TBH, this is what we REALLY learned against the match. Brazil friendly match up was a great test drive for USA team for high level play and a wonderful opportunity to expose very big glaring flaws with our play. Anyone with a brain would know Brazil would win, but I was curious to see how USA would react. I missed most of the Scotland game but this is what I observed in tonight's match up.
- People are giving Oguchi lots of shit, but the entire back line was pretty weak in itself.
- Our strikers can certainly PLAY the part, and create great scoring opportunities, they did a great job and Brazil keeper should pat himself on the back with that defense.
- The loss of goals was not really a keeper problem, but a defensive problem. I think Howard made some nice saves, but in the long run that doesn't make up for lack of solid defensive line, especially one as scattered as that one.
- Midfield REALLY needs work and this is where most of the goal opportunities took place. Seriously, mid field sucked and the turn overs were ridiculous.
Just need to revise the basics, especially in the midfield situation. I am not big on 4-1-4-1 formation as I think it creates a lot of holes. I'm curious how we could have played with a healthy Dempsey.
The ntl team learned a lot in this game, and I think that if defense is ironed out and if the strikers take advantage of better scoring opportunities, the USA may be strong contenders at the World Cup.
With a World FIFA ranking of 27, we can only go up, I think. Notice how the team plays better as the minutes continue on, as if they're adjusting to Brazil's style of play but even then, this wasn't even Brazil's best. They were missing the likes of Robinho, and Luiz. I'm not sure I can I think many yanks who can improve on this team?
