US Team
----------------Meola-------------------
Albright --- Pope --- Mastroeni --- Hejduk
Noonan --- Olsen --- Donovan --- Ralston
-----------Wolff --- Twellman-----------


In Cary, NC. Swaggs, you better be there.

when?

now, espn2

spoilers after this post
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Jamaica 1-0 after 4 minutes.

Hmm, 4 min in, already 1-0 Jam.

Albeit, an IF.

Jamaica 1-0 after 4 minutes.

Dang, beat me to it.

In Cary, NC. Swaggs, you better be there.

where are they playing at? it looks like a HS field.

US soccer looooong way to go

I think its at the SAS soccer complex down there. I think its kind of a test to see how viable the market in the Raleigh-Durham area is. It's got quite a large contingent of soccer fans/players/kids, but really its just to see if they could support a team in the area. Kind of looks like an English First Division stadium to me. Looks to have a seating capacity of 7k... this is where the national team will be training for the WC.

1-1 in 25th minute. Olsen with the goal on a quick restart after a foul on Noonan. Nice thinking by Lando

Meola is playing goal? Isn't he like 50?

Ok I like Lando as much as anyone else.

With that said, I think that was a pretty unsporting play (on the goal).

Ok I like Lando as much as anyone else.

With that said, I think that was a pretty unsporting play (on the goal).

The ref signaled to restart. Its not his fault Jamaica wasn't paying attention... they teach you that at every level.

Meola is playing goal? Isn't he like 50?

They wanted him to get his 100th cap... and yes, he's like 85.

Ok, thanks to SI, I've been watching more US soccer lately and I've watched most of the friendlies that have been played in 2006 and with all the players that are being looked at, who exactly are going to be the starters in the World Cup?

Ok I like Lando as much as anyone else.

With that said, I think that was a pretty unsporting play (on the goal).

What did he do?

What did he do?

Noonan got fouled running down the flank (hard foul, but it wasn't dirty). Immediately the foul-er and a teammate of his started apologizing, helping Noonan up, and making sure he was Ok. Referee and a 3rd Jamaican come over to check on Noonan. While those 3 Jamaicans are talking to Noonan, Donovan plays the re-start.

Ok I like Lando as much as anyone else.

With that said, I think that was a pretty unsporting play (on the goal).

Agreed - while legal, seemed cheap.

Noonan got fouled running down the flank (hard foul, but it wasn't dirty). Immediately the foul-er and a teammate of his started apologizing, helping Noonan up, and making sure he was Ok. Referee and a 3rd Jamaican come over to check on Noonan. While those 3 Jamaicans are talking to Noonan, Donovan plays the re-start.

Because the ref signaled the restart. It's the refs job to stop the play after you signal the restart.

Because the ref signaled the restart. It's the refs job to stop the play after you signal the restart.

I did not say it was illegal.

I said it was unsporting.

Ok, thanks to SI, I've been watching more US soccer lately and I've watched most of the friendlies that have been played in 2006 and with all the players that are being looked at, who exactly are going to be the starters in the World Cup?
G - Keller
D - Onyewu, Bocanegra, probably Berhalter, who knows
M - Reyna (assuming healthy), Donovan, Beasley, who knows (JOB if healthy)
F - McBride, who knows

I'd disagree its unsporting, its part of the game, i've never understood the whole, wait for the defense to set up after they fouled your teammate. As I said, the ref had signaled a restart, if he hadn't he would have stopped the play. Should I guy who gets past the defense stop because his defender fell down untouched?

I don't watch much soccer, but this game seems pretty rough to me.

G - Keller
D - Onyewu, Bocanegra, probably Berhalter, who knows
M - Reyna (assuming healthy), Donovan, Beasley, who knows (JOB if healthy)
F - McBride, who knows

Huh???


----------------Keller-------------

-Dolo----Gibbs----Onyewu--Lewis

------------Reyna----------------

-Dempsey---------------Convey--

----------Donovan---------------

-----McBride-----Striker du Jour

I'd disagree its unsporting, its part of the game, i've never understood the whole, wait for the defense to set up after they fouled your teammate. As I said, the ref had signaled a restart, if he hadn't he would have stopped the play. Should I guy who gets past the defense stop because his defender fell down untouched?

The ref didn't signal a damn thing. His back was turned to the play.

