USSD's 23 for South Africa, v1.0

In his first interview since his tragic October car accident, Charlie Davies optimistically stated that he thinks he will be ready for next summer's World Cup. While USMNT fans should not chalk Charlie into the lineup, it is encouraging that his recovery is going well enough that he can even think about such a possibility. Beyond soccer, it's good to see that all is going smoothly, likely allowing Davies to once again lead a normal life.

Nevertheless, Davies' optimism got USSD thinking about who will be on Bob Bradley's roster come next June. As we get closer to South Africa, we'll revise and adjust this list as necessary. But for now, here's USSD's first draft of the USMNT World Cup roster.

Goalkeepers

1) Tim Howard- No surprise here. Howard has cemented his spot on the roster with numerous quality performances for the USMNT over the past couple years. While Brad Guzan might challenge the Everton keeper for the #1 spot in the future, Howard has the starting gig secured for now, and barring any injury, he will be between the posts for the USMNT in South Africa.

2) Brad Guzan- Despite infrequent appearances with club and country, Guzan has managed to stay sharp and play well in his rare starts. Against Egypt in the Confederations Cup, Guzan posted a clean sheet that was key in the USMNT's shock second place finish in group play. Recently, he put on a magnificent display in Carling Cup play against Sunderland, saving a penalty kick late in regulation, a breakaway in extra time, and three spot kicks after extra time. Guzan would be a starter on many teams, and could very well attract some offers in the near future.

3) Troy Perkins- Perkins showed well in this past summer's Gold Cup (excluding the 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Mexico, where Perkins had little defensive help). He is getting consistent playing time in Norway with club side Valerenga and would be a capable fill in should the unthinkable happen to Guzan and Howard.

Defenders

1) Carlos Bocanegra- Little explanation needed, as Bocanegra has been a mainstay in the Bob Bradley era. Bocanegra also is a versatile option for Bradley, as he could slide out to left back (his position at Stade Rennes) if two other healthy centerbacks can patrol the middle. Which brings us to...

2) Jay DeMerit- DeMerit had a great Confederations Cup tournament and will likely reassert himself in the Watford lineup once he recovers from eye surgery. DeMerit will have a couple months to get back into game shape, so barring any complications, he should be ready to go for South Africa.

3) Oguchi Onyewu- Despite his knee injury, I'm optimistic that Onyewu will be back in time for South Africa. Onyewu has been rehabbing extensively with Charlie Davies and the USMNT doctors. With Davies making such fantastic progress under the care of the USMNT doctors, I would think that Onyewu too can have a successful recovery and rehab process. Though Onyewu will likely get little game action before South Africa (if any), I would expect Bradley to pick Onyewu if he is healthy enough to play at the international level.

4) Jonathan Spector- Spector showed in the November friendlies that he is also a capable centerback in addition to having the ability to play at left or right back. He had a good showing in the Confederations Cup and has been earning consistent playing time with West Ham as of late.

5) Steve Cherundolo- The Hannover veteran continues to be a consistent starter in the Bundesliga and has played well with the national team as of late. He and Spector will likely be battling for the starting right back spot.

6) Jonathan Bornstein- Bornstein has been maddeningly inconsistent, following up his good performance against Costa Rica with two poor showings against Slovakia and Denmark. Nevertheless, the lack of depth at left back means that the Chivas USA defender will likely be in South Africa next summer.

7) Edgar Castillo- Again, Bob Bradley does not have many left back options. Castillo's ability to get forward and also play in the midfield are valuable assets, and the Las Cruces native could very well take the starting spot from Bornstein some time in the spring.

8) Jimmy Conrad- Bradley might want to bring along a veteran backup with World Cup experience that can be a good locker room guy. Conrad is a solid option with a fair share international appearances on his resume, which might make him the more attractive option over a younger player like Clarence Goodson.

Midfielders

1) Landon Donovan- As the USMNT's best player, there is little explanation needed for Landon Donovan's inclusion in this list.

2) Clint Dempsey- Dempsey has established himself as a star for Fulham and scored several clutch goals for the USMNT this summer. The question isn't so much whether Dempsey will be on the roster, but whether he will be there in a midfielder or forward role.

3) Michael Bradley- Bradley has been getting a ton of minutes in Borussia Monchengladbach's recent Bundesliga resurgence. He has also been a consistent starting at center mid for USMNT, something that will likely carry over to South Africa.

4) Stuart Holden- Holden exploded onto the USMNT scene this past summer after a very successful Gold Cup. The Houston Dynamo midfielder has created a number of chances as a spark off the bench, including a good showing at Estadio Azteca in his first World Cup qualifying appearance. If Dempsey slides up top, Holden would be one of the favorites to start out wide in the midfield.

5) Benny Feilhaber- Feilhaber provides some creativity in the middle of the field and had a decent pair of November friendlies. He is getting consistent starts with AGF Aarhus, and has been used as a super-sub by Bob Bradley with some success.

6) Ricardo Clark- Though Maurice Edu and Jermaine Jones might be the more exciting options, they are both injured and have not proven themselves at the international level. Clark had a great game against Spain in the Confederations Cup and has been Bob Bradley's defensive midfielder of choice. Clark will be best served by moving to a club in the winter window where he will get playing time, so as to keep him sharp and on Bob Bradley's radar.

7) Jose Francisco Torres- Torres has shown good poise and composure on the ball in his recent appearances. His calmness on the ball helps control the tempo from the middle of the field. Torres provides another option at center mid and has been getting a decent chunk of playing time with Pachuca.

8) Robbie Rogers- Rogers provides a left footed option at outside mid. The Crew starter had some bright moments in the November and has speed to attack opposing backlines.

Forwards

1) Jozy Altidore- Altidore has earned his spot on the roster with some dynamic performances during this past summer. Jozy has also been putting in some good performances with Hull City in recent weeks. The former New York Red Bull will almost certainly be a starter in South Africa.

2) Robbie Findley- This is somewhat speculative, but Findley earns a spot in the 23 based on his form with Real Salt Lake (we avoided speculation on Edu and Jones since they lack international experience and are coming off significant injuries). Findley will likely get a look in January and could help fill the void left by Charlie Davies' unfortunate injuries. In RSL's Cinderella MLS Cup run, Findley showed great pace and a nose for goal that caused a lot of problems for the opposing defense.

3) Jeff Cunningham- Cunningham scored his first international goal against Denmark in November with a composed left-footed finish, and overall had a decent November with the USMNT. Cunningham's speed and injury could be valuable late off the bench against heavy legs.

4) Brian Ching- Bob Bradley loves to have a target forward on his roster, which most likely means that Ching or Conor Casey will make the trip to South Africa. Aside from his unexpected clutch performance in Honduras, Casey has made little impact with the USMNT. Because of Casey's poor play, Ching gets the target forward role in the 23.


So there you have, USSD's first edition of the 23-man World Cup roster. And who knows, maybe Charlie Davies is right, and he'll work his way back onto this list by the time next summer rolls around.

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Top 10 USMNT Moments: 1989-2009

It's a little over a week late, but to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Paul Caliguri's "shot heard 'round the world" (November 19th, 1989), USSD is going to attempt to make a Top 10 list of the best USMNT moments from the last 20 years.

Now, 20 years is a long time, so I've tried to give an even distribution throughout the years. It's also hard to narrow down the top 10 out of such a long span, so I'm sure I'll miss something. In the event that happens, feel free to let me know. With that, USSD's top 10 from 1989-2009, with some pictures and videos linked for your viewing pleasure:

10) October 14, 2009: Charlie Davies tribute- It was a touching scene at RFK on the last day of qualification when thousands of "9" cards were held up during the 9th minute to honor Davies, who was in the hospital after a tragic car accident. Had Conor Casey put away an open chance in the 9th minute, RFK might have erupted; regardless, it was a memorable tribute and showed the overwhelming support and solidarity of USMNT fans.

9) November 2, 1997: Tie at Azteca- It's no secret that the USMNT struggles mightily at Estadio Azteca, so the team's lone positive result in Mexico City earns a spot on the list. Eric Wynalda, who is said to have been coughing up soot and blood at halftime, described Estadio Azteca by saying, "Imagine putting a treadmill in the middle of Mile High Stadium and having a blow-dryer blast hot ashes into your face." Against all odds, the US managed to hang on to a draw, and this remains the lone point the US has earned at Azteca in World Cup qualification. A memorable match, indeed.

8) February 10, 1998: Kasey Keller v. Brazil- The US was able to defeat perennial powers Brazil in the 1998 CONCACAF Gold Cup thanks to an amazing display by Kasey Keller. Keller made 10 saves, including several spectacular short-range stops. After one such save, Brazil's Romario just shook Keller's hand, a significant display of respect from one of the world's all-time greats. Following the game, head coach Steve Sampson said of Keller, "I think it has to rate as the single greatest performance by a goalkeeper in US soccer history."

7) June 24, 2007: Benny Feilhaber's Gold Cup winner- The 2007 Gold Cup final was a back and forth affair between the US and Mexico. With the match tied in the 73rd minute, a US corner was cleared up towards the edge of the box, where Benny Feilhaber hit a stunning volley into the far side netting to give the US a lead they would not relinquish. The win earned the US a spot in the 2009 Confederations Cup, where there were plenty of memorable moments as well.

6) June 5, 2002: USA v. Portugal- After an abysmal 1998 World Cup that saw the US finish dead last, Bruce Arena was looking to get off on the right foot in Korea. Thanks to 3 goals in the opening 36 minutes, including a fantastic diving header from Brian McBride, the US were able to defeat heavily-favored Portugal, which eventually proved to be the difference between the two teams in the Group D standings.

