 |
|
| HOME | HIGHLIGHTS | GOAL TRACKER | USMNT ALL-TIME SCORES | LINKS | CONTACT |
| Copyright © SoccerOverThere.com. All Rights Reserved. |
|
|
| HOME | HIGHLIGHTS | GOAL TRACKER | USMNT ALL-TIME SCORES | LINKS | CONTACT |
| Copyright © SoccerOverThere.com. All Rights Reserved. |
m 77 minutes into this game and I don’t feel that this is an acceptable performance. Our back four looks as inexperienced as the 6 total caps between them would suggest, and the team as a whole looks disjointed at all times. I really don’t even want to imagine what would happen against mexico if we play 75 minutes like this in the Azteca. I mean, we’re talking about one of the most lopsided losses in the series history if that were to happen. as I type, 2-1 Honduras. I’m done. Pathetic performance pathetic defending. I’m so disgusted.
mitch says:
February 6, 2013 at 2:42 PM
ashamed of this performance
mitch says:
February 6, 2013 at 2:46 PM
The tone for this game was set in the first ten minutes. We come out, give them the respect that only top teams in the world deserve, give them time on the ball, sit back, content to watch. this was pathetic! The US were spectators in this game, not players.
I thought JK’s thing was, when the other team has the ball, is to get it back? “That’s OUR ball” Go get it back. Do not rest until you have it back. From there, possess, one or two touches, play the beautiful game. what the hell happened?
our lack of possession inside the first 10-15 minutes… can only be described as disgusting. I was disgusted. The amount of respect we gave the Hondurans, you’d think we were playing Spain.
Balls! Our defending was terrible, Chandler was terrible all game, we looked ridiculously slow and we barely got Altidore or Dempsey the ball. You really have to question Klinnsmans decisions to play Johnson and Jones on the wings and leave Bocanegra on the bench. And that bicycle kick was amazing!
EJ and Jones were the bright spots for me today. But I fully expect Lando Donovan from a Galaxy far far away to bring his Jedi skills to the USMNT in March.
I also expect to see Shea, Pontius, and Holden. Yes I am projecting Holden back with the USMNT in March. After watching Bradley tirelessly be the only capable passer( note Jones had his moments of decent passing) the time has come for my man Holden to awaken, and bring it to the USMNT.
Oh and another point: Chandler is not the #1 RB. That spot is still Dolo’s.
The fact of the matter is that both teams looked like poo poo platter, but Christ the USMNT had Jones( Schalke), Dempsey(Tottenham), and Bradley(Roma) on the field. These are supposed to be the players that bring the class to this USMNT. There were rare moments of class from all three at the same time.
I’ve been on Klinsy’s side throughout his entire stint here so far. Still am, but…this is the first time I have doubted his coaching ability. This was such a bad performance. Pressure officially on.
Sorry, but Dempsey is not a good footballer. He’s a good poacher. That’s about all he offers. I used to wonder why he seemed to vanish so often for the US while killing it at Fulham. I’m a Spurs fan and now I know. He doesn’t play for the team, he scores opportunistic goals, some of which (like today) are quite classy, but as for the hard work and creativity required to open up a defense he’s not consistent enough to be considered top drawer. Not that we have any better, though. Ha.
@nightdreamer While I don’t agree with your assessment that Dempsey is not a good footballer, I will agree that his lackadaisical play in this game contributed to the teams effort. He was one of the few players out there who had been in this environment and situation and some of the younger players were probably influenced by his play.
Awful…… just plain awful…. they looked lost and I can’t understand why Bocanegra was on the bench and how Edu got the start with only two games under his feet all year…. This was Klins’y fault.. they looked out of shape and lost…. nothing positive about this at all…. they better step it up or like me, they will be watching the world cup from TV
@nightdreamer clint dempsey consistently covers more ground than almost any other usmnt player and he scores more than just poaches, I could point you to numerous middle-long strikes such as against honduras in miami, bolton, juventus, as well as scoring on free kicks. Clint Dempsey is the closest thing we have to a world-class finisher.
I like Klinsmann but seriously, the three defensive midfielders thing needs to stop. It doesn’t work and it prevents us from getting guys on the field with creativity in the final third.
Poachers are capable of world class goals. Dempsey is our best finisher, no doubt. I’m saying he’s a passenger most of the game, doesn’t track back, and isn’t quick enough for the 4-3-3 JK wants. We agree that we don’t have a better option though.
This game was terrible to watch, I honestly dont understand why we gave so much respect to the Hondurans. Why not take the game to them. at this pace we be lucky if we finish ahead of Jamaica…. we need creativity in the midfield… I want to see Corona, Holden, and bradley…. enough of this defensive midfield that doesnt produce anything…. today’s best player was Bradley, the worst Chandler by far….
These comments are ridiculous and over-the-top. It almost feels like an ESPN message board.
It’s not as bad as some people make it out to be (you’d think we lost to Bangladesh in from of 70,000 home fans).
Yeah the back four were sloppy (but they have NEVER played together before). NEVER. On the road in hostile Honduras.
Chandler was made to look foolish by Carlos Costly on more than one occasion. Cameron was a disappointment. BUT, he doesn’t play CB for Stoke, he plays RB. Seems to me he is still got a lot to learn. Maybe Boca-Gonzo would have been smarter.
Gonzales was solid (just solid) up until his blunder, which was exacerbated by Howard over-committing and Cameron being SLOW to react. Poor goal to give up. But it was coming that entire 2nd half.
This probably should have been an UGLY 1-1 draw. The other goal Honduras scored was a total goalazo. It was unfortunate to lose but it’s amazing to think people on here expected anything better under the circumstances.
The sky is not falling. The USMNT is not great. Going to Honduras in 90 degree is not easy. The field was intentionally slow.
Klinsman deserves some criticism for sure. He should have brought Gatt along as a 2nd half sub. He’s 21 and his speed could have been important when the US legs were getting heavy. Sascha and Zusi are not wide players but Klinsman keeps trying to hit that same nail on the head but keeps missing.
Our set piece delivery was AWFUL. Bradley did everything else well but his corners and dead ball service just didn’t get it done. Jermaine Jones had a moment of inspiration. And Dempsey followed suit. But for the most part we lacked that pass in the final third that could have led to that 2nd goal.
I’m souring on Eddie Johnson again even tho he had that one really nice cross to a well marked Altidore. Jozy had little impact but I don’t think it was much his fault.
U.S needs wing play, Shea on the left and Gatt on the right are the only answers, because committing Johnson and Chandler forward to provide width is a risky proposition seeing how shaky our defense can be, and asking them to do it on that field in that weather, well it’s a no go. So we are narrow and clogged as a result making it too easy for teams to defend us. Just think of several opportunities that both Demps and Bradley had to take shots on goal just inside the area that were easily blocked or deflected. Plus on several plays around the 18 yard box it seemed U.S. players were practically bumping in to one another.
No width enables Honduras to be compact defensively. With no one crossing the ball, well it takes a magnificent effort to score like we did that 1 time.
We get Klinsman still trying to shoehorn players into wide positions who don’t belong there. He needs to learn just like he learned playing Williams wide was a disaster. Part of the problem is that out best players are midfielders whose skill set works better centrally.
We need speed on the outside and better crossing. We just don’t have the players to play Klinsman’s so called passing game, it just ends up being heaved long balls that get headed out by a compact defense.
But we’ll still beat Costa Rica in Denver so no worries.
I think the most damning thing is the lack of midfield pressure on Honduras midfield. I mean Honduras held a 60 to 40 percent possession in the first half. There was no pressure. They gave Honduras far too much respect in my opinion.
Oh and Klinsmann stop with the 3 man midfield that has no creativity. Things have to change now.
@ Dirk I don’t see the sky is falling aspect on this board. Most comments seem to be pretty spot on and no one is saying we’re not going to qualify. There’s no doubt in my mind that the better team won today. Having said that, there’s no reason the US shouldn’t have been the better team with our available players. Klinsmann really screwed up this game. This is the worst I’ve seen them play under him and I don’t remember ever seeing them this bad under Bradley. There was no rhythm, but that’s what happens when players have never played together before. Maybe, MAYBE, this was a trial by fire for Gonzalez, Cameron, Chandler and Johnson and they’ll shine in future qualifiers, but Bob Bradley was very good at introducing players into his system one at a time to minimize the impact on team chemistry. He also used friendlies to do so instead of experimenting in a crucial game. I’m not impressed by Klinsmann. I feel like he has the strongest player pool the US had ever had yet they continue to produce duds like today. The Costa Rica game is no gimme.
Pitiful, embarrassing and lazy effort. That team that played today will not make Brazil ’14.
If I ever see Kljestan in a US shirt again I am…just…uhhh…dangit!!!!!!!!!!!! Sit that dude with Beasley and Bornstein
I’m so ticked off about the lack of interest shown by this team. Just sick.
@ Ian
You said “I’m not impressed by Klinsmann. I feel like he has the strongest player pool the US had ever had yet they continue to produce duds like today.”
Here is where I think you are wrong in regards to that. I think the U.S. has more quality choices then they have ever had, but there are too many players who have similar abilities. They seem to have a lot of decent midfielders who do some things well but are not spectacular at anything. There is no variety, they all seem to be interchangeable and all tend to drift inside because that is where they are comfortable. Where are the wingers? Or someone who can play a great thru-ball? Or challenge defenders 1 on 1? I don’t want Bradley back for anything even if I am willing to admit that Klinsman, from a tactical standpoint, seems to be lacking.
Best possible results for the US in the other 2 games: Mexico 0 Jamaica 0, Panama 2 Costa Rica 2
Standings
Honduras 3 points
Costa Rica 1
Panama 1
Jamaica 1
Mexico 1
US 0
Pld W D L GF GA GD PTS
Honduras 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 3
C. Rica 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 1
Panama 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 1
Jamaica 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
Mexico 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
USA 1 0 0 1 1 2 –1 0
nightdreamer i am also a tottenham supporter.. Dempsey plays well when he can link up with Adebayor, he seems to disappear when he’s playing with defoe at time. He can link up with adebayor, defoe on the other hand relies more on pace. In a pace based game Dempsey definitely can struggle.
Deep breaths everybody…we lost…so what!!!! This is the CONCACAF for christ sake. 6 teams go in and 3 1/2 go out. Maybe Klinsi did this purposely or by accident…but this is likely to be the starting line up during the world cup(if Donovan and Holden don’t get back in it). BREATHE!!!! I have heard of baptism by fire but damn!!!
So they were bad…so Jozy didn’t score again…so Klinsi is using a 3 defensive midfield alignment…so what. How do you find out what a team is made of challenge them in a semi-meaniful game(only semi because this doesn’t knock us out the WC). Let’s get serious Honduras is the third or even second best team in the HEX(as of right now). Do you think we learned more as a team in this defeat then the 1-0 win in Mexico. You are god dmn right we did. Is there anybody who doesn’t think we will win our home games except for Mexico. That’s 12-13 points(tie with mexico) right there. Isn’t it likely we will win at least 1 road game(3 points) and maybe tie 1 or 2 more(1-2 points)? That would be 16 to 18 points and put us un third place or fourth place(based on the last qulification) to play New Zealand(or who ever). When Klinsi ran the German team they lost in the beginning and most of the German fans wanted him fired. Then a very young German team figured it out and made a great run through the world cup. Yes…I know we are not Germany but they didn’t have to qualify in the Concacaf. So relax enjoy the process…those young guys in the back line aren’t going to forget this game anytime soon. $100 says the US qualifies in second or third….any takers?
@Dirk I agree about the interchangeable pieces at CM and that’s yet another decision that the coach has to make, but Klinsmann was the one who chose this roster and he chose not to incorporate any true wingers (Gatt, Gyau, Beasley). Also, I think he’s been trying to unsuccessfully fit players into positions that aren’t their prime positions (Cameron at CB, Kljestan on the wing). Kljestan can play a thru ball in the center of the park. I’ve seen it over and over againfrom him at Anderlect (at the international level I think his problem is holding on to the ball too long. I wouldn’t Bradley back at this point either, but I think Klinsmann should be doing better. We were beaten by a sloppy looking Honduras team and they looked better than us doing it.
to stay within the confines of friendliness, I don’t like this, “we lost, so what” attitude. There’s a reason why that sort of mentality is does not exist in the world of professional sports. Yes, we’ll probably still qualify. Yes, the supporters who have posted their frustrations are aware that the US is not a world class team expecting world class results game in and game out against concacaf opponents. Todd, your youthful optimism is admirable, but you completely ignore the details of what took place on the pitch today. Dirk, your first post is a bit discouraging as you assert that the US needs wing play and great crossing, while blaming JK for some of his decision making. These assertions are unrealistic. Did you watch the game? There’s a reason why your name is Dirk and his name is JK. Honestly, “speed on the outside and better crossing”…? what about the back four? particularly, how are we supposed to compete with no CB’s? forget about your wingers, it’s not happening. Timmy and Fabian are capable wing players going forward from the back, along with steve, and it will ultimately be their responsibility to provide that quality. JK has shown that belief time and time again. Our strongest asset is our midfield, especially with the looming returns of landon and hopefully stuart, and up top Dempsey is an opportunistic goal scorer and Jozy is coming along. Again, with all this quality, did you see the game? It has to be better! bottom line, no two ways about it. These players have to own up to this poor performance, and come out against costa rica with something to prove and a real chip on their shoulders.
again, the tone we set in the first ten minutes was unacceptable and I think we’ll see a concerted effort in future qualifiers to avoid ever starting a game like that again against anyone other than mexico in the azteca. Smart possession: my favorite thing in football, it did not occur today for the US. this was an odd game because we never established any flow with our possession. In a game like this, a guy like Landon could have made all the difference and I’m surprised nobody is saying it, quite frankly. His ability to pick the locks of a defense, his set piece quality, his presence on the pitch and on the ball, we were sorely missing these things. He’s the type of player that could have snapped us out of our funk by being the calming presence out there, leading by example and making the right decisions on and off the ball. He’s done it throughout his career for us. I know Klinsi has gotten used to playing without him, but we need his quality. Sad truth right now, I think we absolutely need him. Can’t wait to see him back.
That was the ugliest competitive game I’ve seen in quite awhile. USA has plenty of quality in Jozy, Bradley, Fabian, Dempsey, Howard, etc. The problem here was not raw talent, but drive and tactics.
@Mitch…thanks for your friendliness and I agree with almost all of your post. Point in fact I did not see this game(thank you BEin Sports)…at least not tonight. I have seen this “game” over and over in the last 20 years of US world cup qualification, that I have watched. In 2002 we lost to Honduras twice(home and away), 2006 Costa Rica 3-0(away), 2010 Costa Rica 3-1(away)…incidentally Mexico lost to Honduras 3-1(away). I am optimistic about our chances to qualify because like all the other times we’ve(USMNT)played a crap filled game, I can say we are not as bad as we were tonight/that night and eventually we do enough to qualify. As for my “so what ” attitude that has more to do with the over reactions by the many unrealistic and frustrated supporters. Tonight’s loss was another harsh lesson for the team…one that has to be learned from if we are ever going to rise to the next level. The players will hear it from the coaching staff. And ultimately the coaching staff will be held responsible for the overall results. On the clips that I have seen from the Honduran goals…the US defense has a lot of work to do…and clearly it is not acceptable. On the other hand when we beat Spain in the Confederations cup, Mexico at Estadio Azteca and Itlay in Genoa…I recognize that we are also not that good. Maybe optimistic is the wrong word…maybe I just have perspective. \pər-ˈspek-tiv\ the capacity to view things in their true relations or relative importance.
Mitch…your point about Donovan is well taken. Even if he doesn’t take over a game the way he use to in the past he still is always calm and mostly neat, over the ball. Technically Stuart Holden would also be nice to get back into the mix…if he can stay healthy then he would help tremendously.
I hate to say this (been a diehard US fan ever since I was tiny, played on the same team as many of the current USMNT players) but I’ve never been less excited to be a US fan than right now. I haven’t seen any kind of upgrade/improvement in a very long time and it’s sad but I just don’t really care to watch them right now (can’t say I’ve ever felt that way). Thoughts?