It's one thing if Jamaica is arguing a call or being lazy. They were, instead, apologizing and helping the U.S. player.

Convey over Beasley? The only reason he sits is if he's injured (I know he was, but I'm not sure when he's healthy). Convey's played more left back than midfield for the US anyway. I forgot about Gibbs, but unless Bocanegra is hurt or has for some reason fell out of favor, I don't see Cherundolo starting. I don't know that Dempsey has done enough to earn a start yet. I think he's definitely on the team, but I'm not sure about a start yet.

The ref didn't signal a damn thing. His back was turned to the play.

It's one thing if Jamaica is arguing a call or being lazy. They were, instead, apologizing and helping the U.S. player.

Not true, watch it again, the ref signaled a restart. Donovan can't play the ball without a restart from the ref.

Not true, watch it again, the ref signaled a restart. Donovan can't play the ball without a restart from the ref.

Sure, a restart is automatically given when there's a foul, unless the ref does otherwise.

So, there was a restart.


Doesn't keep Donovan's play from being unclassy...

Why did he let the play go if he never blew the whistle?

Convey over Beasley? The only reason he sits is if he's injured (I know he was, but I'm not sure when he's healthy). Convey's played more left back than midfield for the US anyway. I forgot about Gibbs, but unless Bocanegra is hurt or has for some reason fell out of favor, I don't see Cherundolo starting. I don't know that Dempsey has done enough to earn a start yet. I think he's definitely on the team, but I'm not sure about a start yet.

Have you forgotten about Convey being [arguably] the best player in the Championship this year?

Have you forgot about Beasley having zero confidence and zero form since the new year?

Have you forgotten about Convey running Poland ragged in a quarter of the time Beasley got?

Convey may not be "safe" choice now, but trust me, that first game, he will be out there and Beasley will not (assuming we use a 4-4-2).

Sure, a restart is automatically given when there's a foul, unless the ref does otherwise.

So, there was a restart.


Doesn't keep Donovan's play from being unclassy...

No, not really. There was about 20 seconds between the foul and the restart. The ref had already held up his hand and blown his whistle to signal the play starting again.

Orlando Bloom is coming in!!!!

That was a fantastic header by Albright (good ball of course by Lando), and a good save. I like Albright in there.

And, with Dempsey on the field and Ralston off, this team plays with so much more confidence.

I cannot state how much I HATE STEVE RALSTON FOR THE USA!!!!

Yeah, Ralston just hasn't produced at the national level. I have a strong platonic man-love for Dempsey. He may posses as much on the ball talent as any other US player (I think he has a lot of off the ball stuff to work on, only reason I didn't see him starting for the US).

Did you see the pass JOB made out wide to Donovan about 5 minutes ago? He got the ball from Johnson, with a guy about 5 yards away. He sends it all the way wide to Donovan. Just the way he saw the field the way most US players don't, that's why I want JOB in the World Cup (assuming he's healthy).

dola, yeah, I like Albright in the box, but pretty much hate him anywhere else on the field. Only Hejduk has been more useless in the back tonight.

Yeah, Ralston just hasn't produced at the national level. I have a strong platonic man-love for Dempsey. He may posses as much on the ball talent as any other US player (I think he has a lot of off the ball stuff to work on, only reason I didn't see him starting for the US).

Did you see the pass JOB made out wide to Donovan about 5 minutes ago? He got the ball from Johnson, with a guy about 5 yards away. He sends it all the way wide to Donovan. Just the way he saw the field the way most US players don't, that's why I want JOB in the World Cup (assuming he's healthy).

This team is so much more effective with Johnson, O'Brien, and Dempsey on the field.

O'Brien is just in another world. I think he could have 2 assists per game for Chivas USA this year.

Johnson is just so fast. If we had Dempsey, Convey, Beasley and Johnson on the field at once, I don't know if a team could keep up speedwise (not the best soccer grouping, but fast as hell).

Ching looks lost if he isn't standing directly in front of goal.

Johnson is just so fast. If we had Dempsey, Convey, Beasley and Johnson on the field at once, I don't know if a team could keep up speedwise (not the best soccer grouping, but fast as hell).

Ching looks lost if he isn't standing directly in front of goal.

Theoretically could get those four guys on the field with a 4-2-3-1, or a 4-1-3-2.

