The Official US Soccer thread

[Zeno]

Well nothing cheers me up like a Mexico loss. Argentina beat them 4 - 1.

Good luck with that Sven, you have your work cut out for you.

 

[Stout]

Adu likely came off because of a slight ankle ding, so I can understand that. Probably would have stayed on if it was a real game. The first half (and our youngsters Edu and Adu) really showed a spark. Even Johnson showed something, although his finishing is sadly lacking. We still have to see Wolff and Hejduk...I mean, REALLY? Bradley really sucked today, and much of our midfield play was weak. Our defense held up well early but really was hurt by the substitutions, offensively and defensively. If we were an up-and-coming young team, I would be encouraged, but we're supposedly a good team trying to reach the next level. As such, losses with a few bright spots are unacceptable any more. It's great for the Miami Dolphins to be happy with a loss, but this is a brutal run for us. Bradley needs sacked.

 

[Mulli]

Score of US v. Spain?

 

[SouthEndZoner]

Spain 1- US 0

goal by Xavi

 

[gr000000vy]

Maybe Bradley's mind is on other things at the moment..

Boro to Swoop in with $6 Million Bid for Bradley
Middlesbrough could beat fellow English clubs Everton and Newcastle United and land American starlet Michael Bradley after they offered Heerenveen four million euros.

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Boro to Swoop in with $6 Million Bid for Bradley
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A few days ago Everton looked like the favourites to sign the 20-year-old international, as Bradley himself told the Liverpool Echo daily on May 29 that “it’s a great club and I think anybody would be honoured to go and play there. I know I would. We’ll just have to see what happens in the next few weeks.”

But Voetbal International magazine reports today that The Boro have moved faster than their competitors, even though it remains to be seen whether the Dutch club will accept their offer. Bradley, son of national side boss Bob, is under contract until mid-2009 and he recently turned down an offer to extend it. However, Heerenveen have asked Everton for 5.8 million.

“The complete midfielder”

Bradley, who had 19 goals and at least six assists to his name in 40 Superfriezen outings this season, has clearly stated he favours a move to England this summer. And he reiterated his wish in an interview with FIFA’s official website today, under the title “Bradley, the complete midfielder”.

“I’d love to play in the Premier League. I’m aware of the rumours currently going around, and hopefully something will work out on that score. It would take a little bit of time to adjust, but I’m confident that I could adapt and do well.” he said.

Boateng’s successor?

The former MetroStars man has also been recently linked with Blackburn Rovers, West Ham United, Bolton Wanderers, Sunderland and HSV. Should he join Middlesbrough, he would probably have to fill the boots of Ghana-born Dutch international George Boateng, who could be on his way out after six years at the club.

Although a central midfielder, Bradley was Heerenveen’s second top scorer of the last campaign behind Gerald Sibon and he broke the all-time record for most goals scored by an American in Europe in a single season. The previous one was held by Brian McBride, who netted 12 times for Fulham in 2006-’07.

 

[Zeno]

Roster vs Argentina

Goalkeepers- Dominic Cervi (out of contract), Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Tim Howard (Everton FC)

Defenders- Dan Califf (FC Midtjylland), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Jay DeMerit (Watford FC), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock)

Midfielders- Freddy Adu (SL Benfica), DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Eddie Lewis (Derby County), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids)

Forwards- Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC), Eddie Johnson (Fulham FC)

No Bocanegra, no Wolff and he added Kljestan & Donovan. No Cooper yet Hejduk somehow makes the roster again...I dislike Bob Bradley so much.

 

[cardfaninfl]

No Bocanegra, no Wolff and he added Kljestan & Donovan. No Cooper yet Hejduk somehow makes the roster again...I dislike Bob Bradley so much.

Nothing against Carlos, but his play has slipped and the MNT needs to see how Califf/DeMerit perform.

Just when I was starting to believe Josh had naked photos of Bradley at a petting zoo.

Nothing points to a Sasha and Bradley combo working in the middle...but I would still like to see it tried.

If Donovan plays, the conspiracy theorists will have a field day.

Was it really only 10 days ago I was so filled with hope?

