World Cup Qualifiers

[timothygrimes]

Big Day in Cup Qualifiers today...

France-Argentina
Japan-Austrailia
England-Spain
USA-Mexico

Any thoughts?

[er#1fan]

argentina
japan
spain
us
my guesses

[timothygrimes]

ya you have to go againist england they have no beckham...spain will give them a run...US should be able to beat Mexico on their home turf we would hope

[er#1fan]

i would think depending on who is actually playing for argentina they should win by a couple of goals

[cornellalum]

Big Day in Cup Qualifiers today...

France-Argentina
Japan-Austrailia
England-Spain
USA-Mexico

Any thoughts?

Argentina
Japan
England
USA

[timothygrimes]

i would think depending on who is actually playing for argentina they should win by a couple of goals

Ireland is down to Georgia 1-0 right now and i would say that Argentina shouldn't have any trouble with France, but so far it looks like Henry and France are taking it to them a bit...

[BBallBaller1492]

Big Day in Cup Qualifiers today...

France-Argentina
Japan-Austrailia
England-Spain
USA-Mexico

Any thoughts?

Argentina:2 France:1
Japan:0 Austrailia:3
England:2 Spain:3
USA:4 Mexico:2

[hatersRmymotivators]

Argentina:2 France:1
Japan:0 Austrailia:3
England:2 Spain:3
USA:4 Mexico:2
lets go USA!

[CChilano]

Only the USA-Mexico game is a qualifier. The other games are "Friendly's". The next batch of qualifiers for S. American and UEFA (Europe) isn't for a few weeks yet.

Tradionally, FIFA stes play-dates for friendly's to coincide with other regions qualifiers so all the teams are playing at the same time.

Alot of times these countries do not send their best, using a mix of veterens with potential new blood..such as the case with England and France today and Italy yesterday. And it showed of course...

CONCACAF has the only qualifiers today, which is capped by USA-MEXICO. USA has no problems in goal and in the back, despite Steve Cherundalo out. Problem is we cant score. If Bradley keeps playing Donovan as an attacking midfielder it hurts us because Clint Dempsey isn't a goal scoring machine. Put Altidore up there immediatley - let the kid play, he has the magic foot. Just because he is 20 doesn't mean he can't play at this level.

USA 2-0. It'll be close until late..USA pulls away at the end, maybe with a 2nd goal in the 85th minute as Mexico presses to tie. Remember, All Mexico needs is a point. USA needs the 3....

[timothygrimes]

my bad for not stating the differences in the matches

[AlwaysRunning]

Don't screw with Chris...he is the dean of soccer...haha.

Anyway - nice goal by the US, but not a great game either way so far, lots of disjointed play

[timothygrimes]

Don't screw with Chris...he is the dean of soccer...haha.

Anyway - nice goal by the US, but not a great game either way so far, lots of disjointed play

Coach's son! Ya but some nice physical and chippy play in there, nothing too exciting...big injury for Mexico early though

[timothygrimes]

Also there were some other cup qual games, the japan one was!!

[timothygrimes]

And now we have a Red Card!!

[hatersRmymotivators]

And now we have a Red Card!!
i surprised that wasnt more of a fight.

[timothygrimes]

i surprised that wasnt more of a fight.

Final round of qualifying players probally dont want to see a long suspension out of FIFA

[hatersRmymotivators]

Final round of qualifying players probally dont want to see a long suspension out of FIFA
they dont care, any chance they get to hurt somebody they do it.

[boobiemiles]

USA 2-0. It'll be close until late..USA pulls away at the end, maybe with a 2nd goal in the 85th minute as Mexico presses to tie. Remember, All Mexico needs is a point. USA needs the 3....


Haha.... WOW!

[TopShelf]

USA 2-0. It'll be close until late..USA pulls away at the end, maybe with a 2nd goal in the 85th minute as Mexico presses to tie. Remember, All Mexico needs is a point. USA needs the 3....

Wow, what are the lotto numbers for tomorrow?

[AlwaysRunning]

they dont care, any chance they get to hurt somebody they do it.

Uh maybe in U19 GYSL soccer its this way...but this is world cup qualifying between two teams that will get into the tournament...thats not going to be their mentality

[DrewVT6]

Wow, what are the lotto numbers for tomorrow?

You don't have to be much of a soothsayer to predict that score. Dos a cero is a way of life.

[DrewVT6]

Coach's son! Ya but some nice physical and chippy play in there, nothing too exciting...big injury for Mexico early though

http://sectionv.talksback.com/picture.php?albumid=8&pictureid=49

This was after the first goal. An unbelievable game! If you're a fan of soccer in the United States you need to attend at least one USA/Mexico World Cup Qualifying game.

[cornellalum]

how much would those tickets be?

[TopShelf]

You don't have to be much of a soothsayer to predict that score. Dos a cero is a way of life.

It wasn't the score, it was his time prediction that impressed me. He said around the 85th minute I think, and the second goal was scored in the 90th.

[sherjef 61]

nice call

[DrewVT6]

how much would those tickets be?

