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USA vs. Mexico Anyone?

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  • Adam West
    Museum CPA
    • Apr 14, 2003
    • 6822

    USA vs. Mexico Anyone?

    I don't know if anyone caught the "friendly" between the U.S. men's national team and the Mexican National team last night.

    The game was a friendly meaning there was nothing on the line except pride.

    It was a 2-2 draw and although my general feeling was that Mexico totally dominated the U.S., I am still scratching my head over the offside call that would have given the U.S. a 3-2 win.

    We were playing a lot of our younger up and comers....one name in U.S. soccer that I suspect will become a household name over the next few years is Jozy Altidore. He is 18 years old and a standout in the U-21 World Cup.

    They finally have played him in 3 International level matches and he is getting more comfortable with each game. Last night, he scored his first goal on the international scene and almost knocked in a 2nd. He is overshadowing Freddy Adu who was considered the best U-20 soccer player ever in the U.S. but Altidore is better than Adu...bigger, stronger, and more aggressive.

    Freddy Adu has great footskills but I don't see him as a dominant player. Even though he was the youngest player to enter professional soccer at the age of 16, he was never good enough to start much with D.C. United. He is playing for Benefica in Portugal currently and isn't a starter there either.

    Altidore plays for the N.Y. Red Bulls, a starter, and has been a standout. Rumors are that he will be going to Europe to play and expect that he will be able to hold his own on any team over there.

    Really exciting game for anyone who caught it...Mexico is ranked 15th in the World currently and USA 20th. Personally, I think they are better than their rankings say since I believe F.I.F.A. to be a little biased but so be it.

    I personally watched the U.S. Brazil game last year with both teams bringing their best players. Although it ended in a 4-2 Brazil victory it was a dead even match with Brazil scoring two goals off of penalty kicks which made the score appear higher.

    I am optimistic about the future of U.S. soccer. Since I coach at the youth level, we are seeing the first generation of youth being coached by adults that also played soccer and understand the game. I really think the U.S. is going to be a World powerhouse within 12 years....it takes a long time to build a good program. Once we get there, we will consistently stay at the top.
    "The farther we go, the more the ultimate explanation recedes from us, and all we have left is faith."
    ~Vaclav Hlavaty
  • Wee67
    Museum Correspondent
    • Apr 2, 2002
    • 10603

    #2
    Whenever these two sides get together its usually a pretty good game.

    I agree that Mexico seemed the better team. They seemed faster and by that I don't just mean running speed. Mexico seemed to play faster on the ball, controlling better and more quickly. I was also deflated when Mexico tied so quickly with their 2nd goal. Drew Moor seemed to be caught out of position on more than one occasion. I did, however, love Donavan's stop and pop to Onyewu

    There's been a lot of optimistic talk about Altidore, but I'm always cautious about any exuberent talk about the US team. I'm a huge fan (I'm typing right now with a surgically repaired finger, injured while goalkeeping), but I've been disappointed SO many times. From Pele's arrival in New York to last Cup's top 5 position, I keep hearing about soccer coming to age in the US. Adu is a prime example. I agree that Altidore is a better physical example of a footballer. This match will only help his chances with a European club. I just want to wait and see (and hope).

    All that said, I am still hopeful about US soccer. The team has become a contender with a strategy based on not losing to the big boys. Its helped make the US very competitive, but I think they have to start focusing on winning rather than not losing. I think Bradley and these younger players are bringing that to the US program and showed signs in the Sweden game..
    WANTED - Solid-Boxed WGSH's, C.8 or better.

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    • Bo8a_Fett
      Pat Troughton in disguise
      • Nov 21, 2007
      • 3738

      #3
      U.S. team has come along in leaps and bounds over the last few years (especially since '94) and with players now playing in leagues around the world you are really starting to have a decent team...was a shame to see Brad Friedel retire from international fotball as I still think he is a great keeper.
      ENGLISH AND DAMN PROUD OF IT British by birth....English by the grace of God. Yes Jamie...it is big isn't it....

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      • toys2cool
        Ultimate Mego Warrior
        • Nov 27, 2006
        • 28605

        #4
        yeah I was reading the highlights of the game,I also think Altidore is a stud
        "Time to nut up or shut up" -Tallahassee

        http://ultimatewarriorcollection.webs.com/
        My stuff on facebook Incompatible Browser | Facebook

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        • Mikey
          Verbose Member
          • Aug 9, 2001
          • 47258

          #5
          What's soccer ?

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          • Hector
            el Hombre de Acero
            • May 19, 2003
            • 31852

            #6
            Viva Mexico!



            I didn't see the game so I can't comment too much...but Mexican coach Hugo Sanchez is steering them in the right direction. Mexico for the first time in its history, is sending a load of young players to play on European clubs (they were too comfortable in the well-paid Mexican league)...and surprisingly, are finding good success over there.
            sigpic

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            • Adam West
              Museum CPA
              • Apr 14, 2003
              • 6822

              #7
              I guess the main reason why I'm getting more optimistic about U.S. soccer is both the quality of play I am witnessing in today's youth and youth coaching.

              I have played soccer from the time I was in Kindergarten all the way through college and have played in some adult indoor leagues. When I was about 12 or 13 I started playing Club Level soccer which we referred to as Select Soccer. I played in the Washington D.C. area which is a very competitive area due to a large number of first generation Americans that arrive in the area and bring the love of the Beautiful Game with them.

              My Club team was the only team in the entire large County of Maryland where I grew up.

              Now there are a large number of Club teams and leagues. I personally coach a group of high Division 2, 11 year old girls who can do foot moves and things with the ball that I couldn't even do at the same age in Club level. In Maryland, we have what are called DDP's (District Development Programs) and ODP's (Olympic Development Programs) to help develop the elite level players which sounds like is consistent with what they do in England and the rest of Continental Europe.

              The youth soccer of today is learning how to play the game not by old school U.S. but by learning how soccer is played in Brazil, England, Germany, and the Netherlands and following their systems. I am only now just learning some of these systems but a lot of the better players are sent to soccer camps and being taught by players from the respective countries who are familiar with the system.

              I do understand the cautiousness but I'm optimistic mostly because I am viewing something I have never seen before at the youth levels first hand and can't imagine we are the only part of the country doing this.
              "The farther we go, the more the ultimate explanation recedes from us, and all we have left is faith."
              ~Vaclav Hlavaty

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