More Group B Action, This time from Tampa
It's a double header from Tampa . Panama just defeated Nicaragua 2-1 . Now the U.S. take on Martinique, whom they should defeat, but it won't be easy as some of the Martinique team play professionally in primarily the French second division.
posted by manunitedrules @ 8:43 PM
149 Comments:
Evening, mate - thanks for getting us going tonight. I'm hoping for a decent performance and an easy win of the Yanks tonight.
There you are. Bonjour mes amis.
I dunno about this starting 11. Dodgier than this red-hooped blue kit.
Ooooh, how does Morris screw up that tap-in?
Good evening, D Bruvs. Back from an errand and ended up with some Speckled Hen
If he spent more time finishing chances instead of pies then he may be a decent striker.
Evening, Al-Prez.
Here are the teams by the way:
United States
XI: Guzan, Hedges, González, Lichaj, Morrow, Acosta, Roldan, Arriola, Morris, Zardes, Agudelo
Subs: Hamid, Johnson, Miazga, Besler, Villafaña, McCarty, Bedoya, Rowe, Corona, Pontius, Zusi, Dwyer
Martinique
XI: Olimpa, Zaïre, Crétinoir, Jean-Baptiste, Abaul, Audel, Delem, Hérelle, Vitulin, Arquin, Parsemain
Subs: Chauvet, Vermignon, Narcissot, Dondon, Jougon, Nedra, Angely, Marajo, Maingé, Pastel, Langil, Thimon
I saw Martinique in action on Saturday and they will definitely not be pushovers.
You've noticed that too. Hmmm. I'd be happier if he were much leaner too. He used to be. Did something change while he was out injured?
Agreed. It does look almost as dodgy as Malouda in the French Guyana lineup.
I'm guessing the physio fed him lots of pies or he may be on the Presidential diet.
So Specked Hen rather than the Sam Adams special brew, mate?
What's the Mad Hatter's game here? I can't see that many of these guys are candidates for the remaining qualifiers or the trip to Russia.
I had to improvise because the brew was at CVS , which is on the other side of town. It wasn't at the liquor store.
Martinique just seem happy to clog up the midfield and deny us any opportunity to build something. Don't like it.
Audel fouls Aguedelo about 25 yards from goal. The Pie Eater heads the free kick from Arriola just wide of Monique's goal.
You should be drinking Pabst Blue Ribbon! https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/0d/5b/36/0d5b3652e94cadfcfd445ec8fda7c285.jpg
Of those on display tonight, I'd say that only Guzan, Gonzalez, Zardes and Agudelo have a chance to make it onto the plane to Russia.
Will French Guyana be forced to forfeit after holding Honduras 0-0?
Is Dwyer injured? A suspension worry? I don't understand icing a guy that hot at the moment.
It has as much a right to be called a blue ribbon beer as Malouda does to play for Guyana or for French Toast and French Fries to be part of France.
Acosta might make the plane too. I could see that as a move for the future.
Agreed. He should have been the first person named in the starting lineup.
I do not follow MLS too closely , so I will take your word for that.
That Malouda thing is ridiculous. They were warned and still they went through with it. Makes CONCACAF look really bush-league.
Morris could have done better with that header.
Herelle down for Martinique unless he's trying to stop U.S. momentum.
Agreed. Why hasn't it been awarded as a forfeit? The final whistle should have been blown within ten seconds of kickoff.
Zardes got free down the left and wins a corner off of Delemme.
Their keeper botched that and got a gift from the ref. No foul.
Great build up from the U.S. , but a poor shot from Zardes lands in Row P.
Sounds like the Trumps trying to keep a secret.
Right. A forfeit and a 3-0 win if Malouda even makes an appearance in the tunnel.
Zardes' hair choice gets him a yellow card in my book every time.
UWS won't be pleased with that short corner routine. And of course it comes to nothing.
To be fair, Guiana basically forfeit every match by stepping onto the pitch.
Malouda would be a perfect fit for Team Trump.
More profligacy from Zardes.
They did hold Honduras 0-0 , but should lose that point or else what's the point?
A quarter of the game down and the US is in control of the action but haven’t been able to capitalize on it.
Delem clears for a U.S. corner.
I agree, mate. The Malouda scandal should get them a total FIFA ban.
Regis still makes me cross thinking about how much he was built up, how quickly his citizenship was fast-tracked, and how completely useless he was. That match against Italy burns me up every time I think of it. And here he is, swanning about on the Martinique bench? What a waste of space.
Tampa is a significant city in our family history. My mom graduated from nursing school , my brother from Medical school and my grandfather was stationed there while in the Air Force.
Are you enjoying a Negroni tonight, Gooner?
They're a Department of France so I don't think they are recognized as a FIFA member. That adds to the Mickey Mouse character of the Gold Cup.
Well stated, Gooner. Completely true. He's definitely not Cyrille.
