James you lucky dog. Anyone suspect that match-up location had ticket sales in mind. Really makes you wonder whether the CONCACAF groupings are as rigged as the WC groupings. I havent decided if we're going yet as it is a Tuesday and the kids will still be in school. Provided they make it, the quarters for the US should be at RFK and the semis will be in Houston. Finals will be in Pasadena. So much to choose from.
Gold Cup? I have some studying up to do Miss Duff.
The only Gold Cup I was aware of was the one at Epsom contested by a bunch of horses. :dead horse:
Basically Concacaf's version of the Euro's
Quote from: duffbeer on March 08, 2011, 05:53:14 PM
James you lucky dog. Anyone suspect that match-up location had ticket sales in mind. Really makes you wonder whether the CONCACAF groupings are as rigged as the WC groupings. I havent decided if we're going yet as it is a Tuesday and the kids will still be in school. Provided they make it, the quarters for the US should be at RFK and the semis will be in Houston. Finals will be in Pasadena. So much to choose from.
Prior to this draw, I'd always thought that Mexico always past out brown envelopes. They, for the first time I can remember, actually got a worse draw than the US. Course if they get to the finals, Pasadena will be a home game for them. I might just have to make that one. Always love to see us whip the ardido Mexicans.
Can't wait to beat mexico! :dead horse:
I have been personally attacked for my lack of passion for USA Soccer :dft012:, even though my alma mater is a mecca for college soccer!
So I am going to try and gather my interest in our country national team and get excited about a tournament that is in June. :dft011:
Is there any reason we shouldn't win this?
Might be interesting to see Dempsey play rt mid and have a go at Salcido.
Ridge, Mexico could win it. Canada wants revenge for a bad offside call on a goal in the final seconds. And the USA is good at giving up early goals. Not a given by any stretch, I'm nervous just thinking about it.
Bought four tickets for Detroit!!! Thinking about getting tickets for the quarters at RFK because only a disaster would prevent the US from finishing 1st or second in the group. But I'm afraid if I do I will jinx them.
since we compete every year, it's hard to keep track. Is this year's tourney the one that will qualify us for the Confederations Cup? Or is that next year?
Hi Mo! :down_under:
and speaking of Detroit:
kentucky fried movie take him to detroit unedited (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVDDYQlmq0w#ws)
Hi Don. Yes, this year's Gold Cup winner qualifies for the Confed Cup. Semis in Houston, be there. My mother can put you and this missus up. Her house is like a hotel. She's very good company.
If you and Don are done making arrangements to "shack up' I have a couple of questions:
1) Are we likely to see any major changes by Mr. Bradley from the team he fielded in the World Cup last summer?
2) Who on the Canadian side plays in the Prem?
3) Is Mexico really a team we should fear?
4) Where does the Gold Cup stack up in terms of tournaments the USA would play in?
These questions are a true indication of the level of ignorance I possess for all things USNMT soccer. I vow to correct the situation by the time this tournament kicks off.
Thank you to anyone who can help me in this endeavor.
Quote from: RidgeRider on March 11, 2011, 04:22:10 AM
If you and Don are done making arrangements to "shack up' I have a couple of questions:
1) Are we likely to see any major changes by Mr. Bradley from the team he fielded in the World Cup last summer?
2) Who on the Canadian side plays in the Prem?
3) Is Mexico really a team we should fear?
4) Where does the Gold Cup stack up in terms of tournaments the USA would play in?
These questions are a true indication of the level of ignorance I possess for all things USNMT soccer. I vow to correct the situation by the time this tournament kicks off.
Thank you to anyone who can help me in this endeavor.
1.) Personally I hope to see some changes, atleast early in the tournament. I would like to see us line up like this
Howard
Gooch, Boca, Cherundolo, Lichaj
Edu
Bradley, Dempsey
Donovan
Altidore, Agudelo
with Holden, Bunbury and Spector (at mid) coming on as subs
2.) Canada does not currently have anybody in the prem but they have players in the Championship (Norwich, Ispwich and Burnley)
3.) We should not fear Canada but respect them, they are always solid but on home soil with a full squad we have not lost to them in a while (I dont count the Gold Cup 2 years ago because we basically played a C squad)
4.) The Gold Cup is the top tournament in the Concacaf region. Other than playing in the occasional Copa America (which I doubt we will be invited back to for a while after the weak squad we sent last time) it is the top tournament we can play in outside of the World Cup and the Confed Cup.
Quote from: RidgeRider on March 11, 2011, 04:22:10 AM
If you and Don are done making arrangements to "shack up' I have a couple of questions:
1) Are we likely to see any major changes by Mr. Bradley from the team he fielded in the World Cup last summer?
2) Who on the Canadian side plays in the Prem?
