Friendly: Japan vs. USA on 2/10


Another World Cup tune-up, another display of offense by Taylor Twellman. The US starts out positively, but slips towards the end.

The World Cup Finals are just four months away, and the United States and Japan are looking to finalize roster spots. Both sides come in to today's game with a squad of domestic players who are battling for the final spots in the 23-man rosters for the World Cup. For the boys on the bubble, it's crunch time.
US coach Bruce Arena has given Kevin Hartman a start in goal, it seems to be between him and Matt Reis for the third GK spot. Dunivant gets a second look in the defense at left back. Klein, normally an attacking player, starts out of position at right back, but it proves a disastrous night for him. New England Revolution teammates Twellman and Dempsey also start again. Twellman solidified his claim on a spot with a great three-goal performance Jan. 29 against an impotent Norway. Wolff joins him up front.
Japan start out on attack, but the U.S. soon assert their control. Landon Donovan, playing again the creative midfield role instead of an out-and-out striker, kisses a free kick chance in the 11th minute. Wolff shows a nice first touch in the 14th, but nothing comes of it. Klein blows three passes in a row, all before the 20th minute.In the 24th minute, Twellman heads a long ball down perfectly for defender Eddie Pope, who slots home. Again in the 29th, it's Twellman forcing a good save from keeper Kamaguchi. As the half winds down, Dunivant works the ball up the field, slips the ball to Dempsey, who exchanges quick passes with Wolff and Twellman and takes the return ball to the far post and in. It's 2-0. Dunivant is seeing a great deal of the ball up the left hand channel.
In the 50th minute, Twellman is there again, heading in one of Donovan's many corner kicks to make it 3-0. It's remarkable that Twellman, who is relatively short, can get his head to the ball so well. The U.S. have used the air to their advantage against a shorter Japanese team. The substitutions begin in earnest after the third goal, with Eddie Johnson coming in for Wolff in the 58th, Brian Ching subbing Twellman in the 68th and Olsen spelling Dempsey in the 69th. Japan takes advantage of the changes to solidify their play, and substitute Maki scores from Kaji cross to make it 3-1. In injury time, the Japanese score one more to make the game even closer. The whistle blows and its 3-2.
How did the game hurt or help the aspiring U.S. players. Here's my list, along with my odds of making the final roster for the World Cup:
Hartman, was tested at the end and performed well, 3-1
Conrad, good game, still not a lot of room for a center defender, 5-2
Pope, very solid, experienced defender almost a lock, 5-4
Dunivant, very impressive, stock is rising, 2-1
Klein, out of position, but did not adapt, not clear he fits in system, 5-1
Zavagnin, rapidly becoming an Arena favorite, 2-1
Noonan, skilled but lacking goals and assists, 7-2
Dempsey, tireless, great understanding, 2-1
Donovan, vast experience and skill, at his peak, no bet
Wolff, didn't really help himself, overshadowed by Twellman lately, 5-2
Twellman, is playing his way onto the team, 3-2
Johnson, needs to show his pre-injury form, 7-2
Ching, could be falling by wayside, 4-1
Olsen, good substitute today, 5-2
Carroll, came on late, 3-1
Rolfe, came on late, 4-1
Pearce, came on late, 3-1
and the others in the pool, with odds:
Mastroeni, 2-1
Beazley, 4-3
Reyna, a lock unless injured
Convey, 2-1
O'Brien, 5-2
Ralston, 3-1
Bocanegra, 4-3
McBride, a sure thing
Keller, a sure thing
Howard, 5-4
Reis, 3-1
Hahnemann, 3-2

Posted: Sat - February 11, 2006 at 11:25 PM          

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