USA vs Venezula: Recap, Player Ratings, and Stats

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The gentlemen were blessed through extra time, scoring nearly seven minutes after the full ninety to grab a (maybe) deserved 1-0 win. The belated goal came off the head of World Cup-villainized-cdm Ricardo Clark. The Venezuelan attack was centered around the counter-attack but had trouble against the oversized American bodies. Defensively, Venezuela succeeded in getting 9, 10, 11 men behind the ball and crowded the Americans. USA pushed up with their outside backs and sent crosses into the mix for chances.

Player Ratings

+7 - Parkhurst - (10...8.5/1.5...90') - Cleaned up every cross despite his smaller frame. A cerebral defender, indeed.

+6.5 - Cameron - (9.5...8/1.5...90') - A large reason why Venezuela's passing threat was a dismal 6.8 in the first half. Worked well with Parkhurst. Played more of the reserved role.

+5.9 - DeLaGarza - (10.5...8.2/2.3...90') - Got up the field and showed his footwork against a passive defender.

+5.6 - Shea - (11...8.3/2.7...90') - Smart crosses and created two positive chances on goal in the first half then went flat in the second half.

+5 - Jones - (12...8.5/3.5...90') - Everything went through him. Some hiccups but nothing costly. Was in great form. Wasted a FK at the end but sent beautiful corners into the mix.

+3.8 - Feilhaber - (7.2...5.5/1.7...62') - Earned the #10 jersey. Almost drew a penalty multiple times on a corner. Played a great ball to Shea for a one-on-one.

+2.5 - Zusi - (7.5...5/2.5...74') - Wasn't on the same page with the rest of the team. A little bit too aggressive? Not sure. Loved the hustle, though.

+2.3 - Pearce - (6.7...4.5/2.2...72') - Play went to the right side more and when it came to the left he did his job.

+2.2 - Wondolowski - (3...2.6/0.4...28') - Should have started over Bunbury, in hindsight.


+2 - Hamid - (2.4...2.2/0.2...90') - Enjoyed the vacation, I'm sure.
 
+1.7 - Larentowicz - (5.5...3.6/1.9...62') - Unseen against an already weak offense.

+0.9 - Loyd - (1.5...1.2/0.3...18') - Subbed in seemlessly.


+0.9 - Sapong - (1.7...1.3/0.4...16') - Created loads of chances in the 16 mintues of play. And tackled the goalie so that was cool.
 
+0.5 - Bunbury - (8.5...4.5/4...88') - Did a decent job at the striker position. Created some chances but could have held the ball up better and had some awful passes in the middle of the field or on a counter.

+0.5 - Clark - (2.5...1.5/1...28') - Did nothing until the goal and then he scored the game winning goal but we still are upset about the World Cup sooooo...


+0.3 - Evans - (0.5...0.4/0.1...2') - Can't start 12 but looked like he would have had a Diskerud-esque positive energy on the team. Ran back on defense to help out when he could have loafed it.

 
 
 

Subjective Point Graphs

First Half 

USA - 38.37

Venezuela - 9.30

Second Half

USA - 91.00

Venezuela - 20.83

Full Game

USA - 129.37

Venezuela - 30.13

 Momentum Graph 

First Half

Dominance

USA - 22.2

Venezuela - 0.0
None - 77.8

GG Rating -  40.0

Second Half

Dominance

USA - 48.9

Venezuela - 0.0
None - 51.1

GG Rating - 64.4

Full Game

 

Dominance

USA - 35.6

Venezuela - 0.0
None - 64.4

GG Rating - 52.2

Numbers

How to Beat Venezuela

Chapters

1. Feilhaber sets up an attack

2. How America Attacks (Pt. I)

3. Jones does something awesome

4. Good Bunbury

5. Bad Bunbury

6. Zusi and Bunbury - Right idea, poor execution

7. Shea outclasses Venezuela

8. Why you don't just sit back and wait. Must have a high press. (Pt. I)

9. How America Attacks (Pt. II)

10. Chaotic setup. Great off the ball movement. Jones looks silly.

11. Why you don't just sit back and wait. Must have a high press. (Pt. II)

12. Feilhaber getting mugged

13. Bunbury wastes counter attack.

14. Cameron handles a counter attack
15. Shea gets lazy
16. Jones, "Here ya go"

Shea, "Oops"

