4.2.15
ASN Morning Read: The Story of Syd and Alex
The United States women's national team is led by a dynamic duo who just happen to be the best of friends; a potential USMNT left back is getting frustrated; a Tall prospect.
- Sam Borden spends some time with Alex Morgan and Sydney Leroux, coming back with a profile of the pair. The general them is "If you jump, I jump, Syd.": “Alex and I are a rare breed of friends. We’re very competitive with each other, but we’re very close. Like anything, we get into it sometimes. We’ve had fights. But we’re very close, and I think our relationship has grown a lot stronger being in this environment where we are pushing each other all the time.”
- You already know those two U.S. national women's team players, of course. But do you know Julie Johnston? Perhaps you should fix that.
- The Colorado Rapids can't seem to score this season. Of course, teams aren't scoring on Pablo Mastroeni's team either.
- Liviu Bird (remember him?) talks tactics: "Despite seemingly being in more control against Switzerland than Denmark, the U.S. actually kept less possession, attempted fewer passes and connected on a lower percentage of its attempts in Zurich. Even with Bradley in a higher role, the U.S. struggled to penetrate the Swiss penalty area from central areas. Service into the box came from the flanks again, and players aimed a remarkably low number of passes from Zone 14 (directly on top of the 18-yard box) into the area. The problem has plagued the U.S. frequently since the World Cup, as Klinsmann cannot seem to find a playmaker capable of pulling the strings in attack the way Michael Krohn-Dehli did for Denmark." I would say that first sentence is the issue with getting too deep into the weeds when discussing the tactics of an individual game, but no one asked me.
- Robbie Rogers isn't happy with his defense, which isn't great seeing as he's converting to left back: “It's just been a little weird. There's like little moments where I think my decision making hasn't been as good as I want it. ... It's been a little frustrating because it's just little mistakes that make a big difference, and I'm not used to that many in a row like that. It's a little disheartening.”
- Do you know who Maki Tall is? No? Time to change that. If nothing else, he has a great name.
- On the Does Anyone Have An MLS Stadium front, here's a compelling case that Minnesota's new franchise could beat LAFC to MLS. The northern franchise would start in 2017, while LA Dos would have to wait until 2018. Hmmmmm...
