CLINT DEMPSEY (FULHAM)

The News: Clint Dempsey was on target for Fulham as his team earned a 1-1 draw at home against Wigan.

Of Note: Fulham relieved manager Lawrie Sanchez of his duties on Friday, and the Cottagers fought for a hard-point today against fellow strugglers Wigan. Leading Fulham from the sideline today was caretaker manager Ray Lewington, and he inserted Dempsey and Carlos Bocanegra into his first starting 11 for the club.




Up Next: While the team faces three games in the next eight days, Fulham’s search for a manager continues. The early favorite to take the vacant position for the Cottagers is former player John Collins. However, if Lewington guides Fulham to a few good results over the next week, he will undoubtedly increase his chances of taking the role permanently.

Big Weekend Recap!

Fulham v. Newcastle - Clint Dempsey and Carlos Bocanegra both played 90 minutes, but Fulham were undone by a late Joey Barton goal from the penalty spot. Controversial 90th minute penalty calls are not, it seems, limited to to the realm of the U-23s, and you can be the judge on this one-



Everton v. West Ham - With Saturday's 2-0 win, Tim Howard and Everton made it two victories in a week over West Ham. On Wednesday, Everton defeated the Hammers 2-1, earning their place in the Carling Cup semifinals for the first time in 19 years:


Saturday, the scoreline was different but the result was the same. Yakubu has been in menacing form recently, and he again grabbed the winning goal for Everton. Defensively, Howard kept his third consecutive clean sheet in the Premier League.





Everton have been in great form lately, but they'll be put to the test over the holiday period. They face Manchester United away on Saturday, before hosting Bolton and Arsenal on the 26th and 29th.


Derby v. Middlesbrough - Derby County remain marooned at the foot of the bale, after a brilliant volley from Tuncay handed Middlesbrough a 1-0 win over the Rams. Benny Feilhaber and Eddie Lewis did not play in the game.




Jay DeMerit and Watford slipped to defeat at home to Plymouth, and as a result were overtaken at the top of the table. DeMerit went the full 90 minutes, as he looks to be fully recovered from a calf injury earlier this season. With the loss however, Watford drop to second in the Championship table, one point behind West Brom.

Oguchi Onyewu and Standard Liege drew Dender 0-0 in Belgium on Saturday. Gooch was part of a backline that kept its seventh clean sheet of the season, however the tie means that Standard, despite being undefeated, are still three points behind Club Brugge at the top of the table.


Michael Bradley and Heerenveen have moved up to third place in the Eredivisie after a 5-1 thrashing of NAC Breda. The impressive result puts Bradley and his club ahead of Feyenoord on goal differential, and they remain a mere two points behind leaders Ajax.

Steve Cherundolo and Hannover, meanwhile, were on the other side of that 5-1 scoreline, losing heavily on Friday to Energie Cottbus.

Heath Pearce and Hansa Rostock will undoubtedly be lifted by their 2-0 win over VFL Bochum on Sunday. Pearce came on in the 84th minute to help close out the game, and the win lifts Rostock out of the bottom three, giving them a nice boost before the month long winter break.


Freddy Adu came off the subs bench for Benfica, but couldn't turn around a 1-0 loss to Belenenses. Benfica now sit 10 points behind leaders Porto.

BOBBY CONVEY (READING)

The News: Reading defeated Liverpool 3-1 on Saturday. Bobby Convey was credited with an assist on his team’s third goal.

Of Note: Reading’s victory was their first ever against Liverpool, and the first time that Steve Coppell’s team has earned three points against the so-called “Big Four” in the Premier League. The Royals remain in 12^th place, but confidence in the team camp must be high after putting in probably their best performance of the season.

Convey was effervescent on the left-side of midfield for Reading, and it was his nicely threaded pass that set up James Harper for the final goal of the game. Marcus Hahnemann put in a solid shift in goal for Reading, making five saves in the win.

Up Next: Reading will look to take points from their next three games against Birmingham City, Sunderland and West Ham. First the Royals travel to the midlands to face Birmingham at St. Andrews Stadium on Saturday the 15^th.

Quick Bundesliga Wrap

• Steve Cherundolo and Hannover 96 were on the winning end of a seven-goal thriller with Werder Bremen on Saturday. The 4-3 win lifted Hannover into fifth place and denied Bremen a chance to move to the top of the Bundesliga table. Cherundolo, as always, was deployed at right back for his team, who were powered to victory by a Mike Hanke hat trick. On Friday, Hannover face Energie Cottbus as they look to end the first half of the season on a positive note. After the weekend, the Bundesliga takes a long winter break before resuming in early February.

• Heath Pearce started and played the full 90 minutes for Hansa Rostock, but his team was on the losing end of a 3-0 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday. Pearce was on the left side of defense for his team, and played a complete game for the first time in over two months. The loss leaves Rostock at 16^th place and in the relegation zone. However, with a win against VFL Bochum on Sunday, Rostock can get out of the dreaded bottom three before the winter break.

MICHAEL BRADLEY (HEERENVEEN)

The News: Michael Bradley scored a hat trick on Sunday in Heerenveen’s 4-2 win over regional rivals FC Groningen.

Of Note: The U-17 residency grad struck three times in the opening half (watch below), taking the midfielder’s season tally to ten goals in all competitions. Equally important were the three points that Heerenveen earned today, a result that keeps them fourth place in the league behind and just five points behind the leaders. After the game, Bradley was awarded a large bouquet of Roses, and he gave an interview to a TV station about the game. He talked about the team’s performance, his goals, the good form of Heerenveen this season and how excited he is to get home so he can check out this entry on U.S. Soccer Global! OK, so maybe not the blog part, and we’re actually just assuming on the rest as well - the interview is in Dutch.



The news is filtering through to the Development Academy Nike Friendlies and everybody is pretty psyched. Bob Bradley was in the tent hitting up the internet to see if he could find some pictures. People were also wondering if this was the first hat trick by an American international playing in Europe, but in fact that’s not the case, as Charlie Davies scored one earlier this year. Remember this video?

Up Next: Heerenveen face NAC Breda on Saturday December 15, but we’ll be sure to put some highlights from today’s game up as soon as we can get some good ones.

TIM HOWARD (EVERTON)

The News: Tim Howard and Everton defeated Fulham 3-0 on Saturday, stretching their unbeaten run to ten games in all competitions.

Of Note: Howard and his defense earned a clean sheet for the third game in a row, while Everton's Yakubu banged in a hat trick to spur his team to victory. Howard had a relatively light day, and needed to make only two saves over the course of 90 minutes. Clint Dempsey started for Fulham, and played 65 minutes in what was a tough day for the London side.


Up Next: The defeat for Fulham leaves the Cottagers struggling in the wrong half of the table before they host Newcastle next week. Everton, on the other hand, are hitting their stride, and couldn't be in better form ahead of the tough stretch of holiday games. They have six more matches in December, including tough ones against Arsenal and Manchester United.

Soccer On TV

Here’s a sampling of some of the games on TV this weekend (all times are ET):

Saturday:

Manchester United vs. Derby County (10 a.m., Setanta) – It just doesn’t get easier for the poor Rams who, after last week’s lost to Everton, now face Champions Manchester United. Benny Feilhaber was not involved in that match, and he’ll be hoping to break into the squad for Saturday’s glamorous trip to the Theatre of Dreams.

Reading vs. Liverpool (12 p.m., FSC) – Reading take on Liverpool in the late kickoff on Saturday, and with only one win in their last five, the Royals could do with a good result. A tie or a win could set the tone for a good December for Steve Coppell’s team, who face lesser opponents for the next four weeks leading into the Christmas period. Bobby Convey and Marcus Hahnemann will likely be in the starting lineup for Reading, as they have been the last few outings for the team. And if you haven’t seen it yet, be sure to check out this article on Bobby’s work off the pitch in England. Oh, and a random note: the Reading scout at the Development Academy Nike Friendlies right now is senior-team fullback Nicky Shorey’s dad. Yup, random.


