US Soccer getting it done in the Gold Cup

[Stout]

It's been a bit harrowing, to be sure, but I'll take the results. Even more, I'll take the valuable experience a lot of the young guys are gaining on the international stage. Keep it going, Red, White, and Blue!

 

[Zeno]

I wish I could see the games. Unfortunately I don't have Telefutura.

We are the class of our federation IMO, we should do well against all the teams we face. Its nice to have John O'Brien back and to see young players like Santino Quaranta get some playing time(and reportedly play pretty well).

I was surprised by South Africa's beating of Mexico, they were up 2 - 0 fairly early.

 

[Zeno]

US Beat Jamaica 3 - 1 on to face Honduras in the semi's.

 

[BigDavis75]

Is Gibbs on the team? I haven't seen him lately.

 

[Stout]

And Mexico is out...yes!

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Unbelieveable win over Honduras, one of the best finishes I've seen in awhile, this team is so clutch!!!!!

 

[Stout]

We're up to #6 in the world rankings, the highest ever, but should be ahead of Mexico now they've lost.

 

[BigDavis75]

What a frickin' awesome game that was, that defender that scored the final goal is really good, any news on Pope? Donovan and Wolff were MIA though, along with the awful reffering and we still won!!

 

[CaptTurbo]

The game isnt on tv or radio here. 2nd quarter this sucks i wanna watch

 

[CaptTurbo]

Won 3-1 in shootout. Woot!

No. 6 ranking doesnt mean much though. The competition for the Gold cup is bad at best. The team that finished 6th in the European cup is probably better than all the teams competing for the Gold Cup.

 

[Zeno]

Won 3-1 in shootout. Woot!

No. 6 ranking doesnt mean much though. The competition for the Gold cup is bad at best. The team that finished 6th in the European cup is probably better than all the teams competing for the Gold Cup.

It was a nice win, its a competition the US should win, we are the class of CONCACAF (Mexico being our only real consistent rival). We are improving steadily and its nice to see players like Onyewu and Quaranta get some really good playing time in a good competition. The best part of the whole thing was having John O'Brien--who I still think is our best field player--back and healthy for the whole tournament.

I agree that the #6 ranking doesn't mean much. Does anyone really think we are better than England, France, Spain, Germany or Italy(all teams ranked below us)?

 

[Stout]

Conversely, does anyone think Mexico is better than us, or those other teams? I don't, but they're ranked 5.

 

[Zeno]

Conversely, does anyone think Mexico is better than us, or those other teams? I don't, but they're ranked 5.

I agree with you, the ranking system is really a farce to be honest. Its just something done for the media but the more knowledgeable fans don't take it very seriously.

 

[BigDavis75]

I was also glad to see O' Brien back. Are Reyna and McBride still playing in Europe? And why on earth was Tony Sanneh sitting on the bench while players like Wollf and our top left defender were on the field?

 

[CaptTurbo]

Cant believe it wasnt on tv here. anyone lese get it on cable?

 

[Zeno]

I was also glad to see O' Brien back. Are Reyna and McBride still playing in Europe? And why on earth was Tony Sanneh sitting on the bench while players like Wollf and our top left defender were on the field?

Sanneh wouldn't have played in place of Wolff, different positions. Wolff unfortunately is one of the few true strikers the US has (lack of world class strikers is the teams biggest weakness).

Reyna and McBride weren't invited to the camp so Arena could see what we have to replace them with. Both are past their primes and Reyna can never stay healthy--neither player can be counted on due to injuries and inconsistencies. It was a chance for Ralston, Dempsey, Quaranta and others to earn themselves a spot on the WC roster...Quaranta IMO had the best showing of all of them.

The final game was on TV here on Univision. Of course I live practically right on the border with Mexico. All the other games were on Telefutura, a channel I didn't get.

 

[BigDavis75]

Sanneh wouldn't have played in place of Wolff, different positions. Wolff unfortunately is one of the few true strikers the US has (lack of world class strikers is the teams biggest weakness).

Reyna and McBride weren't invited to the camp so Arena could see what we have to replace them with. Both are past their primes and Reyna can never stay healthy--neither player can be counted on due to injuries and inconsistencies. It was a chance for Ralston, Dempsey, Quaranta and others to earn themselves a spot on the WC roster...Quaranta IMO had the best showing of all of them.

The final game was on TV here on Univision. Of course I live practically right on the border with Mexico. All the other games were on Telefutura, a channel I didn't get.

I get Telefutura, which is sweet, but the familiar names are fading away. Mathis, McBride, Sanneh, Reyna, Cobi Jones and such. But where is Gibbs? He really impressed me when I saw him play a couple of months ago. The other player that really impressed me was Hejduk, who has come a long way since his sorry performances in the Korea World Cup. What an awesome game that was, and we won with "absentee Donovan" and without Pablo, Pope, and Ralston.

 

[CaptTurbo]

I get Telefutura, which is sweet, but the familiar names are fading away. Mathis, McBride, Sanneh, Reyna, Cobi Jones and such. But where is Gibbs? He really impressed me when I saw him play a couple of months ago. The other player that really impressed me was Hejduk, who has come a long way since his sorry performances in the Korea World Cup. What an awesome game that was, and we won with "absentee Donovan" and without Pablo, Pope, and Ralston.

Donovan and co took us as far as they will ever be able to. Kinda like the eagles without TO.

Adu will be the man that takes us to the big dance. Why dont they have him in the mix learning now? There isnt an age limit right?

 

[BigDavis75]

Donovan and co took us as far as they will ever be able to. Kinda like the eagles without TO.

Adu will be the man that takes us to the big dance. Why dont they have him in the mix learning now? There isnt an age limit right?

Adu is better off helping our U-20s now. I'm not sure about age limits though, but rooney (who plays for Man U) is 18 and he is probably going to start for his national team.

 

[Zeno]

Adu is better off helping our U-20s now. I'm not sure about age limits though, but rooney (who plays for Man U) is 18 and he is probably going to start for his national team.

There are no age restrictions for the World Cup. Pele played at 16 and Ronaldo was on the roster for Brazil in 1994 at 16 yrs old(he didn't play though).

Adu has a long ways to go if he is going to be our answer. He was hardly dominant in the U20 tournament and really isn't shining in MLS but he is young and learning, don't look for him in 2006 though.

Pay attention to players like Quaranta, Gaven, Sztela, Wynne and Barrett who are more likely to contribute sooner than Adu.