The US played…”nice” for 85 minutes. “Safe.” You’d feel comfortable letting your daughter go out with that team. They even looked spiffy in their new blue kit with the white sash.

The team that played the last 5 minutes was lock your doors dangerous. If not beautiful, at least brutally effective.

Basics

For 85 minutes we never looked dangerous in the attack, save one shot. Torres made a nice turn and put a shot on goal that drew an “oooh” from the crow, the only time in the first 85′ our offense elicited such a response for the Dutch masses.

Beasley turned the tide with a glorious free kick that Bocanegra did not waste, putting it the back of the net. This unleashed some slightly crazy but very fun play by the US that saw them nearly equalize several times.

The US capitalized on uncharacteristic poor ball control by the Dutch defense in the 89th minute. Pedoya played an excellent give and go with Bradley and earned a penalty just outside the box. Beasley’s ensuing free kick left something to be desired.

To be fair, we are missing Dempsey and Davies, two key components of our attack. Altidore is not yet a player who can create all on his own. He needs to collaborate, and Findley was floundering before being replaced in the second half. Nonetheless some good play from our subs found us a goal and several good chances at equalizing, including another great effort by Altidore in the waning moments of the game.

Bummer

The refereeing was bizarre, especially in the first half. At times in the first half it seemed if the US came inside a 1 meter bubble of a Dutchman we were blown for disturbing personal space. Then we got the gift of a no-call for a blatant Bornstein handball in the box. Then a severe, late tackle that ended Stuart Holden’s night didn’t garner the much-deserved yellow card.

We can’t complain too much about the PK called on Bornstein with today’s football climate. However,  the brilliant Wesley Sneijder made the most of it and easily could’ve completed the play. I sure get tired of all the flopping in European Football.

Stock went down:

• MLS: not a great showing for our boys playing club ball in the US
• Bornstein. I’m sure he’s a great human being but geez he makes me nervous every time the ball is withing 5 yards of him
• Findley: looked out of his depth. He’s young, but he’s not ready

Bonus

Sans Bornstein we were solid in defense. His needless PK gave up the first goal, then he was unlucky to have the 2nd deflect off his torso and go past a wrong-footed Howard. If we can get Gooch back in the center, shift Spector to the left, and leave Bornstein on the bench where he belongs, we have a solid defense.

If Gooch doesn’t get better…I have visions of Bornstein pulling down Torres or Tevez in the box.

Beasley put out a good showing and in my opinion earned himself at least a spot on the World Cup side.

Stock went up:

• Maurice Edu showed good signs of composure on the ball
• Beasley played solid
• Pedoya showed signs of being dangerous
• Bradley was steady

Backtalk

1. What did the US show you today? Did their energy at the end indicate positive things to come, or was it the last gasp of a disjointed team?

2. Whose stock went up, and whose went down?

International Soccer, Major League Soccer (MLS), US National Team Alejandro Pedoya, Carlos Bocanegra, DeMarcus Beasley, Johnathan Spector, Jonathan Bornstein, Jose Francisco Torres, Major League Soccer, Maurice Edu, michael bradley, Netherlands, Oguchi Onyewu, US Men's National Team, Wesley Sneijder, World Cup

Xavi (pre-cloning)

In the 90’s human cloning was extremely controversial. I think fans of the Colorado Rapids and/or the US Men’s National Team could agree an exception should be made.

Watching Xavi play this weekend versus Real Madrid, he was the spoke around which the Catalan wheel rotated. Even when they went a man down he directed the flow of play.

The Rapids have a powerful striking duo up top with Casey and Cummings. We have a less potent but still fairly dependable back line with the likes of Moor and Baudet.

What Colorado really lacks is a a creative presence like Xavi, a turret in the middle of the field firing balls forward.

With the US Men’s National Team the need for a Xavi-clone is one of possession. We lack a strong presence in the middle of the field that can absorb passes from the back, choose passes without cheaply giving up possession, do it repeatedly throughout all 90 minutes. Instead, at times, we sprint around like a track team defenders like Gooch fire optimistic balls downfield and hope one of our front men can get onto it.

These are not newly diagnosed issues. Surely the only option is to clone Xavi and get him ready for 2010.

Rapids News and Analysis, US National Team Barcelona, Catalans, colorado rapids, Drew Moor, Julien Baudet, Oguchi Onyewu, US Men's National Team, Xavi

For those of us who have the privilege to live in Denver, we know this is one of the most passionate sports cities in the world. I just signed the petition to bring the beautiful game’s biggest stage to one of the most beautiful cities: Denver. Sign the petition today:




International Soccer, Rapids News and Analysis, US National Team Denver, World Cup

Dear fellow Soccer/Football/Footy lover,

Isn’t it an amazing time to be a fan of the USMNT? A thrilling win Saturday booked our tickets to South Africa for the World Cup. May I gently point out that all 3 goals were scored by perhaps the 2 best players in the MLS.

Now before the nasty MLS hating comments pore in, let me address some of the types of MLS Haters

THE EUROSNOB

“The MLS is inferior to EPL and La Liga.” No kidding. We aren’t up to the level of a Russian or Belgian league either. For that reason, I’m glad we have TV so I can cheer on the Toffees or catch Barcelona’s beautiful interpretation of the beautiful game.

But may I gently point out that we do in fact live in the US of A. There is competitive soccer happening on the pitch every Saturday right here.

THE PRO-USMNT BUT ANTI-MLS FAN

“I still support our American players, but when they are in real leagues over in Europe” (this fan is closely related to the Eurosnob).