$50 :)

[cornellalum]

Count me in

[BTownStriker11]

$50 :)

I'm down. Wheres the next home game?

[DrewVT6]

I'm down. Wheres the next home game?

vs Trinidad&Tobago Nashville April 1st

www.theamericanoutlaws.com has all the info you need if you're a US fan.

The next time I'll probably go to a game is October 14th at RFK in DC.

[BDevil09]

Uh maybe in U19 GYSL soccer its this way...but this is world cup qualifying between two teams that will get into the tournament...thats not going to be their mentality

woah now. Low blow.

[GoCougars3]

How does everyone think the USA is going to actually do in the world cup?

[BTownStriker11]

How does everyone think the USA is going to actually do in the world cup?

Depending on Group I think they win 2 games

[GoCougars3]

Depending on Group I think they win 2 games


I think they are a sleeper team that everyone should watch out for in wc10.

[DrewVT6]

How does everyone think the USA is going to actually do in the world cup?

If they play like they did Wednesday they can beat just about anyone in the world. Barring injuries to key players I think they'll get through to the 2nd round. European teams rarely do well in tournaments outside of Europe. I wouldn't be surprised to see a repeat of Japan/South Korea where a bunch of favored Euro teams bomb out in the first round while teams like the US, Turkey, Ghana, Nigeria, etc do extremely well. We will probably get an easier group in 2010 than in 2006, because once qualified we will be the seeded team from CONCACAF whereas Mexico got the seeding in 2006.

If Donovan has his contract bought out by Bayern Munich, I sincerely believe you'll see him talked about as one of the best players in the World by this time next year.

One thing we need over this next year is to 'blood' more of our up and coming players. If Jozy Altidore can learn some lessons from Brian Ching and his teammates in Spain over the next year about what it takes to win in big games, he can bring more tools to the table than Ching or Kenny Cooper. If he's willing to sacrifice his body as a target forward, then he'll get PT. But once he gets PT, he's able to turn defenders and run at defenders and shoot from distance like no other large forward in the US can.

[BTownStriker11]

I think they are a sleeper team that everyone should watch out for in wc10.

I thought that in 06 but they crapped the bed

[GoCougars3]

If they play like they did Wednesday they can beat just about anyone in the world. Barring injuries to key players I think they'll get through to the 2nd round. European teams rarely do well in tournaments outside of Europe. I wouldn't be surprised to see a repeat of Japan/South Korea where a bunch of favored Euro teams bomb out in the first round while teams like the US, Turkey, Ghana, Nigeria, etc do extremely well. We will probably get an easier group in 2010 than in 2006, because once qualified we will be the seeded team from CONCACAF whereas Mexico got the seeding in 2006.

If Donovan has his contract bought out by Bayern Munich, I sincerely believe you'll see him talked about as one of the best players in the World by this time next year.

One thing we need over this next year is to 'blood' more of our up and coming players. If Jozy Altidore can learn some lessons from Brian Ching and his teammates in Spain over the next year about what it takes to win in big games, he can bring more tools to the table than Ching or Kenny Cooper. If he's willing to sacrifice his body as a target forward, then he'll get PT. But once he gets PT, he's able to turn defenders and run at defenders and shoot from distance like no other large forward in the US can.


Donovan is going to be good but i dont think nearly the best.

[BTownStriker11]

If Donovan has his contract bought out by Bayern Munich, I sincerely believe you'll see him talked about as one of the best players in the World by this time next year.

I'm a huge Donovan fan and hope he proves he can be the best in 2010

[DrewVT6]

Donovan is going to be good but i dont think nearly the best.

Have you watched him live? Have you watched him surrounded by other world class players? When he plays with other players on the same wave-length he is phenomenal. He has speed on par with Lionel Messi, his ability to change directions on the fly is second-to-none. In the right team situation he'll look like one of the best in the world.

[AlwaysRunning]

If they play like they did Wednesday they can beat just about anyone in the world. Barring injuries to key players I think they'll get through to the 2nd round. European teams rarely do well in tournaments outside of Europe. I wouldn't be surprised to see a repeat of Japan/South Korea where a bunch of favored Euro teams bomb out in the first round while teams like the US, Turkey, Ghana, Nigeria, etc do extremely well. We will probably get an easier group in 2010 than in 2006, because once qualified we will be the seeded team from CONCACAF whereas Mexico got the seeding in 2006.

If Donovan has his contract bought out by Bayern Munich, I sincerely believe you'll see him talked about as one of the best players in the World by this time next year.

One thing we need over this next year is to 'blood' more of our up and coming players. If Jozy Altidore can learn some lessons from Brian Ching and his teammates in Spain over the next year about what it takes to win in big games, he can bring more tools to the table than Ching or Kenny Cooper. If he's willing to sacrifice his body as a target forward, then he'll get PT. But once he gets PT, he's able to turn defenders and run at defenders and shoot from distance like no other large forward in the US can.

