Gold Cup Thread

**Scrat1** · 06-07-2011 02:16 PM

First game's today at five (I think) against Canada.

Let's go boys. I want that Confederations Cup spot.

**Scrat1** · 06-07-2011 11:10 PM

Great game. Much, much improved from the Spain game. Obviously the quality of the opponent was a big reason why, but they also just simply played with more conviction.

Altidore shrugged off the criticism and had a big game. Bradley did the same, picking up where he left off at the World Cup. Dempsey was Dempsey. Jones was quiet but very effective and until Holden comes back, I think he's Bradley's partner in the middle. Just a solid all around game.

**DuffMan** · 06-08-2011 08:34 AM

Completely forgot about this game. Was it on TV, I had wanted to watch but forgot about it. I'm with you and want to see them when it so they can get back to the Confederations Cup. I know there's a gold cup game at RFK in a week or two.

**atom_25** · 06-09-2011 12:11 PM

Some casual observations
1. Tim Ream impressed me. Impressed on the ball and strong enough to challenge for it in the air. I think he really could turn into a player with time. He made some mistakes, but Jackson is one of the better forward players in this region to be fair. Speaking of this region, where was Hoilett for Canada?
2. If Dolo had a better day crossing the ball, the USA could have easily scored 2-3 more goals.
3. Altidore is no better than he was 2 years ago.
4. Deuce is awesome.
5. Still need a leftback.

That's about it. Next two games should be pretty much straight forward for USAMNT.

**Scrat1** · 06-10-2011 08:30 AM

Originally Posted by atom_25

Some casual observations

3. Altidore is no better than he was 2 years ago.

5. Still need a leftback.

I think Altidore is a better player than he's been showing, but he's better used as a secondary striker rather than the target man that Bradley keeps trying to turn him into. Altidore doesn't have the ability or the mentality to be a target man, especially with his struggles with his back to goal. But he's done a decent job of creating chances for other players recently, and I think with Agudelo in the fold, some of the pressure will be off Altidore and allow him to be more effective.

But with as many midfielders as the team has, the team still might be better off moving Dempsey into the secondary striker role and having Bradley/Jones/Holden/Donavon in the midfield. Either way, though, between the Canada game and the Argentina/Paraguay friendlies, I feel a little better about Altidore moving forward.

I sure would feel better about our attack if it were Rossi and Agudelo up top...

I think Lichaj is the future left back, but since Bradley is using Reams in the middle, maybe he wants more experience on the outside. I don't blame him. The Spain game was a disaster.

**atom_25** · 06-10-2011 12:34 PM

Originally Posted by Scrat1

I think Altidore is a better player than he's been showing, but he's better used as a secondary striker rather than the target man that Bradley keeps trying to turn him into. Altidore doesn't have the ability or the mentality to be a target man, especially with his struggles with his back to goal. But he's done a decent job of creating chances for other players recently, and I think with Agudelo in the fold, some of the pressure will be off Altidore and allow him to be more effective.

But with as many midfielders as the team has, the team still might be better off moving Dempsey into the secondary striker role and having Bradley/Jones/Holden/Donavon in the midfield. Either way, though, between the Canada game and the Argentina/Paraguay friendlies, I feel a little better about Altidore moving forward.

I sure would feel better about our attack if it were Rossi and Agudelo up top...

I think Lichaj is the future left back, but since Bradley is using Reams in the middle, maybe he wants more experience on the outside. I don't blame him. The Spain game was a disaster.

I don't think Altidore is not good enough running at people though to make it at this level playing like that though. He is a fairly big dude and needs to develop that aspect of his game and round into a more complete player to get to where he was projected to get to and what Villareal paid for a few years ago.

I thought Lichaj is a natural right back? He certainly has the pedigree to be a player, but I have been more impressed with the dude who plays in Germany (Chandler) at international level. Still, replacing Dolo is no easy task- good player and has a great understanding with Donovan on the right side. Then again, Donovan is no spring chicken himself which is a scary proposition.

While we are talking about Rossi, might as well throw Subotic in there too.

**Scrat1** · 06-10-2011 01:00 PM

Originally Posted by atom_25

I thought Lichaj is a natural right back? He certainly has the pedigree to be a player, but I have been more impressed with the dude who plays in Germany (Chandler) at international level. Still, replacing Dolo is no easy task- good player and has a great understanding with Donovan on the right side. Then again, Donovan is no spring chicken himself which is a scary proposition.

Lichaj usually plays right back but he spent some time at left back with Leeds United and I think I read somewhere that Bradley plans to try him out there. I think we'll see Lichaj getting time at left back in upcoming friendlies, but I doubt Bradley will want to do any experiments during the Gold Cup.

Yeah, totally agree about Chandler. I'm more excited about him than any of the young players. I was really disappointed when he wasn't on the Gold Cup roster. Hopefully he doesn't go the way of Rossi and Subotic. Fortunately, Germany's real deep - he's not playing over Lahm - and I think he'll stick around.

**atom_25** · 06-12-2011 07:16 PM

Wow that was embarrassing. The USA really needs a couple of defenders to sort themselves out over the next 3 years or the trip to Brazil will be very short. A good forward & a decent official would help too.

**Scrat1** · 06-12-2011 07:18 PM

Yeah that was a disaster. When you're unlucky and play like garbage, those sorts of games happen.

**Scrat1** · 06-14-2011 07:53 PM

All right. Lets keep the collective sheets dry.

**Bosibus** · 06-14-2011 10:44 PM

How the hell is does CD not put that in? So many chances....

**Bosibus** · 06-14-2011 10:46 PM

Originally Posted by Scrat1

All right. Lets keep the collective sheets dry.

Nevermind, he decided it would be a good idea to play with it...

**Scrat1** · 06-14-2011 11:37 PM

I'll take the win, but it's going to take a lot more than that to drop Mexico.

**Bosibus** · 06-15-2011 09:18 AM

Originally Posted by Scrat1

I'll take the win, but it's going to take a lot more than that to drop Mexico.

Or even Jamaica.

**atom_25** · 06-15-2011 10:28 AM

My concerns at this time for both the rest of the Gold Cup and going forward into the future:
1. Landon Donovan or bust. The USA is not nearly as effective when he is not at his best. Dempsey can create for himself, but no one else really can. When Donovan is not playing well, we don't create a whole lot. Desperately need some creativity in the side as Donovan is not getting any younger.
2. Are there any left sided Americans out there? No really, a left back, winger, forward- anyone with a left foot and is half way decent?
3. Defense- I don't see anyone pressing for spots here that has impressed me. (save Chandler and Lichaj to an extent and they are both best at the same position where we have Dolo, who is class)
4. Forwards- Agudelo is hopefully part of the answer going forward, but it is curious why we have so much difficulty producing world class forwards.
5. Fairly set at holding mid

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