5) February 28, 2001: USA v. Mexico- This memorable game was played in frigid conditions at Crew Stadium, with a raucous pro-USA crowd in attendance. The match featured the chippy play and animosity typical of the USA-Mexico rivalry, and it turned out to be the first of what is now three consecutive "dos a cero" wins for the US over Mexico at Crew Stadium in World Cup qualification. Josh Wolff featured in both US goals, streaking behind the Mexican backline before finishing on a breakaway and setting up Earnie Stewart for the second late in the game. This game helped establish Crew Stadium as the venue of choice for this matchup, and the three points helped the US qualify for their fourth consecutive World Cup.

4) June 22, 1994: USA v. Colombia- The US earned their first World Cup win in 44 years thanks to a fateful own goal by Andres Escobar (who was later murdered in Colombia as a result, many believe). The win would help the hosts move on to the knockout stage, where they would valiantly battle eventual champions Brazil, ultimately losing 1-0. Despite wearing some of the most hideous national team jerseys of all-time, the USMNT pulled off the great result, sending most of the 93,689 fans at the Rose Bowl home in a good mood.

3) June 17, 2002: World Cup Round of 16- Of all the USMNT's recent victories over Mexico, this one surely is the biggest. The 2-0 victory in South Korea sent the US to the World Cup quarterfinals and helped earn the US a good deal of respect in the international soccer community. Goals from Brian McBride (2:00 in the video) and a very young Landon Donovan (7:30 in the video) propelled the US to victory. Though eventually suffering a heart-breaking defeat to Germany in the quarterfinals, the USMNT's 2002 World Cup was the most successful World Cup tournament run in recent years.

2) June 24, 2009: USA v. Spain- There were several memorable games in the 2009 Confederations Cup, but this one gets the nod, as the US defeated a Spain team that had gone unbeaten in a record-tying 35 straight matches. Jozy Altidore showed off his talent to the world with a fantastic display of strength and raw ability, while Clint Dempsey sealed the improbable victory with a second half finish. The US defense weathered wave after wave of Spanish attack, with a number of perfectly timed tackles to keep their opponents off the board. After making it to the semifinals in the most unlikely of circumstances, the USMNT continued their Cinderella run with an improbable victory over #1 ranked Spain, advancing on to their first FIFA tournament final.

1) November 19, 1989: Paul Caliguri- "The shot heard round the world" earns the top spot on the list. With one goal, Caliguri vaulted the US to the World Cup for the first time in 4 decades. His high, looping volley is possibly the most memorable goal in USMNT history and will live on in US soccer folklore for years to come. The goal helped the US to a 1-0 victory on the road in Trinidad, booking them a place in the 1990 World Cup in Italy.


So that's it. Like I said, I tried to distribute the top 10 throughout the two decades, so that's why games like USA-Egypt and USA-Brazil from this summer's Confederations Cup didn't make it on the list. If you agree with my list, think I'm an idiot, or would just like to reminisce about some of these wonderful moments, feel free to comment.

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Daily News 11/30

USMNT

Davies gives first interview since accident, aiming to be back in time for World Cup- Soccer By Ives

Recap: Weekend English action- Yanks Abroad

Real Salt Lake top performers: Robbie Findley- Deseret News

Weekend Americans abroad roundup- Soccer365

Recap: Weekend German action- Yanks Abroad

Demerit future uncertain- Vital Football

International

All eyes on World Cup draw- South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Blatter says FIFA Executive Committee to discuss extra refs at 2010 World Cup- The Canadian Press

Ireland asked to be 33rd team at the World Cup, says Sepp Blatter- The Guardian

Soccer's rogues to meet- Los Angeles Times

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MFUSA: World Cup Draw

Head over to Match Fit USA to read USSD's guest post on next Friday's World Cup draw.

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The Friday 4-4-2: Black Friday

It's the day after Thanksgiving, and what better way to help you enjoy your Friday than another edition of the Friday 4-4-2?

What USSD liked:

1) Dempsey stays hot: With two more goals against Blackburn on Wednesday, Dempsey has scored 5 in as many games. It only bodes well for the USMNT to have Clint playing with confidence and a little bit of swagger. If Bob Bradley can't find a reliable option to pair with Jozy Altidore, it very well could be Dempsey sliding up top, so it's good to see that he is finding the back of the net.

2) Hull's success with Jozy: In two games this week, Hull has scored six goals. Prior to this past week's games, the most Hull had scored over a two game span was three goals. One noticeable feature in Hull's offensive explosion? Jozy Altidore started both games and was on the field for all of the goals. After an up and down beginning of the season, Jozy seems to have earned some confidence from Phil Brown, who likely will keep the US international in the lineup in the near future.

3) Jack Warner supports the US: Warner has made more than a few people made in his time in charge of CONCACAF, but he's pleased many Americans with his announcement that CONCACAF is supporting the US bid to host the World Cup. Having the FIFA VP supporting your bid can only help, and Jack's criticism of the England bid seems to have put them under the microscope.

4) RSL take the Cup: Robbie Findley and Kyle Beckerman, who were both called into camp by Bob Bradley back in September, were integral parts of Real Salt Lake's MLS Cup upset of the LA Galaxy. Findley scored a scrappy goal and caused a number of problems for the Galaxy backline with his speed and penetrating runs. Beckerman, meanwhile, distributed very well from the middle and also broke up a number of attacks to start the counter. Findley will surely get a look from Bob Bradley in 2010, while Beckerman is hurt by the fact that center mid might be the USMNT's deepest position.

What USSD didn't like:

1) Landon's PK: Yikes. Oh well, it was bound to happen at some point, Landon just picked a bad time to miss one. While some might worry about his penalty kicks in clutch situations (missed in the 2007 Superliga Final in addition to the '09 MLS Cup), there's little doubt in my mind that Landon will be (and should be) the one stepping up to the spot in South Africa with the game on the line. It was a shame, though, that his great year had to end this way.

2) Holden to SPL rumors: It's no secret at this point that Stu Holden is probably going to Europe in the winter transfer window, so now it's a matter of looking at who is courting the Houston Dynamo standout. Two rumors that have surfaced are a move to Rangers and a move to Aberdeen, where Holden was born and raised until he was 10. A move to the SPL might be more of a lateral move for Holden, and Holden's attacking style might be better suited for a league like the Eredivisie or Ligue 1, as opposed to the crunching physicality of the SPL.

3) Everton's porous defense: It's been a rough couple weeks for Tim Howard, as the Toffees have been conceded 2.5 goals per game over their last 8 matches. Included in this run are 3-2 defeats to bottom-feeders Hull City and Bolton, plus a 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Benfica. Howard has not been getting much help from his defense after a solid run earlier in the season, and surely must be getting a little frustrated. Despite this poor run, there is still little doubt that Howard is the USMNT #1 for the foreseeable future.

4) FIFA's shifty media rules: Earlier in the week FIFA stated that "any behaviour harmful to the image of Fifa or the local organising committee would result in the accreditation being withdrawn." This is very vague and seems to hint that criticism of FIFA would lead to a reporter losing their accreditation, which has led to an uproar from the media. It certainly sounds like FIFA trying to influence the press, something that USSD does not like one bit.

What USSD is looking forward to:

1) World Cup draw: USMNT fans now all too well that the World Cup draw can make or break your chances (see: 2006 World Cup Group E). Next Friday, all 32 teams will find out their fate as the draw takes place on Friday in Cape Town. ESPN2 will broadcast the event live at 12:00 PM ET.

2) Hull City @ Manchester City, Saturday, 10 AM ET: We'll see if Jozy can add a goal to his good run of form, as Hull City look to extend their unbeaten streak to a season-high four games. It will be a tall task against a talented Manchester City team that has its eyes on a Champions League spot.

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Chile Avoid World Cup Crisis

For a brief time yesterday, Chile's spot in next summer's World Cup was at risk. This bit of news might have gone unnoticed by many American fans who were busy with Thanksgiving festivities, especially considering the whole matter was resolved rather quickly.

FIFA gave the Chilean FA a 72 hour period to get a domestic lawsuit dropped by domestic club Rangers, who were relegated due to a 3 point deduction for violating the league's 6+5 rule. The cash-strapped club fielded 6 foreign players in a match, but wanted legal action to keep them in the top flight and have the point penalty assessed in the following season. Because FIFA forbids civil or government interference in soccer, the world governing body demanded that the Chilean FA work to get the club to drop the case or else they would be suspended from international play and lose their spot in the 2010 tournament.

Fortunately for the Chilean national team and its fans, the ultimatum from FIFA and the negative publicity that ensued led Rangers to drop the case soon thereafter, and Chile's spot in the World Cup is once again secure. Barring another bizarre twist in the story, Chile is set to make its first appearance in the World Cup since 1998 next summer in South Africa.

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Daily News 11/27

USMNT

Project 2010 look back: Part II, national youth structure- MLS Talk

USA '09: What we've learned- US Soccer Players

McGhee admits Holden defeat- Sky Sports

Howard, Bradley, Donovan, Dempsey, Onyewu up for US Soccer men's award- Big Apple Soccer

Preview: Lyon-Rennes - Yanks Abroad

EPL Wrap-up: Dempsey with a brace- US Soccer Daily

International

Chile OK for World Cup after club backs down- ESPN Soccernet

The world's top scorer- FIFA.com

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EPL Wrap Up: