It’s taken some time, but Match Fit USA has finally percolated up enough outrage to take action. And you can help.
The issue is the USMNT v. Mexico World Cup qualifier. While the Spanish-language broadcast will be on Telemundo, an English version will only be available on something called mun2. To be honest, most of us were unaware what that was.
Telemundo owns both the Spanish and English rights for Mexican matches. There’s a brief rundown of how it came to pass that English-speaker will have to seek out an outlet with a footprint that reaches 1-10th of of US Americans, but the Cliff’s Notes version is:Since 2000, Telemundo has had a contract to show Mexican matches on U.S. television. For past USA-Mexico qualifiers at Azteca, the game would end up being shown on an ESPN outlet because the U.S. Soccer Federation had a formal relationship with Telemundo. But for the past two years the USSF has worked with Telemundo's rival, Univision, which shows USA matches on its main network as well as Galavision and Telefutura.
Your help comes in the form of making your displeasure of having to find a cable outlet that mightn’t even exist on your system known to people with more influence and power.
NBC-Universal has many other outlets with much wider penetration. They might be persuaded to move the match if they were told how upset people will be with them if they miss the first time the USMNT wins at Azteca ever.
You can click on the Match Fit link (first paragraph) for a long rundown. But if you’re too lazy to click more than once, here’s a link to the online petition.
And if you feel your sphere of influence has a larger radius than your wingspan, please pass the link on to soccer-watching friends or people who simply like to irritate massive media conglomerates.
[UPDATE: We decided that a pay petition is about the lamest thing ever. The petition link above is still encouraged, but we received another email with the following message attached:
Below I have provided NBC executive email addresses and phone numbers to contact the respective individuals who do work for NBC sports. All I request is that you get the message to your readers and listeners to contact these individuals kindly and courteously and beseech that they move this extremely important match from Mun2 to a widely received channel with HD.
NBC Sports Office
nbcsports@nbcuni.com
nbcsportshelp@nbcuni.com
Walker, Brian
Senior Director - Communications
Phone: (212) 664- 5533
Fax: (212) 664-6035
Project Assignment: "Notre Dame Football" "PGA Tour" "Ryder Cup" "Senior PGA Championship" "Football Night in America" "U.S. Open & USGA Championships" "National Hockey League"
Division(s): NBC Sports
brian.walker@nbcuni.com
Freifeld, Adam
Director - Communications
Phone: (212) 664-6772
Fax: (212) 664-6035
Project Assignment: "Wimbledon" "The Kentucky Derby" "Preakness Stakes" "NBC Sunday Night Football" "French Open"
Division(s): NBC Sports
adam.freifeld@nbcuni.com
Iorio, Lyndsay
Coordinator - Communications
Phone: (212) 664-2160
Fax: (212) 664-6035
Project Assignment: "National Heads-Up Poker Championship" "2007 AVP Crocs Tour on NBC"
Division(s): NBC Sports
Lyndsay.Iorio@nbcuni.com
DICK EBERSOL
Chairman, NBC Universal Sports & Olympics
dick.ebersol@nbcuni.com
Duncan.Ebersol@nbcuni.com
Perkins Miller
Vice President, NBC Universal Sports
Perkins.Miller@nbcuni.com
Kenneth Schanzer
President, NBC Universal Sports
Kenneth.Schanzer@nbcuni.com
Jeff Zucker
Presiden and CEO of NBC Universal
Jeff.Zucker@nbcuni.com]
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Activism: It Isn't Just for Politics Anymore [UPDATED]
Saturday, June 6, 2009
International Bootroom: The Borat Edition
Yes the European domestic leagues are over, but there's a slew of international World Cup qualifiers this weekend. A full rundown of the highlights after the jump, assuming that you can find any of these on a TV or computer near you.
Have at it in the comments, or feel free to talk about your weekend plans.
Update: Discuss US v. Honduras here as well. Here's a pic from the NY Kid....
Here's more pics from the NY Kid....
Note: These aren't complete WCQ match listings, but what I view to be the best of the bunch. All times are EST. All games are on Saturday.
UEFA
11:00 am Kazakhstan v. England
11:00 am Azerbaijan vs Wales (Setanta)
1:30 pm Bulgaria v. Ireland
2:00 pm Sweden v. Denmark (Setanta)
2:15 pm Croatia v. Ukraine
2:30 pm Italy v. Northern Ireland (Gol)
2:30 pm Serbia v. Austria (FSC)
2:45 pm Iceland v. Netherlands
CONCACAF
8:30 pm USA v. Honduras (ESPN)
9:00 pm El Salvador v. Mexico
CONMEBOL
3:00 pm Uruguay v. Brazil
5:00 pm Argentina v. Colombia
6:50 pm Paraguay v. Chile
AFC
4:00 am North Korea v. Iran (FSC - rebroadcast at 10:00 am)
12:00 pm Qatar v. Australia (FSC)
Also, FSC is showing Real Salt Lake v. Colorado Rapids at 10:00 pm.
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.
USA Costa Rica Preview
Tonight, the USA travels to Costa Rica to play the Ticos in World Cup qualifying. The game was moved forward from next week due to the Confederations Cup (get excited!), and is the only international in the world being held today. Obligatory shambolic preview, after the jump.
The US National Team hasn't taken a point in Costa Rica in qualifying since 1985, and after the uneven performance against El Salvador on the road, it's questionable whether or not that streak is going to end tonight. Landycakes and others have said that they will benefit from the experience gained in the comeback to tie. But the Ticos, second place in the group, have only lost one game this decade at the Estadio Saprissa. So its not surprising that veteran Pablo Mastroeni is widely expected to see time in the midfield tonight alongside Michael Bradley.
Elsewhere, Jonathan Spector is expected to get the start at right back filling in for Steve Cherundulo, and the Beasley-as-a-left-back experiment is likely to continue. Despite injury concerns, Jozy also looks set to start, but Bob Bradley has already been complaining about the artificial surface. "I think for the most part the players will tell you that the game is not the same on artificial turf," he told the LA Times.
The game has been moved to ESPN2 from ESPN, and pregame coverage kicks off at 9:30 pm EDT. Chances of a liveblog are pretty slim at this point, but do join us for what promises to be a truly spectacular open thread. Start placing bets on many times John Harkes compares the crowd at the Saprissa to "his time in England."
Image from the invaluable MNT Blog.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
USA v. Trinidad & Tobago Open Thread
We're now returning you to your regularly scheduled programming after our little day of April Fools mirth. So what did you do today??
Tonight, the US Men's National team takes on Trinidad & Tobago in Nashville, TN, of all places. A win tonight will surely help wash away the bad taste of that draw in El Salvador over the weekend. Coverage begins on ESPN2 (the Deuce) at 7:30pm... Expect a pregame show featuring lots of in-depth analysis from Sideshow Bob et al.
Have your say in the comments, or feel free to chat about today's non-cricket, non-boobs events.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Freddy leaves the witness protection program
That's right, dear readers, the diminutive gentleman pictured above is none other than Freddy Adu. Didn't he retire a few years ago? Haven't heard much from him in a while...Ok, so he's actually rotting in the reserves for Monaco. Same difference.
Freddy and the rest of the US Men's National Team are training in Miami this week ahead of their game this weekend in El Salvador. A spin through the CONCACAF qualifiers, after the jump.
Bradley has called in a full strength roster for the Central American road trip this weekend and next Wednesday's game in Nashville against Trinidad & Tobago (tickets still very much available). The squad is mostly euro-based and has the usual suspects, except for Steve Cherundulo who is battling injury. Perhaps we will see Jonathan Spector get some minutes at right back. Jay Demerit is also in line to sub for Bocanegra or Gooch in the middle. Realistically, though, this two game set should produce 6 points without too much trouble, despite the always exciting hostile crowd/ref/pitch/water/urine combo in San Salvador.
The biggest game this weekend actually takes place in Azteca between El Tri and the Ticos. Despite pasting Bolivia in a meaningless, quasi-unofficial friendly in Denver (?) two weeks ago, Sven Goran-Eriksson remains very much on the hot seat. Rumors are swirling that he could be sacked if results don't go his way this weekend. Costa Rica has won in Mexico City before, and an upset on Saturday could be the final nail in Sven's coffin.
Rafa Marquez didn't travel as he is hurt, while Carlos Vela is suspended for the first game. Marqeuz told FIFA.com that "it's unfair that people are trying to pin the blame on me for the bad results we've been having. If you ask me, Mexican football has a deep-rooted problem and that's the cause of the bad patch we've been going through. Our football is stagnating and with everything that's happened, it's time to come right out and say it. If we carry on like this we're all going to pay for it." I think I just shed a tear of pure shadenfreude.
And Sven has called in poor Oswaldo Sanchez, who will at least be happy he isn't facing Landon Donovan this week. Sylvester Adame of Goal.com notes:Once again Sven has called up Sanchez and we resume the soap opera of who will be starting for El Tri. For many the game against Bolivia was going to be the start of the Guillermo Ochoa era but Eriksson sees it different.
“We will see who starts but I don’t want to discuss that now. Oswaldo looked fine on the weekend but I don’t want to talk about that now,” Eriksson said.
The full CONCACAF schedule is here, and without promising too much I imagine there will be a UF liveblog of the USA-El Salvador game on Saturday night.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
We're Not Above Stealing Images from Deadspin
While we agree with the sentiment, we don't need to stoop to the level of the Mexicans. Oh wait, we didn't throw urine bombs on the pitch.
By the way, not sure if anybody remembers this, but after the US v. Mexico World Cup match in 2002, the ABC cameras caught this great shot of a fat and unhappy Mexican in his El Tri kit and oversized sombrero. It was maybe the funniest thing I've ever seen on TV after this and the Christopher Guest / Martin Short Men's Synchronized Swimming short, which apparently the YouTubes doesn't allow. Anyway, if anyone can turn up a a pic of that Mexico fan I'd be indebted to you forever.
Let's Not Bury The Lead, Frankie (Updated)
Well, this is quickly getting around, but there was a little dust up between Frankie Hejduk and Mexican assistant coach Paco Ramirez after last night's 2-0 win by the U.S.
The disturbing part is that Ramirez waited for the US team to come off the field to do this. So, he had ample time to cool down and think about what he would (or wouldn't) do. The exchange, fortunately, doesn't get out of hand, partially because the slap is a bit girlie. And Hejduk, to his credit, totally downplayed it. His assessment of the situation:I was just trying to pump the crowd up. I was actually saying, 'Fuck yeah!' I think they thought I was saying, 'Fuck you.' It was a misunderstanding and I can see why they would be a little bit upset if they thought I was saying the other one, which I wasn't. At the end of the day, no one was hurt. There was a little love tap and that was it. I still have my face. No damage done. It was fun. That's just how emotional this game is and that's how passionate they are about their sport. It was none of their players -- I want to make that clear to everyone.
As if the U.S. Mexico rivalry needed to fuel its fire any more.
Still might be some fallout from the match, though. Sven-Goran Eriksson still has his job as of right now, but even the English press was speculating that a Mexican loss would send him back to the EPL and Portsmouth.
As for the soccer itself, yes, the U.S. got off to the best possible start to World Cup qualifying with its 2-0 win but most of the UF post-game discussion wasn't about how strong the US team was, but about how inept the Mexicans looked.
