***Official 2014 World Cup Thread*** (2 Viewers)

[El Floppo]

Re Yedlin - yes he is better as a sub, but if he were to play as a Midfielder, I don't think his liabilities would hurts us as much as if he was a LB.

I agree, he is not ready for RB at this level at all.

But I really think we could give team some fits throwing both Fab and Yedln at them down that side, at least for more than 10 minutes.

Ah- good points, guys- I completely missed that you were all talking about him pushed up.

Hmmm.... start the young guy at a new position in the quarter finals of the WC. why not?

what could go wrong? lol

I am not advocating starting him, but would love to see him get 30 minutes or so.

I think Zusi has been solid this tournament. Assists on two of the US goals and has worked his butt off defensively.

It is his opposite number that has not sparkled IMO so far.

Speaking of lack of sparkle... Bradley? Loved seeing him work today, but his touch is just not working.

 

[Steve Tasker]

-U.S. Men’s National Team Match Report-

Match: U.S. Men’s National Team vs. Belgium
Date: May 29, 2013
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: FirstEnergy Stadium; Cleveland, Ohio
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
Attendance: 27,720
Weather: 79 degrees, humid

Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 1 1 2
BEL 1 3 4

BEL – Kevin Mirallas 6th minute
USA – Geoff Cameron (Clint Dempsey) 22
BEL – Christian Benteke (Kevin De Bruyne) 56
BEL – Marouane Fellaini (Kevin De Bruyne) 64
BEL – Christian Benteke (Steven Defour) 71
USA – Clint Dempsey (penalty kick) 80

Lineups:
USA: 1-Tim Howard (12-Brad Guzan, 46); 20-Geoff Cameron, 3-Omar Gonzalez, 21-Clarence Goodson (5-Matt Besler, 69), 7-DaMarcus Beasley; 13-Jermaine Jones, 16-Sacha Kljestan (11-Stuart Holden, 81), 19-Graham Zusi (6-Brad Evans, 69), 24-Brad Davis (25-Terrence Boyd, 63); 8-Clint Dempsey (capt.), 17-Jozy Altidore (18-Eddie Johnson, 46)
Substitutions Not Used: 15-Michael Parkhurst, 9-Herculez Gomez
Head coach: Jurgen Klinsmann

BEL: 1-Simon Mignolet; 2-Toby Alderweireld, 3-Thomas Vermaelen (15-Sebastien Pocognoli, 36), 4-Vincent Kompany (capt.) (16-Guillame Gillet, 72), 5-Jan Vertonghen; 6-Marouane Fellaini, 7-Kevin Mirallas, 8-Steven Defour (22-Timmy Simons, 76) 9-Romelu Lukaku (23-Thorgan Hazard, 83); 11-Kevin De Bruyne (14-Dries Mertens, 68), 18-Moussa Dembele (20-Christian Benteke, 41)
Substitutions Not Used: 12-Jean-Francois Gillet, 21-Thomas Kaminski, 13-Laurent Ciman, 17-Maxime Lestienne, 19-Jelle Vossen
Head coach: Marc Wilmots

Stats Summary: USA / BEL
Shots: 3 / 10
Shots on Goal: 2 / 8
Saves: 4 / 0
Corner Kicks: 5 / 4
Fouls: 4 / 9
Offside: 4 / 3

Misconduct Summary:
BEL – Timmy Simmons (Caution) 78th minute
USA – Jermaine Jones (Caution) 90

 

[Hoos First]

I thought Bradley sucked today, but Im sure a person or 2 will disagree

 

[Sammy3469]

What I remember about that Belgium friendly score-aside was them destroying us physically, skillfully and tactically- men vs boys style.

They aren't playing as well now as they were then though.

I haven't gotten to see them play too much this WC.

At a mimimum they're missing Betenke (sp?) and Lukaku hasn't been playing as well now as he was in 2013.

They're obviously talented everywhere, but they were firing on all cylinders then, it may only be 5 of 6 in a V6 engine right now.

 

[El Floppo]

hey, wait a sec.... JONES DID NOT GET A SECOND YELLOW!!!!!

 

[Sinn Fein]

I really like Klinsmann (and all the Klinsmann-doubters/haters - looking at you Gator - can #### off). But, I do think Donovan could have been here instead of Davis.

