I think the first part of the title is pretty self explanatory. I thought I'd make it a little easier for myself by not even predicting the score, but that didn't help. 0 for 3 and now I'm depending on Italy (ughh) to save me any sort of dignity, not that I really had any to begin with.
Joachim Low proved me wrong by making some great adjustments and earning a deserved 3-2 win over Portugal. As for Turkey, what can you say? I've never seen anything like it in sports. The term "comeback kids" is now strictly reserved for the Turks.
Russia gets its own paragraph because, somehow, they managed to disguise Zidane and get him on their team without any officials noticing. Andrei Arshavin is the best player in this tournament and, unfortunately, I think his performance against Holland just priced Liverpool out of a move. With Arshavin and Hiddink, Russia has a legitimate chance to win Euro 2008.
Barbados has no chance to overcome its 8-goal deficit at home against the US. For this reason, Bob Bradley needs to experiment. Hopefully he tries out all of the new players and Eddie Lewis doesn't see the field. One question about the roster, though: where is Justin Mapp?
Anyways, there isn't much to learn from the game other than what players don't belong with the national team. This game won't tell you who belongs in the national team picture, but a bad performance here should rule out some of the newcomers.
Here's my lineup:
-------------Rolfe
Beasley------Adu--------Kljestan
-------Bradley--Szetela
Pearce--Califf--Demerit-Moor
-------------Guzan
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
What's Not Gonna Happen in the Kockout Round of Euro 08
I don't want to jinx anything, but so far, Euro 2008 has been the greatest soccer tournament I've ever seen. Attacking soccer is winning and teams have been rewarded for going forward and not for sitting back. Hopefully this trend continues on into the knockout round, otherwise, my picks are going to be completely wrong. Here goes nothing (can nothing actually really go anywhere though? whatever).
That extra game was cool and all, but, ummm, it's time for you to go.
8. Germany: What happened with Die Germans? After the World Cup it looked like things were only going to get better. Maybe Klinsmann is that good of a coach or maybe Jogi Low just isn't a good coach? Either way I don't think Germany has it to beat Portugal. With Podolski and Frings nursing injuries and a completely toothless frontline, look for the pre-tournament favorites to make an early exit. I definitely won't miss Clemens Fritz.
7. Turkey: One game seems to have transformed Turkey from the team no one really likes, to the Cinderella story that everyone is pulling for. And how can you not? Tuncay will do anything to help his team win as we saw when he played up top, was a ref, and played in goal in the win over the Czechs. Nihat is one of the most underrated strikers in the world, and Arda Turan is going to be a star. Unfortunately for Turkey, Rustu is going to be in goal and other than some cool face paint, he doesn't really bring anything to the table. Also, it looks like Emre Asik may be starting in the back and he is the worst defender in the tournament. Croatia has been too efficient in the last two games to stumble against the Turks.
6. Russia: I said all I needed to say about the Russians in yesterday's post. They have a shot to pull off an upset against the Dutch, but I just don't think it's going to happen. The Russians are going to try to go toe-to-toe and attack with the Dutch, but no one can attack with the Dutch. It's just not gonna happen.
5. Spain: As much as it pains me to type this, I think history is going to repeat itself. Spain goes into the elimination rounds looking unbeatable, but they get matched up with a traditional power limping into the knockout stages, much like the 2006 World Cup. Something about Italy gives me the feeling that they'll pull this one off. Other than history, there is no reason why Spain should lose this game, but I think history and Gigi Buffon will prevail. I think Buffon clearly claims the throne of best keeper in the world by outshining Iker Casillas and carrying the Azzuri to victory, possibly in pk's.
Do They Have a Third Place Match? Who cares.
4. Portugal: After conquering the Nationalmannschaft, it would appear that Portugal have an easy path to the finals. Not so much. Croatia, along with the Holland, is the best team in this tournament. They don't rely on one guy to win games, but rather a group of guys to step up and get a result. You get the feeling that Portugal will go only as far as Cristiano Ronaldo can take them. He's not going to take them past Croatia. The Croats have some of the best outside backs and midfielders in the tournament and I think that will nullify or, at least, lessen Ronaldo's impact. Big Phil heads to Stamford Bridge in a bad mood (not a good thing for anyone).
