Thursday, July 1, 2010
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Exporting soccer players - awesome charts
This series of charts do a great job of displaying the globalization of soccer. What it shows is that today players are much more likely to play club soccer abroad then they were sixteen years ago.
Roll over countries on top to see what clubs players are with, or roll over the bottom to see where players from a given club are from. Ribbon width indicates number of players. The greater the width, the more players from that country or team. Very elegantly done.
Roll over countries on top to see what clubs players are with, or roll over the bottom to see where players from a given club are from. Ribbon width indicates number of players. The greater the width, the more players from that country or team. Very elegantly done.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Portugal
What a waste of time. Portugal has one of the best attacking players in the world and he is handcuffed by a negative strategy. I could count on one hand the second half touches that Ronaldo had.
I would have preferred Ivory Coast to get through, they would have atleast made a game of it.
I would have preferred Ivory Coast to get through, they would have atleast made a game of it.
Torres
Looks so dead out on the pitch. I own the man Liverpool shirt and this is how he repays me. I was not surprised when he was pulled in the 60th minute although I don't know anything about his replacement.
Right after the change is made David Villa finds the first goal. The Goal was pure spain slick passing and the finish by Villa. Villa has an incredible goal scoring record for Spain 42 goals in 62 caps.
Right after the change is made David Villa finds the first goal. The Goal was pure spain slick passing and the finish by Villa. Villa has an incredible goal scoring record for Spain 42 goals in 62 caps.
More Spain v. Portugal
At the half Spain looks the better side but Portugal has been solid in the back and are looking to counter. This game needs to open up a little bit.
Christiano Ronaldo still hasn't figured out that showing up the referee is not to his benefit.
Christiano Ronaldo still hasn't figured out that showing up the referee is not to his benefit.
Iberian Derby thoughts
I am watching the Spain Portugal game on delay. 30 minutes I have the following thoughts:
Spain still don't seem to have the bite on the attack that I expected. In this game the size of Portugal in the middle seems to be a problem for Spain. The backline for Spain has been strong although Portugal has not really threatened. I have been dissapointed with Iker Casillas throughout the tournament. He has let up some soft goals and huge rebounds. His start tonight is no different giving up a tempting rebound on a Ronaldo free kick.
Did Sergio Ramos play center back at some point or has he always been a right back?
Spain still don't seem to have the bite on the attack that I expected. In this game the size of Portugal in the middle seems to be a problem for Spain. The backline for Spain has been strong although Portugal has not really threatened. I have been dissapointed with Iker Casillas throughout the tournament. He has let up some soft goals and huge rebounds. His start tonight is no different giving up a tempting rebound on a Ronaldo free kick.
Did Sergio Ramos play center back at some point or has he always been a right back?
US lack of touch in front of goal
Between a porous defense and a lack of finishing we will always be second class. The article below (courtesy ESPN.com) does a nice job of examining the lack of production from forwards and the impact that can have on a team. I didn't consider the fatigue factor. If the US had converted more chances they would have been less gassed against Ghana. You can play these what if games all day long but I think its a valid point.
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa -- It's a hard game, this soccer, but it's a simple one.
To win, you must put the ball in the net.
And while the U.S. continues to improve, the country won't break into the world's elite -- and by that we mean appear in the World Cup semifinals and finals -- until it finds players who consistently show touch on the ball and score goals.
There has been much gnashing of teeth since Saturday's 2-1 loss to Ghana in the tournament's second round. U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati called the team's finish here a disappointment. "I think the team was capable of more," he said Monday.
World Cup Rumor Central
Who's doing what, and what does it mean to his team's chances? Insider's Rumor Central has the answers.
A day earlier, U.S. head coach Bob Bradley said pretty much the same thing. "It's a pretty empty feeling," he said, "because coming out of the first round, we felt there was a chance to do something bigger."
But as we've said already, the team got what it deserved -- a loss to Ghana. And we'll hammer home why. The team created scoring chances, as it had all tournament. And then?
It. Just. Could. Not. Finish.
This World Cup cycle, the U.S. clearly couldn't afford that. For much of the four years, the U.S. defense just wasn't that good. It wasn't just that the Yanks gave up early goals. They gave up goals, period. From the Confederations Cup, throughout qualifying, even in their friendlies. The Yanks rank 19th in the world in Nate Silver's Soccer Power Index, and all of the other 18 teams have a better defensive metric.
That didn't mean the U.S. couldn't be a good team. It clearly was. But that's only when the Americans finished chances. And that didn't happen enough at the World Cup, especially not on Saturday. The other team? "On the night, Ghana had three very good chances and scored twice," Bradley said.
Both Kevin Prince Boateng's, and, especially, Asamoah Gyan's goals were outstanding strikes, on dead runs, and perfectly on target. The U.S. just doesn't do that, especially not from distance.
There are few, if any highlights in U.S games where anyone hits a shot like Diego Forlan's strike for Uruguay against South Africa, or Carlos Tevez's bolt to help Argentina beat Mexico, David Villa's 40-yarder for Spain against Chile, or Valter Birsa's blast for Slovenia against the U.S.
Those goals make the game easier for a team, and it's hard to remember the last time the U.S. got one. In more than a year of watching the Yanks' A-team closely, only Ricardo Clark's long, bounding goal against Trinidad stands out as an important shot that came from distance.
What does stand out are missed chances. The U.S. had many in the tournament, and three in the last game: one by Robbie Findley on a breakaway, another by Michael Bradley on a left-footer in the box and the final by Jozy Altidore on a tough turn at close range.
If any of those go in, we are not having this discussion. But they're indicative of the U.S. team's problems with scoring, especially from the forward slot. "We've gone two World Cups without a forward scoring a goal," Gulati says. "That's not a good thing. That isn't blaming the guys who've been playing forward for us. It's just a statement of fact."
