Injuries. Starting keeper who was huge in the WC is out. Couldn't ask for a better response from the USMNT. We've had trouble with CRC so it was nice to just dominate them for 90 minutes. Going to have to do close to the same to Paraguay. If we somehow got Peru in the QF, we couldn't ask for a better case scenario.
I just looked it up. The U.S. has had one 4th place finish in this tourney in history. Wow https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copa_Am%C3%A9rica
Yea they have been 3 times..twice in the early 90's and then in 07. The 95 edition run was actually a great run I remember watching the USA-Argentina game as a kid. One of the best results in US Soccer history. They topped that group then also beat Mexico in the quarters before losing to Brazil in the semifinals. The 07 team they took was pretty much an MLS team sprinkled with young players and older veterans that weren't good enough to make the 07 gold cup roster. They never got blown out but weren't competitive, although a few of the young players ended up becoming important pieces of the future. The Copa America organizers weren't happy that the US took a non competitive team so they didn't invite the US to any of the past two editions.
Venezuela and Uruguay ending was great, as Uruguay had a clean shot at the penalty mark at about 88' and missed wide right, and then literally from 3 feet same guy put it in the keepers lap at about the 90'. Venezuela advances 1-0. Good match. VZ played aggressive right to the end.
Terrible decision by the AR to call handling and award Chile a penalty. The game should have ended in a tie.
Goal Dempsey! BUT How does Johnson let Paraguay get a 3 on 1 fast break there. That is just asking to lose. Luckily we covered.
Demp buried it, but it seems like a typical US goal where he basically had the entire frame to shoot and it still ends up near the goalie. That has often frustrated me. Our ability to finish.
The defense held up pretty well after Yedlin was sent off. Brooks was a monster in the back. Although having a million yellow cards doesnt help going forward.
The defense held up pretty well after Yedlin was sent off. Brooks was a monster in the back. This felt like an old school Bob Bradley game. Just pure grit and physical play with questionable midfield play and Zardes blowing a couple of good opportunities up front. Some things never change.
