The U.S. U-23s got a pretty good result Wednesday in the first scrimmage of their February camp, edging a close to first choice FC Dallas side 2-1, despite finishing the game with nine men.
I had some original thoughts on the camp the other day at ESPN. Here are some quick observations from today’s match:
- This was still not a full strength American team, missing all of the European contingent that will join up when the FIFA break starts after the weekend. That meant a number of second choice starters, including outside backs Kofi Sarkodie and Jorge Villafana. The defense still held up, which is great news. It will only get better when Alfredo Morales and Greg Garza join the team.
- FC Dallas was taking this match seriously, starting much of what will be their first choice come March, and they were unable to dominate. That’s at least a top-half table MLS team (though I have my doubts about them this year), in a more advanced stage of preparation than this Olympic team, and they still came up short.
- It’s just one game, but the potential reemergence of Ike Opara at centerback is a huge relief. When he’s healthy, Opara provides a calm stability in the middle of the field that no other player in the age group has been able to thus far in the cycle. His contribution could be huge in getting the U.S. to London.
- Freddy Adu seems to be asserting himself as a leader in the midfield, and seizing a place on the team by the neck. With Juan Agudelo also playing some midfield, that means the numbers battle is going to leave out a good player or two, meaning Jared Jefrey, Sebastian Lletget, Dilly Duka and Mix Diskerud are probably fighting for two spots in central midfield (Amobi Okugo is in).
- The U.S. should look to dominate the next friendly Friday against NASL team San Antonio, to practice putting away a lesser opponent — a case they might face in the all-important semifinal of qualifying. Either way, next Wednesday against Mexico will be the big test.