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| USA at Bosnia-Herzegovinia (friendly); Sarajevo, B-H; 14 Aug 2013 | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Aug 4 2013, 05:41 PM (1,383 Views) | |
| Johnbuildr | Aug 16 2013, 04:52 AM Post #46 |
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..to take just one of Hobbes' points, all of which are pretty unassailable, and go a little further:
Of all the players you mention, DMB worries me the most. He has had a terrific comeback year or so, but against world class opposition, his too-numerous mistakes cannot be remedied so easily with his own speed playing catch up. I love the guy and his heart (he reminds me of Cobi in his tireless play and spirit) but I remain entirely unconvinced that he will be our best bet at wingback in Brasil. |
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Qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum | |
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| americafutbol10 | Aug 16 2013, 08:17 AM Post #47 |
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Personally, I think the game proved that Fabian Johnson is more effective as a LM than a LB & I'd prefer to see him in the midfield from here on out. I know Beasley might not be the absolute best choice at LB but I still would rather have him than Castillo. To be honest, the CB & LB position are of the most concern...to me...heading into next summer. The RB position is still up in the air & I also hope Cherundolo is ready but I do like Evans & Cameron as RB possibilites. However, I also like Cameron as a midfield partner for Bradley...along with Diskerud. Not sold on Jones & any further performances like this one in the future will make me wonder how much longer JK insists on playing him <_< |
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US Soccer...Don't Thread On Me! Michigan Football...Harbaugh Effect (GO BLUE!) LA Galaxy...5-time MLS Cup Champions! Colombia...VIVA, Cafeteros! | |
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| shelsoccer | Aug 16 2013, 10:34 AM Post #48 |
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OK, I did some research. Following are the ages of Sweden's '94 back five and the ages of my projected US '14 back five when the Brazil WC gets underway: GK: Sweden -- Ravelli (34); US -- Howard (34) RB: Sweden -- Nilsson (31); US -- Cherundolo (35) CB: Sweden -- Andersson (23); US -- Gonzalez (25) CB: Sweden -- Bjorklund (24); US -- Besler (27) LB: Sweden -- Ljung (28); US -- Beasley (32)/F. Johnson (26) So, not quite as close as I thought, but I think my overall comparison still holds. I'd argue that in terms of international experience, Gonzalez and Besler are comparable to Andersson and Bjorklund, probably less given Andersson's role in Euro '92. (Interesting to note that neither Andersson or particularly Bjorklund had a whole lot of success after WC '94.) Ljung was younger than I remembered -- and, if you know how to pronounce Ljung, pun intended. Cherundolo also has more years on Nilsson than I thought. There are some other interesting comparisons. I think the US central midfield of Bradley and Jones has a slight edge over Sweden's duo of Thern and Schwarz, with Bradley being superior to either of the Swedes. Dempsey can be compared to Brolin favorably (just about as creative and parties less). Altidore, if he keeps this up, can be on par with Dahlin. Donovan is superior to Ingesson. Kennet Andersson is tough to compare to any current US player, as Sweden played a strict 4-4-2. Eddie Johnson is in the ball park. I also don't believe the Sweden '94 team had the depth the current US squad has. Sweden used very few subs in '94. Kamark and Mild got some decent minutes; less so for Limpars and the very young Larsson and Blomqvist. Am I predicting a third-place finish for the US in Brazil? No, but the semifinals are not out of the question. Think Sweden and Bulgaria in '94, Croatia in '98, S. Korea and Turkey in '02 and Uruguay in '10. My realistic hope is getting to the quarterfinals. That's my bottom line at this point. |
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| Johnbuildr | Aug 16 2013, 12:16 PM Post #49 |
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The Quarters should be the team's minimum expectation as well, Shel. Very interesting comparison with Sweden WC '94. As I read through it I began to think, well, this USA team is arguably stronger overall and deeper than that Swedish team, but the speed and level of play of the entire world's teams have also been raised since '94 I daresay. It's an age old discussion in any sport but it is hard for me to believe that there are not more highly competitive teams playing a quicker and faster brand of the game than there were 20 years ago. |
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Qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum | |
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| alabastergremlin | Aug 17 2013, 12:44 AM Post #50 |
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And if by the end of the sentence you still don't know how to pronounce Ljung...well, pay more attention. As for expectation...I think we are solidly to the point where advancement past the opening round should be expected (barring some bizarre grouping with Brazil/Spain/Ghana). And depending on match ups I would expect us to be on pace or competitive with any team with a pretty good chance to win a game in the knockout round. I am cautiously optimistic as it is now but if the good form continues and we see the growth and maturation that we've seen over the last year...well, I'm just terrified of a massive letdown in Brazil. |
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| raconteur | Aug 17 2013, 07:08 PM Post #51 |
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Thanks shel for the comparisons with Sweden's 1994. It will be fascinating to see what Klinsmann's US team can do. So far the signs are positive but June is still a very long way away. I for one fear that Jozy Altidore made a mistake signing with Sunderland and I fear for his form next year. alabastergremlin, did you read Aron Johansson was born in Mobile, AL? Is he the first Alabama born player to represent the US? |
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| TonyDE | Aug 17 2013, 07:56 PM Post #52 |
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Altidore's 3 goals naturally grabbed the attention from this game but the player who caught my eye and makes me cannot wait to see him again with the US is Aron Johannsson. This kid can play, he has size, touch and speed. I think we will all enjoy watching him develop. As for how well the US can do next summer. I think a minimum will be to get out of the group. That should be the US' goal at every World Cup and anything less would be a disappointment. But it all depends on the draw. In the meantime I am really enjoying watching how Klinsmann has the US playing right now. And I also like how he has used this summer to increase the pool of players capable of stepping in and playing. |
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| vince stravino | Aug 18 2013, 10:44 AM Post #53 |
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Mia Hamm was born in Alabama! |
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| alabastergremlin | Aug 18 2013, 11:13 PM Post #54 |
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Off the top of my head I can't name another person from Alabama who has represented the US for the men. As mentioned, Mia Hamm was born here. A few years back one of the US defenders Catherine "Cat" Reddick (Whitehill, now) was a consistent starter in the early parts of the 2000's and she was from Birmingham. My wife played against her team in high school...and lost 22-0 which was the catalyst for the mercy rule in this state. I guess if you have to be known for something...I'm not sure why Cat Reddick fell out of favor or if she took a break. I think she plays for somebody in the current version of the womens league. As for the men...I don't recall off the top of my head anybody else from Alabama but I am sure I'm missing somebody... Justin Mapp (formerly of the Chicago Fire) played for the US and grew up five minutes from where I did in Mississippi. Other than that its all the other type of football here. |
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| vince stravino | Aug 19 2013, 03:24 AM Post #55 |
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Didn't Kasey Keller's mom move to Alabama and become an admin in their State Federation a few years back? |
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| alabastergremlin | Aug 19 2013, 04:42 AM Post #56 |
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Actually, I do remember something about that. I couldn't tell you what level or organization but I think that would be Alabama's only connection...if that counts. Before the kid from Iceland. Ha. |
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| raconteur | Aug 19 2013, 08:12 AM Post #57 |
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Thanks for the info, so Johannsson is apparently the first Alabama born male to represent the US. So alabastergremlin, do you have a new favorite US player now? ![]() USSF has to notify clubs to release their players 15 days before the September 6 qualifier, that means August 22. Obviously we won't get public confirmation of that roster until much later but Klinsmann will have some intriguing roster choices to make. |
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