The 6-1 blowout of the Cuban National team by the US Men’s team is no real surprise, especially after several player “failed to show up” for the game.  The real story is the amount of production and the look of desire in the eyes of several players.  The score sheet on the national team has been full of names lately, from the superstars to the defensive line.  I love to see our boys kicking butt and taken names.  During the World Cup of 2006, our boys were tentative and reserved.  I put the blame on the over all offensive strategy at the time.  This WCQ season had me worried when they set up with a 4-5-1 set up.  I rarely have ever seen this structure be productive, consistently anyway.  Well, I now have to re-evaluate that analysis, because Bob Bradley has set the team in a very productive posture.

USMNT. Vs. Cuba

I have been singing the praises of Brian Ching long before he was a starter on the national squad (mostly due the fact that I’m from Houston).  Now he has been put into a position on the national team that suits his skill set perfectly.  As a holding/strong forward, he has been able to open the play for all the teams offensive threats, as well as being the point man for the team’s impressive crossing abilities.  Ching, lastly, has been annoying to defenses by always being around the back line putting pressure on the ball.  He does all things a forward should do, and he is doing it in most cases alone.

Bradley, Ching, and Kljestan

Oguchi Onyewu has been a mixed bag in international affairs.  His size has been an advantage due to the shear strength he posses. Yet, it is that size and strength that has him being a focus of fouls against offensive runs.  He seems to have been able to balance his skills of late.  His size has allowed him to be a great focal point in set plays, and he has been able to cut off offensive runs and kicks that would go past smaller defenders.  The strength he puts into the game is opening up play and providing confidence in the defensive line.

Jozy Altidore is a star that is rising very fast.  This youth player turned million dollar man is going to be a starter on the national team by 2010, and I don’t make predictions lightly.  His skill to open up play at the top of the field is amazing.  The speed and ball control he uses is getting more polished every year, and the international experience he will be getting will increase his rate of improvement.  I just hope he doesn’t push my boy Ching to the bench.

Altidore making it look easy

Lastly, DaMarcus Beasley has returned to his past glory, and this time he has the experience to be scary to defenses.  A few years ago it looked like Beasley was the shell of the man he used to be.  His injuries affected his game-play aggressiveness, as well as his frame of mind.  DaMarcus played scared most of the time.  He was fouled almost every time he touched the ball.  I don’t blame defenses for this, he is a speed demon and has a shot not to be underestimated.  He showed that to Cuba by scoring twice, and almost slammed in a third.  His history with Landon Donovan is storied, and the future looks even more amazing.

Welcome back Beasley!!!

I’m a junkie for goal scoring opportunities, and the 6-1 beat down of Cuba was candy on top of my chocolate syrup all over my ice cream.  Keep it up guys, and never loose that hunger for success.  Never be afraid to take the shot, and never ever think the other team is better then you are.