No way. England have no hype around this year and rightfully so, but they are bringing a young team. They have me worried for the 1st game vs Italy and I could easily see them qualify out of the group.
Good first half by the US...not great. Need to find a way to be more dangerous in the offensive 1/3 when it turns into a half-court offense. They're better at scoring on the run. Have to do better holding possession. Defensively, they look good in this set-up. I think this is how they'll go on the 16th against Ghana.
happy for Bradley. Seems like he picked up a few things from Totti at his time with Roma. He's taken another step since then. Easily USA's best player.
Wow Nigeria was looking tired and lazy, especially in the first half. Too many friendlies? The US did look good though, was it because of Nigeria was playing like crap or was it because they made Nigeria look like crap. Can't be good to go into the world cup with that kind of effort. Nigeria look really undisciplined at times.
Really don't like how the back 4 fare in one-on-one situations, or situations where opposing teams try to aggressively attack on a break, but this game was a nice way to head off to Brazil. Bradley looks like he's in the best form of his career, and I really like the way Dempsey feeds off him. If Dempsey could gain a little more control in the box on his first touch, I wouldn't be nearly as worried about scoring as I am right now. Altidore getting off the schneid however was clearly huge for his confidence. GO USA!
Combo of many things. Nigeria started the $hittiest striker they have along with a CB that won't start in the WC if everyone is healthy(Yobo). They looked alright in the 1st half with Mikel on and their 1st choice midfield playing. 2nd half with no Mikel was a disaster. Then you have Yobo still out there because the 1st choice CB Omeruo was out injured and then the coach for some reason decides to bring in the 1st choice striker when the team's playmaker has already been subbed off. Lots of head scratching decisions by Nigeria today and the past month. Klinsmann's team out there most of the game was most likely going to be the team starting the 1st WC match. Nigeria should have done better but meh. The US can take comfort in knowing the counterattack looks very good but also realize that Ghana create more chances in more ways than Nigeria do and Ghana are more lethal in front of goal, and more organized. Nigeria on the other hand...
Ah c'mon leroy I dunno. That 2002 team was a very good team. Worse than this current team? I'm not sure about that. A young Landon and Damarcus was a dangerous combo. Plus McBride and Cherundolo in the squad. Then Reyna and Eddie Pope in their prime as well as Eddie Lewis. That was a heckuva team. I think it's a good debate though. The 2002 US squad vs the current team.
I thought the starting back four did well. Johnson/Cameron/Besler appear to be gelling with every start. The Beasley/Chandler situation will be one to watch to see who starts and plays down in Brazil. Having Beckerman, Bradley, and Jones all start really helps clean things up in the back for the US and can spark the counterattack which will be so critical against Ghana. Still not very comfortable with Jones coming forward on the attack trying to do what Bradley does so well. Gonzalez showed that he's not someone you can count on for more than spot duty. We can only hope the US can replicate this type of performance on June 16th and Altidore is on the verge of going on a nice run. That second goal was yummy!
Beckerman and Jones really held up well after Nigeria was initially dominating possession. Loved Jozy getting that tap in and then felt confident enough to rocket one into the back of the net. Fabian Johnson and Michael Bradley have me excited that maybe they can take down Ghana and Portugal.
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Nah man, I don't even think it's anything to watch. Beasley starts at leftback. Only way Chandler sees the pitch is at RB if Beasley is hurt and then Klinsmann moves FabJo to left back. If Chandler starts or plays a minute of left back in Brazil then American fans better send letters to the USSF asking for his resignation (Or some other form of protest). Beasley is the clear best option at left back, he showed that the last year and a half or so and showed that yesterday as well. Shouldn't even be a question in JKlinsmanns mind.
I've seen a lot of US fans getting excited a bit too much after yesterdays game. Nigeria and Ghana are crap in pre WC friendlies. Nigeria might be the African champs but Ghana is a more complete team than Nigeria imo. I hope the US coach and players dont get overconfident after yesterdays match as I think that played a part in 06 and 10's losses. Any word on Cristiano? Any announcement on if he'll be healthy for the 1st match?
michael is the key to the world cup and is our best player by far at the moment. he'll be the main piece to the world cup
I think you're right that Beasley should (and probably will) start, but the question is if Klinny feels that way as well. He did give Timmy a shot against Turkey to take that spot away from Beasley, and I don't think Chandler seized it appropriately. As we know, Jürgen is taking a young roster to Brazil, and he might want to get Chandler some experience at the expense of the more sensible choice (who won't be making the trip to Russia with the USMNT in 2018). That's my only concern, but I think the Starting XI we saw yesterday will start against Ghana if all holds true to form.
