Judging the U.S. men’s soccer team after two of its three warm-up games before the World Cup, the defense lacks chemistry and needs a lot of work, the U.S. attackers are creating chances but not finishing, and the midfield still has question marks, particularly on the wings.
In other words, confidence hasn’t improved that they will make it out of the Group of Death in Brazil in the World Cup.
Looking at the defense, Azerbaijan had numerous chances to score in the 2-0 win, though theirs weren’t as polished as Turkey’s, which were numerous and worrying. Germany, Portugal and Ghana won’t miss as many of their chances when the U.S. meets them in Group G action. The central defense pairing of Geoff Cameron and Matt Besler looks good. Right back Fabian Johnson, who scored a magnificent goal against Turkey, looks good. But left back, a problem for many years, appears to once again be an issue. Timothy Chandler doesn’t appear capable of lasting 90 minutes, and had trouble tracking back for his defensive duties. Will Damarcus Beasley get the job by default?
Turning to the attack, Jozy Altidore looked decent against Azerbaijan and then much better in Sunday’s 2-1 win against Turkey. True, he didn’t score. True, he missed a few chances against Turkey. But if he can physically control defenders and keep the ball long enough for Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley, Fabian Johnson and others to get up the field, that is enough.
As a matter of fact, the attack has looked so good that Landon’s Donovan’s exclusion hasn’t seemed to matter.
The diamond midfield formation that coach Jurgen Klinsmann seems to be working when the team is going forward, but is wonky when the team is trying to defend. As Cameron and Besler work together more, the defense may look better. But that improvement has to come in the next warm-up game against Nigeria in Jacksonville, Fla.
2022 World Cup may be in trouble
Qatar has denied the allegations.
When in 2010 Qatar trumped the U.S., among others, to secure the tournament, skeptics immediately wondered out loud how it could have occurred. The tiny desert nation didn’t have the stadiums or the infrastructure to host such an event. The tournament is held in the summer, when the heat in Qatar will make playing conditions very difficult.
Now, there are calls for FIFA to re-vote on the 2022 World Cup, which could mean it could come back to the U.S.
Athens grass in Brazil
There will be millions of pieces of Athens in the World Cup.
A strain of Bermuda grass, known as TifGrand, will be used on three soccer fields in Brazil. It was developed by researchers Wayne Hanna and Kris Braman, researchers at Georgia.
"The athletic field and golf course people were so drawn to this TifGrand because of the shade tolerance," Hanna told The Red and Black. "A lot of golf courses and a lot of stadiums are shaded, so it just has blossomed very fast with the athletic field and golf course people."
The duo has been working on this particular strain since 1992. It took more than 10 years to develop it. It was also used on fields in 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Silverbacks stumble
The Silverbacks were beaten 2-1 by Minnesota on Saturday.
Atlanta has one game left against the Indy Eleven before the will host Real Salt Lake in U.S. Open Cup on June 14.
The NASL will take a break for the World Cup before resuming the fall schedule on July 12.
CONCACAF draw
Sporting Kansas City is in a group with Costa Rica’s Saprissa, which has won the tournament three times, and Nicaragua’s Real Esteli. The Red Bulls and either Montreal or Toronto are in a group with El Salvador’s FAS. D.C. United is in a group with Panama’s Tauro FC and Jamaica’s Waterhouse FC. Portland is in a group with Honduras’ CD Olimpia and Guyana’s Alpha United FC.
Two MLS teams, D.C. United and Los Angles, have won the tournament.
Good read
Calendar of international soccer
Here's a list of all of the international matches that will be held in the U.S. this summer.
Awesome graphics
If you are into uniforms, check this out.
Atlantans in MLS
How MLS players with ties to the metro Atlanta area did this week:
Joe Bendik, Toronto, GK, Kennesaw
Played 90 minutes in team’s 1-1 draw with Montreal in the first leg of the Canadian Championship on Wednesday.
Played 90 minutes in team’s 3-2 win over Columbus on Saturday.
Next game: Will play at Montreal in the second game of the Canadian Championship on Wednesday. Will host San Jose on Saturday.
Mark Bloom, Toronto, D, Marietta
Did not play in team’s 1-1 draw with Montreal in the first leg of the Canadian Championship on Wednesday.
Played 90 minutes in team’s 3-2 win over Columbus on Saturday.
Next game: Will play at Montreal in the second game of the Canadian Championship on Wednesday. Will host San Jose on Saturday.
Alex Caskey, D.C. United, M, Dunwoody
Came off the bench to play three minutes in team’s 1-0 win over Sporting KC on Saturday.
Next game: Will host Columbus on Saturday.
Ricardo Clark, Houston, M, Jonesboro
Didn’t play in team’s 3-0 loss to Colorado on Sunday.
Next game: Will host Sporting KC on Friday.
Warren Creavalle, Houston, D, Acworth
Played 45 minutes in team’s 3-0 loss to Colorado on Sunday.
Next game: Will host Sporting KC on Friday.
Sean Johnson, Chicago, GK, Snellville
Played 90 minutes in team’s 1-1 draw with Los Angeles on Sunday.
Next game: Will play at Colorado on Wednesday.
Alec Kann, Chicago, GK, Decatur
Didn’t play in team’s 1-1 draw with Los Angeles on Sunday.
Next game: Will play at Colorado on Wednesday and will host Seattle on Saturday.
Steven Kinney, Chicago, D, Norcross
Didn’t play in team’s 1-1 draw with Los Angeles on Sunday.
Next game: Will play at Colorado on Wednesday and will host Seattle on Saturday.
Chris Klute, Colorado, D, Silverbacks, Clayton State
Played 90 minutes in team’s 3-0 win over Houston on Sunday.
Next game: Will host Chicago on Wednesday before playing at Dallas on Saturday.
Jack McInerney, Montreal, F, Alpharetta
Came off the bench to play 45 minutes in team’s 1-1 draw with Toronto in the first leg of the Canadian Championship on Wednesday.
Played 83 minutes and scored a goal in team’s 2-0 win over New England on Saturday.
Next game: Will host Toronto in the second game of the Canadian Championship on Wednesday.
Joe Nasco, Colorado, GK, Silverbacks
Didn’t play in team’s 3-0 win over Houston on Sunday.
Next game: Will host Chicago on Wednesday before playing at Dallas on Saturday.
Michael Nwiloh, Chivas USA, D, Conyers, Georgia State
Did not make the 18 for team’s 2-0 loss to Portland on Wednesday. Made the 18 but didn’t play in team’s 3-0 loss to Philadelphia on Saturday.
Next game: Will host Los Angeles on Sunday.
Walker Zimmerman, Dallas, D, Lawrenceville
Played 90 minutes in team’s 2-1 loss to San Jose on Saturday.
Next game: Will host Colorado on Saturday.
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