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  1. In Memory of LAJ_FETT: Please share your remembrances and condolences HERE

Arena The Old Title Was Way Too Long: USMNT/MLS Discussion

Discussion in 'Community' started by Darth McClain, Apr 25, 2010.

  1. DarthIntegral

    DarthIntegral JCC Baseball Draft/SWC Draft Commish star 9 VIP - Former Mod/RSA VIP - Game Host

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    Jul 13, 2005
  2. Darth McClain

    Darth McClain Manager Emeritus star 6 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

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    Did you see the new AO shirt, the Road to Brazil? Looks pretty snazzy. Wish that it wasn't a white shirt, though.
     
  3. DarthIntegral

    DarthIntegral JCC Baseball Draft/SWC Draft Commish star 9 VIP - Former Mod/RSA VIP - Game Host

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    Saw it. Cool design, but not quite my cup of tea.
     
  4. DarthIntegral

    DarthIntegral JCC Baseball Draft/SWC Draft Commish star 9 VIP - Former Mod/RSA VIP - Game Host

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    Horrible result for the Crew last night. Goal within the first three minutes, and then a 3-1 loss, including a brace from Henry, highlighted by a Gol Olimpico. Andy G hit his head going for a save, and the defense looked poor all night. Now, Columbus has played both games against Red Bull and went down a combined 7-2, and currently find themselves on the outside looking in for MLS Cup.
     
  5. Darth McClain

    Darth McClain Manager Emeritus star 6 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

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    Jozy was quite good today for AZ Alkmaar, scoring three goals and setting up another.
     
  6. DarthIntegral

    DarthIntegral JCC Baseball Draft/SWC Draft Commish star 9 VIP - Former Mod/RSA VIP - Game Host

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    Glad to see Jozy continue his awesome start to the season. Wish he was still alive in a European campaign. Also wish his style of play translated better to the system Klinsmann uses. I think we'll quickly discover that Boyd is a better fit in Klinsmann's system than Jozy. Boyd is scrappier and more of a poacher around the goal, a great compliment to an an-form Deuce.
     
  7. DarthIntegral

    DarthIntegral JCC Baseball Draft/SWC Draft Commish star 9 VIP - Former Mod/RSA VIP - Game Host

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    Another bad result for the Crew last night - 2-1 losers at Chicago. They have now completely lost control of their own destiny to qualify for MLS Cup. Need help, and it could start today. I'll be scoreboard watching to see if Philadelphia can down Houston and/or Chivas can down DCU.
     
  8. DarthIntegral

    DarthIntegral JCC Baseball Draft/SWC Draft Commish star 9 VIP - Former Mod/RSA VIP - Game Host

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  9. DarthIntegral

    DarthIntegral JCC Baseball Draft/SWC Draft Commish star 9 VIP - Former Mod/RSA VIP - Game Host

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    Do you realize there's a good chance that four US-based teams and only 2 Mexico-based teams might qualify for the knockout stage in CCL?

    That would be a very good result.
     
  10. s65horsey

    s65horsey Otter-loving Former EUC Mod star 7 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

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    Jun 24, 2006
    That would be very cool.
     
  11. Darth McClain

    Darth McClain Manager Emeritus star 6 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

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    Yep, that'd be nice.
     
  12. DarthIntegral

    DarthIntegral JCC Baseball Draft/SWC Draft Commish star 9 VIP - Former Mod/RSA VIP - Game Host

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    Graham Zusi had a couple of sweet goals tonight as Sporks topped the Fire 2-0. Can't imagine him not getting the starting nod against A&B with that kind of league form and his performance against Jamaica. Maybe the US can do a real focused attacking midfield if he's in there, Donovan's in form, Bradley is in form, and Dempsey is in Form. Almost a 4-1-3-2 with Bradley as the holding (but capable in possession and attack) mid, Donovan and Zusi wide on the flanks, and Deuce in the 9 behind Herc and Jozy. That's not a bad attack.

    In other news, PR Islanders got a win tonight that puts LA Galaxy through to the quarters of CCL. That makes two US based teams through, with them joining Seattle Sounders. Salt Lake needs a 1-0 win, or a win by a margin of greater than one to advance (at home, against a Costa Rican side - seems probable). Houston Dynamo need a win or draw at home against a Honduran club to advance, which shouldn't be an issue.

    The only other team to already clinch advancement is Monterrey. Santos is all but through, needing to only not lose by more than 2 goals to Toronoto. Tigres has a home game that is win and advance, draw or lose and they will not. And Chivas is in the exact same boat as RSL.
     
  13. DarthIntegral

    DarthIntegral JCC Baseball Draft/SWC Draft Commish star 9 VIP - Former Mod/RSA VIP - Game Host

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  14. Darth McClain

    Darth McClain Manager Emeritus star 6 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

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    Simple, but it got the job done for Tottenham.
     
