Saturday, July 4, 2009

CONCACAF Gold Cup Results

The Gold Cup 2009 edition kicked off last night in Carson, California in fine fashion. The games pitted Canada vs Jamaica and El Salvador vs Costa Rica. The Canadians got the winning result on a second half goal from Ali Gerba as the game finished 1-0. In the nightcap, El Salvador stunned Costa Rica with a late winner from Osael Romero (his second of the match), after Costa Rica had equalized in the 65th minute through Warren Granados. Romero scored his first of the match in the 20th minute.

Today's schedule from Seattle, Washington (US game on Fox Soccer Channel):
Honduras vs. Haiti @ 7pm EST
Grenada vs. United States @ 9pm EST

MLS Coverage Launch

It's a slow, rainy 4th of July here in western Kentucky, might as well start my MLS coverage. I had planned to start it earlier but the roller coaster ride that was the Confederations Cup derailed all that. Currently here's how the tables stack up:

Eastern Standings
DC United- 23 points
Columbus Crew- 22 points
Toronto FC- 22 points
Chicago Fire- 21 points
Kansas City Wizards- 19 points
New England Revolution- 16 points
New York Red Bulls- 10 points

Western Standings
Houston Dynamo- 28 points
Chivas USA- 27 points
Seattle Sounders FC- 25 points
Colorado Rapids- 21 points
Real Salt Lake- 20 points
Los Angeles Galaxy- 18 points
FC Dallas- 14 points
San Jose Earthquakes- 13 points

Last nights game pitted San Jose vs. Real Salt Lake and the game finished in a 1-1 draw with a goal from Arturo Alvarez and an own goal from San Jose's Chris Leitch late in regulation.

Tonight's line-up:
DC United @ Columbus - 7pm EST - ESPN2, ESPN Deportes
Chicago @ Colorado - 9pm EST - MLS Direct Kick
New York @ FC Dallas - 9pm EST - MLS Direct Kick
Houston @ Kansas City - 9pm EST - MLS Direct Kick
New England @ LA Galaxy - 11pm EST - Fox Soccer Channel

Team rankings and thoughts on the upcoming All-Star game vs Everton FC will come soon.

Friday, July 3, 2009

US vs Grenada Preview

While this one certainly lacks the intrigue and star power when compared to the Confederations Cup, the Gold Cup will provide a chance for several players to show that they deserve a ticket to South Africa next summer. Grenada will offer little resistance to the US, and the Americans should win handily. The most interesting story here is that of Freddy Adu, who got no playing time in the Confederations Cup, but this will surely be his time to shine and prove his worth. As far as a starting line-up goes here are the guys I would go with:

-------------------------Robles

Cherundolo-----Goodson-----Parkhurst-----Pearce

-------------Beckerman-------Holden

Rogers---------------------------------------Adu

---------------Davies----------Cooper


This the 11 I would go with, but don't expect Cooper to start over Ching, despite Cooper being better at just about everything except holding the ball up.

I predict a shut-out and at least two goals, but don't be surprised if we get three or four.

Yanks Transfer Update

The United States' run to the final of the 2009 Confederations Cup has really helped improve the stock of American players. Following the semi-final win vs Spain and the final loss to Brazil teams from around the globe have inquired as to several Americans services. Here is a wrap-up of current transfer rumors concerning Americans:

Charlie Davies- According to his agent, Charlie could be house searching this time next week in France, as deep negotiations are going on between Hammarby and an un-named French team, rumored to be Rennes, Saint-Etienne, or Sochaux. German press has identified Hamburg and Bochum as the teams inquiring about his services along with a Croatian and Eredivisie team, but he will likely end up in France.

Oguchi Onyewu- The reports last week that Onyewu had signed with Turkish power Fenerbahce were premature, and now it seems that teams from England, Spain, Germany, Italy, Holland, Turkey, and France are vying for his signature. Gooch should have his virtual pick of the litter on this one.

Michael Bradley- Press from England has Everton, Aston Villa, and Fulham fighting for it, but he seems to be in a good situation with Borussia Monchengladbach, despite just barely avoiding relegation this past season. If he moves anywhere this summer, id put my money on Aston Villa, as they are looking for a Gareth Barry replacement.

Clint Dempsey- Reports indicated that Duece declined to sign Fulhams latest extension offer, and so it seems he's on the move as Fulham will sell now because he has only one year left on his current contract. Everton are heavily rumored to be the front-runners here, but that's not much of an upgrade other than in pay. He had locked a starting position at Fulham and will have to fight for it again with Everton. Teams from Spain, France, and Germany are also interested.

Ricardo Clark- French side Rennes is the only rumored team to be interested in Clark, as their current DMid looks to be on the way out, and Clark seems to be their first choice replacement.

