USMNT at Scotland

Allow me the honor of starting this one, please.
Already bummed because Deuce and Fabian are out http://www.ussoccer.com/news/mens-n...dempsey-and-fabian-johnson-off-us-roster.aspx.
Still, we have a pretty strong side, and I think we should get a result. Gonna be paying more attention to the defense in front of Timmy. We have our weaknesses, to be sure, but without old stalwarts Gooch and Boca, it's time for the new guys to step forward.
I expect the Scots to be more motivated than usual. We waxed them pretty good last time we played them in Jacksonville, thanks to Donovan's hat trick and an opening laser shot from Michael Bradley in the 11th minute. They've got some quality players from the Prem like Naismith, Snodgrass, Steven Fletcher and Charlie Adam, but we should have more than enough talent to prevail. I'll predict a 3-1 win for our lads.

COME ON YOU YANKS!

 

Can't quite remember, but I think we played a 1-1 draw at Hambden in a friendly before the last WC, which seems a likely result this time around.

 

I managed to get through the first 70 minutes before I just couldn't take it and fast-forwarded through the remainder. I guess we had a couple chances late, but that was just dreadful.

My concern, and I know I'm not alone....our guys not seeing much of the pitch in the next six months...

 

Only got to see the highlights (if you can call them that), so my opinion is limited to that sliver. Nice save by Timmy on the Snodgrass free kick, for sure. Those shots by Jozy and Johannsson were pretty decent looks, just off by the slimmest of margins, especially Aron's. Apparently those were few and far between, the kind you've got to make to succeed when they count at a World Cup. Don't see how JK can keep young Mr. Johannsson (although at 23, he's not THAT young in soccer years, is he?) off the roster for Brazil. The kid's got game. And Shea continues to play better for the good ol' Red, White and Blue than he does for his club teams. What to do about him? I feel he's one of those "X" factor players that just has some sort of intangible positive about him that you can't quantify. He's maddening to watch sometimes, but he's capable of some pretty decent stuff, especially advancing toward the enemy goal with the ball from the left. Would really like to see him a) stay healthy, b) get more club pitch time immediately and, c) get his head on straight and deliver some consistent performances of the type he's clearly able to deliver. One thing's for certain. Mr. Howard is still our No. 1 keeper, and unless he suffers a Joe Hart-like dip in form, we'll definitely see him between the sticks in Brazil next year. And I'm somewhat heartened that the defense helped him keep a clean sheet, even though it was against a team like Scotland. Hope we play better against the Austrians. May have to revisit the locks for Brazil thread after that one.

COME ON YOU YANKS!

 

My overwhelming thought was pedestrian with regard to the performance.