|
|
End to End: The U.S. vs. Mexico Edition
Noah Davis takes a look at who has rising stock and who maybe losing their spot with the U.S. National Team.
Aug 18, 2009 6:45:33 PM
By Noah Davis
Last Wednesday in Mexico City, the United States Men's National Team found itself eight minutes away from drawing with archrival Mexico in a World Cup qualifier. Although Miguel Sabah pounced on a lucky bounce and the Americans fell 2-1, Bob Bradley's team held it's first lead and gave El Tri a scare. But who on the U.S. roster did the most to improve his World Cup credentials?
Winners
Charlie Davies- The Sochaux striker excelled in the Confederations Cup and the Gold Cup, and continued his torrid scoring streak for the Stars and Stripes with a brilliant finish off of Landon Donovan's perfectly weighted throughball. He followed up that strike with two more off the bench in his club side's Ligue A match just three days later. In the press, Jozy Altidore has overshadowed Davies -- who quietly posted excellent 2008 and 2009 campaigns at Hammarby -- but the former Boston College Eagle now owns a starting slot in Bradley's 4-4-2 formation. Mexico's defenders struggled to deal with Davies' combination of strength and speed, and he repeatedly ran behind (or through) El Tri's backline. In Estadio Azteca, the striker matured right before our very eyes.
Stuart Holden- One of the few members on the Gold Cup squad who could land on the 23-man roster for the World Cup, Holden improved his argument with a strong performance in Mexico City. He and Benny Feilhaber came on in the 58th minute with the Americans clearly struggling. The pair injected energy and pace into the match, and the Houston Dynamo midfielder showed an ability to possess the ball for brief periods of time. If Davies buries Holden's wonderful cross late in the match, the duo go down in U.S. National Team lore. As it stands, young Stuart will have to settle showing the American coaching staff he's capable of playing a solid 30 minutes in the most hostile of environments.
Jozy Altidore- Altidore's potential flashed to the surface a number of times in the 20 minutes he played. As the 20 year old grows into his massive body, he's learning how to wield his power to hold off defenders. Example one came during the Confed Cup with his turn of Joan Capdevila, and example two happened south of the border when he repeatedly beat El Tri defenders on the ground and in the air. His efforts didn't result in any goals but they did show what a force the youngster can be. What Jozy needs now is to refine his game with playing time, something he'll hopefully find at Hull City once his work permit issues get settled. If that happens, there's no reason he can't start alongside Davies next summer.
Losers
Steve Cherundolo- The Hanover 96 defender was a bit of a surprise start at right back against Mexico. While he had been the first choice at the position before getting injured, Jonathan Spector started throughout the Confed Cup and I thought he played well enough to retain the spot. Bradley apparently thought differently and gave Cherundolo the nod in Azteca. Mexico repeatedly attacked up their right side and Andrés Guardado got off a number of dangerous crosses. While none resulted in a goal, the outcome was still clear. Spector is seven years Cherundolo's junior and while he might not be the answer either, he should start in the U.S.'s next match.
Brian Ching- A couple of months ago, I predicted that the perennial starting striker would be on the field for kickoff of the U.S.'s first match in South Africa. Now, the American's qualification is no longer assured and I'm afraid it's time to reevaluate Ching's spot. The target man couldn't hold the ball against Mexico. Granted, he didn't have much help from a midfield that tired almost immediately, but balls seemed to fly off his chest, his feet, his head with abandon. There were very few times when Ching controlled a ball and distributed. That, combined with the predicted improvement of Altidore and Davies, could seriously jeopardize his place.
Ricardo Clark- One strength of the American team is the central midfield, especially with the anticipated arrival of Jermaine Jones. While both Michael Bradley and Clark played poorly against Mexico, the bad form hurts the Dynamo midfielder's cause more. The coach's son has shown an ability to score timely goals, a trait Clark doesn't possess. If his passing touch and tackling timing is off as it was in Azteca, he adds very little to the Starting XI. Clark has a place on the 23-man roster, but he's not a starter Jones, Feilhaber, and even Holden waiting in the wings.
Noah Davis covers the United States Men's National Team for Goal.com.
If you like the U.S. National Team you'll love Goal.com's dedicated page.
Last Wednesday in Mexico City, the United States Men's National Team found itself eight minutes away from drawing with archrival Mexico in a World Cup qualifier. Although Miguel Sabah pounced on a lucky bounce and the Americans fell 2-1, Bob Bradley's team held it's first lead and gave El Tri a scare. But who on the U.S. roster did the most to improve his World Cup credentials?
