US National Team faces off Against HATED Rival Mexico on WEDNESDAY at 9 pm on ESPN2

[carolinathru&thru]

Should be a good one. The US has beaten Mexico in their last few meetings. The last time that US played Mexico in a friendly, they played in front of a sold out crowd of 66,000 in Phoenix. The last time that the US played Mexico was in the Gold Cup final (tournament of of North America, Central America, and the Carribean) in which the US won 2-1.


I've been looking forward to this game for a while now. Let's hope the Nats can kill those posers from below the border once again :thumbsup:


Here's an article pertaining to the game:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=505040&root=us&cc=5901

[CaptainCrunch]

go usa, but not going to lie i won't watch a second of it with recruiting stuff and the unc-duke game on

[IHateOrange]

I forgot all about this game. thanks for the reminder.

[PikeyGamecock]

Yeah, thanks for the reminder. Kind of a lesser known rivalry. True fans of the Mexican national team have a real hatred for the U.S. Team.

[carolinathru&thru]

Yeah, thanks for the reminder. Kind of a lesser known rivalry. True fans of the Mexican national team have a real hatred for the U.S. Team.

And VICE VERSA!!!

[SangareeCrew]

Unfortunately, I will have to DVR this game.........I will watch it........but it's the same time as Duke/UNC!

[ClemU912]

I am PUUUUMPED about this game!!!!!1

[bhall]

Screw Duke/UNC...this is our USMNT team against our biggest rival!!! To Hell with Mexico!!!!

Let's go Yanks!!!!! 3-1 Nats

[64-37-4?]

i can hear it now...GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL LLL LLL LLLL LLLLLLL LLLL

[gvillegmck]

demps is going to do work on mexico

[Gamecock_Aholic]

well go us! boooo them dirty mexicans!!

[carolinathru&thru]

Gameday!

[Spurrier_Superior_One]

Duke and UNC is a better watch.

[SNEEZ]

so don't comment if you won't watch it.

GOOOOO USA!!!!

screw unc duke, overpayed collegians who cry when they win...boohoo

[PikeyGamecock]

Are all of our starters that play in Europe going to be here for this one? Dempsey, Beasly, etc?

[carolinathru&thru]

Are all of our starters that play in Europe going to be here for this one? Dempsey, Beasly, etc?

I'm 99.9% sure that the answer is yes.

[IHateOrange]

I can't find the whole roster right now, but 12 of the US players playing tonight play on European Club teams.

[carolinathru&thru]

2 hours and 10 minutes til gametime. I'm so PUMPED!!!

[bhall]

I'm goin to a local Mexican bar/restaurant with my best friend to watch it.

I hope we wipe the floor with Los Bastardos!!!!

[carolinathru&thru]

I'm goin to a local Mexican bar/restaurant with my best friend to watch it.



Try not to start a brawl. :lol:

Although I'm not saying that I would discourage it.......

[go_carolina_528]

Go USA!!!!!

[carolinathru&thru]

Almost Gametime

[carolinathru&thru]

I love how Dempsey has gotten to be almost as recognizable/the face of US Soccer as Donovan (not that I don't like Donovan). The announcer on the lead-in didn't say Donovan and Company, he said Dempsey and company. Just nice to see another American worthy of that lead-in.

[carolinathru&thru]

HAHAHAHA! I'm laughing so hard at Pedro Gomez.

[carolinathru&thru]

Crap. I forgot that DaMarcus Beasley was injured :thumbs:

[carolinathru&thru]

GREAT Crowd on Hand.

[ClemU912]

Gametime Boys!!!!!

[carolinathru&thru]

We need to get it together. Mexico's controlling possession right now.

[carolinathru&thru]

Corner!!!!! Nice play by donovan

[carolinathru&thru]

Can I get a Hand ball!!!!???

[kick_ball]

GOAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!

[carolinathru&thru]

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLL!!!! !!!!!


1-0 USA!!!!!!!

[horseshoefootball]

GOOOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

[ClemU912]

GOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLLAAAAAASSSSSSSOOOOOO

[Gearhead]

keep us up to date on the score CTT....Duke leading NC by 3 at the half..

[carolinathru&thru]

What a KOOKY Goal!!!!

[Gearhead]

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLL

[kick_ball]

that was sickkkk

[PikeyGamecock]

Sick header by Onyewu, just sick.

[ClemU912]

From the camera angle i couldn't even tell it was going in.

[PikeyGamecock]

Michael Bradley is playing pretty stout in the middle.

[garnet812]

dammit

[carolinathru&thru]

WHAT!!!!!!!!!!???

it didn't even look like a goal!

