Dissapointing end... but tell you what, Dempsey was looking great out there. Challenged every ball, created a good amount of penalties and had some very near misses with some flicks and through balls that were just a smidge off. Should have started IMO, but oh well.. guess this is why they play the game.
On the replay from the opposite angle, it looks like an own goal. Don't think that's headed in without the deflection. Not Hangeland's fault, but an own goal.
If you get it stuck in your head that you can't win the big one, your performance in a final game isn't the only thing that's potentially affected.
Always a good bright side. I'm gutted. If this is how I feel about my second favorite Premier League team, then wait until the World Cup.
Thought Dempsey played a good 70 minutes or so. I have a hard time remembering one return pass he received in the final third? Seemed like Nevland, Gera et al were trying too hard to be the shooter. Murphy's numerous free kicks were weak at best. Never threatening or placed to have another threaten. Dempsey's showing up top gives me hope in the WC. He'll have mates who credit him more and give him the return for all the good work. Having said that, Forlan is pure class, Auguera (sp) too. What a pair for Athletico.
I dunno. I think towards the end, he picked it up (especially with picking up fouls) but he had some wayward passes in the final third, was slow to get to some 50/50 balls and was just as out of sync. That being said, Fulham's spacing was really poor so it's not entirely his fault. A number of times I saw players passing it to someone without a lot of options and then then walking or turning away instead of finding some space or a lane for a return pass.
That wouldn't happen to Dempsey. And besides, he played in the 2007 Gold Cup final match. I don't care if it's only the Gold Cup. A final is a final.
Legendary run by Fulham they should be very proud of themselves... It was a good game by both sides with both teams taking control of the match at different times. Messi 2.0 and Forlan are two of the best forwards anywhere right now and Fulham did a good job containing them, but it could only last so long...I'm not too upset as Atletico is one of my favorite teams , but I was going for the WHITES the whole way! I still say that Dempsey should have started, whats the point in putting him way up front when your midfield is dead tired and can't provide service anymore?
Jinxed, no..... extraordinarily pissed off and *hungry*.... oh yeah. I stuck around to watch the post-match stuff on the Iraqgoals feed and Demps eyes were... well, that wasn't a thousand-yard stare.