Monday, September 10, 2007

Quick recap of MNT

The cliche [variously pronounced] that the box score often doesn't tell the full tale works here. This was a very good game for the US MNT, who looked impressive against the best team on the planet; they certainly didn't look like the #17 team in the world facing the consistent #1. Yes, they still lost, but they didn't get blown out and actually held their own for a lot of the game. A loss like this to Brazil is commendable compared to their recent results.

Couple of things, in no particular order:

Who'd a thunk it that we'd score first?

The unfortunate own goal by the USA to go 1-1 wasn't anyone's fault but still stung.

The lack of a penalty kick called when Josh "Hungry like the" Wolff was tackled in the box was ridiculous and would have changed the entire game. Good to see him playing again.

The free kick that Ronaldinho pulled in was exactly what you'd expect from him. Very few players can perform that consistently at that high a level.

Tim Howard is a beast.

It was funny to watch the 20 year old reserve US keeper as he frantically warmed up after Howard's injury. His face said it all: "I'm going in as goalie against Brazil?"

Clint Dempsey's goal to go 2-2 was absolutely beautiful and indicative of what a goal at this level of play should look like.

Mike Bradley's foul in the box was a legitimate PK, though unfair if it's not being called both ways. And he looked good in the center vs. Brazil.

Eric Wynalda does not like Bobby Convey and proves to be an entertaining announcer if only to listen to his biased and arrogant calling of the game.

The Brazilians played a real squad for most of the match, subbing out KaKa around the 70th minute with a 2-1 lead and Ronaldinho in the 84th minute. Course their bench players would most likely be our nation's best player in the past 20 years.

All in all a good showing for the US. Now they need to rack up some more wins, especially as they begin to qualify for the next World Cup.

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