LHUCKS
Footballguy
I can't recall, it's all in the thread.We had a discussion when he didn't make the WC roster...also during qualifying I was calling for him to get more minutes, and got ripped for that.
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***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter jpeace121
- Start date
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Hmm, I don't recall any of that. I do remember you asking why Freddy wasn't on the team and multiple people informing you that he was not playing at all for his club. Not sure why you consider being informed with being ripped but so be it.
LHUCKS
Footballguy
I do.
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
I think you could easily make the argument that Holden, Feilhaber, Torres, and perhaps Donovan each have better "ball skills" than Adu.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
You need to be much more specificBenny has the highest technical skill on the teamReam and Bradley are probably the best passersLandon is the best with running at defendersDolo is the best crosser of the ballAdu has some good foot skills and vision but I am not sure he would top any specific skill for me. He would be close to the best dribbler on the team but his extreme lack of quickness hurts him.I have been following Freddy since he was 14 (I still remember the first video of him scoring in the Dallas Cup). I would love for him to make a break through and this would be as good a time as any. Maybe he was left off the Spain roster with the thought that he was going to play against Canada.
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LHUCKS
Footballguy
I agree.
LHUCKS
Footballguy
I would say all three of these comprise ball skills.
Spartans Rule
Footballguy
All this Adu talk has me wondering what his club future will be.
Probably not going back to Rizespor since they didn't win promotion.
Probably not in Benfica's long-term plans anymore either, although they do have his rights for one more year.
Probably not going back to Rizespor since they didn't win promotion.
Probably not in Benfica's long-term plans anymore either, although they do have his rights for one more year.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
I didn't realize this. I could have sworn his contract was up this year. I was under the incorrect impression that he signed a 5 year deal with Benefica.
LHUCKS
Footballguy
MLS seems like the perfect fit for him.
Texas Football
Footballguy
I think it depends a lot on this tournament. If he gets a chance and does very well he will get another chance in the high end fringe European leagues again. If he gets a chance and sucks it large I would expect MLS. Anything in between and he could go anywhere(yes, I know this is insightful).I would like to see him go to England and play in the Championship. I would welcome him at Ipswich and promote the hell out of him at every chance. He has the passport and that league could use some more creativity and Americans. He would get some exposure to the press (hard to find Greek, Turkish, etc.press for me). Championship football is a mix of every type of football. From on the deck to complete route 1. Kids to old brutes on their last legs. It's sink or swim.I am an Adu fan mainly because he is one of the few US players I have seen with the skill to beat a defender with the ball among other things. I think the MLS is crap. I still watch it on occasion, but I just don't see it getting better. With that said I am glad it is getting good crowds and should stick around.My main beef w/ Bradley and the USMNT is Adu seems to get in the doghouse and can't get out. Well that and it has turned to #### football. I am pulling for Canada. If Adu come out with a few assists/goals and is blackballed again then I have no problem if someone sets Bradley on fire. An accidenal Confed Cup run kept that clown in.Now if Adu gets his chance and sucks it I will take all the #### you guys can give. I think he will be one of the better players for the USMNT. I don't think I built any excuses into the post.I am rubbing maple syrup on my junk right now. No access to leaves or is it leafs. Going to create an Alpha Squad temple. BBL.
Spartans Rule
Footballguy
I'd tend to agree. I'm not exactly sure where MLS rates compared to European leagues but I'm pretty sure it beats the second division in Turkey. Plus it couldn't hurt Adu or MLS from a marketing standpoint.Unfortunately Benfica gets to call the shots for another year, so who knows where they'll send him. After that I would think he comes back to MLS unless he has a breakout season.
El Floppo
Footballguy
I agree with pretty much everything both of you wrote... except the 4 goals better. Spain is easily capable of pumping in 4+ against our A team, IMO. If not for Howard coming up huge in the Confed Cup, they could've scored that many there. And now imagine that Xavi played. And that he's black. But on a good day with guys stepping up, yeah the US definitely capable of keeping it closer- and win... on a good day.IMO, this game showed that our guys on the cusp of the starting team are light years behind Spain's A or B team... and also pretty far behind our star players. It also showed that we have a couple of guys who DO have the class to make a difference, even against a top team; once Bradley, Dolo and Dempsey came on, the US started carving out some positive moves forward and giving up less on the other side of the ball- the Spain coach even admitted after the game that they dominated, but against a US squad far from full strength. These guys showed they deserve to be on the same field (as I know LD would, and I think a healthy HOlden would too) as the top players in the world.
