Comments on: The Casual Fan’s Guide to the U.S. Men’s National Team http://www.thewareaglereader.com/2010/06/the-casual-fans-guide-to-the-u-s-mens-national-team/ Auburn's Daily Meta-Memoir Sat, 11 Feb 2012 16:28:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: WarBlogEagle http://www.thewareaglereader.com/2010/06/the-casual-fans-guide-to-the-u-s-mens-national-team/comment-page-1/#comment-14037 WarBlogEagle Thu, 10 Jun 2010 01:09:05 +0000 http://www.thewareaglereader.com/?p=11891#comment-14037 If you get funny looks by wearing a U.S. soccer jersey to a U.S. soccer-watching party, that's a very strange party you've wandered into. A bunch of my friends all bought the new (blue) jersey the day it came out. It looks great in person. Outdoor venue? Nice. I'm having to go to Phoenix (temperature earlier this week: 108) and we will most definitely not be outside. If you get funny looks by wearing a U.S. soccer jersey to a U.S. soccer-watching party, that’s a very strange party you’ve wandered into. A bunch of my friends all bought the new (blue) jersey the day it came out. It looks great in person.

Outdoor venue? Nice. I’m having to go to Phoenix (temperature earlier this week: 108) and we will most definitely not be outside.

]]> By: Van Plexico http://www.thewareaglereader.com/2010/06/the-casual-fans-guide-to-the-u-s-mens-national-team/comment-page-1/#comment-14035 Van Plexico Thu, 10 Jun 2010 01:01:46 +0000 http://www.thewareaglereader.com/?p=11891#comment-14035 Okay, between you and my wife, y'all convinced me of the awesomeness of the current USA away jersey (blue with white diagonal "sash" stripe). So I just bought one to wear Saturday. I better not get funny looks, is all I'm sayin'. We're watching in St Louis at an outdoor venue with a 14 foot jumbotron screen and food and drink provided by numerous local pubs/eateries. It's nice living in a "soccer town" sometimes. Okay, between you and my wife, y’all convinced me of the awesomeness of the current USA away jersey (blue with white diagonal “sash” stripe). So I just bought one to wear Saturday. I better not get funny looks, is all I’m sayin’.

We’re watching in St Louis at an outdoor venue with a 14 foot jumbotron screen and food and drink provided by numerous local pubs/eateries. It’s nice living in a “soccer town” sometimes.

]]> By: Little Italy: Official Pizzateria of TWER World Cup Fever | The War Eagle Reader http://www.thewareaglereader.com/2010/06/the-casual-fans-guide-to-the-u-s-mens-national-team/comment-page-1/#comment-14007 Little Italy: Official Pizzateria of TWER World Cup Fever | The War Eagle Reader Wed, 09 Jun 2010 19:04:46 +0000 http://www.thewareaglereader.com/?p=11891#comment-14007 [...] our World Cup overfloweth, I snapped this photo for Jerry while paying for my Creede Simpson celebration pizza at [...] [...] our World Cup overfloweth, I snapped this photo for Jerry while paying for my Creede Simpson celebration pizza at [...]

]]> By: By popular demand: TWER has a World Cup Pool (plus YouTube fun) | The War Eagle Reader http://www.thewareaglereader.com/2010/06/the-casual-fans-guide-to-the-u-s-mens-national-team/comment-page-1/#comment-14002 By popular demand: TWER has a World Cup Pool (plus YouTube fun) | The War Eagle Reader Wed, 09 Jun 2010 18:31:52 +0000 http://www.thewareaglereader.com/?p=11891#comment-14002 [...] the response wasn’t overwhelming, exactly, but nonetheless when I asked the other day if You the Readers of TWER wanted a World Cup pool, I thought we had enough interest to move [...] [...] the response wasn’t overwhelming, exactly, but nonetheless when I asked the other day if You the Readers of TWER wanted a World Cup pool, I thought we had enough interest to move [...]

]]> By: Joe Blow http://www.thewareaglereader.com/2010/06/the-casual-fans-guide-to-the-u-s-mens-national-team/comment-page-1/#comment-13993 Joe Blow Wed, 09 Jun 2010 15:59:46 +0000 http://www.thewareaglereader.com/?p=11891#comment-13993 I hear you. I think the lack of a real feeder league into the MLS is the problem there. For U.S. players, they pretty much have to perform well on the international level before being called to any of the big European leagues. So we might see Buddle or Findley heading over to Europe after the WC. I'd love to see that happen. If you look at the starting lineup in the Turkey game, the only MLS starter was Donovan. :) I hear you. I think the lack of a real feeder league into the MLS is the problem there. For U.S. players, they pretty much have to perform well on the international level before being called to any of the big European leagues. So we might see Buddle or Findley heading over to Europe after the WC. I’d love to see that happen.

If you look at the starting lineup in the Turkey game, the only MLS starter was Donovan. :)

]]> By: WarBlogEagle http://www.thewareaglereader.com/2010/06/the-casual-fans-guide-to-the-u-s-mens-national-team/comment-page-1/#comment-13987 WarBlogEagle Wed, 09 Jun 2010 14:48:25 +0000 http://www.thewareaglereader.com/?p=11891#comment-13987 We are getting there, but man, I thought it'd be quicker than this. If you'd asked me in '98 or 2002 if we'd still be starting forwards from MLS and a central defender from the Norwegian league in 2010, I'd have said you were crazy. We have options at d-mid, but the depth in defense and forward is still sadly nonexistent. As for Johnson, who knows. He's one guy who the move from MLS to Europe hasn't helped one bit. We are getting there, but man, I thought it’d be quicker than this. If you’d asked me in ’98 or 2002 if we’d still be starting forwards from MLS and a central defender from the Norwegian league in 2010, I’d have said you were crazy. We have options at d-mid, but the depth in defense and forward is still sadly nonexistent.

As for Johnson, who knows. He’s one guy who the move from MLS to Europe hasn’t helped one bit.

]]> By: Joe Blow http://www.thewareaglereader.com/2010/06/the-casual-fans-guide-to-the-u-s-mens-national-team/comment-page-1/#comment-13986 Joe Blow Wed, 09 Jun 2010 14:34:51 +0000 http://www.thewareaglereader.com/?p=11891#comment-13986 You know what really sucks? I thought today was Thursday! Here I'm thinking, "a little more than 24 hours!" Then it hits me. #&$*!!! I'd love to know what happened with Johnson. He started out with a bang on the international level, then ???. IMO, he shouldn't have been in the 30. No, I agree with you there. He is one of the best players on the squad. I just don't think he's made it to the unsubable level yet, especially with the guys behind him. I tell you what. It's nice to be able to debate about talent now. It wasn't that long ago when it was obvious who should and shouldn't be playing(and a lot of the shouldn'ts were our only choice!). We're getting there. You know what really sucks? I thought today was Thursday! Here I’m thinking, “a little more than 24 hours!” Then it hits me. #&$*!!!

I’d love to know what happened with Johnson. He started out with a bang on the international level, then ???. IMO, he shouldn’t have been in the 30.

No, I agree with you there. He is one of the best players on the squad. I just don’t think he’s made it to the unsubable level yet, especially with the guys behind him.

I tell you what. It’s nice to be able to debate about talent now. It wasn’t that long ago when it was obvious who should and shouldn’t be playing(and a lot of the shouldn’ts were our only choice!). We’re getting there.

]]> By: WarBlogEagle http://www.thewareaglereader.com/2010/06/the-casual-fans-guide-to-the-u-s-mens-national-team/comment-page-1/#comment-13982 WarBlogEagle Wed, 09 Jun 2010 13:58:24 +0000 http://www.thewareaglereader.com/?p=11891#comment-13982 Ah. My mistake, Joe. And certainly, Johnson and Buddle (Johnson, more specifically) were a major part of the problem. But I didn't think the Edu/Torres pairing did enough regardless. We'll just have to agree to disagree on Bradley the younger. I think he's one of the four or five best players on behind only Donovan/Dempsey in terms of indispensability. But we'll see. As for Clark, maybe I should have been clearer--I meant that starting him over Edu/Torres was unpopular, not including him on the roster. I don't think anyone's seriously suggesting he shouldn't have even been on the plane. You're right that Gomez has mad skillz that Buddle and Findley don't, and I'd probably start him over Findley. But he just seems to be so effective as a sub I'd keep him that way. I agree: Friday (and Saturday!) can't get here fast enough! Ah. My mistake, Joe. And certainly, Johnson and Buddle (Johnson, more specifically) were a major part of the problem. But I didn’t think the Edu/Torres pairing did enough regardless.

We’ll just have to agree to disagree on Bradley the younger. I think he’s one of the four or five best players on behind only Donovan/Dempsey in terms of indispensability. But we’ll see.

As for Clark, maybe I should have been clearer–I meant that starting him over Edu/Torres was unpopular, not including him on the roster. I don’t think anyone’s seriously suggesting he shouldn’t have even been on the plane.

You’re right that Gomez has mad skillz that Buddle and Findley don’t, and I’d probably start him over Findley. But he just seems to be so effective as a sub I’d keep him that way.

I agree: Friday (and Saturday!) can’t get here fast enough!

]]> By: Joe Blow http://www.thewareaglereader.com/2010/06/the-casual-fans-guide-to-the-u-s-mens-national-team/comment-page-1/#comment-13979 Joe Blow Wed, 09 Jun 2010 13:31:46 +0000 http://www.thewareaglereader.com/?p=11891#comment-13979 I didn't say that (look at my lineup). I said I'd like to see those two together. And my mistake. For some reason, I was thinking they were in different halves vs. the Czechs. If my memory serves me correctly,the lack of offensive spark was more because of Johnson and Buddle. I agree that it's way down on the list. I'm definitely not a Bradley hater (father or son). I just don't think his son is THAT good as to be unsubable...not yet. "way, way better "? No sir. He definitely has heart and doesn't stop. But if we're going to play someone because of that, Holden should be deemed unsubable as well. Sure, people are pissed off about Clark now, but there weren't many rumblings when he was inclueded in the final roster. I was assuming by "selection", that's what you meant. I like Gomez because he's the only one out of Buddle and Findley who actually has a decent first touch. And let's face it, the man can sniff out the goal. Maybe he's only good for a half though. In that case, yes, he's best served as a late sub. I'm just ready to see some damn action! I didn’t say that (look at my lineup). I said I’d like to see those two together. And my mistake. For some reason, I was thinking they were in different halves vs. the Czechs. If my memory serves me correctly,the lack of offensive spark was more because of Johnson and Buddle.

I agree that it’s way down on the list. I’m definitely not a Bradley hater (father or son). I just don’t think his son is THAT good as to be unsubable…not yet. “way, way better “? No sir. He definitely has heart and doesn’t stop. But if we’re going to play someone because of that, Holden should be deemed unsubable as well.

Sure, people are pissed off about Clark now, but there weren’t many rumblings when he was inclueded in the final roster. I was assuming by “selection”, that’s what you meant.

I like Gomez because he’s the only one out of Buddle and Findley who actually has a decent first touch. And let’s face it, the man can sniff out the goal. Maybe he’s only good for a half though. In that case, yes, he’s best served as a late sub.

I’m just ready to see some damn action!

]]> By: WarBlogEagle http://www.thewareaglereader.com/2010/06/the-casual-fans-guide-to-the-u-s-mens-national-team/comment-page-1/#comment-13897 WarBlogEagle Tue, 08 Jun 2010 20:44:16 +0000 http://www.thewareaglereader.com/?p=11891#comment-13897 Thanks, Van. I can imagine that being memorable as hell, but I still wish it had turned out differently--I despise the Italians (though Baggio himself was OK) and absolutely loved watching that Nigeria team. If they'd held on for another minute they might have made the final--Spain (their quarterfinal opponent) wasn't anything _too_ special that year and they've have shredded Bulgaria in the semis. Can you imagine how much more fun a Brazil-Nigeria (or even Brazil-Spain) final would have been instead of the borefest we got? Sigh. Stupid Azzurri. They ruin everything. Saw your assessment of the current away kit and have to say I totally disagree--I LOVE the sash (1950 represent!) and wish it stood out way, way more on the boring-looking home kit. I will totally agree, however, that the '95-'97 look with the big horizontal stripe was the best one Nike's come up with yet. Thanks, Van. I can imagine that being memorable as hell, but I still wish it had turned out differently–I despise the Italians (though Baggio himself was OK) and absolutely loved watching that Nigeria team. If they’d held on for another minute they might have made the final–Spain (their quarterfinal opponent) wasn’t anything _too_ special that year and they’ve have shredded Bulgaria in the semis. Can you imagine how much more fun a Brazil-Nigeria (or even Brazil-Spain) final would have been instead of the borefest we got? Sigh. Stupid Azzurri. They ruin everything.

Saw your assessment of the current away kit and have to say I totally disagree–I LOVE the sash (1950 represent!) and wish it stood out way, way more on the boring-looking home kit. I will totally agree, however, that the ’95-’97 look with the big horizontal stripe was the best one Nike’s come up with yet.

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