The U.S. men's national team looks to secure its place in the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinals tonight with a win against Panama at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa (8pm, Fox Soccer Channel).
The Americans opened their tournament with a 2-0 win vs. Canada, but face a Panama side with a stronger attack and familiarity with the United States, having lost to the USA in each of the past three Gold Cups.
Here is my Fox Soccer preview on tonight's match, as well as a look at match-ups to watch tonight.
SBI will be providing commentary on tonight's match so please feel free to follow along. As always, you are welcome to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below.
Enjoy the action (Tonight's commentary is after the jump):
concacaf tv for those who are looking. easy to sign up. The announcers are horrific but the stream is really good
Nice to see some continuity on the pitch. Let’s hope for more finishing today.
if anyone has a free stream please let me know
Looking for a link to the game and concacaf tv doesn’t seem to work in the US. Anybody else have suggestions?
I’d like to see more possession to neutralize Panama’s speed.
univision has it for free on-line. However is in Spanish. Is anyone getting together her in Las Vegas for this game. I will be at the Crown and Anchor on Spring Mountain. Lets Go USA!!!!
I was wrong, concacaf tv does work for the US game for anybody looking for a feed
Let’s Go USA!
So Just to clarify…outside the MLS it is basically US and Championship sides that still play a 442. Nice to see we’re in good company.
Love the Univision stream; partly because I don’t speak Spanish and can focus on the match. Howver even if I did, I heard they’re funny and must be better than Harkes annoying commentary.
Harkes is not with the FSC broadcast team. We have Martino and Dave Johnson. Martino is a decent commentator IMO.
USA looking a bit shaky at the back. Com’mon lets get some possession!
Exactly. I understand less than 10%, but what I do pick up I quite enjoy. Although maybe I subconsciously assume the commentators have higher soccer IQ because I don’t understand the words…
Agudelo with the dive!!! I’m sorry I meant to say Agudelo draws a foul
No way that’s a yellow for Jones – he got to the ball first (and no intention IMO).
phantom yellow on Jermane Jones by Rodriguez. then Panama scores
Panama goal after a bogus foul and free kick. Thanks, ref.
The goal was the result of the incompetent referee who gave Panama a free kick. The US has been sleepwalking so far. They have to pressure Panama more.
Terrible defending.
8:08
Ives: A Mexican referee tonight for a USA game. get ready for conspiracy theories if there are any shaky calls.
Bogus free kick yes. But the goal is due largely to sloppy defending. So far, the US is not applying high pressure and midfielders )except for Jones) are backing off rather than moving to attack or swarm the ball. This is the type of play under BB that always hurts us. (and no, that doesn’t I “hate” BB or am just a critic of our play).
Come on Jozy, he gave him a yellow…should have stayed calm…
2 yellows..neither warranted from i could see
Dude, does it matter where’s he’s from? Conspiracy theories are always our excuses. We should be supporting our team not bitching about refs..
we need timmy chandler. cherundolo cannot cross.
Our game is so vanillla…its painfull
Bradley is invisable…landon is horrible…jermaine looks tired…and the defense is shaky….recipie for a butt kicking
US defense looks slow and sloppy tonight.
Man panama has some good players. From leagues of Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico and other south American teams.
Panama are a team of thugs with much less talent than the US. They know the referee will allow them to get away with their thuggery. The referee is a Mexican who obviously is favoring Panama. He has already given the US 2 yellows while the Panamanian thugs have only one. I do think the US central defense is very weak. Just another great move by the tactical genius Boob Bradley.
Ouch. This one’s getting away from us.
Embarassing Ream…
Wtf was that kid thinkin? Ream….
Hopefully the last we see of Ream
God dammit REAM!! What’s going thru your head?
That’s it… let’s take the canal back. Panama, you’re the 52nd state now.
Wow, this is terrible.
Well crap. 2-0. However I’m extremely confident we’ll score, given our chances already. Now whether we can stop them scoring…
Good thing I didn’t buy my quarterfinal tickets yet
Oh mexican refs.
Bob Bradley is the greatest coach ever. Anyone who doesn’t see that is a hater.
This is a disgrace/
We’re just bad… no real explaination other than that… We suck??
Ream is in no way ready to start in a major tournament. Is Boob Bradley insane?
Time to do what Brazil did to us in 2009.
Who is #15? That a** hole caused both goals.
I can’t remember the last time I was this disappointed in our national team.
LOl are you blind? That was a clear foul inside the box.
I forgot how much I hate every one of our CONCACAF opponents and officials.
Anyone here who is a Bob Bradley supporter and a supporter of Apu the head of the US Soccer Federation can blow me.
Our freaking C- team beat these guys 2 years ago……..what is the deal!?!
Considering that Panama will have 10 back and spend half of the next half rolling around on the ground, might be difficult.
How is his knee hurt?? Man we are just looking stale. I don’t know that we have any answers on defense either. Time to go back to the drawing board Bob, we need a new influx of options. Michael has become a great invisible man
why onyeyu no starting he is better then both center backs combined
Where is the yellow for Ream? This ref sucks!!!!!!!!!
“if it was hard for the United States to break down Panama before,” it’s because we’re totally lacking in ideas and energy (outside of Dempsey), generally playing like strangers. Holden would be very useful right now.
it’s a completely fake injury, that’s how.
BOcanegra should move to Centerback and bring Lichaj in. Ream out.
same.
And this what happens when you cap a unproven MLS freshman in central defense of an international tournament… BB takes the blame on this one. Since the end of the WC it’s been all downhill for the USMNT. This is what tends to happen when you don’t change a coach after a cycle.
Just look at France. From WC jokes to a 10 game unbeaten run, with wins on Brazil and England in the lot. All they did was change coaches.
Did this ref get 40k?
And the worst of this is, besides those two goals, there have been multiple other times that their forwards have been open in the box, received service, and flubbed it. If that is Mexico – those are in the net. Play like this and it will be another 5-0, IF the US even gets there.
Who is going to orchestrate our attack and lead us back. Bradley and Landon – time to step up!
And how much ball watching are we going to do and uncontested space we give away with these diagonal balls from Panama midfielders into our box, WTF!
Keep blaming the ref people.
That was in response to the first goal.
Yeah, it’s the ref’s fault.
Man Spain is good… Oh sorry that’s Panama..
OOh the long ball offense is back….
Winner winner chicken dinner! Seriously enough of all this “distribution”, let’s get a CB who can at least defend.
Man… Donovan’s game has been bad in this tourney so far
Panama should be up 3-0. We have no midfield.
I’m not jumping into that fire Bob Bradley deal. I just think this team consistently gets into too many early holes in matches. It’s a terrible trend, and to me, it comes down to preparation.
This is a freaking disgrace! This is Panama for goodness sake! We’re playing them like they’re Spain or something. Goodness gracious!!!!
Is USMNT getting any touches inside the 18?
Don’t worry folks. Wondolowski and Kljestan will save us in the second half!!!
Bob in his second erm has become to predictable. Time for some new blood and time to retool this team
Wow what a disgraceful first half.
Not the refs fault the US is playing like crap, but the ref is certainly making some crazy calls.
hahaha
The bad news is Rodgers and Kljestan are Bradleys favorite subs.
I just felt an ominous feeling run through my body. A feeling that says “WE’RE SCREWED!!!”.
yup
First, Apu needs to go. We need new blood in the USSF
what? if it’s a terrible trend and comes down to preparation then you are saying that it’s the coach.
Panama is IN-FIGHTING and we STILL cant beat them. Pathetic.
Why was Panama fighting as they walked off the field?
Does that make you feel better? Yes, the US talent is so obviously greater.
Joe, you’re obviously new to soccer. Here’s how it works. The team that plays better — not the better team — usually wins. I am grateful that despite the code word of “thuggery” you didn’t append the word “dirty” to your description of the referee’s nationality.
I wish you a speedy recovery from adolescence.
Maybe we’ll see Adu? I’d like to see what he can do for our team in this situation.
“No, hey, hey, no, I don’t want to hear that defeatest attitude. I want to hear you upbeat!”
If USA soccer has any pride at all the joke of the Bob Bradley era mercifully comes to an end in 45 minutes.
They wont fire him mid-tournament, but maybe that’s hyperbole on your part. Point taken.
the USA SUCK TONITE, this is a disgrace, what in the world are they doing?
Yeah, we need Kljestan to come in and slow things down.
