We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
Right, it is well and truly time for the U.S. boys to do the biz. They go into the dreaded Saprissa Stadium tonight with an uneviable WC qualifying record of 0-6-1 looking for the first away win over the Ticos. Join me from 9:30 p.m. onward for live coverage here and on ESPN2.
posted by The Blue Devil @ 9:19 PM
We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
135 Comments:
The preview show has just started on ESPN2 with Rob Stone in the studio with Lexi Lalas.
So the U.S. sit on top on CONCACAF qualifying after seven points from three games (home to Mexico, away to El Salvador and home to T&T). Altidore is the top scorer with four goals in qualifying so far. He's got to start and do well tonight.
Brian Ching is injured, so we're a bit under strength up front. Altidore hasn't played a competitive match in Spain for some two months. Bob Bradley could go with Freddy Adu alongside Jozy. Who knows - maybe the goal threat of Brad Guzan will be unleashed.
Electric atmosphere in Costa Rica tonight. Should be a good tester for the U.S. boys.
What's with the heavy metal version of their anthem?
I agree - a wee bit tinny for my taste.
I'm wrong, that Altamont moment was the Star Spangled Banner. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?
Here's the side for the U.S. tonight:
Howard
Wynne
Boca
Gooch
Beasley
Mastroenni
Bradley
Torres
Dempsey
Donovan
Altidore
Know any of the Ticos?
I'd love to see us go at them and take the sting out of the crowd early doors.
Just that one they mentioned that plays in the MLS, but not well.
Would you have Beasley in this 11? Not I.
Urine and battery launching in your face crowd and a plastic effing pitch? No way I would have Beasley.
Nervy start for our back for - I don't like it.
Just back from a fantastic meal at our local French/Belgian bistro . . . settled in for the match with my laptop . . . We're off!
Nah, especially playing left back. That's just a problem waiting to happen. And there it is - 1-0. Totally exposed. Bugger!
Oh f . . .
Don't like how Torres gave up on the tackle there.
88 minutes to get it back
Jesus, that was all DaMarcus's fault. What a twat. Misses the ball, takes a US man with him, and then waltzes around Pablo and sticks it past a poor Timmy.
How does FIFA let these feckers get away with having matches on turf!
The pitch looks perfect . . . that has to be to our advantage. . . . How are the brothers Dahlgren doing this evening?
It's not astroturf is it????
You can't have WC qualifiers on Astroturf!!!
Ball skipping away from Dempsey makes me think it's plastic!
Yes it's turf because after all, no plant has a chance in the arid environment of Costa Rica!
The Post discussed how they got dispensation to lay turf because the wet season tore up the pitch.
Heya - West Ham. I'm doing well. Taking a break this evening from a conference in Gville. How's about you?
What I noticed about the turf is that it has a slight bobble that we saw on that backpass to Howard 2 minutes ago.
Nice, Harkesy hits out at how poor DaMarcus's control is. OK Bob Bradley, now it's certified.
Torres: Do the Mexican's miss him? Discuss.
Andy Heron. That's the Tico that plays in the MLS.
Oh that's not good. They just broke completely free and played right through us. That was so horribly simple for them. Onyewu looks really bad.
Bugger! Goal #2 for the Ticos. We were totally exposed defensively again. Timmy Howard must be wondering where Jolean Lescott is!
2-0 to the Ticos and both goals made the back 4 of Beasley, Boca, Gooch, and Wynne look really amateur.
Well, I was looking forward to this, Gator, but it's all curdled on me . .
What I don't understand is how Bradley can put Beasley back in at left back after he was completely exposed away to El Salvador earlier in the spring. There are surely half a dozen quality, natural left backs playing in MLS.
Spector? Pearce? Why the need to re-convert Beasley as an emergency measure? I don't get it. This sucks!
Man, they've let Harksey off his leash tonight. Has another go at Beasley and Boca.
FIFA rankings be damned, the Ticos are eating this formation up.
Harkesy's absolutely right. It's really disappointing that we haven't learned how to play in places like this after all these years. We know exactly what to expect at this point.
Good grief, that guy was completely unmarked. What a miss. That should be 3.
Howard just about tips another round the post. Corner to the Ticos and it's cleared out by Boca.
Boca is about the only defender who should be starting for the U.S. I'd have Bornstein, Demerit, Boca and Pearce.
While Harkesy geniunely sounds pissed off, JP still has that maddeningly even-tempered as if we're still at 0-0. Harkesy's having another go at DaMarcas. Good on him. Are you listening Bob Bradley - get him off!
It's official. Beasley has not paid Harksey back that poker loan. Another go at DeMarcus. Harksey is not on the happy talk tip tonight.
I'd also like to see Bradley help out a little bit. I mean, when your back four is getting schooled like this, drop back and help out.
The Ticos look dangerous every time they come forward. Jesus!
C'mon, Landon. You don't have any more move in you than that? Really. That tackle was really weak that disposessed him.
Agreed, Gooner, the Ticos are cutting through the midfield like a hot knife through butter. Lots of pressure on a poor back four. And Torres is not the guy for a night like this. We need someone with a bit of steel behind his tackles.
When we were in this position away to El Salvador, the guy who had the bottle to get the team playing again was Frankie Hejduk. He should come on at half time or shortly thereafter.
How can an astroturf pitch be this freaking bumpy . . . DC Parks and Recreation laid a better pitch in my neighborhood.
Honestly Tim, I'd kick Boca and the ball away in that position. Holy smokes, this is 25 minutes of having our asses handed to us.
Woeful free kick there from Dempsey, neither a proper shot on goal nor a decent cross in.
This is so dire that the Deuce suits have gone to baseball highlights. I don't blame them.
I know! I thought that was THE benefit of turf, that the surface was level. FIFA should be ashamed that they've let CR get away with this.
What was Torres thinking there? Wretched stuff. Don't know what Harkes sees in him. He's frail and hasn't hit a decent ball all night.
But the turf, the crowd, whatever. We're two down because we're rubbish. I don't like any of the 11 so far. Torres hasn't done anything particularly positive. Flashy...meh, I guess, but this is as bad a US performance as I can remember.
Yes, yellow for that
I think DeMarcus was lucky, he never had that ball close enough to him to be considered under control.
C'mon, free kick. Stick it.... ugh, rotten free kick from Landon.
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Agreed. These boys will be playing Italy and Brazil in two weeks time. Can you imagine if they turn in anything like this performance against the likes of Robinho and co?
We need a goal and we need it now.
We need a goal and we need it now.
If this was a game of poker, you'd turn in all 5 cards.
Dempsey's not getting the job done. No penetration at all.
Absolutely - we'll need to score before half time or we need a triple change at the half.
I'd have Pearce on for Beasley, Hejduk on for Wynne and Klejstan on for Torres at the half.
That shot could have gone anywhere and Timmy's got to be livid. Time for him to give his backline a bollocking in the dressing room. Bradley doesn't seem like the type to rattle the teacups.
Agreed about Dempsey, but he hasn't received the ball in front of him all night.
That replay shows another uncontested header. Very lucky that the shot blazed over.
Yep, a goal and an immediate change of three players at the start of the 2nd.
Side bar, Steve, where can we go in the District to get a real pint?
Is Harkesy and JP in Costa Rica? Harksey is, indeed, in a pisser of a mood.
Hejduk is hurt or Wynne would be on the bench.
I'd ditch Jozy except I'm not sure that there is a forward in reserve.
Definitely Beasley gets the hook for just about anyone. He's not a left back.
The ref is doing well.
Where was that place near Gallery Place with the narrow floor plan where we got those nice pints, Gooner?
I doubt it - I suspect that Harkesy and JP are in New Jersey commentating from a monitor.
After playing on the turf at Giants Stadium for several seasons, Jozy should know better than to let the ball run out on the turf like that.
A real pint, please. . . however, it's done across the pond . . . pull draught.
Now, Landy and Mastro are having a go at each other. Not a good sign. Into stoppage time in the first half.
Yeah, no doubt West Ham. I wouldn't steer you wrong.
Gooner's obviously keeping the real ale pubs to himself tonight.
Half-time: 2-0 Costa Rica. Miserable.
That's a tough one. I like the British style ales at District Chop House, especially the Bourbon Stout. Their lighter ales are good this time of year.
I think Gordon Biersch on F Street does a good pale, but it seems like the District is better on German Style.
Rusticos near me on Slaters Lane has a fantastic variety, but it's eyebrow deep in the under-30 crowd.
Wonderland Ballroom in Mt. Pleasant is a dump, but the outdoor beer garden and their two German taps redeem an otherwise ordinary experience.
I think the best summer beer venue is Cafe Berlin on Mass Ave on Capital Hill. Fresh German taps, outdoor beer garden, and pretty excellent German food.
As for pub atmosphere, I haven't found it in DC.
You're thinking of Matchbox, Bob. But their selection is much inferior to GB, DCH, Rusticos, WB, and the scene at Cafe Berlin is where it's at.
Johnno, if you're ever in B'more, try the Wharf Rat across and down from Camden Yards. They do such a good job of their English style.
And the Brewer's Art in B'more is the best Belgian style place I've been to around here.
That Nike ad that uses "Over There" is really ill-timed when a team of Costa Ricans who even Harry Redknapp might think twice about are spanking us.
Or you could come up to Fredonia for the world famous Elliotcotville Brewery Scotch Ale, mate. The first round's on me!
Second half's starting up...Harkesy's right on the money. We need "blue collar" players who can put the boot in.
Klejstan comes on...
Wait, I just want a pull draught, real pint . . . you know, the low carbonation, real deal . . . Gooner, do the establishments you mention offer that . . . let's you and I go for a couple of pints there, wherever there is, this summer.
What are we doing for next year's WC?
Good question, mate. I'm definitely open to suggestion.
Ooh, nearly number 3 there, with Borges sneaking in. Harkesy's right to question how the holding mid is getting into the danger area.
Methinks that Gooner's gotten into the painkillers after that wretched first half performance. Nighty night, Gooner!
Michael Bradley picks up a yellow that sees him out of Saturday's home match vs. Honduras. That's alright. He'll serve his suspension in a match we should easily win.
I guess it's DC or NY, unless we make the trip to the Republic of SA. . . Nighty-nite, Gooner . .
Aha. I'll keep my ear open for a place that has a firken tapped. That's your boy right there.
This is just as terrible as the first half.
What was Dempsey thinking handling that ball. Why does he get in the way of his own man's run on goal. Why is Beasley still playing left back.
I don't want to hear much more about the state of the pitch until we start showing up here. This is desperately bad from us. Worst I've seen.
Losing Bradley for Saturday is ouch!
That was about the best move the U.S. have put together all night. Nice ball in but behind Donovan.
Exposing my ignorance: how many get the automatic bids . . . 2 or 3?
See there, Donovan squared that without any clue of where anyone was. That's the US tonight. Inept.
You're still awake, mate - excellent! I thought we'd lost you.
I'd be very willing to come down to D.C. for matches or host up in Fred-town. Dave looks as if his new house deal is going to go through, so he may be up for hosting as well.
I just saw Pablo for the first time tonight. He's been there all game? I can't believe it.
Isn't it 3 automatic and one play-in?
Don't tell me you're starting to actually worry about CONCACAF qualifying. No worries, mate. We'll be #1 or #2 no problem.
It is 3 in and the 4th plays off with the Oceania qualifier.
Freddy Adu's coming in. Mastro out.
Half an hour to salvage something here. There's no one really inspirational on the pitch now. Maybe Bradley.
Yeah, throw on Freddy Adu. That really is the white flag of surrender. And for Pablo. Well, why not. Pablo didn't do a thing in 62 minutes.
Right Harkes. Landon is a doing his Tin-man act so far.
I agree. We'll easily qualify, but if not high in our group, we'll get another group like last time and it'll be 3 and out again.
Absolutely - if Donovan is our best player, I'd at least like to see him put the side on his back once. All the hat-tricks against St. Kitts can't really make up for dismal performances like this one.
BTW, I'm watching this match with Maggie, my 13 year old. How oool is that? She thinks Beasley is pants too.
Agreed - I can't see this side getting close to getting out of the group stage. The groups in the WC are getting more and more competitive. We're likely to be the weakest side in the group again.
Did the ref chance the color of his shirt at the half?
Nice ball . .. Harkes agrees.
It'll never happen. And Bob Bradley doesn't have the stones to freeze Landon out. We'll need a lunatic with a grudge like Sampson before we can reorganize under a player we can depend on instead of Landon who is so very disappointing as a US player.
Oh dear, I can't believe that we allowed Costa Rica a party piece like that one for the third goal. We're making this bunch of mugs look like Brazil '70.
Did Bradley decide just to stop defending there? Not wanting a red? What? Maggie is disgusted.
I'm with Maggie - throw her on the pitch!
Oh, that's really bad. First Bradley fades away from the guy, and then Boca was always too far away to make any kind of tackle.
Thank-you Harkes. You speak for all of us. I'm really pissed off too and it's refreshing to hear that kind of passion and railing against these 11 players.
I'm hoping that Gooch will pull another yellow card. He's been wretched. Why oh why can't we see Jay Demerit?
I think I'm going to pack it in. Our boys have. Nice chatting with you. Steve, let's find a summer pub.
Cheerio, WHR. Hope to see you soon.
Maggie wouldn't have set up a back 4 and the apparition of Pablo as the holding player in the mid.
And now we're getting the oles from the CR crowd. Now, that really is humiliating.
Night Johnno. We'll call if we get two back with time to equalize.
The rest of CONCACAF? Laughing their asses off, rubbing their hands with glee, experiencing a new feeling of hope.
CR are flattered by this shower. Take them out of CR, put them on grass, and against 11 US players who aren't stone dead or just as good as and we'll see.
Harkesy may be pissed off but somehow he hasn't given up on the pipedream that we could still get a point out of this drubbing.
Thank you, ref. Free kick U.S.
And another wasted free kick, this time from Freddy Adu.
I don't hear that. The outrage from Harkes has been the only good thing. Call these guys out for being crap because they are hopeless.
Charlie Davies comes on and immediately streaks down the pitch. Cross didn't go anywhere though.
Ugh...Adu really botched that pass.
Charlie Davies? Who are ya? Who are ya? Who are ya?
Costa Rica must know Davies's rep in Sweden. The CR muppet went down like a bag of spuds after minimal contact.
Junior Diaz is a be-yotch, but Charlie Davies is an idiot for pulling something like that in a no-hoper like this.
If Bob Bradley even thinks about running the same side out against Honduras on Saturday, I'm gonna visit him in a small hours and stick a bat up his nightdress.
Did you just see that? We lost possession from a throw in. Sasha didn't get on the field and collected Freddy's pass out of bounds.
That's worth a squad fine. Right there. Fine him.
Freddy has a go from distance but it's a weak bobbler to the keeper.
I agree - when James Brown caught his band dropping notes, he'd rap at them "You know I gotcha!" Bradley should institute the same policy. No excuses.
Good save, Timmy! Nearly 4-0 there.
Blimey - it's a penalty for us. Dodgy one. We could have used that in the 10th minute, ref.
Costa Ricans surrounding the ref to waste time. I'd book the lot of them.
Donovan to take, of course....
3-1 - good penalty. Two more goals in stoppage time, please.
Come up with one positive thing for the US to take from this. Is there one? Or are you like me and completely stumped for anything.
Maybe you could say that it was a completely inappropriate 11 to the task and also that the Ticos got on top of us and that the game was beyond hope after 10 minutes.
Watch Landon do eff-all for ninety and be rewarded with another goal towards his total for the US.
Yeah, of course. He scores the penalty and adds something for his personal gain. What a complete ponce.
Full-time: 3-1 A really dismal performance. They'll need a big win on Saturday to wash the taste of that one out of all of our mouths.
I'd say the booking for Bradley. I know that sounds crazy but there are two good things about it. It shows that he's about the only U.S. player with some mettle about him. And second, he'll miss a match that doesn't mean much.
That's it - I'm off to bed. Cheerio, mate!
Absolutely abject. I'm just going to get out of here and get some sleep.
Abraham Lincoln, Nathan Hale, Jimmy Stewart, Anna Nicole Smith, The Tavarres, your boys took a hell of a beating.
Night mate.
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