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!
The second round of matches in the Gold Cup 2011 comes to a climax tonight with the US side meeting up with Panama. I'm back from escorting a group of British student teachers around the local mall, so I'm going to pour a cold one and sit back to enjoy this. Join me from 7:30 onward on FSC.
posted by The Blue Devil @ 7:14 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!
155 Comments:
Here are the current standings in the other two groups:
Group A:
1. Mexico - 6 pts (+10 GD)
2. Costa Rica - 4 pts (+5 GD)
3. El Salvador - 1 pt. (-5 GD)
4. Cuba - 0 pts (-10 GD)
Group B:
1. Jamaica - 6 pts (+6 GD)
2. Honduras - 4 pts (+6 GD)
3. Guatemala - 1 pt (-2 GD)
4. Grenada - 0 pts (-10 GD)
The U.S. go into this match on the back of a 2-0 win, which puts them a goal better than Panama who are also on 3 points.
Canada are currently leading 1-0 over Guadelupe and are playing on the same pitch in Tampa that the U.S. and Panama will grace in a few minutes.
Dear oh dear - FSC is reporting that Mexico, despite their crushing victory over Cuba, are mired in a doping scandal. Five players have been accused of taking something called Clembuterol - apparently a performance enhancing drug. More to come....
The team news is in from Tampa:
US: Howard, Boca, Goodson, Cherundolo, Ream, Dempsey, Jones, Bradley, Donovan, Altidore, Agudelo.
Panama: Penedo, Baloy, L. Henriquez, Torres, Dasent, Gomez, Barahona, A. Henriquez, Cooper, Tejada, Perez.
The Canadians have completed their 1-0 victory and the US and Panama teams are on the pitch listening to the anthems now.
I have to admit that I only know Luis Tejada, who played briefly in the MLS for Real Salt Lake, on the Panamanian team.
This is the same side that Bob Bradley ran out against Canada, so expect another quick start for the US.
Kick off time!
Boos ringing around the stadium as Perez takes a tumble and rolls about like a wee girl.
Oh - an early chance for Tejada but he just could latch onto the cross. Danger signs, though.
Not the quick US start I'd expected. Panama really controlling affairs.
Hello BD. I am joining you for Gold Cup action. Do you know the result of the earlier match?
It seems that Panama have had a quick start to this match.
Oh - Dempsey nearly added to his Gold Cup account with a lovely volley that struck the outside of the near post.
Just wide by Dempsey off the throw-in.
Evening, MUR. Yes - Canada ran out 1-0 victors over Guadelupe tonight. So if the US puts it over on Panama tonight, the Canadians could easily move into second place.
How was your week, BD? I read that Scousesox signed Jordan Henderson from Sunderland.
There are more boos ringing around the stadium.
I will be back in a little while BD. I need to pick up my wife from the grocery store.
I've had a great week. I'll talk to you shortly.
Agueldo is crudely fouled just outside the box. The free kick is cleared and a long range effort is deflected to the keeper.
Cheers BD. I will be back near the end of the half.
More diving from the Panamanians. Could be a long night of those shenanigans.
Now Jermaine Jones picks up a yellow for a fairly innocuous foul. There's obviously some bad blood between these sides. Free kick Panama.
GOAL! Panama take the lead with a typically bobbly, jammy goal that somehow finds it way over the line. How do they keep doing that sort of thing?
On second look it was shocking defending from the free kick with Perez wide open in the box. Howard could only parry and Ream should have cleared but somehow allowed Tejada to nip in and score. Ridiculous goal.
It's been a really poor twenty minutes for the US. They've been knocked off their natural game by the Panamanians. Donovan has barely had a kick.
As I type that, Agudelo has the best chance of the night with a nice run and shot.
Another free kick for Panama now. Cleared away.
The crowd on the bottom right didn't like that. A Panama defender came over to clear the ball out to touch and blasted the ball into the advertising hoardings. Probably deserved a yellow.
Oh - Dempsey produces a good save from the keeper. The US really coming back into this one.
Short corner played in but Cherundolo's cross well was over hit.
Come on referee. Yes - the match is getting chippier and Cooper picked up a card. Altidore got one too for running his mouth. Silly boy.
Free kick to be delivered by Landycakes. Oh - Dempsey was wide open but didn't make the keeper work.
Oh - corner over and Goodson had a great chance. Getting closer and closer. I want a goal before the half.
The US totally controlling the midfield now as the Panamanians drop deeper. They're clearly happy to defend a 1-0 lead.
This referee is hopeless. Jozy was clearly tripped up there and nothing.
US fans need to make a bit more noise. The side is looking better and could use some support in the stadium.
Oh - bloody hell. Now the ref has given a penalty against Tim Ream!
