I liked what Yedlin brought to the table. Not sure if he makes it but he will be there for the future. Thought he was better moving forward than Beltran. Green cannot go to the World Cup. He cannot take a roster spot. He's cap tied now. There's no worry of losing him. But he cannot be there taking up a potentially important roster spot. What is wrong with Donovan? Was it me or did it look like he put on a few pounds. He looked very slow. Those runs forward he made were almost painful to watch. He couldn't have lost all of his pace unless he's injured. Hopefully, he's not questioning whether he wants to play again. I thought Dempsey looked ok. He nearly pulled off an incredible move towards the end. Would have been the play of the night had he kept it a bit closer and was able to finish. That free kick to end the game was embarrassingly bad, though. Brad Davis did himself no favors last night. Bad touches and bad passes all throughout his 56 minutes. He seemed to be out of position an awful lot, too. When the backs had the ball, there was almost never anyone out wide on the left to go to. How can Omar Gonzalez, a professional soccer player who's paid well to be a sweeper, be so freaking bad at marking? He's incredibly bad at marking. I realize the goal was off of the post, but he had completely lost his man on what was a defendable play. I think Besler is getting flak because he's having to cover for Gonzo. Ultimately, it might be Besler and Cameron in the middle if Gonzalez doesn't learn how to keep his man. Beasely and Fabian Johnson or As difficult as this is to say, Bekerman played well and made it possible for Bradley to do what he did. That's all I'm saying because I just threw up in my mouth a bit. I'd still prefer Cameron in that role, especially if Gonzalez is going to start because they're going to need the extra defensive presence and someone who marks his man well. If Bradley isn't the best American player right now, who is? This team is lost without him. If something good happens in Brazil, it will be directly attributable to Bradley. An excellent 45 minutes followed by an less than stellar 45 minutes. Should've won easily. EJ was on and that was an obvious foul on Green. Not a PK, but just outside the box.
After his last run that drew the final free kick he was bent over sucking air. I think that's the first time I've ever seen that from him. Usually he can go 90 minutes and still have gas left in the tank at the end, like his goal against Algeria. Last night he looked gassed after 30 minutes. I agree with your other points. There's going to be a lot of questions that have to get answered in the May camp.
Swoly is right Annoying, but technically correct since Johnson's head was ahead of the defender. Still unbelieve that no foul was called on that play by green on the edge of the box. It wouldn't of been a penalty, but it would of been in a very dangerous area. The fact that it resulted in a no-call just floored me.
3-2 USA - not a bad result for playing so badly and having so many guys fighting for a spot. It seemed the 2nd half subs really messed up the chemistry - and Mexico changing formation really messed up the USA in the 2nd half, to where there was no adjustment for it by Klinsmann. Either way a good win over our rivals 3-2. Yep, still onside. DD
This is the defense I want to see come Brazil Parkhurt - Besler - Cameron - Fabian Omar shouldn't start he still makes too many mistakes (both goals on him). Offside or not I'm glad Eddie was able to finish it. Green was nervous and it showed, hopefully nobody was expecting him to be the second coming. Yedlin looked just as nervous against Korea and looked so much better today (even though he was out of position a few times that a better team would have taken advantage of). Both of them should get a look in the final 30 want to see more of both
It is hard to look at from that angle, but it looks like his head was ahead of the defender and the offside rules state that any part of the head, body, or feet of the attacker is considered (arms are not considered part of the body). From the angle we have in the gif, I agree that it looks onside, but again the view is at an angle. That is why it is hard to tell from that gif, and I believe it was the right call.
The linesman was in a good position and I think the lean puts him off. Green was fouled but not a PK. But honestly there was missed calls the entire game. I think there was a missed US handball in the box earlier. That Panamanian ref was terrible for both sides. Scrappy game of two halves, really exciting for a friendly. The fans win.
I think this game was a clear indication that Bradley and not Jones should be given the opportunity to roam around the midfield. He makes things happen when he goes forward and has the ball at his feet. I would prefer Cameron over Beckerman simply for his vision and set pieces but i doubt either will start over Jones in the end. As for Green, he performed as expected. Clearly was nervous and made a few mistakes early on. After his injury and went to the side i'm sure Jurgen said a few things to calm him down and he looked much better. Made a good run on the play where bradley decided to shoot it himself also when he had the opportunity to shoot first time but decided to take a touch instead. Zusi and Davis both had subpar games, with the exception of the one cross from Davis on the free kick. Not something you expect from a fringe player desperately trying to make his first and last world cup Yedlin showed speed, so did Edu, and the ability to backtrack and cover up mistakes made up the field which is always nice. Fundamentals were there with a bit of nerve doubt he makes this world cup but will be a starter in the coming one in my opinion based off how weak we are in the defense. Donovan....I don't even know where to begin. He just looked a step slower than everyone on the field, never got the sense that he was dangerous and could score at any minute like he use to. And will Dempsey stop with all his diving, its just getting embarrassing to the point where he never gets questionable fouls called for him anymore.
LOL @ DaDakota living in FantasySoccerLand. :grin: "onside"... LOL WTF? The lean you mention is the reason for calling it OFFSIDE. Here is the opposite angle: Hands and arms only don't count as offside because you can't use them in the field of play. Head, whole legs, shoulders knees and toes, knees and toes, count toward offside. Had EJ only had his hand past the defender, he would not have been offside.
I wouldn't mind that backline but with Fabian at RB, who's starting LW? Donovan looked slow & out of shape yesterday. Bedoya/Zusi are both natural right sided players. I think you'd have to keep Beasley back there (not a great option) unless Yedlin shows that he's capable.
I used to do some soccer refereeing. From the assistant referee's angle, Johnson might have looked slightly past the defender on the play; he was leaning forward in the Univision clip. However, I probably would not have called that offsides.
He also started his run from an offside position, look at the very beginning of the gif. You can't do that either, need to establish yourself onside first. Combine that with the lean and it's clearly the right call.
Thanks DD, I didn't know the game would have ended on EJ's goal around the 85th minute. Cool I'm learning more SAWKER!!!!
If leaning is the reason why someone is offsides, that's kinda stupid. I don't see how leaning forward gives you an advantage. You won't get to the ball any faster, you still have to use your legs to move.
Not if you follow the rules. it is stupid, I agree, but I'm not the one who came up with that rule. My guess would be he has the momentum, but that's all I can think of.
