It's ashame that we won't get to see Stu Holden at this Gold Cup, as I feel he's the sort of player that could have allowed Bradley to move Dempsey further up the pitch. In his absence, it will be interesting to see how Jermaine Jones does.
Personal opinion, but I think the clock should be ticking on Altidore's and M. Bradley's spots in the starting XI.
I think most people have lost patience with Altidore and maybe even a majority are thinking Bradley should be benched.
Personally, I'm a huge Bradley fan and I think he's a future captain. He was arguably the best player on the squad at the World Cup. If he can get an opportunity to play regularly in England, he'll stick. I understand there are several American mids people want to see, but I just don't see how you can put them over Bradley.
I know I'm in the minority but I believe Bradley is going to be a mainstay center mid in the EPL. I hear Aston Villa is signing him for 7-10 million Euro's. He had a tremendous world cup and always plays decent for the NT. He had a phenomenal 2nd half vs Argentina.
Admittedly, I'm a Bradley-hater (both father and son). That said, Michael's a solid box-to-box player. The problem that I saw at the WC is that, when you pair him in the middle with a guy like Ricardo Clark, he gets forced into playing more of a distribution role, and I see that as a weakness in his game. It forces the wide players - Donovan and Dempsey - to bring the ball into the middle constantly, narrowing the field.
I still think Bradley belongs in the starting lineup. It's just a matter of putting the right combination of players around him that can allow him to succeed. With Altidore, I've had pretty much enough.
I still think Bradley belongs in the starting lineup. It's just a matter of putting the right combination of players around him that can allow him to succeed. With Altidore, I've had pretty much enough.
Totally agree.
We need Jermaine Jones to have a huge Gold Cup. He is one of the best holding mids in the EPL, I watched a lot of his games for Blackburn and basically it would go like this....
He would play a great ball that leads to a goal, great tackles in the box, tactical yellow card and box-to-box hustle.
Admittedly, I'm a Bradley-hater (both father and son). That said, Michael's a solid box-to-box player. The problem that I saw at the WC is that, when you pair him in the middle with a guy like Ricardo Clark, he gets forced into playing more of a distribution role, and I see that as a weakness in his game. It forces the wide players - Donovan and Dempsey - to bring the ball into the middle constantly, narrowing the field.
Ricardo Clark shouldn't even have been on the roster in South Africa, so...
Ricardo Clark shouldn't even have been on the roster in South Africa, so...
Absolutely, but it's not much different with Maurice Edu. A lot now presumably hinges on Jones' play, which is fine, but still leaves you without a proven distributor. Again, ashame what happened to Holden...
And that Ricardo Clark was put in that position in South Africa sorta reinforces my position on Bradley the Elder. I don't know all the details, for sure, but my belief is that Sunil Gulati is a turd for his handling of the whole Klinsmann as coach thing over the past 5+ years.
I'm not sure that I mind this set-up but I would really like to see Agudelo get a few caps.
I wouldn't mind it either. It's a bit of a test for Edu, to see if he's improved offensively as much as advertised, plus it moves Donovan and Dempsey further upfield.
A true LB would be nice, but they're a rare commodity.
I wouldn't mind it either. It's a bit of a test for Edu, to see if he's improved offensively as much as advertised, plus it moves Donovan and Dempsey further upfield.
A true LB would be nice, but they're a rare commodity.
Look up Sean Cunningham and Oskar Gasecki, by 2018 we will have solid LB's and RB's.
USMNT is only going to get better every year.
For this cycle, we will see a dominant forward evolve for us, our mids will stay the same, and our defense can only get better, if Onyewu falls off, Ream steps in and plays CB with Goodson.. Boca has 2 years left as does Dolo
Should be a good one Saturday if the weather holds. I'll be there either way.
Hopefully the USA gets its **** together vs. Canada. Looks like it's about impossible for us to play Mexico before the final, so they have a few games to sort things out. But even a draw to Canada would be embarrassing.
Should be a good one Saturday if the weather holds. I'll be there either way.
Hopefully the USA gets its **** together vs. Canada. Looks like it's about impossible for us to play Mexico before the final, so they have a few games to sort things out. But even a draw to Canada would be embarrassing.
Disappointing tie yesterday for the Union. The officials cost the Union a goal as it should have been 2-0 at the half. Now they share the Eastern Conference lead with New York.
tied with one game in hand. the rsl goal really pissed me off. dude tackled farfan at midfield. wtf
Agreed about the non-call. However, it was one that I think Mondragon should have saved. I think he was more irrate about the missed call than focusing on the play.
The officiating was pretty bad all game, as I mentioned above, the officials took one of off the scoreboard for the Union.
