The Soccer Thread

[wolf stansson]

Italy friendly roster:

GOALKEEPERS (3) :Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)

DEFENDERS (7) :Carlos Bocanegra (Rangers), Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo), Timmy Chandler (Nürnberg), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Michael Parkhurst (FC Nordsjaelland), Jonathan Spector (Birmingham City)

MIDFIELDERS (6) : Michael Bradley (Chievo Verona), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04), Jose Torres (Pachuca), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim)

FORWARDS (5) :Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar), Terrence Boyd (Borussia Dortmund), Edson Buddle (LA Galaxy), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy)

 

With MLS out of season, not too much to complain about with this roster. I doubt we'd see Boyd if Agudelo was fit. That midfield is interesting in that a starting midfielder for Anderlecht isn't considered good enough to make our national team for a friendly a few hundred miles from where he plays. That's a new one and probably a good sign, but I like Kljestan better than Williams, Torres and really Edu anyway. I'd also rather see Feilhaber than Torres, but maybe fitness was the concern there.

 

 

Also, it sounds like Stuttgart are lining up a bid for Chandler this summer.

[Guest]

Arsenal is picking Tottenham apart right now, up 5-2 in the 69th minute. Tottenham led 2-0 after 35 minutes but even then they were lucky to be ahead.

[shnsajax]

Arsenal have grown leaps and bounds over the course of the season. Still need to spend money on the back 4 though. Theo Walcott might be the most frustrating player I have seen in a while. The van Persie goal was great.

[shnsajax]

Andy Carroll is worthless.

[shnsajax]

Wow Cardiff ties it in the 28th minute of extra time in the Carling Cup final.

[Garwilly]

Arsenal is picking Tottenham apart right now, up 5-2 in the 69th minute. Tottenham led 2-0 after 35 minutes but even then they were lucky to be ahead.

 

I was at this match, first row on the pitch, directly behind the goal (the one where Spurs scored their initial two, and Arsenal scored their 3 in the second half). Possibly the best sporting environment I have ever experienced. Exhilarating.

[USSoccer]

Donovan withdrew from the roster for Wednesday's game v Italy, meaning that once again, we don't get to see how Landon and Clint line up under Klinsmann.

[shnsajax]

Donovan withdrew from the roster for Wednesday's game v Italy, meaning that once again, we don't get to see how Landon and Clint line up under Klinsmann.

 

Against random middle of the road countries I don't care. Against Italy I want to see him and where we stand.

[wolf stansson]

Especially on the kind of form he was showing with Everton. He was no joke, one of the best, pure wingers in the world (not that he'd get to be a pure winger with the Nats).

 

Chandler is a huge loss too against a team like Italy. Gooch too I suppose (I'm just used to not factoring him) so what looked like our first, true "A" squad getting tested is now a solid B.

[jersey cubs fan]

The USMNT is dressed like every white high school basketball team I've ever seen.

[wolf stansson]

Also, the nazis in Victory.

[wolf stansson]

Danny Williams is worthless. 0 positive passes in the attacking third in over 200 minutes with the national team. Seriously.

[jersey cubs fan]

eat it italy

[wolf stansson]

That dude.

 

 

 

Tim Howard was a monster today. Fabian Johnson looks like the best left back we have, Mo Edu played his strongest in a US kit ever and of course, Michael Bradley: still a star and of course the man himself cannot be denied.

[shnsajax]

Looking forward to watching this and the England-Holland game tonight.

[USSoccer]

Anyone who thinks Michael Bradley isn't class is on drugs.

 

Clint. That's swag.

[shnsajax]

Also, the nazis in Victory.

 

Think I am more shocked to see France score twice in a match than to see Germany lose.

 

I really should have gone to Frisco tonight to watch the U23 v Mexico. Agudelo must be hanging out with Neymar. Watching him come out for Bunbury is a good feeling.

[wolf stansson]

The olympic team sans Shea beat Mexico's olympic team 2-0. Agudelo with a goal, Diskerrud with a goal and an assist. I did not watch.

[shnsajax]

The olympic team sans Shea beat Mexico's olympic team 2-0. Agudelo with a goal, Diskerrud with a goal and an assist. I did not watch.

 

They were playing with a lot of swagger the 1st 70 minutes prior to several subs. One thing that stood out to me was the speed of this team. Seemed like everyone could run. They looked big, but you always do when playing against Mexico. I missed parts of the game, but I was impressed with them. Looked to be one of the best youth teams since the 2000 Olympic squad. Mix played very well. Bunbury was off when he came in, had probably 4 shots and none of them on goal. Oh and [expletive] Mexico! I want to see Shea dominate this squad when he goes.

 

Any clues as to who the 3 overage players will be? I think we have a legit chance to go deep in this one.

[wolf stansson]

I heard Donovan wants to play: http://usa10kit.com/page/2/

They could use a center back and a defensive midfielder.

[USSoccer]

It's going to be very interesting who the three senior players end up being. Bruce Arena will probably pitch a fit if Donovan wants to go, given Beckham will be captaining Great Britian and they'll lose Keane to the Euros and Donovan to WCQ. But then again, Landon has some sway and if he wants to go, how do you say no? Dempsey indicated some interest to Wahl last week, too.

 

Also, Andre Villas-Boas is so screwed. How does that team lose to West Brom?

 

If Abramovich had any stones he'd back AVB and let him ship all the deadwood and clubhouse lawyers out this summer, but we all know that won't happen.

[Mark Priors Calves]

Chelsea sucks.

[manbearcub]

Chelsea sucks.

That's a shame. They deserve so much better.

[USSoccer]

-AVB sacked

 

-Clint with 2 more today, ho hum, greatest American ever. 18 in all comps.

[wolf stansson]

Yeah. Clint is that man. Love him.

Also, Jozy with his 10th which I believe is top 10 in the league despite not starting consistently.

 

Last summer was a recent low point for US Soccer. Here we are 8 months later and I'm as optimistic as ever. Bradley, Dempsey took a next step while maintaining their American, underdog edge, Landon after looking tired last fall bouncing back giving me hope that he can morph into a Scholsian/Beckhamian veteran, the emergence of Shea, ze German contingent giving us much improved depth & the continued growth of MLS in a recession has been great to see.