MATCH THREAD - United States Vs Ghana - Group G - 6PM Eastern, 11PM UK - Monday June 16th
- Thread starter Garrick
- Start date
- Status
I think he is hinting at something every inch as mythical as bradleys world class abilities mate
I had to look at it a few times myself, but then I've seen so much Katy Perry in this thread tonight it's hard to see anything else right now
I choose to reflect on Bradley having a horrid game but we still won. Get him rebooted and who knows.
I read this on my college football boards. Brought a tear to my eye.
My daughter (4yr) rooted for Ghana tonight
Only because I have taught her to reflexively root against any team wearing red.
Suppose I have taught her too well.
Future Everton fan in the works.
Thoughts on the match.
Extremely impressed with the shift that all the guys I've worried about put in. Jones, Cameron and Beckerman had arguably their best matches playing for the US today.
The match was pretty much a mirror image of the 2010 matchup only the roles were reversed. We got the early lead and packed the middle while leaving the flanks wide open for Ghana to exploit which is exactly how Ghana defended against us in 2010. And like the US in 2010, Ghana kept ignoring the flanks. Like the US Ghana finally scored because they have good players but it took a piece of absolute sick passing and finishing to get that goal.
The good news is that Portugal doesn't really go wide either so the set up might work well against them too. Germany on the other hand will eat us up if we play like that (though hopefully Germany will have qualified by then).
The defense was highly impressive and organized today as well which has been a major sore point for the US side. Despite the defensive set up (and yes it was a bit worrying) one thing the US side has always done over the past 6 or so years is score goals. Yes we score them ugly, but we can put it in the back of the net against almost anyone.
IF we can keep it ugly, get a bit more of an attack and win some free kicks in we can pretty far in this event (Quarterfinals would be a very good tourney especially in this group). Because with all the jarg defending in this WC there are maybe only 2-3 sides in this world cup that can stop us on free kicks. And all we needed was one (we only won like 1-2 corners right?).
The Portugal result was excellent. If we can force a draw out of one of the next 2 (barring Ghana doesn't beat Germany, which they are fully capable of) we should be in. Besides the injuries (I think Altidore is going to be out for the WC) its looking pretty good. Would have been nice to have been able to bring in Landon and place him behind Dempsey to strengthen the counterattack.
Make no mistakes Ghana are no mugs and this is an excellent win. The skill of their outfield 10 far exceeds ours. In fact I was suprised at how much better they were compared to 2010. The big difference is that we had no glaring turnovers and we also have one of the best keepers in this tourney and while Ghana has a keeper who plays in the Ghanian premier league.
A couple negatives:
-I don't really think Alabama Jo is really suited for a counterattacking style. I guess you gotta play him though, because I still think he's technically better than Wodoloski.
-Johnson looked lively but we didn't play him wide enough.
-I've defended Bradley for years when all your heard all the idiots mention the nepotism thing. However he was downright terrible today. His passes were off and when they weren't he often picked out the wrong man. Plus he looked lost in defense. I don't think I ever saw him play that bad. That's going to have to change. If Ghana scored in the 94th min after his turnover it would have been perfect capper to a horrible display by him.
My daughter (4yr) rooted for Ghana tonight
Only because I have taught her to reflexively root against any team wearing red.
Suppose I have taught her too well.
Future Everton fan in the works.
Thoughts on the match.
Extremely impressed with the shift that all the guys I've worried about put in. Jones, Cameron and Beckerman had arguably their best matches playing for the US today.
The match was pretty much a mirror image of the 2010 matchup only the roles were reversed. We got the early lead and packed the middle while leaving the flanks wide open for Ghana to exploit which is exactly how Ghana defended against us in 2010. And like the US in 2010, Ghana kept ignoring the flanks. Like the US Ghana finally scored because they have good players but it took a piece of absolute sick passing and finishing to get that goal.
The good news is that Portugal doesn't really go wide either so the set up might work well against them too. Germany on the other hand will eat us up if we play like that (though hopefully Germany will have qualified by then).
The defense was highly impressive and organized today as well which has been a major sore point for the US side. Despite the defensive set up (and yes it was a bit worrying) one thing the US side has always done over the past 6 or so years is score goals. Yes we score them ugly, but we can put it in the back of the net against almost anyone.
IF we can keep it ugly, get a bit more of an attack and win some free kicks in we can pretty far in this event (Quarterfinals would be a very good tourney especially in this group). Because with all the jarg defending in this WC there are maybe only 2-3 sides in this world cup that can stop us on free kicks. And all we needed was one (we only won like 1-2 corners right?).
The Portugal result was excellent. If we can force a draw out of one of the next 2 (barring Ghana doesn't beat Germany, which they are fully capable of) we should be in. Besides the injuries (I think Altidore is going to be out for the WC) its looking pretty good. Would have been nice to have been able to bring in Landon and place him behind Dempsey to strengthen the counterattack.
Make no mistakes Ghana are no mugs and this is an excellent win. The skill of their outfield 10 far exceeds ours. In fact I was suprised at how much better they were compared to 2010. The big difference is that we had no glaring turnovers and we also have one of the best keepers in this tourney and while Ghana has a keeper who plays in the Ghanian premier league.
A couple negatives:
-I don't really think Alabama Jo is really suited for a counterattacking style. I guess you gotta play him though, because I still think he's technically better than Wodoloski.
-Johnson looked lively but we didn't play him wide enough.
-I've defended Bradley for years when all your heard all the idiots mention the nepotism thing. However he was downright terrible today. His passes were off and when they weren't he often picked out the wrong man. Plus he looked lost in defense. I don't think I ever saw him play that bad. That's going to have to change. If Ghana scored in the 94th min after his turnover it would have been perfect capper to a horrible display by him.
I agree with most everything you've posted there mate...great post really.
If Jozy is indeed out...which looks likely, do we bring in an Eddie Johnson type or Landon? Eddie for me...I'd start him over Iceland or Wondo...simply because of the style we play. Neither Aron or Wondo are target men.
Beckerman was MOTM for me...thought he defended extremely well, and unlike most others seemed to retain possession a bit better.
Brooks rose incredibly to the challenge...not only his goal, he defended very well after coming on. Cameron was better than I thought he could be...was really solid. Johnson will be better when we don't give the ball away and retain a bit of possession.
Beasley just fell down again...and he's sleeping ATM. FFS, he couldn't stay on his feet for 45 minutes...skinned alive in the first half. Improved a little in the second half, but he's an old head that played like it was cut off.
Bradley...oh Michael...dafuq happened with you? My gut feeling is that he crumbled a bit under the pressure of being one of the faces of America and being touted as our most gifted player. For me there is no other explanation...never seen him with such poor touch and his passing was crazy bad. Hope he can sort himself out, because he was a shadow of himself today.
Oh...and Tim Howard was really good...not sure he could have done anything about that goal. Great finish if you ask me...
still probably a yes from most of usI hope Bradley has a dream of actually completing a pass beyond midfield before Sunday. After this forum I know I'm going to have dreams of Katy Perry. Sure as hell beats the photos of German girls on the other thread.
I thought Ghana's goal was the best goal of the tourney. Wasn't even mad when they got it.
Garrick
Awesome, lid.
You are no longer allowed to bring in replacements after your first group game starts. We get to roll with 22 now, maybe possibly 21.
Looking pretty dumb bringing Julian Green now, if you ask me.
- Status