7/7 Gold Cup: US vs. Cuba PBP/In-Game Chat thread 2nd Half [R]

Beasley - 6 - Assist adds +1. Playing very withdrawn. Seeking. Seems out of it.


I hope Hiddink isn't watching this game.

 

Worst. Line-up. Ever.

OK, maybe not, but it's probably the worst starting XI we've fielded in a competitive game since 2001.

Go USA!

 

Man, the team looked awful out there. We don't really deserve the tie at this point.

Conrad should not be out there alone (or maybe at all, but we'll see) in the central D.

Sanneh sent many many worthless balls upfield and looks out of position constantly.

Hejduk is holding his own.

Armas does nothing remarkable. His defense has been circumspect, however, and has put the Cubans in dangerous positions.

Not sure about Ben. Especially since the announcers always call him someone else (I think). Running around a lot but generally ineffective.

Dempsey seems lost and then shows up in top form. A maddening performance from him, but par for the course I guess.

Davis can send in some nice crosses, but also seems lost on the field. After playing many balls up the left side, we quickly switched to the right once the Cubans shut him down.

Quaranta is playing well, I think. Best out there so far. Really strong along the wing, comes back to get the ball, gets involved in the attack.

Beasley is trying to organize the team more and more, and over time, it showed. Still not a great half from him (but not awful).

Casey was worthless out there. I wish I didn't have to write that, but he's barely gotten into the attack.

Hahneman has been fine. Only real chance to shine was all but unstoppable.

What does all this equal? Crappy play and complete confusion. US players running into each other, players passing directly to Cuba, blown coverage, just ugly soccer overall.

At least they showed progress over the half.

 

Cuba Goal
http://rapidshare.de/files/2887218/1st_Cuba_goal_vs_US__Gold_Cup_05.avi.html

 

What pos does clint usually play? I can see him as an attacking mid or withdrawn forward in the future. He's got skilz.

 

Thank you, I said the same thing, Keller would have made the save. The cross was nice, and he struck the ball well, but it still went right at the keeper.

 

To be perfectly honest, I think we will end up winning this match. That being said, such a result would mean very little, for a number of these players are either not ready for the Nat's (and, in certain instances, may never be) or are far past their prime and shouldn't play again.

 

who do u guys thinks need to come on/off at the half?

i say JOB for olsen fixes alot of our lethargic play in the midfield right away

 

Where does the US play if it comes in 3rd in the group?

 

I hope he's been released to play for the Rev on Saturday.

 

That didn't last. About halfway through he swapped Beasley and Dempsey and now Dempsey's up top while drifting back into midfield occassionally.

 

I wonder why Bruce doesn't try running a 4-3-3 here since he wants to toy around with things.

 

Before the 2nd half starts I just want to say something that most of us can understand.

WHAT THE ****** WAS THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That was the most disgusting display I have ever seen. I can care less if that's a B+, B or B- side.

THIS IS ****** CUBA FOR GOD SAKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THEY WOULD RATHER SHAG A FLY BALL IN THE OUTFIELD AND YOU ALLOW THEM TO TAKE OVER THE MATCH?!

Conor Casey, GONE!, Santino Quaranta, GONE! AND THE WHOLE LOT OF THEM IF THEY DON'T SHAPE UP AND BRUCE BETTER BRING IN LANDON FOR THE START OF THE 2ND HALF!

I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO TICKED OFF IN MY LIFE AT THAT DREADFUL 1ST HALF PERFORMENCE!

Oh look. The 2nd half is about to begin.

 

Casey is a Clydesdale and should try rugby.

Quaranta has his moments....but, this is just poor stuff...where can we go but up after Sanneh, Conrad and Hejduk?

That backline is possibly the worst I've ever seen in the last 7 yrs. WTF Bruce???

 

I think Connely wrote, that Bruce will be looking at people who might not be able to perform up to snuff for 06 along with some core members of that team. I think he probably has seen some of that tonight.

Also, everybody has to realize that we play 3 matches in 5 days, so Bruce needs to put this type of team out there against what he preceived as the weakest of our opponents to rest the "regulars"

 

Wine for me

 

Looks like Clint will get his favored #2 back. Hejduk isn't going to be needing it anymore.

 

usa needs to get their in gear. this is unacceptable.

 

I agree, I also think Bruce will fire em up at half. Bruce is pretty good at doing that.

 

JOB doesn't even exist anymore in my mind as far as the current US team goes.

 

Clint's gorgeous step over down to a cross would have hit someone's forehead if they weren't 5'7".

 

Gotta get Quaranta, Casey, Olsen, and Sanneh off the pitch.

How many subs can we make?

 

I wouldn't get too excited about this game. Bruce obviously wants to give bunch of new blood a chance. This carries a bit of risk, since guys that haven't been on the nats before don't play with each other often. Arguably, Cuba is the weakest team in the group and that game will get the most experimental lineup which explains the 3-5-2 and the fact that most first-cap players are playing. I understand that we should be beating these guys easily, but I'll take games like this if it helps us build a better team for next summer.

I wouldn't be surprised to see JOB in later, in for one of the D-mids or Sanneh at LB.

 

Is there some secret value to having Ralston-line-negative veterans looking disorganized as opposed to Ralston-Line-positive youngsters?

 

is the game delayed on tv? livescore.com has the game in the 56th minute already....