It must feel good to be Benny Feilhaber right now.
After an impressive performance for the U.S. national team in the Confederations Cup, and after a solid showing as a substitute in a 2-0 Gold Cup victory over Honduras last week, Feilhaber scored twice in his first summer appearance for AGF Aarhus in a friendly on Monday. Feilhaber's brace, along with compatriot Jeremiah White's goal, helped Aarhus defeat second division club Skive IK, 4-2.
Feilhaber and Aarhus begin their season on July 20th against Aalborg.
What do you think of Feilhaber's brace? Is he ready for a big season in Denmark? Do you see him getting called into the Aug. 12 match against Mexico? Should he start?
Share your thoughts below.
@ dvm2971
Spot on. Jones is currently far better than Michael Bradley. Under any reasonable scenario, Jones has to be in the first XI.
This leaves Bob Bradley with a dilemma. Does he bench Michael? Does he play Michael and Jones as his center midfield pairing? Or does he reshuffle the formation to get the best players on the field?
I am of the opinion that a Bradley-Jones pairing does not offer enough going forwards.
Of course, if you are satisfied with a Bradley-Clark midfield you will be more than happy to swap Jones for Clark.
But don’t we aim to do more than play balls-to-the-wall defense against top sides?
If we want to maintain possession, we need players with poise and vision in the center of the pitch. That means either Benny Feilhaber or Jose Francisco Torres on the field.
I am very pleased to see Benny back in the mix. But Torres should also be given some extended opportunities.
It’s nice, but no big deal, as it’s a friendly against a 2nd-division side. That said, let’s hope Benny plays well and moves to a better league (where he gets playing time!) during the next transfer window.
Great! Keep it up.
The last time I got excited about goals scored in friendlies abroad Landon came back from Bayern without landing a contract, so pardon me if I reserve my judgment
Posted by: ChelseaMatt | July 13, 2009 at 04:49 PM
Classic.
patrick-
well see three at the back about the same time well see bradley bench his son for benny and/or jones
Benny is the most composed and accurate playmaker in the midfield – bar none on the men’s Nats. He is the closest thing to Reyna we have now, and I think he has more upside than Claudio. That cracker against Mexico in the Gold Cup in 2007 are the kinds of goals that you see in the World Cup – where defenses get really compact and you need some blasts from outside the 18 (see Lahm, Rosicky, Maxi Rodriguez, etc.). Now that Rogers strike against Haiti was another top shelf quality one that we don’t see too often coming from the US. Go Benny Go!
The guy’s confidence has really sky-rocketed since he came in against Honduras. It’s nice to know that him and White are doing well; keep giving Americans a good name guys!
By this logic, we should be starting Eddie Johnson:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/soccer/wires/07/11/2080.ap.soc.melbourne.fulham.0318/index.html?eref=si_soccer
dman23,
I know, I know…wishful thinking to have a coach who shakes up things.
Patrick,
I don’t think you can always play your best 11, but of course you should make every effort to do so. Now what you’re proposing would only leave 3 in the back (Two forwards, 5 midfield, and 3 in the back). I like, I like but I think our defenders are too slow. Can be played on occasion but would be attacking futbol.
But in a standard 4-4-2, I would have a central midfield tandem that employs a destroyer with a Benny type player. Benny would be quarterback essentially. But I know Bob is going to go with a two destroyer midfield which will still make our offense sputter along as usual.
The last time I got excited about goals scored in friendlies abroad Landon came back from Bayern without landing a contract, so pardon me if I reserve my judgment
@patrick
soooo you’re saying we should play a 3-5-2….don’t know if we’ll see that
@Luke
It was a joke. I just thought it was funny that Ives suggested that Altidore might get fewer callups playing in Greece…Greece is just as far away as parts of Scandinavia.
Having a little fun, that’s all.
dvm2971,
That would be a bad choice, and one I don’t think bradley would, or should make. If jones pans out, why can’t we change our formation? Jones is a player that would be a class above many players on the US. Bradley is slowly but surely getting to that level as well. You play your best 11 which could certainly include a bradley jones feilhaber midfield with donovan dempsey outside, and altidore and davies/ching. Jones sitting behind bradley a bit would cover defensively and give us more going forwards and better distribution from the back.
Bradley come off the bench HA that will be the day! Unless pops is not in the directors chair, nota chance.
I think Benny should get a start alongside Bradley. And if Benny keeps getting regular playing time with his exceptional ball holding skills and passing, and if Jones pans out to be what we’ve all heard, both should be starting with Bradley sitting out.
I know Senior would never do that and many of you think Jr. is our best player, but he is not an attacking mid like his father claims him to be. He is a defensive mid who plays the same position as Jones. Again, if Jones turns out to be as advertised, then Bradly should come off the bench.
Mike Caramba:
Who exactly on the USMNT is he competing with from England???? Anton Peterlin?
When did Honduras score a goal? Dos a cero.
Of course Benny needs to (and will) be called in for Azteca in a month. He may start, but I think it’s more likely that we see Bradley/Clark central and Benny called in at the 65th min (my biggest knock on elder Bradley is I could set my watch by his subsitutions) if the game is tied or the US is trailing.
