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Kuddos to Donovan for breaking the US record. Guzan and Davis played a very good game. The more I see of Jozy, the more I like this teenager. Edu had another solid match, but Twellman and Rolfe were abysmal.
If Twellman is one of our top 11 players... I would rather see Bradley play 10 for 90 minutes. Rolfe was standing 3 yards away from goal and decided to be a spectator on a smart corner by Davis. The men's national team is hurting up-top.
Why is Twellman so damn bad at the international level? And why does he wear a youth kit? I just don't get that guy. He dominates with the Revs but once he steps fut on the pitch for the Nats he falls apart. I didn't see the game but in the previous games they obviously have had a hard time finishing. If they can solidify the midfield I would be all for moving Donovan up top with Jozy. We need guys that can finish if we want to make any noise in South Africa. Did Michael Bradley play in this game or Feilhaber?
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Why is Twellman so damn bad at the international level? And why does he wear a youth kit? I just don't get that guy. He dominates with the Revs but once he steps fut on the pitch for the Nats he falls apart. I didn't see the game but in the previous games they obviously have had a hard time finishing. If they can solidify the midfield I would be all for moving Donovan up top with Jozy. We need guys that can finish if we want to make any noise in South Africa. Did Michael Bradley play in this game or Feilhaber?
No Bradley or Feilhaber as they are with their Euro clubs. It was mostly an MLS roster with a few Scandinavian based players who are on break right now.
No Bradley or Feilhaber as they are with their Euro clubs. It was mostly an MLS roster with a few Scandinavian based players who are on break right now.
They better bring a real squad vs. Mexico. None of this Twellman crap.
I didn't get to see almost all of the game. Did the Swedes have anybody good playing? I would think their top players were still with their clubs. In the few minutes I watched, which were at the end of the game when the US was up 2-0, the commentator said something about this victory "sending a message across the Atlantic." Am I missing something?
I have some questions for those who watched the game. I know we didn't have all of our players, but which of our big names did we have? Did Sweden have their A squad, or were they mostly second teamers? If we played B side v. B side, that would be okay, but I hope we didn't play A side v B side. Also, how good did we look during the match? Did the final scoreline reflect our play, or no?
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Donovan was the only big name player on the pitch. Altidore will be a big name very soon. Guzan, Davis and Edu have the best shot at breaking into the A squad. Everyone else, IMO, was getting their first look or (hopefully) their last look.
I think this is why Max, the commentator, made the statement about "sending a message". It was our B/C side vs. their B/C side and the Americans dominated the play for the entire match. I have not seen the breakdown of the possession percentage, but I would not be surprised if the US squad controlled the ball twice as much as the Swedes.
The play was not perfect or often even exciting, but it doesn't diminish how well they controlled the game.
Last edited by cardfaninfl; January 20th, 2008 at 10:58 AM.
It was basically our players from our domestic league versus Sweden's players from their domestic league. Most of the players in that game won't be starting for either team in the next WC but a lot of them will play roles during qualifying.
Players like Drew Moor, Ramiro Corrales, Chris Rolfe are probably so far down the depth chart that they will fill a small role if any for the US.
BTW Guzan is being courted by Celtic...he'll be the next succesful US keeper in Europe.
Alright so I watched a bunch of the convention this week.. kinda followed the MLS draft so I guess I was in a USA kinda mood on Saturday and figured why not watch the USA vs Sweden match up.
USA starting lineup: Yea sorry I don't really care about Sweden's players that much. They did play a 4-3-1-2 though
GK: Guzman
Backs: Moor, E Robinson, Conrad, Corrales
Mids: Donovan, Edu, Clark, Davis
F: Twellman, Noonan
Eddie Robinson is a 29 yr old mid field turned Defender and although it looks like he will likely never leave the MLS, he could definitely be a quality depth player for this team as they try to qualify for the world cup. He had a very nice finish for the 1st goal of the game.
The keeper Guzman is another player I didn't really know too much about, but he was the reason the US won this match. He will be a very capable backup for Tim Howard.
Other players to watch for. Edu played very well should get a spot on this team in a crowded mid field, Davis on the left side... really depends if Beasley is back because he would play behind Beasley as well as Convey, but he was solid. Landy on the outside right was interesting....
I'll tell you how great it is that when our European players get back Donovan will not be a lock for the starting 11. I'm glad he finished his pk and broke the record (how many of his goals were PKs? I'm even more glad he didn't do his whole ritual before the kick) anyways he did OK out on the right side. You would have to think Jozy and Dempsey would be the strikers and Edu, Bradley, Adu will be in the middle and Beasley on one side, so maybe Landy finds a home on the right side? If he does he will need to work on his crosses. As hard as I am on him he is only 25 still.
