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***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter jpeace121
- Start date
Ignoramus
Footballguy
The Z Machine
Footballguy
Props to. USA for getting 3 tonight. Props to CR for not true ng for the replay when they were one down.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Just how Klinsmann would draw it up, well if he owned a white boardJust a routine three points
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Honduras 4US 3Panama 2Mexico 2Jam 2Costa Rica 1
The Z Machine
Footballguy
Better hope you have a handle of jack for each guy in the car. Just booze it up in the parking lot, go nuts in the snow and wait till people leave.
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
I believe his halftime speech consisted of "Um. Don't give up a goal."Just how Klinsmann would draw it up, well if he owned a white boardJust a routine three points
T Bell
Footballguy
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
"Geoff, push kid using shovel when needed"I believe his halftime speech consisted of "Um. Don't give up a goal."Just how Klinsmann would draw it up, well if he owned a white boardJust a routine three points
God i hope most of us are still around many years from now to remember this. 
Eephus
Footballguy
Hope they have a shovel
T Bell
Footballguy
It's Denver. I'm sure they've got schnapps, pitons, camp stoves and St. Bernards in their cars.
Mjolnirs
Footballguy
Good plan, and it worked.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
In all honesty, he barely saw this one
The Z Machine
Footballguy
DMB had a good game. Gomez had a good game. Guzan had a good game. Wasn't impressedwith Cameron or Zusi. Bradley was invisible for a lot of the game. The attack shoukd have tried to put some more on frame in the second half. Way to gut it out though.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Relative free roll in Mexico now.
No matter what happens on Tuesday we now don't need to panic waiting for the big summer group of games.
No matter what happens on Tuesday we now don't need to panic waiting for the big summer group of games.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Your last sentence was the key. This was not a game about skill.
The Gator
Footballguy
seeing <> seeingThat might not ever happen again for US soccer.In all honesty, he barely saw this one
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
I agree from my warm seat although i can't say i saw everything well
Could you see across the field from where you were? Nice job by the fans.
The Gator
Footballguy
:jealous:
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle)
3/23/13, 12:32 AM
Stat of the night: Michael Bradley completed 89.1% of his passes, all with 4 inches of snow on the ground. Incredible. #usmnt
3/23/13, 12:32 AM
Stat of the night: Michael Bradley completed 89.1% of his passes, all with 4 inches of snow on the ground. Incredible. #usmnt
ffldrew
Footballguy
You could see ok but it was weird trying to understand the depth and direction of the ball. It was like being in a giant snow globe. Temp wasn't bad. Crowd was jacked up for sure. We had about 2 rows of CR fans behind us lots of spanish swearing but they got quiet lateer.I agree from my warm seat although i can't say i saw everything well
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
ESPN grades
Player grades: (0-10; 10=best)
G: Brad Guzan, 6.5 -- Solid in all respects in the first half but sent U.S. hearts a-fluttering by fanning on a cross early in the second. There were no complaints about his handling, especially under the difficult conditions.
D: DaMarcus Beasley, 7 -- Not bad for a guy playing his first World Cup qualifier in over three years. Beasley defended capably, including a vital recovery run late in the first half. He got forward to good effect as well.
D: Clarence Goodson, 8 -- An immense performance in all phases whether it was in the air, on the ground, or with the ball at his feet. Completely justified the faith put in him by Klinsmann.
D: Omar Gonzalez, 7 -- Looked a little tentative in playing the ball forward but showed an immense improvement overall compared to last month's game against Honduras. He provided a vital block of a Bryan Ruiz shot in the first half and he was his usual dominant self in the air throughout.
D: Geoff Cameron, 3.5 -- The weakest link by far. He defended decently enough at times but took far too many risks when in possession, also conceding some dangerous fouls close to goal.
M: Jermaine Jones, 5 -- When he simplified his game, he was solid. When he didn't, his passes failed to find their mark. Should have been booked -- or worse -- for a silly elbow to Ruiz' face midway through the second half.
M: Michael Bradley, 7 -- Settled into a dedicated holding role early and helped the U.S. attack find a semblance of rhythm -- not exactly easy in the snow.
M: Graham Zusi, 5 -- Seemed to struggle to make a consistent impact on the game but perked up in the second half when his crosses began to find their intended target.
M: Clint Dempsey, 7 -- Did what a captain does and stepped up when it mattered. His optimistic run on Altidore's deflected shot led to the goal while he was also a steady threat playing in an attacking midfield role.
M: Herculez Gomez, 6.5 -- Put in a solid shift on the left wing, keeping possession well. Also provided some crucial defensive help to Beasley.
F: Jozy Altidore, 6.5 -- Played the target man role well, using his physical prowess to great effect. His aggressive mindset also helped create the goal, a neat contract to his deft hold-up play. Would have been more effective if he had gotten even a sliver of help from the referee.
Subs:
M: Eddie Johnson, 5 -- Had a few decent touches in the attacking half only to be stymied by the conditions.
M: Maurice Edu, 6 -- Provided some badly needed fresh legs for the U.S. midfield late on.
M: Kyle Beckerman, NR -- Brief cameo for the Real Salt Lake midfielder.
Player grades: (0-10; 10=best)
G: Brad Guzan, 6.5 -- Solid in all respects in the first half but sent U.S. hearts a-fluttering by fanning on a cross early in the second. There were no complaints about his handling, especially under the difficult conditions.
D: DaMarcus Beasley, 7 -- Not bad for a guy playing his first World Cup qualifier in over three years. Beasley defended capably, including a vital recovery run late in the first half. He got forward to good effect as well.
D: Clarence Goodson, 8 -- An immense performance in all phases whether it was in the air, on the ground, or with the ball at his feet. Completely justified the faith put in him by Klinsmann.
D: Omar Gonzalez, 7 -- Looked a little tentative in playing the ball forward but showed an immense improvement overall compared to last month's game against Honduras. He provided a vital block of a Bryan Ruiz shot in the first half and he was his usual dominant self in the air throughout.
D: Geoff Cameron, 3.5 -- The weakest link by far. He defended decently enough at times but took far too many risks when in possession, also conceding some dangerous fouls close to goal.
M: Jermaine Jones, 5 -- When he simplified his game, he was solid. When he didn't, his passes failed to find their mark. Should have been booked -- or worse -- for a silly elbow to Ruiz' face midway through the second half.
M: Michael Bradley, 7 -- Settled into a dedicated holding role early and helped the U.S. attack find a semblance of rhythm -- not exactly easy in the snow.
M: Graham Zusi, 5 -- Seemed to struggle to make a consistent impact on the game but perked up in the second half when his crosses began to find their intended target.
M: Clint Dempsey, 7 -- Did what a captain does and stepped up when it mattered. His optimistic run on Altidore's deflected shot led to the goal while he was also a steady threat playing in an attacking midfield role.
M: Herculez Gomez, 6.5 -- Put in a solid shift on the left wing, keeping possession well. Also provided some crucial defensive help to Beasley.
F: Jozy Altidore, 6.5 -- Played the target man role well, using his physical prowess to great effect. His aggressive mindset also helped create the goal, a neat contract to his deft hold-up play. Would have been more effective if he had gotten even a sliver of help from the referee.
Subs:
M: Eddie Johnson, 5 -- Had a few decent touches in the attacking half only to be stymied by the conditions.
M: Maurice Edu, 6 -- Provided some badly needed fresh legs for the U.S. midfield late on.
M: Kyle Beckerman, NR -- Brief cameo for the Real Salt Lake midfielder.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Costa Rica intends formal protest of game. Most media people say that is a non starter since it was the Fifa officials who had the final say.
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Good Posting Judge
Footballguy
I'm jealous of ffldrew.
Great result, and especially great that the other teams tied. Not sure if anything can be taken from this game, but something like that can only be good for team morale/chemistry.
For Caillou:
Great result, and especially great that the other teams tied. Not sure if anything can be taken from this game, but something like that can only be good for team morale/chemistry.
For Caillou:
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
I was ready to give everyone a pass because it is almost impossible to complain about skills in those conditions last night but I can't let the Jones foul go. It was so dumb, so unneccesary and it put the US in a situation it did not need.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Do you guys feel Klinsmann will alter lineup slightly for Mexico game? You have to think Mexico is going to come hard and fast and the US is going to need a lineup that can absorb and frustrate for the first 20 or so minutes.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
This is cool. Might have to get up to watch Qatar hopefully lose . I don't think I have ever seen an Aisian Qualifier. Now we just need some coverage of Africa and we will have access to the entire world for qualifying. I will post complete TV schedule on Monday but wanted to give a heads up on this.
