COPA AMERICA: U.S.A-Argentina (My running commentary)

Here is the running commentary on tonight's Copa America match between the U.S. national team and Argentina.

Here we go, follow along by clicking the link below:

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85th minute- GOAL ARGENTINA- Tevez scores and it's 4-1. Hey, the NBA Draft is on, isn't it? Jeez.

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81st minute- I'm all for giving young guys experience but the Eddie Gaven substitution has been a complete waste.

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80th minute- Bradley uses his final sub to replace Clark with Kyle Beckerman. No Nguyen or Davies tonight. It's time to pack it up.

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78th minute- ARGENTINA GOAL. Juan Pablo Aimar with a great header goal on a perfect Heinze cross. And who was there watching the cross? Marvell Wynne. The kid was inexplicably lazy on that play.

And you know what's worse? Carlos Tevez is coming in for Messi.

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77th minute- I'm not saying the U.S. attack is invisible but I think Abbondanzieri just pulled out a lawn chair.

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75th minute- Gaven tries to make an attacking run. He's the only midfielder out there with an attacking mentality, but can someone realistically go from being on the Columbus Crew bench to being the guy who breaks down Argentina in a month? You know, I saw a picture of Lee Nguyen during a Copa America practice and thought he looked a little weird, like he wasn't healthy. Maybe he's just not fit. That's a shame because a lot of people were counting on him for the attacking quality missing due to the absences of Beasley and Dempsey.

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74th minute- Bornstein with a yellow card for fouling Messi. Talk about a tale of two halves. Bornstein went from MLS all-star to European transfer target to decent MLS defender in about an hour.

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72nd minute- What will there me more of in the remaining time, USA shots on goal or Argentina goals?

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70th minute- Here's a question. What kind of shape must Lee Nguyen be in for Bradley to go with Gaven ahead of him?

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67th minute- After watching the goal over again there were a few breakdowns on the play. First, you have Gaven not closing Messi down then you have Conrad stepping up to try and deal with Riquelme, leaving a big gap behind him for Crespo to run into. That's a tough one for Bornstein to come back and cover. Ultimately, the U.S. defendres gave Argentina time and space, which is clearly what Bob Bradley told them they can't afford to do.

Messi nearly find another goal with an amazing run. He's just turning it one now.

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64th- GOAL ARGENTINA- It was going to happen. Argentina strings three great passes together and Bornstein loses Crespo on an off-the-ball run. What a great play by Messi to start things.

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63rd minute- Hey, Twellman got a touch. Now there's a drinking game that would have gone nowhere.

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61st minute- Messi pulls a Messi and runs right through the U.S. defense only to put his shot into the side-netting. The guy is so dangerous.

And here comes Gaven for Ben Olsen. Now THAT is an interesting sub.

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60th minute- Now I'm not saying that Taylor Twellman is useless but where is he?

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60th minute- So exactly how long is Alfie Basile going to wait before he puts in Tevez?

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58th minute- Juan Pablo Aimar comes on for Cambiasso. Good sub. Aimar is a very creative player who can crack a defense with a perfect pass. Ricardo Clark had better be ready.

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57th minute- You know, for all the talk ripping Ben Olsen he's played very well today.

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55th minute- Johnson backpass, and drink.

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54th minute- Justin Mapp takes the kick and sends it over the bar. Where's Bobby Convey when you need him?

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53rd minute- Good foul call by the ref on ARgentina and a great free kick opportunity for the USA. Who takes the kick?

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52nd minute- One thing I will say is that I love the Argentina fan songs and chants. I still remember them from the Gold Cup last summer. Very infectious chants.

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50th minute- Some great work by the U.S. players to close down space and get physical with Argentina, making everything an uncomfortable situation.

Here comes Mapp, not sure why he thinks he's going to run by Zanetti.

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48th minute- How well is this center back tandem of Demerit and Conrad playing? Wow. I think they would win an election ahead of Onyewu-Bocanegra right now if U.S. fans voted.

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HALFTIME- By the way, the pass made by Feilhaber on the play that drew the US penalty kick was amazing. Go back and look at that play.

