FIFA Confederations Cup 2009 in South Africa

[erascism]

[h2]
[/h2]A little somethin' to hold us down this summer. ESPN airing all matches live.

[h2]Confederations Cup (click here for tv schedule)
[/h2][table][tr][td]Jun/14[/td] [td]South Africa - Iraq[/td] [/tr][tr][td]Jun/14[/td] [td]New Zealand - Spain[/td] [/tr][tr][td]Jun/15[/td] [td]Brazil - Egypt[/td] [/tr][tr][td]Jun/15[/td] [td]USA - Italy[/td] [/tr][tr][td]Jun/17[/td] [td]Spain - Iraq[/td] [/tr][tr][td]Jun/17[/td] [td]South Africa - New Zealand[/td] [/tr][tr][td]Jun/18[/td] [td]USA - Brazil[/td] [/tr][tr][td]Jun/18[/td] [td]Egypt - Italy[/td] [/tr][tr][td]Jun/20[/td] [td]Spain - South Africa[/td] [/tr][tr][td]Jun/20[/td] [td]Iraq - New Zealand[/td] [/tr][tr][td]Jun/21[/td] [td]Italy - Brazil[/td] [/tr][tr][td]Jun/21[/td] [td]Egypt - USA[/td] [/tr][tr][td]Jun/24[/td] [td]1A - 2B[/td] [/tr][tr][td]Jun/25[/td] [td]1B - 2A[/td] [/tr][tr][td]Jun/28[/td] [td]Confederations Cup 3rd Place[/td] [/tr][tr][td]Jun/28[/td] [td]Confederations Cup Final


[/td] [/tr][tr][td] [table][tr][td] [h2]Group A[/h2] [/td] [td] [/td] [td] [h2]Group B[/h2] [/td] [/tr][tr][td] [/td] [td]South Africa »[/td] [td] [/td] [td] [/td] [td]United States »[/td] [/tr][tr][td] [/td] [td]Iraq »[/td] [td] [/td] [td] [/td] [td]Italy »[/td] [/tr][tr][td] [/td] [td]New Zealand »[/td] [td] [/td] [td] [/td] [td]Brazil »[/td] [/tr][tr][td] [/td] [td]Spain »[/td] [td] [/td] [td] [/td] [td]Egypt »[/td] [/tr][/table][/td] [/tr][/table]

 

[fuser86]

I'm surprised ESPN is airing soccer/football a lot more now. It's finally catching on slowly but surely. About time!

Spain or Brazil are taking this most likely.

Hopefully the U.S. can pull it off and hope Egypt does well.

 

[persiafly]

So it seems that the delusion of the USNT being a world-class soccer team has officially passed? Even ESPN soccer commentators seem to admit that everythingabout the team needs to improve.

Nonetheless, Italy-US should be a good game if both teams play hard, given the stuff that carries over from their WC06 game. Other than that hopefully it'sa Spain/Brazil or Spain/Italy final and not some crap involving Egypt or Iraq.

 

[erascism]

[h2]SPAIN
[/h2]
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Jose Manuel Reina (Liverpool, England), Diego Lopez (Villarreal)

Defenders: Carles Puyol (FC Barcelona), Raul Albiol (Valencia), Arbeloa (Liverpool, England), Gerard Pique (FC Barcelona), Sergio Ramos(Real Madrid), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Joan Capdevilla (Villarreal)

Midfielders: Sergio Busquets (FC Barcelona), Santiago Cazorla (Villarreal), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal, England), Xabi Alonso (Liverpool,England), David Silva (Valencia), Juan Manuel Mata (Valencia), Xavi, (FC Barcelona), Albert Riera (Liverpool, England)

Forward: Daniel Guiza (Fenerbahce, Turkey), Fernando Llorente (Athletic de Bilbao), David Villa (Valencia), Fernando Torres (Liverpool,England)


[h2]ITALY[/h2][h2]Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Marco Amelia (Palermo), MorganDe Sanctis (Galatasaray, Turkey)[/h2]
Defenders: Fabio Cannavaro (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Gianluca Zambrotta (AC Milan), Andrea Dossena (Liverpool, England),Alessandro Gamberini (Fiorentina), Fabio Grosso (Lyon, France), Nicola Legrottaglie (Juventus), Davide Santon (Inter Milan).

Midfielders: Mauro Camoranesi (Juventus), Daniele De Rossi (AS Roma), Simone Pepe (Udinese), Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan), Gennaro Gattuso (ACMilan), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Angelo Palombo (Sampdoria).

Forwards: Alberto Gilardino (Fiorentina), Vincenzo Iaquinta (Juventus), Fabio Quagliarella (Udinese), Luca Toni (Bayern Munich, Germany),Giuseppe Rossi (Villarreal).

