2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup

[ugafan6612]

I'm just really interested to see what Donovan will do against WC competition along with a few of our defenders who I'm sure will be moved up.

 

[romeo212000]

Well, I would temper your excitement just a bit regarding the World Cup. First off, I am impressed with the growth that we have seen under Klinsman's reign. He does not play favorites and he exhausts every player option available to him. Furthermore, he is pushing the brand of soccer we play. Not an easy task in 4 years. I think his style/coaching strategy is the next step in raising our level of play: more possession, more creativity, quicker passes, quicker decisions etc.

I think the Gold Cup is a great tourney to display our B-team and maybe audition a few players, but nothing more than that. We are playing mediocre nations (who also have B level talent). Lets see what our A team does against Costa Rica and Mexico in the WC qualifying before we get excited about Brazil.

Our back line is a major question mark right now. Until I see four solid players step up, I'm tempering any hopes of beating elite teams.

I wasn't suggesting we use the gold cup as a barometer to the rest of the world, but we've had some big wins under Jurgen.

 

[lasportzphan]

I wasn't suggesting we use the gold cup as a barometer to the rest of the world, but we've had some big wins under Jurgen.

Fair enough, however the Germany win was against the German "B" team (at best) and we almost blew a huge lead (suspect defense). We were wiped out by Belgium, albeit a very good Belgium squad, but we did not belong on the same pitch that day. So what big win are you referring too?

I am not trying to rattle you, I just think there is so much more to prove before we even consider this team World Cup ready.

 

[ckhokie]

Germany and Belgium are both top 10 (maybe 7) teams. Some are even saying Belgium is a WC darkhorse. It is obvious in this tournament that we are playing against inferior opponents, but it is good to see that it at least looks like the players are buying into the soccer Jurgen selling. I think some of us are excited to see that there may be some depth in positions we didn't realize, prior to GC.

As far as Brazil, I think the goal is to make it to the knockout round and possible quarter finals. That kind of result would make a lot of us very happy, and I am starting to think we have a shot at that. If you would have asked me the same 6 months ago, with the way our back line was looking and our inconsistent offense, I would have said we had no shot.

 

[ugafan6612]

Fair enough, however the Germany win was against the German "B" team (at best) and we almost blew a huge lead (suspect defense). We were wiped out by Belgium, albeit a very good Belgium squad, but we did not belong on the same pitch that day. So what big win are you referring too?

I am not trying to rattle you, I just think there is so much more to prove before we even consider this team World Cup ready.

We beat Italy and Mexico in a friendly last year. You can make the case that they are just "friendlies", but to me those would be big wins. Especially Mexico at Azteca, first win there in 75 yrs. IMO at least those are big enough wins to start out Klinsmanns coaching campaign and easily(for the most part) beating the majority of our opponents recently is making me feel better about this team.

 

[Nasty_Magician]

Yes the Gold Cup is a lesser tournament, and yes it is our B team vs other countries B teams, but isn't it a good thing that we're kicking the crap out of these teams? By no means does this translate to success against a team like Spain in the WC, but it's certainly a positive.

 

[lasportzphan]

Germany and Belgium are both top 10 (maybe 7) teams. Some are even saying Belgium is a WC darkhorse. It is obvious in this tournament that we are playing against inferior opponents, but it is good to see that it at least looks like the players are buying into the soccer Jurgen selling. I think some of us are excited to see that there may be some depth in positions we didn't realize, prior to GC.

As far as Brazil, I think the goal is to make it to the knockout round and possible quarter finals. That kind of result would make a lot of us very happy, and I am starting to think we have a shot at that. If you would have asked me the same 6 months ago, with the way our back line was looking and our inconsistent offense, I would have said we had no shot.

Well said regarding World Cup expectations. Once you make the knockout round, anything can happen.

 

[lasportzphan]

We beat Italy and Mexico in a friendly last year. You can make the case that they are just "friendlies", but to me those would be big wins. Especially Mexico at Azteca, first win there in 75 yrs. IMO at least those are big enough wins to start out Klinsmanns coaching campaign and easily(for the most part) beating the majority of our opponents recently is making me feel better about this team.

Again, those wins were against "B" Teams at best (Italy and Mexico). The Mexican team might have even been a "C" team as they didn't even sell the game out.

But you are right, players are buying into the improved, more evolved system. I am hopeful, but do not know if we have the personnel to properly execute come the time when we start playing "A" teams. We will see. And winning the Gold Cup is huge because it gives us a great shot at the Confed Cup. Most elite nations will not play their "A" team against the US because it is a no win situation for them: if they lose, they look like fools, if they win, they were supposed to win. However, we face the best of the best in the Confed Cup. Great measuring stick.

 

[apachef4]

USA vs. Honduras about to get under way.

The field looks to be a bit of a joke.

 

[gobigred]

Is this game not on TV???


In English I mean.


I found it on Univision in Spanish but cant in English

 

[lasportzphan]

Is this game not on TV???


In English I mean.


I found it on Univision in Spanish but cant in English

It's on the Fox Soccer Channel, I get it on Direct TV but I have to pay for it.

 

[apachef4]

Eddie Johnson!!!!!!! 1-0 USA.

 

[gobigred]

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLLLL!!!!

 

[apachef4]

Landon!!!!! 2-0 USA!

 

[Airraidtech]

Best I have ever seen man. I know this is our reserves. But our WC Qualifying as well. We actually can attack and score now, Guys are buying in to the system. Plus better players. It's exciting to watch.

 

[apachef4]

Honduras pulls one back on the free kick. 2-1 US.

 

[apachef4]

Landon gets it right back! 3-1 US.

 

[apachef4]

Klinsmann sent off in the 88th minute. I would have been livid if I was him, too. How there are no cards in this game is mystery.

 

[apachef4]

3-1 final. Klinsmann out for the Final.

 

[ugafan6612]

Sucks to have Klinsmann out. I love that he has passion for this team at least. Gonna watch Mex Pan soon