Klinsmann, "******"

17. How America Defends a Counter (By Running, Duh)
18. How to not catch a ball
19. How to celebrate a game winning goal

1. I was really impressed with Feilhaber's movement and pass to Shea to set up the one-on-one.

2. America's attack was centered around pushing the outside backs up but also covering each other's positions.

3. Jones does something awesome and it doesn't involve a yellow card

4. Good Bunbury movement...

5. Bad Bunbury movement...

6. Zusi and Bunbury on the wrong page but right idea.

7. Shea outclasses Venezuela. Two minutes into the second half:

8. Why you don't just sit back and wait. Must have a high press.

9. How America Attack (Pt. II)

10. Chaotic setup. Great off the ball movement.

 11. Why you don't just sit back and wait. Must have a high press. (Pt. II)

12. Feilhaber getting mugged. Pictures aren't great but I'm sure he remembers.

 13. Bunbury wastes counter attack.

 14. Cameron handles a counter attack.

15. Shea gets lazy

16. Jones, "Here ya go"

Shea, "Oops"

Klinsmann, "******"

17. How America Defends a Counter (By Running, Duh)

 18. How to not catch a ball

19. How to celebrate a game winning goal. Side note, look how far the goalie backpedals and, rightfully so, ends up in the goal after diving for the ball.

USMNT Hopefuls - First Ever

Here at SOSubjectively, we're always looking to be different. Consider us a hipster soccer blog. (Of course we're denying how hipster we truly are for more street cred.) And what's more hipster than making bold claims that people want to argue with? I'm starting a new project where I take American players with five or less caps and guess what their career cap total for the senior team. Consider it a "The Young Feet of Tomorrow" list. I'll update it periodically and maybe tell you why I like such-and-such.

predicted caps. player - pos - (club/school) - age

19**. Dilly Duka - M - (Columbus Crew) - 22.3
17. Bobby Wood - ST - (1860 Munich - Germany.1) - 19.1
16. Danny Williams - M - (1899 Hoffenheim - Germany.2) - 22.8
16. Kevin Alston - RB - (New England Revolution) - 23.6
16. Joseph Gyau - ST - (1899 Hoffenheim - Germany.2) - 19.3
15. Fabian Johnson - OM - (1899 Hoffenheim - Germany.2) - 24.0
15**. Kelyn Rowe - CM - (New England Revolution) - 20.0
15**. Bill Hamid - GK - (D.C. United) - 21.1
15. Corey Hertzog - ST - (New York Red Bulls) - 21.4
15**. Mikkel Diskerud - M - (Stabaek - Norway.1) - 21.2
14. Greg Garza - LB - (Tijuana - Mexico.1) - 20.4
14. Teal Bunbury - ST - (Sporting Kansas City) - 21.9
14. Perry Kitchen - D - (D.C. United) - 19.9
14**. Josh Gatt - RW - (Molde FK - Norway.1) - 20.4
13. Luis Silva - M - (Toronto FC) - 23.0
12**. Andrew Wegner - ST/D - (Montreal Impact) - 21.0
12**. Terrence Boyd - ST - (Hertha BSC - Germany.2) - 20.9
11. Billy Schuler - ST - (Hammarby IF - Sweden.1) - 21.7
11**. Zarek Valentin - D - (Montreal Impact) - 20.4
11. Ben Speas - ST - (Columbus Crew) - 21
11**. Jack McInerney - ST - (Philadelphia Union) - 19.4

** - currently training with U-23's in preparation for the Olympic qualifying

More details to come on the players later. I just wanted to get players' names down now so in 2018 I can say "Called it."

Three players I'm excited about but not certain on the nationality...

predicted caps. player - pos - (club/school) - age

23. Kyle Bekker - CM - (Boston College - Sr) - ??? - The first team ACC midfielder has a great touch and poise on the field but is unfortunately from Ontario and has gone up through their youth programs. However that didn't stop Teal Bunbury who took a similar route before reaching the senior team in South Africa after the World Cup.

12. Luke Holmes - LM - (FA) - ??? - I had the pleasure of watching Akron defeat SMU in the national tournament this past year. A great outside mid/possible winger. Although he graduated from a high school in Ohio, his hometown is listed as Oldham, England.

