Photo by ISIphotos.com
Tim Howard isn't a player who needs bulletin board material, least of all in a World Cup, but even he had to deliver some forceful words after hearing that Slovenian Andrej Komac's guarantee that Slovenia would beat the United States in their World Cup match on Friday.
“Talk is cheap," Howard said of the guarantee. "He’s got to stand toe-to-toe, and they’ve got to stand toe-to-toe with us for 90 minutes. If he’s still standing then I’ll tip my hat to him."
“A lot of boxers talk too, then they’re looking up at the lights and next thing you know they’re trying to figure out how they got there.”
As for whether the guarantee would motivate the Americans, Howard laughed it off.
“That means nothing to us,” Howard said. “We know they’re probably feeling confident after getting the three points, and rightfully so. As I said before, going into this group, everyone thought us and England would get out. I also said Algeria and Slovenia would probably think they have a heck of a chance."
Here are some other tidbits from U.S. camp:
When asked what would happen if an American made a guarantee like Komaj made, Oguchi Onyewu said an American player wouldn't make such a guarantee.
Onyewu admitted that playing well against England drew extra satisfaction because it helped silence critics who didn't believe he was ready to play.
To finally silence the naysayers it feels good to get them off my back, at least for one game.
On whether he could handle playing a full 90 minutes on Friday after playing his first 90 minutes in eight months on Saturday:
"I’ll go 90 as much as you want me to go 90. That’s not an issue. I consider myself a 90 minute player throughout my career."
Onyewu also said he was planning on keeping his beard for the whole tournament, though he didn't say why he was sporting it.
Landon Donovan had some high praise for young striker Jozy Altidore:
"Jozy has the ability at any time to pull off plays that not only guys on our team can't pull off, a lot of guys in the world can't pull off. Obviously the run by (Jamie) Carragher, and the shot, were an example of that."
What Jozy has improved at is being a force in other parts of the game when he’s not making a play like that. He did a pretty good job of that the other night."
Donovan also faced a tough question about feeling pressure after not having scored a goal in five World Cup matches:
“I don’t think about statistics, but it’s very clear to me as a leader that I have a responsibility to myself and to the club to be the leader and to do something to help the team. The young players shouldn’t have to lead, it should be the players with experience.”
Some other thoughts:
If Ricardo Clark and Robbie Findley are set to go to the bench, they aren't showing signs of it. Both players look confident and both appear encouraged by their performances against England, though both were singled out by many (including myself) as having had the weakest performances for the United States.
While Komej is guaranteeing victory, Slovenian media don't sound as confident about a Slovenia victory. Every Slovenian journalist I've spoken to has said they think the United States will win.
Friday's match against Slovenia could be the first World Cup match since 1994 where the United States has more fans in the stadium than the opponent. The Americans will be hoping to use that home-field advantage to break another streak. From 1994 to now, the United States hasn't beaten a World Cup opponent who wasn't a group favorite heading into the tournament. Both of their group stage wins since 1994 have come against group favorites (Colombia in 1994, Portugal in 2002). During that time, the Americans are winless against all non-Group favorites.
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These are just some of the tidbits from camp recently. What did you think of Howard's comments? Surprised to see a Slovenian player step forward and make such a guarantee? See Altidore showing more flashes of the ability Donovan says he has?
Share your thoughts below.
First, I think Slovenia feels that they have a reasonable chance of getting a draw against England. Look at their WC Qualification record–these guys (Slovenia) may not have the best defensive talent but they were arguably the best defensive team in European qualifying. Again, they ARE what the USA used to be: a team that couldn’t beat good teams with possession or attacking but beat other teams by being defensive, compact, outworked them and looked for restarts, counters, breaks or to catch the other team taking them for granted. I have no doubt that Slovenia believes that they can tie England. And as a team, they are absolutely comfortable parking a bus in front of goal and looking to win at the end–even when they NEED to win. Where did I see this stat–something about how of the 20 goals they scored in WC qualifying, SEVEN of them came in the 80th minute or later. Only the Netherlands allowed fewer goals in WC out of the European teams. I don’t share these numbers to impress anyone with their talent–they’re just not a very talented team. But they are absolutely a TEAM that defends superbly as a team.
2. We’re a team that gives up early goals. We do it in CONCACAF, we do it in the WC, we do it in other international venues. We may have better individual defenders and more versatile defenders but something about our scheme and mentality and coaching and approach means we give up early goals. That’s risking suicide against a team that defends like Slovenia who loves to park the bus in front of goal and has two very good center backs who will make it difficult for us to push up Bocanegra or Gooch on corners and set pieces to try and score.
3. Our strength has never been using possession and tactics and creativity to break down a compact defense. Yeah, we can crush Cuba. But does anyone think we could score against North Korea? I doubt it–unless it was a corner kick to Gooch.
