We have arrived - the United States' last match of 2010 against South Africa is today.
The biggest story for the match is that Teal Bunbury, coming off an impressive MLS rookie season for the Kansas City Wizards, has agreed to play for the United States national team instead of Canada where he was born. Earlier statements by Bunbury gave clear preference to Canada, but a change of heart came because the young forward wants to play in a World Cup - a long shot for the Canadian national team in the foreseeable future.
Some other exciting call ups for the US are Tim Ream and Mikkel Diskerruud. Good performances today and at the January camp could land both spots on the 2011 Gold Cup roster, but more than likely we'll be getting a good look at some players who will factor in more heavily for the 2014 World Cup.
South Africa has called in over ten players from its World Cup team for the match, the big news being that midfielder and Everton standout Steven Pienaar will be wearing the captain's armband today. Rumors are linking Pienaar with a move to Liverpool during the January transfer window, and an inspired performance today will reinforce how high this player's ceiling is.
Enjoy the match (ESPN2 at 2 pm) and post your thoughts before, during, or after the match below.
Showing posts with label US Soccer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label US Soccer. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
USMNT: A look back and ahead
Saturday night's match against Poland gave a bit of insight into the mind of Bob Bradley, at least in terms of his approach with European based players. With the exception of Brek Shea and Heath Pearce from FC Dallas, the entire roster called in for the two October friendlies play in European leagues that observe the FIFA calendar dates. And since Carlos Bocanegra has returned to his club as pre-arranged after Saturday's game, the call-up of Heath Pearce as an option at left back makes a lot more sense.
On Saturday, Bradley switched from his traditional 4-4-2 to a 4-2-3-1 formation. Stuart Holden played remarkably well and with the confidence of an English Premiere League starter. Jermaine Jones also was stellar in the midfield and should play a key role in the next cycle for the US. Jozy Altidore finished a great opportunity for his first goal for the national team in 2010. While his inability to finish other chances has come under fire among US fans and commentators, the fact is he created good opportunities and it's encouraging that he could have finished with an additional goal or two.
It's a ways out, but my projected starting midfield/forwrads for the USA for next summer's gold cup based on Bradley's willingness to switch to a better formation for the United States:
-----------------------------Altidore----------------------
-------Dempsey---------Holden---------Donovan--------
-------------------Bradley------- Jones-----------------
The defense is a bit more open, but it's safe to assume that Onyewu, Cherundolo, and Bocanegra will be top candidates to start based on experience. Maurice Edu played fine at centerback, but going with a younger MLS based player like Tim Ream, Ike Opara, or Omar Gonzalez might be a better direction, with the versatile Edu available off the bench.
On Tuesday night we'll hope to see some of the other players Bradley has called up for the friendlies such as Eric Lichaj and Eddie Johnson who has been getting time at Fulham under their new manager. EJ is still relatively young and without other options up top the competition to backup Jozy Altidore is wide open.
On Saturday, Bradley switched from his traditional 4-4-2 to a 4-2-3-1 formation. Stuart Holden played remarkably well and with the confidence of an English Premiere League starter. Jermaine Jones also was stellar in the midfield and should play a key role in the next cycle for the US. Jozy Altidore finished a great opportunity for his first goal for the national team in 2010. While his inability to finish other chances has come under fire among US fans and commentators, the fact is he created good opportunities and it's encouraging that he could have finished with an additional goal or two.
It's a ways out, but my projected starting midfield/forwrads for the USA for next summer's gold cup based on Bradley's willingness to switch to a better formation for the United States:
-----------------------------Altidore----------------------
-------Dempsey---------Holden---------Donovan--------
-------------------Bradley------- Jones-----------------
The defense is a bit more open, but it's safe to assume that Onyewu, Cherundolo, and Bocanegra will be top candidates to start based on experience. Maurice Edu played fine at centerback, but going with a younger MLS based player like Tim Ream, Ike Opara, or Omar Gonzalez might be a better direction, with the versatile Edu available off the bench.
