So on Thurs' show the guys were talking about the US line up and I have to agree with them that the team has not played well. The coach has to go right now before the Gold Cup or as soon as possible afterward. I personally hope the next US coach selects a style of play and related formation...AND STICKS WITH IT. Once he has established a formation he simply selects the best player at each position and stop playing what he believes to be the best 11. It's said all the time..."it's a team sport"...the US should play it's best team and not our best players.
The coaching system in the USA doesn't promote either. They are entrenched in a college way of thinking, and play the "seniors" rather than the best players or team. Notice how some players played under Arena and Bradley, regardless of form or fitness? National team games should NOT be used to give players exercise to get them match fit...drives me nuts.
It'd be great if they can get Bradley on the show, though I doubt he'd open himself to any criticism. Heard him on Georgio and Charlie's show and they basically kissed his butt. I think he's a good guy and is trying his best but clearly it's not good enough. This country not only needs a manager that will motivate but will also teach the game. I'm not sure Bradley qualifies for either.
What a Day...Happy Father's Day indeed The thought of combining the two possibilities: Brazil over Italy 3-0 and US over Egypt 3-0...come on that's just crazy! But it happend and I'm loving it. I'm still not happy with Dempsey's overall play but after the 3rd goal more than willing to let it ride into our probable loss against Spain. Hey, I can dream of a win but am ready for the Third Place match against South Africa. Davies really played with some heart! Who knows guys...maybe Bob Bradley will come on the show inbetween tournaments during the Gold Cup Camp.
The Thursday show was pretty good after the Confederation's Cup US match. It was good to hear how excited the fans were. Which leads me to a rant. People always say how these guys hate US football, etc. but they haven't got a clue. I've been listening to the show for a few years and it's clear that they're extremely critical, but they actually do care about the USA team. If they didn't care they wouldnt' bother even talking about them. They know their fans, they cater to them, and they were very excited about the US result. I'm convinced that the fans that wish to bash Steven and Kenny are jealous of them for some reason. Maybe they're doing the job they wish they had. But it works for those two. And now, with people paying a little bit of attention to football in the US and their ratings going up if only just temporarily before the summer break, a shame some of the sponsors bailed on them but hearing the show, good to hear that they've replaced a good number of them...
I'm not sure if people are jealous, I think it's more a sensitivity some people have about their sport or country. Many people in the USA don't like it when you say something uncomplimentary about the game, or if you ignore the domestic game because you're more interested in the league from another country. They want you to be a rah-rah cheerleader in any and all things about the sport here...it's soccer mom mentality taken to the extreeme. Steven and Kenny are critical of parts of MLS and USSF, so some people think they are against it. For them, being critical comes not because they look down on the sport here, but because they want the sport to improve here. Besides, they'd be horrible as soccer moms, much better to get some tasty MILF or DILF (depending on your preference) on air, especially with the uStream now
My first impression after the first few years of listening was that they were eurosnobs, but after a while I saw they weren't as snobby as I had thought. If I had any remaining doubts, they were erased yesterday (I think it was yesterday) when Steven said (I'm paraphrasing here) that if the US met England in the World Cup, instead of hoping for a US defeat like I thought he would, he said he would hope for a draw so both teams could go through to the knock-out round. Agreed.
They really have been producing some good shows lately. The music and production have not sucked either. They are two very different analysts of the game which works great. I am surprised that Kenny at least has not talked Benny Feilharber far more. He raises the soccer IQ of the team by about 15 points when he plays; it can't be all about hustle. The US has a chance for an upset against Brazil if the US gets an early goal. The more interesting thing if the US put on a decent showing is that they will be scouted and studied diligently from now on and teams will develop the tactical plans to defeat our strengths. I think we are approaching the next level of soccer quality and with it will come fa greater scrutiny and probaby some lumps as well. I think tomorrow will be our best chance in awhile to get a game off a big team before the anti-US tactical plan is developed.
Agreed about Benny. His problem has been attitude and fitness..hopefully he's gotten over both of those.
it's been fun listening to other USA fans reporting their experiences while watching the Confederations Cup final.
I usually enjoy the banter back and forth between Steven and Kenny. Lately the bickering and talking over one another has started to annoy me a bit. I think the surprise guests and the quality of them has me tuning in for more. In addition to the new guests, I would love to have WSD check in with some "old friends" Like Massimo Pegna, Johannes Berendt, Gunther, and please, please a call in segment or two with Howard Rogers.
I like Kenny, but not by himself. The show needed another voice yesterday, Howard, Geber, etc, to offer a counterpoint. Not a bad show, but I think the format works better when there are opposing viewpoints.
I agree. The show is always better with two voices, there just wasn't time to fill the second chair yesterday. When there's enough lead time, they can also book more guests. Both Massimo and Johannes have been on within the last month or so, neither have a lot of free time right now. Gunther is doing lots of travelling in areas with poor cell reception (caves, mountains, etc) so noone has heard from him for a long time. That can't be bad
I know this probably isn't the thread, but I find it really disconcerting that Steven and Kenny, though predominantly Steven, gave Bradley kudos for taking a younger, less-experienced side to the Gold Cup and then go on air and say they're not interested. Of course they have a right to their opinion and this post probably won't change that. I just wanted to voice it. And yes, I do understand that the Gold Cup isn't the most high profile competition in the world. But as they've said time and again, success of futbol in this country will be directly related to the success of the national team. That would make one think that they would take more of an active interest. Just saying. Then again, I could be full of crap. Either way, congrats to the guys last night's 2-0 victory.
You're not full of crap. They've always had a fickleness about the US game, and it's usually based on what's going on with the European one. When big stuff is happening overseas, they have a hard time being focused locally; that's what WE'RE here for. Think of them like kids with massive attention problems..they get grouchy when you try to get their attention and they are fixated elswhere, that's all
