I don't see a dedicated thread yet so here goes. Winner gets an invite to the next Confederations Cup so kind of a big deal for the region. So far it looks like Mexico's tournament to lose as they are just killing other teams in the group stage. I'm currently watching USA v Guadeloupe which the Americans must get a result from to advance. I don't know how good Guadeloupe is as so far USA is dominating play although only up 1-0. Altidore had a very nice goal from well out.
Has anyone else been watching any of this? I'm curious whether any teams besides Mexico look strong.
We were sort of discussing it in the International Friendlies downstream, the soccer (USA fans) here are passionate enough to jump into any soccer thread. Everyone else shuns us.
USA should be up 3-0 right now, we just continue to struggle at finishing.
Also, Mexico look strong, but they seem to collapse (usually) when they play the US anywhere except Azteca Stadium.
Yeah, I'm not sure how Dempsey missed that header.Originally Posted by robsam
Yeah, it's been painful to watch as a US fan. Wondo missed that open goal versus Panama, Ream gave up the penalty. It looks like MLS's best have a ways to go at the regional level. It's telling that Canada nearly beat Panama.I'm almost expecting the US to draw versus Guadeloupe in the dying moments and then get knocked out in the quarter finals versus Mexico.
On the plus side maybe this means Bob Bradley might finally get the boot.
Looks like it's not Dempsey's night....
He looked good on free kicks, having one shot pushed over by the GK and I think another hit the crossbar. In the run of play, though, his finishing just looks lazy.
This entire squad is so shit at finishing.
I wonder if we can figure out a way to win games without goals.
Finishing is the problem for USA. Seemingly it always has been. We can not find a true forward anywhere in this huge country, we have great keepers, above average midfielders, average defenders...and no one up top worthy of being called a striker.
I still say play Dempsey and Donovan up top, they are the best chance we have to actually put one in the net. And yes I know Clint missed a sitter or two tonight, but I'd pick him over Altidore at forward every chance I was given.
And yes I know Altidore scored the only goal in the game, I'd still bench him, even blind squirrels find a nut sometimes.
They can't score in a whorehouse...
Does anyone know how USA - Panama ended? The first half was painful to watch and I didn't have time to watch the 2nd.
USA made a few runs, Wondo failed to score a gimme goal, and then USA just started shooting long balls.
I really wanted to follow this when the cup started, but I was reminded that whenever the US team is in a tournament it's depressing to watch.
Honduras will get destroyed by any quality team it faces. Will be a sad cup for us.
Someone missed the last World Cup and Confederations Cup.
No comment on the 5 Mexicans (most notably the starting keeper) facing drug suspensions? But they sure are storming through despite the setback. What I wouldn't give for either a Chicharito or a Dos Santos on the US side.
A Honduras team without my beloved Izaguirre or Claros is never as fun for me to watch, but I'm hoping they do well against Mexico at least.
Dear USA fans,
Please for the love of fuck stop ruining the "We Love You" chant.
Sincerely,
Everyone Else.
USA pretty much dominated the first half, and has nothing to show for it. We just can't finish. Jamaica seems to be totally confused by the 4-5-1 formation, maybe when Donovan gets subbed in they will finally get a goal.
Well, it certainly wasn't pretty. Finishing will forever be a problem for this squad.
Jones is a cheating bastard.
That was pretty bad for a US player, but it's normal for most other countries players.
I'm not really sure that matters at all, or that it's accurate. I think diving in that extreme is an exception, not the norm for "most" other countries.
Jones is a cheat who plays with his arms in the air more than down at his sides. This isn't a win I would be happy with if I were a fan of the US. I can't imagine making any excuses for that kind of play, period.
You seem a bit wound up today, frank. Hope the rest of your day goes better.
I wonder if the 4-5-1 formation is going to be the new normal for Bradley, or if it was just something he thought would work well against Jamaica.
Finally played decent, and if we ever finish, we are going to hurt somebody!
And, no dive, watch the slomo:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khbDD...layer_embedded
No dive you say? Look again. His trailing heal is clipped but takes a full stride with that foot. Blatant play acting as well.
Thought the clipping was pretty hard and he lost his balance as a result. He did throw up his arms to help a sell it a little.
Also, a guy with JJ's experience is unlikely to risk his second yellow on a dive....
So. We sort of agree that it was a dive. Frank wants the death penalty for it. Lloyd says it was not a dive at all. I say it was a dive, but US players have a rep for not diving, even while players for most countries we play (I'm looking at you Mexico!) tend to act like they lost a kidney at the slightest touch from a US player.
I think it's a crime that FIFA allowed a Mexican referee to officiate this match, and it would also be a crime to allow a US referee to officiate a Mexico game.
They might try too hard to seem unbiased and make calls that help the team they are (supposedly) biased against.
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