Official USMNT/USWNT Thread

[jasontoddwhitt]

re: Official USMNT/USWNT Thread

With such a small crowd, it's cool to hear Tim Howard continually screaming at the back line to push higher.

[doubledeuceR6]

re: Official USMNT/USWNT Thread

Jeez. Only been watching for 5-10 minutes, but they look horrible.

Yeah I got to watch the first 20 mins during lunch and it was brutal. Really fortunate to only be down 1-0.

[jasontoddwhitt]

re: Official USMNT/USWNT Thread

God, more horrible defending. 2-0 Ukraine, when it looked like we were getting some traction.

Onyewu and Brooks are playing their way out of the World Cup camp IMO and they owe Tim Howard dinner tonight.

EDIT: And down goes the feed on ESPN2.

[fugazi]

re: Official USMNT/USWNT Thread

I'm surprised Onyewu is even in the fold at all...I thought it was agreed he was not up to par years ago.

I hate the lone striker...might work for Ibra, or Drogba....but USMNT doesn't have that kind of guy.

When I saw the starting XI, it was clear they were going to lose, and likely not score.

Johnson, Altidore, Dempsey, Bedoya are serviceable as a front four, but couldn't imagine them providing much, especially with what was behind them.

We have to play two deep-lying CMs because the back four is atrocious regardless of who is out there. That being said, those two better be good distributors...and I don't know if we have a good pairing that can fill both roles...I don't know if Jones brings anything really positive to the team.

Maybe JK could look a Martinez's 3-5-2...i mean, anything to breathe some life into this team...4-5-1 = 1st round elimination

[Matt10]

re: Official USMNT/USWNT Thread

I'm surprised Onyewu is even in the fold at all...I thought it was agreed he was not up to par years ago.

I hate the lone striker...might work for Ibra, or Drogba....but USMNT doesn't have that kind of guy.

When I saw the starting XI, it was clear they were going to lose, and likely not score.

Johnson, Altidore, Dempsey, Bedoya are serviceable as a front four, but couldn't imagine them providing much, especially with what was behind them.

We have to play two deep-lying CMs because the back four is atrocious regardless of who is out there. That being said, those two better be good distributors...and I don't know if we have a good pairing that can fill both roles...I don't know if Jones brings anything really positive to the team.

Maybe JK could look a Martinez's 3-5-2...i mean, anything to breathe some life into this team...4-5-1 = 1st round elimination

Seriously exactly what I was thinking watching this replay. It's just not going to fly. I am really disappointed with this game, it was atrocious. It wasn't just that they were losing - but it looked like everyone but Brek Shea was just going through the motions. It was very lazy, especially from Jozy - he never sprints to check to the ball - he does this for Sunderland too - just very lazy; almost to Berbatov's level honestly. They started passing the ball backwards being 2-0 down, even in stoppage time Cameron had a shot to play in the box - opted to find that perfect pass. No sense of urgency whatsoever - I honestly feel JK assessing this game should be on guts and determination alone - and I'd give that to Brek Shea.

With that said, I can't wait for Dempsey to get back to the States - our captain needs a mental break - see his family and get rejuvenated; it's been painful watch for me these last couple weeks.

[ImTellinTim]

re: Official USMNT/USWNT Thread

When I saw the two team sheets, I didn't even bother watching. Knew Ukraine would go forward at will.

[fugazi]

re: Official USMNT/USWNT Thread

With that said, I can't wait for Dempsey to get back to the States - our captain needs a mental break - see his family and get rejuvenated; it's been painful watch for me these last couple weeks.

Man...I think Dempsey is a liability for this team.

Prior to his rise at Fulham, he played with a fire and intensity the team lacked...but for the past SEVERAL years, I haven't been able to convince myself that he is really "in it".

His game really hasn't developed much...he doesn't provide what we need on the wings, in the hole, or up front. He's mostly a goal poacher, and the team doesn't create enough havoc in the attacking third for that aspect of his game to come into play.

Play him up front and pair him with another striker...maybe...

I'd prefer to see Donovan and Zusi on the wings, pair Altidore (yeah...i know, right?) with Johansson....or pair Altidore with Donovan and put someone else on the wing.

In short, I've lost faith in Dempsey.

[Matt10]

re: Official USMNT/USWNT Thread

Man...I think Dempsey is a liability for this team.

Prior to his rise at Fulham, he played with a fire and intensity the team lacked...but for the past SEVERAL years, I haven't been able to convince myself that he is really "in it".

His game really hasn't developed much...he doesn't provide what we need on the wings, in the hole, or up front. He's mostly a goal poacher, and the team doesn't create enough havoc in the attacking third for that aspect of his game to come into play.

Play him up front and pair him with another striker...maybe...

I'd prefer to see Donovan and Zusi on the wings, pair Altidore (yeah...i know, right?) with Johansson....or pair Altidore with Donovan and put someone else on the wing.

In short, I've lost faith in Dempsey.

I'm too much of a Dempsey homer to argue - but I do agree that he's in the wrong spot. I don't like him dropping off behind the striker/CF - not sure why coaches tend to play him there (Tottenham, Fulham this short loan) - he is very much a forward - someone who will hold the ball up, but also take you on.

I will agree that his game has not developed as well. I think there are times when he just doesn't look like he's passionate - and he tends to fall down pretty easily - very much playing the "seasoned-pro" role versus the Texan born player he used to be.

But he scores goals, and scores them when they matter the most. From Europa for Fulham and Tottenham, to the prem with both (scored 2 goals against Man U, 1 against City - people often forget about that).

Again, I'm the worst person to argue about him because he is my favorite player - and I will always defend him. I think he needs to be placed in a more threatening position and less relied on to be the creative force. Hopefully JK sees that and pairs him up with Johansson as that would be an excellent compliment to Deuce's pro mentality and Johansson's clinical finishing.

[Brahvocado]

re: Official USMNT/USWNT Thread

The problem is that his natural position is a winger. He's not a striker or a CF or a CAM. He scores all of his goals because he just sort of floats into the middle from the left side, and people don't even realize what he's doing until it's too late, he has an exceptional "soccer IQ".

The reason this is a problem is because he is a winger with no pace. Once teams figure out that all they have to do to neutralize Dempsey is man-mark him, he really doesn't have anything to fall back on.

[VTPack919]

re: Official USMNT/USWNT Thread

The problem is that his natural position is a winger. He's not a striker or a CF or a CAM. He scores all of his goals because he just sort of floats into the middle from the left side, and people don't even realize what he's doing until it's too late, he has an exceptional "soccer IQ".

The reason this is a problem is because he is a winger with no pace. Once teams figure out that all they have to do to neutralize Dempsey is man-mark him, he really doesn't have anything to fall back on.

A natural winger with no pace, eh?


Disagree about his natural position, but something hasn't been right with Dempsey lately.

[ImTellinTim]

re: Official USMNT/USWNT Thread



!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[msuduo]

re: Official USMNT/USWNT Thread

BOOM!!!

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[Eton Rifles]

re: Official USMNT/USWNT Thread

Big coup for Klinsmann right there.

[jt45]

re: Official USMNT/USWNT Thread

That's huge and probably means Terrance Boyd will not go to Brazil.

[VTPack919]

re: Official USMNT/USWNT Thread

I am so excite!


That is huge.