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

[El Floppo]

Do we know for certain that Altidore isn't starting...ridiculous if he isn't.

The hyperbole is getting really old.

 

[Kendall]

SAN JUAN, Costa Rica (AP) -- U.S. defender Frankie Hejduk is out for Wednesday's World Cup qualifier at Costa Rica with a groin injury.

Again- I never thought I'd see the day where this news meant anything other than to me.

He has been playing well lately.

oof.

 

[Kendall]

U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION GOALKEEPERS (2): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa: 5/3 SO), Tim Howard (Everton: 9/7 SO) DEFENDERS (9): Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes: 19/2), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA: 1/0), Danny Califf (Midtjylland: 4/0), Jay DeMerit (Watford: 1/0), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew: 17/2), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege: 14/1), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock: 9/0), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United: 2/1), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC: 0/0) MIDFIELDERS (8): Freddy Adu (Monaco: 5/1), DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers: 24/6), Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach: 9/4), Maurice Edu (Rangers: 4/0), Benny Feilhaber (Aarhus: 0/0), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA: 9/0), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids: 13/0), José Francisco Torres (Pachuca: 4/0) FORWARDS (5): Jozy Altidore (Xerez: 6/5), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo: 15/6), Charlie Davies (Hammarby: 1/1), Clint Dempsey (Fulham: 15/4), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy: 28/9) *numbers indicate all-time World Cup Qualifying caps/goals

So what do you guys think the lineup will be?HowardSpector, Gooch, Boca, PearceDempsey, Pablo, Bradley, DMBLDChing

The only thing I guess I could see going differntly is Bradley plays Demarcus at LB and gives Torres at shot on the left in midfield. It seems unlikely though. Our lack of quality full backs is really going to show these next few weeks. Hejduk had been playing well, but if he misses more than Wednesday's game then ugh.

 

[El Floppo]

U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION

GOALKEEPERS (2): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa: 5/3 SO), Tim Howard (Everton: 9/7 SO)

DEFENDERS (9): Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes: 19/2), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA: 1/0), Danny Califf (Midtjylland: 4/0), Jay DeMerit (Watford: 1/0), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew: 17/2), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege: 14/1), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock: 9/0), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United: 2/1), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC: 0/0)

MIDFIELDERS (8): Freddy Adu (Monaco: 5/1), DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers: 24/6), Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach: 9/4), Maurice Edu (Rangers: 4/0), Benny Feilhaber (Aarhus: 0/0), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA: 9/0), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids: 13/0), José Francisco Torres (Pachuca: 4/0)

FORWARDS (5): Jozy Altidore (Xerez: 6/5), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo: 15/6), Charlie Davies (Hammarby: 1/1), Clint Dempsey (Fulham: 15/4), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy: 28/9)

*numbers indicate all-time World Cup Qualifying caps/goals

So what do you guys think the lineup will be?Howard

Spector, Gooch, Boca, Pearce

Dempsey, Pablo, Bradley, DMB

LD

Ching

The only thing I guess I could see going differntly is Bradley plays Demarcus at LB and gives Torres at shot on the left in midfield. It seems unlikely though. Our lack of quality full backs is really going to show these next few weeks. Hejduk had been playing well, but if he misses more than Wednesday's game then ugh.

I guess it depends on who's playing up front for CR too... seems like last time they tried the DMB at LB was to help cover somebody speedy? But I'd love to see Torres on the field- he's been great IMO and I'm hoping to see him feature for the US if we can get to SA.Also really missing Cherundulo as the slam-dunk Right Back. Pearce actually has a bunch of minutes now at Left Back... not a lot of great minutes, but at least he's got the experience back there. guh.

Another question for me in that lineup is whether LD or Dempsey plays centrally behind CHing.

 

[Kendall]

U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION

GOALKEEPERS (2): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa: 5/3 SO), Tim Howard (Everton: 9/7 SO)

DEFENDERS (9): Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes: 19/2), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA: 1/0), Danny Califf (Midtjylland: 4/0), Jay DeMerit (Watford: 1/0), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew: 17/2), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege: 14/1), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock: 9/0), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United: 2/1), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC: 0/0)

MIDFIELDERS (8): Freddy Adu (Monaco: 5/1), DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers: 24/6), Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach: 9/4), Maurice Edu (Rangers: 4/0), Benny Feilhaber (Aarhus: 0/0), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA: 9/0), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids: 13/0), José Francisco Torres (Pachuca: 4/0)

FORWARDS (5): Jozy Altidore (Xerez: 6/5), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo: 15/6), Charlie Davies (Hammarby: 1/1), Clint Dempsey (Fulham: 15/4), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy: 28/9)

*numbers indicate all-time World Cup Qualifying caps/goals

So what do you guys think the lineup will be?Howard

Spector, Gooch, Boca, Pearce

Dempsey, Pablo, Bradley, DMB

LD

Ching

The only thing I guess I could see going differntly is Bradley plays Demarcus at LB and gives Torres at shot on the left in midfield. It seems unlikely though. Our lack of quality full backs is really going to show these next few weeks. Hejduk had been playing well, but if he misses more than Wednesday's game then ugh.

I guess it depends on who's playing up front for CR too... seems like last time they tried the DMB at LB was to help cover somebody speedy? But I'd love to see Torres on the field- he's been great IMO and I'm hoping to see him feature for the US if we can get to SA.Also really missing Cherundulo as the slam-dunk Right Back. Pearce actually has a bunch of minutes now at Left Back... not a lot of great minutes, but at least he's got the experience back there. guh.

Another question for me in that lineup is whether LD or Dempsey plays centrally behind CHing.

I agree with you. Pearce starting is most likely simply because he's got the most minutes at LB. If we've seen anything from Bradley it is that he consistently starts experince on the road.I would be surprised if Bradley used Dempsey as the AMC in the 4-5-1 and put Donovan out wide. Although, I would let the two switch with each other frequently to screw-up man marking assignments and create mismatches.

 

[El Floppo]

It's official... how do the Chelsea supporters feel about this?

LONDON — Carlo Ancelotti on Monday signed as the sixth coach hired by Chelsea since the London club was purchased six years ago by Roman Abramovich.The British media report the salary is £6.5 million, or $10.63 million, a year for three years.It takes Chelsea full circle because when Abramovich arrived in June 2003, the coach was Italian, Claudio Ranieri. Failure to win the Champions League did for Ranieri, and for the Portuguese coach José Mourinho and the Israeli Avram Grant. Abramovich hired, and then fired, the Felipe Scolari without allowing the Brazilian a proper chance to complete his English lessons The caretaker coach, Guus Hiddink, returned on Sunday to his full time occupation as the Russian federation national director of soccer.Hiddink’s parting words to Abramovich were to aim at stability. He said he believes Chelsea has chosen well, now was the time to let Ancelotti and the team settle over a number of years.In Italy on Sunday, where Milan ended its season with a 2-0 victory in Florence, the announcement that Ancelotti was leaving was overshadowed by the emotional farewell to Milan’s captain Paolo Maldini.The coach had served eight years, and won two Champions League trophies. The player had been with A.C. Milan for 25 years, won every honor several times over, and, like his father Cesare Maldini before him, was a part of the club’s DNA.In fact, Paolo Maldini played in the same Italian World Cup side, and in the same Milan teams, as Ancelotti despite a 10 year age gap. Maldini is 40, Ancelotti will be 50 on June 10.Their embrace on the field on Sunday came shortly before the statements that everyone expected for months. Silvio Berlusconi, the Italian Prime Minister runs Milan at a financial loss, had ludicrously said last month that the failings of the team were solely down to the coach.He knew, we all knew, that the Russian oligarch Abramovich had been courting Ancelotti for a year at least. So whether the Prime Minister sacked the coach, or lost the coach to a richer suitor, is a matter for debate.The slight Machiavellian trappings of the move were maintained until the end. After Sunday’s final whistle, Ancelotti told one Italian TV station “Today my beautiful Milan adventure has come to an end.” He claimed his destination was uncertain.At the same time, Adriano Galliano, Berlusconi’s general manager at Milan, announced on another channel that Leonardo was Milan’s new coach.Leonardo, a former Brazil midfielder who is a year younger than Maldini, has no coaching experience.But he has played at the highest levels, he has worked as the club’s technical director, and it is typical of Berlusconi that he hires a personable man to run his team.Ancelotti, by comparison, can appear a closed book to the public. He is a proven winner, pragmatic when necessary, and a team builder. He keeps disputes within the locker room, and has shown that he can win the trust of great players — including Zinédine Zidane while at Juventus and Kaká, Maldini, Andriy Shevchenko et al at Milan.To the last minute, and beyond, Ancelotti kept his little secrets from the media. On Sunday evening, insisting that he had no definite plans to move to London, he convinced British journalists that his English was too fundamental to continue the conversation.By Monday morning, Chelsea’s in-house television unit provided a long, lucid, perfectly understandable interview with Ancelotti exclusively for the club’s Web site. In slow but precise English, Ancelotti said that he has seen the Chelsea state of the art training complex built south of London, and that he saw Chelsea as “a great opportunity, a great team, a new experience.”He clearly understands the craving that his new boss has for the one missing trophy from Abramovich’s Chelski. “The Champions League for me is the best competition in the world,” Ancelotti said on the video. “Five semifinals in six years is beautiful, for sure.“Now we need to win it.” Ancelotti has won it twice as a player, and twice as coach. “Chelsea and Milan want to win all the cups, so I think the pressure is the same,” he says. “Its important to speak with the players, the assistants, the operators who will work with me.“I like to be close with the players. I like speaking with people, I believe in team work, and the most important thing is to create the group.”The style, he insists, depends on the players. “For instance, at Juventus there was Zidane, so I built the team for Zidane. At Milan, we had Kaká.”“You have to know the characteristics of the players, then build the system. I know how the players at Chelsea can play — now I must improve my English for when we begin work on July 1.”

 

[El Floppo]

Ligue 1 isn't the most exciting thing out there- but Lyon's 7 straight championchips is pretty astonishing. Equally astonishing is their run coming to an end. More astonishing is the 2nd Div team winning the French Cup.

FranceGirondis Bordeaux ended Lyon’s seven-year stranglehold on the Ligue 1 title when Yourann Gourcoff scored the only goal in a win at Caen on Saturday. The victory allowed Bordeaux to preserve its 3-point lead over Olympique Marseille.By winning the league title, Bordeaux earned the right to play in the Trophée des Champions, the season’s traditional opener, which for the first time will be played outside the country. The match, between the winners of Ligue 1 and the French Cup, will be played July 25 at Olympic Stadium in Montreal.Bordeaux will face the Cup winner Guingamp, a second-division club from Brittany. Guingamp beat Rennes to become the first team outside Ligue 1 to win the French Cup in more than 50 years.

 

[El Floppo]

Here's a bit about the turf issue that came up earlier...

FIFA, the sport’s world governing body, only recently approved the use of artificial turf fields for international matches, including in several of its youth World Cups (U-20 in Canada in 2007, and U-17 events in Peru in 2005 and in Finland in 2003). The stadium in Costa Rica is also used by Deportivo Saprissa, which gained a waiver from FIFA in 2003 to install the turf because of consistently poor field conditions due to the tropical climate.

 

[QUEZILLA]

MS signed a deal with Sky that is going to bring live soccer on the Xbox Live in 1080p. I always watch the World Cups, but haven't really been able to follow the big European leagues.

 

[El Floppo]

MS signed a deal with Sky that is going to bring live soccer on the Xbox Live in 1080p. I always watch the World Cups, but haven't really been able to follow the big European leagues.

I have no idea what Xbox Live is. You can watch live tv through your game console?

 

[Native]

So it looks like Kaka is moving to Real for ~60M pounds. It amazes me that they continue to buy without selling, although I imagine well hear about a bevy of departures in the coming days (Van Nistelroy, Huntleaar, Robben, etc). The price-tag is just ridiculous - especially considering they are 2-3 years late making this deal. While Kaka is certainly in his prime NOW, how much of his game will diminish as he begins to lose his pace? You dont spend 60 million pounds on a guy whose skills will start to diminish within 3 seasons (look how Henry's play dropped once he hit 30).

I guess thats the price today for maintaining a top-tier brand.

 

[QUEZILLA]

MS signed a deal with Sky that is going to bring live soccer on the Xbox Live in 1080p. I always watch the World Cups, but haven't really been able to follow the big European leagues.

I have no idea what Xbox Live is. You can watch live tv through your game console?

yeah

 

[Sebowski]

MS signed a deal with Sky that is going to bring live soccer on the Xbox Live in 1080p. I always watch the World Cups, but haven't really been able to follow the big European leagues.

That is awesome. Thanks for the news.

 

[andy_b]

I think there may be a chance we will not see the start of the US game tonight.

ESPN has only a 2 hour block mapped out for the game which means the game must kick shortly after 10:00pm.

ESPN has the Red Sox vs Tigers on from 7-10. The likelihood that the baseball game goes over 3 hours is relatively high.

ESPN "may" show the start of the soccer game on ESPNews or Classic but I am not sure. If we get stuck in this situation, the game is also being shown on Galavision, so if you get that channel, you can at least watch the beginning until ESPN switches over.

