[Fútbol] Estados Unidos de Norteamérica vs. España at 2 pm

But 10 years ago the talent in Europe was a couple of midfielders....and some keepers.

Now we have tons of players playing over there....it looks sunnier to me.

DD

 

Nice flick shot goal. That really was an amazing shot, beautiful placement!

 

Towards what?!?! For the players it counts to get some playing time, for the coach he sees who is ready and who is going to be dropped.

 

Friendlies like this are good barometers to measure young players for both teams.

Which is why I was kind of surprised that England brought such a veteran team to the table against the USA last week.

They had nothing to play for, are not in the Euro cup....so not sure why they didn't bring up some young guys to get some caps.

DD

 

Probably cause Capello is new and trying to get a feel for the vets before WC qualifying begins. He's prob not too familiar with all the younger/inexperienced players yet.

To neutral fans and unpassionate ones they are meaningless games but to the players it's an honor to represent their nations and a chance to earn a spot for those on the bubble.

 

Friendlies aren't to prove who the better team is, they are for teams to try new players and tactics or to prepare for an upcoming meaningful game. Sure there is always pride on the line, but it's secondary to developing the team.

Yesterday against Spain I'd rather see the US field a team of guys that will be in the pool for 2010 and lose 5-0 than send out old players or players that obviously don't cut it. I like Eddie Lewis and Frankie Hejduk, but their time on the national team has come and gone, they may help us win now but aren't going to be options in 2010, so why send them out there. We'd be better off sending young guys that have shown potential but may not be there yet to give them a look.

 

At this point I think those are our best attacking players. I'd have Donovan and Altidore up top, Adu as an attacking mid, and Beasley and Dempsey on the wings. The beauty of it is that it gives us a lot of interchangeability.

And I'm also not sold on Bradley as a DM, or even having 2 DM's at all times. Bradley is good for at least 1 yellow card a game and gives away too many free kicks in dangerous areas. It's obvious he has talent, just not in that position.

 

It's a shame that Feilhaber has fallen off the face of the Earth since his wonder goal in the Gold Cup final... while he had to leave HSV because he wasn't getting any playing time behind Van Der Vaart, Derby definitely wasn't the best destination for him.