USSoccer

We match up with Italy very well, actually.

I'm going to go on record by saying that the Confed Cuo groups are total crap and there's no way you should have them grouped with: Iraq (ELO #83) New Zealand (ELO #78) South Africa (ELO #76) Spain (ELO #1) and then Italy (ELO #5) Brazil (ELO #2) USA (ELO #14) Egypt (ELO #41) I can't even think of an analogy for that, except that if you're going to have a dress rehearsal, there's no way on the planet that our group next summer could possibly be any harder than that. That said, tomorrow's game is going to be awesome and I'm stoked.

I don't like people playing positions for the nats that they don't play for their club. He's going to be a lock at d-mid for Rangers judging by this years performance. To that I'll say two things. 1) I don't know if that means much. I don't the SPL/Rangers is anything that deserves a ton of respect. 2) Related to point 1 which is, I don't know how good Maurice Edu actually is. He's been pretty meh in his MNT duty. I know he looks good at Rangers, but like I said, what does that mean? Jermaine Jones is a much, much better player than Maurice Edu. Like I said earlier, I rated him before I knew he had any American connections. I watch a lot of Bundesliga and I saw maybe 3 Schalke games last year. He stood out. The real battle in the middle, imo, is Bradley and Edu and with the current head coach, we know who wins that. I'm psyched about Benny's performance and I'm still psyched about Freddy's potential. This could be a huge piece for us. Edit - also, Bocanegra is too slow to play left back internationally. I mean, it's worth a shot to try out I guess, but imagining him trying to run up and down the flanks with (insert awesome right winger like Ronaldo, Schweinstager, Joe Cole, etc here) is not a pretty picture. That's thing thing. Boca really doesn't have the pace to play the wing against top flight competition. I remember being slightly terrified in 2006 whenever he came into a game, because Arena played him as a back, and he had trouble with pace up the wing all the time. And I agree 100% on Edu. I think I've said before that I rate him as a more athletic Mastroeni, which is a nice thing to have depth wise, but in all honestly outside of Celtic/Rangers, the SPL is probably slightly worse than MLS. Those teams suck, unless someone wants to try and argue that Hibernian could beat like Red Bull New York. So yeah, he's looked good against crap competition, in a small sample size of games. I'd say the jury's out, and he's hurt now anyway, so it's not a problem we have for a while. I think Ives and others fall victim to a Euro league inferiority complex when looking at Edu in the SPL. So if you think Jones is a lock barring injury to start at D-Mid, given his pedigree it gives Bradley a lot of options formation wise, and I'll say this-despite his Empty Bucket love during 2007, he's played a lot of different guys and hasn't really been averse to screwing with the shape of the team. A 4-3-2-1 is a real option now.

At the VD clinic

Well, BB seems to adore his Gooch/Boca middle pairing, and his system seems to require his backs to get upfield and overlap his mids, so in that sense Boca doesn't really fit, as he's more of a stay-at-home defender without the pace required. I know he plays out wide for Rennes, but unless BB adopts a different formation up top we have enough trouble with width as it is. I rather like the backs we featured against Honduras, actually. Spector should be starting unless his hip falls off or his brain is broken again, and I have my doubts about 'Dolo coming back to his old self, so I think one of Bornstein, Wynne or Pearce have to develop. Hejduk will probably be around. We also might get Edgar Castillo back, too, thanks to this rule. For sure is pushes Mastro out the door, which is enough of an upgrade right there to be happy, as he looked his age last week. If nothing else, it gives us options to play with depth wise, in the event of an injury to someone in the center. I don't know about Edu playing much of a role until next year, and by then he might be passed on the depth chart if Benny F. can find his way out of the Mathis Hole and/or Torres and Sacha can develop like we all hope. As Wolf mentioned, though, I think it opens up more for Adu, and actually Mikey Bizzle to be more involved in the attacking third. Theoretically, MB could play his Heereneven role with Jones providing cover box to box, and Jones' bite in the center might help BB feel more comfortable with a purely offensive player like Adu playing a more prominent role.

I am very happy about Jermaine Jones right now.

Thoughts: -Gooch to Fulham makes sense for both sides, as Konchesky isn't any good and they'll need depth for UEFAEROPASUPERCUP or whatever this term, with or without Hangeland. -Real still won't overcome Barca, because, as Wolfie noted, it's going to take a hell of a coaching job to get all that ego on the same page. There's only one ball on the field at a time. I actually hope they flame out and fail-especially Soccer Jesus. He's not upgrading his situation, and I can only assume that United saw that offer, looked at their debt sheet, and realized it would be irresponsible not to sell him. -Bayern should invest in their backline before doing anything else, as that defense is wet, hot ass (although I rate Sneijder quite highly) . -Adu in Spain is fine by me, but maybe Freddy's agent ought to make sure it's a team where he's going to play. -As poor as El Tri have been, Mexico has almost two months to prepare for this game, and Aguirre sure as hell will have them ready. A draw would be an amazing result. -Word on the street is that Johnny Specs is going to enter next term as the first choice centerback at West Ham.

For a record transfer fee of $92M. That record didn't last long; ManU have accepted a bid of 94 million euro :shock: for Ronaldo from Real, who are now negociating with the player. Oh dammit

Hmm....I'd have hoped he would have rated a better side than that.

Is Coors post-humidor really that much of a hitter's park anyway?

Mexico is going to be in an evil mood when we get to the Azteca

HAHAHAA MEXICO

Loved Blanco's celebration, though.

Whew. Howard: 6.5 Spector:6.5...should be an automatic 1st choice if healthy. Boca: 6...great effort on the goal Gooch: 6.5...really good tonight Dempsey:3.5...he was horrible all night. Clark: 7...MOTM. He was fantastic. Really impressive. Mastro: 2...nothing on the day, was way too far upfield and not square on the HON goal Donovan: 6.5....he was really good, apart from set pieces Casey: 5.5...workmanlike effort. could be a good squad piece Altidore:4.5....was pretty bad, and if Deuce hadn't been awful, would have stood out more Benny F: 6.5...really good; should earn a start in SA Demerit:5.5...solid backup DMB: N/A Bradley: 3. Stupid choice going with Pablo, but good on him for putting Benny in at the half. I'm stunned at how bad Clint was. He needs to be benched, both to rest him and wake him up. You don't try and Cruyff three guys when your D-Mids are out of position and you're in your own half. How he missed that sitter, I have no clue. Good hustle setting up Boca, but Christ, hasn't been good in his last five games in WCQ, and it's not anyone's fault but his. He looks too much to contact instead of fighting for 50/50 possession, gets way too cute when he shouldn't, and though I like the shooting from distance, you have to put them on frame. The more I think about it, the more pissed off I get because if it weren't for his horrid play, I'd be pretty damn happy because there were a ton of good things tonight. Rico Clark played strong, and I know he's up and down, but that was a solid 90. Benny finally came back and played huge, calm, composed...he's the guy we want partnered with Mikey B, and his 45 minutes was so, so huge. Casey played way better than I thought he would despite 2 days in camp. Spector locked down his side, was dangerous in the attack and actually knew how to keep the ball on the ground. Even Bornstein was good. BORNSTEIN! And Honduras is no patsy. This could have been a night of all positives, and instead I'm pissed because one of our best players has been regressing as a Nat, and it's my favorite player to boot.

STOP BUNKERING

82nd

Spector should have won a spot tonight.

I think thats actually an upgrade. Demerit is good A bit of redemption from clint, but just a great play by Boca there.

WOOOHOOOO GJ CLINT AND BOCA

Rico Clark has been really good, and Benny has been good as well. This has been the worst game I've ever seen from Clint. Donovan is stepping up.

This has been Donovan's best game in two years CLINT DAMMIT

Casey has played with a lot of effort and energy but isn't quite of the quality we need. I've liked the energy though.

Benny in for Pablo. ME LIKEY

Good: Rico Clark Specs LD (minus his dreadful restarts) Bad: Clint Jozy (poor first touch tonight) Boca I'd like to see Davies come in for Casey at about the 65th. I hope Bradley doesn't pull Clint but I could see it happen. I would REALLY like to see Benny in for Pablo We're very fortunate to go in 1-1. We need the win.

Another awesome restart