Didn't see the game, so hard to comment. Gut feeling was it would be a 2 goal margin loss.
Selection calls with hindsight Bazeley probably got wrong. Not starting Randall, and maybe should have gone 3/5 at the back, with Sheridan starting at RB and Bindon moved in as the 3rd CB. That may have kept the game scoreless for longer, and got the Americans feeling a little anxious. They had to win to stay alive
But they have a side of players either starting in Europe or the MLS. Our run on side included a guy that plays MLS Next Pro, and another who just signed for a MLS club, but who also could play out the rest of 2024 in MLS Next Pro. Their playing resouces are huge compared to ours, but yes doesn't mean we shouldn't try come up with a smart plan to try get a result. I think in this case a back 3/5 with the aim to frustrate them, and counter may have been the best idea. If Old was available, that would have assisted a plan like that
I still reckon the AWs are a chance against them in the September window, if we have all of Wood, Stamenic & Cacace available, and they don't select many of their European pros. They sometimes do go with just mainly domestic MLS selections.
Can see the French game unfortunately being an even bigger loss. But would like to see Sheridan given a chance now. Big benefit for the Nix giving him mins at this higher level. A back 3/5 could just all mean NZ get flooded in midfield, but nothing to lose and see how it goes for 45 mins and then review at HT.
It's not the worst Olympics campaign ever, if it finishes 1W & 2L plus a number of young players exposed to international football.
Selection calls with hindsight Bazeley probably got wrong. Not starting Randall, and maybe should have gone 3/5 at the back, with Sheridan starting at RB and Bindon moved in as the 3rd CB. That may have kept the game scoreless for longer, and got the Americans feeling a little anxious. They had to win to stay alive
But they have a side of players either starting in Europe or the MLS. Our run on side included a guy that plays MLS Next Pro, and another who just signed for a MLS club, but who also could play out the rest of 2024 in MLS Next Pro. Their playing resouces are huge compared to ours, but yes doesn't mean we shouldn't try come up with a smart plan to try get a result. I think in this case a back 3/5 with the aim to frustrate them, and counter may have been the best idea. If Old was available, that would have assisted a plan like that
I still reckon the AWs are a chance against them in the September window, if we have all of Wood, Stamenic & Cacace available, and they don't select many of their European pros. They sometimes do go with just mainly domestic MLS selections.
Can see the French game unfortunately being an even bigger loss. But would like to see Sheridan given a chance now. Big benefit for the Nix giving him mins at this higher level. A back 3/5 could just all mean NZ get flooded in midfield, but nothing to lose and see how it goes for 45 mins and then review at HT.
It's not the worst Olympics campaign ever, if it finishes 1W & 2L plus a number of young players exposed to international football.