12. Darren Mattocks - ST - (Vancouver Whitecaps) - ??? - Caleb Porter-approved and the second round of the 2012 MLS SuperDraft hails from Portmore, Jamaica. Imagine a more mobile Altidore with a little bit less size on him, I believe.

Probably a ton of errors but it's a start.

SMU vs Akron: Recap, Ratings, and Stats

(I just happened to be in town for the SMU--Akron Round of 32 game and the six dollars to watch the game was worth it. Unfortunately showed up after the first twenty minutes of the game but as the score was still 0-0 I didn't feel too bad.)

The first half (from what I saw) was largely in Akron's favor. Akron was using the entire width of the field and had no trouble switching the point of attack. SMU didn't press on defense enough, which led to the first goal. Below are sophisticated pictures made in Paintbrush.

Akron's first goal:

A little foggy but I believe Luke Holmes played a wonderful bending ball low sent ball that was placed behind the defense into the corner for a racing Quinn. Ahead of the offense, Quinn slotted it back to the corner of the 18 for Yedlin who saw Mattocks with space on the backpost. A spot-on cross to Mattocks and a diving header put the Zips up 1-0. SMU had the numbers put the gave too much space for Quinn and Mattocks each. Collectively poor defending and the goalie was left helpless.



Akron's second goal:

A free kick from 28 yards out taken by senior Luke Holmes put the Zips up 2-0 with 27 minutes left in the second half. If you couldn't tell from the picture below, the wall split but the keeper still had a chance on the shot.


Akron's third goal:

Holmes was involved with the third goal as he laid off a long pass just past midfield. Mattocks used his speed and relative size to battle the Mustangs' Aaron Simmons. Inside the 18, Mattocks cut the ball back and Simmons tripped over the ball, without winning it. Left with a one-on-one, Mattocks put the ball in the side netting.


SMU's goals:

(I didn't draw up the first 'Stangs goal as I couldn't remember it clearly enough. Sorry SMU-ians.)

The third goal, scored with fourteen minutes left the Mustangs' crowd and the players deflated. But with seven minutes left the Mustangs finally cracked Akron's defense with a floated ball into a crowded 18. Tyler Engel remained composed on the ball as he took a touch then put it in the back of the net. 34 seconds later, the Engel drew a penalty kick when entered the 18. An aggressive tackle to clear the ball paved the way for a shortened 3-2 lead. An awful video of the PK:

The last seven minutes were split between Akron pushing the ball to the corner and SMU sending long, booming passes to find a rebound in the 18. As time expired, SMU managed a corner kick, something they were connecting well on throughout the game, but the clock ran out before they could take it.

Almost goals:

• SMU had a free kick at the goalie's right corner of the 18 but made a very aware upper ninety save by tipping the ball over the bar. Not flashy but very smart.
  
• Last seconds in the first half Mustangs pulled the ball down on a long counter. Alone in the 18, he took a shot that missed backpost upper ninety by inches.
• One-on-one with SMU's keeper, Mattocks' hatrick was denied by a good angle taken by the keeper.
• Both teams had balls bouncing around inside the 18 where the shot was ultimately hit over or right at the goalie.
  

Game Stats

Seen first half stats are placed next to a (projected 45 minutes in italics). Momentum graphs read right to left as the clock counts downwards in collegiate play.

Subjective Point Graphs

First Half


SMU - 31.53 (39.42)
Akron - 39.53 (49.54)

Second Half


SMU - 66.83
Akron - 58.43

Full Game

SMU - 98.37 (106.25)
Akron - 98.07 (107.98)

Momentum Graphs

First Half


Dominance

SMU - 33.3
Akron - 30.6
None - 36.1

GG Rating - 92.3

Second Half


Dominance

SMU - 26.7
Akron - 26.7
None - 46.7

GG Rating - 77.8

Final Dominance

SMU - 30.0
Akron - 28.6
None - 41.4

GG Rating - 85.0

Numbers

***Example Category***
Team - Chance…Threat Rate/100
Team - Chance…Threat Rate/100

First Half
Possession
SMU - 9…44.9
(11...44.9)
Akron - 34…17.5
(43...17.5)

Passing
SMU - 10…30.4
(13...30.4)
Akron - 35…18.6
(44...18.6)

