Hey, USA: You've been Punk'd!

2008-09-10T07:16:32-04:00

2007-06-27T13:31:45-04:00

2008-09-10T06:40:27-04:00

2007-07-05T19:29:12-04:00

JT, Brea

Brea 45518

These cup games are for national pride. For the US coach to make lite of them is an insult to the fans and the game. The US team did great in the Gold cup but it was sad that there was little to no english TV/media coverage (and the COPA Cup). It would of be great (for us and the world) to show we deserved the ranking of 16. There are plenty of international games to train a new squad. Cup play is not the time to do it. JT, Brea 28516

2007-06-29T01:33:50-04:00

Buitreaux

Elkins Park 46098

Hello from Argentina. I lived in Philly for a year as an exchange, and played "futbol" there offcourse. I really liked the game tonight. The result was expected, nobody wants to beat your opponent by 5 or more goals, it's just unpolite. last year against Serbia was different, since it was in the WC and first game, and you never know if goal difference will be an issue, but even then, the national squad played on half trotle. Tonight was similar: The US brought a team of youngsters, that played very good, but in reality were shooting above their height. I wish all the participants of this tournament would appreciate the importance of it. But, how can you explain passion? To play representing your country, has to be one of the most rewarding experiences to an athlet. I understand that Ronaldinho, or Kaka, or all the other cracks had long european seasons, but that's not a excuse. Riquelme (did any of you got to see him play Gremio for the finals) just won the Libertadores tournament LAST WEEK! Tevez saved Westham in England recently. An those 2 and Saviola are free agents at the moment. If they get injured, that's it, but they will DIE for the team and country. The past 10 years of our national squad have not been the best. In 1996 we lost in the finals controversialy against Nigeria for the Gold medal; 1998 WC came with a early return ticket by the Neatherlans (Bergkamp actually, what a player) after we destroyed Brazil in the qualifiers; 1999 was a mediocre Copa America; 2002 well a nightmare, after decimating the opposition in qualyfing and arriving as the strongest team, England wins 1-0 by PK and we tie vs Sweden! Home early while Brasil wins; 2004 the kids won the Gold at Athens; 2005 Copa America's final match vs Brasil was a disgrace, a tie in the final second and a loss by PK; 2005 confederation cups final against Brasil was painfull, specially after we beated them by 3 goals a month earlier; and the 2006 WC, a good start but then Mexico forced an extention and Germany's juvenils send us home by PK. We had a strong shoot at that WC, yet the undeserving Italians won it with half their squad sanctioned by FIFA. Having stated the antecedents, it's easier to understand how hard it is on a Nation that is always considered among the top of the Futbol World. Anything else but the championship is insufficient, weather it is the WC, Olympic Games, Confederations or Copa America. The United States (and other countrys) should appreciate the tournament history and value more, and bring their BEST to play against the best. However, those kids have HEARTH, and sometimes, that's all you need. Good luck in the rest of the tournament. Diego 31708

2007-06-29T01:33:30-04:00

Buitreaux

Elkins Park 46098

2007-06-29T00:37:33-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/448/97/thumb/P1070540.jpg 63 FL

cerati9

Hialeah 45137

4-1 is a little deceiving. I'm surprised that the US held on for so long. A team that all together probably had a total of 50 caps against a team that's basically been the same for the last decade or so. A team that once they made substitutions and brought on "bench" players like Aimar and Tevez (jeezus) could finally break down the young squad. This was a great learning experience. They boys didn't disappoint me tonight. One thing that was noticeable, is what's been a weak point, the creation of the attack in the midfield. I do wish the squad would have had a little more bravado to try and attack. Still, I can't complain. Aimar's goal was so sick, it's like he teleported to the ball. Good lessons learned tonight. I'm not worried one bit for the US MNT. 31707

2007-06-28T23:51:14-04:00

Huido

Miami 25134

The Result: Argentina 4 - USA 1 I'm from Chile and as much as I hate this results, I have to concede that yourr words were pure and simple truth 32356

2007-06-28T23:49:18-04:00

struktureman481

Edinburg 45251

Hey JULIO CESARIN jaja Julio Cesarin for the record, I waited and I bartended my way through college, well I still haven't graduated but that soon will change this Fall(Yes!) so for now I'm the sports editor at my University's newspaper. I also do a little bit of freelance work for my region's newspaper. Yet if you want a drink I'll gladly drink a few with you but with my bartending pedigree, I doubt you could hang(much like the Yanks tonite 4-1. Bop!) What call are you talking about(Argentina v. Mexico)?? Brazil doesn't get plays or get calls, they create them, they are just on another level. I got much love for them, the rest of the world is just a step behind. I guarantee you that the squad they fielded against MexicO, would have creamed the Yanks. And I think deep down inside you know it too, that's why you get worked up on the topic of the blessed Gold Cup. You know maybe all teams get calls, maybe, but the U.S. get calls against crappy teams just to get by, ooooh! The U.S. does get to choose where they play, or in this case where they don't play(Copa America). Honestly I think they knew they couldn't hang, so they chose to stay home. Seriously I watched tonight's game versus Argentina, and their supposed 'B' team wasn't any better than their 'top tier squad'. I think everyone saw that, the scheme was the same, hang back on a 4-4-2, wait for a counter attack or a long ball and hope for the best. It worked on the first P.K. but, that's about it, their offense never creates, they just get lucky! I know the FIFA rules, Julio. But seriously they talk all this big game about how much they are improving yet choose to hide behind obligations, to who? The MLS, please! I think you might need a shot after digesting tonight's game, hahaha. Argentina 4 US 1 hahaha P.S. at least Mexico never gets creamed like that against top comp like Argentina, they like to put up a fight. 28393

2007-06-28T23:40:00-04:00

nighthawk4900

Edison 45957

well its unfair to say the US got owned... because they did hold their own against argentina for the first and most of the second half... they deff were better than Columbia, for instance... 29495

2007-06-28T23:39:29-04:00

nighthawk4900

Edison 45957

well its unfair to say the US got owned... because they did hold their own against argentina for the first and most of the second half... they deff were better than Columbia, for instance... 32065

2007-06-28T23:02:02-04:00

motionsuggests

Tulsa 45899

You can stand corrected. US youngsters stayed with Argentina until the last 20 minutes, and then experience and fatigue took over. There was a definite who are these guys factor in the game tonight. Only because Argentina is so good does this game stand as a feather in the cap of the US. Bornstein owned Messi for most of the game, and they had to move him to the other side of the field to get him in the open. 26778

2007-06-28T22:56:40-04:00

EPL1971

Albuquerque 45861

Jonah Freedman, What street corner did they pull you off of? If you were a man of integrity you would give the money back to whoever paid you to write this article. You are writing articles about a scoreline that anyone could of predicted. What you seem to forget is that the reason we decided to go to the Copa America, was to get our younger players some experience with some of the best teams in the world. Sure Argentina did pull off a 6-0 win, but let me remind you that it was a year ago. What you didn't mention is the struggles they have had since. Of course they will probably win the game, and win in big fashion. Anything less than to lift the Copa America Trophy at the end for Argentina would be considered a failure. Do you honestly think that Bob Bradley with his two days to get this young team ready expected to win the Copa America? These young american players are our future that we are watching. Now that is news. 30359

<img src="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007_images/argentina.jpg" vspace="4" hspace="4" align="right" alt="" />Let’s not cast any delusions of grandeur or false hopes: The U.S. is going to get seriously punked by Argentina on Thursday night. How do I know? Take a look at Team USA’s <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/soccer/06/22/bc.soc.goldcup.usexperi.ap/index.html">23-man Copa América roster</a>: It doesn’t take a genius to see it’s woefully outmatched. After the three-week Gold Cup, head coach Bob Bradley knew he wasn’t going to be able to bring most of his top stars to Venezuela, and he had to tread lightly when he was making his picks from Major League Soccer -- the league wasn’t exactly jumping up and down to give up its top American players for two weeks in mid-season.  The result breaks down like this: No Landon Donovan, DaMarcus Beasley, Carlos Bocanegra or most of the Gold Cup squad. Instead, 16 players age 25 or younger. Fourteen players from MLS teams. Eleven players with five or fewer international appearances, eight of whom have been capped only once -- or not at all. What does that remind me of? Put it this way: In the Olympics, soccer teams are made up of players who are 23 or younger, with the exception of three veterans. Step forward, grizzled old Kasey Keller, Jimmy Conrad and Ben Olsen. It’s time to baby-sit.  Not that Bradley’s roster doesn’t feature some great talent. World Cup veteran Eddie Johnson is still among the ranks, as is fellow MLS scoring machine Taylor Twellman. And up-and-comers like Justin Mapp, Benny Feilhaber and Jonny Bornstein look like they’ve cemented themselves spots in the U.S. rotation for the next few years. But it’s going to be trial by fire for the likes of Drew Moor, Lee Nguyen, Herculez Gomez and Marvell Wynne. In the other locker room? Oh, just the most complete and imposing team in the entire tournament. Argentina hasn’t won the Copa América since 1993, and head coach Alfio Basile called up a roster that is top-to-bottom stacked with scary names that are among the best in the game, especially in the attack: Lionel Messi. Carlos Tévez (both pictured, above right). Hernán Crespo. Esteban Cambiasso. Juan Román Riquelme.  Put it another way: It’s pretty much all the same guys who were key in demolishing Serbia and Montenegro 6-0 at the World Cup last summer in one of the most awesome displays of ball movement and pure firepower I’ve ever seen. (Check out this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhuRMiDz63w" target="_blank">16-pass sequence</a> from that game that was literally poetry in motion.) From where I’m sitting, it’s debatable if this U.S. roster is as good as that Serbian team. So I’m not going to sit here and pray the U.S. somehow makes a game out of it. The young Yanks are going to get a quick lesson on how much further they have to go to become a competitive team on the world stage. Of course, if I'm wrong and the U.S. pulls a shocker, I'll be the first to eat crow. But Thursday night, I’m going to be a fan of the game and watch soccer played like it’s supposed to be played. Argentina knows it needs to start the tournament with a bang and it won’t take the U.S. lightly no matter what. That’s terrifying. So accept it: The U.S. doesn’t have a chance. And it’s going to be a beautiful thing to watch. 2633 http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/459/8/thumb/freedman_jonah.jpg 12 CA

Jonah Freedman

San Francisco 4618