Wednesday, June 3, 2009

USMNT v. Costa Rica Open Thread

Ian already covered all of the basics of tonight's World Cup qualifier between the U.S. and Costa Rica at the Estadio Ricardo Saprissa. Here's how the US Soccer Twitter feed described the scene:



All that's left now is for you to leave your comments! Oh, but don't forget that the game was moved to ESPN2. The World Wide Leader hates you and your DVR machine.

U.S. starting lineup after the jump.

Howard, Wynne, Onyewu, Bocanegra, Beasley, Mastroeni, Bradley, Torres, Dempsey, Donovan, Altidore. Subs: Adu, Bornstein, Clark, Davies, DeMerit, Guzan, Kljestan.

Ching out with a tweaked hamstring.

225 comments:

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jjf3 said...

RE: ESPN - I'll put this as politely as I can:
Dear ESPN: FUCK OFF. They've treated this whole thing as if its some kind of "last-minute" change. My local newspaper (which produces a weekly "TV Guide"), no later than SATURDAY night, knew that, hmm, the WCQ would be on ESPN2 at exactly 8:30 pm local time tonight. Surprise, fucking surprise...

OK, on to the team: Ching being out kind of screws us up-top. But Wynne and Beasley in at fullback? Seriously? No Spector? Spector better be getting 90 minutes this weekend.
I love Torres on the left, though I suspect he'll slide inside at times and give Landycakes the left wing.
I can't believe the game is still more than a half hour away - I'm recording it, cause there's a real good chance I won't remember the end of it...

Jacob said...

Let's go Red Wings! Clap Clap Clapclapclap!

Oops. Wrong thread.

Spectator said...

Hey look Chris Connelly is interviewing Timmy Howard. I remember when Connelly used to be on MTV.

Spectator said...

I think someone put qualudes in Carrot-Top's drink tonight. Get some Red Bull, dude!

Spectator said...

Also, my take on the USMNT's back four... going forward they should be good, but they would likely give up a dozen goals to most top-ranked national teams. We'll see how they fare against Costa Rica.

Jacob said...

2-2.

I'm always wrong, so don't pay attention.

Teeknuts said...

How is Domenech still France's manager?

BurgerBrother said...

u75: hope you are right this time - I put my $ on a draw at + 220 odds.

Jacob said...

You do love the betting.

BurgerBrother said...

i try to emulate charles barkley in every way. personal life and professional life.

Spectator said...

John Harkes talks too much.

Classy by the Costa Ricans to whistle through the national anthem. C'mon don't they know we elected Obama!!

BurgerBrother said...

J Harkes just compared a CONCACAF qualifier in Costa Rica to the movie Gladiator.

I think Russell Crowe deserves a little more credit than that.

Teeknuts said...

Have you drilled a guy in the head with a tee shot yet?

BurgerBrother said...

whatever, numbnuts

BurgerBrother said...

No 15 on Costa Rica is Harold Wallace. Sounds Costa Rican.

Fun fact: Wallace is known as "El Rapero" (the raper) due to his ability with the ball and the way he runs.

BackBergtt said...

Rape Ape, or possibly, Rapier Ape.

Jacob said...

Is Timmy wearing butt pads?

Teeknuts said...

Well, this is a great start.

Teeknuts said...

Yep, great start.

Spectator said...

To answer my own question: Costa Rica will do very well against this back four. What a clusterfuck.

Jacob said...

Well, Torres bailed and Mastroeni fell. Great.

Teeknuts said...

He shouldn't have gotten the chance to shoot, but to his credit it was a fantastic shot.

BackBergtt said...

How badly do we need this win?

Jacob said...

We will never see an attacking lineup from Bradley again.

Unknown said...

well that was poor.

Sarah said...

Well that didn't take long.

If it turns out that I woke up at 3 in the flipping morning just to watch Costa Rica win I will be mad.

Jacob said...

That was too strong. I would be highly surprised if we ever saw anything but a 4-5-1 from Bradley again.

Spectator said...

@Georger: Don't really need it. 3 of 6 teams. Fourth team has a play-in. Currently in first place. U.S. will make the WC barring something spectacular.

Jacob said...

Sorry Sarah. At least your schooling is done? Right?

BackBergtt said...

Does my stream deceive or is this astroturf? That should be illegal.

Jacob said...

'Tis fake turf.

Teeknuts said...

