US vs Argentina on ESPN Classic now**
- Thread starter dawgstudent
- Start date
And not just because it's a damn shame anyone would kill someone for an own goal in a World Cup. That should have never been scored as an own goal in the first place. Escobar made a hell of a play to even get his foot on the shot at all. Unfortunately for him, he couldn't deflect it enought to keep it from going in the goal. But the shot would have been an easy goal if he'd never touched it.</p>
About 75 minutes in I was ready to post how I was pleased to see such improvement from the game against England, to the game against Spain, and to this game. Now I'm pissed we didn't win today and that we were down to 10 men because of a mistake the ref made.
I hope we now go out and hang a 6 or 7 goal win on Barbados.
I hope we now go out and hang a 6 or 7 goal win on Barbados.
I really thought we'd get blown out at least twice. But even the England game was more competitive than many on here were saying. And like Tim Howard said last night, all 3 of those teams for the most part played their top line players. Of course, they subbed more than they would have in Cup matches, but so did the U.S. And all 3 took the matches seriously, with Spain getting ready for Euro 2008, Argentina getting ready for World Cup qualifying (and a match vs. Brazil), and England seeing it as their biggest match before World Cup qualifying starts this fall.
The one big disappointment was that the U.S. didn't score in any of the 3 matches. However, as usual for the U.S., the goalkeeping was outstanding. And I thought a few of the younger guys really stepped up last night.
The one big disappointment was that the U.S. didn't score in any of the 3 matches. However, as usual for the U.S., the goalkeeping was outstanding. And I thought a few of the younger guys really stepped up last night.
the biggest thing about American soccer compared to the upper echelon is the first touch. We are horrible thus losing possession quickly.
dawgstudent said:
Amen to that! I try to teach the kids that I coach (U10's and U12's) that first touch is one of the most important (if not THE most important) techniques they need to learn, but they always want to learn shooting and dribbling and don't give a damn about first touch (or defense, or passing with purpose, etc.). From the ODP and premier games I've seen in the past couple of years, it doesn't look like its going to improve for a while, either.
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I think Adu and Donovan should be on the field for 75+ minutes of every US game from here on out. Both should be given the freedom to roam around and take on defenders. Nobody else seems to be willing to do that (Dempsey will occasionally).
Adu more than anybody seems willing to go one on one against somebody or even go against two defenders. If Adu and Donovan can build some chemistry during qualifying, they actually may be something to worry about for other teams come 2010.
The on thing we have to find is a striker with a killer instinct in front of the goal. We could use a player like John Harkes right now!
You are 100% correct about our first touch. Yesterday's game alone showed that! The one ofther aspect of our game that I hope improves is passing in small spaces. We seem to react to slowly to passes or sometimes we put way to muc pace on them.
Adu more than anybody seems willing to go one on one against somebody or even go against two defenders. If Adu and Donovan can build some chemistry during qualifying, they actually may be something to worry about for other teams come 2010.
The on thing we have to find is a striker with a killer instinct in front of the goal. We could use a player like John Harkes right now!
You are 100% correct about our first touch. Yesterday's game alone showed that! The one ofther aspect of our game that I hope improves is passing in small spaces. We seem to react to slowly to passes or sometimes we put way to muc pace on them.
for hopefully a midfielder making a run. I do like his aggressive play but he doesn't need to go at the teeth of the defense without any support.
guys before I have to watch Johnson or Twellman or any of our other "fowards" try to take one or two non-MLS defenders on!
I do understand what you are saying and when it comes to more important games, I'd hope the team is feeding off of each other where Adu doesn't have to take on four players. At this point in his career and with his experiences, I'm thrilled we have such a young guy showing that confidence...or arrogance if you will.
Actually, I really hope they bring Altidore into the qualifying games. I really think we have the beginings of a solid attacking unit with Dempsey, Beasley, Donovan, Adu, and Altidore...if only they can get some solid playing time together.
That is the one thing I am more dissappointed about regarding these games. I was hoping to see more of Adu and hoping to see Altidore some. </p>
I do understand what you are saying and when it comes to more important games, I'd hope the team is feeding off of each other where Adu doesn't have to take on four players. At this point in his career and with his experiences, I'm thrilled we have such a young guy showing that confidence...or arrogance if you will.