It was certainly clumsy from Ream. He swung and missed and caught Perez. Perez definitely made the most of it. I don't know.
2-0 Panama as Gomez slams it home down the middle and high. We have a major upset on the cards here. US in a big hole.
The US have never lost a match in the group stages of the Gold Cup. Let's hope this isn't the start. Come on!
Now is the time for Landycakes to pull up his socks and lift this side.
Keeper is down rolling around after a challenge from Dempsey. Ridiculous antics here. The ref really needs to do something.
Dempsey might have actually taken a knock in that confrontation. Wincing a bit.
Not liking this Panama side one bit. I want us to stuff five or six by them now. Come on!
Five minutes left for the US to get something back.
Oh - Tejada nearly had his second, punking Goodson but whiffing with his left peg. Lucky. On this evidence, the US defense is going to get ripped to shreds by Chicharito and co.
More Panama attack. What are the US playing at? Not good enough.
With Jones already on a card, he's useless to us in the second half. I'd have him off in favor of a more attacking player in the second half.
Two minutes of stoppage time to come.
Oh - Jones sailed one into Agudelo and he just couldn't get over it.
Bradley tries one from long range but it was always sailing over.
Hello BD . I see that Panama is winning 2-0. What is going on?
The referee blows the halftime whistle and Panama has a shock 0-2 halftime lead.
The second half is underway from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.
If the US performance hadn't arsed me off enough in the first half, FSC have contrived to miss the bloody kick off of the second half - grrrr!
The U.S. win a free kick.
They were only a minute late.
Welcome back, MUR. I was doing some dishes during the interval. Typical story for the US boys. We were bullied around by the physical Panamanians, were defensively suspect on the two goals and the ref has been hopeless. What else is new?
Big hole for the US to dig out of here but they are capable of it.
It is a good thing there wasn't a goal in the first minute as we have seen plenty of goals in the first minute of a half. BLOODY FSC!!!
With such a catastrophic performance, particularly at the back, in the first half you'd have expected some changes but there have been none.
Big shout for a handball and it is called. Free kick oppo now....
Terrible cross in from Landy that evades everyone.
It does sound familiar ,BD. Perhaps, the U.S. is not taking this tournament as serious;y as World Cup matches.
That free kick from Landy sailed way above everyone.
You know FSC - they'd somehow got to squeeze in the 20th repetition of those odious gay-baiting Miller Lite ads.
How is Tejada able to bulldoze his way through the defense there?
The cross lacked pace and Panama broke quickly. Fortunately, Timmy came to the rescue.
It was too easy for Tejada.I think it's time for some changes.
I would like to see some singing from the Sam's Army crowd tonight. They're just sitting there like lumps. You wouldn't see that at Old Trafford or the Camp Nou.
It seems as if the Panamanians have easily bullied the U.S. team.
They have and the ref have allowed them to as well. That's the worst aspect of the college feeding system of US soccer. It produces players who are a bit soft.
The U.S. lost another physical challenge off the corner. I hope these players are not expecting to play in Europe with these types of performances.
Oh - the Gomez free kick strike whistled just over the bar.
The free kick from Gomes was just over, but Timmy had it covered.
Big shout for a pen there with the trip on Dempsy. Nothing from the ref as usual.
That was never a penalty as Clint was fairly tackled by Cooper.
Goodson goes into the book for a fairly innocent shoulder barge. This ref is really getting on my tits.
Goodson is booked for the challenge just outside the box. It was a foul, but seemed like a harsh booking.
The only time the US crowd rouses itself is when they see themselves on the big screen. Shocking behavior.
I thought the tackle on Clint was fair.It seemed as if Cooper got the ball.
I agree. They must be looking for a family night out instead of coming out to support the U.S. team.
Enriquez should be booked for a dive as Bradley did not foul him.
An hour in and the match is getting more compressed. Definitely time for some changes.
That was better from the U.S. until Jones put in a poor cross.
Klejstan is on for Jones. In other words, a useless substitution.
Good - Jones is trotting off. That would have been my choice. Klejstan in. Jones with a bit of chippiness coming off and tossing his shirt.
Agudelo also coming off. Bedoya on for him.
I'm okay with Sasha but the Gooner hates him.
Clint heads the corner out for another Panama corner.
The long range Panamanian effort is deflected over by a teammate.
Landy wins a corner for the U.S.
Panama clears the corner.
I agree with Gooner. I don't like Sasha. I don;t see where he helps the U.S. team.
I can't believe it. How was that a dive. That was a definite foul by the keeper on Bedoya. It should have been a penalty and an early bath for the Panamanian keeper, not a booking for Bedoya.
I see why you are so critical of this referee. That was a shocking decision.
I totally missed the penalty shout there while I was answering the phone. Looked like a shocking call.
