tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54057443556032834732024-03-14T00:55:41.996-07:00U.S. MNT Blogmuskiemaniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01861833660167415015noreply@blogger.comBlogger1567125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405744355603283473.post-52823439660793124862009-08-06T15:50:00.000-07:002009-08-06T15:55:40.843-07:00Change Has Come to the MNT BlogIt's time to say goodbye to this version of the Men's National Team blog and wave a big HELLO <a href="http://www.ussoccer.com/Social/MNT-Blog.aspx"> to a re-vamped MNT Blog on the re-vamped ussoccer.com</a>.<br /><br />We know you’ve become emotionally attached to this one blog and change can be a little scary (and yes, you'll have to change your bookmarks), but we promise the new and improved platform will continue to bring you all the insight and behind the scenes access you are accustomed to, including videos, photos, interviews and much more. And this is still the best destination to keep on the U.S. players who are getting it done in Europe and across the world for their club teams as their seasons roll on.<br /><br />And don’t worry, if you want to relive the past two years of MNT Blog action, including this summer’s run through the Confederations Cup, the Gold Cup and the ongoing adventures of vuvuzebra, you can always come back here to see them.<br /><br />There will be a lot of action <a href="http://www.ussoccer.com/Social/MNT-Blog.aspx">over there</a> as the MNT gets set to travel to Estadio Azteca for the big one against Mexico, and of course we’ll take you through the rest of the hexagonal and beyond as the team marches towards the goal of playing in South Africa in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.<br /><br />Thanks as always for all the support, comments, criticisms and contributions. Keep ‘em coming. We hope you like the new digs …<br /><br /><br />(Once more for good measure: <a href="http://www.ussoccer.com/Social/MNT-Blog.aspx">http://www.ussoccer.com/Social/MNT-Blog.aspx</a>)Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09989094471332376142noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405744355603283473.post-31330306902397899422009-08-06T10:20:00.000-07:002009-08-06T10:25:56.281-07:00Altidore Signs for Hull City (Subject to Work Permit)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.hullcityafc.net/javaImages/26/71/0,,10338%7E6844710,00.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 264px;" src="http://www.hullcityafc.net/javaImages/26/71/0,,10338%7E6844710,00.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.hullcityafc.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10338%7E1745611,00.html">Hull City has taken Jozy Altidore on loan</a> for the duration of the 2009-10 season, subject to a work permit. Altidore joins up with the Tigers just weeks ahead of the opening of the Premier League season. Should he gain a work permit, Altidore will be available for selection in Hull's opening day game against Chelsea. Not a bad way to start the season...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405744355603283473.post-43691564910430088582009-08-05T11:40:00.000-07:002009-08-05T12:34:44.515-07:00Carlos Bocanegra on SportsNation and More<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hP_HGQWd99U/SnnTR5KcShI/AAAAAAAABRg/hMJOCjeh4XI/s1600-h/USMNTJT060609885.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hP_HGQWd99U/SnnTR5KcShI/AAAAAAAABRg/hMJOCjeh4XI/s400/USMNTJT060609885.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366552735344511506" border="0" /></a><br />U.S. MNT Captain Carlos Bocanegra will be <a href="http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/chat/_/id/27759/usa-carlos-bocanegra">appearing on ESPN's SportsNation on Thursday</a>. Carlos is stopping by on the show to talk about the upcoming game against Mexico and will be on the show from 3 p.m. ET. You can send questions for Carlos to SportsNation <a href="http://twitter.com/SportsNation">via their twitter feed.</a><br /><br />Also on Thursday, ESPN.com is scheduled to post "Fevered Pitch," a multimedia feature by<br />ESPN.com senior writer Wayne Drehs that tells the story of the U.S. men's national soccer team this summer during its travels around the world with an eye to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.<br /><br />The package combines Wayne's writing and reporting with photo galleries and video. Wayne was in Costa Rica with us, so there's some behind the scenes stuff and he also followed the team during its two stops in Chicago this summer. Through additional reporting, he tells the stories of what happened in South Africa as the U.S. reached the Confederations Cup final and everything ends with an eye towards USA/Mexico on Aug. 12.<br /><br />That will go live on Thursday so be sure to check back here for the links. You can also follow Wayne Drehs on twitter at <a href="http://twitter.com/ESPNWayneDrehs">twitter.com/ESPNWayneDrehs</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405744355603283473.post-25509644842646799332009-08-03T08:00:00.000-07:002009-08-03T08:09:21.454-07:00Clint Dempsey on FIFA Futbol MundialAs some of you may have seen, Clint Dempsey was featured on <a href="http://www.fifa.com/newscentre/video/fifafutbolmundial/index.html">FIFA Futbol Mundial.</a> After an exciting summer where Dempsey won the Bronze Ball at the Confederations Cup, the U.S. midfielder is back with Fulham in the English Premier League. While the league season is yet to get underway, Fulham have already started their European campaign. They <a href="http://www.fulhamfc.com/MatchAndTeam/MatchCentre/Matches/0910/EuropaLeague/FKVetraAway.aspx">beat FK Vetra in the first leg of Europa League qualification</a> last week and face the return leg at Craven Cottage in a few days. Here's the piece from Futbol Mundial:<br /><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/oxHHJ6J0gcM&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/oxHHJ6J0gcM&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405744355603283473.post-53486523459141120352009-08-03T07:46:00.000-07:002009-08-03T08:00:12.476-07:00Weekend RecapSome countries in Europe have already begun the domestic calendar, a few started their cup competitions this weekend, while other teams are wrapping up their preseason schedules. Here's a few notes from the past few days:<br /><ul><li>Michael Bradley and <a href="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/match?id=272596&league=GER.DFB_POKAL&cc=5901">Borussia Mönchengladbach got past FSV Frankfurt</a> in the DFB Pokal Cup. Steve Cherundolo and <a href="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/match?id=272611&league=GER.DFB_POKAL&cc=5901">Hannover 96 fell to Entracht Trier</a> and were eliminated from the competition.<br /></li><li>Brad Guzan and Aston Villa beat Juventus in a shootout to claim the Peace Cup title. The preseason tuneup in Spain finished 0-0 after 120 minutes and culminated in pks, where Guzan saved two shots to help Villa beat the Italian club. Fullback Eric Lichaj also featured for Aston Villa. <object width="640" height="505"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NVXLktkH59I&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NVXLktkH59I&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="505"></embed></object></li><li>DaMarcus Beasley featured for Rangers in two preseason games this weekend. He came on as a <a href="http://www.rangers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Headlines/0,,5%7E1741115,00.html">halftime sub yesterday in the 3-0 defeat</a> to Arsenal. Beasley also came on in the 61st minute during a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gy6t1ODvBE8">1-0 victory against PSG on Saturday.</a><br /></li></ul>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405744355603283473.post-69330831841238488562009-07-31T07:57:00.000-07:002009-07-31T08:07:50.452-07:00Cooper Heads to 1860 Munich<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hP_HGQWd99U/SnMHqusGufI/AAAAAAAABRY/vcZA66JZRnA/s1600-h/USMNTHCS071809107.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hP_HGQWd99U/SnMHqusGufI/AAAAAAAABRY/vcZA66JZRnA/s400/USMNTHCS071809107.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364640011797314034" border="0" /></a><br />U.S. MNT forward <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=664417&cc=5901">Kenny Cooper has signed for 1860 Munich</a> and is set to undergo a medical with the 2.Bundesliga club. Cooper, who was recently named to the <a href="http://mnt-ussoccer.blogspot.com/2009/07/four-players-named-to-all-tournament.html">CONCACAF Gold Cup all-tournament team</a>, scored 40 goals in 93 appearances for FC Dallas since joining them in 2005. 1860 Munich has some history with American internationals, having had World Cup veterans Gergg Berhalter and Josh Wolff on their books as recently as a few years ago.<br /><br />Random Fun Fact: German film director Rainer Werner Fassbinder, an MNT Blog favorite, was a huge 1860 fan.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405744355603283473.post-49207149604495487272009-07-30T11:15:00.000-07:002009-07-30T11:20:20.560-07:00Getting Underway in GermanyThe <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DFB-Pokal">DFB Pokal Cup</a> kicks off <a href="http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=1085849.html?cid=rssfeed&att=">this weekend in Germany</a> as teams from the Bundesliga get set to take on lower division sides. Michael Bradley and <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=272596&cc=5901">Borussia Mönchengladbach face FSV Frankfurt, </a>while Steve Cherundolo and <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=272611&cc=5901">Hannover 96 travel to meet Eintracht Trier</a> on Sunday. Luis Robles and Kaiserslautern get the <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=272618&cc=5901">action underway on Friday with a game against Eintracht Braunschweig.</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405744355603283473.post-69116756388941895442009-07-30T09:04:00.000-07:002009-07-30T09:22:23.518-07:00Hannover Lose to ArsenalSteve Cherundolo and Hannover fell <a href="http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=1085643.html?cid=rssfeed&att=">1-0 to Arsenal in pre-season action.</a> Cherundolo <a href="http://www.arsenal.com/match-menu/171498/first-team/hannover-96-v-arsenal?tab=report">started and played 74 minutes</a> in the game:<br /><br /><object width="640" height="505"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/430HFiifnJY&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/430HFiifnJY&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="505"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405744355603283473.post-63935124701181131152009-07-30T08:51:00.000-07:002009-07-30T08:53:11.245-07:00Howard Saves Some Spot KicksAs you may have seen last night, Everton prevailed in the MLS All-Stars game, defeating the MLS All-Stars in a penalty shootout. Tim Howard of Everton came up big in the shootout, here are the highlights:<br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QK2sXWJSJjo&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QK2sXWJSJjo&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405744355603283473.post-52114562361989355322009-07-29T14:40:00.001-07:002009-07-29T14:47:45.702-07:00Four Players Named to All-Tournament Team<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hP_HGQWd99U/SnDDH0FPFKI/AAAAAAAABRQ/sRzQmDuaj_M/s1600-h/USMNTTQ070809124.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hP_HGQWd99U/SnDDH0FPFKI/AAAAAAAABRQ/sRzQmDuaj_M/s400/USMNTTQ070809124.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364001695205364898" border="0" /></a>Four players from the U.S. Men's National Team were named to the <a href="http://www.goldcup.org/page/GoldCup/NewsDetail/0,,12802%7E1734171,00.html">All-Tournament team for the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup.</a> Defenders Chad Marshall (ab0ve) and Clarence Goodson (below) were included on the team for their play on the backline, while midfielder Stuart Holden and forward Kenny Cooper also received nods.