Germany's Miroslav Klose had a ball into the box not unlike Altidore's that he turned into a 1-0 lead against England. Mexico's Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez blasted one in from close to the same spot as Bradley's shot. And Arjen Robben turned a run similar to Findley's into a splendid goal for the Netherlands against Slovakia on Monday.
Granted, those are all world-class plays from great strikers. But the U.S. doesn't make those plays. And those plays, as we said, make the game easier.
Consider this. What if Altidore had hit the net instead of the post after a great second-half run down the left sideline against England? Instead of a lucky draw, the Yanks open with a 2-1 victory. They can sit back and defend against Slovenia from the get-go, try to settle for a draw and conserve energy. Or what if the U.S. converted one of its many regulation-time chances against Algeria, including open-net attempts from Altidore and Dempsey, and didn't use up quite as much of its emotional resources just to get through to the second round?
A final hypothetical, based not on finishing but what happens before the finish in the attacking third. After giving up the early goal (words typed too often this year) against Ghana, the Yanks regained control of the match in the latter part of the first half. Findley's miss was the start of a series of threatening possessions. But each one was fruitless. One ended in a too-long Bradley chip, another on a bad touch by Altidore, a third in a poor corner kick, and a fourth with a Steve Cherundolo cross that was too long for an open Clint Dempsey in the 45th minute.
What if just one of those passes or touches had been on? And what if one of them led to a momentum-shifting goal just before the half? Yes, you could play this game all the way to the next World Cup. But it's useful, because it shows what the Americans still lack.
"I don't think it takes a lot of watching to know that Tevez and [Lionel] Messi have a different control over the ball than most of our players, or most of the players in the world for that matter," Gulati says. "We've got to be better."
Until the U.S. touch gets better -- and the country produces players who hit goals that make this hard game easier -- the Yanks will continue to bow out of World Cups sooner rather than later.
Effort is great. Will is admirable. Determination is inspiring.
But that all can get you only so far. Sometimes, you need a few wonder strikes.
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa -- It's a hard game, this soccer, but it's a simple one.
To win, you must put the ball in the net.
And while the U.S. continues to improve, the country won't break into the world's elite -- and by that we mean appear in the World Cup semifinals and finals -- until it finds players who consistently show touch on the ball and score goals.
There has been much gnashing of teeth since Saturday's 2-1 loss to Ghana in the tournament's second round. U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati called the team's finish here a disappointment. "I think the team was capable of more," he said Monday.
World Cup Rumor Central
Who's doing what, and what does it mean to his team's chances? Insider's Rumor Central has the answers.
A day earlier, U.S. head coach Bob Bradley said pretty much the same thing. "It's a pretty empty feeling," he said, "because coming out of the first round, we felt there was a chance to do something bigger."
But as we've said already, the team got what it deserved -- a loss to Ghana. And we'll hammer home why. The team created scoring chances, as it had all tournament. And then?
It. Just. Could. Not. Finish.
This World Cup cycle, the U.S. clearly couldn't afford that. For much of the four years, the U.S. defense just wasn't that good. It wasn't just that the Yanks gave up early goals. They gave up goals, period. From the Confederations Cup, throughout qualifying, even in their friendlies. The Yanks rank 19th in the world in Nate Silver's Soccer Power Index, and all of the other 18 teams have a better defensive metric.
That didn't mean the U.S. couldn't be a good team. It clearly was. But that's only when the Americans finished chances. And that didn't happen enough at the World Cup, especially not on Saturday. The other team? "On the night, Ghana had three very good chances and scored twice," Bradley said.
Both Kevin Prince Boateng's, and, especially, Asamoah Gyan's goals were outstanding strikes, on dead runs, and perfectly on target. The U.S. just doesn't do that, especially not from distance.
There are few, if any highlights in U.S games where anyone hits a shot like Diego Forlan's strike for Uruguay against South Africa, or Carlos Tevez's bolt to help Argentina beat Mexico, David Villa's 40-yarder for Spain against Chile, or Valter Birsa's blast for Slovenia against the U.S.
Those goals make the game easier for a team, and it's hard to remember the last time the U.S. got one. In more than a year of watching the Yanks' A-team closely, only Ricardo Clark's long, bounding goal against Trinidad stands out as an important shot that came from distance.
What does stand out are missed chances. The U.S. had many in the tournament, and three in the last game: one by Robbie Findley on a breakaway, another by Michael Bradley on a left-footer in the box and the final by Jozy Altidore on a tough turn at close range.
If any of those go in, we are not having this discussion. But they're indicative of the U.S. team's problems with scoring, especially from the forward slot. "We've gone two World Cups without a forward scoring a goal," Gulati says. "That's not a good thing. That isn't blaming the guys who've been playing forward for us. It's just a statement of fact."
Germany's Miroslav Klose had a ball into the box not unlike Altidore's that he turned into a 1-0 lead against England. Mexico's Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez blasted one in from close to the same spot as Bradley's shot. And Arjen Robben turned a run similar to Findley's into a splendid goal for the Netherlands against Slovakia on Monday.
Granted, those are all world-class plays from great strikers. But the U.S. doesn't make those plays. And those plays, as we said, make the game easier.
Consider this. What if Altidore had hit the net instead of the post after a great second-half run down the left sideline against England? Instead of a lucky draw, the Yanks open with a 2-1 victory. They can sit back and defend against Slovenia from the get-go, try to settle for a draw and conserve energy. Or what if the U.S. converted one of its many regulation-time chances against Algeria, including open-net attempts from Altidore and Dempsey, and didn't use up quite as much of its emotional resources just to get through to the second round?
A final hypothetical, based not on finishing but what happens before the finish in the attacking third. After giving up the early goal (words typed too often this year) against Ghana, the Yanks regained control of the match in the latter part of the first half. Findley's miss was the start of a series of threatening possessions. But each one was fruitless. One ended in a too-long Bradley chip, another on a bad touch by Altidore, a third in a poor corner kick, and a fourth with a Steve Cherundolo cross that was too long for an open Clint Dempsey in the 45th minute.
What if just one of those passes or touches had been on? And what if one of them led to a momentum-shifting goal just before the half? Yes, you could play this game all the way to the next World Cup. But it's useful, because it shows what the Americans still lack.
"I don't think it takes a lot of watching to know that Tevez and [Lionel] Messi have a different control over the ball than most of our players, or most of the players in the world for that matter," Gulati says. "We've got to be better."
Until the U.S. touch gets better -- and the country produces players who hit goals that make this hard game easier -- the Yanks will continue to bow out of World Cups sooner rather than later.
Effort is great. Will is admirable. Determination is inspiring.
But that all can get you only so far. Sometimes, you need a few wonder strikes.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
US v. Ghana
Loyal readers of this space will recall that I feel the US must make it to the Quarterfinals in order to be successful in this World Cup. The US is now one game away from reaching that standard. The Black Stars of Ghana stand in the way.
A few quick points before I depart for the bar:
1. Ghana has not conceded a goal in this tournament. That is not an accident, they have a sturdy defense that is organized and compact. They play a 4-3-2-1 with Gyan as the lone striker.
2. Ghana has only scored two goals this tournament both on penalties.
This tells me that the team that scores the first goal will win this game. The Americans must not concede first or Ghana will park the bus and put the entire team behind the ball. They are athletic and organized this is not going to be easy. Still, its better then playing Germany.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Will American interest last?
Clearly it will die down when the US is eliminated, but I am enjoying the ride. The Ghana game will be historic in terms of viewership. You can't beat a 230pm start on a Saturday that doesn't have much going in terms of sports. Will people care in three months or two years? All I can say is more Americans will care about soccer in the future then they did in the past. The interest will continue to grow as ESPN saturates the airwaves with top flight European soccer.
I didn't know anything about soccer five years ago I watched the legendary 2005 Champions League final and was drawn in by a never say die Liverpool team that willed themselves to victory. I can't imagine I am alone.
The Guardian takes on this question and comes to many of the same conclusions, mainly that ESPN has invested too much in the sport to let it fade away only to return four years later.
I didn't know anything about soccer five years ago I watched the legendary 2005 Champions League final and was drawn in by a never say die Liverpool team that willed themselves to victory. I can't imagine I am alone.
The Guardian takes on this question and comes to many of the same conclusions, mainly that ESPN has invested too much in the sport to let it fade away only to return four years later.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
These are the moments...
Goal blog collected a few videos of US supporters reacting to the stirring win. Of the three the San Diego video is the most similar to my experience today.
The most dramatic win in the history of US soccer
I am struggling for the right words today. The game meant so much, I was tense from the moment I woke up this morning. The game itself was was so frustrating for 91 minutes. The US created so many chances but were unable to convert. Simultaneously the defense was shaky and looked likely to concede if Algeria was able to create a chance.
Chances were plentiful for the US but as the game dragged it unlikely that they would be able to score. In the 91st minute when Landon Donovan slotted home a tournament change goal Central Bar in NYC erupted. All the hand wringing and agony was worth that moment. Joy unconfined.
Credit Tim Howard for the winning goal. His throw off of an Algerian header was quick, long, and accurate. The throw found Donovan in stride who moved forward with Dempsey and Altidore to score a goal I have already seen 15 times.
My players of the game are Altidore and Bradley. Bradley was a revelation in the middle controlling the field and pushing up when needed. Altidore had his strongest game yet as he overwhelmed the Algerians with speed, holding play, smart passing, and brute force.
Saturday afternoon the USA will play against the runner up of group D. The game will be the most highly anticipated match in recent memory. I can't wait...
Chances were plentiful for the US but as the game dragged it unlikely that they would be able to score. In the 91st minute when Landon Donovan slotted home a tournament change goal Central Bar in NYC erupted. All the hand wringing and agony was worth that moment. Joy unconfined.
Credit Tim Howard for the winning goal. His throw off of an Algerian header was quick, long, and accurate. The throw found Donovan in stride who moved forward with Dempsey and Altidore to score a goal I have already seen 15 times.
My players of the game are Altidore and Bradley. Bradley was a revelation in the middle controlling the field and pushing up when needed. Altidore had his strongest game yet as he overwhelmed the Algerians with speed, holding play, smart passing, and brute force.
Saturday afternoon the USA will play against the runner up of group D. The game will be the most highly anticipated match in recent memory. I can't wait...
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Honduras v. Spain thoughts:
Within five minutes it was clear that Spain was the much better side and that the game would not be competitive. The Honduras attack did not look threatening at any point during this game.
David Villa was the most effective player on the field by a long shot. His goal in the 17th minute is in the early running for goal of the tournament. His strike partner Fernando Torres still looks out of sorts. He had some slick moves and a few penetrating runs but his finishing is less then clinical.
Spain were dominant but it bothers me they have only been able to score two goals in two games against inferior opponents. A win against Chile will put them at the top of the group but a game against either Brazil or Portugal is looming.
David Villa was the most effective player on the field by a long shot. His goal in the 17th minute is in the early running for goal of the tournament. His strike partner Fernando Torres still looks out of sorts. He had some slick moves and a few penetrating runs but his finishing is less then clinical.
Spain were dominant but it bothers me they have only been able to score two goals in two games against inferior opponents. A win against Chile will put them at the top of the group but a game against either Brazil or Portugal is looming.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Phil Pearson wet dream material
From Espn Rumor Central:
Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger has been thoroughly impressed by the U.S. national team while analyzing World Cup games on French television.
