***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (2 Viewers)

[Sebowski]

Obviously a moot point now, but I wouldn't blame EJ for failing to put that late cross away. With the ball trending up, it's remarkably easy to put the ball over the net from inside the 6. I'd expect better out of him, but the miss is understandable, IMO.

He also worked very, very hard holding the ball up. I've liked EJs work up top enough that I'm demoting him off the left wing. I think his value is in coming in as fresh legs for Jozy. That way, Klinsy can tell Jozy to run around like a banshee for 65 or 70 minutes without worrying about saving himself. Then bring EJ on for the finish and tired centerbacks get another fast, strong, energetic guy to just wear them out.

I like this. Also, I think EJ is a bit too uncomfortable on the wing. Plus, we have depth there now?

 

[Sebowski]

Better word to sum up the US perfomance this Gold Cup?

Donovanated

or

Donovanation

 

[Sebowski]

Holden in just a soft brace at the celebration. That has to be encouraging.

http://instagram.com/p/cVEPdkFu9y/#

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Holden in just a soft brace at the celebration. That has to be encouraging.

http://instagram.com/p/cVEPdkFu9y/#

Quote from Klinsmann, however:

"It's not looking good for Stu."

 

[dparker713]

John Anthony Brooks is apparently getting a call-up for the Bosnia friendly. I could see him making the team. I could also see the US experimenting with Besler or Orozco as a fullback (I'm not sure I'm on board, but we'll see).

I think it's easiest to separate into locks, probable's, and then look at the remaining candidates.

My locks are: Howard, Guzan, Rimando, Besler, Goodson, Gonzo, Beasley, Bradley, Jones, Cameron, Jozy, Landon, Deuce, Zusi, and EJ.

My probables are: Evans, Beckerman, Shea, MIx, and Corona

So the contenders, IMO, by position:

DEF: Dolo, Chandler, Brooks, Orozco, and outside shots for Gooch and (a big outside shot, but I might cap him and see) Yedlin.

MID: Sacha, Bedoya, Williams, Torres

FWD: Herc, Boyd, Wondo (outside shots that Klinsy might get Aron Johannson or Sean Parker to file the switch).

Of those, I'd take Chandler and Brooks (if he trains well) for the back line. I'd take one of Bedoya or Torres (Klinsy's choice). Assuming no surprise, I'd take Herc for experience and the ability to play on the wing.

While I agree Shea is a probable, he wouldn't make my squad. I'd also probably leave out Chandler. Guy just doesn't seem to want to play for the squad. I'd not take Beckerman. He's fine against lesser competition, but he's just not fast enough to play against the teams in the WC. That leaves me at 18.

As of right now I'd take Orozco, Herc, Boyd, Bedoya and one of Brooks/Dolo, Boyd's raw, but he's got a lot of upside. Orozco is solid, though unspectacular. Herc will work his butt off. Dolo was our best defender not long ago, but if he's done I'd look to get Brooks on the roster. Last cut for me is probably Sacha. Never seems to be able to translate his club form to the national team.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Call me crazy, but I think Wondo might make my team today. Gotta figure Altidore + EJ at this point, but other than those two, there's really no out and out strikers who are a lock to make the team, I don't think. Donovan and Dempsey can play up there in a pinch but neither should really be relied on, IMO.

Wondo has the goal-scoring knack that could make him a great situational sub. Down a goal with 15 minutes left in a crucial situation? #### it, take out a defender and tell Wondo to go hang around the opponent's 18. Guy always gets himself into the right spots at the right times....I love that in a player.

 

[bweiser]

wtf? i thought this game was at 9 p.m. on FSC? this isn't live?

wtmf?

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Lol BWeiser

 

[bweiser]

Lol BWeiser

I am freakin pissed.

Was this on TV earlier?

 

[SoBeDad]

Will the USA make any noise in Brazil in 2014?

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Lol BWeiser

I am freakin pissed.Was this on TV earlier?

Sorry man - yeah, it was live on Fox.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Will the USA make any noise in Brazil in 2014?

