Comments on: The US need to learn the lessons taught by Argentina, fast http://soccerlens.com/the-us-need-to-learn-the-lessons-taught-by-argentina-fast/2204/ Soccerlens - Football News You Can Trust Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:26:47 -0800 http://soccerlens.com/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Andrew http://soccerlens.com/the-us-need-to-learn-the-lessons-taught-by-argentina-fast/2204/comment-page-1/#comment-51202 Andrew Sat, 30 Jun 2007 00:47:39 +0000 http://soccerlens.com/the-us-need-to-learn-the-lessons-taught-by-argentina-fast/2204/#comment-51202 It's all fine and dandy to bloody players, but why is an attitude of 'Hey! Let's just show up and not care about winning!' suddenly acceptable? We've displayed that we're among the class of the CONCACAF, but that's the equivalent of being the most intelligent in a classroom of autistic kids. We need to win over better competition to grow. I know we're all excited about Beckham-mania, but a victory over Argentina would have provided more a boost. It’s all fine and dandy to bloody players, but why is an attitude of ‘Hey! Let’s just show up and not care about winning!’ suddenly acceptable? We’ve displayed that we’re among the class of the CONCACAF, but that’s the equivalent of being the most intelligent in a classroom of autistic kids. We need to win over better competition to grow.

I know we’re all excited about Beckham-mania, but a victory over Argentina would have provided more a boost.

]]> By: Z. Jackson http://soccerlens.com/the-us-need-to-learn-the-lessons-taught-by-argentina-fast/2204/comment-page-1/#comment-51168 Z. Jackson Fri, 29 Jun 2007 19:41:20 +0000 http://soccerlens.com/the-us-need-to-learn-the-lessons-taught-by-argentina-fast/2204/#comment-51168 They are fairly open to it, probably more so than the average European squad, as having players on international duty is good for marketing (MLS needs all it can get, really). This is a bizarre case though; the Gold Cup and Copa America are being played back-to-back, smack in the middle of the season, and some teams are getting hit harder by having players away. Furthermore, as the USA is an invited guest to Copa America, there is no regulation forcing clubs to release their players for this tournament. So while the USSF and MLS generally work pretty cohesively on getting players released, it was a bit tricky this time around. They are fairly open to it, probably more so than the average European squad, as having players on international duty is good for marketing (MLS needs all it can get, really). This is a bizarre case though; the Gold Cup and Copa America are being played back-to-back, smack in the middle of the season, and some teams are getting hit harder by having players away.

Furthermore, as the USA is an invited guest to Copa America, there is no regulation forcing clubs to release their players for this tournament. So while the USSF and MLS generally work pretty cohesively on getting players released, it was a bit tricky this time around.

]]> By: Brian W http://soccerlens.com/the-us-need-to-learn-the-lessons-taught-by-argentina-fast/2204/comment-page-1/#comment-51167 Brian W Fri, 29 Jun 2007 19:37:10 +0000 http://soccerlens.com/the-us-need-to-learn-the-lessons-taught-by-argentina-fast/2204/#comment-51167 MLS has to switch the league to a summer to spring schedule so their players can participate without clubs and the league getting pissed they are losing money because their stars have been pulled for internatioanl duty. But, that will never happen, ebcause MLS does not want to play at the same time as everybody else because they would get lost in the shuffle. MLS has to switch the league to a summer to spring schedule so their players can participate without clubs and the league getting pissed they are losing money because their stars have been pulled for internatioanl duty.

But, that will never happen, ebcause MLS does not want to play at the same time as everybody else because they would get lost in the shuffle.

]]> By: Spiral Architect http://soccerlens.com/the-us-need-to-learn-the-lessons-taught-by-argentina-fast/2204/comment-page-1/#comment-51165 Spiral Architect Fri, 29 Jun 2007 19:12:38 +0000 http://soccerlens.com/the-us-need-to-learn-the-lessons-taught-by-argentina-fast/2204/#comment-51165 Fair point about the domestic league & the scheduling conflicts. Makes for a good case to get more Americans into the European leagues (from an American point of view). I was wondering how willing the clubs in America are to let their players go off for national call-ups during the season? Is the dynamic different to the European clubs? Fair point about the domestic league & the scheduling conflicts. Makes for a good case to get more Americans into the European leagues (from an American point of view). I was wondering how willing the clubs in America are to let their players go off for national call-ups during the season? Is the dynamic different to the European clubs?

]]> By: Z. Jackson http://soccerlens.com/the-us-need-to-learn-the-lessons-taught-by-argentina-fast/2204/comment-page-1/#comment-51162 Z. Jackson Fri, 29 Jun 2007 18:51:54 +0000 http://soccerlens.com/the-us-need-to-learn-the-lessons-taught-by-argentina-fast/2204/#comment-51162 The main problem is availability of players. Given the current schedule of our domestic league, the USSF had limited choices: use the "A" squad for Copa America and use the "B" squad for the Gold Cup, practically guaranteeing that we would miss out on the Confederations Cup in 2009. Or, go with their current plan, which is to use the "A" squad for the Gold Cup and qualify for the Confed Cup, with a "B" squad for the Copa America. Otherwise, they would just have to skip the Copa altogther (which they've done in years past). I consider the Confederations Cup more important than the Copa America, if anything because it takes place much closer to the World Cup, and more of the senior squad will be sorted out by then. Keep in mind that WC qualifying hasn't even started yet, and you'll see that this approach probably makes the most sense, even if we run the risk of getting shat on by Argentina (who will probably do more of the same to many more teams in this tourney). The main problem is availability of players. Given the current schedule of our domestic league, the USSF had limited choices: use the “A” squad for Copa America and use the “B” squad for the Gold Cup, practically guaranteeing that we would miss out on the Confederations Cup in 2009. Or, go with their current plan, which is to use the “A” squad for the Gold Cup and qualify for the Confed Cup, with a “B” squad for the Copa America. Otherwise, they would just have to skip the Copa altogther (which they’ve done in years past).

I consider the Confederations Cup more important than the Copa America, if anything because it takes place much closer to the World Cup, and more of the senior squad will be sorted out by then. Keep in mind that WC qualifying hasn’t even started yet, and you’ll see that this approach probably makes the most sense, even if we run the risk of getting shat on by Argentina (who will probably do more of the same to many more teams in this tourney).

]]> By: Spiral Architect http://soccerlens.com/the-us-need-to-learn-the-lessons-taught-by-argentina-fast/2204/comment-page-1/#comment-51157 Spiral Architect Fri, 29 Jun 2007 18:32:21 +0000 http://soccerlens.com/the-us-need-to-learn-the-lessons-taught-by-argentina-fast/2204/#comment-51157 Follow up: An example of a decent side to play your 'B' team against would be Columbia. Save the best players for teams like Argentina & Brazil. What's the problem with that? Follow up:

An example of a decent side to play your ‘B’ team against would be Columbia. Save the best players for teams like Argentina & Brazil. What’s the problem with that?

]]> By: Spiral Architect http://soccerlens.com/the-us-need-to-learn-the-lessons-taught-by-argentina-fast/2204/comment-page-1/#comment-51152 Spiral Architect Fri, 29 Jun 2007 18:00:47 +0000 http://soccerlens.com/the-us-need-to-learn-the-lessons-taught-by-argentina-fast/2204/#comment-51152 I saw the game live, & although i didn't expect the USA to win i did see flashes of brilliance throughout their play. They had a few good chances that might have gone their way if they were a bit better on their finishing. Some of the other times though, it seemed that they were a bit scared of pushing the Argentine defence, especially in one-on-ones, & preferred shots from outside the box. I agree with you about their choice of strikers. Johnson looked pretty out of it but i'm not sure if any change would have been much better against that kind of defensive strength. If anything i think they were pretty bad in their man-marking. They could have easily prevented 2 goals if they had been a bit more alert in that department. Put it down to lack of experience i guess. I think that if you are in such a tournament you have to be serious about winning. Blooding youngsters is all well & good but you can also take calculated risks & do it the right way to set yourself up for a win. Sometimes if younger players are exposed to too much 'losing' they might lose confidence altogether. A good coach would know how to balance experience with youthful talent & still mount a serious challenge. P.S. COULD NOT recognize Crespo for the first 20 mins. Why on earth did he cut his hair? And Cambiasso has gone completely bald i couldn't tell him from Veron. Even the commentator had problems. I saw the game live, & although i didn’t expect the USA to win i did see flashes of brilliance throughout their play. They had a few good chances that might have gone their way if they were a bit better on their finishing. Some of the other times though, it seemed that they were a bit scared of pushing the Argentine defence, especially in one-on-ones, & preferred shots from outside the box.

I agree with you about their choice of strikers. Johnson looked pretty out of it but i’m not sure if any change would have been much better against that kind of defensive strength. If anything i think they were pretty bad in their man-marking. They could have easily prevented 2 goals if they had been a bit more alert in that department. Put it down to lack of experience i guess.

I think that if you are in such a tournament you have to be serious about winning. Blooding youngsters is all well & good but you can also take calculated risks & do it the right way to set yourself up for a win. Sometimes if younger players are exposed to too much ‘losing’ they might lose confidence altogether. A good coach would know how to balance experience with youthful talent & still mount a serious challenge.

P.S. COULD NOT recognize Crespo for the first 20 mins. Why on earth did he cut his hair? And Cambiasso has gone completely bald i couldn’t tell him from Veron. Even the commentator had problems.

]]> By: Z. Jackson http://soccerlens.com/the-us-need-to-learn-the-lessons-taught-by-argentina-fast/2204/comment-page-1/#comment-51151 Z. Jackson Fri, 29 Jun 2007 17:58:19 +0000 http://soccerlens.com/the-us-need-to-learn-the-lessons-taught-by-argentina-fast/2204/#comment-51151 Agree with Ahmed. As much as it hurts to lose, the experience the younger players will take away is vital. In order to improve, we need games like this every bit as much as we need games like Sunday vs. Mexico. That is the point of having "B" teams - see what you have beneath the surface of your main players. Agree with Ahmed. As much as it hurts to lose, the experience the younger players will take away is vital. In order to improve, we need games like this every bit as much as we need games like Sunday vs. Mexico. That is the point of having “B” teams – see what you have beneath the surface of your main players.

]]> By: Ahmed Bilal http://soccerlens.com/the-us-need-to-learn-the-lessons-taught-by-argentina-fast/2204/comment-page-1/#comment-51147 Ahmed Bilal Fri, 29 Jun 2007 17:33:28 +0000 http://soccerlens.com/the-us-need-to-learn-the-lessons-taught-by-argentina-fast/2204/#comment-51147 I think you're being a bit harsh on the US - they saw this as a tournament they could not win and therefore chose to blood youngsters in it. It might be butt-kicking 101 and an embarrassment, but a) it's better losing with kids than with your best team and b) the kids will learn. I think you’re being a bit harsh on the US – they saw this as a tournament they could not win and therefore chose to blood youngsters in it.

It might be butt-kicking 101 and an embarrassment, but a) it’s better losing with kids than with your best team and b) the kids will learn.

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