Quote :

"I know Portugal looked awful against Germany, but I feel much worse about coming out of this game with point than I did looking at the group to start with. Portugal is going to be desperate, we're looking at probably no Altidore and a banged up Dempsey. That's not a great recipe for a lot of offense."

Eh, they are playing without two starters on D as well. Watching the game against germany, they just looked like they had terrible team chemistry. I actually feel much better heading into this game than I did pre-tournament even without Jozy now.



[Edited on June 18, 2014 at 8:20 AM. Reason : s]

6/18/2014 8:19:39 AM

With the caveat of the slight worry of them being knocked into consciousness after the embarrassing Germany defeat, I was feeling really good about our chances after watching them play. They are a talented team but tend to consistently under-perform and lack team chemistry and they showed exactly the same thing out there on Monday. So that plus missing 2 starters on defense, I was changing my position from a 1-1 draw to a 2-1 win.

However, now with Altidore out and after watching us play I'm worried about being able to make the most of their battered defense. I've moved back to a 1-1 draw. Ronaldo scores and Bradley scores off a Dempsey assist.

6/18/2014 8:27:14 AM

This was a good article on ESPN about how much Ronaldo dominates the team, which makes sense because he's the best player in the world. But he demands the ball so much it's almost like his teammates are afraid not to give it to him even when he's not even the best option.

http://www.espnfc.us/blog/world-cup-central/59/post/1888898/ronaldo-should-be-reverednot-feared

6/18/2014 8:49:32 AM

That's a great article and explains perfectly what I saw on the field. The entire team yields to Ronaldo. Kinda ridiculous to see grown men, elite players even, play that way. Big reason why I can't stand Ronaldo because he plays into it with the dirty looks and hand gestures when someone screws up.

That said, he will absolutely destroy Beasley (or Chandler, if he starts) if he plays on the right wing. We are gonna need Jones to play back alot.

6/18/2014 9:00:00 AM

Yeah this match is going to come down to can we find some offense, keep possession, and contain ronaldo. I suspect he will continue to play the him versus our whole team mentality and so long as we dont let him find himself in space or one on one we should be ok. Getting him frustrated early with some physical play could be beneficial as well.

6/18/2014 9:26:14 AM

Both Portugal and the US have issues with chemistry. The question will be who can mesh faster. Ronaldo, regardless of what some people think, is a difference maker for that team. If he gets going, we're in trouble.

Will Wondo or Johannssen start at striker?

Are they able to call up another player if Altidore cannot play for the rest of the tournament?

6/18/2014 9:36:39 AM

No the roster is set.

I wouldn't say we have chemistry issues. I just don't think we have the personnel to play the way we wanted to. JK needs to tweak the plan somehow.

6/18/2014 9:42:28 AM

I think this is either going to be a high-scoring affair or a 1-1 draw. All we really need here is a point. I say stick Dempsey up top by himself and keep someone shadowing Ronaldo at all times.

6/18/2014 9:47:13 AM

Quote :

"Cristiano Ronaldo limps out of training with knee packed in ice as Portugal's World Cup goes from bad to worse"

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/worldcup2014/article-2661588/Cristiano-Ronaldo-limps-training-Portugals-World-Cup-goes-bad-worse.html

6/18/2014 2:12:06 PM

Jozys on a vacation for a while
Lets gather round and talk it ovr
So many things landon could do now
You know I like my forwards a little bit older

6/21/2014 7:40:03 AM

My opinion:

______Dempty_____Wando______
__Davis______Bradley______Zusi__
_____________Jones______________
Beasley__Beesler__Cameron__Johnson
____________Howard______________


Since Portugal's Defense is depleated, I would like to see Davis and Zusi sending in surgical crosses to Dempsey and Wando all game, with Bradley in support. The left side is a defensive liability, but Portual's fire power is going to come down our ride side.

If we are leading at halftime, sub in Beckerman for Davis, slide Jones to the left, and Beckerman plays on his right hand side like the Ghana game. Bring in Mix for Wando, and have Mix play more of a RAM rather than RF. Sub in Brooks for CB if needed, or Chandler for a RB or LB if needed.

If we are losing at halftime, sub in AJ for Wando, probably still need to bring in Beckerman for Davis, but to keep as many attacking options open, sub Beckerman for Jones. And if still down late in the game.... Julian Green for either Davis or Zusi, whoever looks more gassed.


... or we can just say fuck it, and play for the 0-0 draw with the Greek formation:
___________Dempsey____________
____________Bradley_____________
Chandler__Jones__Beckerman__Yedlin
Beasley__Beesler__Cameron__Johnson
____________Howard______________

[Edited on June 21, 2014 at 10:10 AM. Reason : I think I just got a defensive bonner ]

6/21/2014 9:50:20 AM

Whether or not he starts, Zusi absolutely needs to be paired with Wondo.

6/21/2014 11:07:46 AM

Quote :

"Jozys on a vacation for a while Lets gather round and talk it ovr So many things landon could do now You know I like my forwards a little bit older"

Well done Earl! But I feel like you could of kept going.

6/22/2014 11:30:08 AM

TODAY WE FÜTBALL MORE BETTER.

6/22/2014 11:30:57 AM

OH WE BACK

6/22/2014 2:45:34 PM

I BELIEVE

6/22/2014 3:30:39 PM

that we will win give up a win due to a boneheaded play

6/22/2014 8:28:47 PM

i hope we score a lot of home runs

6/23/2014 7:24:05 AM

Touchdown!?

6/23/2014 7:31:06 AM

Bradley has looked terrible in both games, imo. He attempts to pass the ball to the most contested player every time and is rarely successful. That being said I am not soccer expert.

6/23/2014 8:20:21 AM

bradley wasn't good but was decent that game minus a couple mistakes, one of which was huge.

[Edited on June 23, 2014 at 8:36 AM. Reason : ]

6/23/2014 8:35:50 AM

I hold our best players to a higher standard and Bradley has just not done what he needed to do this WC. I cannot imagine the reaction if Jones played two games like this.

6/23/2014 8:49:30 AM

Not to mention how well Jones has played. If him and Bradley both were playing at that level we could seriously best anyone in the field.

Really hope we still qualify so we can forget about that late goal. Otherwise that one will be hard to ever forget.

6/23/2014 8:56:29 AM

Yes I get that with five minutes left you dont want to start playing kick the ball, but when you get under 2 wtf are you trying to accomplish there? If you get the ball you kick that fucker as far down the field as you can every single time without thought.

We really played a pretty good game but when facing top notch competition all it takes is a small mistake and good teams make you pay. We can blame both goals on ourselves really and thats why the draw feels more like a loss. Big opportunity blown by self inflicted mistakes and now we are left likely needing a result from Germany which isnt exactly a good plan.

6/23/2014 9:07:47 AM

Jones has been the man of the tournament for us so far imo.

[Edited on June 23, 2014 at 9:13 AM. Reason : ]

6/23/2014 9:13:16 AM

https://vine.co/v/MTl76wMFKWL

6/23/2014 9:13:25 AM

Jermaine Jones though, playing out of his mind this WC. It seems like every time something good happens offensively and defensively, he's involved.

^^ LOL

^Yep. That last header makes people forget about that bullshit.

[Edited on June 23, 2014 at 9:15 AM. Reason : jj fan club]

6/23/2014 9:13:50 AM

I've been really really impressed with Jones and Fabian Johnson this WC, I have confidence that they wont fuck up when they have the ball. I cant say the same for Bradley or Beckerman

6/23/2014 9:17:44 AM

^^

You don't think it's even arguable that he has been one of the biggest impact players for us so far?

6/23/2014 9:20:36 AM

If Jones puts in another game against Germany at the same level he's playing at, then it's one of the best American performances in a World Cup ever in my opinion.

6/23/2014 9:23:26 AM

Beckerman I believe has done his job, it is an understated role but he does what he must to cover the back four. The real disappointment is Bradley. He was outstanding in the friendlies coming into the tournament but that has changed completely in the tournament itself.

