OT: USMNT vs. Costa Rica, Gold Cup -- 8:00pm EDT, Fox Soccer Channel
USA men versus Costa Rica in the final group match in this year's edition of the Gold Cup. USA has found a new true striker, Chris Wondo(w)lowski, who has assured himself a spot on the WC qualifying squad due to his remarkable 6 goals in 3 games performance.
This is USA's second match against Costa Rica this year. The first was the "Snow Bowl" in Colorado for a World Cup qualifier back in March, where we triumphed 1-0 in a controversial game. (It was snowing like hell, but CONCACAF/FIFA played the game out.)
We play Costa Rica again in WCQ in September at the friendly confines of Estadio Saprissa, San Jose, CR.
USA seem to be favorites in this Gold Cup now, with rival Mexico just plain sucking. Good work by the B-team and guys trying to get promoted to the senior squad nearing the end of the WCQ cycle.
EDIT: LOL - Cuba just played themselves into the knockout round by defeating Belize, 4-0, making up a 4-goal differential against Martinique. Cuba scored their fourth goal in the waning moments of injury time. Well done, Cuba!
When he plays for the USMNT, I will root for him and love that he is in the right place at the right time. I hate his poaching ways when he is playing against the Galaxy.
Wondo is a freakshow -- he almost had a goal twice there with that header and then the back-flick. Dude certainly has a poacher's mindset.
Audio link isn't working for me. Anyone have a different audio/video link?
And if we get the win/tie here, does anyone know who we will face in the knockout round? Would we get one of the 3rd place teams (i.e. Cuba)?
Win or draw, we play El Salvador. Lose we play Honduras.
Wondering if we almost wouldn't be better off playing Honduras with the huge Salvadoran population in the Baltimore/D.C. metro area.
Good point. However, I went to the USA-Honduras WCQ game at RFK (DC) back in 2001, and we were outnumbered easily 2-1 by Honduran fans. There are tons of Salvadorenos and Hondurans in the DMV.
I'm watching it on one of the Spanish language stations -- I believe it's Univision. Channel WXFT in the Chicago area.
you can see where he's lacking in this system, he doesn't come back and play off the ball very well minus his ability in front of the net.
Scoreless at the half.
So GKs can use their hands all over the field now? Great call ref.
ARGH! Y U NO SCORE?!
The ref made a meal out that one.
Missed the first part of the game (was playing soccer myself - damn! it's hot!). Will somebody fill me in? How was our tempo in the first half? Too slow like the previous games?
US held a clear possession advantage according to the stats, although it didn't seem like much of an advantage watching it. Neither team had many good scoring chances. Both teams were just kind of feeling each other out.
Shea!!!! 1-0 USA!
GOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLL!
Game saving save by Johnson to start the fast break!
Sweet 1 touch pass by Donovan!
Shea! Wow! Good for him.
continue this small sample size? 15 minutes: a couple of poor touches with a good cross and great finish. Not too many exemplary pieces of play from the wing this game and he had the lone goal plus Klinsmann showed us how he isn't afraid to shake up the roster.
Well, I thought Shea was disappointing as a starter in the last game. At the moment I think he's better as a sub.
Thought the goal was ok, not a great shot but enough. Thought Donovan made the play - quick vision, identify the opportunity and most important be able to execute the pass. Shea's other touches in his 15 minutes were not very good.
Pretty excited about the midfield go forward to 2014 with Bradley, Donovan, a fit Holden, and Diskerud. Zusi and Jermaine Jones also have hats thrown in there. Combined with Dempsey and Altidore up front and its going to be a pretty decent attacking side.
Still scared stiff of the defense against any quality side. Other than Fabian Johnson it's a mess back there. I assume some mix of Besler, Cameron, Gonzales, Beasley, Evans (?) and an old Cherundolo.