Saturday, February 27, 2010

Casualty Lists; USA

Currently, of the 23 players in my mind who should make the World Cup for the United States, seven players are out with an injury.

Oguchi Onyewu- Torn Patella Tendon- Onyewu's rehab continues to improve and he will soon be heading back to Italy to finish with club AC Milan.

Charlie Davies- Broken Leg and Elbow Surgery- Davies has moved back to club team Sochaux in France, where he will finish his rehab and potentially get some pitch time in late March, early April.

Clint Dempsey- Torn MCL- According to Greg Seltzer, Dempsey is back training with a ball and should be back on the field by mid- March


Ricardo Clark- Hamstring strain- Two weeks removed from training, Ricardo Clark has just recently returned to the training field with Eintracht Frankfurt, probably the reason why he was left out of the Netherlands squad.

Benny Feilhaber- Ankle- Apparently, the ankle injury that was only supposed to leave him out for two weeks max, is worse than feared and he'll be out for at least a month.

Steve Cherundolo- Shoulder strain- Cherundolo's injury should be just about healed according the time line doctors gave when the injury occured (four weeks).

Jermaine Jones- Shin Fracture- According to the Schalke website, Jones has returned to running drills, but nothing with a ball has been incorporated as of yet.  His hopes for making this World Cup have come and gone.  Hopefully he'll be able to help the US through the next World Cup cycle. 

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Bradley Annouces 20 Players for Netherlands

Now we can see the extent of the injuries that are currently plaguing the US' depth.  With all but three of the US players called to this match based in Europe, many regulars are out of the picture.  In their place are some intriguing youngsters, such as Sheffield Wednesday fullback Frank Simek and Orebro winger Alejandro Bedoya.  Former regulars back in the mix include the Rangers duo DaMarcus Beasley and Maurice Edu.  Here is the full roster for the match on March 3.

GOALKEEPERS- Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Tim Howard (Everton)
DEFENDERS-  Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Jay DeMerit (Watford), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Heath Pearce (FC Dallas), Frank Simek (Sheffield Wednesday), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United)
MIDFIELDERS- DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers), Alejandro Bedoya (Orebro), Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Landon Donovan (Everton), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Stuart Holden (Bolton Wanderers), José Torres (Pachuca)
FORWARDS- Jozy Altidore (Hull City), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Eddie Johnson (Aris Thessaloniki)

The team will begin gathering on February 28 in Amsterdam.  The match cam be seen live on ESPN2 at 2:30pm.  

New Jersey...Awesome

There you have them...pretty nice.  I'll be buying one.

US Strikes Late, Earns 2-1 Win Over El Salvador

Leave it to the US to give its fan yet another dramatic ending.  In the rain and slop of Raymond James Stadium the US attacked aggressively and defended valiantly, but it was the visitors who struck first in the 59th minute on a brain fart from right back Brad Evans, who looked to attempt to head the ball back to keeper Nick Rimando, but failed to connect properly and Rudis Corrales slotted past a helpless Rimando.

But the United States didn't slack.  They continued to push forward, amassing 18 total shots over the match, compared to only 3 for El Salvador.  The US finally broke through 16 minutes later, after Heath Pearce attacked down the left flank and sent in a rocket cross which found the head of Brian Ching who powered a header off of Miguel Montes' hands and into the corner. 

The match looked to be headed towards a draw when another brain fart, only this time in the El Salvador end, would decide the match.  Sacha Kljestan crept up on the blind side of a Salvadoran defender and stole ball as the defender stood flat footed.  Kljestan then played a nice one-two with Brian Ching and then slotted home as cool as you like two minutes into stoppage time.

Player Ratings:

Nick Rimando (5.5)- Not much to do and the goal was entirely Brad Evans fault.

Brad Evans (5)- Played decent enough around the gift of a goal, but that brings his score down.

Clarence Goodson (7)- The lone foreign commodity on the US roster has pushed his way into and locked down the 4th CB spot in my mind.  Made tackle after tackle and was good in the air both in defense and on set pieces.

Jonathan Bornstein (6)- A strange start in the central defense, but played well enough, but did play another overhead kick, which worked...this time.

Heath Pearce (6.5)- Pearce has put his name back in the conversation for LB time with a dominant performance on the flank and even showed off a few moves.

Robbie Rogers (5.5)- Tried to attack but someone needs to tell him that he's not some hybrid Ronaldinho/Robinho, needs to learn how to pass and finish.  Did hit some long range shots and delivered good set pieces.

Sacha Kljestan (6.5)- His grade goes up for the awareness on the winning goal, but other than that he had two other chances that he easily could've buried.

Kyle Beckerman (6)- I think Beckerman caps out against CONCACAF competition.  Didn't hear his name much, but didn't do anything wrong.

Brad Davis (5.5)- With a lot to prove to get him in contention, he couldn't quite shine like he does in Houston.

Robbie Findley (5.5)- Had one good attack all game and needs to learn to shoot when given the chance.

Conor Casey (5)- The Honduras match sinks further into the depths after last night.

SUBS:

Brian Ching (7)- Was active, running, drawing fouls, and got the goal he deserved.  Good first game back for the Big Aloha.

Eddie Gaven (6)- Attacked well and drew a lot of fouls, but if he and he Crew teammate could finish there would be no need for the late game heroics.

Dax McCarty (NA)- To be honest, I didn't even know he came into the match.

Geoff Cameron (NA)- The Dynamo man gets his first cap and nearly made it a dream when his shot went just over the crossbar. 

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

USA vs. El Salvador Preview

Tomorrow is the last chance for fringe players in the United States player pool to prove that they belong with the full team in South Africa.  For those who haven't seen, here is the travel roster for the match in Tampa Bay: 

GK: Troy Perkins, Nick Rimando
DF: Jonathan Bornstein, Clarence Goodson, Chad Marshall, Heath Pearce, Marvell Wynne
MD: Kyle Beckerman, Geoff Cameron, Brad Davis, Brad Evans, Eddie Gaven, Sacha Kljestan, Dax McCarty, Chris Pontius, Robbie Rogers
FW: Conor Casey, Brian Ching, Jeff Cunningham, Robbie Findley

*Players left off: Kevin Hartmann, Omar Gonzalez, Michael Orozco

Some quick notes before my starting 11"

  • With Kevin Alston still nursing an injury, Marvell Wynne will get another chance at redemption after depressing in his last few stints in a US jersey.
  • No, Bob Bradley is not a racist, as is being spewed around forums.  Omar Gonzalez and Michael Orozco, were left off the roster because they are not being considered for a roster spot, simple as that.
  • Which forward has the best chance?  With Ching back in the mix, Casey will need to step up.  Cunningham and Findley were nearly worthless against Honduras (to be fair, most of the team was).
  • Who on this roster has a realistic chance at a roster spot?  
    • Solid: Jonathan Bornstein
    • Decent: Clarence Goodson, Chad Marshall, All Forwards
    • Hanging On: Robbie Rogers, Kyle Beckerman, Troy Perkins
Hows about my starting 11:

--------------------Perkins

Wynne-----Marshall-----Goodson-----Bornstein

-----------Beckerman---Cameron

Kljestan---------------------------------Rogers

-------------Ching--------Findley

The game tomorrow is at 7pm EST on ESPN Classic and Galavision.  

Weekend Yank MVP

Apologies.  I'm stuck at home in Paducah with car troubles, where the internet is also oh so kind.  But here we have a rundown of how our yanks abroad performed this weekend.  

England

PREMIERSHIP
  • Landon Donovan started, played 90 minutes and helped setup a goal in Everton's 3-1 win vs. Manchester United on Saturday.
  • Tim Howard started, played 90 minutes and made one save in Everton's 3-1 win vs. Manchester United on Saturday.
  • Jozy Altidore came off the bench and played 25 minutes in Hull City 's 3-0 loss vs. West Ham United on Saturday.
  • Clint Dempsey did not dress in Fulham's 2-1 win vs. Birmingham on Sunday. He is recovering from a knee injury.
  • Jonathan Spector started and played 90 minutes in West Ham's 3-0 win vs. Hull City on Saturday.
  • Brad Friedel started, played 90 minutes and made two saves in Aston Villa's 5-2 win vs. Burnley on Sunday.
  • Brad Guzan dressed but did not play in Aston Villa's 5-2 win vs. Burnley on Sunday.
  • Marcus Hahnemann started and played 90 minutes in Wolverhampton Wanderers' 2-0 loss vs. Chelsea on Saturday.
  • Stuart Holden did not dress in Bolton Wanderers' 3-0 loss vs. Blackburn on Sunday.
    COCA COLA CHAMPIONSHIP
    • Jay DeMerit started, played 90 minutes, received a yellow card and gave up a penalty kick in Watford's 2-2 draw vs. Scunthorpe United on Saturday.
    • Frank Simek started and played 90 minutes in Sheffield Wednesday's 1-0 loss vs. Ipswich Town on Saturday.
    • Kenny Cooper came off the bench and played 14 minutes in Plymouth Argyle's 1-1 draw vs. Leicester City on Saturday.
    LEAGUE ONE
    • Ian Joyce did not dress in Southend United's 3-1 loss vs. Milton Keynes Dons on Saturday.
    • Zak Whitbread did not dress in Norwich City's 2-0 loss vs. Southampton on Saturday.
    • Mike Grella dressed but did not play in Leeds United's 1-1 draw vs. Brighton on Saturday.
    • Jemal Johnson started, played 87 minutes and scored a GOALin Stockport County's 1-0 win vs. Exeter City on Saturday.
    • Jon-Paul Pittman came off the bench and played 2 minutes in Wycombe Wanderers' 1-0 win vs. Millwall on Saturday.