[PikeyGamecock]

1-1. gah

[kick_ball]

crap

[ClemU912]

In the words of Chris Farley, "OHHH MY FREAKING GUUOOSH"

[PikeyGamecock]

Nice reach by Howard

[kick_ball]

In the words of Chris Farley, "OHHH MY FREAKING GUUOOSH"


:lol:

[PikeyGamecock]

Cheap tackle. Enjoy your yellow card

[ClemU912]

ALLLLLLTIIIIIDOOOORE

[garnet812]

Altidore!!

[PikeyGamecock]

Altidore GOOAAAAALLLLLLL

[kick_ball]

goooooallll

[PhillyCock]

beauty

[carolinathru&thru]

The FUTURE of US Soccer right there. What a goal!!!!

[carolinathru&thru]

2-1 USA

What a SAVE by Howard!

[garnet812]

3-1 Dempsey!! Wow

Edit: WTF

[PikeyGamecock]

DEMPSEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ClemU912]

DEEEEEEEEEMPSSSSEEEEEY brilliant.

[PikeyGamecock]

waived it off, bahhh

[ClemU912]

WHHHHHHHHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!

[carolinathru&thru]

What?!!!!

[kick_ball]

??

[carolinathru&thru]

Why was it called back!!!???

That's BULLCRAP!!!!

[PikeyGamecock]

Just showed a replay. Didn't see a foul or offsides...wtf

[kick_ball]

boooo

[carolinathru&thru]

I have never seen such a horrible call in my life!

[ClemU912]

But really how about that Altidore goal. The future

[carolinathru&thru]

Yellow Card for that!!!!???

Send the ref back to Mexico!

[PikeyGamecock]

Bradley is a bulldog. Loving what I am seeing from the young guys. Should be 3-1, but considering we got dominated on posession, i'll take a one goal lead at the half.

[carolinathru&thru]

I still can't get over the fact that we should be up 3-1 right now!!!

[ClemU912]

Well the ref does look like Hugo Sanchez's brother...

[Regalcock]

At rhe half the coach said they called offside on the goal???? That is blatant cheating call!!!


:-x:-x:-x

[carolinathru&thru]

F***!!!!!

[PikeyGamecock]

2-2, wtf who was covering the back post?

[ClemU912]

dang

[carolinathru&thru]

TOO MANY MISTAKES on D!!!

[thewerrz]

How come Dempsey didn't do the crip?, like he did in the 06 WC..

[ClemU912]

Pick it up D...Pick it up USA!!!!

[carolinathru&thru]

MISTAKE!!!!

[carolinathru&thru]

WOW!!!! WE JUST DODGED A BULLET!

[carolinathru&thru]

Come on guys. Pick it up! Get some possession!

Chance, after chance, after chance Mexico!!!

[gamecockfinatic2007]

WTF?! are we doing tied with Mexico. I just turned the game on what the deal with our boys tonight?

[carolinathru&thru]

WTF?! are we doing tied with Mexico. I just turned the game on what the deal with our boys tonight?

We should be up 3-2, but a BS call caused the ref to call back a goal.

Mexico's been CONTROLLING (totally) possession here in the 2nd half. Our boys need to pick it up if they want the W.

[ClemU912]

It is getting ridiculous out there.

[carolinathru&thru]

They're starting to look like a bunch of retards trying to hump a door knob!!!

(pts. to anyone who recognizes that reference)

[gamecockfinatic2007]

is that dodgeball...
i love that movie.

[gamecockfinatic2007]

and yeah they do.they look like a highschool team out there.

900 posts....comin close to 1 g.

[ClemU912]

and yeah they do.they look like a highschool team out there.




We do have two teenagers out there.

[gamecockfinatic2007]

lmao.this is true....but damn i wish i had half the talent as some of the guys on this team.

whos the smokin hot chick in the sig?

[ClemU912]

That would be Elizabeth Hurley. She was in one of the Austin Powers movies and Bedazzled. She's beautiful but its the English accent that gets you!

[gamecockfinatic2007]

ill pass on an english accent.i like my southern women.but yeah shes hot.

[ClemU912]

I feel ya man.

[carolinathru&thru]

is that dodgeball...
i love that movie.

You are correct sir!

pts. coming your way!

[gamecockfinatic2007]

ha.wow cant believe i got that right.but damn woopy.kinda makes my night.ive been studyin for a poly sci honors exam tomorrow for 5 hours.

granted the past 3 have been a waste thanks to my friend Bud.

[carolinathru&thru]

Besides that flick to Gooch, Landon's been somewhat nonexistant this entire game.

