Countdown to World Cup 2006

[sethuel1]

First things first, the field was crap. It looked like they were playing indoor out there.

 

Secondly, O'Brien looked real good.

 

That's about it as far as the positives go. Hopefully this will wake them up, because that was pathetic all around. You don't give up game winners in the 90th minute, ever. There was no reason to have 9 of your 10 position players get caught waaaay upfield when you know Morocco is going to counter. That was tactically stupid. You can't have mental breakdowns like that at a World Cup.

 

The lineup Arena used was bizarre. I'll be interested to see the 11 he thorws out vs Venezuela, because tonights was a hodgepodged mess.

 

Reyna is soft.

 

Donovan is really overrated. So is Eddie Johnson. You have to bury headers like he had. We have no one who can finish with any consistency.

 

Convey looked ok.

 

That's all I have. I was really bitter during this one, for some reason. Just very dissapointing to not beat a team like that. I know Morocco is decent, but if you want to be a top class team, you win that game.

 

I'd give em a 6.

 

JP, is that you? Are you serious? I'd rank that a 3, and only because O'Brien looked good. No one else deserves higher than that.

 

BTW, John Harkes really upset you tonight, huh?

 

I was kidding. They looked like crap.

 

I will agree with you that JOB looked good. Too bad he was playing the ball to Wolff for the first half. Total lost cause.

[USSoccer]

Wolff should never start. Ever. He can't finish, can't really create, and the last big game he contributed to was in 2001.

 

Cherundolo's decision is just one of many backline issues we've had since the Azteca last year. Our defense needs to tighten up, and they had better do it fast, or else our distraction from baseball will last 3 games.

[sethuel1]

Wolff should never start. Ever. He can't finish, can't really create, and the last big game he contributed to was in 2001.

 

Cherundolo's decision is just one of many backline issues we've had since the Azteca last year. Our defense needs to tighten up, and they had better do it fast, or else our distraction from baseball will last 3 games.

 

Even if the US doesn't score a single goal, it won't keep me from watching continuously right up through the final. Unless the Cubs make a miraculous recovery, there will be next to zero baseball for me from June 9-July 9.

[sethuel1]

Onyewu wasn't that sharp today either. And Pope was unimpressive, which is amusing considering that Dellacamera and Harkes were slurping him all game.

 

"Oh, he's finally healthy. That's gonna make a big difference."

 

Makes me wanna slap someone.

 

I was especially impressed with their fawning over Brian Ching, who came in and promptly was never once in a good position to get the ball played to him during our best offensive push (which was caused almost entirely by Convey and Dempsey). But we didn't get to hear about that, we got to hear about how Ching scored 4 goals in some game I don't give a damn about.

[sethuel1]

Also, it really annoys me that Dempsey is the only player the US has that will run at defenders. Everyone else prances around and tries to slip through cracks and make low percentage passes. Well, Convey runs at them a little bit, I guess.

[USSoccer]

Also, it really annoys me that Dempsey is the only player the US has that will run at defenders. Everyone else prances around and tries to slip through cracks and make low percentage passes. Well, Convey runs at them a little bit, I guess.

 

Dempsey is nails. No reason Arena shouldn't be able to find a starting spot for him somewhere. What we've always lacked is a player who is willing to attack defenses. We have plenty of players who want to dance around and play through balls, but only Dempsey and Convey will run at a defender and force the issue.

 

Ching is horrible. Out of position for every minute he was on the field tonight. God forbid McBride get hurt...

 

Eddie Pope is going to be the 2006 version of Jeff Agoos. Mark my words, if we make it to the Round of 16, he'll be benched for it.

 

Arena has a lot of work to do. I know our team doesn't get much playing time together, but they'd better gel fast, and Reyna better not be hurt. As much as I don't care for him, this team needs him on the field.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Wolff should never start. Ever. He can't finish, can't really create, and the last big game he contributed to was in 2001.

 

Cherundolo's decision is just one of many backline issues we've had since the Azteca last year. Our defense needs to tighten up, and they had better do it fast, or else our distraction from baseball will last 3 games.

 

Gibbs looked like a high school JV player that doesn't know how to use his off foot. At least he made that sliding clear on what would've surely been a 1 v 1 with Keller(or was that someone else?).

[USSoccer]

Wolff should never start. Ever. He can't finish, can't really create, and the last big game he contributed to was in 2001.

