Summer 2007 movie's had a decidedly negative take on the beautiful game.
During a "trip" in the Alaskan wilderness Homer comes to the epiphany that, "Americans will never embrace soccer," in "The Simpsons Movie."
A couple weeks later, in 'Superbad' one of the protagonists derisively writes of PE class as, "It's just soccer." (Also, there was a line of being down "two points." Yeah, Seth Rogen is Canadian all right.)
At least later in the flick one of the heavies at a wild party rocks the Brasil national team shirt. While soccer remains outside the fringes of America, wearing a jersey is definitely a sign of being trendy.
Brasil's national shirt (made by Nike) is probably at the top of the trendy list, along with the likes of Arsenal, Barcelona and Manchester United (all swooshers). With good reason, they're the undisputed kings of the world game who play an attractive game. Plus the Brasil yellow shirt is pretty sharp.
What I'm getting at here, Sunday's game between the USMNT and Brasil, which is billed as the 'Clash of the Champions' is really just an excuse for some power marketing from Portland, Ore -- Nike.
Let's sell some shirts. So what if they say 'Kaka' on them!? It's actually mildly shocking Nike didn't design a special one-off shirt for the US on this occasion.
Ok, that's somewhat harsh. Who doesn't want to watch a friendly on the first weekend of NFL Sunday?
Exactly.
Still, there's something to be taken from this game, right?
Talking points
1. Goals, goals, goals -- Chances are high we won't be subjected to the lame, pathetic, second-rate, amateurish, USSF goals-anthem. The US has gone scoreless in it's last two fixtures, 1-0 losses to Sweden and Colombia.
With a roster devoid of a true central forward, it's hard to imagine the scoreless streak ends vs. the five-time world champs. Can you bank on Landon Donovan breaking free from the midfield to create a 1-v-1 with the keeper? Or another Benny Feilhaber wonderstrike? Maybe the only chance is a header from Clint Dempsey or Bocanegra off a corner.
If Davy Arnuad, Eddie Johnson or Josh Wolff create something I owe everyone a digital round of beers.
2. The logjam -- The question remains how our best offensive players -- Benny Feilhaber, Clint Dempsey, DaMarcus Beasley and Landon Donovan on the field at the same time. All are relatively smallish, quick players that all can play most places on the attacking third of the field.
At some point there might be the critical decision of favoring Dempsey or Donovan. The arising problem could be that Donovan is the "face" of the federation, whilst Dempsey is currently flashing at Fulham in the Premier League. Donovan does work well in the supporting striker role, but expecting him to be be the main playmaker isn't happening. Dempsey, despite a string of indifferent International showings, should be given a chance to show what he's got in the center of the field.
3. Who isn't in Chicago -- No. 1 in my man Oatmeal Altidore. Word is he's hurting with on-again, off-again injuries. Still, he should be in the squad.
Kenny Cooper got the royal screwgie, when Tyronne Marshall broke his leg and knocked him out of the picture in 2007. He had showed promise.
When Pablo Mastroeni pulled out, Bradley replaced him with the legendary, the esteemed Kerry Zavagnin. Hmm...? Ricardo Clark played in Houston's last game so he was available. Same with Kyle Beckerman. But who wants to see what a couple of 20-somethings can do against the world's best in favor of a 33-year-old.
Bob, the result doesn't matter as much as seeing the team play well. Honest. The chances of beating Brasil were slim to begin with. All Zavagnin, in theory does is keep the game from becoming an embarrassment.
Why not let this guys see what they can do with the "A Team" as opposed to the Copa cast of castoffs?
Where is the logic?
Oh right...that Adu fellow, too?
Using the insanely myopic MLS failing to honor FIFA blackout dates is a crutch that can only be used for so long. Hopefully someone is taking notice when they make the sked for 2008, right?
4. Benny back, Brasil -- According to his bio, Feilhaber was born in Brasil. Expect some rich, compelling stuff from the storytellers at ESPN on this fact. Chances are it could dominate the broadcast.
5. Golden boys -- Again, Lando remains a goal short of becoming the all-time leader for the squad. A more hallowed record in sport, I do not know. Hopefully he does it against Catalonia...if it's even played or Switzerland so we don't need to hear Wynalda whining.
6. Goose that laid a rotten egg -- Again, we'll have another interesting test for American central defender Oguchi Oneywu. His stock is definitely mirroring the whole Tech rise and fall of the late 90s. Still, there's chance for a rebound.
7. Young 'uns -- This represents another chance to see what a trio of young US defenders -- Spector, Simek and Pearce -- can bring to the table. At this point we all have a pretty good read on Spector. Simek and Pearce need some looks at least 45 minutes for each. Gosh, Jon Bornstein had all summer, these guys had about two seconds.
8. Gracias, Univision -- If you want to keep your sanity, the Spanish language giants will air the game live along with ESPN2. Golazo!
9. How long will we see stars? -- With European club season in full-swing it's hard to imagine the heavyweights of the world games (AC Milan, Barca, etc.) are going to let Dunga play their Brasilian stars play a full 90 minutes, after a trans-Altantic flight no less, for a friendly. These guys aren't David Beckham, after all.
The crowd should get a taste of joga bonito for a little bit, so get there early. Though...with the Bears playing San Diego on the West Coast at the same time, how many people are going to this one to begin with?
Then again, under Dunga we've seen more of a tactical, anti-game than the beautiful game. Robihno isn't getting carried off on anyone's shoulders. Still, expect a moment or two of brilliance like the first goal in the Copa final vs. Argentina. Overall, admittedly not the flashiest Brasil lineup in the world.
The two guys I want to see the most are Daniel Alves and Vagner Love (again, tune into Univision for full effect.)
My lineup...until the Mastroeni injury
GK: Howard
Def: Cherundolo---Bocanegra---Onyewu (come back Jimmy C)---Simek
Mid: Bradley----Mastroeni
Donovan-------Feilhaber---------Beasley
For: Dempsey
Unconventional starting Dempsey alone up top, but this lineup gets the best attacking options out there on the field together in a quartet. It leaves Bradley and Mastroeni to do the dirty work in the midfield and allows some space for the outside backs to get forward. Simek is more of a natural right footed, guy, right? Still, let's see if he can do anything at the black-hole that is USMNT left back.
I'd guess, though, Bradley opts for a tradition 4-4-2, but who knows.
My revised lineup:
GK: Howard
Def: Cherundolo---Bocanegra---Onyewu---Simek
Mid: Dempsey---Bradley---Feilhaber---Beasley
Donovan
For: Johnson.
Really, honestly, nothing personal but no reason to see Zavagnin except for injury.
Closing remarks
You have to wonder what approach Bradley takes with this game. With the roster he called in, it looks more like he wants a result than to look at players. Yet of course, this means nothing really. You figure Dunga is still looking and evaluating players and will sub liberally.
There's even the chance that is by some miracle the US pulls out a win or draw, that it will be a perfect band aid and mask a lot of the problems swirling around the program. That's a danger in that.
Say Josh Wolff scores. Does that mean he's a viable player going forward?
It would serve all parties to judge this for what it is, a one-off game, not a measuring stick.
Final guess: Brasil 2, USA 0 (Where is a goal coming from aside from the spot?)
Note: Since I'm working Sunday, chances are I won't see the match until late night (after the Curb premier). Expect a brief post match sometime in the Monday a.m. Use this thread as any in-game complaints, etc.
During a "trip" in the Alaskan wilderness Homer comes to the epiphany that, "Americans will never embrace soccer," in "The Simpsons Movie."
A couple weeks later, in 'Superbad' one of the protagonists derisively writes of PE class as, "It's just soccer." (Also, there was a line of being down "two points." Yeah, Seth Rogen is Canadian all right.)
