Man U 3 - Fulham 0- Clint Dempsey started up top at striker for Fulham. He had a couple good attempts at goal, one going just over the bar.
Wolfsburg 4 - Borussia Monchengladbach 0: Michael Bradley started and finished for Borussia as they fell to last years champions.
Rangers 3 - Dundee United 3: Maurice Edu and DeMarcus Beasley both came on as late substitutes as Rangers lost a late leead in thie Scottish Cup, and now face replay.
Everton 2 - Birmingham City 2: Landon Donovan came on as a late substitute in his last game for the Merceyside club. Tim Howard started in goal and let in two goals nad only made two saves.
Arsenal 2 - Hull City 1: Jozy Altidore started, but was substituted in 83rd men as 10 men Hull fell to the London side.
Others: Brad Friedal had a clean sheet for Aston Villa in their 0-0 draw against Stoke City, Marcus Hahnemann and Wolves beat Burnley 2-1, Carlos Bocanegra and Rennes won 2-0 against Valenciennes; their second win in a row, Steve Cherundolo came on as a sub in the 55th minute for Hanover 96's win against Eintracht Frankfurt.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Injury news
Clint Dempsey returned to action yesterday in Fulham's 3-1 loss to Juventus in the Europa League, making a 30 minute appearance off the bench.
Charlie Davies is back in France and might recover in time to play for his club Sochaux.
Oguchi Onyewu will probably not return for AC Milan, who could have used him mid week during their 4-0 to Manchester United, will probably be recovered in time for South Africa.
Jermaine Jones who switched affiliations from Germany to the USA, has yet to play for his club team Schalke 04, his return remains in doubt.
Stuart Holden broke his leg in the Netherlands friendly just as he was breaking in at Bolton Wanderers and will be out for about 4 more weeks.
These are all players that would be in running for a spot in the side if they were fit and would provide BB with more flexibility in selecting his XI.
Charlie Davies is back in France and might recover in time to play for his club Sochaux.
Oguchi Onyewu will probably not return for AC Milan, who could have used him mid week during their 4-0 to Manchester United, will probably be recovered in time for South Africa.
Jermaine Jones who switched affiliations from Germany to the USA, has yet to play for his club team Schalke 04, his return remains in doubt.
Stuart Holden broke his leg in the Netherlands friendly just as he was breaking in at Bolton Wanderers and will be out for about 4 more weeks.
These are all players that would be in running for a spot in the side if they were fit and would provide BB with more flexibility in selecting his XI.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Pondering Formations W/O Charlie Davies
Charlie Davies is back in France training with his club Sochaux, but if he is not in full game fitness for South Africa who does BB put next to Jozy Altidore in his 4-4-2. I propose that Bradley switch to 4-3-1-2. In the formation you would have a trio of Edu, Bradley, and Clark holding down the midfield. With Clark and Edu playing more defensive midfield roles and Bradley playing a play making role in the midfield playing balls to the forwards. This would place Donovan in a central playmaking role running in behind the striker pairing of Dempsey and Altidore. This formation would place Bradley ,Edu and Clark in roles that would see them thrive as ball winners. A counter attack of Dempsey, Donovan, Jozy would put the US's top 3 skill players all on the counter attack. Also by placing Dempsey up top alongside Jozy, you would eliminate Dempsey's defensive defficiences.
However, if Davies is healthy in time for South Africa he would have to be included in the starting XI, at the expense of either Clark or Edu. And a switch back to the more conventional 4-4-2 with Dempsey and Donovan switching to the wings.
However, if Davies is healthy in time for South Africa he would have to be included in the starting XI, at the expense of either Clark or Edu. And a switch back to the more conventional 4-4-2 with Dempsey and Donovan switching to the wings.
Friday, March 5, 2010
USA vs. Netherlands recap
The USMNT lost 2-1 to a deep and talented Netherlands, in a game where they dominated throughout the 90+ minutes. The US struggled throughout the game to get good chances on Holland's net. It wasn't a poor performance, but the Dutch were definitely the superior side. The first half was a good showing by the starters. As they only gave up a penalty, on a weak and stupid tug on Wesley Sneijder by Jonathan Bornstein, that Dirk Kuyt routinely finished. The USA's only chance in the first half was a Torres shot from outside the box that went just above the bar.
The second half was an entirely different game as substitutes from both sides cam into the game. The Dutch scored off of a deflection, while the US added a goal from Carlos Bocanegra from a Demarcus Beasley free kick. The US defense played rather well, but it was the offense's inability to produce any great chances. Or when their was a chance, it was followed by weak shots. In the first half Robbie Findley got through the defense, but his finish was as threatening as a fly. The offense didn't seem to really go at the Dutch net until late in the match, when Jozy ripped a laser towards the net, but was saved relatively easily. I would of liked to see this kind of attitude during the earlier part of the game where the US seemed to lack either the creativity and/or the quality in the final third.
Another disappointing aspect of the game was in the first half of the game, when a challenge by Man City's Nigel de Jong broke Stuart Holden's fibula. It is sad for Holden as he was beginning to see the field for Bolton Wanderers, and appeared to be making ground in terms of making the WC squad.
