MLS Weekend Look Back

Another weekend gone in Major League Soccer and more fun results to share with you so you can go and ponder about who's in and who's out(officially its Columbus, Houston, and LA with current births at the moment). Without further adieu here are the results:

Friday
LA Galaxy 1, Chicago Fire 0

Saturday
Chivas USA 2, DC United 0
Seattle Sounders FC 1, Columbus Crew 0
New England Revolution 1, Colorado Rapids 1
New York Red Bulls 0, San Jose Earthquakes 1

Sunday
Kansas City Wizards 1, Houston Dynamo 1

US Camp News and Notes

In some unfortunate news, Clint Dempsey will miss the Honduras match with a sprained shoulder. To replace him, Bob Bradley has called upon Frankie Hejduk (and I thought we were past him). Guess that means we'll see Stuart Holden on the right, or perhaps Donovan switches over to the right side and Paco Torres gets the start at left mid. Oh, and I'd love for someone with more technology savvy than me to figure out how to get this game on an online stream. PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!

USA Releases WCQ Roster

The US roster for its upcoming qualifiers against Honduras and Costa Rica has been released. It's the usual suspects with a couple intriguing additions. Here it is in all its glory:


U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPERS (2): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa: 5/3 SO), Tim Howard (Everton: 14/8 SO)
DEFENDERS (7): Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes: 24/3), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA, 4/0), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover: 19/0), Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City Wizards: 1/0), Clarence Goodson (IK Start: 1/0), Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan: 18/1), Jonathan Spector (West Ham: 3/0)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach: 13/4), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo: 7/1), Clint Dempsey (Fulham: 20/5), Benny Feilhaber (AGF Aarhus: 4/0), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo: 3/0), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew: 0/0), José Francisco Torres (Pachuca: 6/0)
FORWARDS (6): Jozy Altidore (Hull City: 11/6), Conor Casey (Colorado Rapids: 5/0), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo: 16/6), Kenny Cooper (1860 Munich: 1/1), Charlie Davies (FC Sochaux: 5/2), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy: 33/11)
*numbers indicate all-time World Cup Qualifying caps/goals

The inclusion of Brian Ching, Conor Casey, Robbie Rogers, and Jimmy Conrad is confusing. The exclusion of Edgar Castillo is sure to stir up nerves from fans around the country who want to see the troublesome LB spot nailed down. I can't wait to get Jermaine Jones on the field and Maurice Edu back in the fold. Bornstein's inclusion is also questionable, because his form with Chivas USA is slacking but he is the only true LB in the squad. Chad Marshall is out with a knee injury and Jay DeMerit is out with an eye injury.

US recovers from Germany hangover, dismantles Cameroon.

In a complete reverse of play, the United States, after being thoroughly dominated in their match against Germany (which they lost 3-0), the US returned with six new starters and played with conviction (though one wouldn't tell from either teams first 45 minutes). But Hertha Berlin youngster Bryan Arguez netted in stoppage time in the first half, and then two minutes in to the second half Tony Taylor netted on a breakaway. Dilly Duka lofted one over the keeper and substitute Brian Ownby netted on another breakaway to topple African power Cameroon 4-1. The US faces South Korea next on Friday. With the recent outburst from his midfield, Thomas Rongen will have a tough choice ahead of him. South Korea is a much more clinical team than is Cameroon and will take their chances much better. With that in mind, will Rongen continue to employ his favored 4-3-3 or switch to a 4-4-2? I propose a midfield of Dilly Duka, Bryan Arguez, Mikkel Diskerud, and Jared Jeffery and Brek Shea and Tony Taylor as the two forwards. It all remains to be played for however, as the US sits in second place in the group behind Germany. A US dream result would be beating South Korea and Germany beating Cameroon to ensure advancement to the knockout stages.

FIFA Approves, WCQ WILL be played in San Pedro Sula.

The political situation in Honduras has led many to believe that the United States match on October 10 would be moved. The country has experienced months of turmoil as its president was exiled and has only recently returned. FIFA had its inquiries and an executive committee hearing was convened and determined that it would be safe to play the game. I assume the US will bring extra security just as a precaution. Game on in San Pedro Sula!!!