USMNT vs Meh-HEE-log at The House That Hymel Built

Squad was announced last night at halftime of Galaxy-Sounders match. Somewhat noteworthy is that JK's calling in two European based players in Yedlin and Green, presumably because neither has seen much of the pitch this season for their clubs. A lot of different faces for this one, especially in the forward corps. We'll either get killed or buck up enough to earn a draw. Don't see another dos a cero.

http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2015/04/12/15/48/150412-mnt-v-mex-roster-rel

 

The article states that all players on the Mexican roster are from Liga MX. So I'm guessing it won't be their strongest side either. I may be wrong, but I'm thinking a pretty even match will ensue.

 

'Presented by AT&T'?? A made for TV, federation money grab. Don't get me wrong I'll be watching, more to see the youngsters than anything else.

 

It was suppose to be "koh" not "log." Damn autocorrect.

 

I was wondering what inside joke I was missing out on.

Nothing about this game is getting me excited. There really aren't any young players in the squad that intrigue me. I was hoping Hyndman might get a call up but that obviously didn't make any logistical sense. Don't get me wrong, I'll watch the game, but I can't help but think that a meaningless US/Mex friendly in April just cheapens the rivalry a little bit.

 

I'm kind of looking forward to seeing what Juan Agudelo can do for us lately. This strike against Colorado recently was impressive, I thought, the kind of instinctive, creative play that you can't teach...and that we always seem to be so sorely lacking. A glimpse of what's possible down the road.

 

The field was crap.

Dos a Cero never gets old.

Kyle Beckerman makes a lot of people around him look better.

I was also a little intrigued to see more Mix outside.

 

Only caught the final 30 minutes, but impressed by Mix also. Great first touch by Agudelo on the second goal, sometimes you have to take a step back before two forward and he looks to have matured.

Funniest moment was seeing a fairly pacy ball shot from long distance towards goal and instead of gathering it with his hands, Yarbrough flicked it up confidently with his foot (camera switched to JK and his assistants and their eyes where rolling and their expressions spoke volumes).

 

Whilst his time as a US player may be drawing to a close, I cannot agree more with, LAX. I've seen Beckerman for years when RSL visits San Jose and he's always performed at a high level. Noticeably higher than others on the pitch. It earned him a place in Brazil and he didn't disappoint. Nor did he look out of class. By no means do I throw my hat in the Beckerman ring, but for what he brings to a squad, he brings it well.

 

I'm not a big Beckerman fan, but he's one of those guys I would not rule out of the mix for Russia based on age. Was happy to see Agudelo rewarded for his perseverance. He's got some finishing skills that are innate. Not gonna make too much else of this one given the relative meaningfulness of it. It's always good to beat your arch rival. And why would the greatest country in the world trot out a pitch like that?
Don't understand it.

 

Don and Lax are right, dos a cero never gets old. Unfortunately I missed it to see the Caps & Spurs both lose.

I'd heard about the complaints about the pitch before the match. As a local, I'd rather we not host a game instead of embarrassing ourselves like that. No match should be played in the old style domes. Newer, open air joints like Jerryworld & Reliant are fine.

 

The pitch was incredibly bad and I hope it was not the cause of Beckermans injury. Everything else was pretty good. I thought Aguadelo in particular looked sharp.