SORBER SCOUTING REPORT

We sat down with U.S. assistant coach Mike Sorber to get the skinny on Sweden and to hear his thoughts on the training camp so far. Here's a sample:

On the goals heading into the January camp: “I think our goal is to continue to build off of what we set last year – laying the foundation for how we want to play as a team, how we compete, and all the details that come in between. We continue to build off of what we started in 2007, and as we head into the Sweden game we look to be challenged on the things that we’ve worked on.”

On the characteristics of Sweden: “Sweden has a good mentality and they know how they want to play. It seems like it’s easy or simple, but when I say that I mean they know how to be mobile and active. They make things difficult for the other team. It starts with the two forwards who work well together putting pressure on the defense, then the other block of eight behind them are all on the same page. The team is consistent in that approach, and though they don’t necessarily have the flashiest players, they are effective.”

On what the U.S. must improve upon from their last match against Sweden: “Our reactions. The most important play is the next play. We’ve got to be connected to the game; to know where to go in relation to the ball and in relation to teammates. The better we can react, the more it will help us keep our shape, and the more difficult it will be for the other team to create chances. We need to be good in transition to create chances of our own.”

You can read the full interview here.

Also check out this brief article on the four players in MNT Camp who are age eligible for the U-23s and how this experience will aid their efforts to qualify for the Beijing Olympics.