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hP_HGQWd99U/SnDDHjjsg1I/AAAAAAAABRI/s_n0ZyFln2w/s1600-h/USMNTKC070409250.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hP_HGQWd99U/SnDDHjjsg1I/AAAAAAAABRI/s_n0ZyFln2w/s400/USMNTKC070409250.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364001690769720146" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405744355603283473.post-15980249309495738942009-07-29T12:02:00.000-07:002009-07-29T12:18:02.464-07:00Mexico Names Roster for Aug. 12Mexico has <a href="http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/news/story?id=875118&s=mundial&type=story">named a roster for the big game on Aug. 12.</a> Javier Aguirre has called up all the names you would expect to see. Marquez is returning from injury while other players from Europe include Castillo, Guardado, Salcido and Osorio. Also Blanco is there. Here's the 20-man roster:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Goalkeepers (2):</span> Guillermo Ochoa (América), José de Jesús Corona (Cruz Azul)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Defenders (8):</span> José Antonio Castro (Tigres), Aarón Galindo (Guadalajara), Efraín Juárez (UNAM), Jonny Magallón (Guadalajara), Rafael Márquez (Barcelona), Ricardo Osorio (Stuttgart), Carlos Salcido (PSV Eindhoven), Oscar Rojas (América) <b><br />Midfielders (4):</b> Cuauhtémoc Blanco (Chicago Fire), Israel Castro (UNAM), Andrés Guardado (Deportivo La Coruña), Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul) <br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Forwards (6):</span> Nery Castillo (Shakhtar), Guillermo Franco (out of contract), Alberto Medina (Guadalajara), Giovani dos Santos (Tottenham), Miguel Sabah (Monarcas), Carlos Vela (Arsenal)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405744355603283473.post-65842140053976391992009-07-29T11:57:00.001-07:002009-07-29T12:00:43.128-07:00Everton Set for MLS All-Star Game<object width="440" height="361"><br /><param name="movie" value="http://sports.espn.go.com/videohub/player.swf?mediaId=4362221"><br /><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><br /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><br /><embed src="http://sports.espn.go.com/videohub/player.swf?mediaId=4362221" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" allowscriptaccess="always" width="440" height="361"></embed><br /></object><br /><br />Tim Howard and Everton are on vacation..errr..pre-season in the U.S. <a href="http://web.mlsnet.com/mls/events/all_star/2009/article.jsp?ymd=20090728&content_id=6104778&vkey=allstar2009&fext=.jsp"></a><a href="http://www.evertonfc.com/match/report/0809/mls-all-stars-v-everton.html">Tonight the Toffees will </a>lineup against the MLS All-Stars at Rio Tinto Stadium in Utah. You can see the game from 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and Galavision.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405744355603283473.post-78991500988490977162009-07-29T11:01:00.000-07:002009-07-29T11:08:50.568-07:00Fulham Set to Begin European CampaignFulham <a href="http://www.uefa.com/competitions/uefacup/fixturesresults/round=2000035/match=2000653/index.html">kicks off its Europa League campaign</a> against Lithuanian outfit FK Vetra this Thursday. The Cottagers <a href="http://www.uefa.com/competitions/uefacup/fixturesresults/round=2000035/match=2000653/index.html">landed in Vilnius yesterday </a>in preparations for tomorrow's game, which is the first leg of the 3rd Qualifying Round. The second leg will be played on August 6 at Craven Cottage, with the winner earning passage into <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009%E2%80%9310_UEFA_Europa_League_qualifying_phase_and_play-off_round">the playoff round.</a> Clint Dempsey and Eddie Johnson both saw time in <a href="http://www.fulhamfc.com/MatchAndTeam/MatchCentre/Matches/0910/PreSeason/PeterboroughAway.aspx">Fulham's recent pre-season game</a> with Peterborough United. Dempsey started the game at right wing while Johnson came on as a late sub.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405744355603283473.post-85626296910492520452009-07-28T10:04:00.000-07:002009-07-28T11:12:46.818-07:00Sepp Blatter Pays Visit to the United StatesAs you surely have read by now, FIFA President Joseph “Sepp” Blatter paid a visit to the United States, first stopping by the New Meadowlands Blatter, CONCACAF President Jack Warner and FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke took a tour of the new 82,500-seat stadium, which will open in May 2010 and serve as one of the jewel venues proposed in the U.S. bid to bring the FIFA World Cup to the United States in 2018 or 2022.<br /><br />Below is a video of the FIFA President scoring the first goal inside the New Meadowlands following Sunday’s tour:<br /><br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PeEPK_lVank&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PeEPK_lVank&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><br />On Monday, Blatter stopped by The White House and met with President Barack Obama, who <a href="http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/07/a-sporty-afternoon-at-the-white-house-for-president-obama.html">accepted a ball from the FIFA Confederations Cup final as a gift</a>:<br /><br /><font style="font-style: italic;">“Blatter presented Obama a ball from the Confederations Cup final that the U.S. lost to Brazil in June... Blatter joked that he gave the president the ball from the first half.”</font><br /><br />Blatter also said that Obama was juggling and dribbling around the Oval Office.