OT: World Cup

[housekeys]

They were absolutely striping Portugal prior to the ejection though.

Games are 90 minutes and momentum comes and goes. But, I do not believe Portugal's fortunes would change, even if they were at full strength. I do not think it would have been 4-0, however. But, hey, maybe I am wrong on Germany. We shall see.

 

[housekeys]

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.

This is a big issue for Klinsman. The opposition knows that our offense runs through Bradly and taking him out of the game is a priority. What does USA do as a team to counter that type of strategy? I hope we have the counter-strategy and the players to implement it.

 

[CallMeBruce]

This is a big issue for Klinsman. The opposition knows that our offense runs through Bradly and taking him out of the game is a priority. What does USA do as a team to counter that type of strategy? I hope we have the counter-strategy and the players to implement it.

I don't think it's that easy to take a guy out of the game without committing multiple players to him, and that opens up the counter pretty severely. Bradley was lousy yesterday because he was lousy. He just took bad touches and played tentatively.

 

[Waquoit]

I'm laughing at those who are still second-guessing Klinsmann.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

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.

Pepe’s history will also weigh heavily on FIFA. Last thing they want is him to have another meltdown and go off on a star player in front of 3 billion soccer fans on TV. Best guess is he will banned for 3 games, which based on how Portugal has played so far, means the rest of the Cup.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/06/16/uk-soccer-world-m13-por-pepe-idUKKBN0ER28820140616

 

[intlzncster]

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.

The only thing is to keep working. Effort can take him farther than skill alone.

For touch, keep it simple. He's got the spend hours with one and two touch passing close up to a wall. Juggle in the back yard. Buy him some cones so he can practice dribbling in between them. Both Inside/outside of foot, one foot, other foot, alternating feet, concentrating on good form. Practice cutting with cones, inside/outside of both feet. Dribbling really quickly between the insteps of his feet. Form/touch first; Build up speed quickness over time. Always focus on staying on balls of the feet. Remember to not look at ball; head up at all times.

If you don't object, let him carry a ball on his foot throughout the house. Just keeping the ball on his foot builds unconscious memory of that skill (and feel).

Touch is about practice. The amount of time the ball spends on his feet, the better his touch will be. He's got to put in the hours.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

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.

Actually, sitting in an office 8/10 hours a day has killed mine. If I did not have bills to pay, I would be out there more. My left calf tear happened a night I was rushing to the game after work and had not time to warm-up/stretch. I knew it was a mistake and paid for it.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

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.

Babe Ruth was a model athlete

 

[CallMeBruce]

I'm laughing at those who are still second-guessing Klinsmann.

Why? I loved the win yesterday, but it was a tactical disaster. The US was dominated in possession and relied very heavily on an outstanding game from Tim Howard. Meanwhile, his unconventional roster choices leave them without a target forward in an offensive scheme that requires a target forward. The counterattack yesterday was shambolic, and there are players on the bench with only one redundant skill. Meanwhile, the most creative attacker in the pool is doing analysis, while the player Klinsmann chose to run his offense through was awful. I think Bradley will bounce back, but this is the most offensive responsibility he's ever had. It's not out of the realm of possibility that he won't be able to play the #10 spot effectively at this level.

 

[UConnSwag11]

Why? I loved the win yesterday, but it was a tactical disaster. The US was dominated in possession and relied very heavily on an outstanding game from Tim Howard. Meanwhile, his unconventional roster choices leave them without a target forward in an offensive scheme that requires a target forward. The counterattack yesterday was shambolic, and there are players on the bench with only one redundant skill. Meanwhile, the most creative attacker in the pool is doing analysis, while the player Klinsmann chose to run his offense through was awful. I think Bradley will bounce back, but this is the most offensive responsibility he's ever had. It's not out of the realm of possibility that he won't be able to play the #10 spot effectively at this level.

the only reason they dominated in possession was because every time the US got the ball they tried to counter... they gave the ball almost every time it seemed... the center mids played bad they need to play better, hold the ball, possess and counter when they can not every time... i liked the formation it just needs to be tighter and they need to play better(the midfield)... whos the most creative attacker thats doing analysis(being serious idk who youre talking abou)

 

[CallMeBruce]

the only reason they dominated in possession was because every time the US got the ball they tried to counter... they gave the ball almost every time it seemed... the center mids played bad they need to play better, hold the ball, possess and counter when they can not every time... i liked the formation it just needs to be tighter and they need to play better(the midfield)... whos the most creative attacker thats doing analysis(being serious idk who youre talking abou)

 

[housekeys]

Great game between Brazil and Mexico. Wow. If ever a model 0-0 game was needed as evidence that a scoreless game can be exciting, this was it.

 

[intlzncster]

Babe Ruth was a model athlete

I'm telling you, dynamic warmups are the fountain of youth!

