Our Opponents in Group E: USA v. Morocco [R]

Maybe becuase he is so tall? I still don't understand how he got picked not becuase of his talent or lack of talent but mostly becuase I didn't see him starting all that many games for Inter and for me anyway, if he isn't a starter with his club team how can he be with the national team? Even when he was suspended for 2 months for the Cirillo incident he was picked and didn't deserve it. Can it be we just don't have anymore or any better defenders in Serie A? Its hard to believe! I don't get it!

 

I for one think Panucci would have been a better choice. For some reason Lippi doesn't like him from his days at Inter and refused to pick him but in my opinion, he would have been a better fit than Materazzi.

 

I'm sorry, but I have to disagree. I did, in fact, get publicity. ESPN's Sportscenter covered the match which means there was nation-wide publicity. Further, I don't recall if it was Sportcenter, but I did also see a "behind-the-scenes" profile of the American squad, going into the same friendly.

Anyway, based on the recent friendlies, the American attack looks pretty poor. Eddie "Italy aren't what they used to be" Johnson was a joke against Morocco. I don't think he belongs at the level. How should he expect to score against a defense featuring the likes of a Nesta, Cannavaro, and Zambrotta? Or even look at the Czechs who have Ujfalusi and Grygera? As for McBride, he only really looks dangerous to me when the ball is in the air. He is largely ineffective with the ball at his feet. Finally, I don't see what the fuss is about Donavan. Arena will have to sort this out.

 

First, Panucci has had his chances on the NT and has played poorly, costing us some critical goals, alla Materazzi. However, I don't think you can really compare the two because Panucci is naturally a right back while Materazzi is a poor defender.

I really like Lippi, however, I disagree with his decision to call up Materazzi. My only hope is that if one of the two starting CDs can't play, Lippi opts to go with Barzagli in lieu of Mata. It will not happen though as Lippi will stick to his guys, poor form notwithstanding. Can anyone hear say Legrottaglie?

 

Are you also not aware that the seeded team in Group E is Italy and that the seeded team from CONCACAF is Mexico?

 

We all know times have changed however, traditionally and historically Concacaf was always considered the weakest of the federations next to Oceana. I'm very aware of the top seeds however, I still don't agree with the FIFA rankings or at least I don't put any importance in the ranking , mostly because they don't mean much. (JMO)
I do want to say that I am however, still very proud of the Americans. I can't believe how far they have come in 16 years. To go from the collapse of the NASL to a college all star team to no league to the MLS start up is just amazing and is a credit to everyone who has been a part of soccer in this country. I doubt any other nation could have overcome such a turnaround.

 

Attacking has always been the U.S. problem. (And no serious soccer fan in the U.S. believes in the FIFA rankings. They are absurd.) This was on display against Morocco. The best chance for the U.S. will be to play an extra midfielder, have a lone striker up top (McBride), and clog up the midfield and play strong defense. The embarassing mistake against Morocco aside, the U.S. generally plays pretty good defense. Then we need to get wide on the flanks with speed (Beasley, Convey), and try to score in the air or win corners to bring up the big defenders for set pieces.

I know this doesn't sound very promising against a strong side like Italy, especially with their strength in central defense. But it is the best way for the US to play--keep it close, try to deny service to the Italian forwards, and try to grab a goal off a set piece. We simply do not have the attacking talent to break down a defense like Italy's by playing directly forward on the ground.

 

That is basically what they did in 1990 when they played Italy to a close 1-0 losss in Rome. I guess Bruce Arena was just experimenting. I though John O'Brien played well but he only played 45 min. Then Reyna got hurt. Bobby Convey brought in some talent and excitement. He seemed to have a bit of speed. I'm still not too sure about Gooch , I'd like to see Bocanegra at the central defensive spot but Arena sees them every day and he knows the best. Also I think Eddie Lewis will add something at left back and will help out while I strongly believe the mistake by Cherundolo will relegate him back to the subs bench.

 

Still trying to find something to shit talk the USA about, you're pathetic man.

Btw, Czechs managed a 2-0 win over the Saudis, however they needed a 90th minute PK to get the 2nd goal. GREAT WIN.

 

haha...well at least the Czechs are playing a team that qualified for the World Cup. Can that be said about any of the current friendlies the US are playing?

 

You're dead to me too, just like the rest of 'em. My last name is Fowler, does that make me root for England!?!? I think Liverpool is my favorite club now!


Wow Im cool. I can be a Euro poser too.

 

Ummm...I was born in Italy guy.

 

What about Azzurri in the USA here? Or the other 50 guys just like him?

 

Considering this is not World Rivalries, I'll answer this as my last post regarding the sub-topic you brought up. Many of the posters on the Italian thread probably have parents who were born in Italy. Their parents moved here and had children of their own and brought them up with the Italian culture which includes soccer believe it or not. Thus, you see many Italian-American fans who are fans of the Azzurri because they were brought up that way.

 

Ok I knew that...I guess I didnt ask the right question. Why do you guys hate the USA so much? It's ********ing ridiculous. I understand you rooting for Italy first, but there is just pure hatred of the USA...

 

why are you such a troll? why do you care so much? you should have seen the treatment italian fans got here back in december when the groups were drawn. with morons like you talking i wonder why there is hatred.

 

get out of here! jesus christ. this is Italy forum for fans of the azzurri. WTF is wrong with you, I see many germans in american forums, I hop around to portugal and england forums...

 

The USA was impressive tonight, but I thought Donovan was terrible.

Bobby Convey was amazing.

 

Well, it was an improvement from Morocco.

 

slim win for the u.s... they dont seem to look very good right now

 

why are they playing teams that didn't make the world cup? all other teams are playing friendles against world cup teams. they need stronger competition then morocco's b team, and venezuela and latvia.