His high praise has led some to believe that several Americans, including keeper Tim Howard and midfielders Landon Donovan and Michael Bradley, could be on the Gunners' radar when the European transfer window opens next month.
"I'd lay some good odds Arsenal signs at least one USA player this summer. Wenger's a fan and former MLS bigwig Gazidis is a boss there. Book it," tweeted Fox Soccer's Ives Galarcep from South Africa on Sunday. Galarcep was referring to former MLS deputy commissioner Ivan Gazidis, who is now the storied London club's CEO.
Of the three aforementioned Yanks, Bradley is the most likely to end up with the perennial Premier League contenders next season. Wenger has indicated that he intends to acquire a young defensive midfielder, and the 22-year-old Bradley has been one of the tournament's best so far.
Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger has been thoroughly impressed by the U.S. national team while analyzing World Cup games on French television.
His high praise has led some to believe that several Americans, including keeper Tim Howard and midfielders Landon Donovan and Michael Bradley, could be on the Gunners' radar when the European transfer window opens next month.
"I'd lay some good odds Arsenal signs at least one USA player this summer. Wenger's a fan and former MLS bigwig Gazidis is a boss there. Book it," tweeted Fox Soccer's Ives Galarcep from South Africa on Sunday. Galarcep was referring to former MLS deputy commissioner Ivan Gazidis, who is now the storied London club's CEO.
Of the three aforementioned Yanks, Bradley is the most likely to end up with the perennial Premier League contenders next season. Wenger has indicated that he intends to acquire a young defensive midfielder, and the 22-year-old Bradley has been one of the tournament's best so far.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Thoughts on today
Game 1: New Zealand v. Slovakia, New Zealand wins 1-1.
Didn't pay too much attention to this one, neither team impressed.
Game 2: Ivory Coast 0, Portugal 0
I have been looking forward to this one and watched the game in its entiriety.
Game has some early electricty, and started off very chippy and never really settled. After an early Ronaldo screamer of the post neither side showed much offensively, although Ivory Coast had the better share of possesion. Around the 20 minute mark Ivory Coast began to show signs of life led by Kalou and Gervinho.
As the game started to get cooking, I felt the referee really sucked the life out with some touch fouls and three yellow cards. The Ivory Coast men really had it out for Christiano Ronaldo and accused him of diving several times. From the 25th minute Portugal really sat back and did almost nothing with the ball. They struggled at times to get it past midfield. Yaya Toure was dominant in the middle winning balls and intercepting passes.
Around the 35th minute I began to notice the pitch was detoriating. Players slipped a number of times and the ball seemed to bounce rather then slide on passes.
2nd Half:
Ivory Coast started out once again playing physical, but Portugal seemed to be pushing forward more then they had showed in the first half. At the 57th minute mark the game really opened up with both sides taking turns running the ball up and down the field.
Deco came of in the 61st minute without ever making an impact. It made me think of his time at Chelsea which never really got off the ground especially after the departure of Big Phil Scolari. Barcelona really did sell him off at the right time, they never missed a beat in the midfield with the likes of Xavi and Iniesta.
Drogba made an appearance in the 65th minute but did not have any meaningful touches until injury time when he had a chance on goal. He choose to cross rather then shoot but no one was in the middle.
Towards the end I thought the Ivory Coast began to look tired. The back four especially seemed worn down and no surprise given their size.
In the end it was a somewhat enjoyable game for a scoreless affair but I was expecting more. This World Cup could use some goals but it is natural for teams to be cautious in the opening match of any tournament.
Brazil 2, North Korea 1
Quick shots: Brazil were patient for much of the first half. They took a number of shots from outside the penalty area but never really threatened. I was really impressed by North, not only in their defense and organization but their passing going forward.
Robinho looked like the best player on the pitch, and the two Brazil goal were great(Maicons' goal was a shot). The lone North Korea goal was well taken but it was due to Brazil falling asleep in defense.
Didn't pay too much attention to this one, neither team impressed.
Game 2: Ivory Coast 0, Portugal 0
I have been looking forward to this one and watched the game in its entiriety.
Game has some early electricty, and started off very chippy and never really settled. After an early Ronaldo screamer of the post neither side showed much offensively, although Ivory Coast had the better share of possesion. Around the 20 minute mark Ivory Coast began to show signs of life led by Kalou and Gervinho.
As the game started to get cooking, I felt the referee really sucked the life out with some touch fouls and three yellow cards. The Ivory Coast men really had it out for Christiano Ronaldo and accused him of diving several times. From the 25th minute Portugal really sat back and did almost nothing with the ball. They struggled at times to get it past midfield. Yaya Toure was dominant in the middle winning balls and intercepting passes.
Around the 35th minute I began to notice the pitch was detoriating. Players slipped a number of times and the ball seemed to bounce rather then slide on passes.
2nd Half:
Ivory Coast started out once again playing physical, but Portugal seemed to be pushing forward more then they had showed in the first half. At the 57th minute mark the game really opened up with both sides taking turns running the ball up and down the field.
Deco came of in the 61st minute without ever making an impact. It made me think of his time at Chelsea which never really got off the ground especially after the departure of Big Phil Scolari. Barcelona really did sell him off at the right time, they never missed a beat in the midfield with the likes of Xavi and Iniesta.
Drogba made an appearance in the 65th minute but did not have any meaningful touches until injury time when he had a chance on goal. He choose to cross rather then shoot but no one was in the middle.
Towards the end I thought the Ivory Coast began to look tired. The back four especially seemed worn down and no surprise given their size.
In the end it was a somewhat enjoyable game for a scoreless affair but I was expecting more. This World Cup could use some goals but it is natural for teams to be cautious in the opening match of any tournament.
