Who wants to eat crow? Adu! Adu!

ADU


Zizzo and Altidore, thank your friend Freddy.

Yeah, that's right. It's time for soccer bloggers, writers, soccer moms, and ESPN to eat crow. In the past two U-20 games, Freddy Adu has illustrated to us what the hype 4 years ago was about. This is going to be a big statement, but I believe it to be true. NEVER have we had an American prospect with the creativity and flare that Freddy Adu has provided for us, especially at 18.

Two plays that illustrate this.

His first goal against Poland. Do you see Eddie Johnson trying a move like that?


vs. Brazil (see 3:00, 4:35, 5:00, 5:21, 6:52 -setting up the winning goal)


Now the question is, do most of our U-20 players play like this until they get to the Senior team and then they become timid, sad shells of the players they used to be? Or is this the rebirth of American soccer? What do you guys think? How many of you think he could have contributed to the Copa America?

I think he definitely could have contribute to Copa if it was just for his free kicks. He is by far better than anyone on our Senior team at free kicks. Landon Donovan sure isn't the answer. How sick was that move to set up the gamewinner? He set those two Brazilian players up by juggling it up and then beat the both of them to gift Altidore with the winner. The question is... why did ESPN not show him beating the Brazilians and instead praised Altidore? I thought that was odd.

Any ideas on who will sign him? I can't imagine he doesn't have Europe's attention at this point.

COPA AMERICA


Exactly how I felt Sacha.

How bad was this showing? I'm not even going to go into all the terrible misses and lackluster gameplay, but really, as an American soccer fan, how ashamed are you? Most of the blogs have already delved into most of this, but I thought it shouldn't get by ours without at least being mentioned.

I posted on Ives's blog the other day about the possibility of an online petition that can be signed by the soccer fan community and sent to Gulati to let him and the USSF know that we won't stand for a second-rate team being sent to a quality tournament. I understand the hiccups in selecting the team, but if the USSF had any kind of power/negotiation skills, we would have been able to get at least 2 or 3 of our star players to Copa. At some point the (supposed) limited amount of soccer fans in the country need to unite and let the USSF know that we're here and we want a good showing from our country. We don't want to be getting issued statements by the governing bodies of tournaments about a crappy team that we brought (ha hmmm, CONMEBOL). That's damn near embarassing.

Is it just me or does the senior National team have a lot of distractions? Feilhaber and Kljestan have a podcast in which they joke around and talk about how privileged they are to be at Copa. There's a USSoccer blog that they're writing in 3 times a day. I appreciate the fact that it makes them seem like they're giving back to the fans, but as a fan, I'd personally rather see you get focused for the game and play with some intensity than tell me about where you went for dinner. Just seems like the USSF's priorities are way off. Could just be me.

As a Fan



It's funny. I grew up playing soccer and watched it casually when the World Cup came around. Took more of an interest than most of my friends in Friendlys, MLS, etc., but I think in the last 6 months, I have become as rabid a fan as any European. At work, I find myself surfing blogs, soccernet, and fox soccer channel about 2 hours a day. At home, I tape any soccer game that comes on (sans USL) and sit around sweating it out until I have time to watch it. For a long time, I was Rob Gordon in High Fidelity focusing on music, now I'm Nick Hornby in Fever Pitch. I guess my whole life comes in phases of Nick Hornby books. Odd, isn't it?

El Nino!!!

It is finally official, El Nino, The Kid, Fernando Torres is now a member of Liverpool football club. This news coming officially on Wednesday last has made the heart every Liverpool supporter from Merseyside to all the way here in Los Estados Unidos leap with joy. Look at him there on your left, looks like a Ronaldo minus the diving if you ask me. Torres is just the striker Liverpool needs, a proven goalscorer in La Liga for his hometown side of Athetico Madrid since he had been 17 years old. El Nino as he had been affectunatly dubbed by Athletico supporters, has lead his team in scoring every year since. Partnered with Dutchman Dirk Kuyt, or towering Englishman Peter Crouch, it could spell doom for the rest of the league, mainly the Gooners and Chelski. Now all Liverpool needs to really compete with the rest of the league is one or two new highly rated wingers. quaresma the FC Porto winger is next on manager Rafa Benetez' short list, with Mancini from Roma and Simao not far behind. A more likely scenario would be Liverpool acquiring one of the three mentioned above along with Yossi Benayun from West Ham United who would be shipped to the Kop opposite Craig Bellamy going the other way. Yossi is an Israeli international who has been impressing with the Hammers. He might not be a first class winger but is a proven Premiership winger with loads of creativity. Maybe just what the club needs. Get two of these four wingers along with the kid and this is a squad that could take the league by storm.

