SOCCER NATION!

[Concertmusic]

Tonight's match should show how the USA squad, in their new kit straight from the movie "Victory" (think Stallone), do against a top international side.

While thumping the hapless Scots was fun, that Scottish squad would be relegated from the Bundesliga after one season - so this will be a decent test for Klinsi and his Mannschaft!

Having only had the chance to watch that match last night - I have to say "test failed". The USA attack was non-existent against an average Brasil defense, the midfield looked overmatched, the defense looked shaky as always, and the Bocanegra/Onyewu combo continue to convince me very powerfully that they are NOT the solution at center back.

To me, the Brasil squad never even needed to kick into fifth gear, and ran away with the match. Neymar appears to be the real deal - and even more convincingly than his awesome dribbling skills are his runs into space - always creating something, either for himself or someone else. Nice.

 

[Force10]

Having only had the chance to watch that match last night - I have to say "test failed". The USA attack was non-existent against an average Grasil defense, the midfield looked overmatched, the defense looked shaky as always, and the Bocanegra/Onyewu combo continue to convince me very powerfully that they are NOT the solution at center back.

To me, the Brasil squad never even needed to kick into fifth gear, and ran away with the match. Neymar appears to be the real deal - and even more convincingly than his awesome dribbling skills are his runs into space - always creating something, either for himself or someone else. Nice.

Gooch has never been the same since he injured his knee. Boca didn't have a good game, he can be better. I'm excited about Fabian Johnson at left back though.
They seemed to lack some confidence during the game for some reason. After 4 or 5 wins in a row (including at Italy), I was surprised. Perhaps Klinsman was too, saying that we need to be "nastier".

Brasil showed why they are one of the best sides in the world. There are no weak spots anywhere on the pitch. Neymar is defintely world class. They seemed to take back possession from the US at will.

 

[Concertmusic]

Gooch has never been the same since he injured his knee. Boca didn't have a good game, he can be better. I'm excited about Fabian Johnson at left back though.
They seemed to lack some confidence during the game for some reason. After 4 or 5 wins in a row (including at Italy), I was surprised. Perhaps Klinsman was too, saying that we need to be "nastier".

Brasil showed why they are one of the best sides in the world. There are no weak spots anywhere on the pitch. Neymar is defintely world class. They seemed to take back possession from the US at will.

Johnson was fun to watch - on the offensive side of the ball. Defensively he looked just as exposed as the rest - but maybe that is because his center backs had been pulled out of position, and Danilo had all the room on the world.

No question on the confidence point - at times especially the midfield, especially Bradley, looked like he simply wanted to punt the ball forward, and had no clue or desire to create much. It was an off-night for many - but if you decide to take a night off, do it against Scotland, not against Brasil.

Oh well - a good lesson as to where this team stands in the big picture. This should bring everyone back down to earth, and allow the squad to not overlook Antigua too much!

 

[ApolloFC]

I saw the game at my local club's official bar... rare for me as I never go to bars except for these kind of events. Anyway, I thought we had a good second half. We hit the post, and got rejected by lucky/good saves via hand, foot, and whatever else there was.

 

[AngraRULES]

 

[AngraRULES]

I thought we had a good second half.

Really? Then how did you go from 2-1 to 4-1?

Please... You had an awful first half and a bad second half. We're not Scotland.

 

[AngraRULES]

Having only had the chance to watch that match last night - I have to say "test failed". The USA attack was non-existent against an average Brasil defense, the midfield looked overmatched, the defense looked shaky as always, and the Bocanegra/Onyewu combo continue to convince me very powerfully that they are NOT the solution at center back.

To me, the Brasil squad never even needed to kick into fifth gear, and ran away with the match. Neymar appears to be the real deal - and even more convincingly than his awesome dribbling skills are his runs into space - always creating something, either for himself or someone else. Nice.

This. Onyewu needs to go urgently...

 

[ApolloFC]

You had an awful first half and a bad second half.

Awful first half to a bad second half - See we did improve

 

[AngraRULES]

Awful first half to a bad second half - See we did improve

LOL, touche.

 

[Stingray11214]

I would not be concerned....yet. Let's be real: Brazil's U-23 side could be a Top 3 side on its own. I would be VERY concerned if the US does not put 5-6 goals past Antigua and beat Guatemala in their place. If the defense plays like they did against Brazil in the next two games, there will be a serious bloodletting.

 

[Stingray11214]

I would not be concerned....yet. Let's be real: Brazil's U-23 side could be a Top 3 side on its own. I would be VERY concerned if the US does not put 5-6 goals past Antigua and beat Guatemala in their place. If the defense plays like they did against Brazil in the next two games, there will be a serious bloodletting.

OK, now is the time to panic. Onyewu needs to be bounced off the backline. The way Byers smoked him for A&B's first goal should convince every soccer fan and their mother that Gooch is done as far as the MNT goes. Finally, we need more of Gomez and less of Donovan being a show-off. Donovan could have easily scored two or three goals, but is too busy trying to be cute. Got news for you: If the US plays against Guatemala like they played tonight, the US will be in very serious trouble.

 

[ApolloFC]

Man i totally wanted to watch the national game tonight but I just took a well earned nap. Got a small payment, $22 for 3hrs, for recording a sax part to a track for this hip hop artist that my friend is working with and then before today been having 9 hour recording sessions with friends tuesday and thursday (with a 3hr recording class before hand) after music practice on monday for 2 1/2 hours.