SOCCER NATION!

[Force10]

Congrats to the US. I am glad to see you guys will be at the WC. It wouldn't be the same without you.

I watched the game, and agree that it was good. USA has to really watch out what they're doing in the defense, it doesn't look like you'd hold on for too long if you play like that in the WC. I hope it improves.

I hope it improves too. Bornstein had a good game for us, so he may finally be the guy to fit in at left back and get Bocanegra back over to center back. I'm comfortable with Onweyu and Bocanegra as our center backs. They are solid defenders and both can score. Hopefully Onweyu will get some time soon for AC Milan. As evidenced by Conor Casey scoring 2 goals, playing time in MLS is much better than bench time any European league. Too many of our guys (Adu, Altidore) have folllowed the cash and jumped to Europe, only to get stuck (fairly or unfairly) on the bench. They'd be better off maturing in MLS before going across the pond.

Back to our defense. For years the USA developed holding, defensive minded midfielders. That's all we had really, guys that could hold the ball then pass to whatever international player there was on his team (as it was back in the NASL days). Now we really could use a few good ones, as that's really what's hurting our defense, imho. We've had players who have momentarily shined there (Mastroeni, Klejstan), but not a more permanent option. I think Michael Bradley is the best option there right now, but he needs a little more time to improve. Hopefully he gets there soon.

 

[Force10]

The U.S. still has no idea what to do once they have the lead. When will the coaching improve?

We extended the lead in the game from 2-1 to 3-1 on the road where Honduras had not lost in something like 8 matches.

Everyone second guessed Bradley for starting Casey over Altidore. I think we should give him credit where credit is due.

Sure I think Bradley has some things to learn, but he got us to the Confed finals and now into the WC.

 

[7thSaviour]

We extended the lead in the game from 2-1 to 3-1 on the road where Honduras had not lost in something like 8 matches.

Everyone second guessed Bradley for starting Casey over Altidore. I think we should give him credit where credit is due.

Sure I think Bradley has some things to learn, but he got us to the Confed finals and now into the WC.

Exactly! Bob's doing a great job so far! I was a major Bruce Arena fanboy, too.

 

[Force10]

Exactly! Bob's doing a great job so far! I was a major Bruce Arena fanboy, too.

I had DC United season tickets for the first 5 years of MLS before I moved away from the DC area, so I'm a huge admirer of Arena as well. I have his autograph stuffed somewhere. I think it's entirely possible that he could return as the USA coach one day.

Bradley was coaching Princeton when they knocked out my alma mater, Hartwick, in the '93 quarterfinals of the NCAAs. I was at the game, a heartbreaker for us as we were having a great run.

I don't think Bradley's perfect, but I don't think he's deserved all the crap he's gotten this year.

 

[Stingray11214]

We extended the lead in the game from 2-1 to 3-1 on the road where Honduras had not lost in something like 8 matches.

Everyone second guessed Bradley for starting Casey over Altidore. I think we should give him credit where credit is due.

Sure I think Bradley has some things to learn, but he got us to the Confed finals and now into the WC.

You missed Honduras' 2nd goal. The US was caught flat footed when Honduras played hot potato in the box. The US was collapsing under Honduras' pressure. Pavon skied his PK, and they missed a couple of key shots late.

The uS needs, NEEDS to be better prepared defensively if it is ever expects to be more than an also-ran in the World Cup or any other major competition.

 

[Force10]

You missed Honduras' 2nd goal. The US was caught flat footed when Honduras played hot potato in the box. The US was collapsing under Honduras' pressure. Pavon skied his PK, and they missed a couple of key shots late.

The uS needs, NEEDS to be better prepared defensively if it is ever expects to be more than an also-ran in the World Cup or any other major competition.

I agree we need to improve our defense, no question. Give Honduras credit, they are an offensively talented team, they certainly caved under the pressure to win.

But now we've lost a starter up front. Charlie Davies got in a bad car wreck in which another passenger was killed. Bad story - he should have been in bed. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/13/AR2009101303206.html

 

[7thSaviour]

I had DC United season tickets for the first 5 years of MLS before I moved away from the DC area, so I'm a huge admirer of Arena as well. I have his autograph stuffed somewhere. I think it's entirely possible that he could return as the USA coach one day.

Bradley was coaching Princeton when they knocked out my alma mater, Hartwick, in the '93 quarterfinals of the NCAAs. I was at the game, a heartbreaker for us as we were having a great run.

I don't think Bradley's perfect, but I don't think he's deserved all the crap he's gotten this year.

Good points!
I love 2 MLS teams:
1.Chicago Fire
2. DC United

 

[7thSaviour]

I agree we need to improve our defense, no question. Give Honduras credit, they are an offensively talented team, they certainly caved under the pressure to win.

But now we've lost a starter up front. Charlie Davies got in a bad car wreck in which another passenger was killed. Bad story - he should have been in bed. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/13/AR2009101303206.html

I am glad that Charlie will eventually be OK. It's a good thing we already qualified! He has until June to heal up. He's under 25, isn't he? Apparently he had a few wild oats left to sew. I hope he's all over that now! What a tragic loss of life.

 

[Force10]

Good points!
I love 2 MLS teams:
1.Chicago Fire
2. DC United

I don't follow United as closely as I did when I lived there, but still try to keep up. I know they are barely hanging on this year and need to finish strong to get into the playoffs.

 

[Force10]

I am glad that Charlie will eventually be OK. It's a good thing we already qualified! He has until June to heal up. He's under 25, isn't he? Apparently he had a few wild oats left to sew. I hope he's all over that now! What a tragic loss of life.

Yeah, he's only 23. From what I've read, I'll be surprised if he's on the roster in June. Hopefully he can fully recover, but tragic all the way around.

 

[Stingray11214]

Yeah, he's only 23. From what I've read, I'll be surprised if he's on the roster in June. Hopefully he can fully recover, but tragic all the way around.

Charlie will be shelved from 6 to 12 months. I doubt very seriously that he will recover in time.

 

[JenniferLynn]

Davies was a passenger in a vehicle being driven by a female who previously played soccer at MDU and her former roommate from MD was in the backseat. The backseat passener was killed.

The last I heard, Davies has a couple breaks - tibula and femur; a lacerated bladder and other injuries.

Officers believe the driver may have been going somewhere between 100 - 120 mph and lost control of the car. And the team's curfew was lifted for the night due to the win.

 

[Stingray11214]

Telegram from Tegucigalpa:

Dear Senor Bornstein;

Muchos Gracias!

With love,
Seleccion Hondurenos

 

[Force10]

USA 2 CRC 2. USA did not play a great game, but score with seconds left to tie it. They were down to 10 men even with Onweyu out with an injury. Let's hope that's not serious. USA had to be distracted with the Davies car accident in their minds.

Costa Rica has to be devastated, 60 seconds from South Africa, now they face Uruguay to get in.

Honduras is in, deservedly so, with a win 1-0 at El Salvador.

 

[Force10]

Here's what you're missing... A top 10 European (...) would never play a real MEANINGFUL game against Honduras, unless a miracle happened and put them on the World Cup.

Miracles do happen!!
Sorry, AngraRules, had to remind you of this.

Cheers! Good luck in South Africa. May we not be drawn into your group! (I very highly doubt we'll score a seed.)

 

[Force10]

Telegram from Tegucigalpa:

Dear Senor Bornstein;

Muchos Gracias!

With love,
Seleccion Hondurenos

LOL. Nicely done. I don't beleive Bornstein scored that goal. It was a good one too. The Costa Rican keeper was playing great - he swatted away neary every cross, but he didn't go after that one at all. Give credit to Torres for a good corner though.

*edit Rogers took that corner

 

[Stingray11214]

LOL. Nicely done. I don't beleive Bornstein scored that goal. It was a good one too. The Costa Rican keeper was playing great - he swatted away neary every cross, but he didn't go after that one at all. Give credit to Torres for a good corner though.

*edit Rogers took that corner

It was Bornstein, out of nowhere to head it in off the CRC defender.

BTW, the CRC Keeper played well, yes. But, he was not out of his mind like Alejandro F*&^ing Gonzalez, who stood on his head against the US in 1985 at East L.A. College.

 

[7thSaviour]

I am glad that HON made it in! I don't personally like CR at all! A draw Vs. CR is OK, all things considered.

 

[7thSaviour]

Viva Uruguay! Is Diego still playing for the URU side?'

 

[Force10]

It was Bornstein, out of nowhere to head it in off the CRC defender.

BTW, the CRC Keeper played well, yes. But, he was not out of his mind like Alejandro F*&^ing Gonzalez, who stood on his head against the US in 1985 at East L.A. College.

Watching the replays on it this morning. He did come out of nowhere - perfect header down to the goal line just inside the post.
I still don't believe he scored... His next vacation should be to Honduras - they'd treat him like royalty. I read Hondurans were carrying USA flags in the streets last night.