Internationals Thread 2009 [R]

[usscouse]

They are going to win the World Cup.

You heard it here first.No, no. Engerland are allways 'going' to win the World Cup.

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

Well.

The USA v. Mexico match was kind of funny in a major way. A lot of the players that USMNT supporters had been ripping on and doubting actually performed quite well.

Ching had a good match. Beasley and Pearce both had good matches on the left side.

It was a good win. Mexico really only threatened in the first half. Tim Howard played really well also.

Dos a cero!!!

:)

[wemess0]

Well.

The USA v. Mexico match was kind of funny in a major way. A lot of the players that USMNT supporters had been ripping on and doubting actually performed quite well.

Ching had a good match. Beasley and Pearce both had good matches on the left side.

It was a good win. Mexico really only threatened in the first half. Tim Howard played really well also.

Dos a cero!!!

:)

Minus the traffic and driving in the rain and crazy winds, I had a blast.

Rewatching the first goal, how does Mexico not have a man within three yards of Landon Donovan? You'd think they'd wanna know the whereabouts of the guy who's been our most dangerous players for about seven years running.

I agree that Beasley and Donovan showed well. But whatever faults Donovan may have, he does always show up against Mexico.

All in all, it was a great night. Ironic oles from the US crowd. A 2-0 scoreline. Marquez gets sent off. Chants of dos a cero.

As the Ramones once sang, "second verse, same as the first."

Perhaps my favorite part of the night happened on the drive home when we stopped at a McDonalds about half-way between Columbus and Cincinnati. My friends and I were all wearing US shirts, and there were about eight or ten guys decked out in Mexico gear inside. We didn't even have to gloat -- our appearance alone completely dampened their spirits. Good times.

And I also passed a car with Ohio vanity plates that read "MAN UTD." Unfortunately, the 60 mph winds did not blow it off the road. ;)

[usscouse]

Looked and sounded like the crowd had a good time. I got a chance to watch the game today. Seemed to me that the US had the edge and I thought they'd have done better but they lost their way in the penalty area. Howard stopped a shot in the 9th minute but the US scored first from a corner just before the half.
The Red card was a tad generous I thought, definitely a yellow though. Never did find out how Howard picked up his yellow. Swearing..? :)

Even playing against 10 men the US still didn't look that threatening in the final 3rd, but we know how tough it can be playing against a determined 10 men. In fact I thought Mexico could have got one back. The second goal was a gimmie from a keeper who was taking a nap when that one came in.

Entertaining, a good 3 points for the US but better Derby matches with Liverpool and Everton.

Concacaf has the possibility to have 4 teams in the WC finals...That's a little bogus considering the lack of talent below the top 2, compared with other highly competitive groups.

[liverbird]

Looked and sounded like the crowd had a good time. I got a chance to watch the game today. Seemed to me that the US had the edge and I thought they'd have done better but they lost their way in the penalty area. Howard stopped a shot in the 9th minute but the US scored first from a corner just before the half.
The Red card was a tad generous I thought, definitely a yellow though. Never did find out how Howard picked up his yellow. Swearing..? :)

Even playing against 10 men the US still didn't look that threatening in the final 3rd, but we know how tough it can be playing against a determined 10 men. In fact I thought Mexico could have got one back. The second goal was a gimmie from a keeper who was taking a nap when that one came in.

Entertaining, a good 3 points for the US but better Derby matches with Liverpool and Everton.

Concacaf has the possibility to have 4 teams in the WC finals...That's a little bogus considering the lack of talent below the top 2, compared with other highly competitive groups.

CSC wants to know where I was -- in the section behind the goal with Sam's Army and the American Outlaws. Don't tread on us. There was wind (up to 50 mph), rain, hail, flooding and a rainbow --- and that was at the tail gate. Lots of rain just before kick off and lots of wind during the game. Ken, the keepers at our end (Dirty Sanchez first half and Howard second) had all they could do to get a goal kick into the other end. Sanchez put 3 in a row into touch about 40 yards out. The first goal was kinda brute force off a well worked corner -- was right in front of us. The red for Marquez was deserved and the center never hesitated. Also right in front of me -- maybe 20 yards. Marquez lifted his boot and put his studs into Howards knee -- that was the red not the barging Howard down. And Ken, the wind was fierce and the ball was moving wickedly so I think that had a lot to do with Sanchez getting beaten for the second goal. Still did my heart good to see it. Dos Santos was completely anonymous. Michael Bradley was MOTM not only for the goals but for totally dominating the Mexican midfield all night.

