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!
In there first match since South Africa 2010, the U.S. men invite Brazil into their lion's den. I'm a bit late getting to this one from work, but join me if you're around this evening.
posted by The Blue Devil @ 8:39 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!
86 Comments:
I'm just home in time to see Brazil take the lead through a header from debutant Neymar. Nice move there, exposing the right side of the US defense.
The line-ups:
USA: 1-Howard, 2-Bornstein, 5-Oguchi Onyewu, 7-DaMarcus Beasley, 8-Clint Dempsey, 10-Landon Donovan, 12-Michael Bradley, 15-Jay DeMerit, 16-Sacha Kljestan, 17-Jozy Altidore, 21-Jonathan Spector
Brazil: 1-Julio Cesar, 2-Maicon, 3-Lucio (c), 5-Felipe Melo, 8-Gilberto Silva, 9-Luis Fabiano, 10-Kaka, 11-Robinho, 15-Miranda, 16-Andre Santos, 18-Ramires
Brazil nearly go up 2-0 through Pato but he was ruled to have fouled Howard. It was a bad miss, really. His first contact should have been to slot home but instead he scuffed it into Howard and then sort of bundled both keeper and ball over the line.
I've found MUR on the earlier thread, so I've switched over there. Join us on the Carling Cup thread if you're about.
Brazil still 0-1 up as the half comes to an end.
Half-time: Brazil 0-2 up. All too easy for them. I'm not impressed by what I've seen from the US yet.
We're moving things over to this new thread for the second half. Join us here now.
I am here,BD. Lexi is spouting his usual rubbish. He claims the lack of fire power by the forwards is the problem. How about the comical defending or the poor play in midfield?
That US soccer ad is a bit ironic given how badly they've played in this first half. I would dial down the cockiness if you're going to get tonked by Brazil.
I agree - Lexi is a muppet. He also thinks that Bob Bradley would serve himself better by staying in the US. Usual anti-Premiership stuff from Big Red.
He just stated that just because a player is playing in Europe doesn't mean that he's really that good. Then why would a player be playing in Europe. I think he was referring to Connor Doyle of Derby County.
The second half kicks off.
He's really got a problem with nativism.
Three changes for the US in the second half for the US.
That should have been 3-0 as Robinho put Pato through, but he shot into the side netting.
Blimey - Pato is nearly in for Brazil's third. Harkesy to his credit has been as critical of the US as he should be.
The U.S. seems to be a gear behind.
Interesting - Harkes has a go at Lexi's half time punditry. I love it!
I agree with Harkes on this occasion.
Landon curls in the free kick, but it is easily cleared.
Nemar wins a corner as Harkes points out that The Us. have been giving away possession cheaply.
Each team is allowed six subs for this match.
Oh - Neymar and then Robinho nearly with the third. Robby off the post!
Nearly 3-0 as Robinho hits the post and Neymar's shot is blocked.
Have any of the US subs made any impression yet?
The players are smiling now that Dunga is no longer the task master.
I have not noticed a significant contribution from any of the U.S. subs. Brazil have not made any substitutions.
Have you ever heard of this Brazilian coach before? I haven't.
Oh - the US have the ball in the net through a header from Bradley but he's ruled offside. Shame.
Bornstein wins a corner after the first sign of U.S. skill in this match. Ther was no support. Bradley's header will not count after Landon took a short corner and Klejstan provided a great cross.
The game is getting stretched out now. Jozy had a chance and that's got the Sam's Army contingent happy.
Altidore wins a corner after a great pass from Bradley. Better from the U.S.
This keeper punches at everything. It's as if he doesn't know how to catch anything.
More of the Brazilian conveyor belt of talent on display. Mananes comes on to replace Ramires
I agree - I always feel uneasy with a keeper who punches everything away.
Brazil bring on a couple of subs. I am mot familiar with this coach. I think the announcers said something about him coaching in the Brazilian league.
More good stuff from Neymar but his shot is blasted at the keeper.
Goodson and Findley on for the US.
Nearly 3-0 as Guzan saves well from Neymar. Goodson and Findley are on for Bocanegra and Donovan.
You're right - Menezes has coached at Caxias, Gremio and most recently Corinthians. All Brazilian experience. Gremio are known as a particularly dirty side, so this would seem to continue the defensive policy of Dunga.
It seems that way, but the players have shown attacking flair tonight.
Altidore is fouled just outside the penalty area. A great position for the U.S.
Klejstan blasts the free kick hard and low. The keeper catches at the second attempt.
Sometimes I think Brazilian players just revert to their natural style of play. I noticed that particularly in 2002 when the side basically ignored Luis Felipe Scolari's advice and went ahead and won the World Cup anyway.
Harkes with a scoop on the Villa situation. Confirms that the conflict between Lerner and O'Neill was about spending money for transfers.
David Luiz is booked for a foul on Jozy.
Neymar breaks and Guzan saves well.
Another dangerous breakaway from Neymar but Guzan saves well. JP is right to note that Brazil could easily be 4 or 5 up.
Jozy should have done better with that shot, especially as there were six attackers in the penalty area.
I think Randy Lerner has a point. Why would he be giving Martin O'Neill a lot of money for transfers if his signings have failed to produce on the pitch?
Neymar and Pato get a deserved ovation as they are subbed.
Carlos Eduardo is on for Ederson.
I don't know. O'Neill didn't spend Chelski/Man Citeh kind of cash. And unfortunately that's what you need to break into the top four slots these days. Otherwise, Villa's best hope is European qualification through the Europa.
Oh - Gonzo with a hell of a strike off the post.
That is a good point. Perhaps O' Neill felt he could not take Villa any further. Nearly 3-0 as Brazil hit he post yet again.
And now Robby goes just wide.
If not O'Neill, who would you like to see take over at United once Fergie steps down.
Gonzo sounds like a muppet.
I am not sure. Maybe Del Bosque.His only problem may be lack of familiarity with the EPL. I am not sure . I would say Mourinho, but his tactics are defensive. I will have to think about that one.
I know - you expect Fozzy Bear to show up wearing yellow.
Diego Tardelli is on for Robinho.
I was thinking maybe a Dutchman like Van Gaal or Hiddink. They would be more familiar with the English/Premiership style.
Then Tom Huddlestone is Cookie Monster and Dunga is Oscar the Grouch.
Another good save by Guzan. He's getting no protection from his defenders.
Guzan saves well as Brazil nearly score again.
I agree. Those would be excellent choices.
Just wide by Gomez as Spector provides an excellent cross. The U.S. win a corner, but it is easily cleared.
An excellent Brazilian break results in a poor shot hitting the side netting.
More news from Harkes. Pele is involved in a bid to bring back the Cosmos! Wow!
That is really fascinating. Would UWS support the Red Bulls or the Cosmos?
Jucilei is on for Ganso.
Three minutes of stoppage time.
Andre Santos shoots just wide, but Guzan had the shot covered.
To be honest, Dave is a bit of an anti-MLS snob. I don't think he watches any of it.
Brazil is toying with the U.S. in stoppage time.
Guzan makes another great save.
Hey Fellas
Sorry I haven't been able to comment. A crowded house of boys!
I have been very impressed with the Brazilians. They have been attacking and skillful
Game is over!
As I said, very impressed with Brazil... the US... not so much
The ref blows his whistle and it's over. Brazil win 2-0. It could have been so much more.
That's it - not a terribly impressive display from the US tonight. Not exactly the way that Bradley would have wanted to end his tenure this way. I agree with you, MUR. I can't see him at Villa.
Hiya, Dave! It sounds as if you had a nice evening. Tell Kathy I'm still dreaming about that coffee cake. Yum!
Hello UWS. BD and I have made similar statements throughout the match.
I will, she said she had more and didn't know if she should have offered it to you
Glad you guys both agree with my assessment
Brazil could be as good as '82 in '14
I see that the England match is on FSC Plus over here. I guess I will just have to do with the computer
Talk to you guys tomorrow
Tomorrow England play Hungary at 3 PM.
See you tomorrow UWS. We can watch via streaming video.
Take care everyone. I will see everyone tomorrow.
Hiya lads,
I admit that I forgot about the match and was startled to see it on the telly when we got back from the beach.
I only saw the second half but since that was the half where the Brazilians scored their two for the night, I think I'm safe in the complaint that the US was bereft of quality. If I were Bradley, I'd take a look at the landscape and see that we are waiting on Charlie Davis to see if there's any forward that can finish worth a jot. And then, I'd see that if Donovan doesn't have an objective, he might as well not be on the pitch. And once you've noted those things, there's not a lot of sunshine in the picture.
I've not watched any under-21 matches for a while so I don't know if there's a kid burning it up there, but if not, this squad's quality is not impressive. Gomez, Findley, Buddle, and Altidore don't look like anything like a solution and every time Kljestan puts on the shirt, a little bit of me dies.
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