CONCACAF 2014 World Cup Qualification - Play Resumes June 4

[Kilmer17]

All anyone should need to know about JK: He won a game in Mexico City for the first time. EVER. With a C+ side against Mexico's B+ side. On top of that, we won a game in Italy. The US is in no danger of becoming a top 3 world team. But we are getting to the point that other nations have to take us seriously -- something that no one really did before our showing in Korea at the WC and in SA at the Confed Cup. Beating Spain and leading Brazil were serious accomplishments. Without the frustrating as hell Bob Bradley laying some of the ground work, JK isn't in the position he is in today. But Bob was stubborn at giving suck playing time. JK called out our "most talented" player for being lazy (Altidore). And say what you want, Clint Dempsey is a STUD. All he does is score and set up other people. When we get Donovan back, Dempsey, Donovan, Zusi, Bradley can stabilize the midfield for the US. The biggest challenge JK has left before the WC is shoring up the D.

This.

That midfield can hang with the best midfields in the world if Zusi continues his rise. Or if Holden can ever get healthy.

Further, we have LOADS of other midfield options. IE, we can play Danny Williams as Dmid, let Bradley run the O with Dempsey moving up top. Or we can bring in Jermaine Jones and/or Edu if we need to lock down a lead.

Ironically, our wing defenders now are stronger than our mids. But I think Cameron plus one becomes a rock solid tandem. I think O Gonzalez is the key. Goodson is fine, but not great.

And if we could ever get Timmy Chandler to give up his pipe dream of playing for Germany...........

Im hoping this is a wakeup call for Altidore. JK will absolutely sit your ass down if you arent giving 100 percent.

RE: Bob Bradley. His stubborness leading up to and into the 2010 WC cost us a chance at advancing farther. But that stubborness also made his kid that much better for this cycle. (shrugs).

[RichmondRedskin88]

1) Spain winning by 1 goal is not unusual. They compeltely dominate possession. Note when we did play them in friendly in like late 2010 we got killed 4-0 I believe.

2) We had never loss to Jamaica. Until now. What good teams did we beat on the road? Because even Dempsey said they did a bad job on the road. We beat A&B on the road. We drew in Guatemala and loss in Jamaica. I can't see how anyone can predict us to win in Jamaica after we just loss there and have never won there before.

3) We are currently not one of those teams that can just get hot in the World Cup. Perhaps when 2014 we will be but as of right now we are not. Anyone who thinks we are in probably in for a big disappointment unless we have some drastic improvements.

4) Who is taking us serious? No one. Honestly, I don't mind that. I'd rather us be under the radar. "Don't Tread on Me" isn't just a phrase.

5) France was very impressive against Spain. They should have won that game. For once France actually cared.

The fact there is a lot of work to do before US can truly be taken serious. I do hope Jurgen is indeed the the right guy and I think he is(even if he makes me scratch my head some). However, people are really setting themselves up for disappointment as far as what we can do RIGHT NOW. Once our U 17s come along we'll really see Jurgen shine hopefully. Jurgen will have limited influence over U20s(Olympic team) since he came late. Why do you think Mexico is doing so well? It took getting the right managers and developing their youth. It took them years to do that and they are seeing the rewards. It's going to take years before we really see a truly great team. We're good/decent but we lack a great defense right now and still developing identity. People have their hopes up way too high for what we can do as of the present time.

[Kilmer17]

1) Spain winning by 1 goal is not unusual. They compeltely dominate possession. Note when we did play them in friendly in like late 2010 we got killed 4-0 I believe.

2) We had never loss to Jamaica. Until now. What good teams did we beat on the road? Because even Dempsey said they did a bad job on the road. We beat A&B on the road. We drew in Guatemala and loss in Jamaica. I can't see how anyone can predict us to win in Jamaica after we just loss there and have never won there before.

3) We are currently not one of those teams that can just get hot in the World Cup. Perhaps when 2014 we will be but as of right now we are not. Anyone who thinks we are in probably in for a big disappointment unless we have some drastic improvements.

4) Who is taking us serious? No one. Honestly, I don't mind that. I'd rather us be under the radar. "Don't Tread on Me" isn't just a phrase.

5) France was very impressive against Spain. They should have won that game. For once France actually cared.

Again, we threw out a lineup in Jamaica that doenst accurately represent what we will see the next time. On the road in the last 12 months, we've beaten Slovenia (35 in the world), Italy (8), and Mexico (18). Those are all quality sides.

We have the best record this calendar year we've had in a decade.

I just dont know how people can ignore these things and focus on a bad game with an, at best, B level side in Jamaica.

[RichmondRedskin88]

Again, we threw out a lineup in Jamaica that doenst accurately represent what we will see the next time. On the road in the last 12 months, we've beaten Slovenia (35 in the world), Italy (8), and Mexico (18). Those are all quality sides.

We have the best record this calendar year we've had in a decade.

I just dont know how people can ignore these things and focus on a bad game with an, at best, B level side in Jamaica.

Those were friendlies. They don't even count for FIFA rankings. Slovenia- Alright I'll give you that one though we got dominated most of the 2nd half as I remember. Italy- They were missing a bunch of regulars. We managed a goal and then were under fire the entire rest of the game basically. The last 15 mins especially where we were dominated and somehow weren't scored on. Mexico- We pulled out a late goal but for the most part Mexico had basically all the chances and the possession. If not for Howard we probably lose or draw.

These wins sound all great and all however we have the common theme in them of barely surviving. We didn't control those games. We just managed to pull them off.

[jly0784]

Those were friendlies. They don't even count for FIFA rankings. Slovenia- Alright I'll give you that one though we got dominated most of the 2nd half as I remember. Italy- They were missing a bunch of regulars. We managed a goal and then were under fire the entire rest of the game basically. The last 15 mins especially where we were dominated and somehow weren't scored on. Mexico- We pulled out a late goal but for the most part Mexico had basically all the chances and the possession. If not for Howard we probably lose or draw.

These wins sound all great and all however we have the common theme in them of barely surviving. We didn't control those games. We just managed to pull them off.

^^^^ this..... all weve heard since 2002 was how good the US is going to be..... im still waiting for them to get over that hump, until then i see the same ol same ol, qualifying in a very weak concacaf, barely making out of the group stage, and then beat in the first elimination game.... dont like all the homers who say the US is a great team, we are just an above average squad at best

[Kilmer17]

Those were friendlies. They don't even count for FIFA rankings. Slovenia- Alright I'll give you that one though we got dominated most of the 2nd half as I remember. Italy- They were missing a bunch of regulars. We managed a goal and then were under fire the entire rest of the game basically. The last 15 mins especially where we were dominated and somehow weren't scored on. Mexico- We pulled out a late goal but for the most part Mexico had basically all the chances and the possession. If not for Howard we probably lose or draw.

These wins sound all great and all however we have the common theme in them of barely surviving. We didn't control those games. We just managed to pull them off.

Isnt that exactly how a team like Greece wins?

Im fully aware that we arent a top 10 team. I doubt we will ever be a top 5 team in my lifetime.

But as long as we find a way to win games, that's all that matters to me.

I still am not sure what you want the US side to be.?

---------- Post added October-17th-2012 at 08:56 PM ----------

^^^^ this..... all weve heard since 2002 was how good the US is going to be..... im still waiting for them to get over that hump, until then i see the same ol same ol, qualifying in a very weak concacaf, barely making out of the group stage, and then beat in the first elimination game.... dont like all the homers who say the US is a great team, we are just an above average squad at best

Who is it that is saying we are a great team?

And what will it take, in your definition, for them to be considered great?

[RichmondRedskin88]

Isnt that exactly how a team like Greece wins?

Im fully aware that we arent a top 10 team. I doubt we will ever be a top 5 team in my lifetime.

But as long as we find a way to win games, that's all that matters to me.

I still am not sure what you want the US side to be.

This is nothing to do with what I want them to be rather than what they are. If you think this Greek bunkering after scoring one goal technique will work in qualifiers it won't. Tell me how well it work out for Greece last Euro? They managed to pull a shocker one time in the Euro and people think that's a successful style. I'm not saying we need to be all out attack either aka Germany. Then you blow leads at home that you have no business blowing. Those bunkering techniques worked in friendlies when the other side was only half halfheartedly playing. Nothing was on the line. Bunkering will not work when we play a game that determines who goes to the world cup. We're finding ways to win against teams in friendlies or weak competition. Guatemala was the best performance of the qualifiers. The A&B games were lousy even the one at home. The fact that they even scored on us in the Tampa game is ridic considering how dominated they were. Yet we won 3-1. People are in for a rude awaking if the team we've been seeing lately shows up to the hex. Even as nice as the Guatemala game was we still managed to get scored in the first few mins because our defenders fell asleep. If Guatemala can do that to us wait until we play a really good hex team. They will make you pay dearly for falling asleep on defense.

[Old Bay]

Those were friendlies. They don't even count for FIFA rankings.

Pretty sure they do. Just not as much as competition.

I think the US has come a long way since the disastrous early-mid 90s. JK is trying to make that next step and that won't happen overnight. The resiliency and character shown over the last few tournaments (bar 08, which was pants) has been impressive to me.

[jobaga]

This team has a proven goal scorer in Dempsey and goalie in Howard. Both have had success in arguably the best league in the world. This team has the ability to win games the shouldn't. You can never count this team out...

[renaissance]

My gripe with JK is that he continues to call up guys like Beckerman, Rimando, and Kljestan, without giving guys like Pontius or Wondolowski a real shot.

[Elessar78]

My point in this is that it's easy to play this possession style against most of CONCACAF. We have two years to get sharp playing this style and I'm curious if it will happen. Spain can play this way because they've been playing in that style since they were teens and the core of that team plays it daily to this day. The little things that make Spain playing this style super-effective is just not present: passes are still going to the wrong side of the receiver and poor first touches being main culprits. Additionally, we don't counter very well—the whole team doesn't recognize the opportunities and when they do, either the speed of play is too slow or the quality isn't good enough that we give away the advantage.

We're playing better, sure, but we're playing better against weak competition. Will this style work against the big boys? I'm curious.

[RichmondRedskin88]

Pretty sure they do. Just not as much as competition.

I think the US has come a long way since the disastrous early-mid 90s. JK is trying to make that next step and that won't happen overnight. The resiliency and character shown over the last few tournaments (bar 08, which was pants) has been impressive to me.

while our tournaments have been exciting we've actually under achieved lately. World Cup 2010- We came in as Confederation Cup runner ups. We pulled a "lucky" draw against England due to a goalie screw up. Probably should have won the slovenia game if not for the hostile ref. We were literally about a 1 min from being out in the group stage before Donovan put us through. Then we fell to Ghana....again. Gold Cup 2011- fell to Panama at home and got owned by Mexico on American soil.

2002 was our highest point. Since then we've slowly fallen off because of lack of good coaching and youth development. Now we're trying to catch up while boomarking with our older players. Only in the last year have we started looking toward our younger players. I hate to say it but we'll be lucky to make it out the of the group stage of the world cup. It may take very favorable group too. Trust me I was celebrating when we beat Mexico in Azteca(go back and see my posts) and when we beat Italy. Qualifying has been a real wake up call though.

---------- Post added October-18th-2012 at 09:15 AM ----------

My gripe with JK is that he continues to call up guys like Beckerman, Rimando, and Kljestan, without giving guys like Pontius or Wondolowski a real shot.

Pontius deserves a shot. Wondo looked bad when he was brought up for friendlies which is why I guess JK didn't have him back again. Beckerman should never play. He doesn't have the speed.

---------- Post added October-18th-2012 at 09:20 AM ----------

My point in this is that it's easy to play this possession style against most of CONCACAF. We have two years to get sharp playing this style and I'm curious if it will happen. Spain can play this way because they've been playing in that style since they were teens and the core of that team plays it daily to this day. The little things that make Spain playing this style super-effective is just not present: passes are still going to the wrong side of the receiver and poor first touches being main culprits. Additionally, we don't counter very well—the whole team doesn't recognize the opportunities and when they do, either the speed of play is too slow or the quality isn't good enough that we give away the advantage.

We're playing better, sure, but we're playing better against weak competition. Will this style work against the big boys? I'm curious.

Tiki taka takes extremely skilled players who have been together a long time. Everyone knows where they must be for it to work. It may take another 3-4 years for our players to learn it honestly. Pefecting it is a whole another issue. If we're gonna do that it will need to be with our youth players. Trying to teach that technique to our team when 1/3 will be gone by then makes no sense.

[Kilmer17]

Im still utterly confused about why you think the US team is not good, or where you think they should be, or where you think they will be?

JK has been in charge for 16 months. In that time we have the best record we've had since 2002.

And while you can say Donovan saved us with a last minute gem VS Algeria, in 2002 we were losing to Poland and out of the tournament until South Korea scored a late goal to beat Portugal. We finished 1-1-1 in our group in 02. We finished 1-0-2 in our group in 10. How was 02 better?

How can you you look at our semifinal record (4-1-1, same as last time) and extrapolate how that will somehow mean we will perform poorly in the Hex. In our non CONCACAF games we've beaten 3 quality sides on the road. And also beat one of our Hex oponents on the road in Panama. And at home, we've beaten everyone except Brazil this year, including a 5-1 pasting of Scotland.

What are you looking at the leads you to think we're doing poorly?

Also regarding our 2002 team. They finished 3-2-1 in the semifinals. (Worse than this year) and were tied in their final game AT BARBADOS, in the 60+ minute when anything other than a win would have meant not advancing to the Hex.