I know Davis was carrying an injury from earlier, but he looked useless out there. Zusi could have handled the set-pieces just fine.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Have any groups ever been decided by drawing lots?

no and yes

Drawing of lots has never been used to decide which team advances

Drawing of lots has been used to decide a specific position of a team in a group

the last time was in 1990 to settled 2nd and 3rd place (this was back when some 3rd place teams advanced).

 

[Sinn Fein]

hey, wait a sec.... JONES DID NOT GET A SECOND YELLOW!!!!!

:goodpoint:

 

[El Floppo]

I thought Bradley sucked today, but Im sure a person or 2 will disagree

was not at his best.

again.

but worked his ### off and helped plug the middle up. but his offensive game needs to pick up for hte US to have a chance next week.

 

[Celph Titled]

-U.S. Men’s National Team Match Report-

Match: U.S. Men’s National Team vs. Belgium

Date: May 29, 2013

Competition: International Friendly

Venue: FirstEnergy Stadium; Cleveland, Ohio

Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET

Attendance: 27,720

Weather: 79 degrees, humid

Scoring Summary: 1 2 F

USA 1 1 2

BEL 1 3 4

BEL – Kevin Mirallas 6th minute

USA – Geoff Cameron (Clint Dempsey) 22

BEL – Christian Benteke (Kevin De Bruyne) 56

BEL – Marouane Fellaini (Kevin De Bruyne) 64

BEL – Christian Benteke (Steven Defour) 71

USA – Clint Dempsey (penalty kick) 80

Lineups:

USA: 1-Tim Howard (12-Brad Guzan, 46); 20-Geoff Cameron, 3-Omar Gonzalez, 21-Clarence Goodson (5-Matt Besler, 69), 7-DaMarcus Beasley; 13-Jermaine Jones, 16-Sacha Kljestan (11-Stuart Holden, 81), 19-Graham Zusi (6-Brad Evans, 69), 24-Brad Davis (25-Terrence Boyd, 63); 8-Clint Dempsey (capt.), 17-Jozy Altidore (18-Eddie Johnson, 46)

Substitutions Not Used: 15-Michael Parkhurst, 9-Herculez Gomez

Head coach: Jurgen Klinsmann

BEL: 1-Simon Mignolet; 2-Toby Alderweireld, 3-Thomas Vermaelen (15-Sebastien Pocognoli, 36), 4-Vincent Kompany (capt.) (16-Guillame Gillet, 72), 5-Jan Vertonghen; 6-Marouane Fellaini, 7-Kevin Mirallas, 8-Steven Defour (22-Timmy Simons, 76) 9-Romelu Lukaku (23-Thorgan Hazard, 83); 11-Kevin De Bruyne (14-Dries Mertens, 68), 18-Moussa Dembele (20-Christian Benteke, 41)

Substitutions Not Used: 12-Jean-Francois Gillet, 21-Thomas Kaminski, 13-Laurent Ciman, 17-Maxime Lestienne, 19-Jelle Vossen

Head coach: Marc Wilmots

Stats Summary: USA / BEL

Shots: 3 / 10

Shots on Goal: 2 / 8

Saves: 4 / 0

Corner Kicks: 5 / 4

Fouls: 4 / 9

Offside: 4 / 3

Misconduct Summary:

BEL – Timmy Simmons (Caution) 78th minute

USA – Jermaine Jones (Caution) 90

Well, no Benteke this time at least.

 

[Steve Tasker]

I didn't realize Eden Hazard didn't even play in that game against the US.

That said, Ozil was relatively invisible today at times, and I could see the US potentially neutralizing Hazard for stretches as well.

But the thought of the Kraken lurking around the penalty spot with Gonzalez as his mark scares me.

 

[El Floppo]

I didn't realize Eden Hazard didn't even play in that game against the US.

That said, Ozil was relatively invisible today at times, and I could see the US potentially neutralizing Hazard for stretches as well.

But the thought of the Kraken lurking around the penalty spot with Gonzalez as his mark scares me.

isn't Ozil always relatively invisible? has his handful of fantastic threatening touches and *poof*

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

So odds of Altidore actually playing are???

