5/27 US vs. Venezeula Friendly Game Thread

I should have started the last one earlier. Anyhoo, tonight is the second game of the United States National Men's Team's Send-Off Series.

United States vs. Venezeula
Friendly match at Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio

The game will be televised live on ESPN2 at 7 PM EST.

With another friendly on 5/28 with Latvia and manager Bruce Arena wants to make some changes formation and squad (http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=AjEtvLoKXDVnjVd0OV12g4Mmw7YF?slug=reu-worldusdc&prov=reuters&type=lgns), expect to see most of the USMNT reserves play tonight. Not that's a reason to not watch. If someone on the starting squad gets injured (or plays rather poorly), you'll see these guys out there.

Claudio Reyna will not play tonight and is doubtful for 5/28. Hopefully he'll be ready to play for the closed-door friendly with Angola on 6/5.

Expected Starting Lineup (per the Yahoo link)
Goalkeeper: Tim Howard (announced as starter)
Defence (left to right): Eddie Lewis - Jimmy Conrad - Carlos Bocanegra - Chris Albright
Midfielders (left to right): Bobby Convey - Ben Olsen - John O'Brian - Clint Dempsey
Forward: Brian Ching - Eddie Johnson

Like I said, it's the B team with a few A guys there (Bocanegra or Lewis for Gibbs? O'Brian? Eddie Johnson, if he finally finds his form?). But still important should injuriess/poor performance plague the top USMNT team.

I'll update this thread when the game starts and things happen. Feel free to do the same.

GO USA!

Is Convey not a starter on this team? In the games that I've seen he has actually been one of the few players to create anything offensively. He has a nice bit of creativity and touch, at least when compared with the rest of the U.S. team play.

Is Convey not a starter on this team? In the games that I've seen he has actually been one of the few players to create anything offensively. He has a nice bit of creativity and touch, at least when compared with the rest of the U.S. team play.

I agree that Convey played well in the last friendly, setting up plays and making some very nice moves and passes. However, I believe DaMarcus Beasley is ahead of him at the left midfielder position, who is very fast, strong on both offense and defence, and has the ability to take defenders on one-on-one. Beasley also has experience in the World Cup, whereas Convey does not. Hence, Beasley starts over Convey.

Both are good midfielders, they just happen to play the same position; though it wouldn't surprise me if Bruce Arena slides Convey in at some other position (Right Midfield??) or moves Beasley to another position (Left Wingback if Bruce Arena tries the 5-3-2 or 3-5-2, though a 3 man backline...worries me.) to accomodate the two.

25 minute update

-Predicted roster was a bit off, as I noticed Oguchi Onyewu is in.
-Bobby Convey is playing well.
-The USMNT as a whole are a lot better at creating offensive pressure on Venezeula.
-Eddie Johnson got hit hard on the head, but he's still playing and seems to be OK.
-Still 0-0.

40 minute update:

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL
-Ching puts it past the keeper on an opportunity created by Convey, IIRC. USA up 1-0
-USMNT pushing for that second goal, as Johnson, Wolff (Playing where Donovan does!), and Convey are continuing to push forward.
-Bocanegra and Oneywu (I keep misspelling it, sorry) are looking strong in the backline.

how does someone from venezuela have long blonde locks?

Aaaaaah, remind me not to play Worldwide Soccer Manager while watching a game. Completely forgot about this as I took on a relegation-battling Real Sociedad side in my sim game (after a VERY successful run with the MetroStars. Only in a video game can they be winners...).

Anyway, I did watch the rest of the friendly and had these thoughts:

-Bocanegra never should have gotten that second card, looked like incidental contact. Regardless of his ejection, he played very well at left back.
-EXCELLENT job by the USMNT offense in pressuring Venezeula in their own end even after scoring their goals.
-Tim Howard's amazing save should still show he's still got it.
-I was very impressed with Convey's and Albright's rushing up the sides.
-If Eddie Johnson and Brian Ching played aggressively towards the ball all the time, maybe the USMNT may not need to rely too heavily on Brian McBride at striker. Both strikers looked good.
-Olsen and Dempsey could have played better, in spite of Dempsey heading in that Johnson cross (which was sweeeeet).
-Beasley didn't show much after he was subbed in, at least you knew Donovan was there...
-Man of the Match is Convey, in my opinion; I think he may have Beasley's spot if DaMarcus doesn't improve in tomorrow's friendly and/or Convey continues to perform well.
-Should I be worried that the "B" team looked sharper than the "A" team? I guess I'll find out tomorrow.

how does someone from venezuela have long blonde locks?

No idea. Uh, hair dye?