OT: Soccer - USMNT vs Honduras World Cup Qualifying Open Thread

Submitted by I Bleed Maize N Blue on

USMNT playing Honduras in Sandy, UT.  Hoping to see more good play from Jozy.  Let's get another win!

TV: ESPN

gopoohgo

June 18th, 2013 at 9:26 PM ^

Put a stranglehold on the hex with a win...

S.Korea also qualified today (backed into it with a home loss to Iran) so all in all will be a good day!

 

bluewoody

June 18th, 2013 at 9:33 PM ^

I'm at BW3s sitting fifteen feet from Taylor lewan (yes, cool story bro) is the crowd in good voice like Seattle? Sound is on NBAz so i cant hear. That crowd in Seattle was awesome. Take a bow Seattle. Michigan Stadium should introduce that delayed clap chant. Just wanted to know if the crowd was on good form.

MichiganManOf1961

June 18th, 2013 at 9:50 PM ^

The game is in Utah... so I'm guessing the tailgating beforehand wasn't all that rambunctious.  So yes, very quiet.  

A lot of pretty decent passing from the US, Bradley had a really nice run a few minutes ago.  We're winning the possession battle.  But Honduras has been coming on more and more as the game goes on.

MichiganManOf1961

June 18th, 2013 at 9:54 PM ^

Why can't the US train functional defensive players?  Honestly, having played defense my whole (soccer) life, it isn't hard at all.  Just DON'T SCREW UP.  I swear the backs are completely inept in 50% of the games I watch.  You don't even have to be good at soccer!  Just don't turn the ball over in your own end and don't let them get any shots off.  Foul and boom the ball up field if needed.  Nope, they'd rather turn it over and let the opposition waltz in and take a shot from 18 yards. So frustrating.  Foul them 40 yards out, damn it.

MichiganManOf1961

June 18th, 2013 at 10:16 PM ^

Sorry, let me re-interate.  That did come off poorly.  

It is the position which is most reliant of athleticism and isn't really as dependent on "soccer skill".  It frustrates me that this should be the "easiest" position to solidify, even if the US can't put out the best SOCCER players, I'd hope we can find ATHLETES who can be taught to play defense.  Instead, it's (at least to me, and I'd venture many other feel the same) the weakest position the US fields, game after game.  Honestly, sometimes it looks like the backs' shoes weigh 2 pounds each.  

(I wrote that comment after a US defensive player passed the ball nicely to a Honduran player 10 yards away and then allowed him to dribble 30 yards and launch a shot on goal from 10-15 yards away without so much as touching him.  Sorry I expect more from professionals than high school players.  What's the second thing you learn as a defender?  Attack the ball.)

TheGhostofFerbert

June 18th, 2013 at 10:42 PM ^

Yeah I still disagree as I think it's the position that requires the most soccer skill.  There is no room for error.  Every touch must be near-perfect, distribution must be extremely accurate, it requires playing the ball cleanly out of the air more than any other position, and it demands an great knowledge of both offensive and defensive positioning.  Finally, all of this must be done under tremendous pressure. That said, I agree with you that our back line is clearly the weakest part of the team.

MichiganTeacher

June 18th, 2013 at 10:08 PM ^

US needs to wake up. Honduras is not playing well but we haven't been able to take advantage. Deuce is having an off night so far. Might need him to step up if we want all 3 points.

Also, Cameron should have started instead of Jones. Should go in for him now, to start the second half.

Cville Blue

June 18th, 2013 at 10:24 PM ^

I'm usually optimistic, but I have concerns. Starting to feel like a game where we dominate possession, but they score on a counter attack in the 85th minute,

bacon1431

June 18th, 2013 at 10:26 PM ^

A few positive moments, but overall pretty disappointed with our effort tonight. Waiting for some subs. Hoping Cameron comes on for Jones, who has had a bad game. 

M-Dog

June 18th, 2013 at 11:09 PM ^

I thought that too.  

Maybe if the greedy NBA stops stealing college freshmen we'll pay attention to it.  Plus I can't stand the way they play in the NBA.  Everybody just stands around until 5 seconds on the shot clock, then one player goes to the hoop while everybody keeps standing and watching.

 

bacon1431

June 18th, 2013 at 10:41 PM ^

Jozy with another great effort. Glad to see we're not sitting back but are staying with the agressive play we've see for the last 10-12 minutes