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Last-gasp goal from Varela sees USMNT settle for discouraging draw vs. Portugal

USA loses lead Germany

By FRANCO PANIZO

MANAUS, Brazil — The U.S. Men’s National Team’s once again delivered some late World Cup dramatics, but so too did Portugal.

Substitute forward Varela scored a last-gasp goal at Arena Amazonia on Sunday night to give Portugal a thrilling 2-2 draw with the U.S., which had rallied from an early deficit and was on the brink of securing an early ticket to the Round of 16.

Nani opened the scoring five minutes in, but the Americans responded through second-half strikes from Jermaine Jones and Clint Dempsey. Those goals had the U.S. on the cusp of advancing to the knockout phase, but Cristiano Ronaldo delivered a splendid cross from the right flank that Varela nodded home on the game’s final play.

The result leaves the U.S. a total of four points and second place in Group G behind Germany — but it also keeps Portugal alive in the tournament with one point, which Ghana has as well heading into the final round of group matches.

“When you get a goal in the last second of the game, when you would’ve been on six points, then it’s a bummer for a moment that you have to swallow,” said U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann. “But I think it was an outstanding game with all the players. We discussed at halftime, ‘It’s all good guys. We’re going to get this first goal and then we’re going to get a second goal.’

“We felt very confident that we could turn things around, which we did that. We could’ve added a third or fourth goal with the chances we had. Unfortunately, we didn’t do that and it ended in a tie.”

Varela’s goal gave a shorthanded Portugal a result in a match in which the Americans dominated possession after falling behind early. Geoff Cameron whiffed on a clearance attempt after a cross was sent in from the left and the ball skipped to the back post, where a wide open Nani stood before smashing a shot into the roof of the net.

After a few more Portugal attacks that looked threatening, Klinsmann’s side settled into the match, bossed possession for large stretches and took multiple shots on goal.

“Maybe it was a better sequence this time than in the (2-1 win vs. Ghana) where we scored in the first minute and then defended too much,” said Klinsmann. “This way you concede a goal and then you take the game to the opponent. If it’s Portugal, who cares? Go forward, and that’s what we did.”

Added center back Matt Besler: “I thought we responded very, very well (with the way) we were able to calm down, to keep the ball. We really got into a rhythm after they scored and played some of our best soccer for the rest of that half.”

Dempsey, Jones, Michael Bradley and Fabian Johnson all had goes from distance, but none of their shots were accurate enough to beat Portugal goalkeeper Beto.

As good as the Americans looked in the first half, they still needed a couple of saves from Tim Howard to keep them in the game. Howard stopped Nani on a chance late in the first half, and then produced one of the best stops of the World Cup just before halftime.

Howard had initially botched a block on a powerful Nani shot that stung off the near post, but used his left hand to paw away Eder’s rebounded effort despite the fact that momentum was carrying the U.S. goalkeeper away from the ball.

Portugal also had a spectacular save in the match. Bradley had a golden chance to equalize the game after Johnson cut a ball back to him early in the second half, but Ricardo Costa came up with a huge goal-line clearance to keep the Portuguese out in front.

That changed in the 64th minute. Jones brought down a cleared ball outside of the penalty area and sliced it past a frozen Beto to record his third goal at the international level.

“In that moment, I think the whole team is happy. Me, too,” Jones said. “We missed a big chance with Michael, so we was pushing and pushing and pushing. We have a lot of energy lost, so when I scored I can feel Portugal was a little like down and you could see that we would push more.”

Dempsey added his second of the tournament 17 minutes later off a low cross from Graham Zusi that came after substitute DeAndre Yedlin played a ball in from the right, giving the Americans a dramatic lead that sent the pro-U.S. fans into a frenzy.

Varela, however, made sure that would not be the winner. He nodded home Ronaldo’s 95th-minute cross from the right flank to leave the U.S. in disbelief and Portugal alive in the tournament.

“It’s kind of sad,” said Johnson. “If somebody had told us that we’re going to have four points after those two games, we’d have taken it. But we’re kind of, little bit disappointed.”

The U.S. will need to look past that disappointment quickly, as the final game of group play comes on Thursday against Germany at Arena Pernambuco in Recife. A draw would see both teams advance to the Round of 16.

Portugal and Ghana play simultaneously in the other Group G match at Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha in Brasilia.

Comments

  1. We will all become fans of the Ghana vs Portugal tie or a Portugal victory, provided the U.S. doesn’t give up a ton of goals.On the other side of things, since Germany does not have this sense of must win urgency both sides may go through with a 1-1 tie. The U.S. just has to do its best. I think they go through.

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  2. Anyone that blames an individual player for a game result has no idea what soccer is. You are confusing it with golf and tennis, a*holes.

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    • What is being done is blaming an individual for a particular goal. Nothing wrong with that, after all, facts are facts. It just so happened that the goal in question occurred on the last kick of the game.

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    • Well if players can get individual accolades for scoring goals (not to mention fat checks) it seems only fair to blame them for letting them in as well

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  3. Wasn’t Cameron the guy that everybody wanted at CB because he didn’t make the stupid mental mistake (1st goal) and wasn’t the guy who never forgot about the backside runner? Not a good game for GC. Totally at fault for the first goal and partially at fault for the second.

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  4. WOW, JUST WOW!

    Less than 3 weeks ago, nearly everyone posting on Ives agreed that MB was the key to the US fortunes. Today, he made several incisive passes that his teammates did not score from and is remembered only for NOT fouling in the last minute of play!

    For the past 6 months, people here have been claiming that the US would be lucky to get a single point and when Donavon was dropped several people almost guaranteed it!

    Now with the US second in the group with 4 points in 2 games and a goal difference of -1 Portugal is on 1 pt and GD of -4 while Ghana is 1 Pt and GD -1, everyone seems to think the sky is falling. Sure things are not as good as they were at 94 minutes, but it is scarcely a disaster.

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  5. I’ve had a few hours to mourn and digest, and I have to say, drawing the No. 4 team in the world is still something to be proud of, even if the U.S. deserved to win. At the very least I’m more confident against Germany. But seriously, no more of this Omar-in-the-final-minutes crap. Didn’t work in that run-up game, didn’t work against Portugal, won’t work against Germany or any other World Cup squad. One last takeaway: Yedlin and Wondo looked like legit subs today. More of them, please.

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    • Portugal ain’t a true number 4. And that was before the injuries crept in. With an ailing Ronaldo and the incredible volume of unavailable players drawing them is not saying much of anything. And drawing them after being ahead by one with seconds left is completely unforgivable.

      Portugal has rarely, if ever, lived up to their FIFA ranking.

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    • The Omar in the final minutes “crap” worked well in the gold cup. Omar had nothing to do with the last second implosion. It was all on Cameron who just let his man run right by him which is hugely ironic because Omar was supposed to be the guy who lets his man right by him and everybody was happy that Cameron got the job because he wasn’t the kind of guy that lets his man right by him.

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  6. maybe this is a bit nit picky, because it was an overall stellar perfromance today, but Zusi’s corner kicks were absolutely atrocious. We always have an advantage on set pieces and poor delivery is unexceptable, albeit Jones’ goal come off a corner but that one too was poorly sent in. I really cant think of anyone in the starting 11 to take them, maybe Bedoya like against Ghana? maybe Beckerman?

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    • Except for the corner which Brooks’ headed in, I have always been left wanting when Zusi takes corners. I don’t watch much MLS, so I can’t speak about those, but in a Nats jersey, I’ve almost always been unimpressed. Traditionally, it’s one of the few advantages we’ve had.

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  7. Just spent a while ca,Ming down and watching the tactical cam on WatchESPN, which is pretty cool though it is a bit difficult to see who is who.

    After the go ahead goal, Portugal took it up a notch and we began to look tired. They challenged every ball while we began more and more to walk and give them more space to chose where to pass.

    This got worse when Omar entered. As far as I could tell he never touched the ball, and was all over the middle and right side leaving DMB on the right more exposed without Zusi. It appeared to me the back line lost its shape further when he entered.

    Uncharacteristically, a bunch of our guys appeared to run out of gas tonight before their opponents did. Either mentally or physically, there were four good chances at least in the last five minutes for Portugal, and the last one was their sub moving faster than anyone in our back line.

    Overall, the USMNT took it to this highly ranked team. Very proud of a comeback from a bad defensive goof. Sad that they couldn’t stay focused at the end. That has become a habit lately. Maybe they have trained too hard sine the start of camp?

    I do think MB is off, don’t know if the midfield config is really the reason. I guess you could move him to Beckerman’s spot and replace him at the point with Diskerud.

    Now a real good test for the boys – Ghana will probably eat Portugal up especially if they get an early lead. To pull it out of the fire, Portugal has to beat them by what, four goals to have the GD advantage over either us or Germany? More likely, Ghana will beat them by more than one goal which will mean we cannot lose our game with Germany. My thinking is that Germany will want to prove that they are top of the group with a win over the Jurgentraitor.

    Good luck to our boys! Rest and then go full heat on Germany. Must score at least one or two even in a narrow loss.

    And now the biggest decision at work this week will be how to engineer the extended lunch break for Thursday.

    IBTWWW

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  8. A Portugal Ghana 0-0 tie would be alright with me. I do not think Germany will take a chance giving up ANY goals. I expect the first half Germany may play conservative and then look to take the game in the second half. I see the USA counter attacking more in the second half and catching the German defense playing too deep and getting caught.

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    • If Germany tries to take this game, I expect our boys to eat them alive. Without the need of fixing anything, the German players must understand that everybody here is happy with a tie. So, must understand our players. Nobody needs to call anybody. All the players involved should understand this as professionals. After all, why try risking something you already have, and risk cards and injuries in the process?

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  9. All I have to say is that, despite my harsh criticism at times, this is a great performance thus far by USMNT. I did not have them sitting on 4 points after 2 games needing only a tie against a team like Germany who also only needs a tie to top the group. I say to our players, be professionals against Germany, don’t try to pull any heroics and expect likewise from them. If they cross the line, however, let them have all our might and let’s see what happens. But, please, oh please do not cross that line first in our last game. Facing Belgium is better than watching Ghana do it. I could be wrong, like many times in this WC, but I don’t see Portugal beating Ghana.

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  10. Klinnsman was yelling for everybody to get back seconds before the second Portugal goal. There was too much separation between the lines. They lost shape and were not compact. Fabian Johnson at RW, Cameron at RB, and Brooks in at CB.

