I lost ESPN2 which was carrying the game and ESPN isn't working either. The other ESPN channels are working fine. I'm on AT&T U-Verse.
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American Soccer |OT| Life, liberty and the pursuit of the beautiful game
- Thread starter Askani
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I lost ESPN2 which was carrying the game and ESPN isn't working either. The other ESPN channels are working fine. I'm on AT&T U-Verse.
ActStriker
Member
Bedoya's balls in from set pieces have been pretty great today
My ESPN channel froze right as they were showing the Ukraine is undivided banner. Eerie.
My ESPN channel froze right as they were showing the Ukraine is undivided banner. Eerie.
That makes sense. Didn't appreciate all the complications involved. I remember all the excitement of Freddy Adu and it was too bad it didn't work out better (he wasn't bad but the expectations were sky high).
Congrats to Ukraine. They played better and deserved the win. While I'm not happy with the US's play (especially the backline), at least Ukraine can enjoy this win and for a moment forget about the crap going on in their country. As for the US, at least they can learn from this game now and hopefully fix things going forward. They looked better in the 2nd half offensively, but defensively... eh.
Cornballer
Member
Thankfully, that's over. Time to narrow down the roster.
Next game is April 2nd against Mexico.
Next game is April 2nd against Mexico.
I think it's fair to write off the backline and most of this game's midfield.
Cornballer
Member
perfectchaos007
Member
Wow, we really shit the bed against Ukraine. Played on a neutral field too.
30 minutes? Had a fantastic volley off a corner that was cleared off the line by a Ukraine defender.
Sort of neutral. It's slightly easier to get to Cyprus from the Ukraine than the US.
Apparently there was a group of US college students there and that's about it, hah.JAB is one for the next cycle, not this one. His coach at Hertha Berlin was critical of him earlier in the season and he hasn't started for them since. He recently got of the dog house with his coach with a cameo appearance in one of their games. He is going to get better but he doesn't deserve the spot over the two MLS options who themselves have looked shaky before. Gooch is just done and taking him would be a waste of a roster spot.
Nice. I can't remember; has Jurgen ever started AJ and let him go for 90? I think it's time we give him a shot at a starting spot.
I believe somebody said that JAB has just had 5 minutes of club time in 2014.
Cornballer
Member
Things can change a lot in a few months, but at the moment, I'd probably go with a lineup like: Howard; Cameron, Gonzalez, Besler, FJohnson; Jones, Bradley; Bedoya, Johannsson, Donovan; Altidore.
I'd be fine with Beasley slotting in at left back. Zusi's a consideration at RW for Bedoya, too. I'm sure I'm overlooking a couple of other players, as well.
I'd be fine with Beasley slotting in at left back. Zusi's a consideration at RW for Bedoya, too. I'm sure I'm overlooking a couple of other players, as well.
Definitely, though it's an odd situation. I'd be comfortable with him starting at DR, DC, or DMC, but I'd like to have someone better than him at each of those positions. He's our utility player.
Cornballer
Member
- Jeff Carlisle: Grades: U.S. show few positives vs. Ukraine
- Brian Straus: Failed Auditions: Three thoughts on the USAs 2-0 loss to Ukraine
- Brian Straus: Failed Auditions: Three thoughts on the USAs 2-0 loss to Ukraine
NoRéN;103301999 said:
What offensive player looked good during that game to you? Aron Johannsson as a sub maybe? It is unfair to criticize him and not the rest of his teammates. Clint cannot carry a team by himself. He is a goal scoring midfielder. He needs service. He had to drop back a lot, the defensive was being torched. Hes a bit out of form, but I think the flack he is getting is BS.
Yeah, I guess it's bs. I mean, he did perform well for Fulham and Seattle before that.
Oh, yeah...
Yes you would be right. He just recently got back in the good graces of his coach at Berlin. I didn't watch the game today but the lack of playing time at Hertha surely didn't help his case. Gooch on the other hand, we should just give up on.
I think it is time to stop bringing up the "service" excuse and face up to the fact that they have been crap for a disconcerting amount of time now.
And Seattle?
You still haven't done anything to explain why the criticism is undeserved. The guy disappears once things don't go his way and that was on display today. He didn't look like he wanted to be there.
Sure, no one really performed well today. but, this is Clint Dempsey we are talking about. He's supposed to lead by example as captain of the team. That's one hell of an example he sets. He's not new to the team either. This is someone with over 100 caps under his belt and has played in 2 world cups. But, he sure as hell doesn't play as someone with those stats.
I probably should lay off him. All that criticism might affect his form negatively.
Bingo.
Delicious Waffles
Member
He almost got into a fight with that one guy.
That's gotta count for something, no?
Yeah, didn't think so.
That's gotta count for something, no?
Yeah, didn't think so.
Auron_Kale
Member
Picked up the new US men's jersey today at Niketown. I think it looks great and love the collar - my Arsenal away jersey has the same look to it too.
The blue is brighter than I thought it'd be but considering they had navy for a while, this one pops out more.
Would snap a pic of it, but am on Bart headed home.
The blue is brighter than I thought it'd be but considering they had navy for a while, this one pops out more.
Would snap a pic of it, but am on Bart headed home.
did you copy and paste that straight from the post game thread on reddit?
Rafa=FedKilla
Banned
Nothing really eyepopping with the new kits this year. Guess it will save me money.
NoRéN;103319003 said:
I hate to agree with you, but I think you're right. If Clint can't improve, and fast, he not only needs to be benched but cut. He hasn't been playing like he deserves to go to the World Cup. If he can manage to shape up by the next friendly, then fine but if not...
As far as Altidore goes, he's in a drought. But I'm not too worried, he's been there before and climbed his way out. I think he can do it again and before the Cup.