I really am shocked you are of the opinion that Donovan could be talked about as one of the best players in the world. He is so far from even being mentioned in the same breath as the best players I just can't see him ever being talked about as a very good player in the world wide stage.

The US can play with a lot of the teams in the world but we are still a 2nd level team. Brazil, Argentina, Spain, Russia, etc, etc are still out of our league. Us staying within 2 goals of them is still an accomplishment. They play possession soccer and can finish, we often play kick and chase. A great ball control midielder with pace still makes our defense look awful.

[GoCougars3]

I thought that in 06 but they crapped the bed

Me too but they were in a very taugh group. Czech Republic, Italy(who won Wolrd Cup 06) and ghana. No matter what group your in every team is going to be very good.. but hopefully the US will be put in a bracket that doesnt have as much power like the US's bracket did in 06.

[BTownStriker11]

I really am shocked you are of the opinion that Donovan could be talked about as one of the best players in the world. He is so far from even being mentioned in the same breath as the best players I just can't see him ever being talked about as a very good player in the world wide stage.

The US can play with a lot of the teams in the world but we are still a 2nd level team. Brazil, Argentina, Spain, Russia, etc, etc are still out of our league. Us staying within 2 goals of them is still an accomplishment. They play possession soccer and can finish, we often play kick and chase. A great ball control midielder with pace still makes our defense look awful.

Dude Donovan is a top tier player. He just doesnt get the exposure as others

[BTownStriker11]

Me too but they were in a very taugh group. Czech Republic, Italy(who won Wolrd Cup 06) and ghana. No matter what group your in every team is going to be very good.. but hopefully the US will be put in a bracket that doesnt have as much power like the US's bracket did in 06.

They did tie Italy which was nice, but that Ghana loss was a joke

[GoCougars3]

Have you watched him live? Have you watched him surrounded by other world class players? When he plays with other players on the same wave-length he is phenomenal. He has speed on par with Lionel Messi, his ability to change directions on the fly is second-to-none. In the right team situation he'll look like one of the best in the world.


Have you ever watched Cristiano Ranaldo, Kaka, Gerrard, Torres, or Henry??
I would love to see danovan play agaisnt one of these players. When that happens and i see that he can even compete with these players then he has my respect but as of right now he is an average striker in my opinion.

[BTownStriker11]

Have you ever watched Cristiano Ranaldo, Kaka, Gerrard, Torres, or Henry??
I would love to see danovan play agaisnt one of these players. When that happens and i see that he can even compete with these players then he has my respect but as of right now he is an average striker in my opinion.

Your a clown who cant even spell his name right and he doesnt play striker
He plays center mid

[GoCougars3]

They did tie Italy which was nice, but that Ghana loss was a joke

We technicly didnt even score a goal in the whole tourny... Kinda sad but we'll just have to wait and see what happens in the next world cup:D

[GoCougars3]

Your a clown who cant even spell is name right and he doesnt play striker
He plays center mid

Donovan*

Happy???

[BTownStriker11]

We technicly didnt even score a goal in the whole tourny... Kinda sad but we'll just have to wait and see what happens in the next world cup:D

True. Even though that group was considered the "Group Of Death" they should have competed better than they did
And I thought Dempsey scored against Ghana? I know Italy scored on themselves

[BTownStriker11]

Donovan*

Happy???

Yes I am, Thanks :)

[GoCougars3]

True. Even though that group was considered the "Group Of Death" they should have competed better than they did
And I thought Dempsey scored against Ghana? I know Italy scored on themselves

Oh yeah they did score 1 goal...

[BTownStriker11]

Oh yeah they did score 1 goal...

Very Pathetic

[timothygrimes]

I really am shocked you are of the opinion that Donovan could be talked about as one of the best players in the world. He is so far from even being mentioned in the same breath as the best players I just can't see him ever being talked about as a very good player in the world wide stage.

The US can play with a lot of the teams in the world but we are still a 2nd level team. Brazil, Argentina, Spain, Russia, etc, etc are still out of our league. Us staying within 2 goals of them is still an accomplishment. They play possession soccer and can finish, we often play kick and chase. A great ball control midielder with pace still makes our defense look awful.

The US I think we will be in better shape for this Cup, but they still wont be the best in the world or able to play with them. We are doing a better job of having our players play out in the world, but until we change the style that we play we won't keep up with Brazil, ect. we can't chase the ball all over the field in the later rounds of the world cup, the way we did againist Mexico.

As far as Landon goes, I think he showed his true colors in the last cup when he didnt finish or put his body on the line to win. He will never be mentioned as the best player in the world because he isn't willing to do what it takes to ensure the US wins...

[DrewVT6]

I really am shocked you are of the opinion that Donovan could be talked about as one of the best players in the world. He is so far from even being mentioned in the same breath as the best players I just can't see him ever being talked about as a very good player in the world wide stage.

Why? He was named top player at the '99 U-17 World Cup. He plays for one of the greatest teams in the world, Bayern Munich. He's going into his 3rd World Cup and he has all the tools to be a top tier player. It's a matter of everything coming together.


