2010 World Cup

[ILuvDaBush]

I've got the Dutch this year. Perhaps the best team never to have hoisted the cup. Team Oranje boasts some of the best talent in Europe.

 

As for our own prospects, I'm quite excited to see Landon in his prime on the biggest stage imagineable. His transfer to Everton may have fallen through but with a top-shelf showing by us as well as himself, he could be a top target of more than a few clubs (Spain/France come to mind). Also, what does everyone think of Michael Bradley's prospects? He's been an even bigger fixture in the XI than Howard/Donovan. This would be quite the ideal time to silence the questions of nepotism. My three players who will ultimately be the barometers of our success:

 

1). Landon.

2). Bradley.

3). Timmy! Marcus Hahnemann may be playing well, but Timmy could quite honestly be the best goalkeeper the Cherries&Berries&Cream has ever produced. Even with his questionable groin, the Mutant Striker Rooney is going to give our back line nightmares. A healthy and fit Gooch should be just the antidote to the headache, but even moreso than that, Timmy between the posts is what will help me sleep at night.

[ILuvDaBush]

Oh, and just for fun. My three picks for the Golden Boot (sans Messi. It's like taking mid-decade Tiger).

 

1). Wayne Rooney. Caveat health. But I honestly believe ManU shut him down in the hopes of bringing national pride to the Isle.

 

2). Robin Van Persie. Great for Arsene and Arsenal.

 

3). Didier Drogba. The Ivory Coast are my darkhorse for no other reason than the best striker in Africa. Chelsea's finest.

 

And yes, that does make three EPL powerhouse strikers, but I refuse to take the Tiger Flea and I really don't think Team Ronaldo is going to overcome their group.

[TooLiveBrew]

3). Didier Drogba. The Ivory Coast are my darkhorse for no other reason than the best striker in Africa. Chelsea's finest.

 

Samuel Eto'o?

[Marc Newfield of Dreams]

As for our own prospects, I'm quite excited to see Landon in his prime on the biggest stage imagineable. His transfer to Everton may have fallen through but with a top-shelf showing by us as well as himself, he could be a top target of more than a few clubs (Spain/France come to mind).

I don't know if its fair to say it "fell through." He was on a fixed loan deal, and had to come back for MLS play. He did quite well at Everton, made a lot of things happen in their midfield, and scored a few goals. They loved him on Merseyside. It wouldn't surprise me if there was a push for a transfer out there after the WC.

Also, Drogba for the Golden Boot? I fancy him more as a Gold Medal winning diver.

[davemakovec]

I remember being abroad watching that US-Germany game - the foul that drew the spot kick was a joke.

 

Anyway, I agree that Donovan and Dempsey should probably be attacking midfielders. The US's greatest success has invariable come when Donovan is free to get the ball and run forward - he's not really a holding midfielder.

 

Donovan, Altidore, and Onyewu are my keys to the US's hopes. Without good defense, even Tim Howard (who is a stud) is vulnerable, and Donovan needs to push the attacking game, with Altidore using his size, strength, and speed to create chances for himself.

[bacon06]

Group A needs to pay attention to Diego Forlan from Uruguay. All that guy does is score goals. He tore it up this year for Atletico Madrid. His goal in extra time of the Europa League final was simply magical.

[Marc Newfield of Dreams]

Group A needs to pay attention to Diego Forlan from Uruguay. All that guy does is score goals. He tore it up this year for Atletico Madrid. His goal in extra time of the Europa League final was simply magical.

Ugh, Forlan. He scored both goals of the semifinal tie, including the decisive away goal against Liverpool. Completely freaking unmarked, too.

It was a miserable enough season for Liverpool, and that crushed any and all hope for my Reds.

He's exactly the kind of goal poacher/finisher the US needs to pair up top with Altidore.

 

[Diskono]

Also, Drogba for the Golden Boot? I fancy him more as a Gold Medal winning diver.

http://derivataters.com/n197807543_40117664_3951.jpg

 

DISGRACE!

[TooLiveBrew]

Ha! Fantastic

[Marc Newfield of Dreams]

That is so good. Well done Diskono!

[ILuvDaBush]

If a Drogba falls in the box, and there's no one there to blame, does it still constitute a dive? http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[Brewtacular]

This was a pretty humorous comparison of World Cup teams to US sports teams.

http://theunlikelyfan.blogspot.com/

The Brew Crew make mention. South Korea, England, France, and Uruguay's comparison are pretty funny.

