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.

El Classico, Part I: The Triumph of Pep

Jose Mourinho and Real Madrid are unbeaten no more and as much as he may try to deny it, Jose's boys got embarrassed. Pep Guardiola is cementing his place as one of the greatest coaches of all time and Barcelona all but locked up the title of greatest team in the world, for now.

Barca's trademark strategy of short, quick passing frustrated the midfield of Xabi Alonso, Mesut Ozil, and Cristiano Ronaldo. They dominated possession all game long with their pinpoint passing. No group of players in the game today can make this type of soccer look more beautifully in sync than Messi, Xavi and Iniesta. It is as if each pass is a secret handshake between lifelong friends. Messi didn't even have to score to prove that he is the best player in the world right now, setting up David Villa's brace on what couldn't be a more perfect pass followed by another masterful assist.

The Catalan club proved that their perfected youth development system grooms players that money can't buy. Bojan and Jeffren were able to get into the mix at the end, making Sergio Ramos look almost lazy at the back. The Barca loyal made the Nou Camp roar with each goal, waiving their yellow and red flags with pride.

As expected, the game was interrupted by the overflow of tempers as Ronaldo pushed Guardiola and Sergio Ramos saw red after his "illegal hands to the face" on his fellow countrymen Carles Puyol and Xavi Hernandez. It is a shame, because now it is quite evident that not only were the Madrid players the worse footballers of the match, but also the worst sportsmen of the day.

Will it be a different story at the Santiago Bernabeu in a few months? Or was this the turning point early on in the season that Barca won't look back from? Either way, Jose Mourinho is going to have to come to terms with the fact that he was out-coached and must make changes.

For now, long live Barcelona, the new leaders of La Liga and the maestros of the beautiful game. Barca! Barca! Baaaarca!

Colorado Rapids: MLS Cup 2010 Champions

The most exuberant of congratulations to the Colorado Rapids for tearing through the MLS playoffs and garnering the honor of holding the MLS Cup high as Champions of the 2010 season! FC Dallas turned many heads this season as they put together an amazing run led by their rock solid goalkeeper, Kevin Hartman, and the MLS MVP David Ferriera, but it was the other inaugural season team that hoisted the trophy.

In a season where we saw United States National Team legends like Brian McBride, Eddie Lewis, and Chris Klein all retire from the beautiful game, it was only fitting and honoring to see Pablo Mastroeni and Conor Casey win their first MLS Cup. Two men who have served their club and country during their storied careers smiled like boys tonight. And what a thrilling game it was, having been decided in overtime. Extra big-ups to Conor Casey for symbolizing what a tough, physical match it when he battled for a loose ball around the six yard box to put in Colorado's first goal, granting him the honors of being named MLS Cup MVP.

And props to the entire MLS league for lifting the bar of American soccer. This season was a great one boys, even more excitement and beautiful game than ever before. And that's what it's all about in the end: raising the level of play and rewarding those who have worked to show the true talent that American's have in the world's game.

MLS Cup and Back to South Africa

So the 2010 MLS Cup teams have been decided: Colorado Rapids vs. FC Dallas. It's good to see two original teams back in the Cup, heading up to Toronto to do battle for the titles of Best Underdog. Colorado has a solid, cohesive team anchored by former US international Pablo Mastroeni. Dallas have proved their toughness this season and are coming off of quite an impressive spanking of the Supporter's Shield holding Galaxy. Should be a good game of some tactical, tough soccer.

On the international front, the US Men's National Team head back to South Africa to play a friendly with Bafana Bafana (The Boys, The Boys) in beautiful Cape Town. The team have already landed in the 2010 World Cup host country and are paying back the locals in thanks for their warm embrace over the past summer. It will be a team of youngsters for Bob Bradley getting some much needed caps against the likes of Steven Pienaar and Siphiwe Tshabalala. Bradley is still looking for players that can plug some holes in the US' shaky defense as well as a true scoring threat up top.

Other international exhibition matches for tomorrow (Wednesday Nov. 17, 2010) include friendlies between Brazil and Argentina (featuring the Samba return of Ronaldihno), champions Spain against Portugal, and England taking on France.

The End of the Year Stretch

My hats off to the San Francisco giants and the Freak, Tim Lincecum. That goes first and foremost as being a Californian. Now it's time for a another amazing run!

The MLS league has come to a close and its time for the Cup. All eight teams have poised themselves for the tournament by ending the year in strongly. The Crew have the most to worry about- will Guillermo Schelotto have the stamina they need to continue carrying the offense? Last years finalists, Sheild holders the Galaxy, and RSL look again like the favorites. Or will the bolstered NY Redbulls crash the party?

"Across the pond", as the UK dudes like to say, the EPL leads a bevy of close league races through the firs half of the season. Chelsea look the strongest out of the gates, but there is some real action going on in the rest of the top four (MU, Arsenal, and Man City). Gareth Bale has looked superhuman for Tottenham in their campaign. La Liga's two headed beast (Barca and Real Madrid) roars again as Villareal, Valencia, and Atletico Madrid stay in striking distance. We all know that this will just come down to Messi v. Ronaldo again though for the Golden Boot, sorry David Villa and Gonzalo Higuain. Shout out to Clint Dempsey for tallying four impressive finishes while stepping up his game in place of the injured Bobby Zamora!

I publically condemn Alex Ferguson for his comments about the UEFA Champions League being "the game's premiere competition" over the World Cup. The World Cup is far and away, the most important Cup to win in all of soccer. There is no doubt that the Champions League showcases the world's best talent from the world's best clubs, the likes of which have been on display through the group stage so far. The AC Milan v. Real Madrid game today from the San Siro was one of the most exciting matches I've seen all year. Holders Internazionale experienced a shocker from the aforementioned White Hart Spurs already and 2009 champs Barcelona only seem to be warming up. But no Fergie, you can't match the anticipation, celebration, and pure football jubilation of the World Cup. It is the world's game, not just a game for the Euro boys.

Tune into the next two months of televised soccer American folks, things have a tendency to heat up before the holidays. And who knows, maybe we'll see Landon and a few other of our crew crashing the European parties in Januaray. That's the American Soccer Dream: getting Americans playing at the highest levels, here and abroad, year round. That'll bring up our level of play and give those guys the paychecks their due.

Thank You Brian, Eddie, and Chris

Brian McBride, Eddie Lewis, and Chris Klein are all retiring from the beautiful game now that the MLS season has come to and end. All three have been instrumental in the devolpoment of US Soccer and MLS.

Most notably, McBride has left his heart and his blood on the pitch time after time. Three World Cups, an Olympics, and many caps in both European leagues and MLS. He ended his career this past weekend with a beauty of a back-heel goal for the Chicago Fire. I will always remember his diving header in the 2002 World Cup and his always classy attitude on and off the field.

Thank you gentlemen, for all that you have done for this country's growth at home and on the world stage.

Jozy's Video on VBS.tv

Check out this very well produced video for the EA Sports "We Are Eleven" series on VBS.tv about American striker Jozey Altidore and his experience as a soccer player in Spain and England. The Jersey Boy describes what its like to adapt to life playing in La Liga and the EPL, his American born teammate Giuseppe Rossi, and the future of MLS.

Last of the US MNT for 2010

Well their record after the World Cup is decidedly worse than their record during the World Cup. Having lost to Brazil, and tied both Poland and Columbia, the US Men's National team wrapped up play for 2010. Their next game lies far ahead in the spring of 2011 when they will return to South Africa and take on Bafana Bafana at Green Pointe Stadium in Cape Town.

What have we learned? We've learned our weaknesses and experimented with some new strategies. Pulling from more unused talent as of late, Bob Bradley has found another asset in the midfield with Jermaine Jones. His physical play is coupled with some good vision to support our less than strong attack. It seems that a 4-5-1 formation will suite our developing style much better with Donovan or Dempsey falling in behind Jozy Altidore (or perhaps Edson Buddle or Charlie Davies) as the lone striker.

Our defense remains our greatest weakness still, as only Stuart Holden has stepped up and showed that he has intentions of replacing a back line of veteran players. As solid as Bocanegra has been throughout his captaincy for the U.S., he has been the only reliable piece as of late. Onyewu clearly needs to find more professional minutes than he's not getting with AC Milan and Cherundolo may not see action in Brazil 2014.

We need some solid youth defenders, most notabley a defender on the outside that can push ahead and get involved in the attack, much like a Sergio Ramos or a Dani Alves. The US have never really had a defender that can distribute the ball out of our third with real patience. Our defenders need to be able to start long stretches of possession instead of quickly dumping balls over-top.

It will be interesting to watch MLS' postseason and see if some more homegrown stars develop, as well as the progression of our boys abroad. But until we start plugging these holes, the edge may go to Bafana Bafana in Cape Town.