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designated players
house of cards
USA 1 Italy 1
Not exactly the way I would have drawn it up, but I guess I’ll take it. Now we reload and do it again against Ghana.
People were calling this the biggest game in the history of U.S. Soccer, and now the Ghana game will be the biggest game in the history of U.S. Soccer; or was that only because we played so horribly that this game was so important? From here on out, is every game we play the biggest game in the history of U.S. Soccer? It’s a game. One game. Nothing that happens in the next month defines or detracts from U.S. Soccer. Not even winning the damn thing would do that.
Yes, we played horrible against the Czechs and redeemed ourselves against Italy. While technically we didn’t score (it’s time once and for all to replace McBride with Eddie Johnson, who I am now fully convinced gives us the best chances to create something up front), our defense was great, subtract a small lapse by Eddie Pope. People, writers, journalists, fans, went on and on about how Italy is one of the best teams. They didn’t look like it today.
So no more talk about laughing stock this, second-tier team that. The fact remains we can play against the best, even if our players aren’t. What, you’re telling me Ghana has the best players? This tournament, and all sports really, has more to do with not making mistakes than with making plays. The Czech game was one big mistake (did you ever notice we have the hardest time against teams that play our game - tough defense, down the outside and then across to big athletic strikers?). We seem to play much better against smaller teams who like to build from the midfield.
Today, we looked like an entirely different team, respect salvaged. Now we move on. The way I figure it, a two-goal win is what we need against Ghana. Yes, it is asking a lot, but we can do it; it would help if EJ played. Have I mentioned that?
Oh, and that point about not making mistakes. Well, teamwork, a little luck, and a decent referee doesn’t hurt either. Between the ref and the number of Italians taking dives or getting carted off (to only pop right back up and return), I’m surprised we had as many as nine out there. That, and I’m amazed the game ever ended. I think the players would agree. In the last ten minutes barely anyone from either team wanted to run.
Just some immediate thoughts I thought I’d get off my chest. More to come tomorrow as my formerly despondent correspondents check in from Germany, hopefully a bit more cheery than last we spoke.
ray the soccer nut
on Jun 17th, 2006 - 7:23pm
so true - i was on the edge of my seat, then fell off when the tagged Pope. that ref sucked. luck and a good ref indeed.
Jason
on Jun 17th, 2006 - 9:27pm
anyone think Deuce might be ready for a jump abroad? before this game i never had much confidence in him, but seeing him work the italians showed that he might have the confidence needed. now he just needs to learn to track back better
Sean
on Jun 18th, 2006 - 2:13am
Dempsey looked good today. He gave the team so confidence and I think that is what they needed more than anything else after the Czech game. I have to believe some team will give him a shot overseas.
Am I the only one sick of seeing Beasley unable to take someone on with the ball? The guy may be fast but everytime he gets near a defender his feet are glued to the pitch. Arena puts him on for some pace and energy (or else why sub Dempsey) and he looks just as spent as the guys playing the entire game.
McBride plays his heart out for the team, you can’t help but like him, but I kept expecting to see Eddie Johnson in the second half. I’m hoping he gets in against Ghana, but still think McBride should start. We tried to play that 4-5-1 with EJ against Mexico in qualifying and it didn’t work. He just wasn’t the same target player that McBride is. I do think he adds another dimension to the team off the bench.
Jonathan
on Jun 18th, 2006 - 5:26am
I’m with you. Eddie needs to get playing time out there. Give McBride the rest against Ghana and have EJ and Damarcus set the pace against them throughout the match. I was in Winchester England watching the match, though, and a few ex-pats in the pub watching with me were absolutely bashing Landon Donovan throughout the match. Was he really THAT bad? I remember seeing him outmaneuvering a few defenders on the wing here and there and setting up some plays. He just needs to take more shots from outside the box than he has been. There’s something to be said for his teamwork mentality, but what we NEED are some goals on the scoreboard.
Vicious game though. I have very little respect for that Italian team after the match and if I were in the Azzuri fan group, I’d be absolutely ashamed of that team. It’s a shame they have to go through to the knockout stage.
James
on Jun 18th, 2006 - 8:31am
After that match I was full of a mix of emotions.
I was ticked at both the Pablo red card, as well as the offside call on the DMB goal.
IF McBride touched that shot, then it was the right call. However, if the ruling was that McBride inhibited Buffon’s vision, then that is a crock. Buffon wasn’t late to react to the shot. It was just a great shot by DMB that Buffon had no chance on.
I was also wondering why Eddie wasn’t brought into the match during the last 10 minutes when the legs were hardly moving. Heck, I was thinking that EJ for Reyna would have been a heck of a move in that spot.
But, they did live to fight another day. I just wish that their fate was entirely in their hands.
Plus, when does the potential match fixing investigation start? I mean, we have a ref that was suspended in 2002 for doing some not so legal stuff and then you have the Juventus investigation that Buffon is part of…………..
PS,
Adam,
Thanks for coming on the show yesterday.
nyonyo
on Jun 18th, 2006 - 10:03am
Wow!!! first i’d like to comment that the game between US and Italy was very hot,i meant literally with the cards as you know.. But then again i’ve seen something more then just that,although it was just lucks or maybe more,but i did see a better efforts from the US team which i didn’t see it when they play against Czechs,i wondered “geess,at last..where the hell you’ve been???”
it’s a good struggling play that the US team has shown,and i’d really hope to see more on the game against Ghana… all US soccer fans does too…
Come on guys, it’s just need two nil through to the second round,keep it up.. Nice play..
Karam
on Jun 19th, 2006 - 12:54am
I would also like to remind the people that watched this game that a goal was taken away from Italy due offside that was questionable as well. To be honest, it really did look like it was fair by looking at the replays.
Also, no matter how many fouls were given and under what circumstance, this game was played in a more than usual rough matter. Do not blame the ref who tried to control this match. Blame the players who were dumb enough to keep fouling. That means Di Rossi, Mastroeni and yes, Pope. After the 2nd red, tell me how many fouls were committed compared to before it?
I truly believe this game was one of worst displays of soccer I’ve seen in a long time. It is not unusual to have a weaker team play dirty in soccer to beat a better team (Just ask Carlos Alberto Parreira). This is what happened in this game and yes, US got the result they wanted. Let us not kid ourselves.
**Don’t blame the refs for what happened**
And people whining about dives is getting riduculas. Just because Italians were known for diving does not mean it is true for every game/foul. I hate the fact people can say this about the Italians thinking it’s always true and not expect an argument back. The US had almost 20 fouls by half… Most teams do not commit 20 fouls in a game. I am sure all 4 refs(1 watching game replys on the sideline) at half discussed this situation together and decided that more had to be done to stop the fouls. So don’t wonder why the US received 2 reds (1 quickly after half).
Finally, I would like to add this is in no way to take away from what the US did. This is constructive criticism. If the US intends to win the next match against Ghana, they will need to bring their best foot forward and learn from their mistakes. Forget the rough stuff - that is not football.
-peace
Kyle
on Jun 19th, 2006 - 11:48am
Worst displays of soccer?
perhaps you missed brazil play croatia or Saudi v. tunisia
From everyone I’ve talked to it was the best game of the tournament. I’ve watched every game and I’d have to agree. As for the red cards: intentionally splitting open a guy’s face with your elbow gets a straight red. a late slide tackle does not, and pope clearly got a piece of the ball on his 2nd tackle.
It isn’t hard to accumulate 20 fouls when you play a team that falls down if look at them sideways. If anything the italians were lucky to walk away with a draw. They were outplayed and there is very little room for argument.
garth
on Jun 19th, 2006 - 2:58pm
If you want to see the US fall apart, replace McBride with Eddie Johnson. McBride is a target player. Johnson is not. Without McBride we will be chasing the game.
Against Italy, the choice was EJ or Beasley; both was never an option. McBride had to stay on for set-pieces.
Brandon Edwards
on Jun 20th, 2006 - 10:38am
Just my commentary….
About Eddie Johnson, yes, we need to put him in the lineup, but not at the cost of losing McBride, one of the best winners in the air. Move to a 4-4-2, or something. My question is, why, in the last 15 minutes, when we looked tired as can be, didn’t we use our third sub and put Johnson in? I was very disappointed in Arena’s judgment throughout the game. I also didn’t think that the Beasley for Dempsey substitution was a smart one. Dempsey played a spectacular game, and taking him out was an unwise decision.
The offside call on McBride was definitely a good call, though some of Larrionda’s other calls were awful. Mastroeni’s red card was legit, since the new rule is that any tackle that endangers the safety of the players must be considered serious foul play, and therefore worthy of a red card. Pope’s second yellow was garbage, though, since Pope did end up getting ball somewhere in the tackle. Overall, his performance was poor, but not the worst so far in the cup; that award belongs to whoever did the Netherlands/Ivory Coast game.
cj
on Jun 20th, 2006 - 12:39pm
Eddie Johnson looked relatively great against the Czech Republic. I was surprised to see him not subed. I’m sure he would have done great. Convey looked bad. I can’t believe Arena praised him before the Italian game. Were we watching the same game? The game where Convey put up like 20 horrible cross-passes?
I so sick and tired of the cheating players on all the euro-latin teams–rolling around on the ground, their faces twisted in feigned agony. It’s disgusting, pussy cheating. Why haven’t we seen more cards for these players that lose the ability to stand when an advantage is to be had.
Ever notice that these same players suddenly get an super-human sense of balance when the ball is available for an high-percentage shot on goal? But at midfield and in traffic in the box they become like a pencil balanced on it’s tip. They should use replay at the half to card these pussy cheaters. If you fake it, then you’re a pussy, and your team deserves to play a man down. Why can’t they do that?
Also, I would suggest that FIFA introduce a card that is between yellow and red. Players getting thrown out for a game and a half is a punishment which in many cases doesn’t match the offense. Yellow cards can seem inconsequential. I suggest an orange card. It would make your team play a man down for a half. Or something like that. Any better ideas on those lines?
nyonyo
on Jun 21st, 2006 - 7:57am
in soccer, you stop your opponent ball possession by tackle the ball not the legs,if the foul is committed then there is a consequential reaction,a punishment in order to stand the rules,let’s stop playing hurts your opponent and start playing sportive,there’s a far difference betwen playing rough and playing dirty… and about the euro-latin teams–rolling around on the ground with their faces twisted in feigned agony,it’s part of the game,how you play to counter their sneaky play they did,i’ve seen a lot tackles from US with their match agains Italy that is not a good tackling,slashed the legs…by that case those was fairly enough brandished with equal punishment…
J.McBride
on Jun 21st, 2006 - 10:40pm
Hey no offense to Beasley or anything but i’d take Dempsey over beasley anyday and Landon Donovan’s needs to start playing well to get us going
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