The second half was an entirely different game as substitutes from both sides cam into the game. The Dutch scored off of a deflection, while the US added a goal from Carlos Bocanegra from a Demarcus Beasley free kick. The US defense played rather well, but it was the offense's inability to produce any great chances. Or when their was a chance, it was followed by weak shots. In the first half Robbie Findley got through the defense, but his finish was as threatening as a fly. The offense didn't seem to really go at the Dutch net until late in the match, when Jozy ripped a laser towards the net, but was saved relatively easily. I would of liked to see this kind of attitude during the earlier part of the game where the US seemed to lack either the creativity and/or the quality in the final third.
Another disappointing aspect of the game was in the first half of the game, when a challenge by Man City's Nigel de Jong broke Stuart Holden's fibula. It is sad for Holden as he was beginning to see the field for Bolton Wanderers, and appeared to be making ground in terms of making the WC squad.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Netherlands Preview
The USA will take on the Flying Dutchmen tomorrow at 2:30 PM (EST) in Amsterdam on ESPN2 and ESPN 360.
WTWF Strikers: Look to see how Jozy is playing, he been playing well at Hull, but not tearing it up. I think Findley will start because of what he showed last week against El Salvador. Eddie Johnson who has played fairly well in Greece will probably play in an attempt to impress BB.
WTWF Midfield: Edu who scored in the Old Firm over the weekend now gets a chance to impress BB, he has a chance to step-up because of Ricardo Clark's injury. Demarcus Beasley can try to start a fresh slate, after his performance in the Confederations Cup.
WTWF Defense: Heath Pearce, Clarence Goodson, and Jonathan Bornstein all have a chance to build upon there performances last week. Simek seems to be a strange call-up.
4-4-2
GK: Howard
DF: Pearce, Goodson, Demerit, Spector
MF: Beasley, Edu, Bradley, Donovan
ST: Findley, Altidore
I think the US will tie 2-2 jumping out to an early lead then relinquishing the lead late, goals scored by Altidore and Donovan.
WTWF Strikers: Look to see how Jozy is playing, he been playing well at Hull, but not tearing it up. I think Findley will start because of what he showed last week against El Salvador. Eddie Johnson who has played fairly well in Greece will probably play in an attempt to impress BB.
WTWF Midfield: Edu who scored in the Old Firm over the weekend now gets a chance to impress BB, he has a chance to step-up because of Ricardo Clark's injury. Demarcus Beasley can try to start a fresh slate, after his performance in the Confederations Cup.
WTWF Defense: Heath Pearce, Clarence Goodson, and Jonathan Bornstein all have a chance to build upon there performances last week. Simek seems to be a strange call-up.
4-4-2
GK: Howard
DF: Pearce, Goodson, Demerit, Spector
MF: Beasley, Edu, Bradley, Donovan
ST: Findley, Altidore
I think the US will tie 2-2 jumping out to an early lead then relinquishing the lead late, goals scored by Altidore and Donovan.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Weekend Recap
Rangers vs. Celtic: Maurice Edu, fresh off being named to the Netherlands game, was subbed in at the 26th minute for Rangers and eventually scored the game winner in stoppage time. Damarcus Beasley was on the bench. (1-0)
Everton vs. Tottenham: Landon Donovon missed an open net and Tim Howard let in two goals as Everton fell 2-1 at Tottneham.
Bolton vs. Wolves: Stuart Holden started and played the whole 90 in Bolton's 1-0 victory over Marcus Hanhemann and Wolves.
Newcastle vs. Watford: Jay Demerit played the entire game as his Watford side fell 2-1 to Newcastle at home.
Aston Villa vs. Manchester United: Brad Friedal started for Villa in the net and let in two goals as the villians lost the League Cup Final to the Red Devils.
Montepellier vs. Rennes: Carlos Bocanegra started and finished for Rennes as they lost 3-1.
Everton vs. Tottenham: Landon Donovon missed an open net and Tim Howard let in two goals as Everton fell 2-1 at Tottneham.
Bolton vs. Wolves: Stuart Holden started and played the whole 90 in Bolton's 1-0 victory over Marcus Hanhemann and Wolves.
Newcastle vs. Watford: Jay Demerit played the entire game as his Watford side fell 2-1 to Newcastle at home.
Aston Villa vs. Manchester United: Brad Friedal started for Villa in the net and let in two goals as the villians lost the League Cup Final to the Red Devils.
Montepellier vs. Rennes: Carlos Bocanegra started and finished for Rennes as they lost 3-1.
Friday, February 26, 2010
US 20 man roster for Netherlands
GK: Tim Howard (Everton FC), Brad Guzan (Aston Vila), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolves)
Def: Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas MLS), Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Jay Demerit (Watford), Heath Pearce (FC Dallas), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Frank Simek (Sheffield Wednesday), Jonathan Spector (West Ham)
MF: Demarcus Beasley (Rangers), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Landon Donovan (Everton FC), Michael Bradley (Borussia Monchengladbach), Stuart Holden (Bolton Wanderers), Alejandro Bodeya (Orebo), Jose Fransisco Torres (Pachuca)
ST: Jozy Altidore (Hull City), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Eddie Johnson (Aris Thessaloniki)
Def: Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas MLS), Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Jay Demerit (Watford), Heath Pearce (FC Dallas), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Frank Simek (Sheffield Wednesday), Jonathan Spector (West Ham)
MF: Demarcus Beasley (Rangers), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Landon Donovan (Everton FC), Michael Bradley (Borussia Monchengladbach), Stuart Holden (Bolton Wanderers), Alejandro Bodeya (Orebo), Jose Fransisco Torres (Pachuca)
ST: Jozy Altidore (Hull City), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Eddie Johnson (Aris Thessaloniki)
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