Just watched the highlights (lowlights) again, and it was certainly Neal not Ooijer (that hurts to type) with what should have been a penalty against. Of course, Brad probably would have saved it, so play on.... On the goal, either Savage or Gray (some muppet with long blond hair) was standing on the keepers left side of the wall, and just before the kick, ran across, vacating the left flank. Neill seemed to come across with force of a pre-schooler and watched the ball hand the Addicts 3 points. It's almost comical trying to think of an explanation....

Hard to fault him too much, although he is responsible for setting the wall. Left too much room to his left. Then a pretty fair kick around the wall, at which point a Rover skips in front of Brad to block whatever small chance he had of seeing it. And said defender made no play. Almost looked like the defenders were conspiring to cause Brad headaches the whole last 10 minutes.

Buffon an excellent choice. However, the standard for midfield play in this tournament, and for the last 12 years, is being set by Zinedine Zidane.

Wow, do I agree with this. What's the logic of the ranking system if you are not going to use it to seed your tournament? How is it remotely possible for a Mexico team that the US beat time and again to get a seed? As I recall we dismissed them categorically from the the last go round. That said...if you're going to make any noise in this tournament, you have to beat good teams. Might as well get on with it... :ph34r:

Hard to imagine the US getting a result after the showing the other day. They have to have a complete attitude change to grab a point. Knocking it about and waiting for an opening in the Italian defense is probably not going to do it... This tournament goes to show the importance of the draw. There is no way to play yourself into form by opening with the Czechs and Italians. Who's had a rougher draw? Perhaps T&T opening Sweden, then England. Maybe Ghana doing it the other way, Italy, then Czech.

With the service Becks has been providing, look for the Crouching Robot...

Agreed with that. My local paper is the Washington Post and their coverage has been thorough and knowledgeable. However, none of their big name columnists have weighed in yet, as they are occupied with the NBA and baseball.

Some of these moron sports columnists are so entrenched in the current sports media cabal (that promotes footy bashing, and worships at the altar of the US revenue generating sports that keep them employed) that they run the same column every 4 years to remind the knuckle draggers that read them of their footy hating bona fides. Why their editors allow this moronic practice to continue is a testament to the intellectual laziness of the US sports press. You'll see a bunch of this over the next month....

Oops, correction on my part. Freddy turns 17 today, June 2.

About the size of Messi of Barca, or perhaps Walcott, but not yet as muscular as either. I'm not sure when most fans of CL level teams see him that they will be as impressed, but remember, it's the vision and trickery which we just don't see over here. (But will soon. I am becoming more impressed with the level of skill we're now seeing in the 15-17 year old high schoolers who have been playing for years.)

If I may jump in, I'm a DC United Supporter and have seen almost every minute of his play this young season. Freddy has started all but one game this year and has been impressive. He's tracking back well defensively, setting up a number of goals, and breaking ankles when marked one v one. His free kicks have been generally dangerous, and he's getting more of them. He hasn't scored, but it seems to me when he gets the cover off the goal, he will fill it. HOWEVER Freddy just turned 17 (Like, last week). While he appears bigger and stronger than last year, he's still too physically immature, particularly in a rough league like MLS. He also needs to improve his work rate, and his right foot. He does NOT have the blazing foot speed some thought he had. He can burst, but not sprint. He's been used on both wings this season, and spent a game in the center, holding his own. Freddy has unique vision and touch for an American teenager but is not yet useful to an International team. He would also struggle with any level of British teams, because of the phsicality. On the other hand, he could contribute in Spain or Holland, where they seem to give you a bit more room. After his 18th birthday.

Maybe start against certain teams? Otherwise no. Good super sub. Plays lots of positions and puts himself about. Prem? Give it a bit more time. Needs some seasoning. He does have a knack: the ball seems to find him...

The entire ESPN production was awful, despite the nice HD picture. Derek Rae is OK, but just. Tommy Smythe is wrong so often it's laughable. Balboa adds nothing. And yet, this was the GOOD TEAM of announcers....

We had the same type of biased call here in the US on ESPN as well. I was stunned to hear Tommy Smythe screaming how it can't be a red after watch Del Horno run by the ball to have a go at him for the third time in twenty minutes. Messi was phenomenal in the u-17's a few years ago, but his progress has been stunning. Grabbing a starting slot on that side is a serious accomplishment at any age.

Just a reminder that Adu will likely be on the 2010 USA squad in South Africa, assuming he progresses at a normal rate. And he still might be the youngest member of the squad....

His play for DC United has been occasionally superb. No doubting the talent, and he brings the type of creativity and verve to attacking that the US doesn't readily produce. But, he is 5 months younger than my son. And despite vision, quickness and skill, he still reminds me of the youth club players my son plays with. Not much chance of seeing Germany this summer. I'm not sure if it makes sense to go to England yet, as he can not play Senior footy until he's 18. In the meantime, MLS is a decent training ground for the size and speed he needs to play against. And he can continue to develop his game, and his name. His biggest drawback: Size and strength on the ball.

Shirts Available in the USA Again: http://worldsoccershop.com/frontpage-items...cer-jersey.html Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but it seemed relevant. Appears to be the new model.

I posted that in March of this year. A scant 6 weeks after his arrival. I'm a big believer. http://www.brfcs.co.uk/mb/index.php?showto...ndpost&p=296067

Trust me, I kept it simple! The drafts for NFL Football and NBA Basketball have become a monstrosity of an ordeal.

Close enough. There's a pool of players that the teams choose from, including College players ready to move on. It goes worst to first for 2 or three rounds. Anyone not selected is free to sign with anyone. It is possible to arrange a 'trade' of your draft positions. The CB DC United is using in Nelsen's stead was undrafted and until last weekend, played every minute of every game, including a scoring header against Chelsea in a friendly. Shows great promise. But in true DC United style, they have just brought in a stylish defender from Argentina to compete for Nelsen's old slot.

Brutally early on. Mostly in the leadership area. They were extremely fortunate to find a youngster who has filled in well at CB, and the keeper has played well, so the defense has been better than average. Since Mid Summer, DC has climbed back up the table and for a period was the classiest side in MLS IMHO. But the difference between DC at the end of last season, when they won the Cup, and the beginning of this year, was huge. Struggled to find an identity and a leader IMHO. Blessed with the best coach in MLS though, and they are looking better for a final run. Thanks for asking....

From the DC United perspective. Enjoy http://dcunited.mlsnet.com/MLS/news/team_n...t=.jsp&team=dcu

I've attended a US - Sweden WWC game on a beautiful afternoon with a frosty beverage in hand, and I'll say I had a terrific time. The play is a bit slow, but of a good quality. And a few of the US players are 'quite tidy'.... Not nearly as good on the TV....

I find it hard to pin the first goal on Nelsen. Seems to me he was covering (trying to) three Assenal players on the back post while MGP ambled back. He was unlucky his header didn't clear the touch line. Meanwhile 2 Rovers were marking space, not men, inside the 6 yd box. Due credit as well to Kolo Toure, a defender who made a strikers move to round Nelsen and a an AM'ers pass to find the unmarked Pires. There were a number of players in my view who just continually add very little: Thompson, Flitcroft and usually Matteo (thought he played well saturday, credit to him). They need to move on. They work hard and should be commended for that, but just don't add anything to a 15th place side trying to break into the top 10. Reid and Neill and Dickov are a slight cut above, but on most top 10 sides they would be useful subs. Again, no faulting the effort, and I'm sure they're nice to their mums (except maybe Dickov ) I'm not sure keeping all these players and just adding 1 or 2 attack minded players would be enough to move top 10.

wow.. that's kind of expensive though, isn't it? they're making all kinds of profit off of that. $79.00 is the standard, going rate for International replicas in the USA. Some of us like to wait for the shirt sponsor to change, then buy a 'vintage' model for $49.00 when the old ones go on clearance.