France v United States International Friendly - Gamethread

by Dave Clark on Nov 11, 2011 11:15 AM PST in US National Team, World Cup and Other International Soccer

If there had to be a United States soccer friendly on Veteran's Day there is no better nation to face than France. Considering the origin of the day (Armistice Day) and the history of France and USA share in battle it is suiting. For the USMNT this is another tune-up in the Jurgen Klinsmann era. It is another chance to develop into a team that passes out of the back using build-up play and finishes their chances. Early signs are that the new players aren't converting to the new style.

The lineup will contain disappoints. The result even more likely so. France is no longer the team they were, but their fall stopped, and they now climb back to being a power in Europe. Soccer Power Index makes this look like a result of 3-1 or 2-0 in favor of the other Red, White and Bleu even with France's weakened team.

ECS, AO Seattle and the Armed Services Group are hosting a viewing part at the Atlantic Crossing both live and a replay this evening. I'll be at A Terrible Beauty in Renton.

Game is at Noon on ESPN2, ESPN3.com, Univision and Univision.com. Follow the SBNation/soccer storystream for lineups. Follow along with your community here.

My annual note on Veteran's Day. The game makes things difficult, but the sentiment is the same.

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Comments

Holy moses am I sick and tired of Klinsmann

by Aaron Campeau on Nov 11, 2011 11:31 AM PST reply actions

But he's our savior

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Nov 11, 2011 11:59 AM PST up reply actions

Well, while I always do hope for a result

That’s not what friendlies are about. I do hope to see some new faces, but the lineup seems to lack anybody interesting. Maybe I’ll just enjoy watching France.

I met a possum.

by s0merand0mdude on Nov 11, 2011 11:48 AM PST reply actions

Starters for USA

(4-2-3-1): Howard; Cherundolo, Goodson, Bocanegra, Chandler; Beckerman, Edu; Shea, Dempsey, Williams; Altidore

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
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by Dave Clark on Nov 11, 2011 11:56 AM PST reply actions

The only interesting thing about this lineup is Daniel Williams

by Aaron Campeau on Nov 11, 2011 11:59 AM PST up reply actions

i like the concept of Beckerman and Edu

But there are better players than Edu available.

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Nov 11, 2011 12:03 PM PST up reply actions

There are also better players than Beckerman available!

by Aaron Campeau on Nov 11, 2011 12:04 PM PST up reply actions

in that role?

Bradley and who?

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Nov 11, 2011 12:05 PM PST up reply actions

I reeeeallllly like Mikkel Diskerud

by Aaron Campeau on Nov 11, 2011 12:07 PM PST up reply actions

Mixx is so on the fringes now though

If he isn’t in January camp he’s probably done

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Nov 11, 2011 12:08 PM PST up reply actions

Which brings us back to...

http://www.sounderatheart.com/2011/11/11/2554708/united-states-vs-France-international-friendly-gamethread#82596982

by Aaron Campeau on Nov 11, 2011 12:10 PM PST up reply actions

Yep

Bradley worked a lot harder to find new talents

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Nov 11, 2011 12:11 PM PST up reply actions

I'm really not a "Klinsmann is our savior" guy

But we could at least give him a full year before we try to judge his effort levels on finding new players.

by ubelmann on Nov 11, 2011 12:43 PM PST up reply actions

These are all concerns many people had when he was hired.

Nothing about his tenure so far has been a surprise.

by Aaron Campeau on Nov 11, 2011 12:44 PM PST up reply actions

Ignoring Klejstan, Mixx, Gonzalez, John

it’s just silly.

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Nov 11, 2011 12:44 PM PST up reply actions

Giving Chandler an extended look has been great

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Nov 11, 2011 12:49 PM PST up reply actions

Although really who else is he going to play there.

We have zero fullback depth.

by Aaron Campeau on Nov 11, 2011 12:51 PM PST up reply actions

If we go over the list of positions we have no depth in

we’ll all go home depressed.

I met a possum.

by s0merand0mdude on Nov 11, 2011 12:52 PM PST up reply actions

Fullback is realllllly bad though.

by Aaron Campeau on Nov 11, 2011 12:54 PM PST up reply actions

Maybe if we started including more fullbacks in MLS Best XI it would help :)

by ubelmann on Nov 11, 2011 1:03 PM PST up reply actions

I'm at least going to give him a January camp

Before making a judgement about who he wants to look at. At the moment, I think he has called up the players he thinks can play the style he wants to play with the least amount of training. Given an extended training session, I think he’ll be willing to look at players with less NT experience.

by ubelmann on Nov 11, 2011 12:52 PM PST up reply actions

I always forget how stacked France is.

"The fans are excited. And the stadium, well, it ignites with explosion."

by DarthGreedo on Nov 11, 2011 12:01 PM PST reply actions

This isn't even their A-team

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Nov 11, 2011 12:01 PM PST up reply actions

I don't do this for non-Sounders games

And don’t know why

Kit: No kit. Army PT T-shirt under green flannel
Scarf: ECS ASG with Vet patch
Beer: A Terrible Irish Red – that’s its name

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Nov 11, 2011 12:04 PM PST reply actions

I'll join you in doing so

Beverage: Ocean Spray Cran-Raspberry juice
Scarf: None
Kit: Pajamas (it’s laundry day)
Where I’m watching: My kitchen (only room in the house with both a TV and a computer so I can do my AP US History homework)

I met a possum.

by s0merand0mdude on Nov 11, 2011 12:16 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

Thanks for not skipping your homework

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Nov 11, 2011 12:18 PM PST up reply actions

One of the intriguing things about Shea's experience as a defender

is he’s more aggressive defensively than a winger normally is. He’s capable of taking the ball of the feet of strong players.

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Nov 11, 2011 12:07 PM PST reply actions

He's done it a few times now

High pressure from someone who has been a decent LB/CB is really disruptive

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Nov 11, 2011 12:12 PM PST up reply actions

Danny Williams with a long boot waaaay over his target's head...

I met a possum.

by s0merand0mdude on Nov 11, 2011 12:17 PM PST reply actions

Keeper distribution can be so potent

just look at that last skipping hurl from France. It powered a great opportunity

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Nov 11, 2011 12:19 PM PST reply actions

I rate Lloris in the top 5 in the world at GK

FRIMPONG ought always be written in full caps #DEEEEEEENCH

by Kyle Ritter on Nov 12, 2011 7:58 AM PST up reply actions

Working from home today, this is nice to be able to watch

by chrisperry1983 on Nov 11, 2011 12:20 PM PST reply actions

what a great sequence from France there

backheels to advance, backheel layoff

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Nov 11, 2011 12:21 PM PST reply actions

Everytime I see Altidore I think of wasted potential

He should be a better player by now. Lack of play hurt him.

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Nov 11, 2011 12:24 PM PST reply actions

He has been tremendous for AZ Alkmaar,

I’ve watched a few of their games and he’s been amazing. I think that could be a really good move for him.

by Aaron Campeau on Nov 11, 2011 12:28 PM PST up reply actions

the years in between MLS and AZ though are an issue

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Nov 11, 2011 12:31 PM PST up reply actions

Absolutely.

But he’s still just 22, and it’s going to be tough for him to end up back on a bench next season if he can keep this up.

by Aaron Campeau on Nov 11, 2011 12:32 PM PST up reply actions

He played 28 games for an EPL side in '09-'10

That’s not exactly been sitting around kicking rocks in the backyard. Most of the time when I see Altidore play for the USMNT I think of how the rest of the team is wasting his potential by not giving him any support.

by ubelmann on Nov 11, 2011 12:48 PM PST up reply actions

See, adidas, THAT'S how you do collars...

Not a different color from the rest of the jersey…

I met a possum.

by s0merand0mdude on Nov 11, 2011 12:25 PM PST reply actions

ESPN's obsession with slow-motion close-ups is a bit weird.

I met a possum.

by s0merand0mdude on Nov 11, 2011 12:29 PM PST reply actions

Well, a header on goal. I guess that

I met a possum.

by s0merand0mdude on Nov 11, 2011 12:32 PM PST reply actions

's a start...

That was strange…

I met a possum.

by s0merand0mdude on Nov 11, 2011 12:33 PM PST up reply actions

track a player maybe?

someone? anyone?

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Nov 11, 2011 12:33 PM PST reply actions

I'm so glad that the "Whisky, whisky, whisky" song is done

I don’t need that kind of suggestion

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Nov 11, 2011 12:36 PM PST reply actions

US just did a clinic on how to use the back pass to create an attack

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Nov 11, 2011 12:37 PM PST reply actions

We win corners

we win corners
we win corners

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Nov 11, 2011 12:39 PM PST reply actions

It's like watching myself play FIFA.

I met a possum.

by s0merand0mdude on Nov 11, 2011 12:39 PM PST up reply actions

If corners counted for part of a goal both the US and Sounders would be so good

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Nov 11, 2011 12:40 PM PST up reply actions

rivere is tearing up that wing

by AzVikeFan on Nov 11, 2011 12:41 PM PST reply actions

I kinda feel like we don't look at bad

Meaning, we don’t look great, but we’re holding our own and not getting humiliated

by chrisperry1983 on Nov 11, 2011 12:42 PM PST reply actions

A combination of our defensive work and Altidore is what's doing this.

IMHO.

I met a possum.

by s0merand0mdude on Nov 11, 2011 12:43 PM PST up reply actions

I agree

Also, my standards for the US team have been significantly lowered

by chrisperry1983 on Nov 11, 2011 12:44 PM PST up reply actions

It's nice to have France give it up and then have the US give it right back.

I met a possum.

by s0merand0mdude on Nov 11, 2011 12:43 PM PST reply actions

Lasers?

Were those green laser shining in Howard’s eyes? Is that legal?

by beowuff on Nov 11, 2011 12:44 PM PST reply actions

People have been talking about it in ESPN's game chat for a while now.

I met a possum.

by s0merand0mdude on Nov 11, 2011 12:45 PM PST up reply actions

No

but finding the person can be tough

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Nov 11, 2011 12:45 PM PST up reply actions

Hrm...

I was originally thinking they should give France some kind of penalty. Play with 10 for second half? But if that became normal, people would laser their own goalies…

by beowuff on Nov 11, 2011 12:56 PM PST up reply actions

The last Classico that I watched

There were a bunch of lasers in Messi’s face all game long.

by Derek R on Nov 11, 2011 1:11 PM PST up reply actions

Chandler looks like a likely sub.

That level of limp is going to tighten up at half

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Nov 11, 2011 12:48 PM PST reply actions

Tim-bot comercial has never been so fitting

With the lasers in his eyes and all.

I met a possum.

by s0merand0mdude on Nov 11, 2011 12:51 PM PST reply actions

Funny story from Stone Brewing via their Facebook status:

“Someone broke into one of our sales reps’ cars yesterday. Untouched: Ipod and various valuables. Gone: A case of 2011 Double Bastard Ale. We criticize the method, but not the priorities.”

I lol’ed

by chrisperry1983 on Nov 11, 2011 1:05 PM PST reply actions 4 recs

At some point Marvin Martin is going to come on and at that point I will be terrified

by Aaron Campeau on Nov 11, 2011 1:08 PM PST reply actions

Holy crap!

Thank you woodwork

by chrisperry1983 on Nov 11, 2011 1:15 PM PST reply actions

DAMN

What a shot! What a save!

by chrisperry1983 on Nov 11, 2011 1:16 PM PST reply actions

Good lord Tim Howard.

Amazing strike from Benzema, better save from Howard.

by Aaron Campeau on Nov 11, 2011 1:17 PM PST reply actions

Howard is a BEAST

by AzVikeFan on Nov 11, 2011 1:17 PM PST reply actions

GAH PANIC

by chrisperry1983 on Nov 11, 2011 1:17 PM PST reply actions

I love you Tim Howard.

I met a possum.

by s0merand0mdude on Nov 11, 2011 1:18 PM PST reply actions

some day I'll follow a team without an amazing keeper

But since my club has had Hahnemann, Burpo, Eylander, Keller and my nation Keller, Howard, Freidel I don’t know what that’s like.

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Nov 11, 2011 1:20 PM PST up reply actions

The opposite of USA-England 2010

I met a possum.

by s0merand0mdude on Nov 11, 2011 1:22 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

Heck, they should do it more often, apparently. That was an entertaining three minutes.

I met a possum.

by s0merand0mdude on Nov 11, 2011 1:25 PM PST up reply actions

Whoops, wrong reply.

Bump this down to my comment down there.

I met a possum.

by s0merand0mdude on Nov 11, 2011 1:25 PM PST up reply actions

Seriously, the wave?

I met a possum.

by s0merand0mdude on Nov 11, 2011 1:23 PM PST reply actions

Ribery has been shut down.

That’s impressive.

by Aaron Campeau on Nov 11, 2011 1:23 PM PST reply actions

Maybe I should have watched Ireland

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Nov 11, 2011 1:24 PM PST reply actions 1 recs

Jermaine Jones for Beckerman

i’d forgotten about jones. probably because his performances are forgettable.

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Nov 11, 2011 1:28 PM PST reply actions

Credit where it's due:

the defense has been tremendous against a really, really good attacking team.

by Aaron Campeau on Nov 11, 2011 1:28 PM PST reply actions 1 recs

OH MERCI!

by Aaron Campeau on Nov 11, 2011 1:29 PM PST reply actions

Howard may be a little bit lucky there

by Aaron Campeau on Nov 11, 2011 1:30 PM PST up reply actions

Just a tad

I met a possum.

by s0merand0mdude on Nov 11, 2011 1:31 PM PST up reply actions

He would've saved the ensuing PK

by chrisperry1983 on Nov 11, 2011 1:32 PM PST up reply actions

I think keepers get that call a vast majority of the time

any other player that’s a card

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Nov 11, 2011 1:32 PM PST up reply actions

Those poor fragile frenchmen

by chrisperry1983 on Nov 11, 2011 1:31 PM PST reply actions

Run DMB back in session

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Nov 11, 2011 1:32 PM PST reply actions

aw dammit

by chrisperry1983 on Nov 11, 2011 1:32 PM PST reply actions

Hey, look at that

a team weak on the counter…

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Nov 11, 2011 1:33 PM PST reply actions

HOLY SMOKES JOZY

by Aaron Campeau on Nov 11, 2011 1:38 PM PST reply actions

That looked pretty soft there

by chrisperry1983 on Nov 11, 2011 1:38 PM PST reply actions

breakaway

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Nov 11, 2011 1:40 PM PST up reply actions

do this

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Nov 11, 2011 1:38 PM PST reply actions

when the USA's offense becomes a counter/long ball thing

it looks a lot better. It’s almost as if the players are more suited for it, more trained for it.

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Nov 11, 2011 1:42 PM PST reply actions

close call on the offside

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Nov 11, 2011 1:54 PM PST reply actions

extremely

by AzVikeFan on Nov 11, 2011 1:55 PM PST up reply actions

much closer than I expected

I’m wondering how Klinsmann would coach if this was a must win. Would he play the system he prefers or the one the players are more suited to winning?

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Nov 11, 2011 1:56 PM PST reply actions

That's the reason I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt

If he’s going to talk about taking the long view, and he’s just started on the job, I’m willing to give him some time to figure things out. If I was a gambling man, I’d bet that over the next year or so, when we are mostly playing friendlies and WCQ games against teams a lot worse than France, Klinsmann will try to find players which strike a balance between fitting in his system and being the most talented in the pool. Whether or not he sticks with the system he prefers will probably depend on his success in finding players to play that system over the next year or so. I think it could go either way, though there’s the definite possibility that Klinsmann gets really stubborn and believes in his system over anything else.

If nothing else, I think most/all of the players can go back to playing counter/long ball without any real additional training, so I don’t see us losing much by flirting with a different style at this point in the cycle.

by ubelmann on Nov 11, 2011 2:24 PM PST up reply actions