US National Team

The US beat Costa Rica 3-0 in Salt Lake City tonight. Landon Donovan had a brace and our very own Brian McBride added a third for the US. Things are looking pretty good for the US to qualify for Germany 2006.

 

RE: US National (MLS AllStar) Team

Fulham fans had better look at the recent makeup of the USA team to see what they might expect at the AllStar game.

Scratch McBride and put in Johnson (though there is no other who does McB's role). Note that Reyna is no longer necessary, though he has lost only a little of his skills.
Goalkeeper: There are probably six in MLS that could immediately step into stating roles on contending Champs league teams

Beasley: Take him out, put in Adu.. he's already harder to take out of the game than Beasley.. dunno how Beas does it at Eindhoven! MLS learned how, CR and Mexico know how to make him a non-factor.. how does he perform well in Europe?

So, all in all, the MAIN problem the US/MLS has is at left back.. go figure. So Bruce Arena plays Boca there.. sigh!
Well, I'm guessing Chad Marshall of the Crew is the guy you'll see, though he's in the same boat as Boca... "D'ruther NOT play at LB!" and he has about the same skills and vulnerabilities.

Just so there's NO mistake...Arena could take the probable MLS All-Star starting lineup and Qualify for WC 2006!
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USA has been looking for years for the perfect qualifying venues.. now that it can lessen the aspect of attendance dollars, somewhat, leaving that for friendlies... it has found, in Utah, another venue besides Columbus (2002 Ice Bowl v Mexico) to give it a 'home crowd' edge.

Carson CA may be the "home' for the team but it isnt gonna play a lot of WCQ matches there because it's like an AWAY game with the Hispanics in the seats... suffice it to say, there will be NO games against Mexico at Home Depot Stadium, unless Mexico agree to play its HOME match there. On playing in Salt Lake City:
"It was fantastic. I've never been in a more comfortable setting as the manager of the U.S. team."

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Note on McBride: we are still seeing "knobs" who are {re}discovering Brian, on both sides of the Atlantic.

Never mind his heart and abilities are on record on BBC's site, even as far back as 1999.

The latest is some yokel who signed into the banterdrone, today/Sunday, to thank Fulham for what they "have done to Brian" to make him better.

If Brian has made any improvement, it's mentally and timing-wise. He has realized that to some extent or other he is still facing what he did at Columbus... inability to use him effectively. To remedy that, he fine-tunes himself... in THAT regard, sure, playing with Fulham has helped. Show me a player who doesnt keep "improving" and i'll show you.. ummm..Lother Matteus.

 

RE: US National (MLS AllStar) Team

The US is leading Panama 2-0 in the second half. Carlos Bocanegra scored the first US goal. Nice to see him getting on the scoresheet!

 

RE: US National (MLS AllStar) Team

McBride just scored too! It has been a good day at the office for Carlos and Brian!

 

Great win by the US over Panama in an insanely hostile environment. Once again, Keller was suberb in goal -- ESPN is running his amazing series of back-to-back-to-back saves as the #2 play of the night.

It really is nice to see the US playing such entertaining, attacking football -- long, long gone are the days of a defensive-minded gameplan with minimal movement forward. Attack, attack, attack, but be smart -- this is proving to be a highly successful, highly entertaining style for the US. Even in their loss to England, they were attacking -- okay, so they couldn't finish their chances that day to save their lives, but even then they were constantly attacking and creating chances.

Who says the US can't play the beautiful game??? 8) 8) 8)

My only question is WHY THE F--- IS THIS GAME NOT REPLAYED ON ESPN UNTIL 1:00 A.M.??? Panama is in the Central time zone, ferchrissakes!

 

That was my question as well. They showed Women's Softball ahead of this match. It goes to show you that soccer still has a long way to come in this country. It pissed me off.

 

I have a feeling it had something to do with contracts and such... Telemundo had the game starting 1 1/2 hours earlier than ESPN (still on delay)... and ESPN didn't even have it's normal "Matchtracker" option that it usually does...

I was too tired anyway from afternoon golf... I saw the score on espn.com and went the heck to bed...

 

Great to see two Fulham boys pull out a goal in the same game. Great exposure for both us and them. Hell, Boca almost scored against England as well. Maybe cookie should take some notes eh?!