Close to zero IMO. Next Tuesday is still just two weeks from the injury.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Well, no Benteke this time at least.

Yeah, but no Kljestan for the US either. It all equals out.

 

[Steve Tasker]

I didn't realize Eden Hazard didn't even play in that game against the US.

That said, Ozil was relatively invisible today at times, and I could see the US potentially neutralizing Hazard for stretches as well.

But the thought of the Kraken lurking around the penalty spot with Gonzalez as his mark scares me.

isn't Ozil always relatively invisible? has his handful of fantastic threatening touches and *poof*

Honestly, I think he's looked burned out from the club season. He hasn't looked like himself since the early spring, IMO.

 

[Sinn Fein]

Bradley, for me, had a mixed game. His touch is non-exisitant. But I really thought he brought some good energy and pressuring today.

When you consider the fact that we built a team to have a lone striker who has speed, and can hold the ball up, and we have played most of the group stage without said striker - we have done amazingly well.

If, big if, Jozy can get healthy, I think that helps everyone, including Bradley, by taking some of the pressure off of controlling the ball.

 

[QuizGuy66]

I thought Bradley sucked today, but Im sure a person or 2 will disagree

My coworker, who doesn't really watch much sucker at all, pointed out Bradley's sucking.

-QG

 

[Sinn Fein]

I didn't realize Eden Hazard didn't even play in that game against the US.

That said, Ozil was relatively invisible today at times, and I could see the US potentially neutralizing Hazard for stretches as well.

But the thought of the Kraken lurking around the penalty spot with Gonzalez as his mark scares me.

I thought Gonzalez played well today, and Lukaku has not looked sharp - early sub in his last game if i recall.

 

[QuizGuy66]

So ESPN intern must have screwed up - they showed Croatia vs Greece as the match-up

-QG

 

[El Floppo]

Well, no Benteke this time at least.

Yeah, but no Kljestan for the US either. It all equals out.

there might be time for somebody to grow a mean stache though

 

[moleculo]

so I haven't watched as much soccer this cup as I would have liked to, but I just saw the US v. Germany game. It seems like, as a team, our ball handling skills are lacking. Our passes are too far ahead or too far behind the target. When the ball comes in, we seem to have difficulty trapping and controlling. We have trouble one-touching it around. Compare vs. Germany, where it seemed like every pass was crisp, well controlled, and executed with 2 or less touches.

Is it generally accurate that the US is generally less skilled? Or is it a matter of the Germans being world class, poor conditions, poor rest, etc?

 

[jon_mx]

I thought Bradley sucked today, but Im sure a person or 2 will disagree

His mom and wife?

 

[NewlyRetired]

I thought Bradley sucked today, but Im sure a person or 2 will disagree

was not at his best.

again.

but worked his ### off and helped plug the middle up. but his offensive game needs to pick up for hte US to have a chance next week.

I agree certainly not his best but he did not suck either, not even close.

He hit by far the best pass of the day for the US which was an inch from putting Jones through alone if he could have controlled it on his first touch.

 

[Ned]

so I haven't watched as much soccer this cup as I would have liked to, but I just saw the US v. Germany game. It seems like, as a team, our ball handling skills are lacking. Our passes are too far ahead or too far behind the target. When the ball comes in, we seem to have difficulty trapping and controlling. We have trouble one-touching it around. Compare vs. Germany, where it seemed like every pass was crisp, well controlled, and executed with 2 or less touches.

Is it generally accurate that the US is generally less skilled? Or is it a matter of the Germans being world class, poor conditions, poor rest, etc?

Catch a replay of the US/Portugal game. It's not a lack of skill.

 

[TheIronSheik]

So was Germany playing a normal game? Or were they playing half throttle? Kind of looked like they weren't really trying too hard on some plays. But as a noob, that just may be me not understanding the game.

I thought they played hard. They straight up dominated us. Once they realized we really weren't going to get too risky and that we were essentially conceding 1st in the group, they went all out. Especially with Klose coming in and wanting to get the goal total lead.

IMO Germany played hard for the first 70 minutes, then they backed off a bit.

Lahm's recovery run that late in the game was incredible effort that eliminated a clear look on goal for Bedoya.

