:30 +0000

Besides Howard with that one save off of the Boca deflection, Beasley was my man of the match. He’s so dangerous, and he got in behind the defense about 3 or 4 times, he was very impressive.