US-Ecuador Liveblog
March 25 – 2007
We have a real treat today. The commenter hitherto known as “Nordy” will take on liveblogging duties for the US-Ecuador match. Since I liveblog about as well as Greg Lalas’ cat, this will likely constitute a vast improvement over past efforts.
But no pressure. This is, after all, the type of site that runs a picture of an Ecuadorian gentlemen giving a llama the reach-around. The bar is that low. Enjoy.
T-minus 10 minutes til Rob Stone rules my world: I’m really worried about the crowd for today’s game. Looks like half of Florida is in Gainsville for the AC Delco Gatornationals…and really, who can blame them?! Where else can you see fine-tuned athletes press their gas pedal and aim straight ahead? It’s kind of like Jeopardy! without the questions.
Garth, hopefully I can be entertaining enough that you don’t lose all your readers to greglalas’scat.blogspot.com.
T-minus 8 minutes: my ears just perked up. On the drag racing, they just mentioned something about crowning the “top alcohol sportsman.” I’m glad there’s driving involved.
12:00 Bruce Arena is as good at reading a tele-prompter as he is at saying no to seconds.
12:04 Anyone else get goosebumps every time you see our boys in those famous royal blue pinstripes like I do?
0:01 That was quick! There go all my Landon jokes…I might as well go home now.
3:00 – if this is a preparation for the Copa America, why aren’t we bringing out guys like Barrett and Mullan…shouldn’t Frankie Hejduk have been called in?
7:00 – great save by TIMMAY!
7:50 – which tourney will Bianca allow Landon to play in this summer?
9:53 great work from my boy Deuce…too bad the final ball wasn’t there.
11:00 eff! Gooch exposed for his lack of quickness, followed by Feihabler gingerly stabbing his toe in late. Not good..but at least Arena let us know that “we now have a game”
13:33 Anyone started an over/under on the number of ways I’ll spell Flailhabbler today?
14:50 EJ showing the form that made him the 5th highest goal scorer for the KC Wiz last season.
18:00 Just learned that Bob Bradley is “comfortable in his own skin” and “a huge Bruce Springsteen fan” while something kind of important goes on on the field. Yellow card is evidently less important to getting these keen insights into the exciting personality of Bob Bradley!
20:56 The US Marine team lineups?!!??? Remember when FDR warned us of the rise of the military-soccer complex? What’s next, the US Nave sponsoring highlight shows?
24:00 EJ gets the ball with room to run on the right, and wisely clears the ball to relieve pressure on the Ecuadorian goal.
26:44 that was actually good stuff from the US! That last ball to Beasley was just an inch off, but some great one and two-touch movement there.
27:00 - followed immediately by some Keystone Kops routine in the back. Lucky escape for the US there.
30:42 – Great save by Fahilhabler’s noggin
33:40 – Once again, EJ clears from the Ecuadorian danger-zone. He’s the best defender on the field for the Ecuadorians today.
36:00 Ching just got the John Terry treatment. Ouch.
38:00 – Wynalda: “Ching likes to play where it’s hard.” Ay-yo!
42:40 – Looked like another communication break-down in the back. T-t-t-t-t-t-oday, TIMMAY!
43:50 – Ecaudor plays another good ball in behind our defenders. Some pace in the back would be nice
46:00 blow the freakin’ whistle, ref! I need to get to Wynalda’s “Red Card/Yellow Card” feature, STAT!
Halftime: Overall, a pretty entertaining – if somewhat sloppy – first half. I’m going to go pound some XanGo to get ready for the second half. I hope I’m back in time for Eric Wynalda’s “Vassup or Ich No Think So” segment.
Euro highlights! Glad to see that Nic Jensen sucks just as bad for Denmark as he did for Fulham.
Up next “Tip of the hat, wag of the finger”
Yellow card: Bruce’s tactical advice for the scond half: “keep the ball, play a little faster, and I think they can break down the Ecuador defense.” In related news, if the US scores more goals than Ecuador, then the US will win this game!
