Clinton-- Pete Doherty Called. He Wants His Haircut Back

Uhm... I think we found the source of the fine form of Clint Dempsey, our favorite Texan who has for a month or so been the best man on the pitch for the Whites and EPL Mid-Tablers Fulham: his hair. Fortunately Clint listens to too much country and bad hip hop to fall into Pete Doherty's bad habits. And some love for the Hammers valiantly keeping their marking above. Stay with 'em Hammers !

Super Sacha: Ready for Glasgow... And the World ?

By Jon Levy

Super Sacha: Ready for Glasgow… and the World?

Pittsburgh hockey fans still talk about the night Mario Lemieux five goals, each of a different variety. Even strength, power play, shorthanded, a penalty shot, and finally an empty netter. Super Mario's super night on New Year's Eve 1988 against the Devils signaled perhaps the NHL's finest single-game offensive performance by perhaps the league's greatest scorer.

So what of Sacha Kljestan's January 2009 hat trick in a friendly against Sweden on the night of Margarito v. Mosley? An outstanding free kick, a well taken penalty, and a goal through the run of play to finish it off. Was it equivalent to Lemieux's virtuoso performance? Not quite, but impressive nonetheless. And more importantly it emphatically made one of the same points to witnesses that Lemieux's goal-fest did twenty years ago.

This dude is better than the other dudes on the field/ice.

I'm a Sacha Kljestan fan. I've been a Sacha Kljestan fan since the 2007 Under-20 World Cup. And maybe even more importantly, I live with Super Fan #16. My roommate Raf has been on the Kljestan train as long as I have, but well, in a bigger way. He doesn't wear a t-shirt with an iron-on of the guy's face on it or anything, but in order to illustrate my point, here are some typical Raf quotes:

"Sacha Kljestan, best player in the world... worst case scenario, best American player in the world."

"Obviously Sacha's gonna take over for Gerrard at Liverpool when Stevie G gets too old, not even a question."

"Kljestan makes Michael Bradley look like a little girl."

While Raf may be a master of exaggeration, he's got the right idea. Kljestan outclassed a young and largely untested group of Americans and Swedes on Saturday night, and thoroughly established his national team pedigree. Furthermore, he's impressed with his ball distribution in WC qualifying with the rest of the regular first teamers.

Sacha's 23, has had success at every level he's been at, and seems to be on his way to Glasgow to play for Celtic, the Scottish Premier League Champions. It stands to reason that he's only going to get better in Britain. I know the American central midfield is crowded, but the role of starting attacking central MF should be Kljestan's to lose. I know he can play wing as well, but I can't justify supplanting Beasley or Dempsey, and I can no longer justify not starting Super Sacha. So I guess Bob Bradley's just going to have to lock his son, Mo Edu, Ricardo Clark, Stuart Holden, Pablo Mastroeni, and Eddie Lewis in some sort of a cage to fight it out over the remaining central midfield spot.

As far as other thoughts on Saturday night's game go, I now long to see the starting defense back on the field. While not an overly bad performance from Marvell Wynne (who drew the penalty!), Danny Califf and the boys, Onyewu and his merry men wouldn't have fallen asleep at the wheel on the two occasions that led to the goals. Up two and dominating possession, the Gooch's and Bocanegra's of the team keep getting stuck in and protect that clean sheet.

Blame for the two goals also falls on keeper Troy Perkins of course, but we can't be too hard on him since he is quite obviously a victim of The Curse of Tony Meola. Ever since Meola sported his savage ponytail in the '94 World Cup no befollicled keeper has had any real success for the national team. Oh we've had plenty of great keepers, but when you think about it; from Friedel to Keller to Howard, they've all been bald or balding. Even our World Cup 2014 goalie Brad Guzan has got some male pattern baldness going on. Sad to say, but Troy Perkins struggled because Troy Perkins has a full head of hair. Tony Meola does not abide.



And lastly, I think Brian Ching has proven to everyone that he deserves to be on this team on a regular basis. In a game where he was relatively quiet Ching still drew the foul that led to Sacha's free kick goal and assisted on the third goal. We all hope Jozy Altidore continues to develop into what he's capable of being, but right now, Ching is very much in the top striker conversation. It's going to be interesting to see who starts up front with Donovan when we get into hexagonal play.

