U.S. Soccer (22 Viewers)
- Thread starter Enron
- Start date
Hells yeah. Meanwhile, the ESPN web site still thinks it's 0-1. 
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/commentary?id=327499&cc=5901
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/commentary?id=327499&cc=5901
Obviously, I disapprove of the original tactics to begin the match. Bradley playing behind a lone striker and no true winger in a system that is made for wingers will simply not work unless you can stay compact for 90 minutes. But I realize this was an experiment and it's good to try new things. Glad to see more convential wingers come in later on, especially Brek who has a lot of talent.
I really do like Klinsmann's passion and enthusiasm, and that should rub off on to the players. When Torres came off there was a nice little moment between him and Jurgen, so perhaps he's already confiding well with the players, which is important. Loved his celebration for the goal. We'll see what happens.
Howard - 5.5 - Did not have much to do.
Cherundolo - 5 - Off game, IMO. Not the force he usually is.
Orozco - 5.5 - Not convinced. Made a decent amount of errors but did improve slightly as the match proceeded.
Bocanegra - 6 - OK match, decent but not outstanding. Typical.
Castillo - 4 - Honestly, we are never going to fix this position. He was extremely poor, gave the ball away quite a lot and is muscled off the ball far too easily.
Jones - 5.5 - Not the force he usually is, off game for him.
Beckerman - 5.5 - He did some decent things, but one can tell he can't play at this pace. Made several errors because of it.
Donovan - 6.5 - Terrible first half, probably because he was stuck out right. In the second he had more freedom and naturally got involved more.
Bradley - 6 - Did relatively well pressuring up the pitch and laying off the ball, but it's just not his role. Much more useful deeper in midfield.
Torres - 6.5 - Using him wide left is like placing Iniesta as a lone striker. This guy is undoubtedly talented and needs to be the focal point of the attack in midfield. Love his close control.
Buddle - 5 - Mediocre. But didn't see the ball much.
Shea - 7 - The difference-maker in the second half. Glad to see Jurgen put in some true wingers.
Rogers - 6 - His pace caused some problems.
Clark - 4.5 - Not very useful.
Welcome aboard, Jurgen.
I really do like Klinsmann's passion and enthusiasm, and that should rub off on to the players. When Torres came off there was a nice little moment between him and Jurgen, so perhaps he's already confiding well with the players, which is important. Loved his celebration for the goal. We'll see what happens.
Howard - 5.5 - Did not have much to do.
Cherundolo - 5 - Off game, IMO. Not the force he usually is.
Orozco - 5.5 - Not convinced. Made a decent amount of errors but did improve slightly as the match proceeded.
Bocanegra - 6 - OK match, decent but not outstanding. Typical.
Castillo - 4 - Honestly, we are never going to fix this position. He was extremely poor, gave the ball away quite a lot and is muscled off the ball far too easily.
Jones - 5.5 - Not the force he usually is, off game for him.
Beckerman - 5.5 - He did some decent things, but one can tell he can't play at this pace. Made several errors because of it.
Donovan - 6.5 - Terrible first half, probably because he was stuck out right. In the second he had more freedom and naturally got involved more.
Bradley - 6 - Did relatively well pressuring up the pitch and laying off the ball, but it's just not his role. Much more useful deeper in midfield.
Torres - 6.5 - Using him wide left is like placing Iniesta as a lone striker. This guy is undoubtedly talented and needs to be the focal point of the attack in midfield. Love his close control.
Buddle - 5 - Mediocre. But didn't see the ball much.
Shea - 7 - The difference-maker in the second half. Glad to see Jurgen put in some true wingers.
Rogers - 6 - His pace caused some problems.
Clark - 4.5 - Not very useful.
Welcome aboard, Jurgen.
