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designated players
dylan thomas, whoever he is
New York, New York. 9:55 AM
In game thoughts after the jump…
23 minutes
Reyna crumbles. Ghana walks into a goal. Maybe Wynalda was right about Claudio. He looked old, the student finally destroying the teacher.
41 (or so – in my excitement I lost the clock)
I’m riding a wave of emotions, so I’m phrasing this as a question instead of a statement… does that goes down as the greatest goal in the history of US Soccer? On the verge of facing a 1-0 deficit at half time, DaMarcus Beasley breaks loose from a clustered midfield and unselfishly finds a racing (as always) Clint Dempsey for a one touch volley. Not as much well placed as powered past the keeper, the ball the first true goal in the 2006 campaign…
45 +
An injury-time pk to slash my sails: go ahead and disregard that whole second paragraph (it was a beautiful goal – if this doesn’t work out, I will take that home as a great memory. That and the adrenaline rush from simply watching TV. I can’t remember the last time I had this feeling).
Half Time
Italy up 1-0, and playing with a one-man advantage. It seems the ball is in our court. By the way, how did we lose 3-0 to the Czech Republic? If we don’t go through to the next round, that will unfortunately be the question every U.S. fan carries with him until qualifying for 2010 begins.
Second Half
We control the ball nicely, but as is our problem, we can’t get any quality shots – or even quality chances for that matter. We have no one who can consistently create or threaten to create his own chances.
55
Add a set piece specialist to our needs.
61
Eddie Johnson in for Cherundolo. Bruce, like everyone else, knows we need to score.
61, 70, 79, 82, 87, 90, 90+
Italy 2 Czech Republic 0
How did we lose to the Czechs 3-0?
If you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything at all.
I will not go gentle into this good night. (“Rage, rage against the dying of the light”).
Epilogue (good hope)
This by no means signals a downfall or end (or whatever other negative synonym you would like to add) of American Soccer. We will be back with as much optimism in 2010 as we arrived with in Germany. It will be our best team ever, just like this one was. We will be back. Miriam Makeba’s voice and Hugh Masekela’s flugelhorn will welcome the world to Soweto. It will be beautiful.
Cape of Good Hope
SteveA
on Jun 22nd, 2006 - 1:24pm
My point proven. Reyna is horrible.
How did we loose to the Czechs? We played them first, when they were rested, and had no injuries. They wasted their energy on us and it showed in the Ghana game and left Italy wide open for their 2-0 victory.
O’Brien should have been played, the one quality playmaker we have was on the bench the whole time, leaving Beasley in that position. Donovan, sadly, was worthless this game and even had a great chance for a shot near the end that he screwed up royaly.
Frank
on Jun 22nd, 2006 - 2:03pm
and amid the mess and dissappointment that was germany 2006, a new star is born in US soccer. in the two games clint dempsey’s played in, he has shown the skill, grit and confidence that was sorely lacking among his teammates. if he had the ball instead of donovan on that last effort, he would’ve taken the defender on, maybe shoot or earn a PK. congrats to dempsey for being the lone bright spot in an otherwise dissappointing showing for the US.
Jacy
on Jun 22nd, 2006 - 2:30pm
We learned an important thing through our experience in Germany: it was truly the “new generation” of American players that were the difference makers in this tournament. Guys like EJ, Clint, and Convey pushed the pace, went straight at defenders and looked to pull the trigger wherever they could while the older guys seemed content simply holding possession, whether that was moving us backwards or stalling a counterattack.
Also, Gooch, the future of our backline got some great experience and learned some difficult lessons about officiating at a tournament like this; he also proved his ability to shut down the best the world has to offer.
In four years, with the older players who slowed us down gone, and more young bucks from our U18, U19, and U20 youth teams in the mix, I think we’ll do very very well.
In 1995 or 1996, I came across a document at Region I ODP camp that outlined US Soccer’s plan to make a HUGE impact at the 2010 tournament. A lot of has amazingly come to pass - although this is a bit of a bump in the road.
I think with a lot of young guys learning valuable lessons about the realities of the cup the last few weeks, we’ll have great leadership, an attacking style, and players who can change a game at most positions in our 2010 line-up.
Brandon
on Jun 22nd, 2006 - 2:33pm
I miss Landon Donovan..ever since the game has ended I’ve been finding myself watching highlight videos of the last world cup and other videos. In all of them Landon is doing what everyone expected of him…Does anyone know what happened to him
Joe
on Jun 22nd, 2006 - 3:20pm
I think its time to fire Bruce Arena and bring in a guy that has some new ideas to bring to this talented squad or bring a manager from a foreign country.
