why is twellman starting!?! he's had too many opportunities with the USMNT. give a youngster a shot (freddy anyone?).

A joke of a lineup.

Let's hope for a Swiss 3-0 (or greater) win and the end of the Bradley (both of them) era.

Of the seven subs, who doesn't play?

My guess is Guzan, though I'm not sure why.

I like the line-up, wish I could watch from work.

Strong chance after England and Scotland lose that no one from the UK or Ireland will be playing in Euro 2008 this summer - wow.

Not sure if this will get taken down or not but here is a link for the work people. I'm watching live in my GVPT241 class.

http://4.livefooty.doctor-serv.com/wed17.10/Switzerland_USA.html

Once again, slamming Michael Bradley is both tired and ignorant. Say what you will about Bob (I'm far from convinced he's the answer) but his son has clearly earned his role as a defensive midfielder in the first 11 of the USMNT. There can be no rational argument against this.

Sctoland was something of a surprise in Group B to begin with, and still could push through. If they don't, it's a shame, but not shocking when France and Italy also lurk.

England, on the other hand, really should have pulled through against Macedonia -- that draw way back when is coming back to haunt them. It's pretty inexcuseable that a side which fancies itself among the top tier cannot qualify (assuming Russia holds form against Israel) in a group whose other two strongest sides are Russia and Croatia.

Pearce for DMB.

Beasley out Pearce in

I knew Bradley would do this. Adu in for starting line up..why Twellman?

Dempsey is a beast!

Say what you want about Gooch, but he certainly knows how to get under the skin of star players.

US gives the ball away more cheaply than any other team in the top 150. Frustrating.

Couple decent chances at the end, for naught.

Gooch again gets carded for perspiring hard on a player who is intentionally knocking him over.

Beaseley, with nothing to prove and a critical Old Firm game looming, should never have seen the pitch. Same with Twellman.

This team can not hold the ball in the opponents end. Puts too much pressure on the Def.

not a bad half...after the teams got accustomed to the wet surface. bocanegra couldn't have asked for a better chance -- gotta take advantage of our opportunities.

Good grief this Swiss team is huge! Looks like an adult team playing a U13 out there... Too bad about the weather too. Might have been an interesting game.

Whoever said the M. Bradley sniping is tired couldn't be more right. He's clearly a young talent, no harm in bringing him along. Benny Feilhaber is really stepping up too. And Onyewu is doing a nice job exasperating Stenner the big Swiss fwd.

My only WTF right now is Eddie Lewis? Nothing against him, but what's the point? I defer to Bob Bradley's wisdom.

At the half...

Not an exciting first half. USA started well but did not show the sophistication of Switzerland (which is not exactly the most technically gifted side in Europe). Onyewu and Bocanegra have played well, Lewis lacks pace at left back. Lewis moves into midfield when Pearce enters for injured Beasley in the 31st. Twellman not receiving much service and not going to create on his own at this level. Edu looks comfortable in midfield. Probably plenty of subs coming in the second half. USA opportunities in the box late. Second half upcoming, USA has a chance to get a rare result on the road. I want to see what Adu can do.

Califf for Onyewu
Guzan for Hahnemann

Beasley has an ankle contusion

Guzan and Califf in.

Sorry, Goff.

What does DeMerit have to do for some PT? Califf?

Some decent chances to open the second half...

An absurd yellow to Edu. I'm questioning this ref's fairness....

Go Liechenstein!

A quote from matchtracker on ussoccer.com: "Edu and Yakin now with a bit of argy in the bargy and Edu gets booked".
Argy in the bargy???? Huh?

Argy in the bargy???? Huh?

Posted by: cat | October 17, 2007 03:49 PM

Might want to have that looked at :-)

Subs please! Get them in! 70 mins.

Subs please! Get them in! 70 mins.

Posted by: JkR | October 17, 2007 04:01 PM
---------------------

Yes. Someone please go in for Max Bretos. Anyone.

Bretos's Victoria Secret line ("we haven't seen that many slips since..." was one of the worst ever.

