The New Real Madrid...and Manchester City

Say hello to the Galactico's era 2.0.

In a record haul of players in the summer transfer window, Real Madrid have signed arguably two of the the best players in the world right now...ok so they are the best, with Messi right there with them. Portuguese talisman Christiano Ronaldo and Brazilian wonder boy Kaka have signed in two straight record setting deals with Real Madrid. Kaka signed a 6-year, 65 million Euro deal and a couple weeks later, Ronaldo agreed to a 94 million Euro deal. But the haul isn't over yet. From Valencia comes a 15 million Euro signing in Spanish international defender Raul Albiol. Other potential signings are Franck Ribery from Bayern Munich, David Villa from Valencia, Karim Benzema from Lyon, Sergio Aguero from Atletico Madrid. Out the door is Fabio Cannavaro on a free to Juventus, and supposedly all the Dutch stars on Real Madrid's roster are for sale, including Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Wesley Sneijder, Klass Jan Huntelaar, Rafael Van der Vaart, and Royston Drenthe.

Another team making a haul in this window are Manchester City, this is a carry over from the last one in which they signed Robinho, Vincent Kompany, Shuan Wright-Phillips, Craig Bellamy, Shay Given, and Nigel de Jong. So far in this window, they have signed Paraguay international Roque Santa Cruz for 17.5 million pounds from Blackburn, and paid 12 million pounds for England international Gareth Barry from Aston Villa. The club are reportedly in the lead for Carlos Tevez's signature from Manchester United, and Samuel Eto'o from Barcalona.

Check back later for updates on the continuing drama of the transfer window.

The USA to face Brazil...again.

In a rematch that will surely be one worth its weight in gold, the USA will take on Brazil for the second time this tournament, but this one is for all the marbles. After being humbled in the second game of group play 3-0, the US looked to be down and out, Bob Bradley's player selection and tactics were called into question, the players were ridiculed by the media. Then something changed against Egypt. The US won 3-0 and Brazil beat Italy by the same score, miraculously sending the Americans into the semi-final vs. Spain. The number 1 ranked team in the world according to FIFA was to be the stiffest test for the Americans in the tournament thus far. But then the Miracle at Bloemfontein changed everything, the Americans thwarted Spain's attack to the tune of a 2-0 shutout victory. Keep in mind that Spain had won 15 straight games and hadn't lost since 2006. Now the US gets to take on Brazil again, the undisputed kings of football historically, escaped in their semi-final vs. South Africa 1-0 on a Daniel Alves free kick late into regulation. This is the team in which inspired the heart and fight and vigour and verve that the US has played with in the past two matches, and don't look for them to stop here.

The US advances to the final in stunning fashion.

In what was supposed to be a cakewalk for Spain, who already probably thought they had one foot in the door for the finals of the 2009 Confederations Cup, the United States played a nearly perfect game. Tim Howard was unbeatable, the defense was unfazed, the midfielders were dominating, and the forwards were dangerous. Like I and many other people have said before, when this team plays with heart, they are world-beaters, and they proved that today with a comprehensive victory over number 1 ranked Spain. Spain had it all, the records, the international superstars, the speed of play, the chemistry, the experience, but there was one thing that the US had more of....heart. Sheer determination won this game, not the pretty passing, or the slick moves. US players were flying all over the place, diving in front of shots, jumping to win headers, and when that failed, Tim Howard earned the right to change his middle name to Everest, because he was HUGE. I've watched the game twice already and plan to again, and again, and again. This is one for the history books, and finally, something to brag about...other than to Mexico fans for sucking, but hey, this is nice too.


Tim Howard (9)- Simply put, he didn't do anything wrong all night. Rivals the Argentina game in terms of sheer brilliance.

Jonathan Spector (7)- Best game of the tournament for Spector, was active defensively and fought bravely all 94 minutes. Cherundolo will be hard pressed to win back this spot.

Jay DeMerit (9)- He and Onyewu have formed this impentreble wall througout the tournament, and I just may believe that this back four is one for the present and future.

Oguchi Onyewu (9)- Master of the sky's and dominant on the ground as well, he also had his best performance of the tournament. Shutting down Torres and Villa for 90+ is no simple task by any means.

Carlos Bocanegra (6.5)- Got beat a couple times, but after the first 20 minutes he settled in and aided in frustrating the machine that WAS Spains attack.

Clint Dempsey (7.5)- Clint's best game of the tournament, he was physical, determined, and dangerous from the opening stanza. The goal came through sheer determination and really put the US in a commanding position.

Michael Bradley (7)- He loses points for the harsh red card, but Bradley Jr. was a monster in the middle of the park all game, he and Clark should start from here on out. Against Xavi, he stripped the ball several times helped contain Torres and Villa.