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    • this is a game for speed down the wings. I think Klinsmann hit the nail on the head with Yedlin in at RM in front of Johnson. I could see Bedoya getting a break for Brad Davis on the left and Beckerman being subbed for Mix. Yedlin is a super sub from here on out. It’s a tad surprising that Klinsmann trusted Yedlin more than Green in this game.

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      • He wanted Yedlin’s defensive ablilities. He was really there to help preserve the tie and he helped to score the second goal. But the idea was to put two FBs on Ronaldo. That was the reason for Yedlin and not Green.

  11. Sorry to say this, and I will probably have to avoid posting after this, but you are all missing the point. The team beat Ghana, and tied the fourth best team in the world, with the best player of all, and are in a good position to go through from the team of death. Perhaps you young pups have not watched the US for years, but DO NOT forget that we required help in 2002, were eliminated in 2006, and required a last minute goal in 2010 to go through against Algeria and Slovenia. We took a game where we goofed and were one down in the first ten minutes and took it within 30 seconds of a win. That is freaking huge. And, we go into the third game with our fate in our own hands, and odds-on favorite to advance even if we lose.

    If you want to bench Bradley, you haven’t watched the last year of games. Everyone on this team played their hearts out and I’m proud to be their supporter. Did the goal hurt from CR and whoever? Sure. Am I proud to be a supporter? Hell yes, and for always.

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    • You have to start the players who are in the best form in the present, not who is supposed to be the best on paper. Bradley stays on the field only because there doesn’t seem to be competition for his role. It makes you wonder if he’s nursing an injury or illness the way he’s playing. I’ve seen him play and look a lot better.

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  12. I think too many readers of SBI lost money on the USA-Portugal game when the two tied. Otherwise I can’t explain all the hate for USMNT lynchpins, without whom we would not have been in the position to win in the first place.

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  13. Has anybody noticed that every time Gonzo comes in to make the three centerbacks, we get scored on? I believe it has happened in the last four games, beginning with Turkey. I am not blaming Gonzo, just the tactic.

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    • I believe since Turkey we have given up 4-5 goals after the 80th minute. This needs to be looked at. Maybe do a concacaf style 5-3-2 in the last 10 min? A little game management. Tough to work that out.

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  14. I can’t believe this is SBI commentary. I try not to post negative comments, but I have a suggestion to bring some decorum and reason back to the table here: Will everyone who loudly predicted the US would crash out against Ghana and Portugal please leave the room or at least pipe down for a while? You have no standing to be tearing US players and tactics apart and demanding benchings. It worked, guys, deal with it. JK, MB, JJ, Brooks, Yedlin, no Donovan, Beckerman, Johannson, … it effing worked. All of it. We got the 4 points in our first two games. Scored 4 goals in the process. We outplayed – thoroughly outplayed – the #4 ranked team in the world today, and Portugal were very fortunate to come away with a point.

    There is no team in this tournament we need be afraid of. Germany included, if they won’t come to some sort of “arrangement”. The sky is not, in fact, falling, in actual fact it is pretty sunny right now. Our odds of advancing now should stand at somewhere in the neighborhood of 80-90% when they run the numbers. Belgium has hardly looked like an inspired opponent for the R16, in fact I’m not even sure I’d rather face Algeria the way they played earlier today.

    Get a grip!

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    • +1

      we’d have to not be competitive against Germany and Portugal would have to not put up a fight against Ghana. The latter may be possible but I know the USA team will make Americans proud on Thursday.

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    • I generally agree with evrything you said there. Only thing, there has to be no “arrangement”for that last game. These are professional player and should know that a clean tie, with no yellows or injuries, in this game benefits both. What I don’t want to see is the USMNT trying to take it to Germany early on and scoring an early goal. That would be like suicide by cop.

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    • How many people said going into this, the US would be lucky to get a single point. We got a late winner and gave up a late equalizer. That’s part of the game,. We just have to learn from it and move forward. To be honest after we gave up the first goal I thought we might just loose by 3. Still a lot to be proud of in this performance.

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  15. Lets talk about some other players for a moment. Bedoya was a waste, dont know who else to play out left, Bedoya may match up better with the Germans. the Johnson/Zusi combo functioned well and dealt with Renaldo well. I dont see any reason to swap that out.
    I dont think Jozy will be back, maybe a late sub if a goal is needed. Cameron made some bad plays, but really they were his first since being moved to CB, and his back up is awful. If Omar comes in a game, an opposing goal is sure to follow. Everyone else was good or really good in their roles.

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    • Johannsson can try his hand at wing. Brad Davis is available, but no one really wants to try that experiment now. I suppose Beasley could be moved forward in a case of last resort. I REALLY want Mix to come in for Bradley. Mix, unlike Baldy Balderson, has proven he can play as a 10. And Mix arguably has the softest touch on the team. Light years ahead of the anvil-footed Bradley.

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      • I’d bring Mix alright, at the expense of Beckerman, not Bradley, and move Bradley to his natural position along with Jones. Nobody has says this, but Beckerman slows this team down way too much.

      • I’m fine with that. I’ve never been a Beckerman fan. Steady, but slow and dull. A bit more is needed at this level than what he’s capable of. But Mix should get a try at the 10 and Bradley needs to be evacuated from the offensive midfield.