[h2]BRAZIL[/h2]
Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan, Italy), Gomes (Tottenham Hotspur, England), Victor (Gremio)

Defenders: Maicon (Inter Milan, Italy), Daniel Alves (FC Barcelona, Spain), Kleber (Internacional), Andre Santos (Corinthians), Juan (ASRoma, Italy), Lucio (Bayern Munich, Germany), Luisao (Benfica, Portugal)

Midfielders: Kleberson (Flamengo), Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos, Greece), Josue (Wolfsburg, Germany), Ramires (Cruzeiro), Elano(Manchester City, England), Felipe Melo (Fiorentina, Italy), Julio Baptista (AS Roma, Italy), Kaka (AC Milan, Italy)

Forwards: Alexandre Pato (AC Milan, Italy), Luis Fabiano (Sevilla, Spain), Nilmar (Internacional), Robinho (Manchester City, England)

[h2]U.S.
[/h2]
Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa, England), Tim Howard (Everton, England), Luis Robles (Kaiserslautern, Germany)

Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes, France), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Danny Califf (Midtjylland, Denmark), Jay DeMerit (Watford,England), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard Liege, Belgium), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock, Germany), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United, England), Marvell Wynne (TorontoFC)

Midfielders: Freddy Adu (AS Monaco, France), DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers, Scotland), Michael Bradley (Borussia Monchengladbach, Germany),Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Benny Feilhaber (Aarhus, Denmark), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Jose Francisco Torres (Pachuca, Mexico)

Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Xerez, Spain), Conor Casey (Colorado Rapids), Charlie Davies (Hammarby, Sweden), Clint Dempsey (Fulham, England),Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy)

 

[otis dont play that]

Ronaldinho not on the Brazil squad still baffles me. He did really well against Italy when they played in a friendly a couple months ago. He can play coachesjust need to give him a chance.

 

[amarusgear]

ESPN airing all matches live.
Props ESPN

Vamos USA, surprise me.

 

[erascism]

Originally Posted by Otis Dont Play That

Ronaldinho not on the Brazil squad still baffles me. He did really well against Italy when they played in a friendly a couple months ago. He can play coaches just need to give him a chance.

In a friendly though? They've done well in World Cup qualifying as of late. I think it's a good call. If he wants back in the NT he isgoing to have to bust his *** next season. El Fenomeno is on that track.

 

[fuser86]

US and A let's GO!!

Ronny is on track, still needs to shed off a few pounds though.

 

[jay zoe2]

It saddens me to say this but, I really see USA going down 0-3. After the last World Cup, and I what I have seen from qualifying so far, I am not impressedwith this squad.

 

[curious24]

jermaine jones on schalke will play for us...sounds good

 

[jordan201]

Spain will take this.

 

[craftsy21]

really agree with the consensus about the US... they have not looked the way I was hoping they would, in their last 4 matches.. especially disappointing ondefense, where I thought they'd at least force teams to really earn it.. But there's never a better time to turn it around than against sides likeItaly and Brazil... so hopefully they don't get completely embarrassed and come together a bit on this trip - they play so much this summer, if theydon't get it together it's going to be a brutal summer of soccer to watch.

 

[carlos tevez]

Group A is so painful...I might avoid watching all those matches...who the he/ll wants to see New Zealand, South Africa and Iraq?

Anyways...Spain and South Africa advance, so do Italy and Brazil.

Winner of Group B basically advances to the finals as they'll have a cake walk vs. NZ/SA/Iraq.

It's way too difficult to predict who wins this thing...I'm gonna go with Brazil over Italy in the finals.

Edit: The US NT aint that good. Their only winnable match is vs. Egypt.

 

[wizards23]

Spain vs Brasil final with Espana winning

 

[liljrdn]

No Ronaldhino? Not even Adriano?

 

[krispacinla]

USA had improved a lot over the last 10 to 15 years. Yeah we are not top 5 or top 10 in the world, but I know we will be there one day. We are already the bestteam in CONCACRAP Which is not saying a lot, but considering how far we come along I say that is a major accomplishment. This group we are in is going to behard, but I know we will be up to the task. BOB better play ADU and JOzzy.

LET GO USA!!!!!!

VAMOS DUROOOOOO!!!!!!!

Prove the critics wrong.

 

[jjgrt5]

VAMOS España!!!!!!! LA FURIA ROJA

 

[jay zoe2]

Originally Posted by KRISPACINLA

USA had improved a lot over the last 10 to 15 years. Yeah we are not top 5 or top 10 in the world, but I know we will be there one day.

I really don't see that happening. We have to show up against the good/great teams. Beating teams like Trinadad, Mexico, Guadaloupe 2-0, 3-0means nothing if two weeks later we get punished 3-1 by Costa Rica. The CONCACRAP is are biggest problem. We play a bunch of third world cupcakes to qualifyso, but the time we get to the Cup and start playing real teams; it's a WRAP for us.

