World Cup 2014

[notredomer23]

It's just so ironic that Wondo makes the team as the "right place, right time" goalscorer... Klinsmann inserts him to be that guy and maybe steal the game... and he gets an absolute bunny and flubs it.

Really surprised if Altidore truly was 100% that they didn't sub him in there. Julian Green is not even a target forward and the second he stepped on the field he made Bradley instantly better. Julian Green is the only one this whole tournament to make a run like that--Bradley's strength to find. That is all Altidore does. Overall was a very frustrating game to watch in a public setting, wish I stayed home.

 

[Grahambo]

It's just so ironic that Wondo makes the team as the "right place, right time" goalscorer... Klinsmann inserts him to be that guy and maybe steal the game... and he gets an absolute bunny and flubs it.

I'm his defense, they said the flag was up so wouldn't have counted.


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[IrishLax]

I'm his defense, they said the flag was up so wouldn't have counted.


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No it wasn't. The linesman was just signaling a goal kick. Announcers were initially wrong.

 

[Grahambo]

No it wasn't. The linesman was just signaling a goal kick. Announcers were initially wrong.

I stand corrected. I know he wasn't but they said he was and didn't show a replay of the signal.


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[IrishBlood81]

Rats rats rats.... dang that sucks. Really wanted the Argentina vs USA match up. We could've won this game. A fw things go our way and boom, we're. We looked so gassed in Extra Time. Barely hanging in there.
Oh well... Go Colombia

 

[notredomer23]

Just because I am bored/disappointed right now.

2018 USA starting XI

--------------------Guzan/Howard--------------------------
Deandre Yedlin----Omar Gonzalez----John A. Brooks---F. Johnson

Junior Flores-----Luis Gil----Michael Bradley-----Julian Green
------------------------Gedion Zelalem---------------------
------------------------Jozy Altidore--------------------------

That is the most elite lineup the US would have ever fielded.

Proud as hell of their effort in 2014, but God, if they don't make it to at least the quarters in 2018 it would be a failure.

 

[nlroma1o]

Good post. Bolded my thoughts.

Great responses on your part.

I agree that Green isn't ready to start, but for fuksake, the kid is obviously a class above many players on that squad. I would have made it a priority to sub him in game 1.

Another observation, I wonder who called that set play on that free kick. It was a brilliant call.

 

[Grahambo]

Just because I am bored/disappointed right now.

2018 USA starting XI

--------------------Guzan/Howard--------------------------
Deandre Yedlin----Omar Gonzalez----John A. Brooks---F. Johnson

Junior Flores-----Luis Gil----Michael Bradley-----Julian Green
------------------------Gedion Zelalem---------------------
------------------------Jozy Altidore--------------------------

That is the most elite lineup the US would have ever fielded.

Proud as hell of their effort in 2014, but God, if they don't make it to at least the quarters in 2018 it would be a failure.

With the possible additions of Shawn Parker and not to mention some of their own U-team players like Amando Moreno..it's looking good.

I just hope they get Zelalem quick.


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[Irish Insanity]

Just because I am bored/disappointed right now.

2018 USA starting XI

--------------------Guzan/Howard--------------------------
Deandre Yedlin----Omar Gonzalez----John A. Brooks---F. Johnson

Junior Flores-----Luis Gil----Michael Bradley-----Julian Green
------------------------Gedion Zelalem---------------------
------------------------Jozy Altidore--------------------------

That is the most elite lineup the US would have ever fielded.

Proud as hell of their effort in 2014, but God, if they don't make it to at least the quarters in 2018 it would be a failure.

No Donovan?

 

[Irish#1]

I don't know anything about soccer, but it looked like we were lucky not to lose 5-0. The game was played in front of the USA goal most of the game. Belgium looked more talented and played way better as a team. We ended up finishing better then projected didn't we?

 

[Irish YJ]

I don't know anything about soccer, but it looked like we were lucky not to lose 5-0. The game was played in front of the USA goal most of the game. Belgium looked more talented and played way better as a team. We ended up finishing better then projected didn't we?

Yes we did. Getting past the group of death made it IMO a successful WC for the US. Defense (a part being Howard), coaching, and heart go us to where we are. Offense will improve a bunch over the next 4 years. Green will be an absolute stud, and good chance we see even more German/American players line up under Klinsmann.

 

[ACamp1900]

Happy we finished in the knockouts, that's four out of six World Cup knockouts for a country that didn't give a shit until 1990... Pretty good...

Not so happy with our midfield play geez... Really bad... And sad to see guys like Howard, Dempsey and Beasley ride to the sunset... Hopefully they'll play in the Gold Cup??

 

[STLDomer]

Just because I am bored/disappointed right now.

2018 USA starting XI

--------------------Guzan/Howard--------------------------
Deandre Yedlin----Omar Gonzalez----John A. Brooks---F. Johnson

Junior Flores-----Luis Gil----Michael Bradley-----Julian Green
------------------------Gedion Zelalem---------------------
------------------------Jozy Altidore--------------------------

That is the most elite lineup the US would have ever fielded.

Proud as hell of their effort in 2014, but God, if they don't make it to at least the quarters in 2018 it would be a failure.

Interesting. What about Johannsson? He should be in his prime next WC. I'm expecting a much better side next time as well. This team felt like the last time we'll see half the squad look like the MLS all stars.

 

[ACamp1900]

My surprise was in goal... Both Guzan and Howard will be in their late thirties correct?

