Landon Donovan transfer rumors

The day after the MLS Cup Final there were web posts unofficially linking Landon Donovan with four clubs. The clubs were Livorno, Paris St. Germain, Glasgow Celtic, and (most wildly on some English talk-radio show) Liverpool.

Assuming all these clubs have actual interest, and that’s a big if, I find it difficult to believe that any of them would be a good fit for Donovan.

There is a small but growing contingent of American footballers who are stuck in a sort of limbo. Their wage and transfer fee valuations are too great for the budget of clubs where they would be likely to start in the first team, and their reputation isn’t considered to have a fine enough football pedigree at the bigger clubs that can afford to spend that kind of money. Thus the usual story of an American going to a high-profile club is that regardless of how well they might be training and playing, they inevitably end up buried deep in the squad in favor of European/African/South American players who are considered known quantities playing at that “level”. There have been exceptions to this, but not many.

So, assuming that the rumors have any shred of truth to them you would have to assume that: Liverpool would be an awful choice. It would be like Leverkusen all over again for Donovan. Regardless of how well he played or trained, I doubt he’d be given a second glance at Anfield. It would be a classic case of what I call a “Glass Display Case” transfer. Meaning that the club purchasing the player has only done so to collect a name player as cover for whoever else is currently favored in the team at that position. Although PSG might be the best option, it seems like more of a lateral move. Donovan moves to a “better neighborhood” but the question is would he be given more than two matches to show he belongs? Certainly Leverkusen failed to afford him that opportunity. Scottish football is hard on the bones, and sometimes they play in what could be described as rainy slop, but Parkhead might be the best destination of the four for Donovan. Livorno would be the same sort of Glass Case deal that Onyewu was dealing with at the San Siro - or is it the Guiseppe Meazza?, they never seem able to make up their minds in Milan.

I think the best case scenario for Donovan would be a second tier European or British club that has a better than average shot at promotion to the top. It would be fun if this sort of opportunity leads him back to Germany, as I imagine he would be highly motivated to kick the spaghetti out of Leverkusen and Bayern Munich at every possible opportunity. What better thing could you hope for than the chance to make the people that doubted your ability look like idiots?

Collapse at the Azteca

August 13, 2009

Ultimately, what prevented us from getting a result wasn’t the second goal Mexico scored. That was more a reflection of their desperation and frantic hard work (Which actually has just as much to do with cultural reasons as football ones), rather than any poor play on our part. It was the first goal Mexico scored. Seemingly, Michael Bradley, had gotten the ball from the defense and thought he could long dribble the ball out of trouble. He hadn’t gotten ten yards away from the US box before he turned it over. With the rest of the US team shifting from defense to offense, many were out of position when the ball was stolen by Mexico. Fate nearly denied Mexico that first goal. Had that shot failed to dip that final centimeter, it would have struck the bar almost square and bounced out.

Do the USA need work on their technical ball skills? Of course they do.

Was it inconceivable that Bob Bradley started Brian Ching over Josmer Altidore? Of course it was. (This has still left me slack jawed, that Altidore is a fit enough choice against Spain, but somehow not against Mexico.)

Should Robbie Rogers have started at left midfield? Of course he should have.

Will the team benefit and be steadied by the return of Maurice Edu? Of course it will.

I can’t understand why Bob Bradley made some of the choices he did as manager during the course of Mexico 2:1 United States. I don’t know if starting Ching over Altidore, is enough however for a vote of no confidence. And even if Bob Bradley were sacked...who could we possibly get to replace him?

Sabah’s 82nd minute winner broke my heart.

Now we have to endure:

“Beating Spain was a fluke”

“The US are crap at football”

etc. ad nauseam.

Despite all this talk, there is work to be done for the US team.

Contrary to popular belief, I am not surprised that it is more of a struggle these days to defeat El Salvador and Honduras. They are improving. That’s right, I said it. They are improving - The gap is closing. It’s not that the skill of the USA team has diminished so much, as everyone else in CONCACAF is starting to improve. As a result, the US team must set the bar higher. We can’t afford to field a ‘B’ team in the zonal championship.

It is difficult enough to see the US lose in important matches against quality opposition. It is harder to watch this when all of us know the best team wasn’t on the pitch. As much as I like Brian Ching as cover at striker, there is a reason Villareal were willing to purchase Altidore for millions of dollars.

