What do you mean, another one? Donavan is brilliant. But a truly great striker would be great, still I think Mathis and McBride are pretty solid.

 

USA Defeat New Zealand In Confederations Cup Send-Off
USA - New Zealand | Latest News | Match Report | News Archive

Klein owned the right flank for the Americans.
06/08/2003. Team USA defeated New Zealand 2-1 in Richmond, Virginia, in a final tune-up match for both countries ahead of this month's Confederations Cup in France.

Chris Klein put the Americans deservedly into the lead after twenty-minutes. PNE's Eddie Lewis picked out Klein nicely and the Kansas City Wizard rounded the Kiwis' goalie Michael Utting before slotting the ball into the empty net from a tight angle. Up until that time Utting made myriad saves to keep the score level.

But New Zealand equalized just a few minutes later. Vaughan Coveny took a nice pass from Ivan Vicevich, muscled off U.S. defender Steve Cherundolo and dipped a powerful shot past U.S. 'keeper Marcus Hahnemann who split deputee duties with Joe Cannon on the afternoon.

In the second half Utting was called upon a few more times to keep the visitors on even terms, and it was only a deflected cross/shot from Birmingham City's Jovan Kirovksi that could beat the Football Kingz player. Lewis was credited with an assist on the play in the 65th minute.

USA outshot the Kiwis by a three-to-one ratio, whilst New Zealand were whistled for twice as many fouls as the Americans, despite five yellow card cautions for team USA to New Zealand's one.

soccerage :ccol:

 

Well there isnt much to say about this one and Im not even sure Arena could come away with anything except that there is a big gap between the play of Donovan, Beasley. Reyna, Mcbride and Mathis of last year, and the lot he had out there today. The one positive he can take from this is Gibbs needs another look. Though he had little to do his running off the ball as well as his passing was a bright spot. Couple that with a shot he nearly scored with warens him som playing time.

 

Lewis looked good, and so too did Kirovski, Twellman and Klein. I also though Bocanegra looked solid at the back (far from his best, but better than the rest).

Other than that, Cherundolo, Berhalter and Vanney were quite poor IMO. I guess Armas had a decent game, but I thought Stewart to be largely ineffective.

I don't know how the U.S. managed to let New Zealand get a goal, but sadly it happened.

Bring in the younger players I say.

 

Cherundolo had a decent game. Started the attack down the right number of times. He is better than Hejduk and Steve is only 24- still has room for improvement. He had a pretty good game against Venezuala. Klein is not a bad player , however , the US needd better talent at that right wing spot.

 

Johnny K,

Cherundolo always has a "decent" game. He's a decent kid and tries hard. He plays well for 80 - 85 minutes every game. Makes some good things happen and shows speed and vision at times. It's just that in five minutes he can absolutely kill you. With top flight teams with an aerial game he is toast. If the game gets rough, he is toast. After he got pushed off the ball and let the New Zealander score point blank, he started fouling and playing tougher. TOO LATE!

He will always be one who looks like he can go to the next level but never will.

Sorry, that's my assessment.

Berhalter and Vanney are much the same.

Klien may be breaking trough to the next level in Bruce's book. Kirovski is earning more playing time. Lewis needs to SHOOT THE DADGUM BALL!

There is still a huge gap between our "A" team and our "B" team. Earnie must have been in a daze half the time today, not being able to guess what the newcomers were going to do next.

IMHO

Oldplayer