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13th minute 0-0 ..US is looking good.. already some great combos in the middle.. some scary counters for VEN ..but good stuff overall.

Convey is making a case for some PT most def.

Not too crazy about Tim Howard.

Rozier's made some good runs, but I just don't think Arena is happy with his distribution. 2010 might be better to him.

1-0 US

I keep telling Bruce to put me out there with Feno and scskeeper..we're a nasty trio..we're like the Keebler Elves man..or the Rice Krispie guys.. ::shrug::


btw: Convey had the assist..nice ball..great finish from Ching.

I think since Venezuela is actually trying to play some offense we're getting more space and actually putting stuff together. I'm feeling a lot better.

Ven - 8
US - 0


..yellow cards that is.




PS - Albright is a stupid ape.

69th 2-0 US

Goal Dempsey

wow, what a turnaround from the morocco game.

a couple of things:
1. Bobby Convey played the best game I have seen a US national team member play in 2006. He was wreaking havoc on the left side and his free kicks.

2. I OFFICIALLY DISLIKE MARCELO BARBOA. I could tolerate him earlier in the year, but he said the stupidest things this game. Convey played a wonderful game and he criticized him for not having an excellent cross. He criticizes Eddie Johnson for not being aggressive. "Eddie not wanting to be aggressive and having Bruce call him out to be aggressive is something that scares me" i think is what he said. Why does that matter? Whatever gets the job done. He also criticizes DaMarcus Beasley for getting a questionable yellow card. "That is a stupid card. Those will add up in Germany and will reslut in missed games." Who cares now? You said it yourself...these games aren't very important. The ref seemed pretty card happy in the second half.

3. Players with overall good games: Dempsey, Bocanegra, Convey, Ching. Dempsey was wonderful at times but would give the ball away 1 minute later. Bocanegra was a nice addition to the left wing with Convey. I didnt really mind the red (shouldn't have even been a card). Brian Ching also had many chances and put one in late in the first half.

4. Players with not so good games: Josh Wolff, Ben Olsen. Wolff had a nice one two with johnson i think in the first half but he squandered too many chances. He had probably the best game of 2006 that ive seen and he was still pretty bad. I still support Brian Ching and feel Taylor Twellman should replace Wolff instead of Ching (unlike some other people's opinions). Olsen often had possession with space but would give up the ball. He was very inconsistent throughout the game.

5. Questions: Who should be the starting 11 againg the Czechs in Germany. Should Convey replace Beasley. Convey is probably my favorite player and even though Beasley hasn't wowed me these last two games, he seems like a person you can't sit. Also, Landon Donovan hasnt seemed to play to his potential these games. What is his original position that we should expect to see him in Germany. Center mid, forward, or wing? He also seems like a person you can't sit in Germany. My 11:

Keller
Bocanegra Pope Onyewu Cherundolo
Convey O'Brien Reyna Donovan---Beasley is a toss up
Johnson and McBride---with Ching getting some serious minutes in the second half

I know its kinda long but i was impressed and had a lot of thoughts.

USA really impressed me in last night's game. Convey was a monster on that left side ripping Venezuela's D. Although i am Venezuelan and i am mad that we lost, USA played very well and really impressed me. With no interest in their ranking (which i think is a little too high), i still dont think they have a chance against thye czechs in the first game.

Question. When Bocanegra was sent off for his second yellow US had to play a man down. I thought with two yellows a man could be subbed on, or is that just high school?

AirMaddox,

Interesting opinions, very reasonable. I do have a question about your ideal starting 11 however. You think O'Brien is good enough to start inside for the US? He has recently returned from injury and I know this may be a slight factor in his fitness/touch, and yes he had a very good 2002 World Cup, but really ahead of Mastroeni and Beasley? Interesting.

I'm no expert..but this is what I would like to see:

Keller

Onyewu
Pope
Cherundolo
Mastroeni/Bocanegra

Donovan
Dempsey
Convey
Reyna

McBride
Ching/Johnson (doesn't matter to me)


I really like our defense. I think Onyewu, Pope, and Cherundolo are really strong for us..and the 4th spot is really up for grabs (though I prefer a 3-5-2 anyway)

I know Beasley is a great player..but from what I've seen in the last few games..he just hasn't impressed me. I think Convey and Dempsey want PT in this WC and Beasley expects it.

Between Wolff, Johnson, and Ching..I'm really not seeing anyone stand out. Though Wolff seems to have made an effort to not finish his opportunities. Johnson and Ching played well against Venezuela..but neither stood out.

Good thing there is one more game to go.

LE, who are your midfield wingers? Line it up in Bruce Arena version 4.4.2 format. For example, bruce likes a d mid, attacking mid, two wingers, and plays a strong forward with another speedy player in the whole. All of this supported by a flat four.


Mine:

Top McBride

In the hole Johnson

Attacking Mid Donovan

Wingers Beasley Dempsey

D Mid Reyna

Boca Onyewu Pope Cherundolo


Convey is an excellent player to come off the bench for Don or Bease. Ching can do the same for McBride. I don't think Wolff can help us, O'Brien is talented but really won't be there for the long run with his injuries, and Mastroeni is versatile enough to move around a bit. Bruce has worked Dempsey around a bit and I like the fact that he can play nearly anywhere to accomodate the team. His only knock, says the coach, is his defensive efforts in 1 v 1 situations. Yeah.

i'm with you L-E dude, i will ball it up with ya. good showing by the U.S.

O'brien impressed me in the game he played....maybe that spot was a little rushed.

i havent been impressed by anyone to play the attacking mid. donovan has not impressed me at all. he seems like a player you cant leave off the field though. what is his true position? i still like convey over beasley and think he should be in the starting lineup.

i cant remember what i was watching but they were wondering who would play the left back. i think bocanegra is a lock but they didnt even mention him. they said eddie lewis would play the left.

i think dempsey should play attacking mid, he is very aggresive!

i would say try this out:

McBride Donavon(bc i dont have much confidence in any of the other forwards and donavon hadnt been doin much in attacking mid so slip o'obrien there he creates chances)

Convey/Beasley O'Brien Reyna Dempsey/Beasley

Bocanegra Pope Gooch Cherundalo/(wish we still had hejduk tho)