This is BS. These guys look like a very shaky pair. T&T had way too many decent opportunities last night. Their positioning was off many times and I suspect a slightly better team than them will punish these mistakes.
The same can be said of Boyd. At least they shoot. And more or less on frame. On occasion. It's better than having Nagbe or Acosta or Saief who just won't shoot.
He's better than he used to be on Rapids broadcasts, but still never above the level of "local market color guy". The amazing thing about Balboa is he started out with Dave O'Brien early on and they were both awful. Having them call the World Cup on like 3 months notice with no real experience was a really stupid decision by ESPN, and kind of a slap in the face to JP. O'Brien, to his credit though, seemed to handle the criticism professionally and got gradually better at calling soccer after the World Cup, and a year or so later you mostly stopped noticing him. Balboa's commentary just stayed awful. I wouldn't hate Landon as a Color guy but he has no speaking voice at all. I have the same throaty problem if my office voicemail is any indication.
Nothing is worse than having the English narrate and commentate a game where England is not playing. It's all "uh... yeah, they're playing, they're both quite terrible, there's no reason at all to feel any emotion here, we're getting paid to do a job we hate."
I think it was when we were 3-0 up... Strong asks "America, are you entertained?". They then go on to say some people will never be happy. What great accomplishment had occurred to that point? I thought our Hex wins over Honduras and Panama were much more decisive and yet they were making an incomplete performance against a lesser opponent was worth cheerleading.
For those of us who've followed the US team since its rise in the 90s I just don't get the Boyd factor. Nothing against the kid but what his sudden presence on this team says to me is at some level US soccer decided "we just don't have any talent of our own so let's bring this kid in from an island halfway round the world with a population of 4.7 million." Total BS. It's like reliving the early 90s when we had to play guys with some kind of familial connection to the US. By the way this kid already declared for NZ so for me you only get one bite of the apple. And if he was playing second level Turkish soccer he can't be using an American passport so...This is wrong on many, many levels. He made up his mind a long time ago. US soccer doesn't have a talent draught we have a Federation, managment and coaching problem. Play the American guys!
It really seems as though you're only watching this tournament to piss yourself off. I might recommend some other decisions for the sake of your mental health.
I’d run him out in Sept. 2nd highest rated American in MLS and highest rated non-defender. He’s next in my line of if you’re good enough you’re old enough. In Sept I want a midfield of Adams, McKennie and Pomykal tried.
So far you guys aren't penciling in Pomykal as Adams backup (saw that horror a few pages back, Paxton is NOT a DM, geezus), I'm all for giving him a run ASAP.
In the first half, GB kept screaming at Boyd, "Tyler! Play low!". But, Boyd seemed intent on staying high. GB sounded a little frustrated. I thought he eventually might scream, "Hey newbie! I don't care if you had a brace last game, if you don't do what I ask, you are going to sit!" Not saying that is why he came out as I didn't pay close enough attention to see if he adjusted.
Be that as it may he still played for the formidable NZ team and that may not violate FIFA (what does up to and including graft) but it should preclude his playing in US instead of an American kid.
Long time listener, first time caller. All that’s missing is a “I’ll hang up and listen to my answer”.
maybe we can find some kids with cousins in the US playing second division in Brazil to bring some talent in...maybe Berhalter's brother knows somebody...
My mental health is fine. I am watching because it is something I have been doing for 30+ years. Yeah, it is upsetting what they have been doing with the program for the last 2.5 years. Your suggestion that long term soccer fans not follow the team is quite interesting. #GrowingTheGame
Unlike other duals (who chose us after no one else was calling them), Boyd had been turning down calls by the All Whites, so it seems he was set to play for us once he reached adulthood.
I totally agree. I have watched Lee for years when he was a Rev and his never being given a real chance with the NATs is one of the biggest mistakes ever made. Even now, he could create chances for this team... that arent coming in as crosses from the outside. Never going to happen with GB though. GB will die trying to use Bradley as his offensive creator. Just as Klinsmann did. We will beat Panama then it becomes more difficult. Just depends who we play after that.