The top two teams in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying square off tonight at Estadio Saprissa as the U.S. national team visits Costa Rica.
You know all the background by now. The Americans have never won at Saprissa. Costa Rica is very strong at Saprissa and a win for either team tonight would go a long way toward helping that team qualify for the 2010 World Cup.
Early word around San Jose is that tonight's atmosphere won't be as rabid at Saprissa as in year's past. There will be no alcohol sold and no coins allowed at the stadium. Any coins brought in by fans will be taken away and donated to charity. Souvenirs and food bought in the stadium must be paid for with paper money and no coin change will be given. Also, battery-operated radios won't be allowed (so there won't be any battery tossing.
Those restrictions aren't likely to stop Costa Rica's fans from making it an intimidating place to play tonight. The key will be the Americans keeping things from getting out of hand early on. In fact, you shouldn't be surprised to see the U.S. team on the attack with an offensive-minded lineup.
I will be providing commentary throughout the evening so please feel free to follow the match here. As always, you are welcome to share your own thoughts and opinions on tonight's match in the comments section below.
Enjoy the action (some interesting lineup tibits after the jump):
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FINAL– Now the U.S. team finds itself in second place in qualifying and must now take on a tough Honduras team without Michael Bradley or Sacha Kljestan. It isn't going to be easy.
That's all for now from me. PLease share your post-game thoughts in the comments section below (And PLEASE keep it clean.).
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FINAL- Costa Rica 3, USA 1. The Costa Ricans dominated this one from start to finishing, proving that speed kills. The Americans couldn't handle the speed on the flanks, or anywhere else for that matter, while some new U.S. players failed in their attempts to earn more playing time.
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90th minute– GOAL USA!!! And it's Landon DOnovan. Just two more goals away (Kidding).
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90th minute– PENALTY. Onyewu is fouled in the area.
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88th minute– SAVE HOWARD on a Centeno free kick.
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87th minute– Adu with a weak effort from distance.
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86th minute– There is Burgos again. He's quietly had a great game, not even counting the goal.
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83rd minute– Adu found out pretty quickly that he can't spend all dayon the ball.
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82nd minute– Jeez Charlie, I was kidding.
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81st minute– Watch those elbows Charlie.
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80th minute– Charlie Davies in for Clint Dempsey, who was invisible today.
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79th minute- Dangerous USA free kick opportunity. AND it's wasted. YUCK.
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78th minute– Costa Rica fans are now chanting "Bring on Mexico." Can't say I blame them. Playing like this they can beat anybody in CONCACAF.
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77th minute– Donovan hits a 25-yard shot a yard over, took a nice pass from Adu. No need for the rushed shot.
Alvaro Saborio is out, Carlos Hernandez is in.
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75th minute– Costa Rica with the Oles now. This is getting embarrassing.
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73rd minute– Marvell Wynne is going to have nightmares about Esteban Sirias when he goes to bed tonight.
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72nd minute– Here's a question. Who will start in central midfield vs. Honduras? Will we see Benny Feilhaber and Torres?
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71st minute– Where in the world was Beasley?
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69th minute- GOAL COSTA RICA!!!!!!!!!!! Put this one in the books. Pablo Herrera just torched the U.S. defense and beat Tim Howard to make it 3-0 Costa Rica.
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68th minute– Pin-point long pass from Bradley to the flank. The talk about his turnovers is tired because he's bound to have some turnovers considering how much of the ball he gets.
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67th minute– Kljestan's yellow means he will also be out vs. Honduras.
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66th minute– Donovan draws a foul and free kick. Donovan hits the wall with the free kick.
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65th minute– Kljestan with a cynical foul on Ruiz, draws a yellow. Costa Rica's combination play is KILLING the U.S. team today.
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64th minute– A Bradley-Kljestan-Adu midfield now. Will be an interesting 25 minutes.
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63rd minute– Freddy Adu is coming on for Pablo Mastroeni. Who would have thought we'd see Adu tonight? Can he make something happen?
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60th minute– Wow, Wynne with an awful turnover. Bradley sets him up with a great pass and he botches it.
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56th minute– Lots of good performances from Costa Rica today but I have to praise Celso Burgos. The kid has a great future ahead of him and could be the next CONCACAF star.
