The national team had a short 1 hour open training session at the Columbus Crew Stadium tonight at 6 p.m. The USA had previously also held a one hour session, which was held behind closed doors. Of note was that while no one not from US Soccer was allowed to watch the U.S. train, everyone and their mother was allowed to watch Jamaica train. U.S. Soccer scouts and technical staff hung around after their session to watch Jamaica’s session, and were seen taking copious notes. Yours truly and Karl were escorted unceremoniously out of the stadium by a U.S. Soccer “press officer” and evicted when we turned up to watch the U.S. training session. Our lack of expertise in espionage was made abundantly clear all.

Right after the session started at 5:00 p.m.it was interrupted by CONCACAF officials who asked to see all Jamaica team passports, a normal action required of all national teams prior to play a WCQ game. This check took about 10 minutes. This was to become very relevant as when the Columbus Crew officials motioned to Lazaroni at 6:00 p.m. that he should stop training as time was up, Laza got into an argument with them to try to get back the 10 minutes lost earlier. He was unsuccessful and the lights were turned off.

But on the training itself. Tyrone Marshall had joined the squad at the hotel today after being allowed time off to be with his family in Florida. Not much time to do much at this final training, so after warm-up runs and stretching, Laza played a full field game with emphasis on quality passing, high pace and compact formations in support in attack, transition and defence. The bibs side, and the side most likely to start were:

-----------GK: Tallist
Cafu-----Stew Peas-----Pepe-----Bibi
Bomber---Granny-----Tapa-----Straight Prison
---------Damani-------Boo----

With 10 minutes to go in the scrimmage, the likely tactical subs of King Marlon and Euell were brought on. Note to forum: someone needs to give Euell a nickname

On the bibs side all except the Bomber looked especially sharp, although he did score with a well and calmly executed goal that was sublime in its simplicity.

Andy Williams and Theodore Whitmore should NEVER be on the field at the same time!!!!

I repeat, NEVER, EVER be on the field at the same time!!!!!!

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Originally posted by dweetsweet2:
Training report

The national team had a short 1 hour open training session at the Columbus Crew Stadium tonight at 6 p.m. The USA had previously also held a one hour session, which was held behind closed doors. Of note was that while no one not from US Soccer was allowed to watch the U.S. train, everyone and their mother was allowed to watch Jamaica train. U.S. Soccer scouts and technical staff hung around after their session to watch Jamaica’s session, and were seen taking copious notes. Yours truly and Karl were escorted unceremoniously out of the stadium by a U.S. Soccer “press officer” and evicted when we turned up to watch the U.S. training session. Our lack of expertise in espionage was made abundantly clear all.

Right after the session started at 5:00 p.m.it was interrupted by CONCACAF officials who asked to see all Jamaica team passports, a normal action required of all national teams prior to play a WCQ game. This check took about 10 minutes. This was to become very relevant as when the Columbus Crew officials motioned to Lazaroni at 6:00 p.m. that he should stop training as time was up, Laza got into an argument with them to try to get back the 10 minutes lost earlier. He was unsuccessful and the lights were turned off.

But on the training itself. Tyrone Marshall had joined the squad at the hotel today after being allowed time off to be with his family in Florida. Not much time to do much at this final training, so after warm-up runs and stretching, Laza played a full field game with emphasis on quality passing, high pace and compact formations in support in attack, transition and defence. The bibs side, and the side most likely to start were:

-----------GK: Tallist
Cafu-----Stew Peas-----Pepe-----Bibi
Bomber---Granny-----Tapa-----Straight Prison
---------Damani-------Boo----

With 10 minutes to go in the scrimmage, the likely tactical subs of King Marlon and Euell were brought on. Note to forum: someone needs to give Euell a nickname

On the bibs side all except the Bomber looked especially sharp, although he did score with a well and calmly executed goal that was sublime in its simplicity.