Sunday:

Blackburn vs. West Ham (11 a.m., FSC) – West Ham travel north to Ewood Park on Sunday, and the Hammers could push further into the top half of the table with a victory over Blackburn. Jonathan Spector has been one of the first subs off the bench in recent games, and he’ll look to help his team earn three solid points before next week’s double date with Everton – the two clubs face off in the Carling Cup on Wednesday and the Premier League on Saturday.

BOBBY CONVEY (READING)

Just thought we'd pass along a cool story on Bobby Convey about his charity work in England. That's about it. There's not really much else to say, the article really covers it best! Be sure to check it out.

DANNY CALIFF (AALBORG BK)

The News: Danny Califf and Aalborg BK have been knocked out of the UEFA Cup after today’s 2-1 loss to Getafe.

Of Note: Aalborg’s failure to take at least a point means that even with a win on the final matchday, they’ll be unable to qualify for the round of 32. Nonetheless, the small Danish side has done its fans proud thus far in the competition – AaB’s elimination of Sampdoria in the previous round was one of the stories of the tournament.

Up Next: AaB close out this year’s UEFA Cup campaign with an away fixture at Hapoel Tel-Aviv on December 19.

Jay DeMerit (Watford)

The News: Jay DeMerit returned from injury this week and featured in both of Watford’s games.

Of Note: Watford lost on Saturday in DeMerit’s first game back, but on Tuesday the Hornets managed a 3-2 win, stretching their lead at the top of the table to four points. Prior to the game, DeMerit spoke to Watford’s website about his return from injury and Watford’s need to build on their good results from the first half of the season.

Up Next: Watford and DeMerit will look to make it two wins on the trot when they face fellow promotion challengers Stoke this Sunday.

UEFA Cup: Aalborg BK vs. Getafe

The News: Danny Califf and Aalborg BK host Getafe in a UEFA Cup Group G match on Thursday.

Of Note: These two teams have never met before in European competition, and AaB need a good result to maintain hopes of qualification for the next round. The Danish club endured a tough 3-2 loss to Tottenham on the last matchday, despite holding a 2-0 lead at halftime of that game. Getafe are managed by Danish legend Michael Laudrup, and the Spanish side is competing in the UEFA Cup for the first time. With three points from their first two games, Getafe currently sit in third place

Up Next: The game kicks off at 2:30 p.m. ET. Read the match preview here, and follow the live text updates at UEFA.com.

TIM HOWARD (EVERTON)

The News: Tim Howard and Everton progressed to the knockout round of the UEFA Cup with a 1-0 win over Zenit St. Petersburg.

Of Note: With today’s shutout, Howard kept his second successive clean sheet for the Toffees. This time, he didn’t have much to do, and only had one save to make over the course of ninety minutes. In-form midfielder Tim Cahill grabbed the winner for Everton, who advance to the round of 32 with one game still to play in Group A.

Up Next: Howard and Clint Dempsey do battle on Saturday when Everton hosts Fulham at Goodison Park.

UEFA Cup: Everton vs. Zenit St. Petersburg

The News: Tim Howard and Everton take on Zenit St. Petersburg in a UEFA Cup Group A match on Wednesday.

Of Note: Everton have a few injury doubts ahead of the match, namely Tim Howard who is under the weather with the flu. With eight games coming up in the next 24 days, manager David Moyes may not want to risk his starting goalkeeper. In the bizarre format of the UEFA Cup, the top three teams qualify from five in the group, and the Toffees currently top the table in Group A. As such, Everton needs only one point from its last three games to progress to the next round.

Up Next: As usual, the game kicks off at 2:30 p.m. ET. Read a match preview here, and follow text updates at UEFA.com.

Freddy Adu (Benfica)

The News: Benfica's 2-1 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday assured the Portuguese club of a place in the UEFA Cup and knocked the Ukrainian club out of Europe.

Of Note: Freddy Adu was an unused substitute for Benfica, who progressed to the knockout stage of the UEFA Cup courtesy of two first half goals from striker Oscar Cardozo.



Up Next: Benfica parachute into the Round of 32 for the UEFA Cup, but they'll have to wait until mid-February 2008 before they take the field in that competition. Currently, the group stage is still going on, and Benfica won't know its opponent until all the matches are completed.

Champions League: Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Benfica

The News: In one of two CL games tonight, Freddy Adu and Benfica travel to Ukraine to face Shakhtar Donetsk with a UEFA Cup berth on the line.

Of Note: Benfica have no possibility of qualifying for the next round of the Champions League. However, should they win, they will finish in third place in the group, guaranteeing them entry into the next stage of the UEFA Cup. Shakhtar need a win, coupled with a heavy Celtic loss to Milan, to have any hope of progressing to the next stage. Benfica were pegged back at the weekend, falling 1-0 to title rivals Porto, and they’ll need to regain their focus in the sub-zero climate of Donetsk if they want to continue playing for a continental trophy this year.

Up Next: Read the match preview here, and follow the game at UEFA.com from 2:30 p.m. ET.

CLINT DEMPSEY (FULHAM)

The News: Clint Dempsey and Fulham succumbed to a 2-0 loss to Manchester United last night.

Of Note: Dempsey started up top for the Cottagers, and though Fulham threatened the United goal a few times, they couldn’t turn any opportunities into goals. Eventually, a Ronaldo brace proved to be the difference between the two sides.

Up Next: With the loss, Fulham remain in 14^th place and they now face a shorter-than-usual turnaround before Saturday’s match against Tim Howard and Everton.

(Brief) Weekend Recap

Hansa Rostock 0 – Hannover 96 3: Heath Pearce and Rostock played Steve Cherundolo and Hannover close, but a flurry of late goals gave the visitors the victory. The scoreline was more lopsided than it should have been, and Rostock had a good amount of chances before Hannover broke the deadlock in the 84^th minute. Pearce, who came on as a left winger at halftime, was put through on goal in the 63rd minute, but his left footed volley was well saved by the Hannover keeper.

NEC Nigmegen 0 – Heerenveen 1: Michael Bradley and Heerenveen were victorious in rainy conditions on Sunday. The victory keeps Heerenveen in fourth place, five points behind Feynoord, and seven points behind the leaders PSV.

Benfica 0 – Porto 1: Freddy Adu came off the bench in the 79^th minute, but couldn’t change the result for his club who remain in second place with the loss.

Portsmouth 0 – Everton 0: What looked to be one of the best games of the weekend on paper failed to live up to its billing, and turned out to be a fairly uneventful draw. Everton lacking the punch they had last week during their seven goal victory, and couldn’t convert any of their chances. At the other end, however, the Toffees were tight at the back, led by Tim Howard’s seven saves, and they earned a clean sheet to preserve the draw.

Reading 1 – Middlesbrough 1: Bobby Convey started on the wing again for the Royals, while Marcus Hahnemann took up his familiar post in the net, where he made 10 saves. Reading’s next match is against Liverpool on Saturday.

West Ham 0 – Chelsea 1: The Hammers were undone by a late goal from Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole in the 76^th minute. Three minutes later Jonathan Spector came on as a sub for West Ham.

Not too much else of note to talk about, other than to remind everybody about today’s big game! Fulham travels to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United, in a game to be televised live on Setanta. Extended coverage begins at 2 p.m. ET, though the actual kickoff isn’t until about an hour later. Be sure to check back here after the match for highlights…

Around the Continent...

Friday's Bundesliga game kicks off a full slate of European league games this weekend. In fact, the action got under way elsewhere this afternoon as well with Oguchi Onyewu and Standard Liege taking on Anderlecht in the Belgian League. That game finished in a 0-0 stalemate, and as a result, Standard climb to the top of the table for now.