Oh and by the way:Dos a cero


Man that never gets old!

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

CSC wants to know where I was -- in the section behind the goal with Sam's Army and the American Outlaws. Don't tread on us. There was wind (up to 50 mph), rain, hail, flooding and a rainbow --- and that was at the tail gate. Lots of rain just before kick off and lots of wind during the game. Ken, the keepers at our end (Dirty Sanchez first half and Howard second) had all they could do to get a goal kick into the other end. Sanchez put 3 in a row into touch about 40 yards out. The first goal was kinda brute force off a well worked corner -- was right in front of us. The red for Marquez was deserved and the center never hesitated. Also right in front of me -- maybe 20 yards. Marquez lifted his boot and put his studs into Howards knee -- that was the red not the barging Howard down. And Ken, the wind was fierce and the ball was moving wickedly so I think that had a lot to do with Sanchez getting beaten for the second goal. Still did my heart good to see it. Dos Santos was completely anonymous. Michael Bradley was MOTM not only for the goals but for totally dominating the Mexican midfield all night.

Sounds like a great time. It was good to see that Sam's Army is continuing the all-match standing.

What was Howard's yellow for?

I am hoping I can get out to Chicago for the USA v. Honduras qualifier. Stand in the Sam's Army.

One other thought on the match. I was surprised how well some of the players performed without having regular match time with their clubs.

[liverbird]

Yellow was for time wasting!!!:D

I know, wtf?

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

Yellow was for time wasting!!!:D

I know, wtf?

When he threw the ball away?!

That's ridiculous!

[el-capitano]

Well he was protecting their lead! :D

[wemess0]

When he threw the ball away?!

That's ridiculous!

I think he got it after that. He places the ball to take the free kick, starts his run up, and then stops. (Probably because his leg was hurting.)

Then he gets the yellow. Of course, I may have that wrong -- he may have stopped his run up because he saw the ref coming over to issue the yellow.

And I agree with LB about our last goal. In real time I thought it really ate Sanchez up. After seeing the replay, I'll say Sanchez could have done better (as the cliche goes), but it really knuckled on him.

[Wasted]

I was in Columbus as well on the end opposite of Sams Army. Hell of a time!

I also watched the England-Spain game and even though it would probably mean less of a goal haul for Torres... can we please please please buy Villa and give him the #7??

Babel--Torres--Villa -> or Villa--Torres--Kuyt?
Alonso-Gerrard-Masch
Aurelio-Skrtel-Carra-Arbeloa

:D

I know he said he wants to stay in Spain but playing for Liverpool right now is basically the same thing!

[burning247]

I thought Ching had no business being on the field, that orange scum...


That weather was horrible but still a great experience.

[usscouse]

The red for Marquez was deserved and the center never hesitated. Also right in front of me -- maybe 20 yards. Marquez lifted his boot and put his studs into Howards knee -- that was the red not the barging Howard down. And Ken, the wind was fierce and the ball was moving wickedly so I think that had a lot to do with Sanchez getting beaten for the second goal. Still did my heart good to see it. Dos Santos was completely anonymous. Michael Bradley was MOTM not only for the goals but for totally dominating the Mexican midfield all night.

Oh and by the way:Dos a cero


Man that never gets old!Yeh, I've played in weather like that and it's not fun at all, especially when their forwards just line up on the edge of the 18 waiting for your goal kicks.
Didn't see the boot going in on Howard, it looked on TV like it was just a barge. JP and Harkes we're rattling on about other thing most of the match. Every now on then the'd ask what was that whistle for? Oh it must have been offside!
The goal from the corner looked good, I doubt they practiced that with that wind (wicked curl) but the header back from the far post was a killer.