Heath Pearce- I rate Pearce highly unlike most who follow the USMNT, and he just got himself into a bad situation with Rostock. Teams from Holland, Denmark, Sweden, and Germany are currently in the mix here.

DaMarcus Beasley- Beasley had a very bad year with Rangers and it seems likely that he'll return to Holland, possibly with his former team, PSV Eindhoven.

Jay DeMerit- Hasn't garnered as much attention as his CB partner, but is still getting inquiries from the newly-promoted Premiership clubs.

Sal Zizzo- The youngster is about to sign a season long loan deal with 2. Bundesliga side Fortuna Dusseldorf.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Video Tribute to the US performance in the Confederations Cup

Brazil 3, USA 2

In a game that lived up to the hype, the US turned the footballing world on its head and lead 2-0 after 45 minutes in the final of the 2009 Confederations Cup. But fortune would favor the Brazilians in the second half. Brazil scored 45 seconds after the whistle blew for the start of the half, and the rest they say, was history. While the loss is truly heartbreaking for the American players and fans, the US can leave South Africa with their heads held high. They defied all the odds, silenced their critics, and proved to their fans and the world, that this team is real. The images of Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan after the final whistle blew, while gut-wrenching, was exactly what I wanted to see. To see that kind of emotion, that kind of heart, that kind of desire is exactly what the fans wanted to see. Did the US deserve to win? Probably. But Brazil is the last team anyone in the world would want to play up 2-0 with 45 minutes to play. Brazil has been coming back like that for years since the inception of their federation, which is why their trophy cabinet is bursting at the seams.

The US started brightly, scoring in the 10th minute off a Jonathan Spector cross, who put it straight onto the foot of Clint Dempsey, whose slightest touch proved enough to beat Julio Cesar. Seventeen minutes later, the US taught the world masters of counter-attacking just how its done. Three straight one touch passes; Clark to Donovan, Donovan to Davies, Davies to Donovan, and Donovan took a touch inside and sent a helpless Julio Cesar the wrong way. It was beautiful, it was destiny, it was heart, desire, and faith. I'll tell you, it was amazing, the greatest accomplishment in the last seven years for the US team. The lack of Michael Bradley's midfield grit was certainly missed, with all due respect to Benny Feilhaber, who played well. While the substitutions were questionable, you will never out-sub Brazil, they brought on Daniel Alves and Elano, two players worth eight figures on the open market, the US brought on three MLS players, all due respect, Bornstein is no Daniel Alves and Kljestan is no Elano. In the end, Brazil is just the better team, but the US gave the the world a show that won't soon be forgotten, by anyone.

Here are my player ratings:

Tim Howard (8)- The human wall that is Tim Howard had arguably his best game of the tournament, with save after save after immaculate save. He can't be blamed for any of the goals.

Jonathan Spector (6.5)- Great cross to Dempsey, but didn't shut down the flanks quick enough against Robinho and Kaka, though it must be said that taking both of those players on for 90 minutes would wear even the best players down.

Jay DeMerit (6.5)- Lacked the grit of previous games, but still played well enough to keep his position for future matches. Unlucky with the ball going through his legs on Brazils first.

Oguchi Onyewu (7)- Showed his typical dominance in the air, but his lack in concentration on Brazil's second goal was mind-numming.

Carlos Bocanegra (6.5)- Showed his best against Maicon, but slowed in the second half under pressure of waves of Brazilian attacks. But this back four is one for the future.

Clint Dempsey (7)- Lacked the defensive hustle of previous games, which hurt Spectors chances against Kaka and Robinho, but his goal was a thing of beauty.

Benny Feilhaber (6)- Showed his vision and touch on the ball and created some good chances, also got back and defended valiently, but all due respect, the US missed Bradley.

Ricardo Clark (7)- Typical Clark game; gritty, dirty, and tough. Solidified his position next to Bradley for the time being and is now getting looks from European clubs. His one touch to Donovan started the counter-attack for the second goal.

Landon Donovan (8)- His set pieces were dangerous, his speed was killer, his passing was fantastic and the goal was simply awe inspiring. Wish he'd have tracked back more and helped Bocanegra deal with Maicon though.

Charlie Davies (7)- Awesome play with Donovan for the second goal, and his hustle defensively kept Brazil honest. His speed also gave Brazil fits all night.

Jozy Altidore (6.5)- Got physical with Lucio and Luisao all night and held the ball up well. Needs to find a team that will actually give him minutes.

SUBS: None of the subs had much of an influence on the game minus Bornsteins late blast.

It was a wonderful ride, the US team overachieved and gave the world notice of their rise from wannabe to worldbeater...all in just fifteen days.