USA 1, Barbados 0 (A second look)

Save for one Freddy Adu pass and one Eddie Lewis finish, the U.S. national team's World Cup qualifying victory against Barbados on Sunday was just plain ugly.

From the soccer to the field to the backdrop at the cricket stadium, watching the U.S. team's 1-0 victory was slightly more difficult than watching Spain's penalty kick triumph over Italy (let's just say that after watching it on my TIVO late last night I was able to get to sleep).

Should we read much into the result?

Not really. It was a chance to see some Olympic team prospects, some national team back-ups and some players who needed field time after injuries or disappointing European seasons. Maybe another 8-0 drubbing would have satisfied the bloodlust of some spoiled fans, but a 1-0 victory in essentially a meaningless match shouldn't suddenly be used to suggest that something is wrong with the national team (it won't stop some folks from doing just that).

Now the real fun begins. No, you can't exactly call the U.S. team's qualifying group of Cuba, Trinidad & Tobago and Guatemala a group of death (the group containing Mexico, Honduras, Canada and Jamaica has that label locked up), but those matches will provide tougher test for the younger national team regulars about to pass through their first World Cup qualifying campaign.

So what did I like seeing on Sunday? Here are some observations:

Danny Szetela looked sharp and his time in Italy has helped him mature as a player.

DaMarcus Beasley needs to shake off some serious rust. He just looks like a shell of himself. Then again, playing forward probably didn't help him look that sharp.

Michael Bradley needs a rest. He looks like he's on fumes.

Freddy Adu impressed and I'm anxious to see him against a team that actually defends with some pressure.

Drew Moor showed us yet again that he can get forward at times (sometimes to his team's detriment) but isn't really a natural right back so he's a defensive liability. Frank Simek and Jonathan Spector need to get healthy ASAP because if Steve Cherundolo gets hurt there will be problems.

Eddie Lewis is an ageless wonder and based on Beasley's rustiness and his own form I think Lewis has stated the stronger case for starting once the qualifying group stage begins.

Overall, the second leg against Barbados is a game to forget, though it wasn't a complete waste.

What did you think of the match? Who stood out? Who disappointed? Are you in the "How dare we only win 1-0, Bob Bradley should be fired" camp? Or are you in the "We were already up 8-0 so this match didn't really mean much" camp?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

[Jeremy]

I thought Kljestan was very poor. I didn't see any enthusiasm or urgency from a player who should have been much more active.

[Dave Martinez]

couldnt agree more with the Eddie Lewis observation. He deserves to see some starting pitch time, and then toss Beasley in for the final 30.

[EA]

I think we would have gained more by starting Brek Shea (or bring in another actual forward) and playing 4-4-2 (or 4-5-1 with Freddy.) We played with NO punch going forward, and I HOPE that was by design. It seemed like the team was really trying hard to work on the "run from deep onto a ball in space" thing. We saw it from Pearce, Szetela, Moor and Lewis all day.

When you play 4-6-0, I think 1-0 can be expected.

The only real positive that I saw was the play of DeMerit and Califf. They shut down the middle of the field almost entirely. I'd say we have a pretty good group at center back.

[mike]

Put me in the "We were already up 8-0 so this match didn't really mean much" camp

[Andrew Karl]

So Kenny Cooper is on fire yet he can't get a start. But Chad Barret missed two open-net sitters on Thursday night yet he got to see some time yesterday. I don't really get that. I know FCD played over the weekend and wasn't available for this game but how is Cooper 'a work in progress' who can't get any time while he's obviously much more prolific a scorer than Barret.

[EDB]

I didn't watch much.. but i didn't think it was a big deal.. I also heard that when the fire players subbed in they helped provide a spark in the second half.. but either way.. it was a yawner..

And seriously to the Cooper fanatics.. I'm sure if they played thursday he would have been called in..

[tedhill]

This is like college football when a BCS powerhouse plays a I-AA team and the score is 49-0 in the second half. What conclusions can you draw from that? Nothing. We shouldn't even be talking about this match.

[beckster]

Ives, I'm stunned that you think Danny Szetela looked sharp. His passes were continually intercepted and "off". I thought his was one of the weakest performances of the game. I agree with your observations. Overall, only Freddie and Drew Moore did anything to help their cause. The central defenders were solid but mistakes were made and they were made against a very week team so I think Bocca and Gooch are safe

[Roehl]

For all the talk about how this game wasn't a formality...it really was. 1-0, and a win is a win. Moving right along now.

