United States v Slovenia International Friendly - Gamethread
by Dave Clark on Nov 15, 2011 8:37 AM PST
in US National Team, World Cup and Other International Soccer
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PrintSlovenia is another round of teams better than the United States that Jurgen Klinsmann will test his system and talent evaluation against on a Tuesday morning at 9 AM Pacific on ESPN2. Similar to the USA the Slovenes faded since the World Cup. They weren't as high in the rankings, nor have they fallen as far. In the past 5 matches the southeastern European nation has wins over Serbia and the Faroe Islands with losses to Estonia and Italy. They also managed a draw against Belgium. Like the Americans, they have a new coach and Slavisa Stojanovic is finding new talent scattered throughout various leagues.
For Klinsmann he is still struggling to find a midfielder who can create. With Maurice Edu and Danny Williams struggling to pass effectively there is little ability to transition to his system. Considering the talents being ignored do have the skills needed for the system and the failures to generate offense there is a rising question as to when it is legitimate to point out that his words are not matching his actions. Yes, the new coach has found a few new talents (particularly dual German-Americans), but they aren't matching his system. Friendlies are there for training, for learning, but there will come a time when he must win games and there is no evidence yet that his selections are able to play his system.
USA v Slovenia, 9 AM, ESPN2
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USA Lineup
Howard
Cherundolo, Goodson, Bocanegra, Chandler
Johnson, Beckerman, Bradley, Dempsey
Buddle, Altidore
And yeah, I don’t see how with those two forwards this is anything but 4-4-2. Bradley should be more advanced than Beckerman, but not enough to call it 4-1-3-2
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ESPN is showing it as a diamond
with Bradley out wide on the right and Dempsey as the CAM.
That’s got ugly written all over it.
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Sounder At Heart
Probably just as well that I'm at work.
I don’t think I have it in me today to watch another poor performance.
Will Klinsy break the losing streak
Sure, they’re only friendlies, but morale has to be getting a tad low
The SAH Links Guy
Dempsey does in face start in the middle
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Sounder At Heart
I do not understand this
Sure, I’m for trying new things, but this seems like unnecessary tinkering.
The SAH Links Guy
He's been in the middle more often than not under Jurgen
oh, and does in FACT
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Sounder At Heart
Maybe
but I haven’t followed his time in Italy at all.
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Sounder At Heart
They're an Alpine country, aren't they?
I guess they kinda look like mountains. I like it though.
Anybody have a link showing names + numbers?
I’m guessing it’s Chandler at #3 and Johnson #8? Super hard to tell with the fog.
I know I'm going to sound like a broken record here.
But Bocanegra and Cherundolo are known entities and not the future for our team. I want to see our young, talented Americans on defense. Especially with John and Gonzalez who could easily play elsewhere.
You're definitely preaching to the choir
I really want to see Omar Gonzalez get some caps. I don’t understand how the consensus defender of the year for MLS isn’t getting any love. Especially with Onyewu ongoing injury problems.
The SAH Links Guy
Yeah, but there were plenty of times to call him up earlier
It’s not like he’s come out of no where.
The SAH Links Guy
Well he does have two caps under Bradley
But Klinsmann hasn’t called him up to train yet.
There is no one behind Cherundolo.
Well there is, but he’s playing left back.
by Aaron Campeau on Nov 15, 2011 9:37 AM PST up reply actions
I'm curious where Chandler will eventually end up when all is said and done.
But what I don’t want is in years time to have Gonzalez and John play elsewhere and both say they would’ve rather played for the USA had they only gotten the call-up.
I get Omar not being called up this time.
I do not get John not being called up.
Chandler is a lot better on the right than on the left and Lichaj is equal on both sides, but as much as I love Eric he’s far from a sure thing. Behind those two there is just absolutely no young depth at fullback.
by Aaron Campeau on Nov 15, 2011 9:48 AM PST up reply actions
That's the thing, I'd rather give Lichaj a shot in these friendlies.