Yes. Someone please go in for Max Bretos. Anyone.

Posted by: | October 17, 2007 04:03 PM

Credit to Max for calling out the field conditions. Shocking pitch for a professional stadium in Europe.

I don't think there's been one shot this half -- maybe one for the Swiss.

zzzzzz

Bretos's Victoria Secret line ("we haven't seen that many slips since..." was one of the worst ever.

Posted by: Goff | October 17, 2007 04:05 PM

Right. Everyone knows VS doesn't have slips. For slips you go to JC Penny...

Freddy! Better late than never...

nice first touch from Freddy

Great first touch by Freddy, who came on in the 76th/77th

Upsets galore in Europe today....

You might not be happy with the way this USA match is going, but then again, you could be a Germany supporter (ugh). If you don't know the score, I will just leave it at that.

If that's a handball, it's a red card. Right?

Worse than an Icelandic supporter?

Guzan has been solid. He's got a future on the big squad.

But what about the minnows winning today? Incredible...

Attedance for this match is less than DCU averages...

Goal! Ugly, but it counts. Youth have shown well....

USA goal!

Bradley puts away loose ball at the six after Szetela crosses from right to Dempsey deep in the box

1-0

86th

If that's a handball, it's a red card. Right?
_______________________________________

Not if he was simply gathering in a routine long ball, as opposed to stopping a real shot. I'm not watching the match; perhaps someone who is watching can comment.

Not bad for a guy who doesn't deserve to be on the field ...

I realize it wasn't the prettiest goal, but hopefully the boys can make it stand up.

Freddy just misses the golazzo...

Oh Danny Boy,
The goals, The goals are calling...

Dempsey sets up Adu, whose off-balance chip floats over the crossbar

Ought to be a penalty against Switzerland for that high kick on Freddy.

This ref is having a shocker. Two weak cards to our players, but nothing for a boot to Freddy's face, high, in the box.

You might not be happy with the way this USA match is going, but then again, you could be a Germany supporter.

Or Scotland. Or England. Guh...

Told ya we should play the new blood ;)

You might not be happy with the way this USA match is going, but then again, you could be a Germany supporter (ugh). If you don't know the score, I will just leave it at that.

Posted by: Goff | October 17, 2007 04:13 PM

The Germans have already qualified and are sleep-walking. Today's biggest loser... England - that's devastating for them. Russia now control their own destiny.

Adu has been very active, confident on the ball

How much time is left?

1-0 final

Swiss fans not happy

Good win for the USA

Just a friendly, but a win in Europe is important

Geez -- is Freddy as big an impact as the MatchTracker is making him seem?!

To be fair to ze Germans, they showed up for the exercise...they won the group weeks ago.

Nice confidence-building match for the young guys.

Indeed, Germany is through to Euros, but losing 3-0 at home? Not good

Thanks for the updates Steve and co. Think I'll try to catch the second half on the replay tonight.

Gee, ya think Freddy's trying to prove something...? :-)

Looks like that undeserving Bradley just put the game winning goal in. Oh the nepotism! ;)

Good Win Boys!!!! Go USA!!!!

Finally, a win for the Red, White, and Blue on European soil. It took them long enough to do it. Well done lads!!!!!!!!!!

Indeed, Germany is through to Euros, but losing 3-0 at home? Not good

Posted by: Goff | October 17, 2007 04:25 PM

To a neighbor and rival - nope!

Could the Germans have tanked this match to avoid a seed?? Controversy there since some countries want to be placed lower in the pecking order - since Austria and Switzerland (plus Greece) will be seeded. Germany would rather be in the next slot with Austria in their group I'm sure. Not gonna happen though, they'll be punished for being good.

italy finally puts one in on south africa. under five left.

Guess my song would've been better had Szetela scored, not Bradley.

Good result.

Good win for the US. Nice to finally beat a team in Europe that's not Poland.

France still haven't broken through v Lithuania in St Denis. Wow - might not be that terrible a night for the Scots after all!

Just as a finished typing - Henry scores two in a minute! 2-nil France

Well, Henry finally has...

