Soccer By Ives

Ching expects difficult game against Panama

                                               Photo by ISIphotos.com 

BY DYLAN BUTLER

Panama has 11 players who competed against the United States in the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup at Gillette Stadium. The U.S. has just one.

Brian Ching came on as a late sub, helping hold off a Panamanian squad that cut its halftime deficit in half and gave the Americans all they could handle in a difficult final 10 minutes despite being reduced to 10 men.

“It was an extremely difficult game for us,” Ching said after the final U.S. practice ahead of Saturday night’s quarterfinal clash at Lincoln Financial Field.  “Panama came out and played physical, they’re very athletic and they made it difficult for us in ’07. I expect them to come out and do the same thing this year.”

Gold Cup: Matchday Four (Your running commentary)

The CONCACAF Gold Cup returns to action tonight and the scene shifts to Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio with Group A matches. Here is the schedule of games:

Jamaica vs. Costa Rica 7p (TeleFutura)

El Salvador vs. Canada 9p (Galavision)

If you will be watching today's matches, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and play-by-play in the comments section below.

Enjoy the action.

Onyewu's Milan move has U.S. teammates excited

 

                                                                            Photo by ISIphotos.com

BY DYLAN BUTLER

WASHINGTON, D.C. --  As news of Oguchi Onyewu's move to AC Milan on a free transfer reached the U.S. National Team here, Charlie Davies couldn't help but be excited. Yes, he's thrilled for his Confederations Cup teammate, but seeing an American player go to one of the world's biggest clubs he thinks can hopefully break down barriers for others.

"Gooch signing with AC Milan opens a lot of doors for Americans and makes a lot of clubs realize that Americans can play," he said after the U.S. training session Tuesday morning at RFK Stadium. "Hopefully now younger guys coming up can have a dream that they can play at Madrid, they can play at Milan because now Gooch has been able to break the barrier."

After a breakout performance in the Confederations Cup, Davies' stock is on the rise, as well. The Hammarby striker has drawn interest from Ligue 1 sides Rennes, St. Etienne and Sochaux.

"For me it's definitely exciting to hear all these clubs talking about me and wanting me for my services," Davies said. "At the moment, I'm just focusing on the national team and continuing to have success with this team. Hopefully everything will sort itself out soon."

Plenty of fireworks as U.S. thrashes Grenada

                                                       Photo by ISIphotos.com

BY DYLAN BUTLER

SEATTLE -- The United States National Team did something on Saturday night that it failed to do a week ago in South Africa -- protect a two-goal halftime lead.

Of course, there's about 80 places in the FIFA rankings between Brazil, which scored three second-half goals to win the Confederations Cup, and Grenada, which conceded two more goals after halftime in a 4-0 thumping in both team's CONCACAF Gold Cup opening game at Qwest Field.

But the victory was impressive, nonetheless.

"We said at halftime there's a professional way to finish that game," U.S. National Team coach Bob Bradley said. "That involves having discipline, knowing how to respect the opponent, but at the same time making sure that in a good, smart, mature way you know how to finish the game."

U.S. going Fourth with Gold Cup opener

 

Photo by ISIphotos.com

BY DYLAN BUTLER

SEATTLE -- Brad Evans has seen his share of special moments at Qwest Field, but hearing the national anthem on the Fourth of July while wearing the U.S. National Team jersey will no doubt be a highlight of his young career.

"It's going to be pretty emotional, for sure," the Seattle Sounders FC standout said. "You just have to soak it in because it's all going to go by in a snap of a finger. Soak it in the best you can and hopefully put out a good performance and get a good result."

That's just what the U.S. is looking to do against Grenada in its first post-Confederations Cup match tonight (9pm, Fox Soccer Channel). The team's magical run to the Confederations Cup final has raised awareness and piqued interest in the team and sport here. Now the United States is looking to build on that performance.

USA moves up to 12th in FIFA rankings, Brazil takes top spot from Spain

 

                                                                              Photo by ISIphotos.com

The U.S. men's national team's run to the Confederations Cup final has helped boost it into uncharted territory in the world rankings.

