Soccer thread 09/10 (contains spoilers)

TheTruth · Post by **TheTruth** » Sun Oct 11, 2009 9:12 am

Thanks for the links guys. Justin.tv rocks.

What a second half!

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Sun Oct 11, 2009 8:56 pm

Geez, a lot of irate English fans on BBC, practically calling for Ferdinand's head.

No such thing as a meaningless WC qualifier.

What are they going to do when they don't win the WC?

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Sun Oct 11, 2009 9:52 pm

wco81 wrote:Geez, a lot of irate English fans on BBC, practically calling for Ferdinand's head.

No such thing as a meaningless WC qualifier.

What are they going to do when they don't win the WC?

*cheap shot alert* The same thing they do every four years?

Anyway, I don't know how many of you were able to see the US game, but I can't say I've seen this group ever play that well for 90' on the road in a qualifier, at least in the Hex. They were outstanding throughout the game, top to bottom. They didn't panic at all when they fell behind right after half time (a bad trend), and played with great togetherness and teamwork. Donovan wasn't flashy, but I though he was very, very good.

Yes, we got pretty lucky that Honduras didn't score more goals. Very, very lucky that Pavon put that late penalty over the bar. And of course fortunate that Guevara was out due to yellow cards.

The surface was better than your normal CONCACAF road game, and the ref wasn't as bad as we are used to. But still, the USA scored as many goals last night in Honduras as Honduras have given up at home this entire qualifying cycle. And of course no one else has won there this cycle.

A great performance by the whole group. A great decision to start Casey that had us all shaking our heads and muttering 'where's our Jozy?'

And I also want to say that the Honduran fans were apparently loaded with class throughout. They didn't boo or cat-call during the US National Anthem (something most others do, especially the Mexicans); and they and their team applauded the USA after the game for their qualification to the big show.

Here is something Ives wrote on this sunject:

Ives Galarcep on his blog Soccer by Ives wrote:
Landon Donovan on the Honduran fans

“The Honduran people that I’ve been around in America, and my time here, they are very respectful people,” Donovan said. “Pavon, when he was in LA, you could tell they’re very down to earth, very humble. Amado (Guevara) is the same way. Even after, as we were walking off, they were clapping. I was very impressed."

One last observation I will make is of the Honduran fans and their respect for the U.S. team. Hearing some of them talk the day after the game, what I heard was plenty of positive comments about the Americans. It was a “That’s the Americans for you, never giving up and always finding a way.” It’s a bit of a shame that Honduran fans have more respect for the U.S. team than some overly cynical U.S. fans who spend more time complaining about what the U.S. team isn’t and what the U.S. team can’t do rather than what the team has done, and what it is, a brave and relentless team growing in skill and confidence.

One Honduran fan summed up last night game perhaps better than anybody. When Honduras scored its first goal the Americans never got nervous, never looked like a team that would fail. They looked like a team that knew it would find a way, and it did. That is why Honduran fans gave the United States a round of applause for Saturday's performance. As upset as they were about their team losing, they could still respect what the U.S. team accomplished.

I've had a love-hate thing for Bob Bradley for a long, long time, and while it's clear he is no tactical genius, one has to give him credit for forging a tough, cohesive group that fight for each other and never give up, as we saw in the Confed Cup.

Great job USA. I just hope at least some of the regulars are on hand on Wednesday so I can cheer them in person. Nothing against Costa Rica, but I would love for us to beat them to help Honduras qualify for the World Cup. I don't think they've ever been, and that nation could use some serious good cheer these days.

miget33 · Post by **miget33** » Sun Oct 11, 2009 10:28 pm

Oh Silly Diego

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Sun Oct 11, 2009 11:15 pm

With a tie, they would have sacked him. Still his team has no identity whatsoever. Can't figure out why Messi plays so well for Barca and stinks the joint for the National team.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 9:41 am

I'm not sure I'd favorably describe the American's performance in the first half where they were under siege for long stretches, but they did hold their nerve to prevent a Honduran breakthrough.

Things looked pretty bad when Honduras scored right after halftime, but huge credit to the team as they essentially took over the match from that point. Honduras was clearly stunned after the first goal, and we actually saw some American possession after that.

I'm not crazy about Casey, but it seems he is a more polished finisher than Altidore, Davies or Ching.

The ending was crazy and not very confidence inspiring for the American defense. It took a huge choke job by Pavon to miss that late PK and preserve the victory, but thankfully after that the Hondurans seem finished. Hey, I'll take it.

For those that missed it:
<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5KvPy03Y5UI&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed>

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 11:06 am

I hope we beat Costa Rica and put Honduras in

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 11:18 am

fsquid wrote:I hope we beat Costa Rica and put Honduras in

That seems to be the general consensus among US fans. I assume we'll use a full strength lineup against Costa Rica, but Honduras still needs to beat El Salvador on the road to have a chance.

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 12:30 pm

wco81 wrote:Geez, a lot of irate English fans on BBC, practically calling for Ferdinand's head.

No such thing as a meaningless WC qualifier.

What are they going to do when they don't win the WC?

