Posted in another thread but I have one more thought: In the last year we have played: England, Spain, Argentina, Mexico, Italy, Brazil, and Spain (again). Familiarity with the situation of playing the best in the world brings confidence to this team. We came in struggling with little practice as a team and tired legs from long travel and quick turn around between games. We will come away a team capable of taking on anyone in the world. After advancing I would have said this was a successful tournament. Now I say: this is a springboard. These are young players who will be playing for the nats for at least 2 more world cups. AMEN!!!!
Seriously? *shakes head in disbelief* Yeah, beating the world's best in an elimination game - in the semi-finals, no less - to make it to the finals of a major competition, that's no real accomplishment of note and whoever accomplished it either got lucky or otherwise didn't really earn it and their coaching should be disregarded. Reality check, dude - the US just played two perennial World Cup Champions, a top African side and the best team in the world at the moment in a legit-full speed tournament, and not only survived but made the freaking final. It could (along with other success in CONCACAF) lead to a seed in the World Cup. That kinda means something, you know? So yeah, makes tons of sense to criticize that guy. Good luck with that.
Given Brazil got us this chance vs. Spain via winning 3-0 vs. Italy. I think we owe them one. Also thanks to us defeating Spain we kept their undefeated record intact. Seems we both helped out each other. Sooo, well I'm rooting for Brazil. They will be a VERY VERY tough team to play, but if we give the same effort as we did vs. Spain – well, we can at least hope for a competitive match. And like Spain, well who knows – we may just come up with something – not holding my breath, but well, lightning can strike twice. At the very least, should Brazil defeat RSA - well, we get to play another World Class team - that is experience our players need.
Ok, sat down, watched the entire replay. It was a great win, and a great defensive performance. We were efficient with our opportunties. But other aspects of the game I think we should have been better. So Im not sure how I feel. Good.. but.. not sure, not as satisfied as youd think.
Re: Not to get far ahead of ourselves Based on what del Bosque had to say about the U.S., I'm fairly certain he didn't underestimate the U.S. He was saying the same sorts of things about us as Bruckner before the Czechs dismantled us in '06.
But Vicente del Bosque's men had only faced New Zealand, Iraq and South Africa in the lead up, and with all respect to those teams, the Americans were always going to be a tougher proposition That paragraph gave me an erection....
AWESOME WIN!!!! Proves that when the US plays to its potential we can compete with anyone. The defense played amazing all game long and Tim was a rock. The move Jozy put on Capdevila was incredibly smart, although you could argue the finish was lucky. The move to insert Feilhaber and move up Dempsey might have won us the game. Dempsey scored the insurance goal and Feilhaber was very poised with the ball down the stretch along with Donovan. The only negative from this game was the red card on Bradley (extremely tough call). He's been our most steady midfielder for the last year, so it will be intreging to see how Bradley tweeks the lineup for the final. Also, as the game went on, Spain didn't seem to know how to react to how agressively the US was defending, especially Xavi. And they seemed to intimidated by Onyewu's size by all the short corners they took, like they didn't think they could win anything in the air. Spain is clearly still the better side, but I thought it was the US who was causing their problems and not that they were just having a bad day.
As USA's reputation goes up, more and more top teams will want to play you. As you play them more often, your confidence will go up. As your confidence goes up, your quality will improve and you'll get even better results. Which, in turn, means even more invitations and requests by other top teams to play. The future looks good. I'm very happy for the USMNT.
Inter family bragging right for the next decade baby! My wife is Spanish and she is over with my two kids in Spain right now. I called and left a message for her father after the first goal. "It's OK. There's no shame in loosing to a global soccer powerhouse like the U S of A!!!!!!" I called after the second goal and the final whistle as well! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you MNT! You have earned me inter family bragging rights for the next decade at least! Not to mention you have officially converted my 6 yr old son away from the dark side. No Rossi's here baby!
big up america....century breaks it down. Amazing what a def and a keeper who are in the zone can do for a team. Feeling great!
House....where is that bosque interview...i always like that manager i wish he had gone to sevilla... This kind of vicotry is what nations build on!!!!!!remember this team is still young and can carry this experience for another 6 years!!!!!great victory!
