Monday Kickaround

Casey's performance has to be one of the most hot/cold moments in years. One minute he gets by a defender and the same defender catches up to him again - the next he is clinically finishing a brace. His size must have matched well against the Honduran defenders. European defenders - not so much.

I'm going to be very intrigued to see who Bradley plays on Wednesday. While fully appreciating the desire to finish first in the group, I think that he should give some of his better players the night off.

If for no other reason to see how some of the backups/fringe players respond to a situation where the other team is more motivated.

I'd like to see Bradley rest (or not even dress) Howard, Donovan, and Bocanegra at the very least. Unless he is going to play them at different positions than they normally play.

This is a good game to see who will play the left midfield if Donovan can't.

Onyewu deserves about a 1 for his awful pass. I don't care if he played well the rest of the game. That pass was unforgivable.

I read in a couple earlier posts that people think the US played terrible. Actually, I have never seen the US keep possession as well as we did in certain stretches for a very long time.

Michael Bradley was best player on the field for the final 15 minutes. He tirelessly ran, won numerous balls in the midfield, and made unbelievably smart passes to actually keep the ball and not just lob it forward.

I hope we see Torres and Altidore. I am even okay with Holden starting again too.

are there still tickets available for the game on weds? anybody know if they will they still be available day of game?

As of last Friday, 20,000 tickets sold for USA-Costa Rica at RFK

Yeah, people who say we played terrible must have been watching a different game.

It was a free flowing game. We got forward, they got forward. We had chances, they had chances. Honestly, it was the most entertaining qualifier I've seen in awhile.

And we played better on the road, in a harsh environment, against a good team than we have in years.

Anyone know if the US/Honduras instant classic is going to be shown again on tv?

Does Bob know something we don't about the seeding. Everything I've read says the US has a very very slim chance to win a seed based on the formulas. I know FIFA always does whatever it wants with these, and I doubt it'd want the US in as a seed.

Question . . the handball that led to Pavon's missed pk has been attribute to Bocanegra (Wahl), Spector (Goff and others), and Holden (Me and our bunch at the British Bulldog in Denver)!!

Who's hand did the ball hit?

If the US ends up in first, they have a slim-to-none chance of a seeding (or probably a lot worse chance than that); but if they don't finish first there's absolutely no chance.

I hope Bradley start the same side and play to win. Everyone who either called Bradley a fool for starting Casey or spoke badly of Casey over the past year should post their apology on this blog- if you haven't already.

@EssEff: in order to be shown "again on tv," it would have to be shown on tv a first time, and not just closed circuit.

That said, maybe the closed circuit company will be willing to cut ESPN a break and sell them the rights to replay the game on Classic. Maybe, but I doubt it.

Question . . the handball that led to Pavon's missed pk has been attribute to Bocanegra (Wahl), Spector (Goff and others), and Holden (Me and our bunch at the British Bulldog in Denver)!!

Who's hand did the ball hit?

Posted by: delantero | October 12, 2009 2:56 PM

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It's obvious. It was Gregg Berhalter who handled the ball (Peter Prendergast reference).

Actually, I thought it was Holden and that the penalty was the correct call.

Like some recent posters I'm a bit puzzled by those who denigrate the US performance down there. At least in comparison to most of our other Hex road games, Saturday night's performance was outstanding - even the 1st half.

We were far less threatening as a team at Mexico or Costa Rica or El Salvador. Even before the Hex we had trouble on the road in Guatemala and Cuba. I didn't feel disappointed by the US performance when the 1st half ended.

World Cup qualifiers on the road against teams that FIFA may not rank among the top 50 in the World are still much more important, and much more tense, than Confederations Cup games or any friendlies.

I thought we would get pasted down there and was not happy when I saw Casey's name on the starters list...so I gladly apologize!

Loved Casey's pump fake on his second and how the subs swarmed him afterwards. Total joy.

I dunno, I thought in the first half, the defense was sliced and diced all too often. Spector, whom I'm generally a fan of, was a particular victim. Like I said in a previous thread, I think they were quite lucky to go in 0-0 at halftime. Still, it's a nice road win.

Freddy did start his match. They are down 1-0 on some shoddy defending.

Steve,

For those (many) of us who were unable to see the match on Saturday, your excellent recap on Sunday, and intrepid S.I. posts throughout the weekend were tantamount to being there. Thanks!

I'll be at RFK on Wed. for my first-ever World Cup Qualifier. I'm glad that we're through and finishing the campaign at home, but facing a desperate Costa Rican squad will still be thrilling.

the commentator in this belenenses match is really keen on adu. he's been average at best i think, couple giveaways playing with the ball

Yeah, people who say we played terrible must have been watching a different game.

Posted by: delantero | October 12, 2009 2:39 PM

Nah they just weren't able to see the game at all......

Tino out for the rest of the season with a pretty serious injury.
www.behindthebadge.com

Aw man...Tino is out 4-6 months. This season can't end quickly enough.

http://www.behindthebadge.com/2009/10/quaranta-sidelined-for-46-mont.php

Darn....Quaranta will be out 4-6 months following surgery on his foot tomorrow in Baltimore, according to Behind the Badge. Good luck with the rehab, Tino.

Freddy lasts 45 before being replaced. Was watching at work without sound so I don't know if it was tactical or injury. Either way, not good.

Adu was involved in a crunching tackle toward the end of the half. Either way, was replaced by an "18-year-old promising new-comer from Brazil." Doesn't seem like he will have much of a chance at making ground with this team.

Does Bob know something we don't about the seeding. Everything I've read says the US has a very very slim chance to win a seed based on the formulas. I know FIFA always does whatever it wants with these, and I doubt it'd want the US in as a seed.

Posted by: jake77 | October 12, 2009 2:53 PM | Report abuse
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Well, he may be thinking about 2014, where no one here would be. Games we play now will feed into the FIFA rankings that will count for that one, and seeding will be just slightly easier because the host seed will go to a team (Brazil) that would have gotten a seed anyway.

Dear Goff,

Virginia Tech may not be "in the area", but a lot of alumni and future Hokies reside in the DC area, Comcast SportsNet covers the Hokies as an area team in other sports, I would appreciate the effort (even minor at best) to consider VT in your college soccer updates

Sincerely,
A mildly disgruntled Hokie

What part of in the "top 25 men's teams in the area" don't you understand?

Hokie's ain't in it.

are there still tickets available for the game on weds? anybody know if they will they still be available day of game?

Posted by: revsfanindc | October 12, 2009 2:35 PM |

As of last Friday, 20,000 tickets sold for USA-Costa Rica at RFK

Posted by: Steve Goff | October 12, 2009 2:36 PM |

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In other words, there are over 20,000 tickets still available....Bring a bunch of your Revs fans.