Sure, the US Is Going To Play Soccer In The 2008 Summer Olympics....
But who is going to score the goals? Yesterday the US fell to fellow CONCACAF qualifier Honduras. All that was at stake in the final of the tournament was pride. With the 1-0 overtime loss to Honduras, I guess the US walked away with less pride. The scoreline brings up the bigger issue. The US U-23 men, head and shoulders above their opponents for long periods of time in each game, were taken to overtime scoreless . Why has the US had so many problems scoring goals?
Lets review the results of the tourney:
vs. Cuba 1-1. Goal coming from Freddy Adu in the run of play following a corner.
vs. Panama 1-0. Goal coming from Freddy Adu off the penalty spot.
vs. Honduras 1-0. Goal coming from Eddie Gaven off the penalty spot in second half stoppage time.
vs. Canada 3-0. This is the first multi-goal game in the tourney. Two great goals from Freddy Adu off set pieces. One goal in the run of play from midfielder Sacha Kljestan.
vs. Honduras 0-1. No goals.
In each of the above games the US had chances and dominated long periods of play. Why were they lacking the spark to open things up and really stick it to the opponents? My own view is that their tactics didn't open enough space in the offensive third. Teams were able to double team lone strikers while the rest of the defenders followed the ball. Kljestan's goal in the Canada game was one of the only plays I remember where Americans linked up inside the box on an attack. The rest of the games seemed to be highlighted by singular efforts on offense. That isn't totally true obviously, but that is my memory of the majority.
How are the Americans going to be able to remedy this by summer? I think a majority of their three senior additions should be offensive minded players. I know in the past a senior keeper has minded the Olympic nets, but this year I propose bring Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey along for the ride. Those two can add attacking creativity and skill not seen in the qualifiers, outside of Freddy Adu. Imagine Adu working the attack with Deuce and Landycakes. Imagine Deuce up top working off Altidore. It'd be sweet. Throw a back like Steve Cherundolo into the mix and the team has taken a dramatic turn for the better.
We'll see what the coaches will decide come summer, but that is what I would do, because there is a dramatic hole to be filled on offense with this team.
Lets review the results of the tourney:
vs. Cuba 1-1. Goal coming from Freddy Adu in the run of play following a corner.
vs. Panama 1-0. Goal coming from Freddy Adu off the penalty spot.
vs. Honduras 1-0. Goal coming from Eddie Gaven off the penalty spot in second half stoppage time.
vs. Canada 3-0. This is the first multi-goal game in the tourney. Two great goals from Freddy Adu off set pieces. One goal in the run of play from midfielder Sacha Kljestan.
vs. Honduras 0-1. No goals.
In each of the above games the US had chances and dominated long periods of play. Why were they lacking the spark to open things up and really stick it to the opponents? My own view is that their tactics didn't open enough space in the offensive third. Teams were able to double team lone strikers while the rest of the defenders followed the ball. Kljestan's goal in the Canada game was one of the only plays I remember where Americans linked up inside the box on an attack. The rest of the games seemed to be highlighted by singular efforts on offense. That isn't totally true obviously, but that is my memory of the majority.
How are the Americans going to be able to remedy this by summer? I think a majority of their three senior additions should be offensive minded players. I know in the past a senior keeper has minded the Olympic nets, but this year I propose bring Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey along for the ride. Those two can add attacking creativity and skill not seen in the qualifiers, outside of Freddy Adu. Imagine Adu working the attack with Deuce and Landycakes. Imagine Deuce up top working off Altidore. It'd be sweet. Throw a back like Steve Cherundolo into the mix and the team has taken a dramatic turn for the better.
We'll see what the coaches will decide come summer, but that is what I would do, because there is a dramatic hole to be filled on offense with this team.
Labels: 2008 Summer Olympics, US Soccer, US U-23
posted by Bonji at
10:54 AM
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