[Ted]

I agree with most of the posts above: not too much can be taken away from this match. To be honest, Bradley and Novak know all they need to know about these players after a month of training on and off. For those called in just for this game, the coaches learned more from training than they did from this game. An intersquad scrimmage would have been more competitve.

9-0 on aggregate is something I am happy about. Guatemala and the Olympics are up next.

[Isaac]

The best news is that, if i'm not mistaken, Chad Barrett is cap-tied!

[William the Terror]

More than anything else, this game showed me that we don't want to be playing away legs against tougher CONCACAF opponents with anything less than our first team. I mean, you can have a second team player or two, but not eight, as in this game. We would not have beaten Guatemala in Guatemala or Cota Rica in Costa Rica with this team.

[IndyYankFan]

Absolutely no observations can be made of the game yesterday. I don't think anyone from the coaches on down to the players really even cared. The game was essentially another day of training for the squad, on a cricket pitch.

[Lloyd Heilbrunn]

Wasn't the first look ugly enough??

[Jason]

I don't really care that Cooper didn't get called in, but why did Moor and Shea get the call. Were they suspended for Saturday's match agains RBNY?

[Andy in Atlanta]

Isaac...what does your post mean? Chad Barrett has other international options?

[Angel]

People, People when are we going to learn not to take team like Barbedos so easely. Once again it show me that Bob Bradley have a proplem on how to set up his lineup. Please some tell him that he need to fine a better scout, USA have plenty of players in eaurope and south the border that can play good games, BOB please call more player with LATIN last name, Please I'm not saying the they are the Best but the have better skill and have more heart to play this game of soccer... Dave Martinez I'm with you, I been saying that they should give Brea Shea a try at Front forward..

[brett]

Andrew Karl- stop your typing and think for a second.... a meaningless game (already up 8-0), who do you think BB will bring in... someone who played their game on thursday with an open weekend (barrett) or someone who had a game on Saturday (Cooper)??? Barrett was an obvious choice for a MLS forward... now if you wanted to argue the fact we couldve brought some youth from europe then id agree, but this Cooper and barrett stab is dumb at best... BB picked the right pick for this week

[Mark]

One thing I learned is that watching a meaningless game in non-HD featuring the B or C team is difficult to get into. Wow was that game boring.

We have a fairly easy way to the final group in qualification, so I'm hoping we win the first 2-3 games to make sure there are no nailbiters in the last couple of games.

[brett]

Isaac- HAHAHAHAHAHA that was probably the funniest thing ive read all day XD

[brett]

i agree with others that i really wanted to see Brek Shea get the nod...

to answer someones question why Shea and Moor were called, but not Cooper...

Shea has gotten 17 min of playing time for FCD in 2 games...not going to hurt FCD's chances, especially with the new coach not wanting to make a mess of things so early

not sure why moor got the nod... we should easily have had other options... moor wouldve helped FCD against RBNJ...

[Kevin]

That broadcast was so bad that I couldn't tell who the players on the field were so I can't offer judgement on anyone's performances.

[A.S.]

My TiVo was taping Spain-Italy, so I didn't see the match at all. A question about Michael Bradley, though. I don't think he's looked very good in any of the recent games (friendlies and the first qualifier). And yet he's the only player (I think) to start every single one of them. Now I understand that he had a good year at Herenveen, but do people really think he deserves to be an automatic starter for the national side at this point? I don't, based on what I've seen in his national team play. (I'm not even going to get into who is the person picking the starters...)

[Will]

For all you who are still wondering why Cooper wasn't called in, GET A CLUE!

[Will]

SHEP MESSING ONCE AGAIN CONFIRMED HE IS THE WORST COMMENTATOR.

[dwbpnm]

As people have said you can't draw any conclusions from this match since it was so incredibly meaningless. Which is why I really question the inclusion of Bradley in the squad. As Ives said he looked like he is worn down and in desperate need of a break. We're all expecting him to be a part of the olympic team which means he will only get about a month off before training starts back up instead of the normal ~2months. Meaning an extra week could've been really beneficial to the olympic squad and his success wherever he ends up next season(which is probably the most important thing). Anyone know what his percentage of caps look like for British work permit purposes? Its the only logical explanation I can think of for his inclusion.

