Report from Phoenix, your Class VI reporter was on the ground in Arizona to give Class VI the inside scoop.
First, let me report that while Joe Cannon didn't make it on the pitch, he was on the sidelines and in good spirits and gave us a friendly wave. Of course, if *I* had just gotten traded to the world famous LA Beckhams, I too would have a grin on my face.
The game was "sold-out" but clearly not completely packed in the stands. The announced attendance of 62,000 plus wasn't that far off, however, with 50,000 of those fans wearing green. As I keep telling Rapids fans, let's not go backwards, because green doesn't look good on anyone ;-)
And (stretching back in time) 753 minutes later.... Mexico still hasn't scored against the USA!
The US is now 7-0-1 against Mexico in their past 8 outings, scoring 13-0.
Wow. Good game, excellent but very laid-back crowd atmosphere, and unfortunately the game play was significantly reserved and laid back as well, at least on the US side.
On the down side, the US played a mediocre game. On the plus side, they still beat a hard-charging Mexican team 2-0.
That works, I guess.
Field Player report:
Howard... bobbled his first touch, eliciting some groans and cries of "Cannon!" but then put on a decent show, finishing with some spectacular saves.
The central back line of Bocanegra & Conrad were the pair of the match. Fantastic play start to finish, Conrad even stepping up to play both sides of the ball with his MOTM-sealing header.
As good as the central D was, the wingbacks were ridiculously poor. Bornstein and Mophead were outclassed and outgunned and outmaneuvered and outplayed and outwitted and outlasted.
I'm not sure what to think about the midfield and fowards. I think we decided that Bradley wanted to play the attack conservatively. Nobody was allowed to make a run, there were no through or long passes, and it was an embarrassment of slacker-behavior.
Rolfe was a disappointment at minute 10, 20, 45, 60... you get the point.
The subs were no better. Brian Carroll tried hard, but still had several goofs that don't help at the national level. Eddie Johnson made everyone else look like superstars, and Joshua Gros essentially picked up where Albright left off.
Very disappointing to see the US bunker down.
And we're still not sure what to make of Donovan's killer run through 3 guys at midfield. With an easy breakaway, he turned and started motioning repeatedly for EJ or anyone to come up with him. With Mexico's defense bearing down on him, LD finally went for goal without breaking a sweat, juked the goalkeeper in a classic move, and sank the shot so casually it reminded us all of when Landon last played for the US team... Uhhh, 2002.
And there was pitifully little in the way of US merch. to purchase if you don't prefer Landon Hoodies.
And that was all there was to it, I guess. No need to talk about the sad parking lot mgmt after the game at the new U of Phx stadium. Just sad, really.
Posted by BilFish at February 7, 2007 11:12 PM