Welcome back, it’s been awhile. Before looking forward to Jamaica tonight, let’s catch up quickly on the last few months. Remember the snow bowl in Colorado? In a week that was filled with controversy off the field, the United States were able to get their swag back on the field while snow fell from the Denver air. That game will forever be remembered for the snow, but for me, it will be the day Jermaine Jones turned the corner for the stars and stripes.
Many have questioned the addition of the German-American contingent, and there are still doubts over a few (cough, Timmy Chandler). But on that Friday night in Dick Sporting Goods Park, Jermaine Jones and his snow-fro, proved that he can get the job done while playing with a fearlessness that American supporters love. Playing next to Michael Bradley probably helps too.
Following the win against Costa Rica and with new-found optimism, the United States traveled south of the border and were able to secure a scoreless draw with our biggest rivals. All was right with the world again. After three matches (two away from home), Klinsmann’s boys were 1-1-1, and on the back of two shutouts it seemed the team was peaking heading into a long break due to club soccer prior to June Qualifiers.
Many have questioned the addition of the German-American contingent, and there are still doubts over a few (cough, Timmy Chandler). But on that Friday night in Dick Sporting Goods Park, Jermaine Jones and his snow-fro, proved that he can get the job done while playing with a fearlessness that American supporters love. Playing next to Michael Bradley probably helps too.
Following the win against Costa Rica and with new-found optimism, the United States traveled south of the border and were able to secure a scoreless draw with our biggest rivals. All was right with the world again. After three matches (two away from home), Klinsmann’s boys were 1-1-1, and on the back of two shutouts it seemed the team was peaking heading into a long break due to club soccer prior to June Qualifiers.
Fast forward to today and after giving up 7 goals last week in two friendly matches, not sure that defense is looking too strong anymore. While eating breakfast this morning, think about the United States starting back four for tonight – DeMarcus Beasley and Brad Evans on the outsides with Omar Gonzalez and Matt Besler as center-backs. Wait, what? Isn’t Beasley a winger and Evans a central midfielder? Gonzalez and Besler are two promising young center-backs in MLS, but emphasis on the word young. Can this back four truly get us a result at the Office in Kingston tonight?
On the last trip to Jamaica in September, the red, white, and blue lost 2-1 and the starting back four was Michael Parkhurst and Fabian Johnson on the outside with Clarence Goodson and Geoff Cameron in the middle. Is there another national team that would have a completely different back four playing during the same World Cup Qualifying cycle?
Klinsmann has been the boss for nearly two years now and yet there still doesn’t seem to be any consistency on players or how the team will play. Remember the Kyle Beckerman experiment? The dreadlock boy started in the September match against the Reggae Boyz.
On the last trip to Jamaica in September, the red, white, and blue lost 2-1 and the starting back four was Michael Parkhurst and Fabian Johnson on the outside with Clarence Goodson and Geoff Cameron in the middle. Is there another national team that would have a completely different back four playing during the same World Cup Qualifying cycle?
Klinsmann has been the boss for nearly two years now and yet there still doesn’t seem to be any consistency on players or how the team will play. Remember the Kyle Beckerman experiment? The dreadlock boy started in the September match against the Reggae Boyz.
It’s not all doom and gloom as the United States attack was able to score 4 goals against Germany this past weekend and Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore look ready to carry the weight of the offense during the next three qualifiers. Yes, the same Altidore, who Klinsmann didn’t pick for two World Cup Qualifying (WCQ) matches this past Fall. There is that consistency thing popping up again.
The goal for the United States is to earn 7 points in the next three WCQ matches. Following Jamaica tonight, the US host Panama and Honduras prior to the Gold Cup starting in July. Anything less than three points tonight will cause more supporters to worry and have doubts, but a draw would be a point earned and better than the last trip to the Office.
If the back four can handle the speed of (insert Darren Mattocks) Jamaica, and Bradley and Jones can control the tempo of the game, the United States should walk away with three points. Both are big ifs. As the Mexico-Jamaica game proved, the game will become very open at times with many opportunities coming from wing play. The sequence (Dempsey – Zusi – Altidore) for the first goal the United States scored against Germany should be replayed over and over tonight.
Make sure you have beIN Sport channel or your local pub does and settle in for another rollercoaster of emotions that currently is provided by the United States squad. Lastly, keep track of the number of times you mention Landon Donovan’s name during the game. Maybe it could be a drinking game?
The goal for the United States is to earn 7 points in the next three WCQ matches. Following Jamaica tonight, the US host Panama and Honduras prior to the Gold Cup starting in July. Anything less than three points tonight will cause more supporters to worry and have doubts, but a draw would be a point earned and better than the last trip to the Office.
If the back four can handle the speed of (insert Darren Mattocks) Jamaica, and Bradley and Jones can control the tempo of the game, the United States should walk away with three points. Both are big ifs. As the Mexico-Jamaica game proved, the game will become very open at times with many opportunities coming from wing play. The sequence (Dempsey – Zusi – Altidore) for the first goal the United States scored against Germany should be replayed over and over tonight.
Make sure you have beIN Sport channel or your local pub does and settle in for another rollercoaster of emotions that currently is provided by the United States squad. Lastly, keep track of the number of times you mention Landon Donovan’s name during the game. Maybe it could be a drinking game?
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