Too bad for the US. Bradley scores which will make it hard for Gulati to force his dad to stop putting him on the pitch.

Unimaginative lineup, just terrible choices.

We need a new coach.

Great win for US soccer. Freddy absolutely changed the complexion of the game after he came on. His pace and skill are starting are really looking good. If he can keep at it, wow. Edu looked like he belonged, Guzan looked good. Basically, our u-23 guys all look good. 2010 is starting to look like it could be our best showing ever. Bradley is world class and will be on his way out of Heenreeven at some point...shortly

re: bristol -- joke of a line up huh? Botched penalty by the ref and it's 2-0 USA.

Too bad for the US. Bradley scores which will make it hard for Gulati to force his dad to stop putting him on the pitch.

Unimaginative lineup, just terrible choices.

We need a new coach.

Posted by: bristol | October 17, 2007 04:44 PM

You're funny Bristol. That's a great way to spin a solid U.S. victory to support your conspiracy theory.

there is no way any US forwards other than dempsey or donovan should step on the pitch before freddy from now on. the only other player worth arguing would be altidore.

Kenny Cooper, too.

The U20 kids looked pretty good. They were the creativity in the match. I wish they had gotten more playing time though. I hope Beasley is okay. Throw together a backline, put in one of our top keepers, and put the youngsters up top and we may look ok...

Dear Michael Bradley haters,

Please shut up now. Thank you.

Congratulations to our lads for a gritty win. Congratulations to Freddy on an auspicious, if brief, debut.

Actually, it was Freddy's second time out.

"A joke of a lineup.

Let's hope for a Swiss 3-0 (or greater) win and the end of the Bradley (both of them) era."

And that's why he's the coach and you're sitting at your computer. :)

Freddie is an attacking midfielder, donovan a wide midfielder if he played anywhere other than MLS. Only because we lack in strikers do these guys ever merit consideration there. Altidore is a true striker, and that's why I want to see him get the call-up soon. I'd love to see Dempsey/Adu as withdrawn forward and AM with Altidore as Striker with Donovan occasionally creeping up the side. Without two or three legitimate threats, we'll end up with our typical one-dimensional attack that easily gets shut down by higher-quality teams. The added bonus is that the games are far more entertaining than this yawn-fest was today. The US needs to trade in "jogo feio" for "bonito."

Was this Switzerland's best squad?

@ LeesburgSoccerFan
Couldn't agree more. The best I've ever seen Donovan show is when he was on the wing, not up top. The fact that he can go forward with speed and shoot should make him a more versatile winger, not a forward. Dempsey's play in England has shown that he has the talent to be both a creative force and a scoring threat up top. Along with Josy's nose for the goal, they'd be a great scoring combo. It'd be interesting to see what they could do with Adu behind them, too.

Also, anyone know who was wearing the captain's armband today? I'd really like to see Dempsey (or anyone other than Landy, for that matter) leading the team from here on out...

Decent debut for Edu. Needs to learn to play a bit quicker, but had some good moments. More of a 2-way player than I had previously given him credit --- his willingness to go in and battle was surprising to me.

Adu changed the course of the game with his skill. Despite his tiny frame he could hold up the ball much more effectively than Twellman. I've given up on Twellman and this game just reminds me why.

Would have liked to have seen Szetela get more time. My only complaint about Coach Bradley is that he waited so long to put in the subs. I thought this game needed them about 15 minutes before they came on.

Anyone making the claim that Bradley is playing based on nepotism is devoid of half of their brain, who in central midfield is more effective? Mastroeni? Clark? I think not! The only complaint I had about this game was Coach Bradley's decision not bring on Adu earlier, Twellman was rubbish, our attack was immediately enlived the second Adu came on the pitch...

Good enough stuff from noobies Edu, Adu, Pearce and Guzan. Wanted to see more from Califf, not sure he showed enough for many more chances. Demerit must be a bad practice guy or carrying a nick, or something, because he can't get a sniff despite showing well last summer in his few chances.

Bradley (Jr.) has a real nose for the ball, no doubt.

Not much from Benny today.

Twellman filled out a shirt. Clint was ding the same but made a nice touch on the goal.

Nice to get the "Europe" chip off the shoulder...

Captain today: Bocanegra

I remember when I used to play, so many, many, MANY years ago, that most everyone on the field knew who the "Studs" were when they entered a match.

I got the sense that when Adu came on, the other US players and (especially) the Swiss KNEW that he was the best player on the field (or nearly so) and responded accordingly.

Did it seem that way to anyone else?

I do agree that donovan should not be a forward, but for lack of better options, he still has to be in the mix up there. I agree that his primary position for the USMNT should be out wide, though.

I haven't been able to watch too much of Mo Edu this season, but from what i saw today, he looks like he could grow into a stud. Bradley's more seasoned right now with more professional and international experience, but Edu's sheer athleticism and smarts puts his potential way above that of bradley's in my opinion. I believe the future of the center midfield lies with Edu as the holding mid and Feilhaber as the attacking/creative piece. It's nice to finally have such options to choose from, especially when you consider the fact that there is such youth within the depth at the position.

Finally, freddy is not a midfielder. He is built to play in the mold of a Kaka, Totti, or robinho. While these players may list themselves as midfielders, they all play in that withdrawn forward role, which is the role the US should look to put freddy in (like he played for the U20s).

BRISTOL

YOU ARE AN IDIOT!!! OR DARE I GIVE YOU the LALAS MONIKER - @SSCLOWN

Anyone want to take a crack at our lineup come 2010?

It won't be Guzan. Wanna know why? He still has hair. All the best American keepers have shaved their heads.

""Anyone want to take a crack at our lineup come 2010?""

Cobi Jones will not be on the squad.

US beats Switzerland 1-0! In your face Goff?

It should be official now. NO MORE TWELLMAN!

He is just not good enough.

I disagree with those saying that Donovan should play out wide. He is just not a two way player - and our defense is not good enough to have a right mid that can't defend.

I think Donovan should play up top with Dempsey - Donovan's got pace and like a poor man's Michael Owen finds a way to get through on breakaway's.

I liked Edu a lot. But lets not forget about Rico Clark to me he is the top challenger to Bradley for d-mid. But I liked the 3 central mids with beasley wide on the left. Cherundulo can provide width on the right.

well, for 2010, you can assume Bradley's in there.

That's about it.

I was very impressed with Edu. He showed a lot of composure for his first cap.

Freddy doesn't look out of place. He came on with confidence and showed a willingness to try things. It probably helped a little that he came in against a tired defense, but I loved the gall he showed with his backheel nutmeg for that beautiful pass. He also ran to all the right spots and nearly put away what would have been a beautiful goal.

Dempsey was, perhaps, our best player. He was involved a lot, and had some very dangerous touches. Even with those bad conditions hurting play, he looked decent. Great workrate, and excellent vision.

Twellman demonstrated definitively that he is in the second tier of US forwards. Right now I'd put him well behind Dempsey, Donovan, Adu, and even Altidore, and that's before Altidore gets a cap. Twellman was basically invisible. He did a whole lot of ineffective running around. It didn't help that he got no service, but if Dempsey could make some touches for himself, Twellman should have managed to do so.

Feilhaber and Bradley are going to be solid. Mastroeni should be very worried about his spot. Clark is young enough and talented enough to still be in the picture.

Lewis is done. He had some nice touches, but he is nowhere near the defender we need.

Cherundolo is a very useful right back; the best we have right now.

Onyewu had a better outing, but I'm still not convinced. He's not a thug - he's just clumsy. With his size, he's a card magnet.

I'd have liked to see Demerit get some time over Califf. I'd also like to see Spector and Simek called in for more looks, but I expect that to happen in the coming months.

We have some every promising young players in the pool, and the more time they get on the field, the better off we'll be. No, the Swiss were nowhere near their full strength, but then, neither were we. And we beat them in their house.

Good night Landon Donovan, the Freddy Adu era has begun!

