USA 1 - 1 CHI @ the HDC

A pitch full of youngsters and a whole lot of red, white, and blue filled the Home Depot Center last night for both teams during the USMNT friendly against Chile.

With veterans abroad competing in the mid season European campaign, it was a night to bolster the experience of fresh blood. Bob Bradley wisely fielded a team whose average age was 23, and made use of his six substitutions to explore new options, particularly at the defense and striker positions.

After conceding a well volleyed goal to the Chileans, Bradley put in the 18 year old Juan Agudelo in the second half. Now, many other American soccer journos are being very cautious with how they discuss young Agudelo, being wary of casting the Freddy Adu Curse (glorifying American soccer talent at such an early age, only to fizzle out and under perform later on).

However, I was there. I was watching him warm up at halftime when the cameras were off. And I saw something in this boy that I hadn't seen in an American jersey ever before: a sense of fun in his touch on the ball. He juggled and preformed in front of our section at the Home Depot Center. He played with the ball doing nifty stepovers, backheels, and impressive juggles. I could see where he picked up this style and sense of carefree fun: South Africa. His experience abroad and the things he saw during the Nelson Mandela Challenge showed in his demeanor. It brought me back to that amazing country where I spent the summer with other passionate soccer fans, delighting in the welcoming culture of Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg, juggling and playing soccer with the locals.

In the second half, Agudelo's confidence shined as he went at defenders and put together a beautiful combination of short, quick passes with Alejandro Bedoya. Agudelo's efforts payed off, earning the US a Penalty Kick. This is a player we have been waiting for. A player that can dazzle the crowd and be a persistent menace to the opposition's back line.

Teal Bunbury stepped up to slot home the well placed kick from the spot, and again, the youngsters showed us something to build on: the bond of teammates dancing and celebrating at the corner flag. Bunbury and Agudelo are bonding on and off the field, a pairing that could mean big things for the future of US soccer.

Paired with veteran leadership and strong distribution out of the back and midfield, these young guns will take our game to the next level. But they better pay attention and respect their elders who got us to where we are today. Bocanegra, Donovan, Dempsey, and the boys still have much to teach them.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone 4.

2010 Ballon d'Or

Zidane, Ronaldo, and now Messi have made history as multiple time winners of the FIFA Ballon d'Or trophy. The second great little Argentine beat out his Barcelona teammates Xavi and Iniesta to take home the honor of the world's best footballer in 2010.

Many thought it would be Iniesta, whose extra time score gave Spain their first World Cup trophy. Others expected Xavi Hernandez, the most capped man in Barcelona's history and no doubt one of the greatest orchestrators of the game to win. But it was the awesome tally of over 60 goals for club and country in one year that gave Messi his second Player of the Year honor in a row.

Despite not scoring a single goal in South Africa, number ten continued to solidify his place as one of the greatest of all time. Leading Barca to repeat league titles and doing so in a classy way is the legend of Lionel. He does not flop, he does not complain. He just puts the ball in the back of the net or right where his teammates need it. That says a lot in a modern era full of actors and dramatics.

The Ballon d'Or is in good (small) hands. It is important for the future generation of footballers to see that a player who embodies a fun, jaw-dropping style is regarded as the best of the best.




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone 4.

Wild Times in the EPL

Defending holders Chelsea in a free-fall? Manchester United on top with no thanks to Wayne Rooney? Liverpool sliding down toward the relegation zone? It seems as though the record setting winter weather isn't the only oddity in England this year.

Chelsea opened up their title defense with back to back 6-0 stompings of West Brom and Wigan en route to a five win start this season, however, things seem to be going backwards these days. Ancelotti is feeling the pressure as they've slipped to 5th in the tables (a spot out of UEFA Champions League qualification) with their latest defeat suffered today at 17th place Wolverhampton. What seemed like the strongest lineup in the Premiership could be looking for some outside help in the January transfer window. Or will Didier Drogba be able to put the club on his back? Either way, things will have to change quickly at Stamford Bridge.

Meanwhile, the Red Devils have shown they are in top shape (and improving) at the top of the table. Dimitir Berbatov is having himself the year of his career, already all but locking up the goal of the season with his overhead volley. Chicharito Hernandez has proven to be the signing of the season while Wayne Rooney continues his World Cup misfortune. History has shown Sir Alex manages to ramp up his team in the second half of the season, so it may be tough to catch these fantastic footballers anytime soon.

And what of Liverpool?! The once strong club, always a mainstay of the top four, are in complete disarray. Hodgson has only picked up where Rafa's woes left off. Torres seems confused out there on the pitch, only finding the goal 6 times in 17 starts so far this season. Captain Gerrard's status seems to consistently be in question but is it really injury or is his pride the only thing hurting? For the sake of normalcy, I hope this team can put together a strong second half and at the very least, make a push for top 10.

With all this craziness, at least it's comforting to know that Jose Mourinho is still pompously proclaiming himself the greatest coach in club football. Somethings never change.