Saturday, Jonathan Spector and West Ham United travel across London to Stamford Bridge where they will take on Chelsea in the Saturday lunchtime kickoff. That's lunchtime in England of course, and here that game will be on bright and early Saturday morning. Be sure to set your alarms for the 7:30 a.m. ET kickoff on Setanta.

Later on Saturday morning, Tim Howard minds the nets for Everton as his club travels to Fratton Park to take on Portsmouth. Both sides are in excellent form, with Portsmouth unbeaten in their last five matches, and Everton's only blemish coming from their 2-1 defeat in the Merseyside Derby. Kickoff is a 10:00 a.m. ET, and you can follow text updates here, or catch the delayed broadcast at 2:30 p.m. ET on Setanta.

At the same time, Reading travel to Middlesbrough and Derby County make the journey north to Sunderland. Both these games would seem to have significant implications for the relegation battle this season, as all four of these teams reside in the lower half of the standings. Derby, led by new manager Paul Jewell, will be looking to climb off the foot of the table against a Sunderland side that was thrashed by Everton last weekend. Benny Feilhaber will hope to make it two appearances in a row following his substitute cameo against Chelsea. For Reading, Bobby Convey tallied an assist in last weekends heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Manchester City, and will likely retain his place in the starting 11 along with goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann. Neither of these games are televised live, but the Reading game can be seen on FSC at 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.

The other big game on Saturday is in Portugal, where Freddy Adu and second place Benfica host first place FC Porto at the Estadio da Luz. Both clubs are undefeated in the Portuguese League, though Benfica are four points behind the leaders.

On Sunday, Heerenveen and Michael Bradley play away to NEC Nijmegen. Last time out, Heereveen lost for the first time in five matches against De Graafschap, but they still remain in fourth place in the table. To continue their pursuit for a UEFA Cup berth, they'll need to earn a win against an NEC side who have lifted themselves off the bottom of the table in recent weeks.

And finally, Monday afternoon action pits Clint Dempsey, Carlos Bocanegra and Fulham against Champions Manchester United. The game is televised live on Setanta, with coverage beginning at 2 pm ET. We'll have more for you throughout the weekend, so make sure to keep checking back here for the latest highlights and results...

Friday Bundesliga: Hansa Rostock v Hannover 96

The News: Steve Cherundolo and Hannover 96 travel to face Hansa Rostock and Heath Pearce in Bundesliga action on Friday. The game will be televised live at 2:30 pm ET on Gol TV.

Of Note: Hannover 96 is coming off of a tough loss against Schalke 04 last week and will look to get their charge for a European place back on track. Meanwhile Hansa Rostock have slipped down the table of late, but they are undefeated in their last five games at home. Cherundolo missed this past weekend's game due to lingering effects from an ankle injury sustained against South Africa, however he should return for today's game. On Sunday, Heath Pearce came on as a second half sub for Rostock who fell, 2-0, to Hamburg.

Up Next: The game kicks off at 2:30 pm ET. As we mentioned, its being shown live on Gol TV, and you can read a match preview here.

DAN CALIFF (AALBORG BK)

The News: Dan Califf and AaB endured a tough 3-2 loss away to Tottenham last night.

Of Note: AaB stormed out to a 2-0 lead, but were unable to hold out in the second half. Three goals from Tottenham in the second period condemned the Danish side to their first loss in the UEFA Cup.

Up Next: For the next match in the UEFA Cup, AaB host Getafe on December 6 at 2:45 pm ET. A result in that match is imperative for Califf and his club, who have only one point thus far in Group G.

UEFA Cup: Tottenham vs. Aalborg BK

The News: Dan Califf and AaB face Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur tonight at White Hart Lane. And here's a question for all you people that slaughter our trivia in the MNT Blog: have you ever seen Dan Califf play for his club team? We're guessing no, but today you can right that egregious wrong! That's right, FSC will be airing this game starting today at 2:30 pm ET so be sure to take a long lunch hour and catch some of the action.

Of Note: AaB drew their first and only match against Anderlecht, while Tottenham have won one and lost one thus far in Group G play. The two clubs have never met before in a UEFA tournament, and AaB will be looking to continue their improbable run through this year's competition. The Danish side were the unfashionable choice in the last round against Sampdoria, but after eliminating them, and tying Anderlecht in their opening match of the group stage, AaB see no reason to believe why their good form can't continue. Last time out for Tottenham, new manager Juande Ramos commandeered a 2-0 away win for Spurs over Hapoel Tel-Aviv in his first UEFA Cup match.

Up Next: The match kicks off at 2:45 pm ET, and you can read previews of it here and here. If you're unlucky enough to not be near a TV this afternoon, you can also follow along with live text updates at UEFA.com.

Injury Update

DaMarcus Beasley has been ruled out for the rest of the season after scans revealed signficant knee ligament damage. The injury was sustained in Tuesday's Champions League game, when Beasley collided with Stuttgart goalkeeper Raphael Schäfer early in the second half. Beas' speed and pinpoint accuracy on set pieces will be missed by manager Walter Smith, who will now need to find reliable cover on the flanks of Rangers attack for the next five months.

FREDDY ADU (BENFICA)

The News: Freddy Adu and Benfica were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League witha 1-1 draw against AC Milan.

Of Note: Adu came off the bench in the 88th minute, but couldn't find the late game heroics his side needed to keep alive their hopes of progressing to the knockout stage. Benfica still retain hopes of qualifying for the UEFA Cup, but in order to achieve that feat, they'll have to beat Shakhtar Donetsk on the final day.






Up Next: Benfica face two massive games in quick succession, when they host league leaders Porto on Saturday before traveling to Ukraine on Tuesday to face Shakhtar.

New Manager at Derby

Eddie Lewis and Benny Feilhaber have a new manager at Derby Country, after Paul Jewell was appointed to the position earlier today. The former Wigan man replaces Billy Davies, who departed the club on Monday afternoon. Jewell will now prep the squad ahead of Saturday's massive game against Sunderland. Read about the new hire here.

Champions League: Benfica vs. AC Milan

The News: Freddy Adu and Benfica host AC Milan at the Estadio da Luz in a vital game for the Portuguese side.

Of Note: Benfica have yet to lose in the Portuguese league, where they currently sit in second place, but they haven't managed to transition domestic success to the bigger stage of the Champions League. With only one win from three games, Jose Antonio Camacho's side is rooted to the foot of the Group D table. Yet there is still a fair amount of hope, as the Eagles are only three points away from second place. Any kind of result against AC Milan tonight would set the tone for rest of Benfica's charge toward the second round. Freddy Adu scored during his club's 3-1 victory this weekend, and he'll hope to get on the field for tonight's big game.
Up Next: The match kicks off at 2:45 ET. You can read previews of the match here and here, and follow along live text updates at UEFA.com.

DAMARCUS BEASLEY (RANGERS)

The News: Beasley was injured during Rangers' 3-2 loss to Stuttgart last night in the Champions League. The winger was removed from the game in the 47th minute after a collision with Stuttgart's goalkeeper. The extent of his injury is currently unknown, though knee ligament damage is the projected diagnosis. We'll be sure to report on more news when it becomes available.




Of Note: The loss leaves Rangers on seven points, though they still remain in second place in the group. Lyon's tie with Barcelona puts them level on points with Rangers, however the French Champions' inferior goal differential puts them below the Glasgow side in the Group E table.

Up Next: The Matchday 6 showdown between Rangers and Lyon at Ibrox will determine who advances to the knockout stages of the Champions League. Rangers only need a draw to qualify, while Lyon have to win in order to reach the stage they've been to for the past four years. Rangers last qualified for the knockout round in the 2005-06 season. Manager Walter Smith has already conceded that Beasley will be out of action for that match.

Champions League: Stuttgart vs. Rangers

The News: Champions League action resumes tonight when DaMarcus Beasley and Rangers travel to Germany to face VFB Stuttgart.

Of Note: The German Champions, having not yet hit the heights of last year, are already eliminated from the Champions League, however Rangers still have all to play for in Group E. Currently on seven points, the Glasgow club could insure their passage to the next round with a win tonight and a loss by Lyon, who face Barcelona at the Stade Gerland. Rangers were victorious over the weekend, as were Stuttgart, and the sides sit at second and seventh in their respective domestic tables. Beasley had an assist in the win on Saturday against Falkirk, and he spoke to Rangers' website about the possibility of qualifying for the next round of the Champions League. Beas should be starting tonight, and he'll look to add to his tally of two goals thus far in the Champions League.

Up Next: Read previews of the match here: BBC, UEFA. The game kicks off at 2:45 ET, and you can follow along with live text updates at UEFA.com.

Weekend Wrap Up

England:

Benny Feilhaber made his fourth appearance of the season for Derby, coming on in the 83rd minute of a 2-0 loss to Chelsea. The result meant that Derby remained bottom of the table, and four points away from safety. Today, manager Billy Davies has been let go by the club, who will look to right the ship ahead of Saturday's six pointer with Sunderland.


Fulham and Clint Dempsey drew 2-2 at home to Blackburn. Though all the headlines have been about Fulham's propensity to concede late goals, a point against obstinate Blackburn can't be too discouraging. Carlos Bocanegra was an unused substitute for the game. In other news for the Cottagers, captain Brian McBride is nearing a return from injury.


Tim Howard and Everton administered a 7-1 thumping to Sunderland. With a 3-1 lead at half-time, the Toffees were never in danger of dropping points, and they'll take that positive momentum into next Saturday's match against surging Portsmouth. The two clubs have been a few of this season's surprises in the Premier League, and both will be looking for a win as they surge toward qualification for Europe.


Jonathan Spector made a late substitute cameo for West Ham United, who drew 1-1 with Tottenham Hotspur. The Hammers got out of jail when former player Jermain Defoe had a penalty saved by West Ham 'keeper Robert Green, to keep the draw and the point for West Ham.

Holland:

Heerenveen and Michael Bradley were victims of a 3-2 loss against De Graafschap on Saturday. Heerenveen had previously won four games in a row in the Eredivisie, but were undone this weekend despite a late fight back. Having been eliminated from the Dutch Cup, Bradley's club now faces a week off, before returning to action on December 2 against NEC Nijmegen.


Belgium:

Oguchi Onyewu and Standard Liege had the weekend off, but they'll be in action on Friday in a top of the table clash in Belgium. Gooch and Standard will face first place side Anderlecht on Friday night. Standard Liege sit in second place, one point behind the leaders, and they'll attempt to maintain their unbeaten record in the Jupiler League.

BOBBY CONVEY (READING)

The News: Bobby Convey assisted on Reading's only goal, but a late winner from Stephen Ireland gave Manchester City the 2-1 win.


Of Note: With Reading down 1-0, Convey squared a delicate ball across the top of the box for James Harper to first-time into the top corner. The score after 90 minutes of play remained 1-1, but in injury time Mancheter City midfielder Ireland hit a spectacular full volley past a helpless Marcus Hahnemann. The loss drops Reading to thirteenth place.





Up Next: Reading host Middlesbrough on Saturday the 12th. In the bottom end of the table, three points separate seven sides (these two included), so this weekend's match will be an important one for both sides.

FREDDY ADU (BENFICA)

The News: Fredua strikes again, this time putting the final nail in the coffin against Académica de Coimbra with a 90th minute goal.

Of Note: The goal is Adu's second in league play and fifth in all competitions since joining Benfica. The 18-year-old started on the bench, but came on in the 62nd minute for Nuno Gomes and hit a left-footed strike from the top of the box that just trickled in after going off the 'keepers glove and the right post. The victory keeps Benfica solidly in second place with 25 points, six ahead of Sporting Lisbon, but still a point behind leaders FC Porto, who also have a game in hand.



Up Next: Freddy and the rest of the boys will be looking to have a great week of training as they get set for a formidable task when they face AC Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday, Nov. 28.

DAMARCUS BEASLEY (RANGERS)

The News: Beasley and Rangers remain in second place in the SPL after a 3-1 victory today over Falkirk.

Of Note: Beasley was in the starting lineup for the Glasgow side, and his corner kick picked out Carlos Cuellar for the opening goal after the 20 minutes. Rangers doubled their lead early in the second half, and though Falkirk did narrow the gap soon after, a third goal from Kris Boyd ensured the three points for Walter Smith’s team.



Up Next: Rangers travel to Germany on Tuesday where they will face off against VFB Stuttgart in the Champions League.

An MNT Thanksgiving

Since the U.S. Men’s National Team finished off the 2007 season with a 1-0 win against South Africa last weekend, all the players and staff will happily get the chance to spend Thanksgiving with friends and family.

But, as is well known, that’s not always the case for every holiday. Over the years, there have been many times where national teams (men, women and youth) have been on trips during holidays had to celebrate a special day among each other.

So, that got us thinking. WHAT IF there was a match overseas this week, instead of last, and the U.S. Men had to have their Thanksgiving feast together? What would that scene be like?

We could never know for sure, but discussing it was pretty entertaining. As we shared ideas, we realized if a Thanksgiving dinner with the MNT were to have happened, there’s no doubt the MNT Blog would have provided fans with a behind-the-scenes look. So, why not blog about our imaginary dinner?

We’ve broken it down by which players would be most likely doing what, from carving the turkey to just watching football. Here’s the way we see it going down:

An MNT Thanksgiving

Catching Dinner
There aren’t a ton of families that go out and actually CATCH their Thanksgiving turkey. Zipping down to the local grocery store and pulling one out of the freezer doesn’t count – even if you’re crazy Uncle Ted decides to throw it to you down the aisle. We’re talking about actually heading out into the woods in full hunter orange, tracking a wild turkey and then finally shooting the fowl (hopefully in one shot…poor guy).

Player: Marcus Hahnemann.
The Reading goalkeeper is known to be an avid hunter and knows how to handle a gun. No one wants to go hungry on Thanksgiving, and Marcus will make sure no one does.

(We also feel we must add that while one turkey’s life would be sacrificed for the hungry bellies of the MNT players, one would be saved as well. A week before the team would leave for the match, we see U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati pardoning a turkey in a ceremony held either at Soccer House or The Home Depot Center.)

Cooking the Turkey
To eat the turkey, someone has to cook the turkey. We imagined this fact being brought up to the team, and getting blank looks from players to staff. I mean, you think Landon Donovan or Oguchi Onyewu has cooked a turkey before? Who knows, maybe they have, but we’re thinking most of the players have a mom, sister, girlfriend or wife that has happily done the dirty work. Still, we have to pick somebody.

Player: Jimmy Conrad
Why Jimmy? He’s a giving kind of guy, willing to help out on and off the field. He wouldn’t mind wearing an apron; heck, he’d embrace it. An ultra-competitive guy, he’d make sure he did a great job. He’d be open and would listen to suggestions, say, if Brian Ching offered up the Hawaiian tradition of coffee-rubbed turkey. And most importantly, he’d have fun doing it. A happy cook will provide good food.

Carving the Turkey
Not a job everyone wants because it’s not as easy as it looks. Carving the turkey takes an experienced hand and a bit of skill. If you don’t do it right, you won’t preserve the flavor and texture of the meat, which will make everyone unhappy.

Player: Carlos Bocanegra
We could also see Bob Bradley carving the turkey, but knowing the coach he’d probably think it would be better coming from the captain. Makes sense too. Carlos has the experience, and this year has really shown his ability to be a leader at the highest level. A humble guy, he knows he couldn’t get to where he is without his teammates, so helping them out so they could get some good eating would be something he’d be up for.

Kids Table
Everyone family has a main table and the kiddies table at Thanksgiving. The MNT would be no different. So, who’s sitting at the kiddies table?

