The Soccer Thread

[sethuel1]

Upon rewatching some of the game, I will temper my "Johnson sucked" argument. Johnson is tantalizing, because he obviously has the talent, and periodically makes good runs. However, he holds the ball up when he should be taking off and blowing by people, and there's at least three or four times a game where you watch a ball he could get to sail harmlessly by because he's just standing there. he has no killer instinct.

 

In other words, the same thing we've been saying about EJ for a few years now.

Edited June 29, 2007 by sethuel1

[USSoccer]

Let me add that i was also impressed by Olsen.

 

Gaven bites, and should never wear the US shirt again. All the subs were very unimpressive, although Beckerman did appear composed on the ball once or twice.

 

Gaven can't even start for a mediocre MLS team. He has no business being on the field for the US. Ditto that for Marvell Wynne.

[USSoccer]

Upon rewatching some of the game, I will temper my "Johnson sucked" argument. Johnson is tantalizing, because he obviously has the talent, and periodically makes good runs. However, he holds the ball up when he should be taking off and blowing by people, and there's at least three or four times a game where you watch a ball he could get to sail harmlessly by because he's just standing there.

 

In other words, the same thing we've been saying about EJ for a few years now.

 

Isn't that the problem with EJ, though? That he hasn't developed at all since 2004?

 

BTW, I totally called tonights final score earlier in the thread. I said it would be much like the US/Germany friendly last spring. From what I gather, it sounds like it was almost the exact same game, with Gaven playing the Kerry Zavagnin role.

[soccer10k]

From what I gathered from reading SBI, Twellman was invisible and Johnson refused to run at defenders again.

 

Well there's a shocker.

[sethuel1]

Upon rewatching some of the game, I will temper my "Johnson sucked" argument. Johnson is tantalizing, because he obviously has the talent, and periodically makes good runs. However, he holds the ball up when he should be taking off and blowing by people, and there's at least three or four times a game where you watch a ball he could get to sail harmlessly by because he's just standing there.

 

In other words, the same thing we've been saying about EJ for a few years now.

 

Isn't that the problem with EJ, though? That he hasn't developed at all since 2004?

 

BTW, I totally called tonights final score earlier in the thread. I said it would be much like the US/Germany friendly last spring. From what I gather, it sounds like it was almost the exact same game, with Gaven playing the Kerry Zavagnin role.

 

The difference is that we got nothing out of that Germany game since Arena was plainly [expletive] at the end of his tenure. We got some questions answered tonight I think. Namely that Bornstein can defend against someone like Messi, which amazed the crap out of me, Feilhaber and Clark can hold their own against a world-class midfield, Conrad and DeMerit as well are more than serviceable (though I feel we knew this already probably).

 

We also learned that Mapp is completely shut down going forward by right backs the caliber of Zanetti (which I doubt Beasely would have been), and Eddie Gaven and Marvell Wynne don't have it, especially Gaven.

 

I'm intrigued by Beckerman, and want to see more.

[USSoccer]

 

The difference is that we got nothing out of that Germany game since Arena was plainly [expletive] at the end of his tenure. We got some questions answered tonight I think. Namely that Bornstein can defend against someone like Messi, which amazed the crap out of me, Feilhaber and Clark can hold their own against a world-class midfield, Conrad and DeMerit as well are more than serviceable (though I feel we knew this already probably).

 

We also learned that Mapp is completely shut down going forward by right backs the caliber of Zanetti (which I doubt Beasely would have been), and Eddie Gaven and Marvell Wynne don't have it, especially Gaven.

 

I'm intrigued by Beckerman, and want to see more.

 

I get the feeling that Bradley is utilizing Bornstein the way Bobby Cox developed young position players. He's letting him play through his growing pains. He still has a long way to go, especially learning to cross and not get caught out of position upfield as much, but to read about his defense on Messi is definetly encouraging.

 

Feilhaber, to me, probably is the best out of the group of central mids that we have. He seems to have all the positive qualities of Reyna without the crippling negatives. I don't care for Clark, much, but I think he could be a useful piece.

 

Conrad is a known quantity for me at this point. He's steadier than Bocanegra and smarter than Gooch. I like what DeMerit brings to the table. I'd really like to see Bocanegra not playing alongside Gooch, anymore, if possible.

 

Gaven suckity sucks. Wynne might yet be good, but I don't think he's ready to be defending guys like Tevez, Crespo, etc.

 

Justin Mapp is Bobby Convey with less talent. Think about that. He should be a backup option. We have better wings right now, and better wing prospects upcoming. Beckerman I refuse to think about until he gives Mastro his 2002 hairdo back.

 

What continues to trouble me is that our best forward combo right now is probably Ching/Dempsey. That's not going to cut it long term.

[Brendan]

is anyone interested in joining an nsbb premiership fantasy league? i did it last year, and it's pretty fun. you can sort through the rules to get all the ins-and-outs (use the "help" link on the right side and then browse away), but the gist is that you have a 100-pound budget with which to compose a full squad. obviously, the best players will cost the most, and different teams can have the same players. the players' values change throughout the season based upon performance, so it's possible to sell high (contrary to the actions of the cubs beloved gm) and make a profit, so to speak. there are quite a few rules re: scoring, mandatory formations, transfer penalties, etc. etc, so definitely check those out. the league opens up on 6 july, but there isn't really any rush, as the season is weeks away. i'll set it up if there's interest...

[USSoccer]

I'm seeing a lot of support for a Simek/DeMerit/Bocanegra/Bornstein backline amongst the interwebs.

 

I can't say I disagree with the Simek/DeMerit stuff. I'm beginning to seriously question Gooch's spot.

[sethuel1]

I'm seeing a lot of support for a Simek/DeMerit/Bocanegra/Bornstein backline amongst the interwebs.

 

I can't say I disagree with the Simek/DeMerit stuff. I'm beginning to seriously question Gooch's spot.

 

i can get on board with that

 

and sure, i'd do a premiership fantasy league

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I'm seeing a lot of support for a Simek/DeMerit/Bocanegra/Bornstein backline amongst the interwebs.

 

I can't say I disagree with the Simek/DeMerit stuff. I'm beginning to seriously question Gooch's spot.

 

How did Onyewu fare during the Euro season? I'd be hesitant to have him fall from "stud defender/central back of the future" to "oaf off the bench" based just on the Gold Cup.

[sethuel1]

I'm seeing a lot of support for a Simek/DeMerit/Bocanegra/Bornstein backline amongst the interwebs.

 

I can't say I disagree with the Simek/DeMerit stuff. I'm beginning to seriously question Gooch's spot.

 

How did Onyewu fare during the Euro season? I'd be hesitant to have him fall from "stud defender/central back of the future" to "oaf off the bench" based just on the Gold Cup.

 

he didn't look good for Newcastle.

 

hasn't been in form in a while

[USSoccer]

I'm seeing a lot of support for a Simek/DeMerit/Bocanegra/Bornstein backline amongst the interwebs.

 

I can't say I disagree with the Simek/DeMerit stuff. I'm beginning to seriously question Gooch's spot.

 

How did Onyewu fare during the Euro season? I'd be hesitant to have him fall from "stud defender/central back of the future" to "oaf off the bench" based just on the Gold Cup.

 

I think a big part of his "stud" rep came from tossing Jared Borgetti around in Columbus. However, in hindsight tossing a player like Borgetti around doesn't seem all that impressive. He barely played at Bolton in the EPL, isn't fast or quick, isn't that technical, but he's good in the air.

 

He was the perfect matchup for Gooch.

 

He uses his hands way too much when battling for position, and that coupled with his size means he's going to always be prone to drawing stupid fouls in our end.

 

It's not that I don't think he's useful-I think against certain forwards he's a real asset. He's just a terrible matchup against anyone with pace or quickness.

[USSoccer]

I'm seeing a lot of support for a Simek/DeMerit/Bocanegra/Bornstein backline amongst the interwebs.

 

I can't say I disagree with the Simek/DeMerit stuff. I'm beginning to seriously question Gooch's spot.

 

How did Onyewu fare during the Euro season? I'd be hesitant to have him fall from "stud defender/central back of the future" to "oaf off the bench" based just on the Gold Cup.

 

he didn't look good for Newcastle.

 

hasn't been in form in a while

 

When Newcastle decides they don't want you, you've done something very wrong.

[MPC]

I was impressed with DeMerit, Mapp (defensively), Clark, and Conrad until he got tired. Feilhaber wasn't bad, but I expect that out of him now. Twellman and Johnson both sucked. Bornstein was very inspired when he was up against Messi, impressively so, but sucked after they moved Messi to the other side so he could abuse Gaven and Wynne.

 

Keller is slow nowadays.

 

From what I gathered from reading SBI,

What's SBI? I'm looking new places to read up on footie.

 

also, i'd be interested in a prem fantasy league.

[Exile on Waveland]

I was impressed with DeMerit, Mapp (defensively), Clark, and Conrad until he got tired. Feilhaber wasn't bad, but I expect that out of him now. Twellman and Johnson both sucked. Bornstein was very inspired when he was up against Messi, impressively so, but sucked after they moved Messi to the other side so he could abuse Gaven and Wynne.

 

Keller is slow nowadays.

 

From what I gathered from reading SBI,

What's SBI? I'm looking new places to read up on footie.

 

also, i'd be interested in a prem fantasy league.

 

Me too. I've played before, but not with anyone I remotely know. It'd be nice to at least play with posters from here, likely would make it more interesting.

[USSoccer]

I was impressed with DeMerit, Mapp (defensively), Clark, and Conrad until he got tired. Feilhaber wasn't bad, but I expect that out of him now. Twellman and Johnson both sucked. Bornstein was very inspired when he was up against Messi, impressively so, but sucked after they moved Messi to the other side so he could abuse Gaven and Wynne.

 

Keller is slow nowadays.

 

From what I gathered from reading SBI,

What's SBI? I'm looking new places to read up on footie.

 

also, i'd be interested in a prem fantasy league.

 

SBI=Soccer By Ives. Ives Galarcep covers RBNY for some newspaper in NJ, but he also writes for ESPN.com's Soccernet.

 

I find that it's a pretty good read most of the time. It's a little RBNY/MLS heavy, but that's understandable.

[shnsajax]

The U-20's tied Korea today 1-1 with Stezla getting the 1st goal of the match. It sounded like the US was on the defensive for much of the match as well.

 

In their group they play Poland next who took down Brazil 1-0 in the other group game today.

Edited July 1, 2007 by shnsajax

[davecubsfan]

I'm seeing a lot of support for a Simek/DeMerit/Bocanegra/Bornstein backline amongst the interwebs.

 

I can't say I disagree with the Simek/DeMerit stuff. I'm beginning to seriously question Gooch's spot.

 

How did Onyewu fare during the Euro season? I'd be hesitant to have him fall from "stud defender/central back of the future" to "oaf off the bench" based just on the Gold Cup.

 

he didn't look good for Newcastle.

 

hasn't been in form in a while

 

When Newcastle decides they don't want you, you've done something very wrong.

 

Hahaha awesome.

[Brendan]

I'm seeing a lot of support for a Simek/DeMerit/Bocanegra/Bornstein backline amongst the interwebs.

 

I can't say I disagree with the Simek/DeMerit stuff. I'm beginning to seriously question Gooch's spot.

 

How did Onyewu fare during the Euro season? I'd be hesitant to have him fall from "stud defender/central back of the future" to "oaf off the bench" based just on the Gold Cup.

 

he didn't look good for Newcastle.

 

hasn't been in form in a while

 

When Newcastle decides they don't want you, you've done something very wrong.

 

naa ... he just really didn't play well. i watched a handful of the matches he played in, and it was the same old crap we complain about here. he started out with some promise, and there was certainly a buzz around him. he just failed to do anything, really. plus, the only reason newcastle signed him in the first place was because nearly half the team was out with injuries. i don't think they ever even had 80% of their projected starting side out there once. the rozehnal signing should help, but they better keep martins.

[Brendan]

game on tonight .. 6:30p est, goltv

 

.. it'd be nice to get a point from paraguay

[Jon]

Down 1-0...

[MPC]

ricardo clark will a blast in the 41st making it 1-1

[Jon]

Dang. Missed the goal except for the tail end of the replay. This crappy antenna doesn't make for a great viewing experience.

[MPC]

Dang. Missed the goal except for the tail end of the replay. This crappy antenna doesn't make for a great viewing experience.

 

it was solid, caught it off a deflection, squared up and beat the keeper on the right side.

[Guest]

Well hell, that was ugly. I can see better play at a local AYSO game.