Renia

Finnan-Carra-Agger-Risse

quaresma-Mash-Alonso-Yossi

Gerrard

Torres

Fantastic.

US U-20-

In the first match against Korea we looked over matched. To be honest we were lucky to come out with a 1-1 draw against the hard luck commies. Perhaps a bit of karma there? Korea hit the post numerous times especially in the second half and were unlucky to come out with a draw. Altidore, Adu, Sizzo, and even Bradley seemed to under preform, however i would be less inclined to blame him playing with such an inexperienced team.

It was a night and day difference between the first game and the Poland game. Frederico Adu the teenage prodigy scored a hat trick in what was undoubtedly his best game ever. His first goal was absolutely incredible, he turned a defender and while he was falling curled a shot into the far post from the edge of the box. Wasn't it me who not a few days ago sung his praise on this blog, urging us to give him a chance, maybe not to live up to the hype, but to become an excellent player. Well a few more performances like that one and he will have Sir Alex calling along with the rest of Europe. However his second goal along with two others were the work of Sal Izzo, he was fantastic along the right wing. Watching the highlights they all seemed to start in the same spot, with Izzo along the right wing winning the ball. I thought they were showing repeats of the same goal for the first few times, Sal crossing the ball in. He played fantastic and i would rate him highest among all the players for this game, even above the hat trick winner Adu. Also a bright spot was Altidore scoring a goal, though if he hadn't finished it he should have been dropped. Fantastic game all around, who would remember the Polkas struck first at 1-0 minutes in. Now all we have to do is beat minnows Brazil and be guaranteed a place in the next round. In seriousness our goal differential will help us if we draw or lose against Brazil, but we should root for a Korea win against Poland which also would assure us advancing. Tomorrow should be an interesting day.

Something wrong with the Blog

Did a huge positing on the US Paraguay game from the other day and it's not showing up on the main page. The only way you can view it is by clicking on the "Gunner new and some other notes" post then click on newer blogs.

***Is now viewable below***

Paraguay 3 - USA 1

Tough match for the US last night. Lot's of positives and negatives to the match.

Positives - world class set up by Twellman and even more of a world class strike by Clark. Depending on the development of Michael Bradley, the combination of Clark/Fielhaber could be the starting 2 CM's for 2010, they looked good last night. Jay DeMerit continues to impress.

Negatives - Kasey Keller being hung out to dry on the first two goals and his poor judgement on the third. Jonathan Bornstein... what happened to the Gold Cup version of you? Jimmy Conrad's complete lack of concentration on the second Paruguay goal. Still no 'true' attacking option.

All in all, the US controlled much of the match last night. To a solid Paraguay team that brought it's 'A' list players, the US 'B' team held up pretty well. Mental lapses on the first and second Paraguay goals and the poor judgement on the third (both Keller and Califf whose foul led to the free kick) in addition to the poor finishing of the Americans kept this from being a 3-0 US win.

Now, the player rankings for last night...

Keller - 4 - two huge saves in the second half, but poor judgement on the third goal... looks somewhat lost sometimes... Great character guy though, it's a shame to hear rumors of his possible retirement

Moor - 5 - Decent game for a defender who made his national team debut. Nothing spectacular, but played solid D throughout the game. Would rank him low in the defensive wing depth chart though...

Conrad - 4 - he would have received a 6 or 7 had it not been for that mental lapse on Paraguays second goal. Every American watching last night had to be screaming like crazy as he watched the ball go by.

DeMerit - 8 - Great game. Arguably the best the US has to offer when it comes to defensive technique. I take two points off his game for his lack of defensive headers, but it will come in time. Should be paired with Bocanegra on the first team.

Bornstien - 2 - That awful pass that led to the second goal would normally merit a '0', but some strong defending in the first half puts it up to a '2'. Nothing special in the second half. He's leaving the door open for Spector.

