US v Ghana

Umm, yeah, I would say so.

 

Mark the date on this comment:

From the first minute until the last, the most controlled, confident, and effective performance in the Red, White, and Blue was delivered by Jermaine Jones. Despite all the unmerited love lavished on Bradley by my fellow Terp [it WAS in the script, after all] the #13 I love to hate was Man of the Match.

Timmy weren't bad either.

Holding my breath with news about Jozy and Besler.

 

I think these three players certainly didn't believe it either.



I think Besler's didn't look too bad, if it were he would have gone off immediately. I am glad there is 6 days between now and Portugal. But do you bring Besler in over Brooks now? Hmm. A lot of me says yes, because Brooks is young and was a bit shaky in the first few minutes, but he settled in fairly well as the minutes went by and got the winner. I think that what makes it a tough decision.

Agree with everyone about Bradley, it like his head was in completely different time zone. But he did ok defensively, so I won't get too harsh on him. It was similar to the Azerbaijan performance and he bounced back the next two games. Cross fingers he does it again. And Dempsey is a warrior! The broken nose messed with his performance as the game went on, but he did what he needed to do--which was to stay on the field and not make too many mistakes so we could use another sub for Bedoya. Zusi comes on and puts in one great cross for the Brooks winner. 3 points and the US is currently second in the group. I will be hoping for at least a draw against Portugal, and that just might be enough.

 

If Jozy can't come back, and I think that'll be the case, then aren't we all thrilled that Eddie Johnson is still in the States while Julian Green is in Brazil?

who needs strength, speed, aggression, and jumping ability in a center forward anyhow?

 

thing is, he hasn't been good at using any of those attributes so far at DC. Has about 1 or 2 good passes in him, but that's been about it. I think some DC fans would be happy to see him go just to get rid of him.

 

I just read an article that Jozy has had issues with his hammy before...in the 2011 Gold Cup. IN fact, it was pretty much the same circumstances against Jamaica in the quarterfinals. He was out 4-6 weeks and missed the rest of the tournament. Looks like he tweaked it pretty good when he was sprinting and headed the ball passed the defender. It's tough to say at this point until it's examined to see to what degree he strained his hammy...same with Besler. Looked liked he tweaked his after a slide tackle. I think both will miss the next match, but how long both are out is up in the air.

And I agree with Joe, there isn't another player that does what Altidore does so well. Boyd is probably the next biggest forward we have, but he is not as good in holding up the ball. I think he has chance to get better as years go by in a better league. I really hope a move to Wigan pans out.

 

Here's a laugh for you. After Twellman's rhapsodizing about Bradley down the stretch, Budweiser made the "official" man of the match: Clint Dempsey. I mean, nice goal, but he was very subdued -- for good reason, but still, Clint?

Hey, you gotta script, you gotta follow it.