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[nas] USA x-x Italy: Positives but Same Old Story by pakurilecz 15 June 2009 22:06 UTC |
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Post game coverage plus a post match podcast coming in the next few hours.
Some quick points:
I believe Rico Clark’s sending off was justified. I’ve heard and seen since the red card arguments against it, but if you tackle from behind with your cleats out and get no part of the ball that’s a letter of the law sending off. In fact I believe Clark should be suspended for several international matches for what was a reckless and malicious tackle. American defensive midfielders don’t have the grace or the technique to tackle properly in those situations. We have seen it time and time again.
However, I do also believe Landon Donovan being taken down in the box late in the second half should have resulted in a penalty. We’ve seen two penalties called in matches before at FIFA competitions. Anyone recall Cameroon-England in 1990?
Prior to Clark’s sending off Donovan was the most impressive player on the pitch and had outplayed the much talked about Pirlo. Landon created space for himself today comi9ng back into the midfield and linking with the wide players and Jozy Altidore up top. Donovan when in the right place on the pitch and proerly motivated is still a one of a kind player in the history of the US.
The US ultimately failed because of a lack of tactical discipline when down a man and the failure of Coach Bob Bradley to properly adjust his setup to being up a goal but down a man. Steve Sampson for all his faults quickly made changes in 1997 when falling down a man at Azteca and allowed the US to get a result. Bradley’s tactics were poor, and his substitutions were either poor or made too late.
More later.
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