Edu for Ream. Dempsey up front for Jozy and Bedoya fills clints role
Let’s go USA. I believe in you.
The should of fired him after the WC. Who is he sucking off to keep his job?
I’m not saying Bob Bradley sucks, but….
This US team is bereft of talent and energy. Awful.
No but Sunil, if he can land the coach he wants, could replace him if the US doesn’t start playing better.
I swear we’re playing a 6-2-2 right now.
There is absolutely no link between Ream & Goodson, who have 90% of our possession right now, and the front line except for route 1 ball.
Ream looks like a guy with no international experience… oh wait that’s exactly what he is… WHY would you make him your CB in an international tournament when Boca and Gooch are way better than him there.
This is the defense we should have seen:
Dolo, Gooch, Boca, Lichaj
Boob Bradley has the worst judgment in a number of area but especially in choosing players and giving them playing time. Why do US Soccer fans have to continue to suffer the incredible incompetence of Bob Bradley? How many FIFA top 25 teams have a coach who was fired as coach of team in a league that was the equivalent of the the English 3rd division (Metrostars about 7 years ago)? He is in no way responsible for the US’ good showing in the Confederation’s cup or the WC. His tactics resulted in the US falling behind in every group stage game at the WC. He was just plain lucky at the Confederation’s Cup. Had the Egyptian team not partied with prostitutes the night before their loss which allowed the US to advance, Bradley would have been seen for the totally incompetent coach he truly is.
I don’t generally disagree with your points, but I think you can make your argument without being racist and obscene.
I arrived at half time to make a joke about how were the panickers due to the US being down 2-0 and looking fairly pathetic outside the Deuce.
Instead what catches my attention are the two incredibly racists comments by Englishbob. Find a new joke or Ives get this guy off the comments section.
that central defense has become a weakness. Tejada running rampant on whoever.
if we don’t have a player who can distribute and get it done defensively, too, then get the guy in there who doesn’t get beat so easily and deal with the lack of distribution.
Even if we win this one, the simple fact this team has halves as this one is a testament that the coach doesn’t know how to prepare the team’s strategy correctly. How often do we go down early, it seems like every game. Then we pull through because of energy more than strategy. BB must go.
OK, now that I’ve had some time to calm down…”We’re screwed oh my goodness we’re screwed!!”. He he he just kidding, we’ve come back from this kind of deficit before. I’m worried but not overly worried.
he’s not even in the bench…
I definitely knew this was going to be a trap game for US…didn’t think they were going to hand us our jocks. Bad first half. We need to step up our physical game. They are not thugs–they are certainly the most physical of the Central American teams and have some decent size to match up with ours.
That’s exactly what I was thinking but I don’t think Bob will put him in.
Ok Bradley has been horrible ( was very good against Canada, prob tired), Ream needs to take the stiff ARM and not swing his leg, is Donovan on the field? Dolo has been horrible on the offensive attack.
Dempsey, Jones, and… have been the best so far…
Players prep for matches too. I guess what I meant was there should be shared blame. Coaches, players, etc.
Apu needs to go, I vote Oliver Luck for USSF President…
Boca and Gooch or Boca and Goodson should be our central defense. End of story. It’s a heresy to have Ream starting after a few non remarkable outings with the USMNT. Way too early to hand him the keys and now we’re paying for it.
Sarcasm aside, I would bring in Bedoya, move Boca to CB, and bring in Lichaj on that side to provide more width. Push Dempsey up top.
Oh and I love the Gooch is better crowd when they crucified him as too old and past his time . Lol
Somewhere jurgen klinsmann is having a grand old laugh.
Time for Sunil and Bradley to go. I don’t care how this game ends.
He won’t get invited to Letterman show! No energy at all!
OK, WE ARE SCREWED:) (c)
By the way, it is obvious that Panama studied their tape. All aerial play to Ream (his weakness), plus packing the back and playing quick on the counter against our back line. COACHING. How is Bob attacking Panama’s weaknesses?
Where are the Bob lovers at???? I said it before and will say it again, Bob’s pre-game setup is not working anymore! The U.S looks useless with no imagination. Dempsey & Jones seem like the only players ready to play tonight. I think Bob did a great job in the beginning and what not, but its time to move on!!!! Mexico is clearly showing superior Futbol over the rest of the concacaf, something the U.S suppose robe showing.
I said the U.S played like garbage against Canada, and all of a sudden the experts come out and start calling everyone bob & U.S haters who think differently. C’mon! In the U.S we are expected to win, because that is who we are… We take two steps forward not vise versa! It’s time for BOB’s a$$ to hit the road.
Not making the sub-20 W.C is devastating, now our NT is on the same route.
Put boca & gooch back in the middle, and bring Lichaj to play left,.. We can’t be any worse than what we are already.
S
need to score the next goal
JJones was the best player on the USA side. He was active and made a difference–even though his foul led to the first goal. Howard should’ve blocked that ball. IMHO.
Players not making an impact: Donovan–just not in the flow of the game; Bradley–how many bad passes can he make to well-defended USA players
Worst players: Cherundalo–how many crosses can he screw up (and that’s not counting THIS game)? Goodson–how many times can he be in the wrong place at the wrong time or fail to get his head on the ball?
Can someone tell the USA players to NOT kick the ball unless you’re INSIDE the box?
Now go and kick some Panamanian butt!
Baloy is for Panama what Gooch was for us in many ways
FSC coverage has sucked all night. Cutting away from play, zooming in at the wrong time, and now missing the second half kickoff.
There is the understatement of the night
Can Ream abd Goodsen defend 1 v 1 what a joke
Does anyone still believe that Landon Donovan is our most important player?
Dempsey is clearly our best player from the first half. Jones is not making a difference – neither is Bradley. You know it is bad when Kyle Martino calls out Donovan for not showing up.
Cherundolo is having a poor game. He is our best outside back, and I bet he will come on in the second half.
Bedoya for landon?
Gene got it.
Yes, unfortunately he hasn’t been playing well lately and neither has the US.
Yup, nice to have a big guy in the middle that is strong in the air. Calling the Confed Cup version of Gooch…
The only thing worse than our play has been the camera work on Fox
Thank you come again…
I think Felipe Baloy panama’s captain plays for Santos Laguna, he looks like a solid CB..
Panama is countering like we used to when we didn’t suck.
too many yellows.. we could be down a man before long
The camera work might be coming from Concacaf, because I’m seeing the same issues on Telemundo.
What a nightmare for US central defense. Bob needs to take Goodson out now.
WTf is Bob Bradley doing? make some dam subs you idiot. Most retarded coach in US history.
So what do you think the Mexican NT is saying while watching this game? Do you think they have stopped laughing by now?
Where is Robbie Rogers? Our savior!
SACHA KLEJSTAN!? Now we’re going to lose for real.
AHHHH!!! WTF!!! KLJESTAN!!!!!! AHHH!!!
Bradley throwing in the towel
Lol Jones played better than Bradley and Jones is sitting on the bench lol
Kljistan?!?!?!?!?
GET KLJESTAN OUT OF THIS FREAKING TOURNAMENT PLEASE!!! SEND HIM HOME NOW!!!
Kljestan for Jones! Unbelievable.
Lauging has just begun. Klejstan has entered the game. SMH.
Sasha and Reem need to get a mouthful of that wonderful Mexican chicken.
I wouldn’t disagree with you about Dempsey. I do wish one of his shots on goal would’ve been a little better placed on goal though.
Re: Jones. I meant that he is actively involved in the midfield, defending and giving up his body in defense. He’s making his presence count. I just wish he was the primary creator/distributor rather than MB as I think he has a better deft touch and feel. But now Klestan has come on, so now I’m a lot less concerned about better/smarter passing/distribution (sarcasm).
So, IF the US loses this game, do they go with their same “A” lineup again vs Guadeloupe? And have them dead by the 5th game? Or do they go with a second choice lineup and roll the dice, thinking that we should beat them even with a “B” lineup?
Its like watching the US team from the 90 World Cup.
Goodson has now become my new least favorite USA player. He is so uncoordinated and such a dufus. I believe he has a 6″ vertical lift.
Boob Bradley is psychotic. He is bringing in Kjestin for Jermaine Jones? Ream, Kjestin, Rogers, and others have no business on the US national team. Will this incredible embarrassment get Boob Bradley fired? No. Bradley is like a chronic disease for which there is no cure.
You have to ask yourself this question. Did Bunker Bob actually have a game plan or did he believe our superior talent would pull us through?
Agreed, but at least K-man has come on to save the day!! What a joke.
Where is the ref’s supporters now?
and now we have no pride. sweet.
Wow bench your son bob over Jones.. this is how morons claim nepotism
Epic fail all around
Americans are a disgrace with all their DIVING!!!!
Americans are a disgrace with all their DIVING
Jones apparently through a fit on the sideline.
Lol The Good Son scores
there we go.
GOAL THANK YOU!!!!!
gooooooooooooodson. lets get another.
Lets get back in it! Grind it out and get to the next game.
a ref decision goes our way and we score… fancy that.
Whatever happened to Torres from the last WC? Thought he was a good young creative midfielder. Just needed a little more experience.
when do we come to the conclusion tht Donovan has lost a step?
Yes, but notice that he didn’t have to outjump anyone? He of the 6″ inch vertical leap
Bob doesn’t like creative players. He avoids them like a plague.
Anyone willing to objectively evaluate Mikey today?? Becuase he’s been absolutely awful… Him and ream have embarassed the shirt
dempsey is in a class by himself with the US
way to hustle kljestan
Very True!!!
IF we tie or win, it will be because of the players not because of the brilliance of Bob Bradley.
He didn’t have a great year with Pachuca. If you don’t play well for your club team, Bradley won’t play you (unless you happen to be a relative of course).
Why is Bedoya running to the middle? Isnt he supposed to play the wing?
I’ve wondered whether that isn’t in fact the case. Others have tried to justify the exclusion of Jose Torres because he doesn’t fit in the Bradley’s system of…well i don’t really know what his system is…but it’s not anything that emphasizes ball control, meditated passing skills, or a knack for scoring. I’ve seen others in this board say that Torres doesn’t complement other USA players–why? because he actually has skills??!
boca is slow
OOh 3 at the back. Bob is going for all the marbles.
WTF was that Wondo!!!!!!1
Wonder-Lousy!
Are you serious…
wondo has to put that away
“one of the best finishers in MLS,” indeed.
Agudelo would’ve finished that.
And…that’s why Wondolowski is in MLS. Should have just gotten out of the way and let Dempsey put it in the net.
The sad thing is that the latin announcers are having a laugh.
Somewhere Herc is laughing his butt off after watching Wnodo miss that.
How many times? How many times have I come on these forums and said “Wondolowski is not an international striker.” Buddle would have finished that!
Gomez, Buddle, Agudelo, heck Brian Ching would have finished that. Disgraceful.
Steve Sampson could’ve finished that!
Pobre Mexico…
Tan lejos de Dios y tan cerca de Los Estados Unidos!
…for freakin real!!!
why can’t we play with desire from the start?
Why is it that multiple times tonight it’s Altidore that comes back to make himself the only one available for a pass from the back. Where the F*** are our midfielders!!!!
OOh so close from Baby B.
wow. hopefully this is a WAKE UP CALL to the team.
PATHETIC
At least we know that we are going on to the next round.
just result. it hurts.
congratulations to Panama
Why is anyone surprised? Bob Bradley, no tactics, no players with vision.
That said, we probably still make the final. Just a boring, boring team.
our wake up calls under Bob Bradley:
link to youtube.com
I cant believe it, its sad
tough misses down the stretch, but so much left to the end of the game…….
Can someone please put up a “Countdown to Jürgen Klinsmann” webpage?
I blame Bob Bradley for playing a defensive style against teams that we could beat 9 out 10 times. Good job you idiot! I can understand that style against Spain, Germany, England, but against Panama…… well there you go.
It brings me joy to see BB lose, one step closer to a new coach.
Fire Bob Bradley already!!!!
There has to be 23 people in this country that are way better than this pathetic team. BTW Fire Bradley ASAP!!!!
Garbage. Pure Garbage. Tell me why it takes, not a 2-0 score, but a 2-0 score PLUS a non-call on a clear penalty to wake this team up and have them show some urgency?
Off the ball running was zero until the non-call on Bedoya. Then, and only then, we started moving off the ball and created a steady stream of opportunities. Should have buried more than just the equalizer. Game we should have won, but it took us an eon to wake up and play.
I’m so aggravated I could…wait, I’ve already been doing that for 30 minutes. Nevermind.
now
This is absolutely pathetic. The subs played well (minus Bedoya’s disgusting dive, and everything about wondo), but they were too late. Losing to Panama on home soil is about as sad as it gets.
bradley didnt play well but ream lost it for us.
I’m over mr Bradley’s tenure, there is no way that we should be outplayed like that on home soil by another CONCACAF opponent.
Englishboob obviously.
Try watching the game.
USMNT needs to go into every game believing there down 2 points.
So disappointing. BB needs to go.
Now we might have to play Jamaica in the quarterfinals. Oh boy.
Exactly. Tell me the ref decisions don’t make much difference. First time he makes a decision our way, and it generates not only the best chance we’d had, but a goal. So lopsided in calls up to that point.
Nope, Eric, I think they should do it tonight!
US Forwards sucked it up tonight. Altidore, Agudelo, and Wondo. PATHETIC!
Home soil? There were more Panama fans today.
can you just disappear?
I’ve never said this before but FIRE BOB BRADLEY! This team he chose is a freaking disgrace to soccer. There’s no way we should lose to the likes of Panama, EVER! DISGRACE! So pissed off!
Congratulations to Panama. They outplayed us and deserved their victory.
Disappointed in our guys.
Wow. Congrats Panama. They looked like the physical team that walked in as the favorites and we looked like the scared floppers looking to snake our way into a victory.
Everyone was bad. Aguedelo and Altidore weren’t especially bad considering the service in the first half. Altidore did some really good work in the second.
Coach Bradley was the worst player of the game for his godawful scheme (lack thereof?) and inability to adjust to what Panama was doing.
As much as it pains me to say it, Mexico is a wayyy better team than we are. They are going to win this Gold Cup. Until we fire Bradley and get some creative players in this lineup we won’t go anywhere.
George John
this was truly a terrible match for the USA. There is no, I repeat, NO reason for a loss against a team like Panama. The manager has to shoulder much of the blame for the lazy mentality of the players, as well as his hesitancy to make changes straight away after half time. Additionally, it seems as though (despite my opinion being that Dempsey is the best player for the USA) the mentality of the US attack lives and dies with Landon Donovan. He was invisible in the beginning. When he awoke, so to did the US team.
This is an inexcusable loss and merits serious reflections. Ratings:
GK HOWARD 5.5
Helpless on the goals. Desperately pleaded and shouted at his defenders to no avail.
RB CHERUNDOLO 4.5
Defended decently, but his service was poor throughout.
LB BOCANEGRA 5.0
Adequate defending, but lost his mark a number of times which made what should have been harmless crosses look dangerous.
CB GOODSON 4.0
Poor positioning and marking throughout, although covered better than Ream. His goal helped spark the US attack.
CB REAM 2.5
What was he doing? Pushed off too easily, conceded a silly penalty, marked terribly, and showed a shocking lack of resolve. With Onyewu off form, expect Bocanegra to slot in.
CM BRADLEY 5.0
Workman-like, as always, but seemed off pace with the quicker Panamian midfielders. Should have scored.
CM JONES 4.5
Tackled well, but lacked the precision in his passing that made him such a two-way threat at Schalke. Subbed off at half.
RM DONOVAN 5.0
Shockingly absent in the first half, and should have done better with his chance in the box to get it on frame. When will he realize that he needs to set the pace for the team?
LM DEMPSEY 6.5
The only consistent threat from the American side, Dempsey was unlucky not to score. Just one of those nights without a break for the Fulham man.
F ALTIDORE 4.5
Started sluggish as always, but seemed to wake up after the first Panamian goal. Showed flashes of skill, but always a move slow, a run behind, and a thought too short.
F AGUDELO 4.0
Aside from a few skillful runs to nowhere, he was anonymous. Like Altidore, must learn to hold the ball better. Let the Panamian defense into his head a bit.
SUBS
M BEDOYA 6.0
Provided a good energy off the bench, but lacked the support to finish chances he helped create.
F WONDOLOWSKI 3.0
Absolute rubbish finishing.
M SASHA K 4.5
Good energy and some timely interceptions.
huh?
What crack are you smoking homey?
Panama played the defensive style. We had defensive lapses, bad, bad, bad defensive lapses. It’s not a winning combination.
We have Howard, Dempsey, Jones, Bradley, Spector all in the EPL.
We’ve got Dolo in Germany 1st division
We’ve got Edu playing in the champions league
We’ve got Gooch playing in Dutch First Division
We’ve got Boca playing in 1st Division France
We’ve got Jozy playing in 1st Division Turkey
We’ve Goodson and Bedoya playing in Denmark and Sweden 1st Divisions
We’ve got Landon who rocked it at Everton…
We’ve got Sasha playing in Belgium’s first Division
WE’VE NEVER HAD SO MANY PLAYERS GETTING PT IN EUROPEAN FIRST DIVISIONS
Our roster has an arguably better pedigree than Mexico’s
NOBODY can seriously tell me we don’t have the players. It’s all on the coach at this point.
There’s no way we should be outplayed by Panama.
BB has clearly done his time. No matter the outcome of the tournament, it’s been an AWFUL play from USA since the WC. Just take a look at our record since the WC: wins vs. South Africa and Canada and that’s it.
I mean seriously our starting defense changes at every game, and then we wonder why we suck at defense… We always allow early goals. No strategy all energy.
I supported BB last cycle, but the USSF blundered by letting him get a second cycle.
This team only gets going after they throw B Bradley’s game plan away and start playing on instinct. Looking at the body language of some of the players I think they are fed up with the way this team is being run. Klinsman was probably on the phone with his agent by the 15th minute. I’m rather depressed and angry right now.
Im 100% over bob. We seemed to forget how to play against a team that bunkers down and counter attacks…as useful as playing spain would be before the confederations or world cup, it makes very little sense to play world class talent when you are going up against minnows. We needed to play teams that put us in positions that we would face in concacaf during the gold cup, not what we would see next year. As the cuup comes closer then we should focus on teams who hold posession. We were uncomfortable all night in the dominant roll….I’m ashamed of our boys tonight.
cheers
nope
yes, and a couple of others share the mantle, a good thing. how about that set piece service tonight? not Landon’s fault we lost; look to the central defense for many answers to that one
I don’t remember the last time I have been so upset with a US team performance. Our defensive line is ball watching and losing physical battles. Most of the offense went through the middle. The few times we utilized the flanks, we scored and we created sufficient opportunities to at least tie, if not win, the game. But we did preciously little of that. And I got to wonder if that a coaching problem.
I am also surprised by the amount of times our players were going down easily at the slightest touch, essentially begging for a foul / penalty. If Bedoya stays on his feet, we may have a score.
true, but it did change the game. I like Jones better than I used to, but I don’t see him as a player for this team who believes we can make a comeback. I’d love to be wrong
agreed
im torn between the US beating Guadeloupe and getting smashed by jamaica or losing and FINALLY firing the blight that is bob bradley. we dont need a coach. we need a freaking manager. bradley aint that.
that is sad indeed. not surprised tho.
But you are right,Citronomics. BB is a good coach but he has taken the team as far as he can. You need someone who can identify the best lineup possible and not be afraid of rock the boat in order to deliver a team we can be proud of.
Boca is the worst left back in international soccer. tim ream go back to RBNY, pathetic.
it wasnt Bobs decision to play Spain 3 days before the tournament started. blame Sunil for that. also blame Sunil for allowing Bob Bradley to continue his clueless “coaching” job. blame Sunil. Blame Bob. in that order.
Amen. Please bring in the german and his attacking style. With cd9 at least we could counter attack and do set pieces. BB’s picks now only gives us hope of set pieces. Team selection really is awful this time and even worse is having to watch mms guys break in like this in a major tourney
Amen!
Garbage! Panama? We have a 80% bade European playing team, and yet we can’t beat a team that is mostly based in Communicationes?!!ha … I said our game against Canada was garbage, and this game proved me right. Rogers,Sasha a d Wondolusy?? Seriously bob?
It’s funny how bad we need a player to who is technically gifted, someone who is capable of giving us some scoring chances, sadly we don’t have him…. Oh wait. There is a guy by the name of Adu who can probably help us out a bit,…. Naw! Wondo & Sasha are our Saviours!! Where’s “el pistolero Rogers?” He’s also nasty.
Fire Bradley, he is the one responsible for coming out to play a defensive game against the all mighty Panamanian team. Ream & el Buen hijo are just scary to watch.
