How Do You Stop Beating Yourself?
The world-wide stereotype of U.S. soccer fans are that they are passive. There is no fire, no emotion, when they are at soccer games. Obviously those of us who go to the games, especially DC United games, know different but common observers still believe the stereotype. Usually its the players themselves that show the passion.
Last night the roles were reversed. The atmosphere looked great (all red, white and blue) through the television broadcast, but the team itself was flat. This is a team that's supposed to transition into the upper tier of national teams. We're now expected to compete with teams like Italy and the Czech Republic. Unfortunately, against Morocco, the USMNT failed to step up to the plate and there was no spark. A few sparks came in the form of Bobby Convey (who I think need a lot of playing time) and Eddie Johnson but for the most part I was underwhelmed.
The reason I'm delving into this game is because how familiar it seemed. I saw this game before only I saw it last Saturday in Columbus. Watching this game reminded me of the DC United-Columbus Crew game. Both involved superior teams that could not penetrate the other teams defense and the superior team failed to excite. Both also were missing a key ingredient: Ben Olsen.
Don't get me wrong, Ben Olsen shouldn't start for the national team. I don't think his abilities will carry him for 60-90 minutes a game, but the team needs someone that can run ragged, throw his body around, and generally pick up the pace of the game. He's exactly what the team needed in the last 20-30 minutes. No offense to Pablo Mastroeni, but he slowed the game down and his passes were not on target. Olsen could have quickened the game and he isn't intimidated by anyone which would have definitely benefited the team. Out all 23 players on the national team, he's the only one who I see being able to instantly change the speed of the game. He plays with all heart and will always give everything he has. His experience also give him an advantage in that he's smarter on the ball. He can survey the field and get it either out wide or down the middle depending on the play. He also hasn't lost his power as was evidenced by his goal from distance earlier this year.
All this means that Bruce Arena would do well to give Ben Olsen more playing time. If the national team starts playing flat again, I would love to see Ben Olsen get into the game and I think he would instantly pick up everyone's game.
Last night the roles were reversed. The atmosphere looked great (all red, white and blue) through the television broadcast, but the team itself was flat. This is a team that's supposed to transition into the upper tier of national teams. We're now expected to compete with teams like Italy and the Czech Republic. Unfortunately, against Morocco, the USMNT failed to step up to the plate and there was no spark. A few sparks came in the form of Bobby Convey (who I think need a lot of playing time) and Eddie Johnson but for the most part I was underwhelmed.
The reason I'm delving into this game is because how familiar it seemed. I saw this game before only I saw it last Saturday in Columbus. Watching this game reminded me of the DC United-Columbus Crew game. Both involved superior teams that could not penetrate the other teams defense and the superior team failed to excite. Both also were missing a key ingredient: Ben Olsen.
Don't get me wrong, Ben Olsen shouldn't start for the national team. I don't think his abilities will carry him for 60-90 minutes a game, but the team needs someone that can run ragged, throw his body around, and generally pick up the pace of the game. He's exactly what the team needed in the last 20-30 minutes. No offense to Pablo Mastroeni, but he slowed the game down and his passes were not on target. Olsen could have quickened the game and he isn't intimidated by anyone which would have definitely benefited the team. Out all 23 players on the national team, he's the only one who I see being able to instantly change the speed of the game. He plays with all heart and will always give everything he has. His experience also give him an advantage in that he's smarter on the ball. He can survey the field and get it either out wide or down the middle depending on the play. He also hasn't lost his power as was evidenced by his goal from distance earlier this year.
All this means that Bruce Arena would do well to give Ben Olsen more playing time. If the national team starts playing flat again, I would love to see Ben Olsen get into the game and I think he would instantly pick up everyone's game.
posted by SccrPlaya at 5:41 PM
3 Comments:
I think we would have seen a different result if Convey had started.
I agree that Convey and Olsen should be used as spark plugs, but I do not feel Convey should start. I think that is Bruce uses Convey the same way that Peter should be using jamil, we would see Convey add fresh strikes and passes to the offense in the later stages of the match.
Convey's weakness is his defense. He doesn't get back and defend as well as Beasley. That's why he probably won't start but I think he was a major, major part of the Reading attack and his confidence to go at people and to simply pull the trigger (which there wasn't a whole lot of) warrents a huge chunk of minutes.
Post a Comment
<< Home