Change Has Come to the MNT Blog

It's time to say goodbye to this version of the Men's National Team blog and wave a big HELLO to a re-vamped MNT Blog on the re-vamped ussoccer.com.

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.

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.

There will be a lot of action over there 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.

Thanks as always for all the support, comments, criticisms and contributions. Keep ‘em coming. We hope you like the new digs …


(Once more for good measure: http://www.ussoccer.com/Social/MNT-Blog.aspx)

Altidore Signs for Hull City (Subject to Work Permit)

Hull City has taken Jozy Altidore on loan 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...

Carlos Bocanegra on SportsNation and More

U.S. MNT Captain Carlos Bocanegra will be appearing on ESPN's SportsNation on Thursday. 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 via their twitter feed.

Also on Thursday, ESPN.com is scheduled to post "Fevered Pitch," a multimedia feature by
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.

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.

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 twitter.com/ESPNWayneDrehs.

Clint Dempsey on FIFA Futbol Mundial

As some of you may have seen, Clint Dempsey was featured on FIFA Futbol Mundial. 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 beat FK Vetra in the first leg of Europa League qualification last week and face the return leg at Craven Cottage in a few days. Here's the piece from Futbol Mundial:

Weekend Recap

Some 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:

• Michael Bradley and Borussia Mönchengladbach got past FSV Frankfurt in the DFB Pokal Cup. Steve Cherundolo and Hannover 96 fell to Entracht Trier and were eliminated from the competition.
  
• 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.
• DaMarcus Beasley featured for Rangers in two preseason games this weekend. He came on as a halftime sub yesterday in the 3-0 defeat to Arsenal. Beasley also came on in the 61st minute during a 1-0 victory against PSG on Saturday.
  

Cooper Heads to 1860 Munich

U.S. MNT forward Kenny Cooper has signed for 1860 Munich and is set to undergo a medical with the 2.Bundesliga club. Cooper, who was recently named to the CONCACAF Gold Cup all-tournament team, 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.

Random Fun Fact: German film director Rainer Werner Fassbinder, an MNT Blog favorite, was a huge 1860 fan.

Getting Underway in Germany

The DFB Pokal Cup kicks off this weekend in Germany as teams from the Bundesliga get set to take on lower division sides. Michael Bradley and Borussia Mönchengladbach face FSV Frankfurt, while Steve Cherundolo and Hannover 96 travel to meet Eintracht Trier on Sunday. Luis Robles and Kaiserslautern get the action underway on Friday with a game against Eintracht Braunschweig.

Hannover Lose to Arsenal

Steve Cherundolo and Hannover fell 1-0 to Arsenal in pre-season action. Cherundolo started and played 74 minutes in the game:

Howard Saves Some Spot Kicks

As 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:

Four Players Named to All-Tournament Team

Four players from the U.S. Men's National Team were named to the All-Tournament team for the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup. 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.