<br /><br />The President of the United States also <a href="http://whitehouse.blogs.foxnews.com/2009/07/27/obama-world-cup-update/">received an official invitation</a> to next year's FIFA World Cup in South Africa:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"After the closed Oval Office meeting between the two presidents, Mr Blatter told White House reporters Mr Obama, after receiving the invite, told his assistants in the room to "look at the agenda"</span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09989094471332376142noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405744355603283473.post-40913004772197501432009-07-28T08:36:00.000-07:002009-07-28T09:25:12.324-07:00Benny Nets Game Winner for AarhusBenny Feilhaber's first goal as a professional - really - was the game winner in Aarhus' 3-2 victory at Randers yesterday. Feilhaber also had an assist in the game to earn Man of the Match honors in Aarhus' second game of the season. The U.S. MNT midfielder also had an assist in the team's opening game last week.<br /><br />You can catch highlights of the match here: <a title="http://jp.dk/jptv/sport/?id=19497" href="http://jp.dk/jptv/sport/?id=19497" unselectable="on" contenteditable="false"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >http://jp.dk/jptv/sport/?id=19497</span></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ></span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09989094471332376142noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405744355603283473.post-85526409379490941852009-07-27T07:05:00.000-07:002009-07-27T07:10:15.171-07:00Post-Match Reaction: Mexico 5, U.S. 0<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3BzXN4eoPjE/Sm21KMOU0sI/AAAAAAAACj8/JjghxEzz35c/s1600-h/MNTHCS20090726106.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3BzXN4eoPjE/Sm21KMOU0sI/AAAAAAAACj8/JjghxEzz35c/s320/MNTHCS20090726106.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363141917952758466" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">For the complete quote sheet, visit <a href="http://www.ussoccer.com/articles/viewArticle.jsp_15302673.html">ussoccer.com</a></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">.<br /><br />U.S. Men's National Team Head Coach Bob Bradley</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><span style="font-style: italic;">On allowing goals in the second half:</span><br />“The second half for us is not what we’re all about. It’s important we can look hard at ourselves and learn from a half like that and use it the right way.”<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">On if the inexperience of the U.S. players factored into the result:</span><br />“The area where we didn’t do well enough was our response to the first goal. I think the first half we played pretty well, and now when the second half starts you obviously want to build on that. We had one very good chance at the start of the second half when Robbie Rogers hit one over. But now, when we get down, your ability to make sure that the game doesn’t become a free-for-all where the other team has all sorts of space and opportunities, where your numbers aren’t good enough in the back when the ball turns over, where you lose bad balls, so there’s a lot of different things there that obviously came into play. I think it’s most important that we can look at those things.”<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">On finishing second in the Gold Cup:</span><br />“Today was their day. When you have to stand there, whether it’s in the Confederations Cup in South Africa and it’s Brazil, or whether it’s in Giants Stadium and it’s the Gold Cup and it’s Mexico, when you finish second you have to stand there – which is the right thing to do – see the other team get their medals, hold up the trophy, that’s a feeling that as athletes, as competitors it’s a feeling that you don’t like. You hope those are things that help you grow in the future on an individual basis and on a team basis. Like I said, today is their day, they can celebrate. It’s our job to make sure we’re ready for what we already knew was a challenge to play in Azetca. We’ll be ready. It’s 90 minutes and it starts over.”<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">On seeing a lot of younger players during this tournament:</span><br />“I think we’ve had a good chance to see so many different players. I think we’ve got a good, solid nucleus, but we’re always looking for players that we believe are going to move forward and help our team.”<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">U.S. Men’s National Team captain and forward Brian Ching</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">On giving up five goals:</span><br />“When it comes down to it we just lost our composure. They're a good team and they punished us. ... ”<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">On what they’ll take from the game:</span><br />"You look at anybody in the United States and this loss will anger you. We have to channel that, use it and bring it with us on August 12."<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">U.S. Men's National Team goalkeeper Troy Perkins</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><span style="font-style: italic;">On what happened after halftime:</span><br />“We were where we wanted to be and we had controlled the things we wanted to. We just exposed ourselves too much in the second half and they punished us for it.”<span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>U.S. Soccerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676928242159613036noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405744355603283473.post-56860572174538624312009-07-26T10:54:00.000-07:002009-07-26T11:05:12.073-07:00USA Lineup vs. MexicoThe United States starts the final with the same lineup that earned a victory in the previous game against Honduras:<br /><br />Perkins; Heaps, Marshall, Goodson, Pearce; Holden, Beckerman, Pause, Rogers; Arnaud, Ching (capt.)<br /><br />- On the bench for the U.S.: Busch, Evans, Cooper, Quaranta, Clark, Cronin, ParkhurstUnknownnoreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405744355603283473.post-71916294814814799742009-07-26T07:32:00.000-07:002009-07-26T10:54:30.785-07:00Official U.S. Soccer Bars Host Sunday MatineeTwo tournaments. Two finals. Two-time defending champions.<br /><br />Oh, and it's USA-Mexico.