The US can play with a lot of the teams in the world but we are still a 2nd level team. Brazil, Argentina, Spain, Russia, etc, etc are still out of our league. Us staying within 2 goals of them is still an accomplishment. They play possession soccer and can finish, we often play kick and chase. A great ball control midielder with pace still makes our defense look awful.

We're on par with Russia. We don't play kick and chase soccer and we haven't since the '90 WC. We play some great probing combination play that might lead to a long ball forward or wide to create an attack. When we play it long we always have a target and McBride and Ching have been masterful at holding up until the numbers join them in attack. Mexico on the other hand is so inept at ever playing the long ball, when they do they are lost. They play their little "ole" games of keep away, but negative or east-west soccer doesn't do much to create chances if you are never willing to look too far forward. I'd much rather go with the Argentinean combination of styles than the Mexican short game. In Bradley, Klejstan, Dempsey, Torres, Adu, Rogers, Donovan, etc we have players who can possess the ball in the tightest situations. We need players who are better in the final third to beat teams like Argentina, Brazil or Spain more than 1 in 5 times. But if you remember our game last year against Argentina, we are able to play an organized, sound defensive game, possess the ball offensively for periods of the game, create some chances and give the top 4 teams in the world all they can handle.

[BTownStriker11]

The US I think we will be in better shape for this Cup, but they still wont be the best in the world or able to play with them. We are doing a better job of having our players play out in the world, but until we change the style that we play we won't keep up with Brazil, ect. we can't chase the ball all over the field in the later rounds of the world cup, the way we did againist Mexico.

As far as Landon goes, I think he showed his true colors in the last cup when he didnt finish or put his body on the line to win. He will never be mentioned as the best player in the world because he isn't willing to do what it takes to ensure the US wins...

I think Run and Gun could work for them in the 2010 WC
We put Joze and the young Striker from the Wizards (forgot his name) up top. Landon in the middle, Demps and Beasley on the wings. That could be dangerous

As for Donovan, i think hes changed as a player since 06. If you look at this years MLS season he was a monster. He'll be ready for 2010

[DrewVT6]

Your a clown who cant even spell his name right and he doesnt play striker
He plays center mid

Not anymore. He's a withdrawn forward now, for the US and for Bayern Munich.

He played as a complimentary forward to McBride in the '02 WC and had huge success. He played more as an attacking midfielder in '06 and was limited.

With the emergence of Bradley and Klejstan and Torres, Donovan will be up top in any formation for the US now.

[BTownStriker11]

Not anymore. He's a withdrawn forward now, for the US and for Bayern Munich.

He played as a complimentary forward to McBride in the '02 WC and had huge success. He played more as an attacking midfielder in '06 and was limited.

With the emergence of Bradley and Klejstan and Torres, Donovan will be up top in any formation for the US now.

Good Call. I'm used to him in that Center Mid roll. But he has devolved into more of a play maker over the years

[DrewVT6]

Have you ever watched Cristiano Ranaldo, Kaka, Gerrard, Torres, or Henry??

Yes I have, many many many times. With those type of players you really have to see them live to fully appreciate all they do. Donovan has speed like Kaka and Messi (and Henry used to have). I think he's just as skillful as those two and has a signature move that's nearly impossible for any defender in the world to stop, his full speed cut-back/change of direction move. In a situation like playing for Bayern Munich where two to three defenders can't key on him he will become a world star, I honestly believe. We'll see...

I'm not saying he's there yet. I think he came of age after the '06 cup and playing with Beckham the last season and a half.

[AlwaysRunning]

Dude Donovan is a top tier player. He just doesnt get the exposure as others

With American rose colored glasses on and a strong american bias. He is a good player but he is not top tier.

[timothygrimes]

With American rose colored glasses on and a strong american bias. He is a good player but he is not top tier.

And what color are your glasses?

[AlwaysRunning]

And what color are your glasses?

Not whatever color puts Donovan as one of the top players in the world

[BTownStriker11]

Not whatever color puts Donovan as one of the top players in the world

Your a clown guy

[AlwaysRunning]

Your a clown guy

He has had very little success on the worlds stage. He has been at a top level club for less than a year. He has a history of vanishing on the big stage. He has not shown an ability to stick in the top 11 of a major level team. If you take the top teams in the world he would struggle to crack the lineup. He is not top tier...he could be in the future but its highly unlikely since he comes out of a county that does not routinely produce top tier players.

[CChilano]

Donovan is getting NO minutes at Bayern Munich right now, and that hurts him....but we'll need him to advance. We need Dempsey to emerge as a scorer. And I'm biased because i love Altidore, but Ching sucks..let Jozy play. Sasha is the real deal with Bradley in the middle...they bring size, control, and the ability to push forward. Once Churendolo returns the D will look better.
Tim Howard is suspended for the El Salvador game (yellows) but if T&T can win there, we could probably win with a pylon in net....