Fourteen Minutes In, One Thing Certain

Danny Califf's tats are savage.

New Year Musings Before the Sweeden Match

Tonight on FSC-- the US Men's National Team plays their lone friendly before diving into hexagonal qualifying. The Yanks spent the end of 2008 giving oft-overlooked people like Kenny Cooper a look in a not quiet but not yet desperate effort to find additional offense for an attack that at times was anemic in the semifinals. Despite the lack of offensive fireworks, Bob Bradley's side seems to revel in defensive effort and keeping the other team out-- and in a region where offensive prowess is about as difficult to find as a quality Brendan Fraser flick-- this was good enough to get the Americans through with very little doubt. Their opponent in three weeks in Ohio, El Tri, can't say the same thing-- having slipped into the finals on goal differential alone after a particularly humbling home loss to Honduras to close qualifying. More on Mexico and the final group from Jon Levy later this weekend-- and perhaps this evening, depending on boxing and a Bad Religion Party that we both plan to administrate/attend/enjoy/imbibe things/hope that we have more than three people there to watch our favorite son, Daniel "Don't call me Cardiff City" Califf (Yeah that was terrible) play for his country against.... the Ghosts of Freddie Ljungberg.

That match should give Bradley a chance to look at some young players and place pressure on some of the younger members of the Yanks Senior team that will have to play large roles for South Africa to be a success. Look for more from my friend Raf Crowley's man-love Sacha Klejstan tonight-- who Raf assures will "dominate the game"-- and those of us who weathered the 5 am beginnings and sad endings in China this summer will be excited to get a look at Stuart Holden in the American midfield, along with the defensively stable Ricardo Clark, who will have a solo look to try to wrestle playing time away from the intelligent, savvy, and more gifted Maurice Edu.

Enjoy, and with that-- here are some thoughts on other fascinating developments with the Americans as they get set for the final push to 2010.

Landon Donovan-- Isn't it nice to hear Landon say "This is a dream, and I'd like to be here a long time", and not be referring to life in Los Angeles. Crediting David Beckham, Coach Juergen Klinsmann, his Bayern teammates, Bob Bradley-- anyone but himself-- Donovan has burst onto the scene with one of the world's finest clubs, scoring four goals in five games (would be five if not for a questioned offside flag) and appears poised to make Germans quickly forget about the departing Podolski, and give an American face to a side featuring such greats as Miroslav Klose, Luca Toni, Frank Ribery and Bastian Scweinsteiger.

Donovan, who, along with Tim Howard, is the premier American player in the world, seems finally ready to prove a point that I think is necessary-- elite Americans can play with elite non-Americans, and can shine. Donovan's breakthrough comes at a time when this reminder is necessary, as other young stars struggle for their moment in the European Sun.

Freddy Adu, to whom Donovan had seemingly passed the torch (anchor) of expectation as being America's international breakthrough player, has struggled to see the field in France.

Admittedly, Adu didn't play much at Benfica either, but at least in Portugal, people seemed to believe in Adu's promise, as anyone who watched him shine in China this summer does. It was Freddy's first year away from MLS, most importantly, when you perused Benfica's starting 11 -- featuring the likes of Rui Costa and Angel Di Maria -- it was at least understandable why Adu couldn't crack the lineup.

This is what makes his non-role on a lousy French team more eye-opening. Unless Freddy is as adverse to practice as Allen Iverson, there is no possible explanation why Adu can't play for currently 14th in the French Ligue 1 table. Monaco is weak sauce. They are a shameful outfit in dire need of a creative player. And-- worse-- when they do put him on the field--as in two weeks ago in a friendly against Juventus, he is their best players on the field. If you think I'm an American homer-- the title "Monaco's best player on the field" came straight from the mouth of Juventus boss Claudio Ranieri. How do you like them apples ? It seems the only managers Adu can't impress are his own.

