The Z Machine
Footballguy
Let's see some Colombian hotties.
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US Men's National Team (21 Viewers)
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El Floppo
Footballguy
just finished (on delay- had to put the kids to sleep).
it is truly a funny ol' game.
I thought the US looked really promising against Colombia, in spite of the loss, but obviously lacked some aggressiveness going forward- especially from the MF. the 4-3-3 really hummed and allowed them to push their agenda, even against a world class squad like Colombia. they moved the ball around well (when they weren't flubbing it) and held those top players to limited chances.
Tonight- I thought the US was actually poor, but sho-nuff, the goals went in. a credit to the 4-3-3 helping close things down in spite of players running around cluelessly, but mostly due to that CR high press and give away after give away (of course- the formation helped pick off balls too). it honestly felt like I was watching a bad college game. credit also to guys committing to getting forward and going to goal , but really which was helped by the CR giveaways leading to immediate dangerous breaks. I thought the US should have scored 3 or 4 more in that first half- especially given how poorly CR played (GK didn't exactly cover himself in glory, even if none of the goals were gimmees)
Germany was MOM followed closely by Zardoz, both of whom really shined with their incessant and quality movement on both sides of the ball. Yeah, Zardoz should have finished a few in the first half, but dammit- he really learned from LD and Keane how to move and get in dangerous spots... if he could get the first and second touch down- whammo! Thought the CBs were huge- also helped by CR after that first 10minutes where they looked like they were going to destroy us, just launching hopeful balls across instead of trying to find the seams... but credit to Caillou there for helping closing them off. he wasn't as active offensively, but he really helped seal off the danger in front of and around the box.
Bedoya and Woods (sounds like some kind of lame neo-americana emo band) both worked hard but were pretty poor, IMO- slow with their decision making and releasing the ball. saw Woods make too many runs where Dempsey was making the same run- or just not making the run at all.
wasn't jazzed by those subs... and did the US switch to a 4-4-2 or just drop deeper in the second half? didn't like that all- would have preferred to keep the pressure on- safely- and then bring the guys in who are going to make a difference down the road (in the tourney and beyond). ####### wondo, zusi and bex? wtf. at least JK wasn't responsible for subbing Campbell- what happened there? was he injured?
finally- I was literally screaming at the TV most of the game... "SHOW THE ####### GAME". don't need to see a replay of a wildly missed shot 3 times while the play is in action. don't need to see close-up after closeup of the CR coach. or JK. or facepainted people in the stands calling people on their cell phones. or Campbell. or anybody. SHOW THE ####### GAME. very curious how the production works- is it a local group of monkeys (untrained), or does FOX send a crew (also untrained)? JFC. it's not rocket surgery- SHOW THE ####### GAME.
it is truly a funny ol' game.
I thought the US looked really promising against Colombia, in spite of the loss, but obviously lacked some aggressiveness going forward- especially from the MF. the 4-3-3 really hummed and allowed them to push their agenda, even against a world class squad like Colombia. they moved the ball around well (when they weren't flubbing it) and held those top players to limited chances.
Tonight- I thought the US was actually poor, but sho-nuff, the goals went in. a credit to the 4-3-3 helping close things down in spite of players running around cluelessly, but mostly due to that CR high press and give away after give away (of course- the formation helped pick off balls too). it honestly felt like I was watching a bad college game. credit also to guys committing to getting forward and going to goal , but really which was helped by the CR giveaways leading to immediate dangerous breaks. I thought the US should have scored 3 or 4 more in that first half- especially given how poorly CR played (GK didn't exactly cover himself in glory, even if none of the goals were gimmees)
Germany was MOM followed closely by Zardoz, both of whom really shined with their incessant and quality movement on both sides of the ball. Yeah, Zardoz should have finished a few in the first half, but dammit- he really learned from LD and Keane how to move and get in dangerous spots... if he could get the first and second touch down- whammo! Thought the CBs were huge- also helped by CR after that first 10minutes where they looked like they were going to destroy us, just launching hopeful balls across instead of trying to find the seams... but credit to Caillou there for helping closing them off. he wasn't as active offensively, but he really helped seal off the danger in front of and around the box.
Bedoya and Woods (sounds like some kind of lame neo-americana emo band) both worked hard but were pretty poor, IMO- slow with their decision making and releasing the ball. saw Woods make too many runs where Dempsey was making the same run- or just not making the run at all.
wasn't jazzed by those subs... and did the US switch to a 4-4-2 or just drop deeper in the second half? didn't like that all- would have preferred to keep the pressure on- safely- and then bring the guys in who are going to make a difference down the road (in the tourney and beyond). ####### wondo, zusi and bex? wtf. at least JK wasn't responsible for subbing Campbell- what happened there? was he injured?
finally- I was literally screaming at the TV most of the game... "SHOW THE ####### GAME". don't need to see a replay of a wildly missed shot 3 times while the play is in action. don't need to see close-up after closeup of the CR coach. or JK. or facepainted people in the stands calling people on their cell phones. or Campbell. or anybody. SHOW THE ####### GAME. very curious how the production works- is it a local group of monkeys (untrained), or does FOX send a crew (also untrained)? JFC. it's not rocket surgery- SHOW THE ####### GAME.
El Floppo
Footballguy
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
I am not totally sure but I don't think these cameramen/directors are either Fox or Univision. Typically there is one camera crew assigned by the federation and then the feed is sent all over the world where each country then adds their own commentary.
El Floppo
Footballguy
it's not the camera men- it's the production team and specifically the director in the truck picking which camera to show. that's the crew that should be strung up.
eta: and again- I don't listen to the feed, so I don't care who's calling it. BUT SHOW THE ####### GAME
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NewlyRetired
Footballguy
I agree, that is why I also said "directors" in my post you quoted.
The unusually long takes on pretty girls in the stands makes it feel like a CONMEBOL crew but I am just guessing.
El Floppo
Footballguy
missed the "directors" part- mistakenly stopped at cameramen.
funny- I was fuming all game- equal parts poor play on the US and game TV production.
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
I think we'd have all signed up for "Draw in Philly vs Paraguay and you're into the Q-finals of the Copa." Oddsmakers have the chances of a US win or draw just shy of 2/3rds.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
This Paraguay team is dangerous. They could easily be winning this game. So many near goals.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
damn, what a goal. Great game
Ted Lange as your Bartender
Footballguy
Red for Romero - good news for the US
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
We can't complain about not getting any breaks in this tournament. Everything is going our way for once.
Sand
Footballguy
No joke. That was a rocket/sinker. Best goal I've seen so far.
Cracking game, too. Pretty wide open and thoroughly entertaining.
El Floppo
Footballguy
Colombia are kind of a hot mess tactically. Ability to attack is obviously there, as is their ability to get opened up. Reminds me of what brazil used to be.
Paraguay looked good until I fell asleep in the second half. Sounds like they got even better... I missed the goal. Was Romeros red deserved? That kid was scary good... plus he rocks aged 15 floppo-do.
Paraguay looked good until I fell asleep in the second half. Sounds like they got even better... I missed the goal. Was Romeros red deserved? That kid was scary good... plus he rocks aged 15 floppo-do.
Ned
Footballguy
I want to be critical, but I'm not going to complain on a 4-0 win.
I was thrilled to see Jones playing so inspired - really made up for his #### game on Friday. I hope he didn't shoot his load for the tournament.
I agree that Zardes played very well. He could've been dominant if he had any sort of touch.
Yedlin lefty. Good god man, my kids have a better left foot. I really didn't like how he laughed it off like it was no big deal. WTF man, you're a national level player. You shouldn't be laughing off such a simple technique.
Brooks was a rock back there - he did get burnt on that one set piece where he lost his man, but otherwise he was excellent all night long.
I was thrilled to see Jones playing so inspired - really made up for his #### game on Friday. I hope he didn't shoot his load for the tournament.
I agree that Zardes played very well. He could've been dominant if he had any sort of touch.
Yedlin lefty. Good god man, my kids have a better left foot. I really didn't like how he laughed it off like it was no big deal. WTF man, you're a national level player. You shouldn't be laughing off such a simple technique.Brooks was a rock back there - he did get burnt on that one set piece where he lost his man, but otherwise he was excellent all night long.
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
So a win Saturday sees us through; a win coupled with a Colombia loss wins us the group.
A draw and we're through provided Costa Rica doesn't beat Colombia by 6 and also scores 5 more goals than we do on Saturday.
A loss and we're out.
I have this right based on the tiebreakers?
A draw and we're through provided Costa Rica doesn't beat Colombia by 6 and also scores 5 more goals than we do on Saturday.
A loss and we're out.
I have this right based on the tiebreakers?
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
Yes EG, that's what I've seen elsewhere. Unfortunately, a loss is a very real possibility against Paraguay. Can someone cipher what they are playing for? It seems to me if Paraguay beats the US, Paraguay is through with 4 points unless CRC wins big, right? Bad news imo, but makes for a fun Saturday.
AAABatteries
Footballguy
I think we can't take Paraguay lightly but I like that they have to attack us. I think it will open things up for us.
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
USA 45 (29) 27 Paraguay, per Oddschecker.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Here is every possible scenario
USA win over Paraguay, Colombia loss to Costa Rica: USA wins group (with 6 points and GD of at least +3), Colombia advances in second place (with 6 points and GD of at most +2).
USA win over Paraguay, Colombia win over or draw with Costa Rica: Colombia wins group (with at least 7 points), USA advances in second place (with 6 points).
USA draw with Paraguay, Colombia win over or draw with or loss by 5 goals or less to Costa Rica: Colombia wins group (with at least 6 points), USA advances in second place (with 4 points and a +2 GD), Costa Rica eliminated (with at most 4 points and GD of at most +1).
USA draw with Paraguay, Colombia loses by 6 goals to Costa Rica: Colombia wins group (with 6 points), USA or Costa Rica advances in second place (with 4 points and a +2 GD), depending on goals-scored tiebreaker (if even in goals scored, USA advances on head-to-head tiebreaker).
USA draw with Paraguay, Colombia loses by 7 or more goals to Costa Rica: Colombia wins group (with 6 points), Costa Rica advances in second place (with 4 points and GD of at least +3), USA eliminated (with 4 points and a +2 GD).
USA loss to Paraguay: Colombia wins group, Costa Rica or Paraguay advances in second place (with 4 points), USA eliminated (with 3 points).
El Floppo
Footballguy
the Paraguay team is certainly capable of beating the US. and yeah- the US isn't exactly a poster-child for consistency.
that said... since this 4-3-3, they have been pretty consistent as a team. the individuals- yeah- one play the touch is golden, the next it's klanging into the upper deck. but the team has shown really good shape on both sides of the ball the last 3 games. and I mentioned upthread that Colombia has been a hot mess tactically- the US was able to get at them pretty well, even without being too agressive going forward, and obviously Paraguay was as well- mostly through skill more than team shape. I guess I'm saying that looking good offensively against Colombia isn't as much of a positive as I had thought coming in to the Copa- they're a mess.
if Jones, Bradley, Bedoya and Zardes can keep up the workrate (another reason I didn't like the subs yesterday- thought Jones and Zardes needed some rest for next game) and the US can keep holding that shape in the 4-3-3, they're more than capable of taking Paraguay. I think you have to look at the CR game as a better indication of what Paraguay will do vs the US than the more wide-open Colombia game. skillful players capable of breaking a defender down, but remains to be seen if they can break down a compact, organized defense.
El Floppo
Footballguy
yeah- Brooks and Cam were both really solid- and it helped that CR kept playing to their strength in the air... but both of them- especially Brooks- got stuck in on timely challenges. for that matter, Fabw as really good too. Yedlin had some shaky moments getting caught behind, but *surprise* used his speed to compensate.I want to be critical, but I'm not going to complain on a 4-0 win.
I was thrilled to see Jones playing so inspired - really made up for his #### game on Friday. I hope he didn't shoot his load for the tournament.
I agree that Zardes played very well. He could've been dominant if he had any sort of touch.
Brooks was a rock back there - he did get burnt on that one set piece where he lost his man, but otherwise he was excellent all night long.
that mis-hit left by yedlin... in the 93rd minute after sprinting up and down the sideline and then smiling after shanking it with his off-foot in the dying seconds of a lopsided game.... I don't mind the laugh. I would have preferred to see him nail it- because the build-up leading to it was fantastic and deserving of better... but
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
That was not the play that was concerning to me. It was the completing botched left footed clearance that he popped up into his own area early in the first half when it was still a game.that mis-hit left by yedlin... in the 93rd minute after sprinting up and down the sideline and then smiling after shanking it with his off-foot in the dying seconds of a lopsided game.... I don't mind the laugh. I would have preferred to see him nail it- because the build-up leading to it was fantastic and deserving of better... but
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
That is correct. Paraguays path is fairly clear since they hold a 3 GD over CR.
We play first so Paraguay won't be scoreboard watching either. They simply have to beat the US by any score any they are most likely through.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
I did not get to see the CR Paraguay game but I did watch the entire Colombia Para game and came away very impressed.
Colombia did the exact same thing to Paraguay they did to us which was get up 2-0 and then compact themselves and counter.
The big difference being while we could not break Colombia down, Paraguay broke them down time and again.
Paraguay hit the post twice, forced 3 world class saves, had a goal called back on a very close offside call, and had a PK not called which should have been according to Dr Joe.
They seemed especially dangerous on central free kicks.
Colombia did the exact same thing to Paraguay they did to us which was get up 2-0 and then compact themselves and counter.
The big difference being while we could not break Colombia down, Paraguay broke them down time and again.
Paraguay hit the post twice, forced 3 world class saves, had a goal called back on a very close offside call, and had a PK not called which should have been according to Dr Joe.
They seemed especially dangerous on central free kicks.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
And another thing we did not mention, I thought the early injury sub for CR where they had to bring in Saborio for Urmena really hurt them. Our CB's dominated Saborio the entire game and so many attacks died with passes to him.
I mentioned earlier that we have received a lot of good fortune so far and I hope that the scales do not balance out in the last game in terms of injuries/cards etc.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
This tournament has nothing to do with the WC.
To get in the WC the US engages in a qualification process with the other teams in its region. There are two rounds to go (one of the rounds is almost complete and the US should easily advance to the last round).
The last round will consist of 6 teams and the top 3 advance automatically to the WC and the 4th place team goes into a playoff against a team from another region.
The only team that automatically qualifies for the WC is the host country (in this up coming case that will be Russia).
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El Floppo
Footballguy
it's a long qualifying process in several parts.
they are in a group with world shaking titans St Vincent & Grenadines, Guatemala and Trinidad & Tobago.... and currently sitting in second place behind T&T and 1 point (the value of a tie, 3 for a win) ahead of Guat. they have two more games- T&T and StV. They need to stay ahead of Guatemala to advnace to the next round. winning both games would do that, but aren't required.
the next round is called "the hex"... or might be changed as it's always changing. the top 2 teams from each of the previous qualifying groups (there are 3 groups) meet and go through playing eachother twice over the course of a year or so- home and away. top 3 teams automatically qualify for the world cup. 4th place team goes into a playoff against a team from somewhere else in the world.
for what it's worth, away games in our region (N America, Central America and the Caribbean)- even against these minnows- are brutal: bad fields, questionable reffing, stifling humidity and heat, insane fans throwing all manner of crap onto the field and bench and even partying all night outside the US hotel the night before games.... all with the country entirely behind them routing against super-power US.
roadkill1292
Footballguy
Belongs in one of the other threads perhaps but has anyone looked at the current CONMEBOL WC standings? A third of the way through and Brazil is in sixth place, which is o doubbaya tee out. I can only assume that they've played a tougher earlier schedule? Uruguay and Ecuador are tied atop the table.
El Floppo
Footballguy
not comparing the US offense v Colombia... but Dempsey had one saved off the line, one brilliantly saved off the direct kick and one shot narrowly miss the upper left v. not like the US was pounding down the door- but the chances were there, and that was on a night with the players looking scared to get forward.
El Floppo
Footballguy
El Floppo
Footballguy
totally true- forgot about that.
has there been any further news about why Campbell came out? best player on the field going forward with the team down goals... did they just give up and want to save him for Colombia?
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
Yeah, agreed. I'm assuming Colombia will beat or at the very least draw with Costa Rica, even if they sit James and others. If they do so, they win the group and the US/Paraguay game is essentially a play in game.
Sammy3469
Footballguy
So I fired up the old Copa website and they have the most frequent passes the past game. He's pretty central to what they like to do (they like to start left in the back, feed through the middle who switches it out right to him. Seems like a pretty big loss to their overall tactics.
El Floppo
Footballguy
for you- anything.
fwiw- the next two WCQ games for the US are in early September. IIRC, home to T&T and away to St V.
added bonus- StV is where they filmed a lot of the Pirates of the Caribbean. and where I spent millenium new years' day, after getting rowed to our "resort" by a drug dealer in ####ty rowboat.
eta: ####ty rowboat, but pretty good weed.
... I'm told.
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El Floppo
Footballguy
interesting. definitlely noticed him around the ball a lot in that first game- but thought it was more defensively. no wonder they looked so disjointed.
El Floppo
Footballguy
totally agree.
that US v Paraguay is copa-defining for this US team, IMO- regardless of what they do later if they can get the point out of it.
Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
Paraguay fought their asses off against Colombia, but I think that might be good for the US. Paraguay played Costa Rica in the heat in Orlando. They then flew all the way across the country to the Rose Bowl and ran their socks off versus Colombia. Now they fly all the way across the country again to Philly and play the US (whose travel schedule has been a more reasonable Santa Clara to Chicago to Philly) on three days rest.
Paraguay will be highly motivated and will know they need to win, but if the US can get a counter goal, I'm not sure how long Paraguay will be able to huff and puff. FWIW, I think Costa Rica showed great professionalism with their workrate in the second half against the US. Most teams would have come out smoking in the half, but would have probably just given up if they hadn't gotten a goal back by the 70th minutes. Costa Rica kept working until the fourth goal.
Paraguay will be highly motivated and will know they need to win, but if the US can get a counter goal, I'm not sure how long Paraguay will be able to huff and puff. FWIW, I think Costa Rica showed great professionalism with their workrate in the second half against the US. Most teams would have come out smoking in the half, but would have probably just given up if they hadn't gotten a goal back by the 70th minutes. Costa Rica kept working until the fourth goal.
El Floppo
Footballguy
wow- didn't know about that travel schedule. that completely blows for them.
kind of agree about CR- although it seemed like the US changed their formation to a 4-4-2? and invited CR to attack, ceding a lot of MF possession. but definitely credit to them for working hard AND not turning it into a ####-show of douchebaggery and hackery.
Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
US did move to the 4-4-2 shortly before Wood's goal before halftime. I know you don't listen to the announcers, but Holden picked up on it right away.
Sammy3469
Footballguy
Holden needs some work, but he can definitely pick up on tactical changes/matchups quickly and point them out in a way that makes sense.
He was also on Wood in the middle as soon as he scored the goal.
