The favorites to advance out of Group C had mixed results again after their latest friendlies over Memorial Day weekend, but this time it's the United States that emerged looking better.
The Americans' first half against Turkey was dismal, yet there was a lot to take away from Bob Bradley's second-half substitutions. Jose Torres was much more influential than Benny Feilhaber on the left side of midfield, as was Stuart Holden over Ricardo Clark in the center of midfield. Robbie Findley offered a spark up front and started the play that resulted in Jozy Altidore's goal (he should thank the Turkish keeper for a terrible decision to stray far off his line). Outside backs Jonathan Bornstein and Steve Cherundolo played better than Carlos Bocanegra and Jonathan Spector, offering more spark moving forward and defending the flank area better.
England looked pedestrian the following day against a World Cup-bound Japan side that was not the equal of Turkey, who failed to qualify. England's passing in midfield was atrocious, though the insertion of Steven Gerrard in a deep midfield role greatly improved that department. Wayne Rooney was forced to track back too deep to be much of a factor, and his two strike partners were not a factor. Theo Walcott's performance at right midfield was dire enough for him to be dropped by Fabio Capello, and Aaron Lennon looked out of place on the left. The first-team defense hardly dominated as they should have. Joe Hart continues to be in the most in-form England keeper, though it still seems unlikely he will start.
The USA still has a friendly left, on June 5 against Australia, and the most pressing matter is whether Bradley will give those second-half subs a more extended look.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
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