Let me again remind you that if you're not into soccer, which by the way is what the English called it until the 80s, I'll have something for you later. As happy as I am that my boy Derrick is a Timberwolf and that the Twins are playing so well, these are the dog days and the Gold Cup is really the only sporting event piquing my interest. Here are some thoughts.
How about Jermaine Jones. What a pickup. His fiery personality really meshes with this team. It is very obvious that Jones plays at his best when his back is against the wall. His passes have been good, hes been making runs everywhere, and the center of the field has, for the most part, been off limits to opposition in this tournament. A key point to watch tonight: Jermaine completely shut down Mexico's star, Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez, in the English Premier League this past season. Look for at least some man marking, and ball denial, and hope to god that nobody tries the offsides trap.
It was great seeing Freddy Adu contributing. I don't envy anything about his life. Having the weight of an entire sport on your shoulders at 14, signing an ill-advised contract with a team that hasn't shown a ton of interest in developing his strength, and hitting rock bottom for the last 6 months of 2010, being a 20-something winger without a job. I don't expect him to turn into Ryan Giggs, however he has the best touch on the team. Maybe he won't meet those impossible expectations, but being a key supersub for the 2014 cycle seems reasonable.
Folks, the El Tri is simply playing at another level right now. The manager, whose name frankly doesn't matter (and I am not looking it up) seems to make the perfect adjustments and substitutions throughout the game. Giovanni dos Santos, the half-Brazilian wunderkind, is incredibly dangerous on the flanks and he has looked oh-so close to turning this tournament open every game. I just have a sinking feeling that his slashing runs will cause a backline that isn't the quickest in the world a lot of trouble.
Here is how I see this game going down: The USA midfield is clicking, providing steel and completely dictating the flow of the game. The issue is that final third. The Yanks just don't have enough patience or creativity to take or make enough good chances at goal. I see the Mexican side hanging around, threatening every 15 minutes or so, and taking the lead just before the half. Coach Bradley will bring on subs, hopefully not Chris Wondolowski (better known as 'random MLS striker we will never hear from again') and the US will steal a goal, likely from Juan Agudelo or Clint Dempsey, two guys with enough heart to keep the states in the match. Towards injury time I think Mexico's speed and touch will take over, and I think this is the end of the line for us. I see Chicharito scoring a goal that looks just enough borderline that I will yell at the TV, and Giovanni adding another one moments later when the game has completely opened up.
3-1, but closer than the score.
Here is a video that I really enjoy. I think Jermaine is an awesome player, he seems like a pretty cool dude, and anyone who likes Pizza Hut is a friend of mine.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
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