Pre-World Cup Friendly: USA vs. Poland on March 1


The U.S. can feel fortunate to have beaten Poland 1-0 during a snowy game that represents its best opposition yet in pre-World Cup games.

This is a critical game for many of the U.S.-based players in the national team pool, and a chance for the Europe-based players to play with the team. While the U.S. is still missing some of its key players, the shape of the final roster for the World Cup is becoming more clear.
Lewis, Berhalter and Johnson need to show coach Bruce Arena that they've got a claim on a roster spot, while Taylor Twellman, Clint Dempsey and Terry Zavagnin can solidify their standing.
The two teams feel each other out at first. Onyewu has some important interventions, but Poland is using its size and speed well to keep the U.S. off balance. There are precious few chances on either side.
Ironic, isn't it, that the U.S. has quite a few fans at the game, since it is being played in Kaiserlautern, Germany, near a U.S. military base. The U.S. has as many fans at it probably would had the game been played in the United States, since immigrants usually swell the opposition's fan base when the U.S. play at home.
The marquee players, Donovan, Beasley and Johnson, are playing poorly in the first half hour. Soon the U.S. side settles down, but the defense is looking quite porous and the midfield is allowing Poland to set the pace. Mistakes are coming frequently, but fortunately Poland's final touch is eluding them. The United States is having particular trouble down the wings, Poland having shut down Dempsey on the right and Beasley and Lewis on the left.
As the first half winds down, Cherundolo fires a swerving free kick just wide. At the top, Twellman has been closed down by Jup.
After the break, Dempsey pounces on a loose ball at the far post to nod it in. The ball was an early Eddie Loewis cross, punched by the keeper Baruz, deflecting off Twellman's head and landing kindly for Dempsey.
Later in the half, Johnson is played in but can't turn quickly enough. His touch has eluded him today, and it is unclear to me whether he has fully recovered from injury. Twellman has been frustrated; Poland's height advantage has left him unable to get much of the ball. After scoring prolifically against second-string teams, one wonders if his skills and size are just insufficient at this level.
As the second half advances, snow starts falling seriously, soon resembling a blizzard. Despite the heated field, the snow starts to accumulate. The U.S. gets the best of the final 15 minutes, and it ends 1-0.
Not a terribly convincing performance, but a good start and a good look at a lot of the pretenders to a place in the squad. Keller and Howard were fine in goal, each taking a half. Cherundolo had a mized game, not sure how it affects his chances. Beasley disappointed, as did Johnson, Lewis and Bocanegra (he came on as a sub.) Dempsey, Onyewu and Zavagnin did creditably, as did Donovan, although he needs to make more of an impact.
Here is my updated list of pool players and their chances of making the final roster. The odds take into account performances, Arena's comments and probability of injury.
Keepers:
Hartman, 3-1
Keller, a sure thing
Howard, 5-4
Reis, 3-1
Hahnemann, 3-2
Conrad, 5-2
Pope, almost a lock, 5-4
Onyewu, love his size, 4-3
Gibbs, 4-1
Convey, 5-3
Berhalter, Arena likes, 3-2
Cherundolo, mixed performance, 3-2
Dunivant, 2-1
Klein, 4-1
Waltrip, 4-1
Zavagnin, Arena seems to like, 5-3
Lewis, needs to do a little better, 5-3
Hernandez, 3-1
Mastroeni, solid job, 3-2
Noonan, recently injured, but Arena has touted him, 7-2
Dempsey, 2-1
Donovan, a lock unless injured
Wolff, 7-3
Twellman, 8-3
Johnson, 7-2
Ching, 4-1
Olsen, 5-2
Carroll 3-1
Rolfe, 4-1
Pearce 3-1
Mastroeni, 2-1
Beasley, 4-3
Reyna, a lock unless injured
Convey, 2-1
O'Brien, 5-2
Ralston, 3-1
Bocanegra, 4-3
McBride, a sure thing
Whitbread, 4-1
Spector, 5-1

Posted: Thu - March 2, 2006 at 04:38 PM          

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