[hatersRmymotivators]

Me too but they were in a very taugh group. Czech Republic, Italy(who won Wolrd Cup 06) and ghana. No matter what group your in every team is going to be very good.. but hopefully the US will be put in a bracket that doesnt have as much power like the US's bracket did in 06.
yeah i agree with this, like siad earlier they should be able to be put into a good group.

[BDevil09]

what ever happened to Adu?

[DrewVT6]

what ever happened to Adu?

He got stuck on the bench at Benfica (Portugal) so they loaned him out to Monaco (French League) where he can't even make the game day roster.

[AlwaysRunning]

what ever happened to Adu?

Same thing that happens to many of the over-hyped American player...they go off to real soccer and fall on their face.

Donovan is getting NO minutes at Bayern Munich right now, and that hurts him....but we'll need him to advance.

A great example of how he is not a top tier player and how far he is from ever sniffing the top tier

[timothygrimes]

yeah i agree with this, like siad earlier they should be able to be put into a good group.

Before the US can make a big impact on the world stage, they need to decide what type of soccer they want to play and create an identity for themselves. They show signs of brightness, but they play suck a disorganized game sometimes that they will not be able to make a dent at the cup against the big teams...

[DrewVT6]

Same thing that happens to many of the over-hyped American player...they go off to real soccer and fall on their face.


How many over-hyped Americans have we ever had? Adu and..............????

Michael Bradley was the leading scorer for a Eredivisie Runner-Up is he falling flat on his face? He's the star of Borussia-Moechengladbach this year.

Damarcus Beasely was a regular starter for PSV when they were Eredivisie Champions and a Champions League team. I'm fairly certain his lack of PT at Rangers is about contract negotiations.

Brian McBride was a captain for Fulham and led them in scoring one year.

Dempsey is a regular now at Fulham.

Bobby Convey was a key piece of the best ever CCC team then helped as the team finished middle of the EPL in their first season.

Bocanegra is a regular starter for Stade-Renne one of the best teams in France right now and one of the few teams to get a win against Lyon.

Onyewu is the best defender in Belgium for a team that played Champions League this year.

Jozy Altidore had a very good start to the season for Villareal, he's just 4th on the depth chart up front.

I don't get your cynicism towards American players.

[DrewVT6]

Donovan is getting NO minutes at Bayern Munich right now, and that hurts him.... And I'm biased because i love Altidore, but Ching sucks..let Jozy play.

Donovan is 3rd on the depth chart and he's getting 15-20 minutes a game, he actually played 65 minutes today. I don't understand how that's bad considering he's behind a striker who expects to start for Italy and one who expects to start for Germany. He's already leap-frogged one of the "top tier players" in the world to get out of the 4th position on the depth chart.

In world football, getting PT is just like getting PT in the NFL. Just because Trent Edwards was a 1st round draft pick last year and had potential didn't mean the Bills would start him right away. He was lower on the depth chart and had to wait out his turn or wait for JP to get injured. It's one thing if you bring in Brett Favre to your team, it's another if you bring in an unproven "potential" guy. Donovan and the other Americans who go over seas have to prove their potential on a daily basis to move up the chart. Sometimes it's just about staying power--that seemed to be the case for Brian McBride and is starting to help Clint Dempsey. It's now the case for Carlos Bocanegra and Steve Cherundolo.

As for Jozy being better than Ching...if I were playing in a big must win game, I'd much rather go with Ching's experience over Jozy's potential. Ching does what he's asked to do to help the team win. He knows his limitations and doesn't try to do too much. Jozy might have more tools, but as I saw first hand Wednesday he still doesn't understand what it takes to win at the top levels. He'll get there and he'll play a role in 3-4 World Cups for the US team.

[AlwaysRunning]

How many over-hyped Americans have we ever had? Adu and..............????

Michael Bradley was the leading scorer for a Eredivisie Runner-Up is he falling flat on his face? He's the star of Borussia-Moechengladbach this year.

Damarcus Beasely was a regular starter for PSV when they were Eredivisie Champions and a Champions League team. I'm fairly certain his lack of PT at Rangers is about contract negotiations.

Brian McBride was a captain for Fulham and led them in scoring one year.

Dempsey is a regular now at Fulham.

Bobby Convey was a key piece of the best ever CCC team then helped as the team finished middle of the EPL in their first season.

Bocanegra is a regular starter for Stade-Renne one of the best teams in France right now and one of the few teams to get a win against Lyon.

Onyewu is the best defender in Belgium for a team that played Champions League this year.

Jozy Altidore had a very good start to the season for Villareal, he's just 4th on the depth chart up front.

I don't get your cynicism towards American players.

They are all decent players - none are stars. You make a bold statement like Donovan will be one of the top players in the world and then you support it with this evidence. These players are not top tier players either. Your arguments are strange to...Altidore has a very good start to the season its just that he is 4th on the depth chart? That would lead me to believe that he is the 4th best forward on his team...thats not great.

American players do not play the game at the same level as their foreign counterparts. Its not cynicism its a fact.

[DrewVT6]

They are all decent players - none are stars. You make a bold statement like Donovan will be one of the top players in the world and then you support it with this evidence.

