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I don't really have anything to add because Strat nailed the analysis. The scouting report on Ghana was that they will be content to settle for wasteful crosses and long range shots which was true to form. We let them take those. They also double teamed Bradley out of the game. The US essentially scores two ways from the run most of the time: long balls to Jozy who knocks them down to trailing runners like Clint or through the middle via Bradley's mid and short range passing. Jozy obviously was out and Ghana swarmed Bradley effectively which explains the stagnant attack.

Jurgen is going to have to figure out how to set up without Jozy. He left his natural replacements at home in Boyd, Johnson & Agudelo, so Bradley playing like we have come to expect is crucial to building chances. Converting an abnormally high percentage of set pieces can compensate too, but that's harder to count on than a return to form for Bradley.

Johansson is more like Dempsey, a second striker off a stronger runner, so I expect Wondo to get the start vs Portugal.

trill wrote:I don't really have anything to add because Strat nailed the analysis. The scouting report on Ghana was that they will be content to settle for wasteful crosses and long range shots which was true to form. We let them take those. They also double teamed Bradley out of the game. The US essentially scores two ways from the run most of the time: long balls to Jozy who knocks them down to trailing runners like Clint or through the middle via Bradley's mid and short range passing. Jozy obviously was out and Ghana swarmed Bradley effectively which explains the stagnant attack.

Jurgen is going to have to figure out how to set up without Jozy. He left his natural replacements at home in Boyd, Johnson & Agudelo, so Bradley playing like we have come to expect is crucial to building chances. Converting an abnormally high percentage of set pieces can compensate too, but that's harder to count on than a return to form for Bradley.

Johansson is more like Dempsey, a second striker off a stronger runner, so I expect Wondo to get the start vs Portugal.

Is Jozy done for sure? 6 days seems like a long time.

AWvsCBsteeeerike3 wrote:

stlouie_lipp wrote:

trill wrote:

Fat Strat wrote: I'm shaking with nervous energy right now.

I had to grab some tums. Is there anything in sports that brings more dread and excitement than actually caring about something that only happens every 4 years?

Our coach said it is unrealistic to think we can win. Is it a matter of seeing how far they can go? How good they play? Or could something like our 1980 hockey team happen? Does that happen in soccer?

Any game that has meaning is interesting to me. These games have tons of meaning. NIU isn't going to win a national championship, but I'd imagine fans thought going to a BCS game was pretty exciting despite not playing for a national championship, no? Kind of the same thing here. Will the US win the world cup? Highly doubtful. Is it cool to see them take steps forward and hopefully make it out of a group with ronaldo, ghana who pwns them, and Germany? Yeah...it'd be pretty cool.

Perfect analogy for me. That makes sense brings it close to home. Thanks, AW (Rx and TT too).

Go USA!!!!!!

RxOfCowbell wrote:

trill wrote:I don't really have anything to add because Strat nailed the analysis. The scouting report on Ghana was that they will be content to settle for wasteful crosses and long range shots which was true to form. We let them take those. They also double teamed Bradley out of the game. The US essentially scores two ways from the run most of the time: long balls to Jozy who knocks them down to trailing runners like Clint or through the middle via Bradley's mid and short range passing. Jozy obviously was out and Ghana swarmed Bradley effectively which explains the stagnant attack.

Jurgen is going to have to figure out how to set up without Jozy. He left his natural replacements at home in Boyd, Johnson & Agudelo, so Bradley playing like we have come to expect is crucial to building chances. Converting an abnormally high percentage of set pieces can compensate too, but that's harder to count on than a return to form for Bradley.

Johansson is more like Dempsey, a second striker off a stronger runner, so I expect Wondo to get the start vs Portugal.

Is Jozy done for sure? 6 days seems like a long time.

Don't know. MRI tomorrow.

trill wrote:Jurgen is going to have to figure out how to set up without Jozy. He left his natural replacements at home in Boyd, Johnson & Agudelo, so Bradley playing like we have come to expect is crucial to building chances. Converting an abnormally high percentage of set pieces can compensate too, but that's harder to count on than a return to form for Bradley.

Johansson is more like Dempsey, a second striker off a stronger runner, so I expect Wondo to get the start vs Portugal.

Johansson was virtually non-existent. Not the same kind of player as Jozy. I haven't seen much of him, and what I have seen was from lesser competition. I thought he would be able to create better, but he couldn't hold possession up top at all. Shows you how strong Jozy is and how much control he has (though it doesn't look like he has great ball control).

I think I said at half that the loss of Jozy wasn't going to be that big of a deal. After watching the whole game, I've changed my mind, and I think Thrill is right here. Johnson would be an adequate replacement. Had a good Gold Cup in that role. Wondo should start against Portugal. I'm not down on Johannson after one bad start as an injury sub. But, that doesn't seem to be his role.

Or they can change the scheme and go with Bedoya and Zusi. I'm more inclined to stick with the defensive lineup. A draw against Portugal sets us up to advance from this group. Defend and counter again... Bob Bradley would be proud.

You don't get roster replacements for injury in the world cup, do you? Would anyone (Donovan) even be ready?

RxOfCowbell wrote:You don't get roster replacements for injury in the world cup, do?

Pretty sure no. Not 100%

Tim Howard: too many touches.

@Ben_Jata: #USA Touches/Pass %

Howard 61/63%
Beasley 60/74%
Cameron 53/55%
Bradley 52/81%
Jones 50/67%
Johnson 44/73%
Dempsey 40/62%
Beckerman 39/85%

Portland, OR goes bananas

http://screamer.deadspin.com/local-repo ... ean-Newell

Happy we won, but that was not convincing. How are we the 11th best team in the world and Ghana 38th? We looked like a team playing for a puncher's chance (worked, though).