Player(s): Maurice Edu, Brad Guzan, Sacha Kljestan, Danny Szetela and plenty of others that could be on this list - so just fill in the other seats with your imagination. We had to chuckle thinking about all these guys sitting at the small, fold-up table off to the corner. They’re definitely part of the team, but they need a few more caps until they can sit at the adult table. Wonder who’s the most likely to start a food fight?

Watching Football
Possibly the biggest tradition after eating turkey is plopping down in front of the TV and taking in the two NFL games.

Player(s): Landon Donovan, Jay DeMerit, Taylor Twellman
We picked a couple of what would be many players taking in the games. So, why did we pick these three? Landon held a Super Bowl party at his house this year so we know he’s into the games, and DeMerit is from Green Bay and you CANNOT be a from Green Bay without loving the Pack and the NFL. As for Taylor, after seeing him going crazy at the World Series rooting for the Red Sox, you know he's all about all sports New England, which includes the Patriots who just don't know how to lose this season.

Looking Forward to the Dessert
There’s always someone who’s looking forward to the pies (apple, pumpkin, etc.) than the turkey.

Staff: Peter Nowak.
You might not know it, but Peter has a pretty good sweet tooth. We’re guessing he’d be all over the dessert.

Snapping the Wishbone
The tradition of snapping the dried turkey wishbone is supposed to bring grant a wish to the person who ends up with the bigger piece.

Players: The guys are competitive, but when they’re in camp they don’t want to talk too much trash about facing each other at the club level…well, OK, some. Without pitting guys head-to-head, we figured Tim Howard and DaMarcus Beasley could each take an end of the wishbone with each wishing their team good luck during their Cup competitions (Timmy in UEFA Cup and Beas in Champions League).

First to Take a Nap – On the road, guys normally like to nap on their downtime, so there’s no denying when the tryptophan hits somebody will be out quick.

Player: Bobby Convey.
We saw it in 2003 in the United Arab Emirates when we really did have Thanksgiving dinner as a team, and our guess is it would be the same. Known as one of the guys who likes to nap the most, there’d be no stopping Bobby’s eyes from slow…ly…clo…s…i..n..g.

Doing the Dishes
Someone has to clean up after the mess.

Player(s): No one really fit well into this spot. We could have done the play on words and went with a guy known for “getting dirty” or doing the “dirty work,” but that sounded lame. Or maybe the young guys are forced to get out the sponges. Again, not great. The truth is nobody would want to clean the dishes…so, we’re seeing them coming together and doing it as a team. (OK, so that’s a lame ending, too. Listen, we’re not telling one of the guys he has to clean the dishes. Especially not Gooch.)

So, there you have it – Our imaginary MNT Thanksgiving dinner. What do you think? Got any other thoughts? Let us know!

Homeward Bound

Thats all from South Africa. Our newly acquired silver is all packed up and we're headed home to the U.S., and just in time for Thanksgiving. We'll be back in 2008 for the USA's match against Sweden on January 19 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

BEHIND THE SCENES FROM ELLIS PARK

Sometimes the scene at the stadium can be calm and smooth, other times, not so much. Tonight was closer to the latter - in a very fun way - so we'll tell you some the goings on from Ellis Park this afternoon.

• The locker room was tiny. The benches were arranged in an oval shape, with just enough stalls for the players. We wound up with a makeshift coaches locker room and treatment room, and practically had to construct an ice bath for post-game.


• The pre-game scene at Ellis Park was truly remarkable. When the MNT blog arrived at the game more than four hours before kickoff, fans were already piling into the stands, and the signing and dancing had begun. These guys were some of the first people in the stands. How long do you think that you could play a fake guitar for? We bet it's not SIX hours straight, like this guy. Anyhow, about 90 minutes before kickoff the party really started. At each corner of the pitch, a small stage was set up, with DJs and dancers on each setup. An MC oversaw the whole operation, whipping the crowd into a frenzy as kickoff approached. Did we mention the dancers? Because at last count there were forty plus lining the outside of the field before kickoff. The teams came out to a rapturous applause, and it seemed as if everybody in the stands either waving a South African flag or blowing a horn.

• Ever notice that Beas is always chewing gum when he's playing? Tonight he forgot it, so the staff went scrambling to score him a piece literally right before the opening whistle.


• Bob's talk to the team at half time focused on keeping good communication, moving the lines together as a group, and being prepared for the pressure that would come from a home team starting the second half behind a goal. Tim Howard also wanted the backline to drop when their 'keeper got the ball, since his kicks upfield were consistently long. The three half time changes were planned from the night before.


• The spread in the media center was quite impressive. The half time meal was just as big as the what the federation served pre-game, and was clearly representative of the local cuisine. It was fajitas!


• The first group of players had to leave the hotel for the airport at 7:30 p.m. If you work backwards, you had a 4:06 p.m. kickoff, the match ending just after six, a post-match ceremony, a press conference and a 25-minute ride back to the hotel. Not much time to dawdle before hustling off.


• Almost every player exchanged jerseys tonight, which isn't always typical. South Africa was wearing new uniforms. Beas and Benni McCarthy had pre-arranged their swap.



• It's impossible to underestimate how much significance the people of South Africa placed on the match being associated with Nelson Mandela. When the trophy came off the bus, the hotel staff were literally in awe. Our team manager spent 30 extra minutes in the lobby so everyone could have their picture taken with the trophy.


• The second group departing sat in the hotel lounge watching the end of Scotland-Italy. A heartbreaker for Tartan's Army. Meantime, Israel pulls off a stunner at home beating Russia, 2-1, giving England a fighting chance to qualify for Euro 2008.
  
  Major props to the people of Jo’Burg, because this game was an experience unlike any other. If this friendly is anything to go by, 2010 should be truly amazing.


• 

STARTING XI

Here's how Bob Bradley has set lineup for South Africa:

Howard

Cherundolo   Onyewu   Bocanegra (capt.)   Pearce

Feilhaber                                             Beasley
Edu                         Bradley

Adu                    Dempsey

The lineup remains largely unchanged from the group that beat Switzerland in Basel last month. Tim howard returns to the net for his 26th game while back four stays intact, anchored by team captain Carlos Bocanegra. Michael Bradley, who scored the game-winner against the Swiss in th e86th minute, is once again paired in the middle with MLS Rookie of the Year Maurice Edu, while the flanks are patrolled by DaMarcus Beasley and Benny Feilhaber. Freddy Adu gets his first start with the full team, partnered with Clint Dempsey.

HALTED BY HAIL

What they call 'rain with ice' here in Jo'Burg...

The team arrived at Ellis Park just before 4 p.m. local time for their final pre-match training session, and almost as soon as the balls were rolled out dark clouds started to hover over the stadium. The warm-up went on as planned despite a slow drizzle and a few flashes of lightning in the distance. But as the sky increasingly looked more ominous, Bob Bradley decided to pull the plug and have the group wait in the tunnel for the weather to pass.

And that's when the fun started.

First, the rain picked up. Then it looked like snow was falling, which seemed a little odd in a place where the temperature has been in the mid-80's everday. And that's when we heard the first thud off of a Gatorade cooler that had been left outside. To the amazement of the group, sheets of hail were pouring down in the stadium, some of the chunks bouncing 8-10 feet after hitting the concrete. Even more amazing was the fact that team equipment manager Tim Cook (seen here), decided to sprint out to the midfield circle and back (turns out it was based on a dare. Smart kid...). As the guys huddled in the hallway and swapped soccer-related weather horror stories, the storm remained unrelenting, covering the field in a blanket of white. And just as Clint Dempsey declared that the sky appeared to be clearing up, a massive thunder crash sent Deuce scrambling for cover. With the field unplayable and Zeus tossing thunderbolts, Bob called it quits and put everyone back on the bus.

Have to say, haven't seen a 'hail out' of a training session before. Que pasa lo que pasa.

