England's USA Tour.

Quote:

---

I suppose a possible reason that Beasley didn't play was that the MLS season is still going on. I don't know why he wouldn't play if McBride, Donovan, Johnson, etc. (those who play for MLS teams) played, but I suppose it's a possible reason. If he is injured, I certainly don't know about it.

---

Hang on...

McBride plays for Fulham, Donovan plays for Bayer Leverkusen and Beasley for PSV Eindhoven, all European teams, which is why it made no sense to see Beasley left out as the other two played. They all left the MLS at least a year ago.

Donovan doesn't play for Bayer Leverkusen anymore. He was traded to the LA Galaxy a few months ago, in a deal that sent Carlos Ruiz to FC Dallas. The others were my mistake. I was, for some odd reason, under the impression that McBride still played for Columbus, and Beasley still played for LA. My mistake.

I think Donovan needs to make his bloody mind up! Is he going to keep going back to the mediocrity of the MLS or actually stick it out in one of Europes big leagues. Is this the second or third time he's left Germany, I forget. He obviously just can't cope with the pressure, which is a shame, because I rate him as good striker.

England 3-2 Colombia. Good display from the attack, Owen, Crouch, Beckham, Jenas, Cole and Carrick played well.

Defence was a shambles, James was to blame for Colombia's first goal, Everyone was to blame for the 2nd goal.

Opinions...

I don't think James was to blame for the first goal. No one picked up Yepes, the ball whizzed first past one defender, keeper couldn't reach it, and I think it was Zat Knight on the line who didn't keep it out. The whole defensive unit stood still and were to blame for that one.

Owen...what can I say. Form is temporary, class is permanent. He shoots a message to all the Owen-haters nearly every time he puts on an England shirt and he will go down in history as one of the greatest strikers that ever lived. And to think, he's only 25. Absolutely outstanding. You don't see a great many hat-tricks in International football, and that's two I've seen him score now.

I was impressed with Crouch, Carrick and Jenas. I thought Joe Cole was a bit quiet to be honest, he seemed to try and do too much when he got the ball and gave it away to often for my liking. As one of the more experienced Internationals in the squad I expected a lot better from him.

I thought England conducted themselves quite well against a very good, technically gifted Colombia. It was an entertaining game to watch & I was impressed by both sides passing.
Owen's finishing (despite being offside for the 1st) was top notch. Crouch did hyimself no harm with a decent performance, not outstanding, but decent. He could have done with more crosses to test the relative small height of the Colombian back 4.
Who impressed me most was Carrick & Jenas. Both have had an excellent tour.
For Colombia Yepes impressed at the back as usual & both Angel & Rey looked dangerous.
Over all, good match, solid performance & both teams did themselves no harm for neutrals like myself. Impressive passing football.

The game against Columbia was alright in an attacking sense. Beckham and Owen were both exellent and showed what a difference two class players make to the team. Crouch did ok. He didn't really have many opportunities to get on the score sheet, and seemed alittle clumsy at time's giving the ball away. Overall though not a bad debut. The other 3 mindfield players also had a good game, especially Carrick who I think has a decent chance of making the world cup squad if he plays well for Tottenham next season.

The defense on the other hand was awful. But with Ferdinand, Terry, Upson, Carragher and King all missing from the squad what was to be expected. Glen Johnson is no good at defending when playing right back so what chance as he got in the centre! Knight didn't do to bad but he isn't going to be adding his name to the list above anytime soon.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by NM

Glen Johnson is no good at defending when playing right back so what chance as he got in the centre!

---

You're so right! That's how desperate the situation was though!