Argentina v. U.S. - pre-game (Mexico vs. Argentina R)

The goal in last night's game was really an own goal by Mexico's Diego Martinez but it was credited to Gonzalo Rodriguez of Argentina. Gonzalo Rodriguez is a 18 year old defender from San Lorenzo who was a late callup to the team after the South American sub-20 tournament. He was only playing due to the suspensions of defenders Gabriel Milito and Ariel Garce, both of whom should start v the US. As others mentioned, Gonzalo Rodriguez is not to be confusded with Boca Juniors' Clemente Rodriguez, who entered yesterday's game as a second half sub.

Anderson gives a good rundown of Argentina's team. Against Honduras they concentrated on attacking down the right and last night they moved more down the left. So Bielsa is trying to mix things up a bit offensively. I expect Argentina to try and possess the ball more against the US than they did v Mexico. The US' speed, like that of Honduras, should cause some problems for Argentina which Mexico with it's more deliberate buildup could not but it's rare to see a team push Argentina back as much as Mexico did. Should be a good test for both Argentina's and the US' young teams on Saturday.

 

If our defense can keep from making the stupid, silly mistakes that the Mexican defense made last night we will be much better off than they ended up. Many, if not most, of Argentina's best chances came off these really freakin' terrible giveaways.

Our flank speed should be able to keep up with the Argies, and our offense, I would argue, should be better than the one fielded by Mexico.

In every aspect it appears we are better equiped to handle Argentina than Mexico was and I am expecting a good, close game. I don't know if we will win it, but we have a great chance. I'll be there so I hope we do, but I'll take a good game, even if we lose.

 

Geez! 3-1, 4-0 predictions! that's too overconfident dont you think guys? just take in count Milito didnt play yesterday and he's a rock in the back! given Bielsa's preference to play 352 he will put a couple of wingers that will create damage to your flanks and his pressure will be higher than yesterday. I think a 2-2 should be a fair result, but my ¼ argentinian side says 2-0

 

with Mathis, Donovan, Beasley, and Twellman on the field togethor I doubt a shutout will happen.

Our defense could give up two goals though.

I say 2-1 either way.

 

With Twellman clogging up the US offense, the US lose 2-1. Without the HUMAN CLOG, the US will win 2 - nothing.

 

well, maybe.

 

IMHO Twellman could score on Ollie Kahn if he had good service.

'Smaller framed players' like Convey? Argentina is not a physically intimidating team.

Re: Bielsa, the guy just simply blew it at the World Cup. Come out guns blazing and trying to whip in crosses against two of the tallest and best aerial defenses in the tournament? That was just plain stupid. I can't believe that the AFA didn't let him go. The guy had a Champion's League caliber player at nearly every position. Needless to say I ain't impressed.

Let's hope Argentina comes out and pressures us. That should leave more space for Donovan and Mathis to operate. Last time at RFK they were content to let us have some possession in their third, of course Reyna was playing also.

The way to beat us is to pressure our defenders when possible and defend in numbers when we have sustained possession.

I'll be surprised if there's more than 3 goals, and I'm expecting only two. I doubt the Argies will be as tired as everyone is saying, and I think they may in fact be sharper than our players at this point.

 

2 - 0 USA !!

 

USA 2:2 ARG

The MEX-ARG game was closer than people think it was. I wouldn't say it was all Argentina. I also wouldn't say it was an upset as Mr. Jones with the LA Times thinks it was.

Not that he will, based on the report from the U17 scrimmage, but what about 3-4-3?

Howard - Califf, Pope, Bocanegra - Olsen, Mastroeni, Mulrooney, Beasley - Donovan - Twellman, Mathis.

Sure Pope needs to be healty as does Mulrooney (I would assume he has recovered).

I'm not say Arena should, but he could go this route.

 

The USSF hooked up los TriColores at the The Beverly Hilton and even picked up the tab. With friends like these who needs Rivalrys.

http://www.reforma.com/futbol/articulo/266995/default.htm

 

Re: Re: Argentina v. U.S. - pre-game (R)

I'd like for us to one day get into the Libertadores tournament to see how well we could hang. The best players there don't play long before Europe comes calling, and IMHO that hurts the league.

 

"Argentina is not a physically intimidating team."

did you even watch the mexico game? how many balls did argentina steal? what about the pressing and marking? did you not see that?

"Re: Bielsa, the guy just simply blew it at the World Cup. Come out guns blazing and trying to whip in crosses against two of the tallest and best aerial defenses in the tournament"

wrong. Bielsa's mistake was making Batistuta the starter instead of Crespo. Batistuta, who was AGING, and who HAD HIS WORST YEAR IN HIS CARREER in seria a. That was his mistake. If Crespo had started all games argentina would have gone to the second round.

"The best players there don't play long before Europe comes calling, and IMHO that hurts the league."

the argentinian league is ranked in the top 10, they have the best teams in the continent, and they always have a replacement for the players they sell.

how is the league hurting again???

 

Best players

Getting rid of there best players allows there other players to get time on the field. Instead of sitting on the bench and watching an older guy run around the youngins can play and keep the old guys in check. Sort of like what's going on here, but it's been going on there for quite some time. So my motto is sell sell sell.

 

I thought Argentina played poorly against Mexico. Really most of the best scoring chances came because of mistakes by Mexico's defense. The best we can say about this match is that they were oportunistic and able to create danger if you gave them the ball in your half of the field, like Carmona and the other Mexican defenders kept doing.

This group of young players has great skill with the ball, and pressures well. But they looked very unimpressive with their passing game, and showed a lot of nervousness. It is an inexperienced group, and maybe they feel the pressure of playing for the national team, but they made more errant passes than I've ever seen an Argentine national team make.

I think part of it is that everybody is in their off-season form. But that is true of the USA too, so it should even out.

I predict a 1-1 tie.

 

Re: Re: Argentina v. U.S. - pre-game (R)

Last summer I watched a truly crap MetroStars team featuring the likes of Birahim Diop, Sam Forko, Martin Klinger and Ted Chronopoulos hang with (beat, actually) a Boca Juniors team that fielded Argie internatioanls Marcelo Delgado and Nicolas Burdissio in their starting VI. The latter, incedently, should start agaisnt the US on Saturday.

I

 

Out of curiosity, why is the game so early?

 

Re: Re: Argentina v. U.S. - pre-game (R)

I didn't say our domestic league TEAMS could hang with the Argentina League teams. Personally, I think Boca, River and Independiente would win MLS going away, though it's really impossible to judge.

What I was saying is I felt our domestic LEAGUERS (poor word), i.e., our national team which consists of all MLS players, could hang with this version of the national team of Argentina, consisting of all Argentinian domestic league players. It was just my impression from knowing the U.S. team and having watching Argentina play Mexico.

I could be wrong of course, but that's how I felt.

 

The notion of comparing teams like Boca River, Racing to MLS teams is a joke...

Argentine league ranks 4th in the World...

 

i didn't realize there was a world league ranking system.

 

I think central defense is a bigger concern. Boca, okay. But I doubt Pope will be ready to go, and Califf would be found out due to his lack of quickness. McCarty has gone back to Columbus.

I think that the pressure on the U.S. defense, bboth when the U.S. has the ball and is trying to deliver it forward as well as when the Argentines are attacking will lead to serious problems.

Honestly, I think Convey will do fine. His own speed and quickness will serve him well. It's the other players in the backline that I'm worried about.

 

It's a joke comparing a team like the Galaxy to teams like Banfield, Colon, or Newell's. The Galaxy are ranked 31st in the world!

 

Flowers in every room and a mint on every pillow, no doubt.