US vs TT Gold Cup

[astrosfan64]

Pretty dominate performance by the US. Though, we should dominate a team like this. I was real impressed by Mapps play.

One of the thing that annoy's me about Donavon is how he dominates lesser teams, but comes up short against top competition. I mean he is a good player, but he seems to tighten up against the top Europian competition.

Glad to see the lineup that Bradley put out there today. Pretty smart to play your up and comings in a game like this. Ching should of had 2 more goals.

Anyway, I missed the first 15 minutes of the game. What happened to the guy that got carted off the field?

[DaddyTorgo]

if it's the same guy I saw, nogeuira or something, he collided with his own keeper going for the ball. put his head into the guy's back.

I was just discussing with my dad the evolution that US Soccer has undergone. It's a real pleasure to watch this younger generation where all 11 guys are comfortable playing under pressure and have "plus" technical skills versus the teams of old where it used to be just one or two guys with the "plus" skills and a team of "big lugs."

some beautiful balls today (particularly the ball down the wing to Mapp on the 1st goal, and Mapp's cut of it inside), and equally, some beautiful "tight" play in small spaces and under pressure.

as much as I LOVE Keller, I would feel really good if this team would identify his potential successor and begin working him into the framework before the next WC. I'm not sure if USSF has given up on Tim Howard (or if they should tbh...he's never impressed me THAT much in the times I saw him), but we need a "next gen" GK to begin getting acquainted with this next-gen of defenders.

[JeeberD]

Why the heck is Texas Tech playing in the Gold Cup?!?

[Blade6119]

I think chris seitz in the future gk for US, but hes busy with the U-20 team since they have the world cup in like a month....howard will likely start in 2010, so no need to rush seitz along.

[astrosfan64]

I don't think Howard is that bad, but they need to play him for us to actually see.

One thing the US is finally developing is Flair. Dempsey is a flat out stud. That guy is a perfect example of what our future players will bring.

I've watched Josy Altidore for the NY Red Bull this year and that kid could be a future star. He is what I was expecting out of Freddie Adu. Any of you guys watched him play?

[astrosfan64]

Originally Posted by astrosfan64

I don't think Howard is that bad, but they need to play him for us to actually see.

One thing the US is finally developing is Flair. Dempsey is a flat out stud. That guy is a perfect example of what our future players will bring.

I've watched Josy Altidore for the NY Red Bull this year and that kid could be a future star. He is what I was expecting out of Freddie Adu. Any of you guys watched him play?

dola

On a side note, my local team I put together lost today in the playoffs. We play next week for third place. I got an elbow to the nose today .

Anyway, soccer is a great sport and we are only going to get better and better.

[bhlloy]

Originally Posted by astrosfan64

One of the thing that annoy's me about Donavon is how he dominates lesser teams, but comes up short against top competition. I mean he is a good player, but he seems to tighten up against the top Europian competition.

This is dead on IMO. The difference is a team like Trinidad & Tobago will give him time on the ball and space to run into, and he looks great. I was having almost exactly the same conversation with my wife during the game. Against a team that is a bit more organized defensively, he just disappears.

Overall, the US looked good today. Definitely should have had more goals. Worrying injury to Johnson, looked like a knee injury?

[Blade6119]

espn says its just a mild knee strain

[moriarty]

Good to see EJ get a goal finally, but he seems to just fall asleep at times. As for Ching this was his chance to really shine, but he missed at least 3 easy chances and got lucky the ball hit his feet on that goal (he did have one nice header though).

Thought Feibelhaber (sp?) and Mapp were excellent tonight. Ralston played ok, but he just doesn't look like he has the speed to be a Intl player.

[Critch]

Of the players who aren't regulars with the US team, I thought Frank Simek did well as an overlapping fullback.

Worst performance was the Cuban linesman.

US were in control for 80 of the 90 minutes, 2-0 going on 5-0. It's a pity that Trinidad and Tobago were forced to play effectively a B team, would have been a better challenge and a better game if they'd had their real team.

Also, good to hear that Eddie Johnson's injury hopefully isn't anything too serious.

[moriarty]

Originally Posted by Critch

Worst performance was the Cuban linesman.

That guy was seriously awful.

Edit: although the production crew was right up there as well. Between the satellite drop outs (this game was in California, not some 3rd world country) and the horrendous announcing (that one guy nearly had an orgasm every time there was a simple cross) it was painful.

[cthomer5000]

1. I think Tim Howard is clearly the near-future #1 keeper for the US. He started the other night and I think we're seeing Keller get phased out right now.

2. Landon has looked good in midfield the last couple games. He's a really versatile guy, so I think they should almost plug him in wherever needed, rather than desiging any lineup with him as a top priority.

3. I like that Bradley played an entirely different team. I know he was doing it with rest largely in mind, but he seems very serious about building depth and giving the team a lot of options. I love it. You don't want untouchables on the team, you want everyone knowing there are another 3 guys behind them working their ass off for the same spot, and knowing your coach has no problem dropping you and putting the other dude in at any point. I think if he really holds this course, it could pay big dividends in 2010. The hungriest guys who really want to play for their country and view it as a privelage rather than a right should rise to the top.

