The Soccer Thread

[USSoccer]

First off, SOOOOOOOOOO pissed I couldn't make it, but my daughter was sick.

 

The Good:

 

-Formation. We played the "Y" again, and created pretty well off of it. The freedom it gives Beasley, Donovan and Dempsey to move and create has made a difference in the attacking 3rd.

 

-Bradley/Sascha. This was better from the central mids. Having a more attacking minded player really made a difference in our ability to move the ball quickly and decisively. Bradley changed the point of attack pretty well, but still made a stupid giveaway that nearly resulted in a goal. Sascha...he was okay, nothing amazing, but just the attacking mentality and his positioning makes a difference, even if he didn't have a particularly great game. Hopefully Bradley saw this, and the pairing can continue, because it's a hell of a lot better than twin destroyers.

 

-Dempsey is slowly starting to get his form back. His goal from the run of play was well-taken, and I thought he was pretty dangerous throughout. Until Adu and Altidore pass the good-person test, Clint remains the one 'Nat who is capable of creating a moment of magic on the pitch.

 

-Donovan, I thought, played pretty well. It isn't his fault that Beasley and Ching suck.

 

The Bad:

 

-Beasley and Ching. Ching got a garbage goal and Beasley still doesn't have his touch back. Why we don't convert him into a left back, I have no idea. Ching tanks too many easy chances for a striker.

 

-Eddie Johnson shoots like a high school freshman. Lines it up, plants his foot...slow as hell. He really, really sucks.

 

I'm pretty happy with the result, since it all but guarantees a spot in the Hex. Now we really need to start bringing in the newer players to get them ready, because we WILL need them in the next round.

[wolf stansson]

4-5-1 is not my preferred formation (dead horse abuse alert, but I prefer Klinssmann's more interchangeable styles getting his best XI on the field no matter where they play. His 3-5-2 two weeks ago was a juggernaut.), but I will say it's a vast improvement over the dreaded bucket. First and foremost because it allows the center mids to actually move the ball through the middle of the field. I'm really starting to believe that woeful central mid performances of Bradley and co had more to do with having to either back pass or push it wide than the actual players. I also liked Kljestan with Bradley, but think an in form Feilhaber would be just as good if not better.

 

Bottom line, we still only got one goal in the run of play and the best squad wasn't picked. I love our ability on set pieces, but that should be a team's ace in the hole, not the thing they count on. Clint's goal that was in the run was still terrible defending and the fact that these crappy teams give us this much space shouldn't lead any of us to believe our offense is producing as it should. The marking tonight by T&T was a freaking joke.

 

Yeah we won 3-0, but that's what we should have done against Cuba too. This was an expected result. We didn't wow, we just played more to our ability. There is a gap in class between US & Mexico vs the rest of concacaf and that gulf should be insurmountable. It should show every time we take the pitch. We need to have our foot on the gas every second of every game. This is why Mexico is more successful against big teams and in big tournaments. They don't have the "4 points and make it through" mentality. They play to win, and we don't always do that. For example, we did not need 4 defenders tonight. We shouldn't have against Cuba either.

 

Anyway...I am baffled by he and Nowak's squad selection and tactics. The tactics appear to be improving, but we should be blooding Adu and Altidore so they are as prepared as possible for 2010. Period.

[wolf stansson]

Just saw this on SBI, Bakary Soumare wants to play for the US. He's the 22 year old center half for the Fire.

http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2008/09/soumare-hoping.html

 

Having watched him play a few times, he's a slam dunk to get in the team. I don't think he's long for MLS either, he is a really good player. A rotation of him, Gooch and Subotic post 2010 would be rock solid.

[USSoccer]

4-5-1 is not my preferred formation (dead horse abuse alert, but I prefer Klinssmann's more interchangeable styles getting his best XI on the field no matter where they play. His 3-5-2 two weeks ago was a juggernaut.), but I will say it's a vast improvement over the dreaded bucket. First and foremost because it allows the center mids to actually move the ball through the middle of the field. I'm really starting to believe that woeful central mid performances of Bradley and co had more to do with having to either back pass or push it wide than the actual players. I also liked Kljestan with Bradley, but think an in form Feilhaber would be just as good if not better.

 

Bottom line, we still only got one goal in the run of play and the best squad wasn't picked. I love our ability on set pieces, but that should be a team's ace in the hole, not the thing they count on. Clint's goal that was in the run was still terrible defending and the fact that these crappy teams give us this much space shouldn't lead any of us to believe our offense is producing as it should. The marking tonight by T&T was a freaking joke.