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HALFTIME- So I'm sitting here trying to understand why Eddie Johnson keeps stopping his runs to drop off useless back-passes when it dawned on me that Mike Sorber is an assistant coach. MetroStars fans out there must surely remember Sorber's penchant for the square and back pass to nothingness. Just a thought.

But seriously folks, what a great first half for the U.S. team. The defense and midfield stay solid and is doing a better job of staying with Argentine players making runs off the ball. That's the key to Argentina's attack, constant runs off the ball. If you sleep for a second someone is in alone on goal. So far only Marvell Wynne has done a less than stellar job handling this.

What will change at halftime? ARgentina will start to attack through the middle more and you can look for Messi to float toward the middle or left flank more. You can also expect to see Carlos TEves in the second half in place of either Cambiasso or Veron.

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HALFTIME Observations- Okay, if I'm Bob Bradley, here are my halftime instructions:

Eddie, next time you get the ball near the area I want you to keep dribbling at goal until either the ball or you are in the net.

Marvell, can you not wait until someone is past you to start running after him?

Taylor, where were you in the first half? Get in the area and make something happen.

Jonny Bornstein, keep doing what you're doing.

Benny (Feilhaber), way to keep going at their midfielders. Stay tighter to Riquelme. He's going to make something happen if we give him space.

Mapp, I want you to go at them.

Charlie Davies and Lee Nguyen, go warm up.

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HALFTIME- We head into the break tied at 1-1. And even in a commercial, Hugo Sanchez comes off like a jerk.

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45th minute- A 1-1 tie at halftime. How many of you would have called that one? Not me.

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44th minute- What the HECK is wrong with Johnson? I swear, he must have a shock collar on that zaps him if he gets near the penalty area. By the way, that hesitation merits a drink.

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43rd minute- Keller with a HUGE save on a Veron blast. Ball hits the crossbar and goes out for a corner.

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41st minute- Argentina has been knocking the ball around at will but can't get anything going in the final third. Bradley has to be happy.

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37th minute- Eddie Johnson AGAIN. Now drink.

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35th minute- Sorry for the delay, had a take a phone call.

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30th minute- Johnson back-pass. Everybody drink.

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28th minute- How about a new drinking game. A beer for every time Bornstein stops Messi and a shot every time Messi schools Bornstein. Actually, maybe you'd better not.

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26th minute- Bornstein stops Messi again. Bob Bradley is loving this.

By the way, when did Jorge Campos become a FIFA linesman?

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25th minute- Bornstein just picked Messi's pocket clean. Yes, you read that too.

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24th minute- Is anyone surprised to see Ben Olsen and Gabriel Heinze clashing? All we need is Gennaro Gattuso and we could have a pit bull battle Michael Vick would be proud of.

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23rd minute- Argentina puts some pressure on but doesn't find a goal. The U.S. defense is walking on eggshells right now but credit the U.S. midfield for putting in good work to help the defense.

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19th minute- Ah, Phil Schoen and Ray Hudson. Maybe I'll keep the game on GolTV. For my money, Ray Hudson is the best color guy in American soccer.

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17th minute- By the way, I'm watching this match on Telefutura. Maybe I'll check GolTV to see who's doing the game.

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16th minute- Bornstein does well to stay with Messi. Yes, you just read that, and yes, I just wrote that.

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15th minute- Who ever said Juan Riquelme was washed up? Oh, that's right, Villareal.

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14th minute- What a professional foul by Ayala and what a great pass by Feilhaber. Johnson may just have some confidence brewing after that PK.

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12th minute- How do you lose Hernan Crespo on a free kick?

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11th minute- ARGENTINA GOAL. Crespo ties it up on a short free kick that bounces around the area before Crespo pounces.

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10th minute- For the record, Johnson did try to stop after getting into the box, which is how he drew the PK foul, so for the purposes of the drinking game, that is a shot. Enjoy.

By the way, you know who's the happiest person that Johnson made the PK? Landon Donovan.

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8th minute- Eddie Johnson takes the penalty kick and SCORES. USA 1, Argentina 0

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6th minute- Here's a drinking game for you all to try. How about everyone take a shot whenever Eddie Johnson stops a run at the defense and chooses to back-pass instead. I suggest you have a stomach pump ready.

