Soccer: USMNT vs. Azerbaijan, 10:00pm EDT, EPSN2/UniMas
Per @USSoccer, tonight's lineup: Howard; Johnson, Cameron, Besler, Beasley; Jones, Zusi, Bedoya, Bradley; Dempsey, Altidore DOH - Dempsey out; Wondo in; groin sprain in warm-ups.
Graphically:
This is a fairly aggressive formation. A lot of people think that Bradley is going to be super effective up top of the midfield diamond, but there are a few who disagree. I like it, myself. I think Bedoya on the left is crap. I'd like to see any of three or four other players there. Also, Beasley worries me very much. IMO, the US needs to find a replacement for him.
IMO, Beasley is fine at LB. There are other spots that would worry me very much.
Dempsey not starting - Wondo in.
Tweaked his groin in warm ups.
D'OH! Dempsey has a groin strain. Wondo in.
DEMPSEY PULLED FOR WONDO. PULLED GROIN STRAIN
Damnit.
Not enough consonants Azerbaijan. You are my 3rd or 4th favorite former Soviet Socialist Republic at best
Their national anthem sounds extremely depressing.
That US anthem seemed off from what the fans were singing
Well, that's because they started before the music did.
C'mon students, get there for kickoff.
Well played sir.
Damn, right at the goalie!
Wondo needs to finish that
Wondo is one of the mysteries of this world.
Argh! Stop turning the ball over!
Uggg...Besler
Should've been a yellow there on Azeri
Dope save by Azeri GK
Another chance for Wondo, another save.
I'll admit I'm a Wondo hater, but it's hard to ignore how often he gets great position and creates scoring opportunities.
And that's part of the reason why he won't ever start on the "A" squad. He also contributes next to nothing outside of the opponents 18 yard box. Still, it's pretty amazing how often he finds himself in those positions, at some point it's not just luck.
If he makes a couple more plays like that, I'll be very happy to have been wrong about him.
I was skeptical since he loves to get forward, but I've been happy with how discipline he has been so far.
Are you Alexi Lalas?
Bleah. 0-0.
Jozy seems like he just doesn't really give a shit.
He's drawn some fouls.
This team keeps playing like this and they will get pantsed in Brazil
Ref, get your eyes checked.
Yeah, I'm not impressed, he's had some moments. He brings a very specific skill set; crossing, corners, a long throw, but he seems pretty physically limited and his touch limits his quickness on the flanks.
Is the wind that bad? Or do we really think the net is 40 feet tall? That was the third time we sent a shot into orbit.
Diskerud!