4. It'll be interesting to see what he does on Tuesday. It's not a very important game now, so I wonder if he might play something closer to whatever his mental B lineup is with the knockout stages starting next saturday.

5. I am fucking psyched for the Copa America later this month. I know the lineup wont be quite as strong, but it's still a big oppotunity to play at least 3 very competitive matches, and hopefully more. There is a huge opportunity there to really make a statement about where US soccer is it. It would be nice to at least put in a good showing, after how the World Cup went.

[cthomer5000]

dola... and yes, the linesman turned in the worst single-half performance i've seen by any ref in any game. unbelievably terrible.

[Critch]

Originally Posted by moriarty

Edit: although the production crew was right up there as well. Between the satellite drop outs (this game was in California, not some 3rd world country) and the horrendous announcing (that one guy nearly had an orgasm every time there was a simple cross) it was painful.

I didn't think it was all that bad, but maybe that's because I'd been watching games on GolTV earlier so anything was bound to seem better. Ray Hudson on GolTV makes me want to shoot my tv.

[moriarty]

Originally Posted by Critch

I didn't think it was all that bad, but maybe that's because I'd been watching games on GolTV earlier so anything was bound to seem better. Ray Hudson on GolTV makes me want to shoot my tv.

I don't know, maybe I was just having a bad day but I caught myself wishing for the ESPN announcers a few times ... and that's bad.

Usually i like the guys on FSC, so go figure.

[GoldenEagle]

Howard is the #1 keeper for the US team right now, per Bradley.

[astrosfan64]

Originally Posted by cthomer5000

5. I am fucking psyched for the Copa America later this month. I know the lineup wont be quite as strong, but it's still a big oppotunity to play at least 3 very competitive matches, and hopefully more. There is a huge opportunity there to really make a statement about where US soccer is it. It would be nice to at least put in a good showing, after how the World Cup went.

Who are we going to be missing? This makes me sad.

[cthomer5000]

Originally Posted by Critch

I didn't think it was all that bad, but maybe that's because I'd been watching games on GolTV earlier so anything was bound to seem better. Ray Hudson on GolTV makes me want to shoot my tv.

heh. I like Ray Hudson.

[Desnudo]

Originally Posted by astrosfan64

Who are we going to be missing? This makes me sad.

I think they'll leave out the european players who need to get back to their club teams for training camp. Also, I believe they'll try and rest some of the players who played a lot in the Gold Cup.

[cthomer5000]

Originally Posted by Desnudo

I think they'll leave out the european players who need to get back to their club teams for training camp. Also, I believe they'll try and rest some of the players who played a lot in the Gold Cup.

that's my guess as well, but we won't know until the copa america squad is announced... and i really don't know when that is.

[MJ4H]

Originally Posted by cthomer5000

heh. I like Ray Hudson.

I can't believe anyone doesn't, honestly. That guy is a riot.

[Mr. Wednesday]

Considering it will be a patchwork roster, all I'm asking of our Copa roster is to compete every game. It's a really tough group and it will be a nice accomplishment just to advance to the elimination games.

[Mr. Wednesday]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

as much as I LOVE Keller, I would feel really good if this team would identify his potential successor and begin working him into the framework before the next WC. I'm not sure if USSF has given up on Tim Howard (or if they should tbh...he's never impressed me THAT much in the times I saw him), but we need a "next gen" GK to begin getting acquainted with this next-gen of defenders.

Considering Howard was the starter all season for Everton (5th in the EPL) leading to a purchase from ManU, why in the world would the USSF have given up on him?

He's the clear frontrunner for 2010.

[astrosfan64]

That hurts us. Copa America is more important then the gold cup, I think for national prestige.

We need dempsey in that tournament. He is our best US player right now.

[Mr. Wednesday]

Originally Posted by astrosfan64

That hurts us. Copa America is more important then the gold cup, I think for national prestige.

Depends on your perspective. I'd rather win our own regional tournament than play second fiddle locally and do well at Copa America. Plus, CONCACAF is not as deep in good teams as CONMEBOL (nor quite as good at the top), but it's still fairly competitive in the top five or six teams.

We need dempsey in that tournament. He is our best US player right now.

We need him to be settled at his club, for the long term, so I'm fine with losing him back to Fulham for their preseason.

[Blade6119]

Heres they key, if we win the gold cup we gain entrance into the confederation cup, which is the tournament of all the fifa region champs. It takes places in south africa in 2009, and is the most important tourney in regards to real practice for the 2010 WC. So the gold cup itself isnt as big a deal as the copa, the confederation cup is much bigger then copa.

[astrosfan64]

Originally Posted by Blade6119

Heres they key, if we win the gold cup we gain entrance into the confederation cup, which is the tournament of all the fifa region champs. It takes places in south africa in 2009, and is the most important tourney in regards to real practice for the 2010 WC. So the gold cup itself isnt as big a deal as the copa, the confederation cup is much bigger then copa.

Good Point