The United States moved up to 12th in the latest FIFA rankings, the highest spot for the Americans since FIFA revamped its ranking formula after the 2006 World Cup. The Americans moved up two spots from 14. If you think the jump was small considering the victory against Spain you must also remember that the United States lost three matches and won two at the Confederations Cup, thus limiting the number of points the USA accumulated for the month of June.

Brazil replaced Spain atop the rankings after winning the Confederations Cup and, as expected, Mexico plummeted seven spots to 33rd, Mexico's lowest-ever ranking since FIFA began publishing world rankings in 2002. Mexico fell behind Costa Rica, the current group leaders in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying,  which moved up 11 spots to 30th place.

Here are some of the other big movers and shakers in the latest FIFA rankings:

World Cup Qualifying: UEFA Rewind

by GIANFRANCO PANIZO

Seven games. Six shutouts. 22 goals.

Those are just some of the more interesting numbers that describe Wednesday's UEFA World Cup qualifiers. But the midweek action wasn't just about numbers as some intriguing story-lines developed, including England getting one step closer to South Africa, Sweden keeping themselves from the brink of elimination and a former American youth player scoring his first international goal.

Here is a recap of Wednesday's UEFA qualifiers:

World Cup Qualifying: CONCACAF Rewind

by GIANFRANCO PANIZO

With the United States and Costa Rica having already reached the half-way point in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, it was the bottom four teams of the table that were left to fight it out in a pair of close qualifiers Wednesday night.

Mexico's qualifying campaign got a much needed lift as El Tri defeated Trinidad and Tobago in the friendly confines of Estadio Azteca, 2-1. Honduras also jumped up the table as they grabbed three points with their 1-0 win over visitors El Salvador.

USMNT in talks with Iran about potential November friendly

The U.S. men's national team's long-rumored potential friendly vs. Iran has gone from rumor to very real possibility.

U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati revealed on Thursday that Iran and the United States are in discussions about a potential friendly later this year, with November a potential time-frame.

"We've had discussions with the Iran federation about possibly playing a game during one of the international FIFA dates in November," Gulati told the Associated Press. "Obviously, these discussions are in the very preliminary stage due to the fact that both teams are still attempting to qualify for the World Cup and it is uncertain if either country would even be available to play on those dates, but it is something we are considering."

If the teams do play, it would be the first meeting between the squads since the teams played to a 1-1 tie at the Rose Bowl in 2000, and would come more than a decade after Iran defeated the United States in the 1998 World Cup.

What do you think about this friendly moving closer to reality? Like the idea? Would you prefer the U.S. team play a more traditional power, or do you like the idea of a rematch of the 1998 World Cup match?

Share your thoughts below.

Evening Ticker: Italy holds off New Zealand, Setanta's struggles and CONCACAF Champions League draw set for Thursday

Fielding a team of reserves, the Italian national team went into halftime trailing New Zealand 2-1 in their international friendly on Wednesday. A few second-half subs later and Italy had rattled off three goals to score a 4-3 victory against the Kiwis in a friendly in South Africa.

Vincenzo Iaquinta's pair of second-half strikes proved to be the difference as Italy overcame some first-half goalkeeping blunders from back-up Marco Amelia.

Alberto Gilardino scored Italy's first two goals while New Zealand's Christopher Killen netted a pair after Shane Smeltz opened the scoring.

New York Red Bulls defender Andrew Boyens started and played 90 minutes for New Zealand while American-born striker Giuseppe Rossi started and played 45 minutes for Italy.

Italy opens Confederations Cup play on Monday against the United States, while New Zealand faces Spain on Sunday.

Here are some other notes from the soccer world:

Confederations Cup: Scouting Italy

If you have been curious to know what the Italian national team will look like when it lines up against the U.S. national team in Monday's Confederations Cup opener for both teams, today is your chance to see the "Azzurri".

Italy will face New Zealand today in a friendly in South Africa (4:40pm, GolTV). The match should provide a glimpse of just what Bob Bradley and his team will be in store for come Monday. If you haven't seen the Italian roster, here it is:

• GOALKEEPERS: Amelia (Palermo), Buffon (Juventus), De Sanctis (Galatasaray).

