The USSF is well advanced in discussions on how to start the Olympic cycle, a USSF spokesperson told 10Kit today.
The player pool, scheduling of friendlies and camps, and naming a coach are all high priorities at Soccer House, with the Olympic qualifying tournament just around the corner.
The naming of the coaches for the Olympic team and the U-20 team will happen in the “near future”, according to the spokesman, though no firm timetable has been set.
Thrilling Thursday MLS action saw the Philadelphia Union take a vital three points from DC United. Philly sprinted to an early 2-0 lead thanks to Sebastien Le Toux before Dwayne De Rosario and Andy Najar led DC back before the half. The winner came from Michael Farfan in the 57th minute. Highlights here.
Dwayne De Rosario limped off in the 61st minute, which had some DC folks pretty upset.
Paris St. Germain is ready to step up its efforts to sign David Beckham when his contract expires in November.
Gooch is back. Oguchi Onyewu is back on the USMNT roster as Jurgen Klinsmann has named his 22-man roster for October friendlies against Honduras and Ecuador.
Americans were in fine form Thursday during Europa League action. Jozy Altidore scored again, while Clint Dempsey assisted for Fulham. A full rundown of the results.
Last night against Morelia the two L.A. central defenders stood out. Omar Gonzalez and A.J. DeLaGarza both had strong games, but that wasn’t the only reason they were the focus of the Mexican announcers who were calling the game where I live.
The Mexicans know that both are still eligible for the Mexican national team. While it’s a bit far-fetched to think that either of them, as American as they are, would suddenly jump ship for El Tri, that’s not what’s important here. The detail to focus on here is that Mexican soccer observers know that the duo – but especially Gonzalez — are El Tri caliber center backs.
They both play smart, tough, are relatively good with the ball at their feet, and give an aerial presence on both sides of the field.
That’s not to say either one would start for El Tri right now, but either would do well in Mexico, and it follows for the Mexican national team.
A couple conclusions follow: (more…)
Guatemala City – On the brink of a CONCACAF Champions League match, Seattle Sounders midfielder Lamar Neagle is just glad to be in Guatemala. After years bouncing around American soccer – with a trip to Finland thrown in for good measure – the attacker has finally found his place in the top tier of U.S. soccer.
Neagle is an example of how tough it can be for an American player not quite at the top of the game. After signing out of college with the Sounders, he was cut, and found himself in the A-League in Charleston. Succeeding there, the UNLV product went on to Finland, where he had another successful, if brief, run in the top division. (more…)
It’s another one of my favorite kind of Tuesday: the kind featuring both UEFA and CONCACAF Champions League play (Disclaimer:I realize that headline is in no way the proper plural of Champions League).
It won’t be easy for the MLS sides today. Toronto FC goes into the home leg against Pumas with three regulars out of the match because of yellow card accumulation. TFC lost to Pumas 4-0 in Mexico, and if they can’t get the result today, they’d be eliminated from CCL play if FC Dallas beats Panamanian side Tauro.
On the other hand, Seattle could clinch passage through the group stage with a draw in Guatemala City against Comunicaciones, but despite being in the midst of a hellacious road trip they’re going to go all out for the win our man Brent Latham tells us from Guatemala.
Another week, another leader in the East. With three points secured in the dying moments of the match thanks to Geoff Cameron (and Brad Davis’ 14th assist), the Houston Dynamo not only took over atop the Eastern Conference standings, but will hoist El Capitan as winners of the Texas Derby. They also got their first away win of the season. Highlights here.
Top of the conference is great news for the Dynamo and their fans, but the lead is tenuous at best. The Dyanamo are a mere three points ahead of the New York Red Bulls (who won without Rafa Marquez), who currently sit fifth in an extremely congested playoff picture.
Another loss continues FC Dallas’ slide as the playoffs loom. The team could be getting some more bad news.
Former Dynamo midfielder Dwayne DeRosario had an evening to remember. The DC United star scored the fastest hat-trick in league history…and in stunning fashion.
Americans abroad found the back of the net three times over the weekend, while Michael Bradley was instrumental in his Chievo’s comeback win. Here’s a rundown of the performances.
Believe it or not, the gap at left back won’t last forever.
The first quality American left back in a while probably won’t just show up, though. He’ll be the product of a good club system that teaches him the skills and abilities he needs to be a complete player, and moves him up slowly.
Kinda like Miguel Ponce.
But, moving on, we have a number of young American left backs developing overseas, with the potential to help fill that annoying hole on the left side of defense. Sean Cunningham at Molde is one who everyone seems to like. It also makes sense to pay attention to Juan Pablo Ocegueda. (more…)
Abby Wambach was back to her goal-scoring ways, registering two as the USWNT beat Canada 3-0 in Portland on Thursday night. Highlights here.
Ahead of Portland’s visit to Red Bull Arena, there is plenty of controversy – and doubt – surrounding what was expected to be one of the league’s top teams. Grant Wahl explores the words – and disappointments – of Rafa Marquez.
One of Portland and NY’s main playoff competitors, the Houston Dynamo, will hope to have Adam Moffat back when they head to Pizza Hut Park to face a reeling FC Dallas, who’s won just once in the league since August began.
MLSSoccer has a piece on Juan Agudelo.
Manchester City, despite its vast wealth, wants to emulate Barcelona’s academy and develop youth from within. They’ll start by building a $150 million facility.
Another tough night for MLS teams in the CONCACAF Champions League. Los Angeles fell 1-0 to L.D. Alajuelense, the Colorado Rapids dropped to fourth place in their group with a 2-1 loss to Real Espana, and FC Dallas was handed its first loss with a 2-0 defeat to Pumas UNAM,
Manchester City’s Owen Hargreaves scored in his debut with the club, a 2-0 Carling cup win over Birmingham City.
Bolton manager Owen Coyle expects Arsenal to keep pursuing Gary Cahill during the January transfer window. The defender was pursued by both Arsenal and Tottenham this summer.
And the Shin Guardian breaks down what to watch for this weekend, with a hint of the Departed mixed in.
BRENT LATHAM – It’s a question I’ve been asking a lot of people over the last few months. When will Bradenton be a thing of the past?
It’s not that I’m an enemy of the setup — it’s been very helpful over the years — but I do think it’s now lived past its prime. When players like 16-year-old Zach Pfeffer are making their pro debuts, but weren’t a part of the national team’s U-17 process, there’s something a little bit wrong.
Sure, you can argue, Pfeffer suffered an injury ahead of the tournament, but he was available for selection. Coach Wilmer Cabrera told me before the World Cup that he had considered all the options, and no one was better than the guys he had at Bradenton.
It’s not that I’m questioning his judgment of talent. But it’s hard to believe that (more…)
