The [Horribly Unpopular] Soccer Thread

[Reno_eNVy]

Part of me thinks that some of this is due to the team starting to believe the hype behind the streak. I think getting punched in the nose by Costa Rica might get our heads out of the clouds.

This.

Let's hope they can make something happen without Besler, Cameron, and possibly Bradley.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

USMNT UPDATE:

Gone - Besler, Bradley, Cameron, Altidore

Called Up - Joe Corona, Brad Davis, Clarence Goodson, Jose Torres



My prediction for the match against Mexico:

--------------Howard---------------
-Orozco--Goodson--Gonzo--Beasley-
----------Cameron------------------
----------------Jones--------------
-Zusi-------------------------Davis-
-------------Dempsey--------------
---------------Donovan------------

 

[Grannyknot]

My prediction for the match against Mexico:

--------------Howard---------------
-Orozco--Goodson--Gonzo--Beasley-
----------Cameron------------------
----------------Jones--------------
-Zusi-------------------------Davis-
-------------Dempsey--------------
---------------Donovan------------

I thought Geoff Cameron was on a yellow card suspension?
I would swap Donovan & Dempsey.

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

I thought Geoff Cameron was on a yellow card suspension?
I would swap Donovan & Dempsey.

Cameron, Besler, and Altidore were all yellow cards. Shame Bradley is hurt. For me the lineup almost has to be

RB - Evans (can't start the same fullbacks who got abused by Costa Rica)
CB - Goodson
CB - Gonzalez
LB - Beasley (would replace him if Jozy wasn't suspended)
CDM - Jones
CDM - Diserkud (though we'll be weak on the defensive portion with this pairing, he's our best central option JMO)
RM - Zusi
CAM - Donovan
LM - Johnson
ST - Dempsey

 

[BrewKnurd]

Cameron, Besler, and Altidore were all yellow cards. Shame Bradley is hurt. For me the lineup almost has to be

RB - Evans (can't start the same fullbacks who got abused by Costa Rica)
CB - Goodson
CB - Gonzalez
LB - Beasley (would replace him if Jozy wasn't suspended)
CDM - Jones
CDM - Diserkud (though we'll be weak on the defensive portion with this pairing, he's our best central option JMO)
RM - Zusi
CAM - Donovan
LM - Johnson
ST - Dempsey

Evans isn't with the team, he picked up an injury and was ruled out a few days before CR. Parkhurst seems likely at RB.

I don't think we should go with LD and dempsey as the central attackers again. LD and Dempsey are both good as support strikers/attacking mid, but I think we need EJ or Johannson in there.

 

[Grannyknot]

Finally a good video has surfaced showing Campbell's dive that caused Besler's yellow card.
Pretty disgraceful. See 5:40.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/qjDaW3VXjnw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Joker]

Wow.......... after a review of that Campbell should be fined, and actually so should the referee.

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

Evans isn't with the team, he picked up an injury and was ruled out a few days before CR. Parkhurst seems likely at RB.

I don't think we should go with LD and dempsey as the central attackers again. LD and Dempsey are both good as support strikers/attacking mid, but I think we need EJ or Johannson in there.

I would like the lineup to slide Johnson back to full back and have one of those 1 striking but I cannot imagine that happening

 

[Reno_eNVy]

Sorry about the mistake with Cameron. I'm pushing 6 months straight out of town for work in a tiny bullsh*t town, living in a crap hotel. I can actual feel my mind becoming duller.

I'd say instead make Jones the holding middie and have Mix play more forward.

And why switch Donovan and Dempsey? I have just two things to say about that:

1) Dempsey is the classic second striker
2) Have you even seen how nuts LD has been playing for club and country at the forward position the last few months?

 

[BrewKnurd]

I would like the lineup to slide Johnson back to full back and have one of those 1 striking but I cannot imagine that happening

I agree on both counts. It seems Jurgen is quite set on FJ at left wing, and I don't disagree that he is a better left wing than a left back. But IMO, our needs at left back are greater than left wing, and we have better alternatives on the wing than at fullback.

I think if I had my way it would be landon on the left wing with fabian at fullback. Landon would tuck inside allowing overlapping runs from fabian. Right side would have the fullback, probably parkhurst, staying deeper and relying more on crosses from zusi to be the offensive plan. Probably EJ and clint up top.

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

When the team is fully healthy I'm sure Johnson will go to full back since I don't think Klinsmann will bench Zusi. Only other it could switch is if Jones struggles is sliding him to the bench, and Zusi to central. But I can't see that happening.

 

[aygov]

Alexi Lalas... ESPN, why do you keep giving this idiot a job?

 

[aygov]

Goodnight Mexico! Hello Brazil!

 

[Reno_eNVy]

Dos a cero!


....AGAIN! I'm actually glad the PK was missed for that reason alone.

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

Dos a cero!


....AGAIN! I'm actually glad the PK was missed for that reason alone.

You can tell Dempsey wasn't really trying.

 

[BrewKnurd]

Dos a cero!


....AGAIN! I'm actually glad the PK was missed for that reason alone.

Yup. Never been so happy to see a missed US PK.

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

Draw in Honduras. US qualifies, Mexico has a shot at the 3 spot still.

 

[BrewKnurd]

Draw in Honduras. US qualifies, Mexico has a shot at the 3 spot still.

But can't clinch even the 4 spot until the final game.

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

But can't clinch even the 4 spot until the final game.

That's the funny part of this outcome, but I think they'll take the shot at the 3 instead of easier qualification for the 4, they need a little help from Costa Rica and the US to beat (not draw) Honduras and Panama then they need to just score a ton of goals to up their GD. I don't want Mexico to not qualify, though it would be hilarious, it would make for a less interesting World Cup.

 

[aygov]

I want Mexico to not qualify. I find their qualification nightmare hilarious and them staying home for the WC would be the cherry on top of an already delicious cake of Mexico failure.

 

[danielofthedale]

The game was great and the crowd was amazing!!! Easily one of the best atmospheres I have ever been a part of!!! On to Brazil!

 

[Punity]

Glad to see Seattle take their rightful place on top of the West. Been fun to watch them turn it around after a dismal start.

 

[danielofthedale]

Looking like Atlanta will be getting an MLS team! I am so freaking excited about this and cant wait to be enjoying my homebrew at tailgates!

 

[Reno_eNVy]

Looking like Atlanta will be getting an MLS team! I am so freaking excited about this and cant wait to be enjoying my homebrew at tailgates!

Source?

Neither MLSsoccer.com nor BigSoccer say anything about that (the latter always being the fastest source, IMMO )

 

[danielofthedale]

AJC, SI, and Sporting News all have reported about deep discussions. I also know a guy who knows a high up management official with in the Falcons Organization that said a letter of intent was signed by Blank last weekend to MLS about buying an expansion franchise for the 2015 season.

 

[aygov]

United get rinsed by Citeh, Arsenal go top of the league with a win at Stoke, and Di Canio out at Sunderland...

 

[hopstupid]

the great Manchester massacre

What a great day only thing missing was an Ashley Young dive in the box

 

[danielofthedale]

Arsenal have the most in the EPL since Jan. 1, 2013. If we can avoid any more big injuries and get some reinforcements in the January window we could be a real contender for the championship.

 

[Catfish78]

Did you guys catch Guzan's save against Norwhich? Unreal, and the penalty save was pretty good too.

[ame]http://youtu.be/h80tkFmdwfM[/ame]

 

[Grannyknot]

Jurgen needs to strongly consider Guzan in goal.
Howard is a solid choice, but I think Guzan is a step up in their current form.