 

Cherundolo's decision is just one of many backline issues we've had since the Azteca last year. Our defense needs to tighten up, and they had better do it fast, or else our distraction from baseball will last 3 games.

 

Gibbs looked like a high school JV player that doesn't know how to use his off foot. At least he made that sliding clear on what would've surely been a 1 v 1 with Keller(or was that someone else?).

 

I thought that was Gooch.

 

Gibbs (who I've never really liked much) should be in a central role. I'd not mind if he replaced Pope in the middle, and Lewis played the left back spot. To me, that would be a better, if more inexperienced back line.

[USSoccer]

Also, if someone is going by the Island of Disappearing Athletes later, tap Aramis on the shoulder and tell him to find DaMarcus Beasley for me. Just been MIA the last half dozen matches I've seen him in.

 

I haven't seen him be a threat since the Mexico game.

[sethuel1]

Gibbs (who I've never really liked much) should be in a central role. I'd not mind if he replaced Pope in the middle, and Lewis played the left back spot. To me, that would be a better, if more inexperienced back line.

 

Took the words right out of my mouth

[soccer10k]

Also, it really annoys me that Dempsey is the only player the US has that will run at defenders. Everyone else prances around and tries to slip through cracks and make low percentage passes. Well, Convey runs at them a little bit, I guess.

 

Dempsey is nails. No reason Arena shouldn't be able to find a starting spot for him somewhere. What we've always lacked is a player who is willing to attack defenses. We have plenty of players who want to dance around and play through balls, but only Dempsey and Convey will run at a defender and force the issue.

 

Ching is horrible. Out of position for every minute he was on the field tonight. God forbid McBride get hurt...

 

Eddie Pope is going to be the 2006 version of Jeff Agoos. Mark my words, if we make it to the Round of 16, he'll be benched for it.

 

Arena has a lot of work to do. I know our team doesn't get much playing time together, but they'd better gel fast, and Reyna better not be hurt. As much as I don't care for him, this team needs him on the field.

 

I think Reyna is the key. He is the playmaker on the team and controls everything. He's a savvy veteren that knows how to win. He was out there for less than 20 minutes tonight and that didn't help one bit. I think a completely different US team would have played tonight if he was out there for most of the match. If he's hurt seriously I don't think we have much of a chance in the World Cup. Like you said, this team had better gel fast or we're going to get smoked in the World Cup. We couldn't handle a team that couldn't qualify in Africa? Ghana qualified in Africa and they are the weakest of our three opponents. If the US doesn't play well, they're looking at a repeat of 1998 and a HUGE step back for USA soccer.

[soccer10k]

Wolff should never start. Ever. He can't finish, can't really create, and the last big game he contributed to was in 2001.

 

Cherundolo's decision is just one of many backline issues we've had since the Azteca last year. Our defense needs to tighten up, and they had better do it fast, or else our distraction from baseball will last 3 games.

 

Even if the US doesn't score a single goal, it won't keep me from watching continuously right up through the final. Unless the Cubs make a miraculous recovery, there will be next to zero baseball for me from June 9-July 9.

 

I couldn't agree more. I'm graduating on June 17 and have made it my goal to watch as many games as possible. I've already requested days off from work for the World Cup semi's and the final.

[soccer10k]

I agree. When Morocco is sitting back to defend, it shouldn't be too hard to bring the ball up the field. The aerial balls were unnecessary. It's okay to play some, but relying on them is not good, especially when they aren't working for you like today.

 

But that's the story of U.S. soccer - keep playing balls in the air into the middle when you're clearly outclassed. It's as frustrating as watching the Cubs not take walks.

 

Here's the thing: it's a decent gameplan for us. McBride is excellent in the air, and can put balls over the top down onto the feet of the support. Unfortunately for the US, the support (Donovan, Wolff, especially) can't finish.

 

When a team packs 8 back in defense, you can't play chip and run.

 

And that's the key. You HAVE to be able to adapt to what your opponent is doing. Sure McBride is excellent in the air, but when the opponent is packing it in defensively there is no need to chip the ball up into there zone. As I said earlier, if they are packing it in, that means your half of the field should have, at most, 2 of their players in it. There is no reason you can't dribble the ball up and string together a series of short passes.

 

The key to winning is adaptation. You come out to play a certain style. If it works then you continue. If it doesn't work, then you have to change something. If you don't adapt you aren't going to win games. It's plain and simple.

[sethuel1]

I realize you weren't ragging on Ghana here, but they're light years above Morocco anyway.

 

While Ghana is a first time qualifier, they are by no means an average first time qualifier. They've won the African Cup of nations 4 times, 2 U-17 World titles, and have been a powerhouse of African football. if we play anywhere close to as poorly as we did today, ghana will bury us. in fact, i'd say that Ghana may have the most solid midfield in Group E. They'll knock off someone, I just hope it's not us.

[soccer10k]

I realize you weren't ragging on Ghana here, but they're light years above Morocco anyway.

 

While Ghana is a first time qualifier, they are by no means an average first time qualifier. They've won the African Cup of nations 4 times, 2 U-17 World titles, and have been a powerhouse of African football. if we play anywhere close to as poorly as we did today, ghana will bury us. in fact, i'd say that Ghana may have the most solid midfield in Group E. They'll knock off someone, I just hope it's not us.

 

Thanks for the info, I didn't know that. I'm always afraid of the African nations because they always seem to fly into the World Cup under the radar but always pull of upsets. People know what to expect out of the European and South American nations but you never know what you're going to get out of the African nations. Group E is most definately the Group of Death and there will be upsets. Like you said, I hope we're the team handing out the upsets.

[soccer10k]

Can the World Cup please start already? I need a distraction from the Cubs.

[Marco4]

Can the World Cup please start already? I need a distraction from the Cubs.

 

There's plenty of International friendlies to whet your appetite, and there's fantasy games a-plenty out there to get into it, too.

[sethuel1]

yep. It's all about the tuneup matches, taking way too long planning/participating in barbecues this weekend, and then going on a weeklong bender in early June while wtaching the Stanley Cup or maybe even the NBA finals.

 

 

You'll be watching germany play Costa Rica in no time.

[soccer10k]

yep. It's all about the tuneup matches, taking way too long planning/participating in barbecues this weekend, and then going on a weeklong bender in early June while wtaching the Stanley Cup or maybe even the NBA finals.

 

 

You'll be watching germany play Costa Rica in no time.

 

I have to miss the tuneup against Venezuela because I have class. I get off work at 4 on Saturday which is right when the game will start out here in California.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

yep. It's all about the tuneup matches, taking way too long planning/participating in barbecues this weekend, and then going on a weeklong bender in early June while wtaching the Stanley Cup or maybe even the NBA finals.

 

 

You'll be watching germany play Costa Rica in no time.

 

I have to miss the tuneup against Venezuela because I have class. I get off work at 4 on Saturday which is right when the game will start out here in California.

 

Wait, the game against Venezuela is on Saturday at 4 our time?

[soccer10k]

yep. It's all about the tuneup matches, taking way too long planning/participating in barbecues this weekend, and then going on a weeklong bender in early June while wtaching the Stanley Cup or maybe even the NBA finals.

 

 

You'll be watching germany play Costa Rica in no time.

 

I have to miss the tuneup against Venezuela because I have class. I get off work at 4 on Saturday which is right when the game will start out here in California.

 

Wait, the game against Venezuela is on Saturday at 4 our time?

 

Both games are on at 4 on the West Coast. USA plays Venezuela on Friday and Latvia on Sunday (sorry for the confusion on that one, I got my days mixed up). Here is the ussoccer website with the schedule:

 

http://www.ussoccer.com/schedule/index.jsp.html

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Thanks a bunch.

[USSoccer]

So...Cory Gibbs is apparently off the US Roster, replaced by Gregg Berhalter, due to swelling in his knee.

 

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=368977&cc=5901

 

This is stunning to say the least, and it means the only real centerback option next to Gooch in a 4 defenseman formation is Old Eddie Pope.

 

I suppose it could be worse. I suppose they could have tabbed Zavagnin, but Berhalter sucks too. Do we have another central defender on the roster?

 

EDIT:

 

Our defensive roster consists of Gooch, Cherundolo (of the mental errors vs Germany and Morocco), Bocanegra, Berhalter, Conrad, and Eddie Lewis.

 

Can Mastroeni step in and play a central defender's role? 'Cause I want no part of Conrad or Berhalter playing meaningful minutes against players like Luca Toni.

[sethuel1]

Bocanegra is probably my backup center back choice now.

 

*vomits*

 

I can't believe Beerholder got a roster spot. What a waste.

[USSoccer]

Bocanegra is probably my backup center back choice now.

 

*vomits*

 

I can't believe Beerholder got a roster spot. What a waste.

 

Of the 5 original alternate defensemen, we've tapped 3 of them now.