[tigerbrew]

I've just paid for the complete World Cup coverage in HD and I'm seriously thinking of taking a month's leave to watch every World Cup match and every Brewers game. That would be a dream come through if my colleagues and my wife would let me.

[Marc Newfield of Dreams]

England beats Mexico 3-1 in a friendly at Wembley. Mexico created a bunch of chances and bossed the play for a good portion of the match. England can be had at the back, their center backs looked slow, and Johnson gets caught forward on the right a bunch. The US can create opportunities with their speed, just a matter of converting them.

[tigerbrew]

I agree, England's defense is shaky and so is their goalkeeping, it's been like that for many years. I think that may be why they hired Capello, to bring the Italian style of stingy defense to England's play.

[JoeHova]

Glad to see that Jay DeMerit did end up making the final roster. I know it was assumed he would but it's still nice to see it come to fruition.

[yoshii8]

Anybody watch the US vs. Czech game last night? They lost 4-2, but didn't even suit up most of the star players. I though a few guys played well enough to earn a role in the WC.

 

I loved the way Stuart Holden played, I thought he earned a chance to get some minutes in South Africa. He played at a very fast pace, won a lot of tackles and displayed a very nice touch.

 

I liked what I saw from Maurice Edu while he played midfield, but not so much when he moved to center back. Onyeywu looked a little uncomfortable in the back, but will hopefully improve in the next 2 games before the tournament.

 

Herculez Gomez looked good up top, and both Buddle and Ching played ok too. I think the four forwards will be Altidore, Gomez, Ching and Buddle.

[TooLiveBrew]

I learned on the radio this morning that Gomez is leading the Primera División in scoring. Wouldn't he be a suitable complement to Altidore?

[chrisisoutrunning]

Watched the game last night, I don't think they played terribly, but the back line looked like a mess at times. On their first goal Gooch didn't appear to really jump on the corner, but on the replay it looked like the guy did have an arm on his shoulder, so maybe he has an excuse for not getting up to high... I'm forgetting the second goal, but on the third one of the defenders over committed and it ended up leading to an unmarked man in the box. The last was Edu not being used to center back, but I don't expect him to play there unless they are in a big pinch.

 

I'm excited to watch the game Saturday against Turkey. We'll finally be able to see what Bradley is thinking the starting 11 will look like.

 

I'm thinking Gomez will likely be a late sub if we're in need of offense. Either for Altidore, or if they pull out Gooch and slide Edu back like they did last night, and then slide Dempsey or Donovan back to the midfield.

[TooLiveBrew]

On their first goal Gooch didn't appear to really jump on the corner, but on the replay it looked like the guy did have an arm on his shoulder, so maybe he has an excuse for not getting up to high

 

He said he felt fine (interview clip was also played on the radio this a.m. -- NPR), but that the guy just jumped before him & held him down by his shoulder, like you saw.

[Paulus88]

The second goal was Pearce ball watching and getting beat to the middle of the goal.

 

I kind of liked how Gomez was playing off Ching so maybe playing both Gomez and Altidore together could work

 

I'm a little concerned about Onyewu but we'll know more after Saturday when he isn't surrounded by awful backs

[JoeHova]

I learned on the radio this morning that Gomez is leading the Primera División in scoring. Wouldn't he be a suitable complement to Altidore?

Apparently he comes off the bench for his Mexican team so Bradley is supposedly going to leave him in that role. I guess he'll be the 6th man, so to speak. It seems bizarre that a guy who has a knack for scoring would get so few minutes but perhaps he's a liability in other areas and can't be hidden for an entire game.

[bacon06]

It looked like Onweyu didn't have a good read on that ball at all because his first step was in and then tried to go back on it and by that time he was completely out of position to win the header.

 

I'm rather upset about the omission of Brian Ching. He is far from a flashy player, but he does so many things that contribute to plays. Holding up the ball to let others run off of him, coming back to win the ball, winning headers, getting fouled, etc. Robbie Findlay has done absolutely nothing in all of his stints with the national team. It makes no sense why he was rewarded with a spot on the roster.

[ILuvDaBush]

According to Grant Wahl, Ching simply lacked pace and speed. With the absence of Chuck Davies, we lacked a burner. Then again, I seriously doubt Bobby Findlay's fleet feet ever see the pitch.

[strawbossisevil]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5fYJcdEeiM&feature=player_embedded

Sportscenter commercial with Landon Donovan. This is great!