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55th minute– Harold Wallace is coming out, Pablo Herrera is in.
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55th minute– Bradley gets a yellow card, not sure about that call. Now Bradley will miss the Honduras match. Harsh call considering Bradley hadn't committed many fouls at all.
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54th minute– Better stuff from the U.S., a nice passing sequence leads to a corner.
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53rd minute– Rough night for Altidore, who has been starved for service tonight. He's tried to make things happen, but just can't do it alone.
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52nd minute– Costa Rica comes close yet again.
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49th minute- Klestan is a better two-way player than Torres, but he hasn't exactly been on form in MLS and Torres was passing the ball and keeping the ball well after a shaky first 10 minutes.
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47th minute– We're back and Costa Rica hasn't lost any energy. Still trying to figure out the Torres sub. Is he hurt? Was he gassed?
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HALFTIME– Sacha Kljestan will be coming in for Torres. Not sure about that sub. Mastroeni has been awful.
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HALFTIME– Costa Rica 2, USA 0. The Costa Ricans came out flying while the Americans looked completely disjointed. Bradley will have to consider a change or two at halftime. Marvell Wynne looks like a lost cause out there, but then again, Beasley hasn't had a great game either. Bradley might want to yank Wynne or Mastroeni.
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45th minute– One minute of stoppage.
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43rd minute– Just took a peak at the comments. Anybody saying Bradley is having a bad game is nuts. He's been one of the best Americans, if not the best, on the field.
Costa Rica is knocking it around right now, but finally turn it over.
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40th minute– The Diaz-Sirias combo on the left flank has been fun to watch tonight, well, unless yo're a U.S. fan.
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38th minute– Saborio just barely missed a side volley from close. WOW
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38th minute– Lots of miscommunication in the back, due mainly to the deafening noise here.
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36th minute– Mastroeni can't keep up with the pace of the Costa Rica midfield. There's no other way to say it.
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34th minute– Did I mention that I've liked what I've seen from Torres tonight?
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32nd minute– Marvell Wynne is having a rough day. Sirias is burning him and even when he gets on the overlap, he can't beat Junior Diaz.
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30th minute– Freddy Fernandez with the foul on Altidore and he gets a yellow. He will miss Costa Rica's next qualifier, vs. Trinidad & Tobago.
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29th minute– Great play by Ruiz to track back and break up a U.S. attack. He's a quality player who will be moving to a bigger club this summer.
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28th minute– You can definitely tell that some American players are having trouble measuring their passes on this turf.
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26th minute– Dempsey completed shanked the free kick. Awful.
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26th minute– I will say that Torres has settled down and is playing much better now. USA free kick.
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24th minute– Better sequence from the Americans but Altidore can't make the final pass. The Costa Ricans are leaving themselves exposed on the counter but the U.S. team has failed on two occasions to capitalize.
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23rd minute– Donovan has a one-on-one against Michael Umana and he can't beat his former Galaxy teammate. He's got to do better there.
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22nd minute– Beasley got caught badly on the counterattack. He needs to time his runs better and be more aware because Andy Herron looks like a man possessed tonight.
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21st minute– Good long throw from Onyewu but Navas gets to it. The Americans need to get the ball and keep it for a bit.
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19th minute– I questioned Kenton's decision to start Herron, but his move to play Herron on the right flank and have Ruiz up top with Saborio has paid off handsomely.
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18th minute– Costa Ricans are ALL OVER the USA. It's pretty stunning. Shows what team play can do. Americans are not playing like a team right now. Some players look ready, some absolutely don't.
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16th minute– Bradley forces a good turnover but Donovan shanks the subsequent shot.
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15th minute– Mastroeni, Wynne and Torres look awful early on here.
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14th minute– That play just showed that you can have al the speed in the world but if you're positioning is suspect it will cost you.
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12th minute– The Americans haven't done it yet, but when they string passes together they can unlock the Costa Rican defense. They just need to find the final pass.
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11th minute– Mastroeni with a professional foul on Burgos, who is one to watch in this game.
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9th minute– Michael Bradley has been one of the few composed players early on. Herron and Beasley clash a bit. A little former Fire on former Fire battle there.
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7th minute- Costa Rica putting serious pressure on the ball and the Americans look shaky right now.
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6th minute– Jose Torres not off to the best start tonight.
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5th minute– Americans have settled down and have begun knocking it around.
THIS PLACE IS INTENSE.
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3rd minute- GOAL COSTA RICA!!! Alvaro Saborio with a left-footed blast into the far corner. What a start for the Costa Ricans.
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PRE-GAME– It's time to try and save some battery power until this issue is resolved so I'll be back just before kickoff.
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PRE-GAME– In an interview this week, Andy Herron said the key to beating the U.S. defense was getting balls into space and beating them with pace. Was it just me or did Herron looked pretty darn slow with Chicago last year?
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PRE-GAME– The teams are leaving the field and we are about 20 minutes from kickoff.
Someone just kicked tried kicking in one of the doorknobs on the locked power room and succeeded. Unfortunately the door is still locked. I won't say who it was but I'm pretty sure he was Peruvian.
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PRE-GAME– So here's to the hazards of press boxes/tribunes in foreign countries. There is no power for the media because the room with the power is locked. Steve Goff and I have tried getting the door open and failed miserably. The one trip I don't bring my burglar tools.
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PRE-GAME- Now, on to Costa Rica. With Herron and Saborio at forwards I think it's safe to say we'll see their standard 4-4-2, with Ruiz on the right and Sirias on the left. If Rodrigo Kenton decided to try and play a 4-3-3 as well, with Ruiz up top, that could make for some great action, but I have a feeling Ruiz will come in from the flanks.
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PRE-GAME– Back to the surprising surprises (yes, I did laugh at some of the sarcasm), it isn't a coincidence that the two surprise absences were an older player with issues playing on turf and another player who has had injury woes the past two years. I think it's safe to say you will see Ching and Spector starting in Chicago against Honduras.
So who plays right back if Wynne happens to get hurt? It wouldn't shock me if Beasley switched sides and Bornstein moved in at left back in that circumstance.
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PRE-GAME– It may not sound like I'm giving Costa Rica a chance here but it needs to be pointed out that the Tico midfield is VERY good and if the Costa Ricans can get their fast possession game going early, it can keep the Americans on their heels. the key once again will be dealing with Centeno and Ruiz.
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PRE-GAME– Why the decision to attack? Costa Rica's defense is vulnerable, and having to deal with Donovan, Altidore and Dempsey will be very tough.
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PRE-GAME– I've just been told the formation will be more of a 4-3-3 than a 4-3-2-1. Something like this:
—Donovan——-Altidore———Dempsey—
——Torres——Mastroeni—–Bradley——-
Beasley—-Bocanegra—-Onyewu—–Wynne
——————-Howard———————-
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PRE-GAME– If that's the formation, then the Americans are coming here to attack and make a statement, something that has to be exciting to U.S. fans. Don't let the three midfielders in front of the back four fool you. If that's the formation they use, you will see torres and Bradley float into the attack, while also overing for Beasley and Wynne when they get forward on the overlap.
How will the Americans deal with Ruiz? Donovan, Torres, and Beasley will be on that side of the field, so Ruiz will have plenty of company over there. As for Walter Centeno, Costa Rica's playmaker? Mastroeni's task will be to stick to him all match.
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PRE-GAME- It just dawned on me that we might see the 4-3-2-1 formation I've mentioned in the past as a possibility for the United States, the same one Bradley deployed against Cuba in the second half of a qualifier last year:
——————-Altidore———————-
————Donovan—Dempsey————–
—–Torres—–Mastroeni—–Bradley——-
Beasley—-Bocanegra—-Onyewu—–Wynne
——————-Howard———————-
Interesting indeed. The U.S. team certainly has the speed on the flanks to make this work.
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PRE-GAME– I tell you what folks, we are in for an exciting game if these lineups are any indication.
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PRE-GAME– Here is the Costa Rica lineup:
————Herron—-Saborio————–
——————Centeno——————-
Sirias———————————–Ruiz
——————Borges——————–
Diaz——Fernandez—Umana——Wallace
——————-Navas———————-
BENCH- Gonzalez, Alonso, Furtado, Herrera, Hernandez, Segares, Bolanos
I got 10 of 11 starters from my projected Costa Rica squad, with the missing one being Andy Herron for Cristian Bolanos.
