I was looking forward to the US vs Spain match and though most of my thoughts go straight to the Confederations Cup win, I thought about the one before that in Espana.Anyone else remember how good he was on the day? I miss that Freddy. Here is video and then Grant Wahl's assessment after that match.
Freddy Adu made a difference. After the U.S.'s miserable display against England last week, I was hoping Adu would get a chance to start as an attacking central midfielder in a 4-5-1 formation against Spain, and that's exactly what happened.
The 19-year-old Adu is one of the few U.S. players who has confidence on the ball in tight space, and he was dangerous in his 45 minutes of action, unsettling the Spanish defense, drawing fouls and serving some penetrating balls to Eddie Johnson up front.
Adu was also noticeable by his absence in the second half, when the U.S. was unable to mount any credible attacks up the middle. Adu hasn't had many chances to perform for the U.S. senior team, but this was easily his best performance yet at this level. Here's hoping he gets more opportunities soon.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/grant_wahl/06/04/five.things/#ixzz1NzIQYeP3
Tuesday Night Yanks Abroad/USMNT Link Drop
*US national team striker Jozy Altidore calls in to tell everyone his career plans
*Landon Donovan and the Quest for 200 Caps
*CONCACAFs at war...with itself
*Michael Bradley's busy summer
*Solid Gold Cup could boost Michael Bradley’s fortunes abroad
*Adu hopes to reward U.S. coaches' faith in him
*Adu gets another chance with U.S.
*Bocanegra Reflects on his Captaincy, Memorable Moments and What it All Means to Him
*Cherundolo has been playing the best soccer of his career
Robbie Rogers: Gold Cup
Not so confident on Robbie's selection, but as long as he scores a few goals and doesn't mess up, I will forgive Bob.
Yanks in Sweden and Denmark: Gale, Diskerud, Gatt & Parkhurst
*He went 90 minutes in a 4-2 win over IK Start.
Gatt with Molde
*He played 45 minutes in a 5-0 loss to Haugesund.
Parkhurst with FC Nordsjaelland
*He played 90 minutes in a 0-0 draw with FC Midtjylland.
Agbossoumonde with Djurgarden
*He played 90 minutes in a 1-0 loss to IFK Goteborg.
Jemal Johnson scores for Lokomotiv Sofia to clinch Europa League spot
*He came on in 65th minute and scored the game winner in a 1-0 win over Slavia Sofia to clinch a Europa League spot.
*I have been looking for this for a couple of days but it looks like Greg at NSC beat me to it.
*Highlights after the jump...
Goodson goes the distance in Brondby's 2-0 win over Sonderjyske
*He went the full 90 in a 2-0 win over Sonderjyske.
*Highlights after the jump...
Bocanegra commits late foul for a penalty as PSG draws 1-1 with St. Etienne
*He committed the foul for the PK in a 1-1 draw with PSG.
*Highlights after the jump...
Bedoya sets up the goal in Orebro's 1-0 win over Åtvidaberg in the Swedish Cup
*He set up the goal in 1-0 win over Åtvidaberg.
*Highlights after the jump...
Starikov plays 59 minutes in a 4-1 loss to Rubin Kazan
*He went 59 minutes in a 4-1 loss to Rubi Kazan.
*Highlights after the jump...
Agbossoumonde goes the distance in Djurgården's 1-0 loss to Elfsborg
*He went the full 90 in a 2-1 loss to Elfsborg.
*Highlights after the jump...
Adu and Rizespor stay in 2nd division after 3-3 draw with Orduspor
*He went the full 90 in a 3-3 draw with Orduspor.
*Full highlights after the jump...
Miller goes the distance in Halmtad's 2-1 loss to Goteborg
*He went the full 90 in a 2-1 loss to Goteborg.
*Highlights after the jump...
Goodson scores for Brondby in a 1-1 draw against Parkhurst and FC Nordjaelland
*Both went the distance in a 1-1 draw.
*Highlights after the jump...
Yanks At Home:Week 9
BY BRIAN MANGAN
The Superclassico as they call it in LA has been a bit of a one sided affair for a while now, but Saturday's game proved to be a back and forth affair with Americans shining through for each side. Seeing as Justin Braun had just taken down the favorite in the East in New York it was assumed he could have an equally big day against the Western Conference equivalent. Needless to say he did not. Braun only played two thirds of the game before being pulled. He almost put a Heath Pearce free kick in the back of the net but couldn't quite finish it. Pearce on the other hand played great defense containing a talented LA attack (minus Becks visiting his friends at Old Trafford rather than play in a league game against an in city rival). As a matter of fact the Chivas defense might have been the most impressive line of Americans as both Pearce and the 19 year old Zarek Valentin put in impressive performances. Valentin was playing in place of the injured Mike Lahoud and easily fit into the gap, proving a stable replacement and getting on his way to earning the longterm job.
