Saturday, March 19, 2011

Yanks dropping like flies...


Stuart Holden and Carlos Bocanegra were both removed from their respective games due to injuries.  They likely are out of contention for the upcoming friendlies.  &$%#!!!!!!

UPDATE:Zak Whitbread, Steve Cherundolo, and Stuart Holden have all withdrawn from the roster due to injuries picked up in this past weekend's action.  Really disappointing for all of them, but especially Holden, who is easily the most improved yank abroad, and Whitbread, who'd have likely have picked up his first cap.  Carlos Bocanegra's injury has not been mentioned in the USSF press release, so I'm going to assume that he'll be fit for camp. 

Eric Lichaj has been called into camp as the sole replacement.

USA vs. Spain in the works, and other scheduling rumors...



A USA vs. Spain match is reportedly being negotiated, for June 4th in Boston, Massachusetts.  This would be an epic match to finalize the preparations for the CONCACAF Gold Cup.  Well to whoever is doing the scheduling at the USSF. 

Also some rumors a couple weeks ago about a USA-Mexico game set for August.  Keep posted for more.

Paraguay head coach Gerardo Martino named his squad that will face the United States on March 29 in Nashville.  Here it is:

GOALKEEPERS (2): Justo Villar (Valladolid), Diego Barreto (Guarini)

DEFENDERS (7): Antolín Alcaraz (Wigan Athletic), Marcos Cáceres, Paulo Da Silva (Real Zaragoza), Víctor Hugo Mareco (Brescia), Miguel Samudio (Libertad), Aureliano Torres (San Lorenzo), Darío Verón (UNAM Pumas)

MIDFIELDERS (9): Edgar Barreto (Atalanta), Marcelo Estigarribia (Newell's Old Boys), Osvaldo Martínez (Monterrey), Osmar Molinas (Olimpia), Néstor Ortigoza (Argentinos Juniors), Hernán Pérez (Villarreal), Cristian Riveros (Sunderland), Marcos Riveros (Nacional), Enrique Vera (LDU Quito)

FORWARDS (3): Lucas Barrios (Borussia Dortmund), Oscar Cardozo (Benfica), Edgar Benítez (Pachuca)

What does everyone think?  The US stands a chance of erasing the result from the last time these teams met, a 3-1 win for Paraguay at the 2007 Copa America. 

Argentina Squad


Argentina head coach Sergio Batista named a strong roster for the match on March 26 vs. the USA.  Here it is:

GOALKEEPERS (3): Mariano Andujar (Catania), Adrian Gabbarini (Independiente), Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar).

DEFENDERS (8): Nicolas Burdisso (Roma), Federico Fazio (Sevilla), Ezequiel Garay (Real Madrid), Gabriel Milito (Barcelona), Nicolas Otamendi (Porto), Marcos Rojo (Spartak Moscow), Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Javier Zanetti (Inter Milan)

MIDFIELDERS (7): Javier Mascherano (Barcelona),  Ever Banega (Valencia), Fernando Belluschi (Porto), Lucas Biglia (Anderlecht), Mario Bolatti (Internacional), Esteban Cambiasso (Inter Milan), Javier Pastore (Palermo)

FORWARDS (6): Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid), Nicolas Gaitan (Benfica),  Eduardo Salvio (Benfica), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Jose Sosa (Napoli)

It's gonna be a dog fight, can Tim Howard be the hero he was last team these teams met? 

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Bob Bradley Names Veteran Roster for Friendlies

Here it is in all its glory:

GOALKEEPERS-Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Tim Howard (Everton), David Yelldell (MSV Duisburg)
DEFENDERS-Carlos Bocanegra (Saint-Etienne), Jonathan Bornstein (UANL Tigres), Timothy Chandler (FC Nürnberg), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Jay DeMerit (Vancouver Whitecaps), Oguchi Onyewu (FC Twente), Tim Ream (New York Red Bulls), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United), Zak Whitbread (Norwich City)
MIDFIELDERS-Michael Bradley (Aston Villa), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Mikkel Diskeruud (Stabaek), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Benny Feilhaber (AGF Aarhus), Stuart Holden (Bolton Wanderers), Jermaine Jones (Blackburn Rovers), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht)
FORWARDS-Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bulls), Jozy Altidore (Bursaspor), Edson Buddle (FC Ingolstadt)

First of all, our predictions were a bit off.  The inclusions of DeMerit, Agudelo, Ream, Hahnemann, Feilhaber, Diskerud, and Chandler are all surprising.  For the fact that the former four are all preparing for a lengthy MLS regular season, and the later for haven't played a match in some time, or, as in the case of Chandler, was thought to be out due to passport issues.

All things considered, this is an excellent roster, and marks the first time since the Ghana game that a full strength roster has been called up.  

Some telling absences?  How about Brad Guzan, Eric Lichaj, and Alejandro Bedoya?  Not necessarily snubs, but obviously they are first team material.  Clarence Goodson recently broke his toe and will miss a few weeks so that explains his exclusion.  Really thought Michael Parkhurst would get a call here, say, in the place of Ream.  Also thought we'd see Eddie Johnson over Juan Agudelo, simply because A) Agudelo is just getting over a slight knock and B) the CONCACAF U-20 Championships are that same week. 

Knee jerk starting 11 for Argentina?  How about this:

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

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

-------------------Bradley-------Jones
-------------------------Holden 

Dempsey--------------------------------------Donovan

-------------------------Altidore

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

US Roster, Reconfigured


Little over two weeks ago, I gave you a 20-man roster for the upcoming friendlies.  Since then, a lot has changed, with injuries and club duties taking some of the guys out of the picture temporarily.  I'm going to revise and give you a 23 man roster of roster worthy yanks.

GK: Tim Howard, Brad Guzan, David Yelldell (confirmed)

DF: Steve Cherundolo, Eric Lichaj, Oguchi Onyewu, Michael Parkhurst, Zak Whitbred, Gale Agbossoumonde, Carlos Bocanegra, Jonathan Bornstein

MD: Landon Donovan, Alejandro Bedoya, Michael Bradley, Jermaine Jones, Stuart Holden, Maurice Edu, Jonathan Spector, Sacha Kljestan

FW: Clint Dempsey, Jozy Altidore, Edson Buddle, Eddie Johnson