He was a marginal figure under Arena, going to the World Cup largely to placate Donovan but never really a key figure.

Now under Bradley the offense revolves around him as a target man. Everything runs through him. We're taking a guy whose playing experience is in USL and MLS and forcing much higher caliber players who have played in top European and Latin leagues to play off of him. It can work in a friendly but will never work when the results matter.

Cooper needs to be integrated NOW! Same for Jozy and Davies.

You know my feelings on the whole Ching issue. With that being said, he was exceptional on Saturday night. However, on the negative side, he didn't even come close to attempting a shot on goal and that is still a big issue with me and that rears it's ugly head too often for my tastes.

I feel Ching is a lock starter until someone can beat him out and while you, me and the lamp post all want that player to be Jozy, he just won't get the opportunity until he can get some consistent time in Spain, which he most likely won't get until after the World Cup. This isn't to say that he can't come off the bench for the US and score some goals but it's hard when you don't get regular minutes, even at age 19.

I am still very impressed with the rate at which the National Team scores on set pieces. While most people bitch and complain about our inability to score from open play, being able to score from set pieces is a HUGE part of international soccer. When you get bottled up by a good opponent, you can always rely on your set piece ability to score goals.

This is a good thing.

Thought the commentating was horrific. I really don't like Bretos or Sullivan. The keys to the game are hardly insightful. Max was stammering his way through the downtime and at one point was completely reading something below him and not looking at the camera.

If FSC is going to make it they need to step it up.