 

[El Floppo]

I think there may be a chance we will not see the start of the US game tonight.ESPN has only a 2 hour block mapped out for the game which means the game must kick shortly after 10:00pm.ESPN has the Red Sox vs Tigers on from 7-10. The likelihood that the baseball game goes over 3 hours is relatively high.ESPN "may" show the start of the soccer game on ESPNews or Classic but I am not sure. If we get stuck in this situation, the game is also being shown on Galavision, so if you get that channel, you can at least watch the beginning until ESPN switches over.

HUGE game tonight.I'm going to take back some of my previous disgust towards ESPN coverage of the USMNT- they've been doing a decent job, especially by giving pre and post game analysis (something I thought I'd never see). I'm going to assume they'll show the beginning on ESPN Classic- something they've done many, mnay times before when such an important sporting event as an early season baseball game happens. Still makes my blood boil that they do this, but at least the game gets shown. Problem for me tonight- I have to DVR the game and will be able to watch starting about 9... this means I'll have to DVR both Classic and ESPN and then switch.

 

[Kendall]

I think there may be a chance we will not see the start of the US game tonight.ESPN has only a 2 hour block mapped out for the game which means the game must kick shortly after 10:00pm.ESPN has the Red Sox vs Tigers on from 7-10. The likelihood that the baseball game goes over 3 hours is relatively high.ESPN "may" show the start of the soccer game on ESPNews or Classic but I am not sure. If we get stuck in this situation, the game is also being shown on Galavision, so if you get that channel, you can at least watch the beginning until ESPN switches over.

HUGE game tonight.I'm going to take back some of my previous disgust towards ESPN coverage of the USMNT- they've been doing a decent job, especially by giving pre and post game analysis (something I thought I'd never see). I'm going to assume they'll show the beginning on ESPN Classic- something they've done many, mnay times before when such an important sporting event as an early season baseball game happens. Still makes my blood boil that they do this, but at least the game gets shown. Problem for me tonight- I have to DVR the game and will be able to watch starting about 9... this means I'll have to DVR both Classic and ESPN and then switch.

I'm really beginning to hate the waste of time and money that is baseball.

 

[Kendall]

From Rick Reilly of ESPN.com, formerly of SI:

My mom used to say, "What you do comes back to you." She would've loved the final of the UEFA Champions League. Manchester United -- the team with the giant AIG across its jerseys -- got beat by FC Barcelona, the team with the UNICEF logo across its, 2-0. How cool is that? Barcelona does it all backwards. It blew off a jersey sponsorship deal worth tens of millions, like the best UEFA teams sign, and instead decided to donate $2 million a year to UNICEF for the privilege of wearing its name. And Barcelona will do it for two more seasons. Manchester, meanwhile, is wearing the logo of one of the world's greediest -- and most ruinous -- corporations in history. Karma. Who says you can't love soccer?

 

[walnutz]

Do we know for certain that Altidore isn't starting...ridiculous if he isn't.

I would say it is not all that ridiculous considering he has not played a full 90 since his surgery. We have no way of knowing if he is in game shape enough to go the full 90. On the road in a qualifier you do not take a chance with someone you may have to sub in the first half. You save that sub and bring them in the 2nd half hoping they can make an impact in the last 20 or 30. I see jozy playing tonight but definitely not starting. Especially with Honduras right on top of this. This could be an intersting line up with all the guys carrying yellow's right now as well.

 

[LHUCKS]

From Rick Reilly of ESPN.com, formerly of SI:

My mom used to say, "What you do comes back to you." She would've loved the final of the UEFA Champions League. Manchester United -- the team with the giant AIG across its jerseys -- got beat by FC Barcelona, the team with the UNICEF logo across its, 2-0. How cool is that? Barcelona does it all backwards. It blew off a jersey sponsorship deal worth tens of millions, like the best UEFA teams sign, and instead decided to donate $2 million a year to UNICEF for the privilege of wearing its name. And Barcelona will do it for two more seasons. Manchester, meanwhile, is wearing the logo of one of the world's greediest -- and most ruinous -- corporations in history. Karma. Who says you can't love soccer?

awesome

 

[Kendall]

Do we know for certain that Altidore isn't starting...ridiculous if he isn't.

I would say it is not all that ridiculous considering he has not played a full 90 since his surgery. We have no way of knowing if he is in game shape enough to go the full 90. On the road in a qualifier you do not take a chance with someone you may have to sub in the first half. You save that sub and bring them in the 2nd half hoping they can make an impact in the last 20 or 30. I see jozy playing tonight but definitely not starting. Especially with Honduras right on top of this. This could be an intersting line up with all the guys carrying yellow's right now as well.

Pretty spot on. The guy didn't run for a while after his toenail surgery.

 

[Desert_Power]

From Rick Reilly of ESPN.com, formerly of SI:

My mom used to say, "What you do comes back to you." She would've loved the final of the UEFA Champions League. Manchester United -- the team with the giant AIG across its jerseys -- got beat by FC Barcelona, the team with the UNICEF logo across its, 2-0. How cool is that? Barcelona does it all backwards. It blew off a jersey sponsorship deal worth tens of millions, like the best UEFA teams sign, and instead decided to donate $2 million a year to UNICEF for the privilege of wearing its name. And Barcelona will do it for two more seasons. Manchester, meanwhile, is wearing the logo of one of the world's greediest -- and most ruinous -- corporations in history. Karma. Who says you can't love soccer?

Més que un club

 

[Bonzai]

MS signed a deal with Sky that is going to bring live soccer on the Xbox Live in 1080p. I always watch the World Cups, but haven't really been able to follow the big European leagues.

That is awesome. Thanks for the news.

Wow, great news.

 

[El Floppo]

From Rick Reilly of ESPN.com, formerly of SI:

My mom used to say, "What you do comes back to you." She would've loved the final of the UEFA Champions League. Manchester United -- the team with the giant AIG across its jerseys -- got beat by FC Barcelona, the team with the UNICEF logo across its, 2-0. How cool is that? Barcelona does it all backwards. It blew off a jersey sponsorship deal worth tens of millions, like the best UEFA teams sign, and instead decided to donate $2 million a year to UNICEF for the privilege of wearing its name. And Barcelona will do it for two more seasons. Manchester, meanwhile, is wearing the logo of one of the world's greediest -- and most ruinous -- corporations in history. Karma. Who says you can't love soccer?

Didn't know that about Barcelona's jersey- incedibly cool stuff they're doing especially considering how many Messi jerseys are sold around the world. Even the boot-legged jerseys are doing their intended business

 

[Kendall]

Man City already at it

Barry completes £12m move to Manchester City

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Soccernet staff

Gareth Barry has completed his surprise move from Aston Villa to Manchester City for a fee of £12m.

The 28-year-old England international was heavily linked with a move to Premier League rivals Liverpool last summer but the Reds were unwilling to meet Villa's asking price of £18m.

He has signed a five-year contract at Eastlands after 12 years and more than 400 games for Villa. It is thought Barry will be paid £80,000-a-week at City.

City manager Mark Hughes is banking on Barry's experience in the domestic and international arena to take the club to the next level.

Hughes said: "Gareth is widely acknowledged as one of the top midfielders in the Premier League and that is a recommendation in itself.

"When players of his quality become available then you have to be in the market for them so we are absolutely delighted that we have been able to conclude this deal.

"The experience required to compete with the best in the Premier League is vital. With Gareth we get the experience of someone who has played week-in, week-out in the hardest league in the world.

"He plays at a level that has an impact on the game and we are thrilled that he is joining us.''

Hughes is keen to complete some more early summer transfer business. He said: "I was looking to get a number of deals done as soon as possible and we have had a great start with Gareth joining us.

"I hope we can conclude some more so that when we come back for pre-season training we have everybody fit and well and set for a successful campaign.''

Club captain Richard Dunne, currently on Republic of Ireland duty, welcomed Barry on board.

"He is a really good player and a player the Aston Villa fans will really miss, '' said the defender.

"It shows the pulling power of the club. It's the sort of signing the manager is looking for - players with Premier League experience who can push the squad on.''

Barry has proved to be adaptable over the years and that is a trait that Hughes believes will serve City well.

"I like players that have the sort of flexibility that enables you to change your tactics if you need during a game, and Gareth has that,'' he told the club's official website.

"He also has a range of passing that I am keen to introduce to the team, and he has got great delivery at set-plays as well. He will bring a lot to City.

"I have spoken to him briefly, and I will do at greater length soon. It is clear to everybody that being at City is going to be exciting in the future, and Gareth sees that.''

Barry, currently with the England squad preparing for a World Cup qualifier in Kazakhstan on Saturday, said: "I'm delighted to be joining City.

"It didn't take much persuasion from Mark Hughes, they are heading in the direction I want to go.

"There is great potential here, and I'm sure there will be a few more additions to the squad this summer.''

Barry had been offered a lucrative new deal to keep him at Villa Park while manager Martin O'Neill and Villa owner Randy Learner had both said they would be willing to run down the 28-year-old's existing contract if it meant keeping him for another season.

Barry has previously expressed his desire to join a club in the Champions League but City finished six places and 22 points behind this season's top four, all of whom qualified for Europe's top club competition.

City did not even qualify for next season's revamped Europa League with Everton, Villa and Fulham claiming the three places for English clubs.

As a Liverpool fan I'm happy Barry is off the market so Rafa won't be trying to sign him. The Reds midfield is pretty crowed with Gerrard, Mascherano and Xabi Alonso. I never saw where Rafa planned on fitting Barry in. City also have stated intentions to sign Tevez, with rumors abound that Tevez's handlers want him there to stick it to United (I'm sure that City has the deepest pockets has a little to do with it as well).

 

[El Floppo]

Do we know for certain that Altidore isn't starting...ridiculous if he isn't.

I would say it is not all that ridiculous considering he has not played a full 90 since his surgery. We have no way of knowing if he is in game shape enough to go the full 90. On the road in a qualifier you do not take a chance with someone you may have to sub in the first half. You save that sub and bring them in the 2nd half hoping they can make an impact in the last 20 or 30. I see jozy playing tonight but definitely not starting. Especially with Honduras right on top of this. This could be an intersting line up with all the guys carrying yellow's right now as well.

Pretty spot on. The guy didn't run for a while after his toenail surgery.

sAnd I wasn't even thinking about the surgery in my comments earlier- Jozy gives the US a better player on the field, but potentially at the cost of their team shape... and that's Bradley's M.O.

 

[walnutz]

Do we know for certain that Altidore isn't starting...ridiculous if he isn't.

I would say it is not all that ridiculous considering he has not played a full 90 since his surgery. We have no way of knowing if he is in game shape enough to go the full 90. On the road in a qualifier you do not take a chance with someone you may have to sub in the first half. You save that sub and bring them in the 2nd half hoping they can make an impact in the last 20 or 30. I see jozy playing tonight but definitely not starting. Especially with Honduras right on top of this. This could be an intersting line up with all the guys carrying yellow's right now as well.

Pretty spot on. The guy didn't run for a while after his toenail surgery.

sAnd I wasn't even thinking about the surgery in my comments earlier- Jozy gives the US a better player on the field, but potentially at the cost of their team shape... and that's Bradley's M.O.

I absolutely agree that Jozy gives them a better player on the field. The other thing I forgot to metion was I would not want to test Jozy in Saprissa with that crappy field turf they play on there. I see at least 1 injury coming out of this game for the U.S. I believe it is going to be a chippy affair this evening. This game will suit Ching's physical style better.

 

[Native]

From Rick Reilly of ESPN.com, formerly of SI:

My mom used to say, "What you do comes back to you." She would've loved the final of the UEFA Champions League. Manchester United -- the team with the giant AIG across its jerseys -- got beat by FC Barcelona, the team with the UNICEF logo across its, 2-0. How cool is that? Barcelona does it all backwards. It blew off a jersey sponsorship deal worth tens of millions, like the best UEFA teams sign, and instead decided to donate $2 million a year to UNICEF for the privilege of wearing its name. And Barcelona will do it for two more seasons. Manchester, meanwhile, is wearing the logo of one of the world's greediest -- and most ruinous -- corporations in history. Karma. Who says you can't love soccer?

Didn't know that about Barcelona's jersey- incedibly cool stuff they're doing especially considering how many Messi jerseys are sold around the world. Even the boot-legged jerseys are doing their intended business

God I hate Barcelona. (though its a great gesture)

 

[walnutz]

Just read that the game tonight got moved from ESPN to ESPN2 and will now include a 30 minute pre game. This to avoid any conflict with the baseball game prior.

 

[LHUCKS]

Do we know for certain that Altidore isn't starting...ridiculous if he isn't.

I would say it is not all that ridiculous considering he has not played a full 90 since his surgery. We have no way of knowing if he is in game shape enough to go the full 90. On the road in a qualifier you do not take a chance with someone you may have to sub in the first half. You save that sub and bring them in the 2nd half hoping they can make an impact in the last 20 or 30. I see jozy playing tonight but definitely not starting. Especially with Honduras right on top of this. This could be an intersting line up with all the guys carrying yellow's right now as well.

Tis a good point.I would just like to see Jozy get as much meaningful action as possible before 2010...he's at a critical stage in his development right now. That being said, I realize Costa Rica can sneak up on you in their own house so it's a catch 22 of sorts.

 

[LHUCKS]

Just read that the game tonight got moved from ESPN to ESPN2 and will now include a 30 minute pre game. This to avoid any conflict with the baseball game prior.

Thanks for posting.

 

[El Floppo]

Do we know for certain that Altidore isn't starting...ridiculous if he isn't.

I would say it is not all that ridiculous considering he has not played a full 90 since his surgery. We have no way of knowing if he is in game shape enough to go the full 90. On the road in a qualifier you do not take a chance with someone you may have to sub in the first half. You save that sub and bring them in the 2nd half hoping they can make an impact in the last 20 or 30. I see jozy playing tonight but definitely not starting. Especially with Honduras right on top of this. This could be an intersting line up with all the guys carrying yellow's right now as well.

Tis a good point.I would just like to see Jozy get as much meaningful action as possible before 2010...he's at a critical stage in his development right now. That being said, I realize Costa Rica can sneak up on you in their own house so it's a catch 22 of sorts.

I don't think you're realizing this correctly. CR isn't sneaking up on anybody at home- they're a regional power, and have been for a long time- especially at home. Just google the US's or even Mexico's record there.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

Do we know for certain that Altidore isn't starting...ridiculous if he isn't.

I would say it is not all that ridiculous considering he has not played a full 90 since his surgery. We have no way of knowing if he is in game shape enough to go the full 90. On the road in a qualifier you do not take a chance with someone you may have to sub in the first half. You save that sub and bring them in the 2nd half hoping they can make an impact in the last 20 or 30. I see jozy playing tonight but definitely not starting. Especially with Honduras right on top of this. This could be an intersting line up with all the guys carrying yellow's right now as well.

Tis a good point.I would just like to see Jozy get as much meaningful action as possible before 2010...he's at a critical stage in his development right now. That being said, I realize Costa Rica can sneak up on you in their own house so it's a catch 22 of sorts.

I don't think you're realizing this correctly. CR isn't sneaking up on anybody at home- they're a regional power, and have been for a long time- especially at home. Just google the US's or even Mexico's record there.

Tonight's mission is to not lose. If you can get three points (for the first time ever in Saprissa), great. But 1 point at CR is more than OK. We have no chance at a WC seed, so we don't need to win the group. We just need to finish top 3, and you do that by stealing points from CR and Honduras on the road, and not dropping any more points to ES and T&T.ETA: 4 points minimum from the next two matches is key. 3 points would be disappointing but manageable. Less than that and this q phase gets EXTREMELY uncomfortable.

 

[Christo]

Just read that the game tonight got moved from ESPN to ESPN2 and will now include a 30 minute pre game. This to avoid any conflict with the baseball game prior.

But what about women's softball?!?!?!?

 

[walnutz]

Do we know for certain that Altidore isn't starting...ridiculous if he isn't.

I would say it is not all that ridiculous considering he has not played a full 90 since his surgery. We have no way of knowing if he is in game shape enough to go the full 90. On the road in a qualifier you do not take a chance with someone you may have to sub in the first half. You save that sub and bring them in the 2nd half hoping they can make an impact in the last 20 or 30. I see jozy playing tonight but definitely not starting. Especially with Honduras right on top of this. This could be an intersting line up with all the guys carrying yellow's right now as well.

Tis a good point.I would just like to see Jozy get as much meaningful action as possible before 2010...he's at a critical stage in his development right now. That being said, I realize Costa Rica can sneak up on you in their own house so it's a catch 22 of sorts.

I don't think you're realizing this correctly. CR isn't sneaking up on anybody at home- they're a regional power, and have been for a long time- especially at home. Just google the US's or even Mexico's record there.

Very right. The US is 0-6 and I believe 1 draw at Saprissa. I don't know that they are so much a regional powerhouse. I think it is a combination of they are a decent team, have a crappy surface that they play on all the time which creates a homefield advantage and their fans can be scary. The place can be intimidating. Fans throwing urine bags on you, batteries, etc. I am hoping for a win but think we will be playing for the point at the end of the match.

 

[El Floppo]

btw- I'm sure you've all figured out this isn't 8:00pm EDT...it's MT. (I nearly flipped seeing reruns of poker instead of the soccer I assumed was supposed to be there).

And re: CR- not saying they're a "powerhouse", but that in the region they have long been a "power". Outside of the US and Mexico, I think you're always going to look at CR as the third best team and just about unbeatable at home (I still cringe at that mystery handball in the final minutes of previous WC qualifier we talked about previously). IMO, T&T or Jamaica getting past them into the WC is more upset than expected.

and re: Urine etc, I remember- I think it was DMB- talking about playing there as u17 and getting hit in the head with a chicken head. Guess I'd take that over batteries, flares, M-80s or bottle-rockets.

 

[walnutz]

Well - Color me stupid. Jozy Altidore is in the first 11 tonight. I am decently shocked with that. Happy but shocked.

Understand what you are saying better now El Floppo. CR is definitely the 3rd best team in the region. The chicken head at DMB always makes me laugh thinking about. The fans in CR are intense.

 

[LHUCKS]

Jozy in the lineup...

About f'ing time.

That midfield could absolutely kill us though.

It'll be interesting to see how Beasley handles the left backer.

 

[andy_b]

fun looking line up

Howard

Wynne Gooch Boca DMB

Pablo Bradley Torres

.......Donovan

Dempsey Altidore

Lalas thought this would morph into a 4-5-1 which would suck for Jozy.

 

[El Floppo]

Well - Color me stupid. Jozy Altidore is in the first 11 tonight. I am decently shocked with that. Happy but shocked.

Understand what you are saying better now El Floppo. CR is definitely the 3rd best team in the region. The chicken head at DMB always makes me laugh thinking about. The fans in CR are intense.

Altidore AND Torres.

LHucks is clearly a clairvoyant genius.

But no way is that 4-3-3 going to be anything but a 4-5-1 with Altidore up front. I didn't know about Ching's injury... that really hurts.

So...

Howard

Wynne(!) , Gooch, Boca, DMB

Bradley, Pablo, Torres

LD, Jozy, Dempsey

Real suprise to me seeing both of those attack minded wide defenders. Pablo and Bradley will sit in the middle of the MF with LD and Dempsey roaming around between the Right (as somebody mentioned above) and Middle MF with Jozy as the target man up front. That is a BIG ask of Jozy- really hope he can handle it and give a good 70 minutes +.

Wow.

 

[El Floppo]

Jozy in the lineup...

About f'ing time.

That midfield could absolutely kill us though.

It'll be interesting to see how Beasley handles the left backer.

Who did he play that position last against... was it Mexico?

 

[LHUCKS]

Jozy in the lineup...

About f'ing time.

That midfield could absolutely kill us though.

It'll be interesting to see how Beasley handles the left backer.

Who did he play that position last against... was it Mexico?

I was just wondering that...I thought he played midfield v. Mexico?

 

[LHUCKS]

Lalas thought this would morph into a 4-5-1 which would suck for Jozy.

I think that's a mistake...you need to be agressive against Costa Rica in their own house...play to win.Mastroeni, Torres and Beasley are likely the keys to the match.

 

[El Floppo]

Jozy in the lineup...

About f'ing time.

That midfield could absolutely kill us though.

It'll be interesting to see how Beasley handles the left backer.

Who did he play that position last against... was it Mexico?

I was just wondering that...I thought he played midfield v. Mexico?

dunno- I'd like to say it was this round... memory is gone.

 

[Sinn Fein]

Jozy in the lineup...

About f'ing time.

That midfield could absolutely kill us though.

It'll be interesting to see how Beasley handles the left backer.

Who did he play that position last against... was it Mexico?

I was just wondering that...I thought he played midfield v. Mexico?

dunno- I'd like to say it was this round... memory is gone.

T&T

 

[LHUCKS]

Torres should be interesting...too.

Someone said this before, but this is really a fun lineup although we could get absolutely spanked....very young squad.

 

[El Floppo]

Lalas thought this would morph into a 4-5-1 which would suck for Jozy.

I think that's a mistake...you need to be agressive against Costa Rica in their own house...play to win.Mastroeni, Torres and Beasley are likely the keys to the match.

I could see it going into a 4-4-2 with LD and Dempsey rotating as a withdrawn forward while the other guy plays on the right MF. I agree wtih andy- without getting any PT for so long, Jozy's going to need some help up front. Also agree with LHucks that putting pressure on CR will be the best way of taking them and the crowd out of it. Unless the US gives up a goal...

 

[walnutz]

Jozy in the lineup...

About f'ing time.

That midfield could absolutely kill us though.

It'll be interesting to see how Beasley handles the left backer.

Who did he play that position last against... was it Mexico?

I was just wondering that...I thought he played midfield v. Mexico?

dunno- I'd like to say it was this round... memory is gone.

He got moved to Left Back in the 2nd half of the Mexico game and then played the full 90 there aganst T&T(I could have that switchedup). Not the first time he has been back there. He can do well there roaming the flank and getting into the attack. I like this line up. Will certainly makr this game interesting if nothing else.

 

[LHUCKS]

Man...I'm so amped for this one.

 

[whoknew]

Oof.

 

[Desert_Power]

well, damn.