So the 2010 MLS Cup teams have been decided: Colorado Rapids vs. FC Dallas. It's good to see two original teams back in the Cup, heading up to Toronto to do battle for the titles of Best Underdog. Colorado has a solid, cohesive team anchored by former US international Pablo Mastroeni. Dallas have proved their toughness this season and are coming off of quite an impressive spanking of the Supporter's Shield holding Galaxy. Should be a good game of some tactical, tough soccer.
On the international front, the US Men's National Team head back to South Africa to play a friendly with Bafana Bafana (The Boys, The Boys) in beautiful Cape Town. The team have already landed in the 2010 World Cup host country and are paying back the locals in thanks for their warm embrace over the past summer. It will be a team of youngsters for Bob Bradley getting some much needed caps against the likes of Steven Pienaar and Siphiwe Tshabalala. Bradley is still looking for players that can plug some holes in the US' shaky defense as well as a true scoring threat up top.
Other international exhibition matches for tomorrow (Wednesday Nov. 17, 2010) include friendlies between Brazil and Argentina (featuring the Samba return of Ronaldihno), champions Spain against Portugal, and England taking on France.
Showing posts with label South Africa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label South Africa. Show all posts
16 November 2010
13 October 2010
Last of the US MNT for 2010
Well their record after the World Cup is decidedly worse than their record during the World Cup. Having lost to Brazil, and tied both Poland and Columbia, the US Men's National team wrapped up play for 2010. Their next game lies far ahead in the spring of 2011 when they will return to South Africa and take on Bafana Bafana at Green Pointe Stadium in Cape Town.
What have we learned? We've learned our weaknesses and experimented with some new strategies. Pulling from more unused talent as of late, Bob Bradley has found another asset in the midfield with Jermaine Jones. His physical play is coupled with some good vision to support our less than strong attack. It seems that a 4-5-1 formation will suite our developing style much better with Donovan or Dempsey falling in behind Jozy Altidore (or perhaps Edson Buddle or Charlie Davies) as the lone striker.
Our defense remains our greatest weakness still, as only Stuart Holden has stepped up and showed that he has intentions of replacing a back line of veteran players. As solid as Bocanegra has been throughout his captaincy for the U.S., he has been the only reliable piece as of late. Onyewu clearly needs to find more professional minutes than he's not getting with AC Milan and Cherundolo may not see action in Brazil 2014.
We need some solid youth defenders, most notabley a defender on the outside that can push ahead and get involved in the attack, much like a Sergio Ramos or a Dani Alves. The US have never really had a defender that can distribute the ball out of our third with real patience. Our defenders need to be able to start long stretches of possession instead of quickly dumping balls over-top.
It will be interesting to watch MLS' postseason and see if some more homegrown stars develop, as well as the progression of our boys abroad. But until we start plugging these holes, the edge may go to Bafana Bafana in Cape Town.
What have we learned? We've learned our weaknesses and experimented with some new strategies. Pulling from more unused talent as of late, Bob Bradley has found another asset in the midfield with Jermaine Jones. His physical play is coupled with some good vision to support our less than strong attack. It seems that a 4-5-1 formation will suite our developing style much better with Donovan or Dempsey falling in behind Jozy Altidore (or perhaps Edson Buddle or Charlie Davies) as the lone striker.
Our defense remains our greatest weakness still, as only Stuart Holden has stepped up and showed that he has intentions of replacing a back line of veteran players. As solid as Bocanegra has been throughout his captaincy for the U.S., he has been the only reliable piece as of late. Onyewu clearly needs to find more professional minutes than he's not getting with AC Milan and Cherundolo may not see action in Brazil 2014.
We need some solid youth defenders, most notabley a defender on the outside that can push ahead and get involved in the attack, much like a Sergio Ramos or a Dani Alves. The US have never really had a defender that can distribute the ball out of our third with real patience. Our defenders need to be able to start long stretches of possession instead of quickly dumping balls over-top.
It will be interesting to watch MLS' postseason and see if some more homegrown stars develop, as well as the progression of our boys abroad. But until we start plugging these holes, the edge may go to Bafana Bafana in Cape Town.
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