Write the Future Indeeed - Preview and Open Thread for USA v England
by Dave Clark on Jun 12, 2010 9:45 AM PDT
in US National Team, World Cup and Other International Soccer
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PrintMy most loyal readers know that I rarely get emotional. They know that I look at games in terms of match-ups, in terms of tactics, strategy and formations. Today, I can not, and will not do this. The match between the USA and the England is just too important, and too emotional.
Thankfully Richard Farley wrote this kick ass preview here. He hasn't updated it yet, but Jozy Altidore will START. There are still questions as to who is paired up top, but Dempsey and Donovan will be on the flanks.
Jeremiah worked his graphics magic and put together team cards for every team. Print these out and hand them to your neophyte friends who will be watching today.
A little inside Sounder at Heart knowledge - Jeremiah and I are both Americans. Graham is an Englishman. Carlos is Brasilian. Kirsten (who you will see popping up here on occaission) is an American who roots for England (check her Villa Blog out to see why).
At half time I will be on KJRAM Seattle talking about the game with Fish (Jeff Aaron). That's 950 AM in case you didn't know which sports talk radio station actually cares. They had an awesome two hour preview show yesterday with Keller for an hour of it. Best moment was when Gas asked "What should Sounders fans want for Switzerland and Blaise Nkufo?"
"That he stays healthy. Sure we want him to do well, but healthy."
Many of us will be scattered around the Sound today, at bars, at homes, but today is the biggest day in US soccer history. It is so much more important than USA v Brazil in the Confederation Cup, as this one will have the eyes of the entire world, and is essentially for the biggest prize - RESPECT.
Today, the IMPOSSIBLE is my expectation, my heart and my hope.
Consider this your open thread for the match.
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On Jozy ...
… we have a stream dedicated to him, updated it when Bob told DPatrick the news.
I would be shocked if Findley isn’t starting. We’ll see, though!
Open thread, people!
-rf
by Richard Farley on Jun 12, 2010 10:07 AM PDT reply actions
You work fast sir
Here’s Steve Davis’ final thoughts before the game as well
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
Or goalkeeping (shows how much I know)
Green must feel sick. And like the arrogant American I am, I can’t help but laugh.
by John Morgan on Jun 12, 2010 12:15 PM PDT up reply actions
As random as they get
You can’t shoot straighter at a keeper’s hands.
Mark my words, he’ll blame the ball. Possibly his team and the media will join him in whining.
World Cup ball whining is a tradition. Tardition.
by Thomas Beekers on Jun 12, 2010 12:23 PM PDT up reply actions
Shakey
Hopefully that shakes the confidence of the entire England back line. They can’t trust anything.
1-1 at halftime...
Just about as good as could be expected for the US…
Karma police, arrest this man.
by wyte_lightning on Jun 12, 2010 12:23 PM PDT reply actions
Little gift for the US there
Not that you didn’t keep pace at times, but the UK goal was exploiting general horrific defending, while the US’ ability to set up an attack has been moe uneven. Lucked out, but that’s how it goes.
by Thomas Beekers on Jun 12, 2010 12:25 PM PDT reply actions
Seriously they just replayed Gerrard's goal
Clark looking at the ball and losing his opponent is such a rookie mistake.
by Thomas Beekers on Jun 12, 2010 12:27 PM PDT up reply actions
He was lucky it was only a yellow
Karma police, arrest this man.
by wyte_lightning on Jun 12, 2010 12:38 PM PDT up reply actions
Are you saying what Demerit did merited a red?
ba-da-bum…fizzle
by Thomas Beekers on Jun 12, 2010 12:39 PM PDT up reply actions
Wow I thought for sure that was going to be a goal
Good job by Howard but the striker hit it right at him
Hawww. I love it
“Just ram it right at the keeper, it’ll slip eventually!”