We know what Cherundolo can do, but there’s no harm in seeing Lichaj out here. Just like what he’s doing with Chandler – trial by fire.
A backline of Lichaj, Gonzalez, John, and Chandler might be mistake prone now, but in 2014, that’s a good amount of time to gain cohesion.
I would love it if Lichaj was playing these games.
Unfortunately an in-tact hip flexor is a necessity for playing soccer.
by Aaron Campeau on Nov 15, 2011 9:56 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Pishposh. I've seen enough old people to know we don't need hips.
I do trust that Klinsmann has been talking to all these players though.
I'd add in Ream as your third CB rotating with John and Gonzalez
He’s had a rough year, but his passing and vision out of the back is something the US needs.
The SAH Links Guy
They need quality defense more
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Sounder At Heart
True, but...
…I think he just had a Sophmore slump due to fixture congestion and locker room drama. In the long term I think he’ll be fine.
The SAH Links Guy
Slovenia, i think
After the second Slovenia goal, they showed someone who might have been your guy. Almost-rave-green scarf with secondary bits of light blue, and a ‘Slovenia’ wordmark. Seemed like the green matched the ‘i feel sLOVEnia’ ads that have popped up on the sideline ad boards a couple of times.
I would have felt more sLOVEnia if it actually was a Sounders scarf.
Poor marking almost cost a second goal
Is no one talking?
Slovenia had a great chance.
Nos audietis in somniis, Nos audietis in altum: You will hear us!
I had to write about Keller
He won keeper of the year
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Sounder At Heart
by Dave Clark on Nov 15, 2011 9:59 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Go read the post at halftime!
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Sounder At Heart
Wow, talk about poor marking
Slovenia leaves Dempsey open and he clinically finishes a header 2-1.
Nos audietis in somniis, Nos audietis in altum: You will hear us!
Clint Dempsey scored on a set-piece
because there were two forwards? I kid
Great header from a bit of distance
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Sounder At Heart
replay made it clear
live I thought he tripped in the fog
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Sounder At Heart
Oh it's a PK
I typed too soon. The replay made it look clear.
Nos audietis in somniis, Nos audietis in altum: You will hear us!
I'll take it
It’s nice to watch a USMNT game with the US leading by more than 1 goal
The SAH Links Guy
US should play all their games in the fog
3 goals in 43 minutes
Nos audietis in somniis, Nos audietis in altum: You will hear us!
by chrisso on Nov 15, 2011 10:02 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
A national stadium on the upper coast of Maine?
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Sounder At Heart
If Qatar can't have AC we probably can't pump in fog
Nos audietis in somniis, Nos audietis in altum: You will hear us!
Except that none of the goals were as a result of the formational change
The first was off a turnover
The second was off a set-play
The third was off a sprung left mid receiving a pass from the left back that won a penalty
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Sounder At Heart
We had the nice shot right off the bat
but I’m at work and trying to be discrete, so I am seeing bits and pieces of the game
by chrisperry1983 on Nov 15, 2011 10:07 AM PST up reply actions
But still, we're aggressive in our attack with overlapping runs.
That tap-in miss by Altidore is where my mind takes me as an example.
For those without sound
the reason the stands are empty is becase the FA in Slovenia raised prices and there is a fan protest about it. Matches like this normally draw fans.
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Sounder At Heart
Without knowing the details
good for them for protesting. I bet that takes a lot of willpower considering it’s a national team exhibition. I’d do anything to see the nats in Seattle.
by chrisperry1983 on Nov 15, 2011 10:06 AM PST up reply actions
With new turf being installed next year, could the USMT come to C-Link?
I sure hope so!
Nos audietis in somniis, Nos audietis in altum: You will hear us!
Was that the main reason they didn't before?
I always wondered but don’t ever remember hearing why. I figured it was the location being way up in the NW
by chrisperry1983 on Nov 15, 2011 10:20 AM PST up reply actions
Well there were claims that it is too far away
those aren’t true, great circle routes mean that Seattle really isn’t further than LA or Texas or Florida.