    Scotland

    • Maurice Edu and Rangers' match vs. St Johnstone on Saturday was postponed.
    • DaMarcus Beasley and Rangers' match vs. St Johnstone on Saturday was postponed. 
    • Dominic Cervi did not dress in Celtic's 1-0 win vs. Dundee United on Saturday.

    Italy

    • Oguchi Onyewu did not dress in AC Milan's 2-0 win vs. Bari on Sunday. He is recovering from a knee injury.

    Germany

    BUNDESLIGA
    • Michael Bradley started and played 90 minutes in Borussia Moenchengladbach's 2-2 draw vs. TSG Hoffenheim on Friday.
    • Steve Cherundolo did not dress in Hannover 96's 4-1 loss vs. Borussia Dortmund on Saturday. He is recovering from a shoulder injury.
    • Sal Zizzo did not dress in Hannover 96's 4-1 loss vs. Borussia Dortmund on Saturday. He is recovering from a knee injury.
    • Jermaine Jones did not dress in Schalke 04's 2-1 loss vs. VfL Wolfsburg on Sunday. He is recovering from a leg injury.
    • Ricardo Clark did not dress in Eintracht Frankfurt's 0-0 draw vs. Hamburg SV on Saturday. He is recovering from a calf injury.
    • Daniel Williams started and played 45 minutes in SC Freiburg's 3-0 loss vs. Hertha Berlin on Sunday.
    BUNDESLIGA 2 
    • Luis Robles and Kaiserslautern play St Pauli on Monday.
    • Matt Taylor did not dress in FSV Frankfurt's 2-1 win vs. Karlsruhe on Sunday.
    • David Yeldell dressed but did not play in TUS Koblenz's 3-2 loss vs. FC Union Berlin on Friday.

    France

    • Carlos Bocanegra started and played 45 minutes in Stade Rennes' 2-1 loss vs. Lille on Sunday.
    • Charlie Davies did not dress in Sochaux's 4-0 loss vs. Lyon on Sunday. He is recovering from multiple injuries. 

    Greece

    • Freddy Adu started and played 45 minutes in Aris Salonika's 1-0 loss vs. AEK Athens on Sunday.
    • Eddie Johnson started and played 90 minutes in Aris Salonika's 1-0 loss vs. AEK Athens on Sunday.

    Mexico

    • Jose Francisco Torres started and played 90 minutes in Pachuca's 2-2 draw vs. Chiapas on Saturday.
    • Edgar Castillo started and played 90 minutes in Tigres UANL's 2-2 draw vs. America on Sunday.
    • Marco Vidal started and played 90 minutes in Indios de Ciudad Juarez's 0-0 draw vs. Cruz Azul on Sunday.
    • Herculez Gomez started, played 73 minutes and scored a GOAL in Puebla's 3-2 loss vs. Guadalajara on Saturday.
    Argentina
    • Michael Hoyos came off the bench and played 12 minutes in Estudiantes La Plata 2-0 win vs. Huracan.

    So your Weekend Yank MVP is.....Landon Donovan.  Though he didn't make the score sheet, he helped set up a goal and since he has been at Goodison Park Everton have drawn Arsenal at home, and beat Chelsea and Manchester United in consecutive weeks.  If theres one good thing that will come out of the MLS CBA situation it could be that extends Landon's stay in England.  I know the Toffee's want him too.