Enriquez commits a foul; near the corner flag.
YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!
Free kick in and the US are back in it! 2-1!
GOAL !!! 1-2 AS GOODSON SCORES WITH A HEADER FROM CLOSE RANGE AFTER LANDY HEADED ON THE FREE KICK.
Landy finally got a good ball in Bradley flicked on well to Goodson who finished.
Now it's Dempsey's turn. Very close.
Clint headed just over off of a deflected cross.
Panama making a change now.
Panama's manager will be furious that they conceded a cheap free kick and that they gave Goodson a free header in the six yard box.
The U.S. have another free kick.
The set pieces starting to rack up now. We need good service from Landy.
The free kick from Landy is headed out for a corner.
Sasha is fouled as the corner was cleared. Another cheap free kick.
Another rubbish decision by the ref but this time it's for the US.
Oh - Boca nearly in at the back post.
Boacanegra heads over as the keeper completely missed the cross.
More evidence for the Nocito ban on the short corner there.
The short corner from Landy was useless .
The Spaniards and Barca are the only teams that know how to make effective use of the short corner.
I fear that the Tim Ream experiment is nearing it's end.
I would like to see Canada finish second. I agree with your statement about the Panamanians.Guadalupe is merely a team of French lower division rejects that play just like the Panamanians.
Baloy nods out again. He's been big for Panama.
The cross from Cherunduloh is headed out by Baloy for a corner.
The U.S.maintain possession until the final pass goes astray.
Goodson is replaced by Wondowloski.
Torres shoots high and wide for Panama.
The cross from Cherunduloh is straight to the keeper.
Oh - what a miss!!!!!!!!
A great build up is ruined as Wondo misses a sitter from two yards out after great work by Landy and Jozy.
Bonaga is on for Tejada as Panama made another change.
It was a lovely move involving Landy and Jozy showing real composure. Deserved a goal.
I agree BD. Will the U.S. get another clear cut chance?
Clint shot wide.
Quintero is on for Coooper.
A use less Panamanian cross goes straight to Timmy.
Baloy made a superb tackle on Landy.
All US pressure now.
Cherundolo with a low percentage effort. He needed to keep the move going.
Cherunduloh shoots over from long range.
Quintero conned the ref there.
Panama is awarded a free kick even though the U.S. did not commit a foul.
Oh - how did Bradley miss there! another great move that deserved the finish.
That was inches wide by Bradley.It was a superb possession by the U.S.
Four minutes of stoppage time for a late, late show.
Oh - Jozy produces a great effort from the keeper. And now he's time wasting.
There will be four minutes of stoppage time.The keeper tipped over and the U.S. has a corner that is punched away by the keeper.
Oh - now Landy blows a great chance at the back post. Get the shooting boots on!
Landy shot wide with a great chance.
Penedo is booked for time wasting . It's about time!
Penedo has picked up a yellow for time wasting now.
Boca picks up a yellow for a cheap shot.
Bocanegra is booked for a charge.
Inside the last minute. Last chance saloon.
Panama bench begging for the whistle.
That should be it now.
Full-time: A really miserable night for the U.S. and the first loss in the group stages of the Gold Cup.
It doesn't mean that the US are out of the Gold Cup but it's likely we'll meet a red hot Mexican side in the next round. Big loss!
There's the final whistle and the U.S. lose 1-2 to Panama with a horrible result. This is definitely unacceptable from the U.S.
I don't see us winning the tournament with this type of display.
I would have to make Mexico; Chicharito and all, the favorites.
It was great chatting with you,BD. I look forward to chatting with you when the U.S. play Guadalupe.
CHEERS!
Cheerio, mate!
Really poor performance. I was at RFK watching DCUnited get chumped for virtually the same reasons that the US lost to Panama: Poor defending, lack of commitment in the midfield, and no scoring threat.
The US will have every opportunity to advance from this round because Guadeloupe is our final group game and the Canucks have to play Panama. Still, much progress beyond that will depend on something happening amongst key US players. It's a symptom of the depth of our mediocrity that Coach B keeps starting Jones when it's so bleedin' obvious now that he does not have a step up beyond basic Premiership midfielder. Also, when you're 2-0 down at home and hoping to switch things up, Klestjan and Bedoya aren't going to turn things on the pitch in your favor.
Mexico were favorite on paper before a ball was kicked. Having seen them twice, and the US twice, there's enough evidence to confirm that rating.
When Eric told me that you were at the United last night when I called at half-time, I thought you'd got off easy. Sorry to hear that your match wasn't any better.
When I look again at the brackets, I notice that we're destined - presuming that we finish second! - to meet Honduras in the next round. Still, given the 7-1 scoreline they racked up the other night, I'm not so sure about that match either.
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