Wednesday Night Yanks Abroad/USMNT Link Drop
*Adu gets surprise call-up to U.S. men’s soccer team
*USMNT Gold Cup Roster Numbers
*The Day After: The 2011 US Gold Cup Roster
*MLS has made progress, but it's not a good place for top Americans
*Gatt brace, assist lead Molde in Cup
*U.S. U-18s draw Netherlands in Portugal
Tuesday Night Yanks Abroad/USMNT Link Drop
*Several with questions about club futures
*Ponce called up to Mexico's preliminary Copa America squad
*Dempsey's versatility gives Bradley personnel options up top at Gold Cup
*Holden Named Bolton Wanderers’ 2010 / 11 Player of the Year
*Kazlauskas fights for Dutch promotion
*Adu's Rizespor thrashed 4-0
*Gold Cup roster analysis: Talking Adu, Rogers, Wondolowski and more
*El Salvador looking at Joe Corona
Why USA NEED to Win the Gold Cup
By Evan Ream
England
USA
Slovenia
Algeria
This was probably the easiest group USA could have gotten at the 2010 World Cup. England (or possibly Italy) was probably the worst seed other than South Africa; Slovenia was definitely not one of the better non-seeded European teams; and Algeria was probably the worst African team. USA won that group; their first group win since 1930. USA will not always be so lucky to get this kind of group, but it is possible for them to do it, or even get an easier group. It should not be a goal for USA to qualify for the World Cup anymore; that is a given. USA’s goal should be to get a seed. With a seed USA has a better chance of getting an easier group, and thus a better chance of winning their group and playing a winnable game in the Round of 16 (all games are winnable, but some games are more winnable than others).
Gold Cup Roster Ruminations
By Jared Launius
Bob Bradley announced his Gold Cup roster today and, like most Bob Bradley rosters, it was 90 percent predictable and 10 percent "What the hell?!" For transparency's sake, I'll provide a link to the roster I predicted a week ago so you can see exactly how many bad guesses I made.
And here's Bob's roster, followed by my own pithy commentary:
Goalkeepers: Tim Howard (Everton), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
Defenders: Steve Cherundolo (Hannover), Eric Lichaj (Aston Villa), Jonathan Bornstein (West Ham), Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan), Clarence Goodson (Brønby), Tim Ream (New York Red Bull), Carlos Bocanegra (Saint-Etienne), Jonathan Bornstein (Tigres)
Medfielders: Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Michael Bradley (Borussia Monchengladbach), Jermaine Jones (Schalke), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Benny Feilhaber (New England Revolution), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht), Freddy Adu (Rizespor), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew)
Forwards: Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bull), Jozy Altidore (Villareal), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)
Freddy Adu and Robbie Rogers?! FREDDY ADU AND ROBBIE ROGERS?! Yes, Freddy Adu and Robbie Rogers. FREDDY. ADU. AND. ROBBIE. ROGERS.
(I thought it was best I just get that out of the way before I try to offer any real analysis beyond capital letters and incredulous rhetorical questions.)
Bradley's choice in goalkeeping corps offered little surprise. Many believed Guzan would be unavailable because of that whole getting married thing, and they believed correctly. It's a little surprising, I think, that Rimando was named the number three keeper instead of a European-based player, mainly because this means Bob is pulling the MLS's best keeper away from his club for three weeks to cheer really hard beside him on the bench (CORRECTION: Looks like Rimando will actually be spending most of the Gold Cup with RSL, not traveling with the US). But let's not waste our time worrying about the third goalkeeper slot.
Monday Night Yanks Abroad/USMNT Link Drop
DEFENDERS- Jonathan Spector, Carlos Bocanegra, Steve Cherundolo, Oguchi Onyewu, Eric Lichaj, Tim Ream, Jonathan Bornstein, Clarence Goodson,
MIDFIELDERS- Michael Bradley, Maurice Edu, Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, Sacha Kljestan, Robbie Rogers, Freddy Adu, Benny Feilhaber, Jermaine Jones
FORWARDS- Juan Agudelo, Chris Wondolowski, Jozy Altidore
*More notes on the USA Gold Cup squad
*Gold Cup Thoughts and Predictions
*Chandler headlines list of surprising exclusions from USMNT Gold Cup squad
*U.S. Unveils Gold Cup Roster
*2011 Gold Cup Roster Thoughts
Thomas scores and Edwards makes a horrific mistake in Ljungskile's 3-2 win over Degerfors
*Thomas scored in a 3-2 win over Degerfors.