Actually, I really hope they bring Altidore into the qualifying games. I really think we have the beginings of a solid attacking unit with Dempsey, Beasley, Donovan, Adu, and Altidore...if only they can get some solid playing time together.
That is the one thing I am more dissappointed about regarding these games. I was hoping to see more of Adu and hoping to see Altidore some. </p>
ever-sheepish predictions I thought we'd get a win.
However, I'm very pleased with the progress we showed from the first to the last game. And I don't think the England game was very competitive. In fact, England could have won by several more goals. However, I think we played fairly well against Spain and I actually think we outplayed Argentina for 60 minutes of that game.
To be honest, I'm really wanting to see how we do against Barbados next week. If we screw around and win 2-1 or even just 2-0, I'm going to be a bit disappointed. We have played against great compitition and played well. We should handle Barbados rather easily!
Mexico is the only team that should give us a good run on US soil and there is only 2 or 3 teams that should give us a challenge on the road...if only thanks to BS officiating and subpar field conditions!
However, I'm very pleased with the progress we showed from the first to the last game. And I don't think the England game was very competitive. In fact, England could have won by several more goals. However, I think we played fairly well against Spain and I actually think we outplayed Argentina for 60 minutes of that game.
To be honest, I'm really wanting to see how we do against Barbados next week. If we screw around and win 2-1 or even just 2-0, I'm going to be a bit disappointed. We have played against great compitition and played well. We should handle Barbados rather easily!
Mexico is the only team that should give us a good run on US soil and there is only 2 or 3 teams that should give us a challenge on the road...if only thanks to BS officiating and subpar field conditions!
would have been a good showing. Not that I didn't think we had a chance to win one, but I figured it was a pretty long shot. And I guess I should qualify my comment about the England game because I only saw the first half and didn't see any of the Spain game (forgot to TIVO it). I did watch the Argentina game and thought for the most part, Argentina had the better of the play but not by much. It did go back and forth with the two taking turns controlling play. Overall, these 3 games may be the most impressive 3-game stretch in U.S. soccer history considering the quality of the opponents.
The strange thing is that next Sunday's game is much more important than any of the 3 played in the last 2 weeks. We should win that one by 4-0 at least. But if we screw around and tie or even lose it, we could be sitting at home for the rest of World Cup qualifying. I hate the 2-leg format they use for the first round of qualifying. Once we get into the "real" qualifying rounds, we won't have any trouble. But the prospect of playing a tight game and having a lucky shot possibly decide things always gets me a little worried.
The strange thing is that next Sunday's game is much more important than any of the 3 played in the last 2 weeks. We should win that one by 4-0 at least. But if we screw around and tie or even lose it, we could be sitting at home for the rest of World Cup qualifying. I hate the 2-leg format they use for the first round of qualifying. Once we get into the "real" qualifying rounds, we won't have any trouble. But the prospect of playing a tight game and having a lucky shot possibly decide things always gets me a little worried.
I think he is that striker.
Of course, I thought the same thing about Eddie Johnson before his toe injury.
Of course, I thought the same thing about Eddie Johnson before his toe injury.
Notes to the production guys:
1) Please don't go to long "instant" replays while the ball is in play
2) We are not interested on long closeups of any one player while the ball is in play
3) It is good to have a mid-range shot of the guy taking the corner kick, but it is better to show the entirety of that end of the field
4) If your announcers are going to talk all the time (and I know it is written somewhere that they must) turn down the stadium noise a little bit so they can be understood. This is for those of us who have lost hearing at athletic contests, rock concerts and shooting ranges.
5) Please read 1) through 4) several times until understand
1) Please don't go to long "instant" replays while the ball is in play
2) We are not interested on long closeups of any one player while the ball is in play
3) It is good to have a mid-range shot of the guy taking the corner kick, but it is better to show the entirety of that end of the field
4) If your announcers are going to talk all the time (and I know it is written somewhere that they must) turn down the stadium noise a little bit so they can be understood. This is for those of us who have lost hearing at athletic contests, rock concerts and shooting ranges.
5) Please read 1) through 4) several times until understand
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