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illinisooner
2/4/2008, 01:59 PM
Didn't feel like burying this one in the Premiership thread, but thought it deserved some attention. So the US faces off against Mexico in Houston this Wednesday; just a friendly, but it's never really friendly when we play El Tri. Both teams are bringing fairly strong squads with some glaring omissions (No Castillo for Mexico), so it should be a great game. Mexico hasn't beaten us since 99 on US soil and hadn't even scored on US soil since 99 until they went up 1-0 in Chicago last year at the Gold Cup final. Last time these two faced off in Houston, it was a 0-0 draw in 2003.

I think the US maintains dominance over Mexico in the US; however, if Mexico wins...it's only a big deal to them, not for the Americans. It's simple statistics that they'll eventually win over here, and also that we'll eventually win at Azteca. I'm really looking forward to the game; I say 1-0 US, but really it could go either way. For those who don't know, it will be on ESPN2 at 8 PM...I'm pretty sure I got the time right.

birddog
2/4/2008, 05:46 PM
good call. i almost forgot about this one.

hopefully we can build on the 2-0 win over the swedes. i'll be curious to see some of the new faces.

illinisooner
2/4/2008, 07:28 PM
Hopefully Altidore and/or Adu get a start; at the very least, playing time for both of em. Mexico are bringing some of their young guns (Vela and dos Santos I think are their names) that will likely see the field, hopefully Bradley does the same with our guys. Michael Bradley has a chance to be the midfield thorn in Mexico's side for the next decade; like Cobi Jones used to be. Maybe we can start Feilhaber (even though he somehow never plays at Derby) just so El Tri has to remember his wonderstrike in the Gold Cup final lasr June. I always like the way Dempsey's game should work against Mexico (running at people, attacking), but he's never had a tremendous impact...so maybe he steps up and is the MOTM.

Scott D
2/4/2008, 07:44 PM
I'd say Adu will likely get his second straight cap (Sweden being the previous one).

Giovanni dos Santos is fun to watch with Barcelona. The kid is a special talent, and because of his hair they call him little Ronaldinho there.

phead903
2/4/2008, 08:04 PM
Did I hear that Brian McBride was back with Fulham's second squad ths weekend? any chance he will come back for international play? I know his skills are diminishing, but I sure like the fire and determination he brings!

birddog
2/4/2008, 08:32 PM
nah, mcbride's days as an international are finished. that guy has been great for us soccer, and fulham for that matter.

hopefully someone can fill his shoes as a big target around the box. not sure who that may be just yet.

illinisooner
2/4/2008, 09:00 PM
Maybe it's just because I'm an Arsenal fan, but I like Vela more than dos Santos. Brian Ching has proved the best option so far as a target forward, but the Hawaiian Punch is always injured. There are other big guys out there (Kenny Cooper comes to mind), but none of them are as powerful in the air as Ching. It's probably just as well, because no one on the US team strikes a good dead ball or crosses very well...so we don't need someone good in the air. But there's also no forward who's real good at holding the ball and waiting for help, like McBride was.

birddog
2/5/2008, 05:42 AM
here's the 22 man squad for wednesday's friendly:



Adu, Freddy M 5’8” 140 6/2/1989 2/0 Potomac, Md. SL Benfica (Portugal)
Altidore, Josmer F 6’1” 175 11/6/1989 2/0 Boca Raton, Fla. New York Red Bulls (MLS)
Bocanegra, Carlos D 6'0 170 5/25/1979 53/8 Alto Loma, Calif. Fulham FC (England)
Bradley, Michael M 6’2” 175 7/31/1987 14/1 Cedar Grove, N.J. SC Heerenveen (Holland)
Clark, Ricardo M 5’10” 150 5/10/1983 11/1 Jonesboro, Ga. Houston Dynamo (MLS)
Convey, Bobby M 5'8 150 5/27/1983 45/1 Philadelphia, Pa. Reading FC (England)
Corrales, Ramiro D 6’1” 170 3/12/1977 5/0 Salinas, Calif. SK Brann (Norway)
Davis, Brad M 5’11” 165 11/8/1981 3/0 St. Charles, Mo. Houston Dynamo (MLS)
Dempsey, Clint F 6’1” 170 3/9/1983 36/9 Nacogdoches, Texas Fulham FC (England)
Donovan, Landon F 5'8 148 3/4/1982 97/35 Redlands, Calif. Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)
Edu, Maurice M 6’0” 170 4/18/1986 2/0 Fontana, Calif. Toronto FC (MLS)
Feilhaber, Benny M 5’9” 150 1/19/1985 14/2 Irvine, Calif. Derby County (England)
Guzan, Brad GK 6’4” 210 9/9/1984 5/0 Homer Glen, Ill. Chivas USA (MLS)
Holden, Stuart M 5'10" 160 08/01/85 0/0 Houston, Texas Houston Dynamo (MLS)
Howard, Tim GK 6’3” 210 3/6/1979 26/0 North Brunswick, N.J. Everton FC (England)
Lewis, Eddie M/D 5'10 155 5/17/1974 73/8 Cerritos, Calif. Derby County (England)
Moor, Drew D 6’0” 170 1/15/1984 3/0 Dallas, Texas FC Dallas (MLS)
Noonan, Pat F 6’0” 170 8/2/1980 14/1 Ballwin, Mo. Aalesund FK (Norway)
Onyewu, Oguchi D 6’4” 210 5/13/1982 28/2 Olney, Md. Standard de Liege (Belgium)
Parkhurst, Michael D 5’11” 155 1/24/1984 3/0 Providence, R.I. New England Revolution (MLS)
Pearce, Heath D 5’10” 175 8/13/1984 10/0 Modesto, Calif. Hansa Rostock (Germany)
Robinson, Eddie D 6’1” 195 6/19/1978 1/1 Greensboro, N.C. Houston Dynamo (MLS)

