Comments on: Projecting the U.S. Lineup for the 2014 World Cup

By: Mugatu

Mugatu — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 15:50:09 +0000

By: rambo.cts

rambo.cts — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 21:37:26 +0000

Is Altidore going to Holland? I have heard PSV and Ajax are the only teams that could probably afford him. Hopefully if he goes to one of those teams he will actually play a lot. Would be great if he went to Ajax as they are bringing back a lot of former players to coach. I think Bergkamp is coaching the Youth team so maybe he could work with Jozy on a few things

By: rambo.cts

rambo.cts — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 21:27:20 +0000

Acosta has looked pretty good so far and the one thing that stands out for me is that he looks very comfortable on the ball.

We just need our young CB’s to step up out of Opara, Boss, Brooks, Ream, Omar G.

By: ol brob

ol brob — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 21:23:43 +0000

If you don’t think Landon Donovan, Juan Agudelo, and/or Maurice Edu are top notch athletes I don’t know what to tell you. The biggest problem for American play aren’t the athletes it’s tactics. And poor coaching. Bradley starts fast but is poor at making adjustments, i.e. comebacks by Brazil and Mexico against the US. Wesley Sneijder is one of the best players in the world but by no means the fastest or most athletic.

100% agree.

The US has reached the highest level it will with the current state of youth development, or the American system of play. You can only make it so far with athleticism and willpower, eventually a fundamental lack of tactics and positioning will catch up to you.

If you watch the better international sides (and clubs, obviously), the off the ball runs made by players without the rock are what creates space, even if the pass isn’t played.

I’m hopeful that we can evolve, and players like Stuart Holden, Jose Torres and the overrated/underrated/overrated Freddy Adu can usher in a new style of play, but it’s going to have to start at the top. Gulati and Bradley, thank you for your contributions, now exit stage right.

By: heldover

heldover — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 21:12:33 +0000

i thought he was a conqueror not an isolationist

In competition, dude.

By: ms621

ms621 — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 21:08:18 +0000

Yes, those 5’8″ kids with low centers of gravity are just killing it in the NBA right now.

They can make for good CBs/RBs in college football.

By: Mugatu

Mugatu — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 21:04:43 +0000

Thanks TBL. US Soccer needs to start by dropping Gulati. Only then can real change come to the current team/2014 squad. This may not be a popular thing to say, but the system also needs more of the best US male athletes. Too many of them select basketball or football or baseball over soccer.

If you don’t think Landon Donovan, Juan Agudelo, and/or Maurice Edu are top notch athletes I don’t know what to tell you. The biggest problem for American play aren’t the athletes it’s tactics. And poor coaching. Bradley starts fast but is poor at making adjustments, i.e. comebacks by Brazil and Mexico against the US. Wesley Sneijder is one of the best players in the world but by no means the fastest or most athletic.

On another point get Gulati out there, I wouldn’t mind seeing someone like Brian McBride or Claudio Reyna taking a bigger role, that is, guys who’ve played overseas, had success, and know the kind of mentality necessary to be successful playing internationally.

By: tyduffy

tyduffy — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 21:03:45 +0000

but the system also needs more of the best US male athletes. Too many of them select basketball or football or baseball over soccer.

Yes, those 5’8″ kids with low centers of gravity are just killing it in the NBA right now.

By: BulletJoeBush

BulletJoeBush — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 21:01:11 +0000

/Teddy Roosevelt’d

i thought he was a conqueror not an isolationist

By: Ty_Webb 1.0

Ty_Webb 1.0 — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 20:58:14 +0000

Thanks TBL. US Soccer needs to start by dropping Gulati. Only then can real change come to the current team/2014 squad. This may not be a popular thing to say, but the system also needs more of the best US male athletes. Too many of them select basketball or football or baseball over soccer.and this will happen how?//Tim Tebow may need a job in a couple of years

By: ms621

ms621 — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 20:58:03 +0000

Bradley’s agent dad doin’ work

That’s more like it…

Messrs. Forcier and Newton agree.

By: Broccoli Beef

Broccoli Beef — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 20:55:06 +0000

Here’s a thing to notice: most of the top teams in the world cup have the best fullbacks.

Sergio Ramos loves to run down that wing for Spain too.

By: Broccoli Beef

Broccoli Beef — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 20:53:46 +0000

Bradley’s ~~agent~~ dad doin’ work

That's more like it...

By: roger from oz

roger from oz — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 20:52:45 +0000

Thanks TBL. US Soccer needs to start by dropping Gulati. Only then can real change come to the current team/2014 squad. This may not be a popular thing to say, but the system also needs more of the best US male athletes. Too many of them select basketball or football or baseball over soccer.

By: Mugatu

Mugatu — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 20:52:27 +0000

@TBL: I haven’t really gotten to see the U-17s that much but I may go review his Acosta’s play. The fact that he’s 15 and starting at that level is very impressive. The problem with Adu who was another young player is that his top-end speed is mediocre and he wasn’t projected accurately as regards to his physical gifts. If Acosta has explosive speed, and if he’s quick that’s promising. I’m curious if he provides a good ball into the box (a box that curls away from the keeper 8-10 yards from the goal line), and how does he handle the wingers on his side. Does he need a lot of help? Those fullback roles are very difficult to fill but they are key especially at the WC because they have more freedom to go forward offensively but they also have to be able to handle those wingers with very little help. Their fitness levels have to be unreal as well to go from touchline to touchline. Here’s a thing to notice: most of the top teams in the world cup have the best fullbacks. Remember Roberto Carlos? Remember the impact Giovanni van Bronckhorst (LB) had in the last World Cup? And how good Phillip Lahm was and how much it helps Germany to be so dynamic offensively?

By: tyduffy

tyduffy — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 20:51:57 +0000

From the espn soccernet transfer blog…
21.36 According to German newspaper Express, PSG and Lyon are interested in USA international Michael Bradley.
Gotta be a smokescreen.

Bradley’s agent doin’ work

By: ms621

ms621 — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 20:50:06 +0000

From the espn soccernet transfer blog…

21.36 According to German newspaper Express, PSG and Lyon are interested in USA international Michael Bradley.

Gotta be a smokescreen.

/NFL GM.

By: BulletJoeBush

BulletJoeBush — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 20:49:56 +0000

Unless they find the skins of dead children in his attic or that his company was built on slave labor, I fully expect Crane to be the owner before the end of July.

i get that. shit, you and me have skeletons in the closet…imagine owners of pro teams

By: Broccoli Beef

Broccoli Beef — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 20:47:03 +0000

From the espn soccernet transfer blog…

21.36 According to German newspaper Express, PSG and Lyon are interested in USA international Michael Bradley.

By: heldover

heldover — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 20:46:53 +0000

Several U.S. players must find stable environments where they can play regularly and focus on their games.

FINALLY! Get Adu out of the third tier Turkish league and bring him the fuck home. Same with Altidore. Playing time is playing time. Fuck waiting for guys to catch in around the world. Fuck the rest of the world, we’re gonna develop these guys on our soil!!

/Teddy Roosevelt’d