[IndyYankFan]

We probably should have started just Olympic age players for the game, it was obvious the game was a tryout of sorts for a few players...and then a vacation for others.

[brett]

dwbpnm- seeing as he's played in damn near every game, i think MB's caps for work permit is perfectly fine....

while people love to be down on this kid, he is the hardest working player on the field... his only downfall is that noone else puts in near enough effort to give him options when he makes the run... that is the MAJOR fault about the USMN... they do not make runs off the ball very well nor intelligently...

look at spain, for example... when we played spain the reason they could make the little passes and nice touches to players so quickly is that the Spain players were already making the runs 2 to 3 plays in advance.... they recognize that if the ball is played here it'll be played there and then opening up this space for my run....

the US play to "in the now"... and while people seem to love to rip into players and coaches when we do not out perform quality sides such as england spain and Arg. those are the games that we need to have to improve our motion off the ball..

[Joe B.]

Ives,

Here's my analysis.

1) Klestijan looked really bad. The prime reason for the USA midfield looking like crap yesterday.

2) I think it's wrong to get at Beasley because he's had to play all over the field (when he was supposed to be up top) to make up for the bad midfield play.

3) Personally I think Lewis should be the left attacker and just move Beasley up front to partner (and help bring along) an out-and-out striker.

4) Bradley needs to stop being a defensive midfielder. The guys at Heerenveen seem to know this and put him in a place to score goals and get attackers in position. He can track back and get behind the ball like everyone else. He ain't Rijkaard. When is his pops going to figure this out?

5) Stop with the Chivas USA guys and give some other yanks a chance.

6) Adu was good. Hopefully Villreal will get him too...

[Reid]

Joe B. - are you telling me Bob Bradley is playing favorites.... I don't believe it, and quite frankly sir you have insulted the USSF with that comment

[Dooley]

Joe B. - are you telling me Bob Bradley is playing favorites.... I don't believe it, and quite frankly sir you have insulted the USSF with that comment

Posted by: Reid | June 23, 2008 at 12:24 PM
___________________________________________

I really hope that's sarcasm...

[peteo]

In a way I'm glad I missed the game - but was expecting the U.S. to score more than one...even with scrubs. Long term, this could be a good experience for all involved.

[Coach]

FWIW, Cooper looked ordinary against a decimated (albeit sharp and determined) Red Bull squad Saturday night

[MonkeyBoy]

Beasley isn't a target forward and no one should expect him to look impressive in that lone striker position. He's a great supporting player for a lone striker though. I think it would have been better to give EJ another run out and maybe help his confidence further along.

[brett]

COACH- from what i saw, FCD lacked much of any attacking force... so while you say cooper looked ordinary, id say FCD looked ordinary...

anyhow, did anyone see that back heel pass cooper did with 2-3 guys on him to catch the right winger on a run??? it was about the 76th min-ish

[brett]

MonkeyBoy- i believe the announcers mentioned EJ as injured late in the game

[Reid]

Dooley - that is definite sarcasm, Bob Arena is all about playing favorites.

[rocky]

the telecast was awful the camera angles were just horrible. BB is just not good enough to coach at this level, its not that hes a bad coach its just he along with all usa coaches just dont get how to play. We need an international coach with pedigree. I really believe that if we did the us would be much better. We have good players, but i think our talent has outclassed the coaching, we need to make the next step, because we do have great young talent coming up. Guus Hiddenk anyone!!

For the game, i thought danny szatela and michael bradley looked good togetheir. It seems that we have our heart set on mb, as our holding midfielder, so i think his partner has to be someone who can pass well. I would like to see more from szatela. Now to sasja, I thought he looked good, hes got a good sense on how to play, and he needs more looks with the first team.

[Jeffrey]

I don't think Daddy Bradley can stand to take his son out of the game. It is ridiculous that he played yesterday. In the first Barbados game he was on fumes. The regulars were given a rest Sunday but somehow little Mikey is just too important that they can't find an adequate replacement. Of 11 men on the field yesterday only Beasley and Pierce have played nearly as much as him of late.

[michael]

Maybe its me, but I think a lot of that game was played with the intention of staying healthy for the next round. Barbados brought out some big boys and played a very physical game, and the referee had no intention of calling any fouls. There was really no reason to run up a score and show them up in their backyard. Get the win and get out quickly before you get robbed.