<br /><br />The one common thread throughout - <a href="http://ussoccer.com/articles/viewArticle.jsp_3702785.html">the Official U.S. Soccer Bars</a> have been there to bring fans together for every step of this 13-game, two-month odyssey of the USA's summer tour. If you can't be amongst the sold-out crowd of more than 60,000 at Giants Stadium, you need to be at the Official U.S. Soccer Bars across the country cheering for the U.S. with a Gold Cup title on the line.<br /><br />And who knows who you might see? We hear zebras like Official U.S. Soccer Bars too ...U.S. Soccerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11596766880548941747noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405744355603283473.post-37666853618485254272009-07-26T07:28:00.001-07:002009-07-26T10:54:30.786-07:00Pre-Game Primer: The Final<a href="http://www.ussoccer.com/articles/viewArticle.jsp_15302669.html">All you need to know about Sunday's final against Mexico.</a> Some things you should know:<br /><ul><li>Defender Clarence Goodson became the tenth U.S. player to score a goal during the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup and the sixth U.S. player to get his first national team goal during the tournament in the 2-0 win against Honduras.</li><li>The U.S. has advanced to the finals in the last three editions of the tournament. The last time the U.S. missed out on a Gold Cup final was in 2003 when Bruce Arena's team fell to Brazil in the semifinals.</li><li>The U.S. has a lifetime record of 15-29-11 against Mexico in a series that dates to 1934, but the U.S. has a 13-6-9 advantage in home matches since 1957. Since the rivalry between these two teams began in earnest in 1990, the sides have played 28 times, with the U.S. holding a 13-7-8 advantage.</li><li>The U.S. has a 3-0-2 lifetime record at Giants Stadium, with 10 goals scored and only one surrendered.</li><li>The last meeting against Mexico at Giants Stadium came June 11, 2000, when goals from Frankie Hejduk, Brian McBride and Ante Razov helped the USA to a 3-0 victory.</li><li>The U.S. is 2-2-0 against Mexico in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, including 1-2-0 in championship games.</li><li>In six CONCACAF Gold Cup final appearances, the United States is 2-2-2. The two draws, in 1997 and 2005, both resulted in a USA victory in a penalty shootout.</li><li>The Men's National Team has contested a Gold Cup final at Giants Stadium once before, beating Panama in a penalty shootout on July 24, 2005, to lift the Gold Cup trophy.</li><li>Jimmy Conrad and Santino Quaranta both appeared in that match, with Quaranta netting one of the penalties to secure the U.S. win.</li><li>The USA's last appearance at Giants Stadium came June 8, 2008, when Bob Bradley's team played then No.1-ranked Argentina to a 0-0 draw in front of more than 78,000 supporters. <br /></li><li>Ching is the only player on the current roster that was part of the team that won the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup.</li></ul>U.S. Soccerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11596766880548941747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405744355603283473.post-28360456073964311182009-07-25T16:59:00.001-07:002009-07-25T17:13:18.176-07:00Pre-game Quote Sheet: USA vs. Mexico<span style="font-weight: bold;">U.S. Men's National Team head coach BOB BRADLEY</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">On the conclusion of a busy June and July and the opportunity to defend the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">CONCACAF</span> Gold cup title:</span><br /><br />"It's been a busy summer. We're excited about defending our title here. We expect a good game and I know we're looking forward to it."<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">On the progress of the group of players which comprise the U.S. squad at the Gold Cup:</span><br />"It's been a good group. You could tell when they came in they were very proud of what had taken place in South Africa. They were excited about their opportunity and you always need the first round to kind of grow a little as a group. That's helped us size up everybody, and from their it's been a stretch of tough games, but good games, for us."<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">On the rivalry between the USA and Mexico:</span><br />"I think it'll always bring out the emotion. It'll be a hard game and I think both teams will go after each other in a way that they'll try to put the game on their terms. We'd expect, as always, a good game."<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">On whether he felt pressure to use more players on the 30 man roster:</span><br />"There are always so many factors that go into rosters. We talked earlier in the tournament that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">CONCACAF</span> allowed us a bigger roster because of the difficult of going from the Confederations Cup into the Gold Cup. Nonetheless, when you add it all up we still feel this group has done well and they are ready to go."<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">On handling the emotion of a Cup final:<br />"</span>In any final that's a huge factor. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Everybody's</span> excited, the game starts and how do you handle the first part of the game? There are decisions, reactions and certainly as the game goes on, you need the concentration and the discipline to keep going."<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />On the keys to the game for the USA:</span><br />"For us we need to start with a good amount of energy. That's been in important for us. We need to make sure that as the game goes on we're good with the ball and we still have the ability to put pressure on Mexico in the key parts of the field. Our reserves have done a good job in this tournament of helping us and coming on in key moments and those things help you win."<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">On playing on a natural grass field:</span><br />"Whenever there's an installation it means in some cases the field will be a little bit slow compared to a field that has had a chance to settle in, but I know that all the players are excited about playing on grass."<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">U.S. Men's National Team forward BRIAN <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">CHING</span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />On the Gold Cup final against Mexico being followed by a trip to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Azteca</span> Stadium next month:</span><br />"A game against Mexico is a game against Mexico. Both teams are going to be out to win this game and we'll approach this game the same way we will approach that one."<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">On what he, as a veteran, would tell his younger teammates about playing in a USA-Mexico game:</span><br />"To play the way they're capable of playing. Don't do anything you're not accustomed to doing on the field and play like the way you've been playing in the past few games. We've seen some good performances from the young guys and that's encouraging. This is another game for them to prove themselves, and more importantly they need to go out there and relax and enjoy the moment."<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">On how he would describe the rivalry with Mexico:</span><br />"Fun, intense and exciting. Along with it there's a little bit of a circus, but that's week in and week out for the NFL. It's what some of the European guys are used to, and we hope that one day the game aspires to be like this every week, and not just against our biggest rival."<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">On the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">USA's</span> biggest strength when it faces Mexico:</span><br />"The U.S. teams have always been grounded. This team is the same way. Nobody is out to make a name for themselves; they just want to win as a team. That's always been our strength, and hopefully going forward it will always be our strength."Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405744355603283473.post-36560049574149616622009-07-25T14:21:00.000-07:002009-07-25T17:12:17.621-07:00ESPN2 to Air One Hour Preview Show Before Gold Cup Final<span class="095364821-25072009"></span>ESPNSoccernet Press Pass will be hosting a special one hour pre-game show to preview the USA-Mexico final of the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup. ESPN commentators Derek Rae, Tommy Smyth and Janusz Michallik will be joined by former U.S. team captain Claudio Reyna to break down the Gold Cup final and review the history of the rivalry between the U.S. and Mexico. Tune in to ESPN2 beginning at 2 p.m. ET.U.S. Soccerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11596766880548941747noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405744355603283473.post-45788486122685552732009-07-25T10:56:00.000-07:002009-07-25T11:13:19.497-07:00Clarence Goodson and the Saga of the Missing JerseyThe jersey-swapping tradition is great times. Every once in awhile, however, a player wants to keep his or her own jersey. There's no shame in that. Sometimes you want to rock your own kit instead of that Messi jersey you traded for, only to find out it was too small anyways.<br /><br />One of those times came Thursday. When Clarence Goodson scored his first national team goal, he decided his U.S. jersey from that night would be a good memento of the occasion. Things didn't exactly go as planned. Here's what happened, as Clarence told it to us earlier today:<br /><br />"At the end of the game I told Tim [Cook, U.S. Soccer MNT equipment manager and the overseer of such matters] I had to keep this jersey because it was special, being my first goal for the national team and everything.<br /><br />"Tim said 'No problem', so I took it off and put it in a little plastic bag. I was in a little bit of a rush after the game because I did a few interviews and the boys were getting on the bus. President Obama was coming through [Editor's note - Obama's motorcade was scheduled to come up Lakeshore Drive just around the time we were leaving] so Ivan Pierra - MNT trainer extraordinaire- came and got me out of the cold tub. I had to get all my things on and get my stuff situated. I had it in my hand, and as we were walking out I must have set it down. I guess I zipped up my toiletries kit and didn't pick it back up<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hP_HGQWd99U/SmtHgz4PPxI/AAAAAAAABRA/wN7faB_J-0c/s1600-h/600_USMNTTA072309632.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hP_HGQWd99U/SmtHgz4PPxI/AAAAAAAABRA/wN7faB_J-0c/s400/600_USMNTTA072309632.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362458410322181906" border="0" /></a>.<br /><br />"When we got to the bus we were rushing and I realized it was missing. I was taped up with ice and stuff, so Ivan said he'd go back and look. He went back to get it but he couldn't find it - there was nothing in the locker room!<br /><br />"I was gutted because I knew I had it in there but didn't know what happened. Robbie Rogers and Jay Heaps stayed after for drug testing and we called them but they couldn't find it. Pam Perkins - MNT General Manager and resident problem solver - called some people but we still couldn't find it."<br /><br />"I went out for dinner with my folks and my wife. I was so happy because we were in the final and we were all just enjoying the moment. But in the back of my mind there was this little downer that I didn't have that jersey. You know, it's just a jersey, but you still want it...<br /><br />"Around midnight I got the text from Kenny Cooper, my roommate, and I thought he was kidding around. I was like "Kenny, this is the cruelest thing you've ever done. Stop messing with me." He said "No, no I'm not!" And I came back and Pam and Brad Evans were like "We got it!" Obviously it was a huge relief. Apparently somebody found the bag with the jersey in it in the trash can. Happy times."