I didn't use that evidence to support my idea that Donovan would be one of the top players.

I used it to trash your argument that Americans "go off to real soccer and fall on their face."


American players do not play the game at the same level as their foreign counterparts. Its not cynicism its a fact.

That's a harsh opinion in no way a fact based on the list I posted above. Look at our counterparts from Mexico...Gio dos Santos the top player from Mexico's U17 team that won, played at Barca and now hasn't played in over two months at Tottenham. Vela, also from that U17 team, the next star at Arsenal who doesn't even make their bench. Osorio who was a starter with Stuttgart when they won the Bundesliga two years ago and is now looking to come home. Salcido who already transferred to Chivas from PSV after losing his spot. There's so many more examples I can give from Mexico, Argentina, Brasil, France, England, Italy and so on. It's an absurd self-loathing based on all the successes American players have had recently in Europe and more recently in Mexico. I didn't know you watched soccer aside from Rhinos games anyways...have you been to more than 1 US game?

[BTownStriker11]

Lets put im simply that Always Running is a an American Soccer hater, who doesn't realize that without Donovan this US team wouldn't be as good or even a threat in 2010. Yes Donovan needs to work on things, hes human. But im sure he'll be ready to go in the next WC qualifier and will be jacked for the 1020 games.

[AlwaysRunning]

I didn't use that evidence to support my idea that Donovan would be one of the top players.

I used it to trash your argument that Americans "go off to real soccer and fall on their face."




That's a harsh opinion in no way a fact based on the list I posted above. Look at our counterparts from Mexico...Gio dos Santos the top player from Mexico's U17 team that won, played at Barca and now hasn't played in over two months at Tottenham. Vela, also from that U17 team, the next star at Arsenal who doesn't even make their bench. Osorio who was a starter with Stuttgart when they won the Bundesliga two years ago and is now looking to come home. Salcido who already transferred to Chivas from PSV after losing his spot. There's so many more examples I can give from Mexico, Argentina, Brasil, France, England, Italy and so on. It's an absurd self-loathing based on all the successes American players have had recently in Europe and more recently in Mexico. I didn't know you watched soccer aside from Rhinos games anyways...have you been to more than 1 US game?

Oh here we go. I have been to 10 US games over the years (i have traveled down to Alabama twice to see games, Conn three times, Columbus, DC, and a couple other locations). I am a bit torrent downloader of EPL and Bundesliga games along with South American games and I watch soccer quite often. I don't take notes on it and spit out who is where but I can tell you that I watch as much soccer as most anyone around. When the superbowl was on, I was watching an Arsenal game I had DVRed. Rhinos games - they are the only game it town so yea I will show up and watch...but the games are terrible terrible soccer.

The difference between Argentina, Brasil, etc, etc is that while they have players that struggle they have players that excel. That is why we are not on par with them World Cup wise. When we prove we are at that level I will stand and cheer that fact. But until then I will be realistic about it. Sorry you don't agree but that is how life works sometimes.

Lets put im simply that Always Running is a an American Soccer hater, who doesn't realize that without Donovan this US team wouldn't be as good or even a threat in 2010. Yes Donovan needs to work on things, hes human. But im sure he'll be ready to go in the next WC qualifier and will be jacked for the 1020 games.

I am not an American Soccer hater - I am a fan of the US team - I watch them every time they are on and venture to as many games as I can afford. I am just realistic about it (and about life in general). Donovan is a good player for the US - very true. I am not arguing that. I just think its absurd to mention him in any breath that includes calling him one of the top players in the world.

[GoCougars3]

Lets put im simply that Always Running is a an American Soccer hater, who doesn't realize that without Donovan this US team wouldn't be as good or even a threat in 2010. Yes Donovan needs to work on things, hes human. But im sure he'll be ready to go in the next WC qualifier and will be jacked for the 1020 games.


I agree that donovan is a key player for the usa but they would still be a decent team without him. Soccer is not like basketball or hockey where if one player gets hurt the whole team is screwed... In soccer there are 9 other players sitting on the bench that would love to take donovans or any other players place.

[DrewVT6]

He has had very little success on the worlds stage. He has been at a top level club for less than a year. He has a history of vanishing on the big stage. He has not shown an ability to stick in the top 11 of a major level team. If you take the top teams in the world he would struggle to crack the lineup. He is not top tier...he could be in the future but its highly unlikely since he comes out of a county that does not routinely produce top tier players.

You were right. I was wrong. Your smart. I'm dumb. and all that...

[BDevil09]

Just a related soccer video, thought it was pretty awesome so I figured I'd share:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsizQdNKhGg

[GoCougars3]

Did anybody see the the USA game the other night vs El Salvedor?
We almost lost to the 119 ranked team in the world.
Opinions?

[DrewVT6]

Did anybody see the the USA game the other night vs El Salvedor?
We almost lost to the 119 ranked team in the world.
Opinions?

The Sally's (aptly named) came out sprinting at the beginning of a marathon and because of the emotion they were feeding off they were able to keep up the sprint up until about the 70th minute at which point they predictably wilted and the United States' professionalism shown threw.