Rationalizations aside -- like how this experience will toughen him or that just practicing in Europe makes him better -- the bottom line for anyone hoping for a banner six year run of American glory is this: Adu needs to play. His failure to start, or even be a regular substitute option, results in inactivity and the inactivity negatively impacts his game. If things don't change in the second half, he will be forced to seek another move in the summer-- and this time it won't be to a fine club like Benfica-- but perhaps a confidence deflating move to a Championship side in England. All this a shame-- when you think that other young American players, such as my golden boy, Clint Dempsey, who finally get on the field, tend to produce results. I'm not saying Adu is ready to put up a brace against Chelsea, like Dempsey did last month-- but certainly he has to be better than what an awful Monaco side has to offer.

Nine points! Nine out of nine possible! Yes!

Okay okay, I know we’re now the giants of CONCACAF and we’re supposed to beat teams like Guatemala, Cuba, and Trinidad & Tobago, but there’s a hell of a lot to be said for doing what you’re supposed to. Especially when you finish the first half of group play with a flourish like the team did on Wednesday night.

So, one time through the group, nothing but positive results, seems like a good time for reflection/evaluation. Kick back, get a drink (a celebratory one, not a beverage of the “drink the pain away” variety), and let’s do this thing.

The game away at Guatemala went exactly like most of us would have said it was going to go if we were asked beforehand.

Unnamed Friend or Coworker: Hey Jon, what’s the U.S. gonna look like in Gautemala tonight?

Me: Well Unnamed Friend or Coworker, it’s gonna be an ugly game. If you’re a fan of free flowing attacking football you should probably find something else to do. But if you’re a fan of professional boxing this game will probably keep you on the edge of your seat.

And sure enough we got treated to Lennox Lewis-Shannon Briggs, albeit on a barely maintained pitch and under ten-watt light bulbs.

The Guats (I can say Guats right? It makes them sound like a succulent sausage or fruit item) bunkered back and dared the Yanks to find a way to score, and eventually that good old American set piece goal reared its familiar head. This after pushing and shoving, bilingual insult hurling, red cards to each side, and bloodshed courtesy of Eddie Lewis’s head.

The result was a hard fought 1-0 victory in which the Americans demonstrated tremendous focus and will to win. Now I’m usually strongly against people who write about sports using such ambiguous terms. They usually come at the end of “throw away” sentences, but I don’t know how else to describe what I saw after Cherundolo’s red card. Everyone on the team seemed to get pissed, but in a productive “We’ll be damned if we’re gonna let the ref’s, Guatemala, or anyone else prevent us from winning this game,” kind of way. Beautiful.

The Cuba victory was beautiful in another way. The match away at Cuba was what anyone who follows college football would instantly recognize as a “trap game.” Florida on the road this year at Arkansas, USC at Washington State right after a clash with the AZ State, USA in Havana. Trap games. It’s the type of game we might have dominated for 85 minutes before giving up a penalty kick goal.

That didn’t happen! We dominated play and eventually we got the breakthrough, so be thankful and get the hell out of Cuba, after grabbing a couple cigars and a media noche of course. Note: For those readers not reared in South Florida, a media noche is a delicious Cuban sandwich that you can read more about on my food blog, Delicious Foods That Give Me
Gas.

What can I say about the stunningly offensive 3-0 victory over T&T in Chicago? I expected the guys to do that about as much as I expected the Chicago Bears to put up 29 on the Colts last Sunday night. Team U.S.A. looked like F.C. Barcelona out there, it was awesome!

Neil already weighed in on this game, so I’ll spare you the overlap and just add a couple comments of my own.

Sacha Kljestan. The kid is on his way to becoming an offensive maestro in the midfield. ESPN’s commentators seemed to think he really got himself into the game in the second half. I can only guess that this is because he had more room to dribble around in the second half, but dribbling isn’t the reason Sacha is becoming such a great player. I’m much more interested in where the ball goes when it leaves his feet, and it always seems to be going somewhere good. In the first half he sent a number of good through balls up the right side where most of our attacks were stemming from, and when such an opportunity isn’t available he almost always makes a useful pass. Kljestan made the pass that enabled the Dempsey-Beasley-Dempsey give and go that put the team up 2-0 and was prettiest play of the game. And for those of us that watched the Olympics or Chivas U.S.A., he can shoot too.

