ABSENT BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

The biggest question from the rather sizeable Polish media gaggle at training wasn't about who was here, but who wasn't. "Where is Piotr Nowak?" all wanted to know. (Figured we would use the Polish spelling of his name. When in Krakow ...) Man, that guy is popular.

Of course, we were also asked the whereabouts of Bruce Arena, Claudio Reyna and Brad Friedel. See what happens when you don't read ussoccer.com?

WELCOME MR. AMBASSADOR

The team welcomed a special guest to training this afternoon when they were joined by the U.S. Ambassador to Poland, Victor Ashe. Originally from Knoxville, Tenn., Ambassador Ashe has served in Poland since 2004 and braved less than balmy temperatures to watch the session and offer well-wishes to the group. Also in attendance was Anne Hall, the U.S. Consul General in Krakow. Fortunately they are planning a bringing a nice contingent of U.S. fans to the game Wednesday night, so we provided Ambassador Ashe with something to show his support.

1st Training: Cracovia Krakow

The team trained at the stadium of local club Cracovia Krakow today, and the ground was just a short ride from the hotel. It is cold out, but that did not stop the U.S. Soccer photographers from doing their jobs. In fact, it didn't stop the zealous Polish press either, who were out in full force to take in the practice...



Cracovia is the oldest Polish football club still around, having been formed in 1906. There of course have been good and bad times in those 102 years, but the club is now coming back strong after some years in lesser divisions. Currently its in the highest league in Poland, but this season will be an especially tough pill to swallow: local rivals Wisla Krakow are running away with the league title. All things told, however, Cracovia will be in the top flight again next year, and perhaps they'll get one over on their arch-enemies. As for Wisla themselves, we'll be training at their ground tomorrow (as well as playing Wednesday's match there) so we'll let you know how it goes...

OUT AND ABOUT IN KRAKOW

The MNT Blog took to the streets for Easter Monday and walked around the city of Krakow. Today is a national holiday and though some of the streets were deserted, there were still a fair amount of passers-by congregating in the city square. It was a bit chilly out today, and the weather probably prevented the MNT Blog from experiencing one of Dingus Day’s more prevalent traditions: throwing water on people. That’s right. Dingus Day drenchings are par for the course in Poland. Traditionally that meant guys seeking out girls with buckets of water, but the tables have turned in recent years to include pan-gender soakings. Though we didn’t get any of that, we did get to see a bit of Krakow, which, despite the weather, is a beautiful city.

FOLLOWING THE BIG FOUR

The MNT Blog headed to the local watering hole (attached to our hotel) to catch some high profile Premier League action this afternoon. First Manchester United took on Liverpool, with the Red Devils getting the win. Check out the finish and subsequent celebration by Nani on the third goal.


The next match was Arsenal v Chelsea, and guys from the team joined our table. Marcus Hahnemann looked over our shoulder while we were working on game notes for ussoccer.com (see, the blog never sleeps!). The bloggers were struggling a bit with certain dates we were trying to add to the notes, and Marcus noted his similar battle with his memory while writing his really cool column for the Daily Mail.

In case you haven't read it, Marcus writes for the Daily Mail where he's a featured columnist. That's a distinction that we at the blog can only aspire to! Check out the full archive of his awesome stuff here.

Interestingly, another Premier League goalkeeper also writes a column for print. David James at Portsmouth submits his prose to The Guardian. We asked Marcus why so many goalkeepers are wielding a pen these days: "Well, for one we're all pretty unique guys," (no argument here) "and I think we've got a different perspective on the game than most other players." Hey, as long as that perspective keeps producing interesting articles, we're all for it!

Oh, and Chelsea beat Arsenal 2-1.

WITAJCIE!

That means 'welcome' in Polish. Unfortunately that's the extent of our local language skills, but we've only been here a couple hours, so give us some time.

The team has started to filter into Krakow, which is cool and grey on this Easter afternoon. While we haven't published the full roster yet, our loyal MNT blog readers will get some sneak previews - starting with this photo of a trio of EPL'ers taking a break from their gym session.

On behalf the full team, Carlos, Eddie, Marcus, Jay and Brian all wanted to wish the U-23's the best of luck in the championship match against Honduras later today. Go get 'em boys!

It's going to be a fast and furious three days in Poland, so we dedicated bloggers will do our best to keep you dialed in. We're so dedicated that you're getting this update instead of us watching Manchester United - Liverpool. Speaking of which, be back soon ...

Fulham Get Three Points

All five Americans at Fulham saw the field during Sunday's 1-0 victory over Everton. Kasey Keller, Brian McBride, Eddie Johnson started for the Cottagers while Carlos Bocanegra and Clint Dempsey came off the bench in the second half.

McBride's second half header was the difference between the two sides, and handed relegation-threatened Fulham an invaluable points boost. Fulham, now on 23 points, sit just 3 points from safety.

Meanwhile, Tim Howard and Everton find their UEFA Champions League hopes dented after Saturday's loss. Everton's defeat coupled with Liverpool's victory mean the Toffees are now three points off fourth place.

For Fulham, the next few weeks will be crucial: they face Newcastle, Derby, Sunderland and Reading. Everton face West Ham next week before traveling to Anfield on March 30th in a Champions League showdown.

