The Soccer Thread

[soccer10k]

Well, with Mexico's 0-0 tie against Chile and Brazil's 1-0 win over Ecuador, the USA's already slim chances of advancing to the knockout stage of the Copa America were erased today. The two third place teams in Groups A and B - Uruguay and Chile - both have four points while the US can only get three with a win tomorrow.

[sethuel1]

Well, with Mexico's 0-0 tie against Chile and Brazil's 1-0 win over Ecuador, the USA's already slim chances of advancing to the knockout stage of the Copa America were erased today. The two third place teams in Groups A and B - Uruguay and Chile - both have four points while the US can only get three with a win tomorrow.

Good. Throw in all the kids, Bob. If I see Twellman again, I'm gonna barf.

[YearofDaCubs]

Wow, Adu's first goal was incredible.

[stuy119]

OK, so I'm watching the US v. Colombia game.

 

If I see a US player with the ball, facing the goal just outside the 18, try to dribble through (or pass to the outside) instead of just taking the shot, I'm going to go crazy.

 

Bradley's halftime speech needs to be:

 

"Guzan, good game. We're still in it because you've played well. The rest of the team, fire the f'in ball when you have a clear shot."

[stuy119]

Lost opportunities all the way around.

 

Keeper for Colombia gets tossed with 6 minutes to go, and the US can't even get off antoher shot. Pathetic.

[Brendan]

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[Jon]

As expected, the Fire will name Juan Carlos Osorio as their new head coach.

[shnsajax]

Tonight's game vs. Brazil will now be televised on ESPN and ESPNU. I don't think it was initially on ESPN regular coverage. Either way now everyone has a chance to watch them tonight ;-)

[Jon]

You've got to be kidding me.

 

I wasn't going to be able to watch if it was just on ESPNU or Galavision, but the satellite guy keeps screwing with me and I won't get the receiver installed until Sunday now. Grr. I would love to watch this game.

 

Has a U-20 game ever been on ESPN before?

[shnsajax]

You've got to be kidding me.

 

I wasn't going to be able to watch if it was just on ESPNU or Galavision, but the satellite guy keeps screwing with me and I won't get the receiver installed until Sunday now. Grr. I would love to watch this game.

 

Has a U-20 game ever been on ESPN before?

 

I don't think so, plus that actually gives me HD options to watch it on now :-). I'm very excited, especially after not giving a damn about the entire Copa America.

[Jon]

And of course the reason it's taking the guy so long is that they ran out of HD-DVR receivers without telling me and didn't get any in today. This could've been my first exposure to HD...but noooo.

 

Would this be available for download later?

[shnsajax]

And of course the reason it's taking the guy so long is that they ran out of HD-DVR receivers without telling me and didn't get any in today. This could've been my first exposure to HD...but noooo.

 

Would this be available for download later?

 

I have no clue. Decided to go to a sports bar that carries espn in hd. Of course the game has to actually be broadcast in hd too.

[Guest]

Great goal by Altidore, up 1-0 at the half.

[stuy119]

They looked good in the first half. Szetela is the only one who seems not to be playing well.

 

I'm amazed at the apparent difference in the desire and skill in the U-20 vs. the USMNT. While some of it is the comp, the U-20's seem to want to put it in the back of the net more as opposed to just waiting for their opportunity. The U-20's seem more aggressive, and from what I've seen, finish better as well.

[stuy119]

Altidore is the best player on the field tonight. I would say that Jo isn't too far behind.

 

Pato has been shut down pretty well by our back line - so far.

[stuy119]

Seitz was outstanding. Altidore is a star in the making. Solid games by Adu, Rogers, and Sturgis.

 

Adu got hammered quite a few times. He's going to need to put on some weight and get some more international experience before he'll be able to play for the USMNT.

 

I'm rather impressed with the keepers that are "on the farm." Guzan played well last night, and Seitz is pretty solid. Seitz made some mistakes, but he was very good overall.

 

Nice to see a solid game (and win) against a power.

[Guest]

Great game, I was very impressed by Seitz and Altidore too. Nice move by Adu on Altidore's second goal.

 

These U-20 guys probably make me too optimistic about the future.

[USSoccer]

The U-20's showed something no USMNT team has shown against anyone but Mexico since June of 2002: They showed a fierceness and an aggressiveness that rewards good teams. They attacked, pressed and deserved the win. They didn't hold possesion pointlessly, or squander chances, or take weak shots.

 

It helps when you have the best 2 players on the field. Jozy and Freddy were class. Adu in particular caused Brazil fits. They had to account for him at all times, and the senior team needs more players like that. Right now it's Donovan, Beasley and Dempsey. That's not enough impact players, especially when you consider how flawed each of them are in their own right, despite their talents.

 

Bradley needs to cap Adu ASAP, and stick him in an attacking mid role. Freddy could really thrive in a lineup with Donovan, Dempsey and Beasley all flowing into attack. His size is not such an issue to me. If he has space, he can create. I'm also thinking Jozy needs to be capped sometime this year as well, to get him ready for next year. That way you can line up a team like this:

 

Altidore

Dempsey Beasley

Adu Donovan

Feilhaber Bradley

Bocanegra DeMerit Conrad Bornstein

Howard

 

I'd take that lineup right now, every qualifier out. Screw the Eddie Johnson/Brian Ching/Taylor Twellman suckfest. Jozy has something none of them have: an ability to not only hold the ball to play to attacking wings, but an actually deadly shot. His finish on the first goal tonight was one I would wager not one of those 3 could pull off. I'd even go so far as to say that as of right now, I would put Gabe Ferrari and Kenny Cooper ahead of Johnson and Twellman in pecking order.

 

The Copa America mess hopefully has shown Bradley that there are certain players that have the talent and drive to succeed at the non-CONCACAF level, and some that may have talent, but are unable to succeed at that level.

[shnsajax]

I've also been very impressed with Zizzo and Sztella, not so much Danny tonight but overall in the 1st two games he played very well. Zizzo attacks more as a midfielder than anyone on the national team. It was a great win that sets them up to go further in the tourney.

 

Oh and right now 3 Americans and 1 Argentinian are tied for the Golden Boot. That is very refreshing, and not since Landon and DeMarcus finished 1 and 2 in that many years ago.

[sethuel1]

I found it telling tonight that Bradley was possibly the worst US player on the pitch. Says a lot for a) his dad and b) the quality of the US youngsters.

 

And I'm also happy that Seitz is awesome. I'd heard he was, but I'd never seen him in action.

 

Some of these boys best go to Europe soon.

[soccer10k]

Great game, I was very impressed by Seitz and Altidore too. Nice move by Adu on Altidore's second goal.

 

These U-20 guys probably make me too optimistic about the future.

 

The move Adu made on Altidore's second goal was absolutely outstanding. He also did a step over a couple minutes before that (I believe) and juked the Brazilian defender out of his shoes. I think he got fouled on that play.

 

I only watched the second half but Adu was superb on the pitch today. They really need to give him a shot with the National Team because there's really no reason not to.

 

Also, it was extremely refreshing after Brazil scored to tie the game, that both teams attacked and tried to get the winning goal even though, with a tie, both were assured of advancing. This was especially evident with Brazil because they had the most to lose - which they ended up doing. If this match was between two National Team squads in a tournament like this - including this exact situation where with a tie both teams advance - it would be all but a guarantee that the game would have ended in a tie.

 

EDIT: Oh, and thanks, Raisin, for the the reminder that the game was on. I completely forgot that my parents get ESPNU (not that it mattered today with the game also being televised on ESPN) but I didn't even think about the game because of it until your post about the halftime score.

[Jon]

Just finished watching this

. Looked like a pretty exciting game.

[Guest]

Just finished watching this

. Looked like a pretty exciting game.

 

Yeah, you need to get a working TV.

[sethuel1]

Adu might've had the goal on the second one, but the Brazilian defender hit the shot with his hand. I think karma took it right to Altidore.

[USSoccer]

I found it telling tonight that Bradley was possibly the worst US player on the pitch. Says a lot for a) his dad and b) the quality of the US youngsters.

 

And I'm also happy that Seitz is awesome. I'd heard he was, but I'd never seen him in action.

 

Some of these boys best go to Europe soon.

 

Bradley just isn't as naturally talented as some of the other U-20's. There were several stretches he just looked lost.