Olsen - 7 - solid performace from the vet. Was not a huge fan of his addition to the Copa squad, but he has definitely proved me wrong. Nothing spectacular on his end, but made all the plays he needed to make, warranting an above average rating.

Clark - 8 - huge turnaround from the Argentina game, where I would have given him a '2'. Defensively solid and a world class stike merit this 'strong' rating

Fielhaber - 7 - Like Olsen, nothing spectacular but made a lot of good plays throughout the game, and that's fine, because his game isn't overly flashy (aside from his goal at the Gold Cup which is arguably the prettiest goal ever scored by a US international)

Kljestan - 6 - played well considering he wasn't playing in his natural position. I take points off because of his lack of finishing more than a few times last night.

Johnson - 3 - I pride players who know their role defensively, which is why Johnson get's anything over a '1'. His offensive game was nothing to be proud of... What is he waiting for? He's overly cautious and it seems like he's afraid. So much potential here... It's actually sad I have to say that he needs to be riding the bench, or withdrawn from the squad... I heard something about him the other day that I could not agree with more "he seems like Robbie Fowler. Great domestic player, but leaves a lot to be wanted at the international level"

Twellman - 5 - I wanted to give him a four, but his chemistry with Johnson (when EJ decided he wanted to play) and his set up to Clark merited higher. His finishing leaves a lot to be wanted, but you can't complain on this guy's motor. He's constantly going.

SUBS

Califf - 4 - So-so... Defensively sound up until he threw his weight around (hasn't anyone learned anything from Onyewu?) which led to the 90th minute free kick and subsiquent goal

Mapp - 5 - One of the few players on the squad who will attack defenders and create chances. So much potential here. He needs to learn when enough is enough though... more than a few instances he would beat his man then try to take on the 2nd or 3rd guy behind him. Freddy Adu could learn alot by watching Mapp attack defenders. Mapp just needs to learn to tone it down just a little. He should've given the ball off to Johnson late in the game (who was wide open for a goal) and instead shot it straight at the keeper.

Nguyen - 3 - nothing special. Didn't even know he came in... I suppose that's a bad thing.

If anything, I hope the US can pull off a win against Columbia and take away a lot of things from Copa to build on. If anything it gives guys like Fielhaber, Clark, DeMerit and Bornstien (guys who will be on the first team come 2010) some invaluable experience at the international level.

Gunner News and Some Other Notes

This is my first post as a contributer to this forum. Feel free to hit me up with any banter about the EPL, League One, International Play, La Liga, Bundesliga and Italian Leagues. A US and Arsenal supporter here, but I'll try not to be biased.

Some Arsenal news... Gunners have just inked Croatian striker Eduardo da Silva to a four year deal after a transfer with Dinamo Zagreb of the Croatian league. da Silva registered a record 34 goals last season. The 24 year old has also scored 7 goals in 12 international games for Croatia. On a side note, he is the first player ever to score in Emirates, putting Dinamo up 1-0 in last summers Champions league qualifier en route to an Arsenal 2-1 comeback win. Lot of upside on this signing. Signed away for only a 6 million transfer fee, he could do well under Wenger. Although the Croatian league is no EPL, hopefully the 34 goals there will translate to 10-20 in Ashburton Grove; it all depends on how he translates to the English game. That puts the Gunners set at striker with the top 4 being da Silva, Adebayor, van Persie and Walcott. Look for Arsene to go after some support at defense, most likely the French defender from Auxerre he has been keen on signing... more updates on that to come.

This most likely will mean Arsenal will move out of the Teves sweepstakes, which may or may not be good, considering Man U was the main competition and looks free to sign Teves, who is still working out employment issues in England.

In other news, the US suits up against Paraguay tonight. The key for tonight is ball control. There was way too much chasing against Argentina. Evident by their complete collapse after the first hour. I figure the starting lineups will be relatively the same, with maybe one or two replacements. Hopefully Eddie Johnson will be on the bench... not too sure how many more chances Bradley's going to give him. Personally I think he's had way too much already. Would love to see a Davies/Twellman paring up front.

More notes on the US coming tomorrow where I'll break down the game. Until then, enjoy Copa!

The U-20 World Cup

Brazil v. Poland

A HUGE UPSET. Poland not only managed to win 1-0 on a wonderful long free kick, but managed to hold Brazil off for 60 minutes with only 10 men. The defensive shape and tactics by the Poles were really top-notch. I can't say enough about it. Should definitely make the group interesting in the next week.

