LiveBlog: Germany v. United States March 22

March 22nd, 2006 | by: WC Bob |

Hey, we’re having a grand old time blogging while the match is being played. Feel free to leave your thoughts, comments and rants….

Full time Final score is 4-1 Germany. The home team dominates the second half and Herr Klinsmann gets a little breathing room. The US will probably move up to 4th in the world rankings after this one. Thanks for stopping by. Check back for more live blogs in the future!

89:45 Cello: “They fell apart. the defenders fell apart. In the second half they just, well, fell apart.”

88:16 Germany still up 4-1. Both teams are getting what they want out of this one. Germany gets a nice scoreline and the US gets to see its third string defenders look bad. Can’t wait to see how they do against Latvia in Hartford.

86:02 Kahn is alive but his face looks even more disturbing than usual. Oh the nightmares I’ll have tonight.

84:26 Oliver Kahn and Eddie Johnson collide. Both players are dead. The US somehow gets a goal out of this. They’ve found a way to score on Kahn: execution! 4-1 Germany

82:57 US soccer fans are having flashbacks to the years 1950-90.

81:24 Substitutions coming on for Germany. If you wear a white Adidas uniform you get a free ticket to the game and the opportunity to get your very own goal.

80:00 This gives a new meaning to the term Blitzkrieg.

78:21 Ballack heads one home to make it 4-0. Germany is now the favorite to win the World Cup.

77:28 US starting to feel like Germany did against Italy earlier this month. Fire Bruce Arena!

76:14 Heath Pearce on for Corey Gibbs. Is there a mercy rule? Can the US add a 12th player to even things out?

74:18 Klose makes it 3-0. Klinsmann gets a kiss. His job is saved by a poor US defense.

72:15Goal Germany. 2-0. Rocket shot by Nueville. Bad mistake by US defender Jimmy Conrad.

71:18 Note to self: next time you live blog drink beer instead of Jack Daniels.

70:00 Germany still ahead 1-0. Cries of Deutchland fill the stadium. US concedes another free kick close in.

67:13 Kahn earning his 84th cap. Keller has 90. Meola has 99. Arena has 1.

65:12 Incredible save by Kahn off Johnson header. Oliver is still an ugly bastard.

64:15 Did Chris Klein ever appear in an episode of Beverly Hills 9o210?

63:02 Is this game really preparing the US for the World Cup? The way Germany is playing I’d say Italy, Czech Republic and Ghana might be better.

61:18 Bearhalter body slams Asahmoah and there is no call. For a split second I was almost aroused watching that.

60:00 Still 1-0 in favor of Germany. If the score stands this way do you think this takes the heat off of Klinsmann? I don’t think so.

59:26 Twellman on for Ching. US misses McBride.

57:15 Check out how the head referee runs. Looks a bit like that penquin mascot Germany unveiled a few days ago.

56:08 Convey making a case for being in the US starting XI. His pace alone makes hom a threat. Needs to work on the set pieces though.

53:59 German backline looking more organized. Maybe they brought back the 1990 team at halftime.

52:03 Cello thinks Germany and Ecuador are coming out of Group A. That sound you just heard was our Ecuador blogger Trent screaming for joy.

50:45 Kahn with an easy save off of the Convey free kick. Even Lehman would have saved that one.

48:15 Podolski might be finding his way to the bench this summer if Schweinsteiger keeps playing this way. He has brought life to a German team that looked dead on its feet.

46:56 What the hell were the US defenders doing on that goal? They looked like they were diving to avoid a German grenade.

45:41 Klose scores off a set piece. The gods might be smiling once again on Duetschland. Keller totally misplayed that one. He is a better keeper than that. 1-0 Germany

45:01 Second half is underway. Germany has 45 minutes to prove it isn’t completely worthless. Have you ever seen a Germany team this disorganized and this incapable of stringing together passes. Schweinstager on for Germany. Hard to believe that the US “b” team is still in this one.

Halftime 0-0. German team leaves the pitch to a cascade of whistles. Not a bad first half in terms of action but neither team looks like a world beater. I’m off to get some more Jack Daniels. Will start back up when the second half kicks off. Keep the comments coming. This live blogging is kind of fun.

45:00 Snyder is playing like a donkey for Germany.

44:10 US giving up a lot of free kicks close in. Lucky that Ballack just can’t keep himself onside.

42:33 Convey causing problems with his speed. When you get past the age of 20 shouldn’t use stop calling yourself “Bobby” though?

41:23 Klose had a hat trick against Saudi Arabia in 2002 in the 8-0 ass whipping. Germany hasn’t scored eight goals collectively since.

39:43 Good free kick opportunity for Germany but Ballack is offside. I expect Germany to attack the final five minutes of the half…if they can string together a pass or two.

38:33 Shot of Klinsmann looking constipated. With all that travel back and forth between California and Germany it must be hard to keep regular.

37:15 Those stripes on the back collars of the US kits really bother me. Not sure why. Germany’s kits are nice but their red ones are better.

35:31 Germany started to make a number of bad passes. This team is clearly not the machine of years gone by. Not sure if it is youth or whether Germany just isn’t as talented. Ballack is still a stud but not many players on this German team strike fear in the opposition.

33:14 Snyder with a pass that wouldn’t work in my men’s league. A few whistles from the crowd that no longer is providing a World Cup atmosphere.

32:16 Germany’s wide midfielders can’t keep up with Johnson’s speed. I think if Beasely was playing in this game he would be dominating. Props to Gibbs for looking good thus far.

31:40 The US midfield never looks as good when Claudia Reyna isn’t playing. I can’t remember the last time he played though. Probably back when Germany was still a good team.

26:05 Klinssman does kind of look like a blonde George W. Bush minus the sneer.

23:17 Conrad shanks a shot from close in. Neither team looks remotely organized on defense. Amazed that it is still 0-0. Can we fire Klinsmann yet?

21:50 Other than his assinine comments about the atmosphere, Glenn Davis seems to be calling a decent game. What do you think of him?

19:56 Wolff has a concusion. He and John O’Brien are battling out for most injuries per matches played.

19:03 Klinsmann sighting. He looks cold. Dortmund is not like California in March

17:47 Are we watching a German game? This thing is completely wide open and up and down the pitch. Klinsmann is doing the unthinkable. He is making Germany fun to watch.

16:33 Chris Klein in for Josh Wolff. Who would ever have thought Wolff would get injured? Never happens. Wolff has no heart.

15:12 Glenn Davis says US has risen to the occassion. Does that mean they haven’t been outplayed the whole time and have given up tons of scoring opportunities.

12:46 Ballack misses another close in header. This German team might just be cursed for its cheap victory over the US in 2002. On the other end, Gibbs shot is stopped by Josh Wolff. Shouldn’t Wolff be on the bench with an injury?

11:21 Ballack eats the US defense like a German sausage. Finds Klose who delivers to Podolski who misses a sitter from close in. Germany is going to score if it gets that type of forward play.

9:02 Ching with a solid shot but you can’t beat RoboCop with something like that. Ching by the way is from Hawaii. Wish I were there right now. it is 2 degrees in this basement. More Jack Daniels needed pronto

8:44 25th mention of “world cup atmosphere.”

7:27 Pablo down for the US. He really needs to grow his hair back out. Helps protect from head injuries.

5:58 Klose is having his way with the US defense. Keller might be the busiest person in Germany tonight other than the pimps who are getting their hookers ready for the World Cup onslaught this summer.

4:30 Asamoah is the first African of color to play for Germany. Good to see Ghana represent on the German national team.

2:15 Ballack misses the header on a corner. And suddenly we see that Eddie Johnson is like Carl Lewis fast.