• DEFENDERS: Cannavaro (Juventus), Chiellini (Juventus), Dossena (Liverpool), Gamberini (Fiorentina), Grosso (Lyon), Legrottaglie (Juventus), Santon (Inter), Zambrotta (Milan).

• MIDFIELDERS: Camoranesi (Juventus), De Rossi (Roma), Gattuso (Milan), Montolivo (Fiorentina), Palombo (Sampdoria), Pirlo (Milan).

• STRIKERS: Gilardino (Fiorentina), Iaquinta (Juventus), Pepe (Udinese), Quagliarella (Napoli), Rossi (Villarreal), Toni (Bayern Munich).

If you won't be able to see today's match, don't worry, SBI will be offering a detailed breakdown of all three of the U.S. team's opponents during the Confederations Cup so stay tuned for that.

Will you be watching today's match? Do you think the U.S. team can take a point or three from its match vs. Italy? Excited about Monday's match, or are you more worried? Waiting to see Italy play before you start thinking about Monday?

Share your thoughts below.

Soccer Sunday: Your Running Commentary

It is a light day in the soccer world, but there are still matches worth watching and talking about today.

World Cup qualifiers in South America (Peru vs. Ecuador) and Africa (Mali vs. Ghana) headline the schedule, while a pair of MLS matches are on the docket as well.

Whether you watched some of the action from earlier today, or you're preparing to watch the upcoming matches, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.

Enjoy the action.

Soccer Saturday: Your Running Commentary

Good afternoon folks. For those of you who will be enjoying the international soccer action today, with World Cup qualifying from Europe to South America, this is your post to discuss all the action.

If you will be watching the likes of England or Serbia, or Argentina or Brazil, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.

Enjoy the action.

All Stars For Hope match cancelled

by GIANFRANCO PANIZO

If you were eagerly looking forward to getting an in-person glimpse of your favorite international players in next month's All Stars For Hope game then you most surely will be disappointed to know that the charity match has been cancelled.

The match, which was set to showcase stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Thierry Henry and Frank Lampard on June 14th at Giants Stadium, was cancelled due to economic reasons.

The foundation's website read: "As a result of the current economic financial climate, it is with much regret that the All Stars for Hope event has been cancelled.

"We realise that this news will come as a disappointment to our many fans and supporters who have committed to taking seats at the event."

The website also mentioned the possibility of rescheduling the event.

What do you think about the cancellation of the All Stars For Hope game? Did you plan on attending? Are you furious that you will not get to see some of the world's finest in action?

Share your thoughts below.

Obama writes FIFA to back USA 2018 World Cup bid

  

The United States' bid to host the 2018 World Cup received an assist from none other than President Barack Obama, who wrote a letter to FIFA in support of the nation's bid to host the game's most prestigious event.

"As a child, I played soccer on a dirt road in Jakarta, and the game brought the children of my neighborhood together," Obama wrote, according to excerpts released by the U.S. Soccer Federation. "As a father, I saw that same spirit of unity alive on the fields and sidelines of my own daughters' soccer games in Chicago."

"Soccer is truly the world's sport, and the World Cup promotes camaraderie and friendly competition across the globe," Obama wrote. "That is why this bid is about much more than a game. It is about the United States of America inviting the world to gather all across our great country in celebration of our common hopes and dreams."

What do you think of Obama's words? Think he can help the U.S. bid? Still see FIFA giving Europe the 2018 World Cup? Do you see the United States having a better chance of hosting the 2022 World Cup, or are you still holding out hope for 2018?

Share your thoughts below.

USA bid committee identifies 70 venues as potential World Cup sites

 

The USA World Cup bid committee contacted 70 different venues across the United States as potential sites for the USA bids for World Cups 2018 and 2022.

Some familiar soccer-friendly venues, such as Soldier Field, Gillette Stadium and RFK Stadium, and some stadiums still being built, such as Cowboys Stadium and Meadowlands Stadium, were among the 70 sites contacted by the USA bid committee.

As you might expect, the list includes some intriguing markets, such as Fayetteville, Arkansas and Green Bay, Wisconsin. Basically, the list includes every major college football and NFL stadium in the country.

Here is the complete list of venues contacted by the USA bid committee: