[USAManUtd13]

With the vast amount of United States fans on this board (two...), I figured an official thread was in order.

So, three big friendlies for the USA to deal with before World Cup Qualifying. Things haven't gone as I had hoped, but more or less how I'd predicted. An embarrassing performance against England was followed up by a much improved showing against Spain. Had it not been for a moment of brilliance from Xavi we likely would have pulled out a draw - no more than was deserved. Tomorrow the US plays against number 1 ranked Argentina at Giants Stadium.

Recently, Jozy Altidore signed with Spanish club, Villarreal. He has already played his last game for the Red Bulls. He admits that a loan to a lower level team is a possibility. He also has not confirmed what this means for the Olympic games starting later this year.
(ESPNsoccernet - MLS - Altidore expects to be loaned out after Villarreal arrival)

Even more recently, Brek Shea, the FC Dallas youngster, has been rumored to be on Sir Alex Ferguson's radar. Ferguson has sent one of his top scouts over to take a look at the 18 year old. Brek Shea apparently impressed more than just me with his performance at the Toulon Tournament.
(People.co.uk - Fergie glowing for ready Brek)

Feel free to utilize this thread for any number of US soccer related purposes: transfer rumors, matchday banter, MLS talk, etc.

[Torque]

Great thread start mate. I'll stick it!

[dsp87260]

Yeah, thanks for the thread.

of note for the game vs Argentina.....LD says he's near 100% and is looking forward to playing in the game and getting his 100th cap (and hopefully scoring a goal or two ).

...this may be the chance to see Adu and LD play significant minutes together (can't wait to see Altidore play significant minutes with those two as well)

[RobsonLegend]

Good result by the US, but let's be honest: they did look in danger of being overrun in the opening third of the match, and by the 2nd half kickoff, it was Argentina's 2nd team. Cruz had zero finishing tonight, and someone sharper (like, I dunno....Tevez? ) would've bagged at least 2.

Props to Tim Howard, though. Does he love Giants Stadium or what? Great display, though he was lucky not to get sent off, if you ask me. Aguero may have embellished a bit, but there's no denying Timmy made contact and sent him flying on a goalscoring chance.

Shame about Mastroeni's red-card. That was truly shambolic. Mascherano can have no arguments about his, though.

I hate the guy, I hate his attitude, his antics make me want to slap him, but I have come to discover one thing: Landon Donovan is EXACTLY what the US national team needs. Here's my logic: we know he's failed at the highest level in Europe, but now that he's had a chance to rebuild his ego as a big fish in a small pond (MLS), he's regained that cocky swagger he once had. He thinks he belongs, and that perception is what makes him so important for the US. They need someone who takes the field against the big boys and plays like he wants to pick a fight with them, so they know the US isn't going to be intimidated and just back down.

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm nowhere near liking him. Just saying the US has to have him. I truly and honestly believe the US performance against England would have been much better with him in the lineup.

[dsp87260]

Originally Posted by RobsonLegend

Good result by the US, but let's be honest: they did look in danger of being overrun in the opening third of the match, and by the 2nd half kickoff, it was Argentina's 2nd team. Cruz had zero finishing tonight, and someone sharper (like, I dunno....Tevez? ) would've bagged at least 2.

Props to Tim Howard, though. Does he love Giants Stadium or what? Great display, though he was lucky not to get sent off, if you ask me. Aguero may have embellished a bit, but there's no denying Timmy made contact and sent him flying on a goalscoring chance.

Shame about Mastroeni's red-card. That was truly shambolic. Mascherano can have no arguments about his, though.

I hate the guy, I hate his attitude, his antics make me want to slap him, but I have come to discover one thing: Landon Donovan is EXACTLY what the US national team needs. Here's my logic: we know he's failed at the highest level in Europe, but now that he's had a chance to rebuild his ego as a big fish in a small pond (MLS), he's regained that cocky swagger he once had. He thinks he belongs, and that perception is what makes him so important for the US. They need someone who takes the field against the big boys and plays like he wants to pick a fight with them, so they know the US isn't going to be intimidated and just back down.

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm nowhere near liking him. Just saying the US has to have him. I truly and honestly believe the US performance against England would have been much better with him in the lineup.

I can't speak to your match analysis as I'm still waiting to download the game (I did follow along in the pbp thread on another forum), but your comments about Landon are totally off.

