The Soccer Thread

[USSoccer]

One other thing I can't believe I'm about to say...If we had Brian Ching to bring on at about minute 60, I think we win. Jozy was gassed and Ching is terrific at hold up play.

[UMFan83]

The loss stings right now but soon enough we'll be able to look back and remember that the US was ~25 minutes away from winning a FIFA sanctioned tournament that included Spain, Italy and Brazil.

[bukie]

Well, quick turnaround for the Gold Cup next weekend now. I hope there's not too much of a letdown for the next game (but at least it's against Grenada and not, say Honduras).

[wolf stansson]

We could have used Jermaine Jones. He, by the way, has a hairline fracture in his leg and will be out until October. That doesn't give him much time to make an impression on Bob before the World Cup.

[wolf stansson]

I can't believe we're making the tunnel of champions for Brazil. That's pretty cool. If you're not going to win, this is how you want to lose.

[stuy119]

Edu would have helped out today also.

[shnsajax]

When I woke up this morning I didn't really think it was possible to be disappointed in this game. It turns out I was wrong. The way they played in the 1st half was something to be very proud of, and like mentioned before will prep these guys to not be intimated by any future setting. The fans in Azteca now have a legit reason to be worried.

 

I was not only excited about the way they played but at half time I truly believed that they were capable of winning a major title vs. Brazil. This tournament looks like it will now play a crucial role in just helping to find the right pieces to the puzzle.

 

Looking back at things two months ago this result no matter how it played out would have been an amazing success. Beat Egypt by 3, beat Spain by 2, out play Italy for a half down a man. I'm disappointed now as I could envision them lifting the trophy at halftime. Of course my tivo didn't record anything for some stupid reason, so I have to wait until 11 to rewatch everything again. Either way this is probably the most proud I have been of the National Team outside of maybe vs. Mexico in 2002.

[shnsajax]

FIFA's Awards:

adidas Bronze Ball: Clint Dempsey (USA)

Singling out an individual from an outstanding USA team is a hard task, but if one man stood tall above the rest, it was the dangerous Fulham midfielder. The 26-year-old contributed three vital goals to the North Americans’ utterly commendable tournament, but was arguably even more valuable as a consistent source of unpredictable and inspirational ideas. One or two opponents may have gravely underestimated the US as a potent attacking force, but Dempsey’s superb touch and ability to make the difference will have teams around the world thinking again. The USA star rates as one of the biggest discoveries of the 2009 event in South Africa.

 

adidas Golden Glove: Tim Howard (USA)

Bob Bradley’s US team came within an ace of glory at the Confederations Cup, making a mockery of the pre-tournament betting. Their triumphant march into the final was in no small measure due to a series of truly outstanding performances by Tim Howard, who consistently left opposing strikers cursing in dismay. Everton's No1 combined calm authority with formidable presence of mind, visibly steadying his defence when the going got tough. With an eye on the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, Howard looks set to provide the USA with a rock-solid last line of defence.

 

For Howard to win this over Julio Cesar, Casillas, Buffon is a great piece of recognition. Everton will probably be getting more offers for him pretty soon.

[wolf stansson]

Barca could use a new number 1. Really Chelsea could too with Cech's inconsistency.

 

I'd bet that whenever Moyes gets his shot at a big club, that will be Timmy's best shot at another super club.

[Mark Priors Calves]

howard just signed a 5 year extension, i doubt he's moving anytime soon.

[wolf stansson]

howard just signed a 5 year extension, i doubt he's moving anytime soon.

Means nothing. Kaka did the same thing last summer. I do however, think he'd cost too much for anyone to go for him.

[wolf stansson]

Time for the players to cash in on their performances. Candidate number one is Ricardo Clark:

MLS Rumors]

He has been linked with clubs in England, Italy and Spain, but is now a target for French outfit Rennes.

His representative Manuel Quintana said: "Rennes have asked for information."

 

Jozy is tired of not getting tick.

Greg Lalas at Soccer 365

“In my mind, I don’t really want to go back there [to Villareal],” he said. “I want to go play somewhere else.”

 

For Altidore, playing time is the most important aspect of his search for a new club.

 

“I want to find a team where I’m going to play—simple,” he said. “I won’t go back to the Segundo division. I’m just looking for somewhere to play the whole year.”

[shnsajax]

Time for the players to cash in on their performances. Candidate number one is Ricardo Clark:

MLS Rumors]

He has been linked with clubs in England, Italy and Spain, but is now a target for French outfit Rennes.

His representative Manuel Quintana said: "Rennes have asked for information."

 

Jozy is tired of not getting tick.

Greg Lalas at Soccer 365

“In my mind, I don’t really want to go back there [to Villareal],” he said. “I want to go play somewhere else.”

 

For Altidore, playing time is the most important aspect of his search for a new club.

 

“I want to find a team where I’m going to play—simple,” he said. “I won’t go back to the Segundo division. I’m just looking for somewhere to play the whole year.”

 

I don't blame him at all, his loan experience was a complete disaster.

[shnsajax]

I've been checking out Everton's and Fulham's home page just seeing what they had to say about their American's and ran across this. I had no idea McBride had this, very cool.

 

http://www.fulhamfc.com/Hospitality/MatchdayDining/McBrides.aspx

[wolf stansson]

Whuh oh.

Soccer governing body FIFA tells SI.com that it is investigating an alleged incident between U.S. midfielder Michael Bradley and referee Jorge Larrionda that took place after the U.S.'s 2-0 upset of Spain in Wednesday's semifinal, according to FIFA spokesman Nicolas Maingot.

 

Larrionda had sent off Bradley in the 87th minute for a tackle on Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso. As a result, Bradley--the son of U.S. coach Bob Bradley--is suspended for today's final.

 

The Spanish daily AS first reported that Bradley had allegedly confronted Larrionda in the tunnel following the game. But that report had no byline and cited no sources. This is the first time FIFA has confirmed that an investigation is taking place.

 

"FIFA is looking into the matter and cross-checking all available evidence," Maingot wrote to SI.com in an e-mail message. "Therefore, for the moment, we are not in a position to confirm the nature of the incident."

 

Maingot did confirm that Larrionda filed a match report after the game, per FIFA policy, but the FIFA spokesman added that as long as the investigation is ongoing, it would not reveal the content of the report.

 

"A decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee concerning a possible additional match suspension might come in a couple of days," Maingot wrote.

[Guest]

It was a fun game to watch. The second goal by USA gave me a rush of excitement that felt good.

 

Then, they treated me like a Cub fan the rest of the game. I know that feeling all too well.

[USSoccer]

Whuh oh.

Soccer governing body FIFA tells SI.com that it is investigating an alleged incident between U.S. midfielder Michael Bradley and referee Jorge Larrionda that took place after the U.S.'s 2-0 upset of Spain in Wednesday's semifinal, according to FIFA spokesman Nicolas Maingot.

 

Larrionda had sent off Bradley in the 87th minute for a tackle on Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso. As a result, Bradley--the son of U.S. coach Bob Bradley--is suspended for today's final.

 

The Spanish daily AS first reported that Bradley had allegedly confronted Larrionda in the tunnel following the game. But that report had no byline and cited no sources. This is the first time FIFA has confirmed that an investigation is taking place.

 

"FIFA is looking into the matter and cross-checking all available evidence," Maingot wrote to SI.com in an e-mail message. "Therefore, for the moment, we are not in a position to confirm the nature of the incident."

 

Maingot did confirm that Larrionda filed a match report after the game, per FIFA policy, but the FIFA spokesman added that as long as the investigation is ongoing, it would not reveal the content of the report.

 

"A decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee concerning a possible additional match suspension might come in a couple of days," Maingot wrote.

 

I posted this before, but as long as we have a deep run in the Gold Cup, this won't matter. They won't ban Mikey more than 5 unless he forkstabbed Larrionda. And if he did that, he should be an American hero, frankly.

[USSoccer]

Jozy is tired of not getting tick.

Greg Lalas at Soccer 365

“In my mind, I don’t really want to go back there [to Villareal],” he said. “I want to go play somewhere else.”

 

For Altidore, playing time is the most important aspect of his search for a new club.

 

“I want to find a team where I’m going to play—simple,” he said. “I won’t go back to the Segundo division. I’m just looking for somewhere to play the whole year.”

 

He needs matches. He was walking around the pitch after about the 55th in every game. Word last week was that Fulham was asking for a loan with option to buy. I don't know that I feel happy about that.

 

I wish some of our guys would go to Serie A, honestly. Or that some mid-table La Liga side would pick him up.

 

Charlie Davies should go somewhere to play as well other than [expletive] Norway.

 

Oh, and Edgar Castillo is going to follow Jermaine Jones and declare for the US. Which is good-the Confed Cup highlighted our need for quality depth.

[wolf stansson]

Charlie Davies should go somewhere to play as well other than [expletive] Norway.

French, Dutch and German clubs are in the mix with rumors of a 3 million Euro bid from Hamburg being the leader.

 

 

As for Castillo, meh. He's depth I guess. Boca is now first choice out left and for back up I'd have to see more of him to slot him in front of Bornstein, a Mexican-American who didn't betray us first and Pearce. Hell, I'd rather play Cherundolo at rb and move Spector over if we had to.

 

Btw, props to you, USS, for driving the early Spector band wagon. He is excellent.

[brinoch]

I'm very happy with our performance as a team. The one thing that upset me was Bradley's substitutions... terrible. Both in personnel selection and in timing. At minute 60, we were gassed. Bradley waited too long AGAIN -- 15 more minutes. Plus, I would not have brought in Kljestan or Casey. They were the wrong guys. What we needed was possession, possession, possession. I will grant that the depth isn't there yet -- and losing Michael Bradley to a cheesy red card really, really hurt the team. In fact, I think if we'd had him, we win the game. With Rico and Mike in the midfield, Bradley could have brought in Feilhaber in the 60th for Jozy, shifting Dempsey up top.

 

In addition, with the available subs, I'll grant that Bradley's selections were limited... there's no way that Pearce, Wynne or Beasley see the pitch. Personally, I would have subbed in Torres for Feilhaber and Bornstein for Jozy, shifting Dempsey up top into a free role.

 

At the end, needing a goal, the guy to bring on was Adu, not Casey.

[wolf stansson]

http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/ranking/lastranking/gender=m/fullranking.html

 

Up to 12th.

[shnsajax]

http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/ranking/lastranking/gender=m/fullranking.html

 

Up to 12th.

 

Meh, Holland drops down to 3rd, and Italy stay 4th. Italy should be in the 8-10 range.

[wolf stansson]

UK papers are saying Madrid signed Benzema for 30 million pounds.

 

 

This has eclipsed Galacticos I.

[shnsajax]

UK papers are saying Madrid signed Benzema for 30 million pounds.

 

 

This has eclipsed Galacticos I.

 

I hate them, I everything possible goes wrong in Madrid next season.

[shnsajax]

Soccernet Blog

 

4.53pm: After a strong showing at the Confederations Cup, Standard Liege defender Oguchi Onyewu could be on the move. English side Fulham are interested, but at the moment it looks like Genoa and Fenerbahce are the ones in the driving seat.

 

12.59pm: New Ajax coach Martin Jol has failed in an attempt to persuade AC Milan midfielder Clarence Seedorf to return to the club. Good thing too given that the Amersterdam club have a history of blooding their youth products and Clarence is 33. Maybe they could get him in as a coach?

 

Seriously, Seedorf is only 33?