See, it's not like I want these two guys to fail or that i don't like him. I think the issue is that as fans we tend to view our players based on past accomplishments. Dempsey has done some wonderful things for the national team. However, it's been a very long time since then. He just doesn't have the qualities the team, any team, needs from their captain. It's not fair that he seems to be getting a free pass. he continues to play while looking like he would rather be anywhere else and there are no consequences. I guess the fault is on Klinnsmann in the end. Sure, we can hope things improve come Seattle's opening game. Sure, it's March and Brazil is a few months away. But, is that a risk worth taking on a problem that's not too recent?
Altidore, what the fuck! i don't even know. It's like he's allergic to scoring goals. Can someone ask him to possibly aim anywhere but the goal and see what happens?
I'm with everyone that says, "he just needs to score and he'll return to form". Obviously that was his form for AZ. But, that was over a year ago. Before arriving in Netherlands he went something like 3 years with not much of a form to brag about. Villareal, xeres, Hull city, that turkish teams. I don't think he scored more than a handful of goals combined.
Is he really the best forward option the US has?
Delicious Waffles
Member
Cornballer
Member
Looks like DirecTV is offering a free preview of MLS DirectKick for the first week of the season (3/8-3/15).
If you're adamant about not starting Dempsey or Altidore, then what does your preferred lineup look like? Unfortunately, the US isn't blessed with a lot of options at those positions.NoRéN;103333577 said:
Cornballer
Member
- Lichaj is hurt again. He'll be out for about a month.
- The great U.S. debate: Lalas vs. Twellman, part two
- The great U.S. debate: Lalas vs. Twellman, part two
Johannsson and Agudelo? It'd be interesting to see what those two could do together up top.
Auron_Kale
Member
Sure it's a bit divisive but I think this goes well with all of the other WC Nike kits. Only one they haven't shown off is England, which they're waiting to show off in April for some reason - none of the Niketown staff could figure out why either.
Feels more like a premium polo than wearing a water bottle. Only the centennial jersey has the same feel that this one does.
Feels more like a premium polo than wearing a water bottle. Only the centennial jersey has the same feel that this one does.
Is this the authentic jersey (the $150 one?) or the slightly cheaper $90 one. Thinking about buying the cheaper one. cause...well, I just like polos. Haha.
Cornballer
Member
- Bolton on Holden:
In other news, I thought the new jerseys looked fine yesterday.
In other news, I thought the new jerseys looked fine yesterday.
Might work. I didn't watch the end of the game yesterday - how did Agudelo look?
Auron_Kale
Member
The $90 as I didn't see any of the authentic ones on the floor when I was there. As you can see, the jersey still has the crease lines from where they were folded in the box. They probably got them earlier in the week and had finished putting them out when I got there.
Cornballer
Member
Azerbaijan?Grant Wahl said:
Well damn, if it was Sweden or Nigeria (can't remember the third rumored opponent awhile back), I might have gone back home to visit my parents and catch the game, but Azerbaijan?
Maybe I'll pass.
Turkey and Nigeria should be good tests/sending offs though.
Sounds like Onyewu had a nightmare.
Suspect he won't make the squad for the Mexico game, and that will probably rule him out of the World Cup.
Shame for the big guy, but on a completley selfish point of view it increases our chances of keeping him in The Championship next year.
Suspect he won't make the squad for the Mexico game, and that will probably rule him out of the World Cup.
Shame for the big guy, but on a completley selfish point of view it increases our chances of keeping him in The Championship next year.
Auron_Kale
Member
Palo Alto game is tempting... Hmm... But the logistics of getting there is a nightmare.
He wasn't exactly injecting new life into the team yesterday, no shots on goal but his passing was ok. Can't say he looked like he deserved to replace Jozy.
Turkey? I was planning on going to that game, hopefully it's a good one.
Anyone else paired with donovan?
Wondolowski - Poacher who has only scored against lower opposition with the national team but that's better than no goals for anyone
EJ - Latest goals have been against concacaf opposition but did score against Mexico as well. Dude can aim at least
Johansson - Why not reward the forward with the current best form at the moment. Had better moments against Ukraine in 30 minutes than 2 other two options.
Another option is Agudelo. Pair him up with Johansson up top and see what these two promising young options can do. Speed, eye for goal, dribbling ability, and they definitely don't sit back and watch and let other do the work.
Yeah, what this guy said. Why not give that a shot.
Looks like there are a few options available. Don't see how there hasn't been any change when you consider that Altidore started every US game in South Africa and failed to score. Every goal scored by the US in South Africa came from midfielders, I think.
So, the US isn't all that limited up front when you really think about it.
Cornballer
Member
As I said above, I'd be interested in giving Agudelo/Johannsson a shot, and I also want to see Altidore/Johannsson actually start together. There are only four games left before the WC, so Klinsmann needs to make them count. I don't see many other viable options in the ones you listed, but they're players that could be useful in late game situations. I also think Klinsmann should've tried out a few options months ago after the USMNT had qualified, but he's been playing Altidore for the sake of chemistry (assuming he's going to start in the WC) as well as in hopes of revitalizing his club form(?)
Altidore is slumping for his club right now, but I don't think it's hurt his USMNT form that much yet. If we look back to the last meaningful set of games that the US played, he had 4 goals in 8 starts in the Hex. (He missed one game and came on for the last ~15-20 min in another.) I don't think plugging in one of the other guys would have produced as many goals there. I guess we'll see how he's playing as we get closer to the WC.
Altidore is slumping for his club right now, but I don't think it's hurt his USMNT form that much yet. If we look back to the last meaningful set of games that the US played, he had 4 goals in 8 starts in the Hex. (He missed one game and came on for the last ~15-20 min in another.) I don't think plugging in one of the other guys would have produced as many goals there. I guess we'll see how he's playing as we get closer to the WC.
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