To judge 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 work; the attackers are creating chances but not finishing; and the midfield still has question marks, particularly on the wings.
In other words, confidence has not improved that this team will make it out of the “Group of Death” in Brazil-hosted World Cup, which begins June 12.
Looking at the defense, Azerbaijan had numerous chances to score in last Tuesday’s 2-0 U.S. win. Their chances weren’t as polished as Turkey’s on Sunday, which were numerous and worrisome despite the 2-1 U.S. victory. 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, also 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. Could Damarcus Beasley get the job by default?
On the attack, Jozy Altidore looked capable against Azerbaijan and then much better against Turkey. True, he didn’t score. True, he missed a few chances. 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 appears to be effective when the team is moving downfield, but is askew 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 final warm-up game against Nigeria in Jacksonville, Fla., on Saturday
Qatar has denied the allegations.
When Qatar trumped the U.S., among others, to secure the tournament in 2010, skeptics immediately wondered how it could have occurred. The tiny desert nation didn’t have the stadiums nor the infrastructure to host such an event. Since the tournament is held in the summer, the heat in Qatar will make playing conditions very difficult.
There are calls for FIFA to re-vote on the 2022 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 at the University of 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 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 (3-0-5) has one game left against the Indy Eleven before hosting Real Salt Lake in U.S. Open Cup on June 14.
The NASL will break for the World Cup before resuming the fall schedule on July 12.
CONCACAF draw: The draw for the CONCACAF Champions League was held earlier this week and the MLS teams got a mixed bag of news.
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.
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