Özil has been horrendous for Arsenal so far. As ATW mentioned, he has one or two flashes and then he's gone. He hasn't done anything in the big games either, which is a major disappointment. ATW, am guessing you're getting info from your Bayern contacts? As far as Holland - I think we can start organising the trip home already. It's going to be even worse than 2012. Chile are better, simple as that. I've been fearing them ever since I heard about the draw. Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if Australia got points off us. We don't even have to talk about Spain. TL;DR: Holland sucks, players are terrible, going to get knocked out, we have 3 good players, van Gaal needs to pick others, why am I not German? The back 5 are just depressing. Entirely built out of Eredivisie players and they're not even promising. Blind is a midfielder for Ajax and not as good as his dad (nowhere near), BMI is embarrassing (doesn't even play well at Feyenoord these days), van der Wiel can barely defend. Vlaar is the best one at the moment and everyone would have laughed had he been given a place just a few years ago - and that's when we had a terrible partnership in Heitinga (!) and Mathijsen. Oh how I miss the days of Jaap Stam and F. de Boer. In terms of the midfield, we have two superstars that are way past their best. van der Vaart can barely run and Sneijder is the same. It's as they say, they have no 'diepgang' in their game. They're so static. Look at France with someone like Pogba (granted, he's the most promising young player right now). We don't have anyone like that. We have some 'promising' players in the Eredivisie but I'm not sure why van Gaal isn't picking some more experienced players. These guys deserve a shot: 1. Krul - loved by the Newcastle faithful, decent keeper. Okay, he may not 'fit' in the system but he should be on the flight to Brazil. 2. de Jong - Nigel, that is. Good defensive midfielder who at least shows some grit. 3. Emmanuelson - surely he can't be worse than Blind at left-back. I also think opponents would fear us a little more if they saw "AC Milan" instead of someone from a team that got killed by Salzburg. 4. van Dijk - this one pisses me off more than anything. He's having an AMAZING season at Celtic and has done well in Europe as well (against the big teams). Yet he's not even given a call up just to see if he has the goods. Fine, if you don't like him drop him but at least have a look in training. 5. de Guzman - decent player at Swansea. 6. Fer - doing well at Norwich. The only good midfielder we have is Strootman. He's having a great year at Roma. In essence, we have 3 decent players: 1. RVP - terrible year with ManU. 2. Robben - amazing player, my favourite. All my hopes on this guy. If he gets injured, I'll consider not even watching the World Cup (joke, but you get my drift). 3. Strootman Sorry for this huge rant, understand if you don't read it. It was more for my own frustrations. :-D
Dempsey is playing with Fulham right now but not doing much. Fulham in general is a huge mess right now so I am not sure it will be much help for him. Altidore has been a complete bomb so far in the Premier League. Not only a lack of goals but just generally a non factor. Seriously, when Sunderland axes you completely from the squad for a cup final you are playing pretty terrible. I mean...Sunderland. They are almost always desperate for goals so one would think a striker could stand out there. I also don't think the US back line will hold up in the tournament. Pretty sure Germany's B squad would win easily as long as they were trying. England played Denmark at Wembley Wednesday and looked pretty uninspired. They also have back line issues and some scoring problems recently. It was mostly the established guys who were not into it, though, so they might still field a decent team for the tournament. Rooney and Sturridge have not quite figured out how to play together, though.
Lol. True, he can go a little too far but when he's controlled he's a solid player. He doesn't usually get red cards or anything like that (though he should have had one at the WC) so he's not a danger in that sense usually. The USA - I'm worried that the big players are all not performing as they should (Dempsey, Altidore) or moving to the US. An up-and-coming league for sure, but not there yet. I'd rather have Bradley in Europe. He started well at Roma, not sure what happened (didn't follow). I already thought it was dangerous for Altidore to move in a World Cup year. He finally clicked in Holland and he could have used that confidence going into the tournament. I always think it's risky as you usually need time to adapt to a new league. He's majorly rusty now. Fulham a mistake for Dempsey imo.
This is the HOTTEST ticket selling on packages from the USA soccer enthusiast and even the Mexico soccer fans. People from Monterrey, Guadalajara, and even Mexico City will be there. I know first hand because a family member sells these. They are selling like hot bread.
Didn't get to watch the game but I heard about it and saw some highlights. If this wasn't Onyewu's last game for the US, then I'm not sure what Klinsy might be thinking. He's been horrid for years. Yes, he's finally getting minutes for his club...Sheffield Wednesday, a team closer to be relegated from the Championship than to the top. He's done at the international level and has been for some time. Slow in speed, reaction time, and ability to read the game at all. No skills on the ball whatsoever. He's nice to have in the middle for set pieces but he would be just awful for us if he got minutes against any of the teams in our group.
That's way more than harsh. Not sure why you are focusing on Gooch in the post about the game. I'd have to wager that if you ask most people that watched the game or the US Soccer journo's, they'd say Brooks had a way worse game. Not saying Gooch was great in the game or anything above average but he wasn't terrible. Brooks was horrendous but at least he is still young and will get the next couple of years to show if he can play on that stage. I disagree that Gooch is done at the international level. He isn't a starter on the international level at the moment but for depth, I think he is fine. Especially for a country like the USA without that much talent and depth at CB at the moment. The battle will be between Onyewu, Orozco and Goodson imo. His speed might be slower and his reaction time(much like any other CB his age and size) but his ability to read the game isn't bad. It's not Kompany/Koscielny/Agger but it's not exactly at the level of some of the CB's in MLS currently. Why so harsh bro? Anyway, the MLS (Mex)CB's will get to show their stuff next. Goodson and Orozco will get to show if he can provide depth for Omar G and Besler.
I don't think it was so harsh. Brooks is new to this stage. I'd expect a learning curve. The thought of Gooch and Jermaine Jones possibly on the field at the same time kind of makes me sick. The coach in me wants my CB's to be field generals and should be close to the top of your team at reading the game. Gooch consistently gets him self out of position and is not athletic or fast enough to recover...which either ends up in him getting burned or committing a stupid foul in the last 1/3. I also like my CB's to be good distributors and have the ability to get out of pressure. He cannot do either well. I don't think you can trust him in a WC game. If that is the case, you cannot bring him.
The last time Germany and the USA faced off in the WC, the USA dominated and Germany won on a set piece 1-0.... This time, it will be different. DD
The thought of Gooch and JJones on the field at the same time is fairly unlikely so that's not worth anything. Unless Besler or Omar G get injured I wouldn't expect to see Gooch or any other reserve CB on the pitch. It's not always possible to have both your CB's to be "field generals" or excellent at reading the game. As long as a team has one that can do that and cover for the others deficiencies then all is well. I see less of a problem if Gooch or Orozco is paired with Besler. If with Omar G then that might be more problematic. I'm betting if Gooch makes it to the WC, he won't be the only CB there that isn't a good distributor or adept at dribbling/getting out of pressure. It's not that big a problem in my book if he makes the team. He won't be starting and neither would the other options. Regardless, I guess it doesn't matter what any of us think as much as it does what JK thinks and one thing we do know is that he doesn't give a crap what the fans or media think or would like him to do.
Are you saying "different" as in "this time we won't dominate but we will win", or "this time we will not dominate and still lose", or "this time we will not dominate nor win"? <iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/hXQvQLUj6No?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Dang, y'all had that score at 50'... but the refs wouldn't have it. SHAME.
Hello, gringos... USA roster announced for match versus MEXICO: http://www.ussoccer.com/news/mens-national-team/2014/03/140326-mnt-roster.aspx I think Bradley starts instead of Davis. Retain the ball, counterattack on my Mexico?
Not a bad squad. Not surprised to seen Green on the roster. They had to of promised him something to make him switch after all. Will be interesting to see how far down the road it will be until he gets in a game.
Bradley can't start over Davis because they don't play the same position. Davis is a left mid on this team and nothing else. I realize there's only a couple non-MLS'ers because this isn't an international date and teams aren't required to release players. Still, I'm happy to see a team without Jermaine Jones. Though, it just means Berkerman probably starts. I'd be surprised if Green gets time in this game. At most, a couple minutes at the very very end.
HELL NO Just pointing out that things aren't better because Jones isn't there if the Dreaded Dumbass starts in his place.
What's up with Pueblo not releasing a couple of USMNT players for the friendly? I guess that is the thanks we get for helping y'all out during qualifying Hope the guys show well and (both sides) stay healthy.