Shooting
SMU - 4…65
(5...65)
Akron - 6…30
(8...30)

Second Half
Possession
SMU - 43…22.6
Akron - 26…28

Passing
SMU - 44…25.9
Akron - 22…26.4

Shooting
SMU - 7…44.3
Akron - 11…44.5

Final
Possession
SMU - 52…26.4
(63...29.7)
Akron - 60…22
(103...20.1)

Passing
SMU - 54…26.7
(67...27.4)
Akron - 57…21.6
(101...20.3)

Shooting
SMU - 11…51.8
(16...55.9)
Akron - 17…39.4
(25...36.5)

Conclusion and End Notes

• How Akron won: converting chances that arose from using speed against a slower squad and spreading the attack over the entire field and through every player. Dominated possession
  
• How SMU lost: defensive lapses and not converting on chances (and not just saying that from a "We should have scored on every shot" sort of stance). Also had trouble connecting passes in midfield, which limited the start of their offense. Too many long balls from start to finish.
• How Akron could lose in the future: Size is a problem with the team as they, I believe, only have no field players that are over six foot and receive regular playing time. Set pieces will be dangerous against them.
• How SMU could have won: Using their size against Akron more. The long balls, while moderately effective, could have been even more dangerous had they implemented them better (crosses > straight long clears). Defensive marking and preventative awareness would help immensely.

Stand Out Players

Akron:

• So. Darren Mattocks (Portmore, Jamaica) - ST - Two goals. Great speed and knows how to use his strength. Imagine a Jeff Cunningham-esque player. Off the ball, questionable.
• So. Aodhan Quinn (San Diego, California) - RM - Showed good speed and vision. Limited playing time.
  
• Fr. Scott Caldwell (Cleveland, Ohio) - CAM - The 145 pound midfielder ran hard and played aggressive yet smart defense. Frustrated SMU's back four.
  
• Sr. Luke Holmes (Oldham, England) - LM - Ran up and down the field and was a major part in every goal.
• Jr. Thomas Schmitt (Berea, Ohio) - RM - Fast, moves well off the ball, great touch.
• Sr. Matt Dagilis (Akron, Ohio) - CB - Smart play.
• Sr. Michael Balogun (Houston, Texas) - LB - Poised on the ball and was never ratted. Team looked confident when the ball was at his feet. Defensively sound.

SMU:

• Sr. Payton Hickey (Plano, Texas) - LM - Came into the game late and energized the offensive with his speed and effort.
• Jr. Ben Hill (Coppell, Texas) - ST - Poor surrounding play but his touch was great with an added bonus of creatively although not flashy. Holds his own but was clearly annoyed/disappointed with poor runs he was shown by teammates.
• Fr. Tyler Engel (Orland Park, Illinois) - CM - Up and down. Good vision. Helped in both goals.

Akron's blue collar worth ethic will continue to advance them while SMU, with arguably better talent, showed poor cohesiveness. Both teams had "should have scored" goals so the score line is accurate this time.

Else

• Not one offside was called in the game.
• The field was the nicest field I've ever seen in my life.
• At halftime the two teams' subs were warming up on the field for a few minutes. SMU players were working on 20+ yard shots and volleys while Akron was working on possession play.
  

Click here for a post-game interview with SMU coach and players.

USA vs Slovenia: Recap, Ratings, and Stats

The USMNT ended their scoring drought by finding the back of the net three times with goals from Edson Buddle, Clint Dempsey, and Jozy Altidore. The Americans fought through the foggy mist to gain a 3-1 lead at halftime with several players helping in the offense but had a hard time controlling the crafty Tim Matavž on the other side of the field. The game ended in Klinsmann's second win for the team but provides a nice spring board for 2012.

The game also marked Carlos Bocanegra's 100th cap with the senior squad, tying him tenth all-time with the team and is only thirteen appearances away from becoming fifth overall, leapfrogging legends Kasey Keller (102), Eric Wynalda (106) , and Claudio Reyna (112). If Bocanegra finishes through the next World Cup cycle, a strong possibility, he could finish close to third all-time. Jozy Altidore (45) and Juan Agudelo (15) stand a good chance at finishing in the top five as well being only 22 and 18 at the moment.

A video including an interview with Bocanegra on the achievement can be found here.

