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***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (6 Viewers)

Gotta say, I like watching these Chelsea guys..Unfortunately I cannot stand that goalie with his HS wrestling helmet on.
Well, he did crack his skull and almost die in 2006...it's like John Olerud wearing the batting helmet while playing 1B.
oh :thumbup:
And to add to that, it's my understanding that he must wear it to be insured. Thin skull bones is what I was told.
doesn't take away the fact that it is funny looking.
 
Gotta say, I like watching these Chelsea guys..Unfortunately I cannot stand that goalie with his HS wrestling helmet on.
Well, he did crack his skull and almost die in 2006...it's like John Olerud wearing the batting helmet while playing 1B.
oh :football:
And to add to that, it's my understanding that he must wear it to be insured. Thin skull bones is what I was told.
doesn't take away the fact that it is funny looking.
As opposed to the funny looking helmets worn by football and hockey players?
 
Gotta say, I like watching these Chelsea guys..Unfortunately I cannot stand that goalie with his HS wrestling helmet on.
Well, he did crack his skull and almost die in 2006...it's like John Olerud wearing the batting helmet while playing 1B.
oh :yes:
And to add to that, it's my understanding that he must wear it to be insured. Thin skull bones is what I was told.
Cech has a thin skull, and a dent in his head roughly in the shape of Stephen Hunt's knee. Its probably on youtube, but I won't be watching that one ever again.Cech has been very much up and down the past two seasons; was awesome back there today.
 
Gotta say, I like watching these Chelsea guys..Unfortunately I cannot stand that goalie with his HS wrestling helmet on.
Well, he did crack his skull and almost die in 2006...it's like John Olerud wearing the batting helmet while playing 1B.
oh :sadbanana:
And to add to that, it's my understanding that he must wear it to be insured. Thin skull bones is what I was told.
Cech has a thin skull, and a dent in his head roughly in the shape of Stephen Hunt's knee. Its probably on youtube, but I won't be watching that one ever again.Cech has been very much up and down the past two seasons; was awesome back there today.
Yeah. Ugh- that hit was brutal, Joe Theisman type stuff. I cringe just thinking abuot it.But all this talk about funny-looking, and no mention of his day-glo orange kit?Oh- I thought Arshavin looked great yesterday. Except for the shooting. The whole team had a case of looking scared with the final shot- typical flowing Arsenal football but nobody looked like they wanted to be the one to score. Fabregas shooting was .... woof.
 
Glad Liverpool won over the weekend. Maurane Fellaini is now my least favorite player. Kicking the ball at and practically kicking Kuyt in the head to the double-footed stomp on Sotirios Kyrgiakos, what a ####. Hate him. Martin Atkinson is a crap head too.

 
But all this talk about funny-looking, and no mention of his day-glo orange kit?
I long for the days when every keeper wore his team's shorts and socks but just had a green jersey.
Oh- I thought Arshavin looked great yesterday. Except for the shooting. The whole team had a case of looking scared with the final shot- typical flowing Arsenal football but nobody looked like they wanted to be the one to score. Fabregas shooting was .... woof.
Yes, Arshavin did look good. But he's not what Arsenal needs at CF.
 
Update on The Z's World Cup 2010 plans: AKA "Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in."

So I had basically come to the conclusion that World Cup SA2010 was a no-go for me due to financial constraints. I had gotten married in early Jan, and the wedding ended up costing me quite a bit more than I though (about $5k). That was the money that was supposed to go to my WC2010 trip. So I was basically resigned to the fact that I don't have enough money (or I'm not willing to go into debt) to finance this trip. There are 3 other guys that have already bought tix and booked a hotel suite, so they're in. I just hadn't broken the news to them that I wouldn't be going...

So on Saturday, one of the other 3 guys leaves me a voicemail saying that during the 3rd phase of the ticketing, they got an ADDITIONAL 7 games. Those games are:

6/14 - Johannesburg - Netherlands v. Denmark

6/15 - Johannesburg - Brazil v. N. Korea

6/16 - Pretoria - South Africa v. Uruguay

6/17 - Johannesburg - Argentina v. S. Korea

6/19 - Pretoria - Cameroon v. Denmark

6/20 - Johannesburg - Brazil v. Ivory Coast

6/21 - Johannesburg - Spain v. Honduras

These are some primo first round games, and would basically allow me to go to a game every day during my stay there. I just don't see how I can pass up 8-10 games at a world cup...

Thoughts?

 
Update on The Z's World Cup 2010 plans: AKA "Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in."

So I had basically come to the conclusion that World Cup SA2010 was a no-go for me due to financial constraints. I had gotten married in early Jan, and the wedding ended up costing me quite a bit more than I though (about $5k). That was the money that was supposed to go to my WC2010 trip. So I was basically resigned to the fact that I don't have enough money (or I'm not willing to go into debt) to finance this trip. There are 3 other guys that have already bought tix and booked a hotel suite, so they're in. I just hadn't broken the news to them that I wouldn't be going...

So on Saturday, one of the other 3 guys leaves me a voicemail saying that during the 3rd phase of the ticketing, they got an ADDITIONAL 7 games. Those games are:

6/14 - Johannesburg - Netherlands v. Denmark

6/15 - Johannesburg - Brazil v. N. Korea

6/16 - Pretoria - South Africa v. Uruguay

6/17 - Johannesburg - Argentina v. S. Korea

6/19 - Pretoria - Cameroon v. Denmark

6/20 - Johannesburg - Brazil v. Ivory Coast

6/21 - Johannesburg - Spain v. Honduras

These are some primo first round games, and would basically allow me to go to a game every day during my stay there. I just don't see how I can pass up 8-10 games at a world cup...

Thoughts?
what changed? I thought most people talked you into the honeymoon being a higher priority than world cup (unless you found a way to swing both financially).
 
sorry, but I did not see Arsenal outplay Chelsea at all.

And by scoring chances, if by weak and feeble shots from 20 yards out that missed the target entirely, sure Arsenal was terrific at those.

I don't know why Arsenal ever bothered crossing the ball into the area, or taking a corner other than a short corner. They have zero presence in the air, short of Bendtner and even he is not all that great. I really like Arshavin a lot, and he presents challenges that most teams cannot cope with in his pace and his "shiftiness". However against top flight competition, his shortcoming are severely exposed (i.e. he isn't the greatest passer, likes to try to make too much out of nothing and has a hard time creating against more than one defender). But really knocking Arsenal after their last two games is kind of cherry picking, because let's face it, United and Chelsea are the class of this league. Arsenal is a fun young team with a ton of pace, but that's not going to win you leagues. Their defense is the epitome of meh, the only guy back there that plays with much of a passion for my dollar is Varmaelen.

Denilson and Walcott in the starting 11 are wastes against better sides, plain and simple. They make good substitutes in the 70th or so minute, as their pace against weary defenders can make a difference, but when asked to play the full 90, they are invisible. I actually was most impressed by Nasri recently. I didn't think he was going to be much of a factor in the epl, but he's a pretty decent player.

Anywhoooo, a lot of talk earlier this year about how Man U is unimpressive, lacks offensive imagination, spark, talent. As of today, United has the most goals in the EPL, and the greatest goal differential. Added to that fact, they have been most of the year without their starting gk, and both of their starting center backs (19 combined games appeared by Rio an Vidic this year). Lots of unsung heros on that side. I'm not sure if United has enough to keep up and/or catch Chelsea though, but it's been a nice run.

Also, kudos to Liverpool. Right when I've about written them off (tongue in cheek about relegation, but certainly CL and even Europe), they've snuck right back into the top 4. Spurs with their new year's swoon, and wtf Man City.

Quietly, Aston Villa has strung together a pretty impressive season, along the fewest goals in the league to date. That's with a rag tag back, which has really come together nicely.