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PRE-GAME- Here is the formation:
————–Altidore—–Donovan
Torres—————————–Dempsey
———–Bradley—–Mastroeni———–
Beasley—-Bocanegra—Onyewu—-Wynne
——————-Howard——————-
Very athletic lineup tonight.
So why no Ching. It's probably the one move we should have seen coming. Ching is known for struggling on turf because of the wear it puts on his body. He has sat for Houston against teams on turf, and sitting him tonight should allow him to start vs. Honduras.
Whether the US deploys a 4-5-1 or 4-4-2, U.S. fans will be loving the sight of Altidore and Torres in the lineup.
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PRE-GAME– Here is the USA lineup:
1-Tim Howard; 6-Marvell Wynne, 5-Oguchi Onyewu, 3-Carlos Bocanegra, 7-DaMarcus Beasley; 4-Pablo Mastroeni, 12-Michael Bradley, 9-Jose Francisco Torres; 8-Clint Dempsey, 10-Landon Donovan, 17-Jozy Altidore
Subs: 18-Brad Guzan, 2-Ricardo Clark, 11-Freddy Adu, 13-Jonathan Bornstein, 14-Jay DeMerit, 15-Charlie Davies, 16-Sacha Kljestan
Yep, surprises.
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PRE-GAME- So why might Spector not be dressing? Good question, but I'm wondering whether Bob Bradley is choosing to go with Marvell Wynne's speed at right back to neutralize the speed Costa Rica could have on that flank, particularly if Ruiz is deployed as a left winger. There is also the turf factor. Spector has a history of injury issues and could be vulnerable playing on the awful turf here, while Marvell Wynne plays on turf for Toronto FC. Just a thought.
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PRE-GAME– I have actually seen quite a few U.S. fans in the past few minutes. A decent number, but a group that will still be drowned out by the Costa Rican fans.
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PRE-GAME– O-LE, OLE, OLE, OLE. TI-CO, TI-CO!
I'd rate the atmosphere here as more of a party atmosphere than an intimidating cauldron (at least for now).
Oh no, the main Costa Rica section is deliver loud chants using Thunder Stix of all things. Corny, but effective.
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PRE-GAME– So is the "surprising lineup moves" buzz legit or just a smokescreen? We will be finding out in a few minutes.
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PRE-GAME– The announcer here just introduced the U.S. team and a loud chorus of whistled rained down. The crowd here is ready to make some noise tonight.
It must be said that for as downtrodden as this stadium is, the atmosphere is great. Ultimately, it's the fans who make a stadium, not the concrete and steel.
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PRE-GAME– The team has arrived at the stadium and I have to say it was one of the more tame motorcades I've been a part of. No word on the U.S. lineup yet.
We are less than 90 minutes from kick and the crowd is filling in nicely. The ends are more full than the lower tiers on the wider sides of the field. Looks like the people with more expensive tickets are taking their time to get here. I've seen a few American fans sprinkled in, but the similarity in colors between the teams will make spotting them pretty tough. Then again you can still spot the clusters of American flags.
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PRE-GAME– The bus is set to depart from the team hotel. It should be an interesting ride to Saprissa. I'll provide some details of the ride once we arrive.
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PRE-GAME– The buzz I'm hearing is that the U.S. lineup tonight will be a surprising one with some unexpected selections. Just what those surprise are remains to be seen. If I were guessing I'd say that we might se Jozy Altidore and/or Jose Francisco Torres.
A source has told me that defender Jonathan Spector is not dressing for this match (not sure why). If this is true then Marvell Wynne should get the nod at right back. I just saw Spector and he didn't appear injured. I'll look to get confirmation of this ASAP.
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PRE-GAME– We are just over two hours to kickoff and the weather is still beautiful. Here's hoping it stays that way.
Also, that field is just unfathomably bad. How artificial turf could be that uneven is just absurd — the ball shouldn’t be rolling along and then suddenly take a random bounce. No wonder the Ticos never lose there, they probably know all the effed up spots on the field like the Celtics knew all the dead spots in the floor at the Boston Garden.
Our guys clearly can’t play on that kind of field. There’s a reason fake fields aren’t allowed in the World Cup.
@pan
1. 2-0.
2. 4th place
3. Nice result against Honduras.
Bradley out for Saturday hurts, I think he’s proven to be our best central midfielder. Sasha hasn’t done jack other than bad things lately, I don’t think he’ll be missed that much. If anything, the two mids out means Torres almost has to start.
Ambitious plan by Bradley (and considering our record at Saprissa ambition was called for), but our defense obviously just isn’t good enough to play a 4-3-3. Gooch was way out of position on the second goal, which might be because he was trying to cover for Wynne, who clearly isn’t ready for prime time. I’m sure we’ll see a 4-4-2 on Saturday with Spector on the right if Heydude isn’t ready, Donovan and Demps on the wings with Torres and Mastro in the middle (or maybe Rico in the middle instead of Mastro), and Ching and Jozy up front. Ching might not be able to score worth crap, but he works his butt off up there and does a lot of dirty work that our other guys in the attack just won’t do, and that work often eventually pays off in a goal for one of the other attackers.
CRC’s first goal was a beautiful shot though. Defensive lapse, but a perfect shot, a thing of beauty. The other two goals were just awful defensive play.
God, I hope this is better on Saturday, actually attending a losing home qualifier would just destroy my weekend.
The problem with Wynne is he gives the offensive player so much room because he is afraid he is going to get smoked. But you can’t do that because that allows them to send the ball in unimpeded.
ussoccer.com Man of the Match:
TBD
‘Nuff Said
Mike
I couldn’t agree with you more. Mastro’s experience was so valuable tonight. *sarcasm*
glad we had Mastroeni’s experience on the field tonight…
Wow. That was ugly. One of the worst games I have seen from the US since the 80’s. The Beasley expirement at left back is over. As a matter of fact Beasley should not start in any position. He looked like a player that has not played, and did not care. His first touches were awful. Having said that, some of the players I wanted to see start the game did, such as Torres. (Why he was subbed, I don’t know) But the US looked completely out of sync, and unprepared. Some of the factors I think that contributed to that were the turf, and that several of the players just flew in. The way the ball was bouncing around, was very unpredicable unless you have played on that field before. So Saturday night becomes a huge game, and that game will really tell us whether Bob Bradley needs to go, as that will be on our field, no screwy conditions.
Anyone know what Klinsmann is up to?
I never understood why Ives pushed for Beasley at LB so much. I agree with him on most things, but Beasley is not a defender.
Did anyone else think that Bradley seemed to not be trying after his yellow? He just watched number 2 turn him around and roll it past howard. Bradley just seemed like a gutless, heartless coach’s son. O wait he is the coach’s son.
NOW WE KNOW, Beasley is not a defensive option. In fact i think Beasley should be benched next game.
Wynne is nowhere near ready.
We would’ve been better off if we played Demerit in the middle, moved Boca out left, and played Spector on the right. or
played Spector out right and Bornstein out left.
P.S.
I know I’m beating a dead horse but, taking Torres out of the match at half was probably the most ridiculous decisions of the night.
Fair enough. My point was just that no one really went out and earned a spot today. I’m sure you’d agree. If you went to any player on the team and said this is your one and only chance to earn a spot on the national team, I don’t think anyone really passed the test. About four players, including Bradley, simply observed the third goal. There was almost no attempt at defense. Even Howard was caught a little flat-footed.
I’ve said in other posts that the U.S. will rebound and play better than this against Italy and Brazil. I’m not worried, but let’s call it like it is. This was awful in all regards.
If we lose against Honduras, Bradley is done…He clearly is not a tactician. Beasley should not be on the team, much less starting. Again, Bradley is done. Kilnsman, Scolari, Preki are all out there…
geofferson, keep working on it. You’ll figure it out.
Posted by: Never First | June 04, 2009 at 12:48 AM
Touche, Never First. I was lashing out and you got caught in it.
Well, now I know what its like to be effed in the a–. That hurt.
We’ll be missing Bradley sorely I predict. Will be in Chicago for the game.
I’m happy we will be without Bradley, he doesn’t look bad out there but something is not right.
Coach Bradley took a chance this game with the lineup and it cost him big time. He proves once again he’s not ready.
Posted by: andy | June 04, 2009 at 12:13 AM
You’re happy we’ll be without Bradley? Really? Who improves the team by replacing him? What part of his play tonight did you not approve of? Come on, Andy…
The U.S, played terrible. The worst defending I have seen in a while by them. B.B. took a gamble with this line-up and it did not work. Honduras will be hungry for a win, but the U.S. should win at home. Just because the U.S. lost in Saprissa does not mean they are done.
a couple of quick thoughts after watching it in the bar:
1. I like Torres, he passes to US players and seems to be able to turn out of trouble.
2. Wow..our 3 choice left and right backs…no good at all.
3. For all the knocks on Ching at least he can hold the ball in the final 3rd.
4. Sasha has lost his mojo
5. It was nice to see Adu looking like he cared.
6. Where was Donovan, Dempsey?
7.I might become a referee
Simply awful…not much else to say. BTW, Beasley was a HUGE mistake, and I knew he would be.
Gonna expose my soccer ignorance, but looking past the two fullbacks who had bad games, would the starters have done better in a 4-5-1, with Demps and Donovan on the wings and tracking back, and Torres ahead of Mastro and Bradley to link up possession from defenders to attack? Paco doesn’t go hard into the tackle, but he is composed on the ball and finds players. I know Demps and LD have a tendency to pinch in, but we didn’t have much width. Especially the defensive help on the wings could help.
Beyond that, I think DMB has suffered too many injuries and too little playing time to be in the starting lineup nowadays.
Again, exposing my ignorance, I think we have a long way to go before we develop a soccer culture in the US that has kids growing up innately aware of positioning, when and where to make runs off the ball, when to give a hard foul, when to negotiate a corner or throw in. And maybe aspiring to be good at crosses and direct free kicks.
This sort of innate+handed down knowledge and instinct comes with the culture for kids who play basketball, football, or baseball, but I don’t think soccer is pervasive enough in the US for that. Sometimes even National team players seem to lack a little of it.
I grew up playing basketball(badly) by the way. Somebody took me to a college soccer match and that hooked me on the game.
go troll somewhere else, Chris. thanks for reading.
geofferson, keep working on it. You’ll figure it out.
All I have to say is Beasley better never play LB again. NEVER EVER EVER.
And I try not to be rash or exaggerate, but pulling out Torres for Sacha was one of the most inexplicable revealing decisions Bradley has made in a long time
USA, what a joke away from home. Where is all the chest thumping tonight guys? I was lead to believe you were great because you can beat Mexico at home over and over again. LOL, maybe the Tico’s can beat you at home over and over again. Does that make them great? USA supporters are something else. It was nice to see them get their shite packed tonight, that’s for sure.
landycakes once again shows the world how overrated he is. there’s a reason why no one in europe wants a guy who can’t strike the ball from anywhere other than the spot.
i’m not saying that the loss is entirely his fault, but he ruined the few set pieces the USA had.
beasley was abysmal.
Not a single player on the field today deserves to play on Saturday.
Posted by: Never First | June 03, 2009 at 11:38 PM
That’s a moronic thing to say. It’s not funny and it makes no sense, so I’m still trying to figure out how it made sense at all. Thanks, Never First. Nice post.
smoked.
Torres – Could have tackled harder first 4 mins, but he was by far best on the ball in 1st half. Him being sub is incredible. He was 3rd worst midfield.
Bradley – Played ok.
Mastro – Got schooled on 1st goal. Didnt bull dog at all.. which is why he’s there.
Wynne – Didn’t play as bad as many here want to say. He actually seemed to have some fire others didnt.
Dempsey – wtf. Whats the diff between Fulham and USMNT. Bradley needs to figure that out.
Adu and Davies – Played well. Showed why they are the future that needs to start now.
Spector – Not on the 18? wtf. My bradley should go.. initiation on that alone.
hahahahahahaha!!!!!
see ya’ll at d azteca. USA will be dominated just like they always are outside the US.
funny how all u US fans thought the us was gonna steam roll through CR. reality check!
go ahead and hate on me now. hahahaha. I wanna read all your pissed-off comments. hahahahahaha.
Howard 5.0 = not his fault
Whynne 2.0 = not for the A team maybe the B team horrible game.
Ouchie = 5.0 did a good job even tho he has to get out of position to help Whynne.
