|
The World Cup
With Brandon Prideaux
D.C. United Defender
Friday, June 21, 2002; Halftime
On Friday morning the U.S. national team will face off against the bigger, stronger, more experienced, and more physically imposing Germans in the World Cup quarterfinals. Can the United States continue to shock the soccer world or will this be the end of the U.S. team's Cinderella story?
D.C. United defender Brandon Prideaux was online live from RFK Stadium during halftime and at the end of the game to take questions and comments on the game.
The transcript follows.
Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control
over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.
washingtonpost.com:
Brandon, give us your analysis of the game so far. If you were there with the U.S. team right now, what do you think the second half strategy would be?
Brandon Prideaux: I think it is similar to the first half. We came out and got in behind the defense. They look a little slow in the back. We have had a couple good chances. We have to make sure on the restarts that we are ready. We need to do a better job there. It is a very winnable game.
Maryland:
Brandon, you're down at RFK -- what's the scene like down there?
Brandon Prideaux: There are about 3500 people here. It is pretty impressive. I woke up and drove down here early and to my surprise there were tons of cars in the parking lot and a lot of American Flags. It is pretty neat to be down here and experience this.
Washington, D.C.:
Is the height of the German players really making a difference here?
Brandon Prideaux: For sure, especially on their goal. They are very dangerous on restarts. There are a handful of really tall and good people on their team. Our smaller players need to make sure they have good positions. But yes, it is making an impact.
Arlington, Va.:
What do you think of the line-up and Arena's decision to go with a 3-5-2 line-up?
Brandon Prideaux: A lot of times it makes sense. I would say that it is a great decision. They have been solid so far and haven't given up anything except one cross and a restart.
Brazil:
What do you think about the Brazil team?
Brandon Prideaux: I think they are extremely dangerous. I think they have to the favorite going into the semis. They have so many weapons and their team's speed is so good. They were down a man and were able to keep possession easily. They are a great team.
Falls Church, Va.:
We had so many shots on goal -- is their defense and goalkeeping just that good, or are we misplaying our chances?
Brandon Prideaux: A little bit of both. Their keeper came up with a number of really good saves but out kicks could have been a little bit better as well.
Anchorage, Alaska:
Brandon, what playing qualities have you seen from the World Cup finals that the MLS need to cultivate?
Brandon Prideaux: I think the speed of play. They play the ball really quick. That and the overall skill level -- they are all quality players at the World Cup.
washingtonpost.com:
washingtonpost.com is conducting a live Web survey right now asking if the U.S. can recover. So far, 60.5 percent say yes. Read the latest story and take the survey
Arlington, Va.:
What is Arena saying to the guys in the locker room right now? Any predictions for subs going into the second half?
Thanks.
Brandon Prideaux: I think he is most likely pretty positive with them. He is probably sayign "keep it going." They only have 45 minutes to play in the World Cup so it is a do-or-die situation.
I would say that they come back out the same way. If we were still 0-1 in the 70th minute we could possibly see Wolf or Mathis subbed in to try and equalize the situation and go ahead. We have nothing to loose.
Arlington, Va.:
Your thoughts on the performance of our own Eddie Pope? And the questionable card he received in the first half?
Brandon Prideaux: I think Eddie has been great. He played a great first half and a great World Cup. As for the yellow
I think it was a bad call.
Washington, D.C.:
What does the U.S. do to recover here?
Brandon Prideaux: I think you come out right from the get-go with a lot of energy. I think Germany will drop back a little bit so we have to get it behind their defense.
washingtonpost.com:
The second half has begun.
washingtonpost.com:
Whether the U.S. wins or loses today, do you think this year's World Cup has ignited enough American interest in soccer to sustain the MLS?
Brandon Prideaux: I don't think that it was a make or break situation. I think the MLS would have been just fine without the World Cup, but it has helped a lot. The media coverage has been great and only helps our league.
washingtonpost.com:
We're about to go into the second half. Brandon will return right after the game ends to take a few more questions.
Brandon Prideaux: It was a good run for the U.S. This game could have very easily gone our way. It was a tough loss, but they should be very proud.
Washington, D.C.:
This group of U.S. stars has World Cup experience. How do you think the next wave of U.S. soccer players will fare after the vets exit the scene?
Brandon Prideaux: I would say that a lot of the guys will be back in the next World Cup. We have a lot of good young players.
Washington, D.C.:
Brandon, how did you feel about the officiating? It seemed for a while there as if the U.S. was being targeted by the refs.
Brandon Prideaux: I think he did a pretty good job. Refereeing is not an easy thing. He missed a few calls but by in large I think he did a good job.
Washington, D.C.:
Sad the U.S. lost, but I intend to keep watching the rest of the World Cup!
Brandon Prideaux: I agree. I will do the same. It has been an exciting World Cup and I am sure it will finish the way it started.
washingtonpost.com:
Grade the U.S. performance against Germany
Maryland:
Oh man... how can people say soccer isn't exciting?
Brandon Prideaux: I agree. I was on the edge of my seat the whole game. I hope this world cup has turned a lot of people on to the sport.
Arlington, Va:
Brandon,
No one debates the quality of the U.S. defense, particularly Brad, but we always seem to come up short in the front. What's up with our strikers?
Brandon Prideaux: I think that our strikers were our strong point. It is tough to score on a team as organized as Germany. To place the blame on them wouldn't be fair.
Washington, D.C.:
What's the scene like now at RFK?
Brandon Prideaux: Pretty empty. People cleared out pretty quick. Right afterwards people were cheering because they all realized that the U.S. has played really well. Sometimes things don't go your way though.
Falls Church, Va.:
When can we next see DC United play?
Brandon Prideaux: The next game is Sunday at 4 p.m. at RFK.
Brandon Prideaux:
We must be proud of the way we played in the World Cup. U.S. soccer is making huge strides and I am proud to be a small part of that at D.C. United and as part of MLS. Come out and see us play.
washingtonpost.com:
That wraps up today's show. Thanks to everyone who joined the
discussion.
Stay tuned to Live Online:
Bob
Levey: Speaking Freely at 1 p.m. EDT
"baby
Blues," "Zits" Cartoonist Jerry Scott at 1 p.m. EDT
WorldCom
President and CEO John Sidgmore at 1 p.m. EDT
Summer
Movies: Rita Kempley at 2 p.m. EDT
Non-Traditional
Weddings at 2 p.m. EDT
National
Symphony Orchestra's Leonard Slatkin at 3 p.m. EDT
Frontline:
"Bigger Than Enron" at 3 p.m. EDT
Author:
Making Marriage Work at 3:15 p.m. EDT
Did you know that you can follow more than one Live Online discussion at
the same time? Just open another browser window and toggle back and
forth between discussions! And, if you miss one, catch up with the Live
Online transcripts.
Keep up with the latest in news, sports, politics and entertainment with
washingtonpost.com
e-mail newsletters.
NEW! Personalize your Post with mywashingtonpost.com.
Get customized news, traffic, weather and more.
| |
© Copyright 2002 The Washington Post Company | 