1:00 Germany comes out with the attack. Ballack is one good looking guy. Almost makes up for the horror that is Oliver Kahn’s face.

Kickoff We’re underway in Dortmund. Third mention already of “world cup type atmosphere”

Lineups Germany goes with three up front and Oliver Kahn in net. Little known fact, none of their top strikers were born in Germany. Gerald Asamoah (Ghana), Kevin Kuranyi (Brazil), Miroslav Klose (Poland) and Lucas Poldoski (Poland)

Waiting for lineups Glenn Davis career stats with Astros…and now he is doing an ESPN soccer game!
http://www.baseball-reference.com/d/davisgl01.shtml

Pre-game Keller owns a castle and he wears stylish glasses. Quality tifo being displayed in the stands. HOLY CRAP a guy named Glenn Davis is doing the play-by-play. Wasn’t he a player with the Astros many years ago? Has ESPN sent Dave O’Brien to that never never land known as Jack Edwards….Balboa is wearing a pink shirt. This is truly going to be an epic event.

Still waiting: The Bruce has announced his starting eleven and you have to say that this is far from being a group that will strike fear into the hearts of even a 22-ranked team….Kasey Keller, Jimmy Conrad, Gregg Berhalter, Cory Gibbs, Steve Cherundolo, Kerry Zavagnin, Pablo Mastroeni, Josh Wolff, Bobby Convey, Brian Ching, Eddie Johnson…nice to see Gibbs back into the fold. I’ve always been amazed by the talent of the Bee Gees.

Minutes before kick off - I am locked in the World Cup Blog global headquarters basement with my hands firmly tied to the keyboard and a bottle of Jack Daniels to help me overcome the pain of having to listen to the ESPN announcing crew of Dave O’Brien and “Cello” Balboa. Can’t wait for O’Brien to deliver a 90-minute weather report from Dortmund….The least he can do is let Klinsmann know if the surf is up in California today….As for the game, expect Germany to attack early so that it can fool the 70,000 fans in attendance into believing it isn’t a rotten team….I wonder if we’ll get to see any shots of Heidi Klum. Gaaah…I can’t take any more of this NBA show with Ahmad Rashad. Shouldn’t he be out on the golf course kissing Michael Jordan’s ass?

For those who want to watch the game on the computer go here: http://planet.nana.co.il/livefooty/index.html

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http://thebestsportsblog.com Benny

Some reason I feel like those of us that are US soccer fans are in this tiny little group. Because who really is gonna care about a friendly in the middle of March Madness.
http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/germany-v-usa-live-blog.html Germany v USA Live Blog – FIFA World Cup 2006 – USA World Cup Team Blog

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http://ecuador.worldcupblog.org/ Trent

Thumbs waaay down to this Ahmad Rashad whateveritis. Painful. Anyway, I wish both teams were at full strength today–although the anticipation is already unsually cracking for an anonymous March friendly.
http://thatsonpoint.blogspot.com Cardillo

Allejauh. No Dave O’Brien, at least for a day.

Now only if Celo can come down with a sudden bout of the flu.
D

So, predictions?

I’m afraid I think it’ll be 2-0 Germany. But that’s not a terrible result for us given the strength of the squad.

Go NATS!!!
http://germany.worldcupblog.org Harvey

Klini’s starting with 3 forwards. So much for my prediction on Podolski coming on in the second half…..
http://germany.worldcupblog.org Harvey

What? No mention of the weird Stadim name (from Kicke magazine’s Live Ticker: Willkommen im Signal Iduna Park! )?
Bolivar

It’s obvious that the German squad is desperate to score a goal. Let’s see how they achieve it. The US team is holding well…
John

The germans are gonna get hit on the counter. Their attack down the right (klose to podolski) wasnt capitalized upon. Open chance but unable to score…not a good sign. The US will start coming back soon
http://thebestsportsblog.com Benny

Germany having some great chances to score. Go USA!
D

The defense looks terrible.
http://thebestsportsblog.com Benny

After I type that Germany with another great chance to score on a header. Unreal. Looks like it’s going to be a Germany massacre and the fans will be satifisfied…for now.
http://www.viuasfotos.com/euler.htm Euler

I’m liking a LOT! Both teams are fast and dangerous. I’ll say 2:2. Anyone can win.
D

“19:56 Wolff has a concusion. He and John O’Brien are battling out for most injuries per matches played.”