Everton's had a tough go of it all year, but the Donovan addition has been nice. With all of the guys they've lost between injury and refusing to play, they've been a tough team all year. Well coached too. Moyes and O'Neill for my money are two of the top 3 or 4 managers in the league - hopefully Moyes steps in when Sir Alex steps down.

And wtf has happend to West Ham United?!? Team looked like an up and comer with a bunch of young talent particularly in the midfield and defense...brought in Zola to coach, and all goes to ####.

there it goes, this month's installment of EPL through the eyes of guru_007

p.s. Juventus, wtf!?!? How can a team with that much talent up and down the field, be tied for 7th in the table. Much bigger upset than Liverpools floundering year in my eyes

 
Update on The Z's World Cup 2010 plans: AKA "Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in."

So I had basically come to the conclusion that World Cup SA2010 was a no-go for me due to financial constraints. I had gotten married in early Jan, and the wedding ended up costing me quite a bit more than I though (about $5k). That was the money that was supposed to go to my WC2010 trip. So I was basically resigned to the fact that I don't have enough money (or I'm not willing to go into debt) to finance this trip. There are 3 other guys that have already bought tix and booked a hotel suite, so they're in. I just hadn't broken the news to them that I wouldn't be going...

So on Saturday, one of the other 3 guys leaves me a voicemail saying that during the 3rd phase of the ticketing, they got an ADDITIONAL 7 games. Those games are:

6/14 - Johannesburg - Netherlands v. Denmark

6/15 - Johannesburg - Brazil v. N. Korea

6/16 - Pretoria - South Africa v. Uruguay

6/17 - Johannesburg - Argentina v. S. Korea

6/19 - Pretoria - Cameroon v. Denmark

6/20 - Johannesburg - Brazil v. Ivory Coast

6/21 - Johannesburg - Spain v. Honduras

These are some primo first round games, and would basically allow me to go to a game every day during my stay there. I just don't see how I can pass up 8-10 games at a world cup...

Thoughts?
what changed? I thought most people talked you into the honeymoon being a higher priority than world cup (unless you found a way to swing both financially).
What changed is that there's 7 more games to go to now instead of just 2 US games. That's a lot more bang for the buck. If the total trip cost is about $5000, that's now only ~$550 per game instead of $2.5k per game. Also, when else in my life will I have a chance to see 9 World Cup matches live? It very well might be a once in a lifetime opportunity. The question is, am I willing to put $5k on a credit card for that?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Update on The Z's World Cup 2010 plans: AKA "Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in."

So I had basically come to the conclusion that World Cup SA2010 was a no-go for me due to financial constraints. I had gotten married in early Jan, and the wedding ended up costing me quite a bit more than I though (about $5k). That was the money that was supposed to go to my WC2010 trip. So I was basically resigned to the fact that I don't have enough money (or I'm not willing to go into debt) to finance this trip. There are 3 other guys that have already bought tix and booked a hotel suite, so they're in. I just hadn't broken the news to them that I wouldn't be going...

So on Saturday, one of the other 3 guys leaves me a voicemail saying that during the 3rd phase of the ticketing, they got an ADDITIONAL 7 games. Those games are:

6/14 - Johannesburg - Netherlands v. Denmark

6/15 - Johannesburg - Brazil v. N. Korea

6/16 - Pretoria - South Africa v. Uruguay

6/17 - Johannesburg - Argentina v. S. Korea

6/19 - Pretoria - Cameroon v. Denmark

6/20 - Johannesburg - Brazil v. Ivory Coast

6/21 - Johannesburg - Spain v. Honduras

These are some primo first round games, and would basically allow me to go to a game every day during my stay there. I just don't see how I can pass up 8-10 games at a world cup...

Thoughts?
what changed? I thought most people talked you into the honeymoon being a higher priority than world cup (unless you found a way to swing both financially).
What changed is that there's 7 more games to go to now instead of just 2 US games. That's a lot more bang for the buck. If the total trip cost is about $5000, that's now only ~$550 per game instead of $2.5k per game. Also, when else in my life will I have a chance to see 9 World Cup matches live? It very well might be a once in a lifetime opportunity. The question is, am I willing to put $5k on a credit card for that?
You GOTTA go. :penalty:
 
Update on The Z's World Cup 2010 plans: AKA "Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in."

So I had basically come to the conclusion that World Cup SA2010 was a no-go for me due to financial constraints. I had gotten married in early Jan, and the wedding ended up costing me quite a bit more than I though (about $5k). That was the money that was supposed to go to my WC2010 trip. So I was basically resigned to the fact that I don't have enough money (or I'm not willing to go into debt) to finance this trip. There are 3 other guys that have already bought tix and booked a hotel suite, so they're in. I just hadn't broken the news to them that I wouldn't be going...

So on Saturday, one of the other 3 guys leaves me a voicemail saying that during the 3rd phase of the ticketing, they got an ADDITIONAL 7 games. Those games are:

6/14 - Johannesburg - Netherlands v. Denmark

6/15 - Johannesburg - Brazil v. N. Korea

6/16 - Pretoria - South Africa v. Uruguay

6/17 - Johannesburg - Argentina v. S. Korea

6/19 - Pretoria - Cameroon v. Denmark

6/20 - Johannesburg - Brazil v. Ivory Coast

6/21 - Johannesburg - Spain v. Honduras

These are some primo first round games, and would basically allow me to go to a game every day during my stay there. I just don't see how I can pass up 8-10 games at a world cup...

Thoughts?
what changed? I thought most people talked you into the honeymoon being a higher priority than world cup (unless you found a way to swing both financially).
What changed is that there's 7 more games to go to now instead of just 2 US games. That's a lot more bang for the buck. If the total trip cost is about $5000, that's now only ~$550 per game instead of $2.5k per game. Also, when else in my life will I have a chance to see 9 World Cup matches live? It very well might be a once in a lifetime opportunity. The question is, am I willing to put $5k on a credit card for that?
Obviously you don't want to bankrupt yourself in the process, but if you can withstand the financial hit long-term, you have to do this. Memories>>>>Money
 
LHUCKS said:
I still like Dempsey up top.
Yeah- that's where I disagree with the article which puts Dempsey's best role at MF. For the US- definitely NOT the case.I'm really wondering about Dempsey for the WC. He's shown that he can be a pivotal player in the EPL- and raises his game for it every week. On the other hand, that he's complacent for the USMNT is almost beyond dispute. So... the latest info was that he "probably" would be back before the end of the season, whcih puts most of his work getting back to game-shape away from Fulham and in the US camp. This is not so good for optimal Dempsey, IMO, even if he comes back healthy. Such a shame, as he was starting to really shine.Silver lining of his rehab- I don't have to watch Fulham play any more.
 
I do think MF is Dempsey's best position for the Nats, at least as a starter. If Dempsey plays as a striker, then Jozy becomes the target forward. I think the experience at Hull has highlighted just how ill-suited Jozy is for that role. Jozy has put together several strong games in a row since being partnered with Jan Vennegor of Hesselink. JVH has played as the target forward, allowing Jozy to run off of him.

Counter-intuitively, Davies often played better as a hold-up forward than Jozy due to his wrestling background. At the very least, I think Jozy needs another forward that can at least hold up the ball to the same extent as Jozy. Deuce isn't that guy. I think it makes sense to play Dempsey at striker late in games, after bringing in Holden or someone, but I think Jozy is probably going to be most effective right off the bat with a target forward. I know he's not a sexy pick, but Ching still strikes me as the guy who fills that role the best.

 
I do think MF is Dempsey's best position for the Nats, at least as a starter. If Dempsey plays as a striker, then Jozy becomes the target forward. I think the experience at Hull has highlighted just how ill-suited Jozy is for that role. Jozy has put together several strong games in a row since being partnered with Jan Vennegor of Hesselink. JVH has played as the target forward, allowing Jozy to run off of him.

Counter-intuitively, Davies often played better as a hold-up forward than Jozy due to his wrestling background. At the very least, I think Jozy needs another forward that can at least hold up the ball to the same extent as Jozy. Deuce isn't that guy. I think it makes sense to play Dempsey at striker late in games, after bringing in Holden or someone, but I think Jozy is probably going to be most effective right off the bat with a target forward. I know he's not a sexy pick, but Ching still strikes me as the guy who fills that role the best.
On an unrelated note, what's the deal with this guy's last name? Is he royalty of some sort?
 
LHUCKS said:
I still like Dempsey up top.
Yeah- that's where I disagree with the article which puts Dempsey's best role at MF. For the US- definitely NOT the case.I'm really wondering about Dempsey for the WC. He's shown that he can be a pivotal player in the EPL- and raises his game for it every week. On the other hand, that he's complacent for the USMNT is almost beyond dispute. So... the latest info was that he "probably" would be back before the end of the season, whcih puts most of his work getting back to game-shape away from Fulham and in the US camp. This is not so good for optimal Dempsey, IMO, even if he comes back healthy. Such a shame, as he was starting to really shine.

Silver lining of his rehab- I don't have to watch Fulham play any more.
I still totally dispute this. The guy doesn't get graded out as being the second best player at the Confed Cup last summer by being complacent. He's technically and tactically our best player. He's almost always in the correct place tactically and almost always makes the correct run. The only thing he occassioonally flubs is passes in the midfield.
 
I do think MF is Dempsey's best position for the Nats, at least as a starter. If Dempsey plays as a striker, then Jozy becomes the target forward. I think the experience at Hull has highlighted just how ill-suited Jozy is for that role. Jozy has put together several strong games in a row since being partnered with Jan Vennegor of Hesselink. JVH has played as the target forward, allowing Jozy to run off of him.

Counter-intuitively, Davies often played better as a hold-up forward than Jozy due to his wrestling background. At the very least, I think Jozy needs another forward that can at least hold up the ball to the same extent as Jozy. Deuce isn't that guy. I think it makes sense to play Dempsey at striker late in games, after bringing in Holden or someone, but I think Jozy is probably going to be most effective right off the bat with a target forward. I know he's not a sexy pick, but Ching still strikes me as the guy who fills that role the best.
On an unrelated note, what's the deal with this guy's last name? Is he royalty of some sort?
of in Dutch is actually an or, so its basically saying he's from Vennegor and Hesselink
 
I do think MF is Dempsey's best position for the Nats, at least as a starter. If Dempsey plays as a striker, then Jozy becomes the target forward. I think the experience at Hull has highlighted just how ill-suited Jozy is for that role. Jozy has put together several strong games in a row since being partnered with Jan Vennegor of Hesselink. JVH has played as the target forward, allowing Jozy to run off of him.

Counter-intuitively, Davies often played better as a hold-up forward than Jozy due to his wrestling background. At the very least, I think Jozy needs another forward that can at least hold up the ball to the same extent as Jozy. Deuce isn't that guy. I think it makes sense to play Dempsey at striker late in games, after bringing in Holden or someone, but I think Jozy is probably going to be most effective right off the bat with a target forward. I know he's not a sexy pick, but Ching still strikes me as the guy who fills that role the best.
On an unrelated note, what's the deal with this guy's last name? Is he royalty of some sort?
of in Dutch is actually an or, so its basically saying he's from Vennegor and Hesselink
from Wikipedia:Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink's name derives from the 17th century, when two farming families in the Enschede area of the Netherlands intermarried. Both the Vennegoor and Hesselink names carried equal social weight, and so — rather than choose between them — they chose to use both. "Of" in Dutch translates to "or" in English, which would mean that a strict translation of his name would read 'Jan Vennegoor or Hesselink'.[7] This could be considered as having the same effect as the double-barrelling of English surnames.

 
I do think MF is Dempsey's best position for the Nats, at least as a starter. If Dempsey plays as a striker, then Jozy becomes the target forward. I think the experience at Hull has highlighted just how ill-suited Jozy is for that role. Jozy has put together several strong games in a row since being partnered with Jan Vennegor of Hesselink. JVH has played as the target forward, allowing Jozy to run off of him.

Counter-intuitively, Davies often played better as a hold-up forward than Jozy due to his wrestling background. At the very least, I think Jozy needs another forward that can at least hold up the ball to the same extent as Jozy. Deuce isn't that guy. I think it makes sense to play Dempsey at striker late in games, after bringing in Holden or someone, but I think Jozy is probably going to be most effective right off the bat with a target forward. I know he's not a sexy pick, but Ching still strikes me as the guy who fills that role the best.
On an unrelated note, what's the deal with this guy's last name? Is he royalty of some sort?
of in Dutch is actually an or, so its basically saying he's from Vennegor and Hesselink
from Wikipedia:Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink's name derives from the 17th century, when two farming families in the Enschede area of the Netherlands intermarried. Both the Vennegoor and Hesselink names carried equal social weight, and so — rather than choose between them — they chose to use both. "Of" in Dutch translates to "or" in English, which would mean that a strict translation of his name would read 'Jan Vennegoor or Hesselink'.[7] This could be considered as having the same effect as the double-barrelling of English surnames.
Maurice Jones of Drew?Meredith Baxter of Birney?

 
LHUCKS said:
I still like Dempsey up top.
Yeah- that's where I disagree with the article which puts Dempsey's best role at MF. For the US- definitely NOT the case.I'm really wondering about Dempsey for the WC. He's shown that he can be a pivotal player in the EPL- and raises his game for it every week. On the other hand, that he's complacent for the USMNT is almost beyond dispute. So... the latest info was that he "probably" would be back before the end of the season, whcih puts most of his work getting back to game-shape away from Fulham and in the US camp. This is not so good for optimal Dempsey, IMO, even if he comes back healthy. Such a shame, as he was starting to really shine.

Silver lining of his rehab- I don't have to watch Fulham play any more.
I still totally dispute this. The guy doesn't get graded out as being the second best player at the Confed Cup last summer by being complacent. He's technically and tactically our best player. He's almost always in the correct place tactically and almost always makes the correct run. The only thing he occassioonally flubs is passes in the midfield.
Ok- you're the "almost" part of that.When Dempsey is in the MF, I watch what he's doing within the camera frame. He slags it repeatedly- in ways he just doesn't for Fulham. Lazy moving to the 2nd ball, lazy getting back to cover, lazy helping as the 2nd defender, lazy, lazy lazy. I've seen nearly identical plays in Fulham games where he busts his but to do all of the things I just mentioned he doestn' do or the Nats.

That he scored some key goals at the Confeds isn't what I'm talking about. Nor is his fantastic skill with the ball and tactical sense. I don't even mind his flubbed passes or trickery in the MF- he plays with swagger and sometimes gets ahead of his skill-set. But for me- it's beyond dispute that he brings a different- higher- energy to his club side that he just doesn't for his country. At a pure speculation, I'd say it's complacency from knowing he's got the spot locked up tight for country where he doesn't for club.

 
LHUCKS said:
I still like Dempsey up top.
Yeah- that's where I disagree with the article which puts Dempsey's best role at MF. For the US- definitely NOT the case.I'm really wondering about Dempsey for the WC. He's shown that he can be a pivotal player in the EPL- and raises his game for it every week. On the other hand, that he's complacent for the USMNT is almost beyond dispute. So... the latest info was that he "probably" would be back before the end of the season, whcih puts most of his work getting back to game-shape away from Fulham and in the US camp. This is not so good for optimal Dempsey, IMO, even if he comes back healthy. Such a shame, as he was starting to really shine.

Silver lining of his rehab- I don't have to watch Fulham play any more.
I still totally dispute this. The guy doesn't get graded out as being the second best player at the Confed Cup last summer by being complacent. He's technically and tactically our best player. He's almost always in the correct place tactically and almost always makes the correct run. The only thing he occassioonally flubs is passes in the midfield.
Ok- you're the "almost" part of that.When Dempsey is in the MF, I watch what he's doing within the camera frame. He slags it repeatedly- in ways he just doesn't for Fulham. Lazy moving to the 2nd ball, lazy getting back to cover, lazy helping as the 2nd defender, lazy, lazy lazy. I've seen nearly identical plays in Fulham games where he busts his but to do all of the things I just mentioned he doestn' do or the Nats.

That he scored some key goals at the Confeds isn't what I'm talking about. Nor is his fantastic skill with the ball and tactical sense. I don't even mind his flubbed passes or trickery in the MF- he plays with swagger and sometimes gets ahead of his skill-set. But for me- it's beyond dispute that he brings a different- higher- energy to his club side that he just doesn't for his country. At a pure speculation, I'd say it's complacency from knowing he's got the spot locked up tight for country where he doesn't for club.
I have a different take on the motivation. He's just one of those people who plays to the level of those around him. Some people need others to draw out their best. Fulham's players are simply better than the USMNT players.
 
Ok- you're the "almost" part of that.When Dempsey is in the MF, I watch what he's doing within the camera frame. He slags it repeatedly- in ways he just doesn't for Fulham. Lazy moving to the 2nd ball, lazy getting back to cover, lazy helping as the 2nd defender, lazy, lazy lazy. I've seen nearly identical plays in Fulham games where he busts his but to do all of the things I just mentioned he doestn' do or the Nats.That he scored some key goals at the Confeds isn't what I'm talking about. Nor is his fantastic skill with the ball and tactical sense. I don't even mind his flubbed passes or trickery in the MF- he plays with swagger and sometimes gets ahead of his skill-set. But for me- it's beyond dispute that he brings a different- higher- energy to his club side that he just doesn't for his country. At a pure speculation, I'd say it's complacency from knowing he's got the spot locked up tight for country where he doesn't for club.
Agree with all of this.
 
I have a different take on the motivation. He's just one of those people who plays to the level of those around him. Some people need others to draw out their best. Fulham's players are simply better than the USMNT players.
good point
 
Good article on the USMNT's quandry at forward with Davies still out.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/sto...5901&ver=us
The top comment on ESPN pretty much sums up my thoughts.
The_Delaware_Kid says:

February 8, 2010, 2:17 PM ET

Our strength is in midfield, so I think it makes sense to move Dempsey up top and put Holden in his place in midfield. Holden will track back better and show more zeal for playing defense than Dempsey does, and it makes sense for the USA to put a player, like Dempsey, who can create magical moments and score goals that other USA forwards would never even try. Plus it would be better to have a player that can pass to Jozy well and has a good touch.
 
Good article on the USMNT's quandry at forward with Davies still out.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/sto...5901&ver=us
The top comment on ESPN pretty much sums up my thoughts.
The_Delaware_Kid says:

February 8, 2010, 2:17 PM ET

Our strength is in midfield, so I think it makes sense to move Dempsey up top and put Holden in his place in midfield. Holden will track back better and show more zeal for playing defense than Dempsey does, and it makes sense for the USA to put a player, like Dempsey, who can create magical moments and score goals that other USA forwards would never even try. Plus it would be better to have a player that can pass to Jozy well and has a good touch.
totally agree with this guy.Holden has flashes, if he can play consistently watch out Brits!!!

 
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Hold Everton HOLD!

United held on for the draw after going a man down before half, so that was nice. Now if Everton can just come through, we'll have a new leader of the table!

 
Some more good news about Devann Yao played in a Reserves match:

American Yao put in a lively, battling and impressive shift, first on the left of midfield and later up front. It was easy to see why manager Roy Keane, who watched today’s game, offered the 19-year-old his contract until the end of the season.

From:

http://www.twtd.co.uk/news.php?storyid=160..._reserves_derby

Nothing too awesome, but it would be cool if this kid broke out with my Ipswich squad and eventually USMNT.

There are rumours he may be on the bench when ITFC play Peterborough. I don't think it will happen, but that would be cool.

ETA - Reserve match

 
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