OT: Soccer Post- Costa Rica tonight

CEO2044

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May 11, 2009
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8PM, one of the ESPN's.

Listened to a short segment highlighting it- first time I've ever heard something meaningful come out of Alexi Lalas's mouth. I don't know if that's something to be proud of or what.

A lot of it focused on the importance of taking this game and Klinsmann's tenure. I wasn't a big fan of firing Bob Bradley, mainly because it seemed pretty political. Klinsmann is the "soccer guru" pick, but that's not what I think necessarily works for us.

Anyway- he says he's spoken to Klinsmann and he actually admitted that while he still likes his plans, he probably should have taken a more realistic approach to "fixing" US soccer and come up with a system to fit our personnel (which.... we pretty much had). Also said (can't remember if this was a direct quote or Alexi's inflection) that while Americans aren't always the flashiest or most fluid, they have some characteristics that do work at the international level, and it's probably a mistake to get completely away from that.

Glad to hear we're applying some common logic now..... but Jesus.
 

CEO2044

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BTW: Here's our roster for the night.

GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
DEFENDERS (6):
Tony Beltran (Real Salt Lake), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City),
Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Clarence Goodson
(Brondby), Justin Morrow (San Jose Earthquakes)

MIDFIELDERS (9):
DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Michael
Bradley (Roma), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Maurice Edu (Bursaspor),
Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht), Brek Shea
(Stoke City), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)

FORWARDS (5):
Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar), Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna), Clint Dempsey
(Tottenham Hotspur), Herculez Gomez (Santos Laguna), Eddie Johnson
(Seattle Sounders)
 

CEO2044

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Hadn't seen that. Thanks.

I'm sorry, I've been pretty leery of him from the get-go. Maybe that makes me biased. I really hate the way we got rid of Bradley; reeked of politics. I think this is a great example of why the "polished" guy isn't always the best guy.

He had no clue of how to manage out team, and was dead-set on changing the "style" of American soccer- these guys are usually 23 or over, their styles are not going to change. Catch them when they're 15 or so.

For all of Bradley's faults, he at least "got" the fact that he had this and so he needed to play this way to get the most from it. That's a coach. I'd much rather win looking ugly than lose looking pretty- and we don't even look good.
 

Philly Dawg

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We seem to have trouble possessing the ball and get nothing unless it starts with a long pass.
 

CEO2044

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And no defense whatsoever... I'm not talking about tonight, I just got home. Our defense is terrible, and it's a fairly basic position.
 
Mar 3, 2008
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WHITE DEATH!!!!

The goal scoring play was nice, but otherwise, I'm not seeing a lot out of the squad. I am going to blame the conditions for a lot of this.

I am terrified that one slip up will allow the Ticos to earn a draw.
 

CEO2044

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Yeah... sports are hard enough to play on snow, but especially a game played on the ground.
 

CEO2044

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I'm actually impressed considering the conditions. And I'm highly critical of this team. Lot harder than it looks on that mess.
 
Mar 3, 2008
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I am more impressed with the Ticos. They seem to want it more in the second half. Big kudos to them for continuing to play and not wussing out.
 

CEO2044

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True.

I think both teams are battling. US probably trying to play more defensive and not have an easy slip-up. But definitely credit them with not giving up given the chance and taking the easy way out.