The Soccer Thread (Version 7.0)

I really liked this piece on Grantland about Landon.

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/9511167/landon-donovan-gold-cup/

 

From the CONCACAF statement:

"Mr. Klinsmann was ejected from the technical area for showing dissent towards the referee by throwing the ball in a violent manner during the CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinal match against Honduras on July 24, 2013, in Arlington, Texas, USA."

In a violent manner?? The USMNT has been CONCACAF-ed.

 

CONCACAF is the worst.

With that said, Klinsmann hasn't (and probably won't ever) be known for his in-game decisions or tactics. This is also a game the USMNT should not lose, even without its manager.

 

Even with such a brief stay in Munich, I'm sure Martin Vasquez is quite capable of yelling "Faster! Faster!" with a slightly Teutonic accent.

Win one for Der Gipper, boys.

 

Oh Brek, what are you doing stealing Donovan's goal like that?

 

Tough match, good win. I hope Stu is OK.

 

Landon Donovan deserves MVP ... but man, Beasley is really growing into a solid, reliable player. I thought his international career was history. Now he's going to be a starter in next year's World Cup.

 

The missed sitter by EJ would have been the prettiest goal that we would have scored in years. EJ spent too much time with the ball at his feet, and he needed to get rid of it quickly.

Landon was very good, if not great.

Feel terrible for Holden, even though Mix was the better player this tournament.

I still don't like Beasley in defense.

 

I really like Shea as an offensive sub. I'd feel comfortable with him in that role in Brazil. He just provides such a dose of athleticism, and he seems to have a knack for the goal, even if he poached that one today.

 

Replay showed Donovan whiffed. Kind of vultured one off Bedoya, but got to finish it in a 1-0 game.

 

Shea looks slightly out of shape, but he is super skilled.

 

Shea should be better suited to evolve as a player under Mark Hughes as opposed to Tony Pulis, which is a plus. The negative, he's playing for a Mark hughes side all year and a manager change should happen sometime soon and he will have to fight to be in the side again. A loan deal to a Championship side or a recently promoted team would do him well.