USA vs. Argentina: Match Night

Good evening folks. The u.S. national team is set to face Argentina today at Giants Stadium in what should be close to a sellout crowd. The fans arrived here pretty early and it's looking like a good day/night for soccer.

I will be doing a running commentary during the match so feel free to follow allong here. Please share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section.

Enjoy the match and follow our match night coverage after the jump:

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FINAL- USA 0, Argentina 0. The non-soccer people call scoreless draws boring. Tonight's match was anything but. The Americans saved their best performance of this rough stretch of friendlies for last.

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90th minute+- Five minutes of stoppage time. Is this ref insane? There's lightning and heavy rain.

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90th minute- Hejduk for Beasley and I can't imagine there's much stoppage time.

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87th minute- Mascherano just saw a red card for a vicious tackle on Donovan. Donovan is walking off and looks okay.

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83rd minute- Freddy Adu draws a dangerous free kick as the rain starts to come down REAL hard.

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81st minute- Tonight's attendance is 78,682.

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78th minute- Eddie Lewis coming on for Heath Pearce. Great game from Pearce tonight.

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76th minute- I'm still trying to understand why the referee would ruin a great game with a red for dissent.

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74th minute- Kljestan on for Eddie Johnson.

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72nd minute- Mastroeni just got a second yellow for a phantom call. No idea what that was for. The USA is down to 10 men. Mind-boggling call.

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70th minute- Johnson is back on the field.

Yellow to Maurice Edu for a rough challenge.

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69th minute- Johnson appears to have hurt his ankle on a USA attack.

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63rd minute- Frankie Hejduk is on the bench for this match and in uniform. Why is that impressive? He played in the Crew's loss to San Jose last night (okay, so maybe it's not that long a flight from Columbus, but still).

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61st minute- Freddy Adu is coming in for Clint Dempsey and DeMerit for Onyewu.

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60th minute- Jay DeMerit will be coming in for Onyewu shortly.

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59th minute- Argentina is definitely a different team when Messi is not in the match. Their attack still creates chances but the speed of their attack is a notch or two slower.

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57th minute- Argentina with another dangerous free kick attempt.

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54th minute- Appeals for a penalty are denied after Aguero looked like he was brought down by Howard. It looked like Aguero jumped over Howard and wasn't touched.

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50th minute- Donovan has definitely come out with more attacking purpose in the second half. He looks very dangerous early on here.

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49th minute- The Americans have come out with some extra energy at halftime.

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48th minute- Onyewu with a header off the crossbar.

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48th minute- Donovan with a shot blocked out for a corner.

Messi was also subbed at halftime.

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47th minute- Maurice Edu is on for Michael Bradley.

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HALFTIME- My observations from the first half-

Tim Howard has been outrageous today. Maybe it's the green jersey. Maybe it's the fact that he's playing his last game at Giants Stadium. Whatever it is, Howard is making a clear case for being one of the top goalkeepers in the world.

Heath Pearce has put a chokehold on the starting left back spot. He was good in the first two games against England and Spain, but tonight he's been top notch and probably the best field player for the Americans.

Dempsey and Beasley have been active tonight and concerns about them being rusty heading into qualifying have been answered.

Michael Bradley has looked very good tonight. I hear complaints about him getting starts despite some shaky performances but today he has shown vision and work rate that I just don't see other American midfielders providing. Also, he turns the ball over but many of his turnovers happen when he delivers a smart pass where a teammate should be making a run but doesn't.

Landon Donovan has been okay in his 100th appearance. He's done a lot of dirty work today, but hasn't done as much in the attack as you would like.

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HALFTIME- USA 0, Argentina 0. A very good first half from the Americans. Yes, Howard has had to make three or four very good saves but the U.S. defense has done well to stand up to a dynamic and dangerous Argentina attack.

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45th minute- Howard SAVE!! WOW, his best save of the day is a jaw-dropper.

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42nd minute- Heath Pearce has been very good tonight. Bradley with a great tackle and Johnson puts a header on goal.

A good game all around from the Americans except for the final pass in the attacking third.

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40th minute- Donovan is still complaining about the penalty no-call. He needs to work on his fall a bit f he's going to really sell that.

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36th minute- Pearce with a long-range blast that forces a very good save from Abbodonzanzieri. Nice pass from Bradley on that one.

Howard with another good save. He's been great tonight.

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34th minute- The Americans have done well so far, and US fans should take not that Mexico was down 3-0 by now to Argentina.

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32nd minute- Dempsey with a deflected shot that nearly goes in. The USA corner leads to nothing. Argentina counters but the Americans hold up as Beasley makes a nice play. Beasley has looked fresh today as well. He doesn't look rusty at all.

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29th minute- Califf with a bad foul in a dangerous spot about 30 yards in front of goal.

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28th minute- Howard with a clutch save on a Julio Cruz shot. Messi splits the US defense with a perfect pass but Howard thwarts a wide-open Cruz.

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26th minute- The USA attack is way too stagnant. Not enough running off the ball and no anticipation of passes.

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21st minute- Aguero just got a header to the skull and is a bit wobbly.

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17th minute- Heinze with a free header that goes over the bar. Who was marking him?

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15th minute- Eddie Johnson has been active early on and doesn't look too bad so far.

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13th minute- USA with a spell of possession here. They need to create a chance though.

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10th minute- Clint Dempsey looks very lively today. After two subpar performances (okay bad performances) recently, he has come out to play tonight.

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8th minute- The USA midfield has to be better at avoiding turnovers because the Argentina counter is just plain deadly.

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7th minute- Argentina with another dangerous sequence but Califf clears the danger. Another Argentina corner.

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5th minute- Tim Howard with two clutch saves on Cruz. Argentina is pressing, but here comes the USA.

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4th minute- Argentina just looks so scary every time they get the ball. There's just a speed they can hit at times that the USA won't be able to handle unless they stay disciplined and compact defensively.

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2nd minute- And we're off. Messi gets his first touch and his halted by Michael Bradley.

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PRE-GAME- Argentina looks to be lining up in a 3-4-3.

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PRE-GAME- Donovan and Macherano are the captains for today's match.

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PRE-GAME- Kasey Keller was honored before the match for earning his 100th cap last year.

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PRE-GAME- Argentina's lineup:

----------------------Cruz--------------------

--Rodriguez--------Messi------Aguero--------

---------------Gago------Mascherano----------

Heinze----Rodriguez---Zabaleta-----Burdisso

----------------Abbondanzieri-----------------

Interesting grouping. Zabaleta is normally a defensive midfielder, but with Gago and Mascherano here, it would seem like either Zabaleta is playing in the back today or Argentina is going to play some sort of 3-2-4-1 with Gago in a more advanced role.

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PRE-GAME- Messi, Aguero, Mascherano, Gago, Maxi Rodriguez, Heinze and Cruz are in the starting group.

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PRE-GAME- Still haven't seen the lineups but Messi and Aguero are warming up with the group that looks like the starting lineup.

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PRE-GAME- I think we'll have the US in a 4-2-3-1 rather than a 4-4-2, with Donovan playing in a playmaking rule. That formation worked well against Spain in the first half, though part of the reason it worked well was because of Adu's work in the playmaking role. I'm not sure if Donovan will be able to do the same things, though his speed could cause problems for

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PRE-GAME- Still waiting on the Argentina rosters. There's a problem with uniform numbers that is stalling proceedings.

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PRE-GAME- Cooper's exclusion will anger some U.S. fans but Bob Bradley was pretty clear in his press conference on Saturday that Cooper is still a work in progress.

Danny Califf gets the call ahead of Jay DeMerit in central defense. I know there are plenty of DeMerit fans but he didn't play much down the stretch for Watford while Califf is in his season in Denmark.

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PRE-GAME- No Freddy Adu in the starting lineup today, which is a head scratcher in my mind. Eddie Johnson has been active in the first two matches

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PRE-GAME- Here is the U.S. lineup for the match:

----------------------Johnson----------------------

Beasley-------------Donovan------------Dempsey

--------------Bradley------Mastroeni--------------

Pearce-----Califf----------Onyew----Cherundolo

---------------------Howard--------------------

One of the players who won't be playing today is Kenny Cooper, who isn't active for the match. Cooper, Drew Moor and Dom Cervi are inactive for the match.

Comments

[jmart]

No Adu?!

[Spencer]

No Adu, or Edu, chalk it up as a loss already. And I'm not impressed with Califf either he just doesn't have the speed. 2-0 Argentina.

[Shoshana]

Bradley's thought process:

I'll start the two most disappointing players on offense against Spain (Dempsey and Johnson) and not the one that created all the chances. Yep that's the best chance for a win.

I was thinking of trying to find a site that was streaming the game, but now...why bother?

[Chris]

Then what was the point of calling Cooper up? Please not Eddie Johnson again. Can't we just retire this guy?

[Chris]

I didn't even see that we weren't starting Adu. What the hell is goin on?

[phil]

I think we will see both Freddy and Mo in the second half. From what I can tell it is really hot out there, so my guess is BB is going to use a lot of his players. Mastro is trying to buy time and not be down 4-0 at the half...we are really playing something of 5-4-1

[Pat the Red Bulls Fan]

Kenny Cooper needs the photos of Bob Bradley that EJ has.

[Pat the Red Bulls Fan]

And if Cooper is a work in progress, WTF is EJ?

[Ben]

The folks over at BigSoccer are in fine form over Adu's absence, and frankly I don't blame them.

[DD]

Adu not starting??? WTF!!! Can't believe Cooper is inactive while the always inactive EJ gets the start??? I think it's time for a new coach

[phil]

"fine" form is the way to say it Ben--because that sort of crazy talk is surely not "rare."

I think the bigger omission is Parkhurst...or maybe Califf is ready to handle this.

[gimmi]

anyone know of any english links to the game

[JB]

On Adu's absence I will reserve judgement on that until I see how Donovan plays in that role.

I would rather the U.S. use a 4-1-4-1 with Adu rather than Mastroeni, but this is Bob Bradley we are talking about and he seems bent on playing the most dour tactics imaginable.

[jonathan]

Bradley needs to go... if he's really not starting Adu and starting johnson for the 3rd straight game.. he really has to go. Ives if you don't back us up on this, i'm going to stop reading your site b/c this is seriously a joke, i don't even really care that he's not starting adu... maybe an excuse can be made... But EJ three freaking times in a row!!!!!!

[gimmi]

I mean, do I even wanna watch this game anymore?

[KC]

I am done with Bob Bradley. Adu earned the right to start tonight, Cooper at least deserves a chance..whats the worse that can happen? He won't score? thats a wash, Eddie Johnson likely won't score either.

[Ted Tedman]

Bob Bradley needs to go. EJ is a joke and should not be called in for anymore US camps. We need a foreign coach. How does Michael Bradley get consistent playing time with inconsistent results where Adu is the only player with any offensive creativity and can't get a start. It will be interesting to see what the lineups are for the qualifiers.

[Alex]

As incensed as I am to not see Adu, there may be a reason for it. He could still be carrying the slight knock that took him out of the Spain game.

However, if it's for a "He's not ready to handle a big game" or similar reason...

Well, if I don't see Freddy at halftime (or earlier) then I'm just about done with Bradley Sr.

[matt]

nepotism says what!

[phil]

I love these comments of "I am done with BB."

Well, anybody think that Freddy may still be carrying the knock, we'll see him in the second half and then he will go a full 90 in the qualifiers?

BB knows that the type of game it will take to win (or at least not get blown out) has to have bite down the middle AND we are starting a new CB--hence Mastro. And once you have Mastro, it gets pretty tough to find a place for Freddy. You may disagree with that line of thought, but it is certainly not crazy.

[Justin]

Califf over Demerit is idiotic. If Adu is still ailing from his injury the other day I can see not starting him, otherwise that is sad too. EJ needs to ride the bench, he has missed several gimme goals. Make him sit and think about it and either come bak stronger or be done with USA. Why call Cooper in and not even have him available as a sub? He is a "work in progress"? But Josh Wolff is worthy of a start.....right. Come on Bradley, I am really starting to dislike you.

[NICKEL23]

cooper and adu should have been int he starting line up.

[NICKEL23]

U can watch da game on espn360.com or in spanish on Galivison

[Jeremy]

I have been a defender of Bob Bradley but I really don't get starting an out of form EJ and not having Cooper on the roster.

[jayrig5]

califf can't handle this type of competition. argentina will score at least twice in the 1st half, and he and onyewu will look horrible on at least one of those goals.

[waldo]

where can i watch sopcast? tvu?

[CrewCrazed]

anyone have a link to where I can watch this match, I dont have ESPN classic and I cant get on espn360... thanks!

[matt]

ives: on the espn lineups theyre showing argentina w/ 3 @ the back

heinze-rodriguez-burdisso
gago-maxi-masch-zabaleta
aguero- cavenaghi - messi

[brentmcd]

very surprised adu is not starting

[dvm2971]

Two things

1) Does BB have something against Freddy? Skill will be needed tonight. Having Johnson up top along with the central midfielders, which goes into my second point.
2) The double destroyer role has to stop. The midfield is void of any passing attack. BB for some reason always decides to go with this lineup.

With those two points, I'm going to go out on a limb and say the US will keep the ball 30% of the time and have few scoring chances. This is mind blowing!!!

[Neal]

Adu better be injured, because if not, Bob Bradley can **** off.

[Neal]

I hate Bradley for starting Johnson.

That boy has not earned the right to wear the shirt. Sorry, but its true

[Neal]

EJ better have a hat trick, or I can no longer support bob bradley

[brentmcd]

is giants stadium sold out? looks like an impressive atmosphere....

[Aquaman]

Has Argentina scored in the pre-game/opening ceremonies yet?

[brant]

Picture me as one of the monks from Monty Python's Holy Grail, and the following as a chant...

"WhatIsEddieJohnsonDoingOnTheField" [thunk!]
"WhyIsBradleyDoingThisToUs" {thunk!]
"HeMakesMeWantToWhackMyHeadWithABoard" [thunk!]

[omar80013]

http://www.justin.tv/psn_2
free live stream in spanish though

[brant]

Anyone know if Cambiasso is there with the Argies? Is he on the bench or talking some time off?

[brant]

Anyone know if Cambiasso is there with the Argies? Is he on the bench or talking some time off?

[brentmcd]

why are both sides wearing home shirts? really hard to distinguish the teams!

[Chris]

What idiot decided for them to wear white and light blue tops and for us to wear white tops? You can't tell the difference!

[golfstrom]

the fire BB talk is amusing. I like how he is easing Adu and Altidore into the nats. these are friendlies, everyone needs to relax.

[DL]

....and Onyewu smashes the ball needlessly out of bounds. Sigh.

[brant]

(sorry 'bout the double post - it's turning into one of those days)

[Neal]

Again, our defenders do the same thing every time - "uh oh, a ball is at my feet, I better hoof it out of bounds. God forbid I have composure on the ball."

We play not to lose or not to get embarrassed, and it makes me sad.

[brant]

Any chance we can get Bradley to Newcastle? I need aYank on the Magpies to cheer for...

[Neal]

Thank God we have Howard - the only world class player on our squad

[aristotle]

These comments are hilarious. Bob Bradley is no different now than when he was hired. He never was a very good coach. He is without a doubt the most overrated American coach.

Peter Nowak and excellent players were the reason for Bradley's "success" at Chicago. Since that time, and away from those favorable circumstances, he has been average at best.

Since everyone now despises Arena the only choices left for a good coach are all foreign. So unless you're alright with a foreign coach you better get used to Bradley.

P.S.

Why is the announce making comments that suggest Keller is retired?

[brant]

Let's just do better than Mexico, please! :)

[matt]

wow they're shredding us w/ ease.

[Forrest]

Like everyone else I don't get why Cooper gets called in and then not listed on the roster. What the hell does EJ have to do to not start never mind not make the game day roster? Freddy needs to play the whole second half. Games against more technical teams such as Spain and Arg are ones where he excels. Playing against bigger physical teams like England is when he has problems. Anyone know if Giants Stadium is going to keep the wavy grass there for a few weeks for the Red Bulls?

[aristotle]

% minutes into the game and the U.S. looks totally outclassed. Unless they break this run of play they are going to be clobbered.

[Neal]

this is getting ugly fast....

[VMan]

Wow, Argentina's team speed is insane. Oh yeah, and they're pretty skilled too. Our CBs are gonna get shredded.

[brant]

Is it just me, or would "Cherundolo" make a great verb?

"Messi had the ball at his feet, but the defender plowed in and just Cherundolo'ed him."

[jahs]

anyone else think the choice of jersey colors was dumb today? its hard to see the diff b/n the usa and arg unless they zoom in.

ps messi and aguero are ripping us apart on the wings

[matt]

the u.s. defender saw the argentinian attacker coming and cherundolo'ed his pants.

[Neal]

Too bad that cross never made it to EJ's head so he could nail it way over the bar

[andrewk]

Any chance we can do something once we get possession other than just boot the ball deep into their half?

[brant]

While our defense is going to spend most of 90 minutes looking like the Maginot Line (and defending about as effectively) I challenge you guys to find a defense that Messi and Aguerro *don't* shred...

Brazil? Italy? Who else?

[Neal]

Pablo's playing well

[aristotle]

I think we're pretty much Cherundoloed for this game!

[Forrest]

And EJ with the 1st of what I'm sure will be 7 or 8 offside calls against him because he's too lazy to run back onside.

[brant]

"Every time our defense gets the ball, they just cherundolo it to the other end, without bothering to look first."

[matt]

in other news dempsey looks a hell of a lot better today as compared to the last 2.

[DL]

Dempsey actually looks very active so far. He must read SBI.

[aristotle]

You have to admit that playing Eddie "a deer caught in the headlights" Johnson is really a smart decision in front of a massive crowd like this.

[brant]

Wow - big crowd shot. nice of the fans to wear their red, white and blue for the game!

[Robert]

www.Univision.com has live feed under "deportes" link

[Neal]

Well, we all know that we always play to the wings and try to cross it in - you would think we would practice crosses and master that, but we are failing at that. Sorry to be so negative today, but I am just baffled by Brdaley's decisions - it borders on insane. I guess EJ has been giving a starting job for life - I guess we have to hope he comes down with the flu on matchday from time to time.

[brant]

Sadly, no minute-by-minute running over at The Guardian. Those guys would have a field day with this game.

[matt]

heinze and dempsey talkin some cherundolo to each other.

[brant]

Anyone know if Messi's grandmother was an elf?

[aristotle]

disgraceful space on that header.

[andrewk]

Could've been worse...bad memories of free kicks against Italy...

[brant]

Seriously - Messi looks like a stuffed animal someone brought to life. Are we sure he's not Mascherano's kid brother who just accidentally wandered onto the field?

[brant]

Hey! A Johnson header on goal!

[aristotle]

There's Johnson's highlight for the game.

[brentmcd]

EJ = Mr. Excitement! lol

[brant]

I mean c'mon whaddo youse guys want outta da guy? A goal *every stinkin' time* he touches da ball?

[Neal]

At least we are getting free kick/corner opportunities....our only hope methinks

[brant]

I think Pearce was just Cherundoloing the ball out of the defense, and he didn't quite realize he was close enough to the goal that it would look like a shot.

[aristotle]

That would still be low goal production!

[brentmcd]

don't mess with califf, b!tch

[Neal]

I hope EJ starts playing with the skill that Adu showed against Spain, and that he scores 3-4 goals this game - then we know Bradley will bench him for sure
but well done by Eddie to get that header on target

[brant]

It's the magic soccer water! Cures any ailment in seconds!
(Seriously - Aguero will be back in about 30s)

[matt]

lol ej.

[Pat the Red Bulls Fan]

Don't take no guff, Clint!

[Neal]

Eddie Johnsosn wishes he could take that Cherundolo back...

[aristotle]

Another highlight from the Edster.

[brant]

So far the US doesn't seem intimidated, but it seems to be a lot of motion with not a lot of purpose. There's a lot of running, but not a lot of getting open, supporting the ball, linking passes, or thinking about the *next* pass beyond the one they're about to make.

[aristotle]

Hey Califf bashers. He just saved a goal.

[brentmcd]

great let's get the argies mad, that's real smart. oh well, i do like the fight in the us team right now....

[Yo]

EDDY JOHNSON IS CRAP

[aristotle]

That was total Cherundolo! #%%^!

[matt]

lando actually looks good tonight too so far.

[brant]

Dude - I'm all about the Califf. He's the only one back there not totally Cherundolo'ed by the Argies.

[Dave]

Totally off topic but our southern neighbors are up 1 nil on Peru, on a relativly sweet goal by fernando arce

[aristotle]

Give that guy a gold star for chasing the ball!

[brentmcd]

i'm a michael bradley fan, but he looks terrible so far....