Archive

2010 World Cup talk

  • Automatik
    I still prefer the flashy yet fundamental style of the mighty USA's 4-4-2 attack.



    /sarcasm
  • Laley23
  • killdeer
    looking at the groups...i would think clearly Group G is the most stacked with Port, Brazil, and Cote d'voire...
    followed by Group C with the US and England.

    the interesting thing is, for Germany, despite the loss of Ballack, they are clear favorites to come out of Group D as the 1.

    Realistically, in my opinion the 16 should be France, Mexico, Argentina, Nigeria, England, US, Germany, Ghana, Camaroon, Netherlands, Italy, Paraguay, Brazil, Portugal, Spain, Suiss....although the injustice is that a very talented Ivory Coast squad is left watching. Just the luck of the draw.

    Clearly the top 4 are Spain, Argentina, Netherlands, and possibly England or Brazil for the last spot. Whether it turns out this way has a lot to do with the first round......

    can't wait.
  • gorocks99
    The 23-man US Roster:

    Goalkeepers- Tim Howard, Marcus Hahnemann, Brad Guzan

    Defenders- Carlos Bocanegra, Oguchi Onyewu, Jay DeMerit, Steve Cherundolo, Jonathan Spector, Clarence Goodson, Jonathan Bornstein

    Midfielders- Landon Donovan, Michael Bradley, Stuart Holden, Maurice Edu, Ricardo Clark, DaMarcus Beasley, Benny Feilhaber, Jose Francisco Torres

    Forwards- Clint Dempsey, Jozy Altidore, Herculez Gomez, Edson Buddle, Robbie Findley

    http://preview.ussoccer.com/News/Mens-National-Team/2010/05/US-Head-Coach-Bob-Bradley-Names-23-Players-to-Represent-the-US-at-the-2010-FIFA-World-Cup.aspx
  • gorocks99
    That's right kids, no Brian Ching in sight. Surprised to see Robbie made it.
  • sportchampps
    I like everyone but finley and bornstein I would prefer pierce and robbie Rodgers
  • wkfan
    Edson Buddle???

    Really???

    Laziest forward in the history of the entire world.
  • DeyDurkie5
    cya ching, about time bradley realized what a shitfuck he is on the field.
  • 3reppom
    DeyDurkie5 wrote: cya ching, about time bradley realized what a shitfuck he is on the field.
    So excited that Ching is off the squad.
  • Laley23
    Greatest day in the history of US soccer. No Brian Ching!!!

    As for Buddle, he has been in GREAT form for the Galaxy. COuldnt leave off a guy who is putting in golas liek that.
  • gorocks99
    So from that group, who's your starting 11?

    Howard
    Bocanegra, Onyewu, DeMerit, Spector
    Donovan, Bradley, Clark, ... Holden?
    Dempsey, Altidore

    Gomez is the first sub off the bench for offense.
  • 3reppom
    I think the best midfield group would go Donovan, Bradley, Clark and Dempsey. If you want to deploy Dempsey as a second striker in lieu of Buddle or Gomez then the 4th midfielder should be Benny Feilhaber. I know he usually plays a more central role but with two more defensive minded players in the middle of the pitch you need another attacking option and with Dempsey up front I think Feilhaber is the next best option. He won't score a ton of goals I think he can still orchestrate things and create chances even from a wider position.
  • gorocks99
    I just have a feeling after his success up top in the Confed Cup, Dempsey will see more time at forward than midfield. If we had Davies, it'd be a no brainer to put him in the midfield and Davies/Altidore up top.
  • trackandccrunner
    Man I was so happy when I saw Ching wasn't on the squad I actually did a double take to make sure it was true haha.

    Gorocks I like that starting 11 but like Feilhaber or Beasley to start instead of Holden.
  • gorocks99
    Yeah, I didn't really know who to put there. Feilhaber is probably a better choice than Holden, I don't think we'll see Beasley start out there even w/ his experience.
  • trackandccrunner
    I don't think he would start either but I just like him more than Holden haha.
  • SportsAndLady
    Davies' injury is just the worst...UGH
  • Automatik
    This is what I'd like to see...

    Bocanegra--Onyewu---DeMerit---Spector
    Dempsey----Feilhaber----Bradley----Donovan
    Altidore-----Buddle or Gomez

    I'm undecided on the second forward, but all I know is that I want Dempsey out wide.
  • Laley23
    Heres what I would do....and I wouldnt NOT move Dempsey or Donovan forward (goRocks, Dempsey wasnt a forward in the confed cup, he was on the wing.)

    ------------------------Howard------------------------

    ---Spector-----Onyewu----DeMerit---Bocanegra--

    --------------------Bradley----------------------------
    ------------Clark-----------------Donovan------------
    -----Dempsey------------------------------------------

    --------------Altidore------------Buddle---------------
  • gorocks99
    Laley23 wrote:goRocks, Dempsey wasnt a forward in the confed cup, he was on the wing.
    http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/worldcup/2010-05-19-clint-dempsey_N.htm
    During last summer's Confederations Cup, Dempsey started in the midfield but was moved up to striker when a spark was needed. After the USA opened with two losses, he scored in consecutive matches against Egypt, Spain and Brazil, winning the tournament's Bronze Ball.
    Pretty sure he scored all his goals from the forward position.
  • Laley23
    gorocks99 wrote:
    Laley23 wrote:goRocks, Dempsey wasnt a forward in the confed cup, he was on the wing.
    http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/worldcup/2010-05-19-clint-dempsey_N.htm
    During last summer's Confederations Cup, Dempsey started in the midfield but was moved up to striker when a spark was needed. After the USA opened with two losses, he scored in consecutive matches against Egypt, Spain and Brazil, winning the tournament's Bronze Ball.
    Pretty sure he scored all his goals from the forward position.
    Well now that is being quite subjective because they are considering his winger position as forward. He was not playing forward (as a striker) for his goals vs Spain or Brazil. I dont remember where he was for his Egypt goal (the header). But yes, if we are counting his wing position as forward than he should play there, as I diagramed I hope he does on another thread.

    But that is like calling Messi a forward when he really isnt. He is more a forward than Dempsey in terms of defensive responsibilities, but not a forward.
  • gorocks99
    Ghana's Michael Essien will miss the WC: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/story/_/id/5226227/ce/us/injured-essien-ghana?cc=5901&ver=us
  • Automatik
    Damn sad to see him out. One of my favorite players, at one of my favorite positions. :(
  • Laley23
    Automatik wrote: Damn sad to see him out. One of my favorite players, at one of my favorite positions. :(
    Just watch Ivory Coast to see what the best player at said position has to offer :D:D

    Kidding aside, Essien is the best holding mid there is in the game, imo. Just ahead of Yaya Toure (of said Ivory Coast). Very tough blow to Ghana, especially since they had a true shot of advancing. Still, do...but the road is certainly much tougher now.
  • Mulva
    Tough break for Essien and Ghana.

    Side note... it's going to have to be a little awkward for Milovan Rajevac to manage against Serbia in the World Cup.