*Highlights after the jump...
Final Match of the Day of the Season -- Bradley, Friedel, Jones, Dempsey and Howard
Agbossoumonde gets a yellow card in Djurgården's 3-0 loss to Mjällby
*He went the distance in a 3-0 loss to Mjallby.
*Highlights after the jump...
Yanks At Home: Gold Cup Edition
The 6 MLS Yanks heading to this summers Gold Cup are hardly a surprising list. The biggest surprises really are more in the home-based players who were left out.
Charlie Davies was getting a lot of coverage as he is second in the league in goals scored this far in although with a recent hamstring injury it seemed unlikely he would actually make it. After seeing what Bob had to say it seemed unlikely he would have made the cut even if he was fully healthy. He's on his way back but he's still not quite there.
Teal Bunbury was also left out and Bob basically attributed that to a less than stellar showing in recent weeks which is fair enough but I still have a hard time believing it makes more sense to bring in the 28 year old rookie Wondolowski rather than Teal. Then again Wondolowski probably gives us the better squad now; which is where the question becomes which is more important current success or training the youth? Jay Demerit also may have been expected to make the squad but was left off, most likely due to an injury plagued season in Vancouver.
Friedel makes it into top 5 saves of the week (this is getting ridiculous)
Bedoya gets a goal and assist in Orebro's 3-1 win over GAIS
*He scored and got an assist in a 3-1 win over GAIS.
*Highlights after the jump...
Corona gets a goal and assist as Tijuana beat Irapuato 2-1 to gain promotion
*He scored and got an assist in a 2-1 win over Irapuato.
*Highlights after the jump...
Bocanegra goes the distance in St Etienne's 2-1 loss to Sochaux
*He went the full 90 in a 2-1 loss to Sochaux.
*Highlights after the jump...
Yanks At Home
The focus of this site may be Yanks-Abroad, but there's a lot of major American players still playing at home in a constantly improving league. Even more important is the fact that nearly every American international player has come through MLS for some time. Clint Dempsey played in New England, Tim Howard played for the Metrostars and Landon Donovan still calls LA home. Even if American's continue to go over to Europe at the astonishing rate that they have recently, MLS will always be the most important breeding pool for young American talent.
For now my list is limited to players who are both actually members of MLS teams (no Academy-only players) and are considered part of the USMNT Player Pool (so no Zakuani...yet).
One of the biggest highlights of this past week was Justin Brauns Hat Trick against New York. In a game that ended 3-2 that was exactly what they needed. The first goal was great, the second goal was still pretty nice but the third wasn't quite his. Either way you can't blame a guy for making sure the ball gets in.
Yelldell makes 3 saves in Duisburg's 5-0 loss to Schalke in the DFB Pokal Final
*He made saves in a 5-0 loss to Schalke.
*Highlights after the jump...
Altidore goes 68 minutes in Bursaspor's 1-0 win over Genclerbirligi
*He went 68 minutes in a 1-0 win over Genclerbirligi.
*Highlights after the jump...
Rolfe gets an assist in a 4-3 loss to Silkeborg
*He went the distance and got an assist in a 4-3 loss to Silkeborg IF.
*Highlights after the jump...
Starikov scores in Tom Tomsk's 2-1 win over Zenit St. Petersburg
*He scored in a 2-1 win over Zenit St. Petersburg.
*Highlights after the jump...
Friday Night Yanks Abroad/USMNT Link Drop
*Peterlin has not been offered new deals as the Pilgrims build for life in npower League 2 under new owners.
*Adu working his way back up the ladder
*Won't it be awful when AS Roma actually buys an American and we must get off the roller coaster?
*Predicting the US Gold Cup roster
*Gold Cup Roster Reviews – 2007 and 2009
*Gold Cup Numbers
American Gasecki signs with Borussia Dortmund
*Western Illinois University defender lands new German job
Pittman signs for Oxford United on a two year deal
The forward started his career at Aston Villa as an eight-year-old before moving to Nottingham Forest. He signed for Crawley Town in June 2007, scoring 22 goals in 61 appearances. In 2009 he joined Wycombe, scoring 14 goals in 77 appearances. Following an injury last year, his appearances were limited.
Manager Chris Wilder said: "JP is a very positive player who has the ability to create and score goals. He has electric pace and gives us a balance to the squad. I am delighted to have beaten off stiff competition for his signature and he is a definitely a signing that will excite the supporters."
Diskerud draws penalty for Stabaek in a 3-2 win over Odd Grenland
*He drew a penalty in a 3-2 win over Odd Grenland.
*Highlights after the jump...