Clint Dempsey,Gooch,Pablo,and Convey were the best players for us in this tournament.
The only thing good we can remember from this world cup is getting a draw against Italians.
In 2010 we will be back to show the world how far American Soccer has come.
Juan
on Jun 22nd, 2006 - 4:32pm
I agree that Convey and Dempsey (maybe Keller) were some of the too-few bright spots of this team. McBride is a hard man and I’m glad he plays for us. Beasley was a big disappointment though I can’t say that Donovan’s disappearance surprised me too much. Time for a new “Face of American Soccer”?
andrew
on Jun 22nd, 2006 - 8:01pm
“Don’t tread on us,” we can’t even keep from sinking like a rock let alone tread water.
It was unbelievable to me that we could not even get a shot on goal. It looked routine for just about every country to push the ball and cross it into the middle for a chance. We did that maybe twice a game, which made it seem like a big deal.
We need a new coach and we need to to bottle Dempsey’s hip/hop/I can play with anybody attitude and give it to everybody.
It makes me sick to think I have to wait another four years, this was our chance to show our country(forget the world) that American soccer is for real and is worth watching. I just feel sorry for the sponsers that backed a team that wouldn’t even put forth effort(besides Italy)
Steve
on Jun 22nd, 2006 - 9:50pm
Arena’s penchant for “veterans” was our downfall. All the experienced players seemed to bring to this cup was fear. Dempsey, Convey and Johnson showed the desire and flair that U.S.Soccer needs to become. Dempsey just played his game and seemed to actually enjoy himself while others who have been there before forgot how to play at all. As Ghana displayed, youth and desire outweigh the value of experience.
Rusty
on Jun 22nd, 2006 - 10:19pm
As disappointing as this World Cup as a United States fan has been it has been a growing experience not only for the players but for myself as a fan.
A bean pole of a soccer player at 11 I remember being introduced, truly, to the World Cup in 98′, where I for the first time in my life I rooted for the United States, sorely disappointed of course; opting to later root for the eventual champs, France.
At a much taller and skilled 15 years old I remember 02′ where I became infatuated with the US and there thrilling run to the Quarterfinal run only to be thwarted by the mighty paw of Oliver Kahn. But this World Cup was important because for the first time I felt pride in my country in a sport the world said we could never be prideful in.
Today as a strapping college student of 19 I hold this World Cup special not because of the results the US produced, obviously, but because I believe I finally reached the point to call myself a true US soccer fan. I yelled, I screamed, I threw things, I jumped for joy, I hung my head in shame, I sighed with frustration, and I nearly came to tears with disappointment and heartache.
The point to all this, as I drove the hour I did every game to watch it among other US soccer faithfuls I saw the country that the world said would never amount to anything in the sport especially with its fan base prove the world wrong.
Moral is at its highest and optimism, looking at the comment board, is at an all time high. This was a humbling experience for the US, one that they can only go up from in 2010. Where players like Clint, EJ, Convey, Gooch, and hopefully a great batch of new youngins will show the plan that US soccer has set out to reach.
The only place we can go is up from here.
And the next step for me is a fan is to show my US soccer passion by attending the games in 2010! South Africa here I come!
Jason
on Jun 22nd, 2006 - 10:52pm
All in all, it was very disheartening. From the start against the Czech’s, we did not look prepared. We look flustered and confused - no system. I blame Arena.
When you look at some of the best, Brazil, the Dutch, the Germans - they all have a distinct system of play. I don’t see consistency with our squad as everytime we play it looks like a different team. With all of the diversity and talent we have in this country, I question our system. I know we have the talent but we just have not yet defined the American style of play. Although, I believe that we have all the right chemicals - we just need the right scientists in the lab.
andy c.
on Jun 23rd, 2006 - 12:05am
how can a player that was rated number 1 for the first several weeks of last season, in arguably the top league in the world, be labeled as horrible?
in a horrible run of form? yes.
chosing the absolute worst time to not come with his best stuff? of course.
not demonstrating the talent and ability that got him to be a regular in a solid club side in a top league? absolutely.
being a horrible player? no way!
