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Official Soxtalk 2006 World Cup Thread


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QUOTE(DonkeyKongerko @ Jun 17, 2006 -> 12:53 PM)
Yeah, those saves by Kingston could turn out to be huge. Even if the US wins today, they will probably still be in last due to differential.

 

But if the US wins today, they will at least control their own destiny. At this point, 2 wins guarantees that they advance. The US desperately needs to at least draw today, because goal differential is definitely not in their favor.

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QUOTE(DonkeyKongerko @ Jun 17, 2006 -> 04:11 PM)
When the numbers were even, I'd have to say the US looked the better side. The last 20 minutes or so, they were just exhausted. I can't believe Arena didn't use his 3rd substitute at that point.

 

Agreed, I was shocked he didnt sub in Eddie Johnson for McBride at around the 81st minute when it looked like McBride was just running on fumes, you have the substitution, use it!

 

On the red cards, Pope was rightfully sent off, Mastroeni was not, that was a brutal red card. The Beasley goal should have been disallowed, McBride was in the offside position and was screening the goalie. That being said, the referee was terrible and the Americans did look like the better side when the numbers were even. If the US plays like this against Ghana, they have a good chance to win that game.

 

Also, big props to Kasey Keller who came up with a couple huge saves at the end.

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QUOTE(illinilaw08 @ Jun 17, 2006 -> 05:29 PM)
Agreed, I was shocked he didnt sub in Eddie Johnson for McBride at around the 81st minute when it looked like McBride was just running on fumes, you have the substitution, use it!

 

On the red cards, Pope was rightfully sent off, Mastroeni was not, that was a brutal red card. The Beasley goal should have been disallowed, McBride was in the offside position and was screening the goalie. That being said, the referee was terrible and the Americans did look like the better side when the numbers were even. If the US plays like this against Ghana, they have a good chance to win that game.

 

Also, big props to Kasey Keller who came up with a couple huge saves at the end.

^^^^^^^^^^

 

All that. I have no problem with the Pope red. He was playing like crap anyway, it's too bad he didn't get subbed before that. But the Mastroeni red was complete bs. He was, what?, 1/10 or 2/10 of a second late on a tackle? Christ.

 

Still too many bad passes by the US, but okay -- much, much better.

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It was a rough game to watch with my two favorite teams facing each other and the game itself was hard to watch with 3 red cards. The US played well and deserved the result and thanks to Ghana they have a good shot to move on. Italy was, for the most part, lackluster despite moments of brilliance. The open play definitely made the players work harder and I don't understand why Arena didn't use his final sub in the end of the match. McBride for Johnson would have made tons of sense. McBride was tired at the end and Johnson would be perfect for the open style. Johnson could use his speed in the open space and even if he wasn't able to do anything on the counterattack he would at the very least use his speed to rush Italian passes while they were trying to set up an attack. It doesn't even matter who the sub was going to be, you gotta make one there.

 

Funny how Lewis and Beasley were out of the lineup after being put out of position in the opener. Beasley played better today as Arena stuck him back on the left. I still want to see Beasley starting on the left against Ghana. Dempsey was alright, but not spectacular. I liked seeing Bocanegra in the starting lineup and he will definitely start against Ghana with Pope out.

 

It will be interesting to see the lineup with Mastroeni and Pope out. If I were making the lineup it would be Cherundolo-Onyewu-Boca Dempsey-Reyna-Beasley-Convey Donovan Johnson-McBride. 3-4-1-2 with Reyna playing a bit of D mid. I think Beasley and Convey could make nice overlapping runs making up for the lack of a left back capable of bringing the ball forward. I'm not a fan of Dempsey but he played alright and the options on the right are limited. Cherundolo can come up like he did against Italy. I really think the US is going to need 2 forwards. Ghana's strong on offense but weaker on defense and I think a more open game will result with this formation which would make the game fun to watch and plays more towards the US style. The US is going to have to defend Ghana's great one on one players and I don't think numbers will help because they aren't afraid to shoot from distance. I want the US to go at Ghana's defense. Either way that will never happen.

 

Arena will probably stick with 4 at the back with Conrad, hopefully not Lewis. O'Brien might not be an option which leaves Reyna, Dempsey, Beasley, and Convey as the only 4 midfielders that have seen action so far. I doubt Arena would play those four together so he'll probably stick Johnson in with McBride with Donovan of course supporting. It will be interesting on both sides as both of Ghana's goal scorers today will have yellow card suspensions against the US.

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1) The US needs to adjust the style of play for international play. The flopping is just insane, and the fact American's play physical does not help at all. Watching the game it was clear the American's play in a different league where dropping to the ground on the slightest touch will get you nothing. I can say with pride that I did not see 1 flagrant flop by an American, and most American's went out of their way to not fall even when there was contact.

 

2) WTF is with not using the wings when attacking. When the US were playing even and 1 man up, they always forced the ball to the middle instead of going outside in.

 

3) I cant understand not subbing. I guess they were happy with a tie, but Italy was tired. US needs to attack more, even if they lose people will respect them.

 

Tie would of been a good result at even strength, so in the end just have to beat Ghana and hope that Czech's lose, or win by a huge margin.

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I see Japan/Croatia was a 0-0 draw. I'm glad my sleeping in payed off. Brazil has looked unspectacular today so far in 1 half because that Australian defense has been very good. Looking forward to the 2nd half.

 

US got so damn lucky on that own goal last night. They HAVE to beat Ghana and get some help from the other teams if they want to advance.

 

Oh, and expect Korea to upset France today. That, or France is going to kill them.

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