3. Italy: As I mentioned before, so far the tournament has rewarded teams for attacking and I see this happening again in the Oranje-Azurri rematch. It's not going to be 3-0 again, but remember this: Van Persie and Robben barely played against Italy the first time. Holland is so much more dangerous with these two guys in the fold. The Dutch did the Italians a favor by beating Romania, but I think all Italians will forget that when their team gets dumped out by Van Basten and Co. in what should be a rather convincing victory even if the scoreline doesn't say so.
The Greatest Tean Ever
1./2. Holland over Croatia: The two best teams (stress on "team") will face off in the final, but it won't be close. The Dutch come at you from every direction and I don't think the Croats will be able to deal with the multi-dimensional attack. Really though, no one has. The Holland of the group stages is the best soccer team I've ever seen and if they make the run to the championship, I don't think anyone will have a problem with putting them up there among the greatest teams of all-time. Bert van Marwijk is going to have some huge shoes to fill.
That extra game was cool and all, but, ummm, it's time for you to go.
8. Germany: What happened with Die Germans? After the World Cup it looked like things were only going to get better. Maybe Klinsmann is that good of a coach or maybe Jogi Low just isn't a good coach? Either way I don't think Germany has it to beat Portugal. With Podolski and Frings nursing injuries and a completely toothless frontline, look for the pre-tournament favorites to make an early exit. I definitely won't miss Clemens Fritz.
7. Turkey: One game seems to have transformed Turkey from the team no one really likes, to the Cinderella story that everyone is pulling for. And how can you not? Tuncay will do anything to help his team win as we saw when he played up top, was a ref, and played in goal in the win over the Czechs. Nihat is one of the most underrated strikers in the world, and Arda Turan is going to be a star. Unfortunately for Turkey, Rustu is going to be in goal and other than some cool face paint, he doesn't really bring anything to the table. Also, it looks like Emre Asik may be starting in the back and he is the worst defender in the tournament. Croatia has been too efficient in the last two games to stumble against the Turks.
6. Russia: I said all I needed to say about the Russians in yesterday's post. They have a shot to pull off an upset against the Dutch, but I just don't think it's going to happen. The Russians are going to try to go toe-to-toe and attack with the Dutch, but no one can attack with the Dutch. It's just not gonna happen.
5. Spain: As much as it pains me to type this, I think history is going to repeat itself. Spain goes into the elimination rounds looking unbeatable, but they get matched up with a traditional power limping into the knockout stages, much like the 2006 World Cup. Something about Italy gives me the feeling that they'll pull this one off. Other than history, there is no reason why Spain should lose this game, but I think history and Gigi Buffon will prevail. I think Buffon clearly claims the throne of best keeper in the world by outshining Iker Casillas and carrying the Azzuri to victory, possibly in pk's.
Do They Have a Third Place Match? Who cares.
4. Portugal: After conquering the Nationalmannschaft, it would appear that Portugal have an easy path to the finals. Not so much. Croatia, along with the Holland, is the best team in this tournament. They don't rely on one guy to win games, but rather a group of guys to step up and get a result. You get the feeling that Portugal will go only as far as Cristiano Ronaldo can take them. He's not going to take them past Croatia. The Croats have some of the best outside backs and midfielders in the tournament and I think that will nullify or, at least, lessen Ronaldo's impact. Big Phil heads to Stamford Bridge in a bad mood (not a good thing for anyone).
3. Italy: As I mentioned before, so far the tournament has rewarded teams for attacking and I see this happening again in the Oranje-Azurri rematch. It's not going to be 3-0 again, but remember this: Van Persie and Robben barely played against Italy the first time. Holland is so much more dangerous with these two guys in the fold. The Dutch did the Italians a favor by beating Romania, but I think all Italians will forget that when their team gets dumped out by Van Basten and Co. in what should be a rather convincing victory even if the scoreline doesn't say so.