      • I too have never been a Beckerman fan (well maybe a little today when he pushed that fake bully Raul around) but I have to say he has been solid.
        However, it is reasonable to expect Bradley to succeed as well in that role AND your point about the excellent touch of Mix is something to consider.

      • So it’s settled. Will you call Klinsmann or shall I?

        Seriously, I hope JK realizes something needs to change. That AM position is a black hole right now.

      • +1 he needs to learn how to pass the ball forward at the international level. sadly given his advanced footballing age he likely will not have that opportunity.

  16. Having three big athletic box-to-box midfielders on the pitch in Bradley-Jones-Bekerman has been a huge key in the US having a shot to advance. Nobody left on the roster fits that description since Edu was left at home, so people who want Bradley benched for the Germany game, well, lets say it borders on certainty they will be disappointed.

    Given Bradley’s “team that suffers the most” quote, and the fact he was basically seen as one of the three leaders of the team after Dempsey and Howard, I STRONGLY suspect that he pushed himself too far in training trying to “set an example”. I think his body is now serving up the bill. IF (and my comment is pure speculation) that is the case, the training staff should have monitored him more carefully.

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      • He really isn’t a particularly good box-to-box guy either. He is utterly allergic to scoring. His best, really only, role should be as a holding mid. He’s back in MLS for a reason. He never quite cut it in Europe. More was always expected of him. He was on Roma during a significant down period for them. When Garcia came aboard it was bye-bye Baldy. Miserable in the Prem. No longer wanted on Monchengladbach. Notice a theme?

      • we disagree on what MB can do and what he has done for years for the USMNT is clear for anyone to see…or not of course

        He was fine at Roma, not great but fine, and at Chievo he was really good. Verona is in Europe, and he had folks ready to sign him out there but NOT for that coin he got from MLS

      • Roma fans would groan when he entered a game. Their fans would basically say that the offensive output ceased when he played.

        He’s another player who is more than competent against CONCACAF-type opposition, but has a tendency to disappear against quality teams.

      • I watched most of his games at Roma, you overstate the fans distaste

        Verona they loved him. Verona is in Europe, not Concacaf. doesn’t fit your opinion but it happened

      • My CONCACAF remark was only pertaining to international soccer, not club level.

        Yeah, he did pretty well at Chievo, but it’s Chievo. No one’s really watching. He didn’t create offense for them, however. He hasn’t created much of any offense since his Dutch days.

      • His Chievo “heroics” were also years ago at this point. Who cares about what anyone did years ago, it’s about NOW.

      • I know it’s about now…You are the one bringing up his Eurpoean days…all I did was fill in the gaps you left out from your account of it

        re. now, Jurgen is playing him out of position and he’s still not the hot mess you are pretending he is

        cheers

      • Yes, I said he is a decent holding mid. But he has been worse than a hot mess these last two games. If you truly don’t believe that, you are a denialist who had to have offered undying allegiance to MB someone along the way. He has literally played like and made the mistakes of a child these past two games. It has been ghastly, unadulterated by even the faintest of silver linings. The giveaways and sloppy passes on breaks have been utterly unforgivable. That attempt on what should have been the game-tying goal was “pitiful’s crippled bastard child”. He then almost blew our second goal. It is inarguable that the 10 spot has been a black hole. He has anvils for feet. Always has. It’s not his position, but these are mistakes children make…and not European or South American children.

        What did he ever do at Chievo other than be a solid d-mid? That’s all he’s ever been. The performance has never matched the acclaim of his extolling fans.

      • man, please quit labeling everyone who disagrees with you. I’m not a ‘denialist,’ I supplied points which opposed your arguments, that’s all. I see you don’t like that, OK, message received

      • I apologize. Truthfully, you’re probably just keeping it together much better than me right now. I’m probably letting emotion get the better of me and am saying some things that I don’t mean. It’s just beyond disappointing to lose in that fashion. Literally ripping “defeat” (a draw) from the jaws of historic victory. All will be forgiven with group advancement, but the uncertain wait is killer after what was, seemingly, certain furtherance. Next-level frustration.

  17. I guess our best bet for the US and Germany to go through is a 1-0 US win or a tie. Losing is not an option. (a tie our best bet in either game)

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    • Neither the USMNT or Germany need to win. They can tie the game and both will happily progress to the next round. There’s no reason neither for a match fixing, since these facts are well known to all the players involved. Both teams, USMNT and Germany, have played their hearts out in their first two games to put themselves in the position they are in to qualify with a tie. Germany and USMNT need a clean 90 minute game, free of injuries and cards. If Klose wants to break the record he must wait for the knock out stages. Bottom line is, Ghana and Portugal should not be expecting a result other than a tie between Germany and USMNT. That’s why nobody in Portugal celebrated the tying goal. They wanted it because as competitors no one likes to lose, but they knew it wasn’t just enough. Germany may get Algeria or Russia, and the USMNT will get Belgium, a very beatable team despite us having lost to them in friendly.

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      • I expect Belgium to break it open…wide open. That team is just waiting to explode. Their talent is absolutely extraordinary. They have frustrated so far, but have produced when they had to. I don’t think anyone would look forward to having to play Belgium. I have a hard time believing we can beat them in a knockout round match. They are a class or two above Portugal and I believe are a dark horse to win the whole shebang.

      • I would definitely NOT want to piss Germany off by scoring an early goal. This is not going to be their second game.

