Wednesday, February 11, 2009

USA v. Mexico Liveblog


You might've noticed that there were some international matches today: England looked pretty outclassed against Spain, losing 2-0, as Golden Balls earned his 108th cap; the Luck o' the Irish prevailed against Georgia in a World Cup qualifier thanks to a highly questionable penalty call and a goal scored off Robbo Keane's shoulder; Eduardo had an assist for Croatia; and the NY Kid's les Bleus fell 2-0 to the Argentines.

But all of that was merely an appetizer for today's real action: the highly anticipated World Cup qualifying match between the United States and Mexico -- live from Columbus, Ohio. Many well-reported plotlines in this one. The Mexicans' struggles on U.S. soil. That voodoo doll "controversy." U.S. Soccer call for fans to wear red. The up-yours inclusion of Jose Francisco Torres by Bob Bradley. The rumors that Sven-Goran Eriksson is being courted by Pompey (will he throw the game to hasten his exit?). And, most importantly of all, the bad blood between the U.S. and Mexico (who still refuse to shake hands with the Americans).

To get you ready for the big match, here are some Columbia students assessing U.S. Soccer head Sunil Gulati's prowess as a university professor. First comment: "A bit of a douche." (h/t 100 Percent Soccer)

Live blog after the jump. And, as always, have your say in the comments.

I'll be back closer to 7:00 p.m. EST.

Pregame: Word is that the weather is nothing less than spectacular, with high winds and the threat of thunderstorms. This same system killed people in Oklahoma. So, you can expect lots of crappy commentary from ESPN about the storm on the field being the same as the storm between the Americans and El Tri.

I'm eating some All-American Mac and Cheese for dinner at the moment. USA USA USA!

Starting lineups are in...

USA: Howard, Pearce, Bocanegra, Onyeewu, Hejduk, Beasley, Klestan, Bradley, Dempsey, Donovan, Ching

Mexico: Sanchez, Salcido, Marquez, Galindo, Osorio, Medina, Augusto, Pardo, dos Santos, Castillo, Ochoa

And Harkes and Dellacamera are the broadcasters. Could be worse. Meanwhile, the sideline report is that SGE compared the weather for tonight's match to Albania. I knew the United States was edging closer and closer to a third world country!

The players are coming out onto the pitch to what sounds to my ears like Joe Satriani. USA USA USA! Lots of red in the stands, along with the Americans wearing red warmups. And then there's a smattering of boos and USA USA chants for the Mexican national anthem. God bless jingoism at its finest.

National anthem has been played and, man, now I'm totally fired up! Let's go invade some more countries!! Who's with me??

1: Mexico kick off, give up the ball and then the Americans make a nice move towards the Mexican goal that fizzles. That's followed by Bradley easily dispossessing little Giovanni Dos Santos. Nice start for the Americans.

3: Save by Howard! Really shaky defending by the Americans after Ochoa crosses into the box. Guess what the Americans weakness is? (I'll give you a hint: the back four.)

5: Really flying start. Feels like this game has an early goal in it.

7: They just showed the replay of the Howard save. If Dos Santos can get the ball up, the Mexicans are up 1-0. Meanwhile, Lando breaks in the Mexican box and is just a few yards away from a clean shot on goal. And now the frantic play continues, and again I worry about the American back four.

9: I have received my first dispatch from the Likely Lad at Nevada Smith's in NYC, who reports that whatever their capacity is there are 50 more people than that. About 70-30 for the U.S., but everyone booed Sven Goran-Eriksson.

10: Dos Santos almost has another shot on goal but Bradley comes back to help defend. He might need to do a lot of that today.

12: Now the Americans are attacking, with three crosses into the box. Americans end up with a corner.

14: The corner fizzles but the Americans retain possession, culminating in an offside on Beasley. This is all really nervy stuff.

15: Harkes says that SGE has the ability to coach world class players. How exactly is that an ability?

17: Nice counterattack by the Americans, with Dempsey and Beasley swapping wings, leading to a skewered shot by Beasley that's not troubling the keeper. The most promising aspect of this game for the Americans is their ball control. Need better finishing though. No sign of Ching so far.

18: Onyewu makes a sliding tackle and goes flying slip n' slide style on the wet grass.

21: Ching gets pushed to the ground just outside the box for a free kick. Big opportunity here. The Likely Lad reports that the Mexican fans at Nevada Smith's are far more tense and nervy than the Americans.

22: Donovan sends the free kick just wide. Oh, and thanks ESPN for a live report that Brett Favre retired. Right and what else is new?

25: As expected, the game has settled down a little bit. Most promising aspect of this game is that the Americans are playing well together. We're still not the momst talented side in the world, but at least we're retaining respectability. (That's about all I can ask for, really!)

26: Pedro Gomez with a live sideline report about those voodoo dolls. ESPN still has not quite got the idea that football doesn't take breaks. Meanwhile, Beasley with a shot on goal that is pretty easily handled. Going the other way, Dos Santos runs fast.

29: American midfielders are doing a good job of tracking back on defense, which is good, because Bocanegra and Onyewu are as likely to clear a ball as kick it directly to a Mexican player.

31: Save by Sanchez on a Dempsey shot on goal! Nice play going both ways. Beasley crossed to Lando, who headed it back to Dempsey.

32: Castillo is down with a hamstring pull, giving all the players (and me!) a chance to catch their breaths.

36: Mexicans continue to press, with dos Santos having his way on the wing. Thankfully we have Tim Howard to make the save on the resulting shot.

37: Bradley takes a 25 yard shot that's just wide. I agree with Harkes that it's nice to have a defensive midfielder who can take long shots like that.

39: Beasley kicks Marquez's foot, who writhes around on the ground and then magically gets up. Going the other way, Bocanegra gives up a stupid foul just outside the box. Theme of the night: the American back four is not very good.

40: But thankfully the goalkeeper is in good form. Easy save on a pretty tepid free kick. Pearce a bit shaken up, but ESPN didn't have a camera on it so who knows what happened, except that it resulted in a free kick.

42: GOAL USA! 1-0 Hejduk earns a corner, which is sent deep by Beasley. The ball is headed into the center by Lando and Bradley heads it into the goal. Nice play!

45: Beasley almost makes it 2-0. He's having a nice game, makes a run and his shot is just blocked for a corner, which drifts out harmlessly.

End of First Half. USA 1-0. Pedro Gomez with a live interview with Bob Bradley. Why can't we have mid-game interviews with Sir Alex Ferguson? Much props to Beasley, Bradley and especially Lando.

Oh look there's Carrot Top! Nevermind, it's just Alexi Lalas.

The Likely Lad reports again from Nevada Smith's: "Here We Go Here We Go Here We Go Here We Go. The Americans need better material. But, lots of love, and rightfully so, for Lando."

Precious Roy makes a good point (as always) that the ref has done a great job of calling this game. No cards, letting the teams play. And hey look there's Argentina v. France highlights... Sorry the NY Kid.

Anyone want to guess how soon it'll be before Demarcus Beasley comes back to MLS? Seems like he's still got plenty in the tank, but there doesn't seem to be much future for him at Celtic Rangers (whoops!).

Oh, and to correct myself on the goal, looks like Onyewu headed the ball towards goal, it was saved, and then Bradley wheelkicked the ball into the net. Phil reports that Univision claims that Bradley used his arm.... But are we going to believe them?

45: And we're off. No subs. Pedro Gomez relays his halftime talk with SGE, who claims he's happy with the result after the first half, just a bit unlucky, etc. Yup, Sven-Goran is looking forward to moving to the EPL.

48: Michael Bradley is really coming into his own, made a great pass to Beasley that forces Sanchez out to smother the ball.

49: Corner for the Americans is punched out by Sanchez. Americans are looking to score a second and put this game away.

51: Onyewu wins a footrace with Ochoa. By my calculation, that must make Ochoa the slowest striker in the world.

53: Dempsey with a breakaway thanks to soft pass, but it fizzles. The Likely Lad checks in: "Relocated to McCormacks, which thankfully has no volume on the TVs here. From 14th Street on up pretty much every bar is packed with people watching the match."

55: So exactly why isn't Dos Santos playing for the Tottenham Hotspurs?

56: Credit to Lando for going straight at the Mexican captain Marquez. See, Lando does have testicles afterall! Meanwhile, the Americans are probably showing the best concerted ball control I've ever seen from them. Still lots of obvious flaws, but I'm happy to see progress under Bradley.

59: Medina with a nice play for Mexico, who is rewarded by SGE by getting subbed out. I gotta say, green is definitely not Sven-Goran's color. Meanwhile the game is going in a circles now. Not a lot of good last touches, just fouls and offsides. I suppose that bodes well for the U.S. to hold onto this one.

62: JP and John must agree with me, because they're yakking about college basketball. Time to sub Jozy on for Ching?

65: Red card to Marquez Handbags!! There's a crazy, weird play in front the American goal on a free kick, players flying around. And then Marquez comes in with studs up on Tim Howard, who is still shaken up. The ref comes in and immediately raises a red card. Maybe a bit soft, but the ref was right on the play and has otherwise called a good game, so he gets the benefit of the doubt. Besides, fuck El Tri!

69: Now it's all getting a bit chippy. Expect more cards to start coming out now. Hejduk makes a nice open field tackle that sends Dos Santos flying. Going the other way, Ching is brought down with an extended arm tackle. Like I said, chippy.

71: Pearce spits up the ball and gives Ochoa the chance to take a long shot that's well wide. Dos Santos is subbed off. Hejduk has a knock. Oh, and Brett Farver is still retired.

74: If this were the NFL, we'd be hearing endlessly about how Hejduk is an ironman, you'd have to drag him off the field. Instead it's just blah blah blah later on ESPN it's....

76: Seems like tired legs from the Americans. Their final passes have been pretty awful. Meanwhile, Pedro Gomez and John Harkes are talking about Sven-Goran Eriksson. Uh, guys, there's still a game going on. For all that John Harkes speaks, you'd think that the word "succinct" would be in his vocabulary.

78: Hejduk comes running into the play, demanding the ball from Lando, and proceeds to dribble the ball out of play on what I suppose was a shot. This game is dragging. Bring on Jozy!

79: Mexico get their first corner and Bocanegra manages to make a great clearance. Oh, and it looked like someone threw a booze bottle at the Mexican player in the corner. How do I know this? The player held the bottle up in the air. C'mon, you're telling me that doesn't happen at Pachuca games all the time?

81: Finally, Jozy is about to come on just as the Americans are about to take another corner, which connects with no one.

83: Jozy on for Ching to a big ovation. Yup, us Americans know where our future is.

84: Hejduk makes what seems like his 10th sliding tackle of the night. He's shown good poise to not draw any cards. Meanwhile, Dempsey plays the ball up to Jozy, who is dispossessed after holding the ball for too long.

85: Mexicans are sending bodies forward. Maybe another goal in this one, either way though (even with Mexico down a man.

87: Sacha Kljestan off, Ricardo Clark on. JP and John seem bored, and cranky.

89: Americans have shown flashes of good play in this game, but have now reverted to form. Against 10 men they should be controlling the game, but they are too busy giving the ball away. Meanwhile, the Likely Lad says: "I feel better with USMNT holding a lead than with Spurs. Says it all."

90: So Howard picked up a yellow during the handbags and is out of the next international match. 3 minutes extra time, as Dempsey clears the ball out of the penalty box with a bicycle kick. Mexico still with the ball though.

92: GOAL USA! 2-0! Bradley puts it away! Jozy was brought down for a foul, but the ref waved play on as Lando had the ball on the wing. Passes the ball back to Bradley who is trailing and powers it in from around 25 yards out. Goalie could've saved but the ball skidded on the turf.

FULL TIME. USA Dos a Cero: Bradley was Man of the Match, with very good play from Lando, Howard and Beasley. The game wasn't played at the very highest level, but the Americans did enough to win. Most importantly, gotta love beating El Tri! Frankie agrees, as he's shouting to the crowd shirtless a la Lothar the Caveman.

That's it for me. Thanks for hanging out, everyone! Have a great night. (Oh and thanks to the Likely Lad for the dispatches from the Big City.)

132 comments:

phil said...

KEANO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Only a USA win can make this day better!

Ian said...

3-1 USA
goals by Landycakes, Jozy, and Torres...

Anyone have a starting lineup yet?

Precious Roy said...

Woo hoo! Soccer in HD.

Precious Roy said...

Oh, and I'm going 5-2. I think some crazy shit is going to happen.

Precious Roy said...

Did Pedro just say that Albania was a sister city of Columbus?

Albania is a country there, duder.

The NY Kid said...

USA! USA! USA!

Ian said...

Wow ESPN stepping up the production quality. Think Pedro Gomez is happy that Bonds retired?

Goat said...

Ching
Donovan
Beasley Kjlzqzten Bradley Dempsey
Pearce Bocanegra Gooch Hejduk
Howard

phil said...

I'm on the Spanish broadcast. Why? Becasue philosophy students don't make cable money.

Precious Roy said...

Anyone else nervous that Hejduk is going to be blazed by Mexibrow and Dos Santos?

I love Frankie and think it's generally a good move to play a guy in his home stadium, but he's lost a step and those kids are fast.

Goat said...

Philosophize that!

Goat said...

PR--I envision one of Frankie's patented two-footed studs up tackles earning him a sending off.

Goat said...

By the way, Spectator, where did you find a picture of everyone in my fucking town?

Precious Roy said...

Also don't get Bradley's love affair with Ching. As a closet Dynamo fan, I really like Ching but I'm so not sold on him at the int'l level. Holds up the ball too much.

Goat said...

Agreed, PR. He does well against lesser opponents but seems like he knows he's outclassed by better opponents.

Goat said...

Harkes at the 25 second mark: "Already this looks promising for the US."

Precious Roy said...

Shitty finish. Nice job Timmay.

Goat said...

Jesus, that should have been 1-0.

phil said...

Dos Santos is wearing our ass thin.

PLAY HIM, 'ARRY!!!!

Goat said...

Spectator--with that back four it's just like watching an Arsenal game. Without the, y'know, competence and skill at the other end.

phil said...

We are so slow in counter-attack. Yeesh.

phil said...

@ PR: tune into univision. No mention of that shit.

Precious Roy said...

I don't have Univision in HD. Price to pay.

The NY Kid said...

@Goat - Sagna was no prize today against the Argies.

And I want to punch Mexes and Toulalan in the balls.

Precious Roy said...

Sorry he sucks for Les Blues but Barcary is a rock on the right side in an Arsenal shirt.

The NY Kid said...

frankie hejduk is ~57 years old

phil said...

Messi pwned Les Blues today.

The NY Kid said...

that's my point - Sagna has been our best defender all season, so his performance today was puzzling, especially given his backline mates (i.e. we couldn't afford to have him play like shite)

The NY Kid said...

@Phil - and Ribery pwned the Albiceleste. The difference was that Ribery, Anelka, Titi, and Gourcuff couldn't finish for shit

Goat said...

Yeah, that was my point, too. Perhaps I should have said "If Sagna becomes shit..."

BackBergtt said...

Metaphor for American soccer, a goal kick drills an opposing player

Precious Roy said...

While our defense looks out of sorts and shaky, I do like how we're dispossessing the Mexicans fairly easily.

Precious Roy said...

Oooh. Almost.

The NY Kid said...

so Landon can score for Bayern but not for us?

jjf3 said...

SC Right Now: DO NOT WANT

Precious Roy said...

Looking at Dempsey, I'm guessing it's really easy to score meth around the Fulham area.

Ian said...

Hmmm....Where is Vela? Suspended? I like the Mexi attack

phil said...

@ NYK--Gourcuff's inability to finish was a big difference in the match, for sure.

phil said...

Brett Favre = king of PED's

jjf3 said...

sweet shot of the sbi mafia sign

Goat said...

SBI banner just got some airtime.

Goat said...

Harkes just said "Tottenham Hotspurs."

Precious Roy said...

jjf3, Goat, Keith, Phil, Joep... I expect a banner at the next qualifier. And yes, Joep. I better see one at a Dutch qualifier. I look good in orange.

BackBergtt said...

*eastern

Ian said...

Gooch having a shocker as usual

jjf3 said...

@PR: make a point of calling us the UF Mafia, and then come up with some cash for a banner, and someone with tix to the game, and "Voila!"

Goat said...

PR--I'm a college professor and I seriously considered canceling my classes today to go to the game.

The NY Kid said...

c'mon, joe, Ives didn't pay those guys. Where is your enthusiasm? Your loyalty?

I want a banner at the next USWNT match

Precious Roy said...

Nice save.

Precious Roy said...

Nery is hurt. PIty.

jjf3 said...

@NYK: he didn't pay for the concept, but he did pay for the actual banner itself, and since he's at the game, not too hard to get it hung...

Goat said...

I want a free UF t-shirt.

Goat said...

Or I'm never commenting again.

The NY Kid said...

well, once our money-making schemes come to fruition...

jjf3 said...

well, assuming he can't expense report it to his paper or soccernet

Precious Roy said...

Klejstan and Ching... where are you guys? Do something.

Goat said...

I think Klejstan might be doing something but I can't tell since he cut his hair.

jjf3 said...

did anyone ever come up with a logo for a T-shirt? I remember you asking in a post with Kim Il Jong in it, I think (or hallucinated)? If I had any artistic skills at all, I'd do one, but sadly I can't draw a stick figure worth a damn...

phil said...

USA are ineffective in attack.

@ PR--I only wish I could be at the enxt qualifier. How about this: I'll make a poster, and we'll post it on the bar at Fearon's.

Precious Roy said...

And we'll scare or confuse the other four patrons.

Precious Roy said...

And we're ineffective because Ching is our lone striker up top.

jjf3 said...

to be honest, I'd buy a t-shirt with blog header (two cards in hands, etc, with or without the various footballers in the background). And I've got a friend of mine who uses somebody on the net to sell shirts for like $20 as a side business...

Goat said...

jjf3, any UF logo has to incorporate some of TFA's MS Paint skillz.

Ian said...

Gooooooooooooooool

Precious Roy said...

Goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool

jjf3 said...

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The NY Kid said...

GOLADO!

Derek Vinyard scores off the corner.

jjf3 said...

Jesus, please don't get complacent the last 3 mins!!

Precious Roy said...

You know what? Ref has done a good job with this match because I haven't noticed shit from him. He's let them play and hasn't made cards from hard fouls.

Precious Roy said...

Maybe I spoke too soon. A goal and a guy needs to be stretchered off and only 1 minute of stoppage?

Adam said...

Alexi lalas resume:
Doesn't own a comb

The NY Kid said...

@phil - that's the acid reflux

phil said...

Univision seems to think Bradley batted that in with his arm.

phil said...

@ NYK--

Probably true.

That's what I get for drinking Old Style.

Goat said...

Phil, you can get a lot from drinking Old Style including herpes.

phil said...

Goat, you're preaching to the converted.

Goat said...

Does that mean you have herpes?

The NY Kid said...

obviously Phil has been making out with Robbie Alomar

Goat said...

The UF law students are already preparing a case.

jjf3 said...

Jeez, Dos Santos hasn't played in damn near forever, and he just blew past Pearce...

phil said...

Wait a second. I resent the accusations leveled at me.

Ever stop to think maybe Robbie Alomar made out with me!?!?!

Oh, wait...

phil said...

'Arry better start playing dos s
Santos. He's blazing around the pitch

jjf3 said...

nice job by the back line to actually, you know, RUN back while calling for an offside call. G-d, nothing pisses me off more than a line of defenders all standing there with their hands in the air...(OK, maybe some other things do, but that's right up there)

phil said...

Piss poor call. Plus, the ref should know that Landycakes doesn't have the sack to actually knock someone down.

Precious Roy said...

Why no Vela?

jjf3 said...

Dear ESPN:
If you're watching this game, and have stuck around this long, you fucking understand what's at stake, and how many teams qualify from our region. And if you don't, congrats to you for sticking around, but that's why the google exists...

A concerned citizen

The NY Kid said...

@joe - as a GK, I must agree with you. Love the one-on-one as my defenders stand there with an arm in the air

Precious Roy said...

Tarjeta roja.

The NY Kid said...

didn't look too bad at first, but that's a well-deserved RC

Adam said...

Piss off Marquez

jjf3 said...

credit to the ref - he saw it, and he called it. I didn't think it was worth more than a Riley yellow live...

Goat said...

That was a nifty little sequence started by Klejstan.

Goat said...

At least Ching knows how to take a foul.

Adam said...

Note to self, don't piss goat off for fear of bottle ass rape.

Precious Roy said...

I hope I live long enough to see ESPN interrupt a Cowboys game to give me an Arsenal score.

