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A pinpoint low strike from Trinidad and Tobago attacking midfielder Kevin Molino breathed fresh life into the Soca Warriors’ Russia 2018 World Cup campaign tonight as they edged Panama 1-0 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain.
It also marked a triumphant debut for former World Cup 2006 defender Dennis Lawrence who made his first outing as a head coach tonight.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
There was the odd flutter at the back but, largely, it was a serene outing for Trinidad and Tobago who defended resolutely and never looked in danger of a third successive CONCACAF Hex defeat.
Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president David John-Williams targeted four points from his team’s two home matches against Panama tonight and Mexico on Tuesday—but few thought it was a realistic ask. That might be about to change though.
There were roughly 6,000 spectators at the Hasely Crawford Stadium at kick-off and, by halftime, there were barely 10,000 patrons in a venue built for 23,000. It was a huge drop off in attendance that should prompt some soul-searching within the local football body.
But, more importantly, the Warriors showed up.
On paper, Lawrence had a crisis at centre-back with Radanfah Abu Bakr and Carlyle Mitchell injured and Sheldon Bateau suspended. In their places, he started two Pro League players, Daneil Cyrus and Curtis Gonzales. The latter defender was making his first appearance of the World Cup campaign while the former’s calamitous form was partly responsible for Trinidad and Tobago’s woeful start in the Hex.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
It would be a stretch to say the pair were flawless tonight. But it was close enough. In truth, their jobs were made easier by a solid defensive shape that offered little space to their Central American opponents down the middle while full-backs Carlos Edwards and Mekeil Williams held their own on either flank.
In their last seven outings, Panama managed just five goals—and that included home matches against Belize, Nicaragua and El Salvador—and their lack of offensive presence haunted them again in Port-of-Spain.
Joevin Jones gave early warning that the hosts meant business with a dipping shot from 25 yards in the 13th minute, which needed to be helped over by opposing goalkeeper Jaime Penedo. Yet, it still seemed to be a pleasant surprise when Molino opened the scoring with a sweet, precise low effort from just outside the penalty area in the 37th minute.
It was Molino’s first appearance of the Hex after a two-match internal suspension for twice breaking the team’s curfew to party. Tonight, the dancehall king set the Hasely Crawford Stadium dancing.
Incidentally, Panama central defender Roman Torres was off the field attending to his footwear at the time. It was a costly wardrobe malfunction.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
Alongside Molino, Kenwyne Jones rolled back the years with an energetic, bustling performance that stretched the opposing backline and created space for his namesake, Joevin, and the scorer to operate.
In the first half alone, Kenwyne probably made more sprints that he had in the last two games combined. It was always likely that the giant forward had more to contribute to his country’s cause once he returned to full fitness.
It was not a particular fluent performance yet from the Warriors—and Lawrence met most of his players for the first time just this week. But the hosts looked more dangerous for much of the game.
Molino ran on to a Kenwyne flick on in the 61st minute and Torres looked a fraction late with his shoulder challenge, as defender and attacker fell to the ground in a heap.
Penalties have been awarded for less. But Honduran referee Orlando Matamoros waved play on.
Then in the 67th minute came what might have been the play of the match.
Kenwyne chased a ball over the top and surprised opposing defender Felipe Baloy with his turn of pace. The sphere was about to roll across the goal line when the Atlanta United forward caught up to it and Baloy lunged in to block the expected cross.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
Instead, Kenwyne chopped the ball inside of his opponent and Baloy went flying so far off the field that he might have needed a taxi to get back to the ground.
But then, with three Trinidad and Tobago attackers outnumbering the two Panamanian defenders in the area, Kenwyne tried to surprise the goalkeeper at his near post and hooked the ball disappointingly wide with his left foot.
Joevin and substitute Levi Garcia, who were waiting for the cross, were not impressed. For Kenwyne’s critics, it was the fuel they had been looking for.
However, the more knowledgeable football fans surely could not help but notice that Trinidad and Tobago are a far more dangerous team when the big number nine is playing well, even when he is not scoring.
The lineman’s flag denied Panama substitute Luis Tejada, who drove the ball between the legs of Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams in the 75th minute. And opposing midfielder Anibal Godoy had two decent looks in the last 15 minutes but failed to take either while Cyrus put hearts in mouth with a slash in his own box in the dying seconds of the game.
The last 10 minutes apart, though, Trinidad and Tobago deserved the win.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
The Warriors remain second from bottom with three points but trail fourth-placed United States by just goal difference. And fourth is good enough for the FIFA Play-offs.
Mexico lead the group with seven points while Costa Rica are second with six. But only one point separates third-placed Panama (four points) and table-proppers Honduras (three points).
A draw against Mexico on Tuesday can keep the Warriors close to the pack, even as United States surge up the standings. A win over Mexico could move Trinidad and Tobago to fourth.
Only three of the 14 players used by Lawrence tonight are playing regular competitive football at present while eight of them are in either post-season or pre-season. It will be hard for them to maintain tonight’s energy levels in four days’ time.
Bateau is available again and Lawrence might consider making another change or two to freshen his team up. The six-foot-seven coach did little wrong tonight and he will no doubt relish the challenge.
(Teams)
Trinidad and Tobago (4-2-3-1): 21.Jan-Michael Williams (GK); 11.Carlos Edwards, 25.Curtis Gonzales, 5.Daneil Cyrus, 17.Mekeil Williams; 19.Kevan George, 8.Khaleem Hyland; 7.Cordell Cato (16.Levi Garcia 64), 10.Kevin Molino (13.Hughtun Hector 79), 3.Joevin Jones; 9.Kenwyne Jones (captain) (20.Jamille Boatswain 83).
Unused substitutes: 1.Marvin Phillip (GK), 22.Glenroy Samuel (GK), 2.Aubrey David, 12.Hashim Arcia, 14.Andre Boucaud, 18.Tristan Hodge, 23.Leston Paul, 26.Willis Plaza, 27.Nathan Lewis.
Coach: Dennis Lawrence
Panama (4-1-4-1): 1.Jaime Penedo (GK); 13.Adolfo Machado (2.Michael Amir 74), 23.Felipe Baloy (captain), 5.Roman Torres, 17.Luis Ovalle; 21.Amilcar Henriquez; 8.Edgar Barcenas (9.Gabriel Torres 63), 11.Armando Cooper, 20.Anibal Godoy, 19.Alberto Quintero (18.Luis Tejada 57); 22.Abdiel Arroyo.
Unused substitutes: 12.Jose Calderon (GK), 3.Jan Carlos, 4.Roderick Miller, 7.Oscar Villarreal, 10.Alejandro Taylor, 14.Miguel Camargo, 16.Josiel Nunez, 15.Eric Davis.
Coach: Hernan Gomez
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
World Cup qualifiers
(Friday 24 March 2017)
Trinidad and Tobago 1 (Kevin Molino 37), Panama 0 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain.
Mexico 2 (Javier Hernandez 5, Nester Araujo 45), Costa Rica 0 at the Estadio Azteca, Mexico City;
United States 6 (Sebastian LLetget 5, Michael Bradley 27, Clint Dempsey 32, 49, 54, Christian Pulisic 46), Honduras 0 at the Avaya Stadium, California.
CONCACAF Hex Standings
(Tabulated as Played-Won-Drawn-Lost-Goals For-Goals Against-Points)
Mexico 3-2-1-0-4-1-7
Costa Rica 3-2-0-1-6-2-6
Panama 3-1-1-1-1-1-4
United States 3-1-0-2-7-6-3
T&T 3-1-0-2-2-5-3
Honduras 3-1-0-2-3-8-3
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Our players have to make a concerted effort to raise their fitness level to at least level 7 or 8. They started to slow down after 30mins. We can’t afford that against the US & Mexico. However, I saw some of the natural flear and attacking touches I know we are capable of playing.
Bravo
There is still room for improvement.
From the moment he (Coach Lawrence) was hired, I was happy!!!!!!!From the first day I watched the team and their approach to training session, I was elated and happy to “d” bone….with this first “important” victory, I am smiling from ear to ear with my chest pushed up, head high and proud of the entire team’s effort…..Players are still getting their hands around Coach Lawrence’s system so we must continue to be patient. I was concerned about fitness in the second half of play and we MUST continue to bring up our fitness level. We “TnT Soca Warriors Fans”, need to step our game up”…While the team is working on their fitness, we need to lift their spirts when the energy level is low.
For the upcoming Mexico game, the stadium “MUST” be packed and loud to the point where Mexico players and coaches can’t even hear themselves “THINK”… We all know the importance of this game, now it is time to “SHOW UP” and support or Shut Up….
WE have the coach, WE have the talent and now WE need the ENTIRE country in the stands supporting the Soca Warriors!!!! TTFA when the Mexico game is said and done……PLEASE pay the players and let there be NO discussions about payment for players or coaching staff…
Soca Warrior till I die!!!!!
Clint, very valid. However, you omitted to mention that the TTFA too should do, should have done, its part by dropping, not raising, the price of the tickets. Better to take a loss at the gates, I would think, in an effort to enhance your chances of an all-important win on the field. That assuimes of course, that the football results matter more than the football receipts.
But myopia and selfishness, not foresight and patriotism, are football’s administrators’ strong suit. And because “genius” and “jenny ass” aren’t too far distant from each other, we can’t be sure just which is the one making marketing decisions in the TTFA offices.
hahahahaha Them really good yes.
Who was #17? Williams? He was a mess in the second half
Kenwyne always had it in him. I wonder why it took him so long to perform this excellent..I trust he continue.
Tnt finishing 6th in the hex
such confidence. thanks eh, Trini Don
I am going out on a limb Honduras sold that game?6-0 in a hex from a weak US team!
Lol. I watched that game. And they didn’t. USA caught them with their pants down. Just like when we travelled there last year.
Okay cool ?
Pulisic could go on to be one of the best players in the world. He is on fire.
Totally outplayed
He is a rare find…he creates space similar to Hardest and vision like Latas
Pulisic is really good Lasana Liburd i agree, i wont be surprise if bayern or real or barca come knocking
Lasana I was telling people that (about Pulisic) last night. However, the hate for the US is strong
lol
Pulisic is similar to Hardest and Latapy? He is good but he too young and inexperienced to have dat rating.
Mel Lissa usa investing in their team, hence the reason the results, so why ppl hating ???
Trinis never forgot 1990 Trini Don
I hope Barca signs Pulisic tho 🙂
He would be sitting on barca bench for a while, unless one of the front three is injured
He is not on the level of Barca players but is a good player
He could split minutes with Iniesta. He isn’t quite at that level yet. I agree. But he is on the rise.
He sure had an input in Dortmund getting into the CL playoffs ..I hear Liverpool wants him
Lasana – Americans overhype their players. Pulisic has a long long way to go. Just in Serie A I can count many who are much better. Martens, Suso, Deulofeu, Insigne, etc
Well its him and dembele who are d youths doin wonders at dortmond
Yup
Simone, I have no clue what Americans are saying about the player. I’m basing this on what I saw of him so far for club and country.
He barely got started playing regularly at Dortmund. And Concacaf qualifying with all respect is nowhere near the Europe elite level.
I haven’t seen what the Americans say either. The guy actually got me to follow Dortmund
What’s with the hate on USA? Nobody in Europe worries about USA more than they worry about Finland
Simone Ghirlanda i agree concacaf is crap, and tnt with that team is very weak, we may end up with 7-9 points maximum
Wrong Simone he is a very good player playing the German league 1,he is playing in the champions league and making an impact..he is world class amongst all the names you mentioned
Who’s hating on America? You suggested our opinions were influenced by US media. It isn’t. The boy has a special quality. Doesn’t matter how rarely he plays.
If you follow any industry well, you can tell pretty quickly if someone has a special quality and he has it.
He is nowhere close to any of them which is fine cause he is younger
Deulofeu and Suso are very likely to be starters for Spain in the next couple of years. Maertens easily top 5 in Europe in his position. Americans think Giovinco is from another planet, Insigne is much more effective.
Pulisic will probably reach further than all of those players. But no sense debating it now. I’d say take a screen shot of this conversation and let’s get back to it in two or three years.
LMAO
I remember in Messi’s breakout season, I was having this same debate with a fan who said Robinho is better. He was better then. But Messi had more quality. He proved it soon enough too.
I am sure you watched Suso and Deulofeu a lot?
Or Maertens
Deulofeu was called by Spain this time around. Suso got injured or also would have been.
But he is an American not playing for Celtic or some small club he is shining at this time just like those names you mentioned how long he can keep up there remains to see
So funny how highly you think of your eye and how little you think of everyone else’s Simone. I notice what you have to say about the Pro League players all the time.
Yesterday, three from our back four plus the goalkeeper all play in the Pro League right now. We held Panama scoreless.
Panama would have gone first in the group if they won.
Did you address that?
LMAO Panama with no strikers
Panama who scored 4 goals in last 7 games and yesterday missed 3 goals easy
Right. I figure that would be easier for you to say Simone. That allows you to stay in your bubble which says that T&T football is crap. And you are the only person here who knows anything about football.
Panama is good?
If Central American football is so far superior, then how were Pro League players able to hold off Central American attackers?
Panama would be 5th or 6th in a Europe group qualifier
Smh. Hopeless yes.
Panama last attacker was Blas Perez. Now they have none
Who played striker yesterday for Panama? Tell me about their stats and where they play club.
Panama could play hours like Jamaica without scoring. That’s the only other team I know which plays without strikers. T&T is far superior with attackers.
Panama and Honduras would be 5th or 6th (last) in a Europe group qualifier
I will help you out Simone Ghirlanda:
Abdiel Arroyo started. He plays for Danubio in Uruguay. He has 3 international goals in 25 matches.
Gabriel Torres came on. He plays for Lausanne in Switzerland. He has 10 international goals in 60 matches.
Luis Tejada also came on. He plays for Universitario in Peru. He has 43 international goals in 100 caps.
Is Peru, Switzerland and Uruguay football lower than the Pro League? Or is it just that the local players need some credit but you won’t give it to them for fear that it shows you don’t know as much as you think?
Costa Rica has no strikers either. They have to choose between Marco Urena and Venegas. They average 1-2 goals per season in club. Check their stats.
Credit where it is due.
Torres failed in MLS. Lausanne is bottom table in Switzerland, how many goals?
Tell me about their club stats. I can too score vs Anguilla. Carlos Ruiz top scorer of all times. Better than Messi and Ronaldo. LMAO
Lasana Liburd u have stats boi lol
Arroyo 2 goals at club level in last 2 seasons: http://us.soccerway.com/players/abdiel-arroyo/166554/
Simone Ghirlanda this tnt team is crap, we will be lucky to get more than 9 points
I think T&T has more offensive power than Panama and overall better team than Honduras. Would be a shame not to get 4th place.
Lol. So Panama who were third at the last Gold Cup, runners up in 2013, second in Central American competition this year–and you’re always raving about Central American football btw–it just so happens that they have crap forwards because some Pro League boys stopped them from scoring?
Gotcha. Well no wonder Lawrence hasn’t called up any of your players from Central America then.
If we beat panama in panama city and honduras home and sneak a victory against america home…. we can make 12 points ..
Most likely we would need 14 to qualify though.
They didnt stop them. They missed 3 easy easy chances
MLS which is what most Concacaf players outside of Mexico aspire to, has been all over Costa Ricans, Panamanians and even Hondurans like Houston Dynamo. You should ask why they sign those players straight with no trial in MLS and they bring players from T&T Pro on trial and mostly to join USL but the exception is they sign straight if proven in other leagues including Central America, like Mekeil. Ask all GMs of mighty MLS teams why they trust stats in Central American leagues.
That means we will have to draw in costa rica and in.mexico…. not impossible but difficult task….
You should ask Britto if Honduras League is not harder than TT Pro. I dare you to ask him and publish the answer.
I never said it wasn’t. But you’re not grasping my point. Which is if their leagues are better and we can still put local players on the field and compete or better them in any aspect, it must mean our local players or league might have a little more than you give them credit for.
But I won’t belabor the point. Just want to be clear.
Anyway next is Mexico. Maybe you should go with an all TT Pro team to have a third leg of W Connection – Pumas. In case 12 goals in 2 games weren’t enough using their subs. Ah and at least one player looks to be there from that same side who took 12 from Pumas.
It have good local players who will do well on international stage once given opportunity… As u saw last evening cyrus and boyo and jan did well who are local players…. So sometimes its not about league but how you apply yourself
I always said there are a few, in general very few, good players in TT Pro who have what it takes to play at the next level. But they require leaving TT Pro as a first step.
TT proleague is improving in all aspect except the financial part. But in terms of standard of play and players going to next level their are good points to take from the league
Listen guys I am not going to sugar coat it. You mention a player that got waved quick by not 1 but 2 MLS sides. Then he went on trial to other teams and failed. It costs you all 6 points in the first 2 games. Now he is the new Bonucci cause he stopped or better put survived horrible finishing from Panama super strikers?
Do we want to talk about the most prolific striker of TT Pro this season? He failed to earn a contract in USL after trialing at Charleston. So let’s not kid ourselves. There are very few players in that league that can manage an Hexagonal qualifying process. To have 13 of them is completely nuts regardless of laughable inability by Panama to finish chances.
