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USMNT vs. Azerbaijan: SBI Live Match Commentary

AzerbaijanUSALogos

By IVES GALARCEP

SAN FRANCISCO- The U.S. Men’s National Team begins their run to the 2014 World Cup with a friendly against Azerbaijan at Candlestick Park (10pm, ESPN2).

Jurgen Klinsmann will trot out his team for the first time since selection his 23-man World Cup roster. There aren’t any real surprises in his starting lineup, with Geoff Cameron partnering in central defense with Matt Besler and Alejandro Bedoya and Graham Zusi manning the wings, while Clint Dempsey joins Jozy Altidore up top in a 4-4-2.

Join SBI as we provide live commentary on tonight’s match. If you will be watching tonight’s match, please feel to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below.

Enjoy the action (Tonight’s commentary is after the jump):

Comments

  1. Am i the only american fan looking forward to russia 2018.
    I don’t want to sound negative but the only way usa wins in brazil, is by putting bradley, diskereud, johansson, dempsey and altidore up front.
    Those 5 need to get used to each other asap and play green and bedoya ob the wings. Honestly zusi sucks and bradley needs help. The backline make simple decisions and howard can put a word too.
    If usa plays an offensive lineup n strong backline, then usa will surprise all their opponents due to lack of offense from usa.
    By the way espn sucks doing, they will never learn.

    Reply
      • Another thing, klinsman is not really a coach and has no tactics or creativity. USA loves him just like me because he’s changing soccer in the states, and his real shot will be in 2018 if he makes it.
        Klinsman is more of a gulati, a top chair person overlooking at operations and he’s perfect for that in America.
        He wants to fix the American soccer pyramid from high school to to MLS but he can’t do both at the same time.
        MLS needs to get some balls and make an MLS2, NASL needs to be given a reality check and uslpro has a never ending story.
        USA needs a coach and hopefully the American soccer pyramid is fix in time for 2018.

  2. Not sure why no one is talking about the field conditions. Hard surface and a swirling wind. It’s not a complete excuse for the US’s somewhat lackluster performance, but it was certainly a factor.

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  3. May I remind everyone that the majority Azerbaijan players play in their domestic league. The Us played awful if even they did manage the win

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    • I do feel it was an uninspired performance.

      How long do we give Klinsi the benefit of the doubt? Until we go three-and-out?

      How long does the tinkering and experimentation continue?

      How many Germans can you fit on a coaching staff and team that isn’t Germany? This may be the true experiment! 🙂

      Reply
    • We didn’t ‘manage’ a win. We out played them for the whole game and scored 2 in the second half. This isn’t the first time this had happened in soccer.

      Reply
      • Been watching soccer for 40 years.

        Been watching Klinsi’s side for the past (circa) 3 years.

        I am not impressed.

      • “”Thats good for you old man. Want a treat now?””

        Yo Jayare, us “old” guys leave before the juice boxes and orange slices. Leaving them for you, now back to your mother’s basement and don’t forget your blankie.

    • They have favorites. The last few days absolutely confirmed that. People complained about Jozy losing the ball but complimented Wondo for being open and playing the ball into the keepers hand, they complain about Zusi’s wing play but forget that he would have had 2 assist if Wondo put the ball in the net. good game still

      Reply
      • Wondo just can’t lay off a ball. Jozy had some really nice touches and set ups. He also had a few bad ones but Wondo was clearly playing central striker.

        Wondo will be useful. People keep saying that Ghana won’t defend deep but thats not true. If they are a goal up with 10 min left, they will totally defend just like this.

      • Wondo had no hold up or linking plays. When outside the 6 with the ball at his feet, he’s more likely to give it away rather than do something constructive with it.

        Altidore on the other hand kept possession of the ball far more often tonight than he lost it, and put the ball and his teammates into dangerous positions. Even though he didn’t score, that’s the reason he continued to see minutes at sunderland even as a sub.

      • JayAre,

        “They have favorites.” and you don’t?

        I think Twellman did not rag on Wondo too much about the headers because as a former striker and noted header of the ball himself, he knows that Wondo did a good job just to get to those balls and he put them on target, with some power which is all you can do.

        It’s not like Wondo, as he was getting to those balls could have noted exactly where the keeper was moving and then adjusted the header low,high, left or right. That’s not how it works. On those kind of crosses its great just to get them on target.

  4. I think the wind played a part in how we looked, not something that is easy to get used to and judge how the ball will be affected.

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    • Across this across is across. Too many people are butt hurt on this website about Davis being included and can’t even admit that he actually played well tonight.

      Reply
      • Davis didn’t play well tonight. He was flopping on to the floor and giving the ball away to the other team. Not to mention being out run.

