First and foremost, Congrats to Team USA in the 2010 World Cup. They managed to win their group which was no small feat since it included England, Algeria and Slovenia. The USA drew against England and Slovenia and had to fight to get the draw against Slovenia. They had to beat Algeria to advance to the final 16. In dramatic fashion, the USA pulled it off in added time on a Landon Donovan goal.
In the knock out round, the USA gave up the quick goal again. Ghana scored very early in the game on an inexcusable turnover to dig an early goal deficit. A Ghana foul on Clint Dempsey in the penalty area earned penalty kick. Donovan converted the kick to tie up the game 1-1. It went into extra time, where Ghana scored on defensive melt down to make it 2-1. This time the United States made no comeback. They fell short and a magical Cup show ended.
And I'm all right with it. They overcame adversity and probably earned a ton of respect from world wide. The United States competes hard and is no fluke. The run up to the Confederation Cup saw them defeat top ranked Spain and had Brazil fighting from behind. No small accomplishments in this game. Powers Italy and France went home earlier than the US. Both nations were finalists in the last Cup.
What does the future hold? Probably continued success. The USA are no longer the backwater push overs they were in the 1980s and even in the hosted 1994 games. The US has now advance out of the group stage three times in last five cups. The program needs to keep building and not lay stinkers like they did in 1998 and 2006. They need to develop a solid defensive back third. To many mistakes on the defense lead to many early goals. They also need to continue to develop players like Donovan and Dempsey. Both will be four years older in the next Cup and are not guarantees to make the squad next time. The next generation needs be groomed and set up for qualifications, Gold Cup and whatever competitions the future hold.
In the end, thanks Team USA to a good run as well as igniting the passions of the country.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
World Cup, Astros Moves
World Cup
The World Cup is winding down to the knock out rounds. I can't really say it's been the most exciting World Cup. In opening games, teams played tentative and appeared happy with a draw.
The second games provided a little more entertainment as teams started to think about points and goal differentials for advancement. Today is the first day of third games. FIFA mandates that the last games are played concurrently to avoid game day shenanigans.
South Africa earned the distinction of first host country not to advance. It's a shame to say the least. They acted as great hosts and there hasn't been much negative said about the venues. The worst thing that can be said is the sound of vuvuzelas making the stadia sound like beehives. I have no problem with it but some "traditionalists" have complained about it. Deal with it. If the fans didn't like it they wouldn't keep bringing them into games. It appears the foreign travelers to South Africa are enjoying making the noise as much as the natives.
The traditional European powers have played less than impressive. France ends the tournament in disarray. England hasn't managed to win in playing two lackluster games against the United States and Algeria. Spain lost a mild upset to Switzerland. Germany lost a stunner to Serbia after an opening 4-0 rout of Australia. Portugal managed a 0-0 tie versus Ivory Coast but embarrassed North Korea 7-0. France goes home with no wins and one scored goal. England is on the bubble to advance. Right now the name of the game is just to get the next round and start anew.
Team USA faces Algeria and with a win USA goes through. Conceding early goes has been USA's flaw. Algeria pressed impressively against England. USA needs to assert themselves early and not play from behind. The defense must play strong in the back third. Landon Donovan needs to impose his will on the game. They cannot come out flat and worry about getting help. They just need to go in and handle business.
Astros Call Ups
The Astros made five roster moves calling up three players and designating two players for assignment.
Astros 2008 top pick Jason Castro, 3rd baseman Chris Johnson and outfielder Jason Bourgeois join the Big Show from AAA Round Rock. Catcher Kevin Cash and outfielder Corey Sullivan received the designation for assignment tag.
Ed Wade probably convinced owner Drayton McLane that the season is in the tank. McLane is a stubborn blind old man. I think the scores of empty seats helped convince McLane to approve the moves. McLane always believes the Astros are one or two players away from contention. I believe he also thinks fans love the team so much they will show up on game day no matter what. Fortunately Astros fans are smarter than Cubs fans. Cubs fans show up no matter what and for years gave ownership no incentive to improve the team. Astros fans won't show up to watch a lousy team. McLane build up a lot of goodwill over the years with winning teams. His mismanagement of the team has driven it into the ground. Fans finally see McLane for the snake oil salesman that he is.
