Just a heads up for everyone, the game will be televised live at 10 PM on ESPN2. It should be a good test for us, since Japan qualified for the World Cup and is bringing a pretty strong roster, although it's only domestic players. Another good shot for a few Americans to step and make the 23 man roster, with only Landon Donovan and Eddie Johnson guaranteed spots in Germany, although the likes of Clint Dempsey, Taylor Twellman and a few others are making a strong case.
Here's the US roster for the match: Goalkeepers Kevin Hartman (Los Angeles) 4 caps/0 goals Matt Reis (New England) 1/0 Zach Wells (Houston 1836) 0/0 Defenders Bobby Boswell (D.C. United) 0/0 Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City) 10/0 Todd Dunivant (Los Angeles) 1/0 Heath Pearce (FC Nordsjaelland/NOR) 2/0 Eddie Pope (Real Salt Lake) 75/7 Midfielders Brian Carroll (D.C. United) 2/0 Clint Dempsey (New England) 16/2 Landon Donovan (Los Angeles) 75/25 Chris Klein (Real Salt Lake) 18/4 Ben Olsen (D.C. United) 29/4 Kerry Zavagnin (Kansas City) 17/0 Forwards Brian Ching (Houston 1836) 13/2 Eddie Johnson (FC Dallas) 10/8 Pat Noonan (New England) 11/1 Chris Rolfe (Chicago Fire) 2/0 Taylor Twellman (New England) 15/4 Josh Wolff (Kansas City) 40/9 Since we have no RB on the team, I'd expect us to go with a three man back line, unless Arena decides to drop a midfielder into that spot.
I guess we won't get to see Adu tonight. I'm suprised Quantra (sp?) isn't on the roster for the game, he's one of the ones with a decent shot of making the WC roster, unless he has an injury. Should be a good game though. There'll be big group at Richmond Arms to watch it.
Adu was sent back to DC United at the beginning of the month. Quaranta was on the roster, but has a strained groin, I'm not a big fan of his anyway.
It's wierd to see (Houston 1836) next to Ching and Wells. Houston pro soccer players in an international friendly. *shakes head in bewilderment*
Here's the US starting XI: Hartman Klein Pope Conrad Dunivant Dempsey Zavaganin Donovan Noonan Twellman Wolff I would have liked to see Chris Rolfe start over Wolff, and I don't think Noonan can cut it at this level, but we shall see. The word is that Japan will play a 3-6-1.
1-0. 25 minutes. Eddie Pope puts home the goal after a beautiful knockdown from Twellman. The US has dominated early.
2-0. 39 minutes. Dempsey with Twellman setting the goal up again. This has blowout written all over it, Japan can't even get possession.
3-0. 50 minutes. Who else but Taylor Twellman? 4 goals and 2 assists in his last game and a half for the national team.
Oh man almost another goal by the USA, off the goal post! EDIT: 3-1 USA Japan just scored. that was nice.
3-1. 60 minutes. Japan gets a goal on some bad defending by the US. Klein, who's not a natural defender, should have done alot better. It's good to see EJ back on the pitch.
so what do the "experts" think about US' chances this year? i can still remember watching that game against mexico the last go around, those were some fun times there.
Well, the last WC ruled. JAPAN is really hustling right now. More energy than the USA. I guess USA feels that they have won this already.
Sloppy late, but that was the most impressive I have seen the US national team in some time. Twellman looks great, I would like to see him and Johnson up front some, and bring McBride off the pine to add stability. I love Landon's creativity and corners. We have a tough road in Germany, but if we could somehow win our group and avoid Brazil in round 2, we might go a long ways. Our defense needs work though, too many holes. DD
