U.S. soccer turns attention to its future
After the euphoria of the United States’ win over Mexico to take the CONCACAF Gold Cup – followed by the frustration of its swift exit from the Copa America – American soccer fans can engage in the time-honored tradition of evaluating the aftermath.
Who did well? Who disappointed?
Most important, who will U.S. coach Bob Bradley pick to get the United States to South Africa in 2010?
When World Cup qualifying starts back up next spring, the Americans will be without three veterans who are retiring from international competition: forward Brian McBride, defender Eddie Pope and midfielder Claudio Reyna.
Already, the pundits are evaluating the first early tests of the new crop.
“Forwards: “I’m a big fan of Brian Ching’s right off,” said Ray Hudson, former coach of the Miami Fusion and D.C. United and an analyst on GolTV. “He has the most overall natural ability of the (forwards).”
The 29-year-old Ching, a Gonzaga University product, seen competing with Eddie Johnson and Taylor Twellman for the forward’s job, was instrumental in the Gold Cup final, getting a good touch and turn in the penalty area, drawing a penalty from Jonny Magallon for the Americans’ first goal.
“Defenders: If this summer’s tournaments exposed a weakness for the U.S. team, it may have been on defense.
“The defense looked a little wobbly quite often in the Gold Cup,” Hudson said.
Many have lauded the introduction of Chivas USA’s Jonathan Bornstein to the U.S. side, but his disastrous backpass early in the second half against Paraguay, which put the U.S. behind in a 3-1 loss, took some of the shine off his star.
“Midfielders: The brightest developments came from midfield.
Benny Feilhaber, who plays for Hamburg in Germany, already had drawn wide praise before his game-winning rocket against Mexico in the Gold Cup final. Hudson thinks Justin Mapp had some good and bad moments, but feels Bradley needs to persist with him.
Rico Clark came away the clear winner. His insertion into the second half of that game is generally credited as the change that turned the match around.