Man his solar plexus must really smart by now
by Thomas Beekers on Jun 12, 2010 12:41 PM PDT reply actions
Yeah, rubbing it in pain
You can play through a sore solar plexus, but man he must be smarting. That kick right at it looked nasty.
by Thomas Beekers on Jun 12, 2010 12:42 PM PDT up reply actions
Damn that was so close!
Off post..
Karma police, arrest this man.
by wyte_lightning on Jun 12, 2010 12:54 PM PDT reply actions
So, not knowing much, am I correct that the US has been the better team in the second half?
Some nice looking attacks.
It's pretty balanced
Except for Altidore’s attack no one’s impressed.
But honestly, my first take is the US hasn’t got better, in particular its positional play is really weak and it’s playing too much kick and rush, but England has got steadily worse throughout the match. It’s more of a case of the US being allowed to get a fingerhold and get better than the US forcing itself through.
by Thomas Beekers on Jun 12, 2010 12:59 PM PDT up reply actions
We've had some decent attacks
But not so good at controlling the ball in the attacking third. Our defense is still having some lapses that could kill us. But we are looking better now than we did for most of the 1st half.
Karma police, arrest this man.
by wyte_lightning on Jun 12, 2010 1:01 PM PDT up reply actions
Also can I ask by what logic certain US media elects reporters for the World Cup?
WorldCupKing (Peter King) If you don’t love this game right now, you don’t love sports. What a contest.
This man has absolutely no idea what he’s talking about.
Hah, this ball really is a bit wonky
It’s clearly lighter than the standard UEFA league balls, and has a tendency to curve way more. I like it, but I can see why goalies wouldn’t.
Solid goalkeeping by Howard.
England's choking worse than Lexington and Concord.
Every shot has been to the goalkeeper or ten yards out of bounds.
I sense a pattern
US clear followed by a England counter ending in a dangerous chance
Yip
6’7, 165 lbs soaking wet.
Really good player though. Technically more capable than you’d think at a glance. Good player to put in and play some long balls at.
by Thomas Beekers on Jun 12, 2010 1:11 PM PDT up reply actions
Unless England is as bad at finishing as the Sounders
One of these chances is going to go in unless we start stopping them from being able to make them
Man some English players looked so lost all game
Wayne Rooney, Wright-Philips. Great players, so where were they? This team doesn’t look particularly well-coached, not playing up to its potential at all.
It is
Possibly punishment for delay-of-game during substitutions, tho that’s officially not allowed. Didn’t see much else that’d explain it.
by Thomas Beekers on Jun 12, 2010 1:22 PM PDT up reply actions
Wow that was a pointless kick
I wish we’d at least try to do something with the ball when we are that close to their box
Moral victory for the US
The English media is going to slaughter Green, as well as the way England misused so many of its top players.
US should count its blessings. And give Howard a medal.
Hawww
Dutch TV actually had a special of the terrible English goalkeepers and their weird plays throughout the past two decades.
England’s had so many problems producing good goalies these years. And it shows.
Won't waste any energy feeling guilty about this
Were we the better team? Probably not. But our gk outplayed theirs and they didn’t hit the post. 1 point is fair.
Because if it's not Love | Then it's the bomb ... | That will bring us together
A tie is better then a loss, if we can beat Algeria and Slovenia, we have a pretty good chance of advancing.
Lets hope Algeria-Slovenia game tomorrow ends as a 0-0 tie.
WTF was Clark doing ALL game long? Edu, Torres…anyone?
We need more speed from Findley, I hope to see Buddle starting vs Algeria.
Gooch looked like his old self for most of the game, one big blunder I can recall, and Crouch was dominating him in the air towards the end.
Other then that, good stuff.
USA looked jittery, nervous, and uncomfortable and the starts of each half, panicky plays, people falling down, wild balls.
I hope that the next matches which arent so hyped up will allow for a more calm start.
proud 4th line advocate
ECS Member
Makes sense to me
7 points means you won 2 of the games and tied the third. The two teams you beat can’t get more then 6 points and the team you tied can at most get 7 points.
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