 

[intlzncster]

Great game between Brazil and Mexico. Wow. If ever a model 0-0 game was needed as evidence that a scoreless game can be exciting, this was it.

Mexico's goalie was outstanding. Played a perfect game.

 

[upstater]

Mexico's goalie was outstanding. Played a perfect game.

He played great, but his fundamentals were even more impressive. Our local soccer club is run by a Dutch ex-pro goalie who just got back from consulting (and traveling) with a MLS team. This is what he stresses and it's the hardest thing for goalies (not just kids) to learn. Positioning. Ochoa was in the right position for every one of those shots. Not exactly a super display of athleticism from him as much as it was a display of brains and feel for the game. He was the Larry Bird of goaltending today.

 

[intlzncster]

He played great, but his fundamentals were even more impressive. Our local soccer club is run by a Dutch ex-pro goalie who just got back from consulting (and traveling) with a MLS team. This is what he stresses and it's the hardest thing for goalies (not just kids) to learn. Positioning. Ochoa was in the right position for every one of those shots. Not exactly a super display of athleticism from him as much as it was a display of brains and feel for the game. He was the Larry Bird of goaltending today.

Agree. Great positioning.

Play of the night: that save on Neymar's very solid header into the corner was absolutely world class.

 

[UConnSwag11]

Here are five legitimate reasons, which when taken into account together, make a little more sense of the decision
4. Practice squad: MLSsoccer.com's San Jose Earthquakes beat writer Geoff Lepper makes an astute point about how the reserve players are important to the training sessions in Brazil. And when Donovan admits he can't go 12 days in a row at a high level in practice (WATCH video here), that's an issue. There's a reason Bruce Arena famously said that the World Cup is a young man's game.

 

[UConnSwag11]

not a bad game in Korea and Russia

 

[UConnSwag11]

good game, i really enjoy watching korea play

 

[Waquoit]

Why? I loved the win yesterday, but it was a tactical disaster.

A tactical disaster is when you lose.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

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.

Regarding Brazil, imagine if the ref called a fair game and Brazil tied Croatia, who deserved the draw. After the second set of games, we would likely be looking at Mexico and Croatia (assuming they beat Cameroon) on top with 4 points, followed by Brazil with 2 and Cameroon with 0. Brazil would have to beat Cameroon by a lot to have hope of advancing. Assuming Brazil won, they would either advance as the 2 seed behind the winner of Mexico/Croatia or if those two tied, goal differential would determine who advances out of a 3 way tie with Brazil, Croatia, and Mexico. Brazil the country would be in an absolute panic.

 

[Gurleyman]

A tactical disaster is when you lose.

Plus, as much as you want to stick to the game plan, tactics do change a little as the score changes and the game evolves. Yes, 89:30 is a long time to bunker, but it affects you in subtle ways. Pinching forward, especially as a defensive midfielder or outside back, is something you're more careful about with the lead. And when you get to the 35 minute mark, your focus becomes more making sure you keep it 1-0 going into the half. Then you want to focus on not giving up a cheap one in the opening minutes of the second half.

Between the quick lead, our target forward going down, our midfield engine in lala land, our other forward breathing through a crooked nose, having to provide some extra cover for Bessley early with the way Ghana was attacking, and then probably Beckerman sitting in a little more to protect Brooks in the second half so he wasn't left on an island, the game went to tactical heck. Not quite as much as when we drew Italy 9v10, but I'm sure our original game plan was pretty much in the shredder 30 minutes in and we had to use scotch tape and glue to put a new one together on the fly. Getting out of there with 3 points was pretty huge. With a day to reflect, I'm a little more content with how we played than I was right after the game (Bradley notwithstanding - he simply has to be better).

 

[UConnSwag11]

Can Spain rebound today? Tough game against chile for that to happen

 

[MJS UCONN'73]

I love soccer but I can't stand the somersault into pounding the ground and holding your shin in apparent agony then the miraculous recovery for the free kick.

On a business/vacation trip in Venice a couple of years ago, I was getting up at 6 each morning to take a jog around Venice and liked to stop in the fairly large Camp Santa Margherita at around 7 for a nice post-jog cappuccino (it is Italy). This is one of those large squares typical in many European tourist cities where actual residents live and work, and on these morning visits I would see the local schoolchildren playing their games of pickup "Calcio" (soccer) while the Campo was relatively empty. The games played by the older boys (maybe age 10-12) were rugged and aggressive. Tripping and hip-checks were standard and would result in the players tumbling around on the stone surface of the campo - often resulting in a lot of bruised and not-t00-seriously- bloody knees and elbows. The kids would pick themselves up right away and - not wanting to be seen by their friends as "soft" would get right back in the game. Watching the world pros fall and writhe on the grass pitch after a slight shove is part of the modern game - and awards should be given for "best performance in a dive". Those kids in Santa Margherita demonstrate a lot more resilience and toughness than many of their Calcio idols........but occasionally one of the kids would obviously embellish a "foul" (which is never called) and would suffer the taunts of his fellow players for "recitazione" = "acting".

 

[DarthGrumpy]

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.

Thanks, I’ll have to look into it. I have heard a lot of support for Yoga; but, have never been sold. Flexibility was never one of my strong points even when I was young. My problem more recently is that I am an old enough now that I have to warm-up or risk injury; but, life does not always afford me the time to really warm-up.

My summer league is open. So I have college students and 50 year olds on my team. It’s fun. We all know its rec and act appropriately. I typically play defensive midfielder or fullback, depending on the formation used. And I am still the same type of player I was in high school, just older and slower. I take the ball away from the other team by will (positioning) or force (tackling), contain and force players I cannot dispossess to the sidelines away from the net and then when I get the ball, maybe take 3 steps before distributing. On offense, I serve as a distribution point at the top of the box with a strong enough of a foot to keep the defense honest and occupied and make a run or two to look for ‘trash’ goals off set pieces. Generally, a pain in the arse.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

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).

I agree on the depth part; but, with different people.

I assumed that teh US will lose one or more fullback at one point due to injury of cards. Thus, I would have preferred Pankhurst over Chandler as a reserve as he provides experienced flexibility. Chandler was horrible in the 3 warm-up games. Beasley, while not great, has speed, is a known enity, and has Cup experience player who I would have kept. Brooks has shown potential and I would kept him. I would have taken Goodson over Omar. Not sure of Yeldin either way.

In the middle, I completely agree on Davis. Zusi as we saw can handle set pieces along with LD. I would have left him home and brought LD instead. LD provides experience, goal scoring and flexibility and I would not expect him to play every game. LD can play midfield on the wings (replace Dempsey who is injury prone) , creative defensive midfield (heaven forbid we lose Bradley for a game), and up front, too. I can see burning a spot for Green to help 2018 and maybe as a wild card off the bench. Though I like both, I see Zusi and Mix as the same player. I would have left one of the two home and added Johnson (headcase and all) to fill in for Jozy because Jozy takes a beating every time and is bound to miss some time and Johnson has the build to fill in as a possession striker. I would keep Johansson as a change of pace striker and Wondo as the ‘down by 1, 10 minutes left, crash the net, nose for the goal type player.'

 

[DarthGrumpy]

the only reason they dominated in possession was because every time the US got the ball they tried to counter... they gave the ball almost every time it seemed... the center mids played bad they need to play better, hold the ball, possess and counter when they can not every time... i liked the formation it just needs to be tighter and they need to play better(the midfield)... whos the most creative attacker thats doing analysis(being serious idk who youre talking abou)

Agree, the biggest issue that the US had was keeping possession on transition through midfield. Bradley could not connect a pass to save his life and Dempsey clearly was hamstrung because he could only breath in blood through is nose. Thus, it was back to the old US style of play. Hold the line and look for an opportune set piece off of a counter.

 

[CallMeBruce]

In the middle, I completely agree on Davis. Zusi as we saw can handle set pieces along with LD. I would have left him home and brought LD instead. LD provides experience, goal scoring and flexibility and I would not expect him to play every game. LD can play midfield on the wings (replace Dempsey who is injury prone) , creative defensive midfield (heaven forbid we lose Bradley for a game), and up front, too. I can see burning a spot for Green to help 2018 and maybe as a wild card off the bench. Though I like both, I see Zusi and Mix as the same player. I would have left one of the two home and added Johnson (headcase and all) to fill in for Jozy because Jozy takes a beating every time and is bound to miss some time and Johnson has the build to fill in as a possession striker. I would keep Johansson as a change of pace striker and Wondo as the ‘down by 1, 10 minutes left, crash the net, nose for the goal type player.'

I'm not sure how Dempsey is "injury prone," but regardless, he isn't playing a wing. He was playing as the second forward with Jozy. I'm also not sure about Zusi=Mix. Mix is a more central player, and with the current lineup, is probably cover for Bradley. Zusi has been providing width, and crosses well. Beasley has Cup experience, but as a winger, and he's just not there as a defender. I wasn't thrilled with Chandler in the warmup games, but he's been playing RB very well in the Bundesliga. Moving Fabian back to the left and slotting Chandler in at the right would maximize the effectiveness of both players. As far as Wondo goes, he's basically Dempsey without the ball skills. I'm not really sure what he brings to the table.

 

[UConnSwag11]

Wow what a goal for Australia

 

[BUHusky]

Australia leading Holland with 35 minutes to go. Wow.

It's been a fantastic match so far.