LawVHawk
Well-Known Member
I'm talking about the US Men's National Soccer Team of course. Great match tonight against Honduras. Total domination by the team wearing red, white and blue allowed Klinsmann to pull his forwards leading 3-1 at around the 70th minute. (I'm too lazy to look up the box score to see when Donovan and Johnson exited.)
I really like what Klinsmann has brought to this team. I don't remember a US team that plays individual defense as well as this one does. (Team defense needed some work earlier but that really is coming along.) These US players also seem to do a much better job of individually gaining and keeping possession of the ball. Even Beasely is not the liability he was on defense in earlier games.
I don't fault Klinsmann for getting upset at the lack of some calls towards the end of the game and getting tossed. Honestly, I thought this match was a little over the head of the referee. He made several errors, and they were not just a question of judgment. (Eg: he was totally out of position to see the hold and push on the American attacker late in the game -- should have been a US penalty kick.) Still, a good win tonight.
So do you have a preference who the US plays in the Gold Cup final Sunday afternoon in Chicago? Watching Panama-Mexico as I write this and Panama is up 2-1 in the 68th minute. Personally I would prefer Mexico. This is not a good Mexico team and I think the US matches up much better in terms of speed, size and physicality with Mexico than Panama. Panama has some big players and they are fast. Not particularly good on offense but they get shots. Either way, though, I think the US wins.
On a side note, what's your reaction to the large Central American contingents that have attended the last two US matches? It's almost as if the US is playing an "away" game on US soil. I'm wondering if the opponent representation would be as large if the ticket site announced that ICE agents would be present and checking IDs?
I really like what Klinsmann has brought to this team. I don't remember a US team that plays individual defense as well as this one does. (Team defense needed some work earlier but that really is coming along.) These US players also seem to do a much better job of individually gaining and keeping possession of the ball. Even Beasely is not the liability he was on defense in earlier games.
I don't fault Klinsmann for getting upset at the lack of some calls towards the end of the game and getting tossed. Honestly, I thought this match was a little over the head of the referee. He made several errors, and they were not just a question of judgment. (Eg: he was totally out of position to see the hold and push on the American attacker late in the game -- should have been a US penalty kick.) Still, a good win tonight.
So do you have a preference who the US plays in the Gold Cup final Sunday afternoon in Chicago? Watching Panama-Mexico as I write this and Panama is up 2-1 in the 68th minute. Personally I would prefer Mexico. This is not a good Mexico team and I think the US matches up much better in terms of speed, size and physicality with Mexico than Panama. Panama has some big players and they are fast. Not particularly good on offense but they get shots. Either way, though, I think the US wins.
On a side note, what's your reaction to the large Central American contingents that have attended the last two US matches? It's almost as if the US is playing an "away" game on US soil. I'm wondering if the opponent representation would be as large if the ticket site announced that ICE agents would be present and checking IDs?
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