This match should be about over now. No idea what the result was, just wanted to make a thread so someone who does know would post it here.
actually the kickoff, contrary to what was posted, was 11 am. EST. We should have something on it at around 4 p.m. EST.
According to A Bola the USA beat Norway 2-0. http://www.abola.pt/noticiashora/wnnhfc01.asp?ID_NOTICIA=38325
Thanks for the link. It also appears that Portugal won its game against the Madeira select team and that the US and Portugal are atop the division with 3 points each (I assume either that a win gets 2 points (like in the old days) or that the article should say that each has 4 points). Either way, first place is gonna come down to the last game: US v Madeira select and Portugal v Norway.
Some match details http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/NationalTeams/1046885194/view I am glad I am not Rongen having to choose the 20 for this team. They are not making it easy for him.
Solid win for the US. And I totally agree with Rob that the last roster spots are going to be tough. I feel safe penciling in most of the players but I would guess the final 2 roster spots will come down to Drew Moor, Arturo Alvarez, Justin Moose and Ned Grabavoy. I think Moor makes it because he can play right back or in the middle so that leaves the 3 attacking players going for 1 spot. Alvarez has had a great pre-season for the Quakes and scored today for the 20s. He can play either flank or uptop, which bodes well for him. He's an 85 so he is eligible for the next U20 team but I don't think Rongen would use that against him. Moose is also versatile, capable of playing attacking mid, wide right or withdrawn striker. Grabavoy is usually an attacking mid but he's played striker in Portugal and he helped his cause with a goal today. Again, these last couple of cuts are gonna be a bee-atch.
i agree sandon ... especially with the inconsistent defense (see colombia), i think that rongen will choose moor, who could play anywhere in the back and actually saw some playing time at outside midfield this fall at furman. he is another tall, leaping body who is fast enough to track down some of the speedy forwards. looks like the others will fight for the other spot, but just remember that ej and tino will both be coming back for the wyc, so even though alvarez and grabavoy scored today, it doesnt necessarily lock their spot on the roster.
Final Roster The sad thing is that the selection of the final roster could be a moot point in light of the pending war in Iraq. I believe that the tournament will be postponed which will open up the roster all over prior to whatever date is selected. Just a guess.
Re: Final Roster don't spoil the fun or anxiety in this case. let's cross that bridge when we get to it. okayyyyyyy?
Good news for the U-20s. I'm more encouraged by the apparently strong play of the defense--the MNT has more than its share of strikers but the D is looking increasingly questionable. Also intersted in the article's reference to a midfielder for the Eredivisie's Twente Enchede, David Johnson. Anyone know about him or how he's getting along in Holland? This is the first I've heard his name, and I didn't find any threads about him on the YA boards.
Here's the game report from USsoccer. http://www.ussoccer.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=28712&itype=
Umm, that would be brain cramp by the writer. Johnson plays for Willem II. I don't believe he has gotten much, if any, playing time for the first team. He plays every position in the midfield. He is from Southern California originally (not sure which club).
Thanks for the tip, Gers. That explains why my search for "David Johnson" and "twente" didn't turn up anything. Still not much on the boards about him, though.
Poor guys - US goes undefeated in 2 straight games against Euro teams only to have it overshadowed by The Fred.
Dave Johnson Dave Johnson played for AGSS...same club as JOB...like JOB he got his coach to get him a trial in Holland and he apparently made the best of it
You can watch the video highlights of both goals from RTP. http://www.rtp.pt/web/sites/rtpvideo.htm Click on Desporto from the menu on the left side, then Select and click on Estadio- RTPMadeira from the submenu. (05-03-2003) The coverage of the USA game starts at 17:53. They show both USA goals. The Grabavoy free kick is wonderful. Alvarez's goal was from the opposite side of the field. Team Photo http://www.dnoticias.pt/edicoes/fotos/060303/dn011107.jpg Game report from Portugal press http://www.dnoticias.pt/motor/default.asp?file_id=dn011107060303 Norway had a breakaway on the keeper after a miscue early in the game. They article doesn't indentify the guilty defender, but the Norway player shot the ball high over the goal. Cochrane had another defensive lapse later in the game, but Norway shot high again. Despite those mistakes, the USA deserved the victory and were the better team throughout the game
Thanks for the link. Wish I spoke Portuguese. Wasn't the beginning of the clip from a US practice? I thought I heard the Portuguese sports guy say "Beckerman" but I wasn't sure.
Re: Re: Final Roster Can we cross it now? FIFA postpones World Youth Championship 2003 http://www.fifa.com/Service/MR_A/52335_E.html
not much choice for them i suppose. From a U.S. standpoint, I wonder if everything gets opened up again lineup-wise. I mean, if they don't play until September or later, Rongen is going to want to go with the in-form players.