US v Belgium

I would love to share your optimism, Senator, but I fear it's too soon. Hamstring strains are a bit dicey. The risk of re-injury is high if you come back too soon. The general wisdom is that it takes 4-6 weeks, minimum, to recover. I'd hate to see him hurt it again and be out even longer, especially at his age. Let's home he's the exception to the rule, is a quick healer, and can help us against the Belgians if need be.
Quite frankly, I'm more concerned about Michael Bradley. I've never seen him play this poorly, and we're not going to win and advance if he doesn't perform like we all know he can. I think there's something going on with him away from the pitch, because there's no apparent physical problem. Intelligence, concentration and focus are such a big part of his game, and he just seems out of it in that regard. But he's still putting out the effort, as evidenced by this stat: he's outrun everybody in the tournament. I'm praying that he snaps out of it before we are eliminated.

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/statistics/index.html

 

http://soccerly.com/article/soccerl...wn-again-comeback-against-belgium-isnt-likely

 

Jozy is officially available for selection...

http://www.espnfc.us/fifa-world-cup/sto ... th-us-team

Probably a late sub situation, should we need it. And I'm guessing we will.

 

Ahh, snap. I've torn my hamstrings a couple of times - that takes a good deal of recovery time. If it's just a strain, then maybe he can put in 10 to 20 minutes tomorrow. I'm hopeful, the US won't need to make that move, though. Belgium, despite all of their talent, isn't Germany and I believe the US will come out in force at the onset. Let's (yes, I'm considering all of us) win this match and then salivate at a potential match with Argentina (or better yet, the Swiss).

 

Today anything is possible! Come on USA!

 

Was nothing but a stomach churning mess for the other matches, but feel good and love our 'playing with house money' situation. Can't wait to see how we play today, you know what's for breakfast when playing the Belgians don't you :roll:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8jzvh5Wb00

 

Fantastic!!!!!!

Come on, U.S.!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

For all those that have wanted to see Cameron as a mid, here is your chance. The nerves have officially hit....

 

That would include me. I'm not nervous, I'm jacked up! We'll find out soon enough whether it was the right move or not. Whatever the outcome, I like a manager who's willing to change, shake things up and take chances.
COME ON YOU YANKS!
HISTORY AWAITS!

 

My favorite Quake simply has to get his foot on top of the ball in the 93rd minute and the US are through to the Quarters...que sera sera, whatever will be will be...

In the end, I tip my cap to the entire squad, but I want to thank Mr. Howard for an x-men like performance. That was goalkeeping 101, and Belgium's keeper was no slouch either, but without Howard, that's a 5-1 scoreline.

 

Tim Howard played out of his mind.

Today sucks but the last four years have been a fun ride.

Bring on Russia and 2018.

 

First things first, Belgium were deserving winners but I am so proud of the fight in my national team. So agonizingly close they came to pulling the match back to even through that indomitable spirit.

Tim Howard was simply amazing and cemented his place in my mind as the best US keeper ever. His perforfomance really did deserve a match winner to go with it but there will be no whining or complaining from me.

Congrats to Julian Green for what will hopefully only be his first WC goal and I do look forward to watching Yedlin's development. He showed quite well for being thrown in the deep end of the pool during this WC.

 

There's way too much to process entirely tonight. I will say that we desperately missed Jozy out there today...we were under so much pressure for so long and I think he would have helped relieve that, at least a bit.

Wondo's miss and Clint's heavy touch on that brilliantly conceived set play are made a little bit easier to stomach, knowing that, when all was said and done, the best team won. While I would have gladly taken either of those, I can still feel proud of the guys for gutting it out, even if we came up a bit short.

And, oh yeah, TIM HOWARD.

 

I was frustrated with zusi and cameron for the entire match. I think Fabian going out early really hurt us with basically losing a sub. Yedlin was incredible though. Looking at the roster, and helping to put this one behind me, we have a great core to build for the next 4 years and get ready for Russia. Having Copa American in the US will be a great opportunity for this team to gain top notch experience. Can't believe how close it was to going through to the quarters though! Belgium clearly deserved it as a team, but Tim deserved it for his performance!

 

:bow-yellow: Tim Howard at his absolute peak and it was almost enough. Was at a bar and couldn't hear the commentary, was Wondo ruled offside anyway?

Echo dtown that Fabian going out early hurt.

Michael Bradley underperformed, but it was his dime that set up Green. There was a sequence in the first half were he got the ball inside the Belgium half where he had 3 or 4 dribbles to get to the top of the box with zero defensive pressure and he chose a low percentage long pass wide that was easily dealt with that made me realize his confidence was low, normally he would of let a shot rip.