US-Argentina (Copa America)

[northzax]

the US "b" team (or at least developmental) versus the Argies' 'A" Team.

I think everyone beleives their press, and Argentina comes out slow, the US weathers the attack and gets in a decent counter attack, and the pressure gets to Argentina. Still, they are too damn good.

Argentina 3-1 US. (and that it optimistic, there have been a lot of goals in Copa so far, this could easily be 5-0)

[nickgutierrez]

1. I think 3-1 sounds fair.

I'd have to see what the US's first team looks like, though. If they've got most of their first-team defense, I think that would be a fair result.

[northzax]

2. you haven't seen the roster?

it ain't any first teamers on Defense...well, except Bornstein.

you are basically looking at Keller in goal, Wynee, DeMerit, Conrad and Bornstein on the back line. probably Olsen, Feilhaber, Clark and Mapp in the middle and Johnson and Twellman up front. this is far from the first team.

[nickgutierrez]

5. Yikes.

DeMerit can play. But if Jimmy Conrad is your other first choice center back, at this level, you are - to borrow a favorite misspelling - screwn.

But yeah, I watched the game. 4-1 to the Argies, and fair enough. A couple of late goals tilted the scoreline a bit, but they really were that much better. Any team that can bring Aimar and Tevez off of the bench must be feared.

[northzax]

6. this team just doesn't have the depth

to play even bunker ball against the Argies, they bring on Tevez and we respond with two guys who have never been capped.

still, there were some signs of hope from a few players in the next generation, Bornstein gave as good as he got from Messi for 45, Feilhabler was decent in the middle, and DeMerit didn't embarrass. but then, this is our next generation, these guys haven't played together before (the team just got together on Monday) and certainly few had any experience at anything like this level. when you think that 15 years ago, our A team would have been slaughtered worse than that, we're making some progress.

the really big question on the night is...is Paraguay that good, or is Colombia that bad? talk about folding like a house of cards.

[Captain Hilts]

9. I watched part of this game. How old is Keller? nt

[northzax]

10. 37 maybe?

38? Keeper have a long lifespan, but he really did look old and tired last night. Nice to see him get cap 101, but he really showed why Howard is number one now. Kasey has had a great career, but he's no longer international class, at least not a the level the US can get in goal. Time to hang it up, Kasey. He's also looking for a new team, and this poor showing will rule out a lot of them. Time to come home to MLS and mentor the next generation. we have two younger world class keepers in howard and hahneman, and a comer in guzan.

[northzax]

3. GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL!

and before I could hit 'post'...

GOAL Argentina!

1-1 after 11 minutes...

[northzax]

4. no one else is watching this?

1-1 at the half, good play all around, Bornstein is becoming a man against Messi, Keller is weak tonight (Tim Howard keeps this 1-0) Contrary to many predictions (including my own) this team is not embarrassing us, yet. of course, we have been weak in the second half all year, so it could still fall to pieces.

and Eddie Johnson just don't look right up there, no aggression at all, and a stone foot for a first touch. has anyone seen Herculez Gomez?

[spoony]

7. Kinda glad I didn't get to see it :-P

Sounded like a good effort in the first half though.

[northzax]

8. oh yeah, it was

Freaking EJ, no drive, should have had the chance for more. but the Defense was fantastic, except on the goal, Bornstein (!!) held Messi in check, (Messi switched sides at the half. there's a moral victory for you) Jay and Jimmy held the middle well, the Bennys kepts the ball moving in the midfield. Tyler was, well, Tyler (and therefore useless).

but oh, how the bar went NUTS when EJ got the PK...

and then the reality of the second half. ouch.