i can't sit still in class, freaking out haha

Man, this is making me even more hopeful that the U.S. wins the WC host for either 2018/2022. I can't imagine what it would be like to go to a U.S. WC game at home.

Nike needs to make a "Write the Future" commercial with Dovonan in it haha.

First time we win our group since 1930.
First time EVER we get a result in the 3rd game in the group.
First time we get a shut-out in the group stage since the 1950 win against England.

That game was massive in proportions.

Just got back from the Scottish bar I was in. The Scots support us, but there were a bunch of English there today to watch their game. The USA chant that we started after the goal was tight though; the 6 or so americans there and the scots made it loud! WOOOOO.

Unreal. When the game went into stoppage time I had to go into the break room at work. I was watching on my phone on ESPN mobile. The audio is slightly ahead of the video and when I saw the breakaway and shot I wasn't sure if I heard "gooooal" or "nooooo" but by the time I even thought that I saw it go in and I went nuts. Then I stopped for a second to make sureit wasnt disallowed on some bs call. Then more rejoicing ensued. Vuvuzela app was blowing!

unbelievable!!!!!

tk421;398582 wrote:Man, this is making me even more hopeful that the U.S. wins the WC host for either 2018/2022. I can't imagine what it would be like to go to a U.S. WC game at home.

Yes, I would be attending a game or two myself.

I forgot to blow the vuvuzela app. I'd also like to say that as a Cleveland fan, this is the first time I actually had faith we would score when I saw the 4 stoppage time minutes. Glad it worked out in my favor.

I just got into the office I so don't want to be here, I want to party all day!

iclfan2;398603 wrote:I forgot to blow the vuvuzela app. I'd also like to say that as a Cleveland fan, this is the first time I actually had faith we would score when I saw the 4 stoppage time minutes. Glad it worked out in my favor.

Before I saw how much stoppage time was added, I was hoping for 4 or 5 minutes.. I was thinking we'd get 1 or 2 lol.

I was so happy to see the ref put up 4.

I can go to work happy tomorrow now. (It's nice that I have work now too, a glorious day)

Holy mother of GOD!!!! I am so fucking excited right now! That was a great ending. Stupid ass Jozy and Clint missed so many chances. They played great games, but God Damnit they blew some chances.

Thoughts:
--Landon Donavan, while not the (C) is the heart and soul of this team. We have criticized him PLENTY over the years, but the man deserves MAD RESPECT. He is a baller, and by FAR the greatest American soccer player to have ever lived. Clutch play, clutch goals, clutch whatever this team ever needs.

--I APPLAUD Bob Bradley for benching Gooch. Frankly (and from reading this thread some would disagree) I thought he was atrocious last game and pretty shitty versus England. I dont really get the fascination with him, but I was glad he wasnt in there today. Algeria is fast up top, and Gooch is slow as molasses not to mention just cant cover.

--Dempsey needs to put some damn in-swinging spin on that shot he had. That was as easy a chance as he has had in a long time and he blew it. It was honestly easier than the shot he had that was saved (and then the follow-up was disallowed).

--Defense played really well. We were caught out at times, but thats what happens when you have to push so far forward. Bocanegra and DeMerrit was fabulous tonight. I still wouldve liked to see Spector instead of Bornstein though.

--Edu played a pretty good game. He has been the best central mid along with Bradley yet. Better than Clark and Torres.

--Gomez brings an interesting dimension to the team. Im not sure it is best suited for Altidore though. Buddle runs with Jozy and it ends up in some through balls and different types of passes. Gomez sort of holds the ball up, which I LOVE at times, but in a game like this we didnt need it. I like him off the bench with Buddle starting instead.

--Thats all I got for now. But one more time. Landon Donovan, you have earned the respect of all Americans and you deserve it.

I caught about 5 total minutes of the game. My internet at work went out this morning and was down until the last 4 minutes. I was pissed...but thank you ATT for coming through at the end.

USA!!!!!!

Laley- I agree with you on Gooch. He just didn't look good the last two games and I'm glad he was sat down. I also agree that Landon was great to score that goal, but I don't think he was the best right now. I think Dempsey and Bradley have been the stars of the tournament. Bradley is everywhere on the field, and Dempsey makes things happen up front more than anyone. Not taking anything away froim Landon, he has played well, but I think those two have been the best. And our D played great today.

iclfan2;398645 wrote:Laley- I agree with you on Gooch. He just didn't look good the last two games and I'm glad he was sat down. I also agree that Landon was great to score that goal, but I don't think he was the best right now. I think Dempsey and Bradley have been the stars of the tournament. Bradley is everywhere on the field, and Dempsey makes things happen up front more than anyone. Not taking anything away froim Landon, he has played well, but I think those two have been the best. And our D played great today.

With regards to Donovan...I am talking about the last 2 years or so. Not just today. He wasnt the best today, but go back to GayGayhuddle and look up the US Soccer threads over the last 6 years or so. People (myself included at times) were dogging on Donovan. He has shut us the FUCK up. He has been magnificent for awhile now. My statements on him being the greatest American to ever live I will stand by. He is better than Dempsey, Bradley, Altidore, Keller, McBride, Lalas (LOL), Harkes, Reyna, Friedel, Howard, Agoos, etc. Just simply better than all the former America stars we have had. Hes the best ever.

trackandccrunner;398586 wrote:Nike needs to make a "Write the Future" commercial with Dovonan in it haha.

Haha. I posted on my Facebook that Landon Donovan just wrote the future right after that goal. Perfect theme for the Donovan goal and they have to make a sick commercial about it showing all the aftermath if he missed but then showing him make it. Nike had to be loving it.

You can take Goals from us, you can call bad fouls on us, you can say we are not a Soccer country, but we are United States of America and that means something...It means we don't quit, we don't settle for less, we are the best country in the world, and while we may not be a soccer country everyone in America should be... rooting for this team...they are giving us hope in these bad times.....Thank you Team USA

Jozy could (potentially) be up there with Donvoan by the time his career is over, but right now he looks like a 20 year old who is big eyed by the World Cup stage.

He did have a very good game though, he created opportunites.

Clint is a great complimentary player though, he has a knack for scoring goals but just couldn't find the net today.

Michael Bradley was the man of the match for me. Dude was everywhere trying to make plays. Very impressed with his personal development as player.

I've always respected Donovan and what he's done for US Soccer, but he's underperformed at times, especially the last couple WC's.. However, this year he is making up for it. He got us going against Slovenia with a ROCKET of a goal that could have beheaded the GK. Then he comes through today on a smart follow up. Just astounding play. Let's not forget that he's often played out of position during international matches as well.

The defense was great today though. You're always going to have a couple of breakdowns, you just have to get through them and the USA did that today w/o giving up a goal. DeMerrit and Bocanegra were both outstanding today as were some of the subs by Bradley.

I also agree with you Laley about Gooch. He was responsible for at least 2 of the goals we have given up thus far.

I don't understand how Dempsey didn't put any inward spin on that shot. You almost have to try not to in that position.

Gooch has been terrible. Him and Clark are responsible for nearly all if not all of the goals scored against us so far. I was happy to see that they weren't on the field.

^^^Hoops, to be fair Donovan was 20 in 2002 and became the FACE of American Soccer. While I agree Jozy can be the best ever, he isnt coming CLOSE to what Donovan did for us in 2002 as a 20 year old. We forget this guy probably captains us in Brazil, he is ONLY 28. I do agree that he was disappointing in 2006, but he even has said as much. He has said he wasnt in the right frame of mind. He now knows what it takes and what he has to do. Ill take his word for it, because he has delivered on what he said prior to this Cup.

I Wear Pants;398687 wrote:I don't understand how Dempsey didn't put any inward spin on that shot. You almost have to try not to in that position.

Gooch has been terrible. Him and Clark are responsible for nearly all if not all of the goals scored against us so far. I was happy to see that they weren't on the field.

RIGHT?? Did you see my post before. I was saying that was an easier shot than his miss that ended up in the non-goal. I dont see ow he didnt spin it in. It takes skill, as you said, NOT to put inward spin on that ball. lol.

Laley23;398692 wrote:^^^Hoops, to be fair Donovan was 20 in 2002 and became the FACE of American Soccer. While I agree Jozy can be the best ever, he isnt coming CLOSE to what Donovan did for us in 2002 as a 20 year old. We forget this guy probably captains us in Brazil, he is ONLY 28. I do agree that he was disappointing in 2006, but he even has said as much. He has said he wasnt in the right frame of mind. He now knows what it takes and what he has to do. Ill take his word for it, because he has delivered on what he said prior to this Cup.

No doubt, but honestly that's a testament to how far US Soccer has come. A 20 year old talent like Jozy DOESN'T have to be the "guy" on this team. We have much more talent now than back in 2002. I do thin it's helped Donovan grow as a player, but I think playing in the EPL has helped him even more. It did him some good to get out of the MLS for awhile and play in a legit premiere league.

US Soccer is definitely on the rise and I'm loving it. The talent is getting deeper each WC it seems.

Laley23;398693 wrote:RIGHT?? Did you see my post before. I was saying that was an easier shot than his miss that ended up in the non-goal. I dont see ow he didnt spin it in. It takes skill, as you said, NOT to put inward spin on that ball. lol.

Yeah, I was so frustrated at that time. Clint looked shaken out there on a few chances. It seemed like he was pressing himself way too much.

Laley23;398657 wrote:With regards to Donovan...I am talking about the last 2 years or so. Not just today. He wasnt the best today, but go back to GayGayhuddle and look up the US Soccer threads over the last 6 years or so. People (myself included at times) were dogging on Donovan. He has shut us the FUCK up. He has been magnificent for awhile now. My statements on him being the greatest American to ever live I will stand by. He is better than Dempsey, Bradley, Altidore, Keller, McBride, Lalas (LOL), Harkes, Reyna, Friedel, Howard, Agoos, etc. Just simply better than all the former America stars we have had. Hes the best ever.

I remember those threads... I've always been a HUGE Donovan fan and I always stuck up for him and just got killed for trying to argue with you guys haha. Donovan has really stepped it up since 2006. For the last 2 years tho he has just been great. I will agree with you that he is the greatest ever and just think hes only 28 and has some great years ahead of him.