2014 World Cup

Think at the very least how much Donovan likely would have helped at the end of the Germany and Belgium games. I just think he would have been a perfect addition in both situations even if he didn't play the entire time.

This is sticking with me more than I thought it would. That play in the last minute, sheesh. I think it's good though that it is sticking like that with many. Did this many people keep on after the close loss to Germany in the 02 quarters when the U.S. actually outplayed them? Sort of a different era before social media, but doubtful. I hope to an extent it means the team and fans demand more now. I guess we'll see.

 

That's what is a joke about some reporters, Bradley is a cordial guy and most probably were kind of buddy buddy with him. Kid I used to work with said he didn't think Tom Coughlin was a good coach and one of the reasons was he's not good with the media. I doubt anyone has as close a relationship with Klinsman as they did with Bradley. He played for another country and most likely no one in the US media covered him during his playing career. Bradley's brother is journalist also and some of those people on the twitter feed are probably friendly with him also. Kind of thought he got 'don't let the door hit you on the way out' treatment, but to get a coach with a resume like Klins how could the US not do it.

 

I still miss him wearing Wigan blue.

 

Latch on to a MLS team that's close or pick a mid-level English Premiership squad. That's what I did after the 2010 WC with the Columbus Crew and Wigan Athletic.

 

I'm kind of like a lot of others. I thought Klinsmann made a few strategic and tactical mistakes -- and, yes, I think now he regrets leaving Donovan off the team -- but overall, he did a solid job with this team.

He got the most he could out of what he had, got them out of the group and gave a very good team with no obvious weaknesses all it wanted for 120-plus minutes.

And there is no doubt the USA job is far superior to England, and I think monetarily USA Soccer can match anything the Brits offer, if it comes to that.

Speaking of Belgium, I think they're going to beat Argentina, and I'm picking Colombia to knock out Brazil.

 

The one decision that pissed me off was waiting until after you're down 2-0 to bring on the last sub. The move should have been made after 1-0 or before that. Too many tired legs out there.

 

Green was heading to the fourth official when the second was scored.

 

For the most part we shut down Belgium's powerful offense. They were one of the top
scoring teams in tournament with 6 goals so far.

We were not physical enough. You can't expect to win a match with only 11 fouls. Belgium
had 27 fouls with many well placed trips that stopped breakouts.

 

I follow a Bundesliga team that was dominant in the early 1990s but fell on hard times and has been on the relegation-promotion yo-yo since.

I may look for a similar club in the Championship League ... Brighton perhaps. I don't want to bandwagon on a Man U or an Arsenal.

 

The U.S. did not "shut down" Belgium. Far from it -- Belgium bombarded the American goal with shots, and plenty of them were really good shots. The U.S. defense was awful (and has been for some time). The Americans were able to stay in it only because they have a terrific keeper who played out of his mind. But Howard is 35 and probably won't be playing in the next World Cup. He covered up a lot of problems, but there are some major issues that have to be addressed before 2018.

 

Yea, when your goalie has the most saves in a World Cup game in half a century, that's not shut down, that's survival.

Throwing my allegiances now to a Netherlands-Columbia final, and hoping the Dutch find it's fourth time's a charm.

 

Agree. Howard was amazing but you really have to look at him as part of
the entire team.
Defense was not physical enough. As a whole a very soft group. They need to
learn to take the body more and also take more penalties. The let Belgium
players got way to comfortable in their shot zones. US forwards did not help
either by not backfilling quickly and taking away the slot passes.