I too support Tim Howard (my favorite player in the world), Onyewu, and Davies on their European sides. However, it is an undeniable fact that the success of the USMNT is directly tied to the success of the MLS. Two reasons:

1. First, if there is no league for American youngsters to aspire to, a league which is a viable possibility for great athletes to make a living at, we will be reliant on immigration to provide our soccer talent. While I am very thankful for that influx of talent, we need to develop our own system as well. We have tremendous athletes in this country, and as the MLS grows it will become an even better option for those elite athletes who would otherwise focus on other sports.
2. We cannot rely on European clubs to snatch up and develop all of our talent in their teens, that is not a viable option for all families. We need to be able to develop talent here, even if the very best talent continues to end up on the other side of the pond.
3. Additionally, while some of my favorite players are struggling to get playing time on a weekly basis (Onyewu, Altidore), players like Conor Casey and Landon Donovan are playing competitive footy every Saturday in a fight for the playoffs. They are at the height of their game and it showed on Saturday.

THE DON GARBER & MLS CRITIC

“_Insert your own rant against the leadership of MLS here._”

Does the MLS have issues? Yes. Of course. Are some of them frustrating? Again, of course. But two things

1. We are not the only league with problems. The EPL has teams in serious financial trouble, including Portsmouth who weren’t paying their players last week and became another team sold to owners with oil money. The English Premier league is becoming less and less…English. You think fans aren’t upset about that? We all have problems
2. The MLS is a young league. Frankly I’m thankful they’ve even survived, and not only are they surviving but are solvent and expanding.

THE PERPETUAL COMPLAINER

If you are angry at the world for soccer not being as big or as good here, I get that. However, there are two ways to make a change. Top/Down or Bottom/Up. Whether the change is social, religious, athletic, or otherwise, changes that are bottom up ALWAYS have greater effect and a longer life.

MY REQUEST TO YOU

On that note (with apologies to Ghandi), be the change you want to see in the MLS. I’m asking all MLS hating soccer fans in the US to go to 3 MLS games a year. That will cost you less than a quality soccer ball, you will see competitive soccer, you will be part of bringing educated soccer fans to the pitch, and you will invest in the future of Soccer in America.

STOP THE HATING AND GET TO THE PITCH

(One Caveat: I am not as familiar with the USL or other leagues in the US, if someone would like to address this topic from their perspective contact me).

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis, US National Team Conor Casey, Jozy Altidore, Landon Donovan, South Africa, World Cup

Disclaimer #1: I realize that this is a Colorado Rapids and MLS blog, not USMNT.

Disclaimer #2: I realize I have a man crush (based on all 3 criteria) on Timmy and am hopelessly biased.

That being said, going into a huge USMNT weekend, it is time to establish once and for all that goalkeeper Tim Howard is the best US Soccer player. Period. I give you the top 5 reasons this is the case

1. He is the unquestioned #1 for club (Everton) and country
2. He is among the 2 players on the USMNT whose loss would have the greatest effect on our performance (I’d say Donovan is the other clear choice on this list)
3. He has performed in the best league in the world (EPL) and distinguished himself as one of the top keepers in Europe (reference: David Moyes)
4. He has excelled in the Europa league in UEFA, the finest regional association in the world
5. He is an absolute rock, a consistent leader whether we are playing T&T at home or Mexico at the Azteca

US National Team Everton, Tim Howard, US Men's National Team

A big “thanks” to Conor Casey’s parents for neglecting to have his wisdom teeth removed as a child. His surgery prevented him from practicing with the USMNT (who won nonethless), and it was his header in the 52′ that secured the Rapids an absolutely crucial 3 points. Read more…

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis, US National Team Chivas USA, Conor Casey, DC United, Dwayne DeRosario, Jacob Peterson, L.A. Galaxy, MLS All Star Game, New England Revolution, Omar Cummings

Following up on our last article, “MLS at a crossroads,” we want to hear what you think.

International Soccer, Major League Soccer (MLS), US National Team

At CRF we normally focus on Rapids news, as there are other great sources for national and global soccer analysis. However I believe today’s article from Kartik Krishnaiyer brings up an essential decision MLS has to make, and that very much affects us as Rapids fans. In his words, we have to decide to “try and be a good American leagues…or be a global player.” Read more…

International Soccer, Major League Soccer (MLS), US National Team beautiful game, DC United, Jamie Moreno, Kartik Krishnaiyer, south america

In evaluating the Rapids form at this point in the season, I think of the US Men’s National Team. There was a carousel of players in and out, different formations, different styles of play, and inconsistent results. Once Bob Bradley arrived at a final 11 and somewhat of an identity, the results at the Confederations Cup were staggering. I believe the Rapids have yet to find that identity.

One of the first areas this shows up is the lack of a default starting 11. Read more…

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis, US National Team Bob Bradley, Chivas USA, Colin Clark, Conor Casey, Cory Gibbs, DC United, Jacob Peterson, Jordan Harvey, Julien Baudet, Kosuke Kimura, Matt Pickens, Mehdi Ballouchy, Nick LaBrocca, Omar Cummings, Pablo Mastroeni, Preston Burpo, Scott Palguta, Ugo Ihemelu, US Men's National Team

Mark, thanks for taking a moment to chat with CRF!

First off, tell us about when and how your passion for the Rapids began.

I’ve been around since the beginning.  In high school, my teammates and I were skipping classes to watch the 1990 World Cup, so our principal finally gave in and put a TV in the cafeteria Read more…

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis, US National Team Colin Clark, Conor Casey, Jordan Harvey, Mark Bodmer, Nick LaBrocca, Omar Cummings, US Men's National Team, World Cup