The Soccer Thread

[USSoccer]

Watching the SA/BRA replay...it's making me wish Derek Rae and Tommy Smyth worked the US games. Such an enjoyable experience.

[wolf stansson]

Watching the SA/BRA replay...it's making me wish Derek Rae and Tommy Smyth worked the US games. Such an enjoyable experience.

Tommy Smyth blows. Derek is fantastic.

 

 

 

I'm concerned about this Michael Bradley nonsense.

[brinoch]

There hasn't been a single credible source that's discussed the alleged confrontation. I'm calling bs.

[wolf stansson]

There hasn't been a single credible source that's discussed the alleged confrontation. I'm calling bs.

I don't know what AS is or what it says, but this is what Bruce at DuNord linked to: http://www.as.com/futbol/articulo/bradley-intenta-agredir-arbitro/dasftbccf/20090624dasdasftb_60/Tes

[USSoccer]

Watching the SA/BRA replay...it's making me wish Derek Rae and Tommy Smyth worked the US games. Such an enjoyable experience.

Tommy Smyth blows. Derek is fantastic.

 

 

 

I'm concerned about this Michael Bradley nonsense.

 

Smyth blows, but Harkes is worse, and if I have to deal with terrible, biased commentary, I'd rather at least get the awesome pbp as compensation.

 

I was concerned about the Bradley thing as well, but you'd think Ives or someone would have picked up on it. Additionally, if we win the GC, that's 6 internationals right there, plus Sunday's final. FIFA would have to suspend him 6 additional matches in order for him to miss Azteca.

 

EDIT: I love this site: http://worldsoccerreader.com/2009/06/25/anatomy-of-a-goal-dempseys-insurance-tally-against-spain/

[wolf stansson]

I love this site: http://worldsoccerreader.com/2009/06/25/anatomy-of-a-goal-dempseys-insurance-tally-against-spain/

That's fantastic. I watched that goal a bunch of times last night on DVR and watching I was struck at how many chances there were to prevent it. Seeing it broken down in that link is awesome.

[wolf stansson]

I just got done watching FSC's replay of the Gold Cup Final. Watching that game in the context of where we are now was incredible. Benny Feilhaber is more than likely going to start in place of Bradley tomorrow and being reminded that the reason he started along side Mastroeni back in the Gold Cup was a Bradley Red Card Suspension. I was also surprised by the amount of players in that game that are going to be in this game despite barely getting a cap in between the two tournaments. Spector, DeMerit, Clark, Feilhaber. Other than Clark, those are guys that I've desperately wanted to show enough be regulars and this tournament has proven me right. They have class and they belong. Watching Feilhaber's strike in the Gold Cup final was the perfect tune up for the game tomorrow.

 

Alright then, first FIFA International final for the MNT. Biggest day of my sporting life outside of game 5 of the 2006 World Series.

 

Brazil rely on their wing backs to get forward and contribute to the attack. They rely on Robinho on the right and Kaka on the left to wreck havoc on their opponents back line. They rely on set pieces.

 

To win, we'll need to limit fouls especially in danger areas, we'll need our wingers to get into the space vacated by Brazil's right and left backs and exploit the weaknesses of the center backs. Lucio is strong enough to deal with Altidore but could be exploited by Davies' speed. Luisao is weak and can be exploited by Jozy's strength. Andre Santos doesn't cut it at left back for me. He's the obvious weak link in Brazil's lineup. Jozy, Benny and Dempsey must exploit his tendency to get caught out. The Brazilian attack is overly dependent on Kaka and Robinho. If our back line is as organized as it was against Spain, then we have a shot. Spec and Boca must stay with them. When they inevitably get burned, DeMerit and Gooch must provide the kind of cover they did against Spain.

 

The keys are our players being able to exploit the vacated space on the wings behind Maicon and Santos. It can be done. We have a shot. Everything must again be flawless.

 

-----------------------------------Howard----------------------------------------

 

----Spector----------Gooch--------------DeMerit--------------Bocanegra----

 

-----------------------------------Fabiano---------------------------------------

 

-------------Kaka---------------------------------Robinho----------------------

 

----------------------Feilhaber------------------Clark--------------------------

 

---------Melo---------------------Elano--------------------Silva-----------------

 

---------Deuce---------------------------------------------Donovan------------

 

--------------------------Altidore-----------Davies-----------------------------

 

--Santos------------Luisao-----------------------Lucio----------Maicon------

 

---------------------------------Cesar-------------------------------------------

 

 

 

Let's [expletive] do this.

[Guest]

Everything must again be flawless.

 

This is what I think most people missed about the game against Spain and instead got caught up in the whole "US beat the No. 1 team" stuff.

 

Everything went our way in that match. If Jozy's shot is deflected another inch, it bounces out instead of in. If Spain actually clears the ball, Clint never has a chance on the second goal. Spain had a bunch of chances that either were saved, went wide or were blocked by a sliding US defender.