      • Of course not, I never said we should. I was merely referring to your comment about Belgium “being beatable”. Of course anything can happen, and anyone is beatable on a given day, but Belgium is more elite talent than they know what to do with. Very scary team. When they play their best, few in the world can hang with that group.

      • This eurosnob conventional wisdom hasn’t really been working out so far, perhaps you should atleast consider the possibility of being wrong.

        rofl really hard to believe you’re an actual fan of the USMNT. you reek of a brit who’s lived in the States for a couple years and decided to follow the team during the World Cup

      • Klose and anyone else from the US team could both get a goal in and call it a day btw haha. It’s on the players to decide what’s best and playing smart is the way to go. No need to go all out for a victory when that strength is sorely needed for the next round. Germany can get Algeria/Russia and we get the Belgians (who are talented individuals, but not a team).

  18. Jonesy…Man of the match, man of the tourney so far. Thursday will be our new D-Day…Never in the field of human conflict has…[somebody finish my sentiments please]

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    • … something as boring as 22 men standing around for 90′ waiting for another man to blow a whistle three times occurred.

      Except that one time in Gijon.

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  19. So many of the comments here are shockingly dumb. I usually value the commenters’ insight here, but this is unbearable. I won’t be coming back till after the WC.

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    • Do you want valuable insights? Me, too. Ha ha, deep thoughts… I felt like you during the whole lead up to today”s game. The “we stink, we’re not worthy” trend in the comments last week after the Ghana win was off-putting. Seemed remarks were mostly by people who hadn’t been following the team. However, today is different. We really let ourselves down. Too bad. I really liked this team. What a letdown.

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    • The only irrational thing here is the continued love that some US fans continue to show for the extraordinarily mediocre Michael Bradley.

      Not a BAD player per se; just a very average one who is prone to mistakes and doesn’t show up in big games.

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      • Too, too true. Roma fans kept saying that the offense died when Bradley entered the game. The guy is a decent holding mid, but nothing more. It is so clear now why Rudi Garcia essentially replaced him with Radja Nainggolan. Bradley has anvils for feet. Absolutely no touch for the ball.

      • wish he was playing in the role he’s done for the USA for years and done well, but he’s been playing in a different role for Jurgen for about 2 months…he’s a D mid not an attacking midfielder or something like that, I think we all agree…but the one in charge does not. Cameron another player being asked to do what he typically does not, and he was in on both goals pretty big time. Not really his fault though imo

      • ??? so Jurgen lets his players tell him what they want? funny

        anyway, with the team that is in Brazil, how about starting Mix and moving MB back next to JJ?

      • I would imagine they have some say in where they play. They must be able to lobby Jurgen for a particular position. Of course the manager makes the final decisions, but I would be shocked if the players are not allowed to voice their positional preference during the decision-making process.

    • Today’s “loss” was irrational! 30 seconds left and they’re going for a third goal????????? Literally nothing anyone says on here is more irrational than that!

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    • The main point is yes Bradley was dispossessed, Cameron messed up, Howard was a little shaky at times. BUT who, seriously who will you replace them with? Mix isn’t a physical player and would have been pummeled as well. Bradley is the best option right now whether you like it or not. Naysayers seemed to disappear when he played great during qualifiers and last I saw those are big games. I’m sure Bradley knows that loss of the ball was on him and guess what, Messi, Ronaldo, Donovan, etc etc etc have made mistakes in their careers as well. You keep playing. Don’t mix emotion with thinking its objective observation.

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      • Mix is the better option at the 10 spot. It’s a position that comes far more naturally to him, his touch is miles ahead of Bradley and his creativity is possibly the best on the team. Move Baldy Balderson back to CMF next to Jones.

  20. In the long run, it must be said that this may be a blessing in disguise. When we get out of this group and into the round of 16 this lesion could help us.

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  21. We need to learn how to close out games like our neighbors Costa Rica did against the mighty four time champs, Italy. I told you so before, but neither you, nor Klinsmann listened. Now, as for the game, Howard is way overrated. Did you see how he chickened out again on that first goal by falling on his butt even before the shot was taken? He did the same against Ghana by diving away. today he should’ve closed on Nani and make it difficult for him to shoot, maybe a goal but the keeper let us down. On the last goal, I guess he was caught ball watching since he thought there was no way the play would end on a goal. That ball wasn’t that far from him and the cross was high and from a distance. If I was Klinsmann, I would start Guzan and die with Guzan. Howard is chicken sh!t.

    On Bradley, I feel sorry for the guy since he has been set up to fail by the all-knowing Klinsmann. He was made an attacking midfielder one and a half months before the World Cup by Klinsmann maybe to justify even more not needing Landon Donovan. He lost the ball, but this is a team sport and Portugal had to travel two thirds of the field to score with basically nine or ten USMNT player behing, and somehow that ended up in a goal. Blame Johnson or Cameron all you want, but it is a team sports and Ronaldo was allowed to cross the same that Iran let Messi shoot from the only angle he always scores. Bradley should start but in his defensive posture, and please take Beckerman out. I guess not having Landon makes that move a little more difficult.

    Finally, better overall performance by USMNT. Well deserved tie, which is huge since now Germany doesn’t have to beat us now to win the group and I don’t see any reason for both teams to play to a tie. Germany and USMNT have done what they had to do in their first two games, so I am sorry for Ghana and Portugal, but they should play to tie the game. Belgium is a very beatable team for the USMNT, more so than the three rivals we had/have in our group, so I am optimistic now that we will make it to the Quarters.

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    • Perhaps Howard has been hyped too much because the media has to hype someone up, but he is still pretty good. Guzan is great too, but I don’t think he has the same reach as Tim. I think I’ve seen Guzan great one on one close range. The one where Nani gets the ball Howard does overreact, but closing down on Nani with (I believe) 2 of his other teammates next to him is a recipe for disaster. I’m not a goalkeeper but I think he has to stick to his position there, hope Nani makes a wrong decision. I agree with someone else who said that maybe he should have shouted at his defenders to track back better on the last goal.

      On the Ronaldo crossing, I’d have to see the replay again, but you get too close or aggressive playing on Ronaldo and he will blow by you. And the same people complaining about the cross getting in would be complaining about a player over committing on one of the best players in the world. And in the other WC games I’m watching, a lot of teams are getting crosses in. That’s life. You have to be able to defend them when they come in.

      You’re probably right about Bradley. Maybe he and Jones should be the 2 in front of the back 4, and rest filled with Dempsey and attacking midfielders.

      Reply
      • Or maybe we think our best players should win EVERY one-on-one challenge. I mean really? We’re going to rip Howard for overplaying the fake by Nani when he’s alone on goal?

        While we’re at it – I think Dempsey sucks because he’s only scored two goals in this WORLD CUP!

        Come on people – the other teams are fairly good too. This isn’t the women’s NT playing against Mexico in the 90’s.

  22. So much focus on Bradley but why didn’t Yedlin let the ball run out in the corner after his cross was blocked? It would’ve been a US throw with 1 minute left. Waste 15-30 seconds on the throw, reset, and run it out. So many what ifs.

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  23. The hating on Bradley here is ridiculous. He perhaps should have done better in a spot 60-65 yards from his goal, fine. It bears repeating — 60-65 yards from his own goal. But there were many defenders behind him and the one playing the ball and the one playing the scorer did nothing to stop the resulting play, and it still took a world class cross and on point header. In my view, Beasley should have flat taken Ronaldo out, Cameron should have looked someone other than at Ronaldo, and Gonzalez should have been planted on the spot where the ball ended up from the moment he entered the game. It was a breakdown and the worst time, but the US outplayed Portugal, deserved the win, and should be proud of getting through two tough games in control of its fate and still in an excellent position to advance even if it loses that control. Making radical change now would be nonsensical.

    Reply
    • You do not give away the ball anywhere in central midfield at that juncture of the game for any reason, at all, period, end of story. Without a doubt, Cameron shares some of the blame there, but Bradley losing the ball there is simply inexcusable for someone of his talent and experience.

      Reply
    • No, it is not ridiculous or unwarranted at all. If it were just that one mistake that you are describing, then yes, the criticism would be excessive. But Bradley has been utterly wretched this whole tournament so far. Yes, he is out of position, but these are mistakes you see children make. And he keeps making them. His touch is absolutely atrocious. The game looks too fast for him. If the speed of the game is too much for him and his touch is not up to par, then the scrutiny is, in no way, “ridiculous”. In that case, he needs to be benched. It is a simple fact that he is killing us right now, two games in a row. We can’t afford to make it three.

      Reply
    • The hate is completely ridiculous. The charges of “bad touch” “constant giveaways” are the complaints of fans who think that top players should never make an error. The players on the other team are pretty good too! We need to grow up as US fans a bit – jumping on every non-perfect play from our top players is naive. We’re talking about the player who created multiple chances – took charge of the tempo of the first half (where I think we actually won the point by not panicking and giving up a 2nd goal) and covers the most ground of any US player.

      Reply
      • Don’t get the hate either, and I was very critical of him last game. I’m guessing it’s mostly from low-information World Cup fans who only noticed his missed chance and turnover at the end. He wasn’t spectacular but far from bad enough to warrant the criticism he’s getting. If anyone should be scapegoated this game, it is CLEARLY Cameron — 100% responsible for the first goal, and in position to prevent the second.

    • At least that screw-up was early in the game. Bradley’s end-of-game mistakes (really all WC mistakes) are unforgivable.

      Reply
  24. I have always wondered what the big deal is with Bradley. To me, what I see on the field has never meshed with the way fans have spoken of him for years. He was only on Roma because they were in a rebuilding period. He clearly was not good enough to play under Rudi Garcia. He failed straight outta the Prem. Take away the game vs. Slovenia in the last WC and I have never seen him play particularly well in a competitive USMNT match. He’s like Eddie Johnson, CONCACAF competition is one thing, but this level of play is a class above for him. Mix should get a chance in his stead.

    Reply
    • “He’s like Eddie Johnson, CONCACAF competition is one thing, but this level of play is a class above for him. ”

      Jeremy,

      Yeah those CONCACAF teams are being exposed for sure in this the World Cup.

      Reply
      • So that’s it, Costa Rica wins two games and that dispels every notion the world has had about CONCACAF forever? CONCACAF is now in the pantheon of UEFA and CONMEBOL because Costa Rica won twice in a group stage! I guess you have never heard of the word anomaly…or the word outlier…or the word aberration…

        I mean, come on dude. You honestly believe that two wins proves a mountain of evidence collected over decades untrue? It’s also just one team. Remind me how Honduras is doing? And how come New Zealand made the WC four years ago? I can’t believe I’m even arguing against such a juvenile, easily disputed statement.

      • At the top, claiming Africa is superior is a bit of a stretch. Club status means nothing in this argument, team performance does. CONCACAF potentially (probably) getting 3 out of 4 teams out of the group stage (with 2 of those being groups of death, esp Costa Rica’s) speaks for itself. And beyond one tournament, Mexico and the USA are way more consistent than any of the African sides.

        Also, New Zealand in the world cup has nothing to do with CONCACAF, clueless clown. Costa Rica lost to Uruguay 2-1 on aggregate 4 years ago to fall short of playing in the WC.

  25. I’ve kind of talked myself around. It would be very unsporting but does Germany really want to run them self into the ground? Take cards, and risk injuries or just have a kick around and win the group?

    Reply
    • In 1982 they were involved in a very shameful match which resulted in FIFA making a rule that the third group games must be simultaneous. So I doubt they’ll blatantly kick it around; but it’ll be a game no one wants to lose and risking a win is not worth much.

      Reply
      • Yeah.. but with that 1982 match, nothing was done to the teams, and nothing changed except for scheduling. The thing is, if two teams are sitting on four points and playing one another while the others have two, then the two four point teams have put the work in to control their own fate.

  26. Calm down. Klinsi has to be calling Jogi right now:

    – So, Jogi, Nichtangriffspakt von Recife?

    – Ja, genau! und Party nachdem Spiel!

    Reply
      • So Jogi, Non-Aggression Pact of Recife (town in Brazil where the USAvGER match will go down)

        (Note: the infamous 1982 match between West Germany and Austria that ended 1-0 and saw both nations advance is referred to as Nichtangriffspakt von Gíjon in Germany)

        Yeah, that’s right! And Party after the game!

      • Ah! Thank you gentlemen. Very enlightening. A previously agreed upon draw is the first thing I thought of, too. There is no one better than Low and Germany to play when hoping for this to happen.

  27. Better to play with MB in the 10 role? Ha ha, would be easy to see Donovan in the position tonight. Hate to say it. How it looks tonight, so many bad passes from MB.

    Reply
  28. I have been down in the doldrums for the past hour and a half, like many other U.S. fans. But maybe, just maybe, the days of scratching in the dirt are over. That was a brave, creative performance by a TEAM. We deserved the three points against Portugal, a team we were terrified of a few months ago and who has high calibre players all over the pitch; they were wounded, but so were the U.S., and there were still long stretches of beautiful play from our guys. I for one feel confident of advancement, and absolutely this squad will fight until there is nothing left to fight for. Very proud fan here.

    Reply
    • Good stuff but we are testing fate. Ghana is going to be so deadly against Portugal so we better be sharp against Germany.

      Reply
    • We looked good against Portugal after they took the lead and retreated on defense. I don’t like watching how we play defense where everyone just drops back and waits for the opposing team to make a bad pass. It’s tough as a fan to watch no-pressure defense. I hate it. But I am impressed how we put together passes to maintain possession and move the ball around the field. We do show some talent. And we did look better than against Ghana. But Ghana is much better than Portugal, I think Portugal is deflated and Ghana will crush them.

      Reply
  29. This was a loss, simple as that. If Klinsi gets us up for the Germany game and we get a point to advance, just incredible coaching job.

    Reply
  30. Regardless of anyone and everyone’s feelings about players and whatnot there is one thing no one can deny: US games are ALWAYs dramatic in the World Cup.

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  31. Am I the only one afraid of a Portugal implosion if they go down early to Ghana. They will have to press and the flood gates in their defense will open.

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  32. Ghana will slaughter Portugal.

    And seriously, don’t any of our guys watch the NFL? Would have like to see Bradley or Beasley execute a good arm tackle, take the resulting card, the save the game.

    Reply
    • You’ll make a lot of money then, since Portugal has opened up a favorite in the game.

      Ghana’s defense is not good. Portugal will score against them.

      Reply
  33. Guys don’t think of Match Fixing! It will never happen! Germans and Miroslav Klose has a record to set! In the End Germany will whip US, Ghana beats Portugal and qualifies!

    Reply
  34. end of game comments from Klinsmann I think were spot on: Germany tied Ghana and, in most people’s minds, should have lost to Ghana. The US having beat Ghana and almost beat Portugal (mind you because of a once-in-a-world-cup wunder-cross and wunder-header in the last 30 seconds of the game) means that the US is more than capable of taking the game to Germany and coming away with the points it needs.

    To channel Jurgen, we showed the world we are class and that we are improving with every game. Germany doesn’t want to play us. Now is our chance. Enjoy the moment, make it last.

    Reply
  35. It’s already amazing. How many US soccer reporters will fault Bradley? Grant Wahl, who is now a complete and utter clown, doesn’t even mention the Bradley mistake in his “three thoughts,” which I put quotations marks around because the “thought” part is doubtful. Bradley had an average game and completely blows the pooch at the end, but crickets from the reporters.

    Reply
  36. Bradley kicks that ball away in midfield at the end and the US wins. He has had two poor games in a row. He looks tired, not the usual workman stuff from him. Will he snap out of it for the next game?

