Archive for February, 2012

Featured, U.S. Soccer

Italy 0 – 1 U.S., Recap and Player Ratings

The U.S. managed to beat Italy for the first time ever Wednesday, on Italian soil no less. And though the Italian team was far from a finished product and the U.S. spent much of the last half hour defending tooth and nail, none of that diminishes the significance of the historic victory.

It’s been a while since the U.S. enjoyed a signature win of this sort over world class competition. And unlike the last one, that 2-0 semifinal surprise over Spain in the 2009 Confederations Cup, the U.S. was close to Italy’s equal for most of this one.

Chalk that up to getting a little more comfortable playing in tough environments, and a general improvement on the ball across the board — not just partly because of the additions of the influx of German-trained Americans comfortable in their footballing shoes.  The U.S. is no longer a team woefully short on the skill end of the equation. Jurgen Klinsmann’s group can honestly go into most stadiums in the world and expect to give the opponent a game.

Today, they were on the up end of that development.

Player ratings after the jump. (more…)

by
USA10Cast

USA10Cast: Listen before you Leap: Anthony Mannino previews USMNT-Italy, Daniel Robertson on U-23s vs. Mexico

With three U.S. Soccer teams in action on February 29, the USA10Cast examines two of the three matches (don’t worry USWNT fans, we’ll get to you eventually). In the first half, Anthony Mannino tells us just what the USMNT has to do in order to exploit the weakness of the Azzurri and get a win on European soil. Then, Daniel Robertson of BigDSoccer joins us from Dallas where he’s been covering the U.S. U-23 camp. Robertson gives us the players to watch beyond the names we already know and tells us what to expect in the late-night clash with Mexico.

Don’t forget to subscribe to the 10Cast on iTunes.

by
United States

Looking at the Italian Roster vs the USMNT

The Italian National team, or Azzurri, as they are known in Italy, announced their roster for their upcoming match against the USMNT.

The biggest exclusion is forward Mario Balotelli, who scored over the weekend for Manchester City, and he is considered a starter for Italy this summer for the Euros. This leaves Italy short of the country’s three best attacking options with Giuseppe Rossi (ACL) and Antonio Cassano (heart condition) out injured.

This does not mean the Italians, who did not lose a game during 2012 Euro qualifying, are short in replacement for these attacking stars – in fact its the complete opposite (more…)

by
Featured

Torres Doesn’t See Spain Return in the Cards

In the last decade jolly old England has become a refuge for those Spanish players seeking brighter futures. In the early 2000s, men like Mikel Arteta, Ivan Campo and Diego Tristan hopped Iberia flights in search of greener pastures. But lately the names have gotten bigger. Fernando Torres, David Silva and just this past summer Juan Mata have all joined English clubs as high dollar transfers.

No one has received more attention than Torres, and rightly so. Of the three, Torres is the more decorated player having scored the game-winning goal for Spain in the 2008 European Cup final versus Germany and excelling for three-plus seasons at Liverpool.

There is no need to delve into his scoring struggles since he transferred to Chelsea over 12 months ago. That is well documented. Rumors are swirling that his lack of scoring will prompt a move back to Spain to his first club Atletico Madrid. But he wants to win titles and unless you play at Barcelona or Real Madrid, he sees a return to Atletico, whether it’s now or when his contract expires in five years, as a fruitless endeavor. (more…)

by
United States

Klinsmann Adds Two, Who’s Next?

Jurgen Klinsmann has added Brek Shea and Sasha Kljestan to the roster set to face Italy on Wednesday, after Landon Donovan, Timmy Chandler and Jose Torres all dropped out for various reasons. U.S. Soccer also announced that more additions may be coming Monday.

Who could that be? (more…)

by
News in brief

News and Views for Friday, February 24

The USWNT have a new co-captain: Abby Wambach. The star was frank about the recent appointment:

“Quite honestly, I was a little shocked that Pia wanted to change things up. Not that she doesn’t like to change things up — she loves that part of sports — but I have so much respect for all of my teammates that quite honestly if I have the co-captain or captain band, I’m still going to be who I am. I’m still going to support you. I’m still going to yell at you. I’m still probably going to kick you in practice. I’m still going to make you the best player you possibly can be.”

Owen Coyle discusses his career, soccer’s development in the US, and Sir Alex Ferguson (among other topics) with FIFA.

Not everyone’s enjoying David Beckham’s new ads.

As per usual, your weekend fixtures and tv listings here.

Global Soccer

The New York Times explores the possibility of a Premier League All Star game.

Fernando Torres disappointing season continues. The Spanish striker has been dropped from his national team for its upcoming match against Venezuela. As Torres’ club falters too, The Throw-In offers some advice.

Anzhi Makhachkala are in the hunt for Christopher Samba to add to their growing ranks of stars.

by
United States

USMNT Squad for Italy Match

Jurgen Klinsmann announced his 21-man roster for the USMNT’s friendly against Italy on Feb. 29 in Genoa.

Keepers: Tim Howard, Brad Guzan, Nick Rimando

Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra, Geoff Cameron, Timmy Chandler, Steve Cherundolo, Clarence Goodson, Michael Parkhurst, Jonathan Spector

Midfielders: Michael Bradley, Maurice Edu, Fabian Johnson, Jermaine Jones, Jose Torres, Dany Williams

Forwards: Jozy Altidore, Terrence Boyd, Edson Buddle, Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan

Notes- Boyd could possibly earn his first cap with the USMNT; he was originally picked to join Brek Shea with the U.S. U-23 team as they face Mexico.

Brad Guzan earns his first call-up in the Klinsmann era and first since before the Gold Cup.

Potentially, the  game against the Azzurri could be the first match that Dempsey and Donovan are on the field with Klinsmann as manager.

The roster also features players from nine different leagues.

So, what are your thoughts on the latest USMNT roster, and who is the biggest omission?

by
United States

Opara Scores as U-23s Beat FC Dallas

The U.S. U-23s got a pretty good result Wednesday in the first scrimmage of their February camp, edging a close to first choice FC Dallas side 2-1, despite finishing the game with nine men.

I had some original thoughts on the camp the other day at ESPN. Here are some quick observations from today’s match:

  • This was still not a full strength American team, missing all of the European contingent that will join up when the FIFA break starts after the weekend. That meant a number of second choice starters, including outside backs Kofi Sarkodie and Jorge Villafana.  The defense still held up, which is great news. It will only get better when Alfredo Morales and Greg Garza join the team. (more…)
by
Announcements, United States

Allen Iverson to Play Pro Indoor Soccer?

“We’re talking about practice…practice?” We’re not talking about any kind of practice for former NBA All-Star Allen Iverson, as it was reported that the tattooed and talented basketball legend has been offered to play in an American indoor soccer league. According to rochesterlancers.com, the Rochester Lancers of the Major Indoor Soccer League has offered Iverson $40,000 to play the final two regular season games with a $5,000 bonus for any goals scored. Iverson, who last played for the NBA in 2010, has been overseas in Turkey and now seems to be thinking of a athletic career change at age 36.

(more…)

by
United States

Tuesday Thoughts: Champions League viewing, giving managers a chance

Some quick thoughts to take the edge off your case of the Tuesdays or just brighten your week if you didn’t have the luxury of having yesterday off to consider the merit of presidents past, present and future (pictured today is blog favorite John Tyler, who some historians believe wore the 10 kit before becoming the tenth president):

A few weeks ago after the first friendly of 2012, U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann said he wanted to see more Americans in the UEFA Champions League. It would be awesome to get more Americans in Champions League and not just from a development standpoint. This one’s a pretty simple equation. We all love watching Americans play at the highest level. We all love watching UCL matches in the middle of the day. Americans+UCL=Amazing results. Plus it will continue to boost interest in the sport among the general sporting public.

Look at the Dempsey vs. Donovan (+Howard) hype that surrounded the FA Cup Fourth Round match between Fulham and Everton a few weeks ago. It didn’t hurt that it was basically the country’s three best players, but pit two Americans against each other and you’ve got a minute-long highlight on SportsCenter and coverage on all the major sites. Beautiful.

The Champions League Round of 16 matches not competing against each other is fantastic. As I mentioned, the UEFA Champions League makes for pretty solid viewing, but in the past it’s been tough to actually…view…all the matches since they’re played at the same time. Unfortunately, it still will be, but last week and this week we’ve had the pleasure of having matches in Russia. Moscow and Saint Petersburg are both four full hours ahead of London and company, so the matches are played back to back. (more…)

by