A Sea Of Red

We're about a month away. Charlie Davies did not make the roster I think we get out of the group but not much further.

we get out of the group. but if we win another after that i'll be stoked.

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'm not convinced we get out of the group. I think we can. I think we should. I don't know that we will.

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.

Bummer about Davies. That just stinks for him.

We got really lucky in the Confed. Cup last year. My hopes are high, but I'm expecting a pretty serious let-down. I'll be surprised if we get out of the group.

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.

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

Brazil is overhyped. I won't be surprised if the U.S. doesnt make it out. The game againt England is going to be rough.

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.

Count me among those who want to believe that last summer may have been our first step toward our elevation on the global stage.

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.

Count me among those who want to believe that last summer may have been our first step toward our elevation on the global stage.

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.

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.

Don't get me wrong. I'm completely stoked for the WC! I can't wait to hear the Star Spangled Banner sung by a bunch of crazy guys wearing Uncle Sam outfits.

I am also a Cubs fan. I don't think I have to explain it any more than that.

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 2002

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 2002

Wasn't 2002 like in S.Korea/Japan where we did sort of well?

That may be...I might have confused that with another year when we went 0-3 in group play. Im not feeling well so Im getting things mixed up

Huge blow to Germany, Michael Ballack will miss the World Cup with an ankle injury.

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".

That's because this is how we've always developed our players, and the only way youth coaches know how to play. We just lack the players with the skill-sets and creativity to play a winning style of soccer.

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.

We don't have enough up front this year. Hopefully Bradley realizes that and runs something like a 4-2-3-1. It won't be popular though - Ching is a better back to the goal striker than Altidore and might challenge for that spot. We have a good deal of talent in our midfield...defense won't be very deep but that's all right.

Here's the lineup as I see it

GK - Howard
DL - Bocanegra
DC - Marshall
DC - Onyewu
DR - Cherundo
DM - Bradley
DM - Edu
AM L - Beasley/Kijestan sub
AM C - Conovan
AM R - Dempsey
ST - Altidore/Ching sub

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 would like to see a 4-3-2-1 (or a 4-5-1 depending on how you look at it) because we have a lot of productive midfielders, but no place to put them in a 4-4-2
What I want to see:
4-3-2-1
GK: Howard
LB: Boca
CD: Demerit
CD: Gooch
RB: Spector
LM: Beasley
CDM: Bradley
RM: Holden
LCAM (aka does what they want on the field):Donovan
RCAM (ditto): Dempsey
ST: Altidore

What I think we will see:
4-4-2
GK:Howard
LB: Boca
CD: Demerit
CD: Gooch
RB: Spector/ Cherundolo
LM: Donovan
CM: Bradley
CM: Edu/Clark
RM: Holden
Trailing ST: Dempsey
Holding ST: Altidore

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).

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).

Biggest surprise? No Brian Ching. He's about the only guy who looked decent last night.

Disappointed Brian didn't make the roster as well. But I think he sensed this was coming. He has never taken wearing the USA colors for granted. Glad to see Stu make it though.

Just looking at our options at forward makes my cry. When are we going to produce a world-class striker?