OT: USA vs Mexico

[SubbaBub]

So the hijack OT thread has now been hijacked?

 

[DarthGrumpy]

Dos a Cero seemed very likely, then not, and yet, thanks to Clint butchering the 94:00 penalty kick it was ...

Folks are wondering if he missed it on purpose to preserve the growing legend, Deuce a Cero.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

Question: is early qualifying (2 games left I guess) a good thing, like extra practices for a bowl game? The coach gets to experiment a little more with lineups and younger players get more gametime. Or is it a chance for the team to lose focus because they don't have the pressure of winning?

I would say it’s a good thing. It will allow the US to get younger players like Bedoya (who seems to be the only other on-ball midfield playmaker besides Bradley the US has) to get some serious experience in before the WC. Especially as the US (and everyone else) usually suffers at least 1 major injury leading up to the WC.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

Any chance the Rent gets a pre-WC warm-up match for the US next spring? If not, I am hoping Red Bull area gets one as live 30 minutes from it and would love to bring my son to a match.

 

[Waquoit]

Question: is early qualifying (2 games left I guess) a good thing, like extra practices for a bowl game? The coach gets to experiment a little more with lineups and younger players get more gametime. Or is it a chance for the team to lose focus because they don't have the pressure of winning?

This was game was experimental in a way. The US was without their two best players.

 

[SubbaBub]

While I'm glad none of the subs gacked up their lunch, Mexico played so badly it's hard to make any projection to how they'd play in Brazil. As of now, Mexico wouldn't make it. Panama would play NZ for the last spot.

Bedoya helped himself, so did Beckerman and Goodson and Parkhurst. EJ was already safely in the 23.

Mix will get another look as I suspect will Corona and Torres.

Fairly comfortable to land a spot.

GK: Howard (Guzan) (3rd GK)
RB: TBD
CB: (Gonzo, Besler, Cameron, Goodson)
LB: Beasley
DM: Bradley, Jones, Beckerman
AM: Dempsey, Donovan, Zusi
ST: Altidore, EJ

I'd say 16 spots are still locked plus F. Johnson for # 17 and of the last 6 spots 2 will need to play RB (Didn't like FJ on that side)

The pool is:
Evans
Parkhurst (I think both make it short of Cherundolo making a miracle comeback)
Mix
Bedoya
Corona
Torres
Johansson
Gomez
Wondo
Klijestan
D. Williams
Chandler
Brooks


Of that group, top 3 fill vacant spots on the depth chart. The last three will be a fight between the next 5. The last 5 I think are out for good barring injuries.

As much as I think Beckerman can't play, I can no longer ignore the fact that JK keeps putting him in there and the lack of options beyond Bradley, Jones, and Cameron for the Deep Center Mid. Mix is an attacking player, not someone you want in front of the back four.

The next 9 months will be spent determining who is in the best form and finding the starting defenders. Unfortunately our best 4 are all center backs and only can play at a time.

Only Bradley doesn't have someone pushing him. Anyone else is replaceable if they slack off which is how JK likes it.

 

[Kgun7]

This was game was experimental in a way. The US was without their two best players.

US Soccer has finally arrived when: One of the suspended players is hardly even mentioned in most published reports describing how under-manned the US was last night ... even though he STARTS AND PLAYS REGULARLY FOR AN EPL TEAM!!!

 

[ZooCougar]

This team just seems to have a better mentality under JK. I think he will have this squad ready to go in Brazil. I really hope he has a nice long tenure with us.

 

[Waquoit]

I'm hoping for the three-peat. For the last two cycles, the last friendly before the WC for the USMNT has been at The Rent. The team then spends the next day in Bristol taping promos and doing interviews. I'm sure they'll love the new ribbon board.

 

[Adios]

Hey, we won plenty.

 

[SubbaBub]

I'm hoping for the three-peat. For the last two cycles, the last friendly before the WC for the USMNT has been at The Rent. The team then spends the next day in Bristol taping promos and doing interviews. I'm sure they'll love the new ribbon board.

As long as we are now cheering for the ribbon board, I think I found P's replacement.

 

[Waquoit]

As long as we are now cheering for the ribbon board, I think I found P's replacement.

View attachment 3698

The Inanimate Carbon Rod! Of course!