Olympic Qualifying: USA vs. Honduras (Running Commentary)
Good afternoon folks. Apologies for the lateness of this post but it is Easter after all.
If you are a die-hard U.S. national team fan and watching today's qualifying final even though it doesn't mean much, please feel free to follow along with the match here.
Enjoy the match.
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FINAL- Honduras 1, USA 0. It's over. Honduras is the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying champion. No, it doesn't really mean much but Honduras will certainly take it.
Terrible finishing by the Americans, who outplayed Honduras for much of the day, was what led to a disappointing finish to an otherwise successful tournament for the USA.
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107th minute- Looks like Robbie Findley is cramping up.
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HALFTIME- The USA has 15 minutes to find a goal and push this match into penalty kicks. Unfortunately, the American offense has been a mess all day.
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104th minute- GOAL HONDURAS. What a goal, a 23-yard blast. Honduras 1, USA 0.
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102nd minute- I think strikers should pay a fine whenever a shot attempt turns into a throw-in for the other team.
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100th minute- Is it me or does it feel like there isn't an American player on the field who can beat a defender off the drible?
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OVERTIME- Honduras looks a bit fatigued heading into overtime and you have to wonder whether Jozy Altidore will be the difference maker in the final 30 minutes.
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REGULATION. USA 0, Honduras 0. We're heading for overtime (Something none of us needed).
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93rd minute- Gaven draws another dangerous free kick. Where's Freddy Adu? Bring him out in street clothes.
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91st minute- Altidore serves up a great ball to Kljestan, who squanders a great chance.
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89th minute- Marvell Wynne comes in for Holden, who had a pretty strong tournament.
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87th minute- Stuart Holden lucky to avoid a second yellow just now.
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83rd minute- Dangerous free kick for the USA after Gaven is fouled near the penalty area.
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79th minute- Here comes Jozy Altidore. Coming in for Chad Barrett. Slight upgrade.
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78th minute- Nothing like annointing goalkeepers as great who have yet to see any significant playing time as professionals.
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71st minute- FINDLEY with a golden opportunity but his header bounces off the crossbar after bouncing it off the ground. UNLUCKY.
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63rd minute- Kljestan turnover, DRINK. Nice work from Kamani Hill though.
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54th minute- Wow, Dom Cervi spills a save but his defenders help him out, including Patrick Ianni, who saves one off the line.
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49th minute- With Robbie Findley and Nathan Sturgis on the field today I can't help but wonder if Alexi Lalas has ever bashed his head against the wall for the Findley/Sturgis for Chris Klein trade.
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HALFTIME- We're about to get started for the second half.
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HALFTIME- We're scoreless. USA 0, Honduras 0. At least there has been some action, although the Freeman injury puts a damper on things, though it didn't appear that serious.
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39th minute- I think it's time to add the Sacha Kljestan turnover drinking game
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37th minute- Barrett shot is blocked. DRINK
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31st minute- Barrett misses by inches, DRINK. Seriously though, Barrett is going to score a goal today.
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29th minute- Seeing Hunter Freeman treated for an injury isn't going to do much to help the suicide watch for Red Bulls fans.
27th minute- Here's the US lineup:
------------Findley--Barrett----------
Gaven---Kljestan-----Edu--Holden
Sturgis---Ianni----Orozco-----Hill
------------------Cervi------------------
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25th minute- Maurice Edu is coming in for Hunter Freeman, who took a knock
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18th minute- Wow, Honduras comes close with a 20-yard shot. This game can't stay scoreless long.
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13th minute- Okay, we must have a Chad Barrett drinking game. Any time he shoots wide it's a drink. (Is it wrong to have an Easter Day drinking game?)
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11th minute- I wonder if Tiffany May has made her way to Nashville.
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9th minute- Some wide-open soccer so far. A bit different than the last time these teams met.
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Ives Galarcep is an American soccer columnist for ESPNsoccernet.com and creator of SoccerByIves.net.
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Who is in the starting XI?
Posted by: Dave | March 23, 2008 at 05:23 PM
yes, who's starting?
Posted by: jig | March 23, 2008 at 05:26 PM
Freeman injured and not looking good
Posted by: sprool11 | March 23, 2008 at 05:27 PM
This just in:
Findley still sucks.
Posted by: aristotle | March 23, 2008 at 05:29 PM
Servi, freeman, ianni, sturgis, hill, holden, kljestan, gaven, barrett, findley
freeman is coming off for edu
Posted by: sprool11 | March 23, 2008 at 05:30 PM
When is FSC going to upgrade to HD cameras and feeds?
Posted by: dano | March 23, 2008 at 05:31 PM
U>S> player penalized for being pushed over.
Posted by: aristotle | March 23, 2008 at 05:32 PM
Since we have pretty much destroyed him on a regular basis, I guess we should give Barrett credit for nice play leading up to the Holden shot.
Posted by: aristotle | March 23, 2008 at 05:34 PM
Sadly, Barret gets right back on track by making a mistake again right away.
Posted by: aristotle | March 23, 2008 at 05:34 PM
Barrett?
Posted by: NYRB | March 23, 2008 at 05:37 PM
drink!
Posted by: dave | March 23, 2008 at 05:37 PM
You know how Twellman does commercials for that device to help you play better soccer?
Barrett should do a commercial for a device that helps you suck at soccer.
Posted by: aristotle | March 23, 2008 at 05:38 PM
Holder rocks.
Posted by: aristotle | March 23, 2008 at 05:38 PM
Holden. Toomuch drinking because of Barrett.
Posted by: aristotle | March 23, 2008 at 05:40 PM
does anyone know a website that is streaming the game
Posted by: mas Goals | March 23, 2008 at 05:42 PM
No Alti today?
Posted by: NYRB | March 23, 2008 at 05:50 PM
Cervi
Hill Orozco Ianni Sturgis
Kljestan Holden Gaven Freeman
Findley Barett
Edu now in for Freeman who looked like he twisted an ankle
Posted by: PanchoMiguelMoralesdeConejo | March 23, 2008 at 05:50 PM
damn - I've been disparaging Barrett all half over in the Soccer Sunday running commentary thread...
Posted by: Brant | March 23, 2008 at 06:01 PM
Can Barrett get a job launching satellites for NASA? Just tell him he's shooting for goal and let him kick it into low-earth-orbit...
Posted by: Brant | March 23, 2008 at 06:03 PM
to NYRB -
What? Freeman falling on his face not enough? You want Jozys legs torn assunder?
Ugh.
Ives is right. RBNY Suicide watch is on.
Posted by: Dave Martinez | March 23, 2008 at 06:10 PM
Sacha's had a terrible tournament and gets an 'Honorable Mention"? (Dax & Edu righfully in first XI as are Adu and Orozco.)
Really happy with the mid-field options, along with the CB. Thought Wynn played real well also on Thursday.
Posted by: PanchoMiguelMoralesdeConejo | March 23, 2008 at 06:13 PM
U.S. 8-2 on Shots so far. Been dominating for a while now. Need the final pass in the last 3rd to close out Honduras. Honduras playing a counter.
Posted by: PanchoMiguelMoralesdeConejo | March 23, 2008 at 06:17 PM
53rd Cervi spills one, US got a bit lucky there.
Posted by: PanchoMiguelMoralesdeConejo | March 23, 2008 at 06:19 PM
Cervi took way too long to get back up
Posted by: Jeffrey | March 23, 2008 at 06:20 PM
Barrett on a strong break.
I'm sure it was an accident.
Posted by: Brant | March 23, 2008 at 06:21 PM
CONCACAF is retarded, I wish this match had meaning.
Posted by: David Berger | March 23, 2008 at 06:21 PM
54th K. Hill with a shot using his left? went out of the sideline (not the end line) as Ueker would say "just a bit outside"....think Hill will go with his left again?
Posted by: PanchoMiguelMoralesdeConejo | March 23, 2008 at 06:22 PM
Ives said
"I can't help but wonder if Alexi Lalas has ever bashed his head against the wall"
Maybe not, but I can think of a few thousands fans who would like to help :)
Posted by: Brant | March 23, 2008 at 06:23 PM
I'm obviously glad they scored when it counted v Canada, but watching the finishing here is making me sick.
Posted by: RS | March 23, 2008 at 06:24 PM
58th another left from Hill. only halfway down the endline this time.
Nice buildup for a corner though, including Hill who dropped a pass into Findley that led to Holdens blocked shot.
Posted by: PanchoMiguelMoralesdeConejo | March 23, 2008 at 06:25 PM
This is doing nothing to help me evaluate young talent for my MLS fantasy league . . .
Posted by: Dave Martinez | March 23, 2008 at 06:28 PM
eeeee cervi.
So was it just me, or did Barrett not really jump for that last cross into the box?
Posted by: dano | March 23, 2008 at 06:30 PM
61st Nice cross by Gaven, just a bit high
Posted by: PanchoMiguelMoralesdeConejo | March 23, 2008 at 06:30 PM
AAAGH! Someone just tell Gaven to shoot from wherever he is. Every time he chips/crosses one inside, either Finley, Barrett, or Kleijstan manages to muff it.
Posted by: Brant | March 23, 2008 at 06:31 PM
Can't blame Finley on that one... he sold out trying to get to it. Good effort there.
Posted by: Brant | March 23, 2008 at 06:35 PM
Barrett with a good cross that Findley wisely heads to the ground from 6 out, yet it still bounces too high and hits the crossbar...
Posted by: RK | March 23, 2008 at 06:37 PM
To anyone wondering, Adu and Spector flew back to their respective clubs.
And if Freeman's injury keeps him out of any Red Bull games I will hang myself.
Posted by: David Berger | March 23, 2008 at 06:37 PM
If someone gets hurt in Extra Time of a game that doesn't count...well that would just suck. For that reason I wish it went right to PKs since the outcome is meaningless.
Posted by: RS | March 23, 2008 at 06:43 PM
Has there *ever* been a bigger upgrade in a US substitution than Altidore for Barrett?
Posted by: Brant | March 23, 2008 at 06:44 PM
These guys are brilliant. Really? You're going to take Beasley coming of a major injury and immediately make him play in the Olympic tournament? Great analysis guys.
Posted by: kpugs | March 23, 2008 at 06:48 PM
the commentators are talking about which seniors to add to the olympic team.
Landon: yes or no?
I say 'no' and let Freddie run the team. The basically play the same position, and there's no reason to force Freddie to change his game to accomodate Lando. Let Freddie be the man, and give him a chance to be in front of the players he's going to be leading from 2010 to 2018 or so...
Posted by: Brant | March 23, 2008 at 06:49 PM
can we email the coach,, because of all the players out there kljestan has the worst touch,,i hope he dosnt bring him back for the olympics...
Does anyone have any opinion on the the over age players will be,
My choices would be:
1) Dempsey
2) Gouch
3) Bradley
Posted by: Gimmi | March 23, 2008 at 06:55 PM
holden should be with the senior team considering our lack of left midfeilders
Posted by: j1 | March 23, 2008 at 06:55 PM
McBride should be added as one of the three senior players...I know he has retired from the USMNT, but he might be interested in playing in the Olympics.
Posted by: Andrew | March 23, 2008 at 06:56 PM
bradley isn't overage gimmi
Posted by: j1 | March 23, 2008 at 06:56 PM
Only senior I would recommend:
Howard
btw Klejstan seems to lose the ball alot and is suffering fro Johnsonitis - scared of taking shots.
Posted by: Dave Martinez | March 23, 2008 at 06:56 PM
Good to see Sacha has returned to his usual suckiness.
Andrew Fulham would never let McBride play in the Olympics, and to be honest I doubt he would even consider it.
Posted by: kpugs | March 23, 2008 at 06:57 PM
J1 Holden's a right winger my friend, and he hasn't even declared if he would play for the U.S. senior team. He's Scottish and eligible there.
Posted by: kpugs | March 23, 2008 at 06:58 PM
What the heck are these guys doing? I have to say that Cervi has the weakest leg of any GK that I have seen. He's 6'6" and he barely makes it to midfield! He's horrible!
Posted by: Q | March 23, 2008 at 06:58 PM
My three choises
1.McBride ( if he would consider the olympics)
2. donovan ( only because neither zizzo or Kljestan have really locked down the right midfeild spot)
3. A tie between howard,onyewu, and cherundolo
Posted by: j1 | March 23, 2008 at 06:59 PM