Landon DID NOT "fail" in Europe. He played very well by all match reports I've seen from his games in the bundesliga and also in the first leg of the Champion's league match-up against (Liverpool?) when he came on as a sub. It was ONLY that 2nd leg vs (Liverpool?) where he started the game and played horrible...but so did the rest of the team by all accounts. People judge his time in Europe by that ONE game and it's not fair to him.

He didn't have to come back to the US either....as I said, it was only ONE bad game. He came back to the US because HE DIDN'T WANT to be in Europe in the first place. His move back to MLS was being worked out from the moment that Bayer Leverkusen told him they were recalling him to Germany....he DIDN'T WANT TO GO BACK (to Germany), but Bayer held his contract (he was only on loan to MLS at that time). They wanted to bring him back to Germany after the 2002 WC, but he talked them out of it....he wasn't able to talk them out of it in late 2004 and then they finally let him go back to MLS (allowed MLS to buy his contract) after that (ONE) Champions League match.

[RobsonLegend]

Originally Posted by dsp87260

your comments about Landon are totally off.

I can appreciate if you disagree, but the essence of your response seems to be centered around ONE portion of my main points, and that's a classic case of tunnel vision. Anyway..........

Landon DID NOT "fail" in Europe. etc., etc., etc.

Ok, so he didn't "fail" in Europe. This changes the rest of what I said how, out of curiosity? To be honest, I don't care if his time was judged after 1 match or 100 matches, and I don't care if he ever wanted to play in Europe or if he ever wants to go back. Point is, he returned to the US. And he's chosen to stay, ergo......a big fish in a small pond. One who thinks he belongs up there with the big boys (which, in a twisted way, I've put a positive spin on).

[USAManUtd13]

Originally Posted by RobsonLegend

Good result by the US, but let's be honest: they did look in danger of being overrun in the opening third of the match, and by the 2nd half kickoff, it was Argentina's 2nd team. Cruz had zero finishing tonight, and someone sharper (like, I dunno....Tevez? ) would've bagged at least 2.

Props to Tim Howard, though. Does he love Giants Stadium or what? Great display, though he was lucky not to get sent off, if you ask me. Aguero may have embellished a bit, but there's no denying Timmy made contact and sent him flying on a goalscoring chance.

Shame about Mastroeni's red-card. That was truly shambolic. Mascherano can have no arguments about his, though.

I hate the guy, I hate his attitude, his antics make me want to slap him, but I have come to discover one thing: Landon Donovan is EXACTLY what the US national team needs. Here's my logic: we know he's failed at the highest level in Europe, but now that he's had a chance to rebuild his ego as a big fish in a small pond (MLS), he's regained that cocky swagger he once had. He thinks he belongs, and that perception is what makes him so important for the US. They need someone who takes the field against the big boys and plays like he wants to pick a fight with them, so they know the US isn't going to be intimidated and just back down.

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm nowhere near liking him. Just saying the US has to have him. I truly and honestly believe the US performance against England would have been much better with him in the lineup.

I think you're doing a bit of a disservice to the US's performance. They played remarkably well; especially considering their showing against England just a few weeks ago. They didn't dominate by any stretch, but they were admirable and had their chances (Johnson, who I'm still not counting out, really needs to capitalize, if only to shut the detractors up. And Gooch's header off the bar was heartbreaking). They were able to hold possession much better than they were able to against Spain and the movement was miles better. Dempsey didn't look tired as he did against Spain, Beasley had his first real good showing of these friendlies (I think he benefits the most from the play of Donovan for some reason), and Bradley finally showed why he's a prospect for Everton and Middlesbrough.

The red card against Mastroeni was awful. It was made even worse by the fact that Mastroeni was having his best game since the Italy game two years ago (where, coincidentally, he was also unjustly sent off. Anyone remember that tackle/card?). As much as I like the Feilhaber/Bradley combination and as much as I think Edu is has loads of potential, I think that the midfield pairing of Bradley/Mastro looks the most promising. Mastroeni's ability to hold down that defensive midfield spot on his own gives Bradley the freedom to move forward, as he does for Heerenveen.

As for Donovan, he was brilliant. His pace and vision makes the entire team stronger. Whether you think he failed in Europe or not, there's no question that he is a great player who could make an impact on any number of teams in the top flight across Europe; and I hope he does, sooner rather than later. Mascherano's tackle on him was frightening; completely deserving of a red.

Pearce was fantastic. He's locked down the left back spot, in my opinion.