good to see convey's back in action.

birddog
2/6/2008, 01:27 AM
sweet. this game kicks off on the deuce immediately following ou-texas.

birddog
2/6/2008, 08:51 PM
it's go time, boys!

hopefully the us can redeem the sooners after their loss.

phead903
2/6/2008, 09:16 PM
Altidore getting his first start...

silverwheels
2/6/2008, 09:25 PM
**** Mexico.

birddog
2/6/2008, 09:36 PM
us with it's first decent chance in the box. so far messico is controlling the flow of the match.

10 minutes in.

birddog
2/6/2008, 09:50 PM
we look a step too slow and quite disorganized in the back.

birddog
2/6/2008, 09:55 PM
GOOOOOOL USA!!! great finish by onyewu off the noggin.

silverwheels
2/6/2008, 09:56 PM
GOOCH!

phead903
2/6/2008, 09:59 PM
Some good service by Donavan during that stretch!

birddog
2/6/2008, 10:00 PM
damn, messico just equalized. 1-1 35th min.

birddog
2/6/2008, 10:01 PM
looks like we'll have another classic heater between these two.

phead903
2/6/2008, 10:06 PM
JOZY!!! What a finish! 2-1!!

silverwheels
2/6/2008, 10:06 PM
Jozy is a badass.

Cam
2/6/2008, 10:06 PM
Jose gets a goal in his first Nat'l Team start.

It's 2-1 US, but it's completely against the run of play.

It's very much end to end, something the haters should be watching to see how exciting the beautiful game can be.

phead903
2/6/2008, 10:08 PM
Good strike by Demsey - don't know why it was waved off?

Cam
2/6/2008, 10:08 PM
Dempsey(sp) curved a sweet ball around the goalie but it was waived off. Not quite sure why though. Hell of a shot though.

silverwheels
2/6/2008, 10:09 PM
Bush league ref. Dempsey is a ninja.

phead903
2/6/2008, 10:20 PM
Offsides? WTF?

silverwheels
2/6/2008, 10:21 PM
Yeah, that was horse poop. Should be 3-1 right now.

birddog
2/6/2008, 10:30 PM
is that what they called? offsides? bollocks. no one was even close to the play.

birddog
2/6/2008, 10:32 PM
must have been the messican influence in reliant stadium. :rolleyes:

and bautista is the new louis hrnandez. the guy you have no choice but to hate.

gd. 2-2.

silverwheels
2/6/2008, 10:34 PM
Set pieces!!!!! :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

phead903
2/6/2008, 10:34 PM
Has anyone on the US side ever played defense on a set play before?

Cam
2/6/2008, 10:35 PM
Has anyone on the US side ever played defense on a set play before?
Not tonight. Pretty poor defensive performance by both sides so far.

silverwheels
2/6/2008, 10:44 PM
I can't believe that Mexican striker didn't get sent off for tackling Howard with his studs up. This ref is an incompetent jackass of Biblical proportions.

Cam
2/6/2008, 10:48 PM
I can't believe that Mexican striker didn't get sent off for tackling Howard with his studs up. This ref is an incompetent jackass of Biblical proportions.
Would've been a questionable sending off IMO. Could've easily been a foul, but not sure it should've been a red card.

Howard got caught with a bad 1st touch, it happens.

phead903
2/6/2008, 10:50 PM
Good thing Mexico has green jerseys - the grass stains from all the flopping won't show up as much.

silverwheels
2/6/2008, 10:53 PM
Would've been a questionable sending off IMO. Could've easily been a foul, but not sure it should've been a red card.

Howard got caught with a bad 1st touch, it happens.

Studs up with a straight leg. Especially on a keeper, that should be a red. I've been given a yellow for not being able to stop and accidentally bumping into a keeper.

phead903
2/6/2008, 10:56 PM
That was a bs booking on Gooch just now - damn, they dive at the slightest touch!

Cam
2/6/2008, 11:00 PM
Studs up with a straight leg. Especially on a keeper, that should be a red. I've been given a yellow for not being able to stop and accidentally bumping into a keeper.
I've been given reds for far less as well, doesn't mean it was the right call.

