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: USA vs. Panama (A look ahead)

 

The U.S. men's national team will face Panama for the third-straight CONCACAF Gold Cup on Saturday (8pm, Fox Soccer Channel) in Philadelphia, with a spot in Thursday's semifinals on the line. The Americans will field a very short-handed squad against a Panama team that has some talent but will still come in as the underdogs.

Panama still has a puncher's chance, what with standout attacking players such as Blas Perez and Ricardo Phillips, and a strong spine consisting of central midfielder Gabriel Gomez, central defender Felipe Baloy and goalkeeper Jaime Penedo. This Panama team has many of the same players from the squad that pushed a first-choice U.S. team to the brink before losing a 2-1 decision in the 2007 quarterfinals, but it isn't as potent as that team was.

TGIF: Swagger like Landon

 

Maybe it was the goal vs. Brazil. Or maybe it was a stint with Bayern Munich that went better than previous German excursions. Perhaps it was simply enjoying a summer where he recaptured the form that has made him arguably the best player in U.S. national team history.

Whatever the reason, Landon Donovan has a swagger these days that he's never had before, a confidence and a belief that he can dominate any game and give any team he plays on a good chance of winning. This isn't the too young to know any better confidence of a 2002 Landon DOnovan. It is a swagger built on newly discovered self-belief, a swagger that should have U.S. national team and Los Angeles Galaxy fans very excited, and Donovan's future opponents very worried.

"I'm in a place now where it doesn't matter when I arrive or that the preparation is ideal," Donovan said after leading LA to a win vs. New York on Thursday, the same day he arrived via red-eye flight from Los Angeles.

"I know how I'm going to perform."

Mid-Day Musings: On Johnson, Cooper and Castillo

 

                                                                Photo by ISIphotos.com

Is Eddie Johnson ready to make a comeback?

No, the American striker hasn't been sidelined by injury, he has just managed to fall off the U.S. national team radar after having been on it for so many years, four years to be exact. His stock had tumbled to the point that there weren't even any real rumblings when he failed to be named to either the U.S. Confederations Cup or Gold Cup teams.

Perhaps the time out of the spotlight has done him some good.

Johnson is off to a flying start for Fulham during its pre-season tour, scoring goals and setting up goals. When you see video of him play these days you see a confident player, a smart player, someone who looks at ease.

It may not mean that Johnson sticks with Fulham, but it just might mean that wherever Johnson goes, he's ready to be the player so many have waited for him to be.

USA victory vs. Spain wins ESPY for Best Upset

The U.S. men's national team's stunning upset of Spain in the 2009 Confederations Cup semifinal was a game that won't soon be forgotten by American fans. Now, the victory has been awarded for its dramatic impact with an ESPY Award for Best Upset in American sports. The national team won the award at the ESPY Award Ceremony on Wednesday night in Los Angeles.

The ESPY Awards Ceremony was taped on Wednesday night, but will air on Sunday on ESPN.

Several members of the USA Confederations Cup team were on hand to accept the award, including Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Carlos Bocanegra and Jozy Altidore. Yes, that's right, Donovan was in Los Angeles the day before the Galaxy's match against the New York Red Bulls.

If you were one of the folks who made sure to vote for the USA upset of Spain, take a bow. Mission accomplished.

Who should the USMNT start vs. Panama?

                                                                       Photo by ISIphotos.com

If the U.S. men's national team is going to successfully defend its CONCACAF Gold Cup title, it will do so with a very short-handed squad.

With Charlie Davies, Steve Cherundolo, Clarence Goodson Michael Parkhurst, Benny Feilhaber and Freddy Adu all off to Europe, U.S. head coach Bob Bradley will have to work some magic to put together a starting XI that can knock off a Panama team that has been gaining momentum since a tournament-opening loss to Guadeloupe.

Trying to come up with a starting lineup for the U.S. team shouldn't be that tough considering how few options remain, and with Bradley not planning to call in any of his seven extra roster players for Saturday's match (call-ups for a semifinal and final would be very likely), the U.S. team looks prepared to go with the group it has left.