Brazil 2, North Korea 1
Quick shots: Brazil were patient for much of the first half. They took a number of shots from outside the penalty area but never really threatened. I was really impressed by North, not only in their defense and organization but their passing going forward.
Robinho looked like the best player on the pitch, and the two Brazil goal were great(Maicons' goal was a shot). The lone North Korea goal was well taken but it was due to Brazil falling asleep in defense.
Monday, June 14, 2010
This is awesome
This is cool.
Someone has too much time on their hands (says the person with an unread soccer blog).
Someone has too much time on their hands (says the person with an unread soccer blog).
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Weekend Recap:The main event
As the teams took the field I focused and tried to take in the moment. No sport save Hockey has benefited more from HD then soccer. The colors of the field, uniforms, and crowd created a real visual spectacle. I felt that something incredible was about to unfold...
Eventually, Milner was replaced by Shawn Wright Phillips which seemed to help solidify that side for England. Although it did nothing to add any teeth to their attack.
The US looked tense from the opening whistle and were quickly cut to ribbons by a Gerrard run past Ricardo Clark. Onewyu made the crucial error hesitating when the ball was loose and allowing Hesky to hold up and wait for Gerrard to spring free. I love Steven Gerrard and if anyone scored for England I was glad it was him. I had Jan Koller, this was the worse case scenario I had warned against in my preview. The game had not even settled into a flow and we were down a Goal.
Strangely, rather then push forward and look for more chances England retreated and allowed the Americans to find their footing. I am not sure if this was because of Capello's tactical decisions or a result of the US taking hold of the game. What became clear is that the US were having success with Cherundolo and Donovan attacking the right flank. Ultimately, this led to Donovan sending a nice cross to the front of goal that really should have been finished by Jozy Altidore.
Eventually, Milner was replaced by Shawn Wright Phillips which seemed to help solidify that side for England. Although it did nothing to add any teeth to their attack.
In the past I have always joked about selfish Clint Dempsey can be. How he will take a bad shot instead of making a good pass. As long as Robert Green is the goalie Clint can take all the bad shots he wants. Plenty has been written about the "hand of clod", it was clearly bad shot, but I will take a cheap goal every day.
The second half, was about Tim Howard and his ability to keep the US in the game. It was also about Michael Bradley, Jay Demerit and Gooch finding a way to keep Wayne Rooney neutralized. The best chance of the second half belonged to Jozy Altidore who sprinted around Jaime Carragher (easier done then said) and blasted a shot off Robert Green that hit the woodwork. I really would have liked Jozy to finish on one of his two clear chances in this game. Jozy has the body and the moves and he seems to get himself in the right places but he still lacks that clinical finishing that all great strikers possess.
At the end of the day we got a point. The point was deserved and it will be critical especially since Slovenia went up in the group this morning. Friday is now a must win game. We need to beat two teams that we are better then and advance out of the group. After watching Germany today winning the group is key to advancing.
More to come
Weekend Recap: First guy in the bar
What a great weekend. I woke up Saturday like an eight year old on Christmas morning. I was a bright eyed at 7am and pacing around my living room while Korea beat-up on a hapless Greek side. I knew that Korea had some players but I was really impressed by their performance, the fact that Greece looked horrible is really besides the point. They now have the inside track on advancing to the second round and if they manage a draw against Argentina they could win the group.
My plan was to get to Liberty Bar at 930am in order to get a table for the US game. When I called Liberty earlier in the week I was informed it was first come first serve and that five large groups had already called to try and reserve tables. I rushed over and I had real concern that the place would be packed. I was the first guy in the place, the waitress was clearing chairs off tables.
I was looking forward to the Argentina v. Nigeria game for a number of reasons but mostly because the best player in the world was involved. Argentina created all the best chances and Maradona managed to get most of his forward options on the field in an easy 1-0 victory.
Around 12:30 it really started to pick-up at Liberty. As it got more crowded USA chants and slow claps became the norm.
As game time approached things became more and more tense.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Friday, June 11, 2010
US v. England preview
No country has had a greater influence on American soccer than England. Perhaps no country has had a greater influence on the history of America than England. Last December the teams were drawn into the same group, observers immediately began salivating over the match-up between the once and future kings of global hegemony.
The day is finally here and I for one am boiling over with anticipation.
US Keys of the game:
1. Start quickly - I don't mean they need to score in the first twenty minutes. They do need to maintain some possession and positive movement. They can not retreat and start defending from the opening whistle, as they will not be able to absorb pressure for the full 90 minutes. More importantly they can not allow an early goal. In 2006 Jan Koller scored within five minutes which completely deflated the US.
2. Win midfield battles - Who will Bob Bradley start aside his son Michael? My guess is Ricardo Clark, although I would prefer Maurice Edu or Jose Torres. Clark is too prone to poor decisions and late tackles and the last thing we need is to be down a man. Whoever is in the middle needs to play above their heads. England has strength in the middle with Lampard, Gerrard, Milner etc. Wayne Rooney also likes to drift back and get involved in midfield battles. The US will be over matched and they need to hold their own in order to distribute to the forwards.
3. Finish chances - The rumors seem to be that Robbie Findley will start along side Jozy Altidore. The thought is that Findley brings speed that can trouble the English defense which is vulnerable since Ledley King replaced the injured Rio Ferdinand. I would prefer Edson Buddle who has been in goal scoring form for LA Galaxy and scored two goals against Australia in the final friendly. Findley has been as cold as Buddle has been scoring only one goal so far in MLS. In that match against Australia he had two clear goal scoring chances that he was not able to convert.
The responsibility to create chances does not lie with the US forward, the goals for the US are going to be created by Donovan and Dempsey. The forwards need to capitalize on any chances that are afforded them.
England Keys:
1. Adjust to injuries - As previously mentioned the English captain Rio Ferdinand will be out of commission tomorrow. In his place is Ledley King, the 30 year old captain of Tottenham Hotspurs. This is a serious downgrade and with both Ashley Cole and Glen Johnson looking to move forward, King will be put to the test.
The injury to Gareth Barry is just as significant. It forces Fabio Capello to once again solve a problem that has plagued England in recent years. How do you effectively use Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard on the same field? The men are both icons for their respective clubs but they play the same position. Capello solved the problem by inserting Gareth Barry into a deep midfield position, shifting Gerrard to the right flank, allowing Lampard to stay in his preferred central role. The injury to Barry now forces Capello to reevaluate his strategy. I would suggest putting Michael Carrick in Gareth Barry role and leaving everything else status quo. However, the prevailing wisdom is that Gerrard will be pulled back into a more central role. That is fine for me from a US perspective but I would rather see Gerrard doing things like THIS...if I were an England supporter.
Mexico 1 South Africa 1 : Reaction
I picked Mexico but I was rooting hard for South Africa. A tie is a better result for South Africa then for Mexico. The goal by Siphiwe Tshabalala was sublime.
I am really interested in seeing the second game today. What type of form will France be in? Can Suarez and Forlan get a result for Uruguay?
Thursday, June 10, 2010
The Picks
Group A:
1. Mexico
2. France
3. South Africa
4. Uruguay
Group B:
1. Argentina
2. Nigeria
3. South Korea
4. Greece
Group C:
1. England
2. US
3. Algeria
4. Slovenia
Group D:
1. Serbia
2. Germany
3. Ghana
4. Australia
Group E:
1. Netherlands
2. Cameroon
3. Denmark
4. Japan
Group F:
1. Italy
2. Slovakia
3. Paraguay
4. New Zealand
Group G:
1. Brazil
2. Cote d'Ivoire
3. Portugal
4. North Korea
Group H:
1. Spain
2. Chile
3. Switzerland
4. Honduras
Round of Sixteen:
Mexico over Nigeria
Argentina over France - featuring two of the most questionable managers in the tournament
England over Germany - Three Lions bury some demons win on Pk's (of course)
Serbia over US - subpar defense bites the Americans
Netherlands over Slovakia
Cameroon over Italy - Eto'o cracks the Azurri
Brazil over Chile
Spain over Cote d'Ivoire - I might just be rooting for this match to happen
Quarterfinals:
England over Mexico
Serbia over Argentina - Too much Maradona not enough Messi, against my Darkhorse side
Brazil over Netherlands - Offense fireworks are not enough for the unlikable to Dutchmen to overcome the best team in the tournament
Spain over Cameroon - Spain keeps rolling
Semifinals:
Brazil over England - The end of a strong showing from England.
Spain over Serbia
Finals:
Brazil over Spain - Defense beats offense in a dream final
1. Mexico
2. France
3. South Africa
4. Uruguay
Group B:
1. Argentina
2. Nigeria
3. South Korea
4. Greece
Group C:
1. England
2. US
3. Algeria
4. Slovenia
Group D:
1. Serbia
2. Germany
3. Ghana
4. Australia
Group E:
1. Netherlands
2. Cameroon
3. Denmark
4. Japan
Group F:
1. Italy
2. Slovakia
3. Paraguay
4. New Zealand
Group G:
1. Brazil
2. Cote d'Ivoire
3. Portugal
4. North Korea
Group H:
1. Spain
2. Chile
3. Switzerland
4. Honduras
Round of Sixteen:
Mexico over Nigeria
Argentina over France - featuring two of the most questionable managers in the tournament
England over Germany - Three Lions bury some demons win on Pk's (of course)
Serbia over US - subpar defense bites the Americans
Netherlands over Slovakia
Cameroon over Italy - Eto'o cracks the Azurri
Brazil over Chile
Spain over Cote d'Ivoire - I might just be rooting for this match to happen
Quarterfinals:
England over Mexico
Serbia over Argentina - Too much Maradona not enough Messi, against my Darkhorse side
Brazil over Netherlands - Offense fireworks are not enough for the unlikable to Dutchmen to overcome the best team in the tournament
Spain over Cameroon - Spain keeps rolling
Semifinals:
Brazil over England - The end of a strong showing from England.
Spain over Serbia
Finals:
Brazil over Spain - Defense beats offense in a dream final
Americans and Soccer
An excellent article on the history of America's relationship with the beautiful game, as well as how that relationship is misunderstood abroad.
Money quote:
Yet the game's secondary status has engendered years of arrogance and disdain in Europe, not to mention wilful ignorance about how much it's played and by whom. Of course, that's less about football on the field than about America's place in the world: a supposed lack of sophistication about football reflects a broader lack of sophistication. And by the way, while the US may dominate the world economically, culturally and militarily, well, at least it sucks at football.
"If Americans are bad at soccer and do not care, they should. And since they don't, this makes matters all the worse," says Andrei Markovits, a political science professor at the University of Michigan currently teaching at the University of Vienna, who writes about football and global culture. "But were Americans to get good at soccer, they would be perceived as a threat, as dominating yet another aspect of modern life, so that would be bad, too."
In other words, we can't win. But I for one like it that way. Even if we Americans are secure in our knowledge of football's history on our shores and realistic about our current station in the global football pecking order – our current No 14 FIFA ranking seems about right – and also believe we understand the psychological roots of European scorn, we still can't let it go. Truth is, we don't want to let it go. We want to stick it to the football snobs of the world instead.
Money quote:
Yet the game's secondary status has engendered years of arrogance and disdain in Europe, not to mention wilful ignorance about how much it's played and by whom. Of course, that's less about football on the field than about America's place in the world: a supposed lack of sophistication about football reflects a broader lack of sophistication. And by the way, while the US may dominate the world economically, culturally and militarily, well, at least it sucks at football.