I was referring more to their offensive push. Obviously, they were playing 100% on defense. They didn't want to lose. But a lot of their shots in the first half seemed to go right at the goalie. Or they didn't seem to be trying a serious cross. Even on the corners they didn't look like they were trying. I mean, if it came to them, they would have scored. But up until the goal, it kind of looked like they were happy with a tie.

that is how Germany always plays. They wait for you to make a mistake with their elite level consistency and then they punish.

Don't for a second believe they were not playing hard.

Fair enough. That was my original question. I wasn't sure if that was there normal play or not.

 

[Steve Tasker]

I didn't realize Eden Hazard didn't even play in that game against the US.

That said, Ozil was relatively invisible today at times, and I could see the US potentially neutralizing Hazard for stretches as well.

But the thought of the Kraken lurking around the penalty spot with Gonzalez as his mark scares me.

I thought Gonzalez played well today, and Lukaku has not looked sharp - early sub in his last game if i recall.

Right, for Origi....who scored the goal to put them through to the next round.

Either way, the threat scares me. Eder is the only striker the US has really faced this tournament who plays in a similar mold to Lukaku....and he's no Lukaku.

 

[moleculo]

so I haven't watched as much soccer this cup as I would have liked to, but I just saw the US v. Germany game. It seems like, as a team, our ball handling skills are lacking. Our passes are too far ahead or too far behind the target. When the ball comes in, we seem to have difficulty trapping and controlling. We have trouble one-touching it around. Compare vs. Germany, where it seemed like every pass was crisp, well controlled, and executed with 2 or less touches.

Is it generally accurate that the US is generally less skilled? Or is it a matter of the Germans being world class, poor conditions, poor rest, etc?

Catch a replay of the US/Portugal game. It's not a lack of skill.

unfortunately I missed that game due to my parents not having cable

 

[NewlyRetired]

So lets add this all up

1) hardest or second hardest group

2) our only target player, critical to the tactics, gets hurt immediately

3) our best field player not playing close to his full ability

4) Expecting to need solid performances out of Beckerman, DMB and Gonzo

and we still advanced. It was not always pretty but I will take it.

 

[El Floppo]

Bradley, for me, had a mixed game. His touch is non-exisitant. But I really thought he brought some good energy and pressuring today.

When you consider the fact that we built a team to have a lone striker who has speed, and can hold the ball up, and we have played most of the group stage without said striker - we have done amazingly well.

If, big if, Jozy can get healthy, I think that helps everyone, including Bradley, by taking some of the pressure off of controlling the ball.

yeah- good stuff.

the thing that worries me with Bradley is that he's not a mistake-prone player... especially the types of mistakes he's been making. everybody's going to lose the ball here and there, make the bad pass- but he's clanging his first touch... not typical for him.

I'm hoping he can catch his breath and find some form on the ball for the next game. none of us will doubt his commitment or workrate (except the people who looked at one play and thought he was lazy), but his play has gotten us all used to seeing him be consistently smart and useful with the ball, not smashing his first touch straight to the other team.

 

[B Maverick]

Breaking news! FIFA has determined that as Ghana scored 2 of the 3 goals in their matchup vs Portugal, they should actually advance over the USA by virtue of a 2-1 win.

A high ranking FIFA official stated "With the Germany and US coaches both being German, we determined they both must be the same team and thus only 1 can advance. Further, Ghana scored 2 goals in their matchup with Portugal and own the tie breakers with the "USA" team. Further, as most of the US doesn't really care about our sport and believe draws are worth nothing, they can not claim the point they earned in the 2-2 draw with Portugal. Contrats to Germany and Ghana for advancing to the knockout round."

 

[NewlyRetired]

so I haven't watched as much soccer this cup as I would have liked to, but I just saw the US v. Germany game. It seems like, as a team, our ball handling skills are lacking. Our passes are too far ahead or too far behind the target. When the ball comes in, we seem to have difficulty trapping and controlling. We have trouble one-touching it around. Compare vs. Germany, where it seemed like every pass was crisp, well controlled, and executed with 2 or less touches.

Is it generally accurate that the US is generally less skilled? Or is it a matter of the Germans being world class, poor conditions, poor rest, etc?

Catch a replay of the US/Portugal game. It's not a lack of skill.

unfortunately I missed that game due to my parents not having cable

Germany is world class

The US is not

sometimes when those two polar sides meet, the game can easily look like it did today. That is just how it works sometimes.

The US played much much better offensively against Portugal, and will need that level if they want to stay with a talented Belgium side.

 

[El Floppo]

so I haven't watched as much soccer this cup as I would have liked to, but I just saw the US v. Germany game. It seems like, as a team, our ball handling skills are lacking. Our passes are too far ahead or too far behind the target. When the ball comes in, we seem to have difficulty trapping and controlling. We have trouble one-touching it around. Compare vs. Germany, where it seemed like every pass was crisp, well controlled, and executed with 2 or less touches.

Is it generally accurate that the US is generally less skilled? Or is it a matter of the Germans being world class, poor conditions, poor rest, etc?

Catch a replay of the US/Portugal game. It's not a lack of skill.

but let's face it- we do lack the skills the guys who grew up living and breathing top quality soccer have.

that said, the US looked very tired/heavy-legged. Guys who usually are tidy with the ball were losing it way too easily.

 

[johnnycakes]

Breaking news! FIFA has determined that as Ghana scored 2 of the 3 goals in their matchup vs Portugal, they should actually advance over the USA by virtue of a 2-1 win.

A high ranking FIFA official stated "With the Germany and US coaches both being German, we determined they both must be the same team and thus only 1 can advance. Further, Ghana scored 2 goals in their matchup with Portugal and own the tie breakers with the "USA" team. Further, as most of the US doesn't really care about our sport and believe draws are worth nothing, they can not claim the point they earned in the 2-2 draw with Portugal. Contrats to Germany and Ghana for advancing to the knockout round."

U.S. team contracted Ghanarrea?

 

[17seconds]

OH SNAP

http://giant.gfycat.com/DampSaneHornet.gif

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

I didn't realize Eden Hazard didn't even play in that game against the US.

That said, Ozil was relatively invisible today at times, and I could see the US potentially neutralizing Hazard for stretches as well.

But the thought of the Kraken lurking around the penalty spot with Gonzalez as his mark scares me.

Lukaku may have played himself out of the starting lineup this world cup. He's been dire.

 

[El Floppo]

OH SNAP

http://giant.gfycat.com/DampSaneHornet.gif

what did I miss?

 

[TenTimes]

After the Ghana game a buddy of mine said exactly: "We're in pretty good shape. Looking for a draw vs. Portugal and a small loss vs. Germany and we're through"

that is the exact mapping we did the minute the group draw came out back in December as our best chance to advance.

It never works out like you expect and yet this one followed the line perfectly.

In that case, can you predict an easy USA win in the final game?

 

[Sammy3469]

Bradley, for me, had a mixed game. His touch is non-exisitant. But I really thought he brought some good energy and pressuring today.

When you consider the fact that we built a team to have a lone striker who has speed, and can hold the ball up, and we have played most of the group stage without said striker - we have done amazingly well.

If, big if, Jozy can get healthy, I think that helps everyone, including Bradley, by taking some of the pressure off of controlling the ball.

yeah- good stuff.

the thing that worries me with Bradley is that he's not a mistake-prone player... especially the types of mistakes he's been making. everybody's going to lose the ball here and there, make the bad pass- but he's clanging his first touch... not typical for him.

I'm hoping he can catch his breath and find some form on the ball for the next game. none of us will doubt his commitment or workrate (except the people who looked at one play and thought he was lazy), but his play has gotten us all used to seeing him be consistently smart and useful with the ball, not smashing his first touch straight to the other team.

Well between the rain (the amount of bad first touches from everyone was almost comical) and his workrate (he ran 13km with Jones being the 2nd most at 11.5), I think that's the explanation.

One of the bad side effects of Jozy's injury is it forces both Jones and Bradley to make more runs which saps their touch as the game goes on. Granted Bradley's wasn't great from the start, but all that running doesn't help.

 

[B Maverick]

OH SNAP

http://giant.gfycat.com/DampSaneHornet.gif

what did I miss?

I think that broke his arm

 

[culdeus]

So I assume US has to travel another 8000 miles to get to the next game?

