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Counterattack: Which USA Player Impressed Versus El Salvador?
Goal.com's editors take a look back at the USA match versus El Salvador and debate what the performances might mean going forward.
Feb 25, 2010 1:29:00 PM
Allen Ramsey: The guy who did the most for his World Cup hopes was Clarence Goodson -- for several reasons, but mostly just because I thought he was the best player on the pitch Wednesday night. His positioning was great and he rarely put a foot wrong.
To be fair, the U.S. was rarely tested by El Salvador's attack, but for me Goodson had a large hand in that. What I think I was most impressed with was his passing out of the back. I don't remember seeing him clear many balls. He took his time and showed some composure, something U.S. centerbacks often lack. I think he's put some distance between himself and Chad Marshall for what I consider the last central defensive spot still up for grabs.
Andrea Canales: I don't think Goodson played badly, but I don't think this game was any sort of match to really prove his worth. El Salvador wasn't ever going to really threaten in the air. The bigger question Bradley needs to have answered is -- who are the players willing to step up and be difference makers in a match? In this category, I think defender Heath Pearce and forward Brian Ching did themselves the most good.
Ramsey: I guess that's fair, but honestly I thought Ching just had a very 'Ching' match. I didn't think he did anything we hadn't seen from him before; he just did what I've come to expect him to do. Pearce did play one of his best games, so I might have to give that to you, especially with the questions at left back. Still, I feel like we know that Goodson can challenge in the air, I was much more impressed with his play along the ground.
Canales: I definitely see the viewpoint of respecting a defender's contributions, and it certainly wasn't Goodson's fault that so many of his starter passes for attacking play were mucked up in the midfield. But Goodson also came closest to getting a card with his physical play, and if you're roughing up a little team like El Salvador, it's only going to get uglier against other international squads. Ching may be taken for granted because he's not new, but he proved that he delivers in crunch time. Well, he delivers when he gets a good final pass, and that's exactly what Pearce got to him on the equalizer.
Ramsey: You know, the one bad foul Goodson had near midfield in the first half I thought was a good foul because El Salvador had something going and Goodson slowed it down.
I will agree with you that I might be taking Ching for granted, though. He could very well have earned his roster spot on Wednesday night, but I still feel like that's as much a product of the other strikers playing poorly, and Ching playing his normal steady game, than of Brian doing anything I didn't think he would do. As for Pearce, he wasn't tested on the defensive side at all, so I think he was harder to judge. I did like what I saw of him going forward though.
Canales: I guess I still have too many Germany 2006 memories of how easily the USA centerbacks there were shown red cards to feel comfortable with Goodsoon at the World Cup this summer, especially since I also think his speed is suspect, which is why he probably fouled in the first place. But he might be the best option for the spot that is open there. I wish a more finesse defender, like Michael Parkhurst, had worked out, though.
I agree that Pearce going forward was one of the bright spots of the USA game. He did the lion's share of the work for the first USA goal. I do think Bradley will take Ching to South Africa, and I hope this time, he's trusted with at least a few minutes. He's not flashy, but can be effective.
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To be fair, the U.S. was rarely tested by El Salvador's attack, but for me Goodson had a large hand in that. What I think I was most impressed with was his passing out of the back. I don't remember seeing him clear many balls. He took his time and showed some composure, something U.S. centerbacks often lack. I think he's put some distance between himself and Chad Marshall for what I consider the last central defensive spot still up for grabs.
Andrea Canales: I don't think Goodson played badly, but I don't think this game was any sort of match to really prove his worth. El Salvador wasn't ever going to really threaten in the air. The bigger question Bradley needs to have answered is -- who are the players willing to step up and be difference makers in a match? In this category, I think defender Heath Pearce and forward Brian Ching did themselves the most good.
Ramsey: I guess that's fair, but honestly I thought Ching just had a very 'Ching' match. I didn't think he did anything we hadn't seen from him before; he just did what I've come to expect him to do. Pearce did play one of his best games, so I might have to give that to you, especially with the questions at left back. Still, I feel like we know that Goodson can challenge in the air, I was much more impressed with his play along the ground.
Canales: I definitely see the viewpoint of respecting a defender's contributions, and it certainly wasn't Goodson's fault that so many of his starter passes for attacking play were mucked up in the midfield. But Goodson also came closest to getting a card with his physical play, and if you're roughing up a little team like El Salvador, it's only going to get uglier against other international squads. Ching may be taken for granted because he's not new, but he proved that he delivers in crunch time. Well, he delivers when he gets a good final pass, and that's exactly what Pearce got to him on the equalizer.
Ramsey: You know, the one bad foul Goodson had near midfield in the first half I thought was a good foul because El Salvador had something going and Goodson slowed it down.
I will agree with you that I might be taking Ching for granted, though. He could very well have earned his roster spot on Wednesday night, but I still feel like that's as much a product of the other strikers playing poorly, and Ching playing his normal steady game, than of Brian doing anything I didn't think he would do. As for Pearce, he wasn't tested on the defensive side at all, so I think he was harder to judge. I did like what I saw of him going forward though.
Canales: I guess I still have too many Germany 2006 memories of how easily the USA centerbacks there were shown red cards to feel comfortable with Goodsoon at the World Cup this summer, especially since I also think his speed is suspect, which is why he probably fouled in the first place. But he might be the best option for the spot that is open there. I wish a more finesse defender, like Michael Parkhurst, had worked out, though.
I agree that Pearce going forward was one of the bright spots of the USA game. He did the lion's share of the work for the first USA goal. I do think Bradley will take Ching to South Africa, and I hope this time, he's trusted with at least a few minutes. He's not flashy, but can be effective.
Counterattack runs every Thursday on Goal.com
For the latest news and updates from Goal.com, follow our Twitter account
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