3) Is Mexico really a team we should fear?
4) Where does the Gold Cup stack up in terms of tournaments the USA would play in?
These questions are a true indication of the level of ignorance I possess for all things USNMT soccer. I vow to correct the situation by the time this tournament kicks off.
Thank you to anyone who can help me in this endeavor.
with respect to AJ, Junior Hoilett who tortured us for 90 minutes in our last league match is Canadian.
Oh, and about
Quote1.) Personally I hope to see some changes, atleast early in the tournament. I would like to see us line up like this
Howard
Gooch, Boca, Cherundolo, Lichaj
Edu
Bradley, Dempsey
Donovan
Altidore, Agudelo
with Holden, Bunbury and Spector (at mid) coming on as subs
Cherundolo is RB and Gooch CB. Also, even considering Deuce's good season, Holden is the #1 American outfield player in Europe now, so I'm afraid Bradley would have to sit for me, and Stuart would have to start. I'm not sure that Agudelo has earned that position, but we'll see how it all splashes out.
US Soccer is reportedly pursuing Chile's ex-coach, Marcello Bielsa, to be the technical director of all US soccer. That got me thinking about the 3-3-1-3 that Chile played in the WC. So this is what I would like to see.
-----Howard
Dolo--Gooch--Boca
Spector—Edu--Jones/Bradley
-------Holden----------
Donovan--Altidore---Dempsey
Bench: Guzan, Goodson, Jones/Bradley, Feilhaber, Buddle, Bunbury or Agudelo, As for the Jones/Bradley, if Michael continues to get no playing time, I would start Jones
I would love to see such an attack minded set-up. The only player in such a line-up that doesnt score goals in Cherundolo, well, and Jozy. :dead horse:
Hi Don :down_under: How do you like my line-up?
I never considered a 3-3-1-3, Mo. I like what I'm seeing though. Holden is the guy to make it happen as the "1"
Jones hasn't done anything to make me think he's worth another cap, though.
Maybe but he hasnt been capped yet, from wikipedia
"Born and raised in Canada, Hoilett is also eligible to play for Jamaica through family, England and the United States. Currently he has not yet played an FIFA international which would determine to which country he would be limited. An article in the Lancashire Telegraph seems to indicate that barring a change of mind, Hoilett plans to play for Canada"
And I couldnt remember who went where on the def so i just threw them on there
I would like to see us run out a 3-3-1-3 something different from the ridged management of Bob
To answer some questions and make a few comments.
I have looked at the offside call from several angles and at best, it was a 50/50 call. You know the type. If its for you its a good call, if against, its bad.
Mexico is a strong team and they will be at home (LA) but we can and should beat them. They'll play ardito whenever they can but since the match is in Pasadena, there won't be any bags of pee. Jack, it's a great rivalry. Mexico leads the series about 40-10 but they haven't beaten the full US Nats away from Astega National Stadium in Mexico City in over 10 years. It's always a great game. Lots of jawing & pushing and they always seem to sneak around alot and cheap shot someone from behind with their purse (ardito).
Canada is very much like the US was about 20 years ago, little talent but tons of heart. If they get a lead they'll be tough.
Panama & Salvador will play hard against the yankee imperalists but won't beat us. The good thing is that both countries hate Mexico more then they do us. Costa Rico & Honduras are the usual second tier. Both can beat you but usually at home. On the road, not so much. The island teams, Jamaica, Guadalupe etc will party more then anyone else but offer little threat.
YJ, I hate to jinx us, but with the exception of Azteca Stadium, we pretty much own El Tri. If you look at our record against them over the last 20 years or so, you'll see that it's only their record in Mexico City that makes this matchup look competitive at all.
Mind you, they certainly edge us in strikers now.
Given the games we will play in the group are at home, should I expect we should win all three: Canada, Panama and Guadeloupe?
Seems not even a full strength would be required however I am not sure if I were Bradley, I would play it that way.
After watching Bob for a couple years now, I think I can safely assume he will bring his usual horses (landy, clint, jozy, boca, gooch ect al) but also add on a couple younger or unproven lads and give them a chance in the early rounds. To be honest we almost won this tournament with out B/C squad last time around so it should not be much trouble.
Quote from: HatterDon on March 12, 2011, 08:40:34 PM
YJ, I hate to jinx us, but with the exception of Azteca Stadium, we pretty much own El Tri. If you look at our record against them over the last 20 years or so, you'll see that it's only their record in Mexico City that makes this matchup look competitive at all.
Mind you, they certainly edge us in strikers now.
No jinx. I was trying to say the same thing. Truth be told, we have never beaten the Mexicans in Mexico to my knowledge but do own them everywhere else. That win in Korea was fantastic. :yay:
