The U.S. Men’s National Team kicks off U.S. Soccer’s 100th year, and a very important year for a variety of reasons, with tonight’s friendly against Canada in Houston (9pm, ESPN2).
An MLS-heavy side will take the field at BBVA Compass Stadium tonight, with players looking to impress Jurgen Klinsmann enough to not only gain ground on the USMNT depth chart, but also to potentially earn a place on the World Cup qualifying squad that will travel to Honduras for the Feb. 6th match against the ‘Catrachos’.
The U.S. defense will be in the spotlight tonight, with the centerback pairing of Omar Gonzalez and Matt Besler playing for what could wind up being a starting role in qualifying.
The Americans will face a Canada side that is much younger, and weaker, than the side that forced the full U.S. team into a scoreless draw in Toronto. Dwayne DeRosario leads a young Canadian side that looked awful in a 4-0 loss to Denmark during the weekend.
SBI will be providing live commentary before, during and after the match, so stay with us as we bring you all the action and analysis on tonight’s match.
Enjoy the action (Tonight’s Match Night Commentary is after the jump):
Man Half Time is more exciting, I got on my PS3 and did a little FIFA13 and my game was way more exciting, 4-3 I wont.
I just think of the statement, “7 or 8 of these guys will be in Honduras”. And then I cry.
Yeah, JK, Dempsey hasn’t done S***. Remember that line while planning your press conference.
It reminds me of a great movie blurb of a horrible movie some 20 years ago:
“If these are the stars, think of what the rest of cast is like”
Sigh.
Can we finally put the “Call up Wondo” clamor to rest?…This guy played a good chunk of minutes and had chances… NEXXXXXXXXXXXTTTTTTTTTTTTT!
Poor Wondo. I don’t disagree, but JK sabotaged him tonight with this midfield.
People need to relax.
Outside of Johnson, Gonzalez, Zusi, Beckerman and Johnson maybe 2 of these guys will even see the reserve group for the full team.
Seriously. If you were expecting a team of first time caps and rookie/sophomore MLSers was going to come in and drop 4 against a team coming out after an embarrassing loss you’re kidding yourself.
Im hoping for at least 10 subs at the half…this sux
It’s the same old thing….we have no solution for a team that bunkers. Nobody can break them down so it comes down to trying to lob long crosses into the box
Agreed. Zero imagination or ambition by JK tonight. He needs to put down his helicopter manual and pick up a book on tactics.
The only way to break bunkers is with technical and speed skill players.
And a Black Hawk UH-60.
Twellman just said “I think Davis is gonna play a huge role coming off the bench in wcq.Hes been sitting in Houston all through JK’s tenure.He dosent have the pace or flair to come off the bench in a wcq and make an impact.Twellman is talking bull.
Twellman can identify with lack of pace or flair.
This was confusing because you never ended your quote.
No, that is what Twellman said. Then he just stopped talking and loosened his tie.
I thought it was weird too.
Lacking a few dynamic players. Hopefully Gatt, Agudelo, and Feilhaber are introduced in the second half.
ABOUT TIME, SEE WHAT DID I TELL YOU ABOUT JK FACE. I hope he goes at them like he did with Dempsey and tell them ok you have possession but you haven’t don’t S***. Prove you hungry, Prove me you really want to be on this team, Show me. NOOOOO YELL AT THE BUTT AND TELL THEM THAT THE NEW KID SHOULD START in the second half. YOU FREAKING J. KLISMANN
comment of the week! “NOOOOO YELL AT THE BUTT” is going to be my new catchphrase.
hellz to the yes.
“NOOOOO YELL AT THE BUTT”
“NOOOOO YELL AT THE BUTT”
“NOOOOO YELL AT THE BUTT”
just gets funnier
Thanks. You singlehandedly erased the past two weeks from my mind.
“NOOOOO YELL AT THE BUTT”
YOU FREAKING J. KLISMANN
Really guys? The MOST boring game you’ve EVER seen???
You clearly haven’t watched any of the games in my adult rec league!!!
I would never choose to spend my time watching your rec. league. I wouldn’t even watch video of my games, when I play.
I have the unfortunate position of being a player on one of my teams and the “coach” of my friends’ team. I have to watch a lot of it unfortunately
(I’m just kidding. I totally love it. I live for that ish! Look forward to it all week)
That said, I would totally watch my games on ESPN2 if I had the opportunity. And I know you would too….
Not my games but your games
This is DeRo vs the MLS All-Stars…
If we win:
“Yay! What a fantastic showing! The future is bright! Player X and Y for president!”
If we lose:
“Omg, the state of American soccer is over as we know it! We won’t qualify for the world cup! I hate everybody and everything!”
If we tie:
“meh. This was a meaningless friendly. Who cares?”
OR… see scenario for losing.
Canada is playing 11 guys behind the ball and we are starting an entire team of guys on their first cap or few caps.
We’re dominating in possession, but obviously we aren’t breaking down Canada’s double decker bus. Relax everyone.
Really Possession, Are you kidding me Look at Klismann face, he want to go under the ground stuck his head. Martin Vasquez need to go and get someone else who can plan a better game.
This same team got absolutely destroyed by Denmark a week ago. We should be dominating. This is not acceptable. JK calls out his players publicly for lack of ambition. We must do the same with him.
We are dominating. We had something like 80% possession and Canada had like 2 shots total.
We didn’t score and that’s because Canada changed tactics after the Denmark game and are putting their entire team behind the ball for us.
We have like 5 guys starting who have NEVER SEEN THE FIELD FOR THE USA. Really, really young guys.
Canada put 10 guys behind the ball against Denmark’s B team and they didn’t have any problem.
Disagree because the young guys are on defense for us. It’s our old guys like Evans, Davis, Beckerman, and Wondo who simply don’t have the pace or the playmaking ability to unlock a bunker D.
Wow.
Great last sentence.
Besler looks really comfortable on the ball.
BOOOOOORRRRRRRRIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGG
What a snoozefest!
JOE Wake me up, or should I wake you up. This the worst game ever, man I rather watch . the U17 or U20 play, They more enjoyable than this MLS Combine
I agree Angelo. Wake me up when someone exciting gets subbed in during the second half.
Side note, how many times can Twellman say, “Brad Davis has the best left foot in all of MLS.” Also, is that even a good thing?
should we take a shot of tequila. Lets make a game.
+1. Awful and cowardly choices by JK tonight. Hopefully we see Benny and the Gatt on at the half. At least that will give us a little playmaking and width.
Why my comment is still waiting for moderation, I haven’t say anything bad or disrespect anyone.
Possession by USA is boring, Klismann want them to play like Barca is stupid the keep passing the ball left, right and backward no offense no flair, no style, no technical and no speed.
Davis looking very skilled. Bob Bradley, pretty good coach but two big mistakes: trading Brad Davis from the Metrostars in 2002 and not playing Davis for the USMNT.
Bradley played a strict 442. Dempsey and Donovan occupied the wings.
I think he should put a U23 team in the field. Please someone wake me up soon. Can’t wait for Second half already. COME USA, COME GUYS play with more style and Brad Evans, Davis no need to be in this game.
Johnson and Zusi are the only ones who have looked remotely dangerous with the ball.
Too many ”try hard” guys on the pitch. Not enough flair or flash
Agreed
Agreed.This is a friendly,a time to play your most exiting line up regardless of result.That means guys like Gatt, Bedoya Mix and Agudelo.Time and time again Klinsmann has played too safe a line up in friendlys thinking a good result means more than a exiting performance.
While it looks ugly, it frankly looks like a whole lot of games where one team has the possession, the other team ain’t interested, and it just gets messy.
Wondo has the mentality and understanding for this level but continues to look like he lacks the ability/execution.
Boring, Boring, Boring this is why people keep asking for this MLS players, Don’t get me wrong I love MLS but please Internationally some of this player need to step it up. Please Beckerman is doing a fair game but please and Wondo & Johnson please get in it, get in the game kids.
I agree that this game is a complete bore. I am a huge USMNT supporter, but this is nearly unwatchable. The combination of JP/T-Rex Twellman and this game is awful.
I will correct myself, JP is not present.
JP was annoying but this guy is equally as bad.
JP was annoying but this guy is equally as bad.
1. Beltran is awful
2. Wondo, Davis, beckerman NEVER will be on WC 2014 roster.
3. GATT, Mix, Bedoya all need to be getting games now in case they are on qualifying roster.
4. This is worst line up possible, unless Lalas, Hedjuk and David Regis come out of retirement!
Its still early but Beckerman is playing well. Damn Ras Trent can still do it.
I am willing to go out on a limb and predict that the US is going to struggle under JK in qualifying. Not because we don’t have the talent in the pool, we do. I just don’t think Klinsman is going to select the right players. Just an opinion but I really have doubts.
Well you’re an idiot.
Yeah he needs to put as many dynamic players in the attack as he can ie Agudelo Gatt Diskerud.Im not digging all these possession oriented mids.No matter how good we move the ball.
Yes, I agree but they are not really even possession mids. They are not true CMs with ball skills, touch and the ability to read a play and make a nice diagonal, through ball. They are direct, long ball, hybrid type mids.
Well, we DO have possession. 😉
I think in 2011 when Klinnsmann started his player selection was awful. In 2012 it was greatly improved. I think we have too much depth for Klinnsmann now to pick bad players. Once you take away the Euro/S. American players like tonight, then Klinnsmann’s poor selection comes into play.
Really interesting idea, Vic. Gotta think on that one.
I kind of disagree. I think the lineup we put out at Jamaica was pathetically defensive minded which makes no sense given that the Reggae Boys sat back in a defensive shell the whole game forcing the USA to possess and attack. I feel JK just bashes the US players and puts forth timid lineups like tonight when he should take it to them. Against Italy, fine, play defensive but against Jamaica and Canada? Come on!! Put some speed and playmakers n the field!
I meant 2012 overall was pretty good. However, I agree Jamaica away was poor lineup selection. Jamaica at home was very good lineup selection by Klinnsmann. If you look at 2011 you’ll see calls for Beckerman, Shea, Agudelo, Rogers, Larenowitz and Tim Ream.
Yes, agreed, but the timidity of this lineup and the utter lack of playmaking or wing speed makes me wonder if JK has any clue how to unlock a bunker D.
why am I getting the same college basketball on espn and espn2. Am I the only one having trouble watching the game?
must be a cable provider thing. what a drag.
Same here. Dallas area. I’ve been told its been blacked out which makes no sense.
Just watch how much smoother the team will look once Feilhaber comes on.
Aaaaaand Evans blows one. He’s out of his depth, IMO.
Maybe JK is deliberately picking a lineup with no central midfield playmaker and no wide speed so that Canada would have lots of possession and test Omar and the Beez? Pls read in sarcasm font.
actually, that might be the most reasonable explanation i’ve heard.
Two best things about Canada are the anthem and DeRo. Glad we can see more Mexico games in the US, now if we can just get the US games.
Supporters need some different songs
No Mix on the bench. Very upsetting.
Crap starting 11. I’d rather see more youth.
Agreed why start Evans and Davis when they have no future with the Usmnt.
Yes. Stupid waste of opportunity to give some experience to a young prospect, IMO.
Does kyle beckerman deserve to be captain? … Just asking the question
Really disappointed that Bedoya and Gatt were left out of the lineup, I think the USMNT works best with speed on the wings. And would have loved to get to see Zusi try and run things from the middle and see what he’s got.
Really hate this lineup
DeRo vs, Davis in an international should be fun for Dynamo fans.
Great National Anthem
That was awesome! Lots of players singing along too!!
canada is hungry for a little redemption after getting so soundly schooled a few days ago, we better come out with a pep in our step if we want to get a W.
I’m very disappointed not to see Gatt starting.Also to a lesser extent Agudelo.Wtf at Evans and and Davis starting.Very little chance they help us in any qualifying games.
i know they wont answer it on the game cast so I will ask it here. How much of a deutsche-er is michael kammarmann?
No Tally. Maybe next time.
Does anybody know any live streams? besides espn3?
terrible line up
I will say that hoping we do well, but think we could have started better players and some of the players not dressed should be playing
no Landon? what is Klinsmann thinking?
Big blow to Feilhaber. Also, Diskerud not even making the bench? He’s got a goal and an assist in three appearances, and he’s an excellent sub. He better be on the plane to Brazil, or JK doesn’t know what he’s doing.
Looks like ESPN has signed on to broadcast all Mexico matches thru 2014.. Interesting to see who gets better ratings.
if thats a revelation to you, you must have been under a rock…
I hate that lineup.
I couldn’t possibly be the only one.
Witholding judgment until at least halftime. Ha!
Haha probably a good idea, i just couldn’t help but express my initial reaction for public viewing.
yeah, we’ll see….
ya, its terrible
My theory is that Klinsmann is focused on the back line. That’s a pretty inexperienced group. He is trying to give them extra protection by running out more experienced players in front of them.
IMO he was being sentimental towards Davis, Wondo, and Evans. None of them deserved to make the first XI in this pool.
James,
Firsrowsports.eu has every game. Enjoy.
Anyone have a stream site for this???
A non ESPN3 site
Try Justin TV