At least later in the flick one of the heavies at a wild party rocks the Brasil national team shirt. While soccer remains outside the fringes of America, wearing a jersey is definitely a sign of being trendy.
Brasil's national shirt (made by Nike) is probably at the top of the trendy list, along with the likes of Arsenal, Barcelona and Manchester United (all swooshers). With good reason, they're the undisputed kings of the world game who play an attractive game. Plus the Brasil yellow shirt is pretty sharp.
What I'm getting at here, Sunday's game between the USMNT and Brasil, which is billed as the 'Clash of the Champions' is really just an excuse for some power marketing from Portland, Ore -- Nike.
Let's sell some shirts. So what if they say 'Kaka' on them!? It's actually mildly shocking Nike didn't design a special one-off shirt for the US on this occasion.
Ok, that's somewhat harsh. Who doesn't want to watch a friendly on the first weekend of NFL Sunday?
Exactly.
Still, there's something to be taken from this game, right?
Talking points
1. Goals, goals, goals -- Chances are high we won't be subjected to the lame, pathetic, second-rate, amateurish, USSF goals-anthem. The US has gone scoreless in it's last two fixtures, 1-0 losses to Sweden and Colombia.
With a roster devoid of a true central forward, it's hard to imagine the scoreless streak ends vs. the five-time world champs. Can you bank on Landon Donovan breaking free from the midfield to create a 1-v-1 with the keeper? Or another Benny Feilhaber wonderstrike? Maybe the only chance is a header from Clint Dempsey or Bocanegra off a corner.
If Davy Arnuad, Eddie Johnson or Josh Wolff create something I owe everyone a digital round of beers.
2. The logjam -- The question remains how our best offensive players -- Benny Feilhaber, Clint Dempsey, DaMarcus Beasley and Landon Donovan on the field at the same time. All are relatively smallish, quick players that all can play most places on the attacking third of the field.
At some point there might be the critical decision of favoring Dempsey or Donovan. The arising problem could be that Donovan is the "face" of the federation, whilst Dempsey is currently flashing at Fulham in the Premier League. Donovan does work well in the supporting striker role, but expecting him to be be the main playmaker isn't happening. Dempsey, despite a string of indifferent International showings, should be given a chance to show what he's got in the center of the field.
3. Who isn't in Chicago -- No. 1 in my man Oatmeal Altidore. Word is he's hurting with on-again, off-again injuries. Still, he should be in the squad.
Kenny Cooper got the royal screwgie, when Tyronne Marshall broke his leg and knocked him out of the picture in 2007. He had showed promise.
When Pablo Mastroeni pulled out, Bradley replaced him with the legendary, the esteemed Kerry Zavagnin. Hmm...? Ricardo Clark played in Houston's last game so he was available. Same with Kyle Beckerman. But who wants to see what a couple of 20-somethings can do against the world's best in favor of a 33-year-old.
Bob, the result doesn't matter as much as seeing the team play well. Honest. The chances of beating Brasil were slim to begin with. All Zavagnin, in theory does is keep the game from becoming an embarrassment.
Why not let this guys see what they can do with the "A Team" as opposed to the Copa cast of castoffs?
Where is the logic?
Oh right...that Adu fellow, too?
Using the insanely myopic MLS failing to honor FIFA blackout dates is a crutch that can only be used for so long. Hopefully someone is taking notice when they make the sked for 2008, right?
4. Benny back, Brasil -- According to his bio, Feilhaber was born in Brasil. Expect some rich, compelling stuff from the storytellers at ESPN on this fact. Chances are it could dominate the broadcast.
5. Golden boys -- Again, Lando remains a goal short of becoming the all-time leader for the squad. A more hallowed record in sport, I do not know. Hopefully he does it against Catalonia...if it's even played or Switzerland so we don't need to hear Wynalda whining.
6. Goose that laid a rotten egg -- Again, we'll have another interesting test for American central defender Oguchi Oneywu. His stock is definitely mirroring the whole Tech rise and fall of the late 90s. Still, there's chance for a rebound.
