Running, all-purpose World Cup thread

We don't have much in the domestic category. I hate Bud, so the option could be Coors Light. So, I generally go with Guinness or Tennants.

 

Good to see Alexi Lalas made time to comb his hair before going on TV...

 

I really don't like the 4-5-1 formation. I understand using it, but I don't like it.

 

U.S. lineup announced...going with a 4-5-1.

Beasley starts at right mid, Convey at left. Donovan will play center mid and will cue the attack.

McBride is the lone man upfront.

I hate the formation, never have and never will, but will see how it plays out. I knew they'd go with 5 middies to tighten things up against Nedved...

 

Hmm ... contrarian view here ... but I love the 4-5-1 here. I think it gives them a MUCH better chance to win this game than a 4-4-2. Gives them a better chance to control the mid with Nedved there. Gives them a better chance to score, and create, with the relative lack of playmakers that they have. Doesn't put all the pressure on Donovan offensively, which puts him -- as Bruce knows -- in a better position to succeed. Your mids are your strength (give me a fifth mid over a Wolff up front, and you still can bring Johnson or Wolff in for a boost late), so he's playing to his strength.

Gotta get those outside mids (esp. Beasley) playing up and putting pressure on Cech. But I think 4-5-1 is an excellent formation, and kudos to Arena for being ballsy enough to get away from what I think would be a stale 4-4-2 (with this group, at least.) Good move, IMO.

 

Hey, Brent Musberger is channeling Jim McKay for this feature on Keller.

 

Where is Reyna playing?

 

Reyna is the holding mid on the right side.

 

ussoccer.com appears to be down.

 

As long as US soccer isn't.

 

First time, long time...

Don't know if this has been posted, but if you're stuck indoors away from a TV, you can listen (I think) to the BBC Radio Five feed here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/video_and_audio/default.stm

(Click on the Radio Five Live link in the top right hand corner.)  

I'm listening to the pregame show now, and I can't imagine they'll be able to block me from listening to the game.  I think in the US there are restrictions because of XM. 

(Edited because I'm an idiot - it doesn't work. This is a bummer.)

 

That socceroo Cahill's going to be drinkiong Fosters for free for the rest of his life.
What a great moment.
I love this event.