The line-up card is in, kickoff coming soon...
Howard; Cherundolo, Onyewu, Bocanegra, Pearce, Kljestan, Bradley, Dempsey, Beasley, Donovan, Ching
KICKOFF
9'
Technical difficulties cost me the first few moments, but as I get the game on... 1-0 USA! Bradley leaps to slot a fine Donovan free kick.
19'
A Beasley through ball slips nutmegs a defender, and Dempsey lashes home a second without hesitation - 2-0 USA!
23'
The U.S. look much more aggressive tonight, but T&T defending has been slack as well.
35'
As John Harkes noted, T&T are not putting enough pressure on the ball. Mikey Bradley is making me eat my words, looks very sharp so far.
44'
After a brief lull in play, the USMNT are again putting heavy pressure on their guests. Runs off the ball have been exemplary tonight.
HALFTIME 2-0 U.S.
The T&T coach insisted they were coming to play for three points, but I'm not seeing any of that. Meanwhile, the 'Nats look sharp and hungry to attack in numbers without forcing anything. I mean, who needs one-touch passing when you have tons of time and space?
The entire midfield plus Donovan have been terrific. Not looking so good? Ching.
SECOND HALF
51'
T&T have come out of the break with a bit more urgency.
55'
Cherundolo spurs the attack, but for the second time, Ching fails to finish a nice Donovan cross.
58'
3-0 USA! Ching claims the easiest goal he'll ever score, nudging Onyewu's flick of a Beasley free kick over the line from about three inches out.
60'
T&T goal waved off by the flag. Howard made an top-notch initial save after Bradley's bad turnover.
65'
It looks as though Clark and Johnson are getting set to come on.
67'
Clark & Johnson in for Bradley & Ching.
69'
Glen stoops low to feast on a cross, but nods just over for T&T.
78'
Lewis on for Dempsey, Beasley moves over to the right side.
Quick update: Canada 0-0 Mexico at HT.
83'
On successive corner kicks (the first of the night for the hosts), Clark and Johnson are denied.
90+1'
AGH! A U.S. short corner! I'm offended.
FULL TIME 3-0 U.S.
The Americans remain perfect through three Group 1 matches. I will have my U.S. Player Ratings up at Soccer365 tomorrow, but first... sleep.
- Greg Seltzer
[Photo: Getty]
Posts
2 comments:
I hear this Eddie Lewis guy is one to watch for the future. Hopefully getting him 12 or so minutes here at the end of the game will pay dividends in his development down the road.
After reading your ratings, I think you should watch the match again. I thought that match may have been Sacha's worst, one that I would hope would keep him out of future camps (though we all know how loyal Bob is to his Chivas boys). Regardless to the degree that Sacha settled down as the match went on, he must have had 5-10 giveaways in the first half along--not dispossessions, flat out poor passes. Maybe I should watch it again, but Sacha's play has been poor with the full side and was poor in China. I just don't see what you and others see.
Post a Comment