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Post by Kyle Feller on Jul 19, 2009 9:25:37 GMT -5
Good win last night for the USA C team over Panama.
Defender Jimmy Conrad reminded us why they wear helmets in football.....taking a knock to the temple that resulted in a bloody face, grass in his teeth, and a major concussion.
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Post by huisrealgood on Jul 21, 2009 16:03:12 GMT -5
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Post by Kyle Feller on Jul 24, 2009 15:15:51 GMT -5
Thanks to a fellow Bethel alumni who works for Major League Soccer, I received my "50 yard line" seats for the USA vs. Mexico final.
I will be sitting with the MLS brass...very excited.
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Post by huisrealgood on Jul 24, 2009 15:43:43 GMT -5
Cheer 'em on! USA... USA!
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Post by huisrealgood on Jul 26, 2009 17:38:58 GMT -5
Feller witnessed an ugly one today. 5-0 Mexico. Sure we can say the we had our B squad there (which is true... only 1 player who played significant time with the US at the Confed Cup), but you still can't get beat this bad. It was ugly, but the US will have another shot at the Mexicans in a month in World Cup Qualifying and this time we will bring our A team!
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Post by Kyle Feller on Jul 27, 2009 8:47:13 GMT -5
First of all...it was a "C" team. The average amount of Caps on this team was 8, which is amazing. Mexico didn't bring their best team, but they did bring the two guys that are leading the charge for a new generation of Mexicans. (And four other starters from their A team). The US had maybe 1 or 2 guys that will have a shot to make the bench for a World Cup Qualifier. Dos Santos (Tottenham) and Carlos Vela (Arsenal) are world class youngsters, and they showed that against a bunch of decent MLS players. I saw this picture today, hilarious. (Dos Santos and Vela Driving)  |
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Post by Loucks on Jul 27, 2009 10:28:55 GMT -5
So, was this game not taken seriously? Why wouldn't the US send some legit players? Are they resting up for a more serious/important game?
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Post by Kyle Feller on Jul 27, 2009 10:40:14 GMT -5
It was taken seriously, by the people involved.
In the scheme of things, this was an "off year" for the gold cup to mean anything. Four reasons why you didn't' see the US put together a better group of players.
1. The USA "A" team just spent a month in South Africa competing. It's overkill to demand the same players to play two back to back month long tournaments. It's very demanding physically and mentally.
2. There was an obvious reason for the make up of the Gold Cup Team. 95% of the players are MLS guys, meaning they are in mid-season and are not in real competition for spots on their teams. Most of the guys representing the A team are playing in upper echelon European Leagues where their presence in pre-season workouts (which started two weeks ago) is required to merit any consideration for playing time.
3. Because this years Gold Cup didn't represent anything important (no Confederations Cup qualification at hand) it was a good opportunity for Bob Bradley to bring in a lot of young players that are going to get a shot at cracking the World Cup team in 2014. Stuart Holden, Troy Perkins, Charles Goodson, Chad Marshall, Robbie Rodgers, and Heath Pearce are all guys going forward that will have an impact in the next World Cup cycle. You know what you're going to get from Tim Howard, Gooch, Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Etc.
4. Next month, the USA resumes World Cup Qualifying with what looks to be the juiciest matchup (even moreso now) in several years. USA vs. Mexico, in Mexico City. The USA has never won at Azteca and look to have as good a shot this time around as every before. Reading some twitter comments from a few of the USMNT A listers that will be playing in the game, they took yesterdays debacle personal and are ready for the match.
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Post by Loucks on Jul 27, 2009 11:13:41 GMT -5
That makes sense. I'm still trying to figure out the in's and out's of American soccer. Thanks.
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Post by Kyle Feller on Jul 27, 2009 13:31:51 GMT -5
I'm here for you buddy.
It's a process that takes a lot of time.
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Post by Gabriel Christian Wallis on Jul 27, 2009 15:07:07 GMT -5
Sure we can say the we had our B squad there (which is true... only 1 player who played significant time with the US at the Confed Cup) Actually I don't think anyone on the field yesterday even played a minute in the confed cup. |
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Post by Kyle Feller on Jul 27, 2009 16:02:28 GMT -5
That is correct.
Brian Ching missed South Africa with an injury, which oddly enough opened the door for Charlie Davies.
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