IN TUNE WITH SACHA

We stopped Sacha Kljestan in the training room prior to today’s session at Ellis Park and made him take off his earphones to answer a few questions about the music he is listening to at the moment:

So what’s on your playlist right now?

“Well, right now I’ve got the latest Kanye West album on. I like most of his stuff a lot. And I just finished up listening to the new Jay Z album, American Gangster, the one that was released alongside the movie. I haven’t seen the film yet, but I’ve heard it’s pretty good.

So who’s your favorite hip hop artist?

“Right now, I’d probably say The Game, but he hasn’t had a new album in a bit. All time probably Dre. I’m really anxious for his new album to come out.

If it ever comes out…

“Yeah I suppose it has been like that for a few years now, huh?”

Obviously you’re traveling a lot during the season. How do you keep up with new music?

“It’s hard, but I manage. My brother helps out a lot. He sends me tons of stuff that he likes or he thinks I’ll like. That makes it easier.

So what else are you listening to?

“I like the Chili Peppers a lot. Their old stuff is classic, but their new stuff is good, too. I’m really into Stadium Arcadium. The Killers’ stuff I enjoy too. Both their albums I really like.

Do you get to go to live shows much?

“Not as much as I would like to, but I do make sure to see Hellogoodbye whenever they’re in town. I went to high school in Huntington Beach with those guys, and it’s great to see them doing really well.”

IMPROMPTU INTERVIEW WITH JONATHAN SPECTOR

We had so much success with bum-rushing Dan Califf in Switzerland, we decided to give it a go here in Jo’Burg. And who would tonight's unsuspecting victim be? Mr. Jonathan Spector. After tricking him into entering the U.S. Soccer Mobile Communications Center, we started winging questions at him. Here’s what followed:

ussoccer.com: What were you doing right before we grabbed you in the hallway at 10:15 at night?

Jonathan Spector: “Getting treatment on my quad. I managed to get two dead legs in the same quad on consecutive days.”

ussoccer.com: How’s it feeling?

JS: “A little better. I got the expert Bruce Snell massage [Bruce is one of two trainers on the trip]. Should be fine.”

ussoccer.com: You were involved in a controversial decision this past weekend where a shot you took kinda sorta went in off of Eddie Lewis. Some people thought you should be credited; others – including the official scorer – called it an own goal on Eddie. So what’s worse: Eddie getting stuck with an own goal or you not getting credit?

JS: “I think it’s a conspiracy against Americans to upset both of us! I did an interview with Match of the Day afterwards. They said ‘one American scored today – which one was it?’

ussoccer.com: Why do the English press and fans seem to hate England manager Steve McClaren so much?

JS: I don’t think it matters who the manager is, they are going to hate him. I don’t understand it. They love to criticize. Everyone over there is the “expert.”

ussoccer.com: What’s one of your indulgences you don’t like people to know about? (Which of course, they will now…)

JS: On the bus going to our games, it’s amazing the amount of chocolate bars we eat. Say we are going from London to Birmingham. It takes three hours to get there, mostly because we always leave at rush hour. Explain that! Anyway, when you’re bored you eat, and for some reason there are always chocolate bars around. The average player consumes 2-3 per bus ride. Fortunately I can hold myself to one a trip.”

ussoccer.com: Do you own any bling?

JS: “No, I don’t spend much money on jewelry. There is certainly a lot of it floating around this team though. I won’t say who, but I did see a diamond grill (shaking his head).”

ussoccer.com: Is bling an American phenomenon?

JS: In England it’s massive. American culture is so big there. It’s way worse on my club team than it is here.”

ussoccer.com: Do you know what the current exchange rate is between the British Pound and the U.S. Dollar?

JS: “2.06 to 1.”

ussoccer.com: Favorite or most often used movie quote?

JS: I do quote movies quite a bit, and I can’t think of one right now. Must be the altitude.

Coincidentally, I rented Goodbye Bafana a couple weeks. I didn’t know what it was about; I had just heard that it was a good movie. It’s all about the life of Nelson Mandela. Great film.”

ussoccer.com: What’s the craziest experience you’ve had at a game?

JS: We were playing at Fenerbache. It seemed like every other person in the stadium had a flare. The fans were whistling non-stop, this screeching whistle. I’ve never heard anything like it. My ears were ringing an hour after the game.”

ussoccer.com: You’ve done hundreds of interviews in your life. If you had the chance, what would you ask a reporter back?

JS: “That’s a good question.”

ussoccer.com: Thank you.

JS: I’d be interested to hear what their candid opinion is on the questions they are asking me. A lot of times what they are writing and they are thinking are two different things. For example, in England the press can be overly critical of their players. I’m curious if they think that is hurting or helping the sport in their country. I’d also be curious why they just flat out make up stories sometimes.”

ussoccer.com: Not that were searching for acceptance or anything, but what’s your favorite thing on ussoccer.com?

JS: “I have to be honest. I like Neil Buethe’s Studio 90 interviews. He just seems so happy to be there. You can tell that when he was a kid, he wanted to grow up and be a journalist. No matter how the interview is going, Neil never ceases to entertain.”

ussoccer.com: Are you a good typer?

JS: “Why, do you want me type the rest of this?”

ussoccer.com: Well, since you offered …

JS: I’d like to think I’m a good typer. I learned in computer class in sixth grade. I didn’t actually mind school. I’m not sure if that makes me un-cool or not.”

ussoccer.com: Speaking of school, you started playing pro at a very young age. Do you ever regret not continuing your education?

JS: “I certainly don’t regret it. The experiences I have had are amazing compared to most people my age. I would have liked to have the college experience. I was pretty close to going. I visited a bunch of schools: Boston College, Notre Dame, UVa, and Princeton. I was at Princeton right when A Beautiful Mind came out, so it was cool to see the campus. But I wouldn’t trade what I have done.”

ussoccer.com: Are you sorry you let us drag you in here?

JS: “I’ll tell you after I read it.”

TRIVIA TIME - GOOGLE PROOF!

(At least we think it is.)


To try and stump Amy, we've enlisted the same crew who puts together the Back Four quiz - including Panda! So here goes ...

There is one player on the roster who has the same first and last name.

Answers that conclude with a question mark will not be posted.


And to answer the first trivia question, it was indeed DaMarcus Beasley and Oguchi Onyewu who played against South Africa in the 4-0 win on December 16, 1998 in the Christchurch Cup.

Tell Us Where You'll Be Saturday!

Lots of stuff going on today, but we did want to ask everyone an important question before we forget: Where are you watching the USA-South Africa game on Saturday? Yes, we know it’s early, especially for those on the West Coast, which doesn’t present too many bar options for a 6 a.m. kickoff (although, we’d love to hear about a bar that is opening early enough for the match), so we understand if you end up being curled up on the couch to see the boys do their thing. But for those that look for the ET or CT on the TV listings, you’ve got options. Your best bet? Summers in the D.C. area, Ginger’s Ale House in Chicago or Nevada Smith’s for you New Yorkers. All three will be hosting an official U.S. Soccer Viewing Party for the game on Saturday and you’re invited to wipe away the eye crust and join in the debauchery…we mean good 'ole fashion fun. Why? Well, free U.S. Soccer gear for one. Each bar will hold a contest to giveaway a supply of t-shirts and hats, so all you gear hounds better make your way there. If you’re going to one of these big three, let us know. And if you’re interested in joining, click here to find out where each bar is located, get a map to find your way there and find out what to expect on Saturday.

So, we asked it when we started this entry and we'll end the same way - What are your plans for this Saturday?

