Little worried about the US defense, but the attack looks like it is developing very well. Did not see anything wrong with 2nd Dempsey goal. Honduras also had some fantastic moments, they will be tough in qualifying.
I am neither particularly encouraged nor discouraged by this outing.
The conditions were ABSURD and really affected play.
Dempsey is critical to the offense.
Good–looked pretty fluid and creative on offense and created lots of chances. Bad–blew lots of chances.
We knew this already, but Howard is a stud.
Yikes! The defense!
Altidore looks much better when paired with another striker. He and Dempsey played well together. I like Agudelo too, a lot, and I’d like to to see him paired with each of these two.
they were definitely smarter with the ball. like you said, it’s not consistent, but it’s a learning process, and they’re definitely getting there. i think once they can be consistent in that style of play, we will be a force. we’ve always had big, strong, fast players that cater to a run and gun style, so we would still have a counter-attacking bite and advantage on set pieces like always, so if we could get a possession style passing game down too, that would be fun to watch
i also noticed one positive effect that Klinsmann seems to have instilled in the team is to let their offensive creativity flow. i noticed a lot more flicks, backheels, stepovers, etc. last night than usual. Dempsey is always doing that, but i noticed it from just about every attacking player on the pitch, something no one but Dempsey used to do
Story in the local Hoffenheim newspaper saying that Danny Williams is leaving camp today and flying back to Germany to prepare for next weekend’s important game against his old club Stuttgart.
It’s no secret that our backline is in major transition right now. Chandler, Williams, Lichaj, these are all potential starters at fullback who are just being brought in, and center back is still very up in the air. Gooch’s return helps, but its still a return.
ps. Yes, I know Lichaj is injured, just highlighting how changeable our back four is.
Our defense gave up some pretty good scoring opportunities to Honduras. If Howard’s not on his A game last night we lose 2 or 3 to 1.
Also, Honduras missed a few golden chances where Howard wouldn’t have a chance.
Some of those defensive errors could kill us in the future where a good team buries those chances.
Very encouraged with last night’s performance and agree Dempsey did not foul. The goal should have stood. Passing has really improved and awareness as well.
I saw progress last night. The US has always been about running and, when safe, gunning, but last night, I saw times when players were letting the ball do the work, noticing each other well across distances. It isn’t consistent yet, but that needs to be encouraged. No matter what formation or lineup or opponent, that is where we fall behind the elite.
Little worried about the US defense, but the attack looks like it is developing very well. Did not see anything wrong with 2nd Dempsey goal. Honduras also had some fantastic moments, they will be tough in qualifying.
+1
I am neither particularly encouraged nor discouraged by this outing.
The conditions were ABSURD and really affected play.
Dempsey is critical to the offense.
Good–looked pretty fluid and creative on offense and created lots of chances. Bad–blew lots of chances.
We knew this already, but Howard is a stud.
Yikes! The defense!
Altidore looks much better when paired with another striker. He and Dempsey played well together. I like Agudelo too, a lot, and I’d like to to see him paired with each of these two.
I believe there is a replay on Fox Soccer Channel at 8pm Eastern today.
Is there anywhere where i can watch the entire match?
I missed all but the last 15 mins. of the first half. Where in these highlights are all the Honduras chances and the two missed U.S. sitters?
If Hoffenheim wants him back asap, Juergen was right to let him go.
The kid got his taste of USMNT, after more games starting in Budnesliga he will be even better.
Main thing is Williams looks like a keeper for qualifying, even after just this 1 outing for stars and stripes.
He was calling for the pass to set up a long-range shot. Nothing more than that really.
they were definitely smarter with the ball. like you said, it’s not consistent, but it’s a learning process, and they’re definitely getting there. i think once they can be consistent in that style of play, we will be a force. we’ve always had big, strong, fast players that cater to a run and gun style, so we would still have a counter-attacking bite and advantage on set pieces like always, so if we could get a possession style passing game down too, that would be fun to watch
i also noticed one positive effect that Klinsmann seems to have instilled in the team is to let their offensive creativity flow. i noticed a lot more flicks, backheels, stepovers, etc. last night than usual. Dempsey is always doing that, but i noticed it from just about every attacking player on the pitch, something no one but Dempsey used to do
Story in the local Hoffenheim newspaper saying that Danny Williams is leaving camp today and flying back to Germany to prepare for next weekend’s important game against his old club Stuttgart.
http://www.1899aktuell.de/top-meldungen/2910-williams-spielt-durch-und-kehrt-fruehzeitig-heim
I agree. Not every ref is going to nullify the goal in that situation, but it happens.
+100
edu, williams (2), shea and gooch all should have had a goal. dempsey’s second goal should have counted, but he kind of pushed up off the defender.
What was Edu doing on Dempsey’s goal? Begging for the ball? Premature celebration? Bizarre
It’s no secret that our backline is in major transition right now. Chandler, Williams, Lichaj, these are all potential starters at fullback who are just being brought in, and center back is still very up in the air. Gooch’s return helps, but its still a return.
ps. Yes, I know Lichaj is injured, just highlighting how changeable our back four is.
You seem to be ignoring the fact that we missed several easy, open goals. So maybe the score should have been USA 7 Honduras 3?
Our defense gave up some pretty good scoring opportunities to Honduras. If Howard’s not on his A game last night we lose 2 or 3 to 1.
Also, Honduras missed a few golden chances where Howard wouldn’t have a chance.
Some of those defensive errors could kill us in the future where a good team buries those chances.
Very encouraged with last night’s performance and agree Dempsey did not foul. The goal should have stood. Passing has really improved and awareness as well.
the US are getting better and better. really looking forward to World Cup qualifying. It should look even better.
Yeah, second goal was just a powerful header.
I saw progress last night. The US has always been about running and, when safe, gunning, but last night, I saw times when players were letting the ball do the work, noticing each other well across distances. It isn’t consistent yet, but that needs to be encouraged. No matter what formation or lineup or opponent, that is where we fall behind the elite.
I really don’t see anything wrong with the second Dempsey goal.