I'm watching the France friendly. The US looks a bit sharper than they have in their past few outings under Klinnsman. I am still skeptical that his plan will work with our limitations in talent, but we will see.
Klinnsman says all the right things but there hasn't been much to show for it so far. Shea, Altidore, Dempsey and Donovan are not a bad group up front. The back is one piece away. The midfield the jury is out on. Howard's skills are diminishing but he is probably still the best available.
I like most of the MF guys we play but it seems like they're missing somebody who makes things happen. I think guys like Jones, Edu, and Bradley would be enhanced by playing with somebody like that.
I just don't get why the Yanks shit the bed when they possess the ball past midfield. All of a sudden, they don't know how to make a good pass.
I have a million theories about this, but in short I will say that the organization of American youth soccer has had a debilitating effect on scoring and offense in particular.
The USA is up 3-1 on Slovenia. Looking better, and Slovenia was a World Cup team. Interestingly, the USA is attacking like crazy but shaky on defense. A total reversal of normal.
Little Bradley has helped in the middle. I think he needs to be a starter again full-time. He is getting playing time in Italia Serie-A as well.
Some very non-beneficial officiating overall, though. Uncalled handball in the box, obvious flops with no contact, etc. for Slovenia.
