Lessons learned from this Weekend's Group C Friendlies

If you England fans are just going to make smartass comments then get out. This thread was fine before one of you showed up whining about something or other... what the hell do you expect at that point?

You know normally I'm on your side, considering some of the ridiculousness on these boards, but you make it difficult when you come in and let loose with with quips and condescending youtube links when almost completely unprovoked. How about you grow up a little bit?

 

The original post was laughably bias in assessing both games and my comment was entirely accurate.

 

Pretty interesting facts, don't really know why you did this, but it was a fun read. Can Uruguay really be called 1st tier though? I know they won the World Cup twice (I believe) waaaay back in the day but considering the last, what, 40 years maybe, they haven't been close. I might be wrong though.

 

They invented it?















Also, one WC is like, infinity more than the US has won.

 

Back on topic: England still doesn't have a world class keeper on their roster. Given that their backline is aging, and Glen Johnson was personally responsible for me ripping my hair out on multiple occasions for his propensity to lose his man after making an ill-advised foray into the attack, it is England's weakness.

 

I don't follow soccer that much. Does the USA stand a chance of getting into the bracket? I am in a challenge and have to pick the teams that will advance out of the group matches and need some help! Any thoughts would be helpful.

 

This doesn't really matter, the US can't get multiple quality shots on target against the Czech Republic, let alone England.

 

Impressively indicting post.

 

Nice revisionist history. The United States scored twice on the Czech's, and Petr Cech had a couple of nice saves from distance. 7 of the players who suited up for that match are not going to the WC.

You're seriously trying to use a match that didn't feature 90% of our starting lineup to make a point? A match where we netted two goals against a keeper who is significantly better than any keeper currently on the English squad?

 

I don't know about anyone else, but I don't give a shit if the Euro's bash us. I care about our performance because this is the best squad (talent wise) that we have ever taken to the WC. We need to advance out of this group to prove to ourselves that we're a legitimate contender on the World stage. You will see many of the same players donning the shirt for this WC in 4 years time too.

This is a vital WC for soccer in this country. We truly need to advance out of our group to prove that we are producing world class talent, and to capitalize on the attention and hype surrounding our squad.

 

What I learned:

USA
a) Lacks depth
b) Bornstein is still awful
c) Findley not only deserves to be on the roster, he deserves a lot of PT
d) Onyewu is not 100% yet, but looked to be improving in the Turkey match
e) Dempsey is better right now in midfield than up top
f) Torres is in good form

England
a) Deadly on set pieces
b) Even the less well-known players have moments of brilliance in them
c) Rooney is not in great form
d) Both centerbacks look a step slow
e) Central midfield is unsettled
f) Is not as good in possession as I had previously heard

Overall
USA is in trouble on both wings, but not as badly outmatched as I feared in the middle. If we play a lineup with attacking speed we will create a couple chances. Onyewu has to return to top form fast to defend all the crosses we'll be giving up. My head says 2-1 England, I'll be hoping for 2-1 USA.

 

I don't seriously need to explain our offensive situation to you do I? The bottom line is shots on target for this team are very hard to come by... so celebrating their goal-keeper selection, who is still a pretty damn good shot stopper in spite of the silly mistakes he makes, is kind of funny. Teams that get shots on target are teams that should be happy about this kind of thing, not the US.

 

Search here:

https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=180

 

The US defense is allowing too many goals. I was watching the USA X Australia friendly yesterday and noticed that the US had trouble with Australia's very average air game. That could be a key factor in the game against England. In the friendly against Turkey defense coverage was a big issue. Jonathan Spector (right back) had a horrible game, and it could have cost the game if it wasn't for Turkey's inability to put the ball on the back of the net. Luckily for the US, neither Turkey nor Australia are world-class teams. Australia, in particular, looked very slow and uncoordinated in the friendly against the US. The bottom line is, at this stage of the game the US should not be trying to solve problems and correct mistakes. They had four years to do this. If they think they are going to advance with 3 points like they did in the Confederations Cup, the US might be taking and early flight back home.

 

I'm a f*cking soothsayer.

Nailed it.

 

http://images.gonzb.com/d/319694-1/f1_1_1.gif

 

Capello made a huge blunder with his starting XI. I would've gone James or Hart, and the minute I saw Green, I smiled. If the best England can trot out is Robert Green in net, this could be a long tournament for them.