The Soccer Thread (IV)

If you love the game, and I know you do, you have to complain.
From beginning to end, that was maybe the best play I've ever seen the U.S. execute, and it got wiped out on a bullcrap foul call.
The game will not grow in popularity here when you're taking that sort of artistic perfection and wiping it out because the ref had too many Ruffles with his lunch.

 

It was a great play, true. But better than the give-and-go for the second goal against Brazil this year?

As for "growing the game", calls are missed in all sports. The pretty play doesn't matter as far as growing the game, victory does.

If the United States won the World Cup (OK, if it reached the semifinals) with a style akin to what Greece used to win Euro 2004, the bandwagon would swell.

Like I said, it sucks, but I'm more worried about the team putting together a 90-minute effort. Not gonna dwell on a ref's mistake when the team's scary lack of depth was once again exposed.

 

Just a small reminder:

The last time an American player and/or coach got all up in a referee's grille after being Prendergasted, Claudio Reyna and Bruce Arena were each banned for two games. That is, if you discount Michael Bradley's alleged chasing down of the ref who sent him off vs. Spain.

 

I'm worried about that too, P.
They have been so inconsistent. Bradley's been in a near-daze since the red card at the end of the Spain game. He hasn't been tackling, rarely links the ball forward. Donovan's doing his job and the LW job. Having Gooch back ought to fix some of the mess at the back, one would hope.

 

Very nervous about the next two games. There is a real chance that we could be missing some big time players for the next set of games.

 

This is true. There are quite a few carrying cards into this game and should any/all receive yellows then they will miss the all important Honduras away match.

The most important game, I think, is the home game against Costa Rica. I think that is where the US will lock it up (I’ll be there and if anyone wants to join me on the bus, please let me know!). Honduras is just a tough place to play.

I suspect that Bradley will go back to the Bradley-Clark midfield duo for this one as well. I have no idea who he’ll start as left back, but having Gooch back in the middle will definitely help.

 

Sorry, but I didn’t see this SBI article yesterday. Now that Castillo is part of the USA pool (Um, FIFA, Jones put his application in months ago. How about a ruling on that?), who else is expecting to see him called in possibly for the Honduras and Costa Rica games.

Bornstein has been shaky at times and is far too inconsistent. I say give Castillo a shot and see what he can do.

 

With Donovan and -- to a lesser extent -- Dempsey acting as playmakers from the wings, I don't mind having Bradley and Clark, or another defensive mid, play together.

Looking forward to tonight's game and seeing the continuing emergence of Altidore and Davies. Those two should play up front together from now on.

 

Also, how can I forget to mention that ESPN360 will be carrying the Scotland v. Netherlands game. The Scots absolutely need a draw to have any hope of making the knock-out stages.

 

espn360 is the greatest invention in the history of the world. There should be no argument on this subject.

 

Faroe Islands wins first qualifier since 2001, 2-1 over Lithuania.

BTW, what has happened to Belgium in the past decade? Lost in Armenia 2-1 with the goal coming in injury time.

 

Forget a draw. Scotland need a win. 11 points aren't going to be enough to make the playoffs, especially not with a negative goal difference.

I still think it's rather silly that ITV introduces its England coverage with 'Bittersweet Symphony.'

If Ukraine don't score against Belarus in the next 20 minutes, England will need only a draw to qualify.