      • Define “played well”.

        He served in a good ball, which we expect. Aside from that he popped up in a good place or two but didn’t do much with it because he basically has a peg for a right foot and refuses to use it. Against better opposition this flaw will become even more apparent because he isn’t Arjen Robben…

      • This guy hahaha. Brad Davis looked like Sh i t e tonight even if he did get a ssist. The result? The result shows that the US can barely beat a really bad team. Our defence was exposed the mid looked sloppy and our forwards can barely finish. It also showed that tim howard is bad at long distance shots. The US shouldn’t be happy about this result nor proud. Worst performance in a long time. Heck I think we looked better against ukraine.

      • Yawn. Portugal result at home to Azerbaijan in WCQ. Remind me again?

        Are you related to ThatAdultNandez? He was okay.

    • Absolutely not. This is a boneheaded argument to make. Going into the WC the way the team played is all that mattered. We wont stand a chance against any 1 of our 3 opponents playing this way

      Reply
      • This is a new team and there is something to be learned from getting a result even when you are not playing your best.

        Because really they need to understand what it takes to win, to get a result.

        They could have launched wave after wave of precision attacks on this defense and still wound up with a goalless draw. Instead they scraped two goals out of it. And yes everyone knows there are only two weeks or so left but you have to start somewhere. Better late than never I say

        It’s a positive result.

  5. I like that Jozy seems to be finding some confidence and rhythm…he would never have taken his 2nd half shots during the latter part of his Sunderland stay…

    Reply
    • But zero shots on goal in 90 minutes, unless I missed something through the haze of my Miller High Life?

      Don’t think we have an alternative, but I would like him to get some real confidence and rhythm — i.e., goals!

      Reply
      • Curtis,
        He’s got to shoot to score… Even the Sunderland fans were observing that his confidence was so shot, he wouldn’t even look for chances to shoot. The two opportunities he took in the second half were not obvious goal scoring opportunities, but he attempted to make the shot for himself. That’s a good sign, right?

  6. OK, Twellman is the new John Harkes. He’s lobbying for his favorite players (Davis, Wondo) and against the ones he doesn’t like (Chandler). Cut this dude’s mike, please…

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    • I think I’m an outlier, but I would take Harkes over Twellman any day of the week.

      (As a commentator, I mean — well actually, as a player or a commentator.)

      Reply
      • Harkes was unquestionably a better player than Twellman.

        As a commentator it is a matter of style. I’ve tried to forget him but Harkes was mostly about giving you the impression he would have dome better. don’t know Harkes but he came across as a huge d++k.

        Twellman is mostly inexperienced and is actually getting better but he still needs some developing. He is being tainted by working at ESPN where it’s all about “personality” basically acting like a pr++ck..

      • Well said on the ESPN bit. The title of “Best USMNT alum” among TV persnalities is vacant due to a lack of qualifying candidates. Mostly it’s anger, criticism, and phrases like “he has to do better” and “just not good enough”, McBride is so wooden and boring I usually cringe and change the channel until I’m confident its over for the poor guy.

        Marcelo Balboa’s efforts are thankfully few in number and recently limited to a couple of early BeIN sports broacasts, but he is truly special. This dude would outbid Brandi Chastain or Uncle Rico for any time machine Doc Brown could build to get him back to 1994.

  7. Michael Bradley really trying to play himself out of the starting line-up. By far the worst US player and one of the worst central midfield performances for the US since Ricardo Clark in the World Cup. It will be interesting to see if Ives and others blame it on players not getting open for for him, Jones not defending enough to cover for him/or getting in his way, Klinsmann giving him too many offensive responsibilities for his holding mid skill set, or Juergen requiring him to defend to much so he couldn’t show off his clearly ideal playmaker/attacking mid skills.

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  8. So, it seems as though whomever is endowed with the #10 jersey will undoubtedly score. I wonder, though, if in order to wear the #13 one must be of mixed-afro race, have dreadlocks, and the last name of Jones? There go my chances :).

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  9. Wow, Azerbaijan are worse on set piece defending that Gonzo v Mexico… How do you leave strikers that open on corners? Both Wondo and Johansson left free on corners this game.

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    • On Johannsson’s goal the US setup perfectly and drew most of the Az defense onto and around the goalmouth leaving a space for AJ to run into.

      Watch the replay.

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  10. Aron Johannsson:

    Born to Icelandic parents in Mobile, Alabama, United States, Jóhannsson moved to Iceland with his family at the age of three.[1] Growing up, he spent most his life living in Iceland while occasionally visiting the United States…

    He really ain’t American either, grew-up abroad. So, 7 foreign players omg.

