You are looking at the end result and saying, "it is 4-0 no matter who we have on the field." We are looking at it from the process of getting to 4-0 and saying, "at least try to win the game."

1st, Reds are in a completely different position. This was the semifinals of a tournament on our soil. You have to win the semifinal to advance, so try and win.

 

As for them getting trounced, Klinsmann would have had an out, because he was in a tough position losing Bedoya, Jones, and Wood. Had he put out a team that could at least match Argentina athletically, or to the best of the team's ability, who could fault him? He didn't. He went with the old tried and true and we all know that those 3 players can't play at this level. We don't know what Nagbe can do, or if you put Johnson in the midfield with Besler behind him if that helps.

 

Klinsmann went with -- and expected too much from -- "his guys" that have played for him for years. I think you nailed the exact source of my disappointment with last night.

 

In the 1994 World Cup we played eventual champions Brazil to a 1-0 game in the Round of 16 and it was level until the 72nd minute. In the 2002 Cup a much superior German side needed a handball on the goal line to hang on to a 1-0 win over the USA in the quarterfinals.

 

There are things you can do to keep yourself in a game against a vastly superior side and give yourself a chance right up to the death. Klinsmann did none of those things yesterday and instead hung his team out to dry with tired dependence on players that had no business going toe-to-toe with that Argentina team.

You are looking at the end result and saying, "it is 4-0 no matter who we have on the field." We are looking at it from the process of getting to 4-0 and saying, "at least try to win the game."

 

I'm simply saying anything short of a miraculous victory, which had no chance of happening, would've brought you guys out to clamor for his firing. Every single issue with US soccer you guys lay at Klinsmann's feet. Simple fact is the talent is what it is, and it's not good enough. That's not the coach's fault.

I'm simply saying anything short of a miraculous victory, which had no chance of happening, would've brought you guys out to clamor for his firing. Every single issue with US soccer you guys lay at Klinsmann's feet. Simple fact is the talent is what it is, and it's not good enough. That's not the coach's fault.

 

I think in this thread I have mentioned that the issue is how kids come up playing the game. Klinsmann has nothing to do with that. The club setup is counterproductive in many ways to building the proper culture in the US. Are we raising kids in the Latin way of possessing the ball??? Are we a British/Nordic culture of being fast, strong and powerful??? We don't know who or what we are. That is not a Klinsmann created issue. That being said, his lineup selection is often times terrible. He is not the right coach to coach the US.

The call for Klinsmann's head is nothing new. Those who are dissatisfied have been for 18-24 months, and last night didn't change anyone's view.

 

The fact he enjoys support from Sunil makes the argument moot.

So the US gets a rematch with Columbia. Should we expect a different result and finish in 3rd place?

I expect a much better effort. USA will (or at least should) go all out while Colombia is likely going to play like a disappointed NIT team.

I expect a much better effort. USA will (or at least should) go all out while Colombia is likely going to play like a disappointed NIT team.

 

I hope that the sense of revenge runs through this team as their performance in that opening Group stage game was less than stellar.

U.S. played much better than the last match with Columbia. The possession was better and they created some good scoring opportunities, but just couldn't finish. I thought that Jones, Zardes and Wood all played well. The defense looked pretty good considering the changes they had to make. Yedlin made a mistake on the goal by ball watching and allowing his man to get position on him, and Howard had no chance to save it. They definitely did not played intimidated like they did against Argentina.

I would have been happy with a 3rd place finish. I'm okay with a 4th place finish. I'm still absolutely baffled by 80% of everything that Klinsmann does.

 

At the end of the day, a 4th place finish is a good run for the U.S.

Is the championship match tonight going to be televised? What channel?

Is the championship match tonight going to be televised? What channel?

 

Probably FS1 or FX

This game is just insane. Referee can't manage this game at all. Just throwing cards at everyone. Both sides down to ten men and something like seven cards shown only 40 minutes in.

I am by no means a "soccer" guy. I like watching soccer highlights and appreciate how talented the top players are but I find most of a soccer match boring. However, I thought I would watch the finals tonight. Well, now I know why I don't watch. Boring and the referee has been way more important than any players. He has thrown out two guys and both looked to be for stupid reasons to me. The announcers seem to agree with me. Why no instant replay on a red card to make sure it is right? Do any soccer leagues ever use instant replay???

This referee is out of control. He will never do another major match.