Friday, October 17, 2008
Analysis: US Loss to Soca Warriors
Your faithful vagabond is under the weather this week so we'll turn it over (one more time) to our friend Bob Wagman. See his analysis of the USA-Trinidad and Tobago match here.
Monday, October 13, 2008
USA Over Cuba 6-1
My internet has been down for a few days so I'll send you over to my friend Bob Wagman's excellent wrapup of Saturday's US match against Cuba. Check it out here.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Bradley's 'Gladbach Coach Fired After Slow Start
Newly signed American midfielder Michael Bradley, who is still adjusting to a new team situation will soon need to adjust to a new coach. Borussia Moenchengladbach coach Jos Luhukay was fired today after a lackluster start to the Bundesliga season, topped by a 2-1 loss to 1FC Cologne yesterday, a match which featured numerous brawls beteeen opposing fans. Bradley was on the bench but did not play.The Dutchman Luhukay was sent packing with the Foals dead last in the Bundesliga with three points and a minus nine goal differential after only seven matches. He was of course the coach that brought them back to the Bundesliga this year but he did not appear of to the task of coaching successfully at the next level.
Many saw it coming as Luhukay tinkered with the system each week, trying 23 different players in the lineup and leaving the team confused and unorganized. You've also got to wonder if leaving the new signing Bradley (who scored 15 in the Eredivisie last year) on the bench made the decision that much easier for the club's management.
Sports director Christian Ziege will take over the reins until a new coach can be found. Luckily for Bradley, Ziege was sold on him from the start so his place should be secure. The big question at 'Gladbach is whether they can turn it around and stay up in the Bundesliga. It seems to me that they would do well to pry loose American Oguchi Onyewu from nearby Liege at mid season to help them solidify a shaky defense. We'll see.
Bocanegra and Rennes Crush Lyon
Going the full 90 in central defense, Carlos Bocanegra and his Stade Rennais teammates shocked the French league tonight topping almighty Lyon 3-0. Mickaël Pagis scored a hat trick for the home side to hand Lyon their first loss of the season.
Meanwhile, Freddy Adu watched from the bench as his Monaco side dropped a 2-0 decision to Saint Etienne.
Meanwhile, Freddy Adu watched from the bench as his Monaco side dropped a 2-0 decision to Saint Etienne.
Barcelona: They're Ba-aaack!
After a few lackluster rebuilding years, Barcelona threw down a marker yesterday to prove they are once again a team able to win the Primera championship. Scoring five goals in the first 28 minutes, they demolished Atletico Madrid 6-1 at Nou Camp last night.
Goal scorers were Rafa Marquez, Sammy Eto'o (with two), Lionel Messi, Eidur Gudjohnsen, and Thierry Henry.
Watch them all here:
Goal scorers were Rafa Marquez, Sammy Eto'o (with two), Lionel Messi, Eidur Gudjohnsen, and Thierry Henry.
Watch them all here:
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Missing Five Starters, Brescia Tops Frosinone
Playing without a slightly injured Danny Szetela along with four other starters, Brescia topped a feisty Frosinone side 2-1 this afternoon in a rainy Serie B matchup. Brescia defender Marco Gorzengo seems to have recovered well from a calf injury, scoring both Brescia goals to put them at 13 points and fifth place in the league, within striking distance of a promotion spot (for now).Szetela will now be packing his bags for a trip to Washington DC for a World Cup qualifier on October 11th against Cuba.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Bradley Selects US Team For WC Qualifier Against Cuba
Courtesy of the USSF:
U.S. Can Clinch Spot in Final Round with Victory on Oct. 11 at RFK Stadium
Match to be Broadcast Live on ESPN Classic and Galavision
CHICAGO (Oct. 3, 2008) — U.S. Men's National Team head coach Bob Bradley has named a roster of 23 players that will train in advance of the FIFA World Cup Qualifying game against Cuba on Oct. 11 in Washington, D.C. Kickoff for the USA’s first match in the nation’s capital in four years is set for 7 p.m. ET, and the match will be shown live on ESPN Classic and Galavision. Fans can also follow the match live on ussoccer.com's MatchTracker.
Currently leading Group 1 with nine points from three matches, the U.S. can clinch a place in the final round of qualifying with a victory against Cuba at RFK Stadium. The team will begin gathering on Oct. 5 in Washington, D.C., in preparation for the match. Following the game and the weekend MLS matches, Bradley will announce the travel roster for the qualifier against Trinidad & Tobago, which takes place Oct. 15 at Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain. That match can be seen live on ESPN and Galavision at 8 p.m. ET.
Fourteen leagues from 12 different countries are represented on the roster as the U.S. seeks to extend their five-match shutout streak in 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying. Each of the starters from the last two victories against Cuba and Trinidad & Tobago return, led up front by Fulham striker Clint Dempsey, who has already amassed four goals in the four World Cup qualifiers he has played this year, including the lone goal in the USA’s 1-0 win on Sept. 6 in Cuba. Houston Dynamo forward Bring Ching has three goals to his credit in the current campaign.
At the other end of the park, the defense is backstopped by goalkeeper Tim Howard, the Sierra Mist Man of the Match against Guatemala, who has posted an impressive six shutouts in five all-time World Cup qualifying appearances. U.S. captain Carlos Bocanegra anchors a backline that has not conceded a goal in a team record six straight matches, dating back to the 0-0 draw against Argentina on June 8 in New Jersey.
Landon Donovan, who became the fourth youngest male player in history to reach 100 caps when he went 90 minutes on June 8 against Argentina, leads the roster with 24 all-time World Cup qualifying appearances. His eight career goals in World Cup qualifying are also a team best. Meantime, midfielder Michael Bradley and Heath Pearce are the only two U.S. players to start all five of the World Cup qualifiers in 2008.
A total of nine players from the 2008 Olympic Games link up with the full team, with eight of those players plying their trade overseas. Bradley, who scored the game-winning goal in the 3-0 win against Trinidad & Tobago while also earning Sierra Man of the Match honors, leads the full team in minutes played in 2008. Midfielder Sacha Kljestan scored two goals in China, while Maurice Edu, recently transferred to Glasgow Rangers of the Scottish Premier League, played all three games in the U.S. backline. Goalkeeper Brad Guzan returns to the fold having collected consecutive shutouts against Barbados in the second round series, while Freddy Adu and Jozy Altidore wear the U.S. colors for the first time since Beijing. Michael Orozco, one of three uncapped players on the roster, is joined by fellow Mexican Primera Division midfielder José Francisco Torres. The Longview, Texas, native is making his first appearance in a U.S. national team camp.
RFK Stadium is no stranger to the U.S. National Team, having hosted 17 matches since 1977. The U.S. has collected a 10-3-4 record in the nation’s capital, including a 3-1-1 record in World Cup qualifying. With an average attendance of over 30,000, Washington, D.C., has witnessed several memorable matches, including a 4-0 victory against Mexico in 1995 and a 1-0 win against Argentina in 1999. RFK last hosted the U.S. men on Oct. 13, 2004, when an Eddie Johnson hat trick paced the United States to a 6-0 victory against Panama to close out the semifinal phase of qualifying for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
U.S. MEN'S NATIONAL TEAM ROSTER
(A Detailed Roster is Available at ussoccer.com)
GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa: 2/2 SO), Tim Howard (Everton FC: 6/5 SO), Troy Perkins (Valerenga IF: 0/0)
DEFENDERS (8): Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes: 16/2), Danny Califf (FC Midtjylland: 2/0), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96: 17/0), Jay DeMerit (Watford FC: 1/0), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew: 13/1), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege: 11/0), Michael Orozco (San Luis: 0/0), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock: 5/0)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Freddy Adu (AS Monaco: 1/0), DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers: 19/4), Michael Bradley (Borussia Moenchengladbach: 5/2), Maurice Edu (Glasgow Rangers: 3/0), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA: 3/0), Danny Szetela (Brescia Calcio: 0/0), José Francisco Torres (Pachuca: 0/0)
FORWARDS (5): Jozy Altidore (Villarreal C.F.: 0/0), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo: 9/4), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF: 0/0) Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC: 11/4), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy: 24/8)
*numbers indicate all-time World Cup Qualifying caps/goals
Quick Hits:
-Adu needs to stay at Monaco so he can work his way into the starting lineup - they can easily win without him.
-Dempsey needs the playing time, let's see if he has been able to stay sharp.
-Orozco...here's to hoping we see more disciplined play than we saw in the Olympics, assuming he is even capable of playing ahead of Pearce (doubtful).
-Szetela...US fans will be pleasantly surprised to see a more polished version of him this year.
- Ching...needs to produce a goal or two, otherwise he'll soon be dropped like a hot potato.
U.S. Can Clinch Spot in Final Round with Victory on Oct. 11 at RFK Stadium
Match to be Broadcast Live on ESPN Classic and Galavision
CHICAGO (Oct. 3, 2008) — U.S. Men's National Team head coach Bob Bradley has named a roster of 23 players that will train in advance of the FIFA World Cup Qualifying game against Cuba on Oct. 11 in Washington, D.C. Kickoff for the USA’s first match in the nation’s capital in four years is set for 7 p.m. ET, and the match will be shown live on ESPN Classic and Galavision. Fans can also follow the match live on ussoccer.com's MatchTracker.
