Copa America

[Compa]

Overall, I thought it was a very entertaining match. I was very impressed with the US's composure and passing throughout most of the game. Even at the end of the game, they were still creating opportunities that a team with finishing skills would convert on. Fielhaber impressed me, and again Johnson showed that all he needs is some self-confidence to be very dangerous.

 

[Stout]

Wow, so much for the Copa America

So, our weakness will continue, and it will get us slaughtered in the next WC. We cannot finish, and until we can, we'll be a footnote in international football.

 

[Zeno]

Wow, so much for the Copa America

So, our weakness will continue, and it will get us slaughtered in the next WC. We cannot finish, and until we can, we'll be a footnote in international football.

Absolutely 100% correct. Our defense and midfield are going to shape up nicely but we still have very few players who can score consistently. Donovan and maybe Dempey and Beasley--but none of them are true strikers and much more suited playing in the MF.

I watched the U20's over the weekend and Altidore, Rogers and Zizzo failed to impress there. Rongen(the U20 coach) is playing 3 forwards so there are plenty of chances for one of them to stand out and it didn't happen. Adu had a solid game (nothing spectacular but solid) but again he is a MF--he plays the same position as Feilhaber or maybe on the left behind Beasley.

What will it take for this country to find a gifted goalscorer????? Are we gonna have to wait for Shevchenko's bay to grow up (mother is a US citizen, so baby can be too)?---I'm only half kidding there.

Oh and Kasey Keller is D O N E. Slow and indecisive aren't 2 traits you want in your goalkeeper. Please Bob Bradley start Guzan next game, see if he has what it takes to back up Howard.

 

[Compa]

Oh and Kasey Keller is D O N E. Slow and indecisive aren't 2 traits you want in your goalkeeper. Please Bob Bradley start Guzan next game, see if he has what it takes to back up Howard.

A little OT: I know Hahnemann is in his 30s, but that's still not old for a GK. I would've liked to see him as the #1 in this tournament, and maybe he could've shown that he is worthy of being considered as the 2010 #2. Maybe Reading didn't release him? From what I saw over the course of last season, I would pick Hahnemann over Howard (and of course, all other US GKs) right now if the only purpose was to win (as opposed to development).

 

[Zeno]

A little OT: I know Hahnemann is in his 30s, but that's still not old for a GK. I would've liked to see him as the #1 in this tournament, and maybe he could've shown that he is worthy of being considered as the 2010 #2. Maybe Reading didn't release him? From what I saw over the course of last season, I would pick Hahnemann over Howard (and of course, all other US GKs) right now if the only purpose was to win (as opposed to development).

Hahnemann was recovering from an injury and wanted to make sure he was healthy when Reading began their preseason training. I think he had some kind of surgery recently, not sure exactly what it was.

Our GK of the future is Chris Seitz, he'll be playing regularly on a high level in Europe very soon. He's only 19 yrs old right now but the kid is a monster--like Brad Friedel type monster.

 

[Compa]

Our GK of the future is Chris Seitz, he'll be playing regularly on a high level in Europe very soon. He's only 19 yrs old right now but the kid is a monster--like Brad Friedel type monster.

Yes, but is he bald?

 

[FArting]

Why isn't Mastroeni on the team?

 

[Zeno]

Why isn't Mastroeni on the team?

Probably because his MLS team wouldn't release him for the tournament. MLS didn't have to release players to the National team if they didn't want to. I was sure he'd go since he family has Argentinian roots and I don't think he's ever played against them. His national team career is likely over though, his position is being taken by players like Rico Clark and Michael Bradley. I'm sure he'll still play in games here and there but I doubt he is on the 2010 WC roster.

 

[Zeno]

Well the US was officially eliminated from the Copa today. They needed Mexico to win and then needed to beat Colombia by 2 goals to advance. Mexico tied their match, game over.

They didn't deserve to advance anyway.

Now can we please see players like Califf, Pearce, Guzan, Gomez & Davies in the starting lineup? We have nothing to lose, might as well give these guys a whole match to make an impression.

Oh well...at least the U20's are extremely enjoyable to watch. I look forward to the U20's versus Brazil way more than US V Colombia as it is anyway.

 

[CaptTurbo]

Ive learned soccer has no honor in the sport. all the games in which both temas would improve with a tie ended 0-0. No american sport works that you. Go go on the field to win.

 

[Zeno]

oh wait, I guess I was wrong. US is still mathematcially in it if Ecuador beats Brazil.

Edit--its over, Brazil wins 1 - 0. Whatever, like I said they didn't deserve to advance anyway. I just kinda wanted to see them get a little more playing time together.

 

[Compa]

Ive learned soccer has no honor in the sport. all the games in which both temas would improve with a tie ended 0-0. No american sport works that you. Go go on the field to win.

I disagree that American sports teams always go on the field to win. This isn't any different than NFL/NBA/MLB teams that rest their better players when they have their playoff position locked up.

 

[Compa]

Well, at least the US won't be the only 2006 WC team to go pointless if they lose tomorrow. Ecuador has three losses and a -3 goal differential. Group B proved to be this tournament's group of death.

 

[SO91]

Ecuador hasn't won a game in the last 2 Copa Americas

 

[Stout]

Is this 1998, or is our national team simply confused?

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Is this 1998, or is our national team simply confused?

Luckily, this wasn't our national team per se, more like our national JV team.

 

[Zeno]

This is embarassing. 0 - 3, makes us look like we can't play outside of the US, no matter what team we bring...what are we 0-5-1 in our last 6 outside of the US?

One thing is I hope Twellman and Keller are removed from further National team consideration. Everyone else at least showed something or is young enough that they can improve to be at the minimum decent depth.

Next game is Aug 22 in Sweden, which means it will likely be most of our Euro based players. Maybe it'll also mark the debut for a U20 like Adu, Szetela or Altidore for the Nats.

Also rumored to be a game in Azteca against Mexico--although US Soccer hasn't confirmed it yet.

 

[Compa]

The first half was extremely boring. The last 30 minutes were relatively entertaining, though. I was disappointed that Davies and Nguyen didn't start, but they both looked good once they came on. They were both very aggressive, which is a trait that wasn't consistently shown this tournament (except for madman Twellman).

I also enjoyed the quick yellow cards for time-wasting. I don't think I've ever seen a guy get sent off for two time-wasting yellows.

 

[Zeno]

Semi's Argentina V Mexico, Uruguay V Brazil.

Mexico crushed Paraguay 6 - 0. Argentina won 4 - 0 over Peru.

Brazil won 6 - 1 over Chile and Uruguay 4 - 1 over Venezuela.

Needless to say the quarterfinals were very lopsided.

 

[Stout]

Wow, has Mexico come back with a vengeance. And I HATE Mexico! Grrr...good thing Argentina should decimate them.

 

[Zeno]

Brazil wins first Semi-final 5-4 on PKs, it was 2-2 at the end of full time.

 

[Renz]

Wow, has Mexico come back with a vengeance. And I HATE Mexico! Grrr...good thing Argentina should decimate them.

Mexico 0-3 Argentina

 

[Stout]

Mexico 0-3 Argentina

 

[Mulli]

Mexico 0-3 Argentina

OT: I am going to a Chicago Fire game tonight. Hope it is fun and decent soccer. Should be about 75 degrees at gametime. Hope it doesn't rain.

 

[Zeno]

OT: I am going to a Chicago Fire game tonight. Hope it is fun and decent soccer. Should be about 75 degrees at gametime. Hope it doesn't rain.

I've never been to an MLS game. Maybe later this year or next I'll head up to Chicago for a game.