Thoughts on USA-Guatamala

Guatemala clamped down on D last night, throwing 10 back and clogging the passing lanes. They made little effort to score and concentrated instead on making it impossible for Landon Donovan to get anything going and that's the book on Donovan: if you keep him from getting the ball then he effectively disappears from the American attack. He got nothing going all night--and did you notice him exchanging grumpy words along with his jersey at the end of the game? It looked like Guatemala might open it up in the last 10 minutes or so and press the attack, which would've given USA their best oppurtunity to score but they stayed disciplined and stuck with their plan of a 0-0 draw. To the casual American soccer watcher this is frustrating stuff; but to the diehard, season-long Guatemalan fan, a draw to a quality squad on the road is a good result.

Mapp had some nice moments on the wing, thought they should've looked to his speed outside a little more. He faded in the last 15 minutes which was disappointing. But he's clearly gonna hang with this team through the Gold Cup this summer.

Simek, Bradley, DeMerit, Feilhaber, Spector all played so-so. Looks like a nice nucleus for the future but for now its hard to tell how well they push the ball forward. None of them did anything bad (though Guatemala didn't push forward much last night), but none of them really stood out either. Didn't see enough of Wade Barett to get a feel for his game.

Dempsey didn't do much last night and that's not unusual. He can hammer the ball with authority but he's also a bit of a brat (did you notice him in extra time trying to pick a fight a bunch of sweaty Guatemalans--that's the kind of player Dempsey is) and he preens, shining out for the ref instead of his teammates. Not a criticism necessarily, USA soccer needs some attitude out there, but I'm not convinced he has an all-around game.

Eddie Johnson displayed his speed coming back to the ball and dropping for some D, but the long passes over the top designed to spring him just never worked. They more or less gave up on it the 2nd half and with Guatemala allowing so little action in the middle of the field, he effectively disappeared.

Conrad was solid in the middle backfield and that's a good sign. I think Conrad and Onyewu (who didn't play last night) make for a formidable back line.

I kinda liked the big dude, Cooper. Good skill on the ball, big kid, not sure if he has any speed. He only played 20 minutes or so, he interacted with Donovan well. When Donovan gets locked out of games like last night, he gets frustrated and when he does get his minimal touches he's obsessed with making his touches crisp. Unfortunately, a well played swing pass 40 yards away from the goal to a guy that's not as good as you isn't really much of a move. I know I keep harping on Donovan but he's the man and he's got play like it.

I was surprised to see Casey Keller out there. I would've thought he would be a little long in the tooth for the 2010 squad but maybe not. Fine with me, he's probably the best pure soccer player USA has ever produced--and I haven't been impressed with Tim Howard.

I know Freddy Adu (chilling with Roy Williams?) scored for the U-20 team the other day but I'm ready to see him on the field with the big boys. I thought maybe Arena just had some nit to pick with him but apparently Bradley does as well.

I've been reasonably pleased with Bradley's performance as interim coach. Any day now we should learn whether he'll be replaced or given the post for real. I think USA is ready for a European coach, let the Americans go back to the NCAA and MLS to score their paychecks, and I thought Jurgen Klinnsman was a perfect fit. When there's big money and big pressure and big egos out there, there's always a chance to make (or break) a deal so I guess USA still has a shot at bringing Klinnsman back around. But if he's not interested than I think USA could definitely do worse than Bradley.

Goofy afterthought: You know the best potential of Bruce Arena's career from here on is being the John Madden of American soccer. His only shot in the game is to come back as USA's coach (certainly not impossible but doesn't seem likely), where else could he go? Europe ain't interested, neither is South America, I don't think the Asians would be interested in him either. Maybe he could coach within USA's conference (Mexico, Costa Rica, Jamaica) but I doubt they'd be interested in him nor he in them. He'd be better off going to UCLA or somewhere and trying to build a dynasty. But the one job that is his for the taking is the #1 TV commentator for USA soccer. Too bad for him he's as likable as a telephone pole and only slightly more attractive. Still it is his job as long as he wants it and he might oughta figure out how to be good at it.