I Love It!!

IncrediblE stuff last night from the U20's against a talented Brazil squad. Very little can be said wrong about the way they performed, and the team was full of heroes on the night. I love it, I love it, I love it, I love it. I certainly do not want to get over excited about this match, but I am going to anyways. The US has arrived and WILL WIN THE 2010 WORLD CUP! FREDDY WILL SIGN WITH REAL MADRID AND BE THE GOLDEN BOOT WINNER IN SOUTH AFRICA!!!! Ok, now that I have gotten that out of my system lets get serious. Last night's performance was a big step for the US Nats. Beating Brazil should always be considered an accomplishment, and the way in which we achieveD victory filled me with pride. From the start we took the game to them. No one played in awe, everyone stepped up including those I was most worried about. While we certainly were on the defensive at times, and let Brazil claw back into the game, I honestly was never that unsure of a positive result for us. We just looked too good, too dynamic, too full of pride and heart! I LOVE IT!!!!

But lets not get carried away just yet. We performed just as admirably in the last U20 WC only to go out against a poor Italian squad in the next round. We have not "arrived" and even if this squad does win this tournament (which it has every capability of doing), it does not ensure success in the future for our senior squad. There is a ton of room to grow. But I'll be one to say that I am certainly excited about the prospect of some of these players joining up with Landon and Co.

Now to my player ratings-
Seitz 8.5- An absolute titan in the net, with amazing hands and a presence in the box that is scary. Put in a truly heroic performance, battling through an injury, coming up with some big time saves (particularly towards the end of the game from the cut back and 1-timer inside the box and on the rebound), and dominating his box. Can't really be faulted on the goal. Great stuff. I can't see him staying in MLS very long

Beltran 6.0- I have to admit I was never big on this guy. Technically and tactically, he always seemed to be a bit behind. But with each game he has grown in confidence, and tonight battled as long as he could. Did well pushing up the wing at times, although his final ball sometimes let him down. He was definitely picked on by the Brazilian team as they went down his side of the field nearly every time. He was definitely beat several times, but overall was generally solid. It's Brazil, you're going to get beat occasionally.

Sarkodie 6.5- His athletic presence was definitely needed. Strong, quick, agile and decent on the ball all night. Helped to handle Jo who was a handful for the Americans. I can't remember him doing too much wrong on the night. Occasionally, slightly out of position, but nothing too durastic.

Sturgis 6.0- Another decent performance from Nate. I've docked him down a bit only because I do expect a bit more from him. I don't think he has played as well as he can yet. Was beaten badly on the dribble by Jo in the first half, but other then that teamed up with Sarkodie to handle the tall Brazilian forward well. Distribution was good again as usual, but at times he's too comfortable when he needs to play with a bit more urgency.

Wallace 6.0- Another good performance for Wallace. I definitely prefer him to Ward. His athleticism was definitely needed to help deal with a speedy Pato who liked to drift out to his side. A few too many balls were allowed over his head and onto an onrushing Pato, however. I think he needs to play a bit more sideways on rather then with his hips square to the field. Distribution out of the back was good though. Very calm with the ball. Played some nice balls into Jozy

Bradley 5.5- I hate to put him so low, but that clearance on the goal was terrible. For a player with his experience it should never have happened. We're under pressure, the ball comes in and you weakly head the ball back out to the center of the field, where a nice individual effort by the Brazilian midfielder keeps the ball in our end, and after a scramble in front of the net we are scored on. Other then that he was great. You didn't really notice him, which was good in this game. He didn't need to be flashy or dynamic. He helped shut down the middle of the field along with Szetela, and keep possession for us.

Szetela 6.5- Another gritty performance from the supposedly Europe bound player. Worked hard to break up the play that lead to our first goal. Continued that all night. I thought he was better in possession as well. But his work on the other side of the ball can not be discounted or lessened. He's a destroyer and for this match that's exactly what we needed.

Adu 8.0- He shut up his critics again with this performance. After an awe-inspiring match against Poland, he came out again and produced the goods. He caused the Brazilians fits all night with his pace (where is this in MLS??), ability to go out players on the dribble, and penetrating passes. Some truly world class stuff at times, including his move to help set up the goal. After taking the ball on the bounce, keeping it in the air with two touches, and then flicking the ball behind himself and the defender (who was left in his wake), he shot on goal which was deflected straight to Jozy for the game winning goal. Also had some other tremendous moments, and worked hard on the other side of the ball to help pressure.

Rogers 4.5- Worst player on the pitch for the USA in my opinion. I felt he was an absolute turn-over machine for most of the match. He had a few moments using his speed to his advantage, but to be honest I have not been impressed with him at all this tournament. He tries way too much, and loses the ball 7 times out of 10. Against a Brazilian team who was excellent in possession, we couldn't afford to have a player continually give up the ball. He needs to play simpler, and pick his spots to go at players better.

Zizzo 7.0- Another good performance helping to stretch out the Brazilian defense. Lacked a final result, but otherwise was great with his long runs down the sideline. Reminds me a little of Ryan Giggs with those runs. The Brazilian defense constantly had to deal with him. Would have gotten a higher score, but he needed to help more in dealing with the Brazilian wing back, Marcelo.

Jozy 8.5- Two opportunistic goals and a strong performance in a very tough roll. Jozy once again playing as the loan target man, put in a good effort. In the first half his touch let him down a few times, but it improved as the game went on. His physical presence must be a nightmare for defenders. He did well to hold off his defenders and keep the ball for us as we pushed out. The goals couldn't have been taken much better, and that's what you expect from a true striker. If he cleans up his touch a bit, he could go on to earning himself a fat European contract

Rongen 7.5- Shut up some of his critics as well. I liked all three substitutions, and I think his timing was good for each. Rogers needed to come out, and Igwe helped to solidify the defense. Beltran was exhausted, and it was good to give Ward a run to help build his confidence after a poor showing against Korea. Dax is great in possession and that's what we needed at the end of the game.

I'm not going to give scores for the subs as they really didn't have much time to make an impact, but none really put too much of a foot wrong. In the end I LOVE IT!!!