I’m so pissed!
Cherundolo was to blame for the first goal his man was the one that was unmarked.
Bedoya didnt touch the ball for his first 10 minutes on the field.
Altidore was the only striker tracking back to defend and get the ball. He created the best scoring opportunity.
The person to “blame” for the goal is Goodson, as he didn’t screen strongly enough to allow Howard to cover the rebound or clear the ball away. And, in football, marking isn’t man-to-man. This isn’t basketball. While “your man” could be the person you run with, unit defending involved interchange and communication. Just because the player was a right sided player doesn’t mean it was the RB’s “man.” He was marked at that time by Goodson. lol
rewatch the game lol bedoya had quite a few touches, hustle plays lol
the fact that you’re chatting up about altidore tracking back to get the ball and defend shows you have a limited grasp of the forward position and its role in a 4-4-2. Bypassing the midfield with extreme back tracking is a mistake many young players make, breaking the formation and the whole point of a 4-4-2, which is to build up from the defenders, to the CMs, to the wide players, to balls into the two forwards. but yeah, nice one. To quote Ian Darke, “And Rooney is now tracking way back to receive the ball. You can tell he’s been frustrated today.” Additionally, while forwards should be expected to positionally defend at half-field, the idea that teams should defend tracking back as 11 men is juvenile.
If you’re going to pick apart my thoughts on the match, at least try to make sense. I’ll call Hey-Dude for you to play the next match instead of Steve. Unbelievable.
I love some USMNT fans
I agree with the assessments that BB isn’t the guy to take the team forward, but I am not sure Jurgen Klinsmann is the guy either. He seems to want complete control over many layers of the US system…but I’m not completely sure.
Can someone explain why negotiations with him initially broke down?
I can’t believe people are going after Mike like that. Yeah he didn’t have a great game but Jones was worse. Yeah he made some good challenges but I have no idea if he even completed a pass tonight. Ream got killed out there. I would move Boca back to CB and get someone who knows what they are doing in there.
Everyone is giving Kljestan crap but he was a breath of fresh air, Bedoya and Kljestan almost pulled off a draw for us. They were game changing when they came on.
Sasha a “spark” you said?lol The only reason he was a bit active was because all the lines went forward for the U.S. Meaning his dribbling was easier because Panama pulled back and the U.S moved their lines forward making panama defend way back offering free space. I’m surprise he didn’t score 3 goals and set himself a trail with Celtic…. Sasha in a higher speed match completly sucks and causes me to want to uppercut my furry cat! This was a Panamanian team with 5th division players. Shoot, some of their players have a second job at Pollo Campero.
Our forwards can’t score!
It’s embarassing.
1. BB was outcoached.
2. Our forwards didn’t score (and very rarely do).
3. We started slowly (as we so often do).
4.
Does anyone want to fill in No. 4?
Dempsey is always dangerous and scores.
Why doesn’t he play up top?
If we need another midfielder, why doesn’t BB ever pick Brad Davis for his team?
He has a gifted left foot and is always a threat on set pieces.
Hey USMNT…
I still believe in you.
For the remainder of this tournament just go and play like I know you can!
P.S. That means “much better” than what we saw last night!
Actually, you have the side of the field wrong (play came from Panama’s right, our left). That man was Boca’s. On the replays you can see him, 5 yards further upfield, chasing the unmarked guy. ‘Los lost him, and we paid for it.
I don’t fault Ream much on that goal, a few inches different and he’s made a brilliant play and is getting mobs of credit for saving a goal.
I saw and have seen in the past two weaknesses in our play that are causing us to lose games like this.
First, they keep sending our outside backs, two very experience defenders deep into the opposing end of the field. They do this continually. Unfortunately, that left us with two relatively inexperienced ( internationally speaking) defenders to face the onslaught from Panama. Of course our outside backs ran back to their positions but the opposition ran there just as fast. The result was confusion and hesitancy on the part of the back line. I think the Panamanians had analyzed Bradley’s style and had arranged to exploit it and they were fast enough to do that.
The second is our passing is not up to international standards. There is just two much hesitancy and inaccuracy in moving the ball around. In the last twenty minutes it was much better but too late. Of course there are exceptions to that, for example Dempsey and Donovan, who are superb.