---------- Post added October-18th-2012 at 10:56 AM ----------

My gripe with JK is that he continues to call up guys like Beckerman, Rimando, and Kljestan, without giving guys like Pontius or Wondolowski a real shot.

Wondo has been given chances. He needs to go spend time in Europe if he wants another.

Pontius will get plenty of time leading up the WC, so I think he'll be in the mix.

And if I never have to see Sacha or Beckerman on the pitch again, I will be happy. At least it appears that Torres has finally worn out his welcome.

[RichmondRedskin88]

Im still utterly confused about why you think the US team is not good, or where you think they should be, or where you think they will be?

JK has been in charge for 16 months. In that time we have the best record we've had since 2002.

And while you can say Donovan saved us with a last minute gem VS Algeria, in 2002 we were losing to Poland and out of the tournament until South Korea scored a late goal to beat Portugal. We finished 1-1-1 in our group in 02. We finished 1-0-2 in our group in 10. How was 02 better?

How can you you look at our semifinal record (4-1-1, same as last time) and extrapolate how that will somehow mean we will perform poorly in the Hex. In our non CONCACAF games we've beaten 3 quality sides on the road. And also beat one of our Hex oponents on the road in Panama. And at home, we've beaten everyone except Brazil this year, including a 5-1 pasting of Scotland.

What are you looking at the leads you to think we're doing poorly?

1)Scotland blows. And I mean blows.

2) Once again you are talking about friendlies. Panama included. friendlies and qualifying are two different things. Friendlies are for experimenting with roster and just a chance for fans to see the teams play. While we brought like our A team(minus Donovan) to Italy they brought like their B-C team. Playing on the road in a friendly is way different from on the road in qualifying. Not even close.

3) we beat Antigua in Tampa 3-1- We should have scored more and somehow managed to give up a goal to them. We didn't seem to take them serious at all either. Tied in Guatemala though I will say we should have won probably because advantage should have been played. Lost in Jamaica for the first time ever. Barely won against Jamaica at home in Columbus and only won because of the goalie screwing up. Given the goal posts hated us that game. Barely beat A&B away. It took a 90 min header or we were done. We finally played a great against Guatemala in KC but we still managed to fall asleep on defense and go down a goal early.

We were in danger of being out in the semis multiple times. The Hex will be one of the toughest ones in recent history.

[Kilmer17]

1)Scotland blows. And I mean blows.

2) Once again you are talking about friendlies. Panama included. friendlies and qualifying are two different things. Friendlies are for experimenting with roster and just a chance for fans to see the teams play. While we brought like our A team(minus Donovan) to Italy they brought like their B-C team. Playing on the road in a friendly is way different from on the road in qualifying. Not even close.

3) we beat Antigua in Tampa 3-1- We should have scored more and somehow managed to give up a goal to them. We didn't seem to take them serious at all either. Tied in Guatemala though I will say we should have won probably because advantage should have been played. Lost in Jamaica for the first time ever. Barely won against Jamaica at home in Columbus and only won because of the goalie screwing up. Given the goal posts hated us that game. Barely beat A&B away. It took a 90 min header or we were done. We finally played a great against Guatemala in KC but we still managed to fall asleep on defense and go down a goal early.

We were in danger of being out in the semis multiple times. The Hex will be one of the toughest ones in recent history.

THAT ALWAYS HAPPENS. And not just to the US. Portugal needed a late goal to tie Northern Ireland the other day.

Scotland blows, and we beat them 5-1. Should that have been more?

Im talking about friendlies AND competetive games.

I was at the Tampa game. It was pouring down rain. We should have easily had 6 goals. Weather and the other side playing 10 behind the ball affects that. We possessed the ball for 80 percent of that game. And they got a fluke goal on a defensive lapse.

And again, take a look at the rosters for the games you think we played poorly in. That makes a difference.

Wins matter unless you are Brazil. They're the only side who gets to ***** about how good they look in wins.

Outside of Mexico, NONE of the other teams in the Hex are playing better than us right now. Panama just tied Cuba for chrissakes. Honduras had only scored 4 goals until their final game against Canada. Costa Rica? Wouldnt have made it past the semi's in any other group.

In the 2010 Hex, we were behind in matches against El Salvador TWICE (including 2-0 in the 77th minute in El Salvador), against Honduras TWICE, and lost on the road to Mexico and Costa Rica.

Qulifying in Concacaf is hard. It's always hard. This years Hex will be no harder than any other. In fact, I think it will be easier because Mexico is going to destroy every other team home and away. So that's less points for other sides.