"If Americans are bad at soccer and do not care, they should. And since they don't, this makes matters all the worse," says Andrei Markovits, a political science professor at the University of Michigan currently teaching at the University of Vienna, who writes about football and global culture. "But were Americans to get good at soccer, they would be perceived as a threat, as dominating yet another aspect of modern life, so that would be bad, too."
In other words, we can't win. But I for one like it that way. Even if we Americans are secure in our knowledge of football's history on our shores and realistic about our current station in the global football pecking order – our current No 14 FIFA ranking seems about right – and also believe we understand the psychological roots of European scorn, we still can't let it go. Truth is, we don't want to let it go. We want to stick it to the football snobs of the world instead.
US v. England: The waiting is almost over
I will have my own thoughts and a prediction tomorrow but read this article to whet your appetite.
Money quote that I happen to agree with:
A bigger concern for the U.S. is in the center of midfield. This team often struggles to keep possession, which has the effect of isolating guys like Donovan and Dempsey. The Americans can only hope that Michael Bradley and whoever partners with him have good days on both sides of the ball. That will at least give the U.S. a fighting chance.
Money quote that I happen to agree with:
A bigger concern for the U.S. is in the center of midfield. This team often struggles to keep possession, which has the effect of isolating guys like Donovan and Dempsey. The Americans can only hope that Michael Bradley and whoever partners with him have good days on both sides of the ball. That will at least give the U.S. a fighting chance.
The daily read: smug soccer fans
Guest Picks from soccer guru and top flight Arsenal fan Phil Pearson
Group A – Mexico, France
Group B – Argentina, Nigeria
Group C – England, USA
Group D – Germany, Serbia
Group E – Netherlands, Cameroon
Group F – Slovakia, Italy
Group G – Brazil, Ivory Coast (bye bye pretty boy)
Group H – Spain, Chile
Round of 16
Nigeria > Mexico
England > Serbia
Netherlands > Italy (PKs)
Brazil > Chile
USA > Germany (due to GK error)
France > Argentina (2-1, stoppage time winner from Henry’s corpse)
Slovakia > Cameroon
Spain > Ivory Coast
Quarterfinals
England > Nigeria
Netherlands > Brazil (3-2, brace for RVP)
France > USA (PKs)
Spain > Slovakia
Semifinals
Netherlands > England (3-1)
France > Spain (1-0)
Finals
Netherlands > France (2-1)
First time winners.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Big Question #2: How will the US fare?
First, you must define what would be considered a successful tournament for the Americans. The consensus among most mainstream media is that getting out of the group phase will be considered a success. I would be satisfied with the US getting to the round of 16 but due to raised expectations that is simply the status quo. In order to be successful the US must make it to the quarterfinals.
On Friday evening I will post my prediction and full match preview for the showdown with the Three Lions, but in reality that match really doesn't matter. I obviously want a result, but as long as the US does not get embarrassed and fuck up their goal differential they should be alright. I am not the first person to make this point but the US needs to win against Slovenia and Algeria. It could be easy to discount these two sides as they are unfamiliar, but that would be a mistake.
Slovenia is a defensive side with a few solid but not elite level players. Samir Handanovic is the starting goaltender for Udinese in Serie A, Milivoje Novakovic scored 16 goals for Cologne in the Bundesliga. Algeria, is the runt of the litter but they have the ability to win against all odds. They beat the Ivory Coast in the Africa Cup of Nations but then were run off the field against Egypt in semifinal. They are an organized and compact side that will be difficult to break down.
The challenge for the US against these lesser opponents is that they will have to force the action and break down the opponent. This has not been the US strong suit of late, they have been more effective staying back and countering with Donovan, Dempsey and Altidore.
So will the US meet my expectations and reach the quarterfinals, I do not think they will. I see them reaching the round of 16 but being eliminated by darkhorse Serbia.
Good US players:
Dempsey, Donovan, Altidore, Bradley, Howard
Bad US players:
Spector, Clark, Demerit
On Friday evening I will post my prediction and full match preview for the showdown with the Three Lions, but in reality that match really doesn't matter. I obviously want a result, but as long as the US does not get embarrassed and fuck up their goal differential they should be alright. I am not the first person to make this point but the US needs to win against Slovenia and Algeria. It could be easy to discount these two sides as they are unfamiliar, but that would be a mistake.
Slovenia is a defensive side with a few solid but not elite level players. Samir Handanovic is the starting goaltender for Udinese in Serie A, Milivoje Novakovic scored 16 goals for Cologne in the Bundesliga. Algeria, is the runt of the litter but they have the ability to win against all odds. They beat the Ivory Coast in the Africa Cup of Nations but then were run off the field against Egypt in semifinal. They are an organized and compact side that will be difficult to break down.
The challenge for the US against these lesser opponents is that they will have to force the action and break down the opponent. This has not been the US strong suit of late, they have been more effective staying back and countering with Donovan, Dempsey and Altidore.
So will the US meet my expectations and reach the quarterfinals, I do not think they will. I see them reaching the round of 16 but being eliminated by darkhorse Serbia.
Good US players:
Dempsey, Donovan, Altidore, Bradley, Howard
Bad US players:
Spector, Clark, Demerit
Players I want to see more of:
Torres, Gomez
Worth reading
Over the weekend the NYT Magazine ran a nice article on the Ajax training program in the Netherlands. They have some funny theories on the American aversion to the beautiful game.
Many people seemed to believe that the sport is still a novelty in the United States, a game that we took up only in the last couple of decades and that is not yet popular or perhaps is even disdained by our best male athletes — an understandable view given the much greater international success of the U.S. women’s teams. I had lunch one day with Auke Kok, a historian and Dutch soccer journalist, who offered up his own hypothesis. He talked of the “brute force” of American football as opposed to the elegance and flair of great international soccer. “I’ve always wondered if our football is too stylish, too feminine,” he said. “Am I right that it’s too girlish for Americans?”
