Posted on 06/21/2006 10:33:27 PM PDT by soccer_maniac
The U.S. national team goes into Thursday's Group E finale against Ghana (9:55 a.m. ET, ESPN) knowing that it must come up with a win to have any chance of moving to the Round of 16.
All four teams in Group E, including the USA, still have a chance to advance. The U.S. must beat a tough Ghana side to have any chance of moving to the knockout phase. Should Bruce Arena's team be able to secure three points against the Africans, whom they meet at 9:55 a.m. ET on ESPN, they will need Italy to beat the Czech Republic in a simultaneous match, which can be seen live on ESPN2. The U.S. is not mathematically eliminated with a Czech draw or win, but will need a big victory over Ghana to avoid being eliminated on goal difference.
(Excerpt) Read more at mlsnet.com ...
Balboa flip flops in his commentary, but credit to him for sticking it to Reyna for that comment. I hope to see the interview later.
Arena interview is on ESPN now
Here we go again the excuses...resign you moron
A 4-5-1 in a must win game?
Good to see foudy and wynalda call out Donovan for not wanting to take that shot in the box.
The only thing worse than that was when Steve-O Sampson picked the 1998 World Cup to "experiment" with the 3-6-1. That one was a decision for the ages.
At least those two aren't afraid to call them like they see 'em
4-5-1 is not much different from 3-6-1 in terms of offense.
Interestingly (but not surprisingly) There were FAR more images of dejected Americans than celebrating Ghanaians in the last few minutes of the game.
Yeah, that was something. Especially when news reached that Italia went ahead 1-0, Arena should've played an all-out attack.
Maybe 4-3-3? I don't know enough about the individual US players as to whether they can play in such a formation, but Ghana couldn't throw the ball in the net their shooting is so poor, so I wouldn't be worried about defense when it's a must-win.
Reyna pretty? No, he was a good player. Today the ref took the game into his hands and the US couldn't dig out.
We don't have the room to give up a goal and come back with our offense.
It's that simple.
Beasley didn't do much after a great assist and Donovan was out of place and outpaced by a speedy Ghana side.
We just couldn't do it. Consistency is huge at this level.
I stand corrected. I just saw Reyna's remarks and he doesn't appear to be phased much. In fact, he chalks it all up to USA being a 'young soccer nation' and that's just life.
Also interesting that he praises the younger & inexperienced players, being that he blamed them almost completely (inexplicably) last week.
ESPNEWS: Oh my God!! Stop the world!!!! Larry Brown is out as Knicks head coach!!! This is HUGH!!!!!!!
Gee, sounds an awful lot like the NBA.
Serbia, I would imagine.
His comments really made me MAD!
This was a winnable game. Reyna should have retired in 2002. I hated his slow style. He always slows down the attack.
Reyna as a captain sure is no Franz Beckenbauer.
Heck, right now, I'd even settle for bringing back Bora.
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