The Soccer Thread

[Transmogrified Tiger]

That was crappy. Clear the ball.

[Jon]

What the hell was that?

 

I mean aside from not bothering to clear the ball.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I don't like that this official keeps rewarding dives that are really blatant.

[Jon]

Nicely done. Not a bad first goal.

 

Could have done without seeing white guys dance, though.

[Jon]

They've had quite a few quality chances so far. They probably should have a third goal already.

[Exile on Waveland]

US attack was good, defending left something to be desired.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Why is Keller in? That seems stupid.

[Jon]

Will SOMEONE finish?

[Exile on Waveland]

Will SOMEONE finish?

 

Dempsey will.

[Jon]

Onyewu with a beauty.

[Exile on Waveland]

Will SOMEONE finish?

 

Dempsey will.

 

As will Onyewu.

[sethuel1]

Why is Keller in? That seems stupid.

to get him to 100 career caps

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Why is Keller in? That seems stupid.

to get him to 100 career caps

 

Jeez, wait for a friendly that Howard can't make it to, or didn't already start.

 

In related news, I'm watching Green Street Hooligans right now.

[shnsajax]

Why is Keller in? That seems stupid.

to get him to 100 career caps

 

Jeez, wait for a friendly that Howard can't make it to, or didn't already start.

 

In related news, I'm watching Green Street Hooligans right now.

 

any good. its one I have been meaning to watch.

[Marco4]

Is the word Hooligans part of the title over there?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Is the word Hooligans part of the title over there?

 

Yeah, what's it called across the pond? I've seen it just called "Hooligans" before.

 

And yeah, I liked it. No idea as to how accurate a portrayal it was, and there's really very little soccer, but it's an interesting film.

[Marco4]

Yeah, what's it called across the pond? I've seen it just called "Hooligans" before.

 

And yeah, I liked it. No idea as to how accurate a portrayal it was, and there's really very little soccer, but it's an interesting film.

 

Its just Green Street over here; I don't know too much about it, to be honest, and its a side of football I've never really associated myself with.

[Jon]

Jeff Curtin had a fantastic goal on a header off a corner kick right before he was escorted into the ad board. Fire actually have a lead.

 

Not sure who with the Fire had the great idea to give out yellow thundersticks on the same day they played Columbus.

[USSoccer]

Just watched the game on my DVR. My impressions:

 

The Chinese National Diving Team was pretty poor. They didn't adjust at all. Next time they should bring their men's soccer team, instead of their Olympic divers.

 

I loved the 4-3-3. LOVED it. The formation, the players, and the field dimensions forced the US to break down the defense rather than play their usual crappy kick and run, chip up to a target forward style. Dempsey and Beasley I thought played the wings very well, and if we could ever develop a real striker, I can see that being a really effective formation. Dempsey in particular needs to be in more of an attacking role than the left mid role he was in under Arena. Those two were the best players on the field. Good to see DaMarcus in good form.

 

Carlos Bocanegra is a mess in the back. Every time he gets a touch on the ball I have a heart attack. The defense in general, I thought, didn't play well. The Chinese goal was just bad clearance. Onyewu played pretty well. Howard made one really nice save. Crappy service into the 18 from Spector and Bornstein. We still need better play from the left back spot.

 

Michael Bradley played a pretty poor game. I don't think playing 1 touch soccer is his thing. Feilhaber was pretty good, and took his goal really well. Kleitsjan was ok, saw the field pretty well. Razov sucks.

 

I liked what I saw from Charlie Davies. He's fast and seems pretty good technically with the ball at his feet. I was stoked to see Nguyen get on the field, but he didn't do much with his time. Still, it's good to see him getting capped and hopefully he'll have a strong Copa America run.

 

Other than the finishing (Razov and Dempsey should have had 4 goals between them), I though they actually made improvements to their technical play. Here's hoping it carries over into Thursday.

 

My preferred lineup against Guatemala:

 

------------------Johnson-------------------

 

Beasley----------Donovan---------Dempsey

 

------------Bradley-------Feilhaber---------

 

Bornstein---------------------------Spector

 

------------Bocangra---Onyewu------------

 

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

 

 

It's a 4-5-1, but I'd play it like they did Saturday and push Beasley and Dempsey up front into more of a 4-3-3. Guatemala is going to try and bunker in again like they did in March, so the US is going to have to take the lessons learned from playing in Spartan Stadium and apply them to the Home Depot center.

[MPC]

Speculation from the Evening Standard that David Beckham is regretting his summer move to MLS. With his recent addition to the England squad for Euro 2008 qualifiers, it'll be tough to maintain a spot on the roster while being in the U.S.

[Jon]

Speculation from the Evening Standard that David Beckham is regretting his summer move to MLS. With his recent addition to the England squad for Euro 2008 qualifiers, it'll be tough to maintain a spot on the roster while being in the U.S.

And then he was reminded of the ridiculous amount of money he'd be making in endorsement deals alone.

[USSoccer]

Speculation from the Evening Standard that David Beckham is regretting his summer move to MLS. With his recent addition to the England squad for Euro 2008 qualifiers, it'll be tough to maintain a spot on the roster while being in the U.S.

 

I'm sure this is all speculation. McLaren will probably just drop him after these next couple matches anyway.

[USSoccer]

England are 0-0 in the 35th minute against Estonia. Beckham has twisted his ankle and may be subbed.

[USSoccer]

1-0 England on a Joe Cole shot.

[Guest]

England are 0-0 in the 35th minute against Estonia. Beckham has twisted his ankle and may be subbed.

 

How bad an injury?