Kljestan was invisible, Onyewu and Bocanegra both looked shaky at times, and God love Frankie Hejduk, but for all of his effort charing up the right, he served few good crosses, and had about 4 studs-up tackles that, had they been a half-second late, might have spelled serious problems for the U.S. and nullified the man advantage.
Bradley, Donovan, Beasley and Howard were the only ones who probably had good performances.
Point being: we weren't sure if a victory off such mediocre performances says more about the state of US Soccer or about Mexico.
[Update: It appears that Sven is staying. FMF president Justino Compean said Sven Goran Eriksson will remain in charge of the Mexican national team: "I completely support Mr Eriksson. We have a commitment to be in South Africa and we will be in South Africa."]
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.)
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
USA vs. Trinidad and Tobago Liveblog
Welcome to UF's liveblog of the USA vs. Trinidad and Tobago from Port of Spain. Your hosts tonight will be myself and Lingering Bursitis. I suggest a Dark and Stormy if you are looking for something liquid to accompany the game, which kicks at 8 pm EST.
Fresh off the 6-1 demolition of Cuba at RFK on Saturday which put the USA into the next round of qualifying, Bob Bradley sent home most of his European based veterans. So tonight should be a good look at the likes of Adu and Altidore, with some MLS-based filler youth as well.
Trinidad and Tobago, meanwhile, are coming off a clutch draw against Guatemala on the road on Saturday. Both teams are tied for second place, and a point tonight for T&T would be huge as they host Cuba at home in November, while Guatemala travel to the Isla de Fidel tonight, then finish up against the USA at the Dick in Denver.
Lineups and more after the jump.
Our UF spies are in the locker room and will get us the teamsheets shortly.
7:14- US Starters:
----------------Guzan----------------
Hejduk---Califf---Orozco---Pearce
---------Edu--------Torres-----------
Kljestan-------Adu------Beasley (c)
--------------Altidore-----------------
Looks like a 4-5-1 with Adu pulling the strings. Also we get to see the 5' 5" Torres in some sort of defensive role.
7:33- Wayne Rooney gives an unintelligible interview on Sky Sports. Perhaps LB can translate.
7:57- Still searching for team sheets. Anyone have a link?
8:00 -Allright, we are live. Time to settle in for the JP and John Harkes show. Over/under on mentions of the shot heard round the world tonight?
8:05 - Ok, found a T&T teamsheet:
GK- Ince
D-Edwards, Lawrence, Thomas
MF - Birchall, Daniel, Latapy, Edwards, Spann, Yorke
F - Scotland
So a 3-6-1? Or something...should be a crowded midfield tonight.
8:06 - Stadium announcer sounds like a dude I would like to toke with.
8:07 - Anthems. A live band busts an awesome calypso version of the Stars and Stripes. Muffed snickers from Brad Guzan.
8:08 - T&T striker Jason Scotland plays for Swansea. Lawrence plays for the Welsh side as well. Yorke and Edwards play for Roy Keane.
8:08 - Holy Cow. The T&T anthem is mind blowing. A nice waltzing march.
0 Minutes - Kickoff. Bradley looking cool in the t shirt. Will never be confused for Mourinho on the touch line.
2nd minute - Beasley almost gets a chance on the right side after some decent play from Sasha.
4th minute - T&T win a free kick just outside the box. Ball is whipped in, Guzan makes a nice save, ball rebounds around and then is cleared out of danger. Meanwhile the US counters but Adu loses the ball at the top of the box.
5th minute - On the ensuing corner, Altidore is free at the back post but falls over. The stadium looks more or less full, and the supporters are enjoying themselves.
7th minute - the Pierce/Beasley combo on the left side looks like it could do some damage tonight. Beas still rocking ridiculous orange boots.
9th minute - Scotland wins a corner. Ball is served into the back post, and Guzan is no where to be seen, but the it ends out for a goal kick. Meanwhile, Harkes tells us that Latapy is 40 and plays in Scotland.
10th minute - Cluttered play in the midfield, which is to be expected given the 25 midfielders on the pitch. Ball springs to a T&T player who puts a long range shot on Guzan, which he deals with, eventually.
12th minute - Sasha doesn't do much with a freekick from the left side of the box. Meanwhile, PR asks if its ok to root for T&T. Don't tell Sara Palin, but I think you are safe. Might want to avoid leaving an electronic record, though.
14th minute - Altidore almost gets on the end of the throughball on the left side of the box, where he has been hanging out most of the match.
16th minute- Latapy chucks a ball down to Scotland, who bundles over Cherundulo Pierce for a corner kick. Ensuing corner leads to chaos in the box, but the shot is over the bar. The US have not been sharp on set pieces so far.
19th minute - So far the US midfield has had trouble keeping possession. Just as I write that, Adu leads a move, passes wide to Altidore, who crosses the ball into the box where no one can get on the end.
21st minute - I'm not sure Torres is suited for the Bob Bradley "destroyer" role in front of the defense. Also, why the hell do we need two defense midfielders against T&T? Give me a 4-4-2!
23rd minute - Scotland is actually on loan to Wolves, and he almost gets through the US defense there.
25th minute - Edu turns over the ball in the midfield, leading to another Scotland chance on the left side.
27th minute - I'm not sure the Califf-Orozco pairing in the middle is really something we need to see going forward in the future. T&T now really dominating possession now.
28th minute - to be fair, Califf does have cool sideburns tonight. Torres and Adu both turning the ball over at every opportunity. T&T going for some Colaship level muck and grind chippiness now.
33rd minute - US midfield is totally out of sync right now. T&T playing very physically against the smaller US players.