It has the classy Army green look of astroturf.

BurgerBrother said...

i hate getting those little rubber pellets in my boots.

The NY Kid said...

@Teeknuts - please don't mention Domenech, I'm still digesting my dinner

Jacob said...

This first seven minutes sucks.

Jacob said...

At least we've slowed down their scoring pace.

Unknown said...

the announcers are going to bitch about the turf all night. yuck.

i say get on with it and just play.

BackBergtt said...

Nice Eurosport jerseys for CR.

And is Beasley playing leftback?

Jacob said...

NYK, you can call me a pansy if you like, but there is no way I'm wearing short sleeves on this stuff like the CR keeper.

The Fan's Attic said...

too bad USA's number 9 named torres isn't more like liverpool's number 9 named torres.

Jacob said...

Yes, Beaz is left back. Not ideal, to be sure.

Jacob said...

Goodnight, everyone.

Teeknuts said...

Well, this is certainly looking bad.

Unknown said...

wow this sucks big time.

The NY Kid said...

bah, I wear short sleeves on FieldTurf all the time.

Also, our defense is complete pants.

Jacob said...

Can we blame the Confederations Cup for moving this game up? I'm gonna.

BurgerBrother said...

u75 - the 2-2 draw is still alive. have some faith.

Spectator said...

This back four is on pace to give up like 25 goals. Thank God I decided not to do a liveblog tonight.

Ian said...

Free Jay Demerit!!!

Also this team is supposed to compete with Brazil, Italy, and Egypt? LOL

phil said...

Bradley should be canned NOW. His tactics suck. His preference for his kid is silly, and the formation and team choice for tonight reflected an ignorance of both the occasion the opponent. He is clearly not the man for the job. Fire him.

Jacob said...

So, what;s the first sub? I say get DMB out of there and move Bocanegra over. I don't care who you put in, but just move to a 3-4-3.

Unknown said...

yeah this does not bode well for the cup. we have zero chance. maybe against egypt. we need a new defense (obvious) and, as much as this pains me to say, mastroeni is playing like crap.

Jacob said...

Because, IIRC, BlacMouth has been playing LB in France.

Signal to Noise said...

holy crap this backline has more holes in it than we've got stars on the flag.

Howard has every right to yell at the center backs.

Spectator said...

Time to kick my "Hire Guus Hiddink" campaign into high gear.

Teeknuts said...

I can't believe I sat through poker for this

Anonymous said...

SAT primer, kids....

Phil : Bradley
Georger : ?

Jacob said...

Spec--I had the same one in 2006. Went nowhere.

Jacob said...

Rafa! Rafa! Rafa!

BackBergtt said...

I don't get it :(

Jacob said...

I'd take the color bars right now ESPN.

Spectator said...

Okay so let's see... Essentially giving Torres and Wynne their debuts, playing Jozy and Beasley after they've been inactive for months, and playing Howard after two days rest. Oh and trotting out a 4-3-3.

Granted the team has injury issues, but well done, Bradley.

Jacob said...

Wynne's assets are his leaping and his speed. Got to get him in the box on a set piece.

Jacob said...

Wynne's been out hurt too, I think.

phil said...

@ Sven:

phil : bradley
Georger: rafa

Jacob said...

And Gooch has been in court. What other excuses do we have?

Unknown said...

@Spec i like the altidore choice, because he needs more time on the field. but beasley is a terrible one (especially at left back...you can't tell me there isn't a competent left back somewhere in the united states).

Signal to Noise said...

it's gonna be hard for me to cuss out Landon properly if the mids can't actually get him the ball.

Jacob said...

Good job, Torres.

Anonymous said...

Nothing harsh, Georger. I just thought Phil's comment just had the same tone as one of your Rafa rants.

Jacob said...

And Jozy blows it.

Spectator said...

This is just plain brutal

Magnakai Haaskivi said...

If this were "World Soccer Manager", I'd make sure they all got the "Disappointed" team talk at halftime. Beasley may even get the "Angry" one.

Although I might spare Altidore and give him the "You Have Faith" one. It depends how the half unfolds.

Jacob said...

Whatever happened to Bornstein? He was choice #1 two years ago.

Spectator said...

Free kick 35 yards out... I'm guessing Landy kicks it into the stands.

BackBergtt said...

Ah I didn't see his post.

He needs to suggest shooting someone, then it's dead on.