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Nothing against Carlos, but his play has slipped and the MNT needs to see how Califf/DeMerit perform.

Just when I was starting to believe Josh had naked photos of Bradley at a petting zoo.

Nothing points to a Sasha and Bradley combo working in the middle...but I would still like to see it tried.

If Donovan plays, the conspiracy theorists will have a field day.

Was it really only 10 days ago I was so filled with hope?

Totally disagree about Bocanegra, I think he is the key to the defense and played great against Spain.

Our best chance at any offense will include Altidore, Adu and Donovan. The other guy who can make a huge difference offensively is Beasley. Hopefully we can see them together against Argentina.

 

[Zeno]

My guess at the starting lineup

---Johnson---Donovan----

---------Adu-------------
Beasley--Bradley--Dempsey

Pearce-*****-DeMerit-Dolo

--------Howard-----------

I could see Donovan & Dempsey swapping or Pablo playing in place of Bradely or Dempsey sitting for a half and Lewis starting at MF. There is also a chance Califf starts over DeMerit too. Either way Argentina gets at least 3 against us.

So far out of 2 games we've had 1 decent half of soccer. Nothing to be happy about.

 

[Zeno]

Totally disagree about Bocanegra, I think he is the key to the defense and played great against Spain.

Our best chance at any offense will include Altidore, Adu and Donovan. The other guy who can make a huge difference offensively is Beasley. Hopefully we can see them together against Argentina.

Altidore isn't on the roster due to a supposed ankle injury he got during training with the Red Bulls which is why he didn't play for them last night.

 

[Zeno]

Bradley added Cooper & Drew Moor to the roster today. Moor if I remember right was the worst player on the field against Mexico earlier this year so that kinda gets a ??? from me. I'd rather see Wynne or Robinson if we were going to get another defender.

I am thrilled with Cooper being there though. He has had a very good start to the MLS season, is still relatively young and actually scored a goal in his National team game (a forward that scores? what a concept). He deserves a realistic shot, if he doesn't pan out fine but the guy deserves an opportunity its not like he has a ton of talent in the pool at that position.

 

[Zeno]

Here is the line-up V Argentina...

----------------------Johnson----------------------

Beasley-------------Donovan------------Dempsey

--------------Bradley------Mastroeni--------------

Pearce-----Califf----------Onyewu----Cherundolo

---------------------Howard--------------------

Adu didn't earn a start for his play against Spain??? I bet Bradley subs in Kljestan before Adu...and Kljestan SUCKED in olympic qualifying.

Cooper isn't even an active substitute--Bradley says he is a "work in progress", and Johnson is what a "finished product"? Cooper can't possibly be much worse--if he doesn't score then we'd get the same production we expect from the forward position.

Hejduk is active and he went a full 90 for Columbus last night.

 

[BirdMan21]

I am not liking the start of this game, Argentina is showing how far we are from being a top teir team. (right as I say that we send a great cross in)

 

[Zeno]

Dan Califf, Heath Pearce and of course Tim Howard have been outstanding the first half.

Dempsey is playing the best game he has for the US in months.

 

[Zeno]

I couldn't have been more wrong about the US performance versus Argentina. They played with a ton of heart and were awesome defensively.

I still don't understand what Mastroeni did to get a second yellow card.

Man of the match has to be Tim Howard...he didn't get challenged much in the second half but he was awesome in the first half.

Argentina had 3 on the board against Mexico after 30 minutes...so going by that it still shows we are the best in our region.

Next up Barbados, we should cruise easily. 5 goals should be what is expected.

 

[cardfaninfl]

I have to agree with the back line play. Califf and DeMerit showed the MNT has quality depth at the CB position. Pearce gets the highest marks of the defenders, he has really improved with each outing.

Freddy's confidence is very exciting to watch and Beasley played a great game. Overall, the biggest change was in the improved play of the mids. This team is completely different with Donovan on the pitch.

Horrible referee...just horrible. Bad calls and missed calls all night. The only explaination I can think of with Mastroeni being sent off is the ref confused Edu with Mastroeni. Edu committed a foul that produced a yellow. There seemed to be some confusion who was booked and when the ref checked his book, he saw Mastroeni already carring a yellow and showed him the red.