35th minute - The game has ground to a halt, thanks to a T&T injury. They are forced to sub in Hislop. USA corner goes to nothing. Latapy brought down by Adu on the counter, although he avoids going into the ref's book.
38th minute - Adu just cannot play central midfield, at least not against bigger players. Meanwhile, Torres puts a shot in row ZZ.
40the minute - I'm openly rooting for the Soca Warriors at this point, I think. The US midfield is in shambles. A decent run by Beasley on the left leads to a terrible ball from Adu right at the keeper.
42th minute - The US needs to take advantage of their speed out wide instead of mucking around in the middle. Beasley almost gets on a ball deep in the left corner.
45th minute - Into stoppage time and this half has been pathetic. Bradley needs to move to a 4-4-2 at halftime, methinks. The bench is a bit thin, but it would be nice to see Wynne and Szetela.
47th minute - Scotland almost puts one past Guzan at the death, but it goes just wide. He should have buried that. And there's the whistle. Are you ready for smug ESPN announcer to mispronounce Rooney?
Halftime - US have been poor in the first half, but perhaps Bradley is figuring out that Torres cannot play as a defensive midfielder. Edu has been mediocre as well, and Adu looks like shit. Beasley needs to get more touches, he has been the most dangerous player on the field. I'm out to drink more and plan my vacation to T&T, and LB will be taking over for the second half. Stay safe, folks.
-----
Hello folks, LB here to add a touch of English disdain at this lackluster match. When the best chance of the match has been squandered by a lad playing for Swansea City, we're in trouble.
I know we're all expecting a lot here, but we should have known it'd be this cautious and dour thus far. Bradley brings in 8 new faces from the lineup against Cuba, and of course it's going to be rough going. As Ian pointed out, the most troubling part is that Califf/Orozco partnership. Scotland and Birchill The Colaship Lad are having far too much time and space to waste chances.
Meanwhile, Edu and Torres are not defensive midfielders, nor do they appear to be particularly proficient at distributing the ball. Hejduk sprints his lungs out to get down the wing, and has no juice left to provide a decent cross.
At least for the US, Trinidad & Tobago aren't doing much with all their possession.
46 mins: And we're off again. So much news hidden within the reporting of the MLS bids announced today. The Gillett family is launching a bid for a franchise in Montreal... might that augur the beginning of the end for them in Liverpool? That'd be nice, even with recent injury scares surrounding Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel tonight.
No subs for either side at the interval. Will Bradley get anything from this awful formation?
48 mins: Does Harkes get how offside works? USMNT have their first decent-looking move of the match as Kljestan finds Torres who finds Altidore through the middle, but the linesman flags it. Touch-and-go as far as I could see. Harkes is adamant.
A much brighter start from the US after the break.
49 mins: A sharp move from T&T as Edwards and Birchill exchange passes at the edge of the USMNT box, but the move breaks down.
50 mins: Fun fact from Harkes that 7 of the Starting XI for T&T are playing in England. He then goes on to mention Latapy in Scotland... I think he meant they're playing in Great Britain but the thought was there. Poor lad, he tries so hard.
Steady calypso beats and a long ball down the right for Altidore to obediently chase as Hejduk overcooks the pass a bit and Lawrence ushers it out of play for a goal kick. Frankie had the right idea, but Jozy read it late and another attack dissolves to nothing.
SCORE UPDATE:
Guatemala 0, Cuba 1
That'd put T&T through, right?
53 mins: Scotland holds the ball up at the edge of the box and earns a T&T corner. Daniel slings it in and it's only half-cleared. It then comes back into Yorke in the box as Birchill lobs it in, but he can't shoot, and then Scotland has a half-chance on the left side but the ball skidded off the turf and he couldn't pull the trigger.
Not a bad chance for T&T, as the US clearly look awful from the set-piece. Guzan isn't happy at all. I for one don't blame him.
55 mins: Can I get a Stern John appearance? The camera show him feigning enjoyment of the bench. It's almost at the hour mark, and it's time for us to see another T&T player who can't shoot accurately.
SCORE UPDATE:
Honduras 0, Jamaica 1
Mexico 0, Canada 1
The world's gone mad, I tell ya.
58 mins: Carlos Edwards is simply a Trinidadian facsimile of Jermaine Pennant. There, I've pegged it. His breezy run down the right flank unhindered yields a cross to no-one, despite having all the time in the world to get his foot around it and provide something of menace. Then again, it's the drawback of your team playing a 4-5-1 and having a lone striker who's positionally-retarded and doesn't know where to make his runs.
59 mins: Scotland gets free down the left, but does nothing with it. Anyone else seeing the pattern emerging here?
60 mins: ESPN takes a break from the snooze to inform us on the MLB playoffs. Wish my fuckin' Cubs were still involved. Sadly, not. I'd also kill for a goal right now. BRING ON STERN JOHN! STERN JOHN! STERN JOHN!
Ping-pong football in the midfield as neither side is really good at keeping possession.
61 mins: GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL SOCA WARRIORS! Nice move from Latapy to release Edwards down the right, who remarkably sheds his new Pennant comparison to outfox Pearce on the wing. Edwards chips it over everyone and finds Latapy in space, and his first-time volley hits the post and bounces in off Guzan's back.
The crowd goes mad, and I express relief at not having to murder someone.
Soca Warriors 1, US Young'ins 0
How will the US respond? Nuclear aggression? An angry wag of the finger?
63 mins: "Someone remind Latapy he's 40," cries Harkes as the aging Scottish League player narrowly misses a second. Scotland beats the rather slow USMNT offside trap and feeds to Latapy in the middle whose first-time shot skids wide of the left-hand post.
Please Harkes, enough with the age references.
