Thursday, October 22, 2009

NP's 23 for 2010


This installment of NP's 23 for 2010 will take into account the highs and lows of the last two World Cup Qualifiers.  While most will be looking at the lows since there were plenty of them (Davies, Onyewu, DeMerit, Marshall, Jones, Edu, Dempsey all injured), there were some highs, like the win in Honduras, the come from behind draw against Costa Rica and individual performances for the US players with the national team and with their clubs.  So here they are the lucky 23:

SURE THING

Tim Howard - Goalkeeper - Everton FC - This is the surest of sure things.  Howard gives any team he's on the chance to win with tremendous saves and leadership.

Landon Donovan - Midfielder - LA Galaxy - This is quite possibly Landon Donovan's best year with the US.  Hasn't scored as many goals as past years, but he's usually been involved in every single one.

Carlos Bocanegra - Defender -  Stade Rennais -  Captain America will be there, especially with all the injuries in the central backfield.

Michael Bradley - Midfielder - Borussia Monchengladbach - Bradley followed up his goal against Costa Rica with a screamer for his club against German champs Wolfsburg.

Josmer Altidore - Forward - Hull City FC - With Davies out, Jozy now becomes the best forward in the US arsenal, not exactly a job I like heaping on a 20 year old, but its the truth.

Clint Dempsey - Midfielder - Fulham FC - Dempsey missed the last two WCQ's with a shoulder sprain, but returned to action with his club team and played well.  One of the best creators the US has.

GOOD BET

Oguchi Onyewu - Defender - AC Milan - His injured knee is obviously concerning, but with eight months until the World Cup, and Gooch being our best defender, odds are, he's there.

Steve Cherundolo - Defender - Hannover 96 - The Bundesliga experience will keep his place on the team.  Bob seems to enjoy interchanging him and Spector.

Jonathan Spector - Defender - West Ham United - His ability to play anywhere on the backline means that his place is pretty much assured.

Ricardo Clark - Midfielder - Houston Dynamo - The only healthy, pure midfield destroyer right now, but is definitely serviceable there.

Maurice Edu - Midfielder - Glasgow Rangers FC - Once healthy its hard imagining him not in South Africa, especially since he can play CB in a pinch.

Jay DeMerit - Defender - Watford FC - Needed surgery for his eye, which will see him out 2-3 months, but established himself as the No. 3 CB.

Brad Guzan - Goalkeeper - Aston Villa FC - As good of a backup as anyone could ask for.  Would like to see him get time in some minor competitions though. 

PROBABLE

Jermaine Jones - Midfielder - FC Schalke 04 - Once he's in camp he'll show what all the uproar is about.  Will quickly rise to the occasion as the best destroyer in the US pool.

Benny Feilhaber - Midfielder - AGF Aarhus - Is having his best year for both club and country.  His presence on the ball and unpredictability are fine attributes.

Jose Torres - Midfielder - Pachuca - I'm only pretty sure that Torres could make a starter of himself by the time South Africa rolls around...seriously.

Stuart Holden - Midfielder - Houston Dynamo - Provides fine cover on the right flank and move to Europe would only increase his chances.

Jonathan Bornstein - Defender - CD Chivas USA - Unfortunately, the goal against Costa Rica means the LB spot is his to lose.

POSSIBLE:

Troy Perkins - Goalkeeper - Valerenga IF - Playing time gets him in over Marcus Hahnemann.

Edgar Castillo - Defender - Tigres UANL - Continues to play full matches for his club and we could see him in the upcoming European friendlies.

Conor Casey - Forward - Colorado Rapids - Casey seems to have passed Ching as the pure target forward that BB loves, but performances like against Costa Rica will make me sick.

Kenny Cooper - Forward - 1860 Munich - With Davies out and his good play in Germany, Kenny's spot is nearly assured.

Eddie Johnson - Forward - Fulham FC - Again, with Davies out and EJ the only player who can replicate his speed, EJ is closer to getting his chance.

BUBBLE BOYS:

Chad Marshall- Easily could make the team, but there are only 23 tickets.

Freddy Adu- Get more time in Portugal!!!

DaMarcus Beasley- Only a miracle will put him on the plane.

Brian Ching- Brian I love your work rate but so long and farewell.

Clarence Goodson- Could push Marshall for the 4th CB slot.

Danny Califf- See above

Heath Pearce- Where did you go??

Sacha Kljestan- Enjoying a strong run of form for his club, but is it enough?

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

FIFA Approves Jones' Allegiancy Switch, Other USMNT Notes


This fine piece of information comes from the MNT Blog at ussoccer.com.  Jermaine Jones has been approved for his switch from the German national team to the USMNT.  Now as soon as he can get that leg healed he should be a fine addition to the squad.  Perhaps he can get healthy enough to earn a call up to the Denmark friendly in November. 

In some news that was released earlier this week, Charlie Davies was released from the Intensive Care Unit at Washington Hospital Center, and is still facing left elbow surgery and possibly more for the facial fractures.

Landon Donovan won his sixth Honda Player of the Year award and was also named the Honda Player of the Decade.  Congrats to Landon

Michael Bradley continued his scoring ways with his club team this past weekend as Borussia Monchengladbach lost 2-1 vs. German champs Wolfsburg. 

Look for a 23 for 2010 post, coming tomorrow hopefully.

MLS Weekend Look Back and CONCACAF Champions League Update


One more weekend of matches in Major League Soccer, and this past weekends results saw FC Dallas continue their streak, Seattle earned their postseason spot, and DC and Toronto kept their postseason hopes alive.  Here are the latest results from this past weekend:

Wednesday:
Real Salt Lake 2, New York Red Bulls

Saturday:
Toronto FC 1, Real Salt Lake 0
Chicago Fire 0, New England Revolution 0
DC United 1, Columbus Crew 0
FC Dallas 2, Colorado Rapids 1
Seattle Sounders FC 3, Kansas City Wizards 2
Chivas USA 2, San Jose Earthquakes 2

Sunday:
Houston Dynamo 0, LA Galaxy 0



Group stage action from the CONCACAF Champions League tonight with two MLS teams in action.  DC United went into Mexico and pulled put a 1-1 draw vs. Toluca but must wait for the result in the other game in their group to find out if they will advance.  That game is between San Juan Jabloteh and Marathon and DC must hope for a Jabloteh win, but the Trinidad & Tobago club is winless in all of its group stage matches.  Tonight's other MLS match was between the Columbus Crew and Puerto Rico Islanders, which also finished in a 1-1 draw, but it was the Crew who became the MLS's first side to claim a quarterfinal spot.  Tomorrow's matches also feature an MLS side, the Houston Dynamo, who must win in their match against Metapan to have a chance of advancing to the quarterfinals.  I'll update the result of that match tomorrow after the final.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

USA 2, Costa Rica 2: A Look Back


A night running high on emotions for both sides for completely opposite reasons, it was Costa Rica who grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck early, netting two great goals through Bryan Ruiz to go ahead only 23 minutes in.  But the rest of the match was dominated by the Americans, who were fighting for stricken teammate Charlie Davies, who two days prior was a passenger in a fatal accident that left a female dead.  The US seemed to have early momentum, when in the 9th minute Jozy Altidore took on and beat three Costa Rica defenders and found a wide open Conor Casey, except to see his effort fly high and wide.  It would have been a perfect start, because in the 9th minute the fans all held aloft #9 signs and banners they had created in honor and support of Davies.  Even the MLS game that night, some 2,000 miles away in Salt Lake City saw a Davies tribute from both the players and fans.  It was truly moving to see red, white, and blue smoke bombs coupled with all the signs. 

After falling behind 2-0 the US found a second gear but couldn't find a first goal, as Landon Donovan and Jozy Altidore missed two golden opportunities a piece.  The second half saw Costa Rica come out in a defensive shell, giving the US most of the possession, but it seemed like the final pass always let them down.  Credit Bob Bradley for the substitutions, all three of which were offensively-minded.  Benny Feilhaber who wasn't his usual self as he was usually forced to pick the ball up deep in midfield, gave way to Jose Torres, who in his 30ish minutes, shined.  He spread the ball around nicely and showed his tremendous comfort with the ball at his feet.  His second substitution saw Robbie Rogers come in for Stuart Holden and it was this sub that would turn the game in favor of the yanks.  Robbie Rogers won the ball deep on the right flank and sent in a great cross which found Landon Donovan at the far post, who then cut inside his man and unleashed a shot towards goal, which Costa Rican keeper Kelor Navas did well to block, but the carom fell directly to the feet of Michael Bradley who slid in and powered the ball into the roof of the net.  Kenny Cooper was then brought on for the quiet Conor Casey.  Rogers nearly made a hero of himself in the 74th minute when he latched on to a through ball but sent his attempt wide.  Altidore forced his way past his defender in the 80th minute but sent his effort high and wide.  Then the US was gifted 5 minutes of stoppage time because of a ruckus on the sideline.  Costa Rica manager Rene Simoes and a member of his staff had to be escorted from the sidelines by security after a heated exchange with the forth official.  That was all the US would need to grab a point.   The US forced two corners in stoppage time and the second was the breakthrough.  Robbie Rogers cross fell straight on to the head of an unmarked Jonathan Bornstein who didn't make a mistake.  The draw meant that Costa Rica would finish fourth in the group and must now go into a playoff with Uruguay in a home and away series for the right to go to the World Cup, and Honduras would finish in third place.  By the way, check the youtube.com videos for the celebration in Honduras when they heard the news, I have a feeling that Jonathan Bornstein is quite the popular name down there at the moment. 

Player Ratings:

Tim Howard - 7 - Can't be faulted for either goal and made some solid saves throughout, including a point-blank rocket, quite possibly the best save of the year for Howard.

Steve Cherundolo - 6 - Was a solid change of pace on the right side.  As most of Costa Rica's attacks came down the opposite side, it gave Cherundolo the chance to get forward, and that he did well.  Steady in defense as always.

Oguchi Onyewu - 5 - Despite the torn left patella tendon in his left knee, this wasn't Onyewu's best outing.  Was beat on the Tico's first and was just a step slower throughout.

Carlos Bocanegra - 5.5 - Not the best from Carlos either, beaten for the second goal, though I think most any defender would've been.  His pitch leadership is what mattered most for the US though.

Jonathan Bornstein - 7 - Was picked on early but grew in confidence as the match went on.  Unafraid and undeterred and fearless are three words I'd use to describe this outing for JB.  His goal was a thing of beauty too.

Stuart Holden - 6 - Seemed somewhat overwhelmed throughout but offered his usual pace and good crossing.  Possessed on the right flank and linked up with Cherundolo well.

Michael Bradley - 7.5 - Was a solid presence in the interior throughout the match and was finally rewarded with his perseverance with a goal.

Benny Feilhaber - 5 - Had an off game in this one.  Forced to pick up balls to deep in midfield which nullifies his creativity in the attacking third.

Landon Donovan - 6.5 - Not the best we've seen from Donovan as we're usually accustomed to seeing him finish one of those three chances, but its the fact he put himself in the position to score that gets him this score.

Conor Casey - 5 - After his 9th minute chance he simply disappeared from the game.  Turned the ball over often and just wasn't the man we saw against Honduras.

Jozy Altidore - 7.5 - Altidore was the US' best player on the night, as he battled for his roommate and dear friend Charlie Davies.  But he missed on three separate opportunities and like Donovan, we've come to expect him to finish at least one.  His heart and desire however, was unmatched.

Jose Torres - 6.5 - His best game in a US uniform.  His passing was solid and his presence on the ball was sublime.  This performance merits more playing time.

Robbie Rogers - 6.5 - Provided the service that led to both US goals.  A definite surprise for me, as when I first saw Rogers come in I thought BB was throwing in the towel.  Merits more looks.

Kenny Cooper - NA - Came in for the ineffective Casey and gave Costa Rican defenders more to worry about but was mostly uninvolved.