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Americans Abroad: Boyd scores in first match for RB Leipzig

Terrence Boyd

By CAITLIN MURRAY

Terrence Boyd may not have made it to the World Cup for the U.S., but his finishing ability was on display for his new club RB Leipzig on Friday.

In his first match with Leipzig, the forward tapped in a rebound from a blocked shot for a simple goal that equalized against Paris-St. Germain in the 25th minute, 1-1. Leipzig went on to beat PSG in the club friendly, 4-2.

Boyd, 23, had transferred to Leipzig from Austria’s Rapid Wien last month, where he notched 37 goals in 80 appearances.

See Boyd’s goal after the jump:

Comments

    • Thompson looked by far the most dangerous player on the pitch, terrorizing the Socceroos every time he got the ball on the right wing. Love his work rate, pace and creativity. He just runs at you all night. Don’t take this the wrong way, but he’s kind of Robbenesque in that way (in style, not in class). Gall has nice skills but he was immediately closed down every time he touched the ball. Requejo looked dangerous on the left. Gooch has a nasty shot and he’s a tough, little bulldog on the ball. He hit the woodwork 3 times. Novakovich has a great package of size, speed, and skills both in the air and with the ball at his feet. Arce had a terrible night.

      Reply
      • I had the same feeling about Thompson being “Robbenesque”. I think it’s mainly his gait. I think the injury to Pfeffer maybe threw a wrench into things, but thought Romain Gall did well to step in. He could have had a little bit more composure when shooting, but that will come. Enjoyed the “Love the future” chants.

  1. Good 4 boyd man

    can we please have MORE MORE MORE coverage of Americans Abroad?

    Its the be£t part if the sit€

    Reply
  2. For those who didn’t or couldn’t watch on BeIN, Boyd had a really good half. Before this tap-in he had two great chances on goal, one of which he created himself and just missed wide from about 22 yards out, and another where he made a great run and the goalie made a point blank save. As for the question about PSG players, there was a mix of starters, subs, and people fighting to make the first team, but it was by no means a bad squad that they put on the field. RB Leipzig played some really, really good one touch football and their midfield, and ability to transition from the back to midfield, seem Bundesliga ready. There are quite a few good teams in the second division of the Bundesliga this year but I would not be surprised to see RB Leipzig promoted if they play like they did today. Big things coming in Boyd’s future.

    Reply
  3. That looked like a pretty nice size crowd for a second division German side, even with PSG in town. Excited to see how long it takes them to get promoted.

    Reply
      • I’m not laughing, because I think the same thing…and I’m a fan of both of them. I think people underrate Tboyd and his potential.

      • I’m not under-rating Boyd’s potential. In fact, I said nothing about his potential. Call me naive, but I’m not coming over to your side in believing TB is better than Jozy after watching a 1:28 highlight, of a tap in goal, in a preseason friendly.

        In all reality, neither of us really know how good he is, because I doubt you catch many (dare I say, any?) Austrian league games. If you do, you’re in the 1/2 of 1% who do, and let me know who your cable provider is, as I’d love to switch.

      • You can think whatever you want but there is a reason Altidore was on the WC team and Boyd wasn’t

      • You guys are getting pretty defensive. I just responded with my opinion on the Boyd>Jozy comment and you saying people were laughing at the OP still. I wasn’t insulting Jozy, I’m actually a fan I just see some things in Boyd that I prefer over Jozy.

        One thing Jozy has though is that hammer of a right foot.

      • Jozy and Boyd are about the same age.

        Jozy has been to two World Cups (played only in one) already vs 0 World Cups for Boyd.

        Jozy has far more US caps and goals than Boyd.

        Jozy has had two successful seasons in Holland and one trying season in the EPL in which he appeared a lot but underperformed. It appears he will get another shot with Sunderland in the EPL.

        Boyd has had a couple of very successful seasons in a league rated much lower than the Eredivisie and the EPL.

        Overall a neutral observer could be forgiving for thinking Jozy is at least Boyd’s equal, in terms of actual production to date and in terms of future prospects, if not his better.

      • That’s 2 trying seasons in the EPL. He was young but also saw Hull go down, after only scoring once. While we often forget it, English announcers seem to bring it up every match he plays.

      • Also watching Salzburg destroy Ajax makes you wonder if there’s really so much of a difference in the quality of the leagues. Even Ajax’s manager said he doesn’t see clubs of the quality in the Eredivisie.

      • Jack,

        The league ratings I refer to are UEFA’s and to make a long story short, are based on data compiled over time based on how that league’s teams do in UEFA competitions and so on.

        Point being, the ratings aren’t really influenced that much by one off results like blowing Ajax out of the water.

        The “any given Sunday” idea is not exclusive to the NFL and frankly, is probably more characteristic of these European style Cup competitions anyway. The FA Cup in the UK is all about upsets.

  4. That chance that he sank is so very very similar to Wondo’s against Belgium

    No American should ever forgive him for that bs.

    Reply
    • How dare you suggest someone Jurgen didn’t bring could have done something better than someone Jurgen did bring? Burn the heretic!

      Reply
      • Coaches have to deal with locker rooms. Coaches have to deal with political realities.

        The reality is, if Jurgen had selected every German player over every American player, it would have had consequences with the American public…and his own locker room.

        Wondo had been hot for the USMNT…and Jurgen had just cut Goodson, Edu, Parkhurst and Landon Donovan…all in favor of German-born players. Jurgen’s clearly not afraid to make hard calls…but if he had also then axed Wondo and put Boyd in over his head the outcry would have been deafening.

        I think in retrospect he probably wishes he’d just gone ahead and done it. But would it have also poisoned his locker room beyond repair, if every German-American selected into the 30 had made the roster…and every MLS guy on the bubble had gone home? Who knows?

        Sometimes as a coach you’ve gotta make calls beyond ability. When you’re trying to fuse two distinct (and competing) groups together, you have to show you’re willing to cut and keep players from both groups.

        Problem is, the pure MLS guys – especially Davis, Wondo, and to some extent, Zusi – let the team down and really never justified their roster spots, while the German guys showed out…and now people are crucifying Klinsmann for not bringing Boyd. Which wouldn’t have been an issue…if Jozy hadn’t gotten hurt 15 minutes into the World Cup.

      • No sane American was arguing for Parkhurst over FJ, or Edu over Jones. Goodson for Brooks? Maybe.

        Edu was competing with Beckerman. Donovan was competing with Wondo/Davis/Green/Bedoya. Parkhurst lost out to Yedlin.

        JK got some of those right…Green, Beckerman, Brooks, Jones. And some wrong…Davis/Wondo/Bedoya.

        And Wondo getting “hot” was against b minus competiton at best…

      • Actually I think Timmy Chandler got Parkhurst’s spot.

        Brooks definitely got Goodson’s spot.

        One can definitely make an argument that Green got Donovan’s spot. Davis, I think, was there as a specialist…one could definitely envision some scenarios in which we were chasing goals, the other team was bunkering in, and Davis could have had time and opportunity to break them down with his left-footed delivery and dead balls…just didn’t happen, and he ended up being a “wasted” take. Hindsight is 20/20.

        Edu wasn’t going to get the nod over Jones, but the point still is, Edu was a WC vet, and he got sent home.

        Point is, of all the German-Americans called up in the 30, if Jurgen had taken Boyd, none of them would have gone home. Could have been sticky…again, because Klinsmann was trying to get two distinct groups to work together, and as a German coach who is coaching an American team, you’ve gotta worry about the perception that you’re favoring the Germans over the Americans.

        And the real point is, there’s a bunch of “people” considerations when you’re making a team. You can’t just make a roster like a kid on PlayStation doing franchise mode, you have to worry about what messages you’re sending, and if you’re keeping your locker room.

      • quozzel,

        “you’ve gotta worry about the perception that you’re favoring the Germans over the Americans.”

        I’ve never seen anything that would indicate JK worries the perceptions of people outside the team when it comes to team matters. I don’t think he sees things the way you do. I don’t think you or any of us know his “locker room” better than he does.

        You’re assuming the German Americans make up a distinct, separate unit and are viewed that way by the rest of the team.

        Yes, they share that dual national experience, are all mixed race, all speak German, all have that Bundesliga background but that does not mean they all think or act alike.

        “there’s a bunch of “people” considerations when you’re making a team.”

        This is true but the problem you have, that we all have, is we don’t know the people involved in these considerations. There is probably far more relevant, reliable information out there on how the Kardashians feel about each other than
        there is about how the USMNT players feel about one another or JK..