 

Yeah we won 3-0, but that's what we should have done against Cuba too. This was an expected result. We didn't wow, we just played more to our ability. There is a gap in class between US & Mexico vs the rest of concacaf and that gulf should be insurmountable. It should show every time we take the pitch. We need to have our foot on the gas every second of every game. This is why Mexico is more successful against big teams and in big tournaments. They don't have the "4 points and make it through" mentality. They play to win, and we don't always do that. For example, we did not need 4 defenders tonight. We shouldn't have against Cuba either.

 

Anyway...I am baffled by he and Nowak's squad selection and tactics. The tactics appear to be improving, but we should be blooding Adu and Altidore so they are as prepared as possible for 2010. Period.

 

Everything you said is true, however, as sad as it is, it's nice that we're at least making incremental progress in terms of formation.

[sethuel1]

I was at the game and yelling my ass off. When I get the chance, I'll rewatch it while not drunk and yelling myself hoarse and post comments.

[wolf stansson]

http://theoffsiderules.blogspot.com/2008/09/remember-this-name-eric-valentine.html

 

8 year old kid from Virginia who has some serious skills. Looks like his dad put a soccer ball and best of Ronaldinho dvd in his crib. It's seriously reminiscent of watching old clips of Ronny playing futsal.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

http://theoffsiderules.blogspot.com/2008/09/remember-this-name-eric-valentine.html

 

8 year old kid from Virginia who has some serious skills. Looks like his dad put a soccer ball and best of Ronaldinho dvd in his crib. It's seriously reminiscent of watching old clips of Ronny playing futsal.

 

Very cool video to watch. But for every kid who starts out like that and makes it big, there are a dozen who start like that and find out everyone else has caught up to them athletically by the time they are 12.

[wolf stansson]

http://theoffsiderules.blogspot.com/2008/09/remember-this-name-eric-valentine.html

 

8 year old kid from Virginia who has some serious skills. Looks like his dad put a soccer ball and best of Ronaldinho dvd in his crib. It's seriously reminiscent of watching old clips of Ronny playing futsal.

 

Very cool video to watch. But for every kid who starts out like that and makes it big, there are a dozen who start like that and find out everyone else has caught up to them athletically by the time they are 12.

Definitely.

[laurens]

http://theoffsiderules.blogspot.com/2008/09/remember-this-name-eric-valentine.html

 

8 year old kid from Virginia who has some serious skills. Looks like his dad put a soccer ball and best of Ronaldinho dvd in his crib. It's seriously reminiscent of watching old clips of Ronny playing futsal.

 

Nice vid... too bad they got to the next image just when he was about to lose the ball.

 

A cool move is nice, but if you don't pass enough, you're bound to lose the ball. Players that only play for themselves (like this boy does) rarely get anywhere. Luckily, this boy's only 8 years old, so he has lots of time to practice on teamwork.

[USSoccer]

Don't worry.

 

ODP will have all that individual skill and creativity coached out of him in no time.

[wolf stansson]

http://theoffsiderules.blogspot.com/2008/09/remember-this-name-eric-valentine.html

 

8 year old kid from Virginia who has some serious skills. Looks like his dad put a soccer ball and best of Ronaldinho dvd in his crib. It's seriously reminiscent of watching old clips of Ronny playing futsal.

 

Nice vid... too bad they got to the next image just when he was about to lose the ball.

 

A cool move is nice, but if you don't pass enough, you're bound to lose the ball. Players that only play for themselves (like this boy does) rarely get anywhere. Luckily, this boy's only 8 years old, so he has lots of time to practice on teamwork.

Bob Bradley? Is that you?

[USSoccer]

http://theoffsiderules.blogspot.com/2008/09/remember-this-name-eric-valentine.html

 

8 year old kid from Virginia who has some serious skills. Looks like his dad put a soccer ball and best of Ronaldinho dvd in his crib. It's seriously reminiscent of watching old clips of Ronny playing futsal.

 

Nice vid... too bad they got to the next image just when he was about to lose the ball.

 

A cool move is nice, but if you don't pass enough, you're bound to lose the ball. Players that only play for themselves (like this boy does) rarely get anywhere. Luckily, this boy's only 8 years old, so he has lots of time to practice on teamwork.

Bob Bradley? Is that you?

 

But is this kid a good person?

[shnsajax]

Liverpool 2

United 1

:-)

[USSoccer]

Liverpool 2

United 1

:-)

 

This shouldn't be a revelation, but without C.Ronaldo, United aren't really that special.

[reggiemiller rules]

Liverpool 2

United 1

:-)

 

This shouldn't be a revelation, but without C.Ronaldo, United aren't really that special.

 

Yeah but Liverpool was without Torres, and Gerrard only got on for 20 minutes. This is the first game all year that Liverpool has actually played well and outclassed their opponents. Also Vidic got sent off meaning that he will miss their next game against Chelsea. If they lose that game they could be 9 points off Liverpool and Chelsea's total after 5 weeks.

[circlechange]

Liverpool 2

United 1

:-)

 

This shouldn't be a revelation, but without C.Ronaldo, United aren't really that special.

Depends what you mean by special, they've still got a ridiculous amount of talent. Today they were (embarassingly) outplayed by a Liverpool team without Torres and for the most part without Gerrard. Both Liverpool goals were United mistakes, but they deserved the result regardless. It remains to be seen if Berbatov, Rooney, and Tevez can effectively play together without sacrificing too much in the midfield.

 

MU v. Chelsea next week - No Vidic, no Terry (he got a questionable red vs. Man City)

[shnsajax]

Liverpool 2

United 1

:-)

 

This shouldn't be a revelation, but without C.Ronaldo, United aren't really that special.

 

A loss for United Is always nice though.

[Guest]

Liverpool 2

United 1

:-)

 

This shouldn't be a revelation, but without C.Ronaldo, United aren't really that special.

 

Still a shock, though. Man U has absolutely owned Liverpool over the last few years.

[wolf stansson]

That midfield is sorely lacking without Ronaldo and Hargreaves (I assume he didn't play, I didn't watch). It's just too old.

 

Any team with Tevez and Berbatov should score more than once with the space they create.

 

 

Freddy didn't start again, was a late sub. Deuce didn't get in the game although Fulham looks pretty solid this year. Edu and Beasley both started for Rangers. Neven Subotic scored AGAIN.

 

Villareal and Borussia Monchengladbach will both be on GOL TV tomorrow for those of you interested in seeing Jozy and Michael Bradley with their new teams. Villareal at 6 am for you guys and BM at noon. They are playing Hannover 96, so you'll get to watch Cherundolo in action as well.

[wolf stansson]

Jozy came on at the half and played great. Very nice debut. His teammates didn't really get him the best service but with class like Senna and Cazorla, the chemistry will come. His individual efforts on the ball were class. Good to see he looks bigger, faster and stronger than everyone on the field in his La Liga debut and not just in MLS.

 

So in closing, as usual, f Bob Bradley.

[USSoccer]

The Stoke/Everton game was way more entertaining that I thought it would be. Stoke kind of sucks talent wise, but they were all over the pitch with effort, and really deserved a draw.

 

Tim Cahill, for a short guy, is class on set pieces.

 

BTW, too bad Jozy didn't make the CL roster for Wednesday's tie at Old Trafford. Apparently UEFA has some sort of "homegrown player" rule that he may have fallen victim to. Which is too bad, because seeing him play on a European night in Manchester would really have helped him prepare for being away in a real presure enviroment like Trinidad.

 

Bob Bradley sucks.

[wvcbxl]

Apparently UEFA has some sort of "homegrown player" rule that he may have fallen victim to.

 

Actually, it's "locally trained player" and a team needs eight of them - you can read up on it on pages 21 through 24 of the Champion's League regulations

[circlechange]

That midfield is sorely lacking without Ronaldo and Hargreaves (I assume he didn't play, I didn't watch). It's just too old.

 

Any team with Tevez and Berbatov should score more than once with the space they create.

Hargreaves came on for Scholes with about 20 minutes left. He should've come on for Carrick at halftime when Carrick couldn't continue. Instead Giggs came on, leaving Scholes and Giggs in the midfield and they are too old. Scholes can still have a good game but Giggs has really gone downhill - he gives the ball away far too often and his rainbow crosses and corners are never effective.

 

I'm disappointed that Jozy won't be playing Wednesday, I don't follow the US MNT too closely but from all the talk on here I was looking forward to seeing him at Old Trafford.

[USSoccer]

That midfield is sorely lacking without Ronaldo and Hargreaves (I assume he didn't play, I didn't watch). It's just too old.

 

Any team with Tevez and Berbatov should score more than once with the space they create.

Hargreaves came on for Scholes with about 20 minutes left. He should've come on for Carrick at halftime when Carrick couldn't continue. Instead Giggs came on, leaving Scholes and Giggs in the midfield and they are too old. Scholes can still have a good game but Giggs has really gone downhill - he gives the ball away far too often and his rainbow crosses and corners are never effective.

 

I'm disappointed that Jozy won't be playing Wednesday, I don't follow the US MNT too closely but from all the talk on here I was looking forward to seeing him at Old Trafford.

 

Ronaldo being as good as he is frees everyone up and masks the deficiencies of the other mids.

[reggiemiller rules]

Champions League starts this afternoon. I put a 4-team parlay down on Inter, Barca, Chelsea, and Liverpool. Pool is the only one I am worried about as Marseille beat them last year at Anfield.