Many people seemed to believe that the sport is still a novelty in the United States, a game that we took up only in the last couple of decades and that is not yet popular or perhaps is even disdained by our best male athletes — an understandable view given the much greater international success of the U.S. women’s teams. I had lunch one day with Auke Kok, a historian and Dutch soccer journalist, who offered up his own hypothesis. He talked of the “brute force” of American football as opposed to the elegance and flair of great international soccer. “I’ve always wondered if our football is too stylish, too feminine,” he said. “Am I right that it’s too girlish for Americans?”
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Big question #1: Who is going to win the whole thing?
The simple and boring answer is Brazil. However, this Brazil side is not the free flowing creative force we have come to expect from A Selecao. World Cup 2006 cover boy Ronaldinho was not even selected for the 2010 campaign. Instead manager Dunga uses tactics more typical of a German or Italian side and this has caused some observers including Pele to criticize their lack of style. It is a fair comment this Brazil team is a little boring, but over the past thirty years the Brazil teams that had the most flair (1982 and 2006) failed to win the tournament.
Brazil will win with the goal tending of Julio Cesar, the defense of captain Lucio, and a counterattack led by Kaka, Robinho and Luis Fabiano.
This team will win the tournament and I don't think it will be that challenging. They are placed in the so called "group of death" but based on health (Drogba factor) and recent form (Portugal looks one dimensional and old in certain positions) I don't think they will have any problem winning this group. In the knockout rounds they will probably see Chile, the Dutch, and England or maybe Serbia to reach the finals. Compare that with Spain who could possibly see Portugal or Ivory Coast followed by Italy and Germany in succession.
Brazil will win with the goal tending of Julio Cesar, the defense of captain Lucio, and a counterattack led by Kaka, Robinho and Luis Fabiano.
This team will win the tournament and I don't think it will be that challenging. They are placed in the so called "group of death" but based on health (Drogba factor) and recent form (Portugal looks one dimensional and old in certain positions) I don't think they will have any problem winning this group. In the knockout rounds they will probably see Chile, the Dutch, and England or maybe Serbia to reach the finals. Compare that with Spain who could possibly see Portugal or Ivory Coast followed by Italy and Germany in succession.
Balls and thin air ctd...
This piece does a nice job of digging into some of the issues with the ball and elevation...
money quote:
"A study by Adidas shows altitude will have an impact of up to 5 percent on a ball's speed. That means a 20-yard free kick during the final at Soccer City in high-altitude Johannesburg will reach the goal line 5 percent faster than it would at Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban, which is at sea level, according to the study seen by The Associated Press. "
money quote:
"A study by Adidas shows altitude will have an impact of up to 5 percent on a ball's speed. That means a 20-yard free kick during the final at Soccer City in high-altitude Johannesburg will reach the goal line 5 percent faster than it would at Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban, which is at sea level, according to the study seen by The Associated Press. "
Balls, grass, and thin air
In addition to the players and coaches a number of other conditions could play a part in determining the outcome of the World Cup. Although I feel these variables are a bit overstated, they are important to keep in mind.
Adidas creates a new ball for every major tournament using the latest in ball technology. The new ball inevitably creates controversy, this years ball dubbed "Jabulani" is no different. I remember the ball was controversial prior to the 2006 World Cup but once the games began it became a non issue. I imagine that the same will occur this year.
This year the turf is also an issue. Traditionally, southern hemisphere grass is longer and very similar to a golf fairway. Northern hemisphere grass(Europe in particular) is short and slick, more like a green at the US Open. This year the grass is a bit of a hybrid and there is some concern that it will not hold up. The poor quality of the turf was evident in the US v. Australia tune up on June Fifth.
Finally, the altitude in South Africa is a storyline. As most sports fans understand altitude is a legitimate concern especially since the altitude varies considerably for each stadium. Players from a number of nations are already feeling the impact (here and here).
Adidas creates a new ball for every major tournament using the latest in ball technology. The new ball inevitably creates controversy, this years ball dubbed "Jabulani" is no different. I remember the ball was controversial prior to the 2006 World Cup but once the games began it became a non issue. I imagine that the same will occur this year.
This year the turf is also an issue. Traditionally, southern hemisphere grass is longer and very similar to a golf fairway. Northern hemisphere grass(Europe in particular) is short and slick, more like a green at the US Open. This year the grass is a bit of a hybrid and there is some concern that it will not hold up. The poor quality of the turf was evident in the US v. Australia tune up on June Fifth.
Finally, the altitude in South Africa is a storyline. As most sports fans understand altitude is a legitimate concern especially since the altitude varies considerably for each stadium. Players from a number of nations are already feeling the impact (here and here).
Monday, June 7, 2010
Required Reading
Grant Wahl on CNNSI.com: he does a good job of summing up the biggest headlines. He also seems to have some contacts with the US Men's national team.
NYT Goal Blog : A really well written blog with a fresh perspective. The public comments section is also worth reading as the commenter's are mostly well informed.
Guardian sports page: It is important to read non US soccer media. A lot of US coverage tends to try and over explain things as it assumes the audience is uninformed. One downside to Guardian coverage is that a Wayne Rooney hangnail will be treated as a major story.
Norman Hubbard on ESPN Soccernet: I don't like a lot of the ESPN soccer coverage (shocking) but Norman Hubbard is a notable exception. His knowledge of the game is only exceeded by his graceful writing style, his writing reminds me of Martin Tyler broadcasts in its elegance and nuance.
Welcome
Every four years soccer fans have a chance to talk down to casual observers who only watch the game during the World Cup. This blog is my attempt to do this on a grand scale.
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