USSoccer

[expletive]

Like 1:30 CDT

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.

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/

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

Leave him off. This is a perfect chance for Feilhaber to play (and shine). I just hope he's in shape enough for the task. In my mind, it's that Bradley only plays over Feilhaber since he's the coaches son. Feilhaber and Bradley play completely different roles. Mikey's workrate is light years ahead of Benny's. Benny is more of a creative mid, and Mikey's a box to box mid. And there's also the matter of Mikey probably being our best center mid, overall, by a fairly wide margin. The nepotism stuff is circa 2007. Mikey's legitimately really good.

Where did you see that? BS.com per a Spanish language paper. F it put him on the Gold Cup roster. Problem solved.

Oh Crap...Mikey apparently went after the ref and might be facing a multiple match ban

Just finished my DVR HolyHoly crap. I can't believe that happened. The back four were STRONG That was the worst red I've ever seen. Larrionda is terrible. That wasn't studs up, he got the ball, he got there on time. Horrid. Deuce shut Harkes the F up again. I can't believe that happened. BB waited about 10 minutes too long to sub but DAMN

He covers more ground than Landon and has a higher completion % than Mikey. I think the stats have a flaw in that when Deuce gives up possession, he tends to do it in a bad spot.

Prefaced by the thought that he should be a supersub-coming in at minute 65 and running at tired mids and backs...he played well. His decision making in the attacking third is still suspect-he misplayed a couple of balls that could have led to scoring chances-but his hustle and effort created the first goal and his workrate was probably what this team needed.

Plus the hookers.

Just a drunken Father's Day observation, but it looked to me like Bradley, Donovan and Dempsey played much farther upfield today. Donovan in particular played extremely well, and Egypt looked in shambles playing a formation (4-4-2) they haven't played in 5 years. I think Span will kill them. 3-1, 2-0 with very little US possession. But then again, if you wanted a WC2010 dry run, playing Italy, Brasil and Spain in a 10 day span is pretty damned good, and they'll likely get to play South Africa in the 3rd place game as well.

I'm not sure about Lippi. Why start Cannavaro? Why not start Rossi? Luca Toni moves like a zombie right now. Do they miss Totti in the center that badly? How do you have an Italian side concede three when all the need to do is keep things tidy in the back and they advance? Why not start Gilardino, who's at least been in form all year. They look no less lost than we did. Very happy Rossi didn't go through.

I'm watching the Italy game right now. They look like hot ass. Too bad Clark had to go all MLS on Gattuso, because I think even up we could have beat them. Gooch had a hell of a game today, and I'm really happy for Guzan. As someone who's never been sold 100% on Howard I'd love for there to be a little competition there. Johnny Specks had a great cross in on the third, and if Mr. PK would fricking learn to shoot the damn ball from somewhere other than the spot, we could have scored even more. Which is too bad, because other than his trademark lack of shooting, he played a hell of a game. Demerit has now cemented the #3 CB spot, which is good, because unless the first 3 are shot and killed I never, ever want to see Califf in an important game. Rico and Mikey B. played strong today, and covered a ton of ground. Kudos to Benny, who played hard in a role not necessarily tailor made for him. Mikey showed he needs a destroyer with him to maximize his skill. He had three solid opportunities and one goal. I liked this. Davies played really well. Lots of pressure, work rate and pace. Jozy was okay, but we need to stop trying to use him like a target player. He's not Brian Ching, nor should we try and make him be that. Egypt looked gassed, disorganized and hurt. I still don't know about BB not using Adu or Torres today (why bring on Casey?) and I'm not necessarily happy about today quieting his critics, but he sure showed more emotion today than I've seen in a while. And while I'm not a rah rah guy, it was nice to see.

Suck it, John Harkes. While you were busy pissing and moaning about Clint every 5 minutes, he scored the decisive goal and would have had two assists had Mr. Penalty Spot had shot the ball, and if the Egyptian keeper had not pulled one out of his rear on MBizzy. Bitching about his work rate is absolutely hilarious. I'm glad he did that. F you. Go cry about his rabona some more. That was a good fricking game. I know Spain is going to eat us alive, but this performance was solid.

Per the USSF Twitter: Howard The Usuals Donovan--Clark--MBuzzy--Clint Davies--Jozy Christ.

I'm torn between wanting us to win pretty (ie, goals from the run of play, not some 2-1 gritty win with a PK and a set piece goal) and wanting Egypt to pulverize us so the Fire Bradley movement gains some irresistible steam. Things to watch for: -Deuce will likely sit, not because of the Rabona-Bunny Hop-Step Over display in the final 15 (which upon review actually created chances, and only the Rabona could qualify as stupid) but because he is obviously gassed and has already played 180 minutes, half with 9 outfield players, and he;d be playing again on 2 days rest. If he starts, he should be subbed at the 60 minute mark. -Today is Torres and Adu's best chance for some PT. Ironically, since we're not actually eliminated, I'm wondering if BB will just play his usual lineup. My favored XI: Alti-Deuce Adu Donovan--Bradley--Torres Bornstein--DeM--Gooch--JSpec Clint and Jozy would be a better combination that Casey or Donovan would provide and free him up to attack. I'd love to see that if only because we need goals, and creative players on the pitch. Knowing BB, though, there's not enough workrate there to get Captain ODP all rubbery.

Out of curiosity, why don't you think there's a chance it happens? In the last six matches, the only good performance was a 3-0 win over T&T. Because the Confederations Cup isn't viewed as important by the powers that be. The only way he'd get himself fired is if we failed to qualify (not likely since our region sucks) or if/when we get bounced after the group stage next year. I don't think Gulati has the stones to fire him. Even if we did, would the USSF just promote Hackworth or Ellinger or Rongen? That's more of the same-one of those idiots once told an ODP squad that they'd rather have them emulate Frankie Hejduk than Zidane (who was called a show-pony in said speech). Klinsmann's time at FC Hollywood didn't exactly make me regret his not getting the job either, but I guess he'd be the best likely option, since at least he's not of the system. I also think we all underestimated the effect Nowak had on the team, because ever since he quit, we've crapped all over ourselves. We're 1-3 with a GD of -7, and have given up goals in the first 10 minutes of three games, and been red carded twice, both times for idiot fouls that never should have happened. The earliest it could happen would be after Azteca, but even then we have so many built in excuses to keep the symptoms of the disease in place. We never win there, the Confed Cup was a test, we'd still be in 2nd place in the Hex...I just don't see it. Unless he really has lost the locker room, which is what Voros (McCracken) is theorizing. And if that's the case, given that Nike wields some clout and Deuce is Nike's guy, then maybe. I'm curious as to how the firing of Bradley could hurt/help Michael? Mikey is our best central mid. If anything, we'd get a coach that knew how to use him/pair him with someone productive. BB got fired from the Metros and it didn't hurt Mikey. Mikey went to Holland, advanced through the reserves and scored 20, then moved to Gladbach and did the same thing without the padded Erdivisie goal total. He won't be a problem.

Out of curiosity, why don't you think there's a chance it happens? In the last six matches, the only good performance was a 3-0 win over T&T. Because the Confederations Cup isn't viewed as important by the powers that be. The only way he'd get himself fired is if we failed to qualify (not likely since our region sucks) or if/when we get bounced after the group stage next year. I don't think Gulati has the stones to fire him. Even if we did, would the USSF just promote Hackworth or Ellinger or Rongen? That's more of the same-one of those idiots once told an ODP squad that they'd rather have them emulate Frankie Hejduk than Zidane (who was called a show-pony in said speech). Klinsmann's time at FC Hollywood didn't exactly make me regret his not getting the job either, but I guess he'd be the best likely option, since at least he's not of the system. I also think we all underestimated the effect Nowak had on the team, because ever since he quit, we've crapped all over ourselves. We're 1-3 with a GD of -7, and have given up goals in the first 10 minutes of three games, and been red carded twice, both times for idiot fouls that never should have happened. The earliest it could happen would be after Azteca, but even then we have so many built in excuses to keep the symptoms of the disease in place. We never win there, the Confed Cup was a test, we'd still be in 2nd place in the Hex...I just don't see it. Unless he really has lost the locker room, which is what Voros (McCracken) is theorizing. And if that's the case, given that Nike wields some clout and Deuce is Nike's guy, then maybe.

I had mentally tuned out by the end, but everyone on BS is menstruating about Deuce pulling out a bunch of tricks in the final 15 as an "eff-you" to Bradley. It's stunning to see the level of "play the game the right way" crap spewing from some people. It's like people don't get that we won't ever, ever hustle or work-rate our way to a World Cup. I know there's no shot of it happening, but he (Bradley) needs to get canned.

We're awful. We're going to go 0-3. It's a good thing our key players are going to get 2 months off before Azteca, and it's even better that Jermaine will be eligible for that game, because: -Clint needs some time off badly because he's making terrible decisions and looks like he's going to die on the field. -We need the Gold Cup to allow guys like Adu, Torres, Benny and someone like Robbie Rogers to get some burn and remove some of our more awful options. -We need some time to take DMB back to Scotland and leave him there. -Sacha needs to go away, as he was horrible all game, quit on the counter before Robhino's strike, and committed a truly stupid foul, damning us to the distinction of having played exactly 50% of our CC minutes with 9 outfield players Seriously, I want none of the starters playing in the Gold Cup except Jozy: Davies--Altidore Adu Torres--Benny--Rogers Pearce--Demerit--Marshall--Spector Every game. That. Every game. I don't give a [expletive] about shape or defending. Develop some of these guys so that we don't have to see DMB, Mastro, Sacha, Califf, Ching, and EJ ever freaking again. EDIT: That said, if I know Bradley and the USSF, we'll see: Jozy--Casey Torres--Clark--Bradley--DMB Pearce--Califf--Demerit---Hejduk Because it's really effing important to win-nay, "defend" the Gold Cup in an off year. Idiots.

Pirlo is one of the best in the world. Just smooth on the ball with great vision. I'm going on record and saying that if we draw Brasil tomorrow, I'll be hard for a week. Facing 6 of the best attacking players in the world, though...I guess I won't be shocked if we give up another three or four. 4-2 or 3-1 if we lose (Brasil's defense is super vulnerable), 1-1, maybe 0-0 if we can swing something here. Who starts for Clark? Sacha? Adu? Torres? Does Clint sit (i hope he gets subbed out if we're losing in the 2nd half by more than one because he's clearly gassed)? Davies up front with Jozy and LD on the wing?

Who cares? They are a class above us. Of course we lost to them. The ref could get every call right and we'd probably lose 6, draw 3 and win 1. It's not upsetting, it's reality. Ricardo Clark doesn't know how to play internationally. You may be able to get away with that [expletive] in MLS, but not on the World stage. I don't know if Mastro was a better option though. Giuseppi Rossi is a treasonous, traitorous [expletive]. The Italians play dirty. The Chilean ref is blind. Feilhaber was obviously gassed recently coming back from injury and had no business being in that game as long as he was, especially a man down. Props to Landon for making himself known in the first half, but too little, too late. We need a second striker with Altidore desperately. 2010 will be more of the same as 2006. The thing about it is, if Bradley had been intelligent and pulled the clearly gassed Benny F. (who had several other questionable decisions prior to the giveaway) we could have stood a chance. He should have subbed Benny at the half, probably. At worst at the 60 minute mark. I could have lived with 3-1 with a 10 man squad had the goals been anyone but Rossi. F him. I can't wait for Jermaine Jones to come in to our side and do awful things to players such as him.

-Clark's foul was not a red. It was a yellow. I can'tt believe I'm typing this again in a US/ITA match. -Bradley is a complete idiot for not using a sub to relieve Benny, who hasn't had that many competitive minutes in a long time and was obviously gassed. Terrible giveaway on Rossi's 1st. Great pass to Jozy. -I fricking hate Gio Rossi so much. I wish he had caught a Davies elbow to his stupid Judas head. You don't celebrate like that against your country you were raised in-and i'm too irritated right now to remember, but if he was born here, he's an even bigger prick. Even Podolski, who's a complete douche, didn't do that in the Euros against Poland. Completely classless from a classless little bitch. -DeMerit failed to close out on all three goals. -The team deserved better than they got today. Jozy and Bradley both flubbed clear chances on goal, which would have made this a fairer result. The ITA player on Jozy's foul in the box didn't get carded, nor did Grosso after elbowing Donovan in the head. Ridiculous.