Awesomeness

My buddy Ben is awesome

The Chelsea flag is not as awesome. In fact, it is horrible.

More From Nashville

The Yanks 3-0 victory Wednesday in what at the very least could be called an "important" fixture in their World Cup journey brought the breathing among Sam's Army, the American Outlaws, and other followers back to a measured pace, but it also highlighted both the problems that still exist with Bob Bradley's side and, on the brighter edge of the story, the potential (a word I loathe) the side has.

Bradley's choice to employ a 4-4-2 very possibly could be the more long-lasting story of a game that will be remembered quite simply as Jozy Altidore's coming out party. Many are critical of the idea of deploying two strikers who are hold-the-ball up players and very similar-- but for the Yanks, the strategy may have been one that gives the United States its best offensive opportunities. In what was its most dominant performance of qualifying (with all due respect to the blasting of Barbados in the semifinal round), the U.S. finally involved my man of the match, Landon Donovan, in a way that allowed him to make deep and penetrating runs onto his dominant right foot. By utilizing him at the left of the midfield, Bradley managed to put Donovan (FINALLY) in a place where he is best fit-- attacking defenders with the ball and receiving constant passes that eliminate the problems he was having as a second forward trying to find the ball heavily marked.

Additionally, Altidore's hat trick suggests that he is, despite the insanity of Xerez coaches, ready for prime time and certainly ready to be a fixture in the American lineup. Much of his great play should be credited to the workmanlike, efficient Brian Ching, whose head flick to Donovan on the first goal was absolutely brilliant and whose physicality and ability to hold the ball is the perfect complement for the 19 year old Floridian Altidore, who again demonstrated his ability to find himself in great positions on the field. While Altidore missed an open net from a yard away that is youtube "How did that happen worthy"-- his performance was admirable, and even though the T and T defense often looked unorganized and undisciplined, Altidore took his goals well, particularly his second goal, where he put a move on the T and T defender following a fine ball from the left by Landon Donovan, who had three assists.

Altidore still shows flashes of curiosity alongside his brilliance, and at times Yanksarecoming blogger friend Raf Crowley looked at me in astonishment-- as if to ask-- "What exactly is Jozy doing?"-- but all-in-all when you score three goals the little things, such as his tendency to come too far way from the middle of the attack, or questionable passes backwards, are less immediately concerning.

These positives are further enhanced by the fine wine play of Frankie Hejduk-- who continued to make blistering runs (often aided by tremendous footwork and flick passing of Clint Dempsey, who played an undervalued game on the American right flank) up the right flank. While Hejduk's crosses were for the most part poor and one wonders if he'll ever lift his head when he crosses the ball-- the runs are dangerous in stretching defenses and questions will have to be asked when Steve Cherundolo returns as to whether or not both will play, or DeMarcus Beasley, who started on the left and made terrific overlapping runs and has great chemistry with Donovan, will continue to start.

Beasley has always been a tenacious defender for a midfielder, and his substitution against Italy in the World Cup in 06 was more than likely the difference between the outmanned Americans losing or gaining their only point in Germany against the eventual World Champions, and while analysts are right that the speedy Carlos Edwards ran by DeMarcus at times, they are wrong to omit that never did Edwards turn the corner on Beasley, and all of the fine T and T flank man's crosses were contested-- resulting in very little service from the most dangerous service man the Soca Warriors have to offer.

These positives should elicit a tinge of concern, or at least questions, going forward. I've listed these in a-d order-- and welcome any comments and hope a discussion begins on these questions:

a. Michael Bradley's passing is so good that a move permanantly to non-holding mid is beginning to make sense-- but Mastroeni at home against a weak opponent reeks of desperation. Why not supply a creative force in the back and then have a luxury most teams don't-- a defensive mid who can make brilliant passes in the attack ? With Klejstan (my choice), Freddy Adu ( a common choice), or even Jose Francisco Torres, whose imagination led to the third American goal and who heavily influenced the comeback in San Salvador-- the U.S. could deploy Bradley as the holding mid and retain offensive creativity-- much like the Netherlands gets to do with the exceptional Nigel DeJong.

b. Why are Jon Spector and Freddy Adu relegated to the bench and not playing ? It could be club form-- but Spector continues to play a great deal for a team vying for Europe (West Ham of London). If it is club form-- two things are notable-- first-- the 2010 team is coming into view because players are running out of time to make an impression. Two-- thank God the US trailed 2-0 in El Salvador. If not-- who knows if Altidore plays and impacts the game, and if he does not play, his hat trick in Nashville does not happen because Bradley has no reason or confidence to play him or change formulas.

c. Carlos Bocanegra was much better, and is the captain, but Danny Califf was better against El Salvador and how sure are we that he is the right complement with Oneywu, who was solid Wednesday but continues to be a bit foul prone ??

d. Tougher sledding ahead.... two qualifiers (@ Costa, Honduras) and then the Confederations Cup... is the Gold Cup that follows the last chance a Robbie Findlay, or Stu Holden, or GASP Freddy Adu has to make an impression on Bob Bradley and contribute in the World Cup ?

That's all. All in all, a Rachel Getting Married performance for the Yanks and a lead in the Hexagonal.

Yankette of the Month

Anne Hathaway, herself a big fan of international soccer, and Juve of Turin, would almost surely agree that El Tri is a three-colored cluster!@#$ after the firing of Sven-Goran Eriksson, who apparently is so relieved to be rid of the post that he's already searching for an EPL return. Good luck with that Sven ! Meanwhile, rumors swirl that Javier Aguirre, most recently the head man at Atletico Madrid, will return home again... we will see.

Either way, interesting article and write up by Luis Bueno on the El Tri disaster at CNNSI-- the TriColores may have great trouble getting to South Africa if they do not improve quickly.


More on the sights, sounds, and happenings in the 3-0 win in Nashville soon. It wasn't as wonderful as Hathaway, but more or less it was the finest American performance in a long while.

The USA vs. T&T Blog

With the anthems and kickoff just minutes away, some thoughts on the lineup for tonight's match:

First off, and perhaps most importantly, Gooch is back. Will his presence alone makeup for the woeful inadequacies on defense in the El Salvador game? No. But he should be the stabilizing defensive force that he usually is, and that alone makes the team more solid at the back. Not to mention the size, strength, and aerial goal scoring threat he brings to the table. Hopefully he's back to one hundred percent.

As far as Bradley's other lineup decisions go, I'll applaud him putting Jozy Altidore in the starting lineup, but was very disappointed by the exclusion of both Jonathan Spector and Freddy Adu from the squad entirely. I'd also rather see Kljestan starting on the field than on the substitutes bench, but coming off a bad game the decision is understandable. My buddy Raf (Super Sacha Fan #16) is gonna be pissed.

Alright, kickoff time, more later.

11th Minute: What position is DeMarcus Beasley playing? With this three defender lineup it looks like Boca and Gooch are both playing central defense, Hejduk is on the right, and the left side of the field has been left to Beasley... the WHOLE left side of the field, endline to endline. I'm a big DeMarcus supporter but we can't have him defending the left flank, just not his skill set.

12th Minute: GOAL! Clinical Donovan cross from the left side deep in the box, straight to Jozy's foot for the one-timer finish. One-nil Yanks! Great leaping effort to get his foot to the ball by Altidore.

Also, Bob Bradley pulls Beasley aside during the celebration for a chat. Now Beasley seems hesitant to even cross midfield into the offensive end. Why start DeMarcus if you're not gonna let him play his game? He's not a tenacious defender but maybe Bradley likes his pace against the speedy Trinidadians (and Tobagans).

26th Minute: Jozy should have just bagged his second goal, but he squanders a great chance. As he matures as a striker, balls like that have got to go in the net.

28th Minute: Just as I was thinking Clint Dempsey was having a quiet game, the Fulham man hits a nifty back-heel that sends Frankie Hejduk free down the right wing, something Frankie's getting accustomed to today. Hejduk sends great service into the box, but to no avail.

40th Minute: Beasley's getting help on the left flank from Bocanegra now and pushing forward a bit. A wonderful exchange involving him, Landon, and Ching results in cross from deep on the left side of the T&T box that reaches Altidore's foot roughly one yard in front of an open goal mouth. He puts it over the net. To say he missed a point blank chance is an understatement. It was actually a lot harder to do what he did than it would have been to score a goal from that position. One minute later Altidore gets a free header from the middle of the box and cranks it directly at the goalkeeper. Frustrating.

Halftime. USA 1 T&T 0.

This team is playing exciting attacking football with creative buildup in the midfield, reminiscent of the home game against T&T in September in the last round of WC qualifying.

70th Minute: A great left footed strike from Jozy! Yanks up two nil! Donovan with the perfect pass to spring Altidore free on the run, Landon's probably been the man of the match to this point. And it's great to see Jozy strike again with after he was off the mark late in the first half.

80th Minute: Torres for Chinger.

83rd Minute: Kljestan for Dempsey, I'm assuming Raf just got very excited.

