Do they ever show U.S. games on the internet? Inquiring minds want to know. Normally, the only thing I have been able to do is follow them on the gametrackers on ussoccer.com. Of course, when we come and play Japan I never have that problem because... well... I live in Japan. Going to watch the game at a place that is the most popular for Japan supporters to congregate at in Nagoya with my U.S. jersey on like I have once already. (Always works to get their attention. )
don't expect much. this is just a nonrepresentative collection of players. most of them won't be on the final u23 team.
That is good to hear. Japan had us at the beginning of the game, then we started to take over with physical play, but Japan came back with those two near misses. Oh well, at least it was a tie.
ussoccer.com has the game listed as a 0-0 tie....not a bad result really when you consider we only had two starters Sturgis and Ward. Other interesting notes...Hunter Freeman and Patrick Ianni both did not start....somewhat surprising I think considering the team we sent. Also it looks like Kirk played Right Mid this time...not defense.
We only had two starters!?! Why not play 11 v. 11 right from the start? I'm surprised Japan couldn't score - gotta love Sturgis and Ward. ********** Fairly comprehensive summary here: http://www.ussoccer.com/articles/viewArticle.jsp_281720.html "The U.S. U-23 Men’s National Team stood behind the stellar play of Sierra Mist Man of the Match Chris Seitz to earn a deserved 0-0 draw against the Japan U-22 National Team in Kumamoto, Japan." ... .... “I thought it was a good game,” said Bradley, ... “This is a new group, and in the first half I thought there were many players who were nervous. It took them a half to adjust, and I thought the second half was a very good step. The commitment was much better, and you could see the confidence growing as the game went on. It was great atmosphere tonight and a good learning experience for our players.” .... USA: 1-Chris Seitz; 15-Sean Franklin, 3-Rob Valentino, 5-Nathan Sturgis, 12-Tim Ward; 6-Quavas Kirk (11-Sal Zizzo, 46’) 17-Sacha Kljestan (capt.), 7-Peter Lowry, 9-Arturo Alvarez; 16-Adam Cristman (13-Jacob Peterson, 69’), 10-Jamie Watson (20-Michael Harrington, 83’) Subs not used: 24-Justin Hughes, 2-Ryan Solle, 4-Patrick Ianni, 14-Hunter Freeman ********** Sounds as though we hung on in the first half and gathered some offensive steam in the second.
I hope for their sakes that Ianni and Freeman each have a knock and that's why they didn't play because it's not a good sign to be an MLS veteran (of two seasons in Freeman's case, one for Ianni) and get beaten out by college players.
Never a good sign, agreed. Sandon, what can you tell us about Robert Cullen, who apparently started and played 60 minutes for ... Japan!
I would tend to agree with you guys, except that I (as Bradley) would probably just bring a couple more college players instead. Unless I'm pointing towards Friday's game for some reason, I'm not taking pros along and away from club training (or other obligations) just to ride the pine.
Their qualifying starts soon and judging that Robert Cullen was on the U-20 WYC squad in 2005 and named J=League young player of the year in 2005 I would guess so. (But I could be wrong I know 0 about Japanese Soccer).
I think the answer is that they nearly did. They do have a small number of players based in Europe (like, three of them), but as UvI said, their qualifying starts soon, so this was a dress rehearsal. Here's another report that praises Seitz: http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/sports/20070222TDY20003.htm
as other people have noted, Japan's qualifying starts next week, so the best members were there. The starting lineup was tweaked, as the coach left out 2-3 sure starters to give fringe players a last chance, and he also used a 3-top for the first time (until Cullen was subbed out). Actually I'm not sure what the real starting midfield is gonna be, but all of the potential starters came on at one point in the match.
I think I can field that question. Robert Cullen is one of Japan's best young strikers, and plays for Jubilo Iwata. His father is from Northern Ireland, but Robert was born in Japan, has lived his entire life there, and reportedly speaks very little English.
Maybe he speaks Keltic or better yet, Druid. At any rate FYI here's a summary from a Japanese viewpoint in English (ingurisu). Apparently Seitz was a big BALLAH. http://www.wldcup.com/Asia/nats/2007/usa22.html
I must be missing something as I have not been impressed much with Barrett. Strong and physical ? We got a lot of strikers with that. I would take Charlie Davies on my team before Barrett.