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 footie action keeps rolling tonight as the US meets Ecuador in a stiffer test than Saturday's match with Honduras. The action starts on ESPN2 at 7pm tonight. I'm going to race home from work to catch. Do join me, eh?
posted by The Blue Devil @ 6:46 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!
260 Comments:
The probable teams tonight:
USA: Howard; Cherundolo, Onyewu, Bocanegra, Spector; Edu; Williams, Bradley, Shea; Dempsey, Altidore.
Ecuador: Banguera; Erazo, Paredes, Noboa; W. Ayovi, Benitez, Suarez, Campos; Valencia, J. Ayovi, Saritama.
Hello BD. How have you been? I will only be available for the first half because I have two tutoring sessions this evening.
Evening, MUR - great to have you on board for the first half.
I've been brilliant - how about you? Sounds like you're busy as ever.
I have been really busy today. I got home about twenty minutes ago. I stay for after school tutorial on Tuesdays and Had to pick up Melanie from tennis practice.
Ecuador and Brazil are the only South American teams not involved in World Cup qualifying this evening. Ecuador play the U.S. and Brazil play in nearby Mexico.
It's amazing that CONMEBOL qualifying for Brasil 2014 has already started. They play far too many games in that confederation.
Can't wait for that mouth-watering early morning offering on Saturday - Liverpool v. United. No love lost there.
The US in red tonight getting us underway in a red hot Red Bull Arena tonight. Great atmosphere.
The match kicks off from Red Bull Arena.
Great chance for Jozy as the keeper made a great save.
Great ripping start from the US with Jozy pulling a good save out of the Ecuadoran keeper Banguera.
Now Timmy is out to punch clear as he thwarts an attack.
I will definitely be around for that early match. I can't wait.
I saw the Euro qualifying results. Good news for the Irish and bad news for the Scots. Ireland will want to avoid Portugal in the playoffs.
Brek Shea was behind most of what was good the other night against Honduras and he's started well again.
Kyle Beckerman made a great tackle on Valencia, then Brek Shea forces the keeper to push his effort around the post.
Beckerman shoots well wide from the corner.
With the exception of Williams, one would think that this is a full strength lineup for the U.S.
Chucho Benitez is an exciting player, but was really inconsistent with Birmingham.
Just over by Clint form long range.
How did France end up against Bosnia - did they go through top?
Yes. It was 1-1, so France won they group. They came from behind as Samir Nasri won a penalty and scored the penalty too.
A poor U.S free kick is into the wall.Then Ecuador counter, but the cross goes across the face of the goal.
I'm just looking at the earlier thread - so here are the play-off teams:
Turkey (A), Republic of Ireland (B), Estonia (C), Bosnia-Herzegovina (D), Croatia (F), Montenegro (G), Portugal (H) and Czech Republic (I).
Some difficult sides there - the Republic will have to hope for Estonia probably and to avoid Portugal.
I believe that four teams will be seeded and four will not. I think Ireland is not one of the seeded teams, so it is highly doubtful that they will play Estonia.I would think Portugal, Turkey, and Croatia would be the toughest draws.
The Czechs could be tough too.I think I just named the four seeded teams, so Ireland would play one of those.
Banguera is down injured for Ecuador,but seems to be okay.
That's a shame - Scotland and Ireland continually get the shaft because of seeding.
I agree. The refereeing was poor against France . I hope there is better officiating this time. Scotland did not make the playoffs because Lithuania lost 1-4 at home to the Czechs. I think They refused to try against the Czechs. That is upsetting.
Shea is fouled setting up a nice free kick oppo....
Oh - that was really poor service.
That is another useless U.S. free kick. They will need to do better as there will not be many good opportunities.
Beckerman concedes a free kick. Ecuador take it short , then cross to Timmy. They are not doing any better.
Great run that leads to an Ecuador corner.
These short corners are not working for Ecuador.
Belize play at Guatemala in a must win match as they have a qualifier at 10 PM tonight.