The Greatest Tean Ever
1./2. Holland over Croatia: The two best teams (stress on "team") will face off in the final, but it won't be close. The Dutch come at you from every direction and I don't think the Croats will be able to deal with the multi-dimensional attack. Really though, no one has. The Holland of the group stages is the best soccer team I've ever seen and if they make the run to the championship, I don't think anyone will have a problem with putting them up there among the greatest teams of all-time. Bert van Marwijk is going to have some huge shoes to fill.
Euro 08: June 18
All I can say is "Damn!" I think today we got a glimpse into the past and what the so-called footballing machines of the USSR looked like: constant and unrelenting attacking that gave their opponents almost no opportunity to attack.
Maybe it was the all red uniforms, provoking thoughts of communist Russia and the hammer and sickle. Maybe Sweden just wasn't that good. Or, maybe Andrei Arshavin is just that good.
After the games against Spain and Greece, we all knew Russia could attack. They showed glimpses against Spain and out-played Greece, but still needed a bone-headed move by a George Clooney look-alike to get the win.
With Arshavin, however, the Russians took it to another level. They were that destructive offensive powerhouse that left opponents in a crumpled heap like those USSR teams of the 1960s.
The baby-faced playmaker is the key cog in the Russian attack and actually gives the team some direction. Sans Arshavin, the Russians attack, but there's really no efficiency or direction. Instead, it's just a bunch of guys bombing forward and hoping that something good happens.
The Zenit star dictates the play and funnels the attack in the right direction for the Russians. On the first goal he set the attack in motion with the through ball that released Zyryanov behind the Swedish defense. On the second goal he and Zhirkov pushed the team forward with their driving runs, and it was Arshavin who fought to get on the end of the play and slot the ball past Isaksson to seal the game.
Russia hasn't really scared me since I used to watch Olympic hockey, but this team legitimately frightens me. Although the USSR fell some years ago, whenever I think of Russia, Stalin and Lenin come to mind. Fortunately I know that these guys are long gone, so it wasn't really a fear of anything tangible. But now with this team, I have something tangible to fear about the Russians once again.
Obviously I know this team isn't gonna bring back Communism and eventually conquer the world. But, right now I think we're witnessing the rebirth of a footballing machine. People say that African football will dominate world football in the future. I think they're looking in the wrong direction. Russia is only scratching the surface of the footballing success that is to come.
Maybe it was the all red uniforms, provoking thoughts of communist Russia and the hammer and sickle. Maybe Sweden just wasn't that good. Or, maybe Andrei Arshavin is just that good.
After the games against Spain and Greece, we all knew Russia could attack. They showed glimpses against Spain and out-played Greece, but still needed a bone-headed move by a George Clooney look-alike to get the win.
With Arshavin, however, the Russians took it to another level. They were that destructive offensive powerhouse that left opponents in a crumpled heap like those USSR teams of the 1960s.
The baby-faced playmaker is the key cog in the Russian attack and actually gives the team some direction. Sans Arshavin, the Russians attack, but there's really no efficiency or direction. Instead, it's just a bunch of guys bombing forward and hoping that something good happens.
The Zenit star dictates the play and funnels the attack in the right direction for the Russians. On the first goal he set the attack in motion with the through ball that released Zyryanov behind the Swedish defense. On the second goal he and Zhirkov pushed the team forward with their driving runs, and it was Arshavin who fought to get on the end of the play and slot the ball past Isaksson to seal the game.
Russia hasn't really scared me since I used to watch Olympic hockey, but this team legitimately frightens me. Although the USSR fell some years ago, whenever I think of Russia, Stalin and Lenin come to mind. Fortunately I know that these guys are long gone, so it wasn't really a fear of anything tangible. But now with this team, I have something tangible to fear about the Russians once again.
Obviously I know this team isn't gonna bring back Communism and eventually conquer the world. But, right now I think we're witnessing the rebirth of a footballing machine. People say that African football will dominate world football in the future. I think they're looking in the wrong direction. Russia is only scratching the surface of the footballing success that is to come.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Euro 08: June 17
Boring.
On a day with so much promise, all we got were two rather easy 2-0 wins. Damn Czechs and Turkey. They spoiled us.
Italy was always going to beat France. You knew it. I knew it. My grandma knew it and she is completely cut-off from the outside world. When it matters, the Italians always seem to get a result. It's when their lives aren't on the line that they struggle. An outlook like that is always going to bring high drama, but at the same time, it's an outlook that will keep you alive and that's really all that matters at this point, right?
Someone who clearly isn't alive is Raymond Domenech. Maybe it isn't that he's not alive, but that he's really somewhere else despite his body being on the sidelines at a soccer game. Despite his facade of a soccer coach for World Cup finalists, maybe he is really dealing with some higher concerns like the layout of the cosmos and the consequences of his decisions not in regards to the French team, but to the bigger picture and how they will affect the future of the universe?
Sounds ridiculous, huh? Yeah, but Domenech is the kind of guy who would actually believe this kind of nonsense. Jupiter was visible the night before the game, so that meant Abidal got the start at centerback. Venus and Mercury were in line, so that meant he had to go with two defensive mids the entire game despite being down 2-0. I mean, is there any other way to rationalize some of these decisions.
Sure, France was going to be facing uphill battle after the Ribery injury, but when was the last time Abidal played centerback? I'm not sure, but I can tell you that Thuram would've either played Toni offside or not taken him down in the box. (This reminds me: how the hell is Mexes not starting for this team? He is miles ahead of any of the centerbacks on this team. True, Orion's belt was probably dimmed by some clouds when Domenech made his decision. How could I be so dumb?)
Then the guy brings on Boumsong after the goal. Not horrible, but he takes off Nasri and goes defensive even though they needed at least two goals to advance. YOU NEED TO SCORE. Take off Makelele who gives almost nothing going forward and keep on Nasri who can give you something out of nothing. What's the difference between losing 5-0 and losing 1-0?
Without Zidane to save his ass, Domenech has been exposed as a clown. Good thing he's got a contract up to the World Cup. I wonder if he'll keep using the same lineup? I wouldn't put is past him.
On a day with so much promise, all we got were two rather easy 2-0 wins. Damn Czechs and Turkey. They spoiled us.
Italy was always going to beat France. You knew it. I knew it. My grandma knew it and she is completely cut-off from the outside world. When it matters, the Italians always seem to get a result. It's when their lives aren't on the line that they struggle. An outlook like that is always going to bring high drama, but at the same time, it's an outlook that will keep you alive and that's really all that matters at this point, right?
Someone who clearly isn't alive is Raymond Domenech. Maybe it isn't that he's not alive, but that he's really somewhere else despite his body being on the sidelines at a soccer game. Despite his facade of a soccer coach for World Cup finalists, maybe he is really dealing with some higher concerns like the layout of the cosmos and the consequences of his decisions not in regards to the French team, but to the bigger picture and how they will affect the future of the universe?
Sounds ridiculous, huh? Yeah, but Domenech is the kind of guy who would actually believe this kind of nonsense. Jupiter was visible the night before the game, so that meant Abidal got the start at centerback. Venus and Mercury were in line, so that meant he had to go with two defensive mids the entire game despite being down 2-0. I mean, is there any other way to rationalize some of these decisions.
Sure, France was going to be facing uphill battle after the Ribery injury, but when was the last time Abidal played centerback? I'm not sure, but I can tell you that Thuram would've either played Toni offside or not taken him down in the box. (This reminds me: how the hell is Mexes not starting for this team? He is miles ahead of any of the centerbacks on this team. True, Orion's belt was probably dimmed by some clouds when Domenech made his decision. How could I be so dumb?)
Then the guy brings on Boumsong after the goal. Not horrible, but he takes off Nasri and goes defensive even though they needed at least two goals to advance. YOU NEED TO SCORE. Take off Makelele who gives almost nothing going forward and keep on Nasri who can give you something out of nothing. What's the difference between losing 5-0 and losing 1-0?