So what will the starting lineup look like vs. Panama? Here's a likely squad:

Tickets for USA-Mexico qualifier on sale Saturday

                                                                         Photo by ISIphotos.com

If you are a U.S. national team fan intent on traveling to Mexico for the highly-anticipated World Cup qualifier between Mexico and the United States, your chance to get tickets is coming.

Tickets for the Aug. 12 qualifier go on sale to the general public on Saturday. Tickets went on sale on Mondayfor Banamex credit card holders, but if you don't have one of those (and I'm sure 99.9 percent of SBI readers don't), you will have to wait until Saturday to start stockpiling the tickets.

U.S. Soccer will also be selling an allotment of tickets. Details on that process have yet to be revealed.

Will you be making the trip to Mexico City? Are you counting down the days? Think this will be the match that finally sees the U.S. national team win in Mexico?

Share your thoughts below.

USMNT loses another player as Davies leaves for France

 

                                                                Photo by ISIphotos.com

Charlie Davies' long and busy summer with the U.S. national team appears to be over (for now).

The young striker, who has been with the team for both the Confederations Cup and Gold Cup, is heading to France to join up with new club Sochaux, and thus won't be available for the U.S. team's Gold Cup quarterfinal against Panama on Saturday in Philadelphia.

There is no word yet on a replacement, though Jozy Altidore is still in the United States and could merit a call-up if the Americans win on Saturday.

Davies enjoyed a breakout performance at the Confederations Cup that helped spark increased interest in his services on the transfer market. Sochaux eventually made the move for Davies, buying him from Hammarby in the biggest transfer in the Swedish club's history. He could return to the team for it's Aug. 12 World Cup qualifier vs. Mexico, so his summer national team duties aren't completely over just yet.

What do you think of Davies leaving? Are you starting to have doubts about the U.S. team being able to defend its Gold Cup title? Think the forward trio of Brian Ching, Kenny Cooper and Santino Quaranta can get the job done?

Share your thoughts below.

USA Gold Cup squad shrinks as Cherundolo and Parkhurst return to Europe

 

                                                    Photo by ISIphotos.com

Defenders Michael Parkhurst and Steve Cherundolo are the latest U.S. national team players to leave the Gold Cup squad to return to Europe, meaning U.S. coach Bob Bradley will have two fewer defensive options when the Americans face Panama in the Gold Cup quarterfinals on Saturday.

Cherundolo is returning to Germany to join Hannover 96 in pre-season. His departure means Seattle midfielder Brad Evanscould get the nod at right back on Saturday. Toronto FC rookie Sam Cronin, who has been used at right back at times for TFC, could also be another option.

Parkhurst leaves after a rather disappointing performance against Haiti. He is headed back to Danish club Nordsjaelland. The centerback position isn't as much of an issue, with Chad Marshall and Jimmy Conrad the leading candidates to start vs. Panama.

Bradley won't be able to turn to the seven extra roster players for cover at right back and centerback. That group was made up only of midfielders, forwards and left back Jonathan Bornstein (though Ricardo Clark has been used at right back in the past).

Surprised to see Cherundolo and Parkhurst go? Who do you see starting in the back for the USA vs. Haiti? Think Brad Evans can do the job at right back?

Share your thoughts below.

Would Greece be a good fit for Altidore?

 

                                                                     Photo by ISIphotos.com

So you probably heard about the false alarm reports of Jozy Altidore heading to Greek powerhouse Olympiakos on loan (the interest in Altidore had been in the Greek papers for weeks). While we wait for a decision to actually be made on where Villarreal sends the young striker (assuming they don't keep him) I couldn't help but wonder what a move to Greece would mean for the young striker.

Such a move would put Altidore on a respected European squad, but it would mean playing in the Greek League, which is a notch below the likes of England and Spain. Olympiakos is in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League though, so Altidore would have the potential to play in the Champions League group stages.

Then there is the travel element.

USA 2, Haiti 2: A look back

It was a game that didn't have much meaning from a results standpoint (at least not for the Americans), but the U.S. national team's 2-2 tie vs. Haiti on Saturday certainly still had plenty of value for the United States.

Along with giving head coach Bob Bradley a chance to see every player he hadn't seen in the team's first two matches, it also helped provide the U.S. team with a good tough test heading into the Gold Cup quarterfinals.

Stuart Holden stepped up yet again and showed why he has to be considered one of the U.S. pool's most promising attacking prospects. Unfortunately for the USA, Holden's performance was one of only a few true bright spots on Saturday.

Holden blast gives USA draw vs. Haiti

                                                                             Photo by ISIphotos.com

Haiti was one minute away from the biggest upset in its national team's history, and one minute away from taking the Gold Cup Group B lead from heavy favorites the United States.

Then Stuart Holden stepped up.

The Houston Dynamo midfielder blasted a 25-yard shot in second-half stoppage time to give the United States a 2-2 tie and help the Americans clinch first place in Group B on Saturday night.

Haiti was a feisty and dangerous opponent, attacking in waves and erasing a USA halftime lead in just four minutes courtesy of a pair of quality finishes. The Americans pressed and pressed for an equalizer, but struggled to find the net before Holden's second goal in two U.S. national team appearances.

The victory means the United States will now face either Mexico, Panama or Jamaica in the Gold Cup quarterfinals in Philadelphia on Saturday.

What did you think of the U.S. team's performance on Saturday? Convinced that Stuart Holden is ready for more playing time with the national team? Disappointed in the U.S. defense? Hoping the Americans face Mexico in the quarterfinals or is that a match you are hoping is the Gold Cup final?

Share your thoughts below.

Gold Cup: USA vs. Haiti (Match Night Commentary)

 

The U.S. men's national team is in Foxborough, Mass. tonight to take on Haiti at Gillette Stadium in the final Group B match for both teams. a win or draw clinches first place in the group for the USA, which has already secured a place in the quarterfinals.

The Americans will look to field a different looking squad as midfielders Freddy Adu and Benny Feilhaber have left the team. With the quarters already secured, look for Bob Bradley to give some new faces looks in the starting lineup.

The USA will take on a fast Haiti team that has shown some flashes of attacking skill in posting a 1-1 record in the tournament.

I will be providing commentary throughout the match so please feel free to follow along here. As always, you are welcome to share your own thoughts and opinions in the comments section below.

Enjoy the match.

A look back at the first two U.S. games of the Gold Cup

 

                                                       Photo by ISIphotos.com

Two games, two wins, two shutouts.

The start to the U.S. national team's Gold Cup has been far different from the team's Confederations Cup opening and the team's early success has fans excited about a new crop of American  players.

For those of you who haven't seen it, here is my ESPN.com article on the developments from the U.S. team's first two matches of the Gold Cup.

Give the piece of read and feel free to share your thoughts on it, and on tonight's Gold  Cup match vs. Haiti in the comments section below.

Exciting times for Charlie Davies

 

                                         Photo by ISIphotos.com

 

BY DYLAN BUTLER

It's a good time to be Charlie Davies.

After a breakthrough performance at the FIFA Confederations Cup and scoring a goal in the CONCACAF Gold Cup against Grenada, the 23-year-old forward will get to play in front of family and friends from the Boston area for the first time in a U.S. national team kit Saturday as the U.S. looks to lock up Group B against Haiti at Gillette Stadium.

And on Friday, Davies found a new home, agreeing to terms with French Ligue 1 squad Sochaux.

"That's the next step for me and I'm real excited about it," the former Boston College standout from Manchester, N.H. said. "That was my first choice club to go to and I think it's a perfect opportunity to show my football on the world stage."

Who should the USMNT start vs. Haiti?

 

                                                                            Photo by ISIphotos.com

The U.S. men's national team has secured a place in the Gold Cup quarterfinals, but still needs a result on Saturday vs. Haiti to lock up first place in Group B and the weaker quarterfinal opponent that goes with that slot.

With that in mind, it is time to think about what players U.S. coach Bob Bradley will turn to on Saturday. Which players would you start on Saturday if you were Bradley?

Here is one potential look at a squad we could see on Saturday: