OT: World Cup

[intlzncster]

The us tried to counter every chance they got and bradley play a lot of sloppy passed. All Ghana did was win the ball and cross it in.

I would say that that is not all Ghana did. They possessed far better than the US was able to. Much of that was due to Bradley's unexpected ineptitude. Also underrated was not having Altidore to possess/hold as the midfielders come up and through on attack.

 

[Mots010]

Bradley played as bad as I've ever seen him play, and we won. I dont expect him to have another game like that, which bodes well for us.

Oddly, in 2010, I recall the US controlling possession, and Ghana countering the heck out of us to win. But Ghana jumped to an early lead, which usually results in one team sitting back, and the other team pressing. Had we not scored 30 seconds in, i suspect the possession would have been a bit better.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Bradley played as bad as I've ever seen him play, and we won. I dont expect him to have another game like that, which bodes well for us.

Oddly, in 2010, I recall the US controlling possession, and Ghana countering the heck out of us to win. But Ghana jumped to an early lead, which usually results in one team sitting back, and the other team pressing. Had we not scored 30 seconds in, i suspect the possession would have been a bit better.

I saw the U.S. control possession and chances once the game was tied. So I think that early goal changed everything.

 

[intlzncster]

Very true, though, I have been lucky so far playing soccer and have pulled/torn everything else, last was my left calf muscle. Damn thing just popped, literally. Of course, now that I said that, it’s going to be 90 F tonight and I have my first game of the season. I’m DOOMED. Stretch, baby, stretch.

Dynamic warmups Conehead. That has literally changed my life. I've pulled/strained/torn every leg muscle known to man. Every time I stepped on the field it was an accident waiting to happen. That's what killed my college career.

I switched to dynamic warmups only in my 30s. It's been smooth sailing since...and I'm still playing against the college kids in summer league.

I have literally stopped all static stretching whatsoever, even on offdays. Minimal yoga with minimal strain sometimes. Stretching weakens your muscles to too great a degree.

 

[intlzncster]

So, if we lose in round of 16 it will be a huge building block for 2018? Just like we've supposedly had before.

I'll watch and root, but this team and program is irrelevant at this level. Not a single player ranked in world's top 50, while Germany has 3 in top 10 alone. And it's not because the best athletes play other sports. Messi is 5-7, what sport could he play?

Dude, you don't become a soccer power over night. It's not like Football or Basketball where you can pick it up in your teens and twenties. You need to be playing with superior coaching from a very young age. As someone mentioned, we've only really been playing since the 80s. We've only had dynamic youth coaching for the last 10 years max. Other nations have been doing this for 50-80 years.

If the US can advance out of the group of death, that is an ENORMOUS accomplishment.

 

[intlzncster]

I was worried when DaMarcus got his ankles broken Jerel-McNeal style but agreed, he battled back. Thought Jermaine Jones was excellent. Bradley has to be better and make quicker decisions... he was holding on to the ball for far too long and giving the ball away.

He looked like he should have been in the special olympics in the first half. But he did pull it together in the second. Kudos to him. We need a full 90 from all our back line over the next 2 games.

 

[bobbygt]

I saw the U.S. control possession and chances once the game was tied. So I think that early goal changed everything.

That was my thinking as well- at least, wishful thinking!

Even so, the US has never really been a team that can keep possession as well as many teams. The blame will naturally fall on Bradley, since he's on of the few on the team that is comfortable with the ball (opposing defenders usually give him some of that respectful space), but even with him playing better, we can't expect this current US team to control the midfield as they simply do not have the players for it.

They'll need to excel at counterattacks, set pieces and runs by the 'wings,' Johnson and Beasley.

 

[intlzncster]

Not just that, he dummied a couple of times when he would have been better served taking it himself. And what about that corner where he would have been all alone at the far post if he didn't give up on the play? That's why I feel good about him on Sunday. I've never seen him play so poorly before, I'm figuring he's pre-disastered.

100% how I feel. And the fact we got 3 points with him playing like such garbage? That's a huge outcome.

 

[intlzncster]

I think the effects of coaching are underrated. In another decade, more of the kids in youth soccer will get decent coaching. And our players will get better and better. Look at the young guys coming up (Diego Fagundez for example, even though he isn't a citizen). It's encouraging. MLS is doing well.

I remember watching adverts for soccer training videos from England when I was in highschool. The kids, all about 10 years old, were consistently crossing and finishing with bicycle kicks on net one after another. I remember thinking, damn they start young. Only 2 guys on my highschool team could bike with any regularity, and we were ranking 6th in the nation in USA Today my junior year.

Coaching is massively important at the youth level.

 

[intlzncster]

The red card wasn't cheap. Pepe headbutted a player deliberately. That's violent conduct, and an automatic red. He's probably suspended for the Ghana game, as well.

If you head butt someone on the ground in any sport, you are likely getting tossed (except football at times).

 

[CallMeBruce]

If Bradley has even an average game, the US probably wins by 2 or 3. He was much worse than I've ever seen him, especially when compared to his recent form.

 

[intlzncster]

Hell, even the start of that play involved him intentionally reaching back to Mueller, who was well behind him and grabbing his nose (or similar). The headbutt was mild, but considering it was to the same guy he just fouled for no reason even related to the play, the ref had no choice. I would have yellow carded him just for the nose tweak. What an .

And prior reputation played a part too. The guys a head case, and you can't have him running wild on such an internationally exposed event.

 

[CallMeBruce]

If you head butt someone on the ground in any sport, you are likely getting tossed (except football at times).

I'm with you. I can't fathom how anyone can call that a "cheap" red card. There's a good chance that, upon review, Pepe's suspension is extended to 2 or 3 games. He doesn't have a prayer of getting it waived on appeal.

 

[housekeys]

The red card wasn't cheap. Pepe headbutted a player deliberately. That's violent conduct, and an automatic red. He's probably suspended for the Ghana game, as well.

Given Pepe is an idiot. The red card is "cheap" because the German, Muller, embellished what was arguably incidental contact. Muller parlayed Pepe's hot temper into an ejection, much like the intent of Materazzi against Zidane. The win was "cheap", in the sense that winning against 11 is more impressive than winning against 10. Germany is a very good team, perhaps the best. I don't think Portugal wins even if they played at full strength. But I want to see more from Germany than what I saw against Portugal before I crown them the very best team.

 

[intlzncster]

2nd base for the Red Sox

Can't use baseball as an example of athleticism. John Kruck single handedly destroyed that notion. Drank a 6 pack before games sometimes supposedly.

But you did retort accurately.

 

[Leebo]

It was just a dig at Pedroia.

 

[intlzncster]

That was my thinking as well- at least, wishful thinking!

Even so, the US has never really been a team that can keep possession as well as many teams. The blame will naturally fall on Bradley, since he's on of the few on the team that is comfortable with the ball (opposing defenders usually give him some of that respectful space), but even with him playing better, we can't expect this current US team to control the midfield as they simply do not have the players for it.

They'll need to excel at counterattacks, set pieces and runs by the 'wings,' Johnson and Beasley.

If Bradley doesn't play well from here on out, we won't get another point. Have that facilitator in mid field is everything. He was a turnover machine.

 

[intlzncster]

Given Pepe is an idiot. The red card is "cheap" because the German, Muller, embellished what was arguably incidental contact. Muller parlayed Pepe's hot temper into an ejection, much like the intent of Materazzi against Zidane. The win was "cheap", in the sense that winning against 11 is more impressive than winning against 10. Germany is a very good team, perhaps the best. I don't think Portugal wins even if they played at full strength. But I want to see more from Germany than what I saw against Portugal before I crown them the very best team.

They were absolutely striping Portugal prior to the ejection though.

 

[CallMeBruce]

Given Pepe is an idiot. The red card is "cheap" because the German, Muller, embellished what was arguably incidental contact. Muller parlayed Pepe's hot temper into an ejection, much like the intent of Materazzi against Zidane. The win was "cheap", in the sense that winning against 11 is more impressive than winning against 10. Germany is a very good team, perhaps the best. I don't think Portugal wins even if they played at full strength. But I want to see more from Germany than what I saw against Portugal before I crown them the very best team.

Are you saying that, because Muller pretended that the initial contact was more than it was, Pepe was then goaded into further violent behavior? I'm not sure I buy that. Germany won against a weakened side (but that's always a possibility with Portugal), but it was absolutely self-inflicted, and the ref made the appropriate call.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I remember watching adverts for soccer training videos from England when I was in highschool. The kids, all about 10 years old, were consistently crossing and finishing with bicycle kicks on net one after another. I remember thinking, damn they start young. Only 2 guys on my highschool team could bike with any regularity, and we were ranking 6th in the nation in USA Today my junior year.

Coaching is massively important at the youth level.

I never played except pickup games and intramural at UConn. But when I was about 14, my neighbor's youngest son, who was about 7, scored something like 65 goals in a season youth soccer in Manchester (this was probably 1980). Next highest scorer in the league had less than 10. His dad was from Haiti and his mom from Columbia, and his dad had played and was quite good. This kid had a ball on his foot as soon as he could stand, a knowledgeable coach in his dad and it showed.

 

[CallMeBruce]

If Bradley doesn't play well from here on out, we won't get another point. Have that facilitator in mid field is everything. He was a turnover machine.

Another reason that I wish Donovan was on the roster. If Mikey can't handle the #10 role, I'd swing him down so he's playing opposite Jones, and having Lando under the forwards would be perfect.

 

[John]

I remember watching adverts for soccer training videos from England when I was in highschool. The kids, all about 10 years old, were consistently crossing and finishing with bicycle kicks on net one after another. I remember thinking, damn they start young. Only 2 guys on my highschool team could bike with any regularity, and we were ranking 6th in the nation in USA Today my junior year.

Coaching is massively important at the youth level.

My son is very into soccer, and he's trying to catch-on with a premier level team (he's 13, but has been only playing a couple of years so he's playing catch-up with the other kids skills-wise). He keeps doing tryouts but has been cut every time, which has been disheartening for him and us. I already think that it's too late for him, and the kid's only 13.

 

[intlzncster]

Another reason that I wish Donovan was on the roster. If Mikey can't handle the #10 role, I'd swing him down so he's playing opposite Jones, and having Lando under the forwards would be perfect.

Absolutely agree. The loss of Altidore is also a factor there. Donovan is not the same player, but the US attack could change stylistically with LD in there and not lose an enormous amount. Not having Jozy or LD hurts. That's where I really think JK erred, not accounting for injuries to critical (irreplaceable) players.

Dempsey has a basal fracture of the nose. I'm hoping they can get his breathing sorted out. It definitely affected his play. Said he was choking up blood all game.

 

[ZooCougar]

Aren't 99% of hammys tied to preparation? Amazing to have this now. Ghana looked like the better team for 80+ minutes, I liked the win, but this team is going nowhere, even if they somehow come out of the group

Dumb. I can't tell you how many times I have seen teams "dominate" play only to lose. Silly to predict the outcome for future games based on last night.

Remember getting smoked by Poland in the last game of group play in 2002? We trounced Mexico in the next game and "dominated" Germany in the quarters.. and lost.

The scoreboard is what matters. When the game was tied, they scored.

 

[bobbygt]

Dumb. I can't tell you how many times I have seen teams "dominate" play only to lose. Silly to predict the outcome for future games based on last night.

Remember getting smoked by Poland in the last game of group play in 2002? We trounced Mexico in the next game and "dominated" Germany in the quarters.. and lost.

The scoreboard is what matters. When the game was tied, they scored.

Gary Linekar quote after the 1990 WC Semifinal defeat to Germany:
Football is a simple game; 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans win

 

[intlzncster]

My son is very into soccer, and he's trying to catch-on with a premier level team (he's 13, but has been only playing a couple of years so he's playing catch-up with the other kids skills-wise). He keeps doing tryouts but has been cut every time, which has been disheartening for him and us. I already think that it's too late for him, and the kid's only 13.

Depends how athletic he is and if he has any standout strengths. If he's big, or becomes big, and has some speed, he might be able to step in on D. Also, if he's very fast, you can leverage that on the wing.

If he's starting late, and he's truly committed, you have to get him 2-4 weeks of a quality soccer camps in the summer. He needs that training. Also, he's got to play year round (fall/spring/indoor and summer camps). But that's only if the kid really wants it. Each situation is different, and you don't necessarily want to burn him out.

I didn't really blossom as a player until 7th or 8th grade, but I had played since age 5.

 

[housekeys]

[QUOTE="CallMeBruce, post: 991615, member: 4984"]Are you saying that, because Muller pretended that the initial contact was more than it was, Pepe was then goaded into further violent behavior? I'm not sure I buy that. Germany won against a weakened side (but that's always a possibility with Portugal), but it was absolutely self-inflicted, and the ref made the appropriate call.[/QUOTE]
That is exactly what I am saying, and I maybe in the minority. The rules are the rules and it is not like I am saying Germany must apologize for the result or the way it happened.

 

[John]

Depends how athletic he is and if he has any standout strengths. If he's big, or becomes big, and has some speed, he might be able to step in on D. Also, if he's very fast, you can leverage that on the wing.

If he's starting late, and he's truly committed, you have to get him 2-4 weeks of a quality soccer camps in the summer. He needs that training. Also, he's got to play year round (fall/spring/indoor and summer camps). But that's only if the kid really wants it. Each situation is different, and you don't necessarily want to burn him out.

he's been playing year round for the two years now. He loves playing, he's definitely settled on this being his sport after trying different ones over the years. He's signed up for Everson Soccer Camp this summer, went there last year too, and the year previous to that he went to Nunes in Bridgeport. I never played so I'm useless with helping him. He's small, which I've been told hurts him, but he's a junkyard dog out there. We've been told that he does have "something" that the coaches like, but they cut him based on skills like touch. I think if he could get his growth spurt (he's way overdue) and ramp up his skills even a little bit, then his tenacity coupled with those things will serve him well. He's been approached about joining a comp level team, just becuase he actually practices hard and the coach wants to use him to show his "prima donnas" how to work hard. So I guess that's something, just wish he could catch on with a premier club so he could get that really good coaching.

 

[CL82]

My son is very into soccer, and he's trying to catch-on with a premier level team (he's 13, but has been only playing a couple of years so he's playing catch-up with the other kids skills-wise). He keeps doing tryouts but has been cut every time, which has been disheartening for him and us. I already think that it's too late for him, and the kid's only 13.

If he's a righty, spend the summer working his left foot. Being equally strong with each foot is probably one of the biggest things that separates the better players from the pack. He should be juggling everyday. If he puts the time in, he'll catch on somewhere.

 

[CallMeBruce]

Absolutely agree. The loss of Altidore is also a factor there. Donovan is not the same player, but the US attack could change stylistically with LD in there and not lose an enormous amount. Not having Jozy or LD hurts. That's where I really think JK erred, not accounting for injuries to critical (irreplaceable) players.

Dempsey has a basal fracture of the nose. I'm hoping they can get his breathing sorted out. It definitely affected his play. Said he was choking up blood all game.

It's actually a nasal fracture (a basal fracture is a skull fracture that would have had Dempsey in the ICU, but ESPN misreported this), but yeah, I think Dempsey will be fine in a few days.

My issue with Klinsmann's roster decisions are that he brought too many role players and not enough depth. Now we need cover for Altidore, and on the bench you have Johannsson, a skilled, creative scorer, and Wondolowski, a one-dimensional poacher, rather than someone who can bring Altidore's target and hold-up skills. Johnson, Boyd, or Agudelo would have fit nicely there over Wondo.

Furthermore, bringing both Davis and Green, neither of whom can play anywhere but LM (and then starting neither of them) is completely indefensible. Davis only brings one skill - setpieces, which would be replicated by Donovan or Zusi.

Also, bringing a nicked-up Gonzalez and whatever's left of Beasley was foolish. If I were in charge, I'd have left Wondo, Davis, Beasley, Gonzo, and probably Green (though it seems like bringing him may have been required in order to get him to commit to the US) at home, and brought EJ, Donovan, Ream/Parkhurst, Goodson, and Edu (cover for Beckerman, if he's going to be starting consistently).