88th Minute: Hat Trick Altidore! And why not! Donovan and Torres alone with the keeper pass amongst themselves and eventually give it up to the trailing Altidore who puts enough mustard on the shot from the top of the box to get it to the back of the net despite a touch from the keeper! My only disappointment is that there aren't any hats on the field! Give it up Yanks fans! Throw that cap!

Game! USA 3 T&T 0!

Now Or Never in Nashville

Okay. So before everyone jumps off a cliff-- let's accentuate one positive. The United States, thoroughly outplayed for 70 plus minutes, managed to play 20 minutes of soccer the way they are capable of playing and tie a game in San Salvador that they had no business getting a point in. Jozy Altidore was masterful off the bench, and his brilliant touch in the interminable stoppage time should have led to three points from the jaws of zero-- but Brian Ching, one of the only reliable players on the field for the United States all night, hammered his shot right into the chest of the El Salvador keeper Saturday evening and later had a bicycle kick fall four yards shy of three points and one of the more glorious comebacks in the history of the U.S. Men's National Team. Regrettably, outside of the continued dominance of Michael Bradley, who is quickly (hush...don't say it too loud) becoming America's finest player not named Tim Howard or Steve Cherundolo...I have now run out of positives, and as Jon and I prepare to depart for Nashville, I leave you with some general musings and frustrations.

There are so many negatives from Saturday night's epic 2-2 draw in El Salvador in front of 30,500 maniacal fans of the team in blue and white.

First, the obvious--- El Salvador, a side ranked 106 in the world, is the worst team in the hexagon and most the teams in the group will think they can access three points on the road there. This puts the United States in the precarious position of being atop the hexagon alone but feeling it must win against the islanders from Trinidad Wednesday evening-- because the other sides will feel they can overtake the Americans with three points in El Salvador. Certainly this will be Mexico's view. What looked like an unstoppable qualifying run-- the smoothest American run yet-- has now become a dogfight, and a daring and dangerous dogfight if there is no result Wednesday against a Trinidad side that with Sunderland striker KeWayne Jones has the best striker in the entire qualifying group, with all due respect to Yanks are Coming Hero Brian Ching and Mexico's elite European benchwarmers. Quite simply, there is now very little margin for error and the U.S. may have to hope to qualify the old way-- 3 at home, 1 on the road, and zero at the Azteca.

Second, we miss Steve Cherundolo at the back, and we miss him a bunch. Heath Pearce gave the nightmare performance this blog has been afraid of since he claimed the starting spot on the left. His passing was horrible, his pace was slower than he has seemed in ages, and he took a horrible angle on Quintanilla goal that opened El Salvador's account. Steve provides stability to one side-- and we need him fit. In the interim, Jon Spector, the fine young defender who has aided West Ham United's run at Europe and his impressed none other than Gianfranco Zola with his recent form-- deserves a look and deserves one now. That position, in any scenario-- is one that is wide open heading into the meat of the hexagon.

Third, despite Jozy Altidore's mesmerizing performance, European benchwarming is having a destructive impact on our national team's form. I don't know why this hasn't been more emphatically emphasized by other commentators-- but let's shoot straight. Is it not clear that our best players are the ones consistently on the field abroad: Michael Bradley will get relegated but is the best player on his Bundesliga side and will find a new home next season. Bradley's work ethic is tireless and he was deservedly gassed when replaced in stoppage time. Clint Dempsey was a bit erratic with his passing at times but all in all was the Americans finest starter on the pitch Saturday, and his long ball to Brian Ching set up Altidore's finish that gave the Yanks life. His form at Fulham, who is making its own run for Europe-- is unquestioned and he is even begrudgingly admitted to be, among the English Craven Cottage faithful, the best player Fulham has. Beyond those two, Danny Califf, who was decent Saturday but is slow as a turtle, and Howard-- the other field players in Europe can't find the field and the impact of that is performances like the woeful efforts of DeMarcus Beasley Saturday evening and the absolute disappearance of the Yanks only global "brand name", Landon Donovan. I understand that marking Donovan is more or less the strategy of all American opponents- but it is imperative the Americans get more out of Landon than he offered Saturday, and in fact, against Mexico.

