Soccer Thread

[Giantsfan1080]

Originally Posted by Marino13

I love Holden as a player, and he has improved so much since the Gold Cup, but I don't think he starts. Unless Dempsey moves to striker like he does sometimes for Fulham, he, Donovan, and Michael Bradley are locks to start. That leaves Holden fighting with Edu and Clark, and on a level playing field, Edu is the best of the 3.

I agree Edu is better but I think it's very possible we see Dempsey up front with Jozy. We'll get a much better read after tonight's match.

[Marino13]

Originally Posted by iowatreat54

Gah, I hate Bradley so much. His coaching ability is there, but he is horrible at dealing with personel and selecting teams.

And please don't make me choose between Casey and Ching. I'd rather down a bottle of sleeping pills.

thus I'm hoping that Bradley goes with a combo of Buddle,Gomez, Johnson, and Findley. This is of course, if we don't move Dempsey up top. But from the sounds of things, Buddle is all but a lock due to chemistry with Donovan.

One thing I will say, only things about the provisional roster aside from Davies (which you can argue he wouldn't be ready or not) are Bornstein, Ching, and Beasley. Bornstein makes mistakes, but he's a huge reason we are where we are, Beasley played well in our last friendly, and Ching... well no defending that.

We're just really weak up top, and a big reason for that is Davies being hurt otherwise I don't have a problem with the guys Bradley picked. He can't do much worse than Arena did in 06

[Bosanac01]

Man I was at a crazy soccer game here in Eastern Europe the other day. The whole stadium was on fire. We were really just fighting the whole game. I have no idea who won.

Man I love soccer.

[Marino13]

Gooch, Edu, and Holden all starting, the rest are guys fighting for spots

[Marino13]

Stuart Holden should never do the stanky leg again

[Marino13]

final score looks to be 4-2 Czechs. Here's what I learned

1.Gooch isn't 100% but he's not in horrible shape. The goal he got beat in the air it looked like he didn't know there was a guy behind him.

2.We need Gooch, DeMerritt, and Bocanegra healthy (and Marshall too for that matter). Pearce and Bornstein looked awful. Bornstein made a lot of mistakes, and Pearce's mistakes led to 2 goals.

3.Goodson and Cherundolo looked good on the backline so we have some depth on the back, not all is bad.

4.Maurice Edu looked good at mid, but he should not play center defense during the WC.

5.Stuart Holden is really making a case he should start.

6.IMO Hercules Gomez has earned his spot on the team.

7.Guzan may not be the number 2 goalie. All 4 goals came from breakdowns, but he plays on his heels too much.

Not putting too much into the game since Howard, Dempsey, Donovan, Bocanegra, Bradley, Altidore, Clark, DeMerritt, and Spector didn't play.

If I'm Bradley, I find it very hard to cut Gomez, Goodson, Rogers, and Beasley right now.

This game was basically get Gooch and Holden time, and evaluate who fills out the roster. Saturday is the first big game.

[dabears10]

Originally Posted by Marino13

final score looks to be 4-2 Czechs. Here's what I learned

1.Gooch isn't 100% but he's not in horrible shape. The goal he got beat in the air it looked like he didn't know there was a guy behind him.

2.We need Gooch, DeMerritt, and Bocanegra healthy (and Marshall too for that matter). Pearce and Bornstein looked awful. Bornstein made a lot of mistakes, and Pearce's mistakes led to 2 goals.

3.Goodson and Cherundolo looked good on the backline so we have some depth on the back, not all is bad.

4.Maurice Edu looked good at mid, but he should not play center defense during the WC.

5.Stuart Holden is really making a case he should start.

6.IMO Hercules Gomez has earned his spot on the team.

7.Guzan may not be the number 2 goalie. All 4 goals came from breakdowns, but he plays on his heels too much.

Not putting too much into the game since Howard, Dempsey, Donovan, Bocanegra, Bradley, Altidore, Clark, DeMerritt, and Spector didn't play.

If I'm Bradley, I find it very hard to cut Gomez, Goodson, Rogers, and Beasley right now.

This game was basically get Gooch and Holden time, and evaluate who fills out the roster. Saturday is the first big game.

