Mexico vs. USA March 27 on ESPN2 [R]

[Jim Umber]

Report on the game:


http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/3495034

U.S. coach Bruce Arena said the 7,200-foot (2,195-meter) altitude hurt his team, even though it prepared in the mountain air of Colorado. "Our players shut down the last 15 minutes of the first half, and that cost us the game," he said. "They were completely done at the 30-minute mark, obviously recovered a bit at halftime, and were able to play a little bit better in the second half."

It seems like they just ran out of steam. How LONG did they aclimatize in Colorado. I know from experience that it takes time to get used to the altitude. A couple of days would not be enough, and I think that's what they did. That would just wear them down before the game.

Also, there is the psychological angle. Even though they were supposedly full of confidence, they still know that the US has never won, there.

It was probably a combination of both factors.

[Deuce]

Originally Posted by AreliusII

I wonder how much of US’s performance was due to Arena tinkering with the formation…

I think the tinkering or unfamiliarity showed whenever there was a pass... the passes all seemed off alot... they went behind or wide of the attackers... Donovan was particularly prone to bad passes yesterday.

[StarsOnSunday]

Maybe, I'm just too mad to deal with it right now, but did it make anyone crazy when the crowd chanted "Osama! Osama!" and booed during the national anthem? Maybe that's why this loss feels so bitter.

[Deuce]

I didn't hear the National Anthem!
They chanted Osama? Is FIFA checking into it? They have penalized countries for less... I would like to see them get there next WCQ in an empty stadium... that would make me laugh.

If FIFA do nothing does that mean we get to come up with something suitably offensive to chant when Mexico come up to Ohio or are we going to turn the other cheek... again!

Originally Posted by StarsOnSunday

Maybe, I'm just too mad to deal with it right now, but did it make anyone crazy when the crowd chanted "Osama! Osama!" and booed during the national anthem? Maybe that's why this loss feels so bitter.

[mckid]

Originally Posted by Deuce

If FIFA do nothing does that mean we get to come up with something suitably offensive to chant when Mexico come up to Ohio or are we going to turn the other cheek... again!

Wouldn't the USSF have to file a complaint with FIFA for there to be any kind of investigation or action?

Just a question. I'm really curious.

[StarsOnSunday]

Here is the article I read. Check out the fourth paragraph.

[mckid]

Originally Posted by StarsOnSunday

Here is the article I read. Check out the fourth paragraph.

I understand what happened. But, what is the USSF's stand on the whole thing. I would think they would need to file an official complaint with FIFA for FIFA to take action, no?

[Deuce]

Dunno if they have to lodge a complaint or not to be honest.
I hope they do just for the sheer offensiveness of it.

Originally Posted by mckid

I understand what happened. But, what is the USSF's stand on the whole thing. I would think they would need to file an official complaint with FIFA for FIFA to take action, no?

[Rover]

Originally Posted by Deuce

I think the tinkering or unfamiliarity showed whenever there was a pass... the passes all seemed off alot... they went behind or wide of the attackers... Donovan was particularly prone to bad passes yesterday.

The more I think about it, the more I think Arena took a calculated risk to save some players for the more important game with Guatemala on Wednesday.

Why?

1. The Hexagonal is really a DE-qualification series. You want to eliminate teams. Mexico and CR will get their wins, and we need to do our part by knocking out the bottom three. That means beating Guatemala, Panama, and T&T.

2. I can't believe Arena actually thought he put the best 11 on the field. With the 4-5-1 he was playing for the tie, period. He was willing to risk a loss since he'd rather have Gibbs, McBride, etc. ready for Guatemala. This might have been different if another game wasn't on the schedule only three days later.

3. It's a ten game series, so doing the math you figure on dropping two games, probably away games. Recent history would suggest those games are likely to be away to Mexico and Costa Rica. We can take that hit.

As fans, we want to win them all, and we really wanted to win in Mexico. And, as usual, many of their fans down there acted in a petty and classless way (chants, booing our national anthem). But that's nothing new. They always boo our anthem. Don't worry about it--they have issues to work out amongst themselves. In the end, I'm much more concerned about getting to the World Cup than beating Mexico. Besides, we've done it so often lately, they needed to make it a rivalry again.

Was Arena right to gamble this way? He already lost a point in the bargain. If we win on Wednesday, he will be proven right, in my opinion. If we lose or tie, we've put ourselves in a tough situation.

I say we'll win on Wednesday on set everything back in order.

[AreliusII]

Originally Posted by Rover

The more I think about it, the more I think Arena took a calculated risk to save some players for the more important game with Guatemala on Wednesday.

Why?

1. The Hexagonal is really a DE-qualification series. You want to eliminate teams. Mexico and CR will get their wins, and we need to do our part by knocking out the bottom three. That means beating Guatemala, Panama, and T&T.

2. I can't believe Arena actually thought he put the best 11 on the field. With the 4-5-1 he was playing for the tie, period. He was willing to risk a loss since he'd rather have Gibbs, McBride, etc. ready for Guatemala. This might have been different if another game wasn't on the schedule only three days later.

3. It's a ten game series, so doing the math you figure on dropping two games, probably away games. Recent history would suggest those games are likely to be away to Mexico and Costa Rica. We can take that hit.

As fans, we want to win them all, and we really wanted to win in Mexico. And, as usual, many of their fans down there acted in a petty and classless way (chants, booing our national anthem). But that's nothing new. They always boo our anthem. Don't worry about it--they have issues to work out amongst themselves. In the end, I'm much more concerned about getting to the World Cup than beating Mexico. Besides, we've done it so often lately, they needed to make it a rivalry again.

Was Arena right to gamble this way? He already lost a point in the bargain. If we win on Wednesday, he will be proven right, in my opinion. If we lose or tie, we've put ourselves in a tough situation.

I say we'll win on Wednesday on set everything back in order.

However, in spite of your cool and calm analysis, it was obvious in the second half that Arena desperately wanted to win the match.

From his highly offensive-minded substitutions, I can't believe he was playing for a tie...