Bob Bradley may not be the best manager in the world. But I strongly believe he is the best we can get now...and that we could do worse. Can you imagine, Jurgen Klinsmann coming to coach the USA now? Can you imagine US Soccer offering enough money and control to Guus Hiddink to lure him away from his job with Russia?

Our players are sometimes coveted by overseas clubs. It seems that our managers are never asked to work overseas. Perhaps the two exceptions to this are Ernie Stewart at NAC Breda in Netherlands, and Brent Goulet at SV Elversberg. I wonder why this is so. Don’t you?

US Soccer - "Preparing" for Mexico

August 9, 2009

ESPN (Soccernet News Services) has said that the US side will be meeting in Miami beginning today to begin preparation for Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Mexico. Sadly, Miami is at sea level. If the side plans to train in Miami, (US manager) Bob Bradley may have made a terrible error. Hopefully the US will sensibly train at altitude, perhaps in Colorado Springs at the Olympic Training Center. Three days isn't a tremendous time to acclimate to the altitude and smog of Azteca. Three weeks of training are required for athletes who live and train at or near sea level, in order to acclimate to athletic activity at high altitudes. There are artificial methods of accomplishing this goal, training at low altitude but also doing exercise in an artificial low oxygen environment, and perhaps this is what Bob Bradley has in mind. Another possibility is that the US isn't releasing the location of it's training camp for the Mexico match to the media. Maybe they are heading to high altitude. It is debatable that it will make a difference as the US team will leave for Mexico on Tuesday.

The bottom line is: If the United States aren't prepared for the altitude in Mexico City, how can they possibly be ready to take on the Tricolores at Azteca where Mexico have beaten the US every time with an exception of a draw in 1997.

NY Rangers - Players In, Players Out

August 6, 2009

Change has come to Madison Square Garden. The measured, meticulously prepared defensive system of Tom Rennie is gone. It is replaced by the fiery, up-tempo, high pressure forechecking style of John Tortorella.

Since the end of the season, nine players from last years first team have left the club via trade, retirement, or free agency. Colton Orr, Frederik Sjøstrom, Nik Antropov, Scott Gomez, Paul Mara, Laurie Korpikoski, and Derrick Morris have all been traded. Nikolai Zherdev was allowed to walk away to free agency. Markus Naslund has retired from hockey.

What have Rangers lost?

In Orr the Rangers have lost an inexpensive, hard-working checking player who had the grit to defend his teammates. He signed with Toronto Maple Leafs.

In Sjøstrom, the club lost a physically strong winger that could hold the puck in the attacking zone, a good checker, good penalty killer, and a shootout specialist. Sjøstrom signed with Calgary Flames.

Antropov brought size, strength, and a legitimate scoring threat to the Blueshirts when he was acquired at the trade deadline in March of 2009. He finished the clubs leading scorer with 28 goals and 39 assists for 59 points (most of those coming with his previous club Toronto Maple Leafs). Antropov signed with Atlanta Thrashers.

Gomez was tied for highest scorer in the team (with Zherdev on 58 points until the Antropov trade), was a swift skater, and a fine playmaker setting up 42 goals (the most assists in the team). A fine player overall, Gomez’ departure was mostly facilitated by his $7.357 million salary. 16 goals, and 42 assists for 58 points is a reasonably decent season, but at the price of over $7 million/year, the Rangers expected that point total to be closer to 90 and for him to score more than 3 power play goals. Gomez was traded to Montreal Canadiens along with minor leaguers Tom Pyatt and Mike Busto for Chris Higgins and three minor league players Ryan McDonagh and Pavel Valentenko. Also in the deal was Doug Janik who was out of contract and signed with Detroit Red Wings. Gomez will (according to ESPN) make $8 million this season, and next season.

Paul Mara provided steady yeoman-like performances and some veteran leadership in defense last season. He also provided a bit of sandpaper when the opposing teams crossed the line. Mara was one of only four Ranger players to finish with a positive plus/minus rating (+2). At a salary of just under $2 million, the Rangers definitely got value for their dollar with Mara. Mara signed with Montreal Canadiens.

Laurie Korpikoski was a highly rated prospect from Finland. He made slightly less than $1 million, and was one of the Rangers’ past high round draft picks. Korpikoski produced 6 goals and 8 assists for 14 points in 68 matches last season. Korpikoski was traded to Phoenix Coyotes for highly rated Russian prospect Enver Lisin.

Derrick Morris was acquired from Phoenix at the March trade deadline last season. He was to provide size, strength, hitting, and help improve the Rangers’ woeful powerplay. What I remember most about Morris was that he frequently would turn the puck over. Sometimes in the neutral zone, sometimes in his defensive zone. Oddly, Dmitri Kalinin was traded to Phoenix for him, and Kalinin liked to turn the puck over in the same fashion. In the annals of the trades the club has made over the years the Kalinin/Prucha/Dawes for Morris trade begins to look like a very bad move indeed. Though neither Prucha or Dawes produced tremendous amounts of goals, Prucha was certainly a hard working and team oriented player, and young Nigel Dawes had only begun to realize his true potential as a scorer. As Morris walked away as a free agent the Rangers got nothing back for a player they dealt three players for. Morris’ contract was up at the end of last season, and he signed with Boston Bruins as a free agent for the coming season.

Nikolai Zherdev was allowed to walk away from the club after his salary arbitration hearing awarded him a $650,000 raise (to $3.9 million for one year). The Rangers have lost their third highest goal scorer (Zherdev scored 23 goals and assisted on 35 for 58 points in 82 matches. He was tied for second in club scoring with Scott Gomez) from last season. It is difficult to believe that the Rangers would part with him just over the money. I can only imagine that the Rangers have agreed to the parting of the ways over his attitude, work habits, lack of production, or perhaps Tortorella just doesn’t like him. What the Rangers lose is Zherdev’s occasional ability to produce a piece of magic with his stickhandling skills, his hard shot, his quick release, and his blazing skating pace. What the Rangers also lose is something for nothing. Zherdev finished the season +6, one of only four Ranger players to finish plus at the end of the season. The deal that brought Zherdev from Ohio to Manhattan cost the Rangers Fedor Tyutin, who remains a very good and steady defenseman. In fairness to the Rangers front office, Zherdev completely vanished in the Stanley Cup producing no goals or assists in 7 matches on 12 shots with a plus/minus of -3. He remains a free agent.

Markus Naslund has retired from hockey. He was the leading goal scorer on the team last season with 24 goals (before the Antropov trade).

What have the Rangers gained?

Marion Gaborik scores goals.....lots of them.....when healthy. He averages roughly 63 matches out of 82 in his eight years in the NHL. The first choice Slovakian international is fast, strong, and possesses a wicked quick release shot. This falls in the category of wait and see. Oddly that’s how it was with Zherdev, and Kovalev before him. Stay tuned.

Donald Brashear is meant to provide the toughness lost with Colton Orr’s departure to Toronto. It remains to be seen whether this will be the case, and whether or not the 37 year-old Brashear can fulfill his role as well as his predecessor.

Corey Locke is likely to find time on the Rangers minor league affiliate Hartford Wolf Pack. Right now, he is a young player with upside.

Tyler Arnason will likely fit in as a checking line center with moderate offensive production. Hopefully he’s good on face-offs. He’s big at 5’ 11” but does that translate into the toughness that the Rangers and Tortorella require? Perhaps with him the Rangers are hedging their bets in case they can’t sign master face-off man and excellent penalty killer Blair Betts.

Brian Boyle is a big (a 6’ 6” 222 pound monster), strong winger. Let’s hope he’s not slow and can score goals and check. He scored 4 goals and 1 assist in 28 matches with the Los Angeles Kings. I imagine the Rangers will ask this lad to go to the net and create traffic in the hopes he will score some rebound goals or by deflection. Judging by his limited experience, he looks more like a candidate to sharpen things up in Hartford.

Andres Ambühl is a stocky, rugged, 25 year-old forward who has come to the Rangers from his Swiss club HC Davos. He isn’t afraid to mix it up as he has 425 penalty minutes in 358 games in the Swiss NLA. He has scored 64 goals and 108 assists for 172 points in his NLA career. A good prediction is that he’ll provide some scoring punch, but mostly toughness and resolve. Characteristics highly prized by John Tortorella.

Ilkka Heikkinen is 24 year-old, 6’ 2” 200 pound defenseman from Finland. In the Finnish SM-liiga he has played in 283 matches scoring 31 goals and 82 assists for 113 points. Heikkinen faces a tough road to Manhattan, as the Rangers are currently loaded with defenseman prospects. It is more likely that he will log time with Hartford in the AHL.

Matt Gilroy is a 24 year-old defenseman from Boston College. He has signed a $3.5 million two year contract with the Rangers. The 2009 Hobey Baker Award winner (Best U.S. college player) and NCAA champion will be one of the many young hopefuls at the Rangers’ training camp this Summer. Though Gilroy comes to the club highly rated, the Rangers are loaded with prospects at defense and he will find himself in the same situation with Heikkinen.

Ryan McDonagh is another college boy acquired by the Rangers from Montreal in the Scott Gomez deal. It is likely that he will continue to play for the University of Wisconsin until graduation or the Rangers sign him to a professional contract. A defenseman with size and speed, the 20 year-old McDonagh will find himself in the same training camp battles with all the other young hopefuls.

Pavel Valentenko is yet another young defense prospect. The 21 year-old Russian was acquired from Montreal in the Gomez deal. Valentenko played 57 matches for Montreal’s AHL affiliate the Hamilton Bulldogs. Though Tortorella has said anyone has a chance to make the team in training camp, it is likely that Valentenko will be honing his craft with the Hartford Wolf Pack.

Chad Johnson is a young goalie prospect currently playing his hockey at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks. His rights were acquired from Pittsburgh Penguins. Like the Rangers’ other prospects playing NCAA hockey, he will continue until graduation or signing a pro contract with the Rangers.

Chris Higgins was acquired from Montreal as the principal player in the Gomez deal. Higgins is a big left wing and will be expected to make the Rangers roster. He averages about 60 games and averages about 21 goals per full season. Essentially he should produce the same amount of scoring that Gomez did, at a third of his salary. He will also be a Long Islander playing in New York. He is from Smithtown, NY.

Chris Chappell is a big left wing who recently completed his Major Junior career with the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit. He is coming off of his best and most gritty season in that league. Last seasons numbers have him at 38 goals, 38 assists for 76 points with 88 PIM (penalties in minutes) - all record highs for Chappell in his OHL career. Chappell was signed as a free agent. As Chappell is 21 years-old he is no longer eligible to play Major Junior hockey. This means he’ll be battling to earn a place on the Rangers. Failing this he will probably play for Hartford Wolf Pack.

Enver Lisin was acquired from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for Laurie Korpikoski. Wayne Gretzky (then the head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes) was quoted in The Arizona Republic as saying [if there is a faster skater in hockey] “I don't know where he is." High praise from one of the greatest to play the game. The only question appears to be will he start his career in the Rangers organization in Manhattan or Hartford. A fast would-be sniper that stays out of the penalty box.

Ales Kotalik is a 30 year old right wing who last played for the Edmonton Oilers. He has scored 121 goals and a total of 251 points in 445 matches with Buffalo and Edmonton of the NHL. A hard worker with a big shot and a knack for scoring on the power play, the Rangers hope to improve from last years horrid power play which was 29th in the NHL. I assume the Rangers signed this free agent to buy time for the prospects to season in Hartford.

Sam Klassen is a 20 year old defenseman who is currently playing with the Saskatoon Blades of the WHL. As he will be 20 years at the start of the WHL season, the Rangers may elect to have him finish out his eligibility with the Blades if he fails to make the Rangers roster and sign a professional contract. At 6’ 2” and 200 pounds he seems to be a big strong kid. Penalized for 195 minutes over his last two seasons in junior, it would appear that grit is creeping into his game as he approaches his professional career. He was signed as a free agent.

Nigel Williams was acquired from Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Hartford Wolf Pack defenseman Brian Fahey. Williams is 21 years-old, big (6’4” 226 pounds), and scored 21 points in 70 games last season with the Lake Erie Monsters of the AHL. He can rush the puck and skates very well. Lots of defensemen in training camp for the Rangers this year. The question is “will it be Hartford or Manhattan?” for the young defenseman.

Thus ends the summary of the New York Rangers 2009 off season transactions to date.

The Rangers still have yet to resign free agents Blair Betts, Brandon Dubinsky, Mark Bell, Joe Barnes, and Vladimir Denisov.

USA have qualified for Confederations Cup Semi-Finals

The result was improbable given the data we all had to work with. Egypt had cleverly dueled and lost to Brazil by the slimmest of margins (4:3). Egypt had upset Italy neatly in a one goal game (1:0).

Egypt had done everything right except to prepare for the unpredictable Americans. In my preview for this tournament, I stated that America would never give up. I stated that they would scratch and claw for every opportunity. This was all shown to be true, as America rallied in a way we have seldom seen. Egypt 0:3 America. I list Egypt’s score first out of respect as they are the current African Nations Cup champions, and playing in Africa were the home team. Egypt have a number of gifted and technically sound footballers. When I watched Egypt’s opening match versus Brazil, my jaw dropped watching them keep pace with the Samba Kings.

Our victory wasn’t a lapse of Egyptian skill, it was the return of our own skills and discipline. Heart has been renewed in the American side. Charlie Davies was sound enough to score a goal off of the Egyptian goalkeeper’s face. Davies never gave up. For his resolve, he was rewarded with a goal. The Clint Dempsey headed goal was so very, very sweet. The Jonathan Spector cross that set it up, was absolutely poetic. America witnessed a change - achieving world class results, in world class style.

Let me take this moment to thank Brazil for giving the sound thumping to Italy (3:0) that was necessary for America to remain alive in the Confederations Cup. Thank you Brazil, thank you many times over. Sometimes I wonder if there is anyone who understands us as a footballing nation, maybe it is Brazil.

Having said all of this makes me realize that the “group of worse than death” has now been augmented. After facing Italy and Brazil in group play, the United States must now face Spain in a semi-final elimination match.

Spain of late are anything but duffers. Iker Casillas starts in goal for Real Madrid, one of Europe’s premier sides. Defender Puyol, and midfield maestro Xavi play for FC Barcelona, the elegant Catalonian giants of football. Fernando Torres plays for Liverpool. Cesc Fabregas plays for London giants Arsenal. Spain are the recently crowned champions of Europe. Their football is fine, and often elegant.

I can’t help but think of the matchups that will take place later this day. Onyewu of the USA in central defense versus the masterful Fernando Torres. In this matchup, I feel Gooch has a fine chance to reign supreme and underscore his massive achievements in Belgium.

The midfield matchups though, create more questions than answers. Spain will have their hands full of Landon Donovan. Unless of course, none of the other midfielders show any threat, in which case it will make it easy for Spain to mark Donovan out of the match. Can Michael Bradley or Ricardo Clark hold Xavi in check? Will the overlapping Spanish outside backs create too much pressure for the USA defense to deal with?

On the Spanish side of things, I wonder if they will find it easy to deal with Michael Bradley. How will they manage to contain his tireless work rate? Bradley excels in ball-winning football. He also excels in making foolish challenges that get him booked. If it’s a dead heat in midfield, wouldn’t America be as likely to work the break as Spain?

The one thing I can be sure of is that there can be no true prediction of how ESP v. USA will end up.

It is up to the people of the world. Will you simply count out America, thinking them completely inferior to Spain? Or will you think they could have a chance, a chance to show greatness under duress?

In the 1990 World Cup’s opening match, Argentina played Cameroon. Argentina was predicted to run away with the match, but Cameroon, even after having a man sent off, were the 1:0 victors. Will this game be this sort of match?

Having followed the USA team from 1989 to present, I can honestly say, that I couldn’t predict the result one way or the other.

US Soccer - 2009 Confederations Cup Preview

The United States men’s football team is rarely predicted to win games against storied opposition. It is likely that football journalists will predict that America will lose all their group matches in South Africa this June, crashing out of the tournament in disgrace.

However, let me draw your attention back to the 2002 World Cup in Korea for a moment. The USA was given no chance by their critics to defeat Portugal and the players of their “Golden Generation.” Surely the United States wouldn’t be able to keep pace with the likes of Joao Pinto, Postiga, Figo, Pauleta, and Rui Costa. But what happened that day in Suwon shook the foundation of international football. John O’Brien scored on 4’, Jorge Costa compounded the problem by putting one into his own net, and Brian McBride made it USA 3:0 on 36 minutes. The final was USA 3:2 POR.

The United States, against all predictions finished eighth of 32 teams in the 2002 World Cup. The Americans finished ahead of Italy, Paraguay, Argentina, Portugal, Croatia, and France. The lesson learned by Portugal that day was to never count out the Americans. Americans work hard, fight hard, and never, ever quit.

Having said that, the USA are on a spotty run of form at the present. Defenders not on the same page with their goalkeeper and one another, midfielders being caught upfield during the oppositions counter-attack forcing defenders out of position as they try to cover for their stranded midfield teammates. Strikers who are having problems creating chances and trouble finishing the chances they do get.

What America does have are the best goalkeepers on the planet. At the moment United States and Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard is at the top of the list. We have a European league champion in Oguchi Onyewu. His Standard Liege side has won the Belgian championship both this season and last season. In Josmer Altidore, the Americans have a true center forward who can hold the ball. How good is he? It was worth $10 million to Villareal of Spain to sign him. Clint Dempsey scored 7 goals for Fulham this year in the English Premiership. We have Michael Bradley who holds the record for most goals in a season scored by an American playing in Europe. And we have Landon Donovan, perhaps the best footballer ever produced by the United States.

Although the betting man’s odds may lie with Italy and Brazil, I refuse to count America out of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. More importantly, the American team themselves will not allow themselves to be overlooked.

US Soccer - World Cup Qualifier: CRC 3:1 USA

The United States Men’s football team faced a match in one of it’s least favorite venues last night. Playing in San Jose Costa Rica has got to be one of the hardest tests in professional football. I challenge any european national football team to try and get a result in the Saprissa Stadium against the Ticos.

The States gave up an early goal that was partially set up by confusion in the American back. DaMarcus Beasley, playing out of position at left back, lost the ball to a Costa Rican attacker. He was able to tackle it away, but he inadvertently smashed the ball into the face of Francisco Torres. This temporarily blinded Torres, and Costa Rica used the confusion to set up an attempt at goal. The shot from Saborio was true and sharply curled over Tim Howard’s outstretched hand - 1:0 to the Ticos. Tim Howard stops this shot if he is closer to his line.

Although the U.S. played well in stretches and arguably had the ball for longer stretches, it didn’t really matter as Costa Rica finished 3 of their 5 chances on goal, whilst the US struggled to even threaten, scoring only on a late penalty for a consolation goal. It was clear from the outset that the Costa Rican side were technically superior on the artifical surface.

Some performances in this game were good for the USA. Donovan had a reasonably good game and he scored the penalty that ruined the Ticos clean sheet. Onyewu played well, as did Bocanegra in the center of defense. Marvel Wynne Junior though seemed out of his depth at times, not using his speed to his advantage, and losing possession in the attacking half forcing others to cover for him.

It seems that Beasley isn’t the answer at left back. It’s not a matter of skill, it’s a matter of physics. Beasley is strong but wiry. If the central american forwards can shoulder him off the ball, the forwards from europe will likely barge him to the ground. Seemingly the plan was that America would raid from the flank with two speedy outside backs. This was not the case as neither Beasley or Wynne was very effective at distributing or holding the ball. The better choices at the wing back positions may be Jonathan Spector and Frankie Hejduk in terms of both technical skill, and work rate. Maybe even Frankie Simek deserves a chance to land the right back spot.

Altidore was good, but didn’t see much of the ball. This is a shame, because Jozy can actually hold the ball like the true center forward/striker he is. If he’d seen more of the ball, I have no doubt that he would have scored.

Clint Dempsey was somewhat invisible in this match, never really finding his stride or truly threatening to score.

The young midfielder Torres had good moments and bad moments, sometimes winning balls defensively, and other times giving up possession with rushed passes.

Michael Bradley had been playing reasonably well until his knuckle-headed yellow card in the second half. He will be out through suspension for Honduras’ sojourn to Soldier Field in Chicago.

Mastroeni was good and won his share of balls in midfield, but his slowness of pace didn’t much help the leaden pace of the American attack.

Tim Howard couldn’t truly be faulted for any of the goals scored, and produced a memorable save in the second half.

Sacha Kljestan played a full half of fooball, and I honestly couldn’t tell you what he accomplished.

One wonders why Charlie Davies, and Freddy Adu weren’t starting this match. After they entered the match as substitutes, the American attack looked far more dangerous.

A more experienced selection makes more sense for a World Cup match played in Costa Rica. You must select players who are accustomed to the noise, the high pressure, and the Ticos swift counter-attacking tactics. Attempting to attack early in San Jose, Costa Rica may have been a bit tactically naive. The Saprissa remains an impossible place to win for America.

For those that want to point out that America are inferior at football, consider this:

Have England, Spain, Brazil, Argentina, or any other vaunted world football power ever won a match at estadio Saprissa? If they have, I doubt they have won many. Perhaps the interpretation of this result shouldn’t be that America’s football is inferior, but that Costa Rica deserves a higher than #41 world FIFA ranking.