Thursday Night Yanks Abroad/USMNT Link Drop
*Donovan on Roma transfer report: "Don't waste my time"
*Bunbury's agent nixes French tabloid's transfer claims
*Charlie Davies and the Gold Cup roster: in or out?
*USMNT head coach Bob Bradley will reveal the USA's 23-man roster for Spain and the Gold Cup on May 23 on ussoccer.com
*Come See the U.S. and Spain Train on June 3 in Foxborough
*No Short Corners - Roma Rumors
*More Yanks transfer rumors
Parkhurst helps FC Nordsjælland avoid relegation with a 2-1 win over Randers FC
*He went the distance in a 2-1 win over Randers.
*Highlights after the jump...
Wednesday Night Yanks Abroad/USMNT Link Drop
*Q & A with U.S. men's national team soccer coach Bob Bradley
*No Short Corners with more transfer rumor updates
*U.S. U-20 MNT Draws France
*Gomez hoping for Gold Cup spot
*Corona could be the next American to play in the Mexican Primera Division if Club Tijuana is successful in its quest for promotion
*USA’s quiet Colombian sees big picture
*Lichaj open to Leeds return
*Postcard From Europe: The Team of the Season
Kljestan goes the full 90 in Anderlecht's 4-3 loss to Lokeren
*He went the distance in a 4-3 loss to Lokeren.
*Highlights after the jump...
Gold Cup Roster Prediction
By: Jared Launius
Bob Bradley is expected to name his 23-man roster for this summer’s Gold Cup some time this week and, well, there are decisions to be made – both the good kind of tough decisions (which in-form forwards do we bring?) and the bad kind of tough decisions (who the hell plays left back?). So, I thought it might be a worthwhile endeavor to project the roster and work out some of those tough calls.
Mind you, these are the guys I expect Bradley to call in, not necessarily the guys I’d call in.
Goalkeepers
On the roster: Tim Howard (Everton), Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton)
Left off: David Yelldell (MSV Duisburg), Luis Robles (Karlsruher SC), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
Tim Howard, of course, is your number one goalkeeper. There have been mixed reports as to the status of presumed number two, Brad Guzan, though. Some have reported reported Guzan’s availability is uncertain due to his getting married this summer, but – to my knowledge – nothing official has been reported yet. Until it is, we’ll leave Guzan here.
Tuesday Night Yanks Abroad/USMNT Link Drop
*Kljestan, Anderlecht fall in season closer
*Hannover 96 are interested in West Ham's Jonathan Spector, according to "Bild"
*Projecting the U.S. Gold Cup roster
*Gulati: CONCACAF won't tell U.S. Soccer how to vote in FIFA election
*U.S. youth teams: Lletget, Gyau out of U-20 trip; U-17s set for Tuesday draw
*No Short Corners with the transfer goodies
*U.S. U-17s draw Czech Rep., Uzbekistan and New Zealand for World Cup
*Doyle, Gatt, Gil score goals in U.S. U-20 draw with France
*Yanks in Europe: What's Left?
*Back-to-Back-to-Back for Edu, Gooch Settles for Second, Leagues Start to Shudder for Summer and More ...
Diskerud has solid performance in Stabæk's 1-0 loss to Sogndal
*He went the distance in a 1-0 loss to Sogndal.
*Highlights and video of postgame interview after the jump...
Monday Night Yanks Abroad/USMNT Link Drop
*Dempsey to PSG?
*Leeds United have placed Mike Grella on the transfer list
*Edu, Rangers kings of Scotland again
*Gomez is hoping that a strong final two months will put him on the US Gold Cup team
*Onyewu misses Twente's costly finale
*Davies to miss "a couple of weeks" with hamstring injury
*Diskerud & Co. can't claim first
Video: Friedel (surprise, surprise) and Howard make Top 5 Saves of the Week
Match of the Day 2: Dempsey, Friedel, Bradley & Spector (full show)
Here is Match of the Day which includes all matches from today. Enjoy!
Yanks Abroad Leftovers: Goodson, Jozy, Bocanegra, Parkhurst, and Kljestan
*He went the distance in a 3-2 win over Silkeborg IF.
Kljestan with Anderlecht
*He went the full 90 in a 2-1 loss to Standard Liege.
Goodson with Brondby
*He went the distance in a 1-0 win over FC Midtjylland.
Bocanegra with St. Etienne
*He went the full 90 in a 2-1 loss to Rennes.
Altidore with Bursaspor
*He came on for the final 16 minutes in a 3-0 win over Kasimpasa.
Bedoya goes the distance in Orebro's 2-1 loss to Malmo
*He went the distance in a 2-1 loss to Malmo.
*Highlights after the jump...
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