Wishing Hoilett was playing for us but still always happy when this tournament rolls around.
Couple positives, Simeon Jackson was tearing up the English championship for the last month or two helping Norwich to promotion and Josh Simpson had a great season. Also it finally looks like we have a starting keeper who is on the rise since Begovic weaseled off, Milan Borjan just transferred to the Turkish Super League as the first team keeper for Sivasspor.
That was a fun segment. Not sure pushing fullbacks forward will work against the US, however against the Central American teams, who don't like to defend with fullbacks nor do they like high balls into the box, it's a good strategy. Canada needs to use it's size and speed to break down the majority of teams in this region.
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Watching the Oilers defend is like watching fire engines frantically rushing to the wrong fire
Ya it will be really interesting to see how Hart plays it against the US - I definately don't think you'll see them be that agressive tactically either. Last gold cup they tried to hold onto the ball and dictate play against everyone which was exciting, the problem in this one is that out of their usual top 3 central players, de Guzman's form is not on the same level as back then and Patrice Bernier is out with a broken leg. Atiba Hutchinson has come up another level with his club and play but I don't know if the central midfield depth is there this time around.
They're still better on paper than the squad that won it all in 2000 so you never know.
I think Dunfield takes de Guzman's spot in the midfield. JDG has looked pretty bad for most of the year, and looked especially disinterested in the friendly agaisnt Ecuador.
Canada looked decent in the first half but are down 1-0 on a bad goal that snuck by Hirshfeld.
Really? I thought they looked rather terrible in the first; they made the Yanks look like they were in another class. In the second, I think some of the nerves settled, they started to play football, and Hart made some positive corrections to the formation and his tactics. The second half made me a bit hopeful of what the Reds can do in the tourney.
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“Such suburban models are being rationalized as ‘what people want,’ when in fact they are simply what is most expedient to produce. The truth is that what people want is a decent place to live, not just a suburban version of a decent place to live.”
Really? I thought they looked rather terrible in the first; they made the Yanks look like they were in another class. In the second, I think some of the nerves settled, they started to play football, and Hart made some positive corrections to the formation and his tactics. The second half made me a bit hopeful of what the Reds can do in the tourney.
The Yanks are in another class.
Even in the first half, the Canadians were able to hold the ball and put some passes together. This is Canada remember. Last 10 years I'm not sure they could put two passes together. It was just hoooof it forward and hope for the best.
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Watching the Oilers defend is like watching fire engines frantically rushing to the wrong fire
Too bad about the weak goal Hirschfeld let in. I think otherwise they could have gotten a result. US was way better in the first half and Canada had the two best chances of the second, Gerba should have scored on that second chance - to contrast though Dempsey finished on a chance that was way tougher. Hutchinson, Simpson and Simeon Jackson were all great but then you have Lars Hirschfeld vs Tim Howard performances magnifying the skill gap amongst the rest - there's not enough talent through the 11 to outplay the US. Still as always we seem to be 2 or 3 players away.
Hopefully Milan Borjan plays in net for the next game, IMO he should have gotten the start in this one.
Too bad about the weak goal Hirschfeld let in. I think otherwise they could have gotten a result.
Yeah, when you're going to beat a superior team your keeper almost always has to have a man of the match performance.
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Originally Posted by shermanator
I'll agree with Borjan starting. I also would like to see Gerba take Jackson's place at CF and move Jackson to the wing to replace Simpson.
I'm going to have to agree with Forrest, when Canada brought Simpson into the game down his flank he looked a bit dangerous. I love the bite Gerba showed, he wants goals.
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“Such suburban models are being rationalized as ‘what people want,’ when in fact they are simply what is most expedient to produce. The truth is that what people want is a decent place to live, not just a suburban version of a decent place to live.”
Hopefully they can pull out a win. It will be a grind if they don't get Atiba Hutchinson back, tough to be at your best with your only real top notch starter out.
Copa Oro 2011