Without Zidane to save his ass, Domenech has been exposed as a clown. Good thing he's got a contract up to the World Cup. I wonder if he'll keep using the same lineup? I wouldn't put is past him.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Two Quick Thoughts on US-Barbados
Brian Ching is not the answer: Ching scored three, but one was a deflection off of his back from a Pablo Mastroeni shot (yes, you read that right). You can score two goals by accident if you play ninety minutes up top against Barbados. I mean, Eddie Johnson even scored in a ten-minute cameo. Ching just wasn't at the same level as the rest of the US attack and you could see it when at lot of the attacks broke down once the ball was played to him. I think it's time to give Kenny Cooper a run.
Freddy Adu needs to start: Unfortunately, I'm starting to feel like it'll never happen. If Bob Bradley can't start Freddy Adu at home against Barbados, then when will he feel comfortable starting him? For some reason he continues to go with the 31 year-old Mastroeni in center midfield. Mastroeni hasn't been horrible, but he's 31. He isn't going to play in the World Cup and Freddy Adu is, barring any injuries. He's the most exciting soccer player our country has ever seen and gives the team an unpredictability and attacking impetus that we've never had. Hopefully we see the man in charge take some chances in the second leg, but I doubt we will.
Freddy Adu needs to start: Unfortunately, I'm starting to feel like it'll never happen. If Bob Bradley can't start Freddy Adu at home against Barbados, then when will he feel comfortable starting him? For some reason he continues to go with the 31 year-old Mastroeni in center midfield. Mastroeni hasn't been horrible, but he's 31. He isn't going to play in the World Cup and Freddy Adu is, barring any injuries. He's the most exciting soccer player our country has ever seen and gives the team an unpredictability and attacking impetus that we've never had. Hopefully we see the man in charge take some chances in the second leg, but I doubt we will.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
And Now They Count
After the three "glamor friendles" against Argentina, Spain, and England, the US Men's National Team finally sets off on the long road leading to South Africa and the 2010 World Cup. Bob Bradley and Co. welcome Barbados to the Home Depot Center in Carson, California for the first leg of a home-and-away series.
Let's put this into perspective. This is friggin Barbados. Most of their guys aren't full-time pros and I doubt any of them could crack the top 50 in our national team pool. This thing should be wrapped up by halftime and there is no way in hell they should even get a sniff on our goal.
Taking all of this into consideration, Bradley needs to bring out a lineup that's going to attack, attack, and attack. If you can't take chances against Barbados, then you shouldn't be a coach. And if your team can't beat Barbados with a somewhat experimental lineup, your team has no right qualifying for the World Cup.
Seeing the way Van Basten coaches Holland pisses me off to no end. And not because I don't like attacking soccer, but because I wish our coach would coach the same way. There is no reason to be timid when we currently have the most attacking talent in the short history of the US national team. Granted we're no Holland, but in comparison to the rest of CONCACAF, we are.
So here's the lineup I'd like to, but won't see at the HDC:
----------------Dempsey
Beasley-----------Adu----------Donovan
------------Bradley--Kljestan
Pearce------Onyewu--Demerit----Cherundolo
------------------Howard
I want Altidore up top, but that isn't an option so I think Deuce should get the nod up top. It's not his best position, but it's better than him being wasted out wide. Eddie Johnson will probably start here and I will probably throw up when I see his name listed in the starting eleven.
Beasley and Donovan are pretty much automatic starters right now. I thought Landon was dangerous against Argentina, but we need more from Beasley. He needs to produce more of an end product now that he's got a few games under his belt since coming back from injury.
Freddy Adu earned the spot as the team's playmaker with his performances against Spain and Argentina, but I won't be surprised to see him on the bench. It's almost like Bradley has something against him. At the press conference after the Argentina game, the coach was asked a question about Freddy and his place in the squad. Bradley said that Freddy learned that with the National Team it doesn't matter who you are or what your name is, only what you do on the field. Well, his words aren't corresponding with his actions. It's almost like he's holding Freddy's reputation as someone who is cocky and over-confident (totally not true, by the way) against him. The guy is gonna be a star, just let it happen Bob.
In the back, Pearce was the best defender in the friendlies. Cherundolo was not at his best, but there is no one else in the team close to his level at right back. In the middle, the Onyewu-Boca combo needs to go. They can't play together. They're too similar and just get in each other's way (see Xavi's goal). I liked the way the defense looked without Bocanegra against Argentina, but I also think Demerit is a better option than Califf. The Watford man did well for himself when he came on against the Albiceleste and I think he'll be able to cover for some of the mental lapses from Onyewu.
Tim Howard is the man.
This game better be done and dusted by halftime. I need to watch Tiger Woods ruin Lee Westwood. One of two things is gonna happen with the US Open. Either Westwood gets crushed and his career is never the same, or somehow he manages to beat Tiger, only for Tiger to come back on a mission and win every major until he dies (which may not happen, I wouldn't bet against him being immortal).
Let's put this into perspective. This is friggin Barbados. Most of their guys aren't full-time pros and I doubt any of them could crack the top 50 in our national team pool. This thing should be wrapped up by halftime and there is no way in hell they should even get a sniff on our goal.
Taking all of this into consideration, Bradley needs to bring out a lineup that's going to attack, attack, and attack. If you can't take chances against Barbados, then you shouldn't be a coach. And if your team can't beat Barbados with a somewhat experimental lineup, your team has no right qualifying for the World Cup.
Seeing the way Van Basten coaches Holland pisses me off to no end. And not because I don't like attacking soccer, but because I wish our coach would coach the same way. There is no reason to be timid when we currently have the most attacking talent in the short history of the US national team. Granted we're no Holland, but in comparison to the rest of CONCACAF, we are.
So here's the lineup I'd like to, but won't see at the HDC:
----------------Dempsey
Beasley-----------Adu----------Donovan
------------Bradley--Kljestan
Pearce------Onyewu--Demerit----Cherundolo
------------------Howard
I want Altidore up top, but that isn't an option so I think Deuce should get the nod up top. It's not his best position, but it's better than him being wasted out wide. Eddie Johnson will probably start here and I will probably throw up when I see his name listed in the starting eleven.
Beasley and Donovan are pretty much automatic starters right now. I thought Landon was dangerous against Argentina, but we need more from Beasley. He needs to produce more of an end product now that he's got a few games under his belt since coming back from injury.
Freddy Adu earned the spot as the team's playmaker with his performances against Spain and Argentina, but I won't be surprised to see him on the bench. It's almost like Bradley has something against him. At the press conference after the Argentina game, the coach was asked a question about Freddy and his place in the squad. Bradley said that Freddy learned that with the National Team it doesn't matter who you are or what your name is, only what you do on the field. Well, his words aren't corresponding with his actions. It's almost like he's holding Freddy's reputation as someone who is cocky and over-confident (totally not true, by the way) against him. The guy is gonna be a star, just let it happen Bob.
In the back, Pearce was the best defender in the friendlies. Cherundolo was not at his best, but there is no one else in the team close to his level at right back. In the middle, the Onyewu-Boca combo needs to go. They can't play together. They're too similar and just get in each other's way (see Xavi's goal). I liked the way the defense looked without Bocanegra against Argentina, but I also think Demerit is a better option than Califf. The Watford man did well for himself when he came on against the Albiceleste and I think he'll be able to cover for some of the mental lapses from Onyewu.
Tim Howard is the man.
This game better be done and dusted by halftime. I need to watch Tiger Woods ruin Lee Westwood. One of two things is gonna happen with the US Open. Either Westwood gets crushed and his career is never the same, or somehow he manages to beat Tiger, only for Tiger to come back on a mission and win every major until he dies (which may not happen, I wouldn't bet against him being immortal).
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Euro 08: June 12
Well, that didn't help clear things up.
In a tournament where there was no clear front-runner, Germany was considered to be the best bet to make a deep run. Before today's games, there was no clear favorite, but there looked to be a four team group that the champion would probably come from. So much for that.
Croatia "stunned" Germany by a 2-1 scoreline and clinched first place in the group. I, for one, didn't see this coming. At least I didn't see the Germans losing. But they did. They were thoroughly outplayed and outcoached by a Croatia team that was barely able to beat Austria in their first game.