Simone Ghirlanda nobody says he is he new Bonucci. First of all, nobody here would use Bonucci as a reference because nobody in the world uses Italian players as a reference for greatness anymore.
And the point is if you can point out how crap he is when he does badly, you should be able to say when he has a good night.
If you can’t manage it then no worries. We are who we are.
Bet if Cyrus signed for you and you sent him to Honduras, he would be “the new Bonucci” from the moment he stepped on the tarmac though.
LMAO what an idiotic statement on Italian football. Good attempt to trolling.
I have no interest to sign with him. He has no market in US, Mexico and Europe. Zero.
Before I go please tell us here which Centre Back is worth more than Bonucci on the market currently by TM $40 million Euros. ??? http://www.transfermarkt.com/leonardo-bonucci/profil/spieler/39983
Matt Hummels? No http://www.transfermarkt.com/mats-hummels/profil/spieler/39728
Pique? Same and he gets the benefit to play along side Messi http://www.transfermarkt.com/gerard-pique/profil/spieler/18944
You think Italian football is still a marker for greatness in the sport Simone? Okay. I admire your patriotism. And I’m actually not looking to pick a fight there at all. Cheers.
So next time wash your mouth before you say things that make you look uninformed
Hahaha. Everyone is uninformed next to you Simone. I don’t think I am special there. 😉 Cheers
“Bonucci is not great” LMAO
What’s next some EPL GK is better than Donnarumma
??????
TTPro league is like Italian 5th/6th division. Accept it. Words of Stefano Monti
Simone Ghirlanda thats a harsh thing to say about a quality player
As far as I know, it wasn’t that Cyrus didn’t impress you. It was YOU who didn’t impress Cyrus when you were trying to sign him.
But I’m sure you think that Dwayne James is much more Bonucci-like. Lol.
Take care man.
Not because u are top scorer in pro league means u get contract out side.. and there are players who are not the best in league but will earn contract outside… its how u apply yourself when the opportunity comes
Jamal, Yaya Toure once failed to get a contract after a trial with Arsenal. Players like Cafu failed to land deals after almost a dozen trials.
Let the man bray though. 😉
Well he is playing at mighty W Connection at 26. Or is he now teamless? Why you talk about Dwane. He is educated and respectful and he is a lot more technical. He is earning respect at what he is doing.
I never tried to sign Cyrus for full disclosure. Club Xelaju in Guatemala was looking for a free CB and he was a possible candidate they asked me to reach out to since he played vs Guatemala shortly before in the 2-1 win away. He said that $4,000 USD per month net was shitty money to play at Xelaju. And that was the end of our relationship. I am sure he makes more in TT Pro, I need to start moving players from Guatemala league the highest paid in Central America to TT Pro ?
Simone Ghirlanda we shouldnt compare the two… they are both good players with one who has more experience at international…. one is your client and one isnt so off course you will favor the one who is your client…. but regardless of your view on cyrus for what ever reason… he is a quality defender when focus and playing in has rightful position at CB
Simone Ghirlanda everyone needs help at some point.. So if he reach out to you nothing is wrong with that….. money wise the pro league isnt the best place and players are getting older and markets are getting smaller… So any player will reach out to a top agent like yourself….. even i will do that ….So dont look at it from that point of view alone…. if you can help him then help him cause i am sure both parties will profit in the end..
Simone Ghirlanda well you know the situation better than i do…..
I glad u speak will of trini players now… i feel proud
I agree @the Jamal Jack statement. But you aint hadda be so petty simone…..
Yeah he coming across like an ass …didn’t look for him there ….
We all have to try to be more like Mr Live Wire and watch football from his angle where Italian footballers like Bonucci are not great ?
You are always trying to deflect. What I said is that nobody currently uses Italian players as references for greatness. That is reserved for players like Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar, Kante, etc… I think you conveniently twist things that allow your view of the world to remain untouched.
A fool never changes his mind you know.
And Dwane James no where near to Cyrus in terms of quality.
Oh gorm Joshua. If an Italian say so, then is so. ANY Italian. Apparently you get a UEFA A coaching license with your birth paper in Italy and you learn how to scout players before your A, B, Cs. Lol.
I mean I recognise the football brain of Ancelotti and Conte and even Morace. But some people stretch credibility with their unstinting faith in their own brilliance.
We were talking about defenders and you are truly uninformed if you ignore that Italy despite not having Maldini, Nesta, Baresi, Cannavaro does have some of the very best. You made a fool of yourself because Bonucci currently is among top 5 highest valued defenders in the World.