Sasha looked liked he was shocked to be so open outside the box against Argentina and froze. EJ made a couple of smart runs but his first touch lets him down every time. All of this could have been forgotten if ***** buries that header off the corner kick.

Oh yeah...Tim Howard is the man! I thought for sure the breakaway caused by an overagressive off-side trap would produce a goal. Charging off the line and staying big proves we have one of the best.

Very exciting nil-nil game. My enthusiasm for the qualifiers has been recharged.

 

[hafey]

Tim Howard was a witch. Great performance.

I though there were many positives for the US. Pearce and Califf were both very solid in the back and coming forward in the case of Pearce. I liked what both Adu and Kljestan did as substitutes.

At some point, I'd like to see Altidore, Adu, and Donovan on the field at the same time.

 

[Chaplin]

Wow. Totally unexpected performance.

The only thing that really stood out as a negative is the thing that ALWAYS starts out as a negative, and that's our passing. It's in MLS, you see it on the national team. Americans for some strange reason can't pass.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Anybody who doesn't think the US has a world class player needs to watch Tim Howard. The man is a beast.

 

[gr000000vy]

good show of emotion by USA today... now they need to build off this and take it in hostile environments.

Califf really impressed me and demerit was solid... Why didn't Adu get the start? Bradley is really starting to worry me and seems like a lazy player imo...

glad to see donovan miraculously returned when the us team came back to the states. as much as i bag on this guy i know us will only go as far as donovan can take this team and that's why he gets pounded for it...

sidenote that Mascherano foul towards the end on donovan was just plain stupid and had eduardo written all over it, glad he is ok....

 

[Chaplin]

glad to see donovan miraculously returned when the us team came back to the states. as much as i bag on this guy i know us will only go as far as donovan can take this team and that's why he gets pounded for it...

Come on now, Donovan was on the bench for the Toronto FC/Galaxy game last weekend, so don't go being malicious saying he wouldn't play unless he was on American soil.

 

[CaptTurbo]

good show of emotion by USA today... QUOTE]

Grooovy who is your avatar? She is incredibly hot!

 

[gr000000vy]

yes i am in love with Keeley Hazell hah... talk about bangin.. i love this pic, but can't stand arsenal....

You must be registered for see images

 

[Zeno]

Roster for the first qualifier...

U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION*
GOALKEEPERS (3): Dominic Cervi (out of contract: 0/0), Brad Guzan (Chivas USA: 0/0), Tim Howard (Everton FC: 3/2 SO)

DEFENDERS (7): Carlos Bocanegra (out of contract: 11/1), Dan Califf (FC Midtjylland: 1/0), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96: 14:0), Jay DeMerit (Watford FC: 0/0), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew: 11/1), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege: 7/0), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock: 0/0)

MIDFIELDERS (7): Freddy Adu (SL Benfica: 0/0), DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers: 14/4), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen: 0/0), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC: 0/0), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA: 0/0), Eddie Lewis (Derby County: 17/2), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids: 9/0)

FORWARDS (4): Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo: 6/2), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy: 20/7), Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC: 7/0), Eddie Johnson (Fulham FC: 7/7)

So we get freaking Brian Ching and no Kenny Cooper? What better time to get him some playing time than against one of the weakest teams in the region??? Brian Ching brings NOTHING to make the team better.

We will win and win big, Eddie Johnson might even score but Bradley is missing a golden opportunity to give Cooper a chance to start trying to fit in with this team.

Lastly, is Altidore's "slight ankle knock" as it was described so severe he can't make the roster?

If Adu doesn't start Bradley needs to be replaced, period.

 

[gr000000vy]

Lastly, is Altidore's "slight ankle knock" as it was described so severe he can't make the roster?

If Adu doesn't start Bradley needs to be replaced, period.

I agree with you, but I don't think Adu starts the Away leg but he will start the Home leg.... he is still trying to bring him along slowly... not sure what is going on with Jozy though...

Not alot of surprises in that lineup except for Ching.. I know they think he is the next coming of McBride because he can head the ball, but he just doesn't have the heart let alone the skill.....