I tried/try to be optomistic, but it's like are guys are completely lost out there at times. I almost threw up watching the Costa Rica game due to thefact that their forwards were running circles around our defenders. Dudes playing like they have cement shoes on.

 

[erascism]

I dunno... I think USMNT have a chance at getting at least a draw versus Italy. Look at their roster, Lippi chose his usual suspects plus some players who probably won't be in the starting XI. Gattuso? Cannavaro? These guys are turtles now. I doubt he'll start Rossi. It'sgonna be the same starting XI that got embarassed at Euro 08.
So USMNT does have the younger legs and can use that to their advantage.

 

[airjordanseattle23]

cant wait to watch this

 

[trelvis tha thrilla]

U.S. is about to get worked in their group.

Look forward to watching all the games though. Glad ESPN is airing them

 

[socluis90]

I hope yal eat your words Monday when the US outplays Italy. Yes I'm still mad about 2006.

 

[airjordanseattle23]

whens the tourny start..sunday? some of the stadiums being built for the wc are looking nice and are actually ahead of schedule. greenpoint and soccercity akafnb are going to be amazing.

 

[rothypejc]

Originally Posted by jay zoe2

Originally Posted by KRISPACINLA

USA had improved a lot over the last 10 to 15 years. Yeah we are not top 5 or top 10 in the world, but I know we will be there one day.

I really don't see that happening. We have to show up against the good/great teams. Beating teams like Trinadad, Mexico, Guadaloupe 2-0, 3-0 means nothing if two weeks later we get punished 3-1 by Costa Rica. The CONCACRAP is are biggest problem. We play a bunch of third world cupcakes to qualify so, but the time we get to the Cup and start playing real teams; it's a WRAP for us.

I tried/try to be optomistic, but it's like are guys are completely lost out there at times. I almost threw up watching the Costa Rica game due to the fact that their forwards were running circles around our defenders. Dudes playing like they have cement shoes on.

The US defense was awful in the Costa Rica game partly because Bob started Beasley (in only his 2nd? start at left back ever) and Wynne (in only his 3rd? capoverall). Spector and Bornstein (the starters vs. Honduras) would've been better choices but Bob chose to experiment and it turned out to be a massivefailure. Adding Jermaine Jones (#4 rated mid in the Bundesliga, yes I know ratings don't mean everything) should help the defense in the future.
Biggest problem with the US in my opinion is that Bob Bradley doesn't have what it takes to take the team to the next level tactically. The US needs aSouth American or Euro coach in there but USSF is afraid of coaches who want a lot of control. Maybe they will bring in someone after the World Cup but I'mnot holding my breath.

 

[krispacinla]

Originally Posted by rothypejc

Originally Posted by jay zoe2

Originally Posted by KRISPACINLA

USA had improved a lot over the last 10 to 15 years. Yeah we are not top 5 or top 10 in the world, but I know we will be there one day.

I really don't see that happening. We have to show up against the good/great teams. Beating teams like Trinadad, Mexico, Guadaloupe 2-0, 3-0 means nothing if two weeks later we get punished 3-1 by Costa Rica. The CONCACRAP is are biggest problem. We play a bunch of third world cupcakes to qualify so, but the time we get to the Cup and start playing real teams; it's a WRAP for us.

I tried/try to be optomistic, but it's like are guys are completely lost out there at times. I almost threw up watching the Costa Rica game due to the fact that their forwards were running circles around our defenders. Dudes playing like they have cement shoes on.

The US defense was awful in the Costa Rica game partly because Bob started Beasley (in only his 2nd? start at left back ever) and Wynne (in only his 3rd? cap overall). Spector and Bornstein (the starters vs. Honduras) would've been better choices but Bob chose to experiment and it turned out to be a massive failure. Biggest problem with the US in my opinion is that Bob Bradley doesn't have what it takes to take the team to the next level tactically. The US needs a South American or Euro coach in there but USSF is afraid of coaches who want a lot of control. Maybe they will bring in someone after the World Cup but I'm not holding my breath.

True dat. I am not totally unhappy with the job BOB is doing right now, but my choice when ARENA left was Klinsmann. Since he lives in NewportBeach I was thinking he was a given , but USSF picked Bradley. We need a Euro or South American coach ala BORA that can let some players play like ADU andJozzy. Let them do their thing. BOB does not use those guys to their capabilities specially ADU. Dude got God given talent, but he never plays. Now I know thathe does start clubwise but he got that talent to take on defenders unlike anyone else on out team. Jermaine Jones coming to the team will be a huge boost.Torres is another player that need to be on field at all times along with the likes of Donovan and Goch. This tournament will be a measuring stick of where westand on the world stage. ITALY BRASIL AND EGYPT who people think is weak, but is one of the top 5 national teams in CAF. Cant wait for Monday. I want to seeus prove the world that we gotten better in FUTBOL DAMMIT!!

USA!