Set pieces. This team continues to score on them. Two set piece goals in the T&T game. This is very important. I understand that Trinidad & Tobago are our strongest opponents in this group, and it’s very encouraging that we were able to play such a successful open and attacking style of offense against them, but this will not be the norm against more formidable teams on the international stage. Hell, it might not be possible when we play a slightly less depleted T&T side back in Trinidad. This is why the ability to put those set pieces in the back of the net is key. We’re still a Mid-Major on the international stage, and much like the 3-ball in college hoops, the American set piece can be our great equalizer.

And finally, on Eddie Johnson. I get a text message during the game on Wednesday night from a friend who may or may not also write on this blog. Said text message disparaged Eddie Johnson on his way into the game. I responded with, “I bet he scores.” This response had everything to do with the sheer number of offensive opportunities the Americans were generating/being afforded. It had very little to do with any sort of esteem for the “striker” play of Mr. Johnson. I agree with Neil’s assessment, Johnson needs to go play at Cardiff City and earn himself another shot at the U.S. roster. In the meantime, Jozy Altidore should use the rest of goup play to find his niche with this team and develop chemistry with the guys that he should be playing alongside in the 2010 World Cup.

Finally-- An Attack Worth Cheering

The prior game had been a lesson to anyone willing to open their mind a bit and pay attention. Maybe it was a light in the head a bit brighter than the pitch in Havana. The United States and Bob Bradley's very, very conservative roster had managed two goals in two road matches (three in three really) and six points in the semifinal qualifying stage. 2-0-0, but unsatisfactory to many not willing to pay attention. It's tough on the road in WC qualifying, particularly in non-European qualifying where it's not just opposing fans-- it's the pitch itself (bumpy and uneven, with long grass to slow the fast Yanks down, such as one sees when USC Football plays on the road in the Pac-10). It's a Hurricane on one side of the island. It's security details to escort injured players off the pitch and into dank dressing rooms, such as Eddie Lewis received in Guatemala. Such is life on the road. And amidst criticisms from even friendly commentators that the U.S. Men's National Team was making no progress under Bob Bradley,

the Americans "limped" home atop their group, with the knowledge that their most technical opponent lie in front of them.

My how a beautiful Wednesday night in suburban Chicago can change one's tune. Finally, there was video evidence of one thing I'd been preaching to fellow US Men's National Team fans and skeptical, not yet on the wagon friends all along: "These guys are good...it is hard on the road, and Bradley wants the points so he can have liberty and safe freedom to experiment with a roster we are more likely to see in 2010." I can't say that is my exact quote to my pals, but give me some leeway. The U.S. win last night certainly does that for them. A couple of things are worth noting immediately.

a. The Michael Bradley "slump" is over, and the youngster is emerging as the type of force most terrific European sides have.

It wasn't just the goal--it was the proof that at 21 he's our best option in the central midfield. Defensively last night he intercepted several passes that set up chances for his teammates. His interception and quick pass to Klejstan in the first half directly led to Clint Dempsey's goal which gave the U.S. a commanding 2-nil lead. His move to the Bundesliga will challenge him in ways that will help in the final stage of qualifying-- notably in helping him continue to do what he did last night-- which is venture a bit further into the attacking third and be involved in the attack. His diagonal passing is superior to everyone on the team save Demarcus Beasley, which leads me to observation

b. Beasley is back

The Cuba game can either be chalked up to fitness, the wet pitch, the tall grass (Beas changed cleats three times) or a tough night at the office. Either way, he was back to his defensive best last night, intercepting balls, making aggressive yet safe tackles, and quickly turning his defense into offense-- the very trait that makes him among the most successful Yanks abroad. Beasley won a free kick that led to the Americans opening goal, and his two man game with Dempsey led to the second. Not to be denied a part in all 3 American scores, his free kick in the second half led to Brian Ching's final goal. DeMarcus is not the creative force offensively that Landon Donovan or Clint Dempsey is. But if Beasley can regain his starting spot in Scotland, which he should, he can continue to improve and be the Yanks' most viable threat in quick transition.

