I completely forgot about the US Men's team friendly with Denmark. But thanks to a reminder from our friends at Sanford Soccer Net, we were led to Jeff Carlisle's recap over at ESPN.
We rocked them! 3-1! Take that, Denmark!
Obviously, beating a shell Danish team using a US team made up a bunch of youngsters (with veterans like Matt Reis, Landon Donovan, and Pablo Mastroenni and uh, Danny Califf?) is nice and all, but it doesn't count for much, either for good or for ill.
Which is why I'm refusing to get too excited about Justin Mapp's absolutely filthy run right at the Danish defense (you hear that, rest of the US soccer?--you can run AT defenses) before dishing the ball off for an easy goal. The moves here on display, if Mapp can continue to make them, would give the US dangerous flankers on both sides. You'll notice in the video that our commentators (sound like Stone and Wynalda to me) comment that Mapp is a lefty, working on the right side, where Clint "Deuce" Dempsey would normally play. Too soon to get too excited, but regardless--beautiful run from Justin Mapp. Apologies that ESPN went with the smalltown JV Football camera angle for the realtime action. The replays towards the end of the video show the play much more clearly.
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Finally the US mens national team seems to be learning that you need to actually attack an not just fuck around and wait for set pieces. If it were up to be I would have Ching and McBride at forward, Dempsey, Mapp (if he keeps this up) at the outside MF, and Donovan and Beasly at center mid. Good attackers at outside wings, good athleticism with beasley, and ball control with Donovan, who can also move up and attack. Also the additional chemistry between ex teammates of Ching and Donovan (if you ever watch the two of them together, its amazing), and current Fulham teammates. We have some good games coming up Mexico Feb 7, then two games in mid March where FIFA requires all club teams to release national team players for friendlies.
Post a Comment