Official USMNT Rio 2014 Thread

[Censored by Laurie]

umm. sports.

[Army of Dad]

umm. sports.

Spot on commentary as usual.

[Green P1]

Couldn't bring myself to call in sick... Sorry America.

[Army of Dad]

Ok, do we think there will be any changes from the starting lineup we say against Portugal?

I'm thinking the starters all stay the same, depending on what result we need late, maybe get Julian Green in the match late? Might be extra cool for his WC debut to be against Germany. (I have no idea what score line would be bet for this, just think its cool)

[TIgreen01]

Maybe see someone other than Bedoya, but otherwise I'd still expect to see the same lineup. Also, should Gonzales see the field today, I am just going to lose it. Yes, I understand he's exactly what we need to defend Lahm's crosses.

Not sure if the rain helps or hurts our cause today. With no rain, I'd say that there is no way we even come close to shutting out Germany. Now maybe there is a chance.

Also, special thanks go out to the Ghana Federation for being a bunch of bungling morons. Kicking Muntari off the squad (along with Boateng who's not as big a loss) and thrusting the team into a state of turmoil definitely helps us---well, as long as they don't completely face plant and lose something like 5-0. JEEZ this crap is stressful to follow!

**Edit: scratch that. GONZALES IN FOR CAMERON?!!? DAMMIT. Davis in for Bedoya.

Edited June 26, 2014 by TIgreen01

[Cerebus]

I'm trying not to over hype this... but this is the biggest game in the history of this quadrant of the galaxy. If we don't win, we should restart the Nuremberg Trials and bring the entire country of Germany to justice once again.

If we aren't winning by 45 at half, we should fire Tony Benford. When asked for a comment, Benford was quoted as saying "Is basketball the one where you can use your feet? I really should know this."

PS: Why isn't the chat room working?

Edited June 26, 2014 by Cerebus

[CMJ]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3z4Hzo9UmrQ

[Cerebus]

US National Team midfielder Clint Dempsey aka Deuce teams with Houston rappers BIG HAWK and XO:

What have you done to show your commitment to winning? Just this morning I threw out all the sauerkraut in my fridge AND drop kicked a German Shepard I saw on my way to work.

Edited June 26, 2014 by Cerebus

[GreenMachine]

get ready for a good snooze, the game starts soon.

[Cerebus]

get ready for a good snooze, the game starts soon.

This is obviously an undercover German Agent. How long have you hated America, Herr GrünMaschine?

[Cerebus]

Seven minutes in and Germany has been attacking all over the place and has had several near misses. This is what Poland must have felt like in September 1939.

[CMJ]

Seven minutes in and Germany has been attacking all over the place and has had several near misses. This is what Poland must have felt like in September 1939.

Certainly no blitzkrieg.

[Cerebus]

Gonzalez has been fantastic and is the reason we aren't behind right now.

[Cerebus]

What Americans always see to lack as compared to the best in the world is first touch. So many times I see people get a ball in a very advantageous spot, then they waste the chance by having to collect the ball... by that time the defense has closed the gap.

I know Messi/Ronaldo type players are the best in the world, but I would love to see an American become that type of player sooner rather than later.

[Cerebus]

Jones should have yellow carded the ref.

[Cerebus]

I have an ulcer and it's name is Michael Bradley.

[CMJ]

Survive and advance.

[TIgreen01]

Gonzalez has been fantastic and is the reason we aren't behind right now.

As always, I talk crap about a player (works for any team---come Aug 30 I'll be in full anti-McNulty mode) and they receive the anti-jinx venom and dominate.

[Cerebus]

Survive and advance.

I'll take it happily.

Also this was the internet during the match:

[TIgreen01]

Dempsey returning to MLS hasn't seemed to have noticeably hurt his game. In fact, most of our MLS based players have played well. Bradley is another story entirely. I almost wonder if he's sporting some minor injuries that are affecting him. Early in the MLS season he was very good but his form was trending down as the season progressed, and now he's just a shell of his former self.

Edited June 26, 2014 by TIgreen01

[Censored by Laurie]

Dempsey returning to MLS hasn't seemed to have noticeably hurt his game. In fact, most of our MLS based players have played well. Bradley is another story entirely. I almost wonder if he's sporting some minor injuries that are affecting him. Early in the MLS season he was very good but his form was trending down as the season progressed, and now he's just a shell of his former self.

Bradley moved to MLS to get consistent action ahead of the World Cup...he was less than 100% at the start of Roma's campaign and subsequently lost his starting spot.

He's been far from great, undoubtedly...but he put in a solid defensive shift today and he was also directly responsible for the US's 3 legit chances against Germany (Zusi's shot, the beautiful through-ball to Jones and the last flurry in the 93rd or so).

He needs to be better against Belgium, but the idea of dropping him is just stupid.

[H-towngreen]

Bradley has been playing well on D which is more important than when he pushes up front. With the lineup we've had to move to he's been playing slightly out of position that best suits his play. If Altidore plays Tues look for a better game from Bradley.

[GreenMachine]

This is obviously an undercover German Agent. How long have you hated America, Herr GrünMaschine?

since late 2008

[TIgreen01]

Bradley moved to MLS to get consistent action ahead of the World Cup...he was less than 100% at the start of Roma's campaign and subsequently lost his starting spot.

He's been far from great, undoubtedly...but he put in a solid defensive shift today and he was also directly responsible for the US's 3 legit chances against Germany (Zusi's shot, the beautiful through-ball to Jones and the last flurry in the 93rd or so).

He needs to be better against Belgium, but the idea of dropping him is just stupid.

Who said anything about dropping him?

[Censored by Laurie]

Who said anything about dropping him?

sorry...that wasn't directed at you despite the quoted text. I've seen the idea floated about...I think even Twellman mentioned it during the broadcast.