They definitely are, but at least their players have not already been capped by France.
C'mon, how does Aguedelo not score there?
Not a Negroni. A concoction of my own, Gin, Creme de Pampelmousse, Lime Juice and Mint. I call it the HFB and I'm going to drink that until Olivier flounces off to Marseille.
John, the Baptist, with a cross that lands in Row H.
The tame finish from Zardes was worse than the haircut.
Is Gooner looking at a second career as a bartender?
Olimpa fumbles a more powerful shot from Zardes , but gathers at the second attempt.
Where on earth do you get the Creme de Pimplemousse?
Au contraire Monsieur Le President. As an overseas department of the French Republic, it is not a member of FIFA. French Guiana is therefore not eligible to enter the World Cup, but French Guianans are eligible to play for the French national football team, as they are French citizens.
No real dangerous chances for either side in the opening half hour. Arena certainly hasn't found any strikers tonight.
OH!!! Off the post from Parsemon. Guzan beaten all ends up.
Dan Searing reps the whole Giffard range, but the Pamplemousse is my strong favorite.
The Gooner does like his tipple.
Thanks for the clarification. Once they have played for France they cannot change their mind and decide to play for Guyana or Martinique?
I thought this was the tournament that determined eligibility for the Confeds Cup? No? Why would they allow any non-FIFA sides in?
Blimey - Martinique rattle the woodwork!!!
Not liking this at all.
Time for a quiz question. What do UWS and Osorio have in common?
That was really good from Acosta. Off balance, he banged in a dangerous ball as their defenders were charging out of their box.
Great question, Bob. I wish I had an Answer
A series of unproductive U.S. corners. Zardes called for a foul on Olimpa on the corner. Not sure what he did wrong.
Another U.S. corner . It doesn't matter.
Acosta is doing his level best to set up Agudela but the lanky striker seems determined not to score.
USW has a dog named Sparky and Osario has a dog named Sparkles.
IF Bruce Arena wanted goals, he would have started Dwyer.
Incorrect, Gooner. I have dog named Sparky , but his is named Shadow . What do they have in common? Both are missing the Gold Cup.
For real. I cannot understand why coaches want to ice down a form player.
Shadow and Sparky are both better goalscorers than Osorio.
Martinique win their first corner of the match
OH!!! Martinique nearly take the lead as Audel heads wide from a free header off the corner. Then Guzan punches away to clear a Martinique attack
Sparky has been caught on a hot mic calling someone a m**********r
A minute of stoppage time.
It must have been when we were off running errands.
These mugs are holding us 0-0 at the half off a pathetic performance.
Landycakes, shut up. Zardes has not done well. He's not finished well, he's not got a shot off that hasn't been blocked and his crossing has been wayward. He's got a good engine and that's it. He does my head in.
Nil bloody disappointing nil. Not nearly good enough.
Really disappointing. This lot couldn't get out of the qualifying rounds let alone the World Cup group stage.
This from Brett Thompson ~ Zardes's first touch sets up his first tackle. Bang-on.
I will click like for that last statement.
The second half is underway from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.
Bruce Arena said he wants to use different players, play better, and play better. Rob Stone Said the U.S. teams has done two of those. Which two? I have only seen Arena picking different players
OH!!! Off the bar from a yard out. The U.S. should have taken the lead.
Aguedelo's shot took a wicked defelection and Arriola shot against the bar from a yard out.
Zardes is fouled just outside the Martinique box.
Some of these Martinique players are playing as if coached in France with the way they roll about from minimal contact
Arquin with a free header straight to Guzan.
Back for the second half, lads.
OH!!! The Pie Eater was through on goal, but shot straight at Olimpa.
Sounds like the Yanks have had a decent start to the second half. Any changes?
Welcome back, mate. It's a bit more open than the first half.
No changes from either side.
GOAL !!! OMAR GONZALEZ GIVES THE U.S. THE LEAD AFTER OLIMPA, IN THE MARTINIQUE GOAL FUMBLED A SHOT FROM ARRIOLA OFF A PATHETIC CORNER FROM ZARDES AND THE CENTRAL DEFENDER PUT AWAY THE REBOUND.
I'll take it. Gonzalez up for the corner nets the rebound. 1-0.
Marvelous. Gonzalez's second goal for the national side. We'll take it, indeed.
O.G. scores for the U.S.
Terrible defending from Lichag. Lucky for him the lino had flagged offside
He was voted player of the year for Forest. My how they have declined since we lived at Lakenheath.
According to ESPN soccer wonk Paul Carr, it’s the US team’s first goal off a corner in 20 months.
If that's true, the Sheriff was robbed.
Benson and Hedges prevents Parsemon from getting a shot off.
Bedoya on for Acosta as Arena makes his first substitution.
Vitolin booked for a horrible foul on Aguedelo.
