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Beijing Olympics - Men's Soccer Gold Medal

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USA just played one of the better matches that any USA squad has played on any level against a VERY good Netherlands team (that had won a couple youth championships with the same team).

...but a last minute goal lets the Dutch escape with a tie. :( The boys simply dominated from the 25th minute until about the 90th minute.

Still looking good for them as they lead the group with 4 points and hold their own fate. Need a tie or win against Nigeria, but it will be without the 2 best players (Adu and Michael Bradley) because of yellow cards suspension.
 
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fourteenandoh said:
that was an awful goal to give up in injury time.
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Yea, a lot went wrong the last 5 or so minutes.

They didn't possess the ball, making bad turnovers...weren't very confident in just holding onto the ball late. Then the fouls and chances started to pile up.

The last foul was just not a smart play...then the wall decides to collectively avoid the ball by jumping over the low shot (very smart play by the Dutchman).

Frustrating, but certainly not the end of the tourney for the US. The next generation of soccer (this 18-23 year old cycle) has played very well in international competition, something the Men's side has not done too well with.
 
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eh it's a tough call...most walls will jump. I never really tended to jump when I was in a wall (lazy?)...it's different every time, imo. Some guys may want to jump, some may not. I don't even remembering it being discussed when I was forming a wall. No one ever said "we're jumping" or "we're staying down." I'll probably talk to some of my goalie friends and coaches, see what they say.

From that close however, it is not a smart play. The ball is about 20 yards out...if there is a player that can get the ball up over the wall...and then back down below the crossbar in just 20 yards, then you take your hat off to them. Most goals from that close on a free kick are low, driven shots.

From further out, sure...most players are looking to drop the ball up and down over the wall. I think that's the general practice (or should be). Closer- just stand put...further out- jump.

Just terrible luck that all of them went airborne, I guess.
 
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boy did things go down hill for the US squad from the last 5 minutes of the Netherlands game to now.

USA needed a tie to advance...3 minutes into the their match the starting left back gets a red card. It's almost impossible to play a level game of soccer when you are down a man for 87 minutes. US got down 2-0....kept battling (they all looked dead tired). Got it to 2-1 on a PK with about 3 minutes left + stoppage time.

Got a free kick...headed off crossbar...couple more little chances...no dice.

Japan loses to the Dutch 1-0 and Netherlands and Nigeria advance out of the group. Cruel game seeing how the US was arguably the best team in the group when at full strength. No doubt that if Adu and Bradley play today the US wins. I think they win just playing 11 men for the entire game.
 
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It's going to be a great Semi-Final match up on Wednesday when Brazil and Argentina play each other. Brazil has never won an Olympic gold medal in the sport even though they have won 5 World Cups. Belgium and Nigeria square off in the other semi-final. Since Argentina and Brazil were the heavy favorites to win Gold, you gotta believe the winner of that game will probably end up taking it in the final.
 
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