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The SBI Podcast: Episode 20 (Breaking down USMNT qualifiers and MLS Week 4)

Clint Dempsey

 

Photo by ISIPhotos.com

By IVES GALARCEP

With the snow-covered USMNT win over Costa Rica in the books, and a looming World Cup qualifying showdown vs. Mexico on Tuesday, Episode 20 of the SBI Podcast takes a look back at Friday’s victory and ahead to an exciting match-up against their arch-rivals from South of the Border.

Co-host Garrett and I look back to the SnowClasico, including which players impressed, and we look ahead to Tuesday and which players Jurgen Klinsmann could turn to as he attempts to lead the U.S. team to their first World Cup qualifying win in Mexico.

MLS didn’t take a break last weekend, and we also take time to look at the teams who impressed, and those who continue to surprise like Montreal, Chivas USA and FC Dallas.

Give the show a listen after the jump:

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/84866219″ params=”color=0700ff&auto_play=false&show_artwork=true” width=”100%” height=’166′ iframe=”true” /]

What do you think of the show? Agree with our lineup projections against Mexico? Who impressed you in Friday’s snow storm?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Landon Donovan is a (*&$(*&$*(#&@$#.

    How dare you come back and go to the White House with the Galaxy in uniform while your teammates are flying into hell.

    Reply
  2. Lots of talk about how San Jose is missing their two outside backs and a couple forwards (even though they still have Wondo), but, with the exception of Morrow, they’ve had to deal with that all preseason and all season. You glossed over RSL as missing “several” starters, but the truth is, they were missing 7 of 11 starters. They were missing GK Rimando (who never would have made that mistake with the ball at his feet that resulted in the second goal), LB Chris Wingert (injured), RB Tony Beltran (US callup), DM and (C) Kyle Beckerman (US callup), RM Valesquez (injured), AM Javier Morales (injured), and ST Alvaro Saborio (CR callup). The only first 11 who were on the field were Borchers, Schuler, Gil, and Findley. Not to mention it was CB Nat Borchers first game back from injury, and his usual starting foil, Chris Schuler, had to shift over to LB to fill in for Chris Wingert. Also, only two of those injuries (Wingert and Morales) have been since the start of the season, which means they had to change 5 players on the trot for one game. Not to mention their two starting forwards for this game, Robbie Findley and Joao Plata, weren’t on the roster until the off-season. So in summary, they only had 4 of their first choice starters, one of those was playing his first game back from injury all season, one was played out of position, and one who is readjusting to MLS from not playing in England. So they only had 1 player (Luis Gil) playing in his natural position who has had a full preseason with the team. They are still professionals and should still pull out a result, but if you are going to make excuses for SJ, make the same excuses for RSL.

    Reply
    • Not true! Luis Gil spent a lot of the preseason with the U-21 team, so RSL really hasnt had a good chnce to gel in many areas. I’ll take getting all they woes out of the way now, while they are on the road and early in the season. It will be a great summer when everyone is healthly, on the same page, and playing at home.

      Reply
  3. OT. Studio 90 from Mexico is on the official US Soccer site. Your chance to view a rarity – Beckerman scoring a goal at the 0:48 mark. Other than that, nothing unusual (which is perhaps why Ives didnt post it). I hope we get the result tonight.

    Reply
  4. This USA-Mex game has all the makings of a classic:

    – Mexican has yet to earn 3 points in WCQ
    – Our last trip to the Azteca was a huge win (friendly or not)
    – Both teams are injured, even if Mexicos injury is to their ego.
    – Over 100k will be in the stadium
    – Guys will have a chance to solidify a role in this US team

    Probably a good chance this game ends with at least one team playing with 10 men and about 25 minutes of stoppage time. Cannnot wait!

    Reply
  5. A thought, an observation and one complaint –

    Deuce seems to play better when Jozy is on the pitch. The replay with graphics showing the CR players crashing down of Jozy, leaving Deuce open on the deflection was a great example of this.

    JJ either slid or slipped, he was on the ground when the CR player landed with his full weight with a spike between JJ’s shinguard and boot tongue. It was a very unfortunate incident, but calling it a “studs up” play is inflammatory and incorrect.

    Garrett, thanks for bringing the chill to Big D. Only thing keeping it from snowing is that Easter Sunday is still some days away.

    Reply
  6. Not related to the podcast, but I am watching the Russia and Brazil game. Russia has the right idea with defense first and counter attack. I hope the USA plays similar against Mexico.

    Thanks for the podcasts…love to pick up intel.

    Reply
      • ah, say word. I never had their fourth album. Anyway, if you wanna peep some mind-blowing Mobb Deep ish, google “Mario Deep”: all Mobb Deep lyrics over beats that sample Mario Brothers. Crazy!

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