Fourth, changes to the lineup are inevitable but let's hope Bradley doesn't get carried away. Sacha Klejstan is either suffering from Samson syndrome since the haircut, or, more likely-- simply had a bad night. His defensive prowess against Mexico was eye-opening-- but Sacha's game is offense and his passing was poor and led to his replacement by the exciting young Torres Saturday. While Torres excited with his play-- rushing him into the lineup seems a strange and reverting to Pablo Mastroeni, while safe in qualifying, does little to help the Yanks future prospects. As much as Bob Bradley is correct in arguing that qualifying is not about "the future" or giving players a long look-- it should still be about putting the best team on the field in 2010-- and Klejstan is critical to that goal. Klejstan played awful-- but his creative potential and danger on free kicks is necessary and to this point far more proven than those of Jose Francisco Torres, a fine young player in his own right who brings more pace than Sacha but is not as creative a passing force. Both players aren't yet 23, but this blog would stick with Klejstan.

Spector is worth a look at left back, as discussed above. He has more pace than Pearce, and is accustomed to flashy wing play which is the cup of tea of the year in the EPL. The U.S. will need that presence against speedy T and T winger Carlos Edwards-- and Bradley is left with little choice. Beyond that, Brian Ching continues to be the most steady presence at Striker, but it is infinitely possible that after a maestro substitute performance that should make the Xerez coaches acknowledge their anti-American bias and laugh at themselves-- Jozy Altidore will be on the field. One option is to pair Ching and Jozy together-- which pushes Donovan into a midfield role, a move which may utilize Landon's great skill at running at defenders and allow Bradley to replace another European outcast-- Glasgow Rangers DeMarcus Beasley. Whatever happens, the U.S. must play more attacking soccer against T and T-- and stop being so cautious. Home crowds often create that type of confidence-- but home draws and losses in World Cup qualifying do much to erode confidence. That's why Saturday makes Nashville a now or never, far too early in qualifying.

A Bad Week For Mexican Sports

First Antonio Margarito was suspended from boxing in the states for the next year.

What's in that glove Tony? Roll of quarters?

Then El Tri got thumped two-nil in Columbus by the Yanks. Rafa Marquez's red card for an idiotic spikes-up challenge on American goalkeeper Tim Howard didn't help matters.

You just pose there on the sidelines buddy, that's as useful as you can be next game.

But take heart Mexican sports fans, baseball season is just around the corner, and that brings with it one undeniable truth.

Alfredo Amezaga is awesome!

More on the actual U.S. Men's National team soon!

Must Win For Sven ? And Other La Guerra Fria Musings

I'm cutting it close on the preview of tonight's Final Round World Cup Qualifying Opener against Mexico. This is without a doubt the type of game that explains to skeptical pals why I love US Men's National Team Soccer, and international play generally. Tonight's clash in Columbus, dubbed "La Guerra Fria" by the Mexican Media Throng that follows El Tri around the world(That's the "Cold War" for the English-only at home)won't be played in a blizzard as the weather has cooperated with El Tri and temperatures should stay around 50, instead of the 20 or so that Bob Bradley and US Soccer had in mind when they scheduled the game at this location months ago. However, it is quite fitting that this rivalry to begin the final qualifying phase takes place on the same day as UNC-Duke-- which is undoubtedly the biggest rivalry in American collegiate athletics (this is without argument-- so don't tell me about Ohio State-Michigan football or Auburn-Alabama or even Florida-Georgia because you are hopelessly wrong and the issue is beyond debate) and arguably the largest rivalry in American sport, next to Yankees-Red Sox and Packers-Bears. The clash on Tobacco Road has cooperated with the 4 letter network so no TIVO for both is needed. So Mexico and the United States take center stage tonight. The rivalry was for fifty years dominated by George W. Bush's "mejor amigo" to the South-- but that has changed in the last ten years and since Landon Donovan's brilliant header in the First Knock Out Round @ the 2002 World Cup, seen with this link at the 2 minute mark, the United States has had a virtual stronghold on the rivalry, losing only on Mexican soil. Mexico has failed on US Soil for ten years in qualifying, and there is scant reason to believe US domination will not continue tonight.

American dominance has taken a toll on the spirit of Mexicans everywhere. They've even resorted to voodoo dolls of American players, in hopes that black magic can give the Mexicans their first qualifying points of any kind on US soil since a 2-2 draw in Boston in 1997. The hatred runs beyond voodoo dolls. Chants of "Osama, Osama" have rained from the Azteca. Landon Donovan has relieved himself on Mexican soil and issued what can only be called a platitude in apology. Gooch's stare down of Borgetti, seen above, is the stuff of absolute legend. For American players who have chosen Mexico instead of their land of origin, including the possible starter on the wide left, Jose Francisco Torres, the game has even a higher level of elevated meaning. The good news for the Yanks is that in Columbus, they likely will have a rare homefield crowd. While no one doubts that the Hispanic and Mexican population in Ohio is an important and growing one-- the Americans can expect the crowd to be favorable to the Red, White, and Blue. With the table set-- there are a few very interesting things about this game, and I'll do my best to note three of them.

First, Jeff Carlisle notes that the US is a heavy favorite. The Mexicans have struggled mightily on offense and only slipped into the qualifying hexagon on goal difference. With Carlos Vela out due to international suspension, El Tri will have to hope to get enough out of the immensely talented "Golden-generation" player Nery Castillo and his compatriot Omar Bravo to score goals. There is no question the likes of Castillo, Bravo, Gio Dos Santos and Andres Guardado have enough skill and creativity to break down the US defense-- one wonders about their form, as Dos Santos and Castillo in particular have had trouble seeing the field abroad. Carlos Vela has seen limited action for Arsenal as well, but his suspension means that concern is a non-starter. So El Tri will have to search for offense in places where it is less confident it can garner it. As such, one imagines that the real goal of Sven Goran Erikkson's side is to garner a draw. This would be an excellent result for El Tri and put great pressure on the U.S. to win all home matches from here out in the Hexagon. To get a draw, the Mexicans must get great play in the back from the confident Rafa Marquez and the newly fit Pavel Pardo. Pardo is particularly important, given that the U.S. may have a very inexperienced group in the midfield, at least in terms of players who have played in games of this magnitude. If Klejstan is moved out wide left due to Beasley's lack of form and lack of playing time internationally (less a concern after his friendly goal against Barca this past week)-- then expect the Mexicans to play their typical game of dictating tempo and bringing the game to their opponents. This concerns me, because while I drink a small amount of Klejstan kool-aid-- I have recognized that Sacha is less apt when he is given less space-- and tends to struggle when under constant pressure. Bradley's successes too have come in games where opponents are more content to bunker-in-- and despite the Yanks clear mental edge in the rivalry, often times it is a patient and counterattacking American side that has gotten the better of Mexico on the scoreboard, but not necessarily in the run of play.

Second, I've been asked what I'd do in the back with Steve Cherundolo out with injury. I think the American defense is one of the most organized and underappreciated in the World. This is highly evident when you look at player ratings on things like video games. Try winning the World Cup, or even reaching the 16 with America in Winning 11, and you will see what I mean. They are way better than folks think. That said, without Cherundolo, Bradley will likely call on the 34 year old effort engine Frankie Hejduk to fill the void. This gives the Yanks a back four of Gooch, the Captain, the steady and constantly improving, yet out-of-season abroad Heath Pearce and the very limited offensively Hejduk. It is possible that he will go for pace with Jonathan Bornstein-- but I have serious questions about his ability to maintain markings despite his pace. I've never seen anyone go from World Class Transfer target to MLS All Star to Goat faster than Bornstein did at the last Copa America, where for 45 minutes he made Lionel Messi look pedestrian, and then the next 45 minutes were played. Marvell Wynne is the final option, and he has more pace than most the cars at Daytona this week-- but he's played in a career total of zero games of this magnitude, much less started. He'll see the field in the Hexagon b/c we need options in 2010-- but not tonight.

On the wing-- Beasley seems to be the best option on talent-- but he's not on the field enough at Ibrox to make it a no-brainer. Ricardo Clark may start in the midfield, bumping Klejstan out wide left with Dempsey free to roam on the right and Bradley distributing and holding. That makes sense-- but Bradley may remain loyal to DeMarcus and not risk an Arena type riff, meaning no Ricardo and the brilliantly in form Sacha in the midfield. This leads me to three....

Finally, What's with the Anger About Brian Ching on US Message Boards. CNNSI author Jonah Freedman echoes my sentiments on why it is high time for Sam's Army to stop being bitter and appreciate the gritty Ching: My fellow bloggite Jon and I, and our pal Raf have a longstanding man-crush on Brian that gives him Paul Bunyan/Tim Tebow superpowers-- and I myself have a group of awards I give out for the hardest working, grittiest, toughest player who displays the most corozan in each sport--- "The Brian Ching Awards." I am reminded that sometimes we don't appreciate grit until it is gone-- and with Brian in a lone center forward position tonight-- I challenge people to enjoy him while you can. No one works as hard as Brian Ching, and as a Czech man told me shortly after an embarrassing loss to open the World Cup-- "Don't worry. Brian Ching will score goals." The fact that he sported a San Jose Earthquakes jersey is neither here nor there-- he had the right idea.

So enjoy it tonight. We'll have a complete wrap up here after-- and don't be surprised with Javier Aguirre recently dismissed from his managerial duties at Atletico Madrid, if Sven must win to prevent El Tri from making another desperate and hasty managerial change.