USMNT - World Cup qualifying - The Hexagonal

CycloneWanderer

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Sounds like Bradley went down just before the game started. Looked like it with the play in the midfield at the start of the game. Can't imagine how more ankles aren't injured on a field of that quality.
 

Cydwinder

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If the states can get a win against Mexico I'll be happy. Even a draw would be ok. This team definitely has shown flashes of excellence.
 

jdoggivjc

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Not that USMNT is ever really treated well when it plays in another country, but after this last week, watch other countries start emulating the way Costa Rica treated our guys, which, honestly, is significantly worse than their guys having to play in a snowstorm. And that was FIFA's call not ours. The way they treated our team was their call.
 

SplitIdentity

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Not that USMNT is ever really treated well when it plays in another country, but after this last week, watch other countries start emulating the way Costa Rica treated our guys, which, honestly, is significantly worse than their guys having to play in a snowstorm. And that was FIFA's call not ours. The way they treated our team was their call.

What happened? I watched the game, but missed anything significant?
 

jdoggivjc

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What happened? I watched the game, but missed anything significant?

[video=youtube;7dgPV-9I4wg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dgPV-9I4wg&feature=youtube_gdata_player[/video]

There's also another video earlier in the thread.

It also didn't help that we had 8 players carrying yellow cards, Mexicans reffing the game, and Mexico being our next opponent. Honestly, we're fortunate we only have 3 players sitting out next match.
 

PhillipJCY

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That was a brutal first 30 minutes. Costa Rica were playing lights out and we were just not ready for it. I am glad we finally got into the game and started dictating the flow a bit more after 30 minutes, but the damage had already been done. I don't think we should ever see the pairing of Zusi and Orozco on the right side ever again. They got burned time and again which pulled our entire defense out of shape. I felt Jones was not good. He didn't track the runs coming in from midfield, which gave CR their 2nd goal, and he gave the ball away too cheaply. I thought that the ref did a pretty good job overall compared to other refs we have had in tough places. The Mexican ref didn't seem to be influenced by the crowd at all, which is a huge improvement.

The lineup for the Mexico game will be extremely interesting.

My preferred lineup with suspensions, Bradley out, and not knowing late call ups (Lichaj anyone?!) would be:

-------Guzan--------
Parkhurst--JAB---Gonzo---DMB
----------Jones----------
Donovan-----Diskerud/Zusi-------F. Johnson
--------Dempsey---Johannson-------

We are at our de facto National Team Stadium and Mexico is reeling. I think JK will want to come out with guns blazing and this lineup is definitely not a defensive one.
 

Jordanj6502

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There's also another video earlier in the thread.

It also didn't help that we had 8 players carrying yellow cards, Mexicans reffing the game, and Mexico being our next opponent. Honestly, we're fortunate we only have 3 players sitting out next match.

I think the referee did a nice job with that game. The two cards that I saw that were handed out to the US were justified. I didn't see the Besler offense, and neither did the referee, but the linesman apparently did, and communicated it being worth the yellow.
 

mctallerton

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The lineup for the Mexico game will be extremely interesting.

My preferred lineup with suspensions, Bradley out, and not knowing late call ups (Lichaj anyone?!) would be:

-------Guzan--------
Parkhurst--JAB---Gonzo---DMB
----------Jones----------
Donovan-----Diskerud/Zusi-------F. Johnson
--------Dempsey---Johannson-------

We are at our de facto National Team Stadium and Mexico is reeling. I think JK will want to come out with guns blazing and this lineup is definitely not a defensive one.
why start guzan over howard?
 

CYcoFan

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Jermaine Jones can not be allowed to play Tuesday with the performance he had last night. I know I have been critical of Beckerman at times but at least he stays within himself and knows what he can and can't do.

Ben Jata ‏@Ben_Jata Jermaine Jones lost possession 22 times vs Costa Rica (Most by #USMNT). 17 (77%) of them came before the 36th minute. http://www.mlssoccer.com/sites/all/modules/custom/mls_matchcenter/mls-gamematrix/index.php?omi=485998&seasonId=112014&competitionId=339&language=en&tag=1&reiter=g&efltblosd=JnBsYXllcnM9MTcxNTImZmlsdGVycz0zNSZ0aW1l PTAsMjE1ODM0OA== …


Ben Jata ‏@Ben_Jata Jones did much better after the 36th minute, losing possession just 5 times. Only 3 times between the 36-83 (47+ mins) minute mark. #USMNT


Still to be determined if Bradley can play and will probably be a matchday decision. With that said here is my 11 against Mex. (provided a with and without Bradley 11):

Without Bradley
View attachment 21688

With Bradley
View attachment 21689

What do you guys think? I know it is risky starting the 20 yr old John Brooks, but if we did we would cap tie him and that would be important. Also EJ played well in Quals earlier this year on the wing and we need real width. We can't allow the same easy outlet balls against Mex that we did against Costa Rica.
 
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PhillipJCY

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why start guzan over howard?

Guzan has been killing it for Aston Villa for over a year now. They most likely would have been relegated due to their abysmal defense if not for Guzan. Howard had a bad game against CR. He should have come off his line for the second goal to challenge the header and he should have come out on the third goal right away.

At this point, Guzan is better than Howard.
 

ianoconnor

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Goodson, Evans, Torres, Corona coming in.

Bradley ruled out. JAB back to Hertha.
 

CYcoFan

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Goodson, Evans, Torres, Corona coming in.

Bradley ruled out. JAB back to Hertha.

Man Goodson really? I'd rather play Brooks. If Evans is healthy enough to play he has to play Right Back.

Edit - Ian, it wasn't Evans that was called in it was Brad Davis. So Parkhurst plays right back
 
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jmb

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Guzan has been killing it for Aston Villa for over a year now. They most likely would have been relegated due to their abysmal defense if not for Guzan. Howard had a bad game against CR. He should have come off his line for the second goal to challenge the header and he should have come out on the third goal right away.

At this point, Guzan is better than Howard.
You are right it had nothing with the three back post targets with only one man in the mark. It was not Howard that failed.
 

ianoconnor

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Yea, got the Brads mixed up.

I read that JAB has a minor knock & they are getting him back to Hertha so he doesn't lose his starting spot.
 

mctallerton

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If besler had taken a second yellow last night or even a straight red had he taken out the tico on the third goal would he miss two games or just one?
 

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