OpenThread: World Cup Knockout Stage
by Martin Shatzer on Jun 26, 2010 10:00 AM EDT
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PrintThe United States is 1-0 on days that I run an open thread, so let's keep it going!
We couldn't have picked a better spot for the team to land in the round of sixteen. Now we just have to hope that their heart, desire, and winning spirit will carry over from Wednesday.
I'm expecting to see Oguchi Onyewu return to the starting lineup as he gains fitness, and I think Maurice Edu has proven to be our best option in central midfield. But the question remaining will be whether Coach Bradley inserts Robbie Findley back in up top (note that the team is 0-0-2 with Findley starting), or turns to Herculez Gomez or Edson Buddle. If you follow this blog, then you know my preference.
Please feel free to share your thoughts before, during, and after the match. I'm wondering where everyone will be watching today. And what beverage will you be enjoying and/or crying into?
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I think I'm doing a house party of sorts.
Unless you have any better ideas.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
..okay. Suarez deserved that.
One heck of a shot.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Yep. One of the better individual performances of the tournament. Perfectly placed shot.
I’m kinda scared of Uruguay. They’re an excellent defensive team. But I won’t start worrying about that until later tonight :)
Managing Editor for BlackAndRedUnited.com. Weekend Writer for SBNation DC.
by Martin Shatzer on Jun 26, 2010 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions
USA lineup
Howard
Cherundolo, DeMerit, Bocanegra, Bornstein
Donovan, Bradley, Clark, Dempsey
Findley, Altidore
Managing Editor for BlackAndRedUnited.com. Weekend Writer for SBNation DC.
Clark was the ugh
He only played in two games and his mark scores both times the U.S. allows a goal with him on the field. Not a great move by Bradley to bring Clark to South Africa in hindsight.
I’d say I was fine with Clark being in the squad, but he clearly should have been Edu’s backup as our destroyer. Edu is less cavalier with the ball, has a much better first touch, is stronger, and scores from set pieces. Clark might cover a bit more ground and has a harder shot, but his dynamism is in part because he careens around the field recklessly. Sometimes less is more, and Edu is definitely the smarter player.
Having an extra sub would have been extremely useful as we chased the game, because we were clearly dead on our feet. It would have been even better if we’d have started Dempsey up front and let Feilhaber come into midfield. It’s not just about adding more guile and skill; it’s about adding Feilhaber’s fresher legs to our midfield over the course of a full game.
My reaction at the moment is that Bradley chose a good squad of 23, but mismanaged them. That, and the poor starts, were our problems. On the other hand, I think going out in OT in the Round of 16 is a pretty accurate reflection of our team. We’re top 16; we’re not top 8.
by ChestRockwell on Jun 26, 2010 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Feilhaber over Findley
In both our 2nd and 3rd group stage games, the USA played much better in the second half than in the first half. Is it just a coincidence that in both of those matches Feilhaber came on at halftime and Dempsey moved up top? So why not begin the game in that formation?
Although I disagreed with the decision, I understood Bradley’s call to start Findley against England and Slovenia to utilize his speed. But we were never going to have a speed advantage against Ghana no matter who we started.
Managing Editor for BlackAndRedUnited.com. Weekend Writer for SBNation DC.
by Martin Shatzer on Jun 27, 2010 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree
but the USA played much better in the second half of every game they played at the World Cup this year. I think it’s a matter of preparation for the start of the match, or lack thereof. That reflects poorly on the coaching staff.
While I agree that we're not top 8
our quarter of the bracket provided us with a golden opportunity to get deep into the tournament. Ghana was a more athletic team, but I think the USA should have beaten them. Uruguay may be another story but they’re still no Argentina, Brazil, or Germany. With the way Bradley put this team into a hole before they even hit the field, the loss is much more disappointing.
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