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| USA vs Ghana (WC; Group Stage); Monday 16 Jun 14; Natal, Brazil 1800 ET | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jun 8 2014, 09:36 AM (588 Views) | |
| shelsoccer | Jun 16 2014, 04:46 PM Post #16 |
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In some ways, typically American. In other ways, JK couldn't have been too pleased by the performance, not the result. He put on a smiley face in his post-game interview. But, let's face it, the US played like crap for 80 minutes, certainly not the kind of style JK wants the team to play. So many unforced errors, inability to play out of the back, not being able to string three passes together. In sum, no possession. Ghana played a part. They pressured very well. The early goal, which was very well worked and taken, may have almost worked to the our disadvantage. There's always a tendency to fall back with a lead, and we fell into that trap. It was way too early to do that. John Brooks, huh? Who'd a thunk? For my money, the best US players were Howard, who was very good coming off his line, Cameron and Jones. Bedoya was solid until running out of gas, and the Zusi substitution made a difference with his fine corner. Johnson was only a factor going forward a couple of times, including his hussle to win the CK for the winner. But, with Ghana attacking more on our left, perhaps he could have attacked more. Of course, to attack you have to have possession. Bradley had a poor game. He had to track deep to find the ball and, when he did, he gave away too many free balls. I don't think this team is particularly well suited to the diamond midfield, and I thought JK should have changed to the 4-2-3-1 at the half. Jones, with his end-to-end play, was the main reason it held together. Then, of course, there were the injuries. Hopefully, Besler will be fine in six days (I'm not sure I trust Brooks for 90 minutes). Dempsey's possible broken nose is a concern. And, then there's Altidore's injury. ESPN reported a hamstring strain -- not a pull -- which is somewhat comforting, but I can't see him playing vs. Portugal. That leaves us without a target forward. If Dempsey, who can at least approximate a target man, has a broken nose and is going to be wearing a mask, you can't use him in that role. If JK goes with Johansson or turns to Wondo, they're not suited to that role. The US will have to maintain possession and play to feet. |
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| robdog | Jun 16 2014, 04:59 PM Post #17 |
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shel I couldn't have posted any better. Both JK & Brooks made me eat crow. So now I am going to watch the Season Finale of Game of Thrones, while eating some German made crow Cheers!!!
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| Supporter for FCK, San Lorenzo, Chelsea, Pachuca, Corinthians & Real Betis | |
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| tnorth88 | Jun 16 2014, 05:08 PM Post #18 |
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Wow. Immediate impressions. Jones is my MOM. He covered for Beasley beautifully. It seems like we not make a pass for the whole game? Everyone! That will have to change. If Altidore is out we are severely weakened up front. As Twelman was asked - anyone have any fingernails left?! For my negative thoughts about JK's picks he has the team believing. Great win. |
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| Roosevelt | Jun 16 2014, 06:24 PM Post #19 |
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I agree, shel has provided an excellent summary. I am rarely full of praise for Jermaine Jones, but like tnorth, he was my MotM. Johannson was really poor. Brooks is a hero, and rightly so, but his defending is pretty raw. That flailing 'clearance' he attempted was I-don't-know-what. Besler needs to be able to go. But what's up with all the muscle issues? That's on the staff and is really quite distressing to see. Having a fitness edge over Portugal in the rain forrest was something I took for granted. Ghana will rue their missed chances. And yet somehow, a grueling, exhausting, delicious, delirious victory. I'll worry tomorrow. |
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Another day in June, we'll pick eleven for football We're playing for our lives, the referee gives us f**k-all | |
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| vince stravino | Jun 16 2014, 06:25 PM Post #20 |
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My initial impression is that Altidore, Bedoya and Bestler are all on the shelf for extended periods with muscle injuries. I think they are all real especially Altidore's. They just don't heal up in a week with ice. Dempsey's nose is hindrance, but not a deal-breaker. Klinsmann's conditioning, yoga, granola and voodoo look like they didn't produce results. I cannot recall a match where we had multiple players need to be subbed out due to muscle injuries (and not cramps). Dempsey's goal was almost as sweet as the one Mathis buried against South Korea in '02. Anyone think we could use Donovan now? He would be invaluable at several slots going forward. Oh, well.... Beasley ran all day. He is a bit of a freak. I thought he did very well and was the only player who outworked his Ghanaian counterpart on the pitch. The great news is that Bradley and Beckerman had lousy games. Bradley especially for him. They will only get better. I was happy for Brooks. He really seemed emotionally taken by his goal. He is now a legend in our eyes:) now. It was a magical moment. Still, he was shakey a few times including a whiff on a ball in the box. Ouch. Interesting that Klinsmann did not go for Gonzalez even with Ghana's speed. I thought we were well positioned thru the match. I know it looked like Ghana was pounding away at us, but most of the threat was long-range and benign. Still, doubt Germany doesn't put some of those chances away. Howard was strong, but was not especially tested. He will be in the next two, for sure. Zusi seemed to settle the troops when he came in. I felt it an odd choice as he is not a burner, but I was proved wrong. The forward situation is troublesome. We may actually see Julian Green take the field at some point. That was a lot of fun to watch. The US crowd looked awesome and made me regret not being there. |
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| alabastergremlin | Jun 16 2014, 06:48 PM Post #21 |
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That was unreal. IMO it was one of the most important US games to date. With the amount of attention we've received and more support and interest going in that I can ever recall I think it was extremely important to show well. And put on a good show we did... Yes, it was ugly for a while but I don't think we stole one or got lucky. We dealt with the circumstances and pulled through. Bradley probably played his worse game as a USMNT and we won. Think about that... We lost our starting striker. Our most important player was off his game. And we won. On to Portugal... |
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| alabastergremlin | Jun 16 2014, 07:11 PM Post #22 |
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Let me add...Brooks celebration, loved it. You could see it in his face and that was really special. Pure surprise and joy and shock, even. Was just nice to see. |
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| robdog | Jun 16 2014, 07:28 PM Post #23 |
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Beasler, Altidore & Dempsey looked like that juju magic worked a bit. However the Witch Doctor should have cursed John Brooks in the end. |
| Supporter for FCK, San Lorenzo, Chelsea, Pachuca, Corinthians & Real Betis | |
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| Sammy Maudlin | Jun 16 2014, 07:30 PM Post #24 |
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Great drama and the 3 points are huge as the Ghana curse is finally over. But wow I think the US was very fortunate in this game. Ghana were wasteful and that benefited the US but that was basically US 1993 era play, absorb pressure, more pressure, get some good goalkeeping and hope for a goal off a set play. Jones was my MoM too for his effort throughout but he and Bedoya were the only US midfielders who did anything in this game. The possession will have to be much better in the remaining games because Portugal and Germany will not be as forgiving as Ghana. Despite those criticisms I am happy tonight, 3 big points and qualifying out of the Group of Death is a real possibility now, it is not just a pipe dream. |
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| tnorth88 | Jun 16 2014, 08:19 PM Post #25 |
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Regarding the muscle strains - Too many 3 or more to maybe be a fluke. I seem to remember in my much younger days having difficulty in hot humid conditions when muscles were over worked. Did we train too extensively for the Brazil weather? any one have experience? |
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| americafutbol10 | Jun 16 2014, 08:41 PM Post #26 |
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Typical display of American grit, determination & will to win -Bradley's passing was off...but he wasn't the only one. -Jones was AMAZING -BUMMED about Altidore...looks like he's out for the group stage, at the very least ![]() -Johannsson was invisible -Bedoya was a rock...hope he's ok. -Dempsey is the USMNT's Rocky Balboa...way to battle back from broken nose, Deuce! -Zusi's corner kick on the GW goal = FANTASTIC -Hope Besler's ok...but what about Brooks as the newest American hero? Well done, boys!!! Must improve for Portugal but LOVE our position going forward...though, I do wonder about Jozy, Bedoya & Besler! The heat & humidity in Natal was an obvious issue & it will be worse in Manaus. ANY chance that Donovan gets called up? Just wondering.... |
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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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| vince stravino | Jun 16 2014, 09:28 PM Post #27 |
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Rosters are closed, I believe at this point even for injuries. Someone correct me if I am wrong. |
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| robdog | Jun 16 2014, 10:01 PM Post #28 |
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when I was in the US Army I was stationed in the Swamps of Southeastern Georgia. I would cramp up & get dizzy. Once I had pulled a stomach muscle but mostly Heat injuries due to losing fluids. TBH I suffered more muscle strains playing/training in the cold. |
| Supporter for FCK, San Lorenzo, Chelsea, Pachuca, Corinthians & Real Betis | |
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| alabastergremlin | Jun 16 2014, 10:11 PM Post #29 |
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I think they are set for the entire tournament. |
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| dafyd | Jun 17 2014, 04:20 AM Post #30 |
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I missed much of the 1st half due to work and messed up traffic getting home. I swear I had set the game to be recorded, but it didn't, so tuned in as soon as I checked on that. While I'll agree the US didn't look good for much of the match, I'll credit Ghana for playing well. They had to be confident coming into the match, considering our last two meetings with them. Be prepared for the US to look poor in the next two matches as well. Portugal is going to be looking to bounce back from that loss to Germany. With luck Germany will have made it to the 2nd round and decide to take it easy on us during the 3rd match, but don't count on that. Oh... and did anyone else spot this: What is Landon doing during this years World Cup? |
| Leper In A Stange Land | |
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Cheers!!!

11:25 AM Jul 11