1st Half/ USA V. IRAN

[jsbach]

I just watched the first half of the USA/Iran friendly.
Well... as great as I think it is that this match is taking place, I so far think it's one of the USA's worst performances since France.

For the first 20 minutes, their defense has looked shaky at best. Balboa and Agoos seem slow and clumsy. Freidel looks panicked.

Reyna and Lewis are the only players that are looking good so far.
Jones is getting mugged every time he touches the ball, but if he'd stop his habit of whining and cursing the official every time someone touches him, perhaps he'd make some plays and even get some calls.

Overall the US team looks out of sync... I guess that should be no surprise considering the MLS is off season, and the USA has been rather inactive lately...

They are also playing a fine Iranian team that has had two matches this week to prepare.
Mahdavikia looks splendid, BTW... He is a step quicker than any of the US defenders.
Azizi looks good at times, but is suffering from the same whining disease Cobi Jones has.

Unfortunately I have to go to work, so I will not see the second half until I watch it later on tape.

2nd half just started... Already the USA looks like a different team.
Armas just scored. Not pretty, but with Iran stacking their whole squad in front of the net, they won't be pretty!

Gotta go...

USA 1 Iran 1

 

[jsbach]

Ok... I just watched the rest of the match.
Overall, things settled down a bit for the USA and they had some very nice periods of possession.
There was a lot of attacking play, and both squads showed some high level skills at times.
The match easily could have been 3-3 instead of 1-1. Both sides missed or hit the woodwork on a number of occasions.

Overall it wound up being a very entertaining match.
1-1 was a fair result.

It was wonderful to see that crowd of about 50,000 Iranian-Americans cheering the entrance of both teams.
Some real class shown all around.

I hope it becomes a regular matchup.

 

[gmartinz]

I was at the match at the Rose Bowl; had great seats for the second half, on the east (I think) side, inside the penalty area, on row 10, so was able to see the US attack on the left side (Iran's right) real well.

I disagree about the first half in this regard: I thought the US forced the effort throughout. In the second half, I felt their attack slowed with about 20 minutes to go; almost as if they were playing for the tie and trying to avoid a loss.

But . . . Tabatabei is goal was terrific. If could've easily been 3 - 1 U.S. without him.

Are Iranian players permitted to have "groupies?" I have to tell you, there were some strikingly beautiful young women hanging over the railings when the Iranian's were warming up. Unless, of course, it's a U.S. ploy: woo Azizi and Daei to America and we finally have a world-class attack!

[This message has been edited by gmartinz (edited 01-17-2000).]

 

[jsbach]

gmartinz,
You didn't happen to be interviewed by someone did you? I could swear I saw a comment on the TV news that night from a G Martinez...

Anyway...
I wrote my initial comments during some of the weaker play by the USA. You must admit that the defending on that goal was horrible.
Defenders standing watching everywhere...

On watching Armas' goal again in replay, I will correct myself... It was a wonderful passing sequence, cross, decoy, and finish.
Fine stuff.

Funny you should mention Tabatabei... the announcers on ESPN were constantly talking about how terribly he was playing... it was odd. He had one or two shaky plays, but I'd agree with you that he had many fine one's as well. Freidel certainly didn't look very confident himself, but they made no mention of that.
(He's GOT to find his way out of Liverpool and get some 1st team, regular play. He'd be better off in MLS than not even sitting on the bench at Anfield!)

Azizi definitely made his prescence known, though I found myself wondering if he'd break through a few more times if he didn't flop everytime anyone touches him, or his shirt.
I didn't really think Daei did all that much to impress. (Not that I'm saying he isn't a fine player... just not his best on that day.)

I wish the USA could get a regular striker to work more frequently with Reyna. His instincts are wonderful. He also seems to be stronger physically... perhaps due to his Rangers experience. Perhaps Cobi Jones might benefit with some Scottish experience too?