OneWorldSports.com will show all 4 AFC World Cup qualifiers for free on its website Tuesday morning (3 live, one on delay)
4:30am - Australia v Oman
7am - South Korea v Qatar
10am - Japan v Jordan
12pm - Uzbekistan v Lebanon (delayed)
http://www.oneworldsports.com/
. I don't think I have ever seen an Aisian Qualifier. Now we just need some coverage of Africa and we will have access to the entire world for qualifying. I will post complete TV schedule on Monday but wanted to give a heads up on this.OneWorldSports.com will show all 4 AFC World Cup qualifiers for free on its website Tuesday morning (3 live, one on delay)
4:30am - Australia v Oman
7am - South Korea v Qatar
10am - Japan v Jordan
12pm - Uzbekistan v Lebanon (delayed)
http://www.oneworldsports.com/
T Bell
Footballguy
Qatar replay now available.This is cool. Might have to get up to watch Qatar hopefully lose
OneWorldSports.com will show all 4 AFC World Cup qualifiers for free on its website Tuesday morning (3 live, one on delay)
4:30am - Australia v Oman
7am - South Korea v Qatar
10am - Japan v Jordan
12pm - Uzbekistan v Lebanon (delayed)
http://www.oneworldsports.com/
mr. furley
Footballguy
:cafelatte:
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Qatar, like Marquez, breaks my stance of not really ever hating a team/player.Qatar replay now available.This is cool. Might have to get up to watch Qatar hopefully lose
OneWorldSports.com will show all 4 AFC World Cup qualifiers for free on its website Tuesday morning (3 live, one on delay)
4:30am - Australia v Oman
7am - South Korea v Qatar
10am - Japan v Jordan
12pm - Uzbekistan v Lebanon (delayed)
http://www.oneworldsports.com/
Eephus
Footballguy
Another big win for AFC Wimbledon 2-0 over Morecambe.
The Dons have lifted themselves seven points clear of the drop with six games to play. Several of the teams below them have games in hand so I'd like to see another win or two. But things are looking a lot brighter than they did a month ago.
The Dons have lifted themselves seven points clear of the drop with six games to play. Several of the teams below them have games in hand so I'd like to see another win or two. But things are looking a lot brighter than they did a month ago.
The Kansas Comet
Footballguy
Qatar, like Marquez, breaks my stance of not really ever hating a team/player.Qatar replay now available.This is cool. Might have to get up to watch Qatar hopefully lose
OneWorldSports.com will show all 4 AFC World Cup qualifiers for free on its website Tuesday morning (3 live, one on delay)
4:30am - Australia v Oman
7am - South Korea v Qatar
10am - Japan v Jordan
12pm - Uzbekistan v Lebanon (delayed)
http://www.oneworldsports.com/
T Bell
Footballguy
I'm hoping that World Cup 2022 is an absolute, dehydrated-fainting-players, fans-not-attending, corrupt-match-fixing, horrible-football-playing debacle, capped by Sepp Blatter being killed in a car bombing in Doha.Qatar, like Marquez, breaks my stance of not really ever hating a team/player.Qatar replay now available.This is cool. Might have to get up to watch Qatar hopefully lose
OneWorldSports.com will show all 4 AFC World Cup qualifiers for free on its website Tuesday morning (3 live, one on delay)
4:30am - Australia v Oman
7am - South Korea v Qatar
10am - Japan v Jordan
12pm - Uzbekistan v Lebanon (delayed)
http://www.oneworldsports.com/
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NewlyRetired
Footballguy
You mean Wc2022 right?I don't have too many issue with Russia winning 2018. If they were corrupt about it, at least they had the decency to not flaunt it.I'm hoping that World Cup 2018 is an absolute, dehydrated-fainting-players, fans-not-attending, corrupt-match-fixing, horrible-football-playing debacle, capped by Sepp Blatter being killed in a car bombing in Doha.Qatar, like Marquez, breaks my stance of not really ever hating a team/player.Qatar replay now available.This is cool. Might have to get up to watch Qatar hopefully lose
OneWorldSports.com will show all 4 AFC World Cup qualifiers for free on its website Tuesday morning (3 live, one on delay)
4:30am - Australia v Oman
7am - South Korea v Qatar
10am - Japan v Jordan
12pm - Uzbekistan v Lebanon (delayed)
http://www.oneworldsports.com/
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Sunil mentioned in the media that the US intends to bid again, and WC2026 was a possibility, although that might be a long shot as FIFA does not like to stay away from Europe for more than 1 WC cycle. I think 2030 is more of a possibility. Good lord that sounds so far away :(
Going back to 1958, it has been a consistent Europe-Non Europe-Europe-Non Europe repeating cycle.
Going back to 1958, it has been a consistent Europe-Non Europe-Europe-Non Europe repeating cycle.
T Bell
Footballguy
Correct.You mean Wc2022 right?I don't have too many issue with Russia winning 2018. If they were corrupt about it, at least they had the decency to not flaunt it.I'm hoping that World Cup 2018 is an absolute, dehydrated-fainting-players, fans-not-attending, corrupt-match-fixing, horrible-football-playing debacle, capped by Sepp Blatter being killed in a car bombing in Doha.Qatar, like Marquez, breaks my stance of not really ever hating a team/player.Qatar replay now available.This is cool. Might have to get up to watch Qatar hopefully lose
OneWorldSports.com will show all 4 AFC World Cup qualifiers for free on its website Tuesday morning (3 live, one on delay)
4:30am - Australia v Oman
7am - South Korea v Qatar
10am - Japan v Jordan
12pm - Uzbekistan v Lebanon (delayed)
http://www.oneworldsports.com/
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Looking back through the history of the hex (2010, 2006, 2002, and 1998), here were the % of games drawn
2010: 16.6%
2006: 13.3%
2002: 20%
1998: 43%
It comes as no surprise that 1998 was a tight race with the top two teams only getting 18 and 17 points respectively (Mexico and US).
While it is very early obviously, 2014 has 66.7% of the games have been drawn so far. This likely indicates that we may have another tight race on our hands and might be the first time that every team is still alive for at least 4th coming into the last day.
Back in 1998 there was no 4th place playoff, only top 3 advanced, but 5 of the 6 teams were alive on last day for what would have been the 4th spot.
2010: 16.6%
2006: 13.3%
2002: 20%
1998: 43%
It comes as no surprise that 1998 was a tight race with the top two teams only getting 18 and 17 points respectively (Mexico and US).
While it is very early obviously, 2014 has 66.7% of the games have been drawn so far. This likely indicates that we may have another tight race on our hands and might be the first time that every team is still alive for at least 4th coming into the last day.
Back in 1998 there was no 4th place playoff, only top 3 advanced, but 5 of the 6 teams were alive on last day for what would have been the 4th spot.
Eephus
Footballguy
Last night in Denver should have been a draw. The US was fortunate to score early before the field got too ridiculous.I wonder though if teams are more willing to play for draws early in the tournament. Some teams will have to play more aggressively as the hex progresses and that usually leads to goals, although not always for the attacking team.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
That seems logical to me. Let me check the stats to see if I can find a correlationUsing the first 15 games, which is half the total of 30 played in the hex, this was the % of games drawn
2010: 20%
2006: 20%
2002: 27%
1998: 33%
so while the numbers are not overwhelming, it does appear for 3 of the 4 cycles that a higher percentage of games were drawn in the first half of the hex vs the whole hex, accept for 1998, which had a lot of draws late.
ffldrew
Footballguy
Some pictures from last night
I could have taken better shots - but i didn't want to screw with camera settings during the game - and it was a hassle to take of gloves all the time(and put down beer)
a couple of thoughts...I was so glad to be there - Denver crowd was fantastic - we are one of the great sports cities in this country. Not many people left - in fact the few CR fans there were huddled in the restrooms to warm up and get dry - you could tell they were out of their natural element.
Loved the fact that the snow kept the diving and embellishment to a minimum - you had to be hurt to stay down a long time. It was a night to play like a man.
MOTM was Beasley for me - dude was killing it in the last 10-15 minutes - he took away every play coming down the wing.
Jones was the best player for around 15-20 minutes in the middle of the game - he was flying around distributing great and looked like the one who was going to overcome the elements- he was keeping us on the front foot. Then he disappeared - so if we can find that Jones it will be a bonus. Bradley had some awful turnovers and decisions at times and was kind of frustrating. He was in the defensive shell and it lead to him getting beat on a number of occasions. But overall he was ok. considering the elements - but that stat above about his passes % seemed to not pass the eye test to me. Jozy was doing a bit more holding his spot in the 2nd with his back to the net and waiting for the CR player to lock up with him - he was much more dangerous when he was on the run in the first half. Wish he would have kept them on the run - that was opening up Dempsey playing behind him - in second when he help his ground there was no room for Dempsey.
Refereeing was really inconsistent - CR guys were all over Jozy back and he stood his ground but still no call - then at the other end he called every touch by a US back when the CR player went weakly down. And he called a foul on the US on every air ball - corners and free kicks. And CR guys were hammering our players and no call.
During the delay - the fans were starting to realize they were going to stop the game - I was ready to head down to the exit and pelt the ref with snowballs if that had happened - and I would have had a lot of backup - like 19K. I think they realized the fans getting a bit rowdy at that moment and kept it going. There might have been a riot - the fans were that jacked up.
