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…)

With the United States national team arriving in Panama today for their Wednesday friendly, it’s time to turn the page on the USMNT’s first friendly in 2012. Since it’s Monday, though, let’s shake out the ol’ reporter’s notebook and see what we can find from Saturday to tide us over until the Panama previews start rolling in.

Champions League Contenders: After his team’s 1-0 victory against Venezuela, United States national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann was asked about the sterling performances turned in that day by two players who weren’t with the team: Zak Whitbread and Clint Dempsey. Whitbread played center back and helped Norwich City secure a goalless draw with EPL giants Chelsea. The clean sheet, City’s first in Premier League action this season, came about in part because the Canaries executed a plan to keep Chelsea out of the box and deal with crosses.

Klinsmann acknowledged Whitbread is “on our radar screen,” but had much more to say about Dempsey’s performance. The Fulham man scored a hat trick – his second in the new year – during Fulham’s 5-2 defeat of Newcastle. (more…)

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The USMNT’s January camp is composed mostly of MLS players, but Saturday night in Arizona it was two Germany-based midfielders who won the match for the U.S.

Ricardo Clark, out of favor at Eintracht Frankfurt, headed in the game’s only goal in the seventh minute of second half stoppage time on a cross from Jermaine Jones of Schalke, who turned in a man of the match performance in the friendly defeat of Venezuela.

Clark entered the game as a substitute in the 62nd minute, and the defensive midfielder seemed an unlikely candidate to score a goal with the wealth of attacking talent the United States still had on the pitch; however, Clark said his goal as a reserve was to inject life to the squad.  (more…)

This is how I did live updates of the match. Start from the bottom and read up to relive every moment, from the first kick of the ball in a competitive match in 2012, to my bizarre onion-based condiment incident to the goal.

FINAL WHISTLE USA-1 Venezuela- 0

If it’s any indication of what’s to come in 2012 (which it probably isn’t), it’ll be exciting. The United States were the better team in the match, and they deserve the win. The crowd is delighted as the players take a victory lap applauding those who made it out. We’ll have much, much more, but for now thanks for reading.

Jose Velasquez for Venezuela is off the pitch. Didn’t see a red card issued, but he’s not around (Added later, he was sent off in the 98th minute). Game ends and they crowd the ref. It doesn’t matter (does it ever?).

GOAL – Ricardo Clark heads it in in the 97th minute and the Americans surely have the winner.

More - Chance as Shea crosses one in. A Venezuelan again stays down in the box.

Stoppage time - The free kick is sent over the bar. Still a bit of time left says the referee who wasn’t too impressed with Venezuela’s earlier display.

90th minute - Theatrics from Venezuela. The U.S. has a chance, which nearly loops into the top corner. It’s dealt with and suddenly Morales, the keeper, has an injury that might force him out. Francisco Flores gets a yellow card for his tackle. Another has been issued for time wasting or berating the ref. Meanwhile, the United States are planning what they’ll do with this set piece while literally the entire opposing team is in the six-yard box.

87th minute - Pearce gets the ball in acres of space. He has time to touch it to his preferred foot and dial in the cross. It’s a fantastic save from Morales, probably the play of the game. The U.S. makes another change, taking off Bunbury and putting in “from Phoenix, Arizona: Brad Evans,” as the P.A. announcer says.

86th minute - Richard Blanco comes on for the visitors, but make no mistake. They’re slowing down the game. The scoreless draw would be a good result for them. Meanwhile the U.S. is pushing for the winner.

84th minute - The U.S. holds some possession and Jones puts in a pretty bending shot. It’s deflected away and they have a corner.

83rd minute - Wondo combines with Bunbury but Bunbury puts the shot wide.

82nd minute - A glorious opportunity at the top of the box is scuffed by Guerra. The Americans are wiping sweat from their brows after that one. A close call.

76th minute - Very strange chance there as Sapong went up for a ball. It bounces off…somebody’s head and falls nicely for Wondo who has a go. USMNT wins a corner, but again nobody can put a head on it. (more…)