Tuesday Evening Tidbits

Slow day soccer wise folks, but here are a couple things to finish off your Tuesday:

Gold Cup rosters from all countries are in, of course these include more than 23 players and will be whittled down:
www.concacaf.com/competitions/goldcup/2009/teamRosters.aspx

Great feature from ussoccer.com, on the Egypt match:
http://centercircle.ussoccer.com/fullStory.jsp_33-14942223.html

Monday Afternoon Kick-backs

With a busy week ahead (2 more USMNT matches, also launching my MLS coverage, and official unveiling set for July 1), here are some tidbits to get you back on your feet after a long day at work.

ESPN snaps up EPL and La Liga TV Rights
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=656557&sec=england&cc=5901

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/204436-espn-to-get-la-liga-rights-setana-sports-likely-going-under

ESPN has signed for the rights to show some 46 games in the EPL and some 20 in La Liga, sure not much, but better than having to pay extra to watch the games on FSC, GOLTV, or Setanta.

Podcast Linkage

American Outlaws:
http://www.theamericanoutlaws.com/AO%20Podcast%20Series/American%20Outlaws%20Podcast%202%2006132009.mp3

ESPN:
http://sports.espn.go.com/stations/player?id=4277231


Getting on to later tonight, look for a USA-Spain preview.

Transfer Talk: Onyewu signs with....Fenerbahce?

According to several sites, American centerback Oguchi Onyewu has signed with Turkish giants Fenerbahce. The Istanbul outfit are currently in the midst of a spending spree, making an attempt to get back to the Champions League heights they reached a couple years ago.

I see this as a good, smart move for Onyewu, who probably wasn't guaranteed playing time in England where newly promoted teams such as Wolverhampton and Birmingham City were in the mix, as was this years surprise EPL team, Fulham. Also probably wasn't guaranteed PT with any of the French outfits looking at him (Marsielle, Lyon, and PSG all were rumored). At Fenerbahce Onyewu can immediately step in to a starting role in a largely underestimated league in my opinion. He will be playing with the likes of Dani Guiza, Roberto Carlos, and several stars from Turkeys run in Euro 2008. They finished a disappointing fourth this year, which qualified them for the Europa League, but this team has aspirations of much better.

The fans in Turkey are also some of the most vivacious in the world, and the Fenerbahce-Galatasaray derby is certainly sure to please.

UPDATE: Gooch's agent was quick to denounce the headlines, saying that while talks are being held, nothing is set in stone at the moment. Look for more later.

Goals from USA- Egypt...with a lil Spanish flavor

The USA advances!!!!!!!

In an unbelievable swing of events, the United States has beaten Egypt 3-0 to advance to the semi-finals of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. Not only did they need that scoreline to advance, but Brazil had to beat Italy by the same 3-0 score line, and that's exactly what happened. The US attacked, drove forward, defended feverishly, played for each other, and played from the heart, and it clearly showed. No doubt those who were recently calling for the firing of Bob Bradley have been silenced by the resounding outcome, though I still have some pressing issues that I think need to be given attention, but that's for another day.



In the meantime here's a run down of how the US qualified for the semi-finals:

USA Goal - Charlie Davies - 21st minute: Scramble in the box goes in.
Brazil Goal - Luis Fabiano - 37th minute: Fabiano beats the trap on a through ball from Maicon.
Brazil Goal - Fabiano - 43rd minute: Goal on the counter attack.
Brazil Goal - Italy own goal - 45th minute: Robinho plays in a low cross and Dossena puts it in his own net.
USA Goal - Michael Bradley - 63rd minute: Great counter attack and Donovan with the assist.
USA Goal - Clint Dempsey - 71st minute: Spector whips in a cross and Dempsey, who was just moved to forward, heads it in.

Here are my player ratings for the game:

Brad Guzan (7): Didn't have anything too difficult to deal with, except for a lot of crosses, which he handled well. Gave me a bit of a scare when he came out on a couple occasions and didn't fully clear the ball, but nothing happened, so congrats on the shut-out.

Jonathan Spector (7): The West Ham man continues his impressive run with the full team in Cherundolo's absence. Got forward often and delivered the inch perfect cross onto the head of Dempsey. His defending was stout, though I'd like to see less crosses coming in.

Jay DeMerit (8): Solid, just incredible performance from him today. Dominant in the air, read the game well, and came in with solid tackles to clear danger. Definitely pushing for more playing time in the coming Gold Cup and WCQ's.

Oguchi Onyewu (8): The beast that is Onyewu continues to bolster his chances for a big team to come and pick him up on a free. Absolutely controlled the air and showed quick feet again to stop attacks from developing.

Jonathan Bornstein (6.5): A steady performance from Bornstein today, but was caught out of position a couple times and allowed to many crosses to come in, needs to close down space a little quicker. He wasn't punished for it, so ill let off.

Clint Dempsey (6.5): A marketed improvement from Clint today, was good in possession and attacking down the middle and on the flanks. Still a couple times when he gave the ball away very cheaply in his own end, and teams like Italy and Brazil will capitalize, luckily it seemed Egypt were just off their game tonight. Great positioning and contact on the ball for the goal, gave the keeper no chance.

Michael Bradley (7.5): Showed a side of himself today that needs to be seen every game. He and Ricardo Clark controlled the midfield and worked extremely well with each other. He made dangerous runs in the attacking third and made crunching tackles in the defending third. He is developing into the box-to-box midfielder that the US needs so badly. Oh, and the goal wasn't bad either. Happy Father's Day Bob!!

Ricardo Clark (7.5): Rico controlled midfield and played that holding central midfield role ever so well. His heart truly showed in the performance, and even got dangerous in the attack on occasion. Solidified his spot next to Bradley for the time being.

Landon Donovan (8): Landon has been the shining star for the US attack all tournament long and showed just why he is so dangerous with his weaving runs and speed causing the Egyptian defense problems all game long. His opportunity in the first half should have been a shot instead of a pass, but made up for it with his 37th international assist to Bradley.

Charlie Davies (8): Man I love the way this guy plays. He has this knack for finding an opportunity and capitalizing on them. His scrappy play on the first goal was just the breakthrough that the US needed, showed the heart and determination that was sorely lacking from the US in the Brazil game.

Jozy Altidore (7): Made himself big all night and his touch was finally on and was giving the Egypt central defenders nightmares. He held the ball up well and distributed accordingly. It was his teasing ball to the near post that allowed Davies to scrap it home.

Benny Feilhaber (8): Love the heart showed by Benny, he really gave us a different part of his game tonight as he was in making crunching tackles on the wing and showed his natural control and touch on the ball.

Conor Casey (6): Gave a lot better work defensively tonight than compared to last game for the final 10 minutes or so, but also showed why he's a late game sub and not starting.


Again, an incredible series of events that lead to the USA now advancing to take on Spain on Wednesday at 2:25 PM EST on ESPN. You remember earlier in the week when a certain American netted twice after snubbing his homeland? The universe has a way of setting itself straight Mr. Rossi. You were warned, and now look at what has transpired, the US finish ahead of Italy in a major international tournament, and you aren't apart of it. Congrats on your now meaningless brace.

Spain preview later this week folks, for now, just enjoy the rest of the day. Cheers!!