I thought that Gomez played pretty poorly. He had a few chances today with poor finishes. The big one that comes to mind is the beautiful back heel by Ching and he drills it right at the keeper. That as well as the 2 on 2 where he forced the action, which is fine, but he didn't beat his man or made it easy for another run to be made.

Ching still sucks, Kljestan was terrible, and I thought Goodson helped his stock the most. Beasley played okay tonight, but I have been down that road before and am okay with him being left off.

[J-Mike88]

Gentlemen,

I'm late and new to the soccer stuff, but I gotta tell you one thing and ask you one thing.

First, when we scored that phenomenal double-header off the corner to knot it up at 2, I actually got chills. Real goosebumps that I showed my little kid.
I have never ever gotten chills from anything in sports other than the Packers, and I really can't remember getting them there even.....

Second, who is our guy #21?
I may be wrong, but judging from two goals I saw us allow last night, this guy better not be on our team in South Africa.
Again, I hope he's not really one of our good guys and your favs, but based on my amateur observations last night, he's a weak link for sure.

He let the pass go right by him, which led to a goal. My family was all over for a BBQ and my mom and Grandma were like me, couldn't understand why he didn't reach out and stop the pass.

Who is this guy, #21?
I hope it was a guy fighting for the roster spot and not a guy who will be there for us in the Cup.

By the way, LIS I am new to the party here, so don't shoot me down if that's your guy. Just help me learn this team.

[dabears10]

Originally Posted by J-Mike88

Gentlemen,

I'm late and new to the soccer stuff, but I gotta tell you one thing and ask you one thing.

First, when we scored that phenomenal double-header off the corner to knot it up at 2, I actually got chills. Real goosebumps that I showed my little kid.
I have never ever gotten chills from anything in sports other than the Packers, and I really can't remember getting them there even.....

Second, who is our guy #21?
I may be wrong, but judging from two goals I saw us allow last night, this guy better not be on our team in South Africa.
Again, I hope he's not really one of our good guys and your favs, but based on my amateur observations last night, he's a weak link for sure.

He let the pass go right by him, which led to a goal. My family was all over for a BBQ and my mom and Grandma were like me, couldn't understand why he didn't reach out and stop the pass.

Who is this guy, #21?
I hope it was a guy fighting for the roster spot and not a guy who will be there for us in the Cup.

By the way, LIS I am new to the party here, so don't shoot me down if that's your guy. Just help me learn this team.

#21 was Goodson I believe. He was also the player who made the first header on the 2nd goal. He will likely play small minutes in the World Cup. Our Defenders are likely Bocanegra(C)-Onyewu-DeMerit- Spector.

[dabears10]

World Cup 23 Man Roster-
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/...#axzz0p3dw6TH9

My Hope-

Howard
Bocanegra - Onyewu - DeMerit - Spector
Donovan - Bradley - Feilhaber - Holden
Dempsey - Altidore

[YAYareaRB]

Originally Posted by dabears10

World Cup 23 Man Roster-
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/...#axzz0p3dw6TH9

My Hope-

Howard
Bocanegra - Onyewu - DeMerit - Spector
Donovan - Bradley - Feilhaber - Holden
Dempsey - Altidore

I'm with this..

[sweetness34]

If Bornstein starts I'm going to puke. He's ******* awful. How many times did he get smoked last night? The fact that he's even on this roster is ridiculous. The only reason he's being considered is because he's left footed. ****, put Beasley or Spector at LB. They'd be a lot better than that piece of crap.

Btw, I <3 Holden and Edu. Both had very strong games last night.

[MetSox17]

Mexico getting ready to play the Netherlands. Memo Ochoa is gonna start this game, so we'll have our best goalie again. I'm hoping Guille Franco isn't too hurt and will get to play. We need him.

[scottyboy]

yay! Demarcus made it, he's one of my favorites

[MetSox17]

Man, we're getting raped by the Netherlands. Ochoa is playing great, but the defense is getting shredded up. And as i speak, they score behind the defense. FML.

[billsfootball15]

Originally Posted by MetSox17

Man, we're getting raped by the Netherlands. Ochoa is playing great, but the defense is getting shredded up. And as i speak, they score behind the defense. FML.

ive got a question for you...do you think Vela or Gio Dos Santos will start for Mexico in the WC? Also what role will Guardado play? Is he more of an attacking midfielder or more of a winger...any insight to Mexico's style will be much appreciated!

[Mr. Goosemahn]

Originally Posted by MetSox17

Man, we're getting raped by the Netherlands. Ochoa is playing great, but the defense is getting shredded up. And as i speak, they score behind the defense. FML.

1-5 in the last two games combined. Not good. :S

We need to put Gio in there, just to create some offense and bring in speed.

[iowatreat54]

I cannot express how happy I am that both Torres and Holden made the team. I love both of them and really thought Bradley would screw it up and take older vets who suck, like Ching.

I still don't understand taking 3 keepers. Sure, after Howard both our backups lack experience and Guzan played pretty bad yesterday, but just because you don't have 1 legit backup doesn't mean you should take 2 inexperienced ones. I just don't get it at all.

Also, I'd love to see Edu and Feilhaber starting in the middle. I loathe little Bradley, even though he has improved. I still fully expect him to be ***** made in the game vs. England and get at least a yellow for a stupid foul, if not more.

[MetSox17]

Originally Posted by billsfootball15

ive got a question for you...do you think Vela or Gio Dos Santos will start for Mexico in the WC? Also what role will Guardado play? Is he more of an attacking midfielder or more of a winger...any insight to Mexico's style will be much appreciated!

We have a surplus of wingers. Gio will definitely start. The team has just a whole different dynamic to it when he's in there. So will Guardado. When those two are on the squad, they're starting, and they're both attacking wings. Vela most likely won't because Guille Franco will be our striker.

We have a lot of guys that can move the ball at a fast pace, but sadly we don't have anyone (outside of Franco) that can finish on a consistent basis. Gio is amazing, and the offense he can create is a huge asset. Same for Vela, but he needs to get a little more seasoned cause he has some lapses where he has scoring opportunities and he doesn't show the killer instinct.

They'll make some noise in this WC, but honestly our best chance at winning one will be in 2014 when both the Dos Santos brothers, Vela, Guardado, Hernandez and Vela are more mature.

[Mr. Goosemahn]

Originally Posted by billsfootball15

ive got a question for you...do you think Vela or Gio Dos Santos will start for Mexico in the WC? Also what role will Guardado play? Is he more of an attacking midfielder or more of a winger...any insight to Mexico's style will be much appreciated!

I think both Vela and Dos Santos will start. Gio is instant offense and is very fast, and he's got good chemistry with Vela. Vela had a bad game vs. England, but he did some things right. Plus, we've got very few other true forwards/strikers, having Franco, Chicharito, and Vela.

Guardado will most likely play winger, attacking, making plays.

As for Mexico's style, if Gio and Guardado start, Mexico will have a very vertical attack. Franco will play on top, hustling, not really doing all that much, with the wingers making most of the offensive plays. They'll play much more close to the sidelines than through the middle of the field.

If Blanco is in the game, the team really slows down and they play more through the middle.

[Mr. Goosemahn]

Chicharito!!!!!

[MetSox17]

Man we're just a whole different team with Gio in there. I <3 him

[Rosebud]

So what are everyone's expectations of germany without Ballack? I'm obviously a homer who thinks we can still win the WC with a lineup featuring Schweini, Merte and Lahm as our oldest players because of just how loaded with young talent we are. Any what are your thoughts.

[Mr. Goosemahn]

Originally Posted by Rosebud

So what are everyone's expectations of germany without Ballack? I'm obviously a homer who thinks we can still win the WC with a lineup featuring Schweini, Merte and Lahm as our oldest players because of just how loaded with young talent we are. Any what are your thoughts.

You're forgetting the fact that Mexico is still in your way ; )

But I actually do like Germany, even without Ballack. They can still win tough games. Still have Spain as the favorite to win it all, but they've got some injuries too, so who knows.

[Rosebud]

Originally Posted by Mr. Goosemahn

You're forgetting the fact that Mexico is still in your way ;)

But I actually do like Germany, even without Ballack. They can still win tough games. Still have Spain as the favorite to win it all, but they've got some injuries too, so who knows.

Ozil, Marin and Mueller > Gio, Vela and Guardado :p

I just don't know, we're so young and if those young guys get overwhelmed with the stage we're screwed. I love our young talent because we're loaded with centerbacks and attacking players, but the question boils down to whether they are ready to step up.