Jimmy Conrad scored his first international goal, Landon Donovan converted a late breakaway and the United States defeated Mexico 2-0 in an exhibition Wednesday night, extending the dominance of its regional rival.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=213283&cc=5901
Mexico's 2-0 loss to the United States on Wednesday night should have served the same purpose as a cold, hard slap to the Mexicans' face. But instead, Mexican players to a man neither gave the U.S. credit for the win nor did they act like anything needed fixing.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/luis_bueno/02/08/mexico.usa/index.html
Arena, Wynalda Rip U.S. President Gulati -- Former U.S. National Team coach Bruce Arena and former U.S. international Eric Wynalda had some choice words for current U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati on Wednesday night during halftime of the U.S. friendly with Mexico.
http://www.goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=228850
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Thoughts on the match:
- Mexico domainated possession but their shooting was dire. I counted at least 5 chances that were begging where they either couldn't put the ball on target or couldn't get anyone on the end of a beautiful ball across the goalmouth. It's bullshit for Marquez to say he was happy with how they played but they did pretty well own the field. Especially the period between Conrad's goal and Lando's goal they looked like they could do whatever they wanted.
- Total fucking meltdown on Lando's goal. Sure the ball took a bounce from the ref but Lando destroyed 3 defenders with 1 touch and sprint, and Sanchez could have done a lot better to make him earn his shot. Sanchez trying to slide tackle Johnson as he went to celebrate was especially classy. It brought me back to the days of Blanco hacking Cobi as Mexico's World Cup dreams died on the field in '02. They're not assholes, it's passion!
- Disappointing displays from the following:
1. Chris Rolfe: I hate to say it as I love this kid but he looked lost and easly knocked off of the ball. I think it was a poor choice by Bradley to pair him with Lando as they play a very similar game that doens't involve knocking balls down or leading the line.
2. Timmy Howard: Great second half after looking really shaky on crosses in the first. I did enjoy the Jens Lehman spot during pregame. Seemed like there might be some heat there, or maybe Jens was just all hot and bothered by talking to American TV.
3. Chris Albright: enough with this clown. How many times did he get nutmegged outside the box? How many times did he attempt the same thing on the other end only to cough the ball up? Gros looked much more solid when defending.
4. Pablo Mastroeni: Disappeared. Ricardo Clark had every meaningful touch at the middle of the park.
5. Bobby Convey: showed us all that he's a complimentary player, he's not going to domainate anyone. Beasley has a lot more to offer as far as defense and trickery, I think.
6. Sunil Gulati: a weenie. Hire Bob full time and be done with it.
Those who impressed:
1. Lando: Nice to see him get up for the game. Ran his ass off, great touch to spring himself on his goal.
2. Conrad: great all around display.
3. Bornstein: rough early going but manged to hold his own on the flank and showed great speed going forward. Nice for the kid to look calm in his first dip into the cauldron.
4. Blanco: it's impressive how much I hate this fucker.
5. Bob: always a class act. I didn't like the look of central midfield and I think it was a poor choice to pair Rolfe and Lando. However beating the Mexico A team with your B- team in front of a hostile crowd can't be argued with. Sunil, get your head out of your ass and hire the guy full time.
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