4. Aristole, my first two points were in reference to earlier posts. One post said that the Slovenian “guarantee” of a win would just motivate our guys to play harder and my point was that if you needed trash talk to get up for the WC then you didn’t belong here. Another post said that Howard shouldn’t have bitten on that comment and just kept his mouth shut (ie: the “talk is cheap” quote) and I was responding about the press format.
Who cares? What makes this Slovenian guy a Jedi Master? Slap him back in the press and then slap him all over the field. We’re the favorites and should act like it.
Ari,
You’re selling Dan short. He’s a pragmatist, you’re something else.
Like many of us, Dan sees the flaws but still seems to enjoy the fact that the US has a competitive team, with a chance to make some noise in this Cup.
You see the same thing and take your enjoyment from pointing out how they are doomed to fail if they don’t do things the way you think they should. A glass half full person.
Fine, different strokes and all that, but what is fascinating is how personally offended you seem to get when others don’t think like you. You try to bury people like Dan with a bunch of stuff designed to show us how intelligent you are but that doesn’t really amount to much more than “well if this happens and that happens then this will happen”.
The US tied England 1-1. That’s an incontrovertible fact.
This is a tournament whose structure has always promoted upsets and, with the increasing talent parity worldwide, it would be truly silly to think we aren’t going to get a few more.
There is every reason to assume the England game was not the best you can expect from the US. History is great, but this is not the World Cup team of 2006 or the Gold Cup team of 09 nor the Confederations Cup team of the same year. This is very much a new team altogether and I for one, hope they can have a long run because I want to see what happens. Given the way this tournament is going no one should be shocked if the US gets to the semis or if the US loses to Slovenia and Algeria and bombs out.
“Yes, but what difference does it make if he can’t hit a barn door with a banjo?”
They still have to respect him and have someone cover him. He may not always miss.
As long as he is halfway intelligent with his runs and creates space by pulling defenders with him, he’s useful. If he does that he doesn’t have to score,he’s going to open up space for someone else.
A tie against Slovenia and a win against an already eliminated Algeria and we are in. So,I think Slovenia has more need for a win than we do.
The night Charlie broke curfew.
And Uraguay has won two world cups, so therefore they are going to win this year.
One can’t ignore history, but if you are going to cite prior team’s performances as a predictor of present team goal scoring, I think you would be wrong most of the time, especially for all but the marginal teams like New Zealand, who just got their first one.
If you are gonna start calling people names, at least get some facts and stop recycling Alexi Lalas and Jamie Trecker quotes. Your whole ten times logic shows you didn’t watch the game. Assuming Spain weren’t allowed to change their game plan between games, as the game was played it is clear that the Swiss would not have lost a majority of those 10 games.
Do you think Spain thinks our defense is weak? How about our Concacaf neighbors Mexico, who can’t beat our 1st string anymore, except at Azteca. Again, the pre Wcup spin said it was a problem, but facts are damning and we held England to a draw despite Lennon, Heske, and Rooney coming at us from all angles.
Please get an original thought, or if you are going to be unoriginal, at least be right.
If I were Slovenia, I would not be happy with a tie, but they just might be. Slovenia has to play England, and I am not quite sure they will win that game. However, if the U.S. ties and then beats Algeria, they will have 5 points. England is not going to relax their players in their last group game; they will be fighting to win the group. This is not a must win, so the U.S. doesn’t have to be overly aggressive. They will push and be patient, I believe, and eventually score some goals. All of the stats from the past do not mean anything. Now is now. The U.S. is inspired and hungry. A lot of players from the last World Cup are playing and starting in this World Cup, and they want to prove to themselves that they are a good side.
nope, 3-1 U.S., if not for a great save and Altidore heading away Dempsey’s tap in. nanny nanny boo boo.
demz da facts, you can make the quality argument all you want, but you can’t say we have a hard time scoring goals. We scored more goals than any other team in the tournament (in qualifying).
Yeah, I guess Bradley should be used to the U.S. getting calls like that by now. Doesn’t make it any easier to take though. I’m waiting for the first outrageous call against us in this world cup. Hopefully we will get a break. We have had more than our fair share.
Fair enough.
No that was a strategic goal by the U.S. Ask Dan, he’ll explain it to you.
As Pee Wee Herman might have said: “We meant to do that..”
“We only scored the most goals in qualifying of any world cup team.”
Are you for real?
Yes, scoring goals against teams from Central America and the Caribbean is the same as scoring goals against teams from Europe. While you’re at it, why don’t you count the goals the USMNT scored against college teams.
How many goals did we score in the last World Cup?
How well have we done scoring so far in this world cup?
Yes, Dan, we have a great defense.
If you can play great defense like Switzerland you might be able to get away with that, but if that game were replayed 10 times, how many times do you think Switzerland could have held on?
How do you think the U.S defense would have done under that onslaught?
You are silly Dan.
The U.S. never played Columbia. It was Colombia.
You would be in a tiny minority that uses that twisted logic. No one else in the media in England, the U.S., or anywhere else is seeing it the way you are. That comparison makes absolutely no sense at all. It’s ridiculous to compare chances in a game with gigantic blunders that only occur very rarely. There are chances in every game. When was the last time you saw the U.S. get a goal like that? When will you see it again? The game was 1-0 England if not for an epic blunder.
“though he didn’t say why he was sporting it” — He’s sporting it because it’s BADA$S!!! Keep the beard, Gooch! 🙂
“Consider that the U.S. defense is weak”
yeah, whatever, you are buying into the pre-Wcup spin by media pundits who were operating on the assumption that Gooch and Demerit were at 30 percent or something. While I admit it’s scary knowing we are one injury away from Bornstein being subbed in, our history in important international competitions has shown that defense is a huge and successful part of our game, just ask Spain.
You also say that we need to establish possession and passing. While I don’t doubt that would be good, it’s not so important as to get a whole paragraph. Just ask the Swiss how much possession they needed against Spain today. This whole love of possession comes from watching too many NFL games.
Don’t blame me. It was the Jubulani that beat Algeria.
p.s. you said “the U.S. has a hard time scoring goals”
Yeah, we only scored the most goals in qualifying of any world cup team.
You must be a basketball fan who just started watching soccer.
The US will show they’re last 8 material this game!
———–Timmy———–
-Dolo–Gooch-DeMerrit-Boca-
——-Clark—Bradley—–
-Donovan———–Dempsey-
——Findley-Jozy———
Subs: Torres, Herculez, Holden.
I would love that, but I just can’t see it. Hopefully the U.S. will get a result like that in the World Cup sometime soon, but as of now, we only have one game in modern world cup history in which we won by more than one goal.
You are ignoring unfavorable facts when you say we were shut out- but for a gift. We had other chances, about three anyway, that all could have gone into the net. So, it’s just as easy to say that we won 3 to 1, except for the gift bounces and saves.
As for the rest of what you have said, I am sure it all makes sense to you, but it doesn’t jive with the way they looked against Algeria. To put it in your language, they were one beachball bounce away from an utterly uninspiring draw that was marred by poor midfield and transition play. Slovenia should enjoy their win, it will probably be their last.
I think Villareal would say: “Yes, very impressive, but we will need more than that.”
Yes, but what difference does it make if he can’t hit a barn door with a banjo?
He verbally assaulted a ref after the Spain game and got suspended for 3 games. (Verbally assaulted may be a tad overkill as well.) The red card was given for him stepping on someone’s foot basically. He was obviously upset. It also changed, slightly, the dynamic of the team during the Brazil game. He was out for it…not saying the outcome would have been much different.
Verbal abuse after the game for a dubious red. And a rant in the press afterwards.
(Not MB hating, just responding to a very interesting question.)
That’s right. I remember that one. I think, though, that Stephen was probably referring to the USMNT when they are directly under the tutelage of Bradley.
I can’t remember. What did he do? Was it Bradley’s fault?
It was a BS red card. He did rant about the US fans writing them off. But the majority of the USMNT players do their talking ON the field.
the names says it all.
I wouldn’t call the accident unprofessional, I would maybe call it immature.
+1
would be the 3rd team now….thanks to uruguay. haha
Findley has more pace and that’s about where his positive attributes stop.
Weren’t you one of those people not saying anything at all?
Why not?
Nothing wrong with a player showing a competitive fiber after the opposition initiates a verbal jab.
Sometimes, the high road isn’t the right way to go.
I disagree. I think that foul by MB on the Joker Larrionda was a VERY professional foul.
I think that should we beat Slovenia by more goals than England beats Algeria that we are through. That is the only way we can possibly be guaranteed to go through after two games. I agree it’s unlikely. Doubt also that many starters would be rested in game 3 under any circumstances, as second place in the group probably gets to face Germany as a reward. Not appetizing.
Any response other than ignoring it is engaging it. So yes, they definitely took the bite, with Timmy going so far as to make a boxing analogy and a veiled warning (“looking at the lights”). Look, it’s not like today is a slow news day in soccer. And as JasonB said, this guys is not even a starter for his team, so the best response should have been none at all. And already I have wasted my time analyzing the response to the taunt….the Slovenians already “won” the mind game. 😉
I really can’t make sense of your first two comments, but your last, and most important comment, is dead on. How any of the people here could be so confident when they see what’s happening to the top teams in the tournament is beyond me. I guess if we were Brazil and we were playing North Korea, the consensus would be that we would win 7-0.
i agree that Findley is quicker, but if they’re gonna bunker and concede the middle third, what’s the point? you’ll need a strong taret guy and someone who has a knack for being in the right place at the right time…. a la Buddle.
In a way I think it won’t be that different from playing a concacaf opponent, a compact and disciplined bunker – counter system.
yes and all pale in comparison to the draw against Italy IMHO.
There are some things to consider here:
1. The U.S. often seems to struggle against teams they are favored against. The team itself seems to realize this.
2. I don’t think the U.S. should ignore or take lightly Slovenia’s comments. (However, no verbal responses from the U.S. players or coach are needed.) I think Slovenia really is confident, and there is at least some justification for it.
3. Consider that the U.S. defense is weak, or certainly can be, and that they played great against England but that wasn’t the norm. Slovenia is European and defensive. The U.S. doesn’t usually do well against this type of team, and in this case, Slovenia has the luxury of being even more defensive since they are the ones playing with three points.
4. The U.S. often has a hard time scoring goals, and if Bradley plays the same team he played against England, and uses substitutes the same way, I don’t see them scoring against Slovenia. They were, not surprisingly, shut out by England except for a gift. (I’m afraid most fans here don’t see it that way. They actually seem to believe that Bradley should get credit for that goal.)
5. I wouldn’t be surprised if Slovenia does what Poland did to us in 2002, that is, an all out attack from the starting whistle to surprise us and see if they can sneak a lead that they can defend. (That game was also preceded by trash talk from the Poles.) If the U.S. automatically thinks Slovenia will defend right from the start they could be caught off guard, just like with Poland. They should be cautious to start. The comments could be an attempt to get the U.S. to come right at them from the start.
6. The U.S. needs to establish a passing and possession game, and not get caught up in a physical scrappy game that Slovenia will probably try to create, at least in part by trying to antagonize U.S. players to keep them off their game.
7. If they want to have possession and some creativity they will need the right players on the field. The lineup from the last game WILL NOT work. Torres, Gomez, and Edu need to get on the field this time, as well as Holden and possibly Buddle again.
OK, but when was the last time a member of USMNT pulled a Hope Solo? None of those cats go off script because they know what they mean to the development of the sport. unlike a lot of other countries and FA, the USA is in a unique position n that they are the face of the sport, more so than the MLS or individuals accomplishments of players. When is the last time you saw a professional football player basketball player or hockey player speak with the eloquence and self respect of ANY member of the USMNT?
Needless to say, it’s a responsibility that I think they carry quite well.
1. This doesn’t increase motivation for the US–how silly those comments are. Guys like Howard, even guys like Findlay–they don’t need this stuff–they’re already jacked up as it is. If you need opp comments to get you revved up, you have no business being in the World Cup, you’re not fit to be on a roster. And as for satisfaction, how unbelievably petty and stupid to get any satisfaction out of beating someone just b/c they said that. A US win puts us in prime position to advance and keeps up in competition to win the group. Those are first and second in terms of satisfaction, everything else is a distant third at best.
2. No, the players didn’t “bite.” They were all at tables, the entire team was made available to the press in a forum where you really can’t duck questions or give typical “jock speak” answers like “we take ’em one game at a time and we respect everyone.” The journalists are as little as 3 feet away, seated next to the player–you can’t BS without looking like a complete d**k and idiot in that format.
3. I can’t believe how overconfident how many of you are. Yes, we’re a better team than Slovenia. But Slovenia is “USA-lite.” They are what we used to be: a club team that kept shape, worked hard, stayed focused, never quit, defended well, killed you on counters and restarts. Not pretty, not easy to play against, not the most technical team around but a team that always came to play. If you get a lead against them and they have to chase balls to get back in the game, they can be had. But they can easily play for a tie and leave happy–we can’t. Additionally, while I’m not a BB basher, the reality is that during his regime, we have a history of giving up early goals. Against Slovenia, that is suicide. If we give up an early goal (and we’ve been doing that to almost everybody we face the past 2 years) than we’ll probably lose this game. So, the USA has to do some things it hasn’t been known for in the past:
–we need to not give up an early goal
–we need to show the tactics and technique to break down a compact and organized defense (one of the most effective in WC qualifying).
If we do those things we leave with 3 points and probably score 2 goals or more. If we give up an early goal (which is our habit) or we don’t show the organization and creativity to break down a well-organized, veteran, compact defense (we typically have done poorly at this) than we’ll leave with 0 points. And that will likely put Slovenia through to the next round and then it’s whether or not England takes 3 from Algeria or just 1.
Davies had a few questionably unprofessional acts at his club.
and not to mention the accident.
Thats what I can remember
Agree that we need to win and score goals but…
Pulling Cherundolo when you have the lead is the definition of going conservative. Spector won’t test the backline nor will he be allowed to venture forward. Starting Buddle means you’re beginning conservative, because you don’t have Findley’s speed to stretch the defense. Demerit will not be pulled if he starts the game.
Afraid of a yellow? Put your best in and let them play smart, don’t take them out.