Coach Bradley played people in weird spots and gave some players awfully long leashes (see: Klejstan). Beasely wasn't interested in tackling when he got shifted to left back and I think Klejstan is still over his head at the international level. I'd love to see Torres get more time at that spot. Right now Frankie Hejduk is the heart and soul of the team and his professionalism and experience adds so much more to the the team than his lack of foot skills take away.

Greg Seltzer who writes at Soccer365.com had this great headline: USMNT thoughtfully keeps WCQ exciting

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUjRZvpU4xE

[Akkountent]

Drew - just curious why Coach Bradley didn't put Adu on the active roster for the game in El Salvador? I've been following the USMNT for a while his passing and quickness does add something to the mid-field, something you don't get w/ Klejstan or Bradley. Klejstan is riding the wave of success that he experienced in the game vs Sweden; there was even a nice mention of him in Sports Illustrated not too long ago, but I agree that he's not quite up to Dempsey's level. There's a reason Dempsey plays for Fulham and Klejstan plays for Chivas USA.

Just another comment; the World Cup in 2010 has to be big for the USA if soccer has any chance of "taking off" at any level in the US. At the under-20 World Cup in 2007, the young US team consisting of Adu, Altidore, Bradley & Szetela really carried the US team to the top of their pool, even beating Brazil. They really should have beat Austria to move to the semifinals. Anyway, those young players are the same players who will hopefully help the US team in 2010 make it deep in the knockout stage. If these young players can't propel the US team in international competition, then they won't ever get there. We know the US can "hang" w/ the elite teams of the world (as is evident by the 0-0 draw last year vs Argentina and the would-be victory vs the Netherlands at the Olympics); it's just putting it altogether for a great 2010 run. I would say if the US can somehow make it to the semi-final stage, then soccer would experience another "boom" in the US - especially w/ some new MLS teams coming aboard in 2010 & 2011 (Philly & Portland).

[DrewVT6]

I've said this before, Adu can only play one position, Central Attacking Midfielder. The US already has a key, experienced player at that position (Landon Donovan) who plays regularly for his club team. Bradley also likes this player to help more defensively, even if it just means applying high pressure. Adu hasn't figured out what the word defense means yet.

World Cup years can be important for MLS, especially considering their marketing arm (SUM) makes hundreds of millions of dollars. I think it can also hurt MLS, when people flip over from watching high intensity, international caliber play to an empty Pizza Hut Park featuring teams with little interest in disciplined attack or defense. We'll break more records for soccer viewers, but I'm not so sure it'll add to MLS viewer-ship.

Even more important than the World Cup in the next year is the Players Association agreement with MLS. If somehow the players can get the salary cap doubled and get two cap-exempt players per team the mid-level American players that add quality to the league will start to return from Scandinavia AND teams will be able to sign 1 or 2 more players of similar quality to Freddy Montero. I'm afraid if they don't do that, the watering down of the player pool via expansion will make the league all but unwatchable.

[GoCougars3]

The USA beat Trinidad & Tobago 3-0 yesterday night. I think the score could have been alot more though. The USA played (in my opinion) there best game i'v seen in a while. The atmosphere was great! Lots of intense US fans and it was a very fun game to watch, not to mention Jose Altidore scored a hat-trick and Landon Donovon set him up 3 times!

Any opinions on last nights game?

[DSport]

The USA beat Trinidad & Tobago 3-0 yesterday night. I think the score could have been alot more though. The USA played (in my opinion) there best game i'v seen in a while. The atmosphere was great! Lots of intense US fans and it was a very fun game to watch, not to mention Jose Altidore scored a hat-trick and Landon Donovon set him up 3 times!

Any opinions on last nights game?
Damn! I always want to watch them and then I forget because the games are a fricken month apart! Any idea when the next one is?

[GoCougars3]

Damn! I always want to watch them and then I forget because the games are a fricken month apart! Any idea when the next one is?

Um the next game is agaisnt Costa Rica. Acording to ussoccer.com it says the next game is 06/03/2009. I dont know if thats for sure but i will let everybody know.

[DrewVT6]

Yup, June 3rd in Costa Rica, then June 6th in North Honduras (aka Chicago).

Last nights game was great for Jozy Altidore, but we have to temper that with the fact that it was Trinidad&Tobago we beat.

By the way one of the newest trends in world 'football' is playing right footed players on the left flank and a left footed player on the right to create opportunities for them to cut in through the middle after receiving wide. That's where Bradley had Donovan last night and it opened tons of space for him to receive balls, run at defenders and play through the middle of the field to setup Jozy. They also put Donovan and Beasely on the side where T&T's biggest offensive threat was, Carlos Edwards, rendering him all but useless because of the additional defense he had to play and because of Beasely's speed to negate Edwards on the left side. Some pretty good tactical moves by Coach Bradley.

[GoCougars3]

Yup, June 3rd in Costa Rica, then June 6th in North Honduras (aka Chicago).