There were claims that they don’t want to play on overlaid sod, except that they played on it in New England
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Sounder At Heart
I don't get why we do the sod thing
and just stick with the turf. Overlaid sod looks so dangerous to play on.
by chrisperry1983 on Nov 15, 2011 10:28 AM PST up reply actions
Defense is still lacking.
Marking and spacing in the back is not very good. Tighten that up.
Nos audietis in somniis, Nos audietis in altum: You will hear us!
Bocanegra bails out Goodson, again
Nos audietis in somniis, Nos audietis in altum: You will hear us!
I don't think so
He’s brought in plenty of young MLS players (Shea, Agudelo, Ream). His faith in over a very deep D-mid pool shows he ranks MLS play highly.
The SAH Links Guy
Slovenia should switch to Rave Green
Maybe I could see them with some highligher colors
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Sounder At Heart
Faces seem to be blocking many a second half shot
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
How does Beckerman look?
I understand that when he’s doing his defensive job well, we’d hardly notice him. But I’m curious if someone has been paying more attention than me has a more informed opinion.
Well Beckerman left his man who just scored....
Hard to tell the fog is a nuisance.
Nos audietis in somniis, Nos audietis in altum: You will hear us!
The fog does not seem to be helping the forwards for Slovenia. It should be 3-3
Nos audietis in somniis, Nos audietis in altum: You will hear us!
The game does not feel like it will end 3-2
Nos audietis in somniis, Nos audietis in altum: You will hear us!
Do you know what the rule for that is?
If he’s a refugee can he play? I’m sure there’s a citizenship piece involved, but assuming that happens down the road is he as eligible as any?
by chrisperry1983 on Nov 15, 2011 10:52 AM PST up reply actions
He has 16 caps for the Cuban national team, several of them in FIFA sponsored competitions.
I don’t think his status as a refugee supersedes those, but I could be wrong.
by Aaron Campeau on Nov 15, 2011 10:55 AM PST up reply actions
FIFA wouldn't let refugee status change eligibility
because if it did they’d be taking a political stand against one of their member FAs
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Sounder At Heart
Found an interesting provision of FIFA's laws
Article 18.2:
If a Player who has been fielded by his Association in an international match . . . permanently loses the nationality of that country without his consent or against his will due to a decision by a government authority, he may request permission to play for another Association whose nationality he already has or has acquired.
I have no idea how acquiring refugee status works with this. On the one hand, he willingly defected and got refugee status, probably ending his eligibility. On the other, it were the political decisions by government officials in Cuba that led to him defecting and applying for that status.
Is there anyone else out there that has refugee status that this rule could apply to?
Danny Williams at left back
where it will be unlikely that he completes a forward pass in the attacking third
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
For the amount of time that Klinsmann has pointed out that he doesn't care about results
He’s made defensive subs and has encouraged the team to kill the clock
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
To be fair, the team does have to practice protecting leads
And it would be good to know how the team does in such situations, to figure out the best personnel under the situation.
In stoppage, US has to keep possession for a few more minutes.
Nos audietis in somniis, Nos audietis in altum: You will hear us!
Then again
Nothing says protecting a lead like putting in Rogers?
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
Not that wins matter to Klinsi, but....
Nos audietis in somniis, Nos audietis in altum: You will hear us!
Not that ELO/FIFA ratings are be-all-end-all
but I have felt for a while that Slovenia is very under-rated. This definitely is a good solid win for USA.
by chrisperry1983 on Nov 15, 2011 11:42 AM PST up reply actions
Soccer Power Index has them at 35th
v USA at 40th
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
Slovenia has 2 million people
About half the Seattle-Tacoma-Olympia Combined Statistical Area.
Not that they’re all that closely correlated, but Slovenia is a third the size of El Salvador.
Which means the US - which has a higher population than any European country - is better than all of them in football?
And that China is the best team in the world?
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