Three warning signs for the U.S. against Costa Rica

2009-10-14T22:37:53-04:00

2009-10-14T11:54:12-04:00

2009-10-14T22:37:53-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/531/098/thumb/Fire.jpg 539 IL

rhussmann

Chicago 531538

9 The email address (listed above as well) is actually being run by US Soccer Fed AS WELL AS the US MNT themselves. I believe they set this up either late last night, or sometime today. Once again- charliedavies9@yahoo.com is the email address. Wish him well, and lets flood that inbox! 7258526

2009-10-14T21:08:45-04:00

109

viajero

Washington 95299

8 0-2 at halftime, but this game isn't over yet. The Ticos clearly haven't solved there defensive problems. Luis Marin may have had a good World Cup in 2002, but he is now too old and too slow to play sweeper at this level. It's been a long time since I've seen such poor finishing from the USMNT. But Altidore had a great half. For the Ticos, Bryan Ruiz is finally playing for the national team the way he plays in Europe. He's had a fantastic start to the season, both in the Dutch League and in the Europa. But it's been a long time since he played well for Costa Rica. The way Ruiz blew by Onyewu on the first goal is a clear indication of the difference between a player who is match-fit and one who's been sitting on the bench. Ruiz and Onyewu were both named among the top 3 players in the Belgium league last season and have faced each other many times in recent years. Perhaps the Gooch might have been better off following Ruiz's lead in turning down Italy to go to a league like the Dutch where he could get some playing time. 7257838

2009-10-14T18:11:56-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/222/078/thumb/tribute_to_charlie_davies2-fannation.jpg 1138 GA

Manchester United-CR7=14-3-2

Atlanta 222378

7 Check this site out: [url]http://onelovesoccer.webs.com/[/url] It's a place where soccer fans can interact on message boards, get caught up on the latest news, watch cool videos, and read expert blogs. Register here: [url]http://onelovesoccer.webs.com/apps/auth/signup?next=[/url] And check out Raven's eye view, which profiles up-and coming players. This week he looked at Kriszti??n N??meth. Check it out here: [url]http://onelovesoccer.webs.com/apps/blog/entries/show/1918785-raven-s-eye-view-hope-for-a-return-to-better-days[/url] 7256744

2009-10-14T16:57:20-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/414/46/thumb/30092009594.jpg 691 BR

Raven1971

Manaus 41666

6 Nothing pays better tribute to a teammate quite like dedicating a victory to him. Here's hoping for a nice, quality display from the USMNT tonight (I'll be watching here in Brazil). As for not meaning much, why would we want to finish behind our rivals Mexico in CONCACAF qualifying? Even not taking into consideration the relative improbability of getting a seed? 7255695

2009-10-14T16:16:06-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/337/74/thumb/america_flag.jpg 141 TX

smitty6000

Houston 33874

5 I know this won't happen but I'd like to see Donovan sit and give some youngsters (like Rogers and Holden) some wuality minutes. 7254669

2009-10-14T13:17:26-04:00

soc86kab

Sugar Land 800090

1 Here is a link for signs that are to be held up during the ninth minute (starting at 8:01-9:00). Print them out, bring extra copies, and hand them to everyone you see. Let's let Charlie know he is in our thoughts... http://freepdfhosting.com/f56b2e968d.pdf 7250505

2009-10-14T16:04:44-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/222/078/thumb/tribute_to_charlie_davies2-fannation.jpg 1138 GA

Manchester United-CR7=14-3-2

Atlanta 222378

Here is a link for signs that are to be held up during the ninth minute (starting at 8:01-9:00). Print them out, bring extra copies, and hand them to everyone you see. Let's let Charlie know he is in our thoughts... http://freepdfhosting.com/f56b2e968d.pdf

4 You can also send get-well messages/cards and the like to his email address. charliedavies9@yahoo.com According to Ives, they are printed on and passed on to him. I'm gonna send a get well email, and I would urge everyone else to as well. 7254486

2009-10-14T15:19:52-04:00

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Strongarm

Riverside 43848

3 I want to see our non-regulars, who want to earn more minutes by performing well in a game against a tough opponent fighting for a World Cup berth. We could come away with a legit assessment of the guys on our bench. 7253386

2009-10-14T13:26:03-04:00

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kopper

Dallas 85510

2 I once played a match a few days after a teammate had been killed in a car wreck. We dug in like we never really had before, and the emotion held up through the match. Afterwards, though, was like multiple punches right in the solar plexus. Totally drained for weeks. 7250729

2009-10-14T13:17:26-04:00

soc86kab

Sugar Land 800090

<div class="photo_container image_right"> <div class="photo"><img src="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/si/2009/writers/jonah_freedman/06/05/usa.honduras/landon-donovan.jpg" alt="Double Click to select a Photo" width="298" height="329" /></div> <div class="photo_attributes" style="text-align:right;">The U.S. hasn't forgotten its 3-1 loss at Costa Rica in June. AP</div> </div> The finish line is in sight. After nine months of slogging through an immensely difficult final round of qualifying, the U.S. plays its final match of the CONCACAF Hexagonal Wednesday night at Washington's RFK Stadium against Costa Rica (8 p.m. ET, ESPN2, Galavisión). Ultimately, this game isn't important for the U.S. -- it clinched its berth at the 2010 World Cup with last Saturday's 3-2 win at Honduras. But expect the Americans to come out to play for a number of reasons: 1) to try to clinch a seed in South Africa (<a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/grant_wahl/10/14/charlie.davies/index.html">a fool's errand</a>, as SI.com's Grant Wahl writes); 2) to avenge the disaster on Costa Rica's home turf in June; 3) to get their minds off the horrible accident that will keep Charlie Davies out of the World Cup. This game isn't as straightforward as it seems. Here are three things the U.S. needs to watch for against Costa Rica: 1. One team needs this more. Put it this way: The already World Cup-bound U.S. wants to win this game for bragging rights in, as coach Bob Bradley says, "the ongoing competition to be the best team in CONCACAF." Costa Rica needs to win this game, period, or it may not get in at all. Los Ticos have been the best team in CONCACAF besides the U.S. and Mexico over the past 10 years, and they want a spot at the show badly. It's amazing how quickly fortune changed for the Costa Ricans: Six games through the Hexagonal, they were in first place with a 4-0-2 record (including that 3-1 hammering of the U.S. in San José). They then dropped their next three straight to Mexico, Honduras and El Salvador by a combined score of 8-0 to fall into fourth place, outside of automatic qualification. That led to the ouster of coach Rodigo Kenton, who was replaced by veteran Renê Simões (who famously led Jamaica's Reggae Boyz at the 1998 World Cup). Costa Rica responded to the shakeup and its new tough-love coach, hammering Trinidad and Tobago 4-0 last weekend in Port of Spain and leap-frogging Honduras into third place. The Ticos know they need a result at RFK or they could be out (Honduras hosts fifth-place El Salvador). It's essentially a win-or-go-home scenario for them; for the U.S., it's, "Hey, maybe we have an infinitesimally small chance at a seed next summer if we win." You do the math. 2. The old guard. Simões knew that when he took the job, he'd need to do something drastic to jump-start Costa Rica's campaign. So he dropped defender Gilberto Martínez for running afoul of team rules and brought in two other World Cup veterans: former captain Luis Marín and all-time leading scorer Rolando Fonseca. Both are long in the tooth at 35, but they have 233 caps between them and were happy to log minutes in Saturday's win at Trinidad. Simões plans to use them as an example of professionalism, and the rest of the team should follow their lead. "I want winners," the Brazilian told FIFA.com, channeling his inner Mike Singletary, "thinking players who understand we must win now." This team is refocused, a threat to pick up the pieces and become the team it was just four months ago. 3. Heavy hearts. The Americans are playing this game for Davies, and the crowd will be behind them. There's a plan by fans to stand and cheer for the entirety of the ninth minute in tribute to the U.S.' No. 9. Maybe the team will be able to focus its despair into the game and just play. Then again, let's be honest: It's not that important a game and Davies' accident is a pretty depressing distraction (I'd be particularly worried about the state of Jozy Altidore, Davies' best friend on the team). Bradley likely won't let his troops be overcome by emotion. But they're human. If they don't win this game, no one will be on their backs for it. What do you think? Do you want this game badly for all the reasons above? Should Bradley rest his regulars and give guys like José Francisco Torres, Kenny Cooper and Robbie Rogers major minutes? Give us your thoughts (and don't forget to check back tonight for postgame takes from Wahl, and check his <a href="http://twitter.com/GrantWahl" target="_blank">Twitter </a>feed for in-game commentary). 81381 http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/459/8/thumb/freedman_jonah.jpg 14 CA

Jonah Freedman

San Francisco 4618