Moderators: jcmanson, Sly Fox, BuryYourDuke
I think we get out of the group but not much further.
ALUmnus wrote:When you look at the players left off of Brazil's squad, it makes you want to cry. Sure, a lot of them are past their prime, but they would be difference makers on just about any other team.I don't understand why Ronaldinho didn't make the squad. I know there was speculation that he'd be left off but it doesn't seem to be the best move.
LUnpretty11 wrote:PH, your BJ skills impress me.
LUconn wrote:I don't follow Europe very closely, or at all really, but I've read that Ronaldinho has really been garbage the past 2 or 3 years.+1
Sly Fox wrote:What a bunch of Debbie Downers. This is like spring training ... if hope can't spring now then when can it ever? Realism can wait until the summer.The reason people aren't the most excited is the recent results of the team Since the Confed. Cup. There really has no progression. I think the US will make it out of the group stage. Also, they have the capability of winning the first elimination game, but with that game most likely being against Germany I'm not convinced we could make it to the round of 16.
Count me among those who want to believe that last summer may have been our first step toward our elevation on the global stage.
BJWilliams wrote:No we arent talking about keeping it on the "down low", we are moving now to the boys who simply are tasked with stopping the OTHER team from scoring,
BJWilliams wrote:I like our chances to make it out of group play. England is probably the one match I would not be surprised if we lost. If we won that one and went undefeated in group play, the confidence that they build from winning that match could go over into the knockout stage. Maybe we wont have a run like we almost did in 1994 but I dont think we are going to end up like we did in 2002Wasn't 2002 like in S.Korea/Japan where we did sort of well?
PAmedic wrote:you're absolutely right
NG33 wrote: It all depends on our style of play. Hunker-down, Long-Ball style of play will not get us anywhere in the WC. The US needs to play more of a free-flowing game with emphasis on making counter-attacks (especially with an aggressive team like England). Anyways, there's my two cents.What you say is probably true. But it makes me wonder if you have ever the the US play soccer before. Especially with Bradley running the show. I don't think I've ever seen the US play in a style other than "kick it as far away from our goal as possible and cross your fingers for a good opportunity to score".
LUconn wrote: What you say is probably true. But it makes me wonder if you have ever the the US play soccer before. Especially with Bradley running the show. I don't think I've ever seen the US play in a style other than "kick it as far away from our goal as possible and cross your fingers for a good opportunity to score".Haha yes I watch US soccer matches whenever I can, and for 99% of the time the US is all about long ball and trying to score on set pieces. However, as evidenced by the games against Egypt, Spain, Brazil (1st Half), Netherlands (last 20 mins) whenever the US decides to play more freely they are deadly. At those times the US didn't rely on set pieces but they actually tried to dictate the style of play. The games against Turkey, Czech Rep, and Australia are going to be a good litmus test for the US. I think now since Davies isn't playing that we may see Dempsey move up as a second striker (ala the latter half of the Confed Cup) and the US play a more aggressive style of soccer. Maybe that's just wishful thinking, but we shall see.
BJWilliams wrote:No we arent talking about keeping it on the "down low", we are moving now to the boys who simply are tasked with stopping the OTHER team from scoring,
BJWilliams wrote:No we arent talking about keeping it on the "down low", we are moving now to the boys who simply are tasked with stopping the OTHER team from scoring,
ALUmnus wrote:I might plug in Spector on defense, and the coach seems to like having Beasley coming in off the bench, and I think would like to have Holden on the field if he's healthy.I've never understood that. We need all the speed we can get on the field. Beasley is instant offense.
Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa, England), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton, England), Tim Howard (Everton, England).Biggest surprise? No Brian Ching. He's about the only guy who looked decent last night.
Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes, France), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover, Germany), Jay DeMerit (Watford, England), Clarence Goodson (IK Start, Norway), Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan, Italy), Jonathan Spector (West Ham, England).
Midfielders: DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland), Michael Bradley (Borussia Moenchengladbach, Germany), Ricardo Clark (Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany), Clint Dempsey (Fulham, England), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles), Maurice Edu (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland), Benny Feilhaber (AGF Aarhus, Denmark), Stuart Holden (Bolton, England), Jose Torres (Pachuca, Mexico).
Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Hull, England), Edson Buddle (Los Angeles), Robbie Findley (Salt Lake), Herculez Gomez (Puebla, Mexico).
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