[PikeyGamecock]

I'm sorry if i am offending someone by Freddy Adu is just too small and too slow everytime I watch him in games other than MLS. He gets pushed around like its his job

[carolinathru&thru]

I'm sorry if i am offending someone by Freddy Adu is just too small and too slow everytime I watch him in games other than MLS. He gets pushed around like its his job

He's scored some goals for Benfica in the Portugese league and has performed well in the Champions League..... If that's any consolation.......

He's improved a lot in the past year, IMO. Remember, he's only 18 years old. I think too many people are too quick to write him off. I think that Altidore is going to be an overall better player. BUT, I think Freddy Adu is going to be good for us,too.

I also think that he's performed well in his past few USMNT mathces (besides this one). He performed very well in that Swiss match back in October.

I agree with you to a certain extent. But, he has improved a lot.

[ClemU912]

He might have just gotten us the free kick to give us the winning goal!!!!

[Gearhead]

alright you bastards have got me watching soccer now!!! go usa

[ClemU912]

Well.....Nevermind

[Gearhead]

Alright I'm just watching this but no OT?

[carolinathru&thru]

Damn it!!! A draw!?

Though MExico dominated possession there for a few stints, we should've won this game.

I don't think that either team is going to be happy with this result. Both sides probably feel as if they should've won.

[carolinathru&thru]

Alright I'm just watching this but no OT?

Not in an Exhibition match :thumbs:

After watching soccer for a while, you get used to ties (even if you don't like the result.....)

[ClemU912]

Next stop... Europe

[carolinathru&thru]

Next stop... Europe


Yeah. I guess we do play Spain next.....

That should be an interesting game. Spain's on a 13 game winning streak. Maybe we can be the first to take them down!

[Regalcock]

This is why America will never truly love soccer...ties suck.

English accents are sexy as hell unless you are listening to Britney.lol Give me Liz Hurley anyday.

Our guys were sucking air in the second half. We were kinda lucky to get a draw, except for the ludricous call taking a goal away.

[ClemU912]

Yeah. I guess we do play Spain next.....

That should be an interesting game. Spain's on a 13 game winning streak. Maybe we can be the first to take them down!


I think we have Poland before them. Unless something has been changed.

[kick_ball]

once again....booo

[mickeyrivers]

corrales and moor... thanks for coming out, but you guys blow. i don't want to see either of them play for the usa again. can we really not find anyone to play in the back besides those two? terrible. where were guys like simmek, demerit, bornstein, hejduck(sp?), spector, etc?

the officiating i thought was an embarrassment all game. i don't think i have to go incident by incident. we all saw it. the one thing i would like to point out, probably the worst call in a night full of god-awful calls, was the corner that led to the second goal. did bocanegra not play the ball off the mexican player? i mean that's what it looked like to me, clearly. he casually just kicked it off the mexican player who was laying down at the time. i don't understand how they got a corner out of that.

altidore... is a beast! might as well pencil him in up top for us for the next decade or so. i don't remember the last time we had a player who looked as dangerous in the box as altidore.

some other good things tonight too, but those were the main things.

i love the intensity of the games with mexico but at the same time i hate playing them. they are so effing dirty, and it seems like we always get dumped on by refs when we play them. they have some useful players on their roster though i will say. that fat guy with the bleached hair and the sleeve of someone hanes t-shirt wrapped around his head did some good things.

[2000grad]

The bottom line is that it's not a matter of talent or ability. America has some very good players. The problem is with the training. We teach them to rush down the field as fast as they can. You run out of steam the 2nd half doing that. They need to play a more controlled, possession oriented game plan. All these quikc flicks and long balls, etc. are so easily defended. Either the defense stays high with an offside trap, or they just stay back and run on to the ball and clear it. they need to build the attack out of the back and use penetrating passes. Less hard running, more movement off the ball, and save that energy for the 2nd half!

[USC-Hokie]

Why was donovan playing on a wing? He needs to either be a striker or a center midfielder, I liked Ricardo Clark, but Bradley looked terrible. Landon is too good to be putting him on the flank. In other news, though a Clemson product, Onyewu is a stud.

[SNEEZ]

I noticed a number of things.

THE YOUTH IS NOT DEVELOPING KNOWLEDGE OF THE GAME!
The exeption is Jozy Altidore. He has a real eye for the ball.

Convey, Clark, and Corrales should never have been in the game.

Parkhurst is 10x better and smarter than Corrales, and Feilhaber is 100x better than clark.

Bradley did not look good b/c there was little to no communication between Clark and Bradley.

Gooch did well, although he still tends to overpursue the ball.

Moore needs more development.

Dempsey should have been pulled after the fourth time he tried to juke 2 defenders.

