OK, so I am watching the US lose to Jamaica in the Gold Cup last night and I text my old college coach and say, "There was a guy I played for who told us that every game has a 10 minute 'storm' that the back 4 and GK have to' weather' in order for the team to win. That guy was a pretty good coach, and that is a philosophy that has been the FOUNDATION of my 37 years of coaching GKs." That Coach was Hank Steinbrecher, who, before he ran US Soccer was an outstanding collegiate soccer coach. And he was and is still, 100% correct.
Last night, our back 4 (which was a new back 4 by the way), and our GK couldn't get through that 10 minute storm and so we lost to Jamaica in the semi-finals of the Gold Cup.
I have to wonder what Klinsmann is thinking. There is no doubt that our USMNT attack is improving. I believe the mid-field is getting better and we are getting everything we can out of Dempsey and Zardes up front (I've never been an Altidore fan, I think he's way over-rated); but our defense..........WOW. I find it beyond reason that the USA cannot come up with 4 guys and a GK who are a 'wall' at the back. Of course, a back 4 needs to spend many games playing together to become that barrier, and JK keeps changing his line-ups--particularly at the back! For a Coach who has been publicly preaching the need for his USMNT to play consistently......Klinsmann has been pretty inconsistent with his team sheets. Just sayin'.
Hearty congrats to Ryan Thompson, GK for Jamaica who is also a 'Reusch Guy'. Many say that last night Thompson was shaky in goal. Maybe. But he let in less goals that the usually reliable Brad Guzan. Just sayin'. Of course, Thompson's back 4 were solid and, what's that word I'm looking for? Oh yeah! Consistent. Way to go, Ryan! Best of luck to you and the Reggae Boyz in the Gold Cup final!
Good luck to our USMNT against Panama in the 3rd place match.
May the ground beneath your dive be soft. May the other team always shoot right at you. May your goalposts be 3 feet wide.
All the Best-EV
Last night, our back 4 (which was a new back 4 by the way), and our GK couldn't get through that 10 minute storm and so we lost to Jamaica in the semi-finals of the Gold Cup.
I have to wonder what Klinsmann is thinking. There is no doubt that our USMNT attack is improving. I believe the mid-field is getting better and we are getting everything we can out of Dempsey and Zardes up front (I've never been an Altidore fan, I think he's way over-rated); but our defense..........WOW. I find it beyond reason that the USA cannot come up with 4 guys and a GK who are a 'wall' at the back. Of course, a back 4 needs to spend many games playing together to become that barrier, and JK keeps changing his line-ups--particularly at the back! For a Coach who has been publicly preaching the need for his USMNT to play consistently......Klinsmann has been pretty inconsistent with his team sheets. Just sayin'.
Hearty congrats to Ryan Thompson, GK for Jamaica who is also a 'Reusch Guy'. Many say that last night Thompson was shaky in goal. Maybe. But he let in less goals that the usually reliable Brad Guzan. Just sayin'. Of course, Thompson's back 4 were solid and, what's that word I'm looking for? Oh yeah! Consistent. Way to go, Ryan! Best of luck to you and the Reggae Boyz in the Gold Cup final!
Good luck to our USMNT against Panama in the 3rd place match.
May the ground beneath your dive be soft. May the other team always shoot right at you. May your goalposts be 3 feet wide.
All the Best-EV