45:00 - Ahh, the old Bob Bradley-two-defensive-midfielders-nepotism-special! Should be a good second half, full of US defenders hoofing it up the field, and lots of possession for the Ecuadorians. Sweet.
48:00 I’m actually excited to see Bradley play…I’m just not excited about two defensive midfielders.
52:30 Arena: “Ecuador is a much better version of Mexico” I can’t decide if that’s idiotic, or awesome.
55:00 – whoa! Bianca must have let Landon borrow his testicles today! Certainly should have been a PK.
58:00 - 58 minutes into the game, and no mention of the fact that they’re playing in a stadium better known as the House that Jair Built. I wonder what Mamdou Diallo is doing today?
59:00 – Landon is looking great today. Terrific save from the Ecuadorian goalkeeper. If he plays like this this summer, we’re sure to raise the Gold Cup…a feat we’ll all be telling our grandkids about one day, no doubt.
61:30 – Deuce is taking the sweeper role over from EJ this half. Good goal-line clearance there.
65:40 – Lando! good, cool finish
67:00 – HOLY SHIT
68:50 – Someone should have told Landon that our games in Germany were simply a friendly…then maybe he would have shown up.
71:30 – Glad to see that Taylor was able to get Nike to make him the new uniform in XXS. When the game’s over, you can buy TT’s uniform to hang it from your car’s rear view mirror. In related news, Wynalda just got a semi.
78:00 – Throw your shoes in the air…and wave em like you just don’t care. If your a little fat girl with curly hair somebody say OH YEAAHH!
80:00 – Jonathan Spector is on…thankfully you can’t get relegated from an international friendly.
82:00 – Anyone hear that Bob Bradley likes Bruce Springsteen. He’s from Jersey, you see.
84:30 – Arena: “Great players have a mandate to show up and play every game.”
87:30 – Guys like Bruce Arena are why the nation hates the Yankees.
89:50 – Wynalda: “Landon really didn’t get to explode until he had two guys behind him.”
91:00 – Glad to see the crowd rise to their feet, happy to see a Demon Deacon (B. Carroll) finally enter the game.
92:50 – Ball game. Big game for Landycakes. But really, it’s all of you Soccernista readers who deserve a hand. After all, I’m sure it was your endless array of Landon jokes that really gave him the motivation needed to stop being a worthless p*ssy, and finally play like he has a set.
Well, Garth, thanks for letting me spout off for 90 minutes. I hope it was more fun than giving a llama a reach-around. I’ve got to get the hell outside and enjoy this beautiful North Carolina day before my girlfriend dumps me.
Ohh wait, it’s the NCAA Women’s Championship special with Trey Wingo!
It may be a low bar but that’s an excellent picture, says I!
Comment by David Keyes — March 25, 2007 @ 8:04 am
Christ…Why is this thing a noon kick off?
Comment by ian — March 25, 2007 @ 12:04 pm
At least I don’t have to watch Albright attempt to play soccer today…
Comment by LG — March 25, 2007 @ 12:06 pm
It’s a relief to see my college teammate back on the pitch at right back…
Comment by LG — March 25, 2007 @ 12:07 pm
Landycakes!
Comment by ian — March 25, 2007 @ 12:08 pm
Wow…nice goal.
Comment by LG — March 25, 2007 @ 12:09 pm
WTF was that?.. Stay in your goal, retard!
Comment by LG — March 25, 2007 @ 12:16 pm
Seems that US media outlets would be better served by importing cameramen and production staff from the UK rather than the accented analysts whose opinions are no better than mine.
Blue unis anyone?
Comment by PAIN ROONEY — March 25, 2007 @ 12:18 pm
piss poor defending
Comment by ian — March 25, 2007 @ 12:19 pm
Terrible defending…
Comment by LG — March 25, 2007 @ 12:19 pm
utter…shite…defending
Comment by PAIN ROONEY — March 25, 2007 @ 12:19 pm
This game has been herky jerky so far. Benny needs to settle down and get some possesion in the midfield.
