For the understatement of the week, ESPN is important to the US sports fan (and increasingly to the world). Good to see ol’ #10 in one of their genius “commercials.”

US National Team ESPN, Landon Donovan, US Men's National Team

If you were still awake after the first half, you were treated to a taste of the 2009 Rapids slashing attack. But for a (DC United friendly goalpost), Ballouchy would’ve had his brace for the game and Clark his first of the season. Combined with a defense that bends often but rarely breaks, we earned a much needed 3 points on the road.

The first half highlights are few and far between. I found the songs and drunken antics of the Bulldog Supporters Group far more compelling than lazy passing around the back, a lack of creativity in the midfield, and poor movement up front. Ya…not good.

Thankfully it didn’t end there as you will see below

Now That We Are 8 Games In…

• Ballouchy is a baller…sometimes: And frankly his sometimes is the best we have coming out of the middle of the field, so it will have to be enough. To be fair, he continues to develop, and with time his passing will hopefully continue to be more consistent. Either way, I’d love to see him take on a defender at least once every half, throw a step-over or two in there, and put a shot on goal.
• Smith is kinda throwing darts: All love for El Capitan duly noted, he hasn’t found a cohesive, dependable starting XI. Injuries have made that near impossible, yet I think we are all still wondering questions like Where does Wynne belong (I think RB is best though it didn’t look great at times tonight)? Will it be Wells or Clark (I’m calling Clark though Wells can be an impact sub at 60′ on a regular basis).
• Casey deserved to be left at home: It hurts me to say it, as he is one of our finest footballers and a true Denver athlete. However, he was an “on the bubble” player whose form put him in (last season) and now out (this season) of the picture.
• The MLS Season hurts USMNT Possibles: While being at the beginning of our MLS season means less chance for injury and players being a bit more rested the negatives far outweigh the positives. Casey will undoubtedly turn this early season slump around, but it is too late for the World Cup squad. Unlike his European counterparts who are at their peak form after a long season, Casey is still shaking off the cobwebs.

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis, US National Team British Bulldog, Bulldog Supporters Group, Colin Clark, Conor Casey, Omar Cummings, US Men's National Team, World Cup

Awesome picture from TheAmericanOutlaws.com

International Soccer, US National Team US Men's National Team

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

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

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

Rapids Media just released that we have signed Ugo Ihemelu and Omar Cummings to new multi-year deals. I’m very pleased to hear this news, as both players are making a solid contribution to the Rapids and are beginning to contribute on the international stage. Read more…

International Soccer, Rapids News and Analysis Gary Smith, Jamaican National Team, Omar Cummings, sweden, Ugo Ihemelu, US Men's National Team

A cocktail of the US MNT training camp and a week with Scottish champions Celtic proved to be a potent combination for Sasha Kljestan. With a big ol’ goose egg in previous international appearances, Sasha sizzled with 3 goals Read more…

International Soccer, Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis, US National Team Bob Bradley, Brian Ching, Houston Dynamo, International Friendly, Jeff Carlisle, Sasha Kljestan, Soccernet.com, training, training camp, Ugo Ihemelu, US Men's National Team, USSoccer.com