This new kid Danny Williams hasn't impressed me yet on the right side. I can't see him challenging Landycakes in that position.
Stuart Holden v. Brek Shea on the left will be a more interesting choice.
Oooh - thanks for reminding me - I wonder if I can find a link for that one.
Hot damn - there is a link!
On this site: http://www.firstrowsports.tv/
That is 9 Pm Central time, so I should be getting home from tutoring around that time.
Is Danny Williams one of those German players whose father was in the military?
As we speak Williams stumbles and loses possession cheaply.
I agree that Williams has been poor. Holden is injured so that should be an interesting battle with Shea.
This match badly needs a goal as it seems to be petering out.
Yeah - US military father and German mother for Williams.
I agree - neither side really looks capable of scoring.
He must play in the Bundesliga, but sure isn't playing like someone who starts in the Bundesliga. Landy's starting position is safe.
Yeah - Williams plays at Hoffenheim, the upstart side that's owned by a billionaire.
Chandler .like Williams has an American father and German mother. He has not put in a vintage performance either.
Jozy appeals for a penalty , but I never saw that being given.
I think that was a coming together of players rather than a penalty.
I am very sorry, BD, but I need to leave to tutor. I should be back just in time for the Belize match. Cheers, BD.
Cheerio, mate. Enjoy the tutoring.
That's half-time then in Red Bull Arena, where after a sprightly start, this became a bit of a bore really with few chances for either side.
Bloody hell - it's DeMarcus Beasley coming off the bench for the second half.
Jurgen is apparently pleased with the first half display. I'm not.
Despite being satisfied, Altidore, Edu, Shea and Beckerman have all been withdrawn at the interval. Bradley, Beasley, Agudelo all on.
Good free kick chance here - Dempsey is the obvious target.
Rubbish free kick from Bradley.....
Poor giveaway there by Beckerman and Boca was forced to pick up a yellow.
Antonio Valencia is trooping off and Suarez is coming on.
Looks like Tim Ream is coming on now. Also Edson Buddle has come on for Danny Williams, who again was poor tonight.
Gooch has looked very strong tonight. I hate to say it but Gooch and Boca are still probably our best central pairing.
GOAL! Ecuador strike with 12 minutes to go. Simple really. A corner over and Aobe got ahead of Tim Ream and stuck the header by Timmy.
1-0!
Ecuador are looking for a second goal now.
If the score remains the same, this will be the third time in five matches that the US have failed to score under Jurgen Klinsmann.
Into four minutes of stoppage time. This will be a really poor result for the US on home soil.
Another poor delivery from Michael Bradley there that was far to long for Dempsey at the back post.
Banguera hangs on acrobatically to one last Dempsey chance and that surely is that.
Full-time - 0-1 Ecuador.
That's a record now of 1-1-3 for Jurgen. Not nearly good enough. When do we start the "Sack Jurgen" campaign?
Up next we've got the tasty morsel of Brazil v. Mexico starting at 9:30 EST. And of course that WC qualifier at 10 EST between Guatemala and my boys from Belize.
Brazil are playing three up front - Ronaldinho, Neymar and Hulk.
Mexico have got Chicharito up front by his lonesome but presumably with the likes of Gio Dos Santos and Guardado bombing forward in support.
The teams for tonight:
Mexico - Sanchez, Rodriguez, Marquez, Torres, Juarez, Castro, Salcido, Barrera, Dos Santos, Guardado, Hernandez
Brazil - Jefferson, Luiz, Silva, Marcelo, Alves, Leyva, Lucas, Fernandinho, Ronaldinho, Neymar, Hulk.
Mexico get us started in this friendly. The Oles have already started - at 0-0 in the first minute. Honestly!
Early corner for Brazil. Ronny swings it in and Sanchez tries a dodgy punch out.
I'm still not getting anything on the Belize v. Guatemala link.
Dani Alves is going into the book there. A soft one on Guardado.
GOAL! Mexico benefit from an own goal there. 1-0!
Barrera did really well there to get to the by-line and whip a sharp cross over but Sideshow Bob got that all wrong. He was facing his goal and reaching. It was always going to carom into the net beyond Jefferson from that angle.
Frantic pace to this match, with lots of poor balls pinging about.
Way hay - I've found a stream that seems to be working for the Guatemala v. Belize match. Here it is:
http://www.justin.tv/tilo1234/popout
So, I've got the Mexico - Brazil match on the telly and Guatemala v. Belize on the laptop. Marvelous!
And we're away in the CONCACAF qualifier in Guatemala. Guatemala are playing in white with diagonal blue stripe and Belize in navy blue and red shorts.
Belize straight into the attack from the kick-off. Come on!
Half way through the match in Mexico - the hosts are still 1-0 up.
Guatemala currently has nine points in qualifying, Belize has three. I'm assuming that only the top team in the group goes through to the next round with the big boys. They need a win tonight.
Great save from the Belizean keeper there.
1-0 Guatemala - good penalty.
What was more boring? The USA match or the Republican debate?
Evening, Johnno - that's a hard one. Granted I only followed the GOP debate on the Guardian live blog but it sounded really dull apart from Gingrich wanting to jail Dodd and Frank and some bloke in the audience yelling out something about being "gay in Iraq."
Brazil look a shadow of themselves here. They've got to sack Menezes pronto before this situation gets out of hand. I don't think they can be expected to be favorites in 2014 with Spain, Germany, Holland, and Uruguay in such great form, but they'll need to at least make the final stages to save face.
Juarez picks up a yellow for a foul on Neymar.
I couldn't quite hear what the fuss was about. Why Newt is allowed to participate is beyond me. His candidacy is not real.
Other than a few bad selections during the WC, I thought Bob Bradley did a fine job. Jurgen needs to figure it out quick.
Hello Bob and John. I ma sorry that Belize are trailing. I hope they can find a goal.
Some handbags now between Dani Alves and Torres.
Are you watching Mexico vs Brazil?
I agree with you - Bradley did reasonably well with the squad that he had to get to the second round of SA 2010. I can't see this Jurgen led side progressing to the later stages of Brazil 2014.
Yeah - I've got Brazil v. Mexico on ESPN2 and the Belize match on the laptop:
http://www.justin.tv/tilo1234/popout
The Belize keeper has just been booked.
Welcome back, MUR. How was the tutoring?
Belize seem to be losing their heads. I thought that they started positively but now they keep arguing about the penalty call. The keeper really needs to settle down.
Thank you,Bob. Yikes! Mexico is up 1-0. I see what you are saying about Menzes.
The tutoring went well. I t was busy as my two students really needed my help with their Algebra II homework.
ello, MUR . . . I'm getting ready to raid the fridge . . . not watching the footy . . . did watch the Republican debate . . . liked the Charley Rose sitting round the table format . . . sorry about my lack of participation on the LOB. . . weekends filled again with kids soccer . . . am on the road tomorrow for business trip through Saturday . . . think West Ham have the Saints this weekend . . . uh-oh. . . Bob, you off to Occupy Wall Street soon?
I think the match is in Honduras where there is nothing , but empty seats.
Very early substitution here for Belize. I have to assume that's for an injury to Eidur.
Penalty to Mexico! Dani Alves already on a card hauls down Chicharito.
Danny Alves is booked for conceding what looks like a really clumsy penalty. A poor challenge.
Finally - Dani Alves has been sent off there. Two yellows. He had to go.
That must mean that Danny Alves has been sent off in a friendly.
Guardado to take this one....
Jefferson saves! Great stuff!
Guardado misses the penalty as the keeper saves. That must be the highlight of the half for Brazil.
That should just about do it for the first half in Mexico.
Guatemala nearly scored as a header went just wide.
Just catching my breath. I am excited about the Occupy Wall Street movement and that it's spreading. I did spend a few hours at the Occupy Buffalo demonstration in Niagara Square here last Sunday and I'm hoping to get up there again this weekend. We had 200 in Niagara Square.
Hope to hit the Wall Street stuff later in the month.
Mexico lead 1-0 at the half. This must be about the worst Brazil performance we have ever seen and they are down a player. It is rare that someone gets sent off in a friendly.
Belize really under the cosh now. This doesn't look good for them.
I would love to see Wall Street occupied. They need to be accountable for their actions.
Well done, Bob! Even better for me, I found the l/o eggplant parmigiana in the back of the fridge!
I am sure Brazil will have a new manager by the next World Cup.
I agree - very little positive from Brazil. As boring as the Dunga side was, they were at least competent in their defensiveness. This lot isn't even that. I'm not at all convinced by Neymar and that Hulk lad needs to seriously cut down on the rodizio. He looks like me after staggering away from the Chinese buffet on a Friday night.
Yum - I love a bit of eggplant parm.
GOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLL!
Belize are back in it!
1-1!
A quick break there and a neat Theo Walcott style finish by the Belize #9 Rogers.
GOAL!!! 1-1 AS bELIZE SCORE WITH THEIR FIRST ATTACK OF THE MATCH. a SUPERB FINISH BY THEIR STRIKER OFF A GREAT LONG BALL.
David -- So I was at hot yoga and afterward the instructor was talkig about honey cake and how it was a Jewish new year's tradition. The idea of honey cake so intrigued me that I looked up Marcy Goldman's recipe and made it last night. The yoga ladies said it tastes better days after baking as the honey become more .. . I dunno concentrated? . .. In any event day 2 was better than day 1 . .. looking forward to day 3. You ever had honey cake?
I sure did not see Belize scoring since Honduras have dominated the half. This should give Belize confidence.
Don't blink - the "highlights" from the US - Ecuador match are on.
You know you're shite when Big Red is giving you "Defending 101" lessons. Crawl back into your hole in shame, Tim Ream.
Yes I have had honey cake.Apples with honey is a tradition on Rosh Hashanah, but anything sweet will do as it is supposed to be symbolic of a sweet New Year. The eggplant parm sounds delicious too.
You're making me hungry, WHR!
I missed the second half of the U.S. match. I am guessing it was 0-0. So how would that be different from a Republican Primary?
Sorry . . . I could send you some honey cake . . . it will have reached its zenith by the time it reached Fredonia . . .
Me too, WHR. I would eat both the eggplant parm and the honey cake.
Speaking of honey cakes and Jewish cuisine, the real biz are those hamentashen they you lot have around Purim. Especially the ones stuffed with poppyseeds. Bloody great, those are.
Get a point off Ecuador? David, you must be joking.
It would be like a British Railways pie by the time it would arrive in Harlingen!
What was the score in the U.S. match? I missed the second half.
Unfortunately, 0-0 would have been good. It was 0-1 in the end with a bit of shocking defending by substitute Tim Ream allowing an Ecuadoran to nip in with a header in the 78th minute.
Fortunately for Jurgen, these are friendlies. I hope we do better in the qualifiers.
More histrionics from the Belizean goalkeeper now. I think he may have thrown his shoulder out.
It sounds like I didn't miss much.
So who's the biggest joke in the GOP primary season? It's a tough call, isn't it?
My link went out for the Belize match.
Okay, big travel day tomorrow. Look forward to catching up soon. Nighty-night.
I would say that Romney is the only one that isn't a joke. I would guess that Perry, Bachman , and Cain would need a runoff to see who is the biggest joke.
My link seems to have packed it in - I'm searching for another one.
No - it's back now.
Good night John. have fun traveling.
I refreshed and now have a Ford commercial.
Cheerio, WHR! Have a good trip!
I've got a still shot of a Guatemalan flag now. Don't know what happened.
The second half is about to begin in the Azteca Stadium. Why is Ronaldinho playing. Isn't he past it. Brazil should go with youth.
I have the same picture. I guess the link went out.
The second half is underway from The Azteca Stadium.
I agree with you - surely there are some quality young Brazilians coming along who could play that role better than the old man.
Way hay - the match is back. End of the first half. Still 1-1.
The link is back as we are in stoppage time.
Do we know whether it's just one team or two that go through to the next round of CONCACAF qualifiers? If one, I'd have to strongly tip Guatemala but if two, Belize are in with a shot. I'd love to see it.
The announcer made a big deal of a Honduran shot straight to the keeper and the half time score is Honduras 1 Belize 1
Half-time whistle there. 1-1. A draw seems as if it would be a serviceable result for my Belize boys.
I think its two, so Belize have a chance , especially if they can get a win tonight.
Absolutely no pressure from Brazil on the Mexicans are they stroke it about for fun. This is dreadful.
Neymar hits the deck again and it's Chicharito into the book.
Neymar is fouled by Chicharito and decides to make a meal of it.Chicharito is harshly booked,IMHO.
Marcelo finds Neymar in the box but it's a scuffed effort straight at Sanchez.
Mexico readying another sub there - Perez for Juarez.
Sergio Perez is on for Juarez, who has already been booked.
Chicharito curls a shot high and wide after a header from a long ball as he ran unchallenged.
Oh - I thought Salcido had scored there. A whisker away from the right post.
Just wide by Slacido after comical Brazilian defending.
They really are awful tonight - aren't they? David Luiz is no defender. He's decent getting forward but I just don't see it. He must give John Terry fits when he's playing with him in training.
Great tackle by Marcelo, then he gives away possession cheaply. He wants a free kick when nobody was within ten yards of him.
I'd have Marcelo off in a moment. He's working his way to another card.
I agree. There was a lot of hype about David Luiz, But I am not impressed.
I agree. Brazil could not come back with nine players.
Guardado overcooked that cross after a great Mexican possession.
I am snacking on some pretzels. John made me hungry with talk about eggplant and honey cake.
Players coming back out on the pitch for the second half in Guatemala.
No kidding - I'm going to grab some Greek yogurt in a moment.
Do you see that BD? Honduras are making a triple substitution. That's it. They have no changes left for the remainder of the match.
Hulk with a pop from distance there. Smothered well by Sanchez.
An easy save for Sanchez off a week shot.
Yeah - it's a risky move from them. It looks as if MLS veteran Carlos Ruiz is one of the subs coming on.
Greek Yogurt sounds delicious.I have never had any, but it sounds like something I would like to try.
How many cheap fouls has Neymar bought in this match. There was no contact at all there!
Marco Pappa is another MLS player playing for Guatemala.
A superb save by Sanchez off the free kick from Ronaldinho.
We've just started getting a brand of Greek yogurt called Chobani. It's a bit pricier but well worth it. I like to get the vanilla flavor and add to it. But the pineapple flavor is also pretty special.
Lucas Leyva has been booked for a poor challenge as the second half is underway in Honduras.
I need to try some. It looks like a downpour in Honduras.
It's all kicked off here in the "friendly" match. Brazilians are going potty after the ref. Marcelo was pulled back and ref waved on.
I have never seen a Brazil team lose their temper like this team. It's down to the manager. It's a disgrace that he allows this kind of behavior.
Another sub now for Mexico. Torres Nilo is off.
Another Mexican sub as Hector Moreno is on for Torres Nilo.
Close call there for Belize. Keeper did well.
Jefferson with some goalkeeping antics there.
Belize don't look bad going forward particularly on the break, but they're soft at the back.
Pablo Barrera shoots over from the corner.
Sanchez smothers a shot from Ronaldinho.
Ronaldinho shoots straight at Sanchez from a great run.
Well over form Hulk. If he gets upset he will turn green.
Indeed - what a lump that lad is.
Another adventure from Jefferson as he misses the corner , but gets away with it.
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