 

[NewlyRetired]

After the Ghana game a buddy of mine said exactly: "We're in pretty good shape. Looking for a draw vs. Portugal and a small loss vs. Germany and we're through"

that is the exact mapping we did the minute the group draw came out back in December as our best chance to advance.

It never works out like you expect and yet this one followed the line perfectly.

In that case, can you predict an easy USA win in the final game?

merlin could not pull that trick off

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

I am drunk. I am content. It was not pretty, but I did not expect it to be. I thought that if the US could hold out long enough, Germany would have little incentive to press the accelerator after a first goal. I think that was true.

I respect the professionalism of Beckerman, who does exactly what is asked of him. And of Klinsmann, who's ruthless pragmatism allows him to select "limited" players who will do exactly what is asked of them.

And I respect JK doubly for having the balls to select Gonzo, who delivered big time.

 

[[icon]]

so I haven't watched as much soccer this cup as I would have liked to, but I just saw the US v. Germany game. It seems like, as a team, our ball handling skills are lacking. Our passes are too far ahead or too far behind the target. When the ball comes in, we seem to have difficulty trapping and controlling. We have trouble one-touching it around. Compare vs. Germany, where it seemed like every pass was crisp, well controlled, and executed with 2 or less touches.

Is it generally accurate that the US is generally less skilled? Or is it a matter of the Germans being world class, poor conditions, poor rest, etc?

Catch a replay of the US/Portugal game. It's not a lack of skill.

unfortunately I missed that game due to my parents not having cable

That was a doozy of a match... wow. Exciting to watch and a total emotional roller coaster.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

So I assume US has to travel another 8000 miles to get to the next game?

They don't play again until Tuesday -- five full days from the end of this game. Travel's much less of a worry for this one.

 

[TheIronSheik]

Just to clear it up, do we know who we play yet on Tuesday? Is it definitely Belgium? Or at this point, can it be anyone?

 

[El Floppo]

Bradley, for me, had a mixed game. His touch is non-exisitant. But I really thought he brought some good energy and pressuring today.

When you consider the fact that we built a team to have a lone striker who has speed, and can hold the ball up, and we have played most of the group stage without said striker - we have done amazingly well.

If, big if, Jozy can get healthy, I think that helps everyone, including Bradley, by taking some of the pressure off of controlling the ball.

yeah- good stuff.

the thing that worries me with Bradley is that he's not a mistake-prone player... especially the types of mistakes he's been making. everybody's going to lose the ball here and there, make the bad pass- but he's clanging his first touch... not typical for him.

I'm hoping he can catch his breath and find some form on the ball for the next game. none of us will doubt his commitment or workrate (except the people who looked at one play and thought he was lazy), but his play has gotten us all used to seeing him be consistently smart and useful with the ball, not smashing his first touch straight to the other team.

Well between the rain (the amount of bad first touches from everyone was almost comical) and his workrate (he ran 13km with Jones being the 2nd most at 11.5), I think that's the explanation.

One of the bad side effects of Jozy's injury is it forces both Jones and Bradley to make more runs which saps their touch as the game goes on. Granted Bradley's wasn't great from the start, but all that running doesn't help.

the rain didn't seem to bother the Germans' (German Germans) touch.

Jones and Bradley were both clanging the ball before they had put in the miles... but wow- that's the most I've seen somebody run. he was killing himself putting high pressure up top... with Dempsey walking around and not covering back for him.

 

[Native]

Are Belgium a pressing team?

 

[El Floppo]

I am drunk. I am content. It was not pretty, but I did not expect it to be. I thought that if the US could hold out long enough, Germany would have little incentive to press the accelerator after a first goal. I think that was true.

I respect the professionalism of Beckerman, who does exactly what is asked of him. And of Klinsmann, who's ruthless pragmatism allows him to select "limited" players who will do exactly what is asked of them.

And I respect JK doubly for having the balls to select Gonzo, who delivered big time.

So true.

where is the decision to start Davis on your respect-meter?

 

[Moe.]

Just to clear it up, do we know who we play yet on Tuesday? Is it definitely Belgium? Or at this point, can it be anyone?

>99% Belgium.

 

[culdeus]

afternoon start on Tuesday blows. The lunchtime match was great. Not enough cover for a late PM "lunch"