Looked like in the second half they were playing not to lose instead of playing to win.

LD with a great interview.

Tim Howard wins best goalie.

I really don't like Brazil.

 

The only good news is that the Gold Cup starts next week :thumb:

I would guess that we will see some of the second 11 in the gold cup. They will need some match experience as well.

I really don't like Brazil.

 

The only good news is that the Gold Cup starts next week :thumb:

 

The Gold Cup will be weird considering the roster we're putting up for it, but nonetheless I'm excited for it as well.

 

I loved Donovan's interview in responding to the question about the US getting more respect after this tournament: "We don't want respect; we want to win." That is awesome.

Well at least we had the world watching and wondering.... if the USA were for real!

Someday and it will be sooner than later, it will happen. Far too many youngsters are playing quality soccer in the USA compared to just 10 years ago.

 

It will happen....one day.

While vastly improved, I can never see the USA competing at the highest level on a consistent basis until our elite athletes are taking the field. The guys Brazil had on the field were the US equivalent of LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and Randy Moss. It is the best athletes they can offer. Our squad is filled with a bunch of gritty guys that are nowhere near their level athletically.

 

In looking back to the World Cup in '94, it is amazing how far we have come. But the elites of the world are far ahead of us. Even during yesterday's game, Brazil dominated 90% of the match. The US was opportunistic in capitalizing for 2 goals.

 

Great team effort and showing overall in the Confederations Cup :thumb:

I have to give it up for Landon Donovan. Ever since the last World Cup, I have been disappointed in his effort and overall play on the field. I am not sure if it is just being a vet or what, but you can tell he is seeing the field so much better.

While vastly improved, I can never see the USA competing at the highest level on a consistent basis until our elite athletes are taking the field. The guys Brazil had on the field were the US equivalent of LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and Randy Moss. It is the best athletes they can offer. Our squad is filled with a bunch of gritty guys that are nowhere near their level athletically.

 

I think that's why the U.S. struggles to score against really good teams. There just aren't many world-class strikers in our lineup. The defense is solid, goalkeeping is great, and midfield isn't bad. The strikers up front are good, but there just isn't any depth.

 

I'm not sure the U.S. will ever get those players, either. In most countries, the poor game is soccer. In the U.S., the poor game is basketball. I can't see many urban, poor, African-Americans giving up hoops for soccer. It's not the fault of soccer, just that basketball is so ingrained in the African-American culture.

 

I do believe, however, that the U.S. would benefit greatly by reaching out to the large numbers of Latino's in the country. You'll notice there are very few Hispanics playing on the national team. When the U.S. plays a Latin country at home, the Latin country has more fans. If the U.S. developed some of those kids and brought more of them into the fold, there might be a chance in crowds, too.

 

I do believe, however, that the U.S. would benefit greatly by reaching out to the large numbers of Latino's in the country. You'll notice there are very few Hispanics playing on the national team. When the U.S. plays a Latin country at home, the Latin country has more fans. If the U.S. developed some of those kids and brought more of them into the fold, there might be a chance in crowds, too.

Good point.