Olympic Qualifying: USA vs. Panama

Good evening (afternoon in the West) folks, it is matchday two in CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying and the United States will have a chance to erase the memories of Tuesday's disappointing 1-1 tie vs. Cuba.

For those of you who missed it, here is my post-game column on the Cuba match for ESPN.com. I placed the blame squarely on Peter Nowak for the team delivering such an uneven, and at times, hard to watch performance.

Will the Americans regroup? We will find out in a few hours. I will be doing a running commentary on the match tonight. Before we get to that, share your pre-game thoughts on tonight's match below.

Comments

[andy b.]

I'm with you on the blame Nowak bandwagon--my fear is that he doesn't seem to be the kind of guy who gives a rip. I'd like to say I'm hopeful he'll make the needed changes, but then... I'm not.
Sigh.

[MLW]

US needs a result tonight, enough said. Still one of my worst supporters memories, 4 years ago...After much effort, finally finding a venue showing the US-Mexico Olympic qualifier (in Union City, NJ) Needless to say, we were outnumbered and laughed out of the place. I pray we are not embarassed again.

[Danny]

Must win today...Hopefully the USA does a better job in finsihing their chances today

[Dro Scott]

Great article Ives. Hopefully well see a different team tonight.

[Bill]

All I can say is, we need the real Jozy Altidore to play tonight. And not get subbed out at the half, either.

[NateinSF]

Do we know if Altidore is available to play? I heard that it was a game-time decision. In addition to him they need to bring in Spector and Zizzo. No room for "experimenting" after Tuesday's match.

[Jeffrey]

Honduras is dominating Cuba so far but still all tied 0-0 43rd minute.

[Dominghosa]

Will this team come out fired up and prepared to play after a disappointing loss? That has yet to happen with US teams in the past.

[wrc]

If the US lose they should think about defecting to Cuba and we'll take the 5 Cubans on the run. Would really like to see Altidore represent proper tonight as well as Freddy. The Central American teams can be really stubborn, could cause problems for the US.

[Jerry]

Hey Jeffrey Can you please keep us posted on that Honduras - Cuba match? US needs to play their butts off Panama is not an easy rival they have gotten to the gold cup finals before and have a talented group that fights works had and fights for the ball if the US is going to win they need to hold posession and play with a two strikers would also like to see Holden in the starting 11

[Furniture Music]

0-0 at halftime between Cuba and Honduras.. Cuba is holding their own according to bigapplesoccer.com!

[Eric]

So what was the deal with the lone striker last time? Are we a rejuvenated Liverpool all of a sudden?

[Jim Steverson]

Odd decisions by Nowak in the first game - a defensive-oriented formation against a lesser team, a midfield made up largely of forwards playing out of position, and no offensive plan outside of hoping Adu and Altodore might make something happen.

US soccer is always at its best when we play with an eye of fundamentals - ball control, movement, positioning, intelligent decision-making, etc. We're not, at any level of play, a team that can just throw "better talent" on the pitch and win easily.

Back to basics, I'd hope.....

[Big Will]

I hope the boys do better this game. I won't be able to watch the game live as I have a match myself and will hopefully be leading my team to our own victory, haha. I hope I don't play better than our boys do.

[Dominghosa]

Honduras 1-0, scored in the 70th, looked like player who scored was offside, but no call.

[Jeffrey]

Honduras 1 Cuba 0 70 minutes
Cuba is not even threatening this half

[Jerry]

Ok gentleman Honduras is going to Beijing !!!! no jk im happy Honduras scored can anyone describe the goal ?

[Dominghosa]

now 2-0, honduras

[Jeffrey]

Honduras 2-0 76th

[derek]

Does anyone else think that this is not fair. The US has to play a full Cuba team and no one else will. It basically gives Hon and Pan 3 extra points without even trying. Yes the US should have beaten Cuba, but if they were facing a 10 men Cuba team, it would have been 10-0. I think this is unfair and someone should complain about this.

[Dominghosa]

Honduras scored third, but called back due to handball.

[Dominghosa]

Sure, it's unfair. But all along the U.S. is expected to win this group. And it still controls its own future with two wins in the next two matches. Wins are now a must.

[Jim Steverson]

You're right Derek, but complaining will do nothing in CONCACAF to change the situation. What's clear for the US is that we need wins against Honduras and Panama, not just draws. Team will bunker against us if a draw is possible, so the gas has to be on the pedal from the start. Break 'em early and often.

Tonight will really show us the character of our squad.

[pwip]

----------------------Seitz------------------
Wynne-----Orozco-----Edu (c)------Sturgis

Holden------McCarty--Kljestan---Gaven

--------------Adu-----Altidore------------

http://ynt-ussoccer.blogspot.com/200...25410464812130

[Nath]

They are not playing 11 against 10.

10 vs 10

so I don't see a problem.

[Dominghosa]

it's over, 2-0, with honduran goals in the 29th and 77th

[NateinSF]

Spector isnt on the bench again, i dont get it

[Jerry]

Derek - as a Hondurean fan yes u are right it is unfair But if the US doesnt win tonight it has no one else to blame but itself they took Cuba lightly and they paid the price besides had cuba forfeited the game Panama and Honduras wouldve still gotten the 3 points like Jim said they had to stomp on the pedal from the beggining I look forward to Saturdays match It will truly determine who wants this trip to the olympics more

[Dominghosa]

Cuban player on his knees, balling. Got to feel bad about those players who stayed with the team, worked hard the last few years to get to this tournament with a dream to play in the Olympics.
But then again, you would think many, if not all of them, knew there will be some defections and who will defect.

[Dominghosa]

oops, 2-0. 70th and 77th, i think

[Nath]

Barrett playing basketball with a soccer ball.

Fire fans are in trouble this season.

[Eric]

Excuse my ignorance, but is the reason Barrett makes these teams because of his "potential" or could it be explained by a lack of forward options?

[eric]

So we are indeed going to see Edu at CB, huh? Glad we're playing at least one real winger in Holden. I hope Gaven knows he better have a good game or the SBI Mafia will be on him tonight!

Can Dax have another solid night? I still say he's going to be the TT of our central midfield, but he's good at this age group, as they say.

[Eric]

I do not know where all the Dax Hate has been coming from. Have I missed something?

[Dominghosa]

Dax didn't play all that well at u-20 wc

[Eric]

Thank you for the clarification. I was only able to catch the USA-Brazil game for the u-20's. All I can base my opinion on then is this year's camp, Tuesday's game, and last season.

[ahelms]

I disagree. Dax was very good in a limited role with the U20s.

[White Kix]

Ives,
I agree with the blame on Nowak. As soon as he was named coach, we knew qualifying wouldn't be as easy as it should. But the problem with your article is that you mention that on Altidore's breakaway, he forced a great save by the goalkeeper, but that Findley botched his breakaway. I agree that Findley botched his breakaway, but Altidore botched his as well.