claudio is a top class player. one of the best we have. he, and every player that stepped on the pitch in germany, didn’t bring their best. how as a professional footballer, do you get a chance to play in the biggest sporting event in the world and not bring it? we’re americans. we’re supposed to be arrogant and audacious. where was that attitude? where was that “swagger” that the espn clowns kept talking about? you have to play like no one in the world believes you can do it, except you. donovan talked about it, “the belief,” where was it? i didn’t see it! look at the pregame footage from all three matches, look at the usa players faces during the anthems, they looked scared, frightened, like men in a firing line.
reyna horrible? not even close.
this team of usa players horrible? absolutely.arena shown for lacking what it will take to direct the us to a MAJOR showing on the international stage? yes.
steve
on Jun 23rd, 2006 - 4:22am
I still cannot believe that was it! It’s over! All the waiting, the build up, the chance to show the world that U.S soccer is for real…..Gone! Game after game, just waiting and waiting for the our team to awaken and just start playing the game as we know they can. Then….Nothing! They never woke up. Maybe a little stir as they started to awake, and then….right back to sleep. It was like an arrogant kid from the J.V team thinking it was time for the big move to Varsity…so he gets his chance, the big tryout. At the tryout, the kid realizes the kids are bigger, faster and just better. The arrogance of the junior varsity player is replaced by fear. He realizes he is not ready for varsity. He is humbled. Go home kid…better luck next time! Tryouts are again in 2010, maybe you’ll be ready then.
lorenzo
on Jun 23rd, 2006 - 6:59am
One positive should come out of this, finally people will realize that Donovan is not as good as the US soccer propaganda makes him out ot be. I remember awhile ago reading posts that stated “he could play anywhere he wanted”…time to reconsider and find another “face of US soccer”
Sean
on Jun 23rd, 2006 - 2:40pm
Going into this WC I wasn’t sure what to expect from this team. It had been four years since I last saw the ‘A’ team in action. And while we consistently flexed our muscles against the Canadas, Costa Ricas, and Jamaicas of the world, we had yet to show what we could do on the biggest stage, against the biggest teams. The world was hearing that we had improved, were dangerous, that no one should want to play us, and they were unsure what to think. I was unsure what to think. I don’t think anyone doubts that the talent is improving. Gooch, Convey and Dempsey all look capable of playing in any league. There is a confidence there that American teams and fans have always lacked. A belief that maybe this isn’t some crazy foreigner’s game anymore. Just maybe we belong on the pitch.
3 games later I am still unsure what to think. With every bright spot there was 2 bad. Dempsey takes on two players and is forced to go at a third because no one is moving off the ball. EJ is unable to comfortably bring the ball down to his feet, even from simple passes. Pope never learned how to make a solid pass when he was young. Reyna is excellent at holding the ball, slowing the pace, and keeping posession, but all he does is hold the ball, slow down the pace, and keep posession. There is no striker currently on the roster that is a natural goal scorer. McBride plays solidly, is a good target man, and will always be dangerous in the air, but he can’t cross the ball to himself, and he certainly can’t score off the dribble.
I see all this and and consoled that no team in the world has 11 perfect players. Every team, every player, every country has weaknesses and strengths. And while those countries have known this for years, we as American soccer fans have only experienced the mediocre until now. The past two World Cups were the first teams we have fielded that were truly capable of playing wiht the best in the world. Korea/Japan showed how far we have come, Germany showed that the road is longer than we thought. I am hopeful that the next generation of players, the ones I grew up playing with, the ones who have known this game their entire lives, will show in South Africa that we are still moving in the right direction. The skill, the confidence and the talent are all getting there. They just aren’t there yet.
Sean Gates
on Jun 23rd, 2006 - 3:22pm
And the new face of U.S. Soccer? Clint Dempsey (Deuce). No doubt about it.
Francisco
on Jun 23rd, 2006 - 5:48pm
I think there is one thing for sure the U.S. squad arrived at Germany but they never showed up to play. Arena has some of the blame yes, but the 11 on the field are the ones we needed to show some b*lls, I guess we all just watched too many commercials and beleived all the hype. For us the fans all we have left is to wait another four years and hope that when we qualify for that world cup our players arrive whith as much enthusiasm as they showed in all of the interviews. I think for the team to improve we need a new system of play and to look for new talent as we were really lacking this go around.