Second Half was a little easier to watch. Had more of a flow and you have to wonder how much Jozy helped with that.
Twellman, Corrales, Noonan didn't help there causes for more play time. Clark did well and caused some havoc though....
Overall it's a win over a quality opponent I don't know how many of there actual starters played and I don't really care..
Max Bretos sucks. He is such a homer and I think he just likes to hear himself talk. Again thank goodness for Christopher Sullivan for making this watchable....
I'll tell you how great it is that when our European players get back Donovan will not be a lock for the starting 11. I'm glad he finished his pk and broke the record (how many of his goals were PKs? I'm even more glad he didn't do his whole ritual before the kick) anyways he did OK out on the right side. You would have to think Jozy and Dempsey would be the strikers and Edu, Bradley, Adu will be in the middle and Beasley on one side, so maybe Landy finds a home on the right side? If he does he will need to work on his crosses. As hard as I am on him he is only 25 still.
Donovan is a lock to start as long as he is healthy and available--that is until the US develops a player who is of better quality. Oh and Dempsey STILL isn't a Forward (you are wasting his talents there)
The Mexico game falls on a FIFA International Date meaning clubs must release their teams for a minimum of 48 hours. That will be our first chance to see the full strength squad..minue Beasley who is still recovering from his injury (he won't be back until the spring sometime).
My guess at the 18 man roster(not who I'd pick just my guess)....
GK - Howard, Guzan & some MLS GK just to get training time
D- Bocanegra, Onyewu, Cherundolo, Spector, Davis
MF- Dempsey, Donovan, Edu, Clark, Bradley, Adu, Feilhaber
F- Altidore, Rolfe, Twellman
Other possibles...Ching (he plays in Houston so its a home game for him and he would take Twellman or Rolfe's spot), Noonan (because for some reason he keeps getting camp invites), Convey (if he gets 100% healthy and starts logging quality minutes), Parkhurst(he deserves more chances IMO), Bornstein (would be over Davis or Spector) & Wynne.
As usual they'll take 23 or so to camp...I expect the camp fodder guys to be guys who will be competing in the Olympics.
I don't expect Johnson there simply because he'll likely be training with a new team. Feilhaber may miss the game for that reason but though he is actively seeking a transfer it hasn't happened yet. I guess for that matter Guzan might be gone too...no reason for him to miss training with a new team to be a reserve for your national team in a friendly.
My guess at the 18 man roster(not who I'd pick just my guess)....
GK - Howard, Guzan & some MLS GK just to get training time
D- Bocanegra, Onyewu, Cherundolo, Spector, Davis
MF- Dempsey, Donovan, Edu, Clark, Bradley, Adu, Feilhaber
F- Altidore, Rolfe, Twellman
Other possibles...Ching (he plays in Houston so its a home game for him and he would take Twellman or Rolfe's spot), Noonan (because for some reason he keeps getting camp invites), Convey (if he gets 100% healthy and starts logging quality minutes), Parkhurst(he deserves more chances IMO), Bornstein (would be over Davis or Spector) & Wynne.
Are there any other strikers in the system? Has US Soccer given up on Johann Smith and Charlie Davies? They're both like 20-21 years old IIRC--not that young considering they'll be 22-23 by the World Cup.
I agree with Zeno. Donovan on the starting 11 is as big a lock as there has ever been. Did he turn you down an autograph or something grooooovy? Please keep Twellman home for the Mexico game. Bring anyone but him.
Are there any other strikers in the system? Has US Soccer given up on Johann Smith and Charlie Davies? They're both like 20-21 years old IIRC--not that young considering they'll be 22-23 by the World Cup.
I think Smith and Davies best chance to impress will be during the Olympics. Davies wasn't even given the courtesy of a serious look with that Copa America joke team that we sent.
With the lack of dept up-top, I've never understood why Alecko Eskandarian has never been given a serious look. He had a couple of good years with DC United. I'm also a big fan of - when in doubt... go with youth - but has Clint Mathis and Jovan Kirovski completely blown any shot for a space on the national team? At least they once had potential... a decade ago. Other than Jozy and EJ, I honestly can't think of anyone else.
It will be interesting to see if Bradley invites any of the U-23 players... or just let them train and concentrate for the Olympic tourney.
Zeno, if Rolfe and Twellman are our other 2 strikers for that game, I'll puke.
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The Arizona Cardinals...hitch a ride on the bandwagon while there's still room!!!
and
Break the circle of suck, Bidwill, or feel my wrath--Stout, 26 Feb 2006.*
*--Note: this part of Stout's signature line is on hold. It has not yet been deleted, but once the Cardinal's make the playoffs, it shall be removed. Thank you, and I now return you to your regularly sheduled thread.
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