US Soccer Finalizes March Dates with Argentina and Paraguay

How about this to start the year?  US Soccer is scheduling tougher and tough opponents, inevitably to prepare for this summers CONCACAF Gold Cup.  On January 22, the US will take on 15th ranked Chile for the conclusion of the Camp Cupcake festivities.  The current squad has been training since January 4, and includes many of the future prospects in the US system. 

Then two and a half weeks later on February 9, the US will take on 10th ranked Egypt in Cairo.  In what should be a reunification of all the US big guns, the US will renew acquaintances with the northern African country that the US beat 3-0 in the 2009 Confederations Cup to advance to the semi-finals.

For the two March international dates, the US has scheduled 5th ranked Argentina, who will bring their full side and talents to the New Meadowlands Stadium in New Jersey on March 26.  Timmy "Stonewall" Howard shut down Argentina's attack and the US held on to a famous 0-0 draw in the Jersey rain in 2008.  Three days later, the US travels south to Nashville, TN for a date with 24th ranked Paraguay.  Ninety Plus will be in attendance for that one.

Rumors continue to circulate about a late May or early June re-match with the top ranked team from Spain. 

Well done to US Soccer. 

Jermaine Jones Set for Loan to Blackburn Rovers, and more...

Sky Sports is reporting that want-away Schalke and USA midfielder Jermaine Jones is set for a move across the English channel to EPL side Blackburn Rovers.  Ninety Plus understands that this is a loan with an option to buy for Blackburn, who currently sit 10th in the EPL table. 

After being tossed in the Felix Magath doghouse a couple months ago, this is a welcome relief for Jones, who is looking to secure first team minutes in the hopes of making the February US squad that will travel to Cairo for an international friendly against Egypt.

In other news, Robbie Findley's move to Nottingham Forest was finalized today as he was granted his work permit.  Prove us all wrong Robbie.

The US scheduling for this world cup cycle has been top notch...more coming on that later today.

Silly Season, Updated

Confirmed moves so far this season:

Oguchi Onyewu finalizes move to FC Twente for the remainder of the season, he is expected to compete for a starting job immediately.

Edson Buddle has signed a deal with 2 Bundesliga cellar dwellers FC Ingolstadt 04.  The same club has reportedly offered trialist Freddy Adu a contract, no word on if he will sign, but word to the wise.  DO IT!!!!!

Silly Season, Abridged Edition

Tomorrow officially opens the January transfer window and a lot of focus is going on some current Yanks in need of new homes.  I'll give a run down on all the rumored moves.

Oguchi Onyewu
Back in 2009, following the Confederations Cup in South Africa, Gooch was hot commodity.  His defensive performance for the US throughout that tournament lifted him from the heights he'd attained at Standard Liege in Belgium, to make a transfer to Italian super-club AC Milan, who currently sit first in Serie A.  While being a back-up defender on a league leading club is respectable in its own right, playing time is the single most important thing in keeping fit and in form.  Reportedly, there are all loan options on the table for Onyewu's services, within Italy at clubs like Palermo, Chievo, and AC Bari.  His former coach Michel Preud’homme, now in charge of FC Twente who currently sit second in the Dutch Eredivisie, have expressed the most interest, and some sources are saying that this move could be made this week.

Benny Feilhaber
Feilhaber is currently the best player on his AFG Aarhus side in the Denmark second division.  He was close to a move at the end of summer but not enough dominoes fell the right way for it to happen.  There is reported interest from the SAS Ligaen, the Eredivisie, and the Spanish Primera in Europe.  But the most interest comes from this side of the pond, where Mexican power Cruz Azul is reported close to gaining Feilhaber's services.  A late charge from Brazilian club Botafogo set things back, but Feilhaber is 100% set to leave this winter.

Edson Buddle
Buddle who was on trial with Birmingham City last week, is reportedly garnering interest from both the Blues and Champsionship side Sheffield United.  If Robbie Findley can get a work permit, then surely Buddle can.

Jermaine Jones
Jones' situation at Schalke has gone from consistent starter to dog house.  He's looking for a new club and Wolfsburg have expressed interest.  

Adrian Ruelas
Rumored to be set to sign with Scottish power Celtic.  Just a rumor though.

Jonathan Spector
Despite his renaissance in the West Ham midfield, I'd look for Spector to still make a move to the mainland.  Cologne in Germany was reportedly interested.  Maybe West Ham keep him around until they are relegated come the end of the season.

Relegation Battlers  
Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley, two consistent starters for the United States could be house hunting come the end of their respective teams campaigns.  Dempsey and Fulham's win against Stoke City pushed them just above the the relegation zone, and past history tells us that Fulham will stay up with a furious finish to end the season, but if they are relegated, Dempsey will definitely be on the move.  Bradley is currently the best player on the worst team in the Bundesliga, they are set for relegation, there is no hope.  Bradley will be sold, and Premiership and higher up Bundesliga clubs are sure to be waiting in the wings.

Robbie Findley signs with Nottingham Forest

U.S. international and World Cup player Robbie Findley has signed a 2-and-a-half year contract with Championship side Nottingham Forest.  Forest currently sit in a 5-team tie on 30 points.  Can Findley take his raw "run everywhere but do nothing game" into a "sneaky late sub game".  We shall see.  Best of luck to him, but I'm not getting my hopes up.