 

It's certainly possible that we can beat Brazil, but the breaks have to go our way. We really need to take advantage of our counterattacking opportunities, since I doubt we score in the regular run of play. That, and I know it sounds obvious, but scoring the first goal. If Brazil scores first, we'll have to push for an equalizer and Brazil will kill us with their own counters. If we score first it's no guarantee that we'll win, but I think it's a must if we want to win.

 

And I'm so excited. I'm just hoping we play well and actually avoid getting a red card once again.

[shnsajax]

Everything must again be flawless.

 

This is what I think most people missed about the game against Spain and instead got caught up in the whole "US beat the No. 1 team" stuff.

 

Everything went our way in that match. If Jozy's shot is deflected another inch, it bounces out instead of in. If Spain actually clears the ball, Clint never has a chance on the second goal. Spain had a bunch of chances that either were saved, went wide or were blocked by a sliding US defender.

 

It's certainly possible that we can beat Brazil, but the breaks have to go our way. We really need to take advantage of our counterattacking opportunities, since I doubt we score in the regular run of play. That, and I know it sounds obvious, but scoring the first goal. If Brazil scores first, we'll have to push for an equalizer and Brazil will kill us with their own counters. If we score first it's no guarantee that we'll win, but I think it's a must if we want to win.

 

And I'm so excited. I'm just hoping we play well and actually avoid getting a red card once again.

 

We have zero chance if we get another early red. We are due for another game with no red card too, its sad to actually think that.

[Jon]

What the hell!?! South Africa took a 1-0 lead on a 73rd minute goal. Spain equalized and took the lead with goals in the 87th and 88th minutes, only for South Africa to tie it up in stoppage time. Yikes.

 

Extra time now.

[Mark Priors Calves]

What the hell!?! South Africa took a 1-0 lead on a 73rd minute goal. Spain equalized and took the lead with goals in the 87th and 88th minutes, only for South Africa to tie it up in stoppage time. Yikes.

 

Extra time now.

this turned into a really fun game to watch.

[Jon]

Two fantastic opportunities for South Africa in the first 12 minutes.

 

So close to allowing a hat trick, too. I wonder when was the last time Spain has given up 3 to the same player.

 

Make that three now.

[Jon]

Wow. That was a ridiculously obvious and deliberate (and really stupid) hand ball in the box and yet they missed it. Spain got screwed there.

[ConstableRabbit]

Outside of perhaps getting respect from the soccer world, what could a US win today mean in terms of the WC? I know it's not a qualifier or anything, but would a victory give us better seeding?

[Jon]

Close to an elbow of god there. Didn't look like he got it, though.

[USSoccer]

This is going to be a glorious day.

 

If we keep our shape, close out in our third, and avoid stupid giveaways in the center of the pitch, we have a shot at this game.

 

This Brazilian team is talented, but has a fatal flaw, and that is the tactical acumen of Dunga. They like to defend deep, play two D-mids, and counter with speed (think a more talented empty bucket). This exposes their defense. Their defense is like Spain's-if you run at them, with speed, they can be broken down. If you can force Kaka and Robinho back towards the midfield to receive the ball, you've succeeded in frustrated them. They are a good set-piece team, and extremely cynical in the fact that they will dive or hack you down. You have to avoid fouls in the defensive third. They are an arrogant team, and one that strikes me as having very little leadership if adversity should hit them.

 

If we can nick a goal early, I think we win.

[Guest]

What time does the game start today?

[USSoccer]

What time does the game start today?

 

Like 1:30 CDT

[Guest]

What time does the game start today?

 

Like 1:30 CDT

 

Like?

 

Thanks. :D

 

What channel is carrying the game?

[Rusch33]

What time does the game start today?

 

Like 1:30 CDT

 

Like?

 

Thanks. :D

 

What channel is carrying the game?

 

ESPN, I think.

[Guest]

What time does the game start today?

 

Like 1:30 CDT

 

Like?

 

Thanks. :D

 

What channel is carrying the game?

 

ESPN, I think.

 

You think?

 

My what dedicated footballers we have here today. :good:

[Exile on Waveland]

What time does the game start today?

 

Like 1:30 CDT

 

Like?

 

Thanks. :D

 

What channel is carrying the game?

 

ESPN, I think.

 

You think?

 

My what dedicated footballers we have here today. :good:

 

Yeah, so start time is 1:30-ish (well, 2:30 here)? ESPN keeps saying 2, but I'm assuming that's 30 minutes of pregame stuff I don't care about.

[Guest]

Holy crap South Africa's equalizer was sick. What a free kick.

[wolf stansson]

F ME WERE IN A FINAL

 

LETS DO THIS!

[da bears]

USA USA

so is there anyone out there who is not playing for the team that will be come world cup time?