Soccer

What's not to like about American soccer fans?
While this blog normally adheres to professional Detroit teams only, I do enjoy delving into international sports on occasion, such as the US Olympic hockey team and the masterful Kim Yu-Na. With the World Cup quickly approaching, it's time for some soccer discussion.

I'm an unabashed soccer fan and have been since birth. The stereotypical image of the soccer fan in this country is a social outcast, draped in an English, Irish, Italian, or Mexican flag (take your pick). I'm a diehard fan of football, hockey, baseball, hoops, AND soccer. That's just the way it is. And I know there are others like me. If not, ESPN wouldn't have swooped up broadcast rights for every World Cup game. To some extent, soccer has arrived in this country. The US will likely never have a domestic league of note, but the international team is at least somewhat decent. And I follow them with as much interest as my hometown squads. So, with the disclaimer out of the way, let's get down to business...

Last night, a substandard Czech team soundly routed the yanks. The final score was 4-2, but the Czech's had a 5th goal incorrectly ruled offsides. Both squads left most of their key players on the bench. So that means that either the Czech's B-team is world class, or the US subs are dreadful. After watching those US subs for the better part of a year (most played in the Gold Cup '09), it's clear to me that the US has serious depth issues. That's awful news for coach Bradley since many key starters are nicked up, or, in the case of Charlie Davies, not even on the roster.

Onyewu is coming off a ruptured patella tendon. His replacement, Jay Demerit, has a groin injury. Same with GK Tim Howard. Another starting defender, Carlos Bocanegra, recently (as in three weeks ago) had hernia surgery. That's 4/5 of the US defense. The only good news is that midfield is healthy, and Donovan and Dempsey are in fine form.

Neither played last night, though. Bradley used the game to test the fringe players and test the game fitness of Onyewu and Stuart Holden, who spent most of March and April on the mend. The first half ended 1-1, with Maurice Edu notching the US's lone goal. The Czech's controlled much of the game and were rewarded with the late equalizer. In an ominous sign, the US's strongest and tallest player, Onyewu, was easily beat for the header goal. He's not even close to 100%.

In the second half, Bradley subbed in five new players, including two new defenders. Proving that the defense is only as good as its weakest link, the Czech's repeatedly manhandled weak link (and left defender) Heath Pearce. Pearce was responsible solely for the Czech's 2nd goal and partially for the 3rd. The 4th goal was Edu's fault, but, in his defense, he was playing out of position. Perhaps sensing the dire need for healthy central defenders, Bradley moved Edu from midfield to defense in the 65th minute. I'd say it was a failed experiment.

The US offense, however, was quite exciting in the 2nd half (unlike the first, when Edson Buddle and Eddie Johnson did little). Brian Ching and Hercules Gomes worked well together up top. They created a ton of scoring opportunities and cashed in on one, momentarily tying the game at 2. Robbie Rogers was another bright spot at left midfield, showing much more flash than Damarcus Beasley. Yet, the efforts of Ching and Rogers apparently did not impress Coach Bradley.

After the game, Bradley trimmed the 30-man roster to the required 23, and neither Ching nor Rogers made the cut. The omission of Ching is especially surprising, since he looked great and has extensive international experience. In his place is Robbie Findlay, who has all of 2 caps to his name. Bradley did include underwhelming Damarcus Beasley, perhaps because he offers more defensive skill than Rogers. With a rotating door of pylons at left defense, the left side can use the help.

The rest of the squad offered no surprises. On Saturday, the US plays Turkey in another tune-up friendly. Bradley will likely trot out his preferred World Cup starting lineup for this one. If the US puts on another Czech-like performance, it'll officially be time for this.