Winners
Charlie Davies- The Sochaux striker excelled in the Confederations Cup and the Gold Cup, and continued his torrid scoring streak for the Stars and Stripes with a brilliant finish off of Landon Donovan's perfectly weighted throughball. He followed up that strike with two more off the bench in his club side's Ligue A match just three days later. In the press, Jozy Altidore has overshadowed Davies -- who quietly posted excellent 2008 and 2009 campaigns at Hammarby -- but the former Boston College Eagle now owns a starting slot in Bradley's 4-4-2 formation. Mexico's defenders struggled to deal with Davies' combination of strength and speed, and he repeatedly ran behind (or through) El Tri's backline. In Estadio Azteca, the striker matured right before our very eyes.
Stuart Holden- One of the few members on the Gold Cup squad who could land on the 23-man roster for the World Cup, Holden improved his argument with a strong performance in Mexico City. He and Benny Feilhaber came on in the 58th minute with the Americans clearly struggling. The pair injected energy and pace into the match, and the Houston Dynamo midfielder showed an ability to possess the ball for brief periods of time. If Davies buries Holden's wonderful cross late in the match, the duo go down in U.S. National Team lore. As it stands, young Stuart will have to settle showing the American coaching staff he's capable of playing a solid 30 minutes in the most hostile of environments.
Jozy Altidore- Altidore's potential flashed to the surface a number of times in the 20 minutes he played. As the 20 year old grows into his massive body, he's learning how to wield his power to hold off defenders. Example one came during the Confed Cup with his turn of Joan Capdevila, and example two happened south of the border when he repeatedly beat El Tri defenders on the ground and in the air. His efforts didn't result in any goals but they did show what a force the youngster can be. What Jozy needs now is to refine his game with playing time, something he'll hopefully find at Hull City once his work permit issues get settled. If that happens, there's no reason he can't start alongside Davies next summer.
Losers
Steve Cherundolo- The Hanover 96 defender was a bit of a surprise start at right back against Mexico. While he had been the first choice at the position before getting injured, Jonathan Spector started throughout the Confed Cup and I thought he played well enough to retain the spot. Bradley apparently thought differently and gave Cherundolo the nod in Azteca. Mexico repeatedly attacked up their right side and Andrés Guardado got off a number of dangerous crosses. While none resulted in a goal, the outcome was still clear. Spector is seven years Cherundolo's junior and while he might not be the answer either, he should start in the U.S.'s next match.
Brian Ching- A couple of months ago, I predicted that the perennial starting striker would be on the field for kickoff of the U.S.'s first match in South Africa. Now, the American's qualification is no longer assured and I'm afraid it's time to reevaluate Ching's spot. The target man couldn't hold the ball against Mexico. Granted, he didn't have much help from a midfield that tired almost immediately, but balls seemed to fly off his chest, his feet, his head with abandon. There were very few times when Ching controlled a ball and distributed. That, combined with the predicted improvement of Altidore and Davies, could seriously jeopardize his place.
Ricardo Clark- One strength of the American team is the central midfield, especially with the anticipated arrival of Jermaine Jones. While both Michael Bradley and Clark played poorly against Mexico, the bad form hurts the Dynamo midfielder's cause more. The coach's son has shown an ability to score timely goals, a trait Clark doesn't possess. If his passing touch and tackling timing is off as it was in Azteca, he adds very little to the Starting XI. Clark has a place on the 23-man roster, but he's not a starter Jones, Feilhaber, and even Holden waiting in the wings.
Noah Davis covers the United States Men's National Team for Goal.com.
If you like the U.S. National Team you'll love Goal.com's dedicated page.
Inside Goal.Com
-
RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai
Nicolas Anelka went against the grain when he moved to Shanghai. Now he's finding that coaching and gelling tactically is like swimming against the tide.
-
ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams
Chievo is currently shopping the American midfielder and several Italian clubs have shown interest.
-
ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite
Neymar was brilliant as Brazil easily handled the United States with early World Cup preparations officially underway.
-
LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth
With World Cup qualifying to begin in June, Mexico is using three U.S.-hosted friendlies to build squad depth.
-
McCARTHY: Harrisburg springs its wildest Open Cup upset to date
The City Islanders fought back from three goals down with nine minutes to play and won the game on penalty kicks in a stunning game on a wild night for the U.S. Open Cup.