Thursday, October 1, 2009

USA Releases WCQ Roster

The US roster for its upcoming qualifiers against Honduras and Costa Rica has been released. It's the usual suspects with a couple intriguing additions. Here it is in all its glory:


U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPERS (2): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa: 5/3 SO), Tim Howard (Everton: 14/8 SO)
DEFENDERS (7): Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes: 24/3), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA, 4/0), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover: 19/0), Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City Wizards: 1/0), Clarence Goodson (IK Start: 1/0), Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan: 18/1), Jonathan Spector (West Ham: 3/0)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach: 13/4), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo: 7/1), Clint Dempsey (Fulham: 20/5), Benny Feilhaber (AGF Aarhus: 4/0), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo: 3/0), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew: 0/0), José Francisco Torres (Pachuca: 6/0)
FORWARDS (6): Jozy Altidore (Hull City: 11/6), Conor Casey (Colorado Rapids: 5/0), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo: 16/6), Kenny Cooper (1860 Munich: 1/1), Charlie Davies (FC Sochaux: 5/2), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy: 33/11)
*numbers indicate all-time World Cup Qualifying caps/goals

The inclusion of Brian Ching, Conor Casey, Robbie Rogers, and Jimmy Conrad is confusing. The exclusion of Edgar Castillo is sure to stir up nerves from fans around the country who want to see the troublesome LB spot nailed down. I can't wait to get Jermaine Jones on the field and Maurice Edu back in the fold. Bornstein's inclusion is also questionable, because his form with Chivas USA is slacking but he is the only true LB in the squad. Chad Marshall is out with a knee injury and Jay DeMerit is out with an eye injury.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

US recovers from Germany hangover, dismantles Cameroon.

In a complete reverse of play, the United States, after being thoroughly dominated in their match against Germany (which they lost 3-0), the US returned with six new starters and played with conviction (though one wouldn't tell from either teams first 45 minutes). But Hertha Berlin youngster Bryan Arguez netted in stoppage time in the first half, and then two minutes in to the second half Tony Taylor netted on a breakaway. Dilly Duka lofted one over the keeper and substitute Brian Ownby netted on another breakaway to topple African power Cameroon 4-1. The US faces South Korea next on Friday. With the recent outburst from his midfield, Thomas Rongen will have a tough choice ahead of him. South Korea is a much more clinical team than is Cameroon and will take their chances much better. With that in mind, will Rongen continue to employ his favored 4-3-3 or switch to a 4-4-2? I propose a midfield of Dilly Duka, Bryan Arguez, Mikkel Diskerud, and Jared Jeffery and Brek Shea and Tony Taylor as the two forwards. It all remains to be played for however, as the US sits in second place in the group behind Germany. A US dream result would be beating South Korea and Germany beating Cameroon to ensure advancement to the knockout stages.

FIFA Approves, WCQ WILL be played in San Pedro Sula.

The political situation in Honduras has led many to believe that the United States match on October 10 would be moved. The country has experienced months of turmoil as its president was exiled and has only recently returned. FIFA had its inquiries and an executive committee hearing was convened and determined that it would be safe to play the game. I assume the US will bring extra security just as a precaution. Game on in San Pedro Sula!!!

Crew concede late, all depends on final game.

The Columbus Crew (new logo under consideration), couldn't hold a 1-0 lead against Saprissa at home and now must draw or win at Puerto Rico to advance to the knock out stages of the CONCACAF Champions League.

Playoffs Unofficially Begin

Yes, I realize there is still a full month of action to play in the regular season, but October is sure to be full of drama, close finishes, and surprises. This weeks action kicks off tonight with the New England Revolution traveling to take on FC Dallas (7pm EST, MLS Direct Kick). After that match in the same stadium will be a Mexico-Columbia friendly (9:30pm EST, Telemundo). This weekend's action features some tasty match-ups, including the Fire visiting the Galaxy, the Sounders visiting the Crew, and the Revs travel to Commerce City to take on the Rapids. There's even a battle of the bottom-feeders as New York travels to San Jose. Here's the full schedule:

Friday:
Chicago Fire @ LA Galaxy; 11pm EST on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes

Saturday:
Seattle Sounders FC @ Columbus Crew; 7:30pm EST on MLS Direct Kick
Chivas USA @ DC United; 7:30pm EST on MLS Direct Kick
New England Revolution @ Colorado Rapids; 9pm EST on MLS Direct Kick
New York Red Bulls @ San Jose Earthquakes; 11pm EST on Fox Soccer Channel

Sunday:
Kansas City Wizards @ Houston Dyanmo; 3pm EST on Telefutura

Monday, September 28, 2009

MLS Final Weekend Lookback

The MLS playoff picture is crystal clear after this weekends matches. With only one more match left to be played (New England Revolution @ FC Dallas; 7pm EST on MLS Direct Kick), it is ultimately a meaningless match. Here are the results from this past weekend:

Saturday:
LA Galaxy 0, Columbus Crew 2
Seattle Sounders 1, New England Revolution 2
Colorado Rapids 0, Kansas City Wizards 0
FC Dallas 3, Real Salt Lake 2
Toronto FC 2, Chicago Fire 2
New York Red Bulls 1, Chivas USA 1

Sunday:
San Jose Earthquakes 2, DC United 1

These results mean that these teams are qualified for the playoffs:
Columbus Crew - E1 - 46 points
Houston Dynamo - W1 - 43 points
LA Galaxy - W2 - 41 points
Chicago Fire - E2 - 41 points
Colorado Rapids - WC - 39 points
Chivas USA - WC - 38 points
Seattle Sounders FC - 38 points
New England Revolution - 38 points