The Soccer Thread (Version 7.0)

To be fair, Johnson was only on the field for 14 seconds.

This has been an entertaining game. That Zelaya guy has some magic in his feet. Both goalkeepers have been superb. Otherwise, this could easily by a 6-3 game right now.

 

Love him or hate him, Landon Donovan is still a vital part of the USMNT. He will be starting next summer in Brazil.

 

Looking good Jurgen. No complaints here.

 

Really liked the aggressive play. Still think that the defense is subpar, but that probably won't be a major issue until El Tri in the finals.

 

The Gold Cup defense has been subpar, which is not unexpected. Besler should be able to stabilize things.

I'm not putting Mexico in the finals yet. They've only really looked good for one game, and that was against a non-FIFA team. Panama worked Mexico over in the first meeting.

 

1. U.S. beating Honduras isn't a slam dunk. At all.
2. Mexico beating Panama isn't a slam dunk. At all.
3. Aside from Landon, I think Beckerman, Diskerud and Corona have made very strong arguments for being on the World Cup squad in 2014.

 

So who gets dropped from the current squad to make room for Donovan and any other Gold Cuppers?

 

I am president of the I Hate Kyle Beckerman Club ... and that guy has played very, very well in the Gold Cup. By far the best he's played for the USMNT.

I think the following are probable starters next summer, at this point:

Jozy Altidore, Clint Dempsey, Graham Zusi, Landon Donovan, Jermaine Jones, Michael Bradley, Matt Besler, DeMarcus Beasley and Tim Howard. That leaves one outside defender and one center back.

As for Gold Cup players ... Eddie Johnson is a guy who could work his way into the starting lineup but is more likely the supersub. Mix Diskerud's stock has shot up the last couple weeks. Joe Corona's skill and creativity is something we don't see often from a US player. Nick Rimando's stock is increasing as the No. 3 behind Howard and Guzan, but I've always been a fan of Sean Johnson.

 

The exchange at the end, with Donovan trying to put on the sunglasses that were thrown at him, was priceless. El Salvador fans were throwing anything and everything at him, and he punked them. I love the attitude that I'm seeing from him and from the team.

 

After what I'm sure was an extensive and grueling consultation period, the new names for the Scottish divisions have been released. They will be known as the Scottish Premiership, Championship, League One and League Two.

*headdesk*

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23435136

 

Man, the Cowboys Stadium field looks horrible. Big seams where the grass strips don't meet are filled with sand. If you want to try an in-swinging corner kick, there's no room on at least one end.

 

I feel bad for the players in the first match...think of how shitty it's going to be for the 2nd match. Yikes.