Been really struggled to know what to write about the game on Friday What is left to say. Snow, a goal, a probable protest. DaMarcus Beasley with a broken tooth and putting in a Man of the Match performance at left back. Jermaine Jones getting stitches at half time, playing tough defense and picking up a stupid foul. But of course and insane amount of snow.
So much snow that really after halftime the game was field was unplayable. The only reason that the game was even played was do the grounds crew of Dick's Sporting Goods Park kept the lines clear by shoveling at every dead ball. They are without a doubt the hero's of the night. In all reality if this was anything other than a World Cup Qualifier this game would never have been played. With pressure to get the game in this international break, both teams having games on Tuesday (CR hosting Jam and the US in Azteca) and a forecast that called for blizzard conditions through the weekend, mean that game was going to be played. It does seem that with forecast being known ahead of time it would have been prudent to move kick of up an hour or two. I assume that television would have been a impediment but still wondering if it would have at least been possible. It is important to note that at no time did footing seem to be a problem, just visibility and play ability. At times it looked like beach soccer the ball was so slow.
As for play the game had some good US performances. Jozy was particularly active, setting up the goal with his shot, good hold up play and being a handful for the defense. Clint Dempsey was active and scored the goal on the rebound. Michael Bradley actually completed over 80% of his passes in the snow playing as more of a true holding midfielder alongside Jermaine Jones. Jones covered lots of ground, played through a laceration that will keep out of action in Mexico, but still was lucky not to get booked of a pointless push off on Bryan Ruiz in the second half. Goodson and Gonzalez won most of the aerial duels Brad Guzan played well in near impossible goal keeping conditions, ankle deep snow at your feet, and a wet snow covered ball coming at your goal. And the aforementioned DB making well timed forays forward, and using his still considerable speed to get back and in front of potential Costa Rican attacks. This after a early collision with Omar Gonzalez that left Beasley spitting out parts of tooth throughout the game. In fact the only player on the US who really did not shine was Graham Zusi who seemed unable to adapt to the conditions seemed to have to many turnovers.
Although I am will post on my take on the Sporting News piece later, I will say this was a good game for Klinsman to see how his team reacts to changing and challenging situations. Personally I think that if we are to use Jones and Bradley in midfield with out a number six behind them, I think that the team is better served with Bradley staying behind. Not that I don't think Jones is capable of the tactical discipline needed for the role. But I do think that Bradley has the passing ability to be a holding midfielder who opens the game up for the offense and maintain possession with accurate passing. Although with his club team, and normally, Bradley (like Jones) is a hard running box to box type midfielder, he almost seems to see the game better when he is told to stay put.
In this game, with the snow mandating lots of long balls in the air, the center back pairing of Clarence Goodson and Omar Gonzalez was a impenetrable in the Air. However the lack of speed between the two does lead me to worry about how the two will fair against the speed of Mexico on Tuesday. In the end it was a gritty performance in unplayable conditions. It was not a game to asses tactics but to congratulate the will and spirit to win. Three necessary home points.
So much snow that really after halftime the game was field was unplayable. The only reason that the game was even played was do the grounds crew of Dick's Sporting Goods Park kept the lines clear by shoveling at every dead ball. They are without a doubt the hero's of the night. In all reality if this was anything other than a World Cup Qualifier this game would never have been played. With pressure to get the game in this international break, both teams having games on Tuesday (CR hosting Jam and the US in Azteca) and a forecast that called for blizzard conditions through the weekend, mean that game was going to be played. It does seem that with forecast being known ahead of time it would have been prudent to move kick of up an hour or two. I assume that television would have been a impediment but still wondering if it would have at least been possible. It is important to note that at no time did footing seem to be a problem, just visibility and play ability. At times it looked like beach soccer the ball was so slow.
As for play the game had some good US performances. Jozy was particularly active, setting up the goal with his shot, good hold up play and being a handful for the defense. Clint Dempsey was active and scored the goal on the rebound. Michael Bradley actually completed over 80% of his passes in the snow playing as more of a true holding midfielder alongside Jermaine Jones. Jones covered lots of ground, played through a laceration that will keep out of action in Mexico, but still was lucky not to get booked of a pointless push off on Bryan Ruiz in the second half. Goodson and Gonzalez won most of the aerial duels Brad Guzan played well in near impossible goal keeping conditions, ankle deep snow at your feet, and a wet snow covered ball coming at your goal. And the aforementioned DB making well timed forays forward, and using his still considerable speed to get back and in front of potential Costa Rican attacks. This after a early collision with Omar Gonzalez that left Beasley spitting out parts of tooth throughout the game. In fact the only player on the US who really did not shine was Graham Zusi who seemed unable to adapt to the conditions seemed to have to many turnovers.
Although I am will post on my take on the Sporting News piece later, I will say this was a good game for Klinsman to see how his team reacts to changing and challenging situations. Personally I think that if we are to use Jones and Bradley in midfield with out a number six behind them, I think that the team is better served with Bradley staying behind. Not that I don't think Jones is capable of the tactical discipline needed for the role. But I do think that Bradley has the passing ability to be a holding midfielder who opens the game up for the offense and maintain possession with accurate passing. Although with his club team, and normally, Bradley (like Jones) is a hard running box to box type midfielder, he almost seems to see the game better when he is told to stay put.
In this game, with the snow mandating lots of long balls in the air, the center back pairing of Clarence Goodson and Omar Gonzalez was a impenetrable in the Air. However the lack of speed between the two does lead me to worry about how the two will fair against the speed of Mexico on Tuesday. In the end it was a gritty performance in unplayable conditions. It was not a game to asses tactics but to congratulate the will and spirit to win. Three necessary home points.
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