Conferderations cup SF - Spain vs USA

[DalbeyINUK]

well fucking done USA. so much for them needing some lessons at the Platt Lane, looks like they've awoke from their mediocre slumber!

I cant fucking believe we just did the Spanish....unbelievable!!!!! It reminds me a bit of USA vs. USSR in 1980 Hockey in the Olympics. Simply a massive result for the Americans...Anyone think we deserve respect now???

Great result but let's not get carried away. They were by far the better team in terms of skill, etc. We got goals when we needed them and defended well for the most part (great in the box but we get punished too often for not closing down enough in the final 1/3rd).

I like that we showed grit in the win but we are not a top team. Not even close.

Quality Post. Just imagine for a second with me here US Blues, imagine... if we actually used our really good athletes in football instead of basketball and American football. Dare to dream!

 

[Bigga]

Are you basing your opinion in tonights game?
Being based over here I've seen a lot of Altidore for the US and in the (admittedly shit) MLS and he just looks more mobile and a better finisher than Big Phil.
Anyway, it's all hypothetical because it isn't going to happen.

Not at all.

Followed Altidore's career closely, except for last year(the Villareal connect surprised me, but the US player transfer works differently to Europe, seasonally). The problem is against the MLS teams, he looks outstanding, as the defence in that league is NOT the best! For example, you had a player (Eddie somethingorother) that played for Leeds in the lower divisions and looked great in the MLS. I also think Dempsey would tear up the MLS, going back, as Donovan does when he returns.

It's all about finding levels and Jozy Altidore is NOT better than Big Phil at the top level.

 

[mancityboy21]

Eddie somethingorother is Eddie Lewis, a servicable LW in the past to the US team... The MLS is still an unknown entity when it comes to world football, hell Claudio Reyna had a good comeback for the NY Red Bulls when he couldn't play 20 games for City the season before!

This win ranks up with US beating England in the early WC's and Brazil in the early '90's, but it shouldn't be taken out of context... We are a fringe top 10 team internationally that has a competent defense when healthy (Bocanegra at LB was a breath of fresh air after DeMerit proved himself at CB!) and have had a good string of GK's (Keller, Freidel, Howard, Guzan) that can keep us within reach of almost any game we are put into!

Until we can sort out our offensive front and our horrible luck with draws for FIFA held tournaments, we will still be seen as an outsider and an outside sport trying to impose itself on America!

... I don't know the odds but if anyone wants to put in for a bookie, the USA to draw Argentina, England, and North Korea would be exactly what FIFA would draw for us once we qualify for the WC next summer!

 

[second to none]

Unfortunately I missed this as I was at the Showdown in Chinatown game, but it's obviously a huge result. I think there's still a lot of progress to be made, unfortunately Bradley will likely keep his job after this run, I don't think he's the way forward but we seem to have a serious aversion to firing coaches. Now that M. Bradley is suspended maybe Adu will get a runout, would be nice.

On the ex-City front, Claudio played in the charity match and had an excellent game, he was easily better than Henry and Babel, among others. I tried to start Blue Moon after he scored, nobody else was into it.

 

[KentBlue]

I don't think anybody could have foreseen that result. You have to applaud the USA, they were the worthy winners. They hustled the Spaniards for ever ball and generally looked the better team.

Now what are the chances of South Africa beating Brazil tonight and setting up a final nobody predicted?

 

[acquiesce]

Great result for the team, probably top 5 win all time and it actually made the top story on Sportcenter, imagine that . . . . . well until news of the Shaquille O'Neal possible trade to Cleveland, wtf. Anyways, I think the game shows we are probably correct in our FIFA ranking of 14ish. We have the ability to beat any team in the world on any day. At the same time we have the ability to get trounced by any good team at any time. I thought the back four played exceptionally well, Oneyewu has been my tournament MVP. I was at the World Cup Qualifier against Honduras in Chicago beginning of the month and he was immense there. I have not seen him lose a ball in the air. His clearances still are suspect but he has looked great. Our midfield disappears too often and there needs to be improvement in the link up between defense and attack, we hoof it forward far too often and lose possession too easily.

Lots of room for improvement but a great win none the less and its actually getting some coverage. Having supported the sport over here for fifteen odd years its amazing to see the growth in coverage. A story like this would have barely made the ticker on ESPN back then. Still a long way to go but we are slowly waking up over here. There is a lot of vitriol towards the sport still and I figure its coming from the people that can see the tide turning.

 

[Greiver]

The USA played great today and with a little bit of luck we won! We played with determination, and we played with loads of heart! On paper we are not the best team and even off paper I know we are not the better or more skillful team than Spain, Brazil or even Italy but on a given day we can beat those teams. The USA has a good ways to go before they become a solid top 10 team but they are going in bounds! When I see USA play the game like that and how they played against Italy in the first half it gives me hope.

Our team still needs to work on many things like having a stronger midfield that can link up the attack. We also need to keep implementing our play style which is high pressure, playing wide and linking the ball in the box with crosses. We are quite a good at set pieces as well, and that is always a good thing to have in a team. Our defence is good but needs to be focused, our midfield needs to have more quality and strength and for our forwards, better skill and experience. Some of these things will only come with time.

We have ways to go before US Soccer becomes as big as Baseball, Basketball or Football in America but better Youth Academies, and more world recognition can seriously help our cause. We have a large supply of athletes in USA and if it were a more popular sport we would have much more talent in the MLS and selection for our national team. Also with the likes of Beckham (yes not the best player eye) showing his influence in American Soccer it can only help us develop our game. Another way is for our top players to be playing in top leagues and gaining invaluable experience. Within a few years, USA will become even better I believe and as long as we get results like this we will have a better fan base to support this great sport.

 

[Greiver]

On another note, I knew USA could win and although I was nervous I knew we had it in us to win! I think this was definately one of my favourite games I have ever seen! It makes me proud of my team and my country! This is definately the best performance I have seen the USA play. It was also one of the most exciting games to watch and this includes the World Cup, Euro 2006 and a few others. What I did not expect was Spain to not score. I'd have bet money that Spain would have scored and I'm not a betting kinda guy!

 

[Frank the Yank]

Lets face it folks this "tournament" is merely a series of friendlies. I didnt get all pissed off when we got smoked by Brazil and Italy so I wasnt that hyped up when we qualified by beating Egypt 3-0. Its a GREAT result beatung Spain no doubt about it but until we do it on the big stage, it doesnt really matter.

The state of the USA National team os that we really arent that good. If we were in the European section for qualification, we MIGHT qualify for every other World Cup. Having said that we could probably qualify form the South American group as so many teams qualify. The flip side is that being in the uber weak CONCACAF section probably hinders the team's growth and development. In the long run, if you play better competition you raise your game.

Anywhoooo we have qualified for South Africa. Lets hope for a good draw and a decent run.

 

[Frank the Yank]

Have to bump this up-til Sunday at least!!