USA v Czech Republic

So I watched the game last night. Definitely a disappointing result overall tempered by a few positives. The most irritating thing to me though is all of the “oh well, the result doesn’t matter attitude” that was prevalent before the game even started and has continued into the post game analysis.

I actually felt like Lalas, Harkes, and company were justifying the performance before the game had even been played. Fringe players, individual performances more important than result, etc… Now, I get that this is a friendly and the result doesn’t count towards the World Cup. However any game, and I mean any game, that the United States plays is about the team. Sure, individual players have goals and things they need to show, but it just burns me that no one seemed to care that aside from the first 20-30 minutes of the game, the Czechs hammered us in a home game.

And leave off with the “fringe players”, B-squad nonsense. The Czechs were also missing almost all of their regular starters. And these guys are in the top 30 players in all of American soccer. The top tenth of a percent (random number as I have no idea how many adult soccer players are in the country). The crème de la crème. Do we really feel like it is ok if at numbers 12-30 on the depth chart we are outclassed? I guarantee they wouldn’t be in England.

Now, I’m not saying hit the panic button or anything. The talking heads are correct in that this is not the team that will be on the field when it counts. But for crying out loud have some pride. Don’t act like “it doesn’t matter” or “it was just the second string”.

We were trumpeting left and right last summer about our performance in the Confederations Cup and it was extremely irritating to read comments from other countries about how Spain didn’t take it seriously and it was “only” the Confederations Cup, not a major tournament. Now we want to take that stance?

I’m not advocating unrealistic expectations. We are a “high mid-major” country in the landscape of world soccer. For us to win the World Cup it will take a perfect storm similar to George Mason’s run to the Final Four a few years ago. And I’m not saying we have no business losing to the Czech’s last night.

But…it sucks that we lost, and it sucks how we lost. Don’t act like it doesn’t matter. It does matter and it’s insulting to the players out on the field to dismiss them out of hand like that. We should expect better from them, whether they are the second string or even the third string.

One last point on this, leading into 2006 the USA had a string of sub-par performances in the lead-up to the tournament including a 1-0 loss at home to Morocco(!). At the time we heard the same sort of comments from the talking heads and we all know how that tournament played out for the team.

Stepping off the soapbox and getting back to the game, here are a few of my high level observations.

Beasley – He looked sharp, was involved on both ends, and was drawing fouls like he did a few years back when he was in his best form. It appears his lack of consistent playing time with Rangers over the last few years hasn’t killed his chances of making an impact at the WC. Probably not a starter anymore but showed he deserves to go to South Africa.

Holden – Looked as good as he ever has in a USA uniform. He is fully recovered from the break he suffered against the Dutch. Stuart is positioning himself to get significant minutes in South Africa either off the bench or as a starter.

Gooch – Played 65 minutes and looked decent. Unfortunately decent isn’t going to cut it at the WC. He still has a few weeks to improve and two friendlies to show his stuff, but based on last night I don’t see how he gets the start on June 12th. Hopefully he can make the push because he is an integral part of the team and when healthy allows Bradley options with Bocanegra (read on).

Left Back – Oh man are we in trouble. Bornstein and Pearce have been “competing” for the left back spot for the last four years. And consistent with the results of that time, neither man made a strong case for himself last night. Our best bet at this point is either Bocanegra or Spector who would both could be used to better effect elsewhere.

The forwards – Ching seems recovered from his injury, contributing his usual game last night, so he will go. Gomez scored a goal and hustled. Buddle contributed to the first goal, earning the foul and helping to disrupt the keeper on the ensuing free kick. He also showed a lot of hustle and “want to”. Gomez offers the “super-sub” aspect which would be useful as neither of them will be starting barring injuries to others. Buddle offers the partnership with Donovan that has developed playing together in LA. Probably only one of these guys goes, your guess is as good as mine (which is Gomez incidentally).

Cheers, by the time you read this roster decisions will have been made and we’ll be down to the final 23.

Netherlands 2-1 United States

Managed to get through the first half live and watched the rest about an hour later.

Disappointed but not unduly surprised. I’ll leave it to other sources to break down the game and just give you a few thoughts on a few players who likely improved or solidified their chances of making the final World Cup roster.

Jay DeMerit and Maurice Edu – both players for me showed why they were consistently a part of the national team prior to injuries last year.

Sconnie native DeMerit was solid throughout in central defense picking up right where he left off during his fine run last summer in the Confederations Cup and qualifying. Jay is one of the top three center backs right now in Bradley’s eyes.

Edu solidified the defense in the second half slipping in to the defensive midfield role. He consistently popped up in exactly the right spot to cut off Dutch passes and showed excellent poise on the ball and in distribution. I think as long as he stays healthy he has to be on the plane to South Africa as well.

DeMarcus Beasley – of course we know that he fell off the map last year following the Brazil debacle and the injury bug. Tonight he wasn’t brilliant or even consistent but he showed flashes of the talent he hasn’t brought to the team in a few years. I have a feeling that he may make the roster after all. Bradley knows exactly what he gets from Beasley and as long as he is healthy it may be a case of going with the devil you know.

A few quick hits...

Another example that the team goes as Donovan goes, if the best player on the squad is not involved they have a steep hill to climb to win games against top teams.

I wish Jonathan Bornstein didn’t have a tendency to make boneheaded plays in key situations.

Jozy Altidore had a few nice plays, the back heel was sweet, splitting the defenders for the final shot was slick – needs to be more consistent (I know Harkes, he’s young, blah, blah, blah).