U.S. Men's Soccer Thread

[Adam West]

I know the World Cup is over but the U.S. Men's Soccer Team is getting ready to gear up for the Gold Cup (the U.S. is the favorite with really the only realistic team at this point being Mexico to contend for it).

They played Paraguay last night and although lost 1-nil, they were trying out a bunch of different players (along with their World Cup lineup with the exception of Tim Howard...he got a break and giving a few other goalkeepers a shot). All I have to say is wow....the U.S. is really looking better than I have ever seen them. The goal was off a corner kick that got the right bounce, for a goal. Otherwise, the U.S. completely dominated the game, cracking shot after shot and to Paraguay's credit, their goalkeeper stopped at least 3 would have been goals.

Also, the U.S. played Argentina just 3 days ago and tied 1-1 (it was Argentina's "A" squad). Also played Chile to a 1-1 draw as well. There are a lot of new players coming in that are looking really good and mixing in with the current pool is creating something. I'm still waiting to see if we get that once in a generation dynamo. For now, Dempsey, Donovan, and Bradley have one of the best middies in the world. Altidore still looks promising not sure yet but a new player 18 year old Juan Agudelo is looking really good. He scored against Argentina, South Africa, drew the penalty that ended tying with Chile and was fouled last night in the penalty box against Paraguay but got a no call. He has fantastic footwork and an up an coming player to watch.

[wolfie]

If the USA is favorite and only has Mexico to contend with how come they lost to Paraguay? Better put them on the list of contenders.

Seriously though it is great to see the USA team getting better with each tournament they play in. In years to come they will have a shot at reaching the latter stages of the World Cup much in the way that the African teams are starting to do. For many years African sides were where the USA is now but some of them are just starting to come through.

It is very important for the US players to play in teams in the UK and Europe, they will not get good enough playing the US leagues, at least i don't think so.

[Wee67]

One of the promising things is the number of US players playing in the European leagues. 20 years ago it was a big deal that Tab Ramos sat the bench in the Bundesliga. 10 years ago a handful played and now much of the starting line up sees time in Europe. It kills me to see how it hurts the MLS here in the States, but I agrre it will make the national team that much better.

I am also ecstatic to finally see a continuing improvement across the field and not just in net (we've had some awesome keepers!). Its also great to be able to have serious and insightful conversations with knowledgeable soccer fans in the US. I always look forward to your threads, Adam West!

That said, I'd still like to see a creative midfielder come about. I love Bradley and level of toughness and defensive skills, but I'm not seeing the offensive intangibles. They really need a FEW people who can consistently create paths to create scoring opportunities. Watching Argentina one-touch pass through crowds last Saturday was truly impressive. The US played a great game, but I do think Howard's play kept the damage down (he was unconsious!).

I gotta get me one of those new red jerseys!

[Hector]

The USA should be the favorite...the Gold Cup is after all...being held in the United States.

[Hector]

Watch out for Mexico's Chicharito Hernandez...the young lad is turning into a proficient scorer for Manchester United.

[Wee67]

Mexico is always a good rival, but I haven't really followed them since Jorge Campos was running WAAAAAYY too far out of net (loved him).

[Adam West]

If the USA is favorite and only has Mexico to contend with how come they lost to Paraguay? Better put them on the list of contenders.

Seriously though it is great to see the USA team getting better with each tournament they play in. In years to come they will have a shot at reaching the latter stages of the World Cup much in the way that the African teams are starting to do. For many years African sides were where the USA is now but some of them are just starting to come through.

It is very important for the US players to play in teams in the UK and Europe, they will not get good enough playing the US leagues, at least i don't think so.

Just to clarify, the Gold Cup is for the CONCACAF teams which is basically Canada, U.S., Mexico, Central America and Carribean Islands. The U.S. and Mexico are really the only serious contenders with slight outside shots from a Honduras, Costa Rica, or Trinidad and Tobago. Chile, Paraguay, and Argentina are all ranked top 25 in the world. The U.S. did not exclusively play their "A" team and were giving opportunities for up and coming players. Outside of the missing super, superstar player (with Messi like skills), they need to figure out how to win and not just settle for a draw. The best teams in the world often win ugly but still win...it may just be one opportunity but they figure out how to win. The U.S. had a decent World Cup and although it was frustrating to watch them lose to Ghana (even though they dominated most of the game); the future is looking bright for U.S. soccer. I know longer think any team in the world takes us for granted like they did not more than 10 years ago.

[Adam West]

I gotta get me one of those new red jerseys!

I don't understand why those jerseys are so darn expensive!!! The authentic jerseys are already expensive at around $100 and then another $30 if you want a player. The red jerseys are $140 plus the $30 if you want a player. I don't know the reason (unless they are making just a small batch of them). I also really like the jersey with "Indivisible" written on one of the sleeves but I'm going to wait until the price comes down before I buy.

[Wee67]

Outside of the missing super, superstar player (with Messi like skills), they need to figure out how to win and not just settle for a draw. The best teams in the world often win ugly but still win...it may just be one opportunity but they figure out how to win.

EXACTLY!!! I've mentioned this before, but when the US was a lesser side, it made sense to defensively play for a tie and perhaps steal a win. The coaches and players have to think and play for the win. I remember when they went with a single forward, hoping a defense strangle and the occasional punted ball and speedy forward might steal a goal.

I think that's why I feel they need more creativity in the midfield to create an attack. We definitely have flashes of greatness, but I think an overall focus on creating scoring opportunities should start there. We have some OK finishers, but we need to have a few more chances TO finish. I think the defense is pretty good (though I worry about Onyewu) and the goaltending is top noth.

I don't understand why those jerseys are so darn expensive!!! The authentic jerseys are already expensive at around $100 and then another $30 if you want a player. The red jerseys are $140 plus the $30 if you want a player. I don't know the reason (unless they are making just a small batch of them). I also really like the jersey with "Indivisible" written on one of the sleeves but I'm going to wait until the price comes down before I buy.

Yeah, I really wanted "Indivisible", too. I'm hoping the pricier authentic jerseys will come down in price. They were just intro'ed that weekend. World Soccer Shop has a decent reproduction jersey for about $70. The red is brighter, I'm not sure its even Dri-Fit AND its just not the same without indisible.
USA 2011 Third Soccer Jersey - WorldSoccerShop.com

[Adam West]

I have an Altidore home jersey and a Donovan away jersey....wear them quite a bit during the warm months and receive lot's of compliments. I would like to get the authentic red jersey with Dempsey but not at the current price. I have purchased so much soccer gear over the years for my kids from Soccer.com that it made since for me to join their Goal Club. I think I can buy the jersey for about $10 less but still too pricey for me. I personally am going to hold out and purchase an authentic one when the price comes down. The replicas will let you put names but they don't look the same as the authentic.

[Adam West]

Back to the Red Jersey.

It is available on Soccer.com for $149.99.

I just received an email from soccer.com and if you use source code 1YOUCHOOSE, it's 15% off off $150. In addition use source code 1FS100 and it's free shipping.

Just call the phone number on soccer.com and give them the source codes. I normally pay $134.99 since I'm a Goal member, price down to $115 after discount. The authentics generally sell for around $100 anyway plus free shipping so I figured, I might as well jump on it. All the source codes are listed if this is in your price range.

[Hector]

Mexico is always a good rival, but I haven't really followed them since Jorge Campos was running WAAAAAYY too far out of net (loved him).

Forget Campos (who never achieved European club level excellence)...it's now the era of Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez...the kid (23 years old) is something else...a speed demon (clocked the fastest player in the South African World Cup)...who is a pure instinctive scorer. He plays for powerhouse Manchester United...he is now Wayne Rooney's favorite scoring partner...check him out...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcDXW4nWWwc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gcto4...eature=related

Chicharito scored two goals against Paraguay, in a Mexico 3-1 win...just a few days ago...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jqZ9VjDvHs

The little girls love him too...lol...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtVDI--5p0M&feature=fvst

[Adam West]

U.S.....Mexico we both suck....neither is horrible but neither is elite. Put either one of us up against Brazil in the World Cup and we are both going to lose. This is the one rivalry that is truly great...Mexico comes to the U.S and the fans are almost 50/50 and vice/versa. Canada is definitely getting better and hopefully will become more competitive over the next decade but realistically; it is the U.S. and Mexico that own our region. I would hate to have to compete in South America or mainland Europe for a World Cup Spot.

[Hector]

Mexico has twice been runner-ups in South America's premier tourney...Copa America...once in 1993 (lost 2-1 against Argentina in the final)...and the second one in 2001 (lost 1-0 against Colombia in the final)...

...Mexico also won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2005...they beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...

...amazing feats if you ask me...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copa_América#Results

FIFA U-17 World Cup - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Hector]

Another tidbit of information...USA has never beaten the Mexican national team in Mexico.