bjp41

What a start for Altidore. Hull 1, Bolton 0.

Sat, 22 Aug 2009 17:37:05 -0500

American Jozy Altidore needed 28 seconds to get his first touch in a Tigers kit. Altidore was brought onto the KC pitch in the 60th minute. His first touch lead to Kamel Fathi Ghilas's game winning goal. Minutes after helping lead to a goal, he almost got himself a goal on a breakaway. He beat the keeper, but his shot was just wide far post. Jozy had one more good chance after getting a ball right in the box, he made a strong turn and fired a bullett that Jaaskelain managed to stop.

Bolton dominated most of the day. They just could not break through. Phil Brown then decided it was time to bring on his New Boy. The Hull fans gave him a good chear as he entered and their aplause only grew as the final 30 ticked down and the Tigers took control. It was their first home win since last December.

Hull City fans had to head home happy about the future. Altidore should provide strength, toughness and scoring up front. He even mixed it up with a Bolton player late. Hopefully City will continue getting results and start the long climb up the ladder.

Is it Time?

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 17:33:46 -0500

It was Mexico City. The USA never wins there. Having only taken one ( ONE ) point at the Azteca in just under 25 matches. So, however hard it is to forget the come from ahead 2-1 lose, lets forget it.

What has the USMNT become? What do you think of when you think of the 09 Stars and Stripes? Lets take a look from my little azteca chair(capacity of four) in my basement soccer room.

* I see a team that plays great one match (see Spain) and then like garbage(see Haiti, Gold Cup Final, El Salvador) the next.

* I see a team that had the lead or were level in TWO finals at half only to lose the match. In one they had a two goal half time lead over Brazil(that's right Brazil) only to give up three goals in another terrible loss.

* I see a back line that looks great one game and then total disorganized the next.

* I see a team that has some serious fouling issues.

* I see a team who has a real problem holding the ball.

* I see and do not understand some of the players they are starting and switching onto the pitch.

The American team this summer has shown it has the talent to play with some of the best nations in the world. But there has been no consistency, no disipline, no idenity, and just a bunch of overall frustration. Now we are looking at four huge games for our ticket to South Africa. The USMNT is no lock. They will most likely need nine points. So what do the big shots that write Bob Bradleys check do? Can it all be his doing? A lot of it can. Teams take on the personality of their coach. He has been there long enough that this is his team. Do not look for it to happen, but it could be the thing that could light a fire under the players to get them to the World Cup. It is late in the prossess, but they are a hard team to put any confidence in.

All this begs another question. If you could get any manager(any) to skipper the Americans final push to World Cup 2010, who would it be? Or do we bite the bullet and keep watching? Make the switch.

Same old story

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:00:21 -0500

The USMNT lost again in Mexico City. After a great start thanks to a ninth minute goal by Charlie Davies the Americans were out played the rest of the match. Unable to keep possession the USMNT created few real chances. Isreal Castro scored the equalizer in the nineteenth minute after a questionable no call. El Tri had numerous second half chances. Tim Howard made two great saves, but gave up the game winner in the eighty first on Miguel Sabah's point blank goal.

Until the USMNT stops give balls away they will never be a true power. To many times they just pass the ball to open areas or straight to the other team. It puts too much pressure on your back line and goal keeper. You also limit the chances Donovan gets. Did he even play today? I am not saying it was his fought, he did not see the ball. Davies goal and his missed header later were the USMNT's only real chances.

Now September fifths game becomes very important. Not a must win depending on what happens in tonight other matchs. In the mean time can Bob Bradley please start getting the Americans to put more than two passes together.

Play Great Defense, Hold the ball, We will get our chances.

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 18:28:41 -0500

History, altitude, heat, crowd, and yes, a good team will all be against the USMNT tomorrow in Mexico City. This summer has been a rollercoaster ride for the Americans. Early goals against and late game heroics. Crushing defeats and an Espy award upset. Two finals and two second half melt downs. It has been frustrating at times, but also a lot of fun. So what happens tomorrow at Azteca?

Mexico has it's back to the wall. They have to take three points or they are looking at a playoff at best, for theit ticket to South Africa. With a hundred thousand plus Mexicans rooting on thier team, Mexico will come out very strong. We must not let them get an early goal! I am all for taking the fight to your opponent, but Bob Bradley can take some of the negative things that face the Americans and turn them against their opponents. I have confidence in Tim Howard. However, our back four must play as they did against Spain. Sweep everything out of the box. Make the Mexicans work. They will burn up a lot of energy early. Mexico will throw almost everything forward early which should give the USMNT some early counters. This is why I look for an early goal. Who ever scores first has the advantage. If Mexico scores and the crowd gets going -- we are in trouble. If the Americans can cash in early, the heat and pressure float off our backs and onto Mexico.

Besides limiting El Tri's chances, our midfielders must maintain the ball. "Make them run and let the ball do the work!" Should be one of the last things Bradley says before kickoff. This also will help sap the legs and hopefully the hearts out of the Mexicans.

The USMNT will get more and more chances as the match progresses. They must finish them. They had chances in the final a couple of weeks ago, but they missed them. Finish them this time and end years of frustration south of the boarder. Something tells me that tomorrows match will be a special day for USA soccer. They may have to "Play the Game of Their Lives" to get it done. I believe they will.

Altidore to Hull City

Fri, 7 Aug 2009 14:19:31 -0500

Jozy Altidore has been has been sent to Hull City on a season long loan from Villareal. Altidore has had a good summer for the USMNT and has been reported to have been frustrated over a lack of playing time. If his work permit goes through, he will be avaliable to play in City's opener against Chelsea. He should play 60-70 minutes in the USMNT's qualifier in Mexico City on August 12. Hull City's opens the season on the 15th, so i look for only limited time at best in the opener. Lets hope he gets plenty of playing time over the season. It is a good move for the American star an good move for the USA. Good luck Jozy!

Youngsters Should Be Fun To Watch !

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 14:57:00 -0500

It is a shame we will not field our strongest team in the Gold Cup, but I am looking forward to seening Davies and Adu play together. Davies proved to me he belongs and will contribute at the highest levels. His speed is awesome, he has heart, and he makes great runs. I would like to see him hold the ball better. That will help others to get in the box when he does not have numbers. I also want to see him improve on finishing on goal.

As far as Adu goes. I really thought he would get some time in South Africa. I think he can hold the ball, something the USA really missed in the knock out stages. I know Dempsey can score, but he gives the ball away at critical times. The USA ran out of gas in the final, much of that do to not being able to hold possession. Hopefully Freddy will prove that in the next couple of games and Bradley will give him more prime time. He also is great on set pieces.

The USMNT has shown it can score and defend on the world stage if they are focused and more importantly Fit. Let's hope Adu and Davies, along with the other youngsters will build on last weeks momentum. It should be a fun tourny to watch !

Go USA