Got you tickets for South Africa yet?

Oh saw the "Don't tread on me" flag, with all those hoolies behind the goal, thought of you...:)

[usscouse]

I was in Columbus as well on the end opposite of Sams Army. Hell of a time!

I also watched the England-Spain game and even though it would probably mean less of a goal haul for Torres... can we please please please buy Villa and give him the #7??

Babel--Torres--Villa -> or Villa--Torres--Kuyt?
Alonso-Gerrard-Masch
Aurelio-Skrtel-Carra-Arbeloa

:D

I know he said he wants to stay in Spain but playing for Liverpool right now is basically the same thing!Funny the way Torres and Villa worked it. Torres, high profile working his arse off trying to pull defenders out of the middle. Villa goes and hides, every now and then running into the hole Nando creates and Xabi feeds him. It only has to work once. Engerland didn't look like scoring, especially when they couldn't get the ball to the 'scorers'.
One brilliant ball from Becks does not a match make! Especially when the receiver is forced away from goal.

[catenaccio_L'pool]

It was great watching USA in HD glory - if only the game had been better...1st half was all right - the 2nd waaay too sloppy from both teams. No question the red was deserved. I expected more out of Mexico, especially a better passing game...we'll beat El Tri in Azteca as well.
PS love Gooch and Bocanegra but those two can sure make it a very interesting game in a bad way:D

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

I thought Ching had no business being on the field, that orange scum...


That weather was horrible but still a great experience.

A little harsh on Ching, no?

I didn't think he played too badly.

If the USA are going to do anything in SA 2010, then we will need a center forward to emerge from the mediocre pack that is Altidore, Ching, Cooper, etc.

I wish McBride would come out of retirement.

[AndSomeAreAngels]

If the USA are going to do anything in SA 2010, then we will need a center forward to emerge from the mediocre pack that is Altidore, Ching, Cooper, etc.

While he might be mediocre at this point in his career, in terms of an international quality striker, I think we can all agree that Jozy can be a special player. I'm no Landon fan, but if Jozy can finish chances that Donovan creates, we could be a decent side in South Africa. He's got great speed, good feet, power and physicality, and is a good finisher.

His loan spell at Xerez will provide us with more of a clue as to whether or not he's the answer at the #9 spot for us in 2010 or not.

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

While he might be mediocre at this point in his career, in terms of an international quality striker, I think we can all agree that Jozy can be a special player. I'm no Landon fan, but if Jozy can finish chances that Donovan creates, we could be a decent side in South Africa. He's got great speed, good feet, power and physicality, and is a good finisher.

His loan spell at Xerez will provide us with more of a clue as to whether or not he's the answer at the #9 spot for us in 2010 or not.

That's what I am hoping for.

I am also hopeful that Beasley can get more games. He looked good, and that was without that much match time.

What ever happened to our other center backs like DeMerit, Califf, or Parkhurst? Boca and Gooch are okay for qualifying, but they can be easily exposed by quality teams.

Again, I really like the Bradley-Sacha center mid pairing.

Would really like to see this as our lineup for SA 2010

----------------------Altidore--------------------
Beasley-------------Donovan----------Dempsey
-------------Kljestan----------Bradley-----------
Pearce--------Onyewu-------?-------Cherundolo
----------------------Howard----------------------

[liverbird]

Yeh, I've played in weather like that and it's not fun at all, especially when their forwards just line up on the edge of the 18 waiting for your goal kicks.
Didn't see the boot going in on Howard, it looked on TV like it was just a barge. JP and Harkes we're rattling on about other thing most of the match. Every now on then the'd ask what was that whistle for? Oh it must have been offside!
The goal from the corner looked good, I doubt they practiced that with that wind (wicked curl) but the header back from the far post was a killer.

Got you tickets for South Africa yet?

Oh saw the "Don't tread on me" flag, with all those hoolies behind the goal, thought of you...:)

Haven't bought them yet. We were right by the flag

[iCEMANGSCCC]

After the goal this weekend and the goal today for Valencia, I think Villa would be absolutely immense and fit in for Liverpool.