May 18, 2013

Herculez Gomez, USMNT Beat Jamaica in World Cup Qualifier

September 12, 2012 by 24 Comments

(Note: I promise you I’m not a fair-weather fan. I didn’t write about the USMNT losing in Jamaica because I was busy with a brand new addition to my family last week. I don’t only write about wins.)

The United States Men’s National soccer team fed off of an energetic Columbus crowd last night to help keep their World Cup dreams alive. After losing in Kingston Jamaica on Friday September 7th 2-1 and things were looking bleak in the standings for the USMNT. It really amped up the pressure on them for the second leg of the home-and-home right here in Ohio.

It probably didn’t have to be this scary, if not for injuries. Landon Donovan didn’t play in either match due to a hamstring. Michael Bradley didn’t play either due to a quad injury. Lastly Clint Dempsey did play, but he was hardly in prime game shape after sitting out during his complicated team transfer situation in Europe moving from Fulham to Tottenham. Regardless though, it was up to Jürgen Klinsmann and his available squad to get the job done. They didn’t on the 7th, but they did last night. [Read more...]

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U.S. can’t hold lead, draws with Guatemala in World Cup qualifier

June 13, 2012 by 9 Comments

Most people I know were following the game on Twitter or looking for illegal feeds that might give them viruses on their computers. Others were at bars that were willing to pay $30 for a non-HD feed that was popping in and out due to technical difficulties. 1 Regardless of all the broadcast troubles, the game did in fact occur. The United States outplayed Guatemala for almost the entirety of the game, but still only came out with one point in the standings as they tied 1-1.

The U.S. started the game in very impressive fashion. They were passing the ball beautifully including a lot of one-touch series that kept Guatemala’s midfield and defenders running. It didn’t last however. As the U.S. does too often, they started to play down to their opponent. They started to play longer balls and seemed to be chasing a little bit too often. [Read more...]

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  1. $30 for a crappy feed that looked to be about webcam quality with a halftime show that didn’t last as long as the intermission so they played an un-commented montage of plays from the first half! What a value! [back]

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U.S. Soccer Begins 2014 World Cup Qualification – What Does This All Mean?

June 7, 2012 by 12 Comments

So many times as I’ve watched U.S. Soccer and commented on it on Twitter, I’ve heard detractors say, “So, um, what does this game mean?” It is kind of tough to say when the USMNT is playing a “friendly” that doesn’t have impact on qualification. I mean, I personally never really care, because I love to watch the sport, regardless. That being said, it is a fair point. Unless it is the actual World Cup or the Olympics, what do games really mean? So, I thought I would do a bit of homework to try and bring all the facts together in one place for all those who might need a little context in order to get into the United States’ game tomorrow night against Antigua and Barbuda Friday June 8th at 7 PM in Tampa. 1

The United States will be playing for a chance to be one of 32 teams in the World Cup in 2014. This is their first game of qualifying even though it is the third round in CONCACAF. 2 The United States placed out of the first two rounds.  Overall there were 35 teams vying for three spots and now there are three groups (A, B, C) remaining with four teams each. The United States is the top-ranked team in Group A and will face off against Jamaica, Guatemala and Antigua and Barbuda. [Read more...]

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  1. Yes, Antigua and Barbuda is is just one soccer team. [back]
  2. The Confederation of North, Central American, and Caribbean Association of Football – yes, I looked that up. [back]

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United States Ties Mexico 1-1 in Klinsmann’s First Game as Coach

August 11, 2011 by 18 Comments

It was kind of funny how much importance I put on this game before it started last night.  I had it on my calendar and was all set to tune in for Jurgen Klinsmann’s debut as coach for the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT.)  I am not sure what I really expected, though.  The USMNT plays friendlies on occasion.  They don’t mean a whole lot except as pre-season type games for bigger events like tournaments.  Hiring Klinsmann has really raised the interest level up a notch, though.  It is a commitment to widespread culture change in the program.  At the same time, it isn’t like he was going to be able to enact much change in the 10 days since he was hired.

