LBS8844
09 Jun 2008, 02:43 AM
After all the umpteen-week-long BS hubbub, we hosted nearly the finest side in the world and achieved a scoreless draw (that would be a clean sheet). Nearly, because Riquelme and Tevez were not present. Would those two have made a difference? Maybe, maybe not. Mexico was torched 4-1 on essentially their regular home turf these days by the same squad that couldn't dent the net vs. the USA. Howard unconscious? Yep. Able to be in position to be so because of tremendous team defense? Yeppers.
Back line which included not only the 2 CM's, but also the wings much of the match, played pretty damn well. Cherundolo played a tremendous match, turning the play back up or thwarting down relentlessly - his footwork was inspiring (um yeah, they tried to exploit that 'weakness' - he simply wouldn't let it happen). Califf was retarded-like effective (even flat on his side) for all 90 minutes - Bob found you boys' fast/smart CB Boca replacement (hardly a revelation to some of us). Pearce clearly has only upside the more minutes he gets. The times when Argentina's world class mid/front attack was able to achieve a breakdown, Timmy - based on the consistent defensive containment and his own unique ability - was able to spectacularly play the only open spot left available, and be world class himself.
Seems only 11 months ago our "B-side" was dismantled 4-1 Mexico-style by a more determined Argentina (yep, Riquelme and Tevez - a full side bent on getting to the Confederations Cup 2009) in Maracaibo, Venezuela to open up Copa America 2007. Oh, and did EJ manage a goal in SA early in that one to open the tally sheet with immeasurably lesser service?
How could tonight's result possibly have happened in the midst of such expert 2-0, 4-0, even 5-0 blowout predictions? How could a man of Bob Bradley's incompetence possibly turn in such an unheard-of showing against the world's top side from a USA program headed for such utter disaster? Argentina's talent/depth (if only based on FIFA's ranking) certainly had our boys woefully outclassed! With the overwhelming heat and humidity and the recent travel factor which clearly favored the visitors, this week's recent European confidence decimators to the USA, and Wednesday's rout over Mexico playing into Argentina's hands, how could our immeasurably under-achieving boys possibly hold up to this superior level of competition? Hell, we were exhausted AND DOWN A MAN FOR 15 minutes at a point in the match when Argentina usually asserts their dominance, holding a doctorate-level clinic on how to finish and close out. How could we possibly be on a path toward respectability in 2010 having cruised through 2008-2009 qualifying, strategically integrating our up-and-coming young players when the time befits over the next two years?
Answer: Let the matches be played, gents. It's a process, and we're getting better, possibly faster and more subtly than we can comprehend. And NEWS FLASH!...Bob ain't going anywhere until after WC2010, so get used to him. Are we going to win it all in 2010? No, but we'll play better than the USA side that played better and tougher against the WC2006 champs than any other opponent, save perhaps the runners-up France (I think we were better), throughout the entire tournament.
A noob here, I've done a boatload of reading and have alot of respect for many of the knowledgeable BS members. Welcome the ensuing vilification, may even enjoy a laugh or 2.
Back line which included not only the 2 CM's, but also the wings much of the match, played pretty damn well. Cherundolo played a tremendous match, turning the play back up or thwarting down relentlessly - his footwork was inspiring (um yeah, they tried to exploit that 'weakness' - he simply wouldn't let it happen). Califf was retarded-like effective (even flat on his side) for all 90 minutes - Bob found you boys' fast/smart CB Boca replacement (hardly a revelation to some of us). Pearce clearly has only upside the more minutes he gets. The times when Argentina's world class mid/front attack was able to achieve a breakdown, Timmy - based on the consistent defensive containment and his own unique ability - was able to spectacularly play the only open spot left available, and be world class himself.
Seems only 11 months ago our "B-side" was dismantled 4-1 Mexico-style by a more determined Argentina (yep, Riquelme and Tevez - a full side bent on getting to the Confederations Cup 2009) in Maracaibo, Venezuela to open up Copa America 2007. Oh, and did EJ manage a goal in SA early in that one to open the tally sheet with immeasurably lesser service?
How could tonight's result possibly have happened in the midst of such expert 2-0, 4-0, even 5-0 blowout predictions? How could a man of Bob Bradley's incompetence possibly turn in such an unheard-of showing against the world's top side from a USA program headed for such utter disaster? Argentina's talent/depth (if only based on FIFA's ranking) certainly had our boys woefully outclassed! With the overwhelming heat and humidity and the recent travel factor which clearly favored the visitors, this week's recent European confidence decimators to the USA, and Wednesday's rout over Mexico playing into Argentina's hands, how could our immeasurably under-achieving boys possibly hold up to this superior level of competition? Hell, we were exhausted AND DOWN A MAN FOR 15 minutes at a point in the match when Argentina usually asserts their dominance, holding a doctorate-level clinic on how to finish and close out. How could we possibly be on a path toward respectability in 2010 having cruised through 2008-2009 qualifying, strategically integrating our up-and-coming young players when the time befits over the next two years?
Answer: Let the matches be played, gents. It's a process, and we're getting better, possibly faster and more subtly than we can comprehend. And NEWS FLASH!...Bob ain't going anywhere until after WC2010, so get used to him. Are we going to win it all in 2010? No, but we'll play better than the USA side that played better and tougher against the WC2006 champs than any other opponent, save perhaps the runners-up France (I think we were better), throughout the entire tournament.
A noob here, I've done a boatload of reading and have alot of respect for many of the knowledgeable BS members. Welcome the ensuing vilification, may even enjoy a laugh or 2.