The USA U-23 team began its quest to qualify for the 2008 Olympic games in unconvincing fashion yesterday with a 1-1 draw to Cuba. Though the US certainly had the better of play and looked the superior side, they begin the group stage at 1 point, 2 behind group leader Honduras.
What we learned from the match:
This team, at least until the three over 23 players are added, will go as far as Jose Altidore and Freddie Adu will take them. When Adu was involved, the US looked dangerous. When he disappeared, as he did during several spells, creativity was painfully lacking in the attack. Altidore was not himself today (more on that later), but it was still clear that he is the only true forward on the squad who can strike fear in a defense.
What changes does Nowak need to make:
There are many. His experiment with Findley and Davies playing as very attacking wings was a disaster. It left the edges vulnerable in defense; yet, it added little to the attack. Hill and Freeman were both shaky at times in defense, and with Jonathon Spector available, one of these two needs to be replaced. Freeman would be my choice as Hill looked good at times coming forward.
I would like to sign the lineup look something like this:
Seitz
Hill Sturgis Ianni Spector
Kljestan Edu McCarty Adu
Findley Altidore
Best Move of the Match:
The US had several nice build ups on the attack, but they often looked unsure when they neared the box. In the 87th minute, the US built from the back up the right side. They switched play to Adu on the left edge who put in a cross that was nearly headed in by Kljestan.
Post Game Comment of the Day:
“The most important thing will be to still play our way of football…soccer. We did a pretty good job, especially in the second half, when we made a couple of substitutions … to make sure that we stay compact, and still attack from the wings.”-- Peter Nowak
I'm not sure if the guys know what "our way of football" is judging from the performance, so I don't know how they can keep playing it.
Strangest Comment of the Match:
I had trouble picking just one, so I will package two of the them together. When Eddie Gaven entered the match: "Gaven sporting the young Gordon Lightfoot look." After Cuba's number 9 was sent off: "That is for the birds! (pauses for emphasis) For the birds!"
Where do I start here . . . First of all, I think we have reached the point in history where "pop-culture" references to Gordon Lightfoot are unacceptable unless one is referring to his epic song "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald". Example, "A near miss there from Cuba! If that had gone in, the US would have been using Gordon Lightfoot's "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" as the soundtrack to tonight's highlight package."
Secondly, is my mother writing this guy's material? Between mentioning a 1970's soft rocker and saying that something is "For the birds", I thought for a second that my mom had developed male vocal chords and started working as a soccer announcer.
Player Ratings(1-10 scale):
Altidore: 4--He gets this low of a rating largely because of what we know he can do. Against Cuba he looked disinterested and slow. He'll need to play better for the US to qualify.
Adu: 8--This rating would have been even higher had he not disappeared for spells. He was the most dangerous player on the field setting up his own chances as well as chances for others. I would like to see him check back and work harder to get himself touches when they are not coming easily. He needs to keep himself involved.
McCarty: 6--He had several very good spells in this match and generally played well. The biggest criticism I have for him is similar to Adu. He needs to influence the match more consistently. When the US is under pressure, he needs to play more of a role in breaking that pressure and gaining possession.
Edu: 6--He probably outplayed McCarty, to be fair, but similar to Joze, he gets docked a bit for not playing to the level he is capable of. In the first half, he played very well in his holding role, but did not involve himself much in the attack. His second half was much better in this respect. Additionally, just like Adu and McCarty, I would like to see him do a better job of offering himself when we try to break the pressure. Our defense was too often forced to clear the pressure long, over the top of the midfield.
Findley: 5--He tracked back well in the first half in his wing role, shoring up the left side defensively. Unfortunately, he did not get himself involved in the attack enough which was his chief role. As a true forward, he looked more comfortable in the second half but missed a chance that should have been the winner.
Davies: 3--He got himself into a lot of good positions in the attack but looked more interested in earning fouls than threatening Cuba's net. He also did not track back and help the defense well enough. Every dangerous chance Cuba had was on the US's left side, and Davies unwillingness to do the defensive work played a role in this.
Freeman 3--This was a game he will want to forget. His side of the field was attacked constantly by Cuba as soon as they sensed weakness, and he failed to give a good account of himself. He also added nothing getting forward.
Hill 5--He had moments where he struggled in defense, but generally looked pretty solid. He looked very dangerous getting forward, as a true midfielder or forward should from the right back role. His pace and fitness were impressive.
Ianni: 5--Hard to judge his quality in this match as Cuba did not often test the center backs. It will be interesting to see how the two center backs play against more sophisticated and capable opposition.
Sturgis: 5--See Ianni's explanation above.
Seitz: 5--There was little he could have done on the goal. He was not tested much, otherwise.
Subs:
Kljestan: 6--His addition at the half helped make the US a more patient, composed team in possession. He deserves a spot in the first eleven.
Barrett: 5--He lacked polish in his game but made up for it by working hard and using his pace and strength. He does not look like a first choice regular, but he was useful as an extra attacker in a second half push for a goal.
Gavin: 6--He made his mark as soon as he came in and looked dangerous for the remainder of the match on the left. He probably does not deserve to be in the first eleven at this point, but I would not be shocked if ends up there eventually.
Man of the Match: Freddy Adu
Next Match:
7:00 PM tomorrow versus Panama
The US desperately needs three points after the Cuba match. We will see what changes tomorrow brings.
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