US MNT vs Sweden

Anyone watching it tonight? It's not the most exciting US team, but I believe Altidore will be playing and some other younglings might get their first cap. Does anyone know if Ibrahimovic (have no idea how to spell it; dont watch Italian soccer) will be playing?

Go USA!!

 

I would like to but I will be watching my son play tonight.

 

line-up anyone?

 

HEY!!! We're in the live chat room!

 

oh come on Don, you dont like Max's signature "YYEEEESSSSSSSSSS"?


and ChiTom, Pfog, AmMike, or whoever runs the asylum here...can we please get a new chat client? i may have to boycott because its so bad.

 

It wasn't a pretty match, but if nothing else, I think it establishes one thing...

MLS is at least as good as the Swedish League

 

TimmyG:
when's the last time you updated flashplayer... you were the only one getting knocked off. That used to be pretty common but it's getting to be very rare.

MLS '96 was as good as the Swedish League

 

Altidore, Landy, Guzan, and Robinson all impressed me. I know Landycakes is annoying but he really tries to be a decent guy. In a game where he could become the leading US scorer of all time, his team play and team effort is what really stood out.

Like Hatter said, the announces did not. I dont understand why they kept saying it wasnt a pretty, fluid flowing game. There were plenty of nice passing sequences, especially on the US side. Lots of nice feeds and crosses on both sides.

If I were Bradley, I would have a very hard time coming up with a best XI. The pool of players is so deep, especially at midfield, with very few clearly rising above the pack. This is who I would start for sure:

F-Altidore, Ching (sorry Johnson Ching's a better complement & works harder)
M-Dempsey, Donovan, Beasley, Bradley
D-Bocanegra, Onyewu (depending upon the opponent), ? , ?
GK- Too many good choices, but probably Guzan or Howard



I dont know how Bradley will pick a best XI

 

It's time to select the core of the 2010 defense.

I typically dont hold with the 'too old' tag tied to GK's, but I think Guzan has elevated his profile to the point we need to name him as #1. Howard of course is the definitive choice for one of top two slots but we need the keeper to be in place and in command of the defense.

For the same reason, we need to look for defenders who will be in their prime in '10 to anchor the defensive line. Sorry, but this rules out Boca. Having him on the roster is okay, but not as a starter.

 

Howard is 28! If you think Guzan is better than Howard, that's one thing, but Howard won't be too old in 2014, let alone 2010.

 

Adu isn't a winger - he needs to play as withdrawn forward

Bradley is better than either Edu or Feilhaber; those two and Clark will be fighting for the spot beside him

It's going to be challenging to get Adu, Altidore, Beasley, Dempsey, and Donovan on the pitch together, unless Bob goes with a Dempsey-Bradley midfield, which is not the 2xDM that he likes.

 

Before anyone gets carried away, this was a "B" team game,........and a snorefest.

Never could find that paper, Don.

 

You seem to have a pre-occupation with Pearce. I'm not sold yet. If you are trying to break into the USMNT, aim for that LB position.

Parkhurst instead of Boca?? Odd.

 

Well, actually, that's exactly what I think. I think he WILL be, by 2010.

Maybe I should have said, 'let's forget seniority'.

 

I think Howard is definitely the best choice today. But 'fog is right, we have two years to go.

 

Dont agree. I think Boca will be 30 in 2010; that's not too old for the WC. His WC experience, premiership experience, and goal scoring ability is exactly what the US needs in 2010.

I agree with Andypalmer, Bradley is more effective than Edu or Feilhaber; he should start.

The one thing that I probably have wrong in my lineup is starting Ching. It's just a soft spot of mine - I want the US to always have a fearless Brian up front. The reality is that coach Bradley should get Adu in there. However, I hate the thought of them playing with one forward.