Any REAL football fans here? (Page 17)

See, thing is I think we are already there.  I personally think those were straight reds based on reputation not based on the foul.  Were they stupid fouls (Ricardo definitely) probably.  Were they worthy of straight reds, not a chance.  Fouls, yes.  Yellows, could be argued.  Straight reds, I've seen bigger maulings during WC qualifiers not get a second glance.  And with Bradley, I Definitely think it was based on WHO it was, not WHAT it was.

South Africa and Brazil are scoreless at 70+ minutes.

The guy on ESPN's live update is occasionally funny:

Tshabalala really is a first class name. Apparently he has brother called Po and Tinky Winky.

So part of me wants Brazil to win so we can continue to test our squad with top flight competition AND IF we were to win against them it would further validate the tournament for us.

Another part of me is pulling for SA, cheering for the underdogs.  Seeing an underdog match up for the final and the two power houses fighting it out for 3rd.

Choices, choices. 

Looks like my choice has been made for me.  Brazil up 1-0 with just a few minutes left.

So a rematch it is.  I hope we make a showing of it.

Yeah, me too. I think it's important they don't get behind early, and try to limit set pieces. And no stinking red cards! 

Tell me about it.  I have yet to see a replay of the Bradley card from Wednesday. 

ETA: finally saw the replay.  studs flashed for a second.  No different than the Alonso tackle on Jozy in the 33rd minute that wasn't called.  Was it a foul?  Yep.  Warrant a card?  Possibly.  Straight red? By the rule book, cleats up, red card, so yes.  Would that have been called in any other game or against any other team or in any other league?  THAT is the $60 billion question.  I say no, and I think it could be argued that there is some incredible inconsistancies in calls.  But that might only be because I lost my tinfoil hat. 

Damn.

I can't write about the match right now.  Going to tomorrow.  Really looked like a match of two different halfs.    Looking forward to hearing some of your evaluations of the match.

Yeah, definitely two different halfs. The US was just overwhelmed in the second half. Howard made so many incredible saves in both halfs, so it could have been worse. Really, Brazil scored four times in the second half--the one that crossed the line but wasn't ruled a goal.

Very disappointing to be sure, you never know when they'll be back to a FIFA championship game. But still a big accomplishment and they've proven they can play with the big boys. The win against Spain is still huge, and hopefully they can take some confidence out of this tournament.

So now that I've had a bit of a chance to calm down here are my thoughts.

First half was unreal.  Howard came up with some sick saves.  Just sick.  And the second goal was absolutely beautiful.  Probably one of the most beautiful runs and build-ups I've seen a USMNT do, at least in a match that counted.  Everyone was on their game playing as well as they have ever played.  If they could have kept that up in the second half, they likely would have one.

So the second half.  Once Brazil scored the second goal, I knew it was over.  The swagger and confidence we had in the first half was gone.  We were back on our heels, giving them WAY too much time and WAY too many opportunities.  At that point it was just a matter of time. 

Some comments about a few of the players:

Altidore - had only a mediocre game.  I think he tends to be a bit too aloof if he doesn't have the ball.  Need to see more hustle out of him.

Davies - Damn that kid is fast.  He really was creating havoc up front.  I'd like to see more of him.  Lord knows he had multiple opportunities in the first half.  His speed really caught Brazil and Spain completely off guard.  I like it.

Donovan - it is well known I am not a big fan of Landycakes.  But he had a very good game yesterday.  And that score was priceless.  Could be argued one of the best in his career.

Dempsey - had a fairly good game.  I think he lost steam in the second half.  First half he was everywhere, as usual.  And that little flick into the goal was ugly and beautiful all at the same time.

Demerit - I'm really beginning to like this kid.  He busts his but out there.

Onyewu - Personally I think had the best tournament out of the entire team.  AND he has truely shown his maturity.  Early in his MNT career he was getting carded left and right.  A real hot head.  Now, he is a stallwart in the back.  AND almost had a header in the match yesterday.

Kljestan - Out of everyone on the pitch in both half's, I was most upset with him.  He had a HORRIBLE substitution.  I could count on one hand how many sucessful passes he made to a team mate but lost count of how many he gave away.  In a time when we needed to hold on to the ball, especially after the 3rd goal, he was giving the ball BACK to Brazil.  I was screaming at the telly.  I was so frustrated.  I couldn't believe what I was watching.  When you make a substitution, you expect the fresh legs to make an impact.  He didn't.  He failed miserabley.  I would rank him as bad as Beasley when it comes to maintaining control of the ball. 

