The U.S. men's national team looks to make it two wins in a row under Jurgen Klinsmann with tonight's match against Ecuador at Red Bull Arena (7pm, ESPN).
The Americans come in off a 1-0 victory against Honduras on Saturday, but tonight's opponent should provide a much tougher challenge, at least in terms of attacking threats. Featuring Manchester United midfielder Antonio Valencia and a plethora of top Mexican League-based attacking stars, Ecuador will push the U.S. defense and test out what could be the American first-choice defense for the forseeable future.
SBI will be providing live commentary on tonight's match so please feel free to follow along here. As always, you are welcome to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below.
Enjoy the action (Tonight's commentary is after the jump):
Good: Chandler, Dempsey, Gooch, Howard.
Bad: Spector, Beckerman, Ream.
Average: Bradley, Edu, Boca.
Uninteresting: Buddle, Agudelo.
Tired? Shea, Altidore, Dolo.
Questions: Fabian; Williams when Donovan is back; Donovan with Dempsey.
Seems clear to me that Edu isn’t the answer in the middle of the field offensively and that Beckerman isn’t the answer as the 1. I’d move Bradley into the 1 spot and Williams the middle when Donovan is back. If we can’t score with Dempsey, Donovan, Altidore and Shea on the field at the same time, we need to start playing a second striker. I’m not discouraged by the result, but the drop-off from the first half to the second was extremely noticeable and indicative of our lack of depth.
And that game was on a Saturday, not a Tuesday 🙂
Agree that MLS should let teams already present in cities grow before putting additional teams like Chivas in, but I seem to remember Seattle pulling 15k for a Gold Cup match in 2009 🙂
Plus, it’s on turf. Yuck.
+1
Williams isn’t ready. He plays with the ball for days when he should be moving it or shooting it. Shocked that Mixx wasn’t called in when we clearly needed a CM with some creativity w/out Torres and Holden. Love Gatt and he has the speed to open up the wing opposite Shea, but the kid is 19. Haven’t seen Zusi yet.
Beckerman is comfortable on the ball?????? You really shouldn’t comment if you don’t actually WATCH the game. Come on, be serious. He is terrific defensively but clearly can’t handle the ball pressure in international football.
Ramos is correct! We lack talent at the moment. There appears to be a generational gap in talent. I hope that I’m wrong, but fear that I’m not.
Only U.S. fans are allowed to follow MLS?
But yea NY should not get another team if the new team were to somehow succeed the Red Bulls would probably be in trouble. Don’t see how it would be a net gain.
Beckerman will get there. He’s as comfortable on the ball as anyone out there. He needs more time but he’ll be a great asset.
Shea Dempsey
Beasley Donovan Beckerman Bradley
Chandler Gooch TBD TBD
1. Williams is ready.
2. Beckerman is great support, he’s the perfect support especially when LD is back in. LD can move up. Beckerman distro. Bradley holding.
3. Yes.
4. Yup.
5. Yes, more runs off the forwards from the midfield will help. Beasley is the best option.
6. Ok.
7. Overrated. Not sure why everyone is all over him tonight.
except id say williams looks talented, just not a right winger, i bet that would work with chandler behind him but i wouldnt move chandler from left back until we have a competent replacement. Behind Howard, Dempsey, Donovan(close), and Bradley(maybe), Chandler is the best at his position.
That is funny!
ding ding ding…winning post
Jorge Ramos, “if those are the best players that Klinsmann has available, the US is in trouble.” Ouch.
The Germans were NOT ecstatic with Klinsmann. They were ecstatic with the TEAM. Which was coached by Jogi Loew.
I see 13 players that can play at the Intl. level. We’ve got 7 more spots to fill and 6 months to do it. I’m confident. Especially if somehow we can get Holden back. I’d also like to see Davies back in a US jersey yea??
You say the same thing after EVERY MB appearance. We get it. You are blind to his quality and just like trolling. Get over it already.
Beckerman has to be the best DM in the world. He disrupts the flow of the game for 2 teams at the same time.
But we didn’t force any saves. I liked the pressure but we need to get more comfortable moving the ball around the goal.
Klinsi and Bayern GM Uli Hoeness were enemies from day one.
Who Goes? Fiscal, Spector.
Who is not ready? Agudelo, Ream.
Who stays? Williams, Chandler, Torres, Beckerman, Shea, Deuce, LD, MB, Dolo, Gooch, Boca, Beasley, Altidore.
On the fence? Edu.
Needs a call up? Zusi, Gatt, Diskerud.
That’s simply ridiculous. MB was one of the few highlights of the second half.