US v. Cuba: Olympic Qualifying 2012
The US U-23 Men’s National Team defeated Cuba U-23 Men’s National Team in their first game of Olympic qualifying in Nashville, TN. The US topped Cuba with six goals on the night from Joe Corona with a hat trick, Juan Agudelo, an own goal off a Brek Shea cross, and a stunning strike from captain Freddy Adu.
The lineups for both sides were:
USA : 1-Bill Hamid; 3-Kofi Sarkodie, 2-Ike Opara, 4-Perry Kitchen, 5-Zarek Valentin; 6-Jared Jeffrey (16-Amobi Okugo, 64), 8-Mix Diskerud, 10-Joe Corona; 7-Freddy Adu (capt.), 9-Juan Agudelo (12-Teal Bunbury, 46), 11-Brek Shea (14-Joe Gyau, 57)
Subs not used: 13-Jorge Villafana, 15-Terrence Boyd, 17-Tony Taylor, 18-Sean Johnson, 19-Sheanon Williams, 20-Michael Stephens; Head Coach: Caleb Porter
CUB : 1-Odisnel Cooper, 2-Yoisel Salazar, 4-Dairo Macias, 5-Renay Malblanche, 6-Osay Martinez, 8-Jorge Farinas (15-Arturo Diz Pe, 24), 10-Maikel Chang, 13-Carlos Domingo Francicso (capt.), 14-Aricheell Hernandez (7-Ricardo Pena, 68), 16-Heviel Cordoves, 17-Dayron Blanco
Subs not used: 3-Yosmel De Armas, 9-Felix Guerra, 11-Daniel Saez, 12-Julio Pichardo, 18-Maykel Reyes; Head coach: Raul Triana Gonzalez
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Bullet Points:
- Caleb Porter probably wants this night to be over and done with and the next match to happen as quickly as possible. The worst thing to happen to the squad is for complacency to set in so early. This match was clearly not representative of a true contest worthy of Olympic qualifying.
- Cuba looked sluggish and without direction, almost devoid of a game plan.
- The central midfield put in a strong performance, and I really like the chemistry between Joe Corona and Mix Diskerud, who are both similar players. You can tell they enjoy their football and are both constantly active.
- Jared Jeffrey, to me, looks a lot like Phil Jones of England and Man United. Phil Jones you will remember was compared to Franco Baresi and Fernando Hierro by a doting Fabio Capello while manager of England. While I won’t go that far, the comparison is being drawn at the players versatility and confidence on the ball — to which I feel he could slot in at the center back position easily.
- Not sure if Perry Kitchen should be at center back or trade places with Jared Jeffrey.
- Not much activity from Freddy Adu. Did we really need him to be active? I would hope that as the elder statesman and leader on this team Freddy is experienced enough to know when his team needs him and when they don’t. Look for Adu to make an impact in the following matches.
- Brek Shea and Juan Agudelo are cementing their place as the future attack duo for US Soccer in the years to come. They both have gradually grown in confidence (it never really seemed like they lacked confidence) but also have grown into a chemistry on the field that is so rare to have between two strikers.
- Seeing this squad perform tonight I was surprised, not about the goals scored or individual performances, but more or less at the team staying true to a philosophy and a system of play regardless of the circumstances. The US were consistent throughout the match in their play and actions surrounding the ball and toward each other, whether it was the first ten minutes or the final twenty minutes of the game.
Thoughts? Reactions? Let us know what you think and leave a comment below.
