It doesn't count for much, but it's always nice to win. Personally, I'd be happy with the semis, but if we don't make the second round, it's a good warmup for Germany 06 anyway. How do you feel?
I have another question: If we win the Confederation Cup, are we World Champions? I mean, it is the championship of all the continental champions, right? but, seriously, since no one seems to be taking this very very seriously, I'd say taking the field and playing competitive and winning at least one game should be our goal. and doing that should take us to the semis...
One should never expect less. Loosing is an undesirable out come, but my expectation as a fan will be: victory. I can't turn the TV on, or go ahead and buy a ticket thinking, "OK! let's watch our team lose". That doesn't work. I have to put myself in the right mode, sending good waves too the efforts of my team. Then again if they lose, be it giving a big fight.
The prelude to an ambush Bruce does not have a choise he have to play the other coaches, this time it would not be easy every body is aware that Bruce could sneak and unknow factor (dang Bruce you are getting good at this) We have to admit it, He is becoming a master of strategy and this tournament will prove Bruce once since for all
PLAY WELL My expectation is that the team be competitive in each game. I would measure success in two ways. 1) Anything better than a win, a tie and a loss. 2) Arena gains a better understanding of how some of the younger players without a lot of international experience will react under pressure (IMHO, this tournament is a better indicator than the friendlies up to now). Which players will be ready to help in next year's qualifying games.
A good run to the semifinals & a 3rd place finish would be satisfying!! Beating France in the final & winning the Confed Cup would be "icing on the cake." GO, USA!!!!!!!
I'd define success in one of two ways. 1) One or two fringe players having a great tournament. Something like Twellman scoring against Brazil and Turkey or players like Califf, Klein, or Convey having a strong showing. To me this would be success in and of itself in that we can start getting an idea of who can succeed at this level. I'd rather see something like this than see us do anything other than make the final. 2) One win, one loss, and one tie for me will be a success. If we were in the other bracket that wouldn't be good enough, but playing against the teams we are playing against it would be a strong statement. We are playing the world champion, a semifinalist, and a team that took 4 points in its opening bracket in Japorea. And the realistic thing is that we have no Friedel, no Keller, no JOB, no Pope, no Reyna, no McBride, and no Sanneh so this will be a real test of our player pool. If we advance we should be real happy and likely we have seen a few new players step it up in the international stage.
I would be happy if we beat Turkey or Brazil, b/c they would surprise me at the level Turkey is playing...and just b/c Brazil is Brazil. We should be able to control Cameroon if we play to our potential. Really, as long as the younger players gain confidence, I will be happy...
Turks are out to humiliate USA Turks are out to humiliate USA they are already making jokes about how many goals they are going to score against USA on Ankara they are betting on the amount of goals they can score on USA (BBC Interview of fans on ankara) There is nothing to be surprise about, many of this connotations have a totally political and religius origin and USA invasion of a moslem country have create this kind of climax about the game
Re: Turks are out to humiliate USA I didn't realise Turkey were such a world power. Let 'em bet. They'll be crying into their commie red flags come June 19. They're going to pay for what Iran did to us last time we played in France.
Re: Re: Turks are out to humiliate USA They are not a super power but GALASATARAY WHOOP USA I think 5-0....thats embarrasing
Well I think since the US is the best team in CONCACAF, its safe to say we're the favorites to win.....and we will!
Re: The prelude to an ambush Dear Whip: You can use some of the affordable tools: "Bruce does not have a choice. He has to play against the other coaches. This time is not going to be easy. Everybody is aware that Bruce could present (sneak in) an unknown factor. (Dang, Bruce, you are getting good at this...) We have to admit it-- he is becoming a strategy master and this tournament will prove Bruce once and for all... "
They'll be lucky if they get passed Brazil before playing Mexico. But if they do the U.S. can't beat Mexico in Azteca stadium.
I wouldn't go so far as to say "can't", but assuming that such a final takes place (big assumption), I admit that I won't be expecting a US win. But it would be soooooo sweet. And it would pretty well end debate as to the #1 team in the region. The ball is round & the game is 90 minutes. Wait and we'll all find out.