Well, I’ve finally recovered from the late kickoff and lack
of sleep, so I decided to throw in my dos
pesos about last Wednesday’s game between my two favorite teams, and how its
results affect some players moving forward in their World Cup hopes. I personally predicted and hoped for a 2-2
tie, so that is good, but it certainly was not in the way I surmised in the
tale of two halves. The expected outcome
was that the bueno of one team gave me
great worry for the other, but both teams probably clarified some players’
tickets for the flight to Brasil, while others solidified their place on the
couch watching this summer with stubborn Carlos Vela and retired Steve
Cherundolo.
First of all, Mexican capitán
Rafa Marquez looked great, the best overall form he has had since returning to
the National Team, with a fabulous goal, another near, and most importantly, no
OMG moments on defense really (those went to others). However, he and others exposed how weak his
opposite Omar Gonzalez is for the US defense (one good, one bad for me); unfortunately,
due to thin depth, Gonzo likely makes the trip south by default, hopefully to forever
remain in warm-ups.
Two Mexican strikers likely in competition with each other
for an invite both performed well, Raul Jimenez working well around the field in
his second half of play and Alan Pulido (beaten out by Jimenez for the last
spot on the Gold Medal Olympic team) taking advantage for his fourth goal in
three games for La Selección Naciónal,
both also helping to seal Gonzalez’ fate.
Marco Fabian did not look great as a striker in this
formation, but was much more effective as an attacking mid in the second, clogging
that position even further, especially as Luis Montes had a solid game as well.
While Carlos “Gullit” Peña did not look his best by any means, he is still
considered a shoe-in for the team and a likely starter for his full
resume. Likewise, Isaac Brizuela was
not spectacular, but will still likely make the final cut, though I don’t see
him starting in this crowded group.
Miguel Layun was strong on the outside, even if not back to
his 100% top speed, making numerous beautiful crosses as usual, and displaying
a powerful shot from the outside, without ever really getting compromised
defensively. He got around US defender Tony
Beltran quite easily (good for one, bad for one). Rogelio Chavez’ tryout on the other side did
not go very well, while Paul Aguilar took advantage, looking way better in all
aspects of the game, subbing at halftime and setting up a goal. Miguel Ponce has been playing well at Toluca
and got a good shot in within his limited minutes and could be a viable backup at
the wingbacks, along with Andres Guardado (who has been playing a little lately
in Germany).
For los
estadiounidenses, Michael Bradley was magnificent in the first half,
leading a fluid attack for the red, white, and whatever the top color of their
uniform is called, while also netting a nice score and almost marking a
second. Chris Wondolowski continues to
make things happen, getting the start over out of shape Landon Donovan, and
scored yet another goal, making it very hard to keep Wondo home for the summer.
I hate to say it (I hope Phytopia doesn’t read this) but
even though I hate Kyle Beckerman and his nasty dreads, he played relatively
well (outside of his part in the first goal but mostly Gonzalez IMO), looked
better than Maurice Edu, and I am just not sure they have a ton of other
options for that holding midfielder spot on the bench behind Jermaine Jones and
Bradley, so he is slated to be very hot in the humid, tropical weather unless
he shaves that head.
In spite of Gonzalez, at least Matt Besler inside, and
Michael Parkhurst on the outside, were solid on the left side of the defense,
the former definitely a starter in the Brasil and the latter in the running for
his regular right side. Clarence Goodson
is never flashy but always stable, and was again as a sub; I can’t see him missing
the trip and more and more it appears he might end up starting. Graham Zusi was
fairly effective even having to track back a lot to help Beltran.
However, many other known Americans were very blah, namely Clint
Dempsey, who needs to turn it on for the team to have any success the
tournament (and he did break out this weekend for a hat trick against rival
Portland). Brad Davis was way too quiet.
Donovan was out of shape and didn’t do much from the bench. Eddie Johnson seemed to be pressing at times
although he was just a nose or maybe a toe offsides on an almost goal. Obviously, Dempsey and Donovan make the
squad, but others who did not perform well could find themselves on the outside
looking in at guys like Aron Johanssen and Mix Diskeruud.)
The overall offensive success of the USA does not bode well
for any of the central defenders who play in Mexico who are not wearing the
captain’s band (one good and one bad again).
Masa Rodriguez continues to
live down to expectations and, like Gonzalez up north, will probably have to
serve as a default member of the Brasil roster.
Same story for Topo Valenzuela, who was yet again mediocre at best, with
some scary moments, but probably still ends up as the 5th central
defender on the squad. That all of
course bodes well for Iberian players Hector Moreno at Espanyol and Diego Reyes
at Porto (finally getting consistent playing time) who will almost assuredly
flank Marquez barring circumstance.
Likewise, Jesus Zavala has been put on standby, while teammate
Juan Carlos Medina likely solidified his hold on the holding midfielder
position by effectively shutting down Michael Bradley in the second half (more one
good, one bad), after Zavala chased him around aimlessly in the first half.
Neither team was at full strength without European players, with
both getting to see a lot of players (friendly six subs), and in the process, I
think, answered some of the important roster questions they have been
pondering. Mexico has to feel a little better
about the result though, especially that as more of Herrera’s “regulars” came on,
his team looked better, stronger and more in control. The US can take pride in a fantastic start,
the fact that they were inches from the winning goal, and did not have a few
probable starters waiting on the bench to come in later.
The most intriguing question mark for the Stars and Stripes
is youngster Julian Green, who certainly is fast, but looked completely out of
sorts, especially going back on defense.
Granted, he joined the team at the last second, was over-hyped by fans
and media, and basically came in cold with little, if any practice with the
team, so he just did not yet look ready for primetime. Klinnsman was smart to
only play him thirty minutes, and not the ninety many fans wanted. However, Green was likely made some promises
in his allegiance flip, and is considered a key part of the future of this
team. He got a taste, coaches got a
look, and they will do everything in their power in the interim to prepare him
to be the 23rd name to make that roster so he can get a glimpse of
the Cup up close, even if he never makes it on the field.
The biggest pregunta
across the border is about trying to figure out where arguably their most
talented player, Giovanni Dos Santos, fits into their system and lineup. While Chicharito Hernandez has been finally
getting some playing time at ManU and notched a goal over the weekend, the only
question for him is: Starter or super-sub?
With Gio however, it is a much more complicated dilemma, as he is not
really a true striker and needs some space to work that doesn’t really exist in
this formation. On top of that, he is
out a month or so with a nagging hamstring, not an injury you want heading into
the World Cup. I still think his best
spot might be as one of the attacking mids, but he has made it clear that he does
not prefer that, and furthermore, that is by far the deepest area on the team
with the aforementioned Peña, Montes, Brizuela, Fabian, plus Hector Herrera,
who is again playing more at Porto, and whose versatility and ability to play
holding mid almost assures him of a spot on the final roster (especially in
light of Zavala’s performance).
Everyone now has until mid-May to narrow down their squad to
their provisional 30 for training camp, before they pare down to the final Brasil
World Cup veinte-tres on June 2. However, each side does still have some
important decisions to make, both on their bench and even in their starting lineups. I figure both Herrera and Klinnsman probably
know at least seven, and maybe as many as eight or even nine of their projected
starters, but each has to figure out a couple of key areas, specifically in the
midfield, as well as whom best fills out their depth in case of injury or other
problems.
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