Standouts during the scrimmage were Fuller (well taken goals and shots, shots, shots), Gardener’s anticipation in defence, Euell passing accuracy on the long ball (inch perfect, perfectly weighted), Burton (complete: first touch, timing, passing and shot accuracy with power; pity he wont start). The team stretched and cooled down in the dark after officials turned off the lights when the Jamaica team was still on the field. Some people get no respect

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Thanx for sharing that info dweetsweet2.
Wish I could have made it to Columbus.
This will be an excellent match...I can feel it!

Na, Na, Na, Na
Na, Na, Na, Na
Hey, Hey,
GO REGGAE BOYZ!

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What utter disrespect! It's disgusting.

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And to tell the truth, becnhing players who are accustomed to automatic selection, would probably do so much more positive for them, becuase complaceny seeps in when a player feels he is unbenchable regardless of form...There is no incentive to prove, to work harder, to analyze what has dropped the form and to raise their game....If Bibi realizes that his place is threatened it may just be the kickstart he needs...I support him as a player, but I support the TEAM much more, and right now a player who has been out of form for a considerably long time, should not start...simple...

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He will show up and do well in this game.

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I can't beleive the "KING" is on the bench for Damani!

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I believe this is a very good strategy.
King is very deadly coming off the bench for Forest. I believe he has scored all his goals so far for this clubs when he comes off the bench.

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Originally posted by Trinity:
I can't beleive the "KING" is on the bench for Damani!

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I feel say we should use Damani and Fuller as 2 out and out strikers. Tappa as the attacking or top link. Andy as the left side midfielder, Euell on the right side of midfield, and Lawrence as the anchor mid, or defensive mid. With that formation we have 5 legitimate scoring threats, with another scoring threat in King going straight for the jugular as him come on to replace whichever of the 5 needs replacing.

BadRas
Member posted 10-21-2004 10:48 AM
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We have to be able to maintain possession against the US. With Whitmore, Andy, Euell, Fuller, Marshall, Gardner we have some proven “ball handlers.” Ralph as the MLS rookie of the year should have some psychological advantage over the MLS based US players. Andy should also have this advantage. Fuller will destroy them with skill, and should get his goal soon. Euell plays against the best day in day, day out and has proven he can perform well. He should be able to contribute from midfield. We have 5 players who are legitimate scoring threats.(Ralph, Euell, Williams, Fuller, Whitmore)
We know Lawrence will “get dirty” and win those balls. Pepe the soldier will shout, scream, kick, bite and punch to prevent a goal. He also commands respect from his players, so they will listen to his instructions. Stew Peas will also play his heart out to prevent McBride and company. We have 3 defensive players who will fight till the end.(Stewart, Lawrence, Goodison)

Marshall should be tried on the right. He’s decent at defending, and gives us an attacking option. Plus he is also in the MLS. Bibi, although not playing his best, is a proven pro and will not give away balls from the back. Also gives us an attacking option from the back. We have 2 decent overlapping defenders who are also experienced ball handlers.

I think its a good blend of experience and youth. Whitmore, Goodison, Williams and Gardner have been there. Euell and lawrence also comes with experience. Fuller, Ralph, Stew Peas and Marshall, although not as experienced are becoming seasoned pros.

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Originally posted by CHISEL:
With you all the way Salt. Bibi looks ordinary when playing for us and it's not because of his position. He plays left back for his club also.

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When I said that Bibi was underperforming for us I caught hell from Robyna but now Saltman, Chisel and the Dread have basically said the same thing and gotten away with it.(then again everyone gets more respect than the prophet)

ON a serious note I agree that when Bibi plays for us he is much too nonchalant and doesn't seem to have the same fire that he does for his club.

People keep forgetting that Bibi isn't a baby anymore and he is a damn VETERAN that is supposed to be held in high regards ala Pepe etc.

The same people who would get down on Tappa would just as soon slide Bibi a get out of jail free card while him keep up him almshouse in the back.

As I have said before bench him for Reid and see how fast him get the message