Goal 1 is on Cropper for miscalculating the time he had (probably should have been first timed). Goals 2 and 3 the central defense is AWOL on marking. 2 in particular is pretty brutal because the whole reason he doesn’t chase the crosser is he’s staying at home, but then he drifts into no man’s land in front of his mark.
Seriously, who is training our central backs? They seem pretty naive and clueless even at the senior level. Very raw and sometimes physically dominant but tactically out of position.
We should have had 2-3 ourselves but then they were clinical where we whiffed or got stuck with the ball under us.
Who trains our U-23 CBs? Whatever club they are with, of course. Any training they get for the few days they are in camp pales in comparison with the training they get the rest of the year at their clubs. This is not a U-17 residency program. These are kids that make mistakes and don’t play with each other all that much, so communication mishaps are bound to happen. I’m not all that worked up over it.
Except it’s a systemic problem — going back to U23 qualifying last time — suggesting simple delegation is not effective. I watch the games and see where the players look drilled on slick offense, play high effort team defense for each other, and are good at instinctive, physical dominance type defending. But as a defender the positioning drives me up a wall.
I get what you’re saying but when the defenses at all age groups seem leaky perhaps our coaches need to emphasize it more when they get the players. If they can’t coach it, add an assistant who can. I’m sick of watching us get our tails kicked by Lukaku type players because of limited one on one defending skills and weak positioning. If the defenders communicate and the guy stays at home the best they manage is one goal.
You’re not that worked up about it except it cost us the Olympics last time and it’s still not fixed.
Shane O’neill (Colorado Rapids) was one of them. Colorado has been awful in defence all year and he clearly has taken a step back in his development this year. Vikers is from Spurs.. don’t know anything about him..
CB does seem like an issue in every youth national team game I have seen in the past few years.
don’t panic too much this Brazil team is a bunch of future FC Barcelona and top UCL club players.. the fact that they looked good at times is enough encouragement for me.
The defenders often seem to be stick figure types best in the air or in team defense, and picked in part based on ball composure. But you can pick people like Boca or Pope who aren’t as tall but are more athletic and mobile, better “island” defenders when the system breaks down, and who can jump to get the same headers. The prototypical CB seems to be a Gonzo bambi on rollerskates type. Meanwhile the wingbacks are athletes. I feel like I’m watching the Dynamo play.
USA gifted Brazil that game. Horrifying mistakes both defensively and offensively.
Cropper should go on loan to a League 1 or 2 side in England to get first team minutes
At least we had some gilt-edged chances, not a motley collection of faint chances.
It was like watching Altidore in front of goal.
Goal 1 is on Cropper for miscalculating the time he had (probably should have been first timed). Goals 2 and 3 the central defense is AWOL on marking. 2 in particular is pretty brutal because the whole reason he doesn’t chase the crosser is he’s staying at home, but then he drifts into no man’s land in front of his mark.
Seriously, who is training our central backs? They seem pretty naive and clueless even at the senior level. Very raw and sometimes physically dominant but tactically out of position.
We should have had 2-3 ourselves but then they were clinical where we whiffed or got stuck with the ball under us.
Who trains our U-23 CBs? Whatever club they are with, of course. Any training they get for the few days they are in camp pales in comparison with the training they get the rest of the year at their clubs. This is not a U-17 residency program. These are kids that make mistakes and don’t play with each other all that much, so communication mishaps are bound to happen. I’m not all that worked up over it.
Except it’s a systemic problem — going back to U23 qualifying last time — suggesting simple delegation is not effective. I watch the games and see where the players look drilled on slick offense, play high effort team defense for each other, and are good at instinctive, physical dominance type defending. But as a defender the positioning drives me up a wall.
I get what you’re saying but when the defenses at all age groups seem leaky perhaps our coaches need to emphasize it more when they get the players. If they can’t coach it, add an assistant who can. I’m sick of watching us get our tails kicked by Lukaku type players because of limited one on one defending skills and weak positioning. If the defenders communicate and the guy stays at home the best they manage is one goal.
You’re not that worked up about it except it cost us the Olympics last time and it’s still not fixed.
Shane O’neill (Colorado Rapids) was one of them. Colorado has been awful in defence all year and he clearly has taken a step back in his development this year. Vikers is from Spurs.. don’t know anything about him..
CB does seem like an issue in every youth national team game I have seen in the past few years.
don’t panic too much this Brazil team is a bunch of future FC Barcelona and top UCL club players.. the fact that they looked good at times is enough encouragement for me.
The defenders often seem to be stick figure types best in the air or in team defense, and picked in part based on ball composure. But you can pick people like Boca or Pope who aren’t as tall but are more athletic and mobile, better “island” defenders when the system breaks down, and who can jump to get the same headers. The prototypical CB seems to be a Gonzo bambi on rollerskates type. Meanwhile the wingbacks are athletes. I feel like I’m watching the Dynamo play.
Wow, we had some golden chances.
Wondowed about three gift wrapped chances.
Chalk up the loss to 3 exceptionally poor finishes while the score stood at 1-0.