TIM HOWARD (EVERTON)

Tim Howard and Everton were victims of an unfortunate shootout loss to Fiorentina yesterday. The Toffees fought back from a 2 goal aggregate deficit to push the tie into extra time. But unfortunately spot kicks were unkind to the English side. Everton will try to shake off the defeat ahead of Saturday's match against Fulham back in the Premier League. Howard and Everton are pursuing Champions League football next season (they'll get that if they finish fourth) and Fulham is just trying to avoid the drop, so this game is important to both teams for totally different reasons.

Everton-Fiorentina highlights
by SerieAtv

Also - check out soccernet.com's video player to see a feature on Timmy at Everton...

Big Weekend Blowout!

Fulham earned a much needed point away to Blackburn this weekend, courtesy of some late heroics from Jimmy Bullard. The English midfielder confidently stroked an 89th minute freekick over the wall and past Brad Friedel's despairing dive to earn the Cottagers a 1-1 draw at Ewood Park. Eddie Johnson and Clint Dempsey were in the starting lineup for Fulham, which also included a familiar face between the sticks. That's right, Kasey Keller returned to the Fulham lineup for the first time since October and made four saves in the draw. Brian McBride also came off the bench for Fulham. The point stops a run of three consecutive defeats for Roy Hodgson's side, who will look to carry the momentum into next Sunday's showdown with Everton at Craven Cottage.

Speaking of Everton, Tim Howard's side kept pace with Liverpool by beating Sunderland 1-0 at the Stadium of Light. Howard made seven saves in the victory and the Toffees now look forward to Thursday's mammoth UEFA Cup tie with Fiorentina. Everton went down 2-0 to the Viola in Florence last week, so David Moyes' team will have to do at least one better this week if they hope to advance to the quarterfinals of the tournament.

Sunday was a day of highs and lows for West Ham's Jonathan Spector. Named to the U-23 Olympic Qualifying squad in the morning, the Illinois native went on to play 90 minutes for West Ham in the London derby against Tottenham. Unfortunately, the Hammers succumbed to a 4-0 defeat to their city rivals. The loss leaves West Ham in 10th place, but more worrying than their league position are the consecutive 4-0 losses they've suffered in recent weeks. They'll look to get back on form against Blackburn at Upton Park on Saturday.

One team who is finding their feet at the right time is Reading who made it two wins in a row on Saturday. Marcus Hahnemann kept another clean sheet as the Royals defeated Manchester City 2-0 at the Madejski Stadium. After seven consecutive defeat, six points from the last two games has lifted Reading out of the relegation zone and ostensibly put their fate in their own hands.

Standard Liege jumped out to stretched its lead at the top of the table to four points following its win on Friday over St. Truiden. Oguchi Onyewu marshalled a backline that held tight for a 2-1 victory.

In Germany, Hannover 96 fell 2-0 to Bayer Leverkusen. Steve Cherundolo was deployed at right back for Hannover who next face Arminia Bielefeld in their quest for a European place. You can also read a feature on Steve from Soccernet here.

Heath Pearce made his second consecutive appearance for Hansa Rostock, and helped his side to a 1-1 draw away from home to MSV Duisberg. Pearce came on as a second half sub for Rostock, who take on Hertha Berlin next Saturday.

In Holland, Michael Bradley and Heerenveen snapped out of their mini-slump and earned a solid 3-0 victory at home to NAC Breda. Bradley was on the scoresheet for his club, grabbing the winner in the 32nd minute. Heerenveen remain in sixth place in the Eredivise, tied on 48 points with Feyenoord. On Saturday, Bradley and his club face FC Gronigen, a major rival in the table for a European place. A victory on the weekend could see Heerenveen jump back into the top three, so be sure to check back next week to find out the latest...

Weekend Update!

In Germany, Heath Pearce made his first appearance for Hansa Rostock in over a month, coming on as a halftime substitute against Arminia Bielefeld. Rostock fought back from a goal down, and were rewarded with a late equalizer. The point keeps Rotsock five points clear from the relegation zone in 14th place.

Hannover, meanwhile, won for the first time in six attempts, beating Nunberg 2-1 at home. The ever-present Steve Cherundolo was again deployed on the backline for Hannover, whose win keeps them in eighth place and within touching distance of a European place.

Over in England, the plight of Fulham continued, as the Cottagers succumbed to Manchester United, 3-0. Eddie Johnson got his first ever start for the the club, providing support to captain Brian McBride up front, but Fulham were thwarted by the tough United defense.

There were happier times over in Reading, however, as the Royals stopped a run of recent defeats with an dramatic 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough. Steve Harper popped up in the box in second half injury time to pound home a Stephen Hunt crossand give Reading three much needed points. Marcus Hahnemann kept a clean sheet in the Reading goal, making saves in the victory.

Everton strengthened their claim to fourth place with a well earned 3-1 victory at home to Portsmouth. Tim Howard and the Toffees will now look forward to Thursday's big UEFA Cup Round of 16 match against Fiorentina. Everton travel to Florence to play the first leg at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, before returning back to Merseyside two weeks later.

In the Eredivisie, Heerenveen suffered its second consecutive defeat, this time away to FC Twente. Next Michael Bradley and Heerenveen face fellow European challengers Nac Breda in a six-pointer in the top half of the table. That game takes place on Saturday, but be sure to check back to the Global blog for updates on all the midweek action.