Kilmer17 Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 Nothing to see really. After dominating Mexico on Sat and earning their berth in the WC next summer, Bruce Arena sent home all of the euro based players (except Convey) and a couple of MLS players as well. I dont expect to see much, and would be suprised if the US manages even a draw. It's at 10 on ESPN2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaceman Spiff Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 Kilmer, is Pope still on the team? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kilmer17 Posted September 7, 2005 Author Share Posted September 7, 2005 Kind of a hard question to answer. The Mens National Team changes it's roster before every game. So at any point in time, 23 people are part of the team. But in the last 2 years, Arena has used over 50 different players on the field and another 25 or more that have been on the team but not in a game. Pope is certainly still part of the overall team, but he's no longer a 1st team starter. He's probably 4th on the depth chart for Center Back in a 442 lineup, and probably 5th or 6th in a 343 lineup. He's lost his wheels, which always covered for his skills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinsHokieFan Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 How many more points do we need to get a favorable seed in Germany next summer? And who wants to go to Germany next summer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatty P For The Pulitzer Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 Yeah, don't expect to see Pope too much in Germany. He may be used as a vet sub in a game we are up big, to keep the starters rested/healthy. That's about it. Kilmer, do you think we'll get to see Cunningham and Twellman starting up front, or at least getting some serious PT? Landon should've been sent back to LA. Who's going to start in net? And will Tim Howard ever be part of the MNT? I know we don't need him for the rest of qualifying, but I haven't seen his name come up at all this year. Is Bruce Arena expecting anything from him when Keller hangs it up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kilmer17 Posted September 7, 2005 Author Share Posted September 7, 2005 Ive already booked my trip. As for seeding, we'll know more tonight. As it stands now, the US is in 10th place within thousandths of points of Holland in 9th. Unfortunately, neither team can catch any of the 8 teams ahead of them in the points area, SOOOOOO they must hope that some of the teams virtually guarenteed a seed dont make it at all. Possible scenarios- France is currently in 4th place in their group, but only a point out of 1st. They play in Ireland tonight. If they lose, that probably ends their WC hopes. So that's 1, but that only gets Holland a seed (unless we overtake them, which is unlikely even though we're close). We need another team to falter. Brazil and Argentina are in, Mexico is essentially in, and Germany gets a seed as the host. That leaves Spain, England and Italy. Italy has a comfortable lead in their group and isnt in any danger. Leaves us England and Spain. England will definitely finish no worse than 2nd in their group, which means at worst a home and home playoff with another Euro team. And it's most likely they finish as the highest 2nd place team which is an automatic berth. Confused yet? That leaves Spain. They play Serbia tonight (who hasnt given up a goal in 7 qualkifying games). If Spain loses, they will be on the ropes. Even a tie hurts their chances. Which brings back to the initial post about Arena letting the Euro players leave. That tells me that he doesnt think their is a chance the US gets a seed. BUT, if we win tonight, and France and Spain lose, you can bet we'll play the last 2 games at full strength. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaceman Spiff Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 How many more points do we need to get a favorable seed in Germany next summer?And who wants to go to Germany next summer I'm not a big soccer fan, but I'd love to go. World cup seems like such a cool atmosphere. But Kilmer, thats the one thing I've never understood about soccer, how can the national team never be set? I mean, won't players get pissed if they don't get to make it to Germany? regardless, US mens soccer seems to be doing well now. I'm just curious as to how it works. I just can't fathom plucking baseball players off their pro teams in the middle of the season to go play an international tournament... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatty P For The Pulitzer Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 How many more points do we need to get a favorable seed in Germany next summer?And who wants to go to Germany next summer We basically will need to win out, and then get some help from the Euros on the bubble. Not very likely, but possible. I'm in, I'd love to go. Legal brothels!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kilmer17 Posted September 7, 2005 Author Share Posted September 7, 2005 Yeah, don't expect to see Pope too much in Germany. He may be used as a vet sub in a game we are up big, to keep the starters rested/healthy. That's about it.Kilmer, do you think we'll get to see Cunningham and Twellman starting up front, or at least getting some serious PT? Landon should've been sent back to LA. Who's going to start in net? And will Tim Howard ever be part of the MNT? I know we don't need him for the rest of qualifying, but I haven't seen his name come up at all this year. Is Bruce Arena expecting anything from him when Keller hangs it up? My guess is that Twellman will start and Cunningham will sub for him in the 2nd half. Hahnemann will be in the net, he's playing better than Howard in England right now. But Tim will be the keeper of the next decade after this world cup cycle. I agree about Donovan. But Arena needs someone in the central midfield. And nobody else is in camp that can play the "ten". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kilmer17 Posted September 7, 2005 Author Share Posted September 7, 2005 I'm not a big soccer fan, but I'd love to go. World cup seems like such a cool atmosphere. But Kilmer, thats the one thing I've never understood about soccer, how can the national team never be set? I mean, won't players get pissed if they don't get to make it to Germany? regardless, US mens soccer seems to be doing well now. I'm just curious as to how it works. I just can't fathom plucking baseball players off their pro teams in the middle of the season to go play an international tournament... It is weird when compared to other US sports, but on the intl stage it's similar to Cricket and Rugby tourneys. If you go on USSOCCER.com they have over 100 guys listed as team members. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatty P For The Pulitzer Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 I'm not a big soccer fan, but I'd love to go. World cup seems like such a cool atmosphere. But Kilmer, thats the one thing I've never understood about soccer, how can the national team never be set? I mean, won't players get pissed if they don't get to make it to Germany? regardless, US mens soccer seems to be doing well now. I'm just curious as to how it works. I just can't fathom plucking baseball players off their pro teams in the middle of the season to go play an international tournament... Yeah, there will definitely be some players who will have their feelings hurt. But they can be little b1tches and cry about it, or they can work their asses off to get on the squad in 4 years. The good thing about it is that you don't have to worry about a set roster, you can bring your 18 (I think it's 18) players who are playing the best at the time. And it's not like Olympic Hoops where the team first gets together a month before the competition. These guys have been playing with each other for two years. That gives the coach plenty of time to tinker with chemistry, and find new talent. And coaches usually will reward players who go through the entire grind of qualifying too. Soccer is probably the one sport, that we're familiar with, where the players' commitment to their national teams will almost always supercede their commitment to their clubs, and most clubs accept that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kilmer17 Posted September 7, 2005 Author Share Posted September 7, 2005 It's 23 man roster, then 18 for each game. And only 3 subs per game. 3 guys in 02 didnt play a single minute in qualifying and made the team. Those 3- Pablo Mastroeni, DaMarcus BEasley and John Obrien. Arguably, 3 of the best performers from that WC. I'll watch tonight just to see what the 2nd tier guys look like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaceman Spiff Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 I watched most of the 2nd half tonight, i have a couple questions. How real are those injuries? I saw two guys go down and they were writhing in pain, they got hauled off on a stretcher and were ready to get back in the game like 10 seconds later! Is Landon Donovan as much of a prick as he looks? whats up with soccer announcers emphasizing the crap out of players names when they get close to the goal when its late and close? Donovan with the through to Ralston... Will soccer ever become the big sport in America that people have been saying it will since the 70's? Will it ever be on par with mlb, nba, and nfl? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bofluid Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 How real are those injuries? Is Landon Donovan as much of a prick as he looks? Will soccer ever become the big sport in America that people have been saying it will since the 70's? Will it ever be on par with mlb, nba, and nfl? They're fake 99% of the time. It's usually either a time wasting tactic, or it's used as a rest period. I've never met Donovan, but I have the feeling that if I did I'd wanna snuff him. Soccer will never be as big as people say it's going to be. You'll see a height of interest come World Cup time though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kilmer17 Posted September 8, 2005 Author Share Posted September 8, 2005 Most of the injuries hurt like hell for a minute of so. Bone on bone leg whips sting like nothing you can imagine, but they subside pretty fast. Alot of the reaction though is acting. Trying to get a card, or time delay. Yes, Donovan is a world class asshat. He's also a world class player. Not too many of them in Red White and Blue, so we allow him to be a prick. The easy answer to the announcers is this. They blow. JP and Cello just arent very good. It's better on Fox Soccer Channel, but not too much. They simply dont know what else to say, so they just say the guys name louder. Overall, that was one of the worst soccer games Ive ever watched. Not suprised, but wow was it bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrapeApe Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 Well, who won? Or did I miss it posted already? I tried watching it, but it was so boring I couldn't watch it for more than a few minutes. I guess soccer isn't for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kilmer17 Posted September 8, 2005 Author Share Posted September 8, 2005 0-0. And yes, it was THAT exciting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrapeApe Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 Thanks K. I guess it's good I didn't waste too much time watching it. I do like watching VT or my nephew play. Maybe I'll give the world cup some attention this time around if the US is any good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kilmer17 Posted September 8, 2005 Author Share Posted September 8, 2005 Last night was NOT the game to start watching US Intl Soccer. Last Saturday would have been ideal. Last night was a team of 2nd stringers with nothing to play for against a second rate Central American side. Watching VT or your nephew is probably better soccer than what I watched last night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatty P For The Pulitzer Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 I saw some of the 2nd half, and it was pretty much what I expected. The US pretty much tried not to lose, nothing more. I thought these guys would play a little harder, seeing as it was basically an audition for them to make the team. Only a couple of them are locks to make the squad next summer. It was a pretty sad half, although it got a little bit interesting at the end. We almost blew it when that Guatemalan beat the keep and hit the post at the end. I was definitely disappointed, I understand and agree with sending the A players back to their clubs, but I thought they'd play with a little more energy, seeing as getting seeded for the WC is still a possibility, and that includes the need for us to finish 1st in the CONCACAF. Now we're tied after Mexico lowered the hammer on Panama. Kilmer, I haven't checked out the Euro standings lately. What effect did England's loss to N. Ireland have on their standing? And did France move up from 4th with their win? That would be a disaster if one, or both, of them didn't make it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kilmer17 Posted September 8, 2005 Author Share Posted September 8, 2005 The England loss means they must win their final 2 (at home to Poland and some minnow) to win the group, but they are comfortable in 2nd place. France qualifies with a win vs Swiss in a month. I think Bruce accepted that there was little to no chance of a seed. And it appears little is on a train leaving town. Twellman really hurt his chances last night. He missed 2 open chances on goal. Not good when your trying to make the squad as the 5th striker. OTher than that, I was impressed with Marshall in the back. Nobody else stuck in my mind as having a good or bad game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatty P For The Pulitzer Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 I think Bruce accepted that there was little to no chance of a seed. And it appears little is on a train leaving town. That's what it looked like last night. It'll be disappointing if Mexico gets a seed and we don't though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kilmer17 Posted September 8, 2005 Author Share Posted September 8, 2005 Mexico is assured a seed. They are currently 3rd in the seeding formula. No chance they drop to 9th. This is a good thing. For the obvious reason that in lends credibility to CONCACAF, but also this. Mex getting a seed upsets the standard "pot draw" usedin past WCs. They would take the 3 CONCACAFA teams and pair them with the 5 African teams to make a pot of 8. Meaning we had no chance of drawing one of those sides, and more of a chance of having a seeded team plus 2 Euros in our group. Which is precisely what happened in Korea 02. Now, it is likely that we will draw only a seeded team (although not Mexico) and only 1 Euro team along with a 3rd team. I personally hoep we get Brazil in our group. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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