The Soccer thread (Part II)

[Beaker]

And there's the second. Barry sets up Gerrard right after he enters.

 

[Inky_Wretch]

Gerrard scores to make it 2-0.

Johnson needed to finish the chance early in the second half. That was the opportunity to get back in the match, but then again, finishing against good teams is the Americans' prime weakness.

Good gosh, the BBC audio feed is like three minutes behind this post.

 

[Beaker]

At this point, I don't think Capello should have any doubts as to whether Barry or Lampard plays better with Gerrard.

It's no wonder Liverpool wants him so much.

 

[Beaker]

Given the U.S. personnel in midfield, I guess I know why Bob Bradley plays his son in a holding type role, but he's much more effective as an attacking player.

 

[Inky_Wretch]

I'm a tried-and-true USA supporter. But I still get chills when the England fans crank up "Rule Brittannia."

The BBC announcers are trashing the selection of Gerrard as MotM. They think Hargreaves deserves it.

Then Nate Jaqua subs in and they debate how to pronounce his name. Then one of them says "Oh what does it matter how it's pronounced?"

 

[kingcreole]

Missed the last 20 minutes or so, but here are some thoughts:

When you play England, you can't commit stupid fouls near the box. We were lucky to be down 1-0 at halftime with as many chances as Beckham had.

Becks, by the way, is still a master when it comes to set pieces. The assist was beautiful.

I have never understood the love for Rooney. Kid is a punk and always looks like he is one instant away from doing something stupid and getting sent off. If he had the head of Gary Lineker, Rooney might be close to as great as Lineker.

Not much creativity for the Americans when trying to work something from the back. Some decent creativity when we'd get the near goal, but overall, unimpressive.

I like playing these tough friendlies before WC qualifying. Absolutely love playing in England, and I hope for more of these kinds of matches for years to come.

 

[WazzuGrad00]

Sounders show off jerseys with Microsoft sponsorship:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2004443714_soundersweb28.html

The AP story says the ownership group wants any designated player the team signs to be part of the Seattle community.

So ... Hahnemann? Keller? Hope Solo? All I know is that every player from the Northwest is a goalie.

 

[Inky_Wretch]

Glad Seattle got a good sponsor. But as a Mac fanboy, I'll never wear that kit.

 

[andyouare?]

My 2 cents on the game: Yuck.

I'm reminded of those high school soccer district tournament games when the No. 4 seed would play the No. 1 seed. The No. 1 seed was just on another level and the other team could have played all day and not scored a goal.

Where was Michael Bradley? I know he might have played deeper than normal but he was invisible. Wolff did nothing, Johnson did nothing.

I would have loved to see how Donovan might have changed things.

Adu had a decent shot, but otherwise was underwhelming. Just overall bleh!

We'll see how they do against Spain.

 

[Pastor]

Given the U.S. personnel in midfield, I guess I know why Bob Bradley plays his son in a holding type role, but he's much more effective as an attacking player.

I just got off the phone with my dad who shares the exact same thought.

I don't understand why Bradley is holding his son back. The kid can attack. Let him.

Then Nate Jaqua subs in...

Yes, that was about as dumb a sub as could occur. Did Bradley miss the clock? it was showing 87' on the freaking board when he comes on for Eddie "I miss my life coach" Johnson.

Tell Johnson to get tae fork until he can get his confidence back. It is pathetic watching him out there.

I have never understood the love for Rooney.

Much like Eddie Johnson, Rooney came on and did the job out of virtually nowhere. He helped them qualify for the World Cup. He also has that "everyman" quality about him where you just know that the night before today's game he was likely in a bar fight with someone.

I like him, but he is nowhere as good as the English believe.

============================

Now, my thoughts on the game:

Last night I saw why England didn't qualify for the Euros. They don't have a goalie and they don't have a striker. Simply not good enough.

The US is getting better, but in certain areas this team is seriously lacking and it doesn't seem like they are moving forward.

1. The US has no left fullback. If Heath Pearce is the best option, the team has no options.

2. Onyewu is very good against small teams from South America and CONCACAF. He is very mediocre against power house teams with talent. They just blow past him.

3. Frankie Hejduk played last night. Don't tell me you are serious about building for the future when this muppet is on the pitch. No.

4. Eddie Johnson has no confidence. The guy is shot. Stop putting him out there to watch him fail. Subbing him out with only 5' to go in the game was foolish. Any sub coming on doesn't have enough time and you just wasted an entire game by watching Johnson flail away like a fish out of water. This experiment needs to be over until EJ can demonstrate that he can score again.

5. Adu should have started over Wolff. We've seen Wolff. Let us see Adu. The kid has skill and talent. He can be the supporting striker.

6. Donovan would have changed nothing. The kid has no balls.

7. Clark needs to get better on the ball. He's a solid d-mid, but he gives up bad penalties because he doesn't have the skill. Feilhaber anyone?

8. If you are starting the pair of Josh Wolff and Eddie Johnson, do you honestly believe that your team will score 1-goal? I don't.

Watching the game last night, I could easily see that England was "outclassing" the US. The difference is that the US was able to somewhat keep up and play with some sort of gumption. I wasn't completely deflated as I felt it wasn't as terrible as it could have been.

 

[PCLoadLetter]

Sounders show off jerseys with Microsoft sponsorship:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2004443714_soundersweb28.html

The AP story says the ownership group wants any designated player the team signs to be part of the Seattle community.

So ... Hahnemann? Keller? Hope Solo? All I know is that every player from the Northwest is a goalie.

When I saw the Sounders logo and colors I thought that may be the first MLS jersey I would add to my collection. But with a big "XBOX 360 Live" on the front? Uh, no. Maybe if I was 12.

 

[GB-Hack]

And ESPN adds Andy Gray for Euro 2008 ...

http://awfulannouncing.blogspot.com/2008/05/your-espnabc-commentators-for-euro-2008.html

I'm assuming that's crazy Scotsman Andy Gray, of Sky Sports fame.