2007 Copa America [R] [LFC Forum]

[quentinc]

Well, it's a far cry from a U-23 squad that was named (what, maybe three players are under 23) and at least from here in Brasil I've never heard it advertized as such.

Dunga wanted everyone available, but some players (most notable Ronaldinho and Kaká) asked not to play so they can rest after not having much of a break last summer due to the World Cup.
Yeah, I think I just heard that on BigSoccer, so you probably shouldn't read too much into it.

[ForeverRed]

Argentina named their roster:

GK: Abbondanzieri (Getafe-ESP);

DF: Zanetti (Inter-ITA), Ayala (Villarreal-ESP), Milito (Zaragoza-ESP), Heinze (Manchester United-ENG);

MF: Verón (Estudiantes), Mascherano (Liverpool-ENG), Cambiasso (Inter-ITA);

AMF: Riquelme (Villarreal-ESP);

FW: Messi (FC Barcelona-ESP); Crespo (Inter-ITA)

Something tells me Bradley's undefeated streak will come to an end shortly.

Veron? WTF? Not that it would matter much anyways. Again, the US's only chance is a game of possesion and playing it flat.

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

If Bradley somehow comes out of the Argentina match with a draw that could be considered a miracle.

I have a feeling that with this team we may struggle to make the second round and I wouldn't surprised if we were on the outside looking in.

[ForeverRed]

If Bradley somehow comes out of the Argentina match with a draw that could be considered a miracle.

I have a feeling that with this team we may struggle to make the second round and I wouldn't surprised if we were on the outside looking in.

Third place can get you through as well so it's not totally out of the realm of possibility.

[catenaccio_L'pool]

If Bradley somehow comes out of the Argentina match with a draw that could be considered a miracle.

I have a feeling that with this team we may struggle to make the second round and I wouldn't surprised if we were on the outside looking in.

We are in a very tough group.

[quentinc]

The Univision guys referred to it as the Group of Death during Brazil - Mexico.

Speaking of which, if we beat Mexico and Mexico beats Brazil, I suppose that means were better than Brazil? :rolleyes: :D

Argentina who?

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

The Univision guys referred to it as the Group of Death during Brazil - Mexico.

Speaking of which, if we beat Mexico and Mexico beats Brazil, I suppose that means were better than Brazil? :rolleyes: :D

Argentina who?

I like your logic...it just makes sense.:D

[mbrossetti]

I don't understand why the US wouldn't send their strongest side. What was the point in even entering? Mexico are sending just about the same squad to this tournament as they did to the Gold Cup. Even if the European based players wanted a rest (which they deserve) we should at least be sending all the best players from the MLS.

I don't think MLS and US Soccer enjoy the warmest of relationships, so its likely that Bradley was thinking of making nice with the league for taking top players to the Gold Cup and giving the rest to the Euro players who've got to report for training soon. It also lets some of the boys who're not capable of playing with the U-20s next week a chance to show if they deserve any consideration for the senior team. Considering the Gold Cup was entrance to the Confed Cup (granted not the biggest deal, but a nice level of worm up the year before the WC) and both the US and Mexico wanted to win it, I think Bradley might be forgiven for this roster. I'd rather us just start accepting the invites as they come for each edition no matter what. It's priceless experience for whoever goes.

[LFCFanInCali]

Well, the US looked good for the first hour, but eventually the Argies imposed their will.

It was a fun 4 minutes when we led 1-0 though. :D

[quentinc]

Even though I expected such a lopsided scoreline, I thought we played better than it would suggest. No one performed that well, but the talent divide was so great that no one could really be expected to turn in a world-class performance. But I was impressed with the tenacity shown by everyone in keeping them down to one goal for most of the game when they were full of so much class. If you replace Twellman and Olsen with Donovan and Dempsey, and maybe put in a little more experienced RB (although Wynne did well, except for the slipup on the Aimar goal), that game could easily have ended a draw. Good performance all around, and I definitely think we can get a result from Paraguay and Colombia, although we probably need to win both to finish second.

It was disappointing, however. While players like Aimar and Tevez were coming off the bench for Argentina, we had no subs that could have affected the game; that was literally our best XI out there to begin with.

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

Even though I expected such a lopsided scoreline, I thought we played better than it would suggest. No one performed that well, but the talent divide was so great that no one could really be expected to turn in a world-class performance. But I was impressed with the tenacity shown by everyone in keeping them down to one goal for most of the game when they were full of so much class. If you replace Twellman and Olsen with Donovan and Dempsey, and maybe put in a little more experienced RB (although Wynne did well, except for the slipup on the Aimar goal), that game could easily have ended a draw. Good performance all around, and I definitely think we can get a result from Paraguay and Colombia, although we probably need to win both to finish second.

It was disappointing, however. While players like Aimar and Tevez were coming off the bench for Argentina, we had no subs that could have affected the game; that was literally our best XI out there to begin with.

Great assessment. I agree. Didn't play too poorly but a team like Argentina will make the lapses in defense and offense hurt us. That's why competition against higher teams is important. In Concacaf we sometimes make the same slip-ups or decisions, but the teams don't have the skill to finish us or play with us or Mexico.

Like you said our best XI was out there. I am a little worried about our fatigue level. If BB has to play those guys most of the group stage just to get us to the knockout round I think we will be too tired. And the problem with rotation is that our lineup is already weak at some positions...what is he going to do, make the positions weaker than they already are?