Last night’s 1-1 tie was more about symbolism.  Klinsmann removed the names from the back of the jerseys of the players to show that it is only about representing the United States.  It is a pretty universal statement, but it still seems so odd to get lessons in patriotism from a German. [Read more...]

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United States’ World Cup Ends Against Ghana 2-1

June 26, 2010 by 20 Comments

It was a decent showing in the World Cup for the United States, but that is for analysis down the road.  Today, the taste of defeat is still just a little bit too bitter for that viewpoint.  The United States survived the referees and the early goals in the opening round.  The defensive issues proved too much of a deficiency for the United States to continue in the knockout stage, as they lost to Ghana on early goals.

In the 93rd minute (very early on in extra time) the United States’ sloppy play on defense haunted them again.  It was a great finish by Ghana’s Gyan through two U.S. defenders and Tim Howard.  A long ball bounced through, Gyan survived a couple of bumps and blasted a left footed rocket practically through Tim Howard.  The United States would have twenty-some more minutes to answer once to send it to penalty kicks, or twice to win the match outright. [Read more...]

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America Needs You Open Thread

June 26, 2010 by 65 Comments

Guys, I’m not gonna fuddle around with this. The USA is in the elimination round of the World Cup. Awesome, awesome things happened at the end of the Algeria game to make this a possibility. Bro Biden would say that today’s game is a big [something] deal. Chill Clinton stayed in South Africa just for this game. I’m out at the bar with Eli (Pour House, Penn Ave SE DC – Steelers bar yes, but today we’re AMERICANS, folks). Those of you who are around, leave your thoughts here as the game progresses – and even afterwards!

And get pumped. You know, for ‘Merica.

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Photo Credit: (REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi)

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U.S. Goalkeeper Tim Howard Should Play Against Slovenia

June 15, 2010 by 10 Comments

It was a terrifying moment for U.S. fans watching everywhere when Tim Howard stayed down after his collision with Emile Heskey in the opening half of the World Cup for the United States Men’s National Team.  It got especially scary when the backup goalkeeper started warming up on the sidelines.  After all was said and done, Tim Howard stayed in the game and really outdid himself in helping the United States tie the favored English team.  In the end, after treatment and testing, it appears that Howard will be ready to go when the United States takes on Slovenia.  It is a good thing too, as Howard is one of the clear leaders of the U.S. team. [Read more...]

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World Cup Day 2: USA 1, England 1

June 12, 2010 by 26 Comments

Craig and I are teaming up on this one, in terse timeline language. Just as a heads up. – Denny

England struck early.  Steven Gerrard somehow went streaking on a back door run through the middle of the U.S. 18 yard box where he had an easy time receiving a pass and pushing it past goalkeeper Tim Howard.  The U.S. also had a shot at stopping the pass from Emile Heskey.  Giving up a goal so early before five minutes had even elapsed off of the game clock was not a great way to start the game.

In the 18th minute the United States had a great opportunity at an equalizer.  Landon Donovan got some space on the right side and placed a beautiful cross that just missed Jozy Altidore’s head and then Dempsey’s foot.  Despite the early defensive lapse, it was good to see the U.S. maintaining their attack and aggressiveness. [Read more...]

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United States Defeats Australia 3-1

June 5, 2010 by 11 Comments

Landon Donovan and Hercules Gomez sealed a United States victory during injury time at the end of the second half to give the U.S. a 3-1 win over Australia in their last warmup game.  Donovan crossed the ball beautifully and Gomez struck it down the middle of the net to seal the victory.  The United States seemed content with their 2-1 halftime lead as they let starting goalkeeper, Tim Howard, rest in the second half.  In the end, the United States took care of business and look forward to playing against England.

At just over three minutes into the game, the United States drew first blood.  A sloppy play by the Australian backfield led to a steal by Edson Buddle just outside Australia’s 18 yard box.  A couple of moves later, Buddle, starting for injured Jozy Altidore, blasted a right footed shot past the Australian keeper’s left shoulder. [Read more...]

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