***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (4 Viewers)

[B Maverick]

BTW, 1-1 Czech - Portugal right now... Deco with a nice shot (Ronaldo assist), but Czech Rep. came right back with a header off a corner. Seemed to be a defensive breakdown for Portugal on that one.

are you sure it was an assist for Ro? From the commentary it didn't look like it?"Ronaldo has the ball again. He beats Ufalusi but Cech saves with his feet......The ball squirms to Deco and Cech recovers to make another block; but Deco finally smashes the ball past two defenders on the line to give Portugal the lead. GOAL!!!!

I was reading the Spanish commentary, and they said it was an assist, but they could be wrong.

It wouldn't be an assist in my book - but maybe the Utah Jazz statisticians are pitch side.

just saw the replay, i dont think its an assist either.

 

[andy_b]

BTW, 1-1 Czech - Portugal right now... Deco with a nice shot (Ronaldo assist), but Czech Rep. came right back with a header off a corner. Seemed to be a defensive breakdown for Portugal on that one.

are you sure it was an assist for Ro? From the commentary it didn't look like it?"Ronaldo has the ball again. He beats Ufalusi but Cech saves with his feet......The ball squirms to Deco and Cech recovers to make another block; but Deco finally smashes the ball past two defenders on the line to give Portugal the lead. GOAL!!!!

I was reading the Spanish commentary, and they said it was an assist, but they could be wrong.

It wouldn't be an assist in my book - but maybe the Utah Jazz statisticians are pitch side.

Mt Stockton is blowing a raspberry your way

 

[The Z Machine]

OK, so no assist for Mr. Ronaldo. No skin off my back.

I hope they tighten the game up a bit in the 2nd half. Any good link yet?

 

[ffldrew]

Czech's are looking dangerous on corners and set plays.

 

[The Z Machine]

Ronaldo scores on a Deco feed to make it 2-1 Portugal in the 63rd minute.

 

[B Maverick]

3-1 portugal in extra time. Ronaldo with an assist.

 

[guru_007]

GERMANY +450ITALY +750FRANCE +1000SPAIN +650NETHERLANDS +1500PORTUGAL +800CROATIA +1300CZECH REPUBLIC +1500SWITZERLAND +2400GREECE +2800RUSSIA +3500ROMANIA +4200SWEDEN +3300TURKEY +3800POLAND +4500AUSTRIA +8000i like portugal and the czechs.

I can't wait for this tourney.With every game being shown on one of the ESPN's, this would be perfect for a separate thread but that will only invite the lunatics in to bash. Best to just keep it in this thread.

No way. I'll be starting a separate thread for sure. Best way to keep updated methinks. Hell the cricket WC had it's own thread.Although that will reduce the post count somewhat for this thread...

I've got Portugal to win their group at +105, but couldn't punch them to win it all. I think either Germany or Italy is going to win it all. Portugal started off so good at the last WC, and they were one of the most entertaining teams to watch, but they are not nearly as strong at the back or in the air as some of the other teams. Also, they flop around A LOT which is annoying. Netherlands are my dark horse team to win it all....although with Van Persie less than 100%, that really hurts. I feel like I've been waiting forever for this tourney to start (I punched my bet just after the Super Bowl )

bumped up this post back from April........Looks like Portugal has wrapped up their group, so I'm happy with making some money (been waiting for this tournament to start for oh, 4 months now).I'm a little disappointed I didn't hit on my Netherlands bet to win it all, as they looked pretty damn good in their opening match.

 

[Christo]

3-1 portugal in extra time. Ronaldo with an assist.

A goal and and assist from my captain? Don't count Christo out yet, my friends! 26 Beautiful Points!

 

[Brother Mouzone]

is Simao serious?? he brushes off Deco and Ronaldo twice now to take sub-par free kicks. those two are free kick specialists and i think on the last one even Deco was calling for Ronaldo to take it. hopefully my boy Ricardo Quaresma will get some serious time in the group stage 3 match and solidify himself as the starter over Simao.

 

[awesomeness]

is Simao serious?? he brushes off Deco and Ronaldo twice now to take sub-par free kicks. those two are free kick specialists and i think on the last one even Deco was calling for Ronaldo to take it. hopefully my boy Ricardo Quaresma will get some serious time in the group stage 3 match and solidify himself as the starter over Simao.

yah i don't know what Simao is thinking. Ronaldo is likely the best free kick goal scorer in the world and hes watching Simao blast the ball into the wall? If i was Scolari i'd make sure Simao doesn't take another free kick within scoring distance.Also Petit came across as a total ####er. Complaining on every foul he commits, complaining after every dive he takes that isn't called. That sort of crap makes me want to change the channel.

 

[The Z Machine]

Simao is actually pretty damn good at the free kicks. Not better at Ronaldo for DFKs, but for indirects, I'd rather have Ronaldo up there trying to get a head on the ball instead of behind the ball.

 

[B Maverick]

swiss on a 3 on 1 break dont score. what a mess this field is in the rain. think of the NFL game at Wembly last season.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

Late winner for Turkey - Switzerland is out.

So it's Czech Rep vs Turkey for the second QF spot in Group A. Both are at 3 points, -1 goal differential, and have each scored 2 goals. What do they do if the match ends in a draw? Extra time? Coin flip?

 

[awesomeness]

Simao is actually pretty damn good at the free kicks. Not better at Ronaldo for DFKs, but for indirects, I'd rather have Ronaldo up there trying to get a head on the ball instead of behind the ball.

So you would rather have Simao take the free kicks as opposed to Ronaldo? You gotta be kidding me. Portugal isn't a very good team in the air since so many of there attacking players are small, so when they have free kicks they are shooting with them not putting them in the box for a header. Sucks to see Turkey win that game. Switzerland had more than enough chances to win that game so they got no one to blame but themselves.

 

[The Z Machine]

Simao is actually pretty damn good at the free kicks. Not better at Ronaldo for DFKs, but for indirects, I'd rather have Ronaldo up there trying to get a head on the ball instead of behind the ball.

So you would rather have Simao take the free kicks as opposed to Ronaldo? You gotta be kidding me. Portugal isn't a very good team in the air since so many of there attacking players are small, so when they have free kicks they are shooting with them not putting them in the box for a header. Sucks to see Turkey win that game. Switzerland had more than enough chances to win that game so they got no one to blame but themselves.

If it's a direct, then yeah, I want Ronaldo back there taking that shot. If it's an indirect, depending on distance and angle, I want Ronaldo in the box trying to get a head, foot, thigh, chest, whatever on the ball.If Simao is taking DFKs instead of Ronaldo, that's pretty dumb, and I have no problem with him getting #####ed out for it.

 

[Sebowski]

is Simao serious?? he brushes off Deco and Ronaldo twice now to take sub-par free kicks. those two are free kick specialists and i think on the last one even Deco was calling for Ronaldo to take it. hopefully my boy Ricardo Quaresma will get some serious time in the group stage 3 match and solidify himself as the starter over Simao.

yah i don't know what Simao is thinking. Ronaldo is likely the best free kick goal scorer in the world and hes watching Simao blast the ball into the wall? If i was Scolari i'd make sure Simao doesn't take another free kick within scoring distance.Also Petit came across as a total ####er. Complaining on every foul he commits, complaining after every dive he takes that isn't called. That sort of crap makes me want to change the channel.

I'll admit I am a Ronaldo hater, but there is no way that is true.Hasn't he missed to PKs in the last two months?

 

[Sebowski]

I almost didn't watch Turkey-Swiss. Glad I did.

Great sloppy rainy game. The Turkish goalie looked like he was on a slip-and-slide on the Swiss goal.

 

[Christo]

I'm very disappointed that Chelsea missed out on Mark Hughes - congrats to City on a great hire. Very little confidence in Roman's ability to find a good manager at this point as the circus continues.

Who's still out there?

Its very hard to tell with all the rumors, offers, denials, and the crazy European football press. As of today, the names I mostly see are Scolari (done nothing at club level) and Rijkaard (could at least teach John Terry how to properly spit on an opponent). Spaletti (Roma) and Ancelotti (AC Milan) are bandied about but appear to be even less likely than the first two. My super-secret tip is Guus Hiddink, whose salary as Russian coach is already paid by Abramovich, but who will be somewhat busy this summer until Russia is eliminated from the Euro.

Well, there you go. Scolari to Chelsea

Just a few hours after his Portugal team had defeated the Czech Republic in Geneva to set up qualification for the quarter-finals of UEFA EURO 2008™, Luiz Felipe Scolari was named as the new manager of Chelsea FC – a role that the Brazilian will take up on 1 July.

Club statement

Chelsea issued a statement on Wednesday night saying: "Chelsea Football Club is delighted to confirm that Luiz Felipe Scolari will be the club's new manager from July 1, 2008." A FIFA World Cup winner with Brazil in 2002, Scolari has held the reins of the Portugal team since 2003 and led them to the final of UEFA EURO 2004™ and the last four of the 2006 World Cup. Scolari's contract was due to end at the conclusion of the EURO and the hope of Portugal fans now is he will sign off with a flourish by guiding his team to their first European crown.

'Great qualities'

Scolari, 59, will replace Avram Grant as Chelsea manager and the club's statement added: "Felipe has great qualities. He is one of the world's top coaches with a record of success at country and club level, he gets the best out of a talented squad of players and his ambitions and expectations match ours. He was the outstanding choice. Out of respect for his current role as head coach of the Portuguese national team, and to ensure minimum disruption to this work, there will be no further comment from Chelsea FC nor from Felipe about his new role until his employment with us commences."

Link

 

[The Z Machine]

Scolari has achieved so much success in international play, but nothing in the way of european club football. We'll see how he does with Chelsea. This actually makes me like the team more (which is pretty easy to do).

 

[LHUCKS]

Below is the roster for the US WC qualifier this Sunday...it's a mistake to not have Altidore on the team IMHO.

The roster: Goalkeepers: Dominic Cervi (no club), Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Tim Howard (Everton, England)Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (no club), Dan Califf (Midtjylland, Denmark), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover, Germany), Jay DeMerit (Watford, England), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard Liege, Belgium), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock, Germany)Midfielders: Freddy Adu (Benfica, Portugal), DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland), Michael Bradley (Heerenveen, Netherlands), Maurice Edu (Toronto), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Eddie Lewis (Derby, England), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado)Forwards: Brian Ching (Houston), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles), Clint Dempsey (Fulham, England), Eddie Johnson (Fulham, England)

 

[TLEF316]

Has he passed his physical for his new club yet? Might be a reason for him being left off.

 

[LHUCKS]

is Simao serious?? he brushes off Deco and Ronaldo twice now to take sub-par free kicks. those two are free kick specialists and i think on the last one even Deco was calling for Ronaldo to take it. hopefully my boy Ricardo Quaresma will get some serious time in the group stage 3 match and solidify himself as the starter over Simao.

yah i don't know what Simao is thinking. Ronaldo is likely the best free kick goal scorer in the world and hes watching Simao blast the ball into the wall? If i was Scolari i'd make sure Simao doesn't take another free kick within scoring distance.Also Petit came across as a total ####er. Complaining on every foul he commits, complaining after every dive he takes that isn't called. That sort of crap makes me want to change the channel.

I'll admit I am a Ronaldo hater, but there is no way that is true.Hasn't he missed to PKs in the last two months?

I'll probably get flamed for this but Beckham is still one of the best free kickers in the game.

 

[The Z Machine]

I'll probably get flamed for this but Beckham is still one of the best free kickers in the game.

Why would you get flamed for that? It's true. He's been at the top of the list for 10 years.When he (right footed) and Roberto Carlos (left footed) were both taking free kicks for Real Madrid... man, that was incredible.

 

[LHUCKS]

I'll probably get flamed for this but Beckham is still one of the best free kickers in the game.

Why would you get flamed for that? It's true. He's been at the top of the list for 10 years.

It's popular to rip on Becks these days.

 

[awesomeness]

If it's a direct, then yeah, I want Ronaldo back there taking that shot. If it's an indirect, depending on distance and angle, I want Ronaldo in the box trying to get a head, foot, thigh, chest, whatever on the ball.If Simao is taking DFKs instead of Ronaldo, that's pretty dumb, and I have no problem with him getting #####ed out for it.

I dont think anyone was complaining about Simao taking indirect free kicks which are too far from the goal to have a nice shot on net. I was complaining about Simao essentially demanding to take 2 free kicks from about 25 yards from net when he isn't even the 2nd best player at free kicks on his team.

I'll admit I am a Ronaldo hater, but there is no way that is true.Hasn't he missed to PKs in the last two months?

I don't really consider a penalty kick to be a free kick, but i acknowledge it could be argued. I've noticed that many flashy players aren't very good at penalty kicks because of there flashiness. No nonsense players usually shoot PK's at a very high % i think. (Excluding John Terry unfortunately).

 

[kblitz]

Watched parts of Switzerland against Turkey and real enjoyed the game. Waterbattle. IMO a draw would have been a good result. The turkish goalkeeper had a couple of moments. Beside Frei, Streller was also missing the game and it showed.

Looking forward to Croatia against Germany. Seems like everybody arroud me is just waiting for the game to start.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Turkey v. Czech Republic should be good in a few days

 

[CletiusMaximus]

I'm very disappointed that Chelsea missed out on Mark Hughes - congrats to City on a great hire. Very little confidence in Roman's ability to find a good manager at this point as the circus continues.

Who's still out there?

Its very hard to tell with all the rumors, offers, denials, and the crazy European football press. As of today, the names I mostly see are Scolari (done nothing at club level) and Rijkaard (could at least teach John Terry how to properly spit on an opponent). Spaletti (Roma) and Ancelotti (AC Milan) are bandied about but appear to be even less likely than the first two. My super-secret tip is Guus Hiddink, whose salary as Russian coach is already paid by Abramovich, but who will be somewhat busy this summer until Russia is eliminated from the Euro.

Well, there you go. Scolari to Chelsea

Just a few hours after his Portugal team had defeated the Czech Republic in Geneva to set up qualification for the quarter-finals of UEFA EURO 2008™, Luiz Felipe Scolari was named as the new manager of Chelsea FC – a role that the Brazilian will take up on 1 July.

Club statement

Chelsea issued a statement on Wednesday night saying: "Chelsea Football Club is delighted to confirm that Luiz Felipe Scolari will be the club's new manager from July 1, 2008." A FIFA World Cup winner with Brazil in 2002, Scolari has held the reins of the Portugal team since 2003 and led them to the final of UEFA EURO 2004™ and the last four of the 2006 World Cup. Scolari's contract was due to end at the conclusion of the EURO and the hope of Portugal fans now is he will sign off with a flourish by guiding his team to their first European crown.

'Great qualities'

Scolari, 59, will replace Avram Grant as Chelsea manager and the club's statement added: "Felipe has great qualities. He is one of the world's top coaches with a record of success at country and club level, he gets the best out of a talented squad of players and his ambitions and expectations match ours. He was the outstanding choice. Out of respect for his current role as head coach of the Portuguese national team, and to ensure minimum disruption to this work, there will be no further comment from Chelsea FC nor from Felipe about his new role until his employment with us commences."

Link

William Hill released its odds for the next Chelsea manager - Scolari's successor:Carlo Ancelotti is the favorite at 5/2

Guus Hiddink - 11/4

Frank Rijkaard - 11/2

Jose Mourinho - 12/1

 

[andy_b]

I'll probably get flamed for this but Beckham is still one of the best free kickers in the game.

Why would you get flamed for that? It's true. He's been at the top of the list for 10 years.

It's popular to rip on Becks these days.

not for anyone who has actually watched him play for LA or England.

 

[LHUCKS]

I'll probably get flamed for this but Beckham is still one of the best free kickers in the game.

Why would you get flamed for that? It's true. He's been at the top of the list for 10 years.

It's popular to rip on Becks these days.

not for anyone who has actually watched him play for LA or England.

I think his recent play for England is definitely changing that...a lot of the criticism seemed to be coming from across the pond prior to his "rebound."

 

[andy_b]

Below is the roster for the US WC qualifier this Sunday...it's a mistake to not have Altidore on the team IMHO.

The roster: Goalkeepers: Dominic Cervi (no club), Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Tim Howard (Everton, England)Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (no club), Dan Califf (Midtjylland, Denmark), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover, Germany), Jay DeMerit (Watford, England), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard Liege, Belgium), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock, Germany)Midfielders: Freddy Adu (Benfica, Portugal), DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland), Michael Bradley (Heerenveen, Netherlands), Maurice Edu (Toronto), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Eddie Lewis (Derby, England), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado)Forwards: Brian Ching (Houston), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles), Clint Dempsey (Fulham, England), Eddie Johnson (Fulham, England)

I see Ching's reawakening in MLS has gotten him a recall.I still fear that EJ is going to start, knock one or more in and we will be stuck with him through out qualification.Hopefully the US will not play both central midfielders too deep in this game. They need to get a result to make things easier on the return leg.

 

[Christo]

I'll probably get flamed for this but Beckham is still one of the best free kickers in the game.

Why would you get flamed for that? It's true. He's been at the top of the list for 10 years.

It's popular to rip on Becks these days.

These days? He's always been known as a one trick pony. And he was never ripped any harder than when he was sent off against Argentina in the 1998 WC.If anything it was popular in the past and has recently gone out of style.

 

[JuniorNB]

Below is the roster for the US WC qualifier this Sunday...it's a mistake to not have Altidore on the team IMHO.

The roster: Goalkeepers: Dominic Cervi (no club), Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Tim Howard (Everton, England)Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (no club), Dan Califf (Midtjylland, Denmark), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover, Germany), Jay DeMerit (Watford, England), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard Liege, Belgium), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock, Germany)Midfielders: Freddy Adu (Benfica, Portugal), DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland), Michael Bradley (Heerenveen, Netherlands), Maurice Edu (Toronto), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Eddie Lewis (Derby, England), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado)Forwards: Brian Ching (Houston), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles), Clint Dempsey (Fulham, England), Eddie Johnson (Fulham, England)

I see Ching's reawakening in MLS has gotten him a recall.I still fear that EJ is going to start, knock one or more in and we will be stuck with him through out qualification.Hopefully the US will not play both central midfielders too deep in this game. They need to get a result to make things easier on the return leg.

Is Altidore still dinged or do they really think that EJ and Ching are still better options?

 

[Desert_Power]

Below is the roster for the US WC qualifier this Sunday...it's a mistake to not have Altidore on the team IMHO.

The roster: Goalkeepers: Dominic Cervi (no club), Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Tim Howard (Everton, England)Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (no club), Dan Califf (Midtjylland, Denmark), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover, Germany), Jay DeMerit (Watford, England), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard Liege, Belgium), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock, Germany)Midfielders: Freddy Adu (Benfica, Portugal), DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland), Michael Bradley (Heerenveen, Netherlands), Maurice Edu (Toronto), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Eddie Lewis (Derby, England), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado)Forwards: Brian Ching (Houston), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles), Clint Dempsey (Fulham, England), Eddie Johnson (Fulham, England)

I see Ching's reawakening in MLS has gotten him a recall.I still fear that EJ is going to start, knock one or more in and we will be stuck with him through out qualification.Hopefully the US will not play both central midfielders too deep in this game. They need to get a result to make things easier on the return leg.

Is Altidore still dinged or do they really think that EJ and Ching are still better options?

With a manager that thinks EJ is a good option, this team is going nowhere in the World Cup

 

[LHUCKS]

If anything it was popular in the past and has recently gone out of style.

Probably true...although the European press had been critical, particularly at the time he came to america and MLS. "skills completely eroded" etc. etc.

 

[LHUCKS]

Bottom line...Altidore is going to be light years ahead of Ching or Johnson in just a few years...might as well have him on the roster from the get go to develop team chemistry. Adu appears to have made that jump from promising, to impact player after a relatively short stint with Benefica...Altidore will see the same results IMHO. These two kids have the ability/upside to take us deep in 2010 by improving what has historically been a weak spot in our lineup...now if we only had an answer in the middle.

 

[andy_b]

One thing about Altidore that people may be missing in the enthrallment of his signing, he has been playing very poorly in MLS this season. He is not in anyway on form.

That being said, he could be dead and would likely still be strong than EJ.

They can get away with a weak strike tandem in this round but by the time the next round starts up, they had better have all their best players on the field at all times.

 

[andy_b]

Bottom line...Altidore is going to be light years ahead of Ching or Johnson in just a few years...might as well have him on the roster from the get go to develop team chemistry. Adu appears to have made that jump to promising, to impact player after a relatively short stint with Benefica...Altidore will see the same results IMHO. These two kids have the ability/upside to take us deep in 2010 by improving what has historically been a weak spot in our lineup...now if we only had an answer in the middle.

this may be on the coach as much as on the players.Playing a 4-4-2 with 2 defensive midfielders in the middle is always going to make us look weak.

Bradley obviously has the goods to do more, as evidenced by knocking on 20 goals from midfield at his club side in Holland. But his dad needs to take the shackles off and stop playing scared else we are going to struggle to score against the above average sides in the world.

 

[Sammy3469]

FWIW...I think Altidore dinged his ankle on Monday in training before taking whatever physical Villareal wanted him to take.

 

[Mjolnirs]

Since I will not be able to watch the Germany game until around 8:30pm tonight I am going into a self impossed media blackout. But, before I go:

Deutschland!

Deutschland!

Deutschland!

Carry on.

 

[B Maverick]

Since I will not be able to watch the Germany game until around 8:30pm tonight I am going into a self impossed media blackout. But, before I go:

Deutschland!

Deutschland!

Deutschland!

Carry on.

DISASTER STRIKES 23 MINS IN.... 1-0 CROATIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!i know you wont see this but i am tormenting you telepathically!

 

[The Z Machine]

FWIW...I think Altidore dinged his ankle on Monday in training before taking whatever physical Villareal wanted him to take.

So it's still not final yet?Anyway, I can see him being left off at his request due to the imminent transfer to La Liga. Once that passes, I can see Altidore getting called up fairly quickly.

 

[LHUCKS]

Playing a 4-4-2 with 2 defensive midfielders in the middle is always going to make us look weak.

we're playing with defensive midfielders because that's all we've got IMHO.

 

[The Z Machine]

Since I will not be able to watch the Germany game until around 8:30pm tonight I am going into a self impossed media blackout. But, before I go:

Deutschland!

Deutschland!

Deutschland!

Carry on.

DISASTER STRIKES 23 MINS IN.... 1-0 CROATIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!i know you wont see this but i am tormenting you telepathically!

he he.Something tells me that Germany will come back.

 

[B Maverick]

Since I will not be able to watch the Germany game until around 8:30pm tonight I am going into a self impossed media blackout. But, before I go:

Deutschland!

Deutschland!

Deutschland!

Carry on.

DISASTER STRIKES 23 MINS IN.... 1-0 CROATIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!i know you wont see this but i am tormenting you telepathically!

he he.Something tells me that Germany will come back.

not if the croatian keeper keeps playing like Howard vs Argentina!!!! Damn those are some great saves!!!

 

[andy_b]

Playing a 4-4-2 with 2 defensive midfielders in the middle is always going to make us look weak.

we're playing with defensive midfielders because that's all we've got IMHO.

then please explain Bradley's success in Europe scoring so much? Donovan, Bradley, or Adu could all be used in the hole behind the strikers in a diamond midfield but that is a very offensive formation the requires a top notch holding midfielder.

 

[LHUCKS]

Playing a 4-4-2 with 2 defensive midfielders in the middle is always going to make us look weak.

we're playing with defensive midfielders because that's all we've got IMHO.

then please explain Bradley's success in Europe scoring so much?

Bradley is an enigma...probably because he's young. Kid looks lost at times in International play.

 

[prefontaine]

Playing a 4-4-2 with 2 defensive midfielders in the middle is always going to make us look weak.

we're playing with defensive midfielders because that's all we've got IMHO.

I don't think this is right. I think it's BB's style. He likes wings that attack but his middle is defensive. I don't necessarily agree with it, but that is what he is going for. Michael Bradley has looked pretty good offensively (he has a rocket of a shot) on other sides (U20, club). But whether it's a combination of playing for his father, the style, or just the level of competition, he has yet to look comfortable and plays a bit scared out there right now. Given this style, I think it is imperative that LD play and that we find a dynamic right wing (Adu?).

 

[LHUCKS]

Playing a 4-4-2 with 2 defensive midfielders in the middle is always going to make us look weak.

we're playing with defensive midfielders because that's all we've got IMHO.

I don't think this is right. I think it's BB's style. He likes wings that attack but his middle is defensive. I don't necessarily agree with it, but that is what he is going for. Michael Bradley has looked pretty good offensively (he has a rocket of a shot) on other sides (U20, club). But whether it's a combination of playing for his father, the style, or just the level of competition, he has yet to look comfortable and plays a bit scared out there right now.

He's going for that formation because that's what we've got...if we had more dynamic midfielders we wouldn't be as defensive...he's playing the cards he's dealt. Our midfielders suck.

Given this style, I think it is imperative that LD play and that we find a dynamic right wing (Adu?).

I don't like Adu on the wing...he'll never be fast enough to excel there...he excels in a forward middle position where he can better utilize his great vision and ball skills IMHO. To me Altidore would be much better on the wing than Adu.

 

[andy_b]

Playing a 4-4-2 with 2 defensive midfielders in the middle is always going to make us look weak.

we're playing with defensive midfielders because that's all we've got IMHO.

then please explain Bradley's success in Europe scoring so much?

Bradley is an enigma...probably because he's young. Kid looks lost at times in International play.

I will certainly agree that he does not have his club form at international level but hopefully you will agree that he is not being used the same tactically between club and country.He simply might not be a good holding/defensive midfielder. His skill set seems to point to a more old fashioned 2 way midfielder, kid of like Harkes was back in the 90's.