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Antigua & Barbuda vs. USA: Match Night Commentary

The U.S. Men’s National Team has traveled to the Caribbean for a crucial World Cup Qualifying encounter vs. underdog Antigua & Barbuda in a match the Americans need to win to stay on track for passage to the Hexagonal Round of CONCACAF qualifying (7pm, beIN Sport).

The Americans are currently in a three-way tie in Group A, with Guatemala and Jamaica, and can take control of their fate with a win against an Antigua & Barbuda side currently sitting at the bottom of the group table.

The U.S. will be fielding a short-handed lineup tonight, with injuries ravaging the roster. Landon Donovan, Fabian Johnson, Edgar Castillo and Brek Shea are all out for tonight’s match, which has led Jurgen Klinsmann to turn to Carlos Bocanegra to start at left back.

Eddie Johnson is in the starting lineup as the Americans trot out a 4-3-3 that will try to break down an Antigua & Barbuda side

SBI will be providing live commentary on tonight’s match so please feel free to follow along here. As always, you are welcome to share your own thoughts and opinions in the comments section below.

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

Comments

  1. I know Jones brings “bite” and “grit” to the midfield, but what use is he if he’s accumulating yellows like they’re going out of style.

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  2. Ok I love herc and his work ethic and all that jazz, but can anyone tell me Jozy wouldn’t have finished either one of those chances

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  3. This team sucks! Worst US team I have seen in years. I’m sick of hearing about those stupid friendly wins vs. Italy and Mexico. Who cares?

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  4. So difficult to make any judgement given the game conditions, but I have to wonder if Klinsmann’s constant messing with formations, personnel and roles has undermined the team’s cohesiveness. There seem to be a lot of guys out of position on the A&B counters. The advantage of the consistent 4-4-2 we’ve played over the last couple decades meant that everyone knew their roles and positioning in all circumstances. I wish Klinsi would find a formation/ style and stick to it. Or at least find two or three and stick to them. It seems that every match we are playing a completely different style, a different formation, with guys in different roles. I like to see creativity from my manager, but there’s also something to be said for consistency and clear expectations.

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  5. After Johnson’s goal I thought, although not pretty, was going to be a cakewalk. Either Herc or Eddie Johnson need to be pulled out at half time for another midfielder, Corona, Kljestan or Jones. Goodson has got to go before he screws up again. I would say bring in Parkhurst and move Boca to center. Then at some point Williams has to go. But that will have to wait until later in the second half. I cannot believe Klinsmann started him ahead of Jones, Edu or Beckerman. A big mistake, I think.

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  6. We need a formation change. The field is too narrow to play with fullbacks. Tell Bocanegra to stay put and let Cameron play ahead of him and Goodson in a holding role. You only need one area of width, so put Corona in and let Dempsey and Zusi patrol the wings from the midfield. Corona and Bradley can pull the strings in the midfield and let Eddie and Herc put pressure on the backline. We need to crowd the midfield and play long and diagonal from those tight angles to open up wider channels. Unfortunately this is the point where Klinsmann’s ridiculous selections come back to haunt us.

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  7. Sharpening my pitchfork and getting the gas needed for my torch to join anyone calling for Klins head. How many games in a row will we look like mummies out there? I am officially off the Klinnsman bandwagon and joining the many others walking on the streets. This is a freaking semi-pro team for god-sake. AHHHHHHHSkjdfaskjldbfkjadslfsdljfkhv

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  8. USA playing a little too academically. I think that Klinsmann has put too much in their heads. They receive the ball and then it’s lateral lateral lateral and then you can see a little smoke coming out of their ears. A/B is more pedestrian of course, so they receive the ball and run run run!!

    Make it happen USA!!

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    • Ives, this new gig is not allowing posts if your post has certain keywords in them. If I type p_ss the ball, it gets kicked out. If I type as_ociation it will do the same.

      How about ramping it down to PG-13?

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  9. Pathetic! JK and Vazquez are completly lost. Dempsey crap, Gomez crap, Williams crap. One pass forward and three back. Not deserving!

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  10. I haven’t been able to watch any of the game but I think this is like the Red Sox thing. Its simple… The US teammates just don’t believe in JK and his philosophy. He seems to have lost them or never had em. It was time for Bob to go but Jk it seems wasn’t the right replacement.

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    • +1 I can’t put my finger on it, but for some reason the players always seem to be lost, as if they don’t know the game plan. At first I thought it was just adjusting to a new system, but now it seems to be more than that.

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      • I agree that they seem a bit lost. It seems like every match, Klinsi employs a new formation, a new lineup, with players in new roles, and playing a different style. I’m all for creativity, but there’s also something to be said for consistency and cohesiveness.

    • The only thing I disagree with in your statement is that JK has a philosophy to disagree with. He is not consistent enough to disagree with.

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  11. Gomez’s name has not been called all night. Altidore anyone? we need to move up EJ so he can trouble the defense. It’s a waste to have him in midfield. Clint has been way off. His passing percentage looks about 50 percent. I am nervous about this result.

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  12. USA playing a little too academically. I think that Klinsmann has put too much in their heads. They receive a pass and then it’s lateral lateral lateral and then you can see a little smoke coming out of their ears. A/B is more pedestrian of course, so they receive the ball and run run run!!

    Make it happen USA!!

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  13. Zusi looks sooooo good. He’s reading and connecting incredibly well with MB and with EJ. Could Zusi really be the wide answer we’ve been looking for so long? Why has he never gotten his due before now? He wasn’t even ever in the youth team mix, was he?

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    • Why did Goodson start in this key match? He did not have a good game Sept. 7 in Kingston and he was so bad in June against Guatemala was pulled out at half-time. Jermaine Jones should be on the field also. He is better than Williams. Not happy with the starting line-up. Yes, we got the goal, but Dempsey has hardly touched the ball. Zusi looking good though.

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  14. This is hands down the worst pitch I’ve ever seen for a professional game. And there is no way Thia meets any standards. I don’t care what they claim it measures–i have eyes.

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