A win can mask many problems in soccer. The difference between a good coach and a not-so-good coach is that the good coach is able to see these problems despite the positive result, while the not-so-good coach takes the result and doesn't make any changes.
Slaven Bilic is a good coach and if he doesn't get trampled in a mosh pit or dropped while he's crowd surfing, he could become a great one. Despite beating Austria, Bilic changed things around and Croatia looked like a brand new team. He removed the ineffective Mladen Petric from the front line, put in highly-rated young winger Ivan Rakitic on the outside, and moved Niko Kranjcar into the middle. Rakitic was dangerous all game long, as was Kranjcar, who got more touches and was more involved in the attack than on Sunday. Needless to say, these changes resulted in a win.
On the other side, Jogi (I hate this nickname. What is he? A bear?) Lowe showed everyone how not to coach. Sure his team beat Poland in the first game, but there were still some glaring weak spots, namely Mario Gomez, Marcell Jansen, and Clemens Fritz. Gomez has absolutely no confidence and has been a huge letdown for all of us who head so many good things about him coming into the Euros. Jansen has no composure and isn't aggressive enough in the air (see Darijo Srna's goal). Don't even get me started on Fritz. He would not start on the US national team. Give me Frankie Hejduk and I hate Frankie Hejduk (I'm sure he's a great guy off the field though).
Not surprisingly Gomez was horrible today. Jansen was humiliated on worldwide television. Fritz, well, I think he was happy to just be on the field. All three were subbed off at some point and, barring an injury crisis, none of them should see the field for the rest of the tournament.
I'm not saying Jogi Lowe is a bad coach. He's just clearly not on the same level as Bilic. Now if he fields the same team as today in a must-draw or win game against Austria, then I will personally start up a Fire Jogi Lowe website and I hate Germany (I'm sure they're great..umm, nevermind).
In a tournament where there was no clear front-runner, Germany was considered to be the best bet to make a deep run. Before today's games, there was no clear favorite, but there looked to be a four team group that the champion would probably come from. So much for that.
Croatia "stunned" Germany by a 2-1 scoreline and clinched first place in the group. I, for one, didn't see this coming. At least I didn't see the Germans losing. But they did. They were thoroughly outplayed and outcoached by a Croatia team that was barely able to beat Austria in their first game.
A win can mask many problems in soccer. The difference between a good coach and a not-so-good coach is that the good coach is able to see these problems despite the positive result, while the not-so-good coach takes the result and doesn't make any changes.
Slaven Bilic is a good coach and if he doesn't get trampled in a mosh pit or dropped while he's crowd surfing, he could become a great one. Despite beating Austria, Bilic changed things around and Croatia looked like a brand new team. He removed the ineffective Mladen Petric from the front line, put in highly-rated young winger Ivan Rakitic on the outside, and moved Niko Kranjcar into the middle. Rakitic was dangerous all game long, as was Kranjcar, who got more touches and was more involved in the attack than on Sunday. Needless to say, these changes resulted in a win.
On the other side, Jogi (I hate this nickname. What is he? A bear?) Lowe showed everyone how not to coach. Sure his team beat Poland in the first game, but there were still some glaring weak spots, namely Mario Gomez, Marcell Jansen, and Clemens Fritz. Gomez has absolutely no confidence and has been a huge letdown for all of us who head so many good things about him coming into the Euros. Jansen has no composure and isn't aggressive enough in the air (see Darijo Srna's goal). Don't even get me started on Fritz. He would not start on the US national team. Give me Frankie Hejduk and I hate Frankie Hejduk (I'm sure he's a great guy off the field though).
Not surprisingly Gomez was horrible today. Jansen was humiliated on worldwide television. Fritz, well, I think he was happy to just be on the field. All three were subbed off at some point and, barring an injury crisis, none of them should see the field for the rest of the tournament.
I'm not saying Jogi Lowe is a bad coach. He's just clearly not on the same level as Bilic. Now if he fields the same team as today in a must-draw or win game against Austria, then I will personally start up a Fire Jogi Lowe website and I hate Germany (I'm sure they're great..umm, nevermind).
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