(just wait, if he sells Alonso ... it's on like proverbial Diddy Kong)

Jacob said...

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO What the hell was that?

Anonymous said...

If this were WSM, I'd have quit the game after the 13th minute.

Unknown said...

@MH: I'd go for the "you're letting the team down" or "you're embarrassing yourselves" even before the "disappointed"

Spectator said...

I got it all wrong. Dempsey kicked it into the fence in front of the stands.

Jacob said...

Hey, Sammy Sosa is retiring!

phil said...

This is embarrassing. We deserve the WC like my Spurs deserve European play.

Teeknuts said...

In the words of Homer Simpson: Yes! Default! Default! Default!

Magnakai Haaskivi said...

@ MG: Do you still think Rafa's selling Alonso?

BurgerBrother said...

if this were WSM, my assistant manager would have told me, "A few players, including Beasley and Torres, still appear to be trying to belnd into the squad" and "Beasley has been quite error prone today" and "we are misplacing too many passes" and "we'd do our chances the world of good by closing down all of the little costa ricans in their red and blue lotto brand jerseys at all times."

that is all.

phil said...

We're giving a big goodbye to Sosa on the baseball blog tomorrow. Best Cubs player I've ever seen.


And you can take your steroids bullshit and shove it. They were all on it. Pitchers, hitter, everyone.

Signal to Noise said...

Georger, if Rafa sells Alonso I'll be yelling right with you.

Every DMB touch has been no better than mediocre right now. Drawing that foul has been the best thing he's done so far.

Jacob said...

DMB's balding pate makes him look about 35 years old.

Magnakai Haaskivi said...

@ Spectator: I wish I could retitle those team talks to more accurately reflect what I'd say.

Anonymous said...

I'd never noticed Beasley's bald spot before.

Jacob said...

Almost 20 scoreless minutes on the US streak now. Let's go boys! Keep it up!

BackBergtt said...

"Do you still think Rafa's selling Alonso?"

With Barry going to City, less than I did a week ago, but you still never know. It depends on how badly he needs the money I guess. If he does though, you extort Real for no less than 30 million pounds.


I finally got a new computer and can run FM without games taking twenty minutes, I'm going to start with Tranmere and give them a fuckton of money. The Wirrals staying up!

Spectator said...

Harkes sure is ever the optimist

Jacob said...

Nor had I sven.

BackBergtt said...

Dave Matthews Band rocks!


/me from 1994-2003

Teeknuts said...

The way I see it there is no reason to sell Alonso now that Barry's off the table, he can raise most of the funds he would need through selling Babel and Dossena along with maybe some of the academy players. At least that's what I hope.

Jacob said...

Dave Matthews Band rocks!

/me never

BurgerBrother said...

haha DMB. I saw them at Giants Stadium in 1997 or so.

Jacob said...

Maybe eventually, but at least I'll go never having like that neo-hippie shit band.

Unknown said...

great, already talking about the MLS.

Unknown said...

i always thought DMB was a fratguy band?

Jacob said...

Here comes 3

Spectator said...

I bet the players on the pitch wish they were injured along with Ching

Teeknuts said...

I'll never really figure out how Red Hot Chilli Peppers were my favorite band for about a year around 2002.

BurgerBrother said...

The only reason I can think of for leaving Jonathan Spector out of the lineup is that Spector is actually Philip Markoff the "Craigslist Killer" and that he is locked away somewhere in Boston. That is literally the only reason I can think of for his exclusion.

Jacob said...

Almost.

And yeah, maybe for Dave Matthews, but if you've ever been around College of Charleston, it's all the same at some schools.

Magnakai Haaskivi said...

My current WSM/FM game involved trying to get Grasshoppers to win the Champions League. It's a pain in the ass, though, because it means I have to win the Swiss league every year, and fucking FC Basel is a point ahead of me and WON'T LOSE TO ANYONE.

Actually, my pretend soccer games might be more fulfilling than the real one I'm watching...

BackBergtt said...

I can deal with people dissing Dave Matthews, I don't listen to it anymore myself. But the Peppers? Come on man, that's the most consistent American rockband over the past twenty years.

Unknown said...

yeah, I suppose you're right umlaut.

Anonymous said...

mmmmmmm College of Charleston girls....

and damn you USMNT for denegrating this Open Thread into a conversation about DMB.

*shakes fist at the sky angrily*

Jacob said...