Let’s add Reyna to this list too.

GO US!!
Bolivar

I think Germany is not strong enough attacking… the US is holding on great throughout the whole field…
http://usa.worldcupblog.org daryl

I’m happy with Glenn Davis. So far, so good. Maybe ESPN were playing the long game with the O’Brien experiment. It was just a ploy to make all their other announcers look great by comparison.
http://www.viuasfotos.com/euler.htm Euler

Germany:

Kahn, Friedrich, Lahm, Kehl, Schneider, Lahm, Mertesacker, Podolski, Ballack, Asamoah, Klose
http://www.viuasfotos.com/euler.htm Euler

USA:

Keller, Berhalter, Conrad, Zavagnin, Cherundolo, Johnson, Ching, Gibbs, Convey, Wolff (Klein), Mastroeni
http://www.viuasfotos.com/euler.htm Euler

Asamoah is without luck today… nothing is working for him!
D

So, who’s looking sharp for the US? I think Convey is the US man of this lopsided match so far. Gibbs has been holding on too.
Lyle

US actually looks pretty good. They’ve created some good chances. Germany has done nothing since their early blitzkrieg barrage.

Yesteryears German teams were much better than this, I think.
http://www.viuasfotos.com/euler.htm Euler

Well, I’ll change my prediction after seeing so many bad passes: 1:1 is good enough.
Bolivar

Exactly… Germans players are not clicking with each other… passes are terrible… I hope there are goals… thats when matches get interesting…
Lyle

German crowd, like Dave O’Brien, just said IS out of the match.

No Teutonic Noise tonight.
Lyle

Germans a diving like Stukas tonight.
Lyle

I can’t believe the U.S. is taking it to Germany like this.
John

The germans cant put together their passes. Their attack is too slow and indecisive. Mertesacker is disappointing again..no idea why klinsman has fielded him again.

The commentators on espn are absolutely useless. Absolute bias.
http://ecuador.worldcupblog.org/ Trent

The Germans have every conceivable advantage today, and…nothing.
Bolivar

German fans dont look that happy… they are very worried since their “World Cup Champion Candidate” title is just because they play at home and not because they’re playing great football… will they change the attitude in the competition?
http://www.viuasfotos.com/euler.htm Euler

The 15 first minutes were great. Now its starting to get boring.

I’ll buy some beers.

The end was exiting.

I hope to see a better game on the next 45 minutes.
John

Bad formation for the germans

Schneider and asamoah have their roles mixed up
Klose has been invisible
–
Lyle

Klinsmann is going to get fired. He doesn’t look to confident in himself. Unlike in America, his long term program building project doesn’t play in Europe. You have to win immediately and often.

Poor Klinsmann.
nicholas ohio

DO YOU GUYS REMEMBER MARCELO’S SWEET BICYCLE KICK AT USA 94?
Bolivar

As Pele said… Balboa’s kick would have been the most beautiful goal in the history of world cups…
nicholas ohio

I liked Marcelo’s hair back in 94 a little bit better than today!
Bolivar

Its great to see that the US team is holding well even though they’re not playing with their main players…
http://thebestsportsblog.com Benny

Crap…goal for Germany
D

Why not let Cherundulo take those free kicks, he was so close against Poland.
http://ecuador.worldcupblog.org/ Trent

‘Cello is smart, smart man!
nicholas ohio

Where is Brad Friedel when you need him? Anyone surprised not to see Marcus H at least getting a half. He has been unreal for Reading this season!!
Domino

Convey is looking good!
http://thebestsportsblog.com Benny

Taylor Twellman coming in. Fresh legs and a better attacker.
Bolivar

The German team is trying to play so people in the stadium like them… they’re not succeeding tho… I think you guys in the US can be happy with your team’s performance today…
D

Cherundulo has pace!
http://www.viuasfotos.com/euler.htm Euler

USA knows how to go foward, but when they get there… nothing. Too little creative players.

Germany brings more danger… hey another goal! Beautiful kick!
John

rocket shot, perfectly placed.
3-0
http://ecuador.worldcupblog.org/ Trent

Implosion for USA.
Bolivar

Two big defensive mistakes give Germany an peaceful difference… specially for Klinsmann…
http://www.viuasfotos.com/euler.htm Euler

USA had many good plays in the beginning. After this 3rd goal they are dizzy, with apfelstrudel taste in their mouths. Too bad. It would be nice if the game was more balanced.
D

Ok, Berhalter and Conrad need to go. WC back four should be:

Lewis Gibbs Onyewu Cherundulo

With Bocanegra and Pope as the subs.
John

I wouldnt say the 3rd came as a result of a “defensive” mistake
lc

Was Klinsman Job on the line? Why? he is good.
John

4:0
D

This is embarassing. Get us a defense.
http://www.viuasfotos.com/euler.htm Euler

My God in heaven!!! The humanity! The humiliation! There is still room for more!

Kahn is supernatural… :(
Seamus

There are 4 international caliber players on the field for the US, maybe 5. The Germans can rejoice all they want. This is a meaningless result.

But at least Bruce Arena knows to leave Klein, Conrad, and Zavagnin home. Gibbs had some moments as did Mastroeni at times, but seriously this is a B-/C+ US squad
lc

Holly Cow 4-0, Is Germany that good? or is the US having a very ver bad day. By the way: ¿Why was Klinsman job on the line?
Steve

Back four, in my opinion, should be Lewis, Onyewu, Bocanegra, Cherundolo…

FWIW
John

Germany finally playing in motion and disciplined!

Completing passes, moving up in co-ordination…Confident!

Tough luck for the USA. Play well for 50minutes then disappear. Gotta keep attacking
http://ecuador.worldcupblog.org/ Trent

The best thing to do when things begin to spiral out of control, of course, is to quit marking the other team. Right?
D

I agree Seamus, the US is missing it’s top striker, top 4 midfielders, and top 3 defenders. Keller, Convey, Mostoeni and Cherundulo are the only quality players here with Gibbs and Johnson being ok.
colin

I would be having flashbacks, except I didn’t watch soccer back then…
http://ecuador.worldcupblog.org/ Trent

hey lc–mostly due to some recent poor results, especially the 1-4 loss to Italy earlier this month.
http://www.viuasfotos.com/euler.htm Euler

There is not only a defensive problem. The look lost all over the field.

The US goal must be validated since the body collision would not change the trajectory of the ball.
nicholas ohio

MEANINGLESS!!! GERMANY WILL NOT MAKE IT PAST THE SECOND ROUND OF THE WORLD CUP. I STILL SAY FIRE KLINSMAN AND BRING BACK SEPP MAIER AS GOALKEEPER COACH!!!
Seamus

D,

And Germany is missing 1 starting attacking player only and one backup midfielder. They are very close to full strength. The question I have for Klinsmann is why were Schweinsteiger and Borowski not starting?
http://www.viuasfotos.com/euler.htm Euler

Nightmares are inevitable today after Kahn’s face.

Who is American here? Who can explain what happened today?

Klinsmann’s neck is safe, for sure.
John

nicholas relax
How can the score be meaningless? At least they are finally able to find the back of the net.

If the US had drawn…the commentary would be: the americans did well etc…

Just because you dont like the score, you shouldnt take away from the german teams playing ability. It may not be great, but its decent.
http://www.viuasfotos.com/euler.htm Euler

The Germans did to Americans today what you would like to do with this girl:

http://www.terra.com.br/esportes/copa2006/gatasdacopa/0208g.htm
http://ecuador.worldcupblog.org/ Trent

Not sure what can be taken away here. Germany beat the US J-V squad in Germany. Germany gets an ephemeral boost of confidence, US gets…to see beuatiful Dortmund.
Seamus

Euler, John, et al:

The US is missing 7-8 starting players. 3-4 starters missing from the backline and the midfield, plus their #1 striker/target man. They never had a chance, and although the final score is flattering to Germany, they can’t be happy about being held for 47 minutes and almost level at 1-1 until the floodgates opened.
http://www.suizcomix.com SuiZ

Humiliate her, Euler? Cold, man…that’s just cold.
John

Excuses excuses, we should learn from this not complain and blame it on the lack of players.

Significant players missing are pope, donovan. Im not sure anyone else would be significant to cover the holes we saw in the last 15-20mins.
http://www.viuasfotos.com/euler.htm Euler

Seamus, that’s good to know. Germany was humiliated by Italy too, now look at them.

Don’t worry, there will be other friendlies, right? I hope so.

Good luck in June!
http://www.viuasfotos.com/euler.htm Euler

Ach… in the meantime I see Real Madrid loosing to Zaragoza. There are still 79 days to the World Cup, so… I dunno…
http://finale.blogsport.de/2006/03/22/deutschland-vs-usa/ finale :: Deutschland vs. USA :: März :: 2006

[...] Worldcupblog: The home team dominates the second half and Herr Klinsmann gets a little breathing room. The US will probably move up to 4th in the world rankings after this one. [...]
http://www.viuasfotos.com/euler.htm Euler

NO SuiZ!!! Something that starts with “Fu” and ends with a “ck”, capicce?
colin

so, missing the team leaders in attack, midfield, and defense wasn’t going to matter? i know there’s no real excuse, but Germany really needed to prove something and *they were missing their best players through the middle of the pitch*. I’m not saying the US is favored if McBride, Donovan, Reyna, and Pope/Oogie are there, but they have a much better chance.

I’d rather have them win, but when Conrad and Berhalter are starting, I don’t really expect the defense to hold together for 90 minutes, especially against a very motivated team.
http://www.worldcupblog.com Bob

For a German language version of a live blog click below. Maybe next time I’ll do this in multiple languages at the same time.

http://finale.blogsport.de/2006/03/22/deutschland-vs-usa/
John

haha true that
time for class guys
good luck in the future
enjoy
http://ecuador.worldcupblog.org/1/marcelloa-balboa-a-scholar-and-a-gentleman.html Marcelloa Balboa: A Scholar and a Gentleman – FIFA World Cup 2006 – Ecuador World Cup Team Blog

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http://www.worldcupzone.blogspot.com Ade Lamidi

Oh dear, the USA didn’t get a look in then. Better luck next time.
Seamus

John,

I’m not making excuses, I’m being a realist. The only thing Arena could use this game for was talent evaluation. period. The result doesn’t matter because it was a loss going in. And from a talent-evaluation perspective its actually a win for Arena. Too bad Dempsey wasn’t there, so he could’ve been exposed too ;) Face facts, the 3 top caliber players on the field today were Keller, Cherundolo, and Convey. Gibbs, Johnson, and Mastroeni are close but not great. Zavagnin, Olsen, Klein, Ching, and Conrad are not going to Germany for competitive matches. I think that’s clear. And if Wolff goes, he won’t get 1 minute of p.t. unless 3 strikers + Donovan get hurt.

PS: The Germans were not missing anybody in central midfiled. Torsten Frings was the only notable missing from the fold. Borowski and Ballack will be starting in June.
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[...] 2. Jack Daniels – Really, it is the only thing that will be able to keep us liveblogging for 90 minutes of Tunisia-Saudi Arabia. [...]
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