World Cup and European leagues

[jknezek]

A little xenophobic, yes. They all have American servicemen father's I believe. Except Johannssen who was born in the U.S. to Icelandic parents.  But either way, none are naturalized Americans specifically for soccer ala David Regis or Thomas Dooley. They are Americans even if they didn't grow up here in similar ways to the NJ kid who plays for Italy. A serviceman's kid always gets the benefit of being American for his parent(s) devotion. I'm not happy because I don't think Green or Brooks deserved to go, especially Green, but I don't have any qualms about them wearing the uniform. Donovan will continue to be a role model and inspiration to American players. He's a classy guy and I think he knew he was going to get the short stick this time. It is time to move on and hope for the team to play up to their potential. I believe this is the greatest collection of talent we've ever assembled and I hope their heads and hearts are in it to match.

[jknezek]

Not sure what last night proved. The stadium was awful, the wind was awful, the opponent was unlike anyone we will play in the World Cup (both bad and willing to park the bus), Dempsey was a late scratch, and the team looked exhausted after days of heavy fitness camp. The U.S. looked better at unlocking packed defenses last year, but it's not a skill they are going to need against Ghana, Portugal or Germany. We looked dangerous from set plays and on the few break opportunities we got, so I consider those both plusses given how we are going to have to play in Brazil.

Still, not really useful. Hopefully Turkey and Nigeria will be more game. I'm sure Belgium in the closed door in Brazil will be the hardest test. Too bad none of us will see it.

Individual player thoughts: Jozy's holdup play looked good, but his face toward the goal play has regressed. Thanks EPL. M. Bradley looked off in the first half. He's got an incredible motor, one of his best assets, so being tired from camp might explain it. Better in the second half. Jones is still a loose cannon. Yelling at the linesman in a meaningless friendly on a corner kick call and giving away yet another bad foul early in the game... he scares me. Especially at the bottom of a diamond. Besler was weak in the first half, better in the second. None of our fullbacks were tested defensively, but none really contributed going forward either.

Wondo missed some sitters. That's his bread and butter. If he isn't going to make the sitters he gets, he is a liability at this level. Johannsson was better. Bedoya had the most impact on the field in the first half for the U.S. Never thought I would write that. Diskerruud was the best player on the field once he came on. Other than free kicks, I don't think I thought about Zusi once during the match. Not good. Cameron was the most consistent player on the field. No mistakes, but not really called on to do much.

On to Turkey in NJ. Wish I still lived in the area as I'd definitely make the game.

[madzillagd]

Donovan will continue to be a role model and inspiration to American players. He's a classy guy and I think he knew he was going to get the short stick this time.

Sacramento Kings fans would disagree with you.  Two years ago when the Kings were potentially having their last game in Sacramento against the Lakers which Donovan is a fan of, he started trolling Kings fans on twitter calling them the Anaheim Queens etc.  There was quite the celebration in Sacramento twitterscape when Donovan got left off the roster. 

[frank uible]

Is it preferable to win with superior bi-nationals or to lose with "pure" American fan favorites?

[jknezek]

Is it preferable to win with superior bi-nationals or to lose with "pure" American fan favorites?

I'd imagine the answer is different for everyone. It is part of the sport these days. Not just soccer, but Olympic sports, and international sports like rugby and basketball, as well. I don't like "naturalized" players, something the U.S. hasn't done in over a decade as far as I can remember. But bi-nationals don't really bother me. Especially armed forces kids. Would it be nice if we had a full roster of kids that grew up in the states and were the product of our own youth system? Sure, but I won't get too upset about it.

[jknezek]

Donovan will continue to be a role model and inspiration to American players. He's a classy guy and I think he knew he was going to get the short stick this time.

Sacramento Kings fans would disagree with you.  Two years ago when the Kings were potentially having their last game in Sacramento against the Lakers which Donovan is a fan of, he started trolling Kings fans on twitter calling them the Anaheim Queens etc.  There was quite the celebration in Sacramento twitterscape when Donovan got left off the roster.

I suspect everyone on Twitter has upset someone at some point. I suppose your point is that Landon isn't really classy based on a single Twitter incidence? Well... I guess I can't argue but in almost 15 years of at least some public notoriety if this is the best you can come up with I don't think I'll change my opinion on Donovan. Riling up opposing fans isn't exactly an uncommon experience.

[madzillagd]

If I were to make a case against Donovan not being classy, I'd go with a few stories from my buddy who is a doctor with the US Soccer Federation and MLS who witnessed first hand how Donovan dealt with his teammates and those around the program.  My twitter comment was just an amusing anecdote.

[jknezek]

Well you know someone who knows Donovan and so do I. I've met him twice as well. We must have heard conflicting reports. Everyone has an opinion.

[woacfan]

Dempsey looks to be in form and Bradley bounced back.  The "other" Jermaine Jones showed up though...and the back line has me worried.  Time is running out to get that in order.  A better team would have shredded them today.

[jknezek]

Ugly defensive effort. The US was lucky Turkey didn't score a few times and Turkey was lucky Altidore is in a funk. He had 3 or 4 clear opportunities he either flubbed or passed off. Altidore is doing everything asked except being confident with that final opportunity. Brad Davis cannot play left mid at this level. He's too slow. He provided no help to a truly poor defensive effort from Tim Chandler, although to be fair his service is very good. Besler had a second poor game in a row. Cameron was OK. Only somewhat bright spot in defense was Johnson, and he was better going forward than covering back. Beautiful goal he worked with Bradley.

Bradley was miles better than he was the previous game. Looked like the Bradley we need him to be. Dempsey was ok. He looked gassed halfway through the second half. Julian Green was awful in his substitute role. He's not ready for this level. Yedlin actually looked ok. Again, better going forward than he was on his defensive positioning, but that's a well known problem. Jones was a bad loose cannon as opposed to when he is a good loose cannon. Can't believe I'm saying I prefer Beckerman, but so be it. In an idea world, I'd pair Bradley with Cameron lying deep, Gonzalez and Besler behind them. However with Besler dropping the ball the last two games, and Brooks being out of position the first  half of his substitute appearance, it all makes me nervous. Johnson and Chandler need to switch sides. This will limit Johnson's effectiveness, but boost Chandler's. We are going to need the defense more than the offense in this group.

If it was up to me, I'd set us up this way for Nigeria and see how it turns out:
Howard GK
F. Johnson LB, Besler CB, Gonzalez CB, Chandler RB
Cameron DCM
Bedoya LM, Bradley ACM, Zusi RM
Dempsey Underneath Attacker
Altidore Striker

It's either that or you have to bench Chandler, put Cameron at RB where he played most of the season for Stoke, and add Jones or Beckerman to the bottom of the diamond. Bedoya needs to be on the field over Brad Davis simply to help out defensively. Mix is going to be your spark off the bench, along with Johannsson. Last sub in reserve either Yedlin if you are abandoning defense, Wondo if you think you can exploit the defense, Green or Davis depending on the kind of service you might need from wide, and every one else in case of injury.

It's looking bleak for the U.S. though.

[jknezek]

Well that looked better. Extra defensive cover helped, but playing with 3 defensive midfielders, Bradley, Jones and Beckerman meant we had very little width. Funny how 3 years in the Klinsmann experiment we are still best at playing on the break. Not sure we have the players to do otherwise.

Happy to see Jozy rewarded. He was really tentative going at goal against Azerbaijan, better against Turkey, but didn't get the payoff. The two goals last night were really good to see. The tap in was the reward, the second goal was a striker showing confidence and ability. Definitely a sign of hope. We created a bunch of other chances and Nigeria was lucky we didn't convert a few more. They only had a pair of really good chances, so while they held possession it was never really a scary game once the U.S. scored.

Gonzalez is a problem. Off the bench twice now he's been a liability and been caught out, forcing Besler into impossible positions and leading to both PKs. Hoping we don't have to use Gonzalez off the bench as I don't think he has the concentration to come into a game that way. Full game concentration has always been the knock on him, but it looks worse when he comes in as a sub. I did miss Zusi's width and crossing, but the spine was so strong I think he's going to be relegated to the bench in this formation. Shame because he's better than Bedoya, but Bedoya has the left foot.

The starting back line looked better. A few games together with Cameron and Besler in the middle seems to have them improving. Beasley needs to play. He's not our best player at left back, but his calm demeanor and experience has a good effect on the guys in the middle.

Bradley is the key for us. When he is playing well, he's our best player and most important player. All those people yelling about nepotism four years ago were wrong. We're sunk if he goes down.

Off to Brazil for the team. Good luck guys, we'll be watching.

[woacfan]

Bradley has been great in the last two warm-ups.
They looked much better, but that back line is still a huge concern.  Germany and Portugal are likely to exploit them more than the teams we've tuned up against.  Hope I'm wrong....go USA!

[jknezek]

Saw some pictures of the field in Manaus (Amazonia Arena). England opens with Italy there in a few days and the field is in awful shape. We've got Portugal on the same field on the 22nd. That will be the third of four games in the remote stadium. The field could be an absolute pit by then. Sadly I think that would work to our advantage. Not exactly the best conditions for "the beautiful game."

[madzillagd]

Games are finally upon us.  From what I've read the main ABC network games will be streamed for free once you've identified your tv provider.  Not all the games however will be streamed for free for the various ABC/ESPN channels in the US.  Sounds like Univision will have all the games for free up until the Quarterfinals so there is a streaming option if you don't mind games in Spanish http://futbol.univision.com/?_ga=1.183349797.2098995852.1402586107    For those that are a bit more tech savvy, you can also use a VPN app to switch/hide your IP address so you can pick up the European feeds.  I've used TunnelBear in the past to view the Olympics live and it works great and easy to use.

[Gray Fox]

USA is in the "Group of Death"
Which group is The Group of Dearth?