Subjective Point Graphs

First Half

USA - 69.77
Slovenia - 46.93

Second Half


USA - 27.97
Slovenia - 99.03

Full Game

USA - 97.73
Slovenia - 145.97

Momentum Graphs

First Half


Dominance

USA - 24.4
Slovenia - 6.7
none - 68.9

GG Rating - 66.7

Second Half


Dominance

USA - 0
Slovenia - 35.6
none - 64.4

Final Dominance

USA - 12.2
Slovenia - 21.1
none - 66.7

Numbers

***Example Category***
Team - Chance…Threat Rate/100
Team - Chance…Threat Rate/100

First Half

Possession
USA - 30…26.5
Slovenia - 28…19.6

Passing
USA - 32…33.4
Slovenia - 34…17.9

Shooting
USA - 9…56.7
Slovenia - 7…52.9

Second Half

Possession
USA - 27…13.9
Slovenia - 59…19.5

Passing
USA - 29…17
Slovenia - 64…21.3

Shooting
USA - 6…24
Slovenia - 13…58.5

Final

Possession
USA - 57…20.5
Slovenia - 87…19.5

Passing
USA - 61…25.6
Slovenia - 98…20.2

Shooting
USA - 15…43.6
Slovenia - 20…56.5

Player Ratings

+7 - Dempsey - (11…9/2…90') - Typical aggressive energy and professionalism from Dempsey. Looks like getting Donovan and Dempsey on the field at the same time under Klinsmann will take some time...

+5.5 - Altidore - (10.5…8/2.5…90') - Incredibly encouraging to see him moving off the ball, playing defense, and looking to find runners over the top.

+5 - Buddle - (9…7/2…78') - Goal aside, where has Buddle been? Creative all over the field and the goal was enough luck to wow at but not enough to doubt the ability.

+5 - Howard - (7…6/1…90') - The goals were put into the corners but he was lucky to not find another goal bounce off his back from a post shot from Matavž. Another solid game Howard.

+3 - Cherundolo - (9…6/3…90') - Looked a step quicker than usual, which was encouraging, but lost shape a couple times defensively. The entire back line needs shape but Dolo is the least of their worries.

+2 - Bradley - (9…5.5/3.5…90') - Great to have him back in the middle of the field but I'm not as complimentary as others. First half he inserted himself over the field but in the second half he disappeared for too long.

+2 - Johnson - (6…4/2…61') - An early strike that really tested the goalkeeper. His willingness to work provided an encouraging game from the outside mid.

+1 - Bocanegra - (9…5/4…90') - The century-capped captain has consistently had concern with being on the complimentary pages with his counter center back. Alliterations aside, his aggressiveness breaks the back too much. What the solution is up for debate (help with the midfield, toning down his activeness, formation change...) but it's cause for attention.

+0.5 - Chandler - (8.5…4.5/4…82') - Got subbed out for another knock from moving up the field to hard. He has got to funnel his aggressiveness into

+0.5 - Shea - (2.5…1.5/1…29') - A late sub for Johnson. Still not as aware as I'd like to be on service but countered well against a pushing Slovenia team.

+0.5 - Williams - (0.5…0.5/0…8') - Late sub. Helped with the defense.

+0 - Edu - (1…0.5/0.5…12') - Late sub and the fog made it impossible to see what he did except for one shot so we'll give him an even rating to be safe.

+0 - Rogers - (0…0/0…0') - The go-getter and Klinnsman-favorite earned his understated 18th cap.

+0 - Jones - (0…0/0…0') - Definitely stalled time with his sub-in...

-1 - Beckerman - (8…3.5/4.5…90') - His value drops when he's off the ball with his defensive shape being so shakey. Slipped on his lone shot and looked silly doing so.

-1 - Goodson - (9…4/5…90') - Last of the least but not without optimism. Playing alongside Bocanegra is tough to say the least and Matavž was likely the hardest challenge for Goodson in all of 2011.

Conclusion

I'm not jumping from complaining about offensive woes to defensive woes but the defense still looks suspect, which has always been a concern dating back to and before USA's 4-2 loss to Mexico in the Gold Cup this summer. The numbers are heavily in Slovenia's favor in passing and possession for a good reason and with an aging and constantly changing back line, USA needs to figure it out fast. Up top, things are starting to progress and after five games with one goal, that's something to be excited about.