The Soccer Thread

[Brendan]

at least we don't have to watch twellman or hejduk?

[wolf stansson]

Btw, the Catalonia friendly has been cancelled by the Spanish FA.

[USSoccer]

Jozy's been held out of RBNY's last couple games with a calf injury, IIRC. That's probably why he's not on this roster. On the other hand, I'm suprised he got off his anti Heath Pearce rag and put him on the roster.

 

Personally, I think it sucks more that Freddy Adu is once again not on a roster. I get that he just got to Benfica, but it's a full international date. They'd have every right to request him.

 

Sucks to have the Catalonia game cancelled, too. That was one European date that was intruiging.

[wolf stansson]

Sucks to have the Catalonia game cancelled, too. That was one European date that was intruiging.

I'm really pissed about that because that seemed like an ideal time to call up Freddy (other than vs Brasil).

 

Stupid selfish Spanish FA.

[wolf stansson]

This just in: Brasil is substituting Robinho with Luciano Emilio for the friendly.

 

 

 

Oh wait, no they aren't. That would be [expletive].

 

Freaking Davy Arnaud.

 

Anyway, from the USMNT blog:

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME

 

What's a trip to Chicago without a trip to Wrigley Field? Better still, what about a trip to the mound? That's where Landon Donovan is headed tomorrow night when he tosses out the first pitch at the Cubs-Dodgers game. He'll be joined in the dugout by Carlos Bocanegra, Steve Cherundolo and Bobby Convey. It's ESPN's Wednesday Night Baseball game of the week, so Landon will also head to the booth to join Dan Shulman, Orel Hershiser and Steve Phillips. Probably shouldn't say this (yet), but Landon and Carlos are huge Dodgers fans. They're hoping to catch up with Nomar Garciaparra during BP...

[USSoccer]

Sucks to have the Catalonia game cancelled, too. That was one European date that was intruiging.

I'm really pissed about that because that seemed like an ideal time to call up Freddy (other than vs Brasil).

 

Stupid selfish Spanish FA.

 

Yeah, the Catalonia game seemed like the perfect date. I think we still play Switzerland at some point over there. I guess we'll have to wait until then, unless Peter Nowak really is dictating the non-rostering of Freddy.

[USSoccer]

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME

 

What's a trip to Chicago without a trip to Wrigley Field? Better still, what about a trip to the mound? That's where Landon Donovan is headed tomorrow night when he tosses out the first pitch at the Cubs-Dodgers game. He'll be joined in the dugout by Carlos Bocanegra, Steve Cherundolo and Bobby Convey. It's ESPN's Wednesday Night Baseball game of the week, so Landon will also head to the booth to join Dan Shulman, Orel Hershiser and Steve Phillips. Probably shouldn't say this (yet), but Landon and Carlos are huge Dodgers fans. They're hoping to catch up with Nomar Garciaparra during BP...

 

Carlos Bocanegra needs to stay away from Wrigley. He's a disaster wherever he goes.

 

I wish I were there to yell at Donovan.

[shnsajax]

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME

 

What's a trip to Chicago without a trip to Wrigley Field? Better still, what about a trip to the mound? That's where Landon Donovan is headed tomorrow night when he tosses out the first pitch at the Cubs-Dodgers game. He'll be joined in the dugout by Carlos Bocanegra, Steve Cherundolo and Bobby Convey. It's ESPN's Wednesday Night Baseball game of the week, so Landon will also head to the booth to join Dan Shulman, Orel Hershiser and Steve Phillips. Probably shouldn't say this (yet), but Landon and Carlos are huge Dodgers fans. They're hoping to catch up with Nomar Garciaparra during BP...

 

Carlos Bocanegra needs to stay away from Wrigley. He's a disaster wherever he goes.

 

I wish I were there to yell at Donovan.

 

Cub fans need to boo Donovan and Bocanegra!!! :twisted:

[soccer10k]

Is that the U.S. roster for the game against Brazil?

[MPC]

am i the only one that never heard of the country of catalonia? i've only heard of the region, not the country.

[sethuel1]

Davy Arnaud. You've got to be kidding me.

 

Also, everyone please enjoy Michael Bradley getting shredded during this game. I'll be there cheering my balls off for the guy, but he's toast.

[USSoccer]

Davy Arnaud. You've got to be kidding me.

 

Also, everyone please enjoy Michael Bradley getting shredded during this game. I'll be there cheering my balls off for the guy, but he's toast.

 

Michael Bradley is going to have soiled himself by the time this game is over.

[wolf stansson]

am i the only one that never heard of the country of catalonia? i've only heard of the region, not the country.

I believe they are only a region but have strong regional pride or something. This is why they are governed by Spain's Football Assoc and the reason the FA cancelled the game is because they didn't want the Catalan team to wear out any players that they wanted to call up to the Spanish team.

[wolf stansson]

Mastro out, yet another Wizard in.

 

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/soccer/09/05/bc.soc.brazil.us.ap/index.html

Zavagnin replaces Mastroeni for U.S.

 

 

CHICAGO (AP) -- Kansas City Wizards midfielder Kerry Zavagnin replaced Pablo Mastroeni on the United States roster for Sunday's exhibition game against Brazil.

 

The 33-year-old Zavagnin has not played for the Americans since a 4-1 exhibition loss at Germany in March 2006. He has 21 international appearances, including six in qualifying for last year's World Cup.

 

Click here to find out more!

 

Mastroeni became ill during Colorado's game at Columbus on Sunday and left at halftime. He is still recovering, the U.S. Soccer Federation said Wednesday.

 

Also, forward Landon Donovan, goalkeeper Tim Howard and defender Carlos Bocanegra were selected as finalists for the Honda player of the year award. Donovan is a three-time winner of the award, which will be given out Oct. 5.

 

Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

[USSoccer]

Mastro out, yet another Wizard in.

 

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/soccer/09/05/bc.soc.brazil.us.ap/index.html

Zavagnin replaces Mastroeni for U.S.

 

 

CHICAGO (AP) -- Kansas City Wizards midfielder Kerry Zavagnin replaced Pablo Mastroeni on the United States roster for Sunday's exhibition game against Brazil.

 

The 33-year-old Zavagnin has not played for the Americans since a 4-1 exhibition loss at Germany in March 2006. He has 21 international appearances, including six in qualifying for last year's World Cup.

 

Click here to find out more!

 

Mastroeni became ill during Colorado's game at Columbus on Sunday and left at halftime. He is still recovering, the U.S. Soccer Federation said Wednesday.

 

Also, forward Landon Donovan, goalkeeper Tim Howard and defender Carlos Bocanegra were selected as finalists for the Honda player of the year award. Donovan is a three-time winner of the award, which will be given out Oct. 5.

 

Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

 

Oh come on. Zavagnin is uber-crappy. We've been through this, Bradley. Or does he not remember the abysmal performance in Germany last Feburary?

[USSoccer]

And while I'm at it, how are Bocanegra and Donovan nominated for POY? Bocanegra is freaking terrible, and aside from the hat trick against Ecuador all Donovan did was convert PK's and miss sitters.

 

I would have nominated Howard, Feilhaber and maybe Beasley. Even Ching is more deserving in my world than Bocanegra.

[Marco4]

am i the only one that never heard of the country of catalonia? i've only heard of the region, not the country.

I believe they are only a region but have strong regional pride or something. This is why they are governed by Spain's Football Assoc and the reason the FA cancelled the game is because they didn't want the Catalan team to wear out any players that they wanted to call up to the Spanish team.

Spain has very strong regional identity; the Basques, of course, are the most well known of the regions of Spain (though they cover some of France, too), but all the areas, Andalucia, Galicia, Catalonia, are fiercely proud of their heritage, and - from what I've seen - view themselves as regional first, then national.

 

Its, strangely, exactly the opposite of France (though that is changing now).

 

As far I know, neither the Basque team and the Catalonian team are members of FIFA, though I think Catalonia played against Wales not so long ago.

[wolf stansson]

Oh come on. Zavagnin is uber-crappy. We've been through this, Bradley. Or does he not remember the abysmal performance in Germany last Feburary?

Allegedly the reason they are doing this is because Kansas City is the only MLS team with a lot of time off around the game, so they will be able to rest before and after.

 

Yeah. That's the attitude you want to have building a squad to face the number one team in the world.

 

 

Landon is going to run away with the POY because of the pretty stats he has accumulated regardless of how he got them. I think Howard is a good nominee, but Boca is only nominated because he wore the arm band for the Gold Cup and this has been a year without a real flashy stand out.

 

 

Refresh my memory, did Deuce win it last year?

[USSoccer]

Oh come on. Zavagnin is uber-crappy. We've been through this, Bradley. Or does he not remember the abysmal performance in Germany last Feburary?

Allegedly the reason they are doing this is because Kansas City is the only MLS team with a lot of time off around the game, so they will be able to rest before and after.

 

Yeah. That's the attitude you want to have building a squad to face the number one team in the world.

 

 

Landon is going to run away with the POY because of the pretty stats he has accumulated regardless of how he got them. I think Howard is a good nominee, but Boca is only nominated because he wore the arm band for the Gold Cup and this has been a year without a real flashy stand out.

 

 

Refresh my memory, did Deuce win it last year?

 

Yeah, Clint won it in 2006. Quite frankly, he is a better candidate than Bocanegra in 2007.

 

I can't fathom Landon winning anything awards wise. He's just so...I don't know. I can't stand him. He's a complimentary player, even if USSF doesn't realize it. You can't run an offense through him. He's not a striker. He's not a #10 mid. He's really a wing player, except no one will put him there. He's not a leader. He's only good against Mexico.

Howard should win it based on his performances in the Gold Cup, really.

[sethuel1]

Kerry Zavagnin. Christ.

[MPC]

Trib interview with Clint Dempsey.

[wolf stansson]

Kerry Zavagnin. Christ.

Heh, at least the Brazilians will give you your money's worth...

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Altidore is missing a Red Bulls game with injury, so there's a reason he wasn't put on the roster. SBI also had a post supporting the decision on the grounds that Altidore is still really young and doesn't need the pressure of being the savior of American forwards at age 17.

[wolf stansson]

Altidore is missing a Red Bulls game with injury, so there's a reason he wasn't put on the roster. SBI also had a post supporting the decision on the grounds that Altidore is still really young and doesn't need the pressure of being the savior of American forwards at age 17.

Ok the injury changes things. He doesn't have to play. Hell, he doesn't have to even be on the roster to make me happy. Just put someone other than Davy Arnaud, Kerry Zavagnin or Wolff on there.

 

It's not just Altidore for Brazil. It's the lack of Adu, Szetela or Altidore on the Sweden game roster and now this one. If at least one of the three aren't included in Switzerland, I'll be mad.

 

Mexico is giving Dos Santos his first senior side cap against Brazil next wednesday. They are calling him the model for which they want to develop their young players. We should be doing the same thing.

[Brendan]

other than experience, is there any real value to getting a young player like altidore or adu capped? (that's a sincere question)