One more thing with three of the four Concacaf teams now sent home do you guys think will get four spots next cup?
nyonyo
on Jun 25th, 2006 - 2:56am
overall i think that clint dempsey or damarcus beasley are better then donovan…
Christian
on Jun 25th, 2006 - 2:21pm
yea welli always thought reyna was terrible and was never the right choice to be captain america. donovan never shined and never came out the way he did in 2002, he stayed in MLS for way to long. beasley had flashes of greatness, but bruce could not have critizied him against the czechs when bruse was the one who put him on the right, johnson should have had more time and wolff should have played we were heading into this world cup in a up hill battle. injuries, coaching was not the best, the players didnt have the morale boost, its a learning experiance
Tyler
on Jun 25th, 2006 - 11:43pm
okay i was there for the first 2 games the us had and first of the only obvious performer in game one was our captain: Reyna. we got unlucky on a eddie lewis mistake with convey on the left and pope got shoved 2 create space for koller 2 head it (i laughed so hard when he got hurt). then we couldnt score and then they scored and we were done. for some reason the ways of the past were abandoned by bruce. remember the 2 striker days, 4 in the middle, with donavin up front, reyna holding midfield as the water carrie, beasley on the left(allowed 2 attack as he please run rampant) and obrien or dempsey i would assume on the right, maybe convey 2. what he was running was somethin they hav never done and so they were uncomfortable and became more worried on if they were in the right place instead of if they were runnin hard enough.
game 2: we started of so awesome, i was fired up right when the sideline judge made a wrong call on a should b corner. then pope got a non-yellow, another way 2 fire me up. but we kept lookin good. then out of no where we fall apart, immediatly i think it is over. my first reaction after that was that arena sucked. why he was still playin a lost pablo instead of obrien, and mcbride was tryin so that was good. then we got a lucky goal, never been happier. then we keep drivin it at them and the ref sucks more and b4 i know it is 10 v 10 and pablo gets a bogus red after his amazing shot that appeared 2 b a goal. second half we come out good for 30 seconds until that idiot from uraguay decides 2 hate the states again. bam, pope gone. then finally beasley comes in even after the contraversy. more dumb calls and then the guy who i was representin at the game scores, best feeling i hav had in a long time, then my buddy mcbride is in the way. then like a little girl arena quits, not the team, arena, he throws in the towel and tells them 2 back off and not try. WHY, we looked so good, donavin came alive, we looked great, minus a dyin mcbride. so why wasnt he subbed, o right, arena is mentally retarded. so why wasnt a last sub used. johnson or anyone would work, put howard out there and he can run after them, i dont care, fresh legs. all in all, arena cant carry us further and i am sorry for the team, they need a new leader. we will miss reyna, and mcbride, pope, obrien, keller..etc.
my wish now is that klinsman will come 2 town, root for a germany loss, maybe we will get an ex superstar as our coach. if he can get us 2 play an offense like the germans, we will hav at least one thing….more shots
nyonyo
on Jun 27th, 2006 - 6:08am
absolutely, the sytem needs reform, change arena with someone else that more capable on coaching, put on young potential players in the field more often…
Phil Buck
on Jun 29th, 2006 - 3:51am
Even though I’m a massive Gooner fan, I’ve been hoping that Klinsman might take over the US team. With Germany’s success that may not happen now.
joe williams
on Jul 3rd, 2006 - 12:14am
First off, american fans in Germany, at the games were freaking sweet. Powerful, proud and passionate come to mind. The support was incredible. We can recruit even more though for south africa. A wierder destination, but very doable for a passionate US soccer fan.
Now, it will be tough to convince the average US soccer fan (you know, those who watched the first game, then picked a new team to route for) the trip to South Africa will be worth it. If they could have experienced what I did there in Germany, they’d be booking their plane tickets now. So it’s up to us who journeyed to Germany to rally the fans and get them excited about US soccer in Africa 2010.
As far as the games went…well I’d rather talk about clinton. Dempsey is a freaking stud. A simple joy to watch. The swagger, the “I don’t care if you’re Italy, Brazil or Honduras’ B team” attitude, I’m taking it straight through your gate and down your throat. Too bad we didn’t have 10 clint clones out there. One of few bright spots on the pitch. Those who checked out the game on saturday between the revs and the red bulls saw clint score twice, practically with his eyes closed. He’s so good and can only get better. He’s our sales pitch for south african travel.
As far as bruce goes, he’s been a helluva good coach, but after this performance I’ve got to agree with Wynalda on espn, who literally said he hated Bruce and everything he does. OK, I won’t be that harsh, but a fresh face and new attack plans, yes we need to attack, attack and attack some more, would definitely give us results in 2010. Lead us on Captain Clint.
South Africa or Bust!!!!!
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