Donovan is to crucial to establishing midfield control and directing attacks to have in the box. This is why Bradley says WE NEED THAT GOAL SCORER. The fans call for Donovan, I say NO WAY.
INSTINCTIVE=Striker-Jozy Altidore
Smartest=Midfield-Donovan
Aggressive=Defense-Onyewu(GOOCH)

We applied 0 pressure on their side of the field. You CAN NOT, CAN NOT give a pressure oriented team like Mexico have time to establish momentum or set themselves up with passing lanes.

Passing was AWFUL! no one played with their head up, no one made good decisions.

If you understand soccer AT ALL you know we aer LUCKY to have drawn that game. If Mexico was as BAD as they are it would have been a 4-2 loss easily!

Yes I am disappointed and I hope that a fire is lit under these guys b/c last night, frankly, THEY SUCKED

[SNEEZ]

The problem is with the training. We teach them to rush down the field as fast as they can. You run out of steam the 2nd half doing that. Less hard running, more movement off the ball, and save that energy for the 2nd half!

I agree and I disagree.

Explanation:

Tactics are a prblem, we applied 0 pressure on the mixican defense which is their bread and butter for developing runs. aggression will throw them off their game.

extensive training is at a premium in soccer. Mexico is in the midst of their league. MLS is offseason, EPL teams had games sunday. Half the gusy havent played since november and other half played a few days ago.
What we see is that which we knew Bradley would do, NO PUSH extensive cardio-musculo endurance to the limit. I see no signs of acceleration drills or fast-twich enhancement drills. the fitness is PATHETIC of this team.

In a well-rounded soccer team, the defense, midfield, and offense should be able to run at a relative constant pace for the majority of the game.

[PikeyGamecock]

This was a piss poor performance by our guys, i'll agree Sneez, but I found some positive. Donovan came off as extremely cocky in his pregame interview talking about how the U.S. has been owning Mexico for the past 9 meetings. Mexico came to play and our boys weren't ready for it. They never established midfield and the back was beat numerous times where Mexico should have come away with a goal or corner at the least. Im hoping this game brought some of these players back to Earth and gets them focused for some tough European competition.

On a side note, I was very impressed with Altidore. Not only did he have a great goal, but he was taking some punishment and willing to dish it out.

[SNEEZ]

Ramiro Corrales- YOU'RE FIRED
Ricardo Clark- YOU'RE FIRED
Bobby Convey- YOU'RE FIRED

Clint Dempsey-You've been demoted to Wing.
Benny Feilhaber-You're a premium and hired RCM
Jon Spector-love you you're hired LB
Twellman-wherever you are...you're back at ST

[Mecklenburg Cock]

I haven't had a chance to go back and read through everything you all have said (I will when things slow down at the office); however, I want to put in my brief impressions. Bear in mind that I didn't watch much of the match because I was watching the UNC v. Duke game. I thought both teams look really sloppy, not much quality ball movement at all. The corner quick where Mexico scored their 2nd goal was impressive by Mexico, but the U.S. team had a complete breakdown there and should be held accountable. Also, I was dissappointed to see Reliant Stadium in Houston 3/4 full of Mexico supporters. I hope INS was taking tickets at the gate.

[SNEEZ]

I haven't had a chance to go back and read through everything you all have said (I will when things slow down at the office); however, I want to put in my brief impressions. Bear in mind that I didn't watch much of the match because I was watching the UNC v. Duke game. I thought both teams look really sloppy, not much quality ball movement at all. The corner quick where Mexico scored their 2nd goal was impressive by Mexico, but the U.S. team had a complete breakdown there and should be held accountable. Also, I was dissappointed to see Reliant Stadium in Houston 3/4 full of Mexico supporters. I hope INS was taking tickets at the gate.

actually it was about 75% USA fans based on the numbers guesstimated by the media.

I was VERY hapy with the turnout! 70+k for a soccer friendly...that sounds pretty damn big time to me!!

[Mecklenburg Cock]

actually it was about 75% USA fans based on the numbers guesstimated by the media.

I was VERY hapy with the turnout! 70+k for a soccer friendly...that sounds pretty damn big time to me!!

I'm glad to hear that. The mexican colors just really seemed to standout to me on the TV. Plus, when Mex scored the 2nd goal the crowd was LOUD. I agree, it was nice to see a full stadium.

[SNEEZ]

yeah..the xmas colors screwed up my eyes. and
WHY DOES NIKE HAVE US WEARING 70'S STYLE JERSEYS?!!?
WHAT HAPPENED TO LAST YEARS, THEY WERE SHARP!

[Gamecock_Aholic]

i watched the last 3 minutes of this game. and let me just say, i now know why i dont like soccer...freakin ties. and weird rules i dont understand.

[carolinathru&thru]

i watched the last 3 minutes of this game. and let me just say, i now know why i dont like soccer...freakin ties. and weird rules i dont understand.

Contrary to popular belief, football games can end in ties, too.

Not saying that I like the fact that we tied, but soccer isn't the only sport in which that occurs

[SNEEZ]

don't touch the ball with your hand

ball has to go totally out of bounds to be called dead

don't touch the ball with your hands

don't throw a guy on teh ground or hit him

don't slide into a guy frm behind

dont' slide into a guy who doesn't have the ball

don't be the only man between the opposing teams goalie and defenser without the ball


????

[bhall]

don't touch the ball with your hand

ball has to go totally out of bounds to be called dead

don't touch the ball with your hands

don't throw a guy on teh ground or hit him

don't slide into a guy frm behind

dont' slide into a guy who doesn't have the ball

don't be the only man between the opposing teams goalie and defenser without the ball


????


Hold your balls if you're part of the wall on a set piece.

[carolinathru&thru]

don't touch the ball with your hand

ball has to go totally out of bounds to be called dead

don't touch the ball with your hands

don't throw a guy on teh ground or hit him

don't slide into a guy frm behind

dont' slide into a guy who doesn't have the ball

don't be the only man between the opposing teams goalie and defenser without the ball


????

The thing that might could be considered "confusing" if you don't watch soccer that often are when Goalkicks, cornercicks, and free kicks occur.

[carolinathru&thru]

Hold your balls if you're part of the wall on a set piece.

That's the most importan rule of all:lol:

[SNEEZ]

see...i was nevr part of the wall! haha

[PikeyGamecock]

A lot of my friends blame diving as the reason why they don't like soccer. I try to let them know that the way the NFL protects QB's is worse. I understand helmet to helmet calls, but it seems that any contact whatsoever is called. At least in soccer the refs penalize players for being over dramatic when they clearly dive on purpose or in the case of Dida, the AC Milan goalkeeper, fine his ass for diving when a fan tapped his shoulder

[SNEEZ]

dida, USA's convey, Evertons Andy Johnson, MAN UTD Ronaldo are ALL divers.

I absolutely HATE that part of the game. with the team I'm assisting coaching the HEAD COACH told the kid, if he dives, next time make damn sure you get a card and YOU TELL HIM why.

MY PLAYING PHILOSOPHY:
I am meaner than hockey players, and want to hit someone MORE than american football players.

"you don't want to hurt people"...bullshit. I DO WANT TO. you be a bitch and tike a dive I'm taking you down.
I actually told a boy that, Andrew REese of North Augusta High. before the match I said don't take a dive on me it'll hurt.

[aztecgamecock2]

:-x :bow: 2 -2 tie. A great match! Played in Houston where 70% of the fans were mexican!

[mickeyrivers]

just from watching on tv it looked like more than 70% to me. they might as well have just held the game in mexico city.

[bhall]

I hate to see diving. I like him, but Drogba dives if he even smells the penalty area. Don't dive. Stay on your feet and fight to win the ball.

[bhall]

just from watching on tv it looked like more than 70% to me. they might as well have just held the game in mexico city.


Yeah, I love how they come over here and want our jobs, benefits, etc but pull for Mexico like they're the greatest team in the ultra-verse.

They wanna live here...make'em pull for the US!!!

[SNEEZ]

damn that. I'll be in the few, the proud, the REAL Americans who cheer for America when we when the World Cup...umm...yea that being said, whens the next friendly? HAHAHAHA

[USC-Hokie]

My dream starting lineup.

Goal - Howard
LB - Hejduk (I like his speed down the wing)
LCB - Carlos Bocanegra (Gets us out of a ton of jams, just a solid player...small though)
RCB - Gooch (Everyone should know that he is our best player)
RB - Drew Moor (Had a tough game and a few lapses that can be fixed, but I liked his agressiveness)
LM - Beasley (Imagine the speed b/t him and Hejduk down that Flank)
LCM - Ben Olsen (Defensive minded, I wish it was Mastroeni but I think Bradley is shying away from the older guys, not that Osen is young)
RCM - Donovan (Needs to be a distributor not a winger)
RM - Dempsey (Great 1 v 1 player on that side)
ST - Johnson and Altidore (Speed and Power with both of them, something that can go against big defenders. We could use a forward with some ball skills but Dempsey is not that guy.)

For all of the Ricardo Clark haters, you have to admit, he played a lot better than Bradley. It is time to get guys like Adu and Edu some minutes so we can develop some more center midfielders so we can move Donovan up.

[reddot8481]

I hate to see diving. I like him, but Drogba dives if he even smells the penalty area. Don't dive. Stay on your feet and fight to win the ball.

This is why I love Wayne Rooney, you'll never see him take the dive. He'd rather run them over and score the goal. Of course as a Reds fan I hate his bloody guts, but have to respect him as a man. Of course Gerrard and Riise are both of the same ilch.