  15. DarthIntegral

    DarthIntegral JCC Baseball Draft/SWC Draft Commish star 9 VIP - Former Mod/RSA VIP - Game Host

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    Eddie Johnson is tweeting that he'll be called up for the US this international break. If true, good for him. He's put in a lot of work this year to reestablish his career, and his speed and creativity could do a lot for the US out there on the pitch.

    Of course, last break, Bolton tweeted that Tim Ream had been called in by the US, and that's wasn't true, so we'll probably need to wait and see to be sure.
     
  16. Darth McClain

    Darth McClain Manager Emeritus star 6 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

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    I'd like Eddie Johnson's chances...hope that it's true.
     
  17. DarthIntegral

    DarthIntegral JCC Baseball Draft/SWC Draft Commish star 9 VIP - Former Mod/RSA VIP - Game Host

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    I'd guess Terrance Boyd, who hasn't been playing much of late in Austria, is the one left off in favor of Johnson.
     
  18. DarthIntegral

    DarthIntegral JCC Baseball Draft/SWC Draft Commish star 9 VIP - Former Mod/RSA VIP - Game Host

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    Well, ****. Donovan injured tonight, and he says his status for the USMNT games is "TBD". There goes that scenario from earlier in this thread. Shea is hurt, too. Bradley's probably not playing either with his injury and zero games played since he got hurt.

    That probably puts Dempsey and Zusi (please don't get hurt tomorrow) as the wide mids for the qualifiers, and probably Danny Williams as the attacking mid, and either Beckerman or Jones as the defensive mid. Not nearly as good as having Zusi and Donovan on the wings, and Bradley as your distributing Mid, with Dempsey playing just behind the strikers.

    Should be good enough to beat A&B and Guatemala. But, one wonky call by a referee could turn this on it's head and we might not have all our talent to get out of that situation.
     
  19. DarthIntegral

    DarthIntegral JCC Baseball Draft/SWC Draft Commish star 9 VIP - Former Mod/RSA VIP - Game Host

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    So, USMNT roster is out for the next two qualifiers.

    Sacha Klejstan is in, Jose Torres is out. I get that, and i like it.
    Terrance Boyd is out, and Eddie Johnson is in. I love Boyd, but EJ has been on this year, and with Boyd not really seeing the pitch at all during games, no harm in subbing him.
    Brek Shea gets the call, ok - he's a Klinsmann favorite, and I'll always be willing to buy him a beer for that beautiful moment at Azteca.

    Jozy Altidore left off for ... Alan Gordon.

    Alan Gordon?

    Alan Gordon?
     
  20. Darth McClain

    Darth McClain Manager Emeritus star 6 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

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    Who is Alan Gordon?



    ....



    No, seriously. Who?
     
  21. DarthIntegral

    DarthIntegral JCC Baseball Draft/SWC Draft Commish star 9 VIP - Former Mod/RSA VIP - Game Host

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    Alan Gordon is a sub forward for the Earthquakes. Has a knack for scoring late goals. Something like three game winning goals in a four game stretch this year (or something crazy like that). All after the 80th minute. Header specialist, with a good aerial game. But ... just not in the caliber of player of Jozy or Boyd. Don't get it. I get not bringing those two guys and bringing someone new in who can be a specialist, but I don't get Gordon being that guy.

    Oh, and now Shea and Donovan are both out of the next two games. Out. As in not playing at all.
     
  22. Darth McClain

    Darth McClain Manager Emeritus star 6 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

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    That's not good. I had seen that Donovan was out, but hadn't noticed that Brek wouldn't be playing, either.


    It's really not surprising that Timmy C. didn't even get a call this time.
     
  23. DarthIntegral

    DarthIntegral JCC Baseball Draft/SWC Draft Commish star 9 VIP - Former Mod/RSA VIP - Game Host

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    Hey - more good news. Edgar Castillo is out of both games, and Fabian Johnson is out of the A&B game. Who are they? Oh, just the two left backs we called in.
     
  24. Darth McClain

    Darth McClain Manager Emeritus star 6 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

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    I hope that Johnson's healthy enough for Guatemala. I'm starting to get legitimately worried about it, with all the injuries USMNT has right now.
     
  25. DarthIntegral

    DarthIntegral JCC Baseball Draft/SWC Draft Commish star 9 VIP - Former Mod/RSA VIP - Game Host

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    So as to not be off-topic in the SFC thread ...

    I'm not sure Jones starts the A&B game, to be honest. He's sitting on yellow card accumulation (SHOCKING), and so is Bradley. You can't run the risk that BOTH of them pick up yellows and are suspended for the Guatemala game. Bradley is a must to create scoring chances against the most inferior team in our group, so I think he gets the start, and gets subbed off if we have a comfortable lead to avoid a yellow.

    I can't imagine going into the Guatemala game without Bradley and Jones (due to suspension) already missing who we are missing.

    I think we see something like this:

    -- Gomez --
    -- Dempsey --
    Zusi --- --- --- Klejstan
    --- Bradley ---
    -- Williams --
    Parkhurst -- Cameron -- Goodson -- Cherundolo
    -- Howard --