Time for a U.S. experiment against Slovakia
Friday, 13 November 09, 03:06 PM · Comments (2)
When it comes to friendlies, it's nearly an impossible task to convince an audience that the stakes are high. And while that is certainly true the day before the U.S.-Slovakia match in Bratislavia, there is plenty to learn about the state of the U.S. team both Saturday, and next Wednesday in Denmark.
Injuries have wrecked the U.S. depth, and now is the time for Bob Bradley to host an open casting-call for positions on the field. First, thought immediately jumps to mind is the glaring needs -- there's the centerback issue, though reality would tell you it's not all bad. Jay DeMerit should make a recovery well in advance of next June. So assuming a Bocanegra-DeMerit combination would be the top choice next summer, who among Chad Marshall, Clarence Goodson and Jimmy Conrad is your third choice?
Of the three, the lead belongs to Conrad, who played in Germany last go-round. That shouldn't rule our either Marshall or Goodson, and the next few months will go a long way.
Results don't even matter all that much in this one -- getting a chance to see players on a pitch in Europe is the bigger picture. Turning the focus to the top, the striker's role was already debated here. If Jeff Cunningham or Eddie Johnson catch lightning in a bottle these next two games, that could boost their chances of being on a plane to South Africa. Simply as depth, mind you, but it would certainly be a starting point for their case.
The other two strikers will get a fair shake as well, with Conor Casey in lumbering form and Jozy Altidore on-again, off-again at Hull, it wouldn't be a shock for any of these forward not to score. That isn't the most exciting attacking quartet I've ever seen, so let's be thankful the results don't have significant merit.
In the absence of Donovan, it'll be interesting to see how Clint Dempsey performs. Now is his chance to seize the mantle, as the argument could be made that in when Donovan isn't there, Dempsey represents the image of the nats. Or, at the very least, the most skilled player on the pitch in a U.S. kit.
At the very least, the match could be a successful audition if Cunningham shows a nose for the goal, or someone like Sacha Kljestan or Robbie Rogers proves adept at handling the environment. The pair have underwhelmed in MLS, a bad omen for those in search of international acclaim. It's do-or-die time for these two if they want to warm the bench in South Africa.
Finally, to the opponent. The result is far from significant in this one. And while Slovakia is a decent side, the group they climbed out of featured an out-of-form Poland and Czech Republic, and the second place nation was Slovenia. So a case can be made against the strength of the opposition. That being said, they'll get the best of the U.S. this time around.
Prediction: Slovakia, 2-1
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2 Comments · Add yours
Slovakia have done well but they will struggle to get out of their group in the World Cup and USA should expect to beat them.
Hope that Robbie Rogers gets a game.
Come on the MiNTs! :-)