#1

oaded the bases, and Sadler hit a two RBI single that scored Kuhn and Jordan G

in Here is your first Forum Sat Dec 14, 2019 1:59 pm
by sakura698 • 1.245 Posts

STANFORD, Calif. Vans Sk8 Hi Leather . -- Matt Besler and Geoff Cameron might hear it from every angle if they were paying any attention or had a moments spare time. They could be reminded every day that this is the first time since 1990 the U.S. heads to a World Cup with no central defenders having played previous minutes in soccers showcase event. And that makes an already daunting task in Group G much more challenging for the Americans, who face Ghana, Portugal and Germany next month in Brazil. The competition for spots on the Americans back line is fierce, leaving no time to analyze the groups inexperience. "For us, theres nothing we can do about it," Besler said before Sundays training at Stanford Stadium. "We cant change the fact that weve never experienced a World Cup. Were looking at it as a great opportunity. Weve never done it before but everyone is excited and really hungry to prove that we belong here and that we can do well." Nobody knows how the foursome will look for the teams World Cup opener June 16 against Ghana in Natal, yet coach Jurgen Klinsmann will get a glimpse during an exhibition against Azerbaijan on Tuesday night at Candlestick Park. He has several choices for each defensive spot. If there are concerns with Omar Gonzalez, who tweaked his left knee during a May 3 game with the Los Angeles Galaxy against Colorado, Klinsmann might go with Cameron in the middle alongside Besler. Gonzalez has since returned to full training. "I think the competition is healthy, and its definitely alive and well here," Gonzalez said. "Before I got injured, I was probably the fittest Ive been in a very long time." Cameron plays right back for Stoke in the Premier League but insists he only needs a couple of reps at centre back in practice, scrimmages or exhibitions to find a groove again. "When youre playing against Man United, Chelsea, Everton, Tottenham, youre playing all the big boys every single weekend against the best competition, theres no room for mental errors, theres no complaining about how tired you are or this or that because the games come so quick," Cameron said. "For me, it was a learning process the first year. As the second year comes, you get more comfortable, youre confident going into the other stadiums." Besler, the 27-year-old Sporting Kansas City star who was the 2012 MLS Defender of the Year, has played in the middle with both Cameron and Gonzalez. Cameron and Besler very well could start in the centre back spots for the opener. Fabian Johnson or Timmy Chandler might play right back, though Johnson said he has seen regular time there. "I played right back in all the scrimmages so Im ready for this position," Johnson said Sunday. DaMarcus Beasley could be on the left as he looks to become the first American to play in four World Cups. "It is different playing with different guys. Everyone has different styles," Besler said. "I think as a team we play the same but when you have different guys back there you have to make little adjustments depending on whos back there. But for me I have experience with both. Ive played in World Cup qualifiers with Geoff, with Omar. I feel comfortable with anyone, really." If midfielder Jermaine Jones is suspended at some point for accumulation of yellow cards, Klinsmann might call upon Johnson in the defensive midfield. While experience on the defence would certainly be preferred at this stage, goalkeeper Tim Howard will help everyone get up to speed. "All things considered, of course youd like to have some guys back there who understand the rhythm and the pacing and the difference of a World Cup," said Alexi Lalas, a starting U.S. defender for the 1994 World Cup, former MLS general manager and current analyst. "This decision was made a long time ago, regardless of the final personnel, you knew you were going to have some World Cup inexperience out there. And we still dont know how the back four is going to look. "With that being decided and the veterans no longer being part of the scene, it was about getting some sort of understanding, communication and comfort with the defence. Thats really a much more important piece considering theres not going to be World Cup experience." Cameron is considered a central defender by Klinsmann. "Ive said that over three years I think his best position is centre back," Klinsmann said. "And its good to know he can play right back, too, and its good to know he can play a No. 6, too. Still I think his best fit, his best game for himself is the centre back role." Klinsmann isnt making a big deal about the teams lack of experience. Only five players among the 23 have appeared in a World Cup. "The plan is to help them in that process, to get in that World Cup with a lot of confidence and being sure that they know what theyre doing. In every training session we will work on those pieces and we will guide them through all the different things that happen during a game, preparing the best way possible for the opponents they face in the group stage already," Klinsmann said of the defence. "Im sure theyre going to be very well prepared and they will be ready for the task. Theres always a first time in life in whatever you do. Its for some the first World Cup, though its the first of hopefully many World Cups to come for them. Im not worried about the inexperience." NOTES: Landon Donovan, cut by Klinsmann on Thursday, broke the Major League Soccer goal record Sunday night. He returned to the LA Galaxy to score his 135th and 136th regular-season goals in a 4-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union. Vans Old Skool Sale . Kyle Shanahan was hired as offensive co-ordinator Monday after spending the previous four years in the same role with the Washington Redskins. Vans Old Skool Black . Josh Mazzola drove in five runs to lead the Goldeyes (20-12) past the Capitales 11-5 Friday night at Le Stade Municipal in Quebec City. http://www.vansshoesclearancesale.com/vans-old-skool-sale.html . A strong fastball. A big, bending curveball that can buckle hitters at the knees. Against the Detroit Tigers on Sunday, Elias put the entire package together against one of the leagues strongest lineups.For the second night in a row, the Winnipeg Goldeyes were able to take an early lead against the Amarillo Sox and never look back. On Saturday night, Winnipegs strong offense was again accompanied by some fantastic pitching which gave the Fish a commanding victory. The Goldeyes (2-1) beat the Sox (2-1) 12-2. With the win, the Fish take a 2-1 advantage in the two teams four-game season-opening series at Amarillo National Bank Sox Stadium. In the first, with the two lead-off Winnipeg batters having already been retired, Ray Sadler got on base with a single. Reggie Abercrombie then stepped to the plate and hit a two-run home run to open the scoring. Matt Jackson then provided the Goldeyes with some fantastic pitching. Jackson allowed only four hits in his six and one-third innings of work. He struck out five, and only gave up one walk. "It was a repeat of last night with Jarvis," Goldeyes Pitching Coach Jamie Vermilyea said of Jackson on the Jewel 101 Post-Game Show, "throwing strikes and dictating each at bat." The Goldeyes offense went back to work in the top of the third. They got three runs in the frame, one on a RBI from Jake Blackwood, one on a RBI from Sadler, and one on a Sox fielding error. Winnipegs bats were quiet in the fourth through seventh innings, but their offense picked itt back up in the eighth. Vans Shoes Clearance Sale. Ryan Pineda led off the top of the inning with a solo home run. Luis Alen then hit a single, and would eventually come around to score on an error. Sadler and Abercrombie would get on base, and then Josh Mazzola stepped up and hit a three-run home run. The Fish didnt stop there. In the top of the ninth, the Goldeyes loaded the bases, and Sadler hit a two RBI single that scored Kuhn and Jordan Guida — who was pinch-hitting for Alen. Sadler would end the night going an impressive four for six at the plate, with three runs, and three RBI. "When youve got your three-hole hitter locked in, good things are going to happen," said Vermilyea. The Goldeyes bullpen pitched extremely well, and was able to keep the shutout intact until the bottom of the ninth, when the Sox were able to score their two runs. One of which came on the first professional hit for Sox player Josh Miller. The 12 runs that the Goldeyes scored are the most theyve put on the scoreboard so far this season. The Goldeyes will play one more game against the Sox tomorrow at 6 p.m. with the expected pitching match-up to be Winnipegs Nick Hernandez against Amarillos Michael Nannini. The Goldeyes then head to Laredo to take on the Laredo Lemurs in a three-series that starts Monday. ' ' '

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