65 mins: T&T are attacking brightly now, and I can't remember the last time the USMNT held possession for more than 20 seconds. Adu has been quiet, but he silences me temporarily by creating a shot for himself 30 yards out that blazes wide and high.
Sub for Soca: Scotland off, Stern John on.
Still no subs from the US, and you get the impression Bradley doesn't really care. If we're honest, he doesn't need to. With qualification secured ages ago, this was always going to be a petri dish for his new playthings and exciting, bold formations. He does prepare a sub, albeit slowly; Charlie Davies is warming up, apparently to replace Adu.
Yep, Adu is off and Davies is on.
69 mins: The ball breaks for Kljestan on the right, but he can't do anything with it. Pretty uninspired from the US toni-HEY, HARKES AND JP! Stop mentioning Latapy's age! Age is but a number, and his goal was also a number to make it 1-0. Or something. But seriously, the age comments are irritating. Did you know Dwight Yorke is old as shit as well? It's true.
71 mins: Corner whipped in from the right for US but there's a foul in the box on 'keeper Ince and the danger disappears. This win puts T&T safely though. C'mon, Soca. You've deserved the points tonight.
73 mins: Maurice Edu tries to release Hejduk down the right but his pass is a million miles ahead of poor Frankie and he slides in vain to keep the ball in play. D'oh. Edu's about as good at passing as I am at liveblogging effectively (that is to say, not at all).
75 mins: Ah crap, there goes my big mouth again. GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL USMNT, and they didn't deserve that. What a cockamamie scramble, but Bradley (and the traveling US fans) will take it! A melee of legs and missed tackles on the edge of the T&T box breaks nicely for Jozy, who keeps his composure, slides it under the sprawling Ince across the edge of the 6-yard-box, and Charlie Davies slots it into the empty net under pressure.
Soca Warriors 1, US Young'ins 1
77 mins: Hey look, Russell Latapy is old as shit, and he's just been subbed off. Inland is on to replace him. T&T push forward looking for another goal.
Oh snap, there it almost was. Great release to set sub Hyland free down the left, his long cross sails over everyone to Carlos Edwards, who controls nicely and volleys goalward to see his shot deflected over.
OH SHIT. Penalty Soca Warriors! The ensuing corner is deep into the box and Altidore buries Hislop down in the box as he tries to leap forward and head the ball clear. Silly that, but the ref isn't having it. PK T&T...
.... AND THEY SCORE. GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL SOCA WARRIORS. Yorke steps up and wrong-foots Guzan, sending him right and slotting it low left.
Soca Warriors 2, US Young'ins 1
80 mins: US answer down the left, winning a free-kick right in the corner. Beasley takes and sends it in sharply across the box. A US player flicks it on (I couldn't make out who) but it ends up cleared from danger.
Guatemala have tied it up against Cuba, but Soca is through if things hold. Huge results tonight, and it appears that Precious Roy's wish for more T&T calypso interpretations of national anthems might hold up!
Oh, and Cuba just scored again.
Meanwhile, free kick for US a long way out. Beasley lofts it in, Kljestan heads it across goal, Davies flicks it on and Altidore couldn't bury it at the back post. Ince slams the post but Soca survive.
Sub for USMNT: Torres off, Danny Szetela on. Disappointing show by Jose Francisco tonight.
85 mins: Talk of MLS playoffs invades the commentary box. Are the poor ESPN onlookers giving up? Will the US forage forward again?
US attack through Altidore but he can't find space. Birchill was injured in the play, but slowly recovers, and meanwhile, the US prep their final sub. Catch the excitement!
US sub: Pearce off, Rolfe on? Looks like they'll make the bold shift to a 3-man backline in search of an equalizer, which is smart considering how solid and reliable Califf and Orozco have looked tonight. Yep, that's sarcasm there, folks.
Also: is anyone out there? Are you all watching the debate instead?
88 mins: A ball right across the edge of the box tees up for Hejduk, and he whips it in. Deflected away from danger, and the substitution is made. Here comes Rolfe.
89 mins: Another US attack amounts to nothing, and the Soca Warriors settle inside the US half to finish things off. Califf looks shaken up. Being elbowed by Stern John will do that to you.
90 mins: Szetela finds space on the right, and whips in a low, fast cross through the box, but it doesn't find anyone or anything. No touches, and it ends up rather harmlessly way out on the other wing. US knocking it around at the back as we edge into stoppage time. The wolf-whistling begins from the Soca crowd. 3 minutes of added tiempo!
90 mins + 1: T&T simply hoofing it forward at this point, and we're informed there will only be 2 mins added instead of 3. Does it really matter at this point? A midfield tussle results in a T&T free-kick, and that'll surely be one of the last actions of the match. US need to hurry forward with urgency, that is if they can get the ball back. Cuba's 2-1 win is final, and I don't think sub Chris Rolfe has touched the ball yet.
The game is down in the US end as they're unable to get ahead, and me thinks this is about done.
Yep, I was right.
FULL TIME:
Trinidad & Tobago 2, USA 1
Deserved result for the Warriors. Honestly, a US side with this many changes was never going to magically gel in 90 minutes, and for all the energy displayed by the US, it was the ancient Soca veterans who got the job done. First T&T win over the USA since 1994, and 3 valuable points in qualification.
Let the dancing continue well into tomorrow. 2-1 here, and I'm off to catch up on that debate.
Oh, and tonight?
If you're about, we'll be doing a nice little liveblog of the USA/Trinidad & Tobago match, hosted by Ian and myself.
Surely the USMNT will do better than England (currently 1-1 in Minsk as the second half begins), Israel (88th minute equalizer for Latvia means they drop 3 valuable points away from home), Norway (1-0 losers at home to the Netherlands, and Finland (3-0 losers in Russia).
