11/21/24
May 27, 2012
USA 5-1 Scotland: Led by Landon Donovan's hat trick and a brilliant blast from Michael Bradley, the US dominated a listless Scotland side. Klinnsman's strategy showed its coming together nicely around what may be the deepest roster the Americans have yet produced; Dempsey, Altidore, Ream, Kljestan and Holden were just five of the players not even on the team sheet while Fabian Johnson showed he may finally solve the left back position, Terrance Boyd was value in his first start and Joe Corona got his first cap.
posted by billsaysthis to soccer at 12:14 PM - 5 comments
That Bradley goal from distance was incredible. Where'd that come from?
I was at that game with my youngest son, who is developing an interest in the beautiful game. I was impressed that 44,000 people came out and were so fired up, especially considering that Florida is as far from pro soccer as you can get in the continental U.S.
A large group brought drums one section over and were dancing and singing. The crowd's always worth seeing at a soccer match.
There were a lot of people in kilts running around Everbank Field.
posted by rcade at 08:05 PM on May 27, 2012
Very cool you made it to the game, rcade. I wish we got more USMNT games played in California, but against just about any CONCACAF opponent (not that Scotland is a part of the confederation of course) you'd probably have more opposing fans than home supporters.
posted by sbacharach at 12:17 AM on May 28, 2012
This game was 10-to-1 American fans. I don't even think I heard a roar from the Scotland fans when they scored.
The game pitted my country against the ancestral home of the Cadenheads -- the name comes from a stream in Selkirkshire. I was tempted to shift allegiences when their national anthem was played by bagpipes.
Our anthem was butchered, but the crowd rose in volume to compensate.
posted by rcade at 11:29 AM on May 28, 2012
Those who knew your clan when they were lolling beside the idyllic trickle of yore will be dumbfounded when they find out that you're now chanting for the national team along the mighty banks of the roaring St. Johnnie.
posted by beaverboard at 01:07 PM on May 29, 2012
Scotland were lazy, disorganized, and slow, and the US made them pay time and time again. Rarely have I been so impressed with a performance by the US as I was with this one. Excellent movement, dominant in the midfield, building from the back, good communication, clinical finishing. Now we'll see how things go against Brazil on Wednesday...