Who else is starting to develop World Cup fever??
I can't believe it's really almost here.
Who else is starting to develop World Cup fever??
I can't believe it's really almost here.
About freaking time we finished off that last thread.
My only concern for the US team is the defense, Onyewu has to recover quickly, and then there's either Spector and Bocanegra or Bocanegra and DeMerrit in some order. None have looked particularly convincing for a long time.
Never thought it would be the defense that had me worried last summer.
Concerned that Onyewu was gassed after an hour last night and wasn't that great when he wasn't gassed. They'll need him in full fitness, especially against England.
"The players make the manager, it's never the other way." - Sparky Anderson
I really don't know what to make of our defense.
I know I don't want Boca on the outside... thing is, I don't really want him starting at CB, either...
I know BB is going to play him, however, and I guess I'd rather have him in the middle than outside...
We are shaky at the back for sure. I still think this is the strongest all-around squad we've sent to the World Cup. I'm hoping for a nice, deep run.
We are in trouble at outside back, I'm afraid.
Could be the achilles heel of this squad.
WHAT A GOAL BY JOZY!!!!
I love that kid.
LD right in the middle of things as usual.
If it weren't so close to the WC, I'd almost be interested in Beasley at LB again.
I think Cherundolo will be okay at RB, but Bocanegra is going to need someone fast on the left to be able to track back. In my ideal lineup, I'd have Holden on the RW and Donovan on the LW but I don't want Landon having to spend so much extra energy tracking back on defense.
Much better job by everyone in 2nd half. Really like what torres and findley brought to table today. Gonna need alot more of that in a couple weeks! Glad Jozy was able to get some confidence back with an easy goal
Great touch and finish by Clint on his goal.
Bornstein is godawful. If he's playing, we're in trouble.
Turkey is a damn good side. I'm definitely encouraged by what I saw today. Just worried about LB.
Well he certainly can't complain about a lack of chances.
I'm thinking this will be the starting line up.
Altidore-Dempsey
Donovan - Edu - Bradley - Holden
Bocanegra -DeMerit-Onyewu - Cherundolo
But I'm betting if the US can get a lead(especially against England) then Beasley will come in for Holden or Dempsey pretty quickly.
Than you'd have:
Altidore - Donovan/Dempsey
Beasley - Edu - Bradley - Holden/Donovan
Bocanegra - DeMerit - Onyewu - Cherundolo
This would allow you to have Beasley track back and protect Bocanegra,(and allow Bocanegra to move further inside, basically 3 Central Defenders, and allow the US to protect a lead.
For the life of me I'll never understand why FIFA feels it must change the ball before major competitions. It'd be like if Bud Selig introduced a slightly larger baseball before the World Series, or the NFL used a rugby ball in the Super Bowl.
Pazzini: 'World Cup ball a disaster'
Saturday 29 May, 2010
Giampaolo Pazzini has joined goalkeeper Julio Cesar in complaining about the World Cup ball. “It’s a disaster.”
Inter and Brazil shot-stopper Julio Cesar moaned that the new Jabulani sphere for the tournament in South Africa was “terrible, horrible. It's like one of those balls you buy in the supermarket.”
Now Italy striker Pazzini has joined the chorus of disapproval about the Jabulani.
“The new balls are a disaster,” said the Sampdoria forward. “They always change direction mid-air.
“It’s not just a problem for the goalkeepers, but also the strikers. A cross comes in and you line up to head it, then the ball moves by half a metre and you end up missing it.”
The teams are practising with the new balls in their training camps ahead of the World Cup in South Africa.
"The players make the manager, it's never the other way." - Sparky Anderson
I'm a teacher and June 11th is the first day of my summer vacation. What a double whammy of awesomeness!
Variatio delectat - Cicero
I thought you guys might want to join a fantasy World Cup prediction. I'm really not into it but I thought it could be interesting to have one.
The Group is RedsZone
The Group ID# is 17678
The password is donovan10
Good luck!
http://us.wc.fantasysports.yahoo.com/world-cup
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