On Tuesday night we'll hope to see some of the other players Bradley has called up for the friendlies such as Eric Lichaj and Eddie Johnson who has been getting time at Fulham under their new manager. EJ is still relatively young and without other options up top the competition to backup Jozy Altidore is wide open.
Monday, August 9, 2010
August 10th
August 10th is a big day in my sports year, 2010. First, the USMNT is facing off against a competitive and new look Brazil team at the Meadowlands. And second, the NBA is releasing it's complete schedule for the 2010-2011 season.
So far, just the marquee holiday matchups have been set. Unfortunately, Miami does not open its season in Cleveland, but the Heat will indeed travel twice to Ohio to visit the artist formerly known as Lebron's old team. Miami will open the season with a great matchup against the Boston Celtics that critics will pick apart for weeks before and after as if the Eastern Conference champion is being determined opening night.
As far are the Knicks are concerned, like in 2009 they again will play first on Christmas day, this year against their old rival Chicago Bulls (how great would a renewed Chicago/New York rivalry be for the NBA?). Fingers are crossed the Heat will also make two trips to NYC, but if I remember correctly they visited the Garden twice last year so it's probably the Knicks turn to make two trips.
As season ticket holders, we at the Cubicle Coaches tend to be overly invested in the makeup of the Knicks home schedule. But with excitement brewing, a potential storm looms on the horizon: Tropical (?) Storm Isiah.
http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nba/news/story?id=5442858
Despite running the Knicks organization into the ground with a group of underachieving players with bloated contracts that Donnie Walsh has struggled to disassemble, Isiah will be following his less than impressive 1st year coaching at Florida International University (7-25 overall record with a 4-14 showing in the fierce Sun Belt conference) with an improved showing. His attention seems to be elsewhere, however, as he has accepted a position as a "paid consultant" for the Knicks. To do what, exactly? Advocate to bring in terrible, injury prone players past their primes for enormous costs? The Knicks finally are finished giving away their 1st round draft picks for Stephon Marbury after the 2010 draft, but had to give up 2012 and offer to swap 2011 with Houston to create something resembling salary cap space.
It goes without saying, that if the Knicks bring Thomas back as the General Manager, the Cubicle Coaches season tickets will not be renewed, bringing great pain and sadness to the friends and family of the blog. Brooklyn Nets, anyone?
So far, just the marquee holiday matchups have been set. Unfortunately, Miami does not open its season in Cleveland, but the Heat will indeed travel twice to Ohio to visit the artist formerly known as Lebron's old team. Miami will open the season with a great matchup against the Boston Celtics that critics will pick apart for weeks before and after as if the Eastern Conference champion is being determined opening night.
As far are the Knicks are concerned, like in 2009 they again will play first on Christmas day, this year against their old rival Chicago Bulls (how great would a renewed Chicago/New York rivalry be for the NBA?). Fingers are crossed the Heat will also make two trips to NYC, but if I remember correctly they visited the Garden twice last year so it's probably the Knicks turn to make two trips.
As season ticket holders, we at the Cubicle Coaches tend to be overly invested in the makeup of the Knicks home schedule. But with excitement brewing, a potential storm looms on the horizon: Tropical (?) Storm Isiah.
http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nba/news/story?id=5442858
Despite running the Knicks organization into the ground with a group of underachieving players with bloated contracts that Donnie Walsh has struggled to disassemble, Isiah will be following his less than impressive 1st year coaching at Florida International University (7-25 overall record with a 4-14 showing in the fierce Sun Belt conference) with an improved showing. His attention seems to be elsewhere, however, as he has accepted a position as a "paid consultant" for the Knicks. To do what, exactly? Advocate to bring in terrible, injury prone players past their primes for enormous costs? The Knicks finally are finished giving away their 1st round draft picks for Stephon Marbury after the 2010 draft, but had to give up 2012 and offer to swap 2011 with Houston to create something resembling salary cap space.
It goes without saying, that if the Knicks bring Thomas back as the General Manager, the Cubicle Coaches season tickets will not be renewed, bringing great pain and sadness to the friends and family of the blog. Brooklyn Nets, anyone?
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