CATCH UP TIME

Sorry folks, been one of those days when they've kept us bloggers running around (to your future benefit, we assure you). The first twist of the day came when our training venue was changed for the morning. It happened to be next door to Ellis Park, so we didn't need to google directions on the fly. While the neighboring Johannesburg Stadium wasn't quite as plush as the digs across the road, the team managed to get a spirited 90-minute session in. Enduring temperatures that seem to get hotter by the day, the group began with a 20-minute warm-up session before breaking into a directional possession game. Pulling one goal to midfield, they switched to a 9 v. 7 game to work on attacking and defending shape, with players rotating through both sides. Moving the goal back to the bottom of the 'D' and bringing the second goal to the top of the opposite 18, they played an 8 v. 7 match for 20 minutes. Finally, the group was divided into three groups, one working on individual shooting exercises, the second group of central defenders practicing coordination of their movement, and the third doing crossing and finishing. Despite the heat, it was a very spirited session. We should have some good photos available later today, but here's a view of the view from behind the goal...

After training we talked with Clint Dempsey and Maurice Edu to get a status report on training camp.

DANNY SZETELA (RACING SANTANDER)

Yes, we said we were on hiatus, but there was one final piece of news before the official international break began today…hey we don’t stop writing until our players stop making international headlines.

The News: Danny Szetela picked up his first minutes with Racing Santander’s first team when he started against Málaga on Wednesday.

Of Note: The 20-year-old midfielder cracked the starting lineup and played 66 minutes in Racing Santander’s 0-0 draw in the fourth round of the Copa del Rey. Szetela helped keep Málaga off the board in the away leg of the home-and-home while making his debut for the first team.

Up Next: After the international break, Racing returns home to take on Valencia in La Liga. The team will be looking to get back on track after falling, 0-1, last weekend at Deportivo la Coruña. The second leg against Málaga will be at home on January 2, 2008.

One Lucky Fan's View of Today's Practice Session

When the U.S. arrived for training today the last thing they expected to see someone with an old MNT training jersey waiting outside the stadium. But there was Bruce W., a U.S. citizen who now lives in South Africa, anxiously anticipating the players to get off the bus. He was invited to watch practice, and his only fee? He was politely asked to write about his experience. He happily obliged, providing fans across the world with some insight into how the team is preparing for South Africa.

As far as I know, I’m the standard bearer for U.S. soccer fanaticism in South Africa. Perhaps that’s a small ambition, as my main competitor may be my own wife. Still, I have the week off, our team is here, and I am bent on getting the most out of it. So, I’ve organized a group to go to the game on Saturday. And I was fortunate to get to watch the team practice today.

It felt good to offer the team some welcoming encouragement as they got off the bus. Bob Bradley was first off the bus and came over to shake my hand, followed by Peter Nowak. I have been a fan of theirs since the first days of the Chicago Fire, when I was a season ticket holder. As practice started, I enjoyed listening to the press officer patiently inform the South African press about the team and its players. They were interested to know about various players, and wanted interviews with some of them after practice. They didn’t really know much about our team. Some were surprised to learn that Freddy Adu has only just started getting minutes with the senior team. I told one SA reporter to write that the U.S. allows all its fans to watch practices from the sidelines.

From yesterday’s blog report on the practice, you might think it was light-hearted. Guess that was just for the first day, as today was very much down to business. If, like me, you’ve never seen the team practice, you might be surprised how short it is. I was struck by how little time the team has to come together for the game. They played maybe 60 minutes of 9-on-9 (Mike Sorber filling the last spot). Considering they may have only three one-hour sessions of play, I would be amazed if a new guy like Jozy Altidore could get enough time to understand the finer points of his role. Surely, he’d need a more substantial “camp” before he’ll be ready for full game. I suspect that’s why the players rarely get more than a handful of minutes for the first games they’re called-up.

I couldn’t hear much, but got the sense that Bob Bradley was stressing quick passes and ball movement. With some of the newer players, he made a point of stressing positioning. I looked for clues on who might be in the starting line-up based on who played with whom, but the sides were mixed up evenly. For the red team it was Deuce, Adu, Feilhaber, Edu, Pearce, Gooch, Califf, Spector and Howard. For the blue team: Jozy, Beasley, Kljestan, Bradley, Bornstein, Boca, Sorber, Dolo and Guzan. Jozy scored the lone goal, heading a nice cross from Steve Cherundolo into the corner past Howard.

As practice wound down, I had a chance to tell the guys good luck, and that there would be some support in the stands. All the guys were friendly and approachable. I wouldn’t single anyone out, but I could tell Danny Califf has been interested in South Africa for a while, but that’s
all about the surfing.

I appreciated the time and opportunity to observe. I have a greater appreciation for how these guys can show up and play like they’ve been working together all year. In reality, they have very little time, and they get about it very professionally. They’re supported by a small group of coaches and staff that makes sure things run smoothly on and off the field.

So, that’s my impression from 90 minutes observing a practice. Have to admit, I was mostly just excited to have such a unique experience. But of course this is my small pond, and I may not have it to myself when the team comes back in 2009 and 2010.

Bruce W.

SMALL WORLD

As we arrived back from training this afternoon, the whole team tried to pile into the elevator - this always happens - creating a predictable logjam. Eventually after everyone had departed, we were left to take an elevator with our General Manager Pam Perkins and Freddy Adu. Around about floor six, a guy jumped into the elevator, gave us a cursory greeting and turned away again. He did a quick double-take, though, and he exclaimed (in an accent that we couldn’t decipher): “You’re Freddy?” Freddy nodded, and the man immediately became excited. “Oh my, this is fantastic!” blurted out the stranger as he began to fumble through his belongings. Sure enough, this guy was a card carrying Benfica supporter. Like, he actually carried a plastic card that identified him as a fan of the team. Freddy gave him a hug, and the two enjoyed a good laugh. “I can’t believe this!” the man blurted out as he left the elevator, “Freddy Adu in South Africa!” “This isn’t even the first time something like that’s happened,” chuckled Freddy, “there are Benfica fans everywhere.”

A LITTLE PRIMER ON SPORT IN SOUTH AFRICA

Back at Ellis Park for day two of training, we took the opportunity to learn a bit about the stadium that is over 100 years old, and as you may know, is slated to host a quarterfinal game of the 2010 World Cup. To accommodate that massive game, the ground is being expanded, the locker rooms redone, and an entirely new media section added. It’s a really nice stadium, and by all accounts generates a great atmosphere for its teams. Those teams include the World Champion South African National Rugby team, better known as “the Springboks,” as well as Super 14 Rugby side the Lions, and SA Premier League team the Orlando Pirates. The Springboks recently won the2007 Rugby World Cup in France, an event that sent rugby fans in South Africa into a frenzy. “They were definitely excited,” said Dawie, who we talked to in the Lions team store, “but its not like 1995. People were happy, but now they’ve mostly moved on and forgotten about it.” In 1995, South Africa was the host of the Rugby World Cup, and Ellis Park was the venue for the final. South Africa was victorious in that tournament as well, defeating the famed All Blacks of New Zealand in the final. At the moment, rugby is in the off-season here, and according to Dawie, the Lions endured a bit of a mediocre season. They did however make it to the Cup Final (same idea as Cups competitions in soccer) and they should improve next year. As you may have been gathering from our posts, South Africa is crazy about sport, but Dawie said that while football fans and sports fans in general support rugby, hardcore rugby fans don’t watch or care about anything else. Sounds a bit like some fans state-side….

To get the scoop on some of the goings on local soccer, we spoke to our liaison from the SAFA, Abram. The season is currently in session here, and in fact the big Jo’burg derby between the Kaizer Chiefs and the Orlando Pirates is coming up quite soon. “It’s huge,” said Abram, “definitely the biggest rivalry in the country, and maybe in most of Africa.” To coincide with the FIFA World Cup Preliminary Draw in Durban, the derby has been moved out of Jo’burg to Durban, where it will be played in front of a raucous crowd as part of the festivities surrounding the draw itself.

We also asked Abram about the South African team, and he told us some interesting things. The name Bafana Bafana, as the South African team is known, was actually created by the media in the 1990’s. After the team was reinstated to FIFA in 1992, the local media sought a new name to demarcate the beginning of the new era in South African soccer. As such, Bafana Bafana (which means “boys boys”) was born.