But we will never play those formations in the next year or two because (rightly or wrongly) Donovan and McBride WILL be on the pitch.

Ben Olsen MOTM?!?>!!?!?!?!?!!!?

WT Fuck?

I still thank Donovan is the most talented player the US has, he needs to be out there, he just seems to coast if he doesn't feel like playing. I'd rather have a happy, potentially in form Donovan (MLS Donovan) than an unhappy, out of form Donovan (European Donovan). However, if he wants to be as good as he could be, he has to get to Europe before the next WC (and stay there). I have no problem with a guy just wanting to be happy and doing what he wants where he wants, but if I'm being a selfish nationalist, he needs to get to Europe again.

Ben Olsen MOTM?!?>!!?!?!?!?!!!?

WT Fuck?

but he scored a goal:D

5 minutes of stoppage time? Damn.

6 minutes?

I just like the attitude with Donovan, O'Brien, Dempsey, Johnson out there. It's like they just can't wait to get the ball and do something exciting with it.

I just like the attitude with Donovan, O'Brien, Dempsey, Johnson out there. It's like they just can't wait to get the ball and do something exciting with it.
Eddie? not watching the match and he wasnt slated to start...just making sure im not mis-thinking here

He started the second half.

Did he look good up top? I think he is by far our best #2 after mcbride and it would allow us to slot donovan back to AMC where he belongs...but recently he has looked a bit lost and got pushed off the ball easily. How did he do in comparison to wolff?

He was kind of there, but he didn't do too much tonight. He was better than Wolff, I thought, who was non-existant.

i havent been able to watch any of the games because of work, so i am a little out of touch....what happened to freddy adu....is he not playing for the national team??? why is he not on any of the lists above for world cup starters??

i havent been able to watch any of the games because of work, so i am a little out of touch....what happened to freddy adu....is he not playing for the national team??? why is he not on any of the lists above for world cup starters??

Freddy Adu isn't good enough for the national team.

Meh. From the title I thought Bush finally lost it an attacked Jamaica. Carry on.

Adu has the speed, but he is still quite inexperienced and gets pushed off the ball easily against world class competition. I think that he Arena pretty much told him that he needed to concentrate on making the most of his minutes in the MLS, and not to worry about playing at the Nats level.

Adu also isn't mature enough to be on the national side. Aside from Hejduk, I haven't seen a player in the MLS make as many stupid fouls as Adu. If you take the ball from you, he just goes and hacks at you.

People who watched the match: how did Khari Stephenson (a Jamaica striker) do?

Have you forgotten about Convey being [arguably] the best player in the Championship this year?...

As a fan of a team in the Championship, this is a bit OTT. He was the best player for a month or so in February, and would definitely make an all Championship team at left midfield, but THE best is a bit strong.

I'd rank Sidwell, Johnson, Jagielka, King, and Kitson all higher than Convey - but Convey would make the top 10.

Have you forgot about Beasley having zero confidence and zero form since the new year?Exactly. Beasley is terribly out of shape and has been a non-factor in PSV's 2005/2006 championship campaign. The side effect of the World Cup still being 2 months away is that he has only 1 game with his club team after the last league match this Sunday, being May 7th. He's gonna be relatively fresh during the World Cup.

O'Brien is just in another world. I think he could have 2 assists per game for Chivas USA this year.John O'Brien has been injured for three years. You should seriously doubt whether he's gonna be healty in time for the World Cup. If he is, just like Beasley, he might be back to his top form in 2002, but right now I'm afraid he's too fragile to ever be...

All in all, I think it's good that most team USA players play in the MLS, simply because the league just started. Other countries will be loaded with players who've just finished a long season. Team USA should be loaded with players who are in mid-season form and all into playing games. Past World Cup and Euro Championships showed that not all top European league players are in great shape in June. In a group with Italy, the Czech Republic and French league loaded Ghana, that could be the USA's biggest advantage.

In a group with Italy, the Czech Republic and French league loaded Ghana, that could be the USA's biggest advantage.

Lord knows we need an atvantage. even with our talent pool increasing 5 fold in the last 10 years, and maybe another 5 fold in the next 10, we still cant field a team as talented as thiers. we need to outwork them and play better as a team, we dont have the individual talent to have a player take over a team and carry them.