Anyway I don’t want to drag on this debate. I think that the Pro League players in defence deserve some credit for a clean sheet in the Hex last night. You thing otherwise. And we agree to disagree. Small thing.
Simone. Ain’t wanna be outta timing…. but as a professional you really shouldn’t drag a player thru the mud like that (sarcastically saying he asking you for help) … with all due respect and no offense intended.
You don’t know the history but seems like Mr Live Wire knows it. He said I didn’t impress Cyrus. So you should ask him not to start in the first place. Second, that tells me that it’s not me trying to drag anyone through the mud but quite the opposite. I don’t need to impress anyone, certainly I am at a stage where finding players is not the issue. That’s probably true for most intermediaries.
I never said finding players is an issue. I’m simply sayinh that BcuZ a player didn’t want the offer you provided at the time, doesn’t mean you need to think you’re high and might by downing anyone. In the famous words of “uncle ben” With great power comes great responsibility.
Again you dont know the full history. Maybe Mr Live Wire was told a version of it so you should ask him.
NO WONDER GUARDIOLA LOVES HIM! BONUCCI IS NOW THE BEST DEFENDER IN THE WORLD
Serie A may no longer be the best league in the world but it still produces the best coaches and, arguably, the best defenders. Furthermore, Bonucci is blessed with a vision and natural footballing ability that is rare in the modern game. He is, in many ways, Guardiola’s ideal centre-half.
http://www.goal.com/euro2016/en/article/no-wonder-guardiola-loves-him-bonucci-is-now-the-best-defender-in-the-world/1n38u7zdbvomb1jlo8xl6gjesr
Smh. Goal is a website run by poorly paid interns. Give it a rest. Agree to disagree.
Thread still going
🙂
LMAO Lasana you are hilarious. The interns made up words of Guardiola exactly like you tried to make up mine to make me look bad. I am doing a huge favor to a lot of your country men by helping them put themselves out there and make a living. It’s too bad you don’t have the courtesy to keep the conversation on the original topic which was Pulisic, who I reiterate has been super hyped by US media like they super hype all their mediocre players, paying millions to Michael Bradley. Beasley at 21 was too playing and scoring in Champions League for PSV and we saw how his career shaped out. Still waiting for a name of a higher valued defender than Bonucci or you admitting trolling. Buffon is not great? Chiellini? Barzagli? Belotti? Insigne? Verratti? If Pulisic turns out to be at the level of any of these players, he will be the best American player in history by a long shot, possibly of Concacaf.
Not sure where this started but if someone is suggesting that Pulisic is over hyped and over rated I must agree. I have known the kid since he was 12 playing for PA Classics not far from where our Warren Archibald lives. He is good but also 50 percent USA media hype. Its a pattern with USA football to pick a few each generation for they hype. The next one you will here about is Andrew Cureton who plays at Atlanta United.
Over hyped. Playing at borrusia Dortmund? One of the best scouting establishments in world football today?
That is all.
Landon Donavan was at Bayern Leverkusen at 17. Follow the media hype on him and you will see the pattern. If not you probably will believe Trump is a billionaire
So…… Landon Donovan wasn’t a great American footballer???? #AskingForAFriend
America has produced on truly world class field player, Claudia Reyna. I am not sure what you mean by great.
Sean – You are right. Americans still struggle to understand football world dynamics because they severely lack quality players so as soon as they see the resemblance of one they start over hype. Altidore was going to be the new Drogba? Agudelo? The list goes on. Have you heard Italians hyping Locatelli like Americans hype Pulisic? Of course not, because we Italians know that a few U20 every year will debut, look bright and lose themselves within 1-2 seasons. Locatelli after scoring two wonder goals in his first few games including a winner vs Juventus, has started showing his weaknesses and back to the bench. I remember Roberto Baronio hyped to be better than Pirlo or Salvatore Fresi the new Baresi. Now we know better. For every Pulisic countries like Italy Spain France Germany etc produce probably 10-15 similar level players every 1-2 seasons. Anyone recalls Borjan? How about Gio Do Santos new Ronaldinho? You get the point. Pulisic may become great or may remain how he is now by age 25 in which case he would be an average player. We just don’t know. Also keep in mind some remarkable players fly under the radar until age 25 or so just like Bonucci now recognized top defender in the World almost universally except by Lasana who considers him probably at level of Brooks the tall defender of USA. And it’s funny I mention Drogba who flew under the radar until age 25 to then become a top top striker.
