I'd agree that England didn't look too classy in the second half, but you'll often find that the bigger the team the slower they start. They know that they'll have plenty of games to come, or at least, they hope they will.
It might be worthwhile to re-examine why there was reason to feel so optimistic. In 2002, they came out strong in the first half against a very over-confident and disorganized Portuguese side and went up 3-0. They just barely held on defensively to eke out a 3-2 win. Some stunning efforts to run out the clock (notably from Cobi Jones), but mostly a very, very lucky win against a sleeping giant. In the second game against Korea, other than an uncharacteristically elegant (for an American) strike from Clint Mathis, they again played their plodding style, and managed a 1-1 draw. In the third game vs. Poland, they were utterly overmatched and outclassed. In the round of sixteen, they beat a team in Mexico whom they have played almost as many times as they have scrimmaged each other, and they happen match up fairly well against athletically. A solid, if unspectacular win. Finally, against Germany, they played a spirited match, but couldn't manage a goal. Now maybe the US has improved in the past 12 years, but against the Czechs they looked like pretty much the same team that went out dead last in France98. I am hoping they can at least show some fire and focus against Italy, though I don't expect a win.
Another reason to feel optimistic is that a country that thrives on stats for its sports kept seeing a big shiny "5" in the world rankings issued by FIFA. I've lost count of the number of times I've had that number quoted at me by folks on various sites when I claimed the US were three-and-out in this tournament. I've also pointed out that the US only won two games in 2002, only to have the #5 batted back at me again. Sepp Blatter has a lot to answer for.
That's kind of what I was getting at, Mr. B. I think that, other than for a lucky 40 minute stretch against Portugal and an uncharacteristically elegant goal vs. Korea, the US would have been three and out in 2002, just like they were in 1998, and just as they in all probability will be in 2006. I think all the optimism about the US team in 2006 has been, for lack of a better expression "irrational exuberance".
Here's the dumbest thing about the FIFA rankings (in my opinion, anyway). Even FIFA, who makes the rankings, doesn't think that the US is truly #5. If they really did, then the US would have been one of the top seeds when FIFA made the groups for the world cup.
I know we barely squeaked through the first round in 2002. But you can't discount the wins against Portugal and Mexico...They were fantastic matches and the tie was against non-powerhouse but nonetheless semi-finalists Korea. The only real stumble in the tournament was Poland. We deserved way more than we got in the Germany game. Do I think we're the #5 team in the world....of course not. I was still overly optimistic coming in thinking if we could just win one of the games against the two powerhouses in the group, then we had a chance. My optimism was tattered not by the loss itself but by the absolute one-sidedness of it. I don't think that was the true US team, just like I don't believe the true England team showed up. I do still hold a shred of optimism but it is WAY smaller than it was before mondays debacle.
I don't think that was the true US team... The players on the pitch showed they didn't have the mental toughness to overcome the early goal. They were rocked back on their heels and never had the belief to recover...and it all started with Keller trying to forge a breakaway while 9 teammates were within 25 yards of his own goal. After the Koeller header you rarely saw the Czech back four cross the halfway line and they defended very deep, completely wiping out our speed. And on too many occassions....Convey, Beasley, Donovan...if they didn't beat their man the first time, that was it; they didn't have the balls to go at them again. I finally had the stomach to watch the game again in hopes that it wasn't as bad as it seemed live. It was. Bad. But I think with 3 or 4 key changes, including Donovan and Beasley, it's possible....only just...to get something out of the game Saturday. Of course I'm being ridiculously optimistic, but I'm not quite ready to live in the real world. I think Dempsey and Johnson have to start. I think Lewis should move up to left wing to replace Convey and Bocanegra come in at left back. We also have to find a place for Wolff's pace...maybe Dempsey in behind Johnson and McBride with Wolff out on the right. And...yep, I'm saying it...I think Mastroeni should be given the holding role in place of Reyna. He should man-mark Totti and take him out of the game, which he can do. Claudio Reyna has done a lot for his country but he has no sense of urgency, no fire when he wears the badge; he just plods along and the rest of the team follows suit. Beasley and Donovan need to watch a big game from the bench. I think embarrassment may be the most effective motivational tools for their massive egos. This ain't the U-17 World Championships, boys. This is the real deal. Grow up and be men. What happened Monday requires big changes to see a different outcome, and even that may not be enough. I just hope Arena has big enough balls to ruffle some all-too-comfortable feathers.
"I think Mastroeni should be given the holding role in place of Reyna. He should man-mark Totti and take him out of the game, which he can do." I hope there's hidden emphasis on the word "can" there, Texan, because I'd bet Totti faces defenders and defensive midfielders who are twice the player Mastroeni is, week in, week out, who try and do just that and fail as often as not.
You're right, Mr. Bismark. But given a single-minded task, I believe Pablo can do it. Of course, I wouldn't be saying that if Totti was in top form, which I don't believe he is.
Fence is correct, just because England played crap against two of the small fry of the footballing world does not mean that they will not do well this year. I think that the real test will be against their opponent in the match of sixteen. They could also show up against Sweden, but as they have clinched a spot in the next round this may not happen. I really don't think you can use last year as a measuring stick for this years US team. There have been some changes in the lineup and I just don't think that they have the drive to win that teams like Brazil and Germany display.
England would've run rings around the US, crap or not. I don't know what else to say about the US except... find someone willing to run at the defence, someone willing to get hacked down. In fact, find two. OK, three. Also, try to string more than two passes together. And oh, yeah, if you're going to mark someone, really, do follow him. One more thing, get a better plan than lofting the ball into the box at your lone striker. Even the EPL (and England) realize that's not a good idea in the long run, even when you have a giraffe for a striker. Holy shit, that match was painful to watch. The only things palatable were the Czechs' play and Rosicky's goals. SCHOOLED.
i was happy to prove my american friends wrong during the USA vs Czechs game on Monday!america you were duped to believe that you guys have the #5 soccer team in the world!stop trusting the media or FIFA and start facing reality man!remember?the media?hello!bad bad!ahahahahaha!!oh well,at least i had fun laughing at how bad the USA team was!yea go ahead and have more faith in the team americans.but let me warn you:faith kills!heed the warning! =)
American "friends" is probably the wrong term, given your attitude.
Someone needs to make a pot of coffee for plab, me thinks. At the very least, someone take his keys away.
Or tie his jacket back on again.
At least he's popped in to let us know there are still simpletons behind the gate.
And now he looks like ever more of an ass after the great football we played today.
Funny but I don't think even the most rabid American supporter on SpoFi (perhaps me in this regard) would claim to take the 5 seriously.
Funny but I don't think even the most rabid American supporter on SpoFi (perhaps me in this regard) would claim to take the 5 seriously.... I don't think anyone has, bill. Not once have any of us brought up the ranking as something we believe or use as a foundation for support.