[reddot8481]

My dream starting lineup.

Goal - Howard
LB - Hejduk (I like his speed down the wing)
LCB - Carlos Bocanegra (Gets us out of a ton of jams, just a solid player...small though)
RCB - Gooch (Everyone should know that he is our best player)
RB - Drew Moor (Had a tough game and a few lapses that can be fixed, but I liked his agressiveness)
LM - Beasley (Imagine the speed b/t him and Hejduk down that Flank)
LCM - Ben Olsen (Defensive minded, I wish it was Mastroeni but I think Bradley is shying away from the older guys, not that Osen is young)
RCM - Donovan (Needs to be a distributor not a winger)
RM - Dempsey (Great 1 v 1 player on that side)
ST - Johnson and Altidore (Speed and Power with both of them, something that can go against big defenders. We could use a forward with some ball skills but Dempsey is not that guy.)

For all of the Ricardo Clark haters, you have to admit, he played a lot better than Bradley. It is time to get guys like Adu and Edu some minutes so we can develop some more center midfielders so we can move Donovan up.

Guch is an enforcer in the back. I'd say he's our best defender, but best player? I'd love to see Mastroeni at the mid rather than Bradley or Olsen. If we could ever get Adu to attack rather than try to make the touch around he'd be unstoppable on the wing. Edu will be a nice addition to the team. Even in the small amount of time he played in this match he really was a change of pace. Johnson should be used more IMHO, he's always the third option behind Donovan and Beasley but could easily be better than both if given the chance.

[SNEEZ]

My dream starting lineup.

Goal - Howard
LB - Hejduk (I like his speed down the wing)
LCB - Carlos Bocanegra (Gets us out of a ton of jams, just a solid player...small though)
RCB - Gooch (Everyone should know that he is our best player)
RB - Drew Moor (Had a tough game and a few lapses that can be fixed, but I liked his agressiveness)
LM - Beasley (Imagine the speed b/t him and Hejduk down that Flank)
LCM - Ben Olsen (Defensive minded, I wish it was Mastroeni but I think Bradley is shying away from the older guys, not that Osen is young)
RCM - Donovan (Needs to be a distributor not a winger)
RM - Dempsey (Great 1 v 1 player on that side)
ST - Johnson and Altidore (Speed and Power with both of them, something that can go against big defenders. We could use a forward with some ball skills but Dempsey is not that guy.)

For all of the Ricardo Clark haters, you have to admit, he played a lot better than Bradley. It is time to get guys like Adu and Edu some minutes so we can develop some more center midfielders so we can move Donovan up.


4-4-2 SHOULD BE OUTLAWED FOR ALL US MNT GAMES!!

LB - Hejduk (I like his speed down the wing)
LCB - Carlos Bocanegra (Gets us out of a ton of jams, just a solid player...small though)
RCB - Gooch (Everyone should know that he is our best player)
RB - Drew Moor (Had a tough game and a few lapses that can be fixed, but I liked his agressiveness)
LM - Beasley (Imagine the speed b/t him and Hejduk down that Flank)
CM - Ben Olsen (Defensive minded, I wish it was Mastroeni but I think Bradley is shying away from the older guys, not that Osen is young)
RM - Donovan (Needs to be a distributor not a winger)
RS - Dempsey
ST - Johnson
LS - Altidore

Donovan and Johnson can switch easily enough and in high pressure(trailing post-70 minute mark) situations I want Donovan in front of the goal, at ALL TIMES, and Dempsey out wide to juke the flanks and dish it in to Donovan.

[USC-Hokie]

My favorite formation is the 3-5-2 with 1 defensive minded central midfielder and one offensive minded center midfielder and then a do it all midfielder. I know it is hard to run unless you have 3 premier backs. I guess the 4-1-2-1-2 is similar though. I miss Mastroeni, he reminds me of Gatusso from Italy without the mean streak. If he developed a little bit sooner he could have been a household name overseas.

[SNEEZ]

mine is Total Football mentality

3 backs
3 mids
4 strickers

thats right FOUR.

but the most feasbale type for financial reasons is the 1-3-3-3

[USC-Hokie]

Sneez, I also feel the same about the jersey's. I'm not a nike soccer fan as it is, I'm old school with adidas. I will admit however Nike puts out the best jersey's right now but adidas still holds it down in the cleat area. Nothing beats Copa's and World Cups

[bhall]

Sneez, I also feel the same about the jersey's. I'm not a nike soccer fan as it is, I'm old school with adidas. I will admit however Nike puts out the best jersey's right now but adidas still holds it down in the cleat area. Nothing beats Copa's and World Cups


True that. Adidas holds the crown when it comes to cleats.

