For starters, I'm very disappointed that LAG hasnt done more to support the USMNT match tomorrow. It's being played at OUR home, with -3- of our guys possibly dressing!! Why our FO hasnt jumped all over the opportunity to promote this escapes me. This is a perfect opportunity to showcase OUR young talent to folks who may not be LAG fans. This is exactly why most of the Nats matches in the US feel like away games. LAG Fans, it's not to late to pick up a cheap ticket. Come out and support Omar, Sean, and AJ!!
I can't wait to see our defensive line take on Chile. If Omar does well tomorrow he is a shoo-in for the Gold Cup squad. I'm nervous for him.
I just wish I could see the freakin' game. Don't get Telefutura on my TV package and don't have access to ESPN3 over the internet.
I have an extra ticket to tonight's usa vs chile game if anybody want's it i'm selling it for $15 section 103 row p email me: charlie.mrp12@gmail.com
Still at work but hoping to get home in time for the game so I see the Galaxy defense's first pre-season game.
Justin TV had a couple, but with it on ESPN3.com, expect the Worldwide Leader to treat those like whack-a-moles.
I'm watching it here: http://www.atdhe.net/33029/watch-united-states-vs-chile Hope it doesn't conk out. [result]Halftime 0-0[/result]
Gonzo did well in his short time on the field and Franklin really impressed. Great showing by our Galaxians
Big Gonzo kind of blew it, gave the ball away to many times, needs to juggle with the ball an hour a day to develop a first touch as well
Gonzo was ok. Passing STILL needs improvement. Ream is the better Nats option at this point, but I thought the two played well together. Sean was solid, as was Dax (for the most part). Agudelo and Bunbury changed the game after a futile attack in the first half. Game was a ton of fun in person though.
Watched the game (not live). Neither Gonzo or Sean helped themselves in my opinion. Way too many giveaways, Sean nearly caused a PK (and really should have), and Omar's distribution out of the back still needs work. Omar will continue to be someone the Nats look at, but Tim Ream outperformed him tonight. I'm proud of them though and wish that AJ had gotten a look. He was the one player that was left on the bench.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwqlziAnqSg"]YouTube - Jan. 22, 2011: MNT 1, Chile 1 - Teal Bunbury Goal[/ame]
It was a fun match to watch, and probably the best January game I have been to. The crowd energy was very high throughout and 18k is decent attendance. I agree with the comments about Omar and Sean. However, 4 > 2. I thought Wynn was terrible. Bedoya also didn't help himself. Overall passing and ball control is better than I was expecting, but we have to remember that this was a rookie Chile team. I think I read that only 1 player was from their WC squad. I was hoping to see more from Johnson in goal because I think he has more future potential than Rimando. Rimando played well, but he has no long-term future with the Nats. McCarty, Bunbury and Agudelo should make the squad for the next 3 friendlies (Egypt, Argentina, Paraguay) and then we'll see about the Gold Cup. I'd like to see Omar get the call again, at least so he can train at that level, although he won't get too much playing time based on last night.
I don't think any of the US players really distinguished themselves last night. As far as our guys go, Gonzilla's foot work seemed much improved, but it was pretty dang poor to begin with, so he still has a way to go. But I thought he held is own last night. I thought he and Ream complimented each other pretty well - obviously the worry with the two of them at the international level is if they are quick enough. Franklin took a while to settle into the game and initially kept pressing up the sideline looking to join the attack and that quick Chilean left midfielder kept stepping up into the space Franklin left behind him, causing all sorts of trouble (like the play that might have been a PK). Once Franklin settled down and chose better spots to push forward, and kept the Chilean player in front fo him, he did better. I thought AJDLG's stock rose, even though he stayed on the bench, because while Marvel Wynne is really good at man-marking a big patch of empty grass, he's not so good as a center back. So AJDLG looked better, even though he never even played...
The crowd sounded great, both sides. Were there really 18K there? That's like the biggest attendance for a US game at the HDC. What was the split between US and Chile fans?
Didn't think Franklin played very well myself. Seemed to get on the wrong side of his man more then a few times and was close to conceding a penalty early in the match. Omar was somewhat mediocre as well. Both will get a lot more looks however, such is the state of our national team defense corps.
It seemed like he was burned a few times, but it was because we weren't doing a good enough job of getting him the ball when he streaked down flank. Chile did a really good job of attacking that gap that Sean left. The play that could have almost been a penalty is a prime example. He defended well in 1v1 situations and passed well though, especially once he settled in.
nowhere near 50-50 buddy don't know what game you saw, it was easily 70-30, it's just latin american fans are louder, and they all wear the color of their jersey and bring flags, while our fans take beckham, ronaldo, and barcelona jerseys...
I can't speak to how loud they were as i was sitting next to the AOs. I based that off of the reaction in the stadium after they scored.
FWIW---the "USA! USA!" chants were loud, and the 18,000 in attendance came across louder on tv then most 20,000+ Galaxy home games.