<br /><br />"I've kept a fair collection of jerseys over the years. Ones traded in MLS, in Europe and with the national team. It's nice to have them and have something to look back on. Hopefully I can be able to hand them down to kids and grandkids in the future.<br /><br />"The first of anything is special and you like to have that little piece of history.<br />If I score tomorrow I'll absolutely be keeping that jersey too. I'll just leave it on this time though and wear it all night."<br /><br />It's always nice when a story has a happy ending. Big shout out to Hughie O'Malley, U.S. Soccer's Manager of Sports Medicine Administration, who trekked to our team hotel at 12:30 a.m. to return the jersey. The final mystery? In the bag with Clarence's jersey was his pair of shinguards. Those were never returned...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405744355603283473.post-80507802619341944122009-07-25T09:54:00.000-07:002009-07-25T10:04:52.835-07:00Q & A with Heath Pearce, World Traveller<span style="font-style: italic;">U.S. Men's National Team defender Heath Pearce has been with the team since the beginning of the summer when the team met up May 26 in Miami. Since then he's been to Costa Rica, Chicago, Pretoria, Rustenberg, Bloemfontein, Johannesburg, Seattle, Washington, D.C., Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago (again), and finally New York. Pearce has been with the team through all the ups and downs this summer (mostly ups considering he's been in both squads that have made it to finals this summer). We sat down with Pearce to ask him about the hectic summer, his experience on the road for 60+ days and what will hopefully a great ending to a busy June and July...<br /><br />ussoccer.com: You've been with the team since the beginning. That's more than 60 days (not that we're counting!)...<br /><br /></span><span>Heath Pearce: “It's tough to remember how long it has actually been. It went by fast, and there's been a lot of games and a lot of excitement this summer</span><span>. Even though it's been more than 60 days it doesn't really feel like it's been more than two months on the road because of the successes we've had starting all the way back on the 26th of May.”<br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />ussoccer.com: People will remember this summer for a variety of reasons. We've played more than a dozen games in two tournaments on two continents and made it to two finals. What has this whirlwind of June and July been like for you?<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hP_HGQWd99U/Sms64nG5wJI/AAAAAAAABQg/jnD7BxGRXXk/s1600-h/600_USMNTTA072309084.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hP_HGQWd99U/Sms64nG5wJI/AAAAAAAABQg/jnD7BxGRXXk/s400/600_USMNTTA072309084.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362444525559726226" border="0" /></a><span>HP: “It's been amazing. This summer has been really special for U.S. Soccer. There were the emotions of us being almost knocked out of the Confederations Cup to us then making it all the way to the final. There was </span><span>us being up 2-0, and ending up losing 3-2. It was a heartbreaking finish but it was a special moment for us to reach the final and be in that position. For me, I had the chance to be able to come into the Gold Cup, which I wasn't part of in 2007, with almost a completely different team. We were able to set the bar high and the fact that we've gone after the same results we achieved with the other group has been great. I think U.S. soccer and fans in America will remember this summer as something special and a big stepping stone in our development.”<br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />ussoccer.com: You were one of the few players to come directly from Johannesburg to Seattle to get ready for the opening match against Grenada. How was that journey and what did you need to do as a player to be able to make that transition?<br /><br /></span><span>HP: “Since I didn't play at all in the Confederations Cup, for me it was about getting in and trying to get my feet under me because it had been awhile since I had played a game. When you come in here, you go into the game with the same mentality whether you're playing or not, but knowing you have a better chance of playing or helping the team in a different way.”</span><br /><span><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">ussoccer.com: For a player who maybe doesn't get the opportunity they would like in one tournament, how nice is it to have the chance to come play in another international tournament right after and get right back on the field?<br /><br /></span><span>HP: “I think most players have been through ups and downs in their career. It's all about how you bounce back and that was my main focus. You know you may get another chance and when you do you have to do well. Every game, whether you play or not, happens for a reason. I came off a long spell of not playing with my club team and that's the way it goes. At the national team it's all about what kind of form you're in and whether the coaches think you’re ready. Of course it's disappointing when you don't play, but it's great when the team is getting results and when you know that you'll have another chance to play.”<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">ussoccer.com: You're one of the leading cap-winners on this Gold Cup team. In a leadership or experiences sense, how is your role here different from your role earlier in the summer? </span><br /></span><br /><span>HP: “I'm not the oldest player or anything, but I think the experiences that I've had at the Confederations Cup and in some of the big international games we've played have been able to carry over to some of the guys here who maybe haven't been in that situation before. I tried to provide some knowledge and wisdom heading into this tournament at the beginning and now this game against Mexico.”<br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />ussoccer.com: This team has developed from game to game and grown throughout the tournament. Everybody who we've talked to says that day by day, and game by game, the team is growing in confidence and familiarity. How helpful has it been to spend a month together in this tournament?