Team USA will take the pitch at Foxboro Mass at 4:30 against reigning World and European champions Spain. Those who follow the beautiful game know that the last time the USA and La Furia Roja played in 2009 in South Africa in the Confederations Cup semi-final, it was a global shocker of a result as the USA plugged the middle of the pitch and let Spain try the sideline attack and the USA defeated Spain 2-0.
No doubt the Spaniards will be looking for revenge. Ever the optimist Johnny will call this game at 1-0 USA.
Showing posts with label landon donovan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label landon donovan. Show all posts
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
What a soccer game last night
Team USA did themselves very proud last night in a very cold and windy New Meadowlands in coming back to get a very strong result, 1-1 with Argentina. The Argentina side really came out smoking with top player Lionel Messi weaving many potential scoring runs through the US defenders, luckily he managed just one such run that paid off. As the game wore on it did seem the USA got stronger and their defense started collapsing in and around Messi to limit Argentina's scoring chances. While the defense of DeMerit and Bocanegra and Onyewu tightened up, Coach Bob Bradley's insertion of Juan Agudelo into the attack paid dividends 15 minutes into the second half as Agudelo chipped a loose ball past the Argentinian goalkeeper after a beautiful ball into the area by Landon Donovan (is there anybody better in the world at free kicks and set pieces?) and a sharp header on goal by Bocanegra.
The USA had a few other chances later as their game got better and better. While billed as an international friendly match this had all the electricity (in the crowd to be sure) of a World Cup game. Argentina ranked #4 in the world played their best side and the USA ranked #19 in the world played their top players. On this night the USA was equal. Why does a friendly match in March of 2011 matter to the World Cup seedings in June of 2014? Image and perception are everything. If the USA goes great guns in international friendly matches their ranking goes up as does the general opinion of the USA side it means a better seeding than Mexico when the World Cup pairings come out. For years the USA would beat Mexico in qualifiers but Mexico had built a better reputation so the USA would get dumped into groups of death. This past World Cup the USA was better thought of and lo and behold a good draw in South Africa. THAT is why these games are important even though they seem not to be.
The USA had a few other chances later as their game got better and better. While billed as an international friendly match this had all the electricity (in the crowd to be sure) of a World Cup game. Argentina ranked #4 in the world played their best side and the USA ranked #19 in the world played their top players. On this night the USA was equal. Why does a friendly match in March of 2011 matter to the World Cup seedings in June of 2014? Image and perception are everything. If the USA goes great guns in international friendly matches their ranking goes up as does the general opinion of the USA side it means a better seeding than Mexico when the World Cup pairings come out. For years the USA would beat Mexico in qualifiers but Mexico had built a better reputation so the USA would get dumped into groups of death. This past World Cup the USA was better thought of and lo and behold a good draw in South Africa. THAT is why these games are important even though they seem not to be.
Friday, March 25, 2011
So who is headed out to the New Meadowlands tomorrow for the big USA vs Argentina soccer match?
Since international football is taking a couple week break so that their biggest stars can play for their country in friendly matches around the globe that means the top US players as well as the top Argentinian players will be on the pitch tomorrow night. Sure it'll be chilly but you'll get to see USA heroes like Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, goalkeeper Tim Howard, midfielder Michael Bradley among others. Of course when you mention the Argentina side you have to mention the best player in the world, Lionel Messi, who will also be out there tomorrow night (well actually if you're an autograph hound the Argentina side is staying at the Westin in Jersey City).
Johnny will bring you full coverage of the match with some incredibly bad iPhone shots, the kind you've come to know and cringe over. Let's hear it for Team USA!
One giant goal, one reaction from the stadium in South Africa, the other from a bar in California....Amazingly similar. Tell Johnny again how Americans hate this game.
Johnny will bring you full coverage of the match with some incredibly bad iPhone shots, the kind you've come to know and cringe over. Let's hear it for Team USA!
One giant goal, one reaction from the stadium in South Africa, the other from a bar in California....Amazingly similar. Tell Johnny again how Americans hate this game.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
How 'bout those Americans!?!?
Oh jumping jesus on a pogo stick, the Cardiac Kids do it again!!! Johnny had real tears in his eyes as FINALLY, FINALLY the USA scored in extra time. They HAD to score, that simple, and they do it again with the latest goal scored in a Team USA match evah.
Wait'll you see the replays kids, Landon Donovan and the whole team just made Johnny's Christmas card list.
Stunning. If one was invested to the hilt it was an incredibly emotional moment.
*EXHALE*
Saturday afternoon, win or go home but for now, the USA tops England in the group and both the USA and England advance.
Wait'll you see the replays kids, Landon Donovan and the whole team just made Johnny's Christmas card list.
Stunning. If one was invested to the hilt it was an incredibly emotional moment.
*EXHALE*
Saturday afternoon, win or go home but for now, the USA tops England in the group and both the USA and England advance.
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