Currently leading Group 1 with nine points from three matches, the U.S. can clinch a place in the final round of qualifying with a victory against Cuba at RFK Stadium. The team will begin gathering on Oct. 5 in Washington, D.C., in preparation for the match. Following the game and the weekend MLS matches, Bradley will announce the travel roster for the qualifier against Trinidad & Tobago, which takes place Oct. 15 at Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain. That match can be seen live on ESPN and Galavision at 8 p.m. ET.
Fourteen leagues from 12 different countries are represented on the roster as the U.S. seeks to extend their five-match shutout streak in 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying. Each of the starters from the last two victories against Cuba and Trinidad & Tobago return, led up front by Fulham striker Clint Dempsey, who has already amassed four goals in the four World Cup qualifiers he has played this year, including the lone goal in the USA’s 1-0 win on Sept. 6 in Cuba. Houston Dynamo forward Bring Ching has three goals to his credit in the current campaign.
At the other end of the park, the defense is backstopped by goalkeeper Tim Howard, the Sierra Mist Man of the Match against Guatemala, who has posted an impressive six shutouts in five all-time World Cup qualifying appearances. U.S. captain Carlos Bocanegra anchors a backline that has not conceded a goal in a team record six straight matches, dating back to the 0-0 draw against Argentina on June 8 in New Jersey.
Landon Donovan, who became the fourth youngest male player in history to reach 100 caps when he went 90 minutes on June 8 against Argentina, leads the roster with 24 all-time World Cup qualifying appearances. His eight career goals in World Cup qualifying are also a team best. Meantime, midfielder Michael Bradley and Heath Pearce are the only two U.S. players to start all five of the World Cup qualifiers in 2008.
A total of nine players from the 2008 Olympic Games link up with the full team, with eight of those players plying their trade overseas. Bradley, who scored the game-winning goal in the 3-0 win against Trinidad & Tobago while also earning Sierra Man of the Match honors, leads the full team in minutes played in 2008. Midfielder Sacha Kljestan scored two goals in China, while Maurice Edu, recently transferred to Glasgow Rangers of the Scottish Premier League, played all three games in the U.S. backline. Goalkeeper Brad Guzan returns to the fold having collected consecutive shutouts against Barbados in the second round series, while Freddy Adu and Jozy Altidore wear the U.S. colors for the first time since Beijing. Michael Orozco, one of three uncapped players on the roster, is joined by fellow Mexican Primera Division midfielder José Francisco Torres. The Longview, Texas, native is making his first appearance in a U.S. national team camp.
RFK Stadium is no stranger to the U.S. National Team, having hosted 17 matches since 1977. The U.S. has collected a 10-3-4 record in the nation’s capital, including a 3-1-1 record in World Cup qualifying. With an average attendance of over 30,000, Washington, D.C., has witnessed several memorable matches, including a 4-0 victory against Mexico in 1995 and a 1-0 win against Argentina in 1999. RFK last hosted the U.S. men on Oct. 13, 2004, when an Eddie Johnson hat trick paced the United States to a 6-0 victory against Panama to close out the semifinal phase of qualifying for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
U.S. MEN'S NATIONAL TEAM ROSTER
(A Detailed Roster is Available at ussoccer.com)
GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa: 2/2 SO), Tim Howard (Everton FC: 6/5 SO), Troy Perkins (Valerenga IF: 0/0)
DEFENDERS (8): Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes: 16/2), Danny Califf (FC Midtjylland: 2/0), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96: 17/0), Jay DeMerit (Watford FC: 1/0), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew: 13/1), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege: 11/0), Michael Orozco (San Luis: 0/0), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock: 5/0)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Freddy Adu (AS Monaco: 1/0), DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers: 19/4), Michael Bradley (Borussia Moenchengladbach: 5/2), Maurice Edu (Glasgow Rangers: 3/0), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA: 3/0), Danny Szetela (Brescia Calcio: 0/0), José Francisco Torres (Pachuca: 0/0)
FORWARDS (5): Jozy Altidore (Villarreal C.F.: 0/0), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo: 9/4), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF: 0/0) Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC: 11/4), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy: 24/8)
*numbers indicate all-time World Cup Qualifying caps/goals
Quick Hits:
-Adu needs to stay at Monaco so he can work his way into the starting lineup - they can easily win without him.
-Dempsey needs the playing time, let's see if he has been able to stay sharp.
-Orozco...here's to hoping we see more disciplined play than we saw in the Olympics, assuming he is even capable of playing ahead of Pearce (doubtful).
-Szetela...US fans will be pleasantly surprised to see a more polished version of him this year.
- Ching...needs to produce a goal or two, otherwise he'll soon be dropped like a hot potato.
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