US Soccer v Italy Open Thread
February 29th, 2012 at 2:49 PM ^
I think the United States has changed the tide on soccer. Hell, Americans are starting to believe in them. Never in a million years I would have thought that. Selling US jerseys is a good start.
February 29th, 2012 at 3:31 PM ^
I hate them. Off-color sleeves? Ew. Should have stuck with the beauty pagent look.
February 29th, 2012 at 5:58 PM ^
I really don't get the white sleeves. Why not just stick with blue? Or maybe black, like the faux sash. But white???
February 29th, 2012 at 8:35 PM ^
February 29th, 2012 at 9:08 PM ^
is a traditional German away color because it's the third color on the DFB's badge.
February 29th, 2012 at 9:13 PM ^
February 29th, 2012 at 9:29 PM ^
What is the story behind that? I never thought of green as a German color.
February 29th, 2012 at 9:38 PM ^
The first version that you'll see in some places it's that it's a gesture of gratefulness--that, after World War II, no one would play the Germans for a while. Then, when the Irish finally stepped up to play them, they (the Germans) decided to play in green as a third color as a thank you. That's not true.
The reason is that--if you look at the DFB (the German governing association's) crest, green is the fourth color. (Here's the crest: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:DFBTriangles.svg). I think this is the first time since 2006 that the Germans have worn green alternate jerseys, so I believe they're quite excited about that. They're also excited to have maybe the most stacked youth system in the world and I think they'll win the Euros this year.
February 29th, 2012 at 9:41 PM ^
February 29th, 2012 at 4:18 PM ^
It looks like a basketball jersey, with t-shirt underneath, in the car (with a black seatbelt on).
February 29th, 2012 at 2:34 PM ^
3-2 USA Altidore 1, Dempsey 2
February 29th, 2012 at 3:10 PM ^
Three goals against the Italian D? Away from home? With they way we've been playing and Klinsman pulling the strings? Best hope is 1-0 Italian own goal.
USA USA USA!!
February 29th, 2012 at 4:07 PM ^
Chuck Norris says USA scores first in the 55th minute.
February 29th, 2012 at 2:49 PM ^
I'm guessing it ends 1-1. Also, anyone else pissed that Williams is still being run out as a winger.
February 29th, 2012 at 2:49 PM ^
Ugh. You know how when you try to find videos of USMNT club goals they all have that high school football camera feel to it? Yeah this whole match is gonna look like that apparently.
February 29th, 2012 at 2:51 PM ^
Not sure how I feel about 3 DMs. This has ugly 2-0 loss written all over it.
February 29th, 2012 at 2:55 PM ^
Forza Bob apparently in charge of handball calls
February 29th, 2012 at 2:56 PM ^
ugh, our backs look as shaky as ever. It's going to take a big game from Howard today!
February 29th, 2012 at 2:58 PM ^
Why do our kits have dog collars?
February 29th, 2012 at 3:04 PM ^
After watching countless Barcelona games this season, this game hurts my eyes. Its just not as asthetically pleasing as watching Barca control the ball gracefully. The dump and chase mentality is painful to watch.
February 29th, 2012 at 3:11 PM ^
When your frame of reference is the best club in the world, you're obviously going to be disappointed trying to hold anything up to that standard.
February 29th, 2012 at 3:17 PM ^
Barca gets to practice together every week and gets to purchase who they want for the squad. I wouldn't expect this game to be aesthetically pleasing especially when you consider that it' a friendly and the coaches are probably experimenting quite a bit and not incredibly worried about the result.
February 29th, 2012 at 3:21 PM ^
Is either team flopping when the wind gusts more than 5mph? Then it would feel like a Barca game.
I kid...kind of. They have cleaned up their act after the disgraceful 1st tie of the 2011 UCL semi against Real Madrid. That was pathetic, epitomized why American's hate soccer and Manu Ginobli.
February 29th, 2012 at 3:05 PM ^
Giovinco would be the perfect striker to pair up top with Jozy. We need one of that guy. lol
February 29th, 2012 at 3:08 PM ^
Bradley works his ass off to win a ball he really has no business winning. And Jozy quits a run three steps after starting it. Yeah pretty much USA 101 there.
February 29th, 2012 at 3:09 PM ^
I'm actually kind of pleased with some of the possesion that we are finding. Also nice to see some of the room we are finding up the wings, but these shots need to start finding the target.
February 29th, 2012 at 3:12 PM ^
I'll say this for JK, he definitely has our guys getting the ball off their feet quickly. Against a team like Italy that's imperative to create chances. Their defense is usually so sound that the pace of the ball will create openings. Kind of like playing against the old Temple basketball 2-3.
That said, we're still an absolute sieve in the back.
February 29th, 2012 at 3:20 PM ^
Did anyone else here the crowd chanting it early in the match?
Looks like the Big House isn't alone.
February 29th, 2012 at 3:37 PM ^
February 29th, 2012 at 3:46 PM ^
Holy shit! You're in Italy?
February 29th, 2012 at 3:24 PM ^
Dempsey had some pepper on that one! That is going to be one of our better chances for the game.
February 29th, 2012 at 3:25 PM ^
I finally got the game to stream on espn3. How did we look early on?
February 29th, 2012 at 3:27 PM ^
surprisingly decent in the attacking half. predictably poor in the back. the linesman has done us a few favors with his offsides whistle.
February 29th, 2012 at 3:26 PM ^
Stop diving, Jozy. You have no Italian eligibility.
February 29th, 2012 at 3:28 PM ^
Break got his jersey pulled down there. I guess he was off balance to begin with, but that was a sneaky jersey pull there.
February 29th, 2012 at 3:33 PM ^
Well I'll take that half. I think you would have to call that a pretty even first 45.
February 29th, 2012 at 3:37 PM ^
Bradley first half US MOTM. Other than Pirlo he's been probably the best field player on the pitch. Would be curious to see his run totals that half.
Those long, diagonal balls from Pirlo are gorgeous to watch aren't they?
February 29th, 2012 at 3:40 PM ^
Completely agree on Bradley.
On an unrelated note, I hope Altidore picks up his speed of play on some of these counter attacks in the second half. I'm pretty sick of him holding the ball up and hoping to get fouled.
February 29th, 2012 at 3:48 PM ^
He is a holding striker though. I guess you just want another player in the game then.
February 29th, 2012 at 3:42 PM ^
They call him MB90 for a reason. He is a true box to box workhorse MF.
Great article on Pirlo and his affect on this generation.
http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/7145038/why-andrea-pirlo-mos…
February 29th, 2012 at 3:39 PM ^
Did Fabian Johnson start at LB?
I really like JK calling up these German born guys who have dual citizenship (Chandler, Johnson, Williams and Boyd).
February 29th, 2012 at 3:40 PM ^
February 29th, 2012 at 3:50 PM ^
WOW. That guys just slipped on the ball.
February 29th, 2012 at 3:59 PM ^
IS THIS REAL LIFE?!!!
February 29th, 2012 at 3:59 PM ^
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 29th, 2012 at 3:59 PM ^
GOAL DEMPSEY!!!
February 29th, 2012 at 4:00 PM ^
Do you get my point above about Jozy being a holding striker. He is very big and strong and he can use that strength and size to keep defenders off of him like that.
He has been doing that really well for his club recently.