**Official USMNT Soccer Thread**

[dlo13]

Agudelo, Jozy, and Dempsey getting hacked every time we get forward. Have to do something off a set piece.

Edu hasn't showed, I'd sub in Diskerud just to see if he can do anything. Maybe try Lichaj or Spector at LB.

 

[ham city]

Loving the Lichaj/Chandler RB/RM combo.

 

[Deleted member 38182]

This is some bull %!+*. 7 minutes huh

 

[ham city]

So what is that, 10/11 matches in a row we haven't lead in regulation? We've got to find a way to turn possession into goals.

 

[nawlinsjunkie]

 @ Dempsey's attempt

@ that attempt at the end. how the hell does nobody kick the ball in? 5 dudes in front of the GK after the ball rebounds off him....

 

[demps]

looks like Agudelo is the number 1 forward on the depth chart now.

 

[cool hand Luka]

What was bad was that it wasn't that we didn't score, we weren't really even close to scoring.
Can't believe how strong Chandler is for his age, showed a lot at RM also.

Dempsey was really a disappointment for me today, and I'm a huge fan of his.
Donovans service could have been better, he had plenty of opportunities.

Was disappointed that either Agudelo's or Altidore didn't draw a penalty on their respective
chances, Altidore basically got an arm around his neck and pulled down and the ref didn't
even think about it

 

[Deleted member 38182]

Not sure how to feel after this game..... #FeelsBadMan

 

[imasoleman18]

didnt get to watch, saw the score, how was it?

 

[demps]

^
paraguay had only 2 scoring opportunities, the goal and a long range shot that hit post.

other than that, The US dominated the game..we just couldnt score.

 

[prurientsole]

Originally Posted by hpscots0906

Dempsey was really a disappointment for me today

I'm getting a little tired of his wild misses and his bug-eyed looks at the ref every time he goes to ground.

Bradley looks really, really good, and Jermaine Jones looks more awful every time I watch him.

There's no reason why Bornstein should see the pitch again.  Ever.

Does anyone else think that Timmy Chandler looks like the lovechild of Joleon Lescott and Vincent Kompany?

 

[mauriciogarcia]

"Does anyone else think that Timmy Chandler looks like the lovechild of Joleon Lescott and Vincent Kompany?"

i am seriously fed up withbornstein. i just wish some narcos will just kidnap this guy overthere in monterey. he also makes the red jersey look less appealing to purchase.

 

[cool hand Luka]

Originally Posted by PrurientSole

Originally Posted by hpscots0906

Dempsey was really a disappointment for me today

I'm getting a little tired of his wild misses and his bug-eyed looks at the ref every time he goes to ground.

Bradley looks really, really good, and Jermaine Jones looks more awful every time I watch him.

There's no reason why Bornstein should see the pitch again.  Ever.

Does anyone else think that Timmy Chandler looks like the lovechild of Joleon Lescott and Vincent Kompany?

Only thing I can possibly say about Dempsey is that in the 4-4-2 the US started in
his role was completely different than what it has been all year at Fulham, he was
running around like a chicken with its head cut off and taking just awful shots.
Hopefully with more training with the US side before the Gold Cup he can adjust
to a more disciplined role for the US compared to his almost rover striker role for
Fulham 

 

[ham city]

Got to re-watch the 2nd half this morning and overall I'm satisfied with yesterdays performance despite the disappointing scoreline.

I actually thought we moved the ball really well on the ground. Ream, Agudelo, Bradley, Dempsey, and even Jones in the 2nd were a big part of that. Bornstein was terrible, didn't think Landon played all that well either.

I LOVE how interchangeable and dynamic Lichaj and Chandler are when paired on the right flank together. I wouldn't be mad at all to see Agudelo paired with Dempsey in his Fulham role up top like in the second half, with Chandler on the right wing and Landon out wide left as a feature part of our starting XI moving forward, relegating Altidore to the bench (still a huge fan and by no means giving up on him).

Agudelo is going to be a special, special player. Chandler is going to be very good at the international level too.

What really worries me is we're just not dangerous at all in the attacking third. We have difficulty connecting in tight spaces, and it gets worse the closer we get to goal. The ability to deliver good service into the box from open play is limited to one or two individuals. We routinely run out of ideas and we're borderline immune to putting away chances. Agudelo is definitely part of the answer and even though I thought Kljestan actually looked good in his brief minutes I still would have preferred to see what Mikkel Diskerud could have done in that situation.

I might be the only one but I'm absolutely fine with Dempsey's antics. He and Agudelo provide the only bit of unpredictability in our attack. He was also getting hacked to pieces last night (Agudelo and Altidore too).

 

[ham city]

I really think right now this is our strongest squad:

----------Agudelo------------------
-------------------Dempsey--------
Donvan----Bradley------Chandler
-------------Jones------------------
Boca--Ream--Onyewu/Edu--Cherundolo
------------Howard----------------

If Stu was healthy he would take Mikey's place. Right now I think Jones is the fairly superior player but I don't have a problem replacing him with Mikey.

Altidore, Demerit, Mix/Kljestan, Spector/Feilhaber/Torres, Lichaj, Hahnemann/Yelldell on the bench.

After GC we should continue to bring the young talent along and figure out if we're gonna stick with or move away from some of these long time fringe players.

 

[demps]

Your lineup was almost the exact same thing i was going to post earlier but i got high and lazy.

Only change I would make is add Goodson next to Ream, I dont feel comfortable with Gooch and Edu is kind of small.

 

[ham city]

Yea I should definitely have Goodson on there. We need someone like him with serious physical presence paired with Ream. I'm very low on Gooch right now after he basically played kickball all game against Argentina.

 

[smokey1212]

Goodson instead of Gooch is the smart move. Gooch is incredibly suspect,and I think terribly overrated.

I like that lineup though. However, I can't help but feel that moving Jones to the bench, dropping Bradley back and and starting Holden in the middle would dramatically improve this team. Frustrating that that's not an option now. I hate you Jonny Evans.

A couple notes after re-watching:

- At his young age Ream is already the best at creating opportunities from the D.
- Agudelo is excellent at slowing down play and waiting for support when it's necesary. Unlike Altidore.
- Chandler's crosses are on point given the opportunity.
- After the GC if Altidore doesn't show out, it may be time to see Agu paired with Davies or Bunbury
- Demerit is a solid CB substitute.
- Demps needs to be closer to goal to be effective.
- Jones makes a LOT of mental mistakes.
- Howard is an awesome goalie.
- Landon just had a poor game.

 

[deepinthajeep]

Here's my idea. Keep Chandler/Dolo and Lichaj on as RB/LB, them move Jones back to CB to pair w/ Ream. That way, all 4 players at the back have some offensive prowess.

Johnny Borstein needs to never see the pitch again for the USMNT. Time to send him to Convey-land. Spector needs to go. Gooch and Los need to be moved to the bench.

Jozy needs to be moved to the pine too, and Clint needs to be paired upfront w/ Juan.

As much as he pisses me off sometimes, MB is still our mid (sans Holden). Edu kinda struggled at times so I'd like to see MB matched up w/ Benny or Mix possibly.

I'm glad BB scratched that 5 midfield ridiculousness - I never wanna see that again. Can't wait for Spain in June.


--------------Howard-----------
Lichaj---Jones---Ream---Chandler/Dolo
Benny----MB----Edu----Landon
------Dempsey---Agudelo-------


Landon needs to step up, he was damn near invisible for 150 minutes in 2 matches.

 

[ham city]

I really like the idea of Jones at CB but I have to admit I'd be nervous as *%$*. He's so clumsy and reckless.

 

[demps]

my lineup:

-----------Agudelo---------
----------------------Dempsey---------
Donovan-------------------------Chandler
-----------------------Bradley------------
------------Jones--------------------------
?--------------------------------------Dolo
------------Ream------Goodson------
-------------------Howard----------------

Im having trouble on lb.
Boca- Slow as %#+#, no composure on the ball, 0 offensive game plus hes slow...that Capt. armband is whats saving him for me.
Bornstein- gets caught ballwatching... I did notice that he now at least challenges the ball in the air now.
Convey- no way in hell does he get an invite.
After these 3, how many left footed defensive players do we have that can make the jump to international without needing time?
I wouldnt be mad if Zach Lloyd made the team as long as he is also playing regularly.

we would of had left back covered if only Miguel Angel Ponce didnt play for Chivas.

I think it said alot when Bob took out Jozy instead of Agudelo.

 

[dlo13]

It was a friendly. Jozy had played every minute vs ARG/PAR up to that point. We hadn't yet seen Agudelo go a full 90 for the USMNT...I wouldn't read too much in to it.

 

[imasoleman18]

SWAG!

 

[smokey1212]

Originally Posted by Demps

my lineup:

-----------Agudelo---------
----------------------Dempsey---------
Donovan-------------------------Chandler
-----------------------Bradley------------
------------Jones--------------------------
?--------------------------------------Dolo
------------Ream------Goodson------
-------------------Howard----------------

Im having trouble on lb.
Boca- Slow as %#+#, no composure on the ball, 0 offensive game plus hes slow...that Capt. armband is whats saving him for me.
Bornstein- gets caught ballwatching... I did notice that he now at least challenges the ball in the air now.
Convey- no way in hell does he get an invite.
After these 3, how many left footed defensive players do we have that can make the jump to international without needing time?
I wouldnt be mad if Zach Lloyd made the team as long as he is also playing regularly.

we would of had left back covered if only Miguel Angel Ponce didnt play for Chivas.

I think it said alot when Bob took out Jozy instead of Agudelo.

Lichaj?

 

[deepinthajeep]

Originally Posted by HAM CITY

I really like the idea of Jones at CB but I have to admit I'd be nervous as *%$*. He's so clumsy and reckless.

This is true.