Further proof that most athletes (like other humans) take a little time to fully mature and grow into their skills. I wonder if his injuries and club struggles won’t become a great asset to his career in the long run.
Benny is an exciting player – I see this being a big year for him.
I hope Feilhaber can get a starting spot and keep playing the way he is right now. Then if he is on the World Cup roster and has a great tournement, we will be talking about him next summer going to a big European club.
Thing have been looking better and better for American footballers, and I think we could be seeing more and more guys playing for the AC Milans, Manchester Uniteds, and Barcelonas.
Lets just hope for a great World Cup.
Here’s google’s translation of the goal descriptions Ives linked to:
—-
25 / Mååååål Benny Feilhaber brings AGF in front
After a massive AGF pressure is suddenly Feilhaber free at rear pillar, and he calmly puts the ball into the washer-keep.
—-
60 / Måååååål Benny Feilhaber is again on the stain and make it 3-2.
– Feilhaber is a smart feature that brings him full position on the left side, and again shows the American cool by placing the ball calmly into.
I love online translators
That what I’m talkin’ ’bout, Benny! Yeah it’s a friendly, but lets hope he keeps it up all the way to the World Cup.
hard to believe that Benny couldn’t get playing time at Derby County.
Bradley and Clark, should start against Mexico and Benny Should come in at Half Time, for who ever is playing bad of the two.
He’s a good player, but I think playing all the way in Scandinavia really has to hurt his chances of getting called up. He might be a little sleepier than his friends playing in England after those long plane trips.
Steve Cherundolo and Michael Parkhurst have left the Gold Cup and returned to their club teams.
http://www.ussoccerplayers.com/ussoccerplayers/2009/07/cherundolo-and-parkhurst-exit-cup.html
MEXICO!!!
break out season too.
seriously happy for benny. it was a pretty rough couple of years there… all that potential is being realized.
way to go, keep up the hard work!!!
I like benny off the bench, fresh legs with offensive mindset would be the perfect ying to jones’ yang.
…that sounded weird
Randall- he could have used one of the pictures that has a horrible ratio, making the players look like goblins or 3 feet tall, and 500 pounds, for example: the Dominic Cervi picture, wish I had the patience to find the link.
Speaking of Americans getting actual PT for smaller clubs, it looks like Jemal Johnson is staying with MK Dons:
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12875_5432291,00.html
geez, ives, could you not find a goofier picture?
Just goes to show what regular playing time can do for you…hope DMB, Adu and everyone else is taking note!
Stay healthy and HUMBLE Benny and good things will come.
Keep it up Benny! You’ve got your career back on that upward arc. I hope lessons were learned form last time adn this tiem it can be sustained. We all hope it for you.
Posted by: Steve | July 13, 2009 at 02:59 PM
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Aside from the typos, my words exactly.
He can really help add depth to our lack of attacking midfielders with vision.
Feeling good about our yanks abroad for the ’09/’10 season.
I’m beginning to think Benny should start, and Landon should come off the bench…!
Better than a “write the caption,” we should have a “write the translation.”
Apparently in the 23rd minute, Benny afsluttered!!! If only he could do that for the Nats…. I think… Check the link:
23/ Benny Feilhaber afslutter snert forbi den ene stolpe.
…
60/ Måååååål Benny Feilhaber er atter påpletten, og gør det til 3-2.
Feilhaber tager et smart træk, der bringer ham i helt fri position i venstre side, og igen viser amerikaneren koldblodighed ved at lægge bolden stille og roligt ind.
…
90/ Kampen er slut. ….
It seems like so long ago that Benny scored that wonderful goal against Mexico. I HOPE we are finally seeing him settle in and play the quality we had glimpsed then. A solid cycle in Denmark then move on to a bigger league in the next summer transfer.
Nice one Masher…
Anyone else watch the world’s smallest video thumbnail on the link provided? – excellent soundtrack for watching soccer – lol!
I hope Benny stays level-headed and grounded. If he can work hard and stay humble I think he’ll have a big season. If he does that, then I think he’ll get serious looks from bigger leagues/clubs.
I’ll be happy with Benny as long as he gets consistent playing time. This is a good way to get the season started.
…and count me in as one of those who would like to see Jeremiah White get some time with the national team. Unless Kenny Cooper steps it up in a major way, we really need someone who can come off of the bench b/c Connor Casey ain’t the answer.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Benny
I think he should be a definite sub.
EA – I almost missed the sarcasm.
Benny should be in the starting XI. He’s got the vision and the skill to deliver spot on passes and strikes.
Its great to see Benny’s career back on track. Back in 2007 we saw the beginnings of a great mid-field pairing of Bradley and Feilhaber…2 years later it looks like that duo may be back together on a regular basis…good news for the USMNT…
is that “en pointe” or “demi-pointe” in the picture?
I’m so sick of Kenny Cooper always getting called in.
When are we going to see Jeremiah White???
Bob Bradley should be fired!
(Just so I’m prepared, who is next to clamor for after White? Is it Marcus Tracy? I have trouble keeping up.)
Keep it up Benny! You’ve got your career back on that upward arc. I hope lessons were learned form last time adn this tiem it can be sustained. We all hope it for you.
wow. way to go benny!
First! This would be a pretty good you write the caption photo, btw..