We can agree to disagree, no biggie.

silverwheels
2/6/2008, 11:01 PM
It should have been a foul at the very, very, very least.


Also, Gooch and Altidore have gotten some questionable cards, and that tackle didn't get one? Come on.

Cam
2/6/2008, 11:07 PM
Gooch's was BS. There have been harder tackles that weren't even called, much less carded. Altidore's been running his mouth a little the last 20 odd minutes. My guess is that if he was already a star and not an 18 year old, he'd have been given a longer leash.

Cam
2/6/2008, 11:10 PM
Until I see blood or a limb bending at an unnatural angle, I will never believe that a Mexico player is hurt. Don't care if it's the Sunday Church League, I'm not havin it.

silverwheels
2/6/2008, 11:13 PM
That's one thing I hate about the sport at the higher levels. I never dove. It's such a ***** thing to do and I wish they'd crack down on it harder.

phead903
2/6/2008, 11:13 PM
I haven't been keeping up with the stats, but there has to have been at least 3 fouls called against the US for every 2 for Mexico.

phead903
2/6/2008, 11:15 PM
That's one thing I hate about the sport at the higher levels. I never dove. It's such a ***** thing to do and I wish they'd crack down on it harder.

That's why I like watching the EPL - you don't see the diving you do in the Serie A. Well unless Man U is playing - then Ronaldo is flopping when he gets breathed on!

silverwheels
2/6/2008, 11:18 PM
That's why I like watching the EPL - you don't see the diving you do in the Serie A. Well unless Man U is playing - then Ronaldo is flopping when he gets breathed on!

I thought I was going to throw up when Italy won the World Cup. They're the biggest bunch of pansies on the planet.

phead903
2/6/2008, 11:18 PM
Why is Corrales still in there? He has been getting beat like he stole something all night.

silverwheels
2/6/2008, 11:21 PM
Dear Bob Bradley,

Please don't let Landycakes take any more free kicks or corners.

Thanks,

A Concerned American.

phead903
2/6/2008, 11:22 PM
Impressed with Jozy - we got owned quite a bit on the flanks and Mexico constantly was creating opportunities.

Still unsure about the offsides call that waved off Demsey's strike. Would have liked to beat them, but we should be happy with a draw playing such a young lineup.

enjoyed it guys - now gonna watch the England - Switzerland replay on FSC

birddog
2/6/2008, 11:26 PM
well, helter skelter pace throughout the game without alot of possession from either side.

decent result for our young uns. too bad deuce's goal didn't stand up.

and i still think adu has a good future with the squad.

illinisooner
2/6/2008, 11:47 PM
2-2 seems about right; well played by both teams. As for the Dempsey goal, it was initially offsides, but the fact that play continued for 15 seconds after that was ridiculous. Would it have been offsides if the shot went side? Probably not. For most of the game it was pretty wide open and fun to watch, hopefully some non soccer fans became soccer fans tonight.

I don't understand why Corrales and Moor were the outside backs; I knew we'd be in trouble from the start. Moor was responsible for both goals with poor marking in the box. Vela and dos Santos are going to be good ones, and no fun to deal with for the next 10-15 years. Altidore showed up tonight and has a heck of a future, that was a great goal he scored in the first half.

As for the set pieces...WTF? We have never been good on those; I can recall the following set pieces being scored against us in big games: South Korea's tying goal in WC 02, Germany's GWG in WC 02, and Italy's goal in our 1-1 tie last summer. Oh well. Next up is Poland in March, followed by at Spain and Switzerland in June. I'd love to see us do a home and home series with teams like England and France, where we play them at London and Paris this year and in New York and Chicago (or Dallas, Boston, etc) in 09.

birddog
2/7/2008, 12:19 AM
i gotta say i was really disappointed in ricardo clark's play tonight. he seemed to get caught out of position and didn't control the middle well at all. actually our whole midfield seemed out of sorts but the crafty messicans can make alot of squads look bad. in fact, other than the possession we had around the 85th, i'm not sure we strung together more than 8 passes without losing possession. again, the pace of the game didn't really allow for it and we did a decent job at times of getting out of tight spots caused by the constant pressure the messicans applied all night.

but for not having alot of our regulars we competed well and it was definitely something to build on.

illinisooner
2/7/2008, 01:31 AM
Bradley/Clark in midfield didn't work, and it won't work. They play the same style, I'd put Feilhaber or someone else who does a little more with the ball opposite Bradley or Clark. Donovan needs to be an attacking midfielder so he can see more of the ball, I also like Dempsey at right mid for the same reason. Not too worried about our outside backs, because in a game that matters, Moor and Coralles will not be playing. I like the shape we're in going into some good friendlies and WCQ (starts in June vs. either Barbados or Dominica).

Scott D
2/7/2008, 10:15 AM
Dear Bob Bradley,

Please don't let Landycakes get in the starting line up in a match that matters.

Thanks,

A Concerned American.

:D

silverwheels
2/7/2008, 04:08 PM
Heh.