So all in all, we made a good show.  We beat the #1 team in the world, and we gave, who I think will be the new #1 team in the world a run for their money.  We played out of this world in the first half and then looked like the typical USMNT in the second, with only a few flashes of brilliance.  They had their chance and they pizzed it away.

I just hope they can take the confidence they gained in the second half of this cup (because the first two games were disasters, even with the solid play against Italy) and use the momentum going into the rest of the summer and WC qualifiers.

MelH - 2009-06-29 11:34 AM

Kickback - 2009-06-29 10:28 AM  The only 3 players getting great experience regularly are Landon Donovan (on loan to Bayern Munchen), Jozy Altidore (Villareal), and Tim Howard (Everton)

What?!? Are you kidding me?

1. Landon is NOT on loan with Bayern... he plays for the LA Galaxy...
2. Jozy is getting a 'great experience' with Villa??? He road pine at Villa, then they loaned him to the Segunda side Xerez in January, where again, he road pine
3. Tim Howard -  you're one for three....

You missed Dempsey with Fulham, Torres with Pachuca, amongst others.... (Gooch? Carlos? Baby Bradley?)

Football nut... a nut anyways....

Landycakes WAS on loan but is back with LA.

And yea, Dempsey is one of the main reasons Fulham stayed up this year in EPL. 

It is killing me and Jozy that his butt is keeping the pine warm.

I will disagree, though,  that Tim was THE reason we made it this far.  He is A HUGE reason, but not the only one.  He made some mind numbing saves against Spain, but Gooch (who is one of the hottest defenders in Europe right now and actually may snub the EPL and possibly stay in Belgium?) was instrumental in keeping the backfield quite solid for that match and the first half of the final.

Can't remember where Boca is, but I believe it is France.

Bradley Jr (still think that was a blown red card) is also there, but for the life of me I have no idea where.

Where is my friend Bcozian?  He always has a great analysis of the match!

Sorry mate, but he is back with LA as of the beginning of this season.

http://la.galaxy.mlsnet.com/players/bio.jsp?team=t106&player=donovan_l&playerId=don474618&statType=current

That's right.  Thanks. 

Kickback - 2009-06-29 11:58 AM

crowny2 - 2009-06-29 11:55 AM

Kickback - 2009-06-29 11:50 AM Okay, I am a little fast to judge. I just got interested with the USMNT after watching their Spain game, and having watched Donovan at Bayern Munchen, so I just looked at the team roster to see the players on the biggest name teams (don't know why I didn't pick up Dempsey @ Fulham).

Sorry mate, but he is back with LA as of the beginning of this season.

http://la.galaxy.mlsnet.com/players/bio.jsp?team=t106&player=donovan_l&playerId=don474618&statType=current

I actually realized that I had read news back in February that he wanted to extend the loan, but apparently that didn't go through. I was under that assumption. I'll shut up

HA!  no worries.  nice to have more folks here in the footy thread.  It will get fun in here when the season kicks back into full swing in Europe this fall.

That I am.  Was fortunate to get to a match at Mecca (Anfield) a few years ago when they demolished Bolton 4-1. 

MelH - 2009-06-29 12:06 PM Speaking of transfers - reallyreallyreallyreally hope Freddy & Jozy both get to a team where they can play... Freddy better dominate the Gold Cup if he has any hope of not getting sold to Ukraine's third division... although that might be better than riding pine with Benefica.

Charlie Davies is looking for a move too, think he got himself into a better position with this tourny?   His agent (and Gooch's) are probably busy busy busy...

...while Sascha's European dreams might have died for awhile.

How soon before we see DMB playing for the Puerto Rico Islanders????   

Yes, yes and yes.

Jozy needs more time and so does Freddy.  He better do something positive in the Gold Cup or his overhyped butt is done.

DMB is through.  Seriously.  He looked horrible in the WC Qualifiers before the Confederations Cup and he looked horrible in the first two matches of that.  first and foremost, he should NOT be at LB.  Ever.  Ever again.  EVER!!!!  That being said, he looked like he had never seen a ball before, much less played in a match.  I'm sorely disappointed in his performances.  Unless he does some big time improvement, I don't care if I ever see him sporting the colors again.  not even in a Friendly.

Ran across an interesting article about Man City and the talent they're adding in the offseason. Apparently, Teves and Eto'o are very close to signing. The article goes on to say that if this works out, they could shake things up at the top of the league. But it puts a lot of pressure on them to succeed.

http://web.mlsnet.com/mls/gsc/article.jsp?ymd=20090629&content_id=5597520&vkey=gsc&fext=.jsp