[brett]

i love how people attack BB despite winning 9-0 (obviously against a team as weak as barbados)...

some people's comments are beyond ignorant... a foreign coach coming in doesnt necessarily mean anything would change...

lets be frank... BB has gotten results... he's gotten us into Confeds... while he's not playing some players people feel would improve the team, its quite obvious that A) we dont need them against the likes of teams of Barbados' caliber and B) club duties are just as important, and he doesnt want to foul up any relationships

excluding DMB, everyone else was in their position and it was they who played a poor game, not BB.... giving some kids a go (Adu, Kljestan, Szetela...) and yet people still call for his head about not calling up particular players.... sorry guys, but this guy knows more about our player pool then you do....

[brentmcd]

I liked the way the US passed the ball out of defense instead of resorting to the usual boot-ball clearance through midfield. Of course, a lack of pressure from the opposition helps immensely....

[paul Lorinczi]

Get used to the 4-6-0 formation.

I was reading an article recently that said the age of the forward is coming to an end. Man Utd pretty much won the EPL without one and the Champions League. We are starting to see teams function without them.

So you young ones out there need to make sure you are technically versatile to play in a crowded midfield because that is what we are going to see on the pitch of the future.

[K. Bowen]

Have any of the people calling for Brek Shea actually seen any of his minutes for FCD? He might turn out to be a terrific star, but at the moment, he can't play. Not that it would have mattered yesterday, given the level of competition.

[jrnail23]

My problem with Shep Messing as a commentator is that he's also an agent... I don't know what their deal is, but I hope they don't let him call games in which his clients are playing. That's an obvious conflict of interest.

[jrnail23]

@paul Lorinczi,
I also read an article lately about the demise of the 4-4-2 with strike tandem... Basically all the big teams are going to a 4-2-3-1, with a single target man up top. Interesting stuff, actually.
I look at AS Roma this year as the most extreme example of the 4-6-0, as Totti, who is more of a playmaker/classic #10 was the lone guy up top, so they basically attacked from wherever they wanted, with guys running from midfield onto Totti's passes.
the 4-5-1 trend actually works out pretty well for the USMNT, provided Jozy can mature into that dominant target man we need.

[kyle]

Bob Bradley needs to go. Sunil Gulati is just a cheap moron. An international caliber coach would spice things up and actually plan his lineup around strengths and weaknesses of our opponents.

[mike Ruze]

ugh

this was a Usmnt?

bloody horrible...

lucky that goal was disallowed.

everyone sucked but Pearce and Adu.

[brett]

K. Bowen- LOL are you claiming that in the 17 min. this kid has gotten with FCD you can sufficeintly judge him as a player now??? yea, i mean all the all-stars of the league are flawless throughout the 90 min of every game....

honestly, 17 min..... you cant be serious XD

the kid showcased in france, and he was very impressive... ill take the 30 min he played against Italy over your 17 mins against some MLS side :-/

[brett]

mike Ruze- i know... quite lucky

then the aggregate would've been 9-1... PHEW, dodged a bullet there O.o

[brett]

kyle- BB is getting results, whether you like the style of soccer played... a foreign coach does not mean things will magically click.... BB knows our player pool better then most... quite frankly some of you people need to remove your head from your a$$es and realize that the US are not that good yet... Our team lacks consistancy, and its not b/c of the coaching staff... seeing as they get the players for roughly a few days at a time...

[Isaac]

------Adu----Cooper------

--Lewis-------Edu----Bradley-----Gaven------

--Pearce----Califf---DeMerit------Spector----

----Guzan----
This SHOULD have been the Lineup against barbados.Bob Bradley SHOULD have rested Beasley since he is off form.However,Bradley decides to play Beasley and cause him further exhaustion, instead bradley didnt give young players their chance to prove themselves and get comfortable.Does bradley under stand that players like cooper adu altidore gaven holden Edu are all going to be his MAIN options later on(if hes still coaching)? if he doesnt put them in atleast as subs he(or another coach that is hired*prays really quick*)is going to end up with a very inexperienced squad and is going to do even worse in WC 2010. in two years Adu and altidore will be 21 and 20. Based on the way they and other young players are doing, we should have a full and healthy squad in 2010. But if bradley refuses to put them out on the field and when 2010 finally sneaks up on him,oops they havent developed any and every other team has. he needs to THINK AHEAD.