[mickeyrivers]

..................howard......................
bornstein, gooch, bocanegra, spector
dempsey.....bradley....adu....beasley.
..................donovan.....................
...................altidore......................

or the midfield strikers could go:

.....dempsey....bradley................beasley
...........donovan........adu.....................
................altidore.......................... ....

that way you give altidore a little support. you could almost move donovan and adu up with altidore for a 3 man front. you don't need to be afraid to put guys forward in the formation especially when you consider how crappy most of the teams we play are.

adu is probably a little young or whatever, but i like this line-up going forward... i think donovan and dempsey could even swich places... i think adu could move in there at cam behind altidore... i think also that benny feilhaber has a future on the team despite never getting any pt at derby.

i also wonder what the future is for guys like simmek, demerit, edu, eddie johnson, etc... but we have some decent young guys coming through.

[mickeyrivers]

My favorite formation is the 3-5-2 with 1 defensive minded central midfielder and one offensive minded center midfielder and then a do it all midfielder. I know it is hard to run unless you have 3 premier backs. I guess the 4-1-2-1-2 is similar though. I miss Mastroeni, he reminds me of Gatusso from Italy without the mean streak. If he developed a little bit sooner he could have been a household name overseas.
i like the idea of a 4-1-2-1-2 but i'm not sure we have the players to pull that off.

[SNEEZ]

C'mon now Mickey...we can't even pull off a 4-4-2...whats going to happen when you throw a Rover in here or there...utter chaos...no we don't.

we have speedy ST(very few can keep pace with Donovan when he stretches 'em out)
knock you out Backs (GOOOOOOOOCH)

and CONFUSED AS HELL midfield!!!

thats our MAIN weakness that I see

[mickeyrivers]

C'mon now Mickey...we can't even pull off a 4-4-2...whats going to happen when you throw a Rover in here or there...utter chaos...no we don't.

we have speedy ST(very few can keep pace with Donovan when he stretches 'em out)
knock you out Backs (GOOOOOOOOCH)

and CONFUSED AS HELL midfield!!!

thats our MAIN weakness that I see
i think the midfield is our strength when you look at guys like dempsey, beasley, bradley and the mls guys.

i see striker as our biggest weakness. there's just no one there. HOPEFULLY altidore will continue to improve and become that great goal scorer we've needed. i see donovan as more of an attacking mid than an out and out striker. to be honest though, i'm not sure what is going on with him lately... but if you consider him more of a striker that works too, but usually strikers are supposed to score which donovan doesn't do except from penalties these days.

[SNEEZ]

Donovan, contrary to positioning is a converted ST. I don't care what he plays now, he SHOULD be a ST but b/c most of our midfield is...inept at best...he is a mid.
You're right Donovan doesn't score anymore but I think thats b/c he doesn't have a supporting cast on his level.

dempsey...i'm not a fan, he's a premadonn and I lost TONS of respect for him when i saw the "rapping" he does...shameful...besides he tries to show off way too much. he's good when he has his mind in teh game and on his business but when he's off he's WAY off.

Bradley...he shows signs of brilliance at times and sometimes i wonder what the hell is he doing. but he is still young so that will come.

I haven't seen Beasley in a while, so I didn't count him in. he, IMHO, is out best Mid.

I'm a Feilhaber fan, i think he is good when he and Bradley work together they make each other look good.

but that it, in all honesty. Id like to see some MID development or lets run a 5-3-2 with Gooch, Conrad, Hejduk, Bornstein, Spector. bocanegra just...idk...sometimes he's good and sometime he blows...he's very inconsistent...alot like Dempsey.

with guys like Rolston, twellman we have skill

abd youngsters Szetela, Adu, Edu and Alitdore we have a future.
we just need to convince kids to PLAY FOR YOUR COUNTRY...ah hem...Rossi...
man I miss CLint Mathis, Mcbride etc.

and i think Guzan will hold th torch for America football and continue our reputation as having great keepers!

[mickeyrivers]

Donovan, contrary to positioning is a converted ST. I don't care what he plays now, he SHOULD be a ST but b/c most of our midfield is...inept at best...he is a mid.
You're right Donovan doesn't score anymore but I think thats b/c he doesn't have a supporting cast on his level.

dempsey...i'm not a fan, he's a premadonn and I lost TONS of respect for him when i saw the "rapping" he does...shameful...besides he tries to show off way too much. he's good when he has his mind in teh game and on his business but when he's off he's WAY off.

Bradley...he shows signs of brilliance at times and sometimes i wonder what the hell is he doing. but he is still young so that will come.

I haven't seen Beasley in a while, so I didn't count him in. he, IMHO, is out best Mid.

