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World Soccer XII: South Africa Awaits

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Re: World Soccer XII: South Africa Awaits

AMC said:
Has any thought been given to moving Dempsey up top, putting Davies on the bench as the speed spark that comes in in the second half, and starting Holden at right wing?
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I don't think that would be the best way to play if Davies is fit for 60 or more minutes—then I'd prefer to go with the Confeds Cup approach of starting Davies up top and Dempsey out wide, then sub Davies off and move Dempsey up top—but if he's only up to 30 or so it would probably work well in group play.
 
Re: World Soccer XII: South Africa Awaits

WeWantMore said:
What frustrates me though, is that Bob Bradley seems incapable of trying any other options at the position. As I've pointed out above, Bocanegra, Spector, Castillo, Pearce, all play left back for their club teams (maybe not Pearce so much anymore, I understand FC Dallas may be looking to shift him to midfield, but still). Yet Bornstein is still the only player who Bob has given a long look at the position.
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:confused:

He's played Bocanegra there during the Confederations Cup. Pearce got a long look before his form fell off a cliff, and got run out there again recently. Castillo's gotten a look for the U.S., but I think he's a left mid rather than left back for his club anyway. Spector's been needed at right back. I think you're being grossly unfair to Bradley.
 
Re: World Soccer XII: South Africa Awaits

Craig P. said:
:confused:

He's played Bocanegra there during the Confederations Cup. Pearce got a long look before his form fell off a cliff, and got run out there again recently. Castillo's gotten a look for the U.S., but I think he's a left mid rather than left back for his club anyway. Spector's been needed at right back. I think you're being grossly unfair to Bradley.
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Castillo got 30 minutes of mop up duty against Denmark at left mid- that's it. I'm 99% positive that he plays left back for his club side. Contrast the time given to him to the the time given to Bornstein. Against El Salvador in September, JB puts in a poor performance, gives the ball away for the lone El Salvador goal. 4 days later, he's still in the starting lineup for Trinidad and Tobago, despite having Cherundolo and Marshall on the bench.


Then, we locked up qualification for WC 2010, JB puts in a good performance against Costa Rica. At this point, Bradley's focus should be on picking out the best combination of 23 guys to go to South Africa and perform well. The first two friendlies, @Slovakia and @Denmark, Bornstein plays all 180 minutes.

You think Jonathan Bornstein is the best choice at left back, that's fine. A 100% reasonable opinion to have. But my argument is that he has been given the spot by default, without others getting a fair look.
 
Re: World Soccer XII: South Africa Awaits

I'm not really crazy about Dempsey as an out-and-out striker. He tends to score a fair number of his goals by making well-timed runs into the box out of the midfield and finding some open space, kind of like how Brett Hull used to say his best skill wasn't his shot but his ability to lose defenders. If Dempsey is a striker and there's a center back tasked with marking him (or two center backs marking two strikers and switching off by sides), those runs don't have the same effect, and I don't know that he has the pace or size or pure technical skills to match up well against top-class center backs.
 
Re: World Soccer XII: South Africa Awaits

jmh said:
I'm not really crazy about Dempsey as an out-and-out striker. He tends to score a fair number of his goals by making well-timed runs into the box out of the midfield and finding some open space, kind of like how Brett Hull used to say his best skill wasn't his shot but his ability to lose defenders. If Dempsey is a striker and there's a center back tasked with marking him (or two center backs marking two strikers and switching off by sides), those runs don't have the same effect, and I don't know that he has the pace or size or pure technical skills to match up well against top-class center backs.
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But that's why shifting him up top after Altidore goes off makes sense, since he'll be running against a tired defense. Or so the theory goes...
 
Re: World Soccer XII: South Africa Awaits

SAF: Better call the Waaaaaaaaaaaaa-mbulance.

From every account I've heard about the second yellow (I've yet to see it) I understand what Sir Alex is upset with. No reason to storm the referee, if that's what really happened, regardless of the foul. However, from what I've read so far, it was a clear yellow and Rafael was getting his second of the day regardless of what the Bayern players did.
 
Re: World Soccer XII: South Africa Awaits

Ferguson's "Typical Germans" comment should earn him a hefty fine. In reality, i will probably earn him a disapproving look from UEFA, at maximum.
 
Re: World Soccer XII: South Africa Awaits

In all honesty, I think the refs have been hard on United. Look at the Chelsea and Munich games. I think the refs have the we can't give United anything because people will think we are playing favorites. By the way, Bayern did play like "typical Germans." :D :D
 
Re: World Soccer XII: South Africa Awaits

First Union 'home' game last night. Just under 35k fans, half of whom didn't see the first goal due to the stadium being locked down for the VP to arrive. No sympathy for them...they should have gotten in well beforehand. Big crowd, exciting game with one of the top 10 goalie blunders I've seen. Both DC goals were the result of bad plays by the Union.


I can only hope that when we get to the new stadium the fans realize that all you have to do is sit there for 45 minutes...get your food and beer before the game and stop getting up every 5 minutes.
 
Re: World Soccer XII: South Africa Awaits

pirate said:
First Union 'home' game last night. Just under 35k fans, half of whom didn't see the first goal due to the stadium being locked down for the VP to arrive. No sympathy for them...they should have gotten in well beforehand. Big crowd, exciting game with one of the top 10 goalie blunders I've seen. Both DC goals were the result of bad plays by the Union.


I can only hope that when we get to the new stadium the fans realize that all you have to do is sit there for 45 minutes...get your food and beer before the game and stop getting up every 5 minutes.
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I read one fan account who said he got there at 5, for the match starting at 6, and still missed the first goal.

Still, awesome for Philly to get a win in the home opener, luckily they didn't have to endure a TFC like drought before seeing their first goal
 
Re: World Soccer XII: South Africa Awaits

Another great performance from City today, 5-1 winners at home.
Meanwhile, Spurs and Pompey in extra time
 
Re: World Soccer XII: South Africa Awaits

WeWantMore said:
I read one fan account who said he got there at 5, for the match starting at 6, and still missed the first goal.

Still, awesome for Philly to get a win in the home opener, luckily they didn't have to endure a TFC like drought before seeing their first goal
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I think most folks hadn't gone to a soccer game with 35k before and may have expected to walk right in...we were there tailgating 2.5 hours before the game and the lot closest to the stadium was 50% full...we headed in at 5 and made it in plenty of time but the lines were 50-75 deep at every metal detector...getting there at 5 meant finding a spot, parking pretty far away and having a 10+ minute walk just to get in line.

They didn't do a real good job publicizing the lockdown for the VP.

It was a very exciting game, Torres is pretty good for an 18yo.

Glad to have been there.
 
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