By IVES GALARCEP
SAN ANTONIO– The U.S. Men’s National Team takes on its biggest rival tonight in Texas, as Jurgen Klinsmann’s squad takes on Mexico at the Alamodome (9pm, Fox Sports 1, UniMas).
Klinsmann has called in a veteran side led by Michael Bradley, who will be attempting to add to his four career goals against ‘El Tri’. Fellow World Cup veterans Kyle Beckerman, Matt Besler, Omar Gonzalez and DeAndre Yedlin will likely form the nucleus of a team that will have the experience edge against a Mexico team that is trying out several new faces and inexperienced internationals.
The match bears special significance for U.S. newcomers William Yarbrough and Ventura Alvarado, who will be facing Mexico after deciding to play for the U.S. instead of Mexico.
If you need some pre-game reading material, you can check out the following stories to get you caught up on the clash:
SBI’s preview of USA vs. Mexico
My Goal.com profile on Ventura Alvarado
My. Goal.com list of top five individual USMNT performances vs. Mexico
Goal.com’s Five Mexico players to watch tonight
ESPN FC talks to USMNT legends about USA-Mexico rivalry
ESPN FC looks at growing number of young Americans moving to Mexico to play
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SBI will be providing live commentary on tonight’s match so please feel free to follow the action here. As always, you are welcome to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below.
Enjoy the action (Tonight’s commentary is after the jump):
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While it is always good to beat Mexico, especially 2-0, I’m more concerned about how well they played. Obviously you have to mention Morris and when he had his chance he buried it. What I like is that he wasn’t cowed by the situation and he looked/played like he belonged. While he wasn’t outstanding, he was certainly good enough to play in CONCACAF and that’s not bad for a college sophomore. Omar showed why he can be so valuable in the back. He cut out so many balls in the air I think that Mexico just stopped trying to play them anywhere near him. Alvarado was also solid; Besler may have to worry. I also liked that the US kept pressing all over the field, right up to the final minute. Another good feature was that when the US got the ball on a turn over, even way in the back, they played out of trouble instead of just booming it out, with a few exceptions, of course. Zardes also showed why he belongs on the field even if he doesn’t score. He is a real pest for the opponent and he made some excellent passes. One time he seemed to be pinned in at the sideline, was able to spin away enough to deliver a perfect cross field and forward pass to start another attack. And it was his inch perfect pass, beautifully controlled by Aguedelo, which set up the second goal. I think maybe the best feature is that enough players have played now for the national team and gotten exposure to the style JK wants, that he can plus somebody in and they are like another cog in the machine.
I was reading the other night about the unbeaten Arsenal team and, for those who remember that team, I think that is how JK wants the US to play. BTW, if you don’t know, Jk played for Wenger at Monaco and I think that is where JK picked up a lot of his coaching ideas. I was reading about when Wenger first showed up a Arsenal and the English players and press didn’t know anything about him. The first thing Wenger did was to emphasize fitness and healthy eating and his players all thought he was strange, to say the least. And some rebelled at the idea of having to change their diets.
+1. I can’t speak for the second part about Wenger (you may be right, but I have no opinion here)… but the first part is dead right to me.
We looked sharper than MEX at every single position tonight. A really nice and hungry performance from all involved.
Call it a Mexico “B” team if you like (if you look at the comments, it somehow went from a “B” to a “C” to a “D” team as the match went on…. quite funny). We can’t control who they bring to they table.
Also, wish Holden was playing, but he has a solid future as a tv analyst.
If Holden were playing he’d be Mikey in this setup.
Alvarado was very good. Yedlin still needs to work on his defense/positioning but I thought his movement and composure were improved.
I liked that second half lot.
Lalas! Unbearable. He just starts talking and then finds nowhere to go. He sounds like the boss on “The Office”. His little jaunt into college players talking to themselves about how they could play with Morris…that was painful “He’s here, you’re not…”??? And now his droning on about how Mexico is going to blame the field and their D players….C’mon, man. We know you hate the Mexican side. Just say something–anything–interesting! Just once!
su
Sorry but his poem at halftime was by far the worst thing.
Unbearable???
That’s an understatement.
Seems pretty obvious he must have gotten into it with JK yesterday considering his pregame monologue about how “it was made clear to him that he and JK disagree”…
blah blah blah
And he was nothing short of a petulant bitter excuse for a commentator all night
Bac,
By all accounts Alexi is a very nice person in real life and apparently would be a very interesting dinner guest.
However he came from the ESPN School of “conflict punditry”. This mandates conflict and confrontation even if it makes no sense and there is no particular reason for it.
Given that he often comes across like a man who kicks puppys with glee, if the US goes on to have a real good year with all the competitions, it is going to be very hard on Alexi.
Alvarado has looked really good tonight. He’s quick and has stamped out several chances on the night. Impressed with his speed.
Did you notice how JK has been recruiting for speed? Alvarado, Morris, Ibarra, Yedlin, Shea,
It’s part of his non existent plan.
Might have our first casualty…Beckerman limping off…
Yeah it’s a pity too. I thought Beckerman was having a great game. His touch was predictably unremarkable, but his positioning was outstanding. Hope the tax on his knee from this pitch isn’t too high.
One UNI replay had a Mexican player attacking Rasta Man’s knee with his head.. So I’m wondering about this “thigh contusion”.
Yeah 100%… the “thigh contusion” seemed like a directive from the folks upstairs. I’m no medical expert, but I’ve watched thousands of sports games in my day and I’ve never seen somebody pull up like that because of a “thigh injury”
Somebody at US Soccer is catching an earful for that pitch right now….
We need a passing clinic. Every camp.
This is really tough to watch…I just hope nobody gets hurt at this point
You were saying?
Field is ridiculous. US Soccer should be absolutely embarrassed. Also, how about some instant replays Fox? You know it is this new invention they use when broadcasting sports. Bush league all around. Congrats.
hahahaha… actually, same with ESPN, one replay immediately and sometimes a replay 2 minutes later… it should be like NFL, replays from the actual tv viewing angle, reverse angle, from the top, from the ground… both espn and Fox sports are ridiculous.
GOOOOOL for the Morris haters
I don’t think anybody “hates” Morris. A few just think he does not belong in the USMNT. That’s all.
US soccer fandom has always been about hating this US player or that US player. Morris is one of many.
“jordan morris doesn’t belong. fire klinsmann.” – haters
hahahaha
yah, goal in 1st cap.
3rd Cap….1st Start.
ah!
Nobody “hates” Morris. Even Wondo has scored for USMNT. I am actually happy for the kid, because he got international attention.
Soooooo many stadiums.. And they had to pick the 1st stadium ever built in the state of Texas.. Back in the 50’s.. The 1850’s.. Smh.
Seriously.. That field is f’n awful.. I have no idea who agree to play there, But you know Mexico only cares about how many of their own they can pack in a venue.. And how much $$ they can make. Its a shame because its making this game unwatchable.
Mexico is the one that didn’t want to play at this venue. They threatened to not play the game but was then assured the field would be in better condition. It’s not.
Where is the “we can host a World Cup in a moment’s notice” crowd.?
I feel sorry for those that paid money for this crap.
This isn’t one of the stadiums that would be used. Apparently the Alamodome gave the FAs a great deal because it’s not being used enough so here we are.
so what changes do you make?
The Field
The Pitch
The Grass
The Turf
The Dirt
Then the concrete..
That’s 6 subs right?
I hope WNT is watching this. There are worst things in the world that Field Turf (TM).
Of all the pristine picture perfect grass fields in the country this game should have been played on, they go to a stadium with a concrete natural surface. What an epic fail and absolute disgrace by the money grabbing you know what!
OG who’s his class and then shows his class again
Mexico C dominates USMNT B
In total fouls
Pretty uninspired, dude.
Keep talking.
I was right; that was the first half.
Oh. Mexico dominated the first half, did they? Would like to see you back that up with…. anything.
Keep backpedaling, bud. See you in a few months.
Wtf is up with the field! Smh!
Beckerman looks horrible out there..
Does anyone have a link? I am watching darts! This is nuts. I need some non-scam link. You go to first row and they have links where you can’t get rid of the adds covering the stream or enlarge the feed. I am seriously cancelling U-verse tomorrow.
Univision is your best option if you dont want scary links.
Morris with the super speed-burst in the 19th minute! That’s probably why JK rates him so highly. Impressive speed.
Jordan Morris on that 30th minute breakaway.. Ouch. :-/
Heh yeah he got a little case of the “Bobby Wood/What-do-I-do-now?”” syndrome there. Still, that is some crazy speed.
37th minute. That was a perfect pass to Morris. He has to get his head on that! At least he is getting involved though.
No doubt. That should’ve gone better. You’re right though, he has been finding ways to get involved, and that is some crazy speed.
I wanna see us get a goal out of this pressure!
This field looks terrible. I’ve noticed 5 or 6 people slip.
USA looks good! I like the high-tempo and high-press.
+1 Liking the approach so far. MB is looking as sharp as he has since the last Mexico friendly a year ago.
i understand when they stop for a millisecond to say “Bradley” or “Beckerman”. lol
Why do they talk so fast? I studied Spanish and literally cannot follow anything.
That’s why Spanish is so beautiful!
Listen to Gonzo when they interview him. He slows it down for you unlike Yarbrough.
Why is fox sports 1 showing darts?
Yeah, that’s what i want to know. Also can’t watch on Fox Sports Go. But why? Fox Sports, WTF?
Darts here. How ridiculous
U-verse BS, you’ll have to watch on Univision
This is the second time in a row I can’t watch the game on fox because of darts! I have to watch it on Univision! Anyone else with this issue?
Everyone with U-verse has this problem, apparently they don’t pickup all FS1 programming.
So… random question. Who would be the designated PK taker in this starting XI? I don’t think anybody out there takes regularly out there at the club level….
Morris is about to find out what real football players look like. Nice of Klinsmann to bring him along but next time he should take him to Disney.
LoooooooooooooooooooooooL (Sorry I’m watching on UNID since At&T sucks). To be fair i’m a Klinsmann fan but the Morris thing was a head scratcher for me too, clearly there is something there.
Lalas the expert!
I like your passion.
Yes!! This is what I was hoping for. Morris starts. After all the complaining others and I did about his selection, I get to either eat crow or prove that I was justified.
Despite me being critical I am hoping he plays great, because I am hoping the USMNT wins!
I guess I am eating crow for dinner tonight.. great finish.
hahahahahahaha
Leo Stolz to the white courtesy phone please, Leo Stolz to the courtesy phone.
Fire Klinsmann. Zero consistency. We are about to watch Mexico’s B team against the Mexican American A team.
In what world is this our A team?
This team only has 4 Mexican-Americans in the line-up. Hardly the Mexican-American team that the USMNT is capable of putting out on the pitch.
The oddsmakers, at least the online bookmaker I am looking at, have the US as slight favorites. Given that line-up, I’d say Mexico is a good bet. That said, I won’t be taking Mexico as I can’t bring myself to bet against the USA.
BWAH! Let’s go Yanks!!!!!!
Jordan Morris starting might be the weirdest selection in a decade.
Until he bangs in a brace. LOL.
I’m not saying it can’t happen, I’ve never seen him play and have no clue if he’s any good or not. I didn’t say its a bad choice, I just find it weird. I mean when is the last time a college player started for the national team?
Beast. (period)
Terrible. Hate the diamond formation. Hamid or Yarbrough should be in goal. Morris? Hope it all works out, but don’t like the looks of it.
4-2-3-1 would have been best:
GK: Hamid
RB: Yedlin
CB: Alvarado
CB: Besler
LB: Garza
CM: Bradley
CM: Beckerman
LM: Shea/Green
RM: Corona
CAM: Nguyen
ST: Agudelo
Is this your guess or it the line up out?
Nope, that’s my preference. THe line up is out. Here it is
4-4-2 Diamond
Rimando
Yedlin
Garza
Gonzo
Alvarado
Becks
Mix
Bradley
Corona
Morris
Zardes