I'm a Feilhaber fan, i think he is good when he and Bradley work together they make each other look good.

but that it, in all honesty. Id like to see some MID development or lets run a 5-3-2 with Gooch, Conrad, Hejduk, Bornstein, Spector. bocanegra just...idk...sometimes he's good and sometime he blows...he's very inconsistent...alot like Dempsey.

with guys like Rolston, twellman we have skill

abd youngsters Szetela, Adu, Edu and Alitdore we have a future.
we just need to convince kids to PLAY FOR YOUR COUNTRY...ah hem...Rossi...
man I miss CLint Mathis, Mcbride etc.

and i think Guzan will hold th torch for America football and continue our reputation as having great keepers!

well i totally disagree with your take on dempsey. i don't know what rapping you're talking about but that doesn't have anything to do with soccer. he was the best american at the '06 world cup and he's the best american field player in the world right now. he's having a great year at fulham (even though the team is struggling)... if they do get relegated you can bet your ass he'll sign at another premier league club. he's flat out good. he didn't do much vs mexico but to be fair none of the euro-based players did and that's for either team... i think it was because of the short week.

bradley has been off and on for the nats but he's 20 years old... btw, he has 17 goals for his club in holland... let me say that again: the man has scored 17 goals at the top division of the dutch league. he scored against psv eindhoven over the weekend. he is now the single season record holder for american goal scorers in europe, breaking brian mcbride's old record and it's only february... you can bet he'll be moving to a big club soon. again, i know he's been spotty for the nat'l team so far but he's just 20. the kid can play.

i agree on feilhaber... i don't know what the deal is with him this year at derby but he is a decent player and he played great with bradley at the u-20's this summer. i still believe he will come around and be a good player for us in the future. he just needs to find somewhere he can play. i've heard that he might be coming to mls this summer so that would be helpful.

[SNEEZ]

well i totally disagree with your take on dempsey. i don't know what rapping you're talking about but that doesn't have anything to do with soccer. he was the best american at the '06 world cup and he's the best american field player in the world right now. he's having a great year at fulham (even though the team is struggling)... if they do get relegated you can bet your ass he'll sign at another premier league club. he's flat out good. he didn't do much vs mexico but to be fair none of the euro-based players did and that's for either team... i think it was because of the short week.

bradley has been off and on for the nats but he's 20 years old... btw, he has 17 goals for his club in holland... let me say that again: the man has scored 17 goals at the top division of the dutch league. he scored against psv eindhoven over the weekend. he is now the single season record holder for american goal scorers in europe, breaking brian mcbride's old record and it's only february... you can bet he'll be moving to a big club soon. again, i know he's been spotty for the nat'l team so far but he's just 20. the kid can play.

i agree on feilhaber... i don't know what the deal is with him this year at derby but he is a decent player and he played great with bradley at the u-20's this summer. i still believe he will come around and be a good player for us in the future. he just needs to find somewhere he can play. i've heard that he might be coming to mls this summer so that would be helpful.

dempsey can be as good as there is...when HE'S ON, as I said, but it seems he get caught up in that too much on the field and on the intnl level taking on two defenders with tricks is not going to work twice....Lol i know the rapping is outside of soccer but it sticks with you...painfully.:lol:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNQ-zu6-4nY

Bradley I agree he's young, so inconsistency is expected allbeit painful, but he is going to be very good!

[mickeyrivers]

the one i'm holding out hope for is altidore... i think he is going to be a special player... with him, adu, and bradley... that is very promising... then you have edu who is only 20... guys like szetela and sizzou(sp?) who are good young players as well... the future looks good i have to say.

and i have heard from someone who works with young squads in the raleigh area that, basically, we haven't seen anything yet as far as up and coming talent goes. i think the future of america soccer is incredibly bright. compare it to just where it was in 1998 and it's absolutely insane how far it has come in just 10 years.

[SNEEZ]

definately, talent levels are greater b/c organized teams are more accessable. when I was little there was teh Augusta Arsenal and thats it. 3 teams U-12, U13, U14 after that if your HS has it you could play if not...oh well. Now the USL has the Augusta Fireball...38th nationally..blech..and MARK BUCHOLTZ plays for them, HAHAHA!!! no wonder they BLOW

as much as i think Beckham has been, unjustifiably, deified.

WHY IN THE NAME OF FLAT QUESTRAS EVERYWHERE IS HE BUILDING AN ACADEMY IN BRAZIL?!?!

I would, HOPE, he is planning on one on the east coast, considering the esat beats west in talent nearly always?

[mickeyrivers]

yeah, because that's exactly what they need in brazil: soccer academies. maybe now brazil will finally be able to put out a decent player or two, lol.

[SNEEZ]

HAHA