US v. Korea

I really thought it was bad the other night watching the MNT get douched by Argentina. It wasn't really great to watch and I could go into who I thought played like crap (Eddie Johnson, Eddie Gaven, etc.), but that time is gone and I think it's all been said on everyone else's blog.

But you get to hear about the U-20s here first. So listen up, Rongen and the gang!
Let me say before I start that I was really excited about this tournament. I felt we actually had a chance to win it all and I really felt like we had some quality performers that we'd put on the pitch. I was going to take this time (as most of you reading this probably were) to evaluate our talent that can take Eddie Johnson and Taylor Twellman's spot on the MNT. But then.... the whistle blew.

First, God must have blessed us in that game b/c it should have been about 6-1 to South Korea. We managed to get our 1 goal after South Korea chose not to shoot on a 1 v 1 with the keeper and instead play the ball across to a guy who wanked it pretty bad. We countered and scored. We were already getting dominated at that point and it was lucky we scored against the run of play.


It's official, folks. Scoring in the MLS doesn't mean shit when it comes to international play. Jozy and Eddie have taught us something!

And by run of play, I meant them running around our defense like they were cones. I counted at the beginning of the game and Tim Ward made 7 straight passes that didn't get to the US player he intended it to. Horrible. When watching it, I think the S. Korea probably played 20 to 25 wide open long balls from their backs and midfielders to wide open players up front running behind our defense. I was trying to figure out what kind of formation we were playing that was letting them get that open. After watching the Poland v. Brazil game and seeing the perfect coordination of those two teams, I think we could be in a lot of trouble. Also, let me be the first to say that Dax McCarty and Michael Bradley had absolutely shit games. Bradley was caught not paying attention to the ball at least two or three times where his head was in the opposite direction when a ball was played to him. Inexcusable. And Dax McCarty, well, he just sucks. At one point, McCarty turned around, passed backwards directly to a Korean player and that started a break. I would think he was Korean if it wasn't for the fact that he's a ginger. Altidore looked like he had Eddie Johnson-itis b/c he rarely did anything but play the ball back. Overall, it was rough to watch. I'm relatively critical of the US MNT teams generally, but I don't really feel like I'm exaggerating about this abysmal performance.


We get it, Freddy. You have huge marbles for staying in the MLS. How did that work out?


Another point I'll make is that I feel very sorry for Freddy Adu. I really do. He got hyped up when he as about 14 or 15 years old as the savior for American soccer, then signed with DC and stayed here. What a mistake! Yes, he's small. Yes, he got pushed off the ball easily in the S. Korea game, but he has moments of brilliance. He has a great touch on the ball, plays wonderful free kicks. I seriously wonder what he would be like if was playing with players around him that had the same skill level. American soccer does not lend itself to Freddy Adu's play. It's awkward and burly and he's smooth and relatively slick on the ball. It's just a shame that we made him into the MLS poster boy instead of telling him to go overseas and develop his game. If he did, I bet you he would be playing and starting for at least a mid-level European team right now. His future could have been Theo Walcott and instead it's looking more like Eddie Gaven. I'm sorry, Freddy.

Funny Immature 12-Year Old Boy Giggling Fact of the Game: There was a guy on South Korea who's jersey said "Dong Suk" on the back. Yeah, that's funny.

Beasley

US Players Overseas


LL Cool Beas
The ladies in Scotland are going to love him if he shows up lookin like this.

Everyone hear that Beasley announced he joined Rangers this week? I'm not sure how I feel about this as I don't know much about Rangers beside the fact that they always finish 2nd to Celtic in the SPL. It's disappointing to me b/c I was hoping we'd get another American to follow in the EPL and I could watch the games on FSC, but ce'st la vie, at least he found another side.

I think the Scottish Premier League will be good for him though. The competition isn't as strong as the EPL and he'll have a bit more of a chance to shine. I also find it odd that he seems to be hitting all of Reyna's hot spots, except for backwards.

Where does everyone think Onyewu will go? Back to Belgium or do you think someone might actually pick up that statue?

I read an article today that Everton is thinking about making a move for Frankie Simek and his pricetag is in the 4.5 million dollar range. If that's the case, how is he not starting for our back line.

Who else do you think is worthy of going overseas?