Finally, I think Jon will have other thoughts-- but how about
c. Eddie Johnson is out of time.

With nine points in our back pocket, it is certainly time for new faces at the forward spot. And while terminally this decision is up to coach Bradley, and we are without evidence at this point that EJ does not have naked photos of Bradley with another woman, addressed to Bob's wife to hold as blackmail-- one can only imagine that the 23 uninspired minutes of play from EJ last night may be the final straw. Johnson's career began with so much promise. But last night, even his only remaining attribute, his great speed, was lacking. He lacked hustle, continued to display the worst first touch in the history of the world (mishandling a great ball from Klejstan) and could not stay onside. His two flailing attempts in the box denied the Yanks a throat cutting fourth, and with Jozy Altidore appearing ready to go in Villareal, and MLS leading scorer and European Super Club target Kenny Cooper finally on Bradley's radar, Johnson's only real play may come in Cardiff City, where he is certain to not have the space that Trinidad and Tobago, trailing three goals, afforded the struggling Yank last night. All in all- a splendid result.

On Beginnings

It is finally here. After a long and mostly unsatisfactory stretch of friendlies where the Yanks saved their finest play for last; after an Olympic Tournament that saw our young future burn brightly and fade tragically into the humid, Beijing night-- we've reached the first semifinal group match of our trek to South Africa 2010. We play a Guatemala side that traditionally gives us trouble on its home turf. The Yanks are 1-4-4 in 9 matches historically in Guatemala, but the number is a bit deceptive. The 06 group played to a meaningless draw after securing qualification, and the 02 group did not lose, drawing instead to a Guatemala side that bunkered in, as one would expect the Guatemalans to do in Guatemala City tonight. A few thoughts on challenges before kickoff.

First, what to do at forward? Eddie Johnson is with the team and will likely be slotted in the starting 11. I can't emphasize how strongly I disagree with this decision. He possesses tremendous speed but is horrible on the ball, has the worst first touch in the history of the world, and his recent inability to finish in the six cost the US at least a draw against eventual European Champion Spain. I'd like to see Brian Ching.

For all of Ching's faults, he did manage a brace in opening round qualifying against Barbados. Ching makes intelligent runs and plays with rarely seen effort. All of these qualities are admirable and field-worthy in my opinion in the absence of Jozy Altidore, who remains in Spain partly due to Bradley's deference to the club on its new transfer.

If Bradley were to decide to play Landon Donovan in a midfield role-- then the other options up top, outside of Ching and Johnson are simply Clint Dempsey, who has struggled against elite sides but has excelled in qualifying matches stateside and makes the optimal choice.

Dempsey's struggles can also be attributed at least in part due to fatigue following a long, difficult season in England -- but he rebounded to score a brace against Barbados in the blowout. His other options are Johnson and Ching. One of these two players must produce now, because Bradley's deference to Villareal won't last forever and he is clearly the future of the side at the striker position. Johnson surely is running out of chances, and Ching's age may impede him from being more than a mascot in South Africa. Either way-- given the choice between frustrating talent and great effort, I'd play Brian Ching.

This is clearly the most difficult choice this evening, and the most worrisome one (outside of the condition of the pitch) given the strength of the American back to defend against Guatemala and its world class counterattacker Carlos Ruiz. A 0-0 draw will be an ideal result for the Guatemalans, and a stumble for the Yanks out of the block is more dire in this group given the uncertainty of a trip to Cuba.

Here is my ideal lineup to counter the 0-0 result:

This would be most ideal:

Howard


Pearce--------------Oneywu--------------Bocanegra---------------Cherundolo


Beasley---------------------Edu-----------Bradley--------------------Dempsey


Donovan---------Ching


Substitutes utilized:

Klejstan for Clint, around the 60th minute

Adu for Ching, around the 50th minute, tactically bump Lando up

Hejduk for Pearce if tied late, 80th minute or thereabouts.




We win 1-0.