Eddie Johnson says "Drink this" by drawing a penalty. Nice

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5th minute- Messi is causing problems already and Wynne looks a bit stiff out there.

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4th minute- Wynne is 0-for-1 on completed passes (I know the Wynne haters are keeping track anyway but still.)

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3rd minute- I see Cambiasso has gone with the bald head. Good idea because he was holding on to strands for a good while (I'm sure half my hair just fell out for typing that).

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2nd minute- Argentina knocks the ball around well early in the back-line. I really get the feeling that Argentina is going to find an early goal.

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Pre-game- Nice crowd for this match. Nice mix of fans and after the sights at Soldier Field on Sunday this will feel like a home game for the Americans.

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Pre-Game- Maradona is at the game. Do you think he pays for anything in his life? Nothing beats the world fame credit card.

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Pre-game- The US is in those blue striped uniforms. I'm not sure how I feel about those yet. And there's Marvell Wynne. I know a lot of Wynne haters who are irate right now that he's out there.

Comments

[Dominghosa]

Aqui.

[Dominghosa]

Also, not sure if I missed it. But did you finish the last Q&A? Or is there a second section coming?
Gracias.

[Jeff]

The storm has knocked out my satellite dish!!!!! Are they streaming this online anyone know? I haven't found anything yet.

[Kevin]

http://www.univision.com/contentroot/uol/30deportes/content/jhtml/copa_america/NOMETA_partidosEnVivo.jhtml

The game is on this site in spanish all copa america games are streamed live on this site so if you cant see it on tv you can watch it here!!

[Aaron]

I'll be watching the Univision online feed and following your running commentary as well as US Soccer's match tracker. I predict a 2-0 victory for the Argentines, but I can't wait to watch our team. Go USA!! BTW, Ives, your blog has really accelerated my learning curve for futbol. I've learned more in the last month reading your blog and all the comments than I've ever learned before. Keep up the great work!

[Graig]

Lineups are in. You nailed it down earlier today correctly. Glad to see that espn and the copa site had them wrong. Should be interesting

[Braden]

Yeah, check out the US soccer match tracker to see. It looks like Ives got it right on earlier in the day!

I like it (but I still think Wynne's going to get burned).

[Joamiq]

I'm heading over to a friend's place to watch it and probably won't be following the commentary tonight, but I'll be here in spirit...

BTW, Paraguay is rocking Colombia right now...

[ClayG]

Who's the captain? It has to be Keller I suppose.

[Tony M]

I'll be checking in.

As for our outside backs, at least they have speed. It makes up for a multitude of sins

[Braden]

Wow... I sure wouldn't want to be the team that plays Paraquay next. Hmmm... 4 points in this group might be unrealistic.

[Dominghosa]

Dang, who's that chick that was just interviewed on Telefutura?
I'm glad she's on our side.

[DCM]

I'm in on the commentary.

[smokeminside]

Presente' (is than even a word?)

[Mexi-Kenn]

I think the pinstripes on blue look sharp. I'd like to see them stick with that. Who else does the pinstripe thing, after all?

Argentina largely controlling possession so far... how about Paraguay?

[Dominghosa]

US could have gone on a break there at the fourth minute after Mapp stole that pass. But what does EJ do when he gets it? He turns into Beasley World Cup '06 and passes it back and stunts any attack.
Wonderful start.

[Braden]

Hey Ives,

We're not Wynne haters, we just haven't accepted him as our personal right-back saviour.

[Braden]

And that's why!

[kpugs]

Wow, GolTV is broadcasting the game en ingles! (spelling?)

Very kind of them and I'm pumped!

[markovitch]

long time reader, first time commenter. I hope our boys hang tough.

[Mexi-Kenn]

Wow... Argentina's attack is quick... nice clearance. Handled the corner pretty well too.

y... si... presente esta un palabra.

[kpugs]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dominghosa]

!PENAL! !PENAL! !PENAL!
PENALLLLLLLLLLLLTTTYYYYYY!!!!

[Mexi-Kenn]

holy crap! penal! penal! penal!

penalteeee!

[Dominghosa]

And the best part? No LD kisses!