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2014 FIFA World Cup - Brazil

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  1. That was fun, and other than the injuries this is about the best scenario the US could have hoped for going into the second leg.
  2. The early goal was a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, you'll take going a goal up that early every time. On the other hand, it changed the game very quickly and invited 89 minutes of grueling pressure.
  3. The start of this game speaks to the difference in this team under Klinsmann versus four years ago under Bradley. This team isn't all that different from what it was back then. They didn't concede early though - in fact they scored early. They seemed on the whole, more composed and resolute in defense than what we've seen in past. While ESPN is making a big deal out of Klinsmann saying the US can't win the tournament, they weren't noticing that he was instilling the mental toughness in the spine of this team that led to today's result.
  4. Jermaine Jones was immense. He was my MOTM. He's certainly not the ideal player you want on the left side of midfield, but he held the ball well, and save Beasley's bacon many times when he was caught out of position or otherwise being abused by Atsu. I've been a critic of his, so I tip my cap for this performance. I spent most of the second half wishing that they could have moved him to a true CDM role and either in place of or alongside Beckerman. The way he was performing on the left and the way Beasley made it such a necessity for him to be there made that impossible though.
  5. Michael Bradley was terrible. This team needs more from him. I understood the team being content to sit back, defend, and choose their spots to counter. What was maddening was their eagerness to immediately give the ball away whenever they had it for a brief moment. This is a flawed team so it's honestly something that should be expected from some players. Bradley isn't one of those players though, so it's that much more disappointing that he was one of the worst culprits.
  6. The injuries are frustrating, no doubt. This team needs a healthy Altidore. Even when he's not scoring, he brings qualities that nobody else in the squad does. When the team was absorbing constant pressure and needed an outlet, they really missed having someone at the top who could hold the ball for a bit. What's up with all the muscle injuries, anyway. I expected better fitness than what I saw today. If this match took so much out of them and caused these kind of problems, what's going to happen when they play in Manaus?
  7. Landon Donovan: First of all, to anyone inclined to thing that they'll miss him because of the injury to Altidore - he doesn't bring the same qualities to the game that Jozy does. Second of all, I'm here to eat a bit of crow where it comes to his personality in the wake of being left out of the team. He seemed to keep himself above the fray, even when asked some very pointed questions on-air by Bob Ley. Granted, that's much easier to do after a win, but seeing him refer to the team as "we" and be a little self-deprecating has been refreshing so far.
 
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bigdog3300 said:
Based on goal differential, a tie against Portugal would likely clinch a tie for US, right? I mean, barring an epic beat down against a clinched Germany?
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I don't think it's that simple yet. Today made things more wide-open, not less. That's a good thing, but the advantage the US holds at the moment could easily evaporate. You have to like their chances of going forward with a draw against Portugal but if Germany rolls the US too, all bets could be off. Perhaps an even greater advantage at the moment than the goal difference is the fact that the US plays Germany last. Die Mannshchaft will likely have clinched their spot in the knockout stage by then which probably won't prevent them from beating the US, but may keep them from putting on the kind of beating they did today.

I wouldn't even go so far as to assume a draw against Portugal at this point. Today's result belied the performance, and if the US plays that way again Portugal could go level on points and take a big bite out of that goal difference to an extent that would put them in real danger in the final leg. I can't imagine Portugal will limit their attack to "bomb down the right and send in inaccurate crosses" so the US will have their work cut out for them.
 
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The win today was great - and almost unbelievable in how it occurred - but Altidore's injury is vital. Even though he only recently ended a scoring drought, his presence on the field opens things for other players. Granted Johansson probably didn't expect to play and had little time to warm up, but he was no threat in this game. If Jozy is out and Aron is no more of a factor than he was today, trying to keep pace with Portugal - much less the Germans - is going to be difficult.
 
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Some thoughts on today...
1. Beasley got clowned a few times in the first 20 minutes but settled in to have a nice game.

2. Geoff Cameron and Tim Howard were fantastic. Cameron cramped up but pushed through - a great effort.

3. Uncharacteristic game by Bradley. Characteristic one by Beckerman who held up Ghana decently but had his normal lack of talent exposed.

4. Jermaine Jones had a solid game. Bedoya too.

5. Fabian Johnson is a nice prospect. Another nice showing.

6. Glad to see John Brooks have something positive to build on as he's been plenty shaky.

7. The drop off from Jozy to Johansson is substantial. Tough, tough loss losing him for the Cup (I have no sources, that is just my guess).

8. Ghana is a tough team...what a great win!
 
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jlb1705 said:
I don't think it's that simple yet. Today made things more wide-open, not less. That's a good thing, but the advantage the US holds at the moment could easily evaporate. You have to like their chances of going forward with a draw against Portugal but if Germany rolls the US too, all bets could be off. Perhaps an even greater advantage at the moment than the goal difference is the fact that the US plays Germany last. Die Mannshchaft will likely have clinched their spot in the knockout stage by then which probably won't prevent them from beating the US, but may keep them from putting on the kind of beating they did today.

I wouldn't even go so far as to assume a draw against Portugal at this point. Today's result belied the performance, and if the US plays that way again Portugal could go level on points and take a big bite out of that goal difference to an extent that would put them in real danger in the final leg. I can't imagine Portugal will limit their attack to "bomb down the right and send in inaccurate crosses" so the US will have their work cut out for them.
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Something tells me Low and Die Mannshchaft want to put one on Klinsmann ... I hope I'm wrong but I'm not sure how friendly things are between Jurgen and the Fatherland ...
 
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me after the game

ameriboner_zps3dc3438e.gif
 
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Jake said:
If Jozy is out and Aron is no more of a factor than he was today, trying to keep pace with Portugal - much less the Germans - is going to be difficult.
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I know he's young and likely caught up in the moment, but you gotta sit Aron or at least have a totally different strategy. He was trying to play like Jozy with little success.
 
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jlb1705 said:
  1. Landon Donovan: First of all, to anyone inclined to thing that they'll miss him because of the injury to Altidore - he doesn't bring the same qualities to the game that Jozy does. Second of all, I'm here to eat a bit of crow where it comes to his personality in the wake of being left out of the team. He seemed to keep himself above the fray, even when asked some very pointed questions on-air by Bob Ley. Granted, that's much easier to do after a win, but seeing him refer to the team as "we" and be a little self-deprecating has been refreshing so far.
Click to expand...
http://mweb.cbssports.com/world-cup...o-landon-donovans-new-ea-fifa-ad-is-fantastic
 
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