Author Topic: Dowding, we're playing the wrong team from the UK! (Read 336 times)

Nifty · « **on:** May 26, 2003, 01:15:57 PM »

I wanted England, but we've got Wales tonight.

Neither side will have their top guns either. Almost our entire team is made of San Jose and DC players because those were the two teams that didn't have to play this weekend in MLS. Keller and Friedel are both unavailable, as is Tim Howard and Tony Meola so we're looking at our 5th and 6th keepers here. lol. Oh well, at least we've got Landon Donovan for tonight. Shame no Mathis or McBride. It's cool though, gives me something to watch anyways.

No Ryan Giggs for Wales. He's spending time with his newborn kid or something.

Sheesh, I was looking forward to seeing him and Craig Bellamy (who's recovering from injury and Newcastle won't let play.)

Dowding · « **Reply #1 on:** May 26, 2003, 05:56:25 PM »

Damn, my email to the English F.A. must have come to nothing!

I want to see that US v England game. Maybe in the next world cup?

Nifty · « **Reply #2 on:** May 27, 2003, 08:18:04 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Dowding
Damn, my email to the English F.A. must have come to nothing!

I want to see that US v England game. Maybe in the next world cup?

hope so.

When's England's next Euro 2004 qualifier? I'm assuming it's not soon, because all the talk about Beck's hand is "will he be ready for Man Utd's USA tour?" Of course that could be because I'm in the USA, and our press is dying to get the Spice Boy over here.

I hope they televise some of these friendlies. Man Utd, Celtic, Juventus, and either Real Madrid or Barcelona, can't remember which Spanish team is coming.

2-0 USA. Wales managed just one shot on frame, which was saved well by Nick Rimando. The Welsh keeper had two fantastic saves to keep it from being a 4-0 game. Donovan and Kirovski both missed just wide as well. Convey almost got his head on a nice pass from Donovoan early on. Once again, the USA just has to get better on finishing in every game. It showed in the World Cup. Great finishing against Portugal and Mexico. One nice finish against Korea, and dismal finishing against Poland (as well as horrid defense) and Germany.

and yeah, no one else around here that I know really enjoys soccer. that's why I bother you about it.

Stringer · « **Reply #3 on:** May 27, 2003, 10:03:37 AM »

Nifty,
I watched the game last night, and was impressed by Donovan's break away in the first half....the Wales Keeper made a fantastic save by coming out and taking away the angle!

The US showed some good speed out there.

You can bug me about it as well

Dowding · « **Reply #4 on:** May 27, 2003, 10:34:10 AM »

That's ok Nifty. We must spread the word to my other American cousins - they too will see the light and be sucked into the game that hath been called 'footie'.

Sounds like a good game. Congratulations on beating the Welsh. You have now joined that illustrious club that contains... well, just about everyone really.

No that's not fair - they have improved greatly in recent years. They are a good side now.

I'm not sure when the next Euro qualifier is. Beckham is suspended from the first game anyways. Apparently Beckham is completely unknown over your side of the pond - he goes to New York when he wants to get out of the lime-light. Over he and Posh are pretty much treated like Diana and Charles were - they are never out of the papers, although that's what they want most of the time.

Nifty · « **Reply #5 on:** May 27, 2003, 03:05:00 PM »

uh oh. we've found another one, Dowding!

Stringer, yeah, Donovan also had a great run in the second half, the way he pushed the ball into the box to beat that one guy was near effortless. Then to shake loose to get the shot off was impressive. Took a damn good save to stop for sure. He's making it look easy. He also just missed Convey on a great run in the first, and Convey should have scored in the second on his steal and breakaway. Keeper did well to come out and challenge, but with Convey's speed, he should have tried to go around him.

Yeah, Dowding, it wasn't an impressive win on paper, especially since Wales was not even close to full strength. Then again, our team really wasn't full strength either. I think maybe 3 or 4 players that started last night will be starting in the Confed Cup (Donovan, Lewis, Vanney and maybe Convey.)

Becks is starting to get a little more known here. He was on 20/20 with Barbara Walters (supposedly, I missed it myself) and the movie Bend it like Beckham is out in theaters (limited release though) so at least his name is getting around somewhat. Plus, I guarantee you lots of Spice Girls fans know of him because of his lovely wife.