Bocanegra 4.0 = played good but make couples of error that turn into gol. but it came from Sasha and Beasley fault.
Beasley 2.0 = horrible not his fault cause he is not a LB *Coach idea* make some mistake and was out his place all the time.
Bradley 4.0 = he played well but one mistake and a yellow card did not help.
Mastroeni 2.0 = a Veteran to really control the game and the mid field was lost and the error on the first gol and was out of rythem.
Torres 5.0 = started slow and then got control of the game one mistake and one gol even tho he just got hit on the face by Beasley crazy kick on the ball.
Dempsey 2.0 = look like he want to be the hero of the game, becoming to European snob, think is better (Even tho he is) but need to be more unselfish, was lost and look like he was tired and not wanted to be there.
Donovan 5.0 = have to be more unselfish with his free kick and let other to the kicking, got covarage pretty good by C.R and need to be leader not some who yell.
Altidore 4.0 = once again it look like a lone striker the formant was 4 3 3 and noone playing next to him, he did hasle but no company. Need COOPER, Oconner or Charlie Davis.
Sup..
Sasha 2.0 not the right call he got lost and got a yellow card, on the third goal he was slow to get back to cover Beasley that was out position.
Adu 4.0 = started slow and the got into the game, for the short time he was in there.
Charlies Davis 4.0 = same as Adu, brougt in a good attitude.
Coach Bob Bradley 2.0 = The offensive format of 4 3 3 was daring but wrong players to play the defend. make the wrong sub on torres instead getting out, Beasley Mastroeni or Whynne. Look like he is lost without Nowak.
We will lose Saturday. We got killed with speed and Honduras has the motherload.
Lessons:
1. Marvell Wynne does not (and will not acquire anytime soon) a soccer brain.
2. Pablo is done, and has been, for a very long time.
Personally, I’m just wondering what we could do if we had a more high profile, better coach.
People, people, let’s settle down. To begin, Pablo looked complete and utterly outclassed. There were balls bouncing all around him and he looked like he could barely move. He should not start another game for the U.S. unless there is a serious injury crisis. I would say that goes double for Beasley, except the left back position is already a disaster. Bradley, Torres, and Jozy were the only players who looked like they were ever a threat at anytime during this game. Where the hell was Clint? He was invisible and if that continues to happen, there will not be many wins for this team. Wynne is also obviously not a player at this level. Also, just for everyone out there, Pablo got embarrassed on the first goal, which was 75% his fault and 25% Torres. Basically, we need Chingy. Him and Jozy need to be upfront and the Torres Bradley combo is, I think, definately the best central option, with Donovan and Clint on the outside. Leftback and Rightback and open for the taking.
adu and torres played well tonight. Wondering if they will see more time on the field at Chicago.
so, for Honduras,
– MB out on cards – that hurts.
– SK out on cards – less of a problem.
– is Frankie an option?
– if Torres was pulled for injury and can’t go Saturday, midfield is scary (no Bradley, Torres, Edu, Kljestan)
– Wynne, Beas and Mastro need to sit
Jozy – Ching
Donovan – Torres – Clark – Dempsey
Spector – Boca – Gooch – Hejduk
Howard
possible variations:
– start Adu?
– give Feilhaber a shot?
As bad as Beasley and Wynne were, Boca and Gooch weren’t much better. One of them needs to go. The experiment of playing two guys who play exactly the same didn’t work…especially when they both continue to make the same mistakes they did 3 years ago. And moving Boca out to the left is not the answer.
Some observations:
Mastroeni is over.
Donovan needs to put his stamp on big games. He was invisible.
Torres was playing well. Why take him out?
We need depth at central mid.
Adu looked promising.
Jozy made progress but had no support.
Dempsey…ehh.
Onyewu…stop thinking about your next team and focus on this one.
BMB – not our left back. Please.
the goals that were scored tonight look very familiar. you see the play developing and you see the goal coming just like against El Salvador. I think to many mainstays o f this team just didnt show up. Donovan’s ball striking is terrible and getting worse. If he’s the best we’ve got then we are in more trouble than we know.
