Thread: Summer Soccer Thread - 2008

Originally Posted by ucsdguy1

I've heard many stories that Klinnsman wanted a complete overhaul of the US system, from coaches to developmental systems, etc. all the way up. And he wanted control of it.

Sunil and many others at the USSF, realizing this would undermine they're power (and jobs) nixed the idea.

It would have been dangerous hiring Klinsmann, obviously the US national team would not have been his dream job. Even though he has made a home out here he took the Bayern Munich job. I don't think the US job would have been one he would have stuck with. It seemed like a good idea at the time, because of Germany's run but all the tactical attacking football that Germany was hailed for, that was the brain child of Klinsmann's #2, Low. Who is now German's head guy. Klinsmann was the rah rah emotional leader guy. Important but would that stuff have been effective with American born players? Hard to say.

Originally Posted by ucsdguy1

The US still looked a lot better with Adu in the lineup. Would love to see Freddy and Donovan linking up with Altidore together. Bradley sure does love sticking with Eddie Johnson

Adu as our attacking mid and Donovan as a right sided attacking mid could work, but who do you sacrifice? Dempsey or Beasley? Beasley is one of our most effective players but might be better suited to coming on as a sub and running at tired legs.

Against weak teams we could play a 4-4-2 with Adu as an attacking mid, and Donovan playing up front, and replacing one of Bradley or Clark. I don't think that would work against stronger sides though as I don't think Bradley/Clark/Edu have the combination of ball winning skills and passing proficiency to play defensive mid, because with Freddy in the midfield, that other center mid won't be getting to much help defensively!

Originally Posted by ASUcruz

Against weak teams we could play a 4-4-2 with Adu as an attacking mid, and Donovan playing up front, and replacing one of Bradley or Clark. I don't think that would work against stronger sides though as I don't think Bradley/Clark/Edu have the combination of ball winning skills and passing proficiency to play defensive mid, because with Freddy in the midfield, that other center mid won't be getting to much help defensively!

Hopefully Edu can be that guy in the future, dude has a good size advantage over Bradley and Clark (both of whom have been unimpressive in international play). The thought of having Altidore, Donovan, Adu, Dempsey and Beasley all on the field at the same time is pretty F'in sexy!

This is why I hate following the USMNT. Bradley was pretty solid until the England game. Now he doesn't fully redeem himself against Spain and he's old news. Where the **** is US soccer that we can just give up on players so quickly? I'd go to BigSoccer for that kind of bull****. If only enough people cared about MLS that much...

MADRID, June 7 (Reuters) - Barcelona have agreed a deal to sign Brazil fullback Daniel Alves from Sevilla, Spanish media reported on Saturday.

The 25-year-old international is set to move on a four-year contract for a fee of 29.5 million euros ($46.04 million), rising to 36 million euros depending on appearances and results.

First game goes 1-0 to the Czechs. 1-1 would have probably have been a fair result. The Swiss had a number of chances and there probably should have been a handball called on the Czechs in the box.

I'll say this though, this Czech team is not as powerful as year's past. Not having the creative talents of Pavel Nedved and Tomas Rosicky are the main reason. The Czech's play, usually free flowing is stagnant without these 2 and Koller has clearly lost a step. They should get out of group but I don't think they'll advance in the knockout rounds.

Who here thinks C. Ronaldo will be playing for Real Madrid come August? I do...

Originally Posted by chu gar

Who here thinks C. Ronaldo will be playing for Real Madrid come August? I do...

Starting to think he will as well. He hasn't forced Man United's hand just yet, he's hinted at going to Real Madrid but he hasn't said "I will only play for Real Madrid" just yet.

The Glazers have said they will play hard ball with him but that seems unlikely. Losing him is a blow but not the end of the world. Especially with the King's ransom Man United will get for him.

Julie Foudy? Seriously ESPN?

Originally Posted by ASUcruz

Adu as our attacking mid and Donovan as a right sided attacking mid could work, but who do you sacrifice? Dempsey or Beasley? Beasley is one of our most effective players but might be better suited to coming on as a sub and running at tired legs.

Against weak teams we could play a 4-4-2 with Adu as an attacking mid, and Donovan playing up front, and replacing one of Bradley or Clark. I don't think that would work against stronger sides though as I don't think Bradley/Clark/Edu have the combination of ball winning skills and passing proficiency to play defensive mid, because with Freddy in the midfield, that other center mid won't be getting to much help defensively!

I'd be okay with sacrificing beasley for that lineup. Probably for that reason too, he'd be a great 2nd half sub.
Dempsey can be hot and cold, but he seems like a guy that can figure out where he needs to be if Adu and Donovan are setting him up.
When you talk about proficiency, Bradley might be a guy who can handle it. If for no other reason he's done fairly well with his european squad, wherein playing "total football" per se he does have to have a good amount of knowledge for positioning and movement.
Coach Bradley will have to figure this out sooner rather than later as WCQ is coming up. I'd like to see a standard lineup go through qualifying and play together (for the most part) to 2010.

Czech 1-0 over the swiss. With Frei injured I think they're done. Czechs did not impress much.

Turkey hasn't impressed much so far either. back to the game...