USA v. Angola 6/5/06 (Closed-Door Friendly)

[NBlue]

We it would be nice if we could get some pbp somewhere but I don't think its going to happen. That said, FIFA (of all people) has a tidy article out summarizing the scrimmage parameters (unlimited subs and no one reveals the score) as well as some news of note (Reyna is ready to play!)

http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/060605/1/73wz.html

Anyone with any other info about the scrimmage -- as the day wears on -- I'd love to hear it!

[appoo]

what do they think they're hiding?

[Shibb]

Anyone catch Angola v Argentina yesterday? Argentina had the upper hand in the parts I saw but Angola held their own, somewhat. Also Angola didn't seem to play particularly physical (vs just about any CONCACAF side) so it's not a bad choice for a final tune up.

[Autogolazo]

Angola is much more Portugal-lite because so many of its stars play in their leagues (not to mention the former colony aspect).

A thing I had heard about closed-door scrimmages is that each coach is given a certain number of chances to stop play with a whistle and correct something his team is doing (one per half or something like that). Is this true?

[Hed7181]

There were a few comments in that Fifa article that struck me.

1. the two teams agreed not to release the results of the scrimmage. Why? I understand the point they made, but I guess I'm one of those play to win kind of guys.

2. The whole 'no hard tackles' deal is kind of scary. In my sporting lifetime, when you starting playing at less than 100%, that's when someone gets hurt. I know they're all professionals and will have this thoroughly monitored but it does make me a little leary.

3. Claudio is healthy! Awesome. I'm sure at this point, the plan is if it starts hurting a little on June 12 or whatever, play through it. I know that sounds weird and you may disagree, but I don't think he would have to recover even from a slight injury to play again. Maybe I'm wrong. It is still very early here.

[Hagbard Celine]

2. The whole 'no hard tackles' deal is kind of scary. In my sporting lifetime, when you starting playing at less than 100%, that's when someone gets hurt. I know they're all professionals and will have this thoroughly monitored but it does make me a little leary.

I wouldn't worry about it. All the footage from the US camp shows them practicing/scrimmaging without shin guards. Presumably, this is because no one will commit a "hard tackle" during practice. Same deal with this scrimmage. There's a difference between "playing hard" and "tackling hard." They'll certainly be playing hard, they just won't be coming in studs up.

[FC Uptown]

I wouldn't worry about it. All the footage from the US camp shows them practicing/scrimmaging without shin guards. Presumably, this is because no one will commit a "hard tackle" during practice. Same deal with this scrimmage. There's a difference between "playing hard" and "tackling hard." They'll certainly be playing hard, they just won't be coming in studs up.

Isn't that what the Netherlands thought the other day vs Australia?

[Hagbard Celine]

Isn't that what the Netherlands thought the other day vs Australia?

I don't know...I didn't hear what happened.

[FC Uptown]

I don't know...I didn't hear what happened.

Australia took it seriously - injured 3 guys, 1 seriously.

[wjarrettc]

I wouldn't worry about it. All the footage from the US camp shows them practicing/scrimmaging without shin guards. Presumably, this is because no one will commit a "hard tackle" during practice.

I noticed this when I was at the practice in Cary. Hell, Mastroeni wasn't even wearing socks, much less shinguards.

[um_chili]

Interesting that the score is not supposed to be revealed. Not sure if the same rule applied back in 02 but I recall then we found out both the final score of and the goalscorer in our closed-door scrimmage versus Costa Rica (1-0 US, McBride).

My guess is that despite the rules, the result will leak out.

Oh, and despite everyone in the MSM writing off Angola, I think they might play a little tougher than expected. They remind me of Senegal last time around--comprised mostly of first-team players from a second-tier European league (Senegal-France; Angola-Portugal), largely unknown and written off, and yet capable and athletic with nothing to lose. It'll be a good test for us.

[monop_poly]

Australia took it seriously - injured 3 guys, 1 seriously.

Some dirty ******** took out van Bronkhorst with a straight red tackle way out by the corner flag ... in a friendly!

[um_chili]

Btw, anyone know what time this is scheduled?

[luvdagame]

Some dirty ******** took out van Bronkhorst with a straight red tackle way out by the corner flag ... in a friendly!

its australia. very competitive. always play hard. always win, win, win. ingrained in the culture. i don't think they were trying to injure anyone, but they never play anything less than 110%.

[MarioKempes]

I noticed this when I was at the practice in Cary. Hell, Mastroeni wasn't even wearing socks, much less shinguards.

http://www.odor-eaters.com/images/home_bottom.jpg

[Hed7181]

Btw, anyone know what time this is scheduled?

I would imagine, w/ the time difference putting it at 5:15 , that is might've already been played at this point or very soon. I could be wrong I guess. I'm picturing an afternoon training match. I guess it could be an evening match, but who knows.

[Patch]

its australia. very competitive. always play hard. always win, win, win. ingrained in the culture. i don't think they were trying to injure anyone, but they never play anything less than 110%.

I don't know if there's a culture in the world more obsessed with winning than American culture. If we can understand the unwritten rules of a friendly, then I'd think the Aussies could too.

[quentinc]

I don't know if there's a culture in the world more obsessed with winning than American culture. If we can understand the unwritten rules of a friendly, then I'd think the Aussies could too.
If that was the case, wouldn't more of the country follow the World Cup? Unless you've lived in Australia, that seems like quite an assumption.

[elknco1]

besides how does a red card tackle help you win? sounds like the player was just being an asshole or an idiot or both.. its too bad he won't be suspended for the cup.

[SCBozeman]

If that was the case, wouldn't more of the country follow the World Cup?

It would if we won it.