I finally got to watch my TIVOed game of the US vs. Netherlands football match. I've got to say that the only US player that impressed me was DeMarcus Beasley (other than the goalkeeper, Kasey Keller). Now, that's not entirely unexpected given the stunning quality of the Dutch team.
In general, the US didn't embarrass themselves in the match. They didn't really look like the 11th-ranked team in the world but in the last ten minutes of the match they looked like they were giving the Dutch a match.
Perhaps it was nerves, perhaps it was coaches orders. I did notice that their combination moves were not nearly as good as the Dutch--presumably because they don't play together as frequently. Even if the individual talent isn't there they would have had their chances if they could have finished their moves. Frequently the team lost shape during the Dutch attacks. Most likely a lack of discipline which has to be paramount when playing at this level. The Dutch remained spread out (keeping their options on the wings) while the US defense would frequently collapse with seven or eight players in the last third of the field.
I would like to see a lot more European friendlies scheduled so these guys could play together more frequently. It would be really something if I could root for the US team.
I expect Demarcus might be seriously looked at by European team scouts in the next few months given his performance in this match.
Posted by artandscience at February 20, 2004 06:48 PM