It’s been a few months (okay, more than that), but welcome to Last Call!
We’ll post updates about the ÜSMNT-Costa Rica match (11:00pm EDT, ESPN2, ESPN3, Galavision) as we receive them, including starting lineups, breaking news, and other minutiae, but in the meantime, pull up a chair, crack open a beer or pour yourself a couple of fingers and relax. Also, be sure to read the ATD preview of tonight’s proceedings from Magnakai Haaskivi – it’s a nice look at what how der Klinsmannschaft may look at opening kickoff against our confederation rivals.
UPDATE: Here’s your starting 11 for the USA national team:
GK – Tim Howard
DF – Tim Chandler
DF – Michael Orozco Fiscal
DF – Carlos Bocanegra (Captain)
DF – Edgar Castillo
MF – Landon Donovan
MF – Maurice Edu
MF – Jose Francisco Torres
MF – Robbie Rogers
FW – Jozy Altidore
FW – Brek Shea
Complaints: Rogers shouldn’t be in any USMNT starting lineup, even after his contribution in the last match. Some people will complain about Castillo and Orozco; I still need to see more before we condemn them to our non-existent B team.
Costa Rica is playing with a younger side tonight, leaving out Joel Campbell, Bryan Ruiz and other high-impact Ticos – should make for an interesting match.
Looking for something besides our beloved national team to watch tonight? We won’t judge – too harshly, anyway. Here’s a quick rundown on all things sports on TV (all times Eastern):
Tennis: US Open – Men’s Second Round / Women’s Third Round (7:00pm, ESPN2)
Soccer: Tijuana vs. Chivas de Guadalajara (7:00pm, Azteca America)
College Soccer: Stanford vs. Maryland (7:30pm, Fox Soccer)
College Football: Youngstown State vs. Michigan State (7:30pm, B1G Ten Network)
World Cup Qualifying – CONCACAF: Saint Lucia vs. Canada (8:00pm, Gol TV)
College Football: Texas Christian vs. Baylor (8:00pm, ESPN)
High School Football: Evangel Christian (LA) vs. Union (OK) (8:00pm, ESPNU)
Soccer: Mexico vs. Poland (9:00pm, Galavision)
Soccer: Santos Laguna vs. Jaguares de Chiapas (9:00pm, Azteca America)
And…that’s all there is. (Hey, I said it would be quick.) Not the most active sports day on the calendar – tomorrow will be a little different, especially if you’re into college football – but we’re here for you as Jürgen Klinsmann continues to run the US through their paces.
Cheesecake, then comments.
For the men in the audience, Costa Rican model Sharon Brenes:
For the ladies, newly reappointed Costa Rican manager Jorge Luis Pinto:
Okay, that’s not entirely fair. Here, have some Bryan Ruiz on the side as well:
C’mon you Yanks, and let’s make sure this isn’t the halftime speech that Klinsmann has to give:



Douchier first name:
BREK
or
LANDON
Go!
John. Especially if it’s followed by Harkes.
Landon. Brek just sounds like his parents were high.
¡Buenas noches, señoras y señores!
This last call thing is interesting. I wonder if it’ll catch on.
It’s been so long since I’ve seen a thread on here where comments went to a new page, I didn’t know how to react. Twitter really has spoiled me, hasn’t it.
Amateur Analysis: John Harkes has less of a clue how this USMNT is working than usual. He’s as confused by the new attacking team as Costa Rica.
Longest. Halftime. Ever.
Crikey, this match needs a goal.
Or a Robot sidekick.
Here’s a few for ya.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsS1jnlxf4s&w=420&h=345
I swear, we used to be able to embed videos in comments. What happened?
We’re just accustomed to having surrendered one (or more) by now. Give it time; it will come.
There are just some sets and breaks that come that… 3 weeks, 3 months from now will lead to MUCH better scoring chances.
Amateur Analysis.
GAH.
Robbie Rogers has a gentle touch reminiscent of Edward Scissorhands.
I was going to go with “the touch of a blacksmith,” but that works too!
Agudelo for Altidore is…
Fuck, I have no idea. I at least recognize Jozy’s name.
Yeesh.
That was ugly.
FFS
I’m blaming Bornstein.
COCK!
That was a bit predictable. Now we’ll storm back for the impressive 1-1 draw, LIKE ALWAYS.
Am I wrong to want to see the USMNT play a friendly without Landon Donovan, just to see how they’d do as a team up front?
I’m pretty sure Kljestan was yellow-carded for his haircut.
Oh, there’s a new page for the extra comments. I wondered what the hell was going on.
Costa Ricans have an internal stopwatch which, when 80 minutes of game time have elapsed, invokes a process wherein all players develop catastrophic injuries which require stretchers to remove them from the field of play. FACT.
Maurice Edu just isn’t…good.
*stifled laughter*
Annnnnd, “scene.”
Good job with the throwback ATD gang.
G’nite
Yeah. Start out with a bang, end with a barely audible whimper.
Thanks for hosting a Last Call, footy boys. I’d forgotten how much I miss this!
Thanks everyone for coming by! Hopefully next time we can get some others to drop by to piss and moan about the fates of our USMNT. As it was, great success!