I always said Jones + Bradley is the best midfield combo the US has and that is still true but damn it Bradley needs to step it up. Jones has been covering for him big time and without Jones we would probably struggle even more. Bradley owes us one against Germany and we are going to need it to.

The way I see it we have the chance to top the group. Lets go out there and leave everything on the field like we did against Portugal. It will be tough but a draw is feasible in my opinion.

6/23/2014 9:23:48 AM

I was LOL because you beat me to talking up Jermaine Jones by 30 seconds.

6/23/2014 9:23:57 AM

Still perturbed

6/23/2014 9:42:05 AM

^^ ohh haha. I took that wrong and totally missed your first sentence

(to be fair im reading tww on a boring conference call haha)

[Edited on June 23, 2014 at 9:44 AM. Reason : ]

6/23/2014 9:43:36 AM

I wonder how much the extra day off for Germany, plus the fact that we played in some really hot/humid conditions is going to effect the game on Thursday.

I have a feeling that this could turn into the type of game that NC State put on in the finals of the ACC tournament a couple years ago after playing four straight days and just didnt have any gas left in the tank. I hope I'm wrong and thats just the defeated NC State fan in me talking

6/23/2014 9:56:52 AM

Other than the poor touch and getting muscled off the ball before that final goal...I thought Bradley had a solid game (well...there was the wide-open goal he kicked straight into the the defender's thigh). Or maybe it looked solid compared to that shit-storm he had against Ghana. I just don't remember seeing any of the poor passes and lapses in defense like I saw in the first game. Hopefully he continues the upswing in the Germany game...because we're really going to need it.

What an emotional game. I was straight up drained after that one...and hammered.

6/23/2014 10:27:11 AM

Bradley still gave the ball away quite a few times (not as many as the Ghana game), but his passing was what we're used to from him. Hopefully he'll be back at 100% quality on Thursday.

6/23/2014 12:25:31 PM

Howard saved us a few times yesterday

6/23/2014 12:52:38 PM

^ Yes. Absolutely.

But that save (incredible as it was) was bailing himself out for the bad rebound.

6/23/2014 1:02:15 PM

I don't know if you can really consider it a bad "rebound" because it came off the post, not Howard. That first shot was a fucking laser...I think Howard might have gotten a fingertip on it...if that. I know it seemed like he gave himself a hard time because he thought he could have done more with the first shot...but it was a rocket.

6/23/2014 1:08:05 PM

It was a rocket, but he was set and got to it, which means he had every ability to push it wide.

6/23/2014 1:16:54 PM

Quote :

"got to it"

except he didn't

6/23/2014 1:24:53 PM

I vote that both Germany and USA just sit on the grass for 90 minutes.

6/23/2014 5:57:14 PM

Cameron is also one of our highest pedigree players (although playing out of his club position) and have basically gave up the two goals with bad defensive mistakes.

Luckily Jones, Dempsey and Howard were just phenomenal yesterday. And I'll throw in Beckerman if only for the elbow.

6/23/2014 7:16:55 PM

90 minutes of this

6/23/2014 8:51:06 PM

See page 12 of this thread. Altidore, Bradley, and Guzan were on the 2008 Olympic team that gave up a goal in the 93rd minute vs Netherlands in their second game (2-2 tie). A win would have put them through to the quarterfinals. Then in their final game vs Nigeria a player got a red card and they lost 2-1 to drop from 1st to 3rd on the last day of group play. Netherlands and Nigeria advanced. This is eerily familiar to that and some of the same players are on the roster.


[Edited on June 23, 2014 at 9:55 PM. Reason : .]

6/23/2014 9:54:27 PM

^This guy

6/23/2014 10:01:21 PM

We will victor Thursday.

I GUARANTEE it.

6/23/2014 10:18:53 PM

^^Just saying. We always seem to come up on the short end of the stick when Africa is involved (1984, 2006, 2008, 2010).

[Edited on June 23, 2014 at 10:22 PM. Reason : .]

6/23/2014 10:22:32 PM

To be fair, most Americans will always be on the short end of the stick when compared to Africans.

6/23/2014 10:24:29 PM