Surely.
In the meantime, keep following along the open thread below.
Bernd Stange has had a crazier life than you
As the hours tick down before England's clash with Belarus in Minsk tonight, much is being made in the press about Belarus coach Bernd Stange and his wild and crazy life. Whereas most footballers fill their lives with sex, porn, alcoholism and debauchery, Stange's career has featured the complete opposite: spying, firings, sultans, and Saddam Hussein.
It was reported a few weeks ago in my favourite footballing periodical (one that's well worth the extra Euros for a subscription in the US), but it bears playing out the highlights, all of which can be found just about anywhere today.
I get it, he managed the Iraqi team, he was a Stasi informant for many years, and now he's plying his trade in Belarus, a place the US State Department singled out as "Europe’s only remaining outpost of tyranny," which, as a student of political rhetoric, has a charming oratorial ring to it.
Despite all the drama and personal background that'd be perfect for another Jason Bourne movie, Stange is all about the results:
I have worked for communist regimes, a dictator, capitalists and for a sultanate. But my work is always the same. It’s only ever about one thing – putting the ball in the net.It sure is, Bernd, it sure is. Arsenal might need you soon.
But all joking aside, is it impossible that he could eventually land a managerial job somewhere a little more high-profile?
He's managed several teams to league titles (FC Carl Zeiss Jena, Perth Glory, Apollon Limassol in Cyprus) as well as boosting Belarus to their highest FIFA Ranking ever, bumping them up 35 spots to 59th in just 15 months on the job.
Looking at the EPL, for example, there are several teams that could use his unique blend of fear, surveillance, dictatorial leadership and thirst for goals*. After all, if he can grind out results with Apollon Limassol, a side that just about avoided relegation the year Stange took over, only to win the League and Super Cup double the next season, how much harm could he do with the ineptitude being cultivated at White Hart Lane?
Stange has even commented on the subject, given his obvious love for a challenge: "I do like challenges but Liverpool, Manchester United and Bayern Munich didn't call me to take their clubs."
Considering the rumors that Juventus are targeting Rafa Benitez, I'll be the first to make the completely dumb proposition that Stange could end up at Anfield, although let's be honest -- the only way he ends up there is if his plane to New York stops at John Lennon International Airport to refuel.
And anyway, we all know he'd be much better off back in the Bundesliga.
* My first ludicrous, Bleacher Report-esque assertion in UF history
Read more on "Bernd Stange has had a crazier life than you"...
World Cup Qualifying Open Thread
Asia is in the books because it's already tomorrow over there. So if you're in Asia, please don't spoil the outcomes of the European matches for us.
Anyway, UEFA gets underway in mere minutes with Russia v. Finland. Apparently there is something of a national obsession in Finland with the Tango. This isn't really relevant to soccer but it's interesting nonetheless.
If you've got access to this technology known as 'television', there's a decent match up on FSC at noon between the Dutch and Norway. And we wouldn't be good Americans if we didn't mention England.
Fifty-ninth ranked Belarus are sitting at 4th position in Group 6 on three points, but they have only played two matches and, with an upset of England could instantly make this group far more interesting as well as destroy the confidence built up by Fabio Capello. It would also give Engerland fodder for its national pastime of second guessing.
Anyway, fun as that might be to think about, the English are shoe-ins to win at Belarus. Why do I know this? First, because as I type this sentence my iTunes just shuffled up "Rock 'n' Roll Party in the Streets" by Axe. Nothing could be a greater harbinger of victory for all English speaking people (yeah, I just want to let as many people know that scattered throughout my hipster indie rock library is some truly shitty metal). Second, and more importantly, the English players aren't screwing their WAG's.
That's why they failed so miserably in Germany, at least according to El Capitan Rio:People were worrying more about what people were wearing and where they were going out, rather than the England football team. That then transposed itself into the team. That's said in hindsight. At the time, we were caught up in the bubble ourselves. Being somewhere like Baden-Baden, walking around the town, there were paparazzi everywhere, our families were there. When you step back and look back at that, it was like a circus.
Yeah, blame the chicks and the press.
Tempting to call him a stupid twit, but maybe there is something to it.
In Zimbabwe the head of the FA is fucking the players, and they failed to make it to the Third Round of CAF qualifying, having finished with just 1 win in their 4 team group (and if you only click on one hyperlink this month, make it this one).
Anyway, feel free to play along in the comments because once the party gets started we're all here to stay.
Selected European fixtures: (kickoffs in ET)
Belarus v England, 2.30
Belgium v Spain, 2:45
Croatia v Andorra, 2:15
Germany v Wales, 2:45
Italy v Montenegro, 2:50
Latvia v Israel, 12:00
Northern Ireland v San Marino, 2:45
Norway v Holland, 1:00
Portugal v Albania, 3:45
Rep of Ireland v Cyprus, 2:45
Russia v Finland, 11:00am
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
USMNT v. T&T: Livebloggamy
The US should net 3 or 4 and hold Trinidad and Tobago to 0 or 1. And the fact that's pretty much a consensus amongst people that consensutize these things, it makes me a little nervous. More nerving is Bob Bradley's über-conservative approach to World Cup qualifying.
Still, at home and against a weaker opponent (although one with decidedly more rhythm) anything less than 3 points would be bad. Really, really bad.
Come back at kick and play along.
T-minus 10: I'm eating.
T-minus however much bullshit pregame is on ESPN: Done eating. I'll go get the starting XIs. And all right... We get some Shaka Hislop. That should liven things up in the booth.