Gotta qualify first

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Bayern said to be offering 40,000,000 pounds for Luiz. I'd imagine they woud sell someone if this went through.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

I agree with Cletius that we still need to qualify (we're in great shape, but Costa Rica shipped almost that many points to finish out of it last cycle).

In any case, it's impossible to predict who will make noise in Brazil. There are maybe five teams that I'd classify as "favorites". Spain, Brazil, Germany, Italy, and Argentina. And then there are the next line of European powers, containing France, Belgium, and Portugal (I'd guess one of these three will make the semis keeping in mind that qualification isn't assured).

After that, I think there are a huge glut of teams that are good enough to get out of the group stages and win a knockout stage. That group includes other European teams like England or a Scandanavian or Eastern European team, Asian teams like Japan and South Korea, African teams (who haven't qualified, but let's assume the Ivory Coast and Ghana) and South American teams like Columbia, Chile, and (if they qualify) Uruguay. And yeah, it includes the United States and Mexico (assuming Mexico gets its house in order).

The World Cup is almost always middle heavy. There are a few teams that are clearly excellent and stand apart and there are a few that are clearly overmatched. But 20 of the 32 or so are generally pretty tightly grouped.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

I'd normally be on the "have to qualify" bandwagon too, but with that home match vs Jamaica I think we can sit back and enjoy watching Mexico struggle. Two points from @CR, MEX, @PAN would probably be enough (since it'd deny them points as well), but take all three vs Jamaica and we're home and dry. The odds that neither of those things happen is pretty damn low.

[/famouslastwords]

 

[GoFishTN]

Off-topic, Spurs get Soldado for 30 mil.

Jeez thats a lot of money. Think theyre going to seriously regret that move.

Because of his age?

 

[CletiusMaximus]

I'd normally be on the "have to qualify" bandwagon too, but with that home match vs Jamaica I think we can sit back and enjoy watching Mexico struggle. Two points from @CR, MEX, @PAN would probably be enough (since it'd deny them points as well), but take all three vs Jamaica and we're home and dry. The odds that neither of those things happen is pretty damn low.

[/famouslastwords]

No doubt, but I just hate looking ahead. My son (8) asked me if the US could win the World Cup last night, and I told him we've got to qualify first, then see how the draw looks and hope we don't get in a really tough group. Then we can think about advancing from the group stage and just hope we don't see either Ghana or Hugh Dallas in the knockouts.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

I'd normally be on the "have to qualify" bandwagon too, but with that home match vs Jamaica I think we can sit back and enjoy watching Mexico struggle. Two points from @CR, MEX, @PAN would probably be enough (since it'd deny them points as well), but take all three vs Jamaica and we're home and dry. The odds that neither of those things happen is pretty damn low.

[/famouslastwords]

No doubt, but I just hate looking ahead. My son (8) asked me if the US could win the World Cup last night, and I told him we've got to qualify first, then see how the draw looks and hope we don't get in a really tough group. Then we can think about advancing from the group stage and just hope we don't see either Ghana or Hugh Dallas in the knockouts.

It's hard to explain probabilities to a kid. I mean, the odds are stacked against even Brazil winning it.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Liked this from the NYTs this morning:

It was not the most pleasant game to watch, as Panama had a clear defensive game plan from the start. While most Concacaf teams tend to bunker against the United States, Panama is clearly better at it than most. In that sense it made Sunday’s final a better-played game than it appeared, because it was a true tactical battle that the U.S. handled well.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Aron Johannsson has apparently filed his switch and made himself eligible for the US. He has ably filled Jozy's role for AZ in preseason thus far. We'll likely see him against Bosnia as well.

 

[Jaysus]

Good win against a bunkering team that knew what it was doing. I thought Mix was probably MOTM, with an honorable mention to Goodson for completely gobbling up Perez. Bedoya gets credit for the winning moment of quality with a deft through ball from the improbable angle.

This was a three cocktail game, but the US did a nice job dominating play and not giving up anything on the counter.

Gold cup cocktail of choice?

 

[Good Posting Judge]

One SOG the whole game.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Good win against a bunkering team that knew what it was doing. I thought Mix was probably MOTM, with an honorable mention to Goodson for completely gobbling up Perez. Bedoya gets credit for the winning moment of quality with a deft through ball from the improbable angle.

This was a three cocktail game, but the US did a nice job dominating play and not giving up anything on the counter.

Gold cup cocktail of choice?

An Old Fashioned with muddled peach and blueberry instead of orange and cherries. I've seen it called a "New Old Fashioned."

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

One SOG the whole game.

The US probably still had 5 legitimate chances or so. Bedoya's blocked shot. Goodson's miss on the set piece. Donovan's missed header. The goal. EJ's missed sitter.

Panama maybe had one half chance when Chen pulled the snap shot wide?

 

[The Z Machine]

I'd take Bedoya over Mix or Corona. Although it might make sense to take Mix as he need some seasoning to fit in next to MB for the future central midfield pairing.

I'd leave Shea off the squad based on his inability to look competent.

It wasn't the most pleasurable game to watch for the casual fan, but Panama played very well and were tactically on point all game. Could have easily gone to penalties.

Also, it was great to see that LD still has some wheels when he would drop to play defense. An underrated aspect to his game IMO.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Mix's competition is Sacha, Danny Williams, Beckerman, and Edu, IMO. Maybe Torres, because he can also play CM. It isn't Bedoya and Corona.

 

[Steve Tasker]

My thoughts on the USMNT looking ahead to next summer (assuming qualification) - barring injury:

100% ironclad locks - Tim Howard, Brad Guzan, Michael Bradley, Jermaine Jones, Clint Dempsey

Very high % chance of being in the team - Nick Rimando, Landon Donovan, Jozy Altidore

Middle-upper-tier, should go if in good form - Clarence Goodson, Omar Gonzalez, Matt Besler, Fabian Johnson, Graham Zusi, Geoff Cameron, Eddie Johnson

I think that the above 16 have pretty well established themselves as the best individual players the US currently has to offer at this time. I do genuinely think there's a drop-off in current form between these guys and the next group. I've included Donovan and Altidore in kinda no-man's land as I still have no idea what JK thinks about either of them. If this Gold Cup performance didn't convince him that Landon can still get it done (and I had doubted him recently too), I don't know what will. While I don't consider Rimando to be a great player, of course, it's hard for me to envision Sean Johnson or Bill Hamid or whoever beating him out for the 3rd-string job in the next 6 months.

Best of the rest - Steve Cherundolo, Damarcus Beasley, Edgar Castillo, Michael Orozco, Michael Parkhurst, Timmy Chandler, Brad Evans, Danny Williams, Joe Corona, Mix Diskerud, Stu Holden, Jose Torres, Alejandro Bedoya, Brek Shea, Kyle Beckerman, Sacha Kljestan, Maurice Edu, Chris Wondolowski, Herculez Gomez, Terrence Boyd

Fringe players - Oguchi Onyewu, John Anthony Brooks, Brad Davis, Juan Agudelo, Joe Gyau, Aron Johannsson, Tim Ream (? lol), Jack Mac, and a number of other untested players

The "best of the rest" is what really interests me - especially the competition for midfield spots. The US really does have quite a bit of midfield depth right now. I count 10 true midfielders in that mix, not including Evans or Beasley who can play both D and M. Geoff Cameron's versatility makes me wonder if Beckerman can make the team. Beckerman has the unfortunate problem of playing the same position as arguably the US' two best field players in Bradley/Jones, and Cameron can fill in there in a pinch as well as offering cover for the centerbacks. I think the US needs to take at least 1 more striker and 2-3 D out of that mix, leaving 3-4 spots for mids in a 23-man squad. If I had to pick today, my final 7 to fill out the lineup would probably be:

Cherundolo, Beasley, Williams, Torres, Kljestan, Diskerud, and Wondo.

Wondo by a hair over the other two. I do generally feel that Williams/Torres/Sacha are the cream of the crop of that group of midfielders, though I wouldn't be surprised if any or all were left out of the squad next year. Mix gets my wildcard midfield slot at the moment based on his form in this past cup. I love what I see from Beckerman, but I think Cameron can fill in for Bradley/Jones and I think Mix can offer more on offense. This could change at the drop of of a hat though if Corona or someone else is in great form. I'm hoping Dolo can get back healthy, because he'd be great leadership as a 3rd-Cup vet next summer...always loved him as a US player. Not sure if Beasley will still be in form ahead of the younger guys next year, but who knows. I'm just not sold on Chandler yet.

 

[Steve Tasker]

So, who did I forget/what did I miss?

 

[guru_007]

Holy ####, just read that Christian Benitez (Chucho) just dies at age 27 :(

 

[Steve Tasker]

Appears I miscounted the players on my above team. Add Chandler as my 23rd spot. My ideal healthy lineup today:

GK (3): Howard, Guzan, Rimando
Def (7): Goodson, Gonzalez, Besler, F. Johnson, Cherundolo, Beasley, Chandler
Mid (9): Bradley, Jones, Donovan, Zusi, Cameron, Williams, Torres, Kljestan, Diskerud
Fwd (4): Dempsey, Altidore, E. Johnson, Wondolowski

 

[Sebowski]

Holy ####, just read that Christian Benitez (Chucho) just dies at age 27 :(

A day after playing in Qatar

 

[Sebowski]

Where's Floppo? Normally has good post game grade/analysis.

 

[Sebowski]

So, who did I forget/what did I miss?

lol @ your Sacha mancrush.

Other than that I'm with you. I'll sub in my new crush Corona for Sacha.

Why don't you like Rimando?

 

[The Z Machine]

Corona wasn't great this tournament. Dispossessed too often, not enough positive attacking movement, and not solid in the tackle enough.

 

[Sebowski]

Just read that the quarter final on Fox drew a 1.2 which is higher than the Champions League final. Excited to see what the ratings are tomorrow.

Overnight shows a 1.7 which is second highest on Fox only to the Barca-ManU Champions League Final

the 1.7 is a higher overnight than both Primetime UFC on Fox and Primetime ESPN baseball.

KC scored the highest with a 3.2, San Diego 2nd with 3.1, and DC came in 3rd with a 3.0

 

[Sebowski]

Corona wasn't great this tournament. Dispossessed too often, not enough positive attacking movement, and not solid in the tackle enough.

I think he flashed enough that if he continues growth at the club level he will get called into camp where he'll have a chance to make a case. Plus, Klinsmann seems to like him.

 

[The Z Machine]

Corona wasn't great this tournament. Dispossessed too often, not enough positive attacking movement, and not solid in the tackle enough.

I think he flashed enough that if he continues growth at the club level he will get called into camp where he'll have a chance to make a case. Plus, Klinsmann seems to like him.

Klinsmann was infatuated with Torres at one point too, but he's not shown the growth in ability that we all hoped for. I personally think Corona is in the same mold. Mix has grown on me though, and I think he's got the most potential to contribute sooner rather than later. I guess it points to the same ol' issue of who can play on the left side? Who is the future for the USMNT in the left MF and left back?

 

[Steve Tasker]

So, who did I forget/what did I miss?

lol @ your Sacha mancrush.

Other than that I'm with you. I'll sub in my new crush Corona for Sacha.

Why don't you like Rimando?

I like Rimando plenty. It just felt weird putting him in the group of the US' best players. I just wanted to note that I had him up there more as a result of how far ahead he is of the #4 GK in the US pool, whoever that may be. Rimando is the clear #3 but he's not a world-beater upper-echelon player like the guys I've listed him with. He's there because the gap between him and Sean Johnson (probably #4 at the moment) is pretty big.

 

[Native]

Stu Holden ACL :(

 

[T Bell]

Stu Holden ACL :(

That's a shame. Right on the eve of the season too. Guy can't buy a break.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Awful.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

#######it.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Corona wasn't great this tournament. Dispossessed too often, not enough positive attacking movement, and not solid in the tackle enough.

I think he flashed enough that if he continues growth at the club level he will get called into camp where he'll have a chance to make a case. Plus, Klinsmann seems to like him.

Klinsmann was infatuated with Torres at one point too, but he's not shown the growth in ability that we all hoped for. I personally think Corona is in the same mold. Mix has grown on me though, and I think he's got the most potential to contribute sooner rather than later. I guess it points to the same ol' issue of who can play on the left side? Who is the future for the USMNT in the left MF and left back?

Klinsmann is still happy with Torres. He said he really agonized over the Holden/Mix and Corona/Torres decisions for the final.

While my guess is that Klinsmann sticks with Fab at left mid and Beas at left back, I think Torres is the likely midfield starter if Fab moves back to fullback. Not because I think he's the absolute best player, but because he provides a certain calmness on the ball and the ability to impact the team while still giving Fab the space on the outside to get width on the overlap.

I also think that in the absence of Brad Davis, Torres gives the Nats a left footed dead ball option they otherwise don't have. I fully expect Shea to keep the role of super sub and would be shocked if he doesn't make the World Cup roster. Not because he's better than Corona or Bedoya, but simply because he provides a dimension they don't.

 

[The Z Machine]

Oh I agree that Shea provides a different dimension, it's just that that dimension lacks footballing intelligence and confidence right now.

 

[jonessed]

Man, that royally sucks for Holden.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

NBC released some preliminary scheduling info for the EPL today for the first three months of the season. This is almost too good to be true. Arlo White as lead announcer. I'm thinking back to the pre-internet days reading Kicker magazine in the university bookstore to get 3 week old scores and maybe if I was lucky a picture of one of the Chelsea guys in action.

I feel so sad for my poor fatherless kids. Daddy's on the couch again ...

http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2013/07/29/premier-league-tv-schedule-for-nbc-sports-group-released/related/

 

[Christo]

Your quick, neophyte viewer’s guide to Premier League SaturdaysRichard Farley

Jul 29, 2013, 10:37 PM EDT
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The Premier League makes its debut on NBC Sports in a little over three weeks, giving fans in the United States an unprecedented amount of access to games from the world’s most popular soccer league. For sports addicts, however, that can be a dangerous thing, with early kickoffs allowing fans to roll out of bed and straight into the peak of another country’s soccer weekend.

There’s a sublime pleasure to starting your sports weekend before people in your life have even considered coffee, but it can also be the start to a full day in your pajamas, with soccer bleeding into college and pro football, bleeding into fall evenings of basketball and hockey. Kiss your wife on the cheek, say goodbye to your children, and get used to ignoring their agape mouths when they comeback from Ice Age 12 to see you’re still on the couch. You’ll be sympathetic at first, but soon you’ll be tired of apologizing for incorporating the Premier League into your weekend ritual.

Don’t worry. We’re here to help. No, we’re not going to help you find a balance. All that’s over. We’re here to help you get the most out of your Premier League weekends; specifically, those Saturday mornings where the league’s early kick offs will really test your commitment.

Heed the following:

DON’T UNDERESTIMATE THAT EARLY KICKOFFThat 7:00 a.m. Eastern start is daunting. That’s what time most Premier League weekends will begin each Saturday, usually with a game that’s worth your time (Aug. 17th’s features Liverpool). While that commitment may seem imposing, there is something mundane about two hours you’ll spent on the quiet of morning watching soccer before the life around you stirs.

But don’t underestimate that commitment. With most big college football games kicking off in the early afternoon (at the earliest), we’re talking about moving your day’s new kickoff up five or six hours – the perfect amount of time to take in the Premier League Saturday before transitioning to your other favorite sports.

If you’re an alarm clock person Monday through Friday, you’ll want extend that routine an extra day. If you’re not an alarm clock person, you might consider the investment.

PREGAME IS NOW PART OF THE PACKAGEFor those familiar that routine, the days of waking up to the teams’ handshakes are over. Early games on NBC Sports Network will be preceded by Premier League Live – a 45-minute pregame show that will lead in each day’s matches. While most early games are going to kickoff closer to 7:45 a.m. Eastern, your weekend starts at the top of the hour.

KEEP SUPPLIES ON HANDIf you need your coffee, have it on the shelf Friday before you go to bed, and if you’re somebody that needs to snack on something through the games, make sure the Captain Crunch is in supply before kickoff. Once the games start, you’re not going to want to venture far from your screen. With Saturdays typically featuring three successive kickoff times (4:45 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m. Eastern), you’re either going to remember to stock up or become famous at the local pizzeria for being the person who calls at 11:00 a.m. on the nose.

HAVE YOUR LAPTOP, MOBILE DEVICE HANDYIf you get NBCSN at home, you also have access to NBC Sports Live Extra, where games will be streamed live to your desktop, mobile device, or tablet. If somebody’s monopolizing the televisions in your house, you’ll still have a way to catch games, and if you’re lucky enough to have your set tuned to NBC or NBC Sports Network, your laptop or tablet becomes a great way to check for stats and updates at NBCSports.com or keep track of the conversation at ProSoccerTalk.

But don’t underestimate the power of soccer and social media. Twitter, in particular, has a dense and ardent soccer community. For U.S.-based fans often watching in that morning’s peace, Twitter becomes a great way to connect (and complain) with others.

THOSE COMPUTERS WILL COME IN HANDY AT 10 A.M. EASTERNEnjoy that 7:45 a.m. game and the luxury of watching one game at a time, because the next kickoff time (10:00 a.m.) will feel like watching the early NFL kickoffs. On a typical Saturday, you’ll get five or six games starting at the same time, leaving you monitoring NBCSports.com to keep track of the latest goals, cards, and controversies.

So keep that laptop or tablet handy, because whatever games aren’t available on NBC Sports Network, you’ll be able to stream via NBC Sports Live Extra. If your game looks like it’s over, you can jump to another spot in the league to see England’s evening games wind down.

SWITCH TO NBC FOR THE MAIN EVENTMost Saturdays, the day’s final match will be featured on NBC – big, national broadcast, over-air NBC. On the season’s first weekend, that means defending champions Manchester United will kickoff at 12:30 p.m. Eastern against Swansea City. In the weeks that follow, Everton-Chelsea, Swansea-Arsenal, Arsenal-Liverpool, and Manchester City-Tottenham will get that regular, prime spot on NBC.

AND BACK TO NBC SPORTS NETWORK FOR THE POSTGAME SHOWAfter each day’s matches, Premier League Live will wrap up the action from NBC’s International Broadcast Center in Stamford, Conn., part of the over 600 hours of studio programming set to augment the network’s live coverage. That total includes Match of the Day – a two-hour highlights show modeled after the BBC program of the same name, set to air after Saturdays’ games.

RECHARGE, RESETPremier League addicts are going to get a full Saturday worth of programming, every Saturday. And for those who will incorporate Premier League soccer into their existing rituals, NBC’s offering a full day’s worth of action to fill that morning void before you favorite sports start.

But regardless of how much you take in, there’s always Sunday, were the league typically allocates two high profile games. And in the soccer world, Monday Night football’s also a thing.

And no matter who much Premier League you take in each weekends, Saturdays take a little getting used to. As well as some preparation.

 

[Sebowski]

I know we knew all this already, but HFS!

 

[Good Posting Judge]

DIMFH.

 

[Sebowski]

Anyone watch the HBO real sports segment on chivas usa? I have it on dvr.

Also, fyi, Bob Bradley on daily show tonight.

The extended web version of the Bradley interview is here:

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/thu-july-25-2013/exclusive---bob-bradley-extended-interview-pt--1

There's probably a reason why we've never seen a Bradley family sitcom.

Finally watched this interview. Worth your time.