        It seems like the younger players ( Green, Brooks, Yedlin ) hang together, Mix and AJ seem close. Mikey and JJ are allegedly good friends. Beyond that who knows?

      • Q,
        1. Good coaches get the most out of the talent they have,
        Great coaches assemble the best talent, and
        make the best play to their full potential.
        This 2014 version of the mnt. Did not have all the best available talent.
        Who dos that responsibility fall upon?.

        2. anyone who questions Boyds commitment and team spirit,
        Needs to know he was often considered the first person any dual national should talk to regarding allegiances etc.
        Many have noted Boyd’s, loyalty, enthusiasm, and dedication to the flag.
        He has also been in good for since,
        all year.

        3. The top 3 or 4 clubs in the Austrian league can hang with other UEFA, league teams on any given day.
        Red Bull Leipzig, will soon be in 1.B
        smart play by the Red Bull Austrian outfit.

        4. The two or three players I among others truly felt would/could have made a difference?.
        LD, Boyd, Edu, Corona?.
        This responsibility falls on the staff and head coach to make the right player personnel decisions.

        In the end time to move forward,
        the future is bright with much thanks to JK,
        furthermore the depth and talent is on the rise.
        Hope Boyd gets some more opportunities with the nats as soon as possible.

        PS We should always expect great coaching to develop and mold the best possible team we can field.

      • “Davis could have had time and opportunity to break them down with his left-footed delivery and dead balls…just didn’t happen, and he ended up being a “wasted” take. Hindsight is 20/20”

        How many times did you expect the USA to have a left sided free kick within 30 yards for Brad Davis to take? Let’s factor in that he isnt a started. So how many left sided free kicks did you expect the USA to have within 30 yards after 70 minutes?

        No need for hindsight. Clearly just a bad pick when it happened. Which was proved when his play was useless.

      • He didn’t give the “sane” qualifier for a reason. Many of those still killing Klinsmann for Wondo’s error are the same lunatics who would’ve responded “not real Mericans! Durrrr!” if Wondo is left out for Boyd.

        All of the “sane Americans” are proud of the performance, regret our inability to smash and grab against Belgium, and looking forward to the future.

      • I hadn’t really thought of it like this before but I think you’re absolutely right. I think Landon should have made the squad (over Wondo or Davis, or others, really), but I’m not one of those crucifying Jurgen in every comment section (I love what we’ve seen from him so far).

        I’m excited for these next four years, and from a way-too-far-ahead perspective, I think not making the quarterfinals in 2018 would be a disappointment.

      • Donovan. I wish people understood about Donovan, I really do. Cutting Landon was a calculation on Jurgen’s part, and people who haven’t been coaches – I have – don’t get it.

        There’s always a certain fear/respect-for-message factor a coach has to has. You have to earn it, it isn’t given. Basically, the team has to believe in the message…and believe you’ll cut them, no matter who they are, if they don’t respect the message and fall into line.

        Players are individuals. Individuals want to believe they’re special, safe, valuable, that the rules don’t apply to them. As a coach, you have to tread that line between making players too fearful – and thus paralyzing them – and making them feel too safe…which breeds entitlement. And the second the locker room realizes that certain players are getting special treatment because they’re “invaluable” – in other words, bigger than the team, bigger than the system – you get a whole bunch of bad crap-ola come into play: resentment, envy, the establishment of a hierarchy and peer-caste system, all of which poison a locker room.

        Teams with this negative dynamic never equal the sum of their parts. See – England, forever. (You want to get the Three Lions’ locker room’s attention, do to Wayne Rooney what Klinsmann just did to Donovan.) See Portugal with Ronaldo. See France in 2010, see Italy in 2010 AND 2014, see a whole bunch of other underachieving teams that never reigned in their “name” guys.

        Jurgen was gambling he could get results without his 2nd-or-3rd-best player, a player who was the “face of American soccer”, a player who thought he deserved – and was actively lobbying for – special treatment.

        Jurgen didn’t just stop Donovan. He shot him square between the eyes, in full view of the public and the team. If the USMNT had washed out in the Group of Death like we did in 2006, it could have meant Klinsmann’s job, contract or no contract. Klinsmann knew it – and did it anyway…and got the results he needed to continue.

        Now Klinsmann has control (and respect) in a way that few coaches really ever get. Even the best American player now knows Klinsmann will cut them if they don’t respect message, if they don’t do things Klinsmann’s way, if they don’t…get…with…the…program.

        Calculated risk. Huge reward for Klinsmann. Now they one and all know he’ll axe ANYBODY if they don’t toe the line. Now he has actual command, not just the job title.

        Now the players who aspire to the USMNT know they have to do things a certain way – Klinsmann’s way – if they want to make the squad for 2018. Especially in an “all-star” setting composed of the biggest egos in a nation, this is control very few national team coaches ever, ever get…which is why there’s so many “WTF” results in the World Cup, and why the few genuine “systems” – the German, Spanish, and Dutch systems spring to mind – have been dominating International play in certain years, and why individual-driven teams are getting embarassed. Remind me again, what “systems” are the English, the Brazilians, the Portugese, the Italians, even the Argentines playing? Don’t know? Neither do they. That’s because they’re teams built around individuals. And they’re not winning World Cups, either.

      • This is completely over the top and wrong to boot. But I can understand it. This type of thing has been going on for a long time here, only the names (of players and coaches change). There are a few new posters that are the exception however they mostly get slammed because they differ from the blog’s conventional “wisdom”.

        Look, Donavon was dropped for one reason and it had nothing to do with his playing form. Klinsmann truly believes his bs and anyone who even questions him will be punished for not seeing Klinsmann’s greatness.

        The Germans know this. However it will take a while for the U.S. to come to their senses, especially those at this blog.

      • Dirk,

        “mostly get slammed because they differ from the blog’s conventional “wisdom”
        .
        The blog has no conventional wisdom. The only thing this blog cares about is that you don’t spell out f++k or other bad words.

        The so called wisdom on this blog comes from the people who post and it is typically extremist polarized, love or hate stuff.

        It’s nothing as dramatic as your “wisdom” being unconventional or people with your viewpoint being an oppressed minority. .

        It’s just that some people are more persistent than others about posting on SBI.

        If you can’t handle your post or Landon being criticized don’t post. That is the price of admission on SBI.

      • I wish every coach I played for had qouzzel’s philosophy. In a team atmosphere there is no place for egos. Just because you’re a better athlete doesn’t mean you get special treatment or to loof around. I’d rather have the hard workers.

      • Great post.

        JK has always been very big on making an example of a players.

        Case in point Stuey Holden.

        If you remember calling in Holden to the Gold Cup squad was controversial because many thought he was not fit. You might say subsequent events proved that to be true but on the other hand it may just be that Holden never is going to be fit no matter how long he rehabs.

        Regardless, it was clear that JK saw Holden as a very special player not just for his skill set, which the USMNT surely could have used in Brazil but even more so for his phenomenal attitude and his desire to play.

        Remember again this was in the post sabbatical era and LD was coming back into the squad. I think JK was using Stu as a shining positive example for how to be as compared to Donovan’s waffling “desire”. Compare and Contrast.

      • Agree — Think we’ve had this conversation appear in various forms here and I’m still trying to understand the certain emotional indignation that was voiced and still surfaces. I’m sure you’re aware that your argument, while earnest and very well-articulated, will likely do little to move the needle amongst the holdouts

        I’m not really sure I can speak for them , but there seems to be something about the “treatment” (this is a word that often comes up amongst the dissenting voices) of Donovan that is really lingering . I think there is a perception that the entire evaluation period was something of a grotesque dog-and-pony show to justify a decision that Klinsmann had taken well before he sat down at this desk on his frst day, which caused unnecessary humiliation for a widely-loved veteran player.

        This would seem somewhat understandable, I suppose. It is not uncommon or unprofessional for a new manager in any job to promptly clear out any underperforming assets or “symbols of the old regime”. But to waste their time for a year or more after the decision had been taken for the purpose of making a more public “example”… that wiould be a tough pill to swallow (if it indeed happened that way, which I doubt gravely) and yes quite unprofessional.

        Make no mistake, I think JK saw the the opportunity in cutting Donovan very early, before Cambodia etc. — you described the reasons well in the space above–probably the possibility gathered steam over time as he chewed on it more seriously in the buildup. And if anything, the news and observations from the last 6-9 months prior to the tournament probably provided the confirmation he needed– The “calculated risk” (as you have aptly termed it) simply didn’t feel all that expensive for JK by May– and whatever he saw in the camp convinced him that the competitive performance/result could be sustained by the players he had brought in (or if not, the blow would be softened by the difficulty of the draw…. JK was rightly confident he wasn’t risking his job).

        So he did it. Got rid of Donovan. And successfully navigated the Group Stage, gold-plating his credility within the organization and ensuring little resistance to his Project in Construction for a few years at least.

        There is (gasp) nothing wrong with this in a professional sense. I see no reason to believe he would not have taken Donovan if he had made himself irreplaceable… but he didn’t, and Klinsmann was just was happy or more with Option B.

        The World Cup was a good step forward… ineveitably “Life After Landon” would become a plot and perhaps a source of self-doubt. Now it is largely done. And the results held serve. I feel bad for Landon– maybe he was ‘made an example of” excessively– seems he feels that way. But he has a solid place in the history, a good life and more to look forward to.

      • Mr. Dia,

        In most of the articles I’ve read about JK what I have consistently read is that once JK makes up his mind he acts quickly and does not dwell on it.

        That is why I don’t believe JK made up his mind on LD until the final camp. JK is a pragmatist.

        This idea that he is a “my way or the highway” kind of guy conveniently ignores the very obvious fact that Clint and Mikey very publicly went against his way by moving to MLS before the World Cup.

        But he did not drop them did he?

        Which is why the entire drama over LD is mostly on LD.
        He had nearly two years and a wide variety of ways to make himself indispensable to the USMNT. Yet for whatever reason he failed to do so.

        He did not want it bad enough; either that or he thought it was JK’s job to get the most out of him, and that it was not his job to impress JK.

        There is a large section of the USMNT fan base that were never going to accept JK. LD’s “treatment” is just another tool for them to use against him.
        JK represents the USSF’s effort to speed the transition from a niche sport to a more professional, mainstream sport.

        The section of fans I refer to see themselves as an elite exclusive club and don’t want to be mainstream; unless they can dominate the mainstream. Lalas, who constantly rants about “the American way “ of playing, is a poster boy for this faction,though a slightly flawed one.

        Alexi seems to think the USMNT invented using good defense, solid set pieces, fitness, discipline and team spirit to win a game.

      • hey quozzel, been a coach for more than 30 years

        there are other ways to get control of your team besides cutting one of its most talented performers who is NOT out of form…coach’s job is to make that work out but Jurgen failed miserably there…miserably! and the team was HURT because of it, not strengthened. The arguments against this clear reality are both comical and sad imo

        also sadly revealing is how Jurgen gets left off the hook for the handcuffing decisions he made to the team. As a coach I find it inexcusable tho I know many love the pound of flesh he took out of LD, but it’s more than that

        but seriously, if that’s the reason for bringing LD to camp, to publically dump him after LD had returned to the team (and after performing at a good level the previous year for the team at the Gold Cup and in the quails–see Mexico in September) then Jurgen shouldn’t get off the hook at all! Davis, Wondo, Bedoya, Aron ALL showed the self-handcuffing nature of that decision for the team

        and the reason for the handcuff is that Jurgen needed to establish control on the team by cutting one of its best players and publically flogging him. it makes me alternatively cry and laugh, such an avoidable ego-driven mistake. as you know as a coach, the crimes of the ego are the worst that we make

      • beachbum

        How can anyone prove JK cut LD for the reasons quozzel cites?

        How can anyone prove JK already knew he was going to cut LD before the camp was assembled?

        How can anyone prove the USMNT would have performed better in Brazil with LD on the roster?

        And if none of this can be proven then I see no reason to be concerned over Landon’s exclusion.

        As Jozy pointed out, when JK dropped him and timed him out, it’s up to the player to adjust to the manager not the other way around. Landon now has a better idea of what JK expects of him so if he expects to play in Copa America 2016 he will know what to do to get back on the team.

      • Umlaut, I’m also excited about the next 4 years for the USMNT but am concerned about the WC location. I believe FIFA should MOVE the 2018 WC from Russia to the US as world wide protest to the gunning down of the Malaysian civilian airliner! If FIFA objects, we can then take the further step of boycotting the 2018 WC in Russia.

    • For real?

      WC final 16, top 5 goalie closing him down, awkward angle vs. preseason freindly, wide open net, ball coming back towards player.

      I am in no way absolving Wondo, but his chance was no where near the open gift that Boyd had above. Wondo should have gotten that ball on frame (and I have not forgiven him for that), but your comparison is way off.

      Reply
    • This is perhaps in the deep end of conspiracy, but I’m going to throw it out there. What if Dempsey didn’t want Boyd on the team? There is a some what famous exchange towards Boyd from Dempsey after the Germany match last year.

      Reply
      • Jack,

        That “some what famous exchange” happened because Boyd came into the 2013 Germany-US game in the 81st minute. I was at the game. The US was leading Germany 4-3 and trying to kill off the game. When Boyd finally got the ball near the very end of regular time instead of taking it down into the corner, Boyd went for goal and took a shot designed to audition as a field goal kicker for the Washington NFL team, to be politically correct.

        Clint tore him a new one for taking such a crap shot and giving up possession to an extremely dangerous German team who were threatening to equalize late.

        Boyd showed a lack of tactical awareness and poise under fire. This underwhelming display was typical of most of Boyd’s appearances for the US prior to the World Cup. I like Boyd and so does JK who called up Boyd quite a lot leading up to Brazil but Boyd never took advantage of his chances. In the time I saw him, which was all of his appearances he never had a signature moment that said “Yes! That is why he’ll be in Brazil”.

        His exclusion was unfortunate but not unexpected, not if you actually saw him play.

      • I was just playing with the idea, I don’t honestly believe it. However Boyd idn’t see much more then a total of 10 mintues after that. I wish JK had brought Boyd into the gold cup. Perhaps then he could have gotten some minutes the way Wondo did.

    • Give me a break. Wondo had little playing time and even less if you consider the time he was on and the US wqas actually attacking. He missed one shot that came to him late as the keeper dived to take away the easy los tuck in. Wondo had to try to put that shot high. He just went too high. It was not a sitter, but it was a very make-able shot and one that if finished would have but the US through to the quarterfinals. I understand the disappointment, but forwards at every level miss that kind of shot. Denigrating Wondo because of it is just wrong!

      Reply
      • It’s worth remembering that Clint,a better player, has missed easier sitters than what Wondo had vs Belgium.

        In fact you could argue Clint should have buried his chance on that potential equalizer off of that amazing free kick late in overtime vs Belgium but Courtois was up to it.

      • He definitely made a bad first touch and should’ve had a much better look at it (the Dempsey chance).

      • I still hate it when they show it. But Wondo faces a lifetime of seeing it, hearing it, being asked about by everyone from jokers in bars to descendents of Tony Kornhauser… you name it. Dude will get his and then some… all by the time some punk middle schooler with Youtube ruins his Grandparents Visiting Day presentation in 40 years and he wanders down to the cemetary and buries himself quietly in a section reserved for serial killers and Belgians.

    • I just read this so I decided to watch the goal that TB scored and the video of the Wondo miss close up. It completely different from Wondo’s missed chance. Wondo’s chance was actually much harder. TB was wide open. The closest guy in front of him was on the goal line, about 6 yards away and the right side of the goal was wide open given that guy was coming over from defending the middle of the goal. Wondo’s shot was made with a barreling and spread out Courtois in front of him. In fact, as soon as Wondo released the ball to lob over the 7 ft wingspan of Courtois, Courtois clipped his foot. In looking at it again, Boyd was wide open and shot an unchallenged shot and Wondo had a shot challenged by one of the best 5 goalies in the world that was within 1 FOOT of him.

      Reply
    • The had starters mixed in with reserves I believe; I know for sure that Ibra played since he exchanged jerseys with Boyd at the half.

      Reply
  5. Now that the international windows of Wondolowski and EJ have likely closed, Boyd will have all the opportunity in the world to seize a place in the U.S. forward rotation.

    Reply
    • Boyd will still have steep competition in the US Squad for playing time. Wondo & EJ may be done but there are still a number of very good strikers in the USMNT pool and others coming up through the ranks….
      Jozy, ArJo, Green, Agudelo, & Boyd are at the top of the list, but the young players in the U-23 bracket aren’t to far behind them.

      Reply

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