All-Purpose, Never-Ending Soccer Thread

Very true. I knew that going in, but I thought that maybe the youth team wouldn't be so much so. Oh well.


Twoback, I'll disagree on Ferrari v. Akpan (and it has nothing to do with Ferrari being a Jersey boy). Ferrari took a shot on goal late in the game that was barely stopped by the keeper. Akpan's only contribution to the game was being a big body that helped clear the ball from the defensive zone on set pieces. He didn't take a single shot. He didn't make a pass. Hell, half the passes that you would think would be in his wheel-house were a bit off, but the guy just didn't run them down. He didn't move to open space and during attacks was often found behind the play.

One that first goal, I was utterly shocked when it seemed like the big kid scored it. Then I realize that he didn't even touch the ball and was just taken down. So, I will give him credit for being in the right spot on that play.

Now, having said that, I'm not going to come close to arguing that Ferrari had a good game. I didn't think that he was much of a factor other than some offensive life off the bench. The kid is a forward and he did what he is supposed to do, move forward and move into open spaces.

As to Valentin... I'll refer to your expertise on this. I don't really know Sarkodie and I was certainly not happy with Valentin's play. I thought Williams, while having some miscues, looked pretty damn solid back there.

I will also add that I was incredibly impressed by Dax McCarty. I didn't like him during a previous game in the tournament. However, that kid shifted to defense when Ferrari came in and did one hell of a job locking down his side.

Adu did not have a very good game. He tried a little too much to show some flash and Uruguay was all too happy to just step on his feet and hack him. It was pretty ugly.


FlipSide, I think that Bradley had an interesting game. It certainly wasn't his best, but it wasn't his worst. I felt as though he could have scored during a scrum during regulation but he failed to capitalize.


In total, I really look forward to the US' game against Austria. I think it will be really interesting. I think the US will do real well against them as it will be a game similar to Poland; well, at least I believe so.

 

The sign of a good team is winning when you don't play well.

That would have been a harsh hand ball call on Danny S. -- he was only a couple of feet away when the ball was kicked.

I thought that Bradley was very good. IMO, our back four seemed nervous and Adu was playing too deep, so Bradley was stuck with a lot of territory to cover and making longer passes. He does need to be more accurate, but he errs on the side of giving the ball up long rather than make a short pass whch might be a turnover. He also is in great shape. And I like his anger after the game. He gets hit with a cheap shot by a sore loser and reacted properly.

How is that not a red (or at least a yellow with a stern warning) on the tackle on Jozy? What a cheap, cheap play. I hope that he's OK, both for our hopes the rest of the way, RBNY and the kid's chance of cashing in.

 

From Ives:

 

Agreed. I remember the game you're talking about with McCarty (when he basically whiffed a sitter in front of goal), and was wondering at the time why little Ron Howard was subbed so early for Zizzo. But to his credit, McCarty had some really nice touches near the end and played great defense. See, I'm starting to come around on the MLS guys. This tournament has made me a big Robbie Rogers fan, too.

I've been a dissenting voice on Bradley all along. I just don't get what everyone sees, and I don't think he's prepared to start for the national team yet. There were some bad giveaways last night. While that wasn't just Bradley, he's far too careless with the ball for my liking. Afraid he'll be punished for that at the highest levels. I did, however, like the side he showed during the postmatch festivities.

Adu wasn't awful against Uruguay. He just didn't get as many touches and tried to force things when he finally got possession. But remember who took those successful corners and who earned the first one.

 

I watched the Austria-Gambia game when it came on late last night (yes, I've been having trouble sleeping recently).

I think with their physicality, Uruguay was a tougher test than Austria will prove to be. While they scored twice, there didn't seem to be much creativity there, and they seemed a little startled when a Gambian got a chance to run at them. They're well organized, but nothing the U.S. shouldn't be able to break down.

 

I didn't like Valentin in the Korea game, and I thought Sarkodie played rock-solid in the Brazil game. I doubt he would have been caught watching like Valentin was on the Uruguay goal.
I know Akpan wasn't very dangerous, but he did help a lot deep once the U.S. was protecting its lead. I didn't think Ferrari did a thing the entire time he was out there. I'd never seen him before; I don't know if he's typically that bad. But I was disappointed.
Sure hope your guy Jozy is ready to play Saturday.

 

The NASL averaged almost 15,000 fans a game in a 32-game season in 1980.

24 teams.

Incredible.

To me, the best ball in pro sports history.

 

FYI, went to Hibernian, which looked like a fairly cool place, but when asked if I could get the game on ESPNU they said "We don't get ESPNU." I said, "shite," chugged my Harp and went to Macgregor Drafthouse instead. Kickoff was impending and it was close to my hotel. I'd been there the night before and felt sure they could get the game there and they did, about three minutes in.

Enjoyed the comeback and result even if the US play wasn't all that impressive. Credit to Uruguay for taking Adu completely out of it. He got very few touches and the Americans struggled mightily in midfield much of the night.

 

Glad you found somewhere to watch it.
But you learned your lesson.
Always call first.
The places with a clue will know if they're going to get a game. If you get some host/hostess with no idea and no particular eagerness to find out if a game is available, then bet on it not being on and find someplace else.
Years of practice, being on the road.

 

This Beckham presser looks a whole lot like the one my current shop had when they hired me. All the bells and whistles.

 

Why is Pele always the one who gets all the association with NASL? For fucks sake, the NASL had three others players who would make anyone's all-time top 10 players ever in Cruyff, George Best and Beckenbauer.

Let's put it this way...all of the players mentioned above will have (or already have in the case of Best) state funerals in their home countries when they die.

Note: It's THE Gambia and not Gambia.

 

And it's The Ohio State University.
Just sayin'.