No American band can hold a candle to CCR for greatness over a career. Just sayin'

Teeknuts said...

I'm not saying they're bad, it's just that they're not really in line with the kind of stuff I listen to now. But what the hell do I know, I love eurobeat.

Spectator said...

Thank God this half is almost over

BackBergtt said...

Any band that I haven't seen playing before The Winston at Charlotte Motor Speedway disagrees with that statement.

Unknown said...

first good first touch of the night?

Jacob said...

Yes, sven, the clean ones are great. Now stay away from my sister next year.

BackBergtt said...

"I'm not saying they're bad, it's just that they're not really in line with the kind of stuff I listen to now. "

Ah, gotcha. Well I'm the same way with DMB I reckon. I never would have seen myself listening to Sigur Ros or Pelican when I was a freshman in college. I wouldn't have seen myself with Peanuts tattoos either.

Jacob said...

First half oles. Embarrassing.

Anonymous said...

Umlaut, incoming freshman?

She's too far below the hard-deck.
(enter your own joke here)

We'll have to make a point of getting piss drunk when you come to visit her.

Jacob said...

Right here, 2-1. do it

Jacob said...

Yay Halftime!

Spectator said...

"You don't want to give up goals early." Thanks Harkes.

Magnakai Haaskivi said...

Oh, good. Alexia Lalas is going to take me through this game.

Jacob said...

Eh, I'll see her on holidays. That doesn't mean there aren't other reasons to get down there though.

BackBergtt said...

I've lived in Charlotte since 1994 and not once have I been to Charleston. True story.

Goat said...

Lalas, we don't need you for anything.

Jacob said...

And a scintillating one. Having lived in both, I like Charleston better than Charlotte. But I'd take Columbia over either one of them, as long as I can live near Five Points again.

Spectator said...

On the plus side, Jon Stewart is on

BackBergtt said...

Wait for it ... never been to Columbia either, BAM!

I'm kind of a homebody, I rarely leave Charlotte or Boone when I'm in NC.

Though Greer South Carolina can kiss my black ass, that's for sure.

Jacob said...

What did Greer ever do to you? That's my backwoods backyard.

Teeknuts said...

NERDY JOKE INCOMING

The USMNT came out as flat as the Wii Vitality Sensor did yesterday.

BackBergtt said...

My brother lives there, just strikes me a dumpy cow pasture of a town, not a fan of visiting. Plus I'm pretty sure I hit a turtle on 85 outside of there a few weeks back.

Anonymous said...

@ Goat... Actually, I have a MLS team I need fucked-up.

@ Georger... I believe them kids might call refer to that as a 'FAIL'.

@ Umlaut... Having lived in both, I concur. Charleston, hands down. Especially now that Charlotte is fulfilling its destiny as Baby Atlanta.

Teeknuts said...

Did Lalas just call Randy Johnson "The Big Eunich"?

Jacob said...

Well, when you're from the big city...

Fun fact: Greer locals call their town Gurr. At least that was us civilized Greenville folks attributed to them.

BackBergtt said...

Charlotte's city population is like fifteen percent bigger than Atlanta now, and our metro area doesn't include the same area Atlanta's does.

See what happens when you don't base your economy on an airport?

(fuck Atlanta)

Goat said...

Teek, Stoner just called Nate McClouth "McClooth".

Jacob said...

But seriously, Columbia was a lot of fun for its nightlife. Great bars and a decent music scene.

BackBergtt said...

Is USC in Columbia?

See none of my friends that I'd visit went to Charleston or USC, they were all at UNC, State, and ECU. Or at least the ones that put out were at ECU.

Jacob said...

Oh, and the best Korean-Mexican restaurant in the state. Blue Cactus.

Jacob said...

Well, the sweet release of halftime is over. Let's get back to the mauling.

Spectator said...

@ussoccer Sasha Kljestan coming on for Jose Francisco Torres. He'll play right midfield with Dempsey moving left. Donovan and Altidore up top

Anonymous said...

ECU was my super-safety. If you had a pulse, they accepted you.

Jacob said...

Oh no, I agree with Harkes. Torres, once settled, played pretty well.

Jacob said...

Riverbanks is rather nice, if in need of updating. Some of those pens look pretty decrepit.

Goat said...

I don't get it, Torres, while making some mistakes seemed like the only one with any offensive competence and Kljestan has been shit lately.

Teeknuts said...

Hey, the zoo is awesome. The best wedding reception I've ever been to was at the Brookfield Zoo. It helped that there were free Dippin Dots.

BackBergtt said...

Yeah ECU is a bit of a sham, it's like that old Billy Crystal sketch on SNL where you just show up and get a diploma, under the condition you can't tell your parents there's actually no school.

Goat said...

I was just there this weekend. Zoos always depress me. Especially when the gorilla just sits with his back to you contemplating how he found himself in this shit hole.

Jacob said...

Wow. A half chance.

Goat said...

Does the US have a shot on goal yet?

Anonymous said...

While I kind of want to stay up and see the third Costa Rican goal, methinks it's sleepy-time down south.

Jacob said...

Why don't I recognize some of those subs? Of course, I would not recognize Torres either.

Jacob said...

Shut up Harkes.

Jacob said...

Bradley yellow. Fill in your bingo cards.

Jacob said...

Does that count as a shot on goal?

Jacob said...

I guess everyone has taken sven's lead and gone for a lie down.

BackBergtt said...

I don't have a TV and couldn't sacrifice music for another 45 minutes to keep a stream going.

Unknown said...

i'm here umlaut. just stunned into silence.

Spectator said...

Yeah this game is pretty much unwatchable.

Jacob said...

30 30 30 minutes to go, I wanna be sedated.

Unknown said...

might be switching over to the red headed goofy guy in a minute though. the girlfriend is getting antsy.

Jacob said...

Godammit Wynne.

Spectator said...

Marvelllll Wynne... dribbles the ball out of bounds.

Jacob said...

Understood, Steve. Believe me.

Jacob said...

Freddy! He had better Adu something good.

Spectator said...

Okay Freddy, go prove a point

Jacob said...

That's puzzling. Mastroeni off for Adu? It's like Bradley is picking sub numbers out of a hat.

Spectator said...

Ha, I like umlaut's better

Jacob said...

Did this just turn into a 4-2-4 for the US?

Jacob said...

Yeah, I could totally write tabloid headlines.

Spectator said...

The beginning of Daily Show making fun of Morning Joe was the highlight of my night.

Meanwhile, Harkes is still talking about getting a goal back.

Unknown said...

maybe Bradley thinks he is playing FM? curious subs and a late game 4-2-4 to win it?

Spectator said...

How about this.... Klinsy for USMNT coach?

Jacob said...

No thanks. The man, while excitable, has no fire.

Jacob said...

Man, if DMB just had any kind of touch...

Goat said...

They're really not good at soccer.

Unknown said...

who would you like to see for USMNT coach? any ideas?

Spectator said...

Where's Harkes with his "U.S. just need to score a goal to get back into this game" now?

Goat said...

This game doesn't deserve to have this many comments.

Jacob said...

I feel like beating my computer like the angry German kid.

Unknown said...

glad we already switched.

Jacob said...

At least the US went almost an hour without giving up a goal.

Goat said...

Harkes just said he was keeping it real. I shit you not.

Jacob said...

Well, he could cover his near post, for one.

Jacob said...

Bocanegra with a delayed yellow?

Jacob said...

Altidore just pegged Donovan with a shot. I laughed.

Spectator said...

Switched over to Conan

Jacob said...

Alright, I'll keep up with the updates for anyone not watching but still online. No yellow after all for Carlos. He deserved one.

Spectator said...

If the U.S. don't win this weekend, Bradley better be out the door. This team is heading toward another disaster at the 2010 WC.

Unknown said...

so that was donovan's best play all night? i harped on this last time i was around UF during USMNT, but he is such a useless pile. time to move on.

Goat said...

Any idea about the number of Hondurans expected in Chicago?

Jacob said...

Worse, they will possibly be in fourth after next midweek's matches.

Jacob said...

I know a couple of Mexican emigres who are going up there.

Goat said...

I wouldn't be surprised to see large numbers of Mexicans sporting Honduras jerseys.

Jacob said...

Adu is a set piece guy... Never mind

Spectator said...

Conan's monologue actually might've been even worse than the USMNT. He used all the good jokes on the first two nights.

Jacob said...

Deuce off, Charlie Davies on

Jacob said...

Oh yeah, davies has a multi game suspension for elbowing somewhere in Scandinavia.

Sarah said...

I can't believe I'm still watching this.

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