In anticipation of tonight’s US/Argentina friendly in New Jersey (7:30 pm Eastern Time, ESPN Classic) I thought I’d throw out my prediction. I actually have two based on the way the US comes out to play. If the MNT comes out and plays an attacking game that includes Donovan, Cooper, and Adu in the attack I could see us playing to a 1-1 or 2-2 draw (let’s be honest, we’re not gonna keep Messi and Co. off the board). I’m a little more than interested in what happened to Brian Ching in the player pool, and would have loved to see him in the mix for the game tonight as an attacking option. If the MNT comes out and plays the duel holding midfielders role and lays back the way we have been against Spain and England, I think we loose 2-0 or even 3-0. The most important thing I’m looking for in this game is that the US SCORES! We’ve been shut out in both of the last two friendlies. We’re playing at home, we’ve got better attacking options than we’ve had in the last two, and we should be royally pissed off at this point. To be honest, I see a mix of what I said above happening, and we lose 2-1…but I sure hope I’m proved wrong.
P.S. – If Eddie Johnson plays, I think we lose 3-1.
Absolutely. In many cases, simply getting on the board is not enough, but against a side like Argentina, it would be a great accomplishment if we could give them a game.
Haha great little bit at the end about Eddie Johnson. You must admit though, he’s got skills. He can create chances for himself fairly decently, it’s that tough part of putting it in the net that’s confuses him.
-Footy4Yanks
http://www.footy4yanks.wordpress.com
By: runronnyrun on June 8, 2008
at 2:02 pm
Yeah, I think just getting on the board against Argentina is going to be a good accomplishment, but don’t mistake my wishes for what I’d be satisfied with. I think we’ve gone back a little in terms of tactical development at the national level in recent years even though we’re developing a larger and more talented player pool (in my opinion). I won’t be satisfied with anything less than a win in which we play well, but I also believe that you have to start with the little things…improve in the small ways and you’ll eventually end up where you want to be. We’ve given up 3 goals in 2 games. Not great, but obviously not blow outs. Defensively we can improve, but our defense is at least giving us a chance to stay in the game. It’s in the attack that we’re falling apart.
On that note: the reason I’m not so keen on Johnson is that, while I agree he’s obviously got some skills (and even creates the odd chance) he’s a poacher and we’re not that kind of team. He’s not the kind of forward who makes the runs behind the defense (like a Torres) that opens them up, and he’s not great at holding up play so that a mid-layer or striking partner can play face up (like a Ching or a Crouch). He’s got some skills, but positionally he’s lost and he’s killing us. We put more pressure on the midfield and defense when our attackers can’t hold the ball, thus my prediction of a worse loss if he plays.
By: cuvintu on June 8, 2008
at 2:16 pm
Believe me, I’m totally with you on not accepting anything less than a win. The American media reporting on U.S. Soccer always has a “awwwww, you tried, that’s so cute” attitude when talking about the team. That’s whats killing us. I suppose the lack of interest in soccer here in the States causes a lot of that. The Italians get rotten vegtables thrown at them after losing, we need to start throwing semi-rotten vegtables at the very least.
By: runronnyrun on June 8, 2008
at 4:13 pm
[...] against the top-ranked team of Argentina. Side note: This, as well as the England and Spain game, would be a much different game if Jozy Altidore were in place of Eddie Johnson. Like I’ve said before, Eddie’s got the talent, but the boy cannot finish! Altidore, [...]
By: That Soccer Thing » Rumble in Rutherford - Argentina vs USA - 6/8/08 Review on June 10, 2008
at 6:04 pm