Two things from that last goal.
1. Cameron would benefit from more time at CB at the Club level.
2. Omar Gonzales is as slow as we thought he was.
Todd – it was the effort, not the result. The effort was embarrassing and lazy.
William…I will take your word for it. I unfortunately didn’t see the game but “embarrassing and lazy” is something I have read in many posts and articles.
Please give Honduras some credit. Last time they played at home in a qualifier they beat Canada 8-1. This team plays amazing at home even if it has MLS/Domestic players. Jerry Benginston, and alot of other players, could start over Eddie Johnson at LM/LW.
There is a lack of creativity with 4 CDM on the field. Cameron, D.Williams, J.Jones, and Bradley. (Plus Edu)
J.Jones was actually doing great holding up play, did not realize it till he was subbed out. This team has no attacking wingers.
Honduras played better all-around yesterday, all the way down to knowing that most US players would be coming from a winter European climate to an always hot and humid Central American climate, so start the game in the early afternoon with 90 degree temperatures. The US can play a fast attacking game with the players they have, so don’t cut the grass for a week and get it as tall as you can without drawing to much attention to it from match officials. Home field advantage is just that an advantage. These are not excuses but just good ways to slow up and frustrate your opponent.
Honestly I think the US defense is its biggest problem right now. I’m not worried about Chandler or Johnson they both have not played a whole lot since December. The center back situation needs to get sorted out soon, it looks horrible. Our defense is weak and shouldn’t be wondering to high until they are more comfortable as a unit. Personally I think bringing in someone else to play LB and moving F.Johnson up to a wide mid-field position would be a good move as he is quick, good on the ball and creative.
lets also not forget that 8 of our starting XI just put in full shifts with their clubs just a couple days earlier…that is a legitimate issue i think because when you add all of these other factors in (long grass, heat, blah blah etc etc) it made us ripe for conceding a late goal…from the outset i thought wed see the sort of choppy game that we did to help protect againat the heavy legs that were sure to come…
i was certainly surprised with the lack of posession early as well as late, so please do not take this as me just finding more excuses for the poor performance because it was a truly uninspired performance by all accounts…
it was clear there was no pace on our side which is still a big hole left by landon i think who more often than not bring inspiration with his game as well…i would have loved to have seen josh gatt come off the bench running at a tired defensive unit and maybe some creativity from an attack minded midfielder like mikkel diskerud…
along those lines, i also feel herr klinsmann still has made some suspect player choices…as ive been saying for as long as i can remember, sachsuck kljestdouche should never be called into this team let alone brought into a match yet he continually does no matter how many times he gives the ball away or treats it like a hot potato…(sorry, im getting off topic as im quite aware that its not his fault, its just that he stinks and i hate him)…
look, there are plenty of excuses that can be pointed to and there are also a discussions to be had about coaching, tactics and effort, but i think this was a mix of all of the above and at the end of the day, were only 1 point out of second place with all of our home matches to be played…
we have the quality in our side and i think we should absorb what happened, put it behind us and look to next month…i think we all knew there was a real possibility that we could come out of the first 3 matches of the hex with 0-2 points and thats where we now find ourselves…if we can rally, put it back together and earn a home result against a very tough costa rican side then were ahead of the game and on our way to azteca…
GO USA!
This loss is on JK. When Zusi entered the game, possession for the USA was officially over. Sacha on the wing for EJ already took athleticism off the field. JK has been fired a couple of times for “bad coaching” and this shows why. Zusi on the field over Gatt, Mix, Boyd, Spector, Rheam, Morales, anyone!!
Zusi had trouble vs Guatemala with possession, he was worthless in defense and possession vs Honduras. JK needs to rethink things. Using 5 CDMs!! putting Sacha and Zusi on the wing!! Honduras was a clearly better team after J.Jones was not on the field thugging it up. If your going to start 4 CDMS, you have to keep athletes on the wings to chase after balls and keep up the defense of pressure.
Demarcus Beasley would have looked better on the wing then Sacha or Zusi, Beasely could at least be pesky once he lost the ball. Why Zusi!! Hercules Gomez plays a good as a winger defensively and in possession then Zusi.