What a difference a week makes! The US Soccer team showed well this weekend after two sub-par performances against England and Spain the previous week.
Sunday Tim Howard put in one of the best performances by a US goalkeeper since Kasey Keller's 1998 effort against Brazil or Brad Friedel's run in the 2002 World Cup. His stunning seven saves against Argentina in a 0-0 international result this week have taken him from the ranks of the aspiring to the those of the arrived.
And what about Heath Pearce? He was everywhere the Argentines did not want him while his touch and work rate seem to be just what the team needs. He looks like a completely different player since coming under the tutelage of Frank Pagelsdorf at Hansa Rostock. Coach, I think you've found your left back.
There were some other fine performamces from Landon Donovan (who had too much responsibility to carry) and right back Steve Cherundolo for his great job marking Maxi Lopez and Leo Messi (this guy never gets a week off eh?). DaMarcus Beasley looks like he his finding his stride again after his long injury layoff - it was fun to see Messi fouling him in frustration after losing a challenge (and not wanting "Jitterbug" to get away). Others, such as Clint Dempey and Oguchi Oneywu looked effective but tired after their long European seasons.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment