USA v Mexico: Post Game [R]

[NoSix]

1-0 USA - Pope buries the rebound from Twellman's header in stoppage time.

[ursula]

A correxct ending to that game. Wonderful domination.

[CrewDust]

Good result but I would like to have seen more goals. Landon's shot of the post in the first half was sweet.

[paulo]

I have a question.
what happened on that play when Eddie took the ball from their keeper?

it looked to me like the gk threw the ball out to kick it with his feet and Eddie assumed it was a free ball and tried to play it - then the play was called back.

Either
a) there was a foul called earlier and the gk was trying to restart a free kick quickly
or b) there is some rule that I don't know about that says if a gk throws the ball on the ground to clear it he has the same posession as throwing it in the air for a punt or drop-kick.

[Motterman]

I've figured out why Mexican fans throw toilet paper on the pitch:

Their football is crap. :D

[appoo]

when the hell did Donovan turn into....god I can't even describe who compares to. WHERE THE HELL DID THAT COME FROM??!!

[superdave]

Some great play from the half-varsity/half-junior varsity.

Chris Sullivan talked over and over about Landon in midfield, but he was right to do so. Landon was amazingly dynamic in the position. In particular, he really helped out with his amazing (for an attacking player) ballwinner. I was reminded of when Leeds experimented (successfully for a while) with a 4-5-1, with Alan Smith in midfield. Smith's intensity and workrate lend themselves to a midfield role, as Landon's intensity, speed, and stamina do.

I think Bruce really needs to consider Pablo as a fixture in central defense when we're playing smallish teams. His ability to begin the transition from defense to offense was a critical reason we possessed the ball so much.

Armas had a good defensive game, even by his high standards. He had a below average offensive game, even by his low standards. But he will help the team when a) Pablo can play behind him and carry some of the transition burden and b) we're playing against a 3 man central midfield.

I was very impressed with the variation in the US' attack. One of the best matches we've played. The return of the box midfield worked great. I don't know if that was because of our personnel, or because it surprised Mexico, or a combination. Hejduk playing waaaay over his head helped; he really controlled his side of the field.

[obie]

Well that was fun. US just seemed to come in waves, dominating long stretches. We deserved to win.

MOTM: Donovan, no question. Jesus Christ, he was dangerous tonight.

[Motterman]

I have a question.
what happened on that play when Eddie took the ball from their keeper?

it looked to me like the gk threw the ball out to kick it with his feet and Eddie assumed it was a free ball and tried to play it - then the play was called back.

Either
a) there was a foul called earlier and the gk was trying to restart a free kick quickly
or b) there is some rule that I don't know about that says if a gk throws the ball on the ground to clear it he has the same posession as throwing it in the air for a punt or drop-kick.

Replay looked offside on the cross in, that's probably what happened. FSW crew didn't really elaborate.

[Claymore]

Now THAT is how you play Mexico - constant pressure all over the field, take the game to them and keep them guessing. We flat out dominated the game in all areas. Need to work on our finishing, though.

Image of the game: Hejduk nutmegging the Mexi defender - you know your day is going to suck when that happens.

[geordienation]

Very nice win.

They really carried the play to Mexico throughout the game.

Donovan, Beasley and Convey looked particularly good.

Maestroini had a very good game as well.

Armas didn't do any thing dumb.

[paulo]

when the hell did Donovan turn into....god I can't even describe who compares to. WHERE THE HELL DID THAT COME FROM??!!
Against this opponent and with this young fast lineup
I loved the box midfield

[appoo]

Well that was fun. US just seemed to come in waves, dominating long stretches. We deserved to win.

MOTM: Donovan, no question. Jesus Christ, he was dangerous tonight.
we looked like a great Mexico team. I have never been so happy tp be wrong before. 3 - 0 Mexico? WTF was I thinking? Obviously I wasn't. Of course I would not have predicted that kind of performance from Donovan....

[Roehl Sybing]

Had to come back to say this: Most complete performance since '02.

Finishing still sucks, though.

[paulo]

Replay looked offside on the cross in, that's probably what happened. FSW crew didn't really elaborate.
thank you, i didn't see it i think I am going to read superdave's post again
nodding in agreement

[mpruitt]

So the US doesn't play attractive enough? We can't beat Mexico when they bring their A squad? HAHA. WHAT?! Great post by ApooOnU, where the heck has Donavan been lately then he turns into a guy that's making 30 yard runs like they're going out of style. Fantastic to see Twellman make the most of his chances. I've been really rooting for that guy.

Another two guys that had suprising performances were Heyduck and Zavaginan. They definately looked like they belonged on the pitch, which is more then I can say for them previously.

[fidlerre]

it's amazing; you can tell donovan, convey, beasley and connor have played together a long time dating back to their days on many youth national teams. it is almost as if they all know exactly what it is they are doing all over the field.

donovan was...well...to put it simply, amazing. i have not seen that donovan in a long, long time.

well deserved win. i would have been happy with a 0-0 scoreline but the goal at the end was deserved for the team that dominated the entire game...a great display of soccer from our boys tonight.

[JMMUSA8]

looks like Twellman is gettin more comfortable on the international stage. He has been snake bitten lately, he usually puts those away.

[virgin pose]

God, that was a a wonderful sight ! We looked like a team possessed out there tonight. Hands down, Landon has claimed the AM position. He was brilliant and his shot off of the post was class. 1" lower and that would have been the goal of the year. Aside from Armas's slow passes and poor touch everything was clicking. I would have liked to have seen Twellman on earlier, he deserves a look and did well in the time he had. I haven't been this proud of the US since 02 and now I can't wait for qualifying to start. Great match.

[Father Ted]

USA B-team beats Mexico's A-team...not so good for El Tri. No doubt VS & Co will claim that their coach actually wanted to lose the game for tactical reasons, right?