 

[STLDomer]

My surprise was in goal... Both Guzan and Howard will be in their late thirties correct?

Howard will be, Guzan will be mid 30s. Hopefully Howard can still go.

 

[Emcee77]

Fun game to watch. Belgium were more than deserving of the win but the U.S. certainly had its chances to steal one. I was really proud of the way we fought to equalize after falling behind in extra time.

Great Cup. I'm already excited for the next one.

 

[NDohio]

The Bradley that we saw in extra time is the one I expected the entire Cup. He was pushing the tempo and creating opportunities for his teammates. Where was that the rest of the game(s)?

Surprised by our midfield play this whole tournament. I expected that to be a strength of the team but other than JJ, the midfield was very inconsistent and extremely weak defensively.

Looking forward to the sport continuing to grow and seeing where JK takes the national team. The US definitely deserves a lot of respect for how they performed the last couple weeks.

Time to cheer for the orange.

 

[dublinirish]

My surprise was in goal... Both Guzan and Howard will be in their late thirties correct?

yeah Howard is 35 now but look at Brad Friedel he still starts in the EPL at 43 years old! Some goalies can play forever if they keep themselves in shape

 

[notredomer23]

My surprise was in goal... Both Guzan and Howard will be in their late thirties correct?

Guzan is only 29. He will be in his prime come the next World Cup.

 

[notredomer23]

Howard will be, Guzan will be mid 30s. Hopefully Howard can still go.

Many before the WC were calling for Guzan over Howard. He is an absolute stud. Howard proved this WC he is obviously world class and deserved that spot, but there will not be much of a drop off at all between the two.

 

[notredomer23]

Interesting. What about Johannsson? He should be in his prime next WC. I'm expecting a much better side next time as well. This team felt like the last time we'll see half the squad look like the MLS all stars.

I LOVE Johannsson and he will be hitting his stride around the time of the next world cup. We saw this WC that we need a target forward though, which he is not. One thing I know, for the first time in my lifetime, we will actually have some serious depth. I essentially just threw a bunch of names out and hoping it sticks. There is no guarantee that Zelalem will choose the US(although it is looking more and more likely). Junior Flores may not be ready by then. Shawn Parker may choose the US and be a world beater.

That line up I posted has 4 MLSers(Gonzo, Yedlin, Gil, and Bradley).

Come the next WC, I would be shocked if Yedlin and Gil are still in the MLS. Gonzo is getting paid here so we will see. Bradley I will be a little surprised if he is in the MLS still then, but I don't really know what motivated his move back here so it is hard to say.

 

[johnnycando]

Great article on Zelalem and also mentions Green and his spurning of the Germans for the US:

Arsenal’s Zelalem nearing U.S. eligibility - The Washington Post

 

[johnnycando]

We need that elite speed magical striker.

That's where we are missing the elite mix.

 

[notredomer23]

We need that elite speed magical striker.

That's where we are missing the elite mix.

Freddy Adu

 

[Emcee77]

I still can't believe Wondo blew that chance on the 6. Would have been amazing to steal the game there. But of course even in extra time, we had plenty of chances.

 

[IrishLax]

I still can't believe Wondo blew that chance on the 6. Would have been amazing to steal the game there. But of course even in extra time, we had plenty of chances.

I was in disbelief yesterday. Today, I'm actually mad about it. Unreal choke job.

 

[Emcee77]

I was in disbelief yesterday. Today, I'm actually mad about it. Unreal choke job.

Haha, yeah, I almost forgot about it after the excitement of extra time yesterday, but I woke up with it on my mind today and can't get it out. I can only imagine how Wondo feels. I mean, finishing in the box, that's his forte, it's why we brought him. Just stunning.

Not to blame him for the loss AT ALL. We were lucky not to be down 5-0 at that point, and again, we had our chances in extra time.

So many critical plays. I mean if Besler doesn't run into Lukaku and fall down, maybe they don't score that first goal. (Twellman wanted to give Lukaku credit for that run, but I don't see where he deserves it. Besler just fell down.)

 

[notredomer23]

I was in disbelief yesterday. Today, I'm actually mad about it. Unreal choke job.

This is how I am. Yesterday I tried defending Wondo saying that it was an understandable miss given the situation. No more defending him. He is the reason the US is not in the quarters after Tim Howard put on a legendary, historic performance.

 

[notredomer23]

Haha, yeah, I almost forgot about it after the excitement of extra time yesterday, but I woke up with it on my mind today and can't get it out. I can only imagine how Wondo feels. I mean, finishing in the box, that's his forte, it's why we brought him. Just stunning.

Not to blame him for the loss AT ALL. We were lucky not to be down 5-0 at that point, and again, we had our chances in extra time.

So many critical plays. I mean if Besler doesn't run into Lukaku and fall down, maybe they don't score that first goal. (Twellman wanted to give Lukaku credit for that run, but I don't see where he deserves it. Besler just fell down.)

Let's not forget. Besler had been playing for 90 minutes... Lukaku for 2... Who had the fresher legs at that point

 

[Grahambo]

I was in disbelief yesterday. Today, I'm actually mad about it. Unreal choke job.

Agreed. Lost opportunities. Sucks we have to wait 4 more years. Losing Jozy and forcing Bradley to play an uncomfortable position kinda sucked. I also think Green should've been given more burn. But, with the possible addition of Zelamel, this team is on the rise.