Claudio Reyna world class? My friend he had less of a career than Thiago Motta who is absolutely mediocre. I guess prospectives.
Simone – I understand America’s incentive for hyping but we should not buy it whole cloth. Reyna world class is for perspective to Donovan being great American players.
Agree always liked him. I do think he was better than Thiago Motta.
He probably wasn’t but American players are so far behind the Europeans and South Americans its really unfair to compare. The development system in the US is still probably 50 years away from being able to develop players that will be comparable.
If you ask me in Italy they are over hyping Donnarumma who has so much to improve to get to Buffon level yet he has over 50 Serie A games at age 18 and likely new Real Madrid GK in the next transfer window
Federico Macheda anyone?
Wow! I forgot about Macheda, Is he back in Italy?
Why do you keep drawing reference from Italy Simone Ghirlanda?
Christian Pulisic has already made a better impression than Landon Donovan did in his entire time in Germany
The Dortmund faithful love him so much, people from Dortmund thought he was German
But yes he is overrated. #MADTING
Because Italy is where almost all the big time players in the 80s, 90s and early 2000s played. Almost the entire France 98 squad played in Italy, they were trained by Italian coaches. Speaking of Italy, how many folks rated Zidane before he arrived at Juve from Bordeaux in his mid 20s?
Macheda now plays at Novara in Serie B
Where did it go wrong with macheda tho
Inconsistency, mentality, over hyped
So because the Dortmund faithful love him and they mistook a player of Croation descent for German henis not overrated. Perfect sense Brendon Romero…
Did you guys know Aubemayang along with his older brothers came through Ac Milan academy? They gave him no chance with the first team. When AC Milan had the money they would basically never give chance to the U19 players coming out of the academy, now they have little money so we see again players getting to the first team like Donnarumma and Locatelli. Dortmund historically has relied on its academy, if Pulisic was in a team like Bayern or City probably he would still be playing with the U19 side.
Another very interesting topic is that Mexico has been consistently great at U17 and U20 level and even won gold at olympics at U23 level, yet none of those players turned out to be world super stars. I actually know some unemployed currently.
Sean no, because he’s that good (and came from the academy)
Why don’t you people actually just sit down and watch him play properly, understand how intelligent his movement is and understand his willingness to run at players, instead of just saying he’s another overhyped American?
Simone- its a good point you make about Dortmund relying on Academy, Pulisic cousin the goal keeper just signed at Dortmund. The other variable the need for a EU passport has helped but hindered some. Haji Wright is now a Shalke 04 and other American players that have to wait for 18. Another potential American is Matthew Olosunde who is at ManU but not with first team. Both Wright and Olosunde are same age with Pulisic and some would rate above
Will do. Anyway the positive is that he has been fully developed in Germany, here in USA he would be playing in college now and maybe miss out on the MLS draft cause he doesn’t bench press well.
Brendon..maybe you missed my first statement that I personally know and saw the kid play since he was 12 in Pennsylvania before the move to Germany.
And what does that have to do with how he performs now?
For mex. Game t& t level must be better
To be honest I thought they (our team) would have lost all things considered. Panama supposed to be a good team right?
Happy for our boys on the win though. Hope they can keep it up. We’ll see in the next game.
Love the points. Kinda scrappy but points is what counts
Suspended
Thanks
Sorry if it was mentioned before but what happened to Bateau?
You wicked kev. The pro league is no where near that in attendance
Lasana Liburd looks like Molino plays for another team. What they do? Bring them home to play for their national team and send them back?
I don’t understand what you mean…
mate, they kill kenwayne in this commentry even tho we won lol Tom Barker
What is an internal suspension?
Meant imposed by your own team rather than from CONCACAF or FIFA.
Thnks…Can u explain if that meant he could not represent us at these qualifiers? If so why wud that make sense? Isn’t that like banning my kids from chores or school for mis behaviour
It meant that we decided not to play him in our first two games against Costa Rica and Honduras. It was totally up to our team. If we wanted to use him, we could have.
Ohhhhhhh i see…. hmmmmmm
Who’s suspended?
Kevin Molino was suspended for the first two Hex matches after he broke camp twice to party. But that’s sorted and he obviously returned with a bang.
Oh that, Ok I thought someone was suspended after last night.
Ok. Not that I am aware. I will double check.