Ashburton Grove Gooners

I know I am kind of asking for it here, but here goes.

Last night the USMNT played to a 0-0 draw with Argentina. The US had more chances and played better by far than in any of the recent friendlies. This was a full-strength Argentine team - minus Tevez. We saw huge improvement over our performance v England (which was terrible) and v. Spain (which was just a bit better). Tim Howard stopped everything in world-class style. Mastroeni had a magnificent game and I would reluctantly say that Landon Donovan played well, too. There were a lot of yellow cards and two sending off's - one most mysterious. So it was not the usual friendly atmosphere.

These matches were all about preparing for World Cup qualifying and world cup play. We play in a very non-competitive region and it's hard to be really tested. Bradley wanted the players to face tough opposition and see how they would have to play. Despite the title of the thread, I am not saying we are actually great - not as good as England or Spain much less Germany or France. BUT.....I think you will see a very much stronger USA side in 2010.

Mastroeni's red was incredibly strange. Nobody could figure it out...not even the 4th official!

We did this without Altidore, either, and with Bocanegra gone. Great job for the Yanks. And Timmy Howard...jesus h. bloody christ, he could not be beat last night. Equal to Kasey Keller's performance several years ago against Brazil. Amazing job. Heath Pearce impressed me as well...definately put a lock on the LB spot. Onyewu was so-so...needs to be faster, read the game a little bit better. Good to see Beas in for 90, now he's got to be dangerous in front of goal. Dempsey seems to be in a little bit of a funk right now, but it's not an emergency just yet. Donovan...great to have him back. It was visble just how much be means to this squad. Bradley and Pablo were a good pairing in the midfield...Adu and Edu weren't bad, either. I'd actually like to see Adu as a CAM with Bradley a CDM...could be very good, imo. The only bad spot for the US was Eddie Johnson...WHAT THE HELL IS HE STILL DOING ON THE PITCH?! He can't score, can't create, can't break away from his defender...argh! As soon as Jozy is settled down in Spain, it's time for him to play target striker.

Agreed about Eddie Johnson. He is fast maybe but nothing more. Fast only gets you so much. And that so-called injury?? Spare me the opera, Eddie. But we need the depth in striker-land, so he stays until we add depth through the return of Jozy or whatever. As to reading the game, I think Oguchi reads it way better than Carlos, but I have a soft spot there, as you know.

I thought Bradley had a so so game last night and was glad when he was subbed off. Freddy has a real creative spark, and yes, Pearce was much better than previously. I am just very encouraged about the team right now.

As to the card, I think CONCACAF refs are terrible, but this one was OTT. It wasn't game-changing, but it could have been. Will Pablo be suspended for any future game? Beautiful atmosphere in the stadium though, eh? But someone should have had mercy on the TV audience and made us go with the change strip so as to distinguish the players. I was going by the shorts. I get that Argentina wanted ot be in their iconic blue and white, so it would have been gentlemanly of us to wear the graphite. Plus I hate that home kit anyhow.

yeah it was a good performance by the u.s.
howard was great.
and i would like to know why mastroeni was sent off

OH! One last comment. The little kids wearing McDonald's shirts??!! Total crap! Let them wear team shirts for crying out loud! I understand that our football traditions in the US aren't hundreds of years old, but that was appalling. Children for sale. Who can I write to?? Call?? I mean it. I was livid.

I still don't know why Pablo was sent off...really random second yellow, imo...

The US really need to get Ching back in the fold...he combines well with Donovan, he's a big target guy, and he doesn't get pushed around much. He's also a great aerial presence...he's not called the Flyin' Hawai'ian for nothing, ya know.

i did'nt see the game but if your motm is your keeper then you have a lot of work to do. you'll qualify as as stated the region is as about as equal as the christians v's the lions. but that not your fault. at least you still call it the world cup and not the world series of soccer matches.

Find some highlights, Radders. Really, Tim Howard was out of his mind good against Argentina. Some of the best 1-on-1 saves I've ever seen.

ok a here's a highlight......McBride best player to come out of the states get more like him and you will be ok.

Here's what I read.
According to an article on MLSnet.com, Mastroeni said, "The reason why he said he gave me a second yellow was for throwing the ball to a teammate of mine," Mastroeni said. "It was really strange because they were making a substitution and it wasn't like they could play the ball fast or anything."

Mmk...once again, iffy refereeing from CONCACAF refs...argh.

On one hand you could say that FIFA should crack down on them. Not sure if anyone would have brought this to anyone's attention. Hopefully Bradley. On the other hand, you can only workwith the people you have. Maybe we have the best there is in the region. I'd hate ot think that though.

Having had first hand experience, I can say without shadow of a doubt, Minnesotan u-10 girls are OFFICIALLY better at football than London u-14 boys.

By the way, I'm in the States with Skis atm. Hi.

Hi Melks

What, no "hi" for me, TC?