The U.S. got a result in Europe without Landon, that should send a message loud and clear to all the Landon-lovers that we don't need him to win.

It's time to pass the torch to our young guns, they demonstrated that they are much better technically and much more capable than many of our veterans. Keep Dempsey and Beas and the defense (minus Lewis), replace Landon, Twellman, Ching, Pablo, etc.

Call up Arturo, Holden, Altidore, Johann and Gabe Ferrari.

How can we go back to the old days now that we've tasted victory?

What a unique blend of level-headed critique and sheer idiocy. This blog is truly a marvel.

Can't say it's not interesting reading.

Donovan aint' going anywhere, he'll be there in 2010. He's our best scorer and will still be pretty young in 2010. He gets a lot of hating but he gets the job done and he's the best we have. I like the idea of having Adu, Dempsey, Donovan and Altidore all on the pitch at the same time. Creativity and options should be the USMNT watchwords.

The best test of the "nepotism" trope is to do a mental exercise. If coach Bradley were replaced tomorrow (which would be a mistake) would Bradley the younger play under a new coach. At this point the answer is a solid yes.

Agree that its time for El Guzano to break out the clippers to join the USMNT Keepers Kojak fraternity.

Donovan folds up when he's taken out of the MLS/CONCACAF pond. He's not a brash young-gun anymore like he was in Japan/Korea. He's a comfortable hausfrau now. His future role on the team has its limits.

I watched the match last evening on video tape. The US played quite well and held up defensively against a very decent Swiss team. This team will continue to struggle as they do not have any dangerous strikers. Ever since McBride's retirement, the team has been searching for someone who is dangerous in the box both in the air and on the ground. Maybe Altidore as he matures is the answer, but there is nobody else who is seeing regular PT capable of creating chances.

I am still not in the Adu camp. He is one footed on the shot and while he does possess good ball skills, he is not particularly fast (he's often caught from behind on runs). His lack of height is a real problem when he's caught close to the goal in traffic which is why he will never be the attacking midfielder that some want him to be. Hope I am proven wrong (but I think that Benfica is looking at him as more a true midfielder and understudy to Rui Costa).

Someone asked for a lineup for 2010. Here's one that would get me excited:

Dempsey - Altidore

Freddy

DMB - Feilhaber - Bradley - Szetela

Spector - Bocanegra - Cherundolo

Howard

Subs: DeMerit, Simek, Clark, Alvarez, Cooper, Donovan, Burch

Call it a 3-4-3. Feilhaber and Bradley would have to pull a lot of weight defensively, but that would leave Freddy as a withdrawn forward to just attack and lead breakouts with Szetela and DMB. Scary.

Young, but aggressive and internationally seasoned by 2010, it would be a team that would be anything but boring to watch.

What a unique blend of level-headed critique and sheer idiocy. This blog is truly a marvel.

Can't say it's not interesting reading.

Posted by: viv | October 18, 2007 02:16 AM

Awesome post!

Grotus - Great lineup! I could not agree more.

US team looked pretty good against a solid team. Our midfield stuck it to them pretty well. Edu and Bradley owned it. Great lineup by Bob.

Now let's see if they can pull this off when it really counts for something

"I got the sense that when Adu came on, the other US players and (especially) the Swiss KNEW that he was the best player on the field (or nearly so) and responded accordingly.

Did it seem that way to anyone else?

Posted by: DCUInWheaton | October 17, 2007 07:49 PM "

at one point there was a free kick on the left and freddy stepped up to take it, and it looked like eddie lewis gave him a "are you serious? i take free kicks from the left" look. lewis got subbed off and freddy took it, but it would have been interesting to see who took it if eddie had stayed on.

edu's yellow was underserved, and onyewu's definitely was. don't know what the ref saw on that one.

The slagging of Donovan, M Bradley and B Bradley is absurd. Take off the hate glasses.

Woulda been interesting to see the score at the end of the game had the pitch not been so slip-and-slide-like. I counted at least two instances where the Swiss were inside the U.S. box with nary a defender near them, and but for a slip on the turf coulda really done some damage.

Have to agree with most about Twellman. I think he's a really talented forward, but he looked totally outmatched in this game. He can probably help the team in CONCACAF qualifying though, don't you think?

Also I was really impressed with Freddy, just as much as when he played with the U20s this summer. Defensives have to be wary of him. He's a bit unpredictable - not something many of our players can say.

Woulda been interesting to see the score at the end of the game had the pitch not been so slip-and-slide-like. I counted at least two instances where the Swiss were inside the U.S. box with nary a defender near them, and but for a slip on the turf coulda really done some damage.

Posted by: Juan-John | October 18, 2007 10:35 AM

=====

Or, they "coulda" kicked it into row 27, as they did more than once. Both teams fell down quite a bit, on offense and defense. To pick out one teams slips and speculate is disingenuous.

"Or, they 'coulda' kicked it into row 27, as they did more than once. Both teams fell down quite a bit, on offense and defense. To pick out one teams slips and speculate is disingenuous."
-----------------

Duly noted.

Someone asked for a lineup for 2010. Here's one that would get me excited:

Dempsey - Altidore

Freddy

DMB - Feilhaber - Bradley - Szetela

Spector - Bocanegra - Cherundolo

Howard

Subs: DeMerit, Simek, Clark, Alvarez, Cooper, Donovan, Burch

Call it a 3-4-3. Feilhaber and Bradley would have to pull a lot of weight defensively, but that would leave Freddy as a withdrawn forward to just attack and lead breakouts with Szetela and DMB. Scary.

Young, but aggressive and internationally seasoned by 2010, it would be a team that would be anything but boring to watch."

It could work, but things will have to gel a lot more up top before it does. Our problem now is that the defense is still under way to much pressure, and to pull out Gooch at this point would be suicide. He gets cards, but at this point we need him. Until our midfield can possess the ball in the other end, we cannot afford to sacrifice the defense. Granted Freddy or whoever is playing withdrawn forward may help to possess the ball, but at this juncture in time we lack the gel on the attack, a side effect of so many young talents being tested.

On Michael Bradley

I think the problem with M. Bradley is that for the most part the people who don't like him for the MNT, seem to _really_ not like him at all and so any discussion of him gets rapidly polarized beyond any reasonableness.

Personally, I don't think he's the obvious choice for the DM role. My main complaint with him is that he can be counted on once or twice a game to make a really poor challenge. These are sometimes unnecessary ones, or simply clumsy ones leading to obvious cards. Maestro has pretty much the same flaw only not quite as bad.

My other "complaint", and here is where nepotim may come in, is that he seems to be getting the chance to learn on the job. We all know that as young players, the quickest way to improve your game is to play againt stellar competition. So, I'm wondering if M. Bradley is getting all these caps so young as a means of improving him to the point where in two years he _will_ be the obvious choice, and to what extent that could be considered nepotism.

I'm not all that up on who the various MNT DM candidates are, but what little I've seen of Clark in the MNT jersey makes me wonder how much he might improve with comperable capping.

It's all academic anyway, and people who write things like M.Bradley would play no matter who is coach, or wouldn't play under another coach simply have no basis for writing such stuff. We all know that different coaches evaluate players differently, so any speculation is just that, speculation.

Goff,

Germany is throwing these games. They are already in and they have said that they don't want to have the best record and be seeded. Why not be seeded? Well, they have noted that three of the four seeds will be the two co-hosts Austria and Switzerland and defending champs Greece. The Germans reason that the other seeds are weak, and this will then create a group of death with the really strong teams. They would rather face Austria, Switzerland or Greece than other teams taht they consider stronger in a group of death where they would be top seed.

Das ist klaar? If not, look up the stories quoting the Germans.

I'm not defending this mentality -- just trying to explain that odd result yesterday at home. In fact, I hate such thinking, and I love it when this sort of presumptuous overanalysis backfires on teams. You know, they throw their last group games to avoid playing someone and then they crash out against the supposedly weaker foe that they angled to face! This is what the Germans deserve. I would laugh my arse off.