Ricardo Clark (8)- Clark's best performance of the tournament. Easily has won the starting role next to Bradley and will be hard pressed to relinquish it. He flew around the pitch making tackle after tackle and never looked out of place.

Landon Donovan (8)- Donovan is finally showing up for the big games, he led the counterattacks effectively and his passing was great. Really stepped up his game tonight, very impressive tournament.

Jozy Altidore (7)- Still needs to work on his touch, but he was much improved tonight and his goal was a demonstration in sheer physical strength. Gave Puyol and Pique fits all game.

Charlie Davies (7)- Again, nothing but hustle, grit, heart, and determination. Had the great link-up play with Dempsey prior to Altidore's goal.

Benny Feilhaber (7.5)- Super-sub galore! Bennys run through the Spain defense led to Dempsey's goal. Even after that, he was back defending.

Conor Casey- (6)- Brought on to provide possesion and pressure, and he did an ok job.

The US is in the finals of a major international competetion for the first time ever (other than the Gold Cup), and in stunning fashion by outscoring Egypt (who scored three on Brazil, and beat Italy) and Spain 5-0. The US will play in the final on June 28, probably vs Brazil. We all know how that went last time, but look, this is an entirely different US side and will surely want to show Brazil how they can really play.

USA vs Spain Preview

As the United States prepares for its stiffest test yet in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, the performance against Egypt will certainly have to carry in to tomorrow's match. The Spanish side are currently on a 15 game winning streak, and haven't lost in 36 straight matches, both records. US fans will remember last summer when the USA played Spain to a tight 1-0 defeat in Santander. That game, which was a friendly, did not feature Spain's full compliment of players (Villa did not play and Torres was nursing a sprained ankle and only played the first half). Only Xavi's knifing run through the US defense earned Spain the win, after the US defense had tired. In this tournament, Spain has out-scored its opponents 8-0, though it must be said that they were put in to a less than impressive group, but never-the-less the US cannot afford to relax in this one. Spain's first choice group is a lesson in international superstars at every position. Here is a likely starting 11 for Spain:

--------------Villa---------Torres--------------

---------Silva-------Xavi-------Fabregas-----

--------------------Alonso---------------------

Capdevila-----Pique---Puyol---------Ramos

-------------------Casillas--------------------

There is little doubt that Spain will control much of the possession, as that's just their game. Pass the life outta the ball does Spain, often to a point of sheer boredom, but then at that moment when a defense becomes lax, Spain attacks space, and guys like Xavi, Fabregas, and Silva can play through balls with the best of them, and Torres and Villa are arguably the best starting striker combination in the world and will finish with authority.

So what can the US do to stop this deadly attack? Well its quite easy to say honestly...stay disciplined. Cutting off Spain's passing lanes is the key to disrupting their attack. If the centerbacks (Onyewu and Bocanegra if fit, or DeMerit) can stay physical on Torres and Villa, then the US may just be in with a shot. I don't see much reason to change much as far as the US line-up is concerned. Here are my starting 11:

--------------Altidore-------Davies-------------

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

--------------Bradley--------Clark---------------

Bornstein---Bocanegra---Onyewu-----Spector

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

If Bocanegra passes his fitness test, he should get the start in front of DeMerit, who is having a solid tournament, but it was Bocanegra and Onyewu who helped the US to such a strong performance last summer. Davies gets the nod again because of the speed, energy and hustle he can bring. Altidore, who didn't play in last years match up, gets the nod at the target forward slot with Davies, Donovan (who didn't play either last year), and Dempsey running off of him. Donovan proved to be very dangerous running at the Egyptian back line, and could easily do it again, because Spain are vulnerable on the counter-attack because Ramos and Capdevila love going forward, leaving the flanks vulnerable. If Donovan and Dempsey can provide good service and Spector and Bornstein can close down space on the wings better, the US is definitely in with a chance tomorrow. If we play with heart, like we did against Egypt, anything is possible.

What can Jermaine Jones bring to the table?

Earlier this month when word came out that FC Schalke midfielder Jermaine Jones wanted to play for the United States, most people were asking, who? Then people like me and the many thousands of other US supporters surfed the wonderful invention that is the Internet. To their amazement and mine, we discovered that according to kicker.com, he is the fourth highest rated midfielder in the Bundesliga. From the video that's out there, he is a box-to-box midfielder, with a penchant for hard tackles and smart game reading. When he finally steps on the field in a US jersey (which can be as early as August 12 at Azteca), he will easily be one of the best players on the field for the US. Yes, he can make that kind of impact. He also has a bit of a reputation as a bit of a bad boy, which is fine with me. His services wouldn't even be available if not for FIFA's recent rule changes regarding changing national teams. He was capped three times by Germany, but all of them were friendlies, so he qualifies to switch to the USA in July. I expect him to be called up for the Mexico qualifier, and dare I go so far as to say, he may even earn a start next to Bradley.