Last nights game was great for Jozy Altidore, but we have to temper that with the fact that it was Trinidad&Tobago we beat.

By the way one of the newest trends in world 'football' is playing right footed players on the left flank and a left footed player on the right to create opportunities for them to cut in through the middle after receiving wide. That's where Bradley had Donovan last night and it opened tons of space for him to receive balls, run at defenders and play through the middle of the field to setup Jozy. They also put Donovan and Beasely on the side where T&T's biggest offensive threat was, Carlos Edwards, rendering him all but useless because of the additional defense he had to play and because of Beasely's speed to negate Edwards on the left side. Some pretty good tactical moves by Coach Bradley.


Great great win by the US but something i saw the US struggled to do in the beginning of the second half was getting the ball to Donovan. All of our goals came from him, later in the half we slowed things down and got the ball outside and thats how all of our goals were scored, but i think If we were playing a better team (Spain, Russia, Germany) i think they would have took advantage to the little slow start the US had and it would have been a different game. Carlos Edwards is FAST! I remember midway threw the second half he beat Beasely on the right flank, thats hard to do. Beasley is one of the fastest players on the team. I also think its interesting that coach Bradley put Beasely in the left back position. He's done that the last 2 or 3 games i think. The last couple years he's always played more of an actual left midfield and i think its weird that Bradley put him in that spot. I like it though, he is a better defender than i thought he would be and he really shut down Carlos Edwards which i thought was Trinidad& Tobago's only real threat to the US. He also attacks very well up and down the flank when the USA has the ball. With Beasely and Hejduk on each side of the pitch and Donovan in the middle the USA is going to be very dangerous in this up coming World Cup and i cant wait to see them play again!

[boobiemiles]

How about freakin Argentina last night.

[DSport]

Any idea when the next game is for the US women?

[GoCougars3]

Any idea when the next game is for the US women?

05/20/2009
7:30 PM CT vs Japan
Not sure what channel its on..

[GoCougars3]

How about freakin Argentina last night.

What happened i missed it...

[CyyniK thebesthaloplayer]

What happened i missed it...
they got pooped on like 6-1 to eccador?( i cant spell)

[boobiemiles]

Bolivia. Mexico lost too

[CyyniK thebesthaloplayer]

chzeh republic...loses to a small country like slovenia? or something like that 2-1

[DrewVT6]

Bolivia. Mexico lost too

Mexico's about to hire their 5th coach since 2006. BRILLIANT!!!

[GoCougars3]

Mexico's about to hire their 5th coach since 2006. BRILLIANT!!!

Great for the USA!

[FifaKing7]

Great for the USA!

USA is horrible !!! people think they are good when they play crap teams like Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, and costa rica... just wait for the world cup and see if they can match up with the powerhouses of Europa (just saying)

[boobiemiles]

Like when they tied Italy three years ago.

[FifaKing7]

Like when they tied Italy three years ago.

face them off to spain or agrentina and see what happens i dont think italy is that good they are good but not that good

[boobiemiles]

face them off to spain or agrentina and see what happens i dont think italy is that good they are good but not that good
Do you know what Italy did 3 years ago? I'm not saying that the US is a better team than any of those big teams, but they still have the capability to beat any of them.

[arsenalfan101]

Mexico's about to hire their 5th coach since 2006. BRILLIANT!!!

Eriksson was horrible haha

[GoCougars3]

face them off to spain or agrentina and see what happens i dont think italy is that good they are good but not that good

Italy won the world cup 3 years ago, so they must not be good.

[FifaKing7]

italy won the world cup 3 years ago, so they must not be good.

im talking about now

[boobiemiles]

I was talking about 3 years ago when I said they were competitive 3 years ago.

And I, and probably along with a lot of other people, think that Team USA is a lot better now than then.

[FifaKing7]

I was talking about 3 years ago when I said they were competitive 3 years ago.

And I, and probably along with a lot of other people, think that Team USA is a lot better now than then.

oh i agree with 100% im saying they need to have freindlies vs. European teams you know?

[boobiemiles]

They had a friendly against Germany before the World Cup and they lost 4-0 lol.


But I do agree, and I wish that they would play some of the bigger European teams before WC Qualifying. But I disagree with your point that we can't compete with them.

We are just the next level below them. Any given day we can beat any of them.

[timothygrimes]

They had a friendly against Germany before the World Cup and they lost 4-0 lol.


But I do agree, and I wish that they would play some of the bigger European teams before WC Qualifying. But I disagree with your point that we can't compete with them.

We are just the next level below them. Any given day we can beat any of them.

Team USA has made improvement, but are still a ways from beating the bigger European teams...of course anything can happen on any given day ie. Boliva-Argentina from this past FIFA play day. The U.S. need to settle into a line-up that works for them still and find a style of soccer to play on the upper world stage. El Salvador exposed a lot of what is wrong with the team and even though they came back to get a draw, they still played back soccer and didn't really even impress in their last outing. That being said before I get labeled as an anit-USA man, I say GO USA!