6.22.2007

Quick Hits On The Gold Cup (Because you know you want it.)

  • USA 2-1 Canada, that's what really matters.
  • On the other hand, Canada deserved that second goal in second half stoppage time
  • On the other, other hand, USA had plenty of other chances to score that they just biffed on
  • DeRosario and DeGuzman were held in check for most of the game, particularly DeGuzman. That was nice work by the defense.
  • Landon Donovan gets a yellow card for diving? What the fuck? Christiano Ronaldo goes the whole World Cup without a card and now they're giving one to Donovan? Right. Further proof that the entire Latin American world of soccer hates him.
  • Keller got kind of beat up, but I wasn't really excited to see him cry about it. (Speaking of Keller, he looks really old whenever I see him wearing his glasses)
  • That tackle by Michael Bradley that got him the straight red card was vicious, and not in the good way. More like in the "you're going to injure somebody and hurt the team at the same time, fucktard" sort of way. What a stupid play. Now he has to miss the final after what was really an excellent tournament for the 19 year old.
  • On a similar note, Bocanegra probably could have gotten a straight red for his second half tackle that sent (if memory serves) DeGuzman doing a full flip through the air. There was no ball on that one either.
  • Kind of like Cardillo over at That's On Point, I was decidedly pessimistic about this game before it started, albeit for different reasons. I just don't feel like the US team is peaking at the right time. I felt better after they came out and got some early chances, but wouldn't it be nice, just once, if they converted?
  • This was the same script as the Panama game: generate lots of chances early in the game with no goals to show for it, score a couple in the late first/early second half, get lazy and surrender a late goal and pray to god that you don't give up another.
  • Hey Clint, we get it. You're a big shot, you have good footwork and ball control, you play in the Premiership. Now just put the fucking ball in the back of the fucking net, goddamnit, and quit dancing around trying to be Ronaldinhio.
  • I feel sorry for Eddie Johnson. I don't know what it is but he can't seem to get the job done on the international level. No way does he start in the final.
  • Frankie Hejduk converted me. I kept wishing they would start Spector or Simek all tournament, but Frankie was everywhere in every game he started and even scored the opening goal last night. Consider me impressed, old man.
  • Now, it's too bad that Hejduk has to sit out of the final after his second yellow of the tournament. I'm giving the nod to Spector but definitely pulling him after no more than 75 minutes for Simek, if I'm the coach (fyi, I'm not). Spector looked exhausted at the end of the last game he started.
  • Speaking of tired players, why didn't Bob Bradley take out his son sooner when he had been running the entire game and was obviously pooped? Regrettable.
  • If you're keeping track, Sunday's final should be really fucking fun. The Mexican fans at Soldier Field are going to be out of their minds. Let's just hope a few Americans show up.
  • And finally, keep your eyes on the center backs for the USA. I'm about 75% sure that we're going to see some head to head collission involving Gooch Onyewu and one of his own players a la the Three Stooges due to his always being out of position. Remember I called it first.

4 comments:

Silly Cymberlin said...

Gage,

This was supposed to be the lake weekend.... but now its off... man up and drive up here tomorrow... crash at my place and then go to the game with me on Sunday. I'm buying tickets on Craigslist as I type... Sam's Army is gonna need all the support that it can get...


also... I think the fact that we're playing Mexico will bring out the best in us... Donovan hates them SO SO much... but not as much as he is hated...

I hope the US wins... reporters go onto the field and ask Landon a question... and he simply says what he did in Columbus two years ago... "They suck!"

be there with me... history will be made.... I will even give you a miniture gold cup.... AND...

here's the kicker (soccer pun)...

its PRIDE weekend in Chicago... so you'll feel right at home.


Love,
Your Man,
Dan

Gage said...

I swear on Tuesday (I was still a little hungover) I was really close to buying tickets to the game and telling you I was coming. Are you really buying tickets? If so, I might think about it.

Silly Cymberlin said...

I will buy tickets if you come.... (and pay me back of course... haha)... they are getting pricey on Craigslist.... but I'm willing to go up to $100... and I think we can find something in that range...

if you don't come I'm going to wait until Sunday and try to buy outside the field.... if you do come... and you want to wait to buy tickets outside with me.. I am game...

BUT... if you want me to try and buy some at a price we agree on today... give me a call.. and let's discuss and then I'll get on the phone calling!

trout said...

You guys are talking about going to the White Sox-Cubs game on Sunday, right?