OT: USA vs Mexico
The Klinsmann era begins tonight in a friendly vs Mexico. It will be interesting to see how much change has been made as far as Formations and Style of play.
Despite it being a friendly it seems to be a high stakes match for the US on the heels of the 4-2 collapse against the same Mexico team, and as Klinsmann's first match.
EDIT: Game is 9PM on ESPN2/ ESPN 3
August 10th, 2011 at 12:47 PM ^
I can't wait for this game. I have a bad feeling about it, like we are going to lose by two goals, but I still can't wait!
August 10th, 2011 at 12:50 PM ^
On TV? I was thinking of going to the game - just over an hour's drive - but didn't wanna drop the money on it. It'll be interesting to say the least.
August 10th, 2011 at 12:54 PM ^
ESPN2/ESPN3.
August 10th, 2011 at 12:56 PM ^
Perfect. To the bar I go tonight - if I can find one that'll have the Tigers/Indians game on in Pennsylvania...
August 10th, 2011 at 12:57 PM ^
I tried to edit but you beat me. It should read ESPN2, ESPN3.com, univision.
August 10th, 2011 at 3:45 PM ^
Univision always saves me when it comes to soccer. I better get my cable turned back on in time for the football season though.
August 10th, 2011 at 12:56 PM ^
I'm not really worried about the result, there clearly wasn't enough time for Klinsi to do much, I think he's just going to try to get a look at some of these guys. Also, it's not like they called everyone in for this match, Dempsey for one isn't there. Just curious to see what Klinsi decides to do. I think the matches in a month (Costa Rica and the match in Belgium) will be more interesting as he has a little more time for those and it will be easier for him to call in more of the Euro-based guys if he wants.
August 10th, 2011 at 12:58 PM ^
USA for sure. We have sea and air superiority, plus our ground forces are much better trained, armed, etc.
August 10th, 2011 at 1:17 PM ^
Initially, I was worried about this game when I heard that Dempsey and Altidore were not playing b/c of club commitments. However, when I realized chicharito is not playing b/c of an injury(concussion) those worries were alleviated a bit. I think it will be a close game that could go either way.
It will be interesting to see how the players react/respond to playing in their first game without Bradley at the helm. Bradley seemed to be well-liked by all the players. I don't think we can pass judgment on Klinsmann either in his first game, though some undoubtedly will complain if we lose expecting an instant change. Nonetheless, the next few games are very important for the US from the perspective of qualifying for the next world cup.
August 10th, 2011 at 5:34 PM ^
It is great that Chicharito is not play, but they still have lots of speed on the edges to threaten our pretty slow defenders.
I'm glad that we have great veteran leaders in Howard, Donovan and Bocanegra that can hopefully bring the teach together under a new coach.
August 10th, 2011 at 2:29 PM ^
¡Viva Mexico!
August 10th, 2011 at 2:33 PM ^
we don't have enough graft in the midfield to handle Mexico. I am very interested to see how Klinsi does, but this is a throw away friendly in terms of meaning; if Mexico beats us again, good for them, enjoy the chest thumping, etc but I am more interested in the long term project of getting US Soccer on its feet and out of the cliquish culture that has dominated the development of players in this country.
As a side note, MLS signed with NBC Sports today, which will be better exposure for the game; hopefully the quality of play will go up as more money comes in and allows MLS teams to compete for better players; better players, better games, better player development-- they go hand in hand with building US Soccer.
Long term project, but I'll be watching every minute and the boys have my full support tonight and every time they play.
August 10th, 2011 at 3:58 PM ^
NHL, MLS and Notre Dame Football.
I say this as a fan of the NHL.
All joking aside,
NBC is really making a push for coverage of Olympic sports on its Universal Sports network (they have also been showing a lot of Rugby and will show the Rugby World Cup this September) and now seems to making a push for second tier sports like the NHL and MLS which I think is great. NBC's production is much better than what is seen on Fox Soccer Channel whose HD looks like it was created by the wise-cracking bird in the Flintstones. Watching a soccer game on there is worse that local cable access sometimes.
Not sure how this will affect ESPN's coverage of MLS and USA fixtures though which has a pretty high production value for soccer.
August 10th, 2011 at 5:38 PM ^
What formation do you think they come out in? I'm going to speculate a 4-3-3 since Klinsmann is supposed to be such an "attack" minded coach.
August 10th, 2011 at 6:18 PM ^
We don't have two forwards worth playing (I'd argue we probably have zero, actually) so it better not be a 4-4-2. The pipeline doesn't look good for forwards right now either. A 4-5-1/4-3-3 (which don't have to be that different from each other, and we have far more useful midfielders than forwards or defenders) seems likely, Bradley was already working in the 4-5-1 I think full well knowing we just don't have the forwards.
August 10th, 2011 at 6:51 PM ^
It would be interesting to see who gets the starting spot at forward. I think Donovan has one winger/forward spot locked, but who is going to play the other winger spot? Beaseley??
I'm just glad that Gringo Torres got called up. He is the only deep lying possesion midfielder for the US. He might be very vital going forward in Klinsmann offense. He is composed with the ball at his feet and he has great vision. I have no idea why he fell off the radar after the world cup.
August 10th, 2011 at 2:56 PM ^
Mexico is always a good barometer seeing as how we usually play them a few times in between each World Cup (or in the World Cup). It will be fun to watch our games with them between now and 2014 and see what magic Klinsmann can create.
August 10th, 2011 at 2:59 PM ^
This doesn't really warrant its own thread but I just read that a lot more soccer is going to be broadcast in the US, 45(!) MLS games per year are going to be broadcast on NBC and NBC sports. In addition 4 USMNT matches per year will be broadcast on the two networks. Link: http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/08/10/mls-nbc-sports-agree-t…
Edit: So I probably should have read that comment that is right above this.
August 10th, 2011 at 3:01 PM ^
is no Javier Hernandez for Mexico. Klinsmann has been working on USA defense which is a good thing because they had more holes than swiss cheese especially when Bornstein(makes my blood boil as I type his name) was forced into action against Mexico.
USA wants to win the game, but I see Mexico prevailing as much as I hate to say it.
August 10th, 2011 at 3:15 PM ^
USA vs Mexico...I am borderline on this game.
August 10th, 2011 at 3:54 PM ^
We need a "Groan" moderating option.
August 10th, 2011 at 3:34 PM ^
The result of friendly matches are irrelevant. What is important is to see any changes in tactics that Klinsmann might introduce.
It'll also be very important to see how his "temp coaches" do, given that he was not the brains behind Germany's tactical success in 2006.
August 10th, 2011 at 3:50 PM ^
Agreed, friendlies are tentamount to the spring game, albeit if Michigan played against Ohio in the spring game.
August 10th, 2011 at 4:16 PM ^
I'm most excited to see Freddy Adu for a third game. If he can continue to play at the level since getting subbed in against Panama, we can get some explosivity (real word?) for the US team... AND Freddy can continue to revive his career, maybe get some looks from a team willing to buy him from Benfica.
August 10th, 2011 at 4:40 PM ^
Word on the street is that Adu is going to Chivas USA as a DP. Good move for him, will be interesting to see if he can rise above the competition in MLS (ala LD) or blend in with the crowd (like, say, Rafa Marquez).
August 10th, 2011 at 4:50 PM ^
Get him back and comfortable again. He looked great when he subbed, speed and creativity.
His career has had a few turns but this could be the righting of the ship...
August 10th, 2011 at 5:50 PM ^
Adu would probably benefit greatly from playing with tons of freedom in a league like MLS. He's a lot like Donovan in that neither is really an out and out winger, but both lack the size/tackling/heading to play in the middle of the park or up top in a decent European league. In MLS Adu could get a chance to move all over the park and just be charged with making creative plays going forward and (much like with Donovan) it should allow him to flourish with the national team if they can give him a similar role in a flexible 4-5-1 or 4-3-3 setup.
August 10th, 2011 at 4:23 PM ^
Fire Klinsmann!
Seriously, like who is going to play in the middle? No Ream & Goodson. Maybe we could put up a cardboard cutout of Gooch, circa 2008.
We could really get blown out here.
August 10th, 2011 at 4:35 PM ^
Seriously, like stfu.
Why do you say no Ream? He's on the roster for tonight.
August 10th, 2011 at 4:38 PM ^
Well, if Ream plays poorly, the jokes will write themselves.
August 10th, 2011 at 4:43 PM ^
Seriously, like stfu: it was on Ives' Q&A this afternoon.
August 10th, 2011 at 9:07 PM ^
And....... no Ream. Seriously: stfu.
August 10th, 2011 at 8:06 PM ^
A lot of surprises http://twitter.com/#!/ussoccer
#USMNT lineup v. MEX: Howard; Cherundolo, Orozco Fiscal, Bocanegra (c), Castillo; Jones, Beckerman; Donovan, Bradley, Torres; Buddle
August 10th, 2011 at 8:33 PM ^
Oh, Edson Buddle, he of the missed nets, I thought you were out of my life forever.
Don't know anything about Fiscal.
Glad to see Jose Francisco Torres is back in the First XI. The one guy we have who can maintain possession consistently.
Also, interesting to see what Kyle Beckerman does.
August 10th, 2011 at 8:30 PM ^
Wow thankfully I learned about this about 30 min before the game
Will watch. I hope THE MAN Ian Darke is calling the game. That guy is like the Gus Johnson of soccer.
August 10th, 2011 at 9:01 PM ^
Currently Game is on ESPN News until the LLWS game is over... really is soccer getting booted for 11-13 year olds playing baseball? It's not even the real LLWS.
August 10th, 2011 at 9:08 PM ^
SoccerByIves Interesting note of the night: USA lineup has as many Mexican League players as Mexican national team lineup. Safe 2 say that has NEVER happened before.
August 10th, 2011 at 9:20 PM ^
Nice win by Italy today over Spain
we will be ready by 2014
August 11th, 2011 at 8:57 AM ^
particularly in the second half. Donovan was himself, Torres looked solid, and Agudelo & Shea were amazing.
In the first half, Buddle was really dissappointing, as was Michael Bradley. Seeing Bradley play that far up the field was rather awkward. Hopefully we'll see Bradley further back in the midfield where he can do a bit more distributing.