Goat said...

Broken bottle ass rape.

jjf3 said...

Timmaay is still limping. Not good. And WTF did Landon not try to blow past the left back? I know there wasn't much support, but there was a target in the middle...
adios Frankie H...

The Fan's Attic said...

I really should bring back my MS Paint stuff.

jjf3 said...

or not, Frankie

phil said...

We need to make up a Brett Favre chant

Precious Roy said...

Get Hejduk off. He's limping and he's a studs-up red waiting to happen.

phil said...

Seriously, bring in Altidore, or someone else who can cross. That was just embarrassing.

jjf3 said...

@PR: Vela picked up a stupid card (can't remember color) that suspended him for this game

phil said...

Wasted chance. Again.

Precious Roy said...

Thanks jjf3. Didn't know that. Although now that I think about it I saw the last Mexico match from the last round and they got 2 people sent off late. Vela being one of them.

phil said...

Fantastic defense by Bocanegra and Howard, successively.

jjf3 said...

Yep, that was the game PR. I forget the exact events, but 2 players (Vela was one) acted like little babies when things didn't go their way...

Precious Roy said...

JOZY!

Goat said...

TFA--I think the Van Nistelrooy horsey face was one of your best pieces.

The NY Kid said...

Bocanegra is a pimp. He was a big reason for Rennes' outstanding start

Goat said...

'Bout damn time.

hockalees said...

Gooch needs to worry about the deep long ball and not trying to score.

Evening all.

hockalees said...

And that was almost the "studs up red tackle" that Precious was referring to

phil said...

And Hejduk stops the counterattack in its tracks. Yeesh.

hockalees said...

crap... PVR is getting ready to swap me to Lost. I will have to read the rest of the game.

Precious Roy said...

Jozy does not look comfortable out there.

jjf3 said...

As a Dynamo fan, I am going to posit this for your enjoyment: Brian Ching is America's Emile Heskey. Everyone wants him to be a "target"/lone striker because of his build/height, but that's not what he is. He's a hard-working striker who's at his best when paired with a shorter striker who likes to track back and isn't a "pure" striker. Ching plays D, and he can be a target for a 40-yard pass, but if he doesn't have a goal-scorer to play off of him, he will never score enough to be successful. (And, yes, in this example, that makes Lando the American equivalent of Rooney). He's tall and strong, he's good with his head, but he only scores once in a while, but he makes the whole team better if he's not the sole scoring option...

phil said...

Jozy does look lost, PR.

Shouldn't be much stoppage time, right?

Gah. Landycakes. Soft. As usual.

Precious Roy said...

Sven, Pompey on line 1.

phil said...

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

jjf3 said...

M Bradley is golden!!!!!!

Goat said...

Sanchez blew that. Couldn't have happened to a nicer keeper.

Precious Roy said...

Dear Mexico:

Ha ha.

Love,
Nelson Muntz

Precious Roy said...

Whoa.. that's a great HD shot of the finger.

jjf3 said...

Which is worse? Millen being hired by whoever (was it Fox or NBC?), or Lalas being hired by ESPN?

Goat said...

Good effort all around. Spectator has got to be pleased with his performance. Phil's workrate was outstanding. jjf3 came through when it counted. All in all, there are a lot of positives we can take from this although Georger was a non-factor.

phil said...

I will sleep well tonight, though that may be due as much to the Lagunitas IPA as US Soccer.

jjf3 said...

@goat: the (sad?) part is that I would have been happy with that as my last review at my job...but I liked it more here...

Goat said...

This is more important than any job.

Spectator said...

So, about 3 hours too late, I came up with a good caption for the photo above: "Someone didn't get the memo to wear red."

machine gooner funk said...

yes the result was good and extremely important. however, to truly compete on the int'l level marvel needs to start at rb and we need to make wynn, bradley, altidore, adu, and edu our core. this lineup is all well and good for concacaf but wont cut it in bigger more prestigious tournaments

Precious Roy said...

mgf: I don't think any of us are under the illusion that that team could compete with the Brazil's and Spain's of the world, and we'd generally agree that any chance in 2010 of progressing to and through the knockout stages hinges on developing the youth more. But, given where US Soccer was a decade ago, it's encouraging to know that on a mediocre night we can beat Mexico at home.