Wow, what a game. Two comments and then tomorrow a break down on my blog; Bocanegra at LB was a great idea. I really like him there, it was wonderful seeing Sachin see what I saw at Stade. A player with stay at home qualities who supports the play. The second is seeing Landon on the wings; nothing is better then seeing the ball at his feet. PS at the 1:08 mark, this is what I thought of when Clint scored![ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vx-EDmqhUrI"]Clint Dempsey![/ame]
What, exactly, would you credit to Bob Bradley? Playing Boca at leftback? Maybe. Starting Davies up top? OK, I'll give you that. The fact is he waited way too long to sub Jozy who couldnt even jog from the 75th minute on, same for Dempsey. Those mistakes almost cost us, as we were under siege the entire second half even before those players ran out of gas. The grit and determination of the players won this game. That and, lets be honest, quite a bit of luck. I'm stoked for the US and this win shows our potential but imagine if we had a coach that could inspire an effort like today and instill proper organization and tactics game after game... We could be a formidable side every game not just on occasion.
What a game! I am so proud of the boys tonight. This lineup is easily the best we have right now, can't wait to see it when Jones is eligible. Anyways, Howard was a rock, credit to Jozy and Dempsey for putting the ball in the net, Donovan continues to play like a man possesed, Bradley made some great tackles, Gooch is the man in the man in the back, playing like a world class centerback this tourney, that flamingo to save a Villa header was unbelievable. A team effort for sure, the whole team played great, can't wait for Sunday, bring on Brazil!!!
Indeed. Huge defensive effort, and the guys put it all on the line. They defended as a team, worked to keep their shape, were extremely disciplined and took full advantage of the limited chances we got. But, it was an ugly win. We couldn't keep possession and build attacks almost at all in the second half. First half was bit better in that respect. I thought we played better overall the first half of the Italy game than here. Still, they got the job done!
This was huge, and just how huge is still sinking in. Bradley beat a coach who has won the European Cup. I saw the same faces I know from Real Madrid games looking upset because of the efforts of the U.S. We also won the premier game in the world that day.
The Dutch commentator on the second goal by the USA: "Out of all players the worst player on the field scores a goal".
Stats USA/Spain Shots: 9/29 Shots on Goal: 2/8 Saves: 8/0 Corner Kicks: 3/17 Fouls: 9/13 Offside: 4/7 Yellow cards: USA -- Donovan 5, Altidore 28; Spain -- Capdevila 36, Pique (caution) 89 Red cards: USA -- Bradley 86. Referee: Jorge Larrionda (Uruguay) Attendance: 35,396.
bocanegra for bornstein and davies for beasley were the right moves, and fairly straightforward. that's all you want from a coach. against spain there was no way the u.s. could invent any other way to play. there's no way, yet, that the u.s. could dictate in a game like this. so the strategy takes care of itself, in a sense. bradley and clark play defense, donovan (and dempsey) are the outlet. simple, really. the only question left, is how many times can you win games like that? it's a very nice step forward but i think the big picture still says there's a ways to go. also because now other teams are learning about the u.s.: you have to attack them hard, while you also have to be very careful at the back not to let them scratch a goal or two...
When you beat the best,it may not be pretty - but it's never ugly. And,damn,it's hot and pays for dinner too.
Your comments show the kind of class and sportsmanship of Spain. Bravo. (I also love how Rafael Nadal is always so gracious after he has beaten someone in a Grand Slam final. "Sorry, Roger, for today, you are a great champion...") Torres' comments were incredibly appreciative. 98 or 99 times out of 100 times these 2 teams play where there is a decision, Spain would win... Yes, some of Spain skipped the shirt-swapping exercise after the game, but some of its leaders stepped up when interviewed and gave credit where credit is due. I know the Spanish side was upset (in multiple ways) after last night, but they are still #1 in my book... I wish your cousins south of our border could learn this lesson.
Well guys, I know that we don't always get along on the sporting front. In fact, I know most people in Canada actively hope you lose most sporting events. But, for some reason, I think Soccer is different. We're both the underdogs (granted we're much more "under" than you are). So, from your brothers to the north: Well ********ing done! I couldn't be happier with this result. Not only does it show some strength in CONCACAF (a strong US team can only push the CMNT to be better), but it showcases some strength in the MLS (of the starting 11, only 4 has never played in MLS). Also, ever since Canada got kicked out (in a shameful display) of the world cup qualifying, I've been firmly on the US bandwagon for 2010. I know it's not the cool thing to do (in Toronto you're supposed to pretend you're from some other country that's good at soccer, so during a world cup everyone becomes italian, spanish, brazilian, etc. The strange part is most of chinatown seems to support England. I mean, if you're going to pick a team at random, at least pick a winning team...) but the US is going to be representing our confederation, and sometimes you have to put aside rivalries and get on board. So good luck again Brazil, and kick some ass in 2010! You'll have at least one supporter up north.