7. Young 'uns -- This represents another chance to see what a trio of young US defenders -- Spector, Simek and Pearce -- can bring to the table. At this point we all have a pretty good read on Spector. Simek and Pearce need some looks at least 45 minutes for each. Gosh, Jon Bornstein had all summer, these guys had about two seconds.
8. Gracias, Univision -- If you want to keep your sanity, the Spanish language giants will air the game live along with ESPN2. Golazo!
9. How long will we see stars? -- With European club season in full-swing it's hard to imagine the heavyweights of the world games (AC Milan, Barca, etc.) are going to let Dunga play their Brasilian stars play a full 90 minutes, after a trans-Altantic flight no less, for a friendly. These guys aren't David Beckham, after all.
The crowd should get a taste of joga bonito for a little bit, so get there early. Though...with the Bears playing San Diego on the West Coast at the same time, how many people are going to this one to begin with?
Then again, under Dunga we've seen more of a tactical, anti-game than the beautiful game. Robihno isn't getting carried off on anyone's shoulders. Still, expect a moment or two of brilliance like the first goal in the Copa final vs. Argentina. Overall, admittedly not the flashiest Brasil lineup in the world.
The two guys I want to see the most are Daniel Alves and Vagner Love (again, tune into Univision for full effect.)
My lineup...until the Mastroeni injury
GK: Howard
Def: Cherundolo---Bocanegra---Onyewu (come back Jimmy C)---Simek
Mid: Bradley----Mastroeni
Donovan-------Feilhaber---------Beasley
For: Dempsey
Unconventional starting Dempsey alone up top, but this lineup gets the best attacking options out there on the field together in a quartet. It leaves Bradley and Mastroeni to do the dirty work in the midfield and allows some space for the outside backs to get forward. Simek is more of a natural right footed, guy, right? Still, let's see if he can do anything at the black-hole that is USMNT left back.
I'd guess, though, Bradley opts for a tradition 4-4-2, but who knows.
My revised lineup:
GK: Howard
Def: Cherundolo---Bocanegra---Onyewu---Simek
Mid: Dempsey---Bradley---Feilhaber---Beasley
Donovan
For: Johnson.
Really, honestly, nothing personal but no reason to see Zavagnin except for injury.
Closing remarks
You have to wonder what approach Bradley takes with this game. With the roster he called in, it looks more like he wants a result than to look at players. Yet of course, this means nothing really. You figure Dunga is still looking and evaluating players and will sub liberally.
There's even the chance that is by some miracle the US pulls out a win or draw, that it will be a perfect band aid and mask a lot of the problems swirling around the program. That's a danger in that.
Say Josh Wolff scores. Does that mean he's a viable player going forward?
It would serve all parties to judge this for what it is, a one-off game, not a measuring stick.
Final guess: Brasil 2, USA 0 (Where is a goal coming from aside from the spot?)
Note: Since I'm working Sunday, chances are I won't see the match until late night (after the Curb premier). Expect a brief post match sometime in the Monday a.m. Use this thread as any in-game complaints, etc.
Labels: Brasil, DaMarcus Beasley, Landon Donovan, Soccer, USMNT
As Rick Pitino would say, "Roy Wegerle is not walking through that door, fans. Thomas Dooley is not walking through that door, and Chris Henderson is not walking through that door. And if you expect them to walk through that door, they're going to be gray and old. What we are is young, exciting, hard-working, and we're going to improve."
At least that's what Sunday should be. I could not agree any more that Joooooooooozy and Freddy should be playing. On the flip-side though M. Bradley and Feilhaber are both wee lads in terms of Senior National Team experience.
If a bratwurst falls in Soldier Field during a friendly on a football Sunday and no one is there to hear it...
You know, I wouldn't be surprised if some at the USSF don't think 46-year-old Dooley could still play.
How are there no comments on this right now? This game is amazing