That's the wrong move. Zardes should have left. I understand the decision to add Bedoya's activity, but Acosta bossed his area.
Aguedelo with a shot just as off target as Trump's remarks.
I'm done with Aguedelo. Give me Dwyer and lets start putting up the cricket score we should get.
GOAL !!!! THE PIE EATER SCORES WITH A TAP IN TO PUT THE U.S. TWO UP. BEDOYA PLAYED A SLIDE RULE PASS TO LICHAJ, WHO SHOWED HIS TALENT FOR THAT GREAT ASSIST FOR THE PIE EATER,
Nice finish for More-is to make it 2-0. About time.
Lovely. This is looking more respectable now. But I would like three or four to emphasize the gulf in quality.
YIKES!!! PARSEMON, WHO SCORED ON SATURDAY , NOW SCORES FOR MARTINIQUE AS GUZAN HORRIBLY MISJUDGED A LONG RANGE EFFORT. NOW 2-1.
Bollocks! Guzan makes an error and they get one back. Hamid would have gotten that easily. 2-1
The U.S and Panama tied for first in Group B on both G.D. and goals scored.
Bedoya has a shot deflected for a corner off a pass from the Pie Eater.
Hedges more like Benson and Hedges with that header from the corner.
Ruddy Norah! Game on?
Langil goes on a solo run and Gonzalez clears for a MArtinique corner.
Yes. Game on. Eff Off, Desmond.
Bedoya volleys over off a great cross. It should have been 3-1.
Pomtious on for Arriola.
Don't know that guy - who is he?
I don't get that Guzan is the unchallenged #1 now that Timmy is past it. Timmy had Brad to compete with but Brad gets a unchallenged spot. As if getting shelled for the past three years in the Prem is good practice. New keeper please.
BLOODY HELL ! AUDEL MAKES IT DESMOND FROM A REBOUND . LANGIL WENT ON A SPEEDY RUN DOWN THE RIGHT PAST BENSON AND HEDGES. GUZAN MAKES A KICK SAVE FROM PARSEMON AND AUDEL PUT AWAY THE REBOUND.
Pontius is a DC United old boy. He's at Philadelphia now.
Again, Guzan really not positioned well which led to a last ditch leg save and a rebound goal. 2-2.
Thank God, 60 seconds later with a late run and a shot into the roof of the net. He's saved Guzan's bacon for now. 3-2
YESSSSSSSSSSSS!!!! THE PIE EATER IMMEDIATELY RESTORES THE U.S. LEAD PUTTING THEM 3-2 UP. HE PUT ZARDES THROUGH DOWN THE LEFT AND HE PASSED BACK TO THE PIE EATER, WHO DISPATCHED A SHOT IN THE UPPER 90.
sigh......
Alright - Morris with the brace to put us 3-2 up. Phew.
I agree, mate. There have to be better options than Guzan at this point. Why not use this tournament to vet Hamid.
Marajao on for Auriel . A striker on for a defensive middie as Martinique are looking for an equalizer.
Cretinoir heads wide with a free header off a free kick. It should have been 3-3.
Cannot believe that we keep letting the minnows back in.
To Morrow fouled for a foul on Parsemain.
Agreed. We're giving them far too many chances.
Morris now has a yellow card to add to his two goal haul.
Guzan saved by the offside flag as Cretinoir beat Guzan to the ball and appeared to have headed in to make it 3-3. Made Guzan look like a Cretin./
I'm going to call it a night, lads. Nice chatting with you. Cheerio!
Sacks McCarty on for Aguedelo in the final roll of the dice for Arena as he appears to be shutting up shop.
Cheers, Bob. Great chatting with you,
Morris is going to come out of this game with the most credit, but I'd also include Acosta, and Gonzalez who looked okay tonight.
And again, Guzan doesn't get there in time and is rescued by the offside flag. His defenders must be having kittens playing in front of him. On this display, he shouldn't get another call-up. He's a huge question mark now. How does the US go into crucial qualifiers with such a question that doesn't have an easy answer.
Nighty-night BDB.
Those are astute observations. Perhaps it's time to drop Guzan.
Into stoppage time.
A trio of minutes of that.
The U.S. hang on to win 3-2 and are all but through to the quarters.
It was great chatting with the D Bruvs. Bon Nuit and hopefully we can resume out chat in the near future.
The keeper position is pretty crucial, and the Mad Hatter is a former keeper. Why the blind-spot. Why not have an easy replacement. Hamid has maybe 4 caps? And maybe one start? Nick the wonder dwarf hasn't featured recently. Johnson's on the bench and I like him too, but again, 4 caps, 5 caps? Guzan has been allowed a starting role when he's been in really poor form, shelacked or not picked for his club team. It's a horrible oversight and one that Arena will probably end up punting to Guzan for continuity.
Nighty-night Al Prez. My best to your Veeo and cabinet.
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