    Reply
    • True. Simply put, you’re exactly right. He walks the entire game unless the ball is at his feet. ANY of my kids on my team do that for more than 20 sec are subbed and talked to.

      Reply
    • Rubbish. What talented player kicks the ball out of bounds in midfield? Everyone is talking as if he was on the penalty spot when this happened. He tried to control a non-pass and hold it to take a foul and gets pushed off the ball. I’ll bet good money he ran a full mile more than any other US player – no effort my ass.

      Reply
  37. the outrage and venom here is hilarious, how it’s always one player’s fault, or so and so’s fault…maybe Jurgen is right to think US soccer fans are stupid and naïve so he can say and do whatever he wants! like having us play a 6 and 7 player D backline down the stretch in epic bus parking, or telling his team to stay up high in the Offensive third to pressure the ball in the 95th minute and so stretching out the defensive shape of his 6 and 7 man back line, and so allowing all that space for the final goal

    this board has devolved into little trolls only wanting to say I told you so to spout their anger and attack players they hate. awesome!

    Reply
    • We could play better defensively. Im not happy but I take a draw. A point is better than none and letting Ronaldo go at you 1v1… not good. I

      Reply
    • Beachbum,
      Since everyone else is engaging in the SBI hater’s version of recrimination here are my admittedly less heated thoughts:
      1. The US is playing better and finished the game looking physically better. Following this team over the last two years, when they played more than a few games in a row they seemed to get better and better. If everyone is fit and healthy JK should start the same lineup because, unless the short turnaround is a problem, the Germany game should be this team’s best game of the three. Besides they should be royally pi++sed off. JK certainly is.

      2. Loew may have been the tactical genius behind the 2006 German team but so far JK has gotten everything right. Notice how Fabian has completely exploited Cristiano’s reluctance to track back ( something he fails to do even when he is healthy), how Jones has been so integral these two games, how Brooks turned out okay, how well they compensated for Jozy’s absence, how Deandre Yedlin was integral to the second goal, how it seems like Kyle Beckerman can actually play at this level, how he was right about not playing Cameron as his right back, etc., etc.

      3. Germany are great but vulnerable and there is absolutely no one who knows them and their weaknesses better than JK. The US can beat them. Right now our Germans are playing better than their Germans.

      4. JK made Clint the Captain to make him more of a team guy and basically turned him into the team’s alpha dog. Anyone want to complain now about him being Captain?

      5. I don’t know about Cristiano’s health and he did save their butts but it’s as if he is their designated hitter ( i.e. no defense at all) and it just seems like Portugal have not yet figured out how to integrate CR7 fully into the team.

      Reply
    • Beachbum,

      Since everyone else is engaging in the SBI hater’s version of an orgiastic circle j++k of recrimination here are my admittedly less heated thoughts:

      1. The US is playing better and finished the game looking physically better. Following this team over the last two years, when they played more than a few games in a row they seemed to get better and better. If everyone is fit and healthy JK should start the same lineup because, unless the short turnaround is a problem, the Germany game should be this team’s best game of the three. Besides they should be royally pi++sed off. JK certainly is.

      2. Loew may have been the tactical genius behind the 2006 German team but so far JK has gotten everything right. Notice how Fabian has completely exploited Cristiano’s reluctance to track back ( something he fails to do even when he is healthy), how Jones has been so integral these two games, how Brooks turned out okay, how well they compensated for Jozy’s absence, how Deandre Yedlin was integral to the second goal, how it seems like Kyle Beckerman can actually play at this level, how he was right about not playing Cameron as his right back, etc., etc.

      3. Germany are great but vulnerable and there is absolutely no one who knows them and their weaknesses better than JK. The US can beat them. Right now our Germans are playing better than their Germans.

      4. JK made Clint the Captain to make him more of a team guy and basically turned him into the team’s alpha dog. Anyone want to complain now about him being Captain?

      5. I don’t know about Cristiano’s health and he did save their butts but it’s as if he is their designated hitter ( i.e. no defense at all) and it just seems like Portugal have not yet figured out how to integrate CR7 fully into the team.

      Reply
      • hey GW, Jurgen doing all kinds of good things, you point out many. I’ll stand by my post though on what happened at the end

        great opportunity vs. Germany. funny call on the better Germans so far. JJ and Fabian always have been class additions

        Portugal, once again, tremendously overrated. uncoordinated defensively and once again the paper tiger with the ludicrous FIFA ranking. Nice call on the DH role; the game the way it’s played today pretty much calls for all 11 to defend and spend energy working together to create easier chances on O and it’s tough to hide non workers on D

        as you know I have always believed in Clint

        good to chat. cheers

      • “4. JK made Clint the Captain to make him more of a team guy and basically turned him into the team’s alpha dog. Anyone want to complain now about him being Captain?”

        Well that change has only come through clearly relatively recently, but yes: I was already thinking that I’d complained about that point before and am not complaining now.

        I cannot help but wonder if getting his nose broken didn’t actually help a bit!

  38. My guess is Ronaldo pulls out of the tournament now. None of them even cared when they equalized because they knew they had to have 3 points.

    Reply
  39. We go from great to amateur in the blink of an eye.
    There is absolutelly no reason to let CR7 catch you in a counter attack with time pretty much expired. None

    Reply

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