D
Gooch... horrible. Slow, nervous on the ball and not capable of stepping up to win balls. Against a mid-tier CONCACAF team, I wonder if he looks better? I guess we'll see.
Lichaj... some moments, mostly born of speed, but was up against it all day. Positioning seemed ok, but lacks the class on the ball to complete a lot of what he was trying to do... but I guess I'm happy he was trying things.
Spector... just outclassed. Don't think he was as bad as Gooch, but he looked slow too and found hmself out of position more often than not against a very fluid Spain. He's turning into the US's John O'Shea. You're not going to grown when you see him in the lineup in the back or MF, but he'll be there more likely than not because somebody else is having issues.
Ream... didn't pair well with Gooch and got caught ball-watching for that split-second on the breakaway goal. also got muscled/shimmied off the ball early for a goal-scoring chance. Showed his inexperience, but also showed some of his typical calmness and willingness to make the useful pass, even against the world's best. He and Gooch weren't well served by their central MFs defending in front of them.
Goodsen... I still like this guy, even though it doesn't sound like he's done well with his new squad. He's got good timing and field awareness, and is capable of winning the ball in the air defensively and on set pieces. Also tackles well. I worry that with him and Ream in the middle, the US gives up too much speed.
Cherundolo... wow- that's the most confident I've seen him play. Yeah, he got burned by Torres running behind him to a nice pass between him and the central Defender, but that was the sole issue (granted, a doozee) on the night for him amidst some enterprising play forward and back.
MF
Sascha... pretty sure he played. I saw that he has a moustache.
Edu... same as Sascha, but no moustache.
I was really hoping to see how this pairing would do but Spain isn't the time to see anything worthwhile, especially at that position. Either he or Jones or both refused to get back to cover the top of the box on those plays down the flanks- to give up two identical goals to guys who are unmarked by the time they reach the PK spot... not good.Its sooooo easy to see how NOT to play the game when we're given a demonstration of how TO play the game by Spain- they move so incredibly well as a unit- constantly creating triangles all over the field. Then you see the US (and most teams) and it's just not there. On the one hand, it is a confidence and determination to get forwrad versus staying back and compact, as the US tried to do- but it's also an almost innate tactical awareness that our players as a country just don't have yet.
Jones... was one of the only players that at least tried to get stuck in, but see Edu. No moustache.
.... it's pretty bad- on my brain-dead part, and the part of the guy who made such a memorable impact on me- that I can't even think of the other starting outside MF right now. And I'm almost certain he didn't have a mustache.
Dempsey... had his typical swagger going forward- like he knows he can beat anybody on the field with a dribble or pass (whether he actually can or not). Seemed like he was more central where he, IMO, plays better by being more involved with more touches on the ball.
FORWARDS
Agudelo... looked scared at first- tentative with the ball- but gained confidence even if he didn't get many touches. IMO, looked like the guy more likely to do something, even though neither really looked likely to do much. He tried taking guys on, and even though he was only successful once I'm happy to see it. Made good, decisive diagonal runs when the US got forward.
Jozy... played pretty similar to Agudelo- some good runs, but a little less eager to go at guys. Not enough combining with Agudelo (and that went both ways) or the MFs, but neither of them were getting much useful service and also going up against world class defenders. A good test for both of them, and neither particularly passed.
Wondolowski... the game opened up more for him by being surrounded by better MFs giving better service and by Spain relaxing a bit. Thought he made some great runs, but showed a lack of class on the ball a few times when presented with good opportunities in dangerous parts of the field. Even still, he showed a different eye for runs and type of play than Jozy and Juan. IMO, the US needs two forwards on the field who play a little differently from eachother... I don't think WOndolowski is this guy long term, but he creates a different shape to the US attack, and thats good IMO.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Jamaica beat Grenada 4-0 and in the first match of two decent sides, Honduras and Guat tied 0-0. Both games played at HDC
More than 25k tickets sold to the US Canada game. With the location of the game, I would expect a lot of Canadian support in the stands.
More than 25k tickets sold to the US Canada game. With the location of the game, I would expect a lot of Canadian support in the stands.
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NewlyRetired
Footballguy
I don't get it? The guy you could not remember was Robbie Rogers.
El Floppo
Footballguy
I disagree about Bradley.IMO, Bradley has come up with a formation that best utitlizes the players the US has, particularly Dempsey and LD. Playing on the wings with two central MFs who play back, they are given the freedom to roam, get forward and combine with the other skill players. LD never looked good in the middle for the US, and ended up getting under-utilized rather than seeing the ball more. It's been a while since he's played there, so maybe he should get another chacne? Or was there another "better spot where he'd have more effect on the game" you had in mind?
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Martin Jol has been named new coach at Fulham. Previously coached Spurs and most recently Ajax.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
I wonder how affective Landon will be out wide as the years move on? I was watching a long highlight package of him the other day and he seems to have lost a step. Now granted he was one of the fastest players I ever saw with the ball so the loss of step won't hurt too badly but I worry that by 2014 he won't have speed or quickness for the wing any more.
PIK95
Footballguy
I took my five year old son and the tickets cost over $300 with face value and ticketmaster fees. It was a lot considering what the US rolled out there. At least Spain played most of the big guns. My son and I had fun.
prefontaine
Footballguy
- A big part of the reason LD has stepped up his game over the last 3 years is Bob Bradley. Hate him or not, he developed a system around LD that has allowed him to shine. This was something Arena never managed to do for the 06 cycle
- I believe Eric Lichaj played leftback for Leeds this season at least part of the time
- People are still talking about Freddy Adu? It's been 4 years since he's done anything of note for club or country. Someone needs to take responsibility for that and it isn't Bradley
- I'm not sure who scheduled that Spain game but it fits horribly into our prep. We lack the depth to field a b-team vs them and we needed to see a few things. I know a lot of people wanted to watch us throw out our best lineup but I also know Bob didn't give a ####. He wants to win Gold Cup
- Not disagreeing with Andy that LD may not have the pace to play outside in 2014 but we lack options so I'm not sure it matters. Guys like Rogers and Bedoya and Shea need to step up before any serious discussion about options can be had
- I believe Eric Lichaj played leftback for Leeds this season at least part of the time
- People are still talking about Freddy Adu? It's been 4 years since he's done anything of note for club or country. Someone needs to take responsibility for that and it isn't Bradley
- I'm not sure who scheduled that Spain game but it fits horribly into our prep. We lack the depth to field a b-team vs them and we needed to see a few things. I know a lot of people wanted to watch us throw out our best lineup but I also know Bob didn't give a ####. He wants to win Gold Cup
- Not disagreeing with Andy that LD may not have the pace to play outside in 2014 but we lack options so I'm not sure it matters. Guys like Rogers and Bedoya and Shea need to step up before any serious discussion about options can be had
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NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Whom ever finds the lineup for tonight, please post. Should be fun to dissect. Hopefully there will not be any surprise.
Only question marks I see are does Gooch start and does Edu or Jones start assuming his normal 4-4-2.
Only question marks I see are does Gooch start and does Edu or Jones start assuming his normal 4-4-2.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
I don't understand loan deals too well. Who pays the player? From the fact that Aris tried to cut Freddy's salary, it seems like the team he was loaned to pays the player at least in that case. I think Freddy is making around 800kish. There is no way MLS should pay that but if they could get him in the 300-350k range I think it would be worth it to take him on loan from Benfica.'Spartans Rule said:
Typically the club that is playing the player is paying the player.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Ted will really like this article but it should be interesting to all MLS fans. Discusses the revenue that Phili has been generating and their plans to expand the stadium in phases up to 30k
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/soccer/20110607_Phila__Union_envisages_expanding_stadium_for_MLS_games.html?viewAll=y
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/soccer/20110607_Phila__Union_envisages_expanding_stadium_for_MLS_games.html?viewAll=y
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NewlyRetired
Footballguy
The Detroit group has officially submitted an application to get an MLS expansion team. They have a pretty wild vision for the old Silverdome.
http://www.mlive.com/soccer/index.ssf/2011/06/with_eyes_on_detroit_silverdome_owners_submit_mls_expansion_bid.html
http://www.mlive.com/soccer/index.ssf/2011/06/with_eyes_on_detroit_silverdome_owners_submit_mls_expansion_bid.html
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NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Doing my best to jinx the game tonight.
The US has never lost in group play of the Gold Cup, with a record of 23 wins and two draws.
The US has never lost in group play of the Gold Cup, with a record of 23 wins and two draws.
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
To the handful of you in here who have my cell phone number...don't give me any updates tonight on the game, as I will be watching it delayed after playing a pickup game. TIA
Good Posting Judge
Footballguy
8 PM ET.
Good Posting Judge
Footballguy
What's the book on Alexis Sanchez? Apparently Barca's agreed to a personal contract w/ him, but they need to agree on xfer fee. How much will he cost? Where will he play?
Where are you seeing this?He will cost somewhere between 25 and 30 million I believe. He would probably play as one of the wide forwards. Seems too similar to Pedro to me, I would much prefer Rossi.
Bonzai
Footballguy
He'd put Pedro on the bench, I assume.
Updated Roster projection:
F - Agudelo, Dempsey
M - Donovan, Bradley, Holden, Chandler
D - Shea, Opara, Ream, Lichaj
G - Howard
Reserves:
Brad Guzan GK
Jonathan Bornstein LB
Omar Gonzalez CB
Clarence Goodson CB
Jonathan Spector RB
Mikkel Diskerud LM
Jermaine Jones CM
Benny Feilhaber CM
Josh Gatt RM
Jozy Altidore F
Omar Salgado F
LHUCKS
Footballguy
Fox Soccer's covereage starts at 4:00...really excited to see the match today.
Also looking forward to ripping on Bradley's lineup decisions.
I don't know if I should be rooting for or against Gooch. I'd rather us develop Ream to prepare for the WC at this point but on the other hand if he could regain his Confed cup form perhaps he can still have an impact.
Also looking forward to ripping on Bradley's lineup decisions.
I don't know if I should be rooting for or against Gooch. I'd rather us develop Ream to prepare for the WC at this point but on the other hand if he could regain his Confed cup form perhaps he can still have an impact.
Sebowski
Footballguy
I thought Sanchez was more of a creative midfield type then a winger. I'd take him as a Xavi/Iniesta backup. Could even push Iniesta on the wing if he proves good enough. But for that $$$? Is rather focus on the D on spend on Rossi if $ is going towards the attack.Edit: phone turned Sanchez into Satchel
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NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Had to look this one up as I was not aware of him.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
My guide says 7:30 eastern. Did they add an extra 30 minutes to pre game?
LHUCKS
Footballguy
you're right, it's 4:30.
Eephus
Footballguy
It's a long time until Aug 31st
Bonzai
Footballguy
Just way too much hype swirling around him now. I don't see it dying down. If he leaves, I just don't see him in United's price range.
The Gator
Footballguy
I wasn't going to, but this kind of makes me want to
B Maverick
Footballguy
Twitter Notes/Rumor:
Real Madrid is after Chicharito and SAF has warned Jose off him. The little Pea will be getting a new contract to entice him to stay at Old Trafford. (cant say Im surprised, United finds and develops them, RM pays big bucks for them)
De Gea is concentrating on the U-23 (i think) and not on a transfer to United as of yet. Although he and his GF were seen house hunting in Manchester.
***
As for Spain v US, watched the first 20 mins and it was like watching an EPL team vs a 2nd div team, you knew the goal was coming and once it did the gates were open. Came back at the half and it was 3-0...
Also, did the field look slow and the ball heavy? Did they not hear of this device called a lawn mower? Horrible.
***
Real Madrid is after Chicharito and SAF has warned Jose off him. The little Pea will be getting a new contract to entice him to stay at Old Trafford. (cant say Im surprised, United finds and develops them, RM pays big bucks for them)
De Gea is concentrating on the U-23 (i think) and not on a transfer to United as of yet. Although he and his GF were seen house hunting in Manchester.
***
As for Spain v US, watched the first 20 mins and it was like watching an EPL team vs a 2nd div team, you knew the goal was coming and once it did the gates were open. Came back at the half and it was 3-0...
Also, did the field look slow and the ball heavy? Did they not hear of this device called a lawn mower? Horrible.
***
Eephus
Footballguy
Home field advantage. Hey, it was worth a shot.
Good. F'n Utd has enough.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
It was. The announcers commented on it. It may have had something to do with the fact that it was overlaid.
Yeah very similar to the Barca Man U Champions League Final game in that way.
... but the thing I do remember is that Rogers was completely unremarkable on the night.Similar threads
