I believe this is my first blog. haha I am very much inspired to express my extreme joy to have seen and be apart of the United States. Although we are in very hard economical times, this gives me hope for the future.
For those of you who are sports enthusiast, this was not a game to miss. With the United States soccer team heading into Wednesdays game predetermined losers and said to be very undeserving to be in the Confederations Cup Semi-Finals. The USA team pulled together and put on a game that will remembered by thousands. The US in the first half of the game played aggressive smart soccer, and with the first goal scored early giving the US a huge confidence boost and the ability to dictate the game the way they wanted. Spain tested the US soccer players in the second half with their beautiful finesse and knowledge of the game. The US held strong and finished the game winning 2-0. The goals made were by Jozy ALTIDORE (27') and Clint DEMPSEY (74').
Yes the US play was tremendously better. They showed tons of heart and nerves. Although there were times when they would get rattled and lose silly balls. I was so caught up that I didnt mention TIm Howards performance and it was a remarkable one. This is why he is a top Goalie and has the opportunity to play at Everton(European soccer club). Spain had a lot of opportunities to score, but I will applaud the US great defense.
People are like 'LOL confed cup'. I laugh at them because when youre playing for your nation in any cup no matter what it is. IT means something and to break spains winning streak of 15 games? A feet that NO OTHER NATION could do. Sup? Their performance makes me look very optimistic for the World Cup in a year.
On June 25 2009 07:03 AoN.DimSum wrote: hmm anyone know where do watch the whole game?
Most sports sites you could probably watch it but you would have to be a member. Maybe you can watch it on ESPN and they will show it again. Most likely they will.
Every national team in the world is getting "better". That's not an excuse for this result. The U.S. played better than Spain (and I say this with Spain being my favorite national team, Torres and Fabregas being my favorite players, and Sevilla FC being my favorite club. I love Spain.)
Its dammed football, not soccer.USA played defended really well, of course they were lucky too, but you need it in every sport.I've been following football for quite a few years now and i must say that I dont remember such high level team being so ineffective.Sure, they could've been tired after europan leagues and all, but if you shot almost 30 times in 1 match, with players like Villa and Torres, something just needs to land in the net.Worse team won but it's just how football sometimmes works Kinda sucky score for final tho,was pumped for Brasil vs Spain, but oh well.
On June 25 2009 06:58 kroko wrote: Tim Howard was good. And so was US defence, cant remember their names, but they really gave their all with blocking shots etc.
He should be good considering how much shit got thrown at him in the Costa Rica, Honduras, Brazil, etc. games cause the US defense was like lets lose the ball at the stupidest places.
On June 25 2009 07:10 HuskyTheHusky wrote: When America wins its never an upset :D
In football it's an upset against any decent team. Good thing it's only the Confederations Cup, but it still royally sucks for anyone who wanted to see an interesting final.
On June 25 2009 10:15 ShoCkeyy wrote: Well, spain shot 29 times and didn't make one, while US shot nine times and made two. That's amazing on USA's part.
On June 25 2009 10:15 ShoCkeyy wrote: Well, spain shot 29 times and didn't make one, while US shot nine times and made two. That's amazing on USA's part.
Thanks for the post. I had no idea this was going on. I love soccer but I don't have cable so I can never watch it. I'm excited for the World Cup next year though! That'll be awesome.
Haha the US is like the super athletic kid in highschool who's good at every sport, and he plays against the kid who's obsessed with soccer who trains at soccer all year long, and wins easily with no practice at all.
On June 26 2009 00:37 Luddite wrote: Haha the US is like the super athletic kid in highschool who's good at every sport, and he plays against the kid who's obsessed with soccer who trains at soccer all year long, and wins easily with no practice at all.
Eh, it was probably an abberation. Maybe even Spain thinking it was an auto win.
Howard is the only really good player on the US. Donovan is so overrated.
On June 26 2009 00:37 Luddite wrote: Haha the US is like the super athletic kid in highschool who's good at every sport, and he plays against the kid who's obsessed with soccer who trains at soccer all year long, and wins easily with no practice at all.
Eh, it was probably an abberation. Maybe even Spain thinking it was an auto win.
Howard is the only really good player on the US. Donovan is so overrated.
I think the best players on the US team are Howard, Donovan, Onyewu, and Altidore. Everyone else is just average sadly. I just dont see how Donovan is overrated though? Care to clarify? O_o
On June 26 2009 00:37 Luddite wrote: Haha the US is like the super athletic kid in highschool who's good at every sport, and he plays against the kid who's obsessed with soccer who trains at soccer all year long, and wins easily with no practice at all.
usa have a squad full of modest players who play in average teams in europe and still manage to scrap the win. when strange things like this happens gotta give credit to the manager he deserves it
On June 26 2009 00:37 Luddite wrote: Haha the US is like the super athletic kid in highschool who's good at every sport, and he plays against the kid who's obsessed with soccer who trains at soccer all year long, and wins easily with no practice at all.
Eh, it was probably an abberation. Maybe even Spain thinking it was an auto win.
Howard is the only really good player on the US. Donovan is so overrated.
I think the best players on the US team are Howard, Donovan, Onyewu, and Altidore. Everyone else is just average sadly. I just dont see how Donovan is overrated though? Care to clarify? O_o
cause american media puts the savior tag on him , yet he failed in bayern leverkusen and bayern munich recently. I personally don't think he's overrated at all, perhaps overrated only in the u.s, i think the rest of the world would agree he's a quality player.
On June 26 2009 00:37 Luddite wrote: Haha the US is like the super athletic kid in highschool who's good at every sport, and he plays against the kid who's obsessed with soccer who trains at soccer all year long, and wins easily with no practice at all.
Eh, it was probably an abberation. Maybe even Spain thinking it was an auto win.
Howard is the only really good player on the US. Donovan is so overrated.
I think the best players on the US team are Howard, Donovan, Onyewu, and Altidore. Everyone else is just average sadly. I just dont see how Donovan is overrated though? Care to clarify? O_o
cause american media puts the savior tag on him , yet he failed in bayern leverkusen and bayern munich recently. I personally don't think he's overrated at all, perhaps overrated only in the u.s, i think the rest of the world would agree he's a quality player.
pretty much this. any time he's mentioned in us media, it's like he's the best and only guy on the team.
On June 26 2009 00:37 Luddite wrote: Haha the US is like the super athletic kid in highschool who's good at every sport, and he plays against the kid who's obsessed with soccer who trains at soccer all year long, and wins easily with no practice at all.
Eh, it was probably an abberation. Maybe even Spain thinking it was an auto win.
Howard is the only really good player on the US. Donovan is so overrated.
I think the best players on the US team are Howard, Donovan, Onyewu, and Altidore. Everyone else is just average sadly. I just dont see how Donovan is overrated though? Care to clarify? O_o
cause american media puts the savior tag on him , yet he failed in bayern leverkusen and bayern munich recently. I personally don't think he's overrated at all, perhaps overrated only in the u.s, i think the rest of the world would agree he's a quality player.
pretty much this. any time he's mentioned in us media, it's like he's the best and only guy on the team.
We're cynics by nature in the US... our sports media hypes the shit out of people they like, regardless of their actual output. A few years ago, you'd be convinced Freddie Adu was the next Pele, ahha.
Personally, I think it's kinda absurd to hype any US soccer players til they prove themselves overseas.
Unfortunately I think it's just luck in terms of USA won't be putting out consistent wins. Great job though and pretty amazing to get out of last round the way they did and even break the 30-some unbeaten streak of Spain. Next up is either Brazil or South Africa.
They're deserving of the win but they got lucky in meeting the goal differential, I mean come on now, do you really think USA is better than Italy? It's a good win nonetheless and they better hope that South Africa wins because if it's Brazil (and even though I'm American) I hope Brazil runs the score on the US just to show how much further they need to go.
On June 26 2009 10:00 MorningMusume11 wrote: They're deserving of the win but they got lucky in meeting the goal differential, I mean come on now, do you really think USA is better than Italy? It's a good win nonetheless and they better hope that South Africa wins because if it's Brazil (and even though I'm American) I hope Brazil runs the score on the US just to show how much further they need to go.
Surprised no one mentioned Clint Dempsey yet...
Clint Dempsey has been inconsistent thats why I didnt mention him yet D:.
Sometimes luck is required to achieve something great things no? I think USA IS better then Italy. I mean come on Italy beat Egypt 1:0, while USA beat Egypt 3:0. Both teams lost to brazil 3:0 under different circumstances. You have to agree that USA played atrocious against Brazil. Hell, they even played with 10 men through half the game because of a weak call by the ref which led to a red card. Italy lost because they well sucked. If the US plays with the same kind of intensity like they played against Spain. I can almost guarantee a win.
Brazil played mediocre against South Africa and barely scared in the 88'. Seriously? Is Brazil really AS deserving then SA? O_o
Italy is much more skilled than the US but their team didn't play much better. US physical play matches up well with Italy like it did in 2006.
If anyone watched the US-Italy game they would tell you that it was a very even match for about 60 minutes (till Rossi's goal gave them momentum). Remember that the US got a red card in the 30th.
Even when Italy went up 2-1, the US had a couple opportunities to make it 2-2. The 3rd Italy goal was in the last minutes of stoppage when US gassed out, although Pirlo did display some magic.
I don't think US has much of a chance vs Brazil tho. They're a much more physical and even quicker side than Spain. They're also better in the air than Spain so Gooch and Demerit won't win every ball with ease. Not to mention the skill/talent gap.
PS. The person who ref'd the US-Italy match in 2006 WC was the same guy who ref'd US-Spain. US fans are still mad about the 2 reds in '06. I bring it up now cause when I found out, I immediately predicted a red to Bradley. /brag
On June 26 2009 11:41 Spike wrote: Italy is much more skilled than the US but their team didn't play much better. US physical play matches up well with Italy like it did in 2006.
If anyone watched the US-Italy game they would tell you that it was a very even match for about 60 minutes (till Rossi's goal gave them momentum). Remember that the US got a red card in the 30th.
Even when Italy went up 2-1, the US had a couple opportunities to make it 2-2. The 3rd Italy goal was in the last minutes of stoppage when US gassed out, although Pirlo did display some magic.
I don't think US has much of a chance vs Brazil tho. They're a much more physical and even quicker side than Spain. They're also better in the air than Spain so Gooch and Demerit won't win every ball with ease. Not to mention the skill/talent gap.
PS. The person who ref'd the US-Italy match in 2006 WC was the same guy who ref'd US-Spain. US fans are still mad about the 2 reds in '06. I bring it up now cause when I found out, I immediately predicted a red to Bradley. /brag
As Zee mentioned intensity is the key for US against Brazil. They can't come out flat and even scared? like they did the first time around. Hopefully this time Bradley will remember to leave off Beasley, and Kljestan doesn't really add much either.
I'm wondering who'll replace Bradley Jr. though (seriously, red card fucked us hard here). I think Bradley Sr. will probably go with Feilhaber although I wish I got to see more of Adu or Torres who Bob hasn't used at all.
Actually, Kljestan red call in the Brazil matchup is the most justifiable of the 3 the US got. I could definitely see it being a red call in every league. Only the US has had players sent off in this tournament and 3 of them no less. We need to work on a little control.
On June 26 2009 12:02 Spike wrote: Who doesn't like us? You mean the ref?
Anyway, more about US v Brazil.
As Zee mentioned intensity is the key for US against Brazil. They can't come out flat and even scared? like they did the first time around. Hopefully this time Bradley will remember to leave off Beasley, and Kljestan doesn't really add much either.
I'm wondering who'll replace Bradley Jr. though (seriously, red card fucked us hard here). I think Bradley Sr. will probably go with Feilhaber although I wish I got to see more of Adu or Torres who Bob hasn't used at all.
Actually, Kljestan red call in the Brazil matchup is the most justifiable of the 3 the US got. I could definitely see it being a red call in every league. Only the US has had players sent off in this tournament and 3 of them no less. We need to work on a little control.
Id either put Feilhaber, Adu(I believe he is injured?), or Casey(even though I know he isnt a true MF, I just feel he wont produce at F. He usually walks around and only god knows why. lol) in for Bradely Jr. I don't know anything about Torres. Bradley Sr. will probably resort to using Adu in the finals. I really don't get why he wont use him? Grudge? Maybe because hsi son plays the position? idk? lol
I dont think the US will come out scared like they did when they first played Brazil, because they HAVE faced them already(which is a tough task :p). The only thing that worries me is that they might get nervous, because the US has never been in this position in this specific cup. Im sure you have seen all the hype that is beginning to build already as the game nears.
Bradley Jr. doesn't take Adu's spot. Jr's a CM who plays more of a box to box mid and is sometimes used as a DM.
The middle of the field would be too soft in Bob's eyes to let Adu take Jr's or especially the DM's spot. A Bradley-Adu combo is too weak defensively to justify. Anyway, this option is gone since Jr. got carded. The DM in this case is Clark and there just isn't enough skill or bite to hold down the midfield with an Adu-Clark Combo.
This may change in the future with Jermaine Jones switching from Germany over to the US. Or when Maurice Edu recovers from injury.
Adu would most likely be used as a right winger in Bob's setup. I highly doubt Bob will put Adu on as a second striker (unless as a sub) or go to 4-5-1. While Adu might make a good AM in a 4-5-1, the 4-4-2 suits the US play style and personnel much better.
The line Bradley totes for not using Adu is that he's not in form, i.e. hasn't gotten playing time at his club.
Kind of a BS excuse when he continues to put out Beasley and Altidore, although Beasley's callup might have ended with his horrendous showing against Brazil. But can't really blame Bob for using an out of form Altidore cause he's the best striker we have, in or out of form. The US struggles mightily with finishing and no one has a striker's instinct, except maybe Davies (Jozy still needs to develop) but he doesn't have a lot skill. Anyway, off tangent...
For the love of god, don't use Casey. He's a F through and through and not of international level. Trying to put him in as MF will end badly. He's in the confederations cup because (1) Brian Ching is injured (2) gets a pat on the back for doing well in MLS.
Feilhaber will most probably be Bob's choice and he does deserve a look. Neither Adu nor Torres has played yet so putting them in as a starter could be asking for too much. Bob really need to be better with making super subs though.
On June 26 2009 14:40 Spike wrote: Bradley Jr. doesn't take Adu's spot. Jr's a CM who plays more of a box to box mid and is sometimes used as a DM. Adu would most likely be used as a right winger in Bob's setup. I highly doubt Bob will put Adu on as a second striker (unless as a sub) or go to 4-5-1. While Adu might make a good AM in a 4-5-1, the 4-4-2 suits the US play style and personnel much better.
The line Bradley totes for not using Adu is that he's not in form, i.e. hasn't gotten playing time at his club.
Kind of a BS excuse when he continues to put out Beasley and Altidore, although Beasley's day might have ended with his horrendous showing against Brazil. But can't really blame Bob for using an out of form Altidore cause he's the best striker we have, in or out of form. The US struggles mightily with finishing and no one has a striker's instinct, except maybe Davies (Jozy still needs to develop) but he doesn't have a lot skill.
For the love of god, don't use Casey. He's a F through and through and not of international level. Trying to put him in as MF will end badly. He's in the confederations cup because (1) Brian Ching is injured (2) gets a pat on the back for doing well in MLS.
Feilhaber will most probably be Bob's choice and he does deserve a look. Neither Adu nor Torres has played yet so putting them in as a starter could be asking for too much. Bob really need to be better with making super subs though.
They could use a 4-5-1 and play it loosely. Is it me or did Beasley play it like he was uncomfortable or scared? I dont think he will make the roster for the world cup. Yes, I will agree that Davies is the only one to have showed a instinct of a striker especially in the last few games. He's gaining confidence with every game. Will it come out again sunday? I dont know.
The only reason I gave Casey as an option was because he has had some game experience and the fact that Adu and Torres arent in 'form' makes things pretty difficult. Im glad im not a soccer coach. :D Coaching American football is so much easier lol
A little fix - Torres is actually in form, he plays for Pachuca in the Mexican league and I have no idea why Bob hasn't used him more, not only in this tournament but also world cup qualifying.
There's a real log jam when it comes to CM/DM. Actually one of the US's strength and most definitely it's deepest position.
Feilhaber - tho can be used on the right wing or as an AM. Torres - tho can be used on the left wing. Bradley Jr Jermaine Jones Clark Edu Adu - Maybe I shouldn't have been so quick to say that Jr doesn't take a spot. Still think his best spot is RM, AM, or SS but CM isn't out of the realm of possibility. Holden - tho more of an AM.
On your question about Beasley - He hasn't been the same since his broken leg. He's always had a horrendous first touch but he could always rely on his speed in the past. He seems to have lost a few steps but Bob still use him because he can defend well for a winger, or used to. Also the whole experience thing to consider I suppose. I think his days are numbered though.
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Maybe you can watch it on ESPN and they will show it again. Most likely they will.