I dont think Dempsey should be an automatic starter. Since the competition stepped up in WQ he has not really contributed much to the team. His turn over rate was way too high. I also love how misguided folks think Ching would have made a difference. This game was about coaching. Bob got outcoached and he didn’t put his players in position to even walk away with a point. On a positive note, I liked what I saw from Adu and Davies. Charlie looked threatening. We didnt get one decent cross until he came on the field.
What a bad night…. This is a a first… i think we might need a coach…. another one… there is no way that a team comes back from the locker room and not be motivated!!!!!
Sorry but Torres should of continue playing… Mastroeni should of come out..!!
Worst game i seen US play ….
In spite of this performance, there will still be those fantasists who claim sitting on the bench in Europe is great for development. They will never go away.
Torres is aweful you blind people.
Posted by: Spike | June 03, 2009 at 10:55 PM
Your spelling and grammar are awful, Spike. Plus, you’re even more ignorant if you think Torres played poorly.
BB really messed this one up tonight.
I like how people are surprised about how Wynne played.
Have you not seen FOR YEARS that he is a less skilled, but more physically gifted player than Frankie Hejduk? (And that’s not even saying anything about Steve Cherundolo.)
Bob tried to get cute with the lineup, and it bit him in the ass.
You can bet your arse you’ll see a straight 4-4-2 in Chicago, with Ching and Altidore up top, Dempsey and Donovan on the wings, and two guys in the bucket.
One word sums up tonight…
“Peckerslapped.”
I said it once and I will say it again, the US missed Ching tonight. Compare what he does with the ball to what Jozy did and the gap is glaring. Ching draws the same fouls, but also holds up and distributes the ball well. We created zero quality chances up front and not having a target was a major reason.
Michael Bradley is a turnover machine in the middle of the park.
Posted by: Max | June 03, 2009 at 10:42 PM
Focus on the reality of the situation. You’re totally lost if that’s your evaluation.
Torres played Sunday in Pachuca, 40-some minutes.
Getting back in the game at halftime was a longshot, as painful as it is to say. Honduras at that point had to be the focus.
Subbing him keeps him a lot more fresh for Saturday.
The real question is if it was a mistake to not sub Bradley. Maybe it’s not good from a pride standpoint to concede at halftime, but it may have been from a practical one.
I take back about Adu, after few minutes in he got in to the groove, Charlies Davis Came in with a awsome attitude and played well, Sasha no where to be found. And all those Idiots that wanted Wynne to be on the field please second gol came on his behalf, Third gol on where Beasley, Bradley, Sasha and Bocanegra was just looking the guy get set up and shoot. WOW the most effective defend got their ass kick. Please why are u putting a Player that hasn’t played in a long time to play defend are you out of you mind Mr. Bob Bradley, or you really are like Hugo Sanchez that need his assistant to make the right tactics on the field and the right movement. WOW never thought I was going to say this but BOB BRADLEY is lost without NOWAK
I am from N.J. I want BB to succeed. But, I am worried about his judgement. He may be in over his head. This was a big time environment and this team was not prepared.
Bob Bradley takes it on the chin for this one. Don’t blame the surface either, because our more skilled players had no problem with it.
Fail #1 – Starting Wynne. He was poor all night and was in some way to blame for all 3 goals.
Fail #2 – Starting Mastroeni. He was directly responsible for the first goal. That ball should have been easily won and cleared. Not only did he fail to win the ball, but he cut off his own player who was applying pressure by flopping to the ground. Other than that, he was pretty horrible.
Fail #3 – Removing Torres. I saw no reason to replace him. He was the best player by miles in the first half, he just couldn’t quite get the dagger passes through because Costa Rica was very well organized.
Fail #4 – Kljestan. Directly responsible for the 3rd goal. Very poor pressure and then a lazy jog as he watches the player take the ball straight to the box for a clear shot. That is unacceptable. Preki had the balls to bench him, Bradley must do the same.
I’m almost hoping that we get embarrassed badly at the Confederations Cup to facilitate Bradley’s being replaced. I usually support him and his choices but I can’t ignore such disconnection from the game when he removes the most effective player on the pitch at half-time and replaces him with the worst player on the bench.
I did like the fact that Adu got minutes in and I thought he was very good. Davies was much better than the last time he got steady action.
Altidore did nothing to move ahead of Ching. His bad touch was magnified by the surface.