Tim Howard
Carlos Bocanegra, Oguchi Onyewu, Steve Cherundolo, Heath Pearce,
Michael Bradley, Sacha Kljestan, DaMarcus Beasley, Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan
Brian Ching
[Not certain if that's a 4-5-1 or a 4-3-3 with Dempsey and Donovan joining Ching up top. I'm guessing it's not]
T&T
Marvin Phillip
Akile Edwards, Osei Telesford, Keyeno Thomas, Cyd Gray, Makan Hislop
Clyde Leon, Carlos Edwards, Densill Theobald, Keon Daniel
Cornell Glen
Anthems. Would have thought T&T's would have had a little more bass. And some kind of a beat.
Ford Field looks all sparkly. Sorry, inside joke. Looks like kind of a weak crowd. See lots of empty seats in the upper deck.
Oh, fuck. They're going to bring 9/11 into this. Fuck you ESPN and Disney. And that's followed-up by a Marines commercial. You know if we were playing Afghanistan, I'd be okay with this, but we're not. In fact T&T is probably the opposite of Afghanistan... if countries can have opposites.
Kick.
1st minute: ESPN has perfected a graphic that obscures the upper left corner of the screen. Nice.
2nd minute: Beasley offside on a ball across the pitch. US controlling possession early.
3rd minute: Had two players in naked on a ball from 25 out, but both were offside. Hey, at this rate we'll rack up 60 offsides calls.
5th minute: First counter from T&T. Play down the left and Pearce comes out with it. US working back through the midfield. Lots of room. Now pushing forward the US is. Yoda I've become.
6th minute: A good two years behind everything, the US fans have started chanting "7 Nation Army." Stop, please. Thank you. T&T with possession in the midfield. First free kick of the game here. About 30 yards out from center right. Shot goes to the far post by no Soca Warriors in the zip code and Howard goes to his knees to grab it.
8th minute: Kind of tuned out from teh commentary, but did they say that John Terry scored the last goal against the US? That would be wrong.
9th minute; GOAL! Donovan from a set piece to Bradley. Bradley put a foot on it and redirected it back to the back post. Pretty. By the way... on replay that looked like it MIGHT have been offsides.
12th minute: Oh so close. Couldn't see who that was, but that could have easily been 2-0. I haven't livebogged since the Euro. I've forgotten that typing and watching takes some skill and a second pair of eyes. I have neither. Anyway, I missed all the action. Only saw the keeper flying out and the ball flying someplace besides on goal.
13th minute: Does Stern John still play anywhere? Who's the other T&T player I'm trying to think of? Played at United. Brainfaring. Long ball went too long from the US. Goal kick for T&T.
16th minute: We've got a piper diwn. Ack... very little contact from Ching. Maybe a touch of the cleat. Get up you pansy. Anyway, the US is dominating play in the midfield with all kinds of space to operate in. They'd be wise to start marking tighter or trying to shut down the passing lanes.
18th minute: GOAL. 2-0 US. Beasley with a nice little through ball to Dempsey, who was totally onside (Ching was off). Dempsey had the keeper beat before he put his foot to it. Good finishing. Nice play. (And Ian, England can only put a donkey stomp on teams when they are a man up, at even strength they are still a mediocre side... Plus they were probably trying to throw the game to get the World Cup vote).
21st minute: Ooh, the keeper Philip kind of threw his legs over Donovan as he came out to make a play on a ball in the box. They gonna card Landon? Nope. Keeper is up. Play on. Well, play on from the dead ball. T&T coming into the midfield and they are really struggling to get into the attacking third.
23rd minute: A little more possession from T&T. But it's not very productive possession. Ugh... then they just give it away. I like a pasting every now and then, but I like a competitive pasting better. Come on Soca Warriors (bang, bang), put up more of a fight.
25th minute: That's two straight giveaways from Ching.... oh, and a long ball. Donovan settles. Handball? Nope. And he can't control it anyway.
26th minute: Back to Ching. I really like Brian Ching. Think he's an upper-tier MLS striker, but at the international level, he's not going to scare anyone outside of CONCACAF. He's just not. Ever. So why not bring in Altidore and let him play with an experienced supporting midfield? If we have any hopes in South Africa, it's going to rest on those kids. Let's get them the experience.
28th minute: During my pontificating, Ching and Donovan both got in alone on goal, but it was offside. Now to Beasley down the left. He cuts inside and fires low, but it goes into the side netting.
29th minute: Case in point. Donovan put it right on Brian Ching's waistline and Ching does nothing with it except let it deflect of his nads and into Marvin Phillip's hands. Should have been a goal.
31st minute: Beasley upset. He was tripped up and the ball went over the endline from the T&T player's foot, but a GK was called. Bad call. Beasley was right to whinge.
32nd minute: Cyd Gray on the right is the only player from T&T earning his pay for the night on defense so far. And I love his name. So I shall call him El Cyd from now on.
34th minute: You know, Onyewu and Bocanegra are a dynamite defending tandem when nobody is mounting an attack. I need a toothpick. Be right back.
37th minute: Duh... Dwight Yorke. That's who I was trying to remember. Stupid me. US playing a lot of long balls and it's working with the space T&T is giving. It would never work against a Top 20 international side.
39th minute: And Beasley can't finish a sitter. Good thing he was offside to spare himself the humiliation. It was a good ball from the right side between the 18 and the 6 through to Beasley coming in on the left hand side. He just mistimed the run.
41st minute: T&T is just giving it away. Really. They'll put together about 3 or 4 passes then just send it to a white shirt wihtout making him work for it. The US is in white by the way. Corner for T&T cleared. On the break, the US counters. Dempsey... And he goes down. No call?
42nd minute: Still waiting for a replay. Haven't seen one. That probably should have been a PK. Hislop just said he thinks the Jamaican res if pro-T&T. I appreciate that kind of candor in my color commentary.
43rd minute: Donovan with a great run on the right from a long feed out of midfield. He crosses it but Beasley can't get a good foot on it to threaten goal. Ball is deflected wide left before the US can re-mount the threat.
45th minute: Dempsey pulled down. No call. Starting to think Hislop is on to something. 1 minute stoppage time. US gives the ball away in midfield. T&T gives it back. How nice. Howard clears the ball played back. Think the US defense played it back just to make sure Howard wasn't sleeping.
Half. 2-0. US.
Well in the interest of finishing what I started... The second half is moments away. Just found out that Wreckless Eric is in town on Sunday (with Amy Rigby... think they might be married now), anyway, slightly stoked about that.
Kick... And we're back
46th minute: Hey a shot from T&T. It's from 35 out and it's no where near a threat but it's a shot, I believe their first of the game. Ching is slow to get up in midfield behind the play. He's limping.
47th minute: Corner for T&T. Good service. Deflected up. Now to the top of the box. Still a threat. T&T can't control it and an errant leg sends an errant ball someplace errant. US now in midfield. The good news is that the Soca Warriors have some fight in them and we might get some action on both ends this half.
49th minute: Daniel with a great cross, but the only person in red in the box can't get on the end of it. Cleared by the US. Corner.
50th minute: Corner comes in... and goes out. And results in another corner. Again. And another... Oh wait, this last one was a throw. El Cyd lost it and the US takes a throw, then turns it over. Ugh, this is not pretty from the US. But credit T&T for getting forward and putting pressure on the 'Mericans.
51st minute: Daniel with a free kick. Goes in low to the first line of US defense just inside the 18. No threat to Howard. T&T with a throw in.
53rd minute: T&T with another good cross blocked out by Onyewu, but about the 5th corner for T&T. And Cherundolo saved a goal. GREAT play on the line. From a header off the corner Howard was beat. Steve-O saved it at the post.
55th minute: US with a beauty counter Dempsey to Donovan to Ching and Ching can't finish the cross again. Donovan put it right at his foot. There were a couple of defenders but Ching should have done more with that. More pressure from T&T back the other way.
56th minute: The US can't buy a call, and considering this is a third world ref that should be cheap and easy to do. Uhp... and I stand corrected Edwards gets a yellow for T&T on what looked clean.
57th GOAL 3-0. From the deadball, Beasley sends it in. Onyewu got a head on it and the keeper failed to collect it. Ching was there to tap it into an empty net (although it looked like he was offside... but no flag).
59th minute: Yellow to Cherundolo. Now T&T with another yellow. This one on Leon for a hard challenge on Donovan. And did the ref just give one to Beasley too? Cards are flying.
60th minute: GOa... Nope. T&T offside. Too bad. They should have scored there. Okay, could not should, but great chance at least forced a save from Howard.
62nd minute: Cherundolo gets free on the right, then lofts one tall enough to clear the Hancock Tower. Get it, Chicago... Hancock. Okay stupid. And the US blew another chance while I was being stupid. Loose rebound in the box. Nobody could poke it away. Decent save from Marvin Philip.
65th minute: Ricardo Clarke (sp?) and Eddie Johnson are both up. So maybe some changes coming.
67th minute: And Clark comes in for the coach's kid. And Johnson for Ching. Important minutes for Johnson here. He needs to show some decent form.
68th minute: Long ball into the box for T&T. Cornell gets a head to it. It goes over the bar. Howard doesn't need to make a save, but it keeps him alert. The liveblog is probably better if I publish my updates. Stupid me.
70th minute: Pace is slowing. US in no hurry to do anything. T&T is not forcing them to do anything. Teams exchange a little possession, then the US gets forward. Beasley can't find Johnson. Well, he found him, he just failed to get him the ball.
Sorry... answering texts. Nothing of consequence happened anyway.
75th minute: Cornell Glen is down for T&T. So Yorke is still playing for the national team, he just didn't come in from Sunderland. First they've mentioned of it.
78th minute: Dempsey off. Eddie Lewis on.
80th minute: Lewis with a ball in. Corner US. Apparently this is our first of the match. Really? Clark with a good header. Almost looked like a handball on T&T to stop it.
82nd minute: And Johnson thwarted twice from inside the 8... Ack. He needs to get off the schnide. But to no avail.
83rd minute: Much sloppier in the midfield from the US. A little more pressure on the back from T&T and we're not super solid. The scoresheet is going to look really good, but there will be plenty to coach from in the second half. Wonder if it will be coached. This is CONCACAF. We can get sloppy and not be punished and we can go a whole qualifier without our backline having to prove much.
85th minute: Ball to Glen. But the space is shut down and he's got no place to go with it. He had a step where, if he had been decisive, he might have had a play, but it was shut down. Bummer for T&T. They've played much better in the second half. Be nice if they got something out of it.
87th minute: This chant is annoying. But, the fact that we have a crowd that will sing anything this long (they've been at it for like 20 minutes if not more) is kind of a positive. T&T into the US third... then they give it away. Too much of that. They need better linkage out of the midfield.
90th minute: Glen with a ball at the top of the box... Oh, almost got it to Leon. He would have been in alone, but Bocanegra (maybe) got a foot on it. And we're into stoppage time.
+2 minutes: Another almost for the US. To a corner. Then a ball to Donovan. Cleared for another corner. Apparently Eddie Johnson was offside. Really? Not sure how. T&T with some passing on some tight marking. The US is working to keep the clean sheet.
Whistle. Final. 3-0. Really solid in the first half. Less so in the second. But a solid win and we're on 9 points out of 9 possible.
Thanks for playing along people. This weekend the EPL returns (Suck it, Barclays). Yeah.
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