CONCACAF Report Card (USA, Mexico, Honduras)

[ToxtethBlue]

Well you both have fairly low expectations and ended up being knocked out at the same stage. So yes, other factors do come into it, it'd be boring for me to say Mexico and USA where exactly the same in every area, I may aswell not post if that's the case.

Style and philosophy is important to me, I like seeing teams who play football the right way and have a go in what has been a pretty boring, defensive World cup in all honesty. And for me, it shows a plan, an idea of playing that will benefit them in the long term, aswell as the players who they are developing.

I don't see that with the US, I see a team that's laboured and limited, there is no long term plan there, a team bereft of skilled performers and an unwillingness to be expressive. If your not going to be a contender atleast enjoy yourself and entertain. And as I said, I didn't see that. And it wasn't just Mexico's football that impressed me, they played with an energy and tempo that was excellent to see, there was a real sense of 'fighting for the shirt' there.

There are Everton games where I can take more from a loss than a win for example, but that's just me. Your fans seem to be quite comfortable giving themselves better marks than Mexico, well this is my opinion, and I'm a neutral, I have nothing against either team.

 

[jhf14]

Well you both have fairly low expectations and ended up being knocked out at the same stage. So yes, other factors do come into it, it'd be boring for me to say Mexico and USA where exactly the same in every area, I may aswell not post if that's the case.

Style and philosophy is important to me, I like seeing teams who play football the right way and have a go in what has been a pretty boring, defensive World cup in all honesty. And for me, it shows a plan, an idea of playing that will benefit them in the long term, aswell as the players who they are developing.

I don't see that with the US, I see a team that's laboured and limited, there is no long term plan there, a team bereft of skilled performers and an unwillingness to be expressive. If your not going to be a contender atleast enjoy yourself and entertain. And as I said, I didn't see that. And it wasn't just Mexico's football that impressed me, they played with an energy and tempo that was excellent to see, there was a real sense of 'fighting for the shirt' there.

There are Everton games where I can take more from a loss than a win for example, but that's just me. Your fans seem to be quite comfortable giving themselves better marks than Mexico, well this is my opinion, and I'm a neutral, I have nothing against either team.

I can agree with you that the U.S. style doesn't have long-term vision at the moment - but considering what we where we were at in 1994 (really, not THAT long ago) we have come along further than any other country in our ability to play... fully expect the evolution to continue, especially with the good performance from this world cup. I hope that mexico can evolve too as I believe CONCACAF gets a bad wrap because we lack european/south american countries (as if that is some kind of valid indication of region strength).

 

[ToxtethBlue]

Hopefully that's the case, I have nothing against the US, I like to see them do well considering the likes of Landon Donovan and Tim Howard, but I don't think my assessment is far off. Who are these players coming through? Have you actually seen these players or are you just guessing that the future is bright...

Are you developing players that'll take you onto that next level? And I'm talking about skilled players with touch, technique and close control. Rook accused Mexico of developing alot of the 'same player', but these players all seem to have that technique and footballing qualities ingrained into them, and that, for me, is the most important thing at any level. It gives them a chance.

 

[Brownie]

they're simply not good enough.

Agreed, but they like to have a sing and a dance, I enjoy that.

 

[jhf14]

Hopefully that's the case, I have nothing against the US, I like to see them do well considering the likes of Landon Donovan and Tim Howard, but I don't think my assessment is far off. Who are these players coming through? Have you actually seen these players or are you just guessing that the future is bright...

Are you developing players that'll take you onto that next level? And I'm talking about skilled players with touch, technique and close control. Rook accused Mexico of developing alot of the 'same player', but these players all seem to have that technique and footballing qualities ingrained into them, and that, for me, is the most important thing at any level. It gives them a chance.

It's about half and half... I am putting faith that the level of coaching at the youth level is better than it was for me (which it is, since volunteer dads are being replaced with people who have played at a high level). Also, I am encouraged by the current younger players of the national team. By no means are they the end result we are looking for, but they are certainly raising the bar for talent standards.

I reckon that Holden will develop well within the next four years as he has just recently started to gain confidence at Bolton. Guzan will make the starting line-up soon as a keeper and will become a very respectable back-up to Howard. I have not given up on Altidore being he is still only 20yrs old (heck, it took Donovan to 26-27yrs old to become the player he is now). Bradley will be scooped up by a larger club - the guy doesn't play pretty but he is legit (reminds me of the role Gattuso plays for Italy). I fully expect Charlie Davies to become a headliner for the U.S. over the next four years. This is a bit premature, but I'm predicting him to have a fantastic CONCACAF Gold Cup.

My biggest concern is defense (minus howard) as we are quite long in the tooth back there... but I think the Gold Cup is the perfect opportunity to start mixing up the better veterans with the younger talent. Hopefully USA wins that and gets to the Confederations Cup again as I think it is unparalleled experience for newcomers prior to the WC.

(and on an unrelated note, look for Donovan to captain the 2014 WC squad... he'll still have game)