U.S. and Spain -- what did you think?

[Lou Schuler]

I was pretty shocked when the U.S. dominated Egypt 3-0, but 2-0 vs. Spain is ridiculous.

Spain seemed to dominate the game via possession, but the Americans were aggressive and disruptive on defense around the goal -- the opposite of how they played Brazil, where they seemed tentative and confused about coverage.

What did you guys think?

[ninja]

I didn't get to see the game at work, but I was able to gamecast it, and it seemed to me that the US came into the game thinking that they really didn't have a chance so they attacked the Spanish defense--which is by far their weakest link--instead of playing 10 behind the ball like they've done previously.

Jozy Altidore is going to be a beast, and should have come off a bit earlier in favor of a possession midfielder because of the lead, but that's nitpicking.

I really hope that's what the US does this weekend too, especially if it's against Brazil. My fear is that the US would go back to their usual tactics against South Africa, but they're not going to play them.

Brazil destroyed them when they tried to play their usual game because of their passing and their skill up front and in the midfield--which is Spain's strength. Hopefully Bradley goes for it all again.

Michael Bradley getting carded was big--even if it was a yellow he's still out--but the US has the guns to attack again with Jozy, Donovan and Dempsey. And Gooch is playing the best soccer of his life right now.

And I saw this morning that this was the first time that we've been in a FIFA final since we joined FIFA in 1916. Holy hell.

[Lou Schuler]

I thought that red card was very odd. I thought you only got a yellow card if the foul was obvious and intentional, and that you only got a red card if it was obvious, intentional, and done to injure the opposing player.

I haven't seen the plays that earned red cards in the games against Italy and Brazil. I just knew they were considered questionable calls by the U.S. side. But if they were anything like the call against Bradley, I think the U.S. has a point.

The rest of the officiating didn't seem unfair or one-sided at all. But that red-card call seemed uncharacteristically capricious -- it just seemed to come out of nowhere. There were lots of plays by both sides that seemed worse than that, in terms of intentional and potentially injurious fouls.

But I don't have any experience with these things, so I assume there was something about that play that was clearly different to the officials, and worthy of the card. If so, it was a really stupid play by Bradley, getting sent off when his team is poised to upset the #1 team in the world.

[Lou Schuler]

I went to this blog to read about the red cards.

Interesting range of opinions, but no resolution. Some say the U.S. players should know they'll get red cards for sliding tackles from the front. But others say the U.S. team is the only one in the tournament that got straight red cards for those plays.

To my eyes, the play against Spain was a straight 50-50 -- two guys going for the ball, with incidental contact. Just the fact that the U.S. was winning 2-0 at that point seems like an argument against the play being intentionally reckless.

But, like I said, I'm new to this. I'm just trying to figure out what was so special about that tackle to merit a red card, especially in the context of that game.

[kingkop182]

USA had a good balance – a physical industrial defence but some great moments of attacking flair. The build up the first goal was fantastic, touch and go, pass and move play, followed by sheer strength of Altidore to hold off the defender.

Even though they were slightly more adventurous, the win was built on a very solid defensive display - Gooch especially was absolutely immense at the back and at times it was Spain Vs Tim Howard.

Tactically the targeting Capdevila was a great choice, he’s susceptible to balls over the shoulder – milk turns quicker. Spain missed the steel of Senna so the US could play with a little more freedom.

Spain – Torres woeful, interesting choice of pique instead of Albiol. I suspect if it was a bigger competition or the final Albiol would have started.

Not surprising that the best players were those who have played a few years in England and had learnt how to ‘get amongst’ the Spanish. I wouldn’t be surprised if European teams start to look at Americans as good cheap options.

Lou, the red card was a poor decision but ultimately was a political one. This competition is pretty much a warm up for the World cup – some nations even see it as an extension of friendly games. The major worry was that the big stars i.e Torres, Villa etc would get injured and so there was a lot of pressure being put on the referees particularly in relation to two footed challenges or tackles from behind. There was talk of players being removed from the squads (by their club team) if the referees couldn't provide "off the record protection" to the star players.

The kind of challenge which resulted in a red card last night is very common, especially in England or Germany - if this was a major competition it may be a yellow but more than likely a simple free kick and no card would suffice.

[kingkop182]

The intent bit is not necessary for either red or yellow cards to be issued. You can have a player who is late to a challenge - who had every intention of playing the ball but catches the man - sent off.

There is great inconsistency when deciding what constitutes a yellow or red card - it's a very hot topic. For example persistent shirt pulling is a yellow in England but in Italy it's all part of the game and expected. You'll see different referees giving different decisions on the same day for what essentially are the same offence.

It's all very subjective and changes, day to day, league to league, referee to referee. The red card last night was given apparently for reckless play (showing his stoods) i.e he didn't mean to injure but had he have missed the ball, he could have seriously injured the Spanish player.

I think it was harsh.

[Lou Schuler]

Neil, thanks, that explains a lot.

[ninja]

O.
M.
G.

[kingkop182]

O
M
F
G.

They are doing really well, I hope they don't get heavy legs.

I like the way the US defense are making sure Brazil can't use the overlap on the wing. Brazil are having to play through the middle and are running into a brick wall.

[kingkop182]

Oh, Shit

[kingkop182]

Great game.

I think the Americans will gave earned themselves a lot of respect in the wider football community; I just hope the American public pay a bit more attention.

[Lou Schuler]

So what did the Brazilians do at halftime? What changed in the second half that the Americans weren't ready for?

[kaydubya]

Originally Posted by Lou Schuler

So what did the Brazilians do at halftime? What changed in the second half that the Americans weren't ready for?

I was going to ask more or less the same question -- Did the US get worse, or did Brazil get better? (I missed the first half entirely and switched back-and-forth between NASCAR and soccer during the game's second half).