The Bafana Bafana reached a low point when the future hosts failed to qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Recently, however, things are looking up for the team. They’ve hired Carlos Parreira as their coach, who led Brazil to the 1994 World Cup, and optimism is running high as the team heads into the 2007 African Cup of Nations. Everybody we meet here is proud of their team, and they’re also quick to point out that the Bafana Bafana will play hard and give us a great game on Saturday. With a near capacity crowd expected and both teams playing under the banner of Nelson Mandela, it should be a fantastic day.

BRADLEY INSIGHT

Reaching the elite level of any profession doesn't happen by accident, and people are often curious to hear the perspective of those who do. Coupled with a desire to give coaches greater insight into how the U.S. National Teams train and operate, CoachesNet and Starting XI present an interview with U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Bob Bradley. In the “Starting XI,” coaches answer 11 questions focusing on a wide range of subjects, from coaching education and youth development to modern technology in the game of soccer. “The experiences that I have had over the years, always recognizing that as much as you might think that you have things figured one day, that everything can change and you have to keep an honest open mind that becomes most important,” said Bradley, during the video (watch). Bradley’s interview is the third installment of the Starting XI series (sign up). Available now through ussoccer.com, CoachesNet is devoted to educating its members on U.S. National Team coaching tactics by breaking down games at the highest level, analyzing training sessions and tactics, and delving into the keys to preparation. In addition, the content found only on CoachesNet features exclusive videos, podcasts and dissertations on everything from preparing for a particular opponent to putting together a roster to get the most out of an individual player. Sign-up now at coachesnet.ussoccer.com.

GETTING MORE THAN THEY GAVE

The team got a welcome opportunity to get out into the community when they conducted a clinic for 40 school-age kids today as part of the President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR), a $440 million dollar program to provide education on AIDS prevention in South Africa. In conjunction with Hope WorldWide and HIVSA, two groups of kids from local schools gathered in Soweto for an hour-long session of soccer exercises, taking photos, and getting autographs from the players. "It really was a special experience to see the joy these kids get out of playing football," said Tim Howard. "To see kids who have so little and yet smile so much, it was truly a blessing to spend time with them. I'm so glad we were able to be a part of it."

Look for tomorrow's all_access video feature on this special day.

A FAREWELL TO ARMAS

Today Chris Armas has officially hung up the boots on a proud career for club and country. The 35-year-old from Brentwood, N.Y., has left an indelible mark on soccer in the United States, as much for his gutsy performances as for the effect that he had on the players and coaches around him. Armas represented the United States 66 times at the senior international level, and was chosen as part of the 23-man squad for the 2002 FIFA World Cup before an injury prevented him from going to Korea. A two-time CONCACAF Gold Cup winner (2002, 2005), Armas contributed mightily to two World Cup qualifying campaigns and wore the captain's armband three times in his eight-year career with the full team. He recorded two goals and one assist in 2000, his consistent play earning him U.S. Soccer Male Athlete honors that year.

Armas will be remembered on the field for his relentlessness and determination, and off the field for his kindness and values. He had a huge impact on those that were fortunate to have coached or played along side him, and several of those fortunate few are currently here in South Africa. ussoccer.com spoke with former Fire members Bob Bradley, DaMarcus Beasley, Carlos Bocanegra and Peter Nowak about Chris Armas the player, and Chris Armas the man. Click on the name of the speaker to hear the full podcast:

"He's a great competitor. He did a lot of little things on the field that made other players better and helped the team win. He leads by example. He's not someone who is yelling all the time. He just does the right thing on and off the field almost every time. To have a player that comes in every day and is excited about the team and training, gets along with people, and just has such a positive way, it's special. On the field, it's just incredible to see a player who does the dirty work and makes the extra effort to always take care of plays, covers for other people, tackles, runs, makes the simple pass ... in all ways, his personality just rubs off on everyone."
U.S. National Team head coach Bob Bradley

"Chris is a great guy all around. On the field, he gave everything he had. He is one of those guys that goes unnoticed a lot of the time because he not in the stat books that much, but he did all the dirty work that mattered so much for the team. He put his heart and soul into every game. For me coming out of college, seeing his effort day in and day out was great to see. I remember him chasing down players and making their lives miserable all game long. He was great to have as a teammate."
U.S. captain Carlos Bocanegra

"With Chris, you always knew what you were going to get from him. He was great captain, a great player and a great person. He meant a lot to me. He was my first-ever captain, and being able to learn under him was great for me being a young player. He is someone I look up to."
U.S. midfielder DaMarcus Beasley

"As a player, Chris is a man not of words, but of action, and his actions spoke for themselves. When he took over as captain, he got the young kids going and kept the message going about continuing the tradition of the Chicago Fire. It was a privilege to work with him. It wasn't pleasurable to play against him! When we played against each other in practice, there was always a battle because he wanted to shut me down, and I wanted to show him that I was still better. That work made us both better, and there was always respect from both sides. I played with a lot of good players, and I would put Chris in the best category of guys who played behind me on the field. Even ahead of guys like Jens Jemeries from the German national team. I appreciate the work he did for the team. You never forget guys like that. He will be missed very much around the league."
U.S. Under-23 head coach Peter Nowak

SOMETHING ELSE YOU MAY NOT KNOW

(Yes, even you Amy.)

The elevation in Johannesburg is 5,751 feet above sea level, which puts it 471 feet above the "Mile High" city of Denver. The players and coaching staff first started noticing the effects in warm-ups today, and will continue to acclimatize throughout the week. The weather may also be a factor, with temperatures in the afternoon reaching the mid-80's. With a 4 p.m. local time kickoff, the players may be working against a couple of other factors besides the Bafana Bafana.

First Day of Training

With 13 of the 17 players having arrived in Jo'burg, the team took to the field today for its first training session this week. The workout was mostly light as the guys ran off the last existing bits of jet lag accrued from the massive journey here. Today was more about just getting moving; tomorrow they'll get down to business on the field.


We trained at Ellis Park (we'll have a longer post about the stadium tomorrow) and the pitch was in excellent condition. After about a half an hour of some technical drills, the guys finished with a large game of 11 v 2 keep away (featuring Peter Nowak to make up the numbers). Finally, the guys cooled down with some work on their own.


As expected, a game of horseshoes broke out, but we'd also like to report on an old game that has been recycled back into training. The object is to chip the ball off the cross bar and then finish the ensuing rebound out of the air with one touch. Various members of the coaching staff, plus Michael Bradley and Brad Guzan, took part in today's bitterly fought contest.

Brad Guzan came close to winning, but his volley into the goal was ruled to have touched the ground, to the dismay of the MLS 2007 Goalkeeper of the Year. Eventually, assistant coach Mike Sorber won honors for the day when he followed up his graceful chip off the crossbar with a powerful diving header into the corner of the goal from 12 yards out.

As you can see from the above pictures, Brad was ecstatic with what he thought was a well earned victory (top). However, his goal was ruled out, and overcome with emotion at what he perceived to be an injustice, he crushed a ball to the opposite end of the field (bottom).

Soon after, we were back in the bus to the hotel, where we settled into lunch as the remaining players arrived from the airport.

TRIVIA TIME FROM JO'BURG

Since we're still recovering from jet lag, we'll start off with an easy one. The U.S. has only played South Africa once at the senior level, a 4-0 win in the U.S. Cup on June 3, 2000. Had Eddie Lewis come to Johannesburg, he would have been the only player to have competed against the Bafana Bafana at that level. We do, however, have two players on the roster that have played against South Africa at the youth international level. So we want to know names, dates, etc. ... you know the drill ...

A bonus tidbit - Jeff Agoos earned his 100th cap against South Africa back in 2000, at that time becoming the fifth player in MNT history to hit the century mark.