The Soccer Thread (Version 7.0)

That's about as good a group as you can ask for from the region, I think.

 

I thought for a bunker, play for the 0-0 situation, we did well. Bradley was content to not even go for a number of 50-50 balls so he could stay in front of the Mexico players.

We really missed Landon's speed and creativity on the counter -- on the few times that we were able to break, it would have been better to have him in there getting around people and making the smart pass.

DMB did a servicable job given the circumstances, but we were lucky that we weren't more exposed by him. There was repeatedly room behind him for the through ball.

Guzan did well and Omar was MOM for me. They might keep that CB pairing for the next few games, because they meshed really well in the second half.

And Mexico was robbed on the Edu no-call.

 

There was only one legitimate penalty claim in Mexico's favor.

It wasn't a great game for the USA, but they did well enough. Mexico failed to perform as they like to and relied too heavily on the ref bailing them out.

While it's true that The penalty should have been called, there were a few calls early on in Mexico's favor, like Besler's yellow, which shouldn't have happened.

In the end, the USA prevented Mexico from getting 3 points and they gained one themselves. Winning the region could go a long way towards helping with their group seeding when it comes to the Finals in Brazil.

I'm done with Donovan. I don't want him back. Ever.

 

I get what you're saying, but the USMNT is still in the beggar stage. We haven't reached chooser status yet.

 

I disagree. The team has enough midfielders offering different options. Donovan only offers the odd big game. His a tool that needs to be tossed away.

 

It's very hard to criticize a strategy that worked, but I think a lot of people would be evaluating the performance very differently if a bounce or two had gone differently and the ref hadn't swallowed his whistle (which might not have happened if they weren't such unrepentant divers).

 

I agree. They got a result from a stadium where they normally don't even get a draw, much less a victory. It's hard to look down your noses about the way they played the match.

 

I can't figure the guy out. For me, he's the best field player that we've ever produced and I don't think that it is close. Landon should have had a 10 year career at the highest levels of European soccer. I can't believe that he would skip the chance to play what almost certainly would have been his last meaningful match at Azteca.

But he obviously is a quirky guy. The fact of the matter is that we are not as good without him and I'd take him back in a heartbeat when he wants to play.

 

My problem is that you can't rely on the unreliable. Donovan is not remotely reliable. This little sabbatical is just more proof of that. The big games where he disappears is other evidence.

For my money, Dempsey exceeded Landon a while ago. Dempsey, excuse the expression, has balls, something Donovan has never seen.

You can bet he'll be back. He'll need to get paid at some point. But, I have no interest in Klinsmann calling him up.

 

LD was with Galaxy at the White House yesterday.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/03/26/welcome-back-la-galaxy-star-landon-donovan-makes-first-public-appearance-201

I think he's done. He just doesn't want to say so.

 

As frustrating as Dempsey can be at times for the national team, you're correct with this assessment. Donovan has been equal parts our best player and a waste of talent for the past decade.

 

Dempsey is a fine mid-table EPL player who had a great last season and a mediocre 2012-13 when he stepped up a notch to Spurs. He's tough and plays hard (even if he dives too much) and he and Bradley are the best Americans playing in Europe right now. But he's not nearly as skilled of a player as Donovan.