If McLane has finally given Wade full run of the team then that is a major step in the right direction. The call ups aren't meant to salvage a season but to give the players major league experience in a lost season. Castro needs the experience calling games from behind the plate and the sooner the better. Pedro Feliz has been a disaster at 3rd. Johnson is expected to split time with Feliz. I think if Johnson outplays Feliz, not a difficult task, then Feliz will be given his outright release.
Of the call ups, I think Bourgeois is the most interesting and might be a signal to a future move. Or not. With an outfield of Carlos Lee, Michael Bourn and Hunter Pence, Bourgeois will languish on the bench. I think the Astros will look to move Lee's bat in return for a prospect or two and try to get as much of his salary off payroll. They probably won't be able to trade Lee without agreeing to absorb part of his salary. Pitcher Roy Oswalt and first basemen Lance Berkman may also end up in other uniforms before the trade deadline.
The World Cup is winding down to the knock out rounds. I can't really say it's been the most exciting World Cup. In opening games, teams played tentative and appeared happy with a draw.
The second games provided a little more entertainment as teams started to think about points and goal differentials for advancement. Today is the first day of third games. FIFA mandates that the last games are played concurrently to avoid game day shenanigans.
South Africa earned the distinction of first host country not to advance. It's a shame to say the least. They acted as great hosts and there hasn't been much negative said about the venues. The worst thing that can be said is the sound of vuvuzelas making the stadia sound like beehives. I have no problem with it but some "traditionalists" have complained about it. Deal with it. If the fans didn't like it they wouldn't keep bringing them into games. It appears the foreign travelers to South Africa are enjoying making the noise as much as the natives.
The traditional European powers have played less than impressive. France ends the tournament in disarray. England hasn't managed to win in playing two lackluster games against the United States and Algeria. Spain lost a mild upset to Switzerland. Germany lost a stunner to Serbia after an opening 4-0 rout of Australia. Portugal managed a 0-0 tie versus Ivory Coast but embarrassed North Korea 7-0. France goes home with no wins and one scored goal. England is on the bubble to advance. Right now the name of the game is just to get the next round and start anew.
Team USA faces Algeria and with a win USA goes through. Conceding early goes has been USA's flaw. Algeria pressed impressively against England. USA needs to assert themselves early and not play from behind. The defense must play strong in the back third. Landon Donovan needs to impose his will on the game. They cannot come out flat and worry about getting help. They just need to go in and handle business.
Astros Call Ups
The Astros made five roster moves calling up three players and designating two players for assignment.
Astros 2008 top pick Jason Castro, 3rd baseman Chris Johnson and outfielder Jason Bourgeois join the Big Show from AAA Round Rock. Catcher Kevin Cash and outfielder Corey Sullivan received the designation for assignment tag.
Ed Wade probably convinced owner Drayton McLane that the season is in the tank. McLane is a stubborn blind old man. I think the scores of empty seats helped convince McLane to approve the moves. McLane always believes the Astros are one or two players away from contention. I believe he also thinks fans love the team so much they will show up on game day no matter what. Fortunately Astros fans are smarter than Cubs fans. Cubs fans show up no matter what and for years gave ownership no incentive to improve the team. Astros fans won't show up to watch a lousy team. McLane build up a lot of goodwill over the years with winning teams. His mismanagement of the team has driven it into the ground. Fans finally see McLane for the snake oil salesman that he is.
If McLane has finally given Wade full run of the team then that is a major step in the right direction. The call ups aren't meant to salvage a season but to give the players major league experience in a lost season. Castro needs the experience calling games from behind the plate and the sooner the better. Pedro Feliz has been a disaster at 3rd. Johnson is expected to split time with Feliz. I think if Johnson outplays Feliz, not a difficult task, then Feliz will be given his outright release.
Of the call ups, I think Bourgeois is the most interesting and might be a signal to a future move. Or not. With an outfield of Carlos Lee, Michael Bourn and Hunter Pence, Bourgeois will languish on the bench. I think the Astros will look to move Lee's bat in return for a prospect or two and try to get as much of his salary off payroll. They probably won't be able to trade Lee without agreeing to absorb part of his salary. Pitcher Roy Oswalt and first basemen Lance Berkman may also end up in other uniforms before the trade deadline.
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