Did anyone get a chance to see this game? The last match for the US on their three game tune-up schedule before WC qualifying starts next week. I will not discuss the game at this time in case someone might have the game tivo. Just wanted to see thoughts about the match.
Spoiler Thought it was a great game with a totally bogus call to get the US down to 10 men. I'll take a 0-0 draw against the #1 team in the world any day. Hope they carry this momentum with them
Both teams played full strength. Spoiler Adu played and looked good. U.S. played aggressive and had their fare share of shots even after Mastroeni was sent off. Eddie Johnson was once again a non-factor out there. Howard had some really good saves. Agrentina should have gotten a penalty in the 1st half
Spoiler I agree with all of the points made. The most impressed thing about the game that I liked was the attacking mentallity of the team. We did not just set back and settle for a draw. Hopefully they will continue this form into the qualifying.
Well I failed at that attempt. I must practice the spoiler thingy more becuase I suck at it. Nevermind - I think I just got it.
Spoiler Spoiler I'll say it again. Eddie Johnson has no business being on the national team. That's now 3 games in a row that he's been nothing short of the worst player on the field.
lol that made my day.... But on a serious note Im rather impressed with mexico and their development. Im starting to see players that have greater skill set, more creativity and most importantly confidence. Mexico is on the right path and should be a serious side that should not be taken lightly come 2010. The US on the other side is still miles away. And for the record Im impartial (eu sou brasileiro)
They only played together for about 30 minutes, but they looked good. For the most part Donovan player wide right, with Adu playing as a withdrawn forward.
Eddie's touch was bad as usual and he didn't have a good game for a striker but I think Stevie Cherundolo had him beat for worst player on the field. Stevie is usually so solid but Messi and Aguero gave him the run around yesterday. Nah, I think Eddie was still the worst on the field yesterday.
I was at the Dynamo game, didn't see ANY game. Just catching up with the DVR... seeing the Stars and Stripes first. radapharoah, the use of these young speedsters and Eriksson style might cause havoc when otherwise a slower-paced Mexican attack wouldn't with other coaches. Missing were Marquez, Dos Santos, Pardo... Maybe for the first thirty minutes. Messi went out at half time and there was no Tevez. Zanetti didn't play until the 78th minute. Howard is an effin' monster on the goal stoping every one on one against Cruz, and Donovan made everyone play much better. Mexico had a porous defense against Argentina... the 0-0 was well earned by Bradley's team while just staying back without attacking as it is customary by the U.S. or by any team with one less midfielder.
There were no substitutions until after halftime, so are you saying that Argentina or the U.S. or both played for the first 30 minutes and just mailed in the rest of the game? Now granted Argentina are even more dangerous with Tevez, but the squad they had out there was still pretty damn good. And the U.S did attack. They had 9 shots, 4 on goal to Argentina's 10 shots, 7 on goal. The U.S. had the advantage in corners 7 - 6. The two things that struck me about the game was how the U.S. left Johnson in way too long, when it was clear that he was just watching and waiting. And I want to know who decided to make Mascherano captain. The guy can be a total headcase.
No, just Argentina. Why take out Messi? Why hold off the most durable current Argentinean player? I don't know. Of course, it's a tie against the best-ranked team in the wold... so now it DOES count, right?
There is only one team that the U.S. plays where friendlies DO count. That would be the red, white and green. And there is not one thing friendly about the match when they do play them.
Iran? 'Course, I kid. Keep thinking like that, and the rest of the world will continue to show your team and your league the disrespect it always does.
