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Don't forget the CopaAmerica 2016 here in the states.
I knew I was missing one.
Don't forget the CopaAmerica 2016 here in the states.
I don't know that they didn't go all in on this tournament. And whatever chance they gave themselves, they did advance. So....??
True, they were not exactly who we thought they were.
Sure, but I don't consider (and most people don't consider) players you can't trust as your best players.
That's so interesting. The British shows I listen to were raving about Klinsmann and wondering if they could lure him away.
To be fair ... Cameron is a right back for Stoke and is pretty active in the attack. His inclusion as a DM, positioned just in front of Besler and Gonzalez, was designed to push the Belgian attack out wide. For 90+ minutes (thanks in large part to Howard) it worked.
And I'm going on the record to say that I think Belgium is stronger than Germany right now. The 2 games cannot be compared because they were each played under totally different circumstances, but I believe Belgium is the better team.
I don't have the time to get caught up on the last 2-3 pages, so apologies if this has been said/discussed. My final word on LD is that the team would have been better with him on the roster. Most of the JK apologists even admit that. LD at 80-90% for 10-20 minutes is better than Aron Johansson at 100% for 45-90.
I also firmly believe that JK didn't expect to make it out of the group stage. I think he saw the group of death, figured the team was a long shot to advance, and decided to bring more youth to prepare for 2018. IMO he knew that if he didn't get out of the group of death, there wouldn't be much criticism, and if he did, then great, mission accomplished.
Yet you think he's our most productive offensive player??????
"Was" I'll agree, "is" eh not so sure.
I don't have the time to get caught up on the last 2-3 pages, so apologies if this has been said/discussed. My final word on LD is that the team would have been better with him on the roster. Most of the JK apologists even admit that. LD at 80-90% for 10-20 minutes is better than Aron Johansson at 100% for 45-90.
I also firmly believe that JK didn't expect to make it out of the group stage. I think he saw the group of death, figured the team was a long shot to advance, and decided to bring more youth to prepare for 2018. IMO he knew that if he didn't get out of the group of death, there wouldn't be much criticism, and if he did, then great, mission accomplished.
Don't forget the CopaAmerica 2016 here in the states.
I agree with this. The only reason I like it is because it's a mini World Cup almost, minus the bigger names. It's something to fill the summer with in between World Cup cycles. I believe teams are allowed 3 over 21 players, correct? My thought is, it's a chance to give the younger players experience playing on a bigger stage? We didn't even qualify last Olympics on the men's side of things. I'm more excited for the Euros which I believe are the same year. Yeah, the US isn't involved, but it's high level soccer from big power countries.Can someone explain why the Olympics matter to me? From my untrained eye it seems like an unimportant U21 tourney.
whaler11 said:Good coaches trust talent. I'll give you a very easy example that folks here can relate to: Ray Allen being available to knock down a three in the Finals when the chips are on the line. Ray in his late 30's isn't going to give you 40 minutes of solid defense... but when you need offense from someone who doesn't wilt in the moment maybe go with someone who gets it.
I could be wrong, but I think this strategy is counter-productive. Let the players play where they want, and they're most wanted. Imagine if the NBA had this. Outside of Miami, does anyone really not enjoy watching the Spurs play?
Can someone explain why the Olympics matter to me? From my untrained eye it seems like an unimportant U21 tourney.
Might be the second biggest global tournament other than than the confed cup.
Ok I'll get more interested. Am I wrong it's U21?
So now we are making stuff up to prove he is/would be our most productive offensive player???? Ok what if Klestjan had subbed in and provided an assist? I guess he's our most productive offensive player now.I would imagine he sub v. Ghana for Jozy, starts vs. Portugal for Bedoya, sub v. Germany and start vs. Belgium playing about 25, 65, 15, 120 mins in the 4 games. You don't think he would have assisted or scored on at least one more goal that the 5 we scored?
I certainly don't hate him. Just understand Klinsmann's reluctance to use a player he doesn't trust.I just don't get the hate for the indisputable best US field player of all time and he held that title until very recently.
I don't recall Ray Allen wussing out on his coach twice???Good coaches trust talent.
I'll give you a very easy example that folks here can relate to: Ray Allen being available to knock down a three in the Finals when the chips are on the line.
Ray in his late 30's isn't going to give you 40 minutes of solid defense... but when you need offense from someone who doesn't wilt in the moment maybe go with someone who gets it.
It's a U23 tourney. It's a chance for the younger kids to get a chance playing in a big tourney. A lot of future stars come out of it. Can be a big tryout for the National team. It has some of the top young guns out there. Big shop window for a lot of the players.Can someone explain why the Olympics matter to me? From my untrained eye it seems like an unimportant U21 tourney.
For US naysayers, coming right back for your regular weekly viewing pleaure:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=EEwR3RurxAM
Playing in the America's is quite the commitment for a European based player, that is some crazy travel they have to do, and it certainly takes away from their club team. It is a hell of a balancing act.
bumping this up for those that joined. Let's go Brazil v Argentina!Sorry to interrupt the flow of conversation but I set up a World Cup Bracket Pool on ESPN. Here's the info:
Get in the action now:
Click Here
Group: The Boneyard Pool
Password: uconn