USSoccer

Off topic, but Ian Darke has just been outstanding the past two games. I sincerely hope that Martin Tyler doesn't do another of our games the rest of the way. Also, Harkes' rant on blown calls against the USA after he saw the replay of Dempsey's goal was probably the best commentary he's had this cycle.

I think this is the culmination of the past two years of heightened awareness. MLS attendance is up while every other league was static or down. Seattle draw 30k+ every match and play pretty good attacking soccer. Investment in MLS is up. At this point, I don't care if it "arrives" with meatheaded meatballs. We have a big enough fanbase to matter, as Wolf said. I peek in on the soccer thread every once in a while and much of the time you guys are talking about teams in countries most us have never been to. I don't consider myself a meatball but that's something I could never dig. Which is fine, I totally get that. Soccer here allows for the opportunity to enjoy it on several levels. MLS/USMNT/Euro leagues...casuals won't follow MLS like the hardcore guys do, but that's fine. If this WC means that the casuals maybe follow the 'Nats a little more closely, especially come WCQ's or the WC, that's fine too. And if not, honestly, that's fine too. Our fanbase is growing at a perfectly fine rate. I'm happy that we're getting the press love we're getting, because this group deserves it. They're special-this is the best team we've ever had.

I think this is the culmination of the past two years of heightened awareness. MLS attendance is up while every other league was static or down. Seattle draw 30k+ every match and play pretty good attacking soccer. Investment in MLS is up. At this point, I don't care if it "arrives" with meatheaded meatballs. We have a big enough fanbase to matter, as Wolf said.

DeMerit won't go. He is Watford. Plus he's relatively old. He should and wants to stay with the club and fans he loves. Tim is the same way to a lesser degree. He's got a good 10 years left in his prime as a keeper, but he loves Everton. That being said, I could see him moving to a huge club if the price is right for both the challenge and the financial gain at stake for both he and Everton. He's a different case than any of our other potential transfer targets in that he's already played for a super club. In fact, arguably the biggest club in the world. The most likely scenario for Tim moving on is when Moyes gets a big job. I could see both of them at United when SAF retires. Bradley could be useful to a ton of massive clubs. Arsenal need a player like him, Liverpool could get him to replace Mascherano, making a tidy profit without losing quality. He'd be great in Italy. Juve and Milan could use him. Closer to his club home, Bayern could really use him as a long-term partner with Schweinsteiger with Van Bommel getting up there. Sky's the limit with Mikey. I'd like to see Mikey stay at 'Gladbach for one more year. He was up and down during the term and the last thing I'd want is for him to go to the EPL and ride pine the first iffy game he has. Howard stays at Everton until Moyes goes. They could legitimately challenge for CL next term, especially if they try to buy Landon. Jozy probably raised his stock to the point where maybe Villarreal keep him and partner him with Rossi. I'm fairly happy with most of our guys' club situations, actually. The one guy who might, might move would be Clint, especially if Hodgson goes to Liverpool.

I haven't rewatched but on first viewing, he took an awkward first touch instead of just first-timing the shot, and then took a really great chip shot that just happened to hit the woodwork. The rebound shot...he had time to settle but he rushed it.

I think it's been situational. Against England, our defense was okay and we were protecting a lead, so we subbed Holden for Findley and pushed Clint up top. In the others, we needed to break down a defense and score. Service from the wing was less important than the ability to unlock a bunker. I think Holden is Clint's backup straight away on his side. Benny's just a general offensive sub.

Dempsey, Bradley or Jozy are good picks. My next jersey is going to be a Mikey one.

He started for Mikey in the final, looked good for about 50 minutes and then looked gassed and couldn't hold possession. Our depth this summer>>>>last summer.

Bob's going to get the call to Europe and I'm almost as excited about that as I am about any player getting transferred. Let's talk about Benny Feilhaber. Benny has been the first midfielder off the bench for the last two games and he's been very good in both. It's the same role he played in the good run last summer. It's pretty evident that he's not a 90 minute regular starter, but what's his deal? I haven't seen him play a ton of club ball. He just seems like a really smart sub who gets a feel for the game's pace early on. He definitely raises his game on the big stage (BENNY...FEEEEEIIILHAAABER!!! YEEEEEESS!) but he's never really done anything eye catching at club level that I've been aware of. I think it's helped that in both games we were chasing a goal. Benny's an offensive minded player who you just can't play if the result is level or if you're holding a lead. He's also the kind of guy who needs weapons around him, since he's a creative guy who's constantly looking to break down a defense. At Aarhus, he's surrounded by crap, and thus looks like crap. I'll agree that in both games he hasn't taken long at all to pick up the feel for the game. There's been no adjustment period for him. He's filling his role perfectly.

Hard to compare, but relative to the field Howard is as good as it gets for the US. On talent, Landon isn't one of the top 30. Relative to his role at the national level, he probably is. Wolf put it best-he's a complimentary player. A top notch one, but no Messi or Ronaldo. I think when the transfer market heats up, Mikey and Landon are going to be in demand.

Because that team was older, overrated and full of guys in dreadful form, and it still took a questionable PK call and some bad luck to lose 2-1. We have Donovan and Dempsey and Howard in prime. Mikey in fantastic form and Jozy looking better with each game. Dolo and Demerit looking good, and this team has something about them. Full credit to Bob Bradley. No matter what happens, his 4 years have been a fantastic success. He rebuilt the midfield post 2006 and looked at everyone in the pool, practically. Nothing's guaranteed, and Ghana will have the whole continent behind them, but on paper, we should win this game. They are a more athletic Algeria.

Ghana were very lucky...Cahill handled the ball in the 18 late and the ref missed it. Would have been a PK to tie. Bring on Ghana. F them.

Nice finish by Ozil

Since none of Clint was nearer to the goal line than the last defender, the goal should have stood.

Kyle, just admit you're wrong and get back to enjoying the result. Not only was that point huge, as we were even with Slovenia on everything else, but Clint's goal was completely onside. The only thing that I can think of was that the A/R wasn't in the proper position since the ball was ping-ponging around. de Bleeker wasn't the one who made the call, but he could have overruled it. This one's on the A/R, since it's not even close to borderline. His body was on and his foot was even. That's onside, again, according to the LOTG.

Germany winning the group also gives forces England to beat Germany and Argentina just to make the semis, which I personally find hilarious. I would find England going out to Germany in the round of 16 quite perfect.

Altidore run up the right side, cross to Dempsey 3 feet from the goal line, off the goalie, right to Donovan, put it in an empty net. And just to clarify, Demspey didn't have much of a chance. But it worked out really well that Dempsey wasn't able to get to it until he was just a few feet from the keeper, since the keeper had no shot of controlling the ball. It wasn't the best of crosses but Clint made a great run, and that turned it into a 50/50 ball. Landon made the right supporting run.

LD was invisible the entire 2nd half, so I'm especially happy he got the winner. Clint was the unluckiest player on the field. Should have had 3. Was dangerous throughout. Ran his ass off. Great game. Jay Demerit and Bornstein played fantastic. So, so happy for Bornstein!

Algeria got a good chance that Howard had to save right on the line. He sprung a quick counter that turned into a 4-on-2. Someone (altidore or buddle?) got the ball right in front of the keeper and shot it straight into him, but the rebound came out a little and Donovan buried it. Great distribution from howard to Jozy (who played like a damn beast), broke into the 18 and squared into Clint, who got there right when the keeper did. Ball squirted out to LD and he slotted in perfectly. Amazing. Amazing. I'm so effing happy right now

YEaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah

Not a good shot

That should be a straight red and a PK

Beasley in. please score...

Right here. This is the chance right here

Come on boys. One time