Argentina did not field their strongest squad in the second half, but I wouldn't call it a 'B' squad; just because Messi is gone doesn't mean it's sub-par. I find the most joy in the fact that Mexico was trounced by the same team.

[RobsonLegend]

Originally Posted by USAManUtd13

I think you're doing a bit of a disservice to the US's performance. They played remarkably well; especially considering their showing against England just a few weeks ago. They didn't dominate by any stretch, but they were admirable and had their chances (Johnson, who I'm still not counting out, really needs to capitalize, if only to shut the detractors up. And Gooch's header off the bar was heartbreaking). They were able to hold possession much better than they were able to against Spain and the movement was miles better. Dempsey didn't look tired as he did against Spain, Beasley had his first real good showing of these friendlies (I think he benefits the most from the play of Donovan for some reason), and Bradley finally showed why he's a prospect for Everton and Middlesbrough.

The true disservice would be to make too much about this result. It's definitely encouraging, but there's still plenty of work to be done. If nothing else, it was a gritty and determined performance, kinda like the draw against Italy in the last World Cup. One of those days where you really doubted a win was possible against a much stronger opponent on paper, but they fought their asses off for everything.

As for Donovan, he was brilliant. His pace and vision makes the entire team stronger. Whether you think he failed in Europe or not, there's no question that he is a great player who could make an impact on any number of teams in the top flight across Europe; and I hope he does, sooner rather than later. Mascherano's tackle on him was frightening; completely deserving of a red.

While it wasn't entirely positive affirmation from me, I would like to categorically state once and for all that I did in fact give Landon Donovan credit for a change. This dwelling on what I said about his history in Europe is besides the point.

[dsp87260]

Originally Posted by RobsonLegend

I can appreciate if you disagree, but the essence of your response seems to be centered around ONE portion of my main points, and that's a classic case of tunnel vision. Anyway..........



Ok, so he didn't "fail" in Europe. This changes the rest of what I said how, out of curiosity? To be honest, I don't care if his time was judged after 1 match or 100 matches, and I don't care if he ever wanted to play in Europe or if he ever wants to go back. Point is, he returned to the US. And he's chosen to stay, ergo......a big fish in a small pond. One who thinks he belongs up there with the big boys (which, in a twisted way, I've put a positive spin on).

It changes what you said about him because

1)he didn't fail (which you've already accepted, so I'll let it go)

2) it's not about his ego (ie "now that he's had a chance to rebuild his ego as a big fish in a small pond")...it's about his happiness.

Criticize Landon all you want for a lack of ambition (although, unless you're a cynic and don't believe him when he says that he wants to build up MLS and US Soccer, he could be very ambitious by staying in MLS...a la Beckham "making soccer popular" or something), but Landon puts his happiness and family ahead of his career. A lot of fans don't like that. (I would characterize them as being unhappy with it because they want to live vicariously through him and he's not making the decisions they would, but I digress...) He feels he can develop just as successfully in MLS as he can elsewhere, but seems to be willing to make the sacrifice (to his career) if he can't because he wants to be near his family and live where he's comfortable and happy....and can you really blame him? (...well, if you're a soccer fan obsessed with seeing a US player become considered an elite player on the world stage then you can, but it's not really "fair"...)

As far as Landon "belong(ing) up there with the big boys"....I don't think I've ever heard him put himself forward as an elite player or say that he should be considered as such....it's others who do that...

He can be very cocky at times, but I don't think he's been cocky about himself or his own abilities...more about the team and the team's abilities (ie not backing down, they shouldn't be over-awed, they can play with anyone, confidence they can beat anyone, etc.).

[USAManUtd13]

Originally Posted by RobsonLegend

The true disservice would be to make too much about this result. It's definitely encouraging, but there's still plenty of work to be done. If nothing else, it was a gritty and determined performance, kinda like the draw against Italy in the last World Cup. One of those days where you really doubted a win was possible against a much stronger opponent on paper, but they fought their asses off for everything.

Oh, absolutely. The first game that came to mind for comparison was the Italy game. Everything about it from the stubborn defense to the half chances, even the red cards reminded me of that game.

I also completely agree with you about making too much of it. I remember reading some comments after we beat Poland; they were laughable. People immediately believed we were world beaters after scoring 3 against "a side that qualified for the Euros". Still, it was a good performance against the top ranked team in the world. Nothing to lose our heads over, but encouraging none the less.