Weekend Recap 3/13-14

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.

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.

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.

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.

Weekend Recap 2/21/10

Landon Donovan (Everton FC): Played the entire 90 miuntes in Everton's 3-1 win at home over Manchester United. He had 3 shots on goal and the match seemed to turn when he moved in to play a more central role when Dan Gosling came on in the 70th minute.

Tim Howard(Everton FC): Let in one goal versus Manchester United, but was rarely tested throughout the match as the Red Devils could only place 2 shots on net.

Freddy Adu(Aris Salonika): Started for the Greek side, but couldn't maintain his form of 2 goals as he was subbed out in the 46th minute as Aris fell to AEK Athens 1-0.

Jozy Altidore (Hull City)- Was subbed on in the 65th minute in City's 3-0 loss to West Ham United in the Premier League, he recorded two shots that were both off target.

Michael Bradley (Borussia Monchengladbach)- Started and finished the 2-2 draw against German side TSG Hoffenheim. He took two shots during the game, one was a missed chance in the first half and the other he shot right into the keeper.

Jay Demerit (Watford)- Started and finished in the 2-2 draw with Scunthorpe United. Demerit had a big role in the match as he was ruled to have handed a ball in the box in the 90th minute. Allowing Scunthorpe to equalize. He also missed a header earlier in the match.