Ferdinand has been poor for the last few England games, as well as for Man U...he had a mare against City. He wasn't the only guilty party though, as Cashly Cole didn't exactly cover himself with glory either.

miget33 · Post by **miget33** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 3:04 pm

According to Grant Wahl's Twiiter page

Charlie Davies was in car accident today, is in surgery. Not life-threatening for Davies. Was a fatality in accident.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 3:16 pm

miget33 wrote:According to Grant Wahl's Twiiter page
Charlie Davies was in car accident today, is in surgery. Not life-threatening for Davies. Was a fatality in accident.

Holy crap.

"The impact of the single-vehicle accident sheered the car in half, reports WTOP's Kristi King from the scene. "

http://wtop.com/?nid=25&sid=1784525

Post by **Jared** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 5:06 pm

Ugh. This is horrible. Grant Wahl's Twitter page has been keeping up with the story so far, for those that are interested.

miget33 · Post by **miget33** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 10:23 pm

Charlie Davies: fractures to right tibia/femur, left elbow, facial fractures. Lacerated bladder.

Titanium rods inserted in Charlie Davies' right femur/tibia.

Davies' injuries usually require 6-12 months recovery & long rehab.

All from Wahl's Twitter page

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 6:50 am

^^^ Spammer

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 9:37 am

Davies has become one of my favorite players the last year. sadden to hear about this.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 11:37 am

Argentina and Uruguay will decide who goes to the WC next year tonight. A tie only will advance Maradona's team while the home must win. More than 100 years of history in tonight's rivalry, it'll be a good one. Maradona's team still does not have an identity since he took over, maybe the reappearance of Veron will settle things down in midfield.

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 5:09 pm

Someone posted this at Ives's blog:

"Stuart Holden posted this on his twitter if anyone is interested:

Ok guys u can send ALL your well wishes 2 Charlie, email charliedavies9@yahoo.com , they r printing all notes and bringing them 2 him! THX

www.twitter.com/stuholden22"

miget33 · Post by **miget33** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 10:43 pm

Honduras, Argentina in.

Uruguay/Costa Rica in playoff

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 10:52 pm

What an amazing finish and with ten men, too. Just amazing, what a feeling to go nuts and explode with the rest of the crowd. I'm worried about. Gooch's knee, though. But wow, what a way to eek out a draw, finish on top of the Hex and put Honduras into the WC for only the 2nd time (1982 -thanks for the correction, Jared).

I'm glad all that bullshit time wasting came back to bite CR.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 3:06 am

Both Argentina and Uruguay played their hearts out in a very tight match. Back from suspension, J.S. Veron brought more tranquility to the midfield and Mascherano wasn't running around with no purpose like he was in his previous WC qualifiers. The back four was solid, although Diego Forlan was dangerous for the host team all night long.

Still, Maradona's team is far from having his team playing the 'Jogo Bonito' that I am accustomed to watch with the albicelestes, especially with the players they have. Messi didn't wake up until the 60th minute to display his talent and after the match was over, Maradona confronted sternly with a few media guys that critized his election to guide the National team to SA.

Sort of childish Diego, this is a team with a lot of history and people are right to demand a better product from your boys. Hey I still remember the 6-1 loss to Bolivia in La Paz. Argentina is thru, not that I ever doubted them, but they have to show a lot more as a team, than from what I witnessed during the qualifiers.

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 5:29 am

If Argentina do anything in SA, it will be despite the Fat Dwarf, not because of him. They've huffed and puffed through not exactly the hardest qualifying task in the world (4+1 playoff out of 10 teams), which seems ludicrous given the talent on paper...it just seems that there are a couple of spots in which they are still having to use players who are past their prime.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 9:09 am

Maradona the coach is that rare individual who blends utter incompetence with tremendous arrogance. Only an egotistical buffoon could think taking a world class team and guiding them to a barely-adequate, in by the skin of their teeth finish puts him above reproach.

The only thing Maradona has shown aptitude for is positioning himself as the victim who deserves credit when they win and can take no blame if they lose. I feel sorry for the Argie fans who have to watch their beloved team be guided by such a clown.

Post by **Jared** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 12:11 pm

Yeah, the US Costa Rica game was excellent. Great atmosphere, exciting game, and what an ending. And I was very lucky that my seats were JUST under the lip of the upper deck, so I stayed relatively dry. The Costa Ricans were crushed after the 95th minute goal. National team games at RFK are just a great atmosphere.

Zeppo wrote:What an amazing finish and with ten men, too. Just amazing, what a feeling to go nuts and explode with the rest of the crowd. I'm worried about. Gooch's knee, though. But wow, what a way to eek out a draw, finish on top of the Hex and put Honduras into the WC for only the 2nd time (1982 -thanks for the correction, Jared).

I'm glad all that bullshit time wasting came back to bite CR.

Macca00 · Post by **Macca00** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 12:43 pm

Man, Liverpool are s*** and even though it's relatively early even I'm wondering if my dad...er...I mean Rafa will be fired.

I say we get Maradona to replace him. At least it'll be entertaining.

Anyway, can't feel too bad, I'm still laughing at John Terry's reaction after Chelsea let in the winner against Villa - jumping up and down on the spot like an upset 5 year old girl. He even looked like he was going to cry at the end of the game.....man, he's going to be an absolute wreck when England inevitably lose in a penalty shootout in the Quarter/Semi-finals next Summer......