<br /><br /></span><span>HP: “I think it's been extremely valuable to find our rhythm as a team. As you saw against Grenada we got the result but we were still really green. We weren't on the same page always and we didn't really know each others runs or maybe how we played. Over this past month we've grown a lot as a team and I think there were stretches in our last game against Honduras where we maybe weren't playing our best soccer but we all had built a strong understanding from each other of what it takes to get a result and what it takes over 90 minutes.”</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hP_HGQWd99U/Sms7CLS4KcI/AAAAAAAABQo/Df47DuhhlcQ/s1600-h/600_USMNTKC070409226.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hP_HGQWd99U/Sms7CLS4KcI/AAAAAAAABQo/Df47DuhhlcQ/s400/600_USMNTKC070409226.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362444689892452802" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />ussoccer.com: This was also a new situation for you in the sense of getting to know guys. In the first part of the summer the team had a certain level of familiarity with each other but here it obviously takes some time to meet your teammates and familiarize yourself with them on and off the field...<br /><br /></span><span>HP: “It takes some time for everybody. At first there's a sense of competition and a sense of wanting to play. There's also shyness and people not knowing what to expect from one another. Once we got past that we've been able to have a good month together. Everybody's been getting along really well and everyone's got to know each other really well. It's helped us get better on the field too.”<br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">ussoccer.com: You and Brian Ching played against Mexico in February. Obviously, the context and situation of that game was much different, but what did you learn about playing against Mexico that can transition into tomorrow's final?<br /><br /></span><span>HP: “The important thing is how we play as a group. Mexico has some good individual talent and how we stick together as a team is going to be what makes the major difference in getting a win tomorrow.”<br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">ussoccer.com: If there is anything that you can learn from the Confederations Cup final and apply to tomorrow's game in Giants Stadium, what do you think that is?<br /><br /></span><span>HP: “It's understanding the dangers of a lead and the dangers of certain situations. You can't shut off for one minute because it can change the whole momentum of a game. In the final against Brazil, Luis Fabiano had a nice hit from the top of the box. Our defender was there but it's one of those things that, because it happened early in the second half, changed the whole momentum. I think going into tomorrow's final it's about doing all the small things right in terms of set pieces, in terms of movement. We need to make sure we're in it for 90 minutes and not give up anything.”<br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />ussoccer.com: You're out of contract at the moment, having finished up two years in Germany. What's next for you on the club level?<br /><br /></span><span>HP: “After tomorrow's game the big decisions have to come. There's some stuff on the table that I need to assess but obviously my biggest focus is tomorrow's game. After that I'll need to come to a quick decision as to where my next club is going to be and where my next situation is going to be. I'll be flying back to Europe to sort that out.”<br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">ussoccer.com: If there's one memory you will take away from the summer of 2009 with the Men's National Team, what is it?<br /><br /></span><span>HP: “Just making it to the finals and doing it with two different groups. It's special in a sense that it shows the quality of depth in American soccer. Both finals mean a lot, and I've never really been in a situation in my club career where the idea of a cup final has been the most realistic thing. To be here with this group all throughout the past 60 days and make it to the finals of two big tournaments in one summer has been really great.”<br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">ussoccer.com: So in that case, hopefully us lifting the trophy tomorrow will be the best possible conclusion to this long summer on the road?<br /><br /></span><span>HP: “It would be the perfect ending.”</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405744355603283473.post-18767852954341789192009-07-24T16:02:00.001-07:002009-07-25T09:53:07.831-07:00Gym SessionThe U.S. team traveled this afternoon to New Jersey for its final destination of the two-month tour, now setting up shop in the 11th different hotel since May 26. All the work took place in the hotel, with the starters going through a regeneration session in the pool and the reserves working on circuit training. The U.S. will have its pre-game training at Giants Stadium and the newly laid sod tomorrow afternoon, and then its simply rest and recover before the Gold Cup final Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. ET.U.S. Soccerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11596766880548941747noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405744355603283473.post-90210242928414641152009-07-24T00:14:00.000-07:002009-07-25T09:53:27.618-07:00Bright Lights, Big City<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K6wehi02tNA/SmlfirNvh7I/AAAAAAAAAU4/pYWBN6zlbwM/s1600-h/NYCvuvu.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 349px; height: 234px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K6wehi02tNA/SmlfirNvh7I/AAAAAAAAAU4/pYWBN6zlbwM/s320/NYCvuvu.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361921880681842610" border="0" /></a><br /></div>U.S. Soccerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11596766880548941747noreply@blogger.com5