Wednesday, October 14, 2009

USA Leave it Late, Forces Costa Rica into playoffs

The US slacked early and it cost them , but a stirring second half comeback with goals from Michael Bradley and Jonathan Bornstein (?) allowed the US to finish top of the CONCACAF qualifying.  A much larger concern is the fact that the US' best defender, Oguchi Onyewu, whilst positioning himself for a header, tore his left patella tendon.  Sources are saying that he will be out for 3-4 months.  It will be interesting to see who the CB's are for the Denmark game next month as Onyewu, Jay DeMerit, and Chad Marshall are all out with injury and could miss that match.  That leaves Carlos Bocanegra, Jimmy Conrad, Clarence Goodson, Michael Parkhurst, and Danny Califf to fill the void.  Who the forwards will be will be interesting as well.  An expanded postgame wrap-up will be posted tomorrow after I've watched the game again.  Until then, I bid thee goodnight! 

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

USA vs Costa Rica: A Look Ahead


Despite all the sad news on the day, the US still must focus and take care of business tomorrow against Costa Rica.  The US will be highly emotional following the Davies debacle and I have faith that this will help them on their way to a result and finish top of the group.  How the US will replace Charlie Davies in the long run will be interesting, as his speed and finishing ability will sorely be missed, along with his attitude and love for the the sport.  Immediate replacements speed wise would be Eddie Johnson (Fulham), Freddy Adu (Belenenses), DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers), and Jemal Johnson (MK Dons).  I won't give much of a preview, as my thoughts are currently on the obvious.  But here is the line-up I would start:

-----------------------Howard

Cherundolo-----Onyewu-----Bocanegra-----Bornstein

-----------------Bradley------Feilhaber

Holden--------------------------------------Donovan

----------------Altidore--------Casey

Guzan
Spector
Conrad
Torres
Clark
Ching
Cooper

Again, our thoughts and prayers go out to Charlie and his family, along with the other victims and their loved ones.  It's a terrible tragedy, but it's what the team does to respond to it that will honor Charlie and the other victims.  US fans, if you are attending the game, STAND FOR THE ENTIRE 9TH MINUTE OF THE MATCH as a salute to the player we all watched grow and came to love as a brother.  

Everyone pray for Charlie Davies

In a horrible turn of events, USMNT forward Charlie Davies was involved in a deadly car crash around 3:15 this morning.  He is currently in surgery in stable condition.  His injuries are possibly career ending.  Regardless of what team or nation you cheer for, this is bigger than any game.  May God hold Charlie and the other victims and their families in his hands.

More details as they become available...

UPDATE:

OK, so here's what we know.  Early this morning around 3:15am, Charlie and two friends were driving on the George Washington Parkway when their SUV lost control and crashed into a guard rail, tearing the SUV in two.  The one female, confirmed dead at the scene and Charlie were the passengers.  Charlie was taken to Washington Hospital Center and underwent nearly seven hours of surgery.  Early reports indicate that Davies suffered a broken femur and fibula, along with internal injuries.  Said injuries will keep him out of the running for close to a year at least, which means he will miss next summers World Cup in South Africa, unless something amazing happens.  We will sorely miss Charlie and we continue to pray for a speedy recovery.  There was a curfew for the players last night, no doubt he missed it.

US News and Notes, Plus an MLS Update

Some stories to keep your day rolling on, along with a MLS weekend wrap-up:

Clint Dempsey not available for Costa Rica match:
NP has learned that Fulham midfielder Clint Dempsey has remained in London to treat a sprained shoulder and will not be available for Bob Bradley tomorrow against Costa Rica.  It's a good thing we managed to win in Honduras because this Costa Rica team, as we all know is very dangerous and Clint is one of the best play-makers the US has to offer.

US to play Denmark in Aarhus on November 18:
In a story confirmed by ussoccer.com, the United States Mens National Team will take on fellow World Cup Qualifiers Denmark in an international friendly on November 18 at NRGi Park in Aarhus.  With a lot of teams already scheduled for friendlies this was the best the US could expect, but then again, Denmark is no pushover, finishing the top of their UEFA qualifying group which includes Sweden.  Rumors of matches against Iran and the Netherlands are also springing up around the net.

UPDATE:  
According to fifa.com, the US will play the Netherlands on March 3, 2010, probably in the Netherlands.   

Jay DeMerit to be monitored:
US defender Jay DeMerit will be monitored for the next 10 days in anticipation for eye surgery, which in a freak accident, he cut while removing a contact lens.  Surgery probably means he will be unavailable for the friendly in November but should be back in time for the January training camp.

MLS Weekend Wrap-up:
The story this weekend in MLS was Chivas USA, who with their 2-0 win over Kansas City grabbed a playoff birth.  In other results Columbus beat New England 1-0 in Foxboro and Toronto FC missed a huge opportunity for three points at home when they allowed San Jose to equalize in stoppage time.  Here are the teams who have qualified for the MLS playoffs: Columbus Crew, LA Galaxy, Houston Dynamo, Chivas USA.

Look for a Costa Rica preview in a short while.  Until then, I bid thee a good day because tomorrow will only be better when the US finishes top of their group.  COME ON YOU YANKS!!!!!!!!!

Sunday, October 11, 2009

US Outlasts Honduras in the Second Half, Punches South Africa Ticket


Conor Casey shut up the critics and carried the US into the 2010 World Cup.  The three goals scored by the United States was the most they have scored during the CONCACAF Hexagonal and each in its own way was beautiful.  Following a first half which saw the US absorb attack after attack after attack from the home side, who like everyone thought they would, came out energized and ready to play.  But the US gave new meaning to the phrase bend but don't break.  Honduras had several opportunities to grab the lead but the US defense, most notably Tim Howard, held firm.  An early Carlos Costly breakaway forced Howard off his line and he did well to cut off the angle and Costly forced his effort wide.  Not long after that, the US had a chance with Charlie Davies.  Stuart "Iceman" Holden drove down the right flank and sent in one of those crosses you show to your U6 team, which found the head of Davies and forced a great save from Noel Valladares, the rebound fell straight back to Davies who then blasted over the crossbar from seven yards.  The rest of the half was a bit of a stalemate and looked more and more like a typical CONCACAF qualifying match.  No one told these teams though, as the second half exploded into the game of the night.  In the 47th minute a questionable call right outside the penalty area gave Honduras a free kick, which Julio Cesar de Leon delicately placed past a diving Tim Howard.  Eight minutes later Oguchi Onyewu sent a long freekick into the box which found the head of Charlie Davies, who headed toward the six yard box and Conor Casey leveled on a legal challenge of Valladares.  Then the US would grab the lead in the 66th minute on a solid run of play as the ball came free to Davies who played into Landon Donovan's feet, Donovan then perfectly placed the ball to an on rushing Casey who controlled, juked, and slotted past a helpless Valladares.  Five minutes later Landon Donovan airmailed a free-kick into the back of the net, it would turn out to be the game winner.  I guess being David Beckham's teammate isn't so bad after all.  The US would concede again in the 78th minute during a scramble in the box and the last 15 minutes the US just absorbed pressure, ala Confederations Cup, and grabbed their ticket to South Africa.

For anyone who missed, here are the highlights:


UPDATE: PLAYER RATINGS

My apologies for the timing of this, but school can be a pain in the ass sometimes, but here they are:

Tim Howard (7): The Everton stalwart can't be faulted for either goal and made enough saves and plays to keep the US on the winning side.

Jonathan Spector (4.5): I'm not sure where the Spector from the Confederations Cup went, but he was just OFF in this match, Honduran players where almost running past him with ease.  Neither goal was his fault though.

Oguchi Onyewu (6.5): Showed some rust from not playing at AC Milan, but the big guy settled in and as always dominated the airways.

Carlos Bocanegra (7): Best defender on the night for the US.  Consistently broke up attacks with timely intervention.  Should have buried his free header in the first half though.

Jonathan Bornstein (5.5): Certainly showing improvement from his last outings but still players often are finding a way around him.

Stuart Holden (6): Iceman was nervous in his first real start for the US, after a some shaky early moments, he settled in and gave his one-a-game inch perfect cross, none of which have been finished.

Michael Bradley (6.5): Did just enough to keep Palacios and Thomas relatively quiet, broke up some attacks and distributed decently.

Ricardo Clark (5.5): Clark was quiet throughout but like Bradley did enough to undermine Honduras in the central midfield.

Landon Donovan (8): Is there any doubt that he is playing the best football in his career?  Perfect touch and vision on his assist to Casey and his free kick would've broken Valladares' hand had he gotten to it.

Charlie Davies (5.5): Another usually steady performer was off his game, had two wonderful chances to help the US grab an early lead but both were squandered, was involved on both of Casey's goals however which improves his score.

Conor Casey (7.5): Who'd have thought that Conor Casey would have his coming out party in a World Cup Qualifier AT Honduras?  Not me, but he certainly shut-up the critics (including myself) and netted twice in impressive fashion.

Benny Feilhaber (5): Came in and gave some needed late possession but should've finished his late opportunity.

Jozy Altidore (5): Late sub played his role in the attack to keep some frontal pressure.

Steve Cherundolo (NA): Bradley's late ploy to kill more time.