ExileOnDaytonStreet
Drunkard
Re: World Soccer XXIII - "Pay" Up Pompey?
Japan just got leveled by a monster (goal).
Japan just got leveled by a monster (goal).
it looks like if Mexico loses their two remaining road games and ties their two remaining home games, they likely wind up fifth in the group.
as much as they suck right now, i'd be pretty surprised if that happens. anyway, have they fired their coach yet now that they are eliminated from confederations cup?
On the cup, tuned in with Italy up 3-2 on Japan. Man, I was very, very impressed with the possession/confidence/skill of Japan. Italy scored the winner against the run of play and even after that, Japan really pressured. That is one dangerous team.
As for the US, someone help me out in regard to Donovan. Has he had a falling out with Klinsmann? Is he just too old now? What's the deal? I haven't been following him closely but fully expected him to still be an integral part of the team we field in Brazil.
Most encouraging thing for the US in recent competitive games has been keeping the opposition of the board. It has been and still is the biggest question mark for me going forward. I don't trust the defense, but I am at least encouraged.
Eh. I mean, it's nice and all, but we're talking about home matches against Panama and Honduras. It wasn't all that long ago that we gave up seven goals across two matches at home against Belgium and Germany. I'm still not really sold on Cameron and Beasley as defenders, and I think Klinsmann hasn't really given Goodson a shot. That being said, qualifying is the thing and we're well on our way.Most encouraging thing for the US in recent competitive games has been keeping the opposition of the board. It has been and still is the biggest question mark for me going forward. I don't trust the defense, but I am at least encouraged.
As for the US, someone help me out in regard to Donovan. Has he had a falling out with Klinsmann? Is he just too old now? What's the deal? I haven't been following him closely but fully expected him to still be an integral part of the team we field in Brazil.
Most encouraging thing for the US in recent competitive games has been keeping the opposition of the board. It has been and still is the biggest question mark for me going forward. I don't trust the defense, but I am at least encouraged.
Has he had a falling out with Klinsmann?
When head coach Jurgen Klinsmann, the former German star, took over this band of oddly self-satisfied athletes two years ago, he promised to change the culture of U.S. soccer at the highest level. He aimed to build a side that played with both discipline and fury—one that could compete consistently with the best soccer nations....Despite all the scoffing about this, Klinsmann and his group seem to be on to something.... It isn't merely the stout defense (four clean sheets the past five games) or the compulsion to press and attack with six and seven players. Rather, there is a certain Teutonic matter-of-factness in the approach, a belief that this is what should be happening, and a determined sense that so much work remains.
Players talk constantly now about wearing out opponents rather than surviving them, of wanting to enforce their will on games and not simply being satisfied with that staple of American soccer from toddlerhood on—the trophy for participation. "Jurgen has instilled that mentality to fight for every ball, to play your role, to not take plays off," midfielder Graham Zusi said after Tuesday's win. "If we do that we can eventually grind a team down."
....
The Americans are still a long way from the best international teams...But the team's evolution from a disorganized, middling competitor to [a team now hungry for more]
Klinsmann insists all he offers is an understanding about what his players need to do to be taken seriously. "It's not me coming up with a style of play," he said Tuesday night in Salt Lake after the 1-0 win over Honduras. "It is what is required to play well internationally. You got to play fast. You got to play at a high tempo, you got to play both ways, get behind the ball and be going forward. If you're going to be with the best in the world, this is what you got to do."
Yeah, Russia likely bought the 2018 World Cup, but they're a country that should be able to pull it off decently. Qatar?? Give me a fooking break!!! The Euro fans are going to hate the idea of having to go to a match Sober. Not to mention its going to be too **** hot there.Honestly I think England deserves it too after the royal bleep job that FIFA and Platini pulled on them about 2018. The Russian mob bought that World Cup.
We seem to be doing just fine without Donovan. What's the issue?
Yeah, Russia likely bought the 2018 World Cup, but they're a country that should be able to pull it off decently. Qatar?? Give me a fooking break!!! The Euro fans are going to hate the idea of having to go to a match Sober. Not to mention its going to be too **** hot there.
Good article in today's WSJ on USMNT progress to date, and what still remains to be done:
What I find most exciting is that there appears to be so much more upside potential, that the team is not very far along yet compared to where it could eventually end up.
Win CONCACEF? pft, seems to be the attitude. who cares about that? Get out of our pool in Brazil? pft, will be the attitude, who cares about that?
It's not like we haven't hosted in a long time. 1994 isn't that long ago in that regard. Since then:
France
South Korea
Germany
South Africa
And I'm sure there are other big nations who want to host and haven't done so in a longer time.