    Reply
      • They are all American according to our laws, one style isn’t better than the other imo, I was just making a point about the guy he was talking down about here. We still have a ton of MLS based “All-American” players on this squad so these xenophobic guys are really tired in their arguments.

      • Seriously, don’t care what you say. If you can’t see a blatant anti-USA bias in this Klinsmann fiasco then I really can’t help ya.

      • +1 And you know what else was thinking on Memorial Day yesterday? I was thinking about how offensive and ridiculous it is that we allow the children of our American servicemen abroad to represent the US at sports. I mean, GET SERIOUS. Am I right?

    • You obviously don’t get what America is about. Whatever reaction you are trying to get, for whatever reason, I’m sorry. If you are just speaking your truth, hit me up privately to talk about it, for real. What percentage of US soldiers do you think there are who have one or two parents from another country? I know this is anecdotal evidence, but I know a bunch of them, including myself.

      Reply
    • Are you not watching or did you just have a large glass of haterade? Say its’ just Azerbaijan if you want but he did.

      Reply
  11. FYI, Mr. Mix Diskerud (wiki) was born abroad, in Norway. Reading his bio, he doesn’t live in the US nor has he ever done that. This makes (at least) 6 of the 20 outfield players of foreign nationality. This a record by a mile for the USMNT.

    What a disgrace, Mr. Klinsman. You don’t think much of US players, so what the heck do you want coaching our NT?????

    Reply
    • Ah yes. “ZTom” I suppose “Ted Tran” can’t be far behind.

      EFF off back to 4th grade. Why do you even watch USA games?

      Reply
      • Support for US players on the USMNT is not childish or immature. Most of us watch USMNT games to support soccer in this country and the continued development of the American soccer player, IMHO.

      • I ageree with this sentiment. I will assume you don’t know what I’m referring to.

        ZTom shows up almost exclusively during games. Strictly to be negative.

        I love USMNT fans. I don’t count him or his fake siblings among them.

        He used to be a decent fan. Under a different name

    • I like Mix a lot — but totally agree with your second point.

      In any other country there would be a military coup and Klinsi would be dragged through the streets. How many other Germans will he naturalize in time for Brazil?

      Reply
    • Look at the 94 and 98 teams. Tons of guys born abroad. Many of our best players too.

      Also, the world is a complicated place. A lot of these guys have American fathers who they feel extremely connected to, and a handful of them have American flag tattoos as well.

      Reply
      • Not tons, document your claims. Ernie Stewart and Marcello Balboa at USA 94 were the only foreign players. The whole talk at the time was that the formation of MLS would stop this trend and lead to a USA born team.

        Funny that was.

      • Hugo Perez
        Tab Ramos
        Roy Wegerle
        Frank Klopas

        Fun Fact: Al Gore invented the internet in the 1990’s, giving people instant access to the entirely of human knowledge at their fingertips, allowing them to research claims before using a condescending tone while stating incorrect information.

      • I almost touched Al Gore once. I was like… 1.5 feet away and almost shook his hand. Then a friend ninjaed his hand from me.

      • “ZTom says:
        “Not tons, document your claims. Ernie Stewart and Marcello Balboa at USA 94 were the only foreign players. “

        Stewart and Balboa were Americans. But I assume you are talking about foreign born guys in which case:
        Frank Klopas, Tom Dooley, Hugo Perez, Tab Ramos, Roy Wegerle, Fernando Clavijo, were all born abroad. .

    • I can rarely tell the difference between who is being sarcastic, trolling, or drunk.

      You inherit the nationality of your mother, your father, your parents. legally or otherwise, that nation and it’s culture are a part of your identity.

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    • Did you hear that interview with Mix just now? Sounds just as American as can be and he talked about representing the crest on the front and not the name on his back. How much more American could he possibly be?

      Reply
      • Is that how you determine who is American?

        Did you ever listen to Benjamin Netanyahu?

        In case you were wondering he is the President of Israel.

        And Mix has a definite eurotrash accent.

    • Johannson and Green were born in the United States. So yes they are American citizens. If you don’t like the law you should attempt to change the constitution. As for Chandler, Johnson, and Jones, they are sons of American military fathers. I would say they are far more American than you are.

      Reply
      • Amen indeed, please people realize how offensive it is to question the Americenness (new word) of natural born citizens of this country. Our constitution decides that and not you. As a natural born American neither born not raised in this country it makes me want to throw you off a cliff.

  12. Brad Davis’ lack of a right foot is painful to watch. He’s found some decent positions and should have won a PK, but he has to use his right foot. Anybody with a brain can see he basically refuses to use it even without the scouting that will take place during the WC.

    Reply

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