Comment by ian — March 25, 2007 @ 12:23 pm
Conrad is terrible. This can NOT be one of our future centerbacks…
Comment by LG — March 25, 2007 @ 12:29 pm
Not get all Big soccer on ya, but I think if we are going to play Gooch, it can’t be Conrad with him. Maybe Boca and then Spector on the left.
Comment by ian — March 25, 2007 @ 12:30 pm
Eddie Johnson blows…his decision making blows.
Comment by LG — March 25, 2007 @ 12:32 pm
we’ve turned to garbage on 50/50 balls
Comment by PAIN ROONEY — March 25, 2007 @ 12:33 pm
Ian, it’s all about prepping Conrad to lead the back line against Argentina this summer. Uggh.
Comment by Nordy — March 25, 2007 @ 12:33 pm
OMG….The D is like keystone cops…
Comment by ian — March 25, 2007 @ 12:35 pm
Gooch is looking very slow and unskilled today…
Comment by ian — March 25, 2007 @ 12:36 pm
Seriously, Conrad just can’t be on the pitch…
Comment by LG — March 25, 2007 @ 12:36 pm
Il Bruce – “Great play by Conrad there” f*cking wanker
Comment by ian — March 25, 2007 @ 12:37 pm
Wynalda is now a goalkeeper coach as well…
Comment by LG — March 25, 2007 @ 12:39 pm
Could Ching possibly play any slower??
Comment by LG — March 25, 2007 @ 12:40 pm
Hmmm, apparently made the correct decision to sleep in.
What did I miss? *smirk*
Comment by Scott — March 25, 2007 @ 12:42 pm
Nice from Benny there
Comment by ian — March 25, 2007 @ 12:42 pm
Sooo…Is Kenny Cooper on the bench today?
Comment by ian — March 25, 2007 @ 12:46 pm
Does Arena not look at his monitors?
“I don’t think there’s any blood there” right as the shot shows blood on his f-ing hand and a rag to his face.
Comment by Scott — March 25, 2007 @ 12:46 pm
Scott,
Arena thought it was marinara and got excited.
Comment by Nordy — March 25, 2007 @ 12:47 pm
Arena really is retarded….my god.
Comment by LG — March 25, 2007 @ 12:48 pm
Lucky….
Comment by LG — March 25, 2007 @ 12:51 pm
I’ll say this for the match, it’s more entertaining than the Israel-England snoozefest.
Comment by Scott — March 25, 2007 @ 12:52 pm
Agree…did see the Czech v. Germany game???
Comment by LG — March 25, 2007 @ 12:53 pm
Ecaudor is god awful thier own box too….
Comment by ian — March 25, 2007 @ 12:54 pm
Wow…Beasley can’t make a 3 yard pass between defenders??
Comment by LG — March 25, 2007 @ 12:54 pm
No, I watched the first half of England, then made the right decision to go play pick-up.
Comment by Scott — March 25, 2007 @ 12:54 pm
I was hoping red card/yellow card would be a highlight reel of Marco Materazzi’s two footers.
Comment by ian — March 25, 2007 @ 1:07 pm
The walk I just took the dog on showed more creativity than England.
*settling in for the 2nd half*
Comment by Scott — March 25, 2007 @ 1:12 pm
Awesome. Bradley is the shizzle
Comment by ian — March 25, 2007 @ 1:12 pm
Ah, good to hear Lan-don will play where/how he damn well pleases regardless of where the formation dictates he play.
Comment by Scott — March 25, 2007 @ 1:18 pm
Why is this game being played in Tampa? This thing is gonna turn into a midsummer MLS slogger soonish…
Comment by ian — March 25, 2007 @ 1:20 pm
Conrad close to getting abused, AGAIN.
Comment by LG — March 25, 2007 @ 1:21 pm
What’s up with all the Landon-flicks?? IS this guy afraid to bring the ball down with his back to goal?