Back passes....what the hell - they sacred the crap out of me. In those conditions - send it long down the wing into the offensive zone and force the D to make the good play. We did that early and then once we went up a goal we stopped - it was frustrating. Our backs other than DMB are so big they had to move a bit more gingerly to keep from falling and I was just waiting for that to happen. Bradley was the worst offender on this - he had plenty of space to turn on a lot of occasions and push it but didn't.
We had some chance in the second where we didn't shoot - I was sitting at that end and it was killing us in the crowd - they were looking for pretty - after they forgot how ugly that first goal was.
But overall it was an epic night - not great soccer - but one that will be talked about and debated for ages. I hope we get another game in the future - I think Denver proved they deserve to be in that mix - and when they do award it it will be in the head of the opponent.
Oh and boo to the idiot beer vendor - I'm 55 with enough grey hair - and it is dumping snow and he asked for my ID - so I'm all bundled up - have to take of gloves dig under coat and fumble open a wallet that is getting wet in the open- it's stupid stuff like this that gets me in my old age. 2 other times at other stands no ID needed - in fact they said have a great day and stay warm and dry.
I could have taken better shots - but i didn't want to screw with camera settings during the game - and it was a hassle to take of gloves all the time(and put down beer)
a couple of thoughts...I was so glad to be there - Denver crowd was fantastic - we are one of the great sports cities in this country. Not many people left - in fact the few CR fans there were huddled in the restrooms to warm up and get dry - you could tell they were out of their natural element.
Loved the fact that the snow kept the diving and embellishment to a minimum - you had to be hurt to stay down a long time. It was a night to play like a man.
MOTM was Beasley for me - dude was killing it in the last 10-15 minutes - he took away every play coming down the wing.
Jones was the best player for around 15-20 minutes in the middle of the game - he was flying around distributing great and looked like the one who was going to overcome the elements- he was keeping us on the front foot. Then he disappeared - so if we can find that Jones it will be a bonus. Bradley had some awful turnovers and decisions at times and was kind of frustrating. He was in the defensive shell and it lead to him getting beat on a number of occasions. But overall he was ok. considering the elements - but that stat above about his passes % seemed to not pass the eye test to me. Jozy was doing a bit more holding his spot in the 2nd with his back to the net and waiting for the CR player to lock up with him - he was much more dangerous when he was on the run in the first half. Wish he would have kept them on the run - that was opening up Dempsey playing behind him - in second when he help his ground there was no room for Dempsey.
Refereeing was really inconsistent - CR guys were all over Jozy back and he stood his ground but still no call - then at the other end he called every touch by a US back when the CR player went weakly down. And he called a foul on the US on every air ball - corners and free kicks. And CR guys were hammering our players and no call.
During the delay - the fans were starting to realize they were going to stop the game - I was ready to head down to the exit and pelt the ref with snowballs if that had happened - and I would have had a lot of backup - like 19K. I think they realized the fans getting a bit rowdy at that moment and kept it going. There might have been a riot - the fans were that jacked up.
Back passes....what the hell - they sacred the crap out of me. In those conditions - send it long down the wing into the offensive zone and force the D to make the good play. We did that early and then once we went up a goal we stopped - it was frustrating. Our backs other than DMB are so big they had to move a bit more gingerly to keep from falling and I was just waiting for that to happen. Bradley was the worst offender on this - he had plenty of space to turn on a lot of occasions and push it but didn't.
We had some chance in the second where we didn't shoot - I was sitting at that end and it was killing us in the crowd - they were looking for pretty - after they forgot how ugly that first goal was.
But overall it was an epic night - not great soccer - but one that will be talked about and debated for ages. I hope we get another game in the future - I think Denver proved they deserve to be in that mix - and when they do award it it will be in the head of the opponent.
Oh and boo to the idiot beer vendor - I'm 55 with enough grey hair - and it is dumping snow and he asked for my ID - so I'm all bundled up - have to take of gloves dig under coat and fumble open a wallet that is getting wet in the open- it's stupid stuff like this that gets me in my old age. 2 other times at other stands no ID needed - in fact they said have a great day and stay warm and dry.
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NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Sounds like a great memory. We often talk about moments that bond fans to a sport and or team. I am sure there were many in that stadium who likely forged or reenforced a bond with the nats.Did many in the stadium catch the really cool moment where Cam was pushing the shovelers back to help him move forward? That came across as a lasting image for me on the telly.
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Good Posting Judge
Footballguy
Agree. What else is he going to do there? Nothing bad can come from just hoofing it up the line and out of your own end.
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