Comment by LG — March 25, 2007 @ 1:22 pm
That was a quality run.
And Arena reminds us that Landon is not a post-up center.
Comment by Scott — March 25, 2007 @ 1:23 pm
Quality finish, Landycakes.
I will admit, it’s more fun bashing him.
And WOW, a powerful finish to partner the well-placed one a minute ago.
2 goals in 2 minutes.
Comment by Scott — March 25, 2007 @ 1:35 pm
Oh, the slurping continues…. Arena compares himself and Lan-don to Phil Jackson and Michael Jordan.
The more I listen to him, the more I’m amazed he held onto the post for 8 years.
Comment by Scott — March 25, 2007 @ 1:37 pm
Funny, Nordy, I was thinking the same thing.
I’m suprised he didn’t have the sleeves rolled up to show off “the guns”.
Comment by Scott — March 25, 2007 @ 1:41 pm
If we were wearing pink jerseys Landon probably would have scored 6 goals
Comment by PAIN ROONEY — March 25, 2007 @ 1:41 pm
Arena sticking up for Gooch and comparisons to football players…just like a dad.
Comment by LG — March 25, 2007 @ 1:46 pm
LG, I was more struck by Dave O’Brien’s creepy observations of Gooch’s physique.
Comment by Nordy — March 25, 2007 @ 1:47 pm
Valid…what about Wynalda’s comments about watching his weight and what he eats….kind of weird, no?
Comment by LG — March 25, 2007 @ 1:48 pm
“You’ve got to a big Boss fan!”
“Not really.”
Comment by Scott — March 25, 2007 @ 1:50 pm
Or that The Bruce doesn’t like The Boss…
Comment by LG — March 25, 2007 @ 1:51 pm
Wynalda partially redeems himself by calling out Land-don.
Comment by Scott — March 25, 2007 @ 1:53 pm
This whole broadcast is kind of homo-erotic
Comment by Nordy — March 25, 2007 @ 1:53 pm
There can only be one BRUCE
Comment by Nordy — March 25, 2007 @ 1:54 pm
That’s immediate as soon as Bruce starts talking…the lisp is only the beginning..
Comment by LG — March 25, 2007 @ 1:54 pm
Spector looks like a “special olympics” soccer player out there…
Comment by LG — March 25, 2007 @ 1:56 pm
Game over….let’s go DUCKS!!
Comment by LG — March 25, 2007 @ 1:57 pm
I really enjoyed watching Johnny Damon swing from the bow of the pirate ship.
Comment by Big Beef — March 25, 2007 @ 2:47 pm
Not a bad game.
Wish I could say the same for the broadcast. They missed two yellow cards because they were so involved in their inane banter and when Ecuador scored it wasn’t acknowledged in any way other than how it would effect the US. ESPN is horrible broadcasting soccer.
Comment by joejoejoe — March 25, 2007 @ 9:04 pm
“greglalas’scat.blogspot.com.”
Not to be confused with “greglalas-scat.blogspot.com”
It’s huge in Germany, I hear.
Comment by stuartdowningpints — March 25, 2007 @ 11:14 pm
[...] The Ecuador game was documented in superb fashion by Nordy, but I have some bad news: your’s truly will be back with another helping of mediocre liveblogging steez. Maybe Landon will play terribly, make out with Bianca in the run of play, and cry big alligator tears when his uniform gets dirty. That would make things easier, wouldn’t it. [...]
Pingback by soccernista.com » — March 27, 2007 @ 6:30 pm
[...] thanks to commenter and sometimes liveblogger, Nordy, for the tip that led to the following [...]
Pingback by soccernista.com » Setanta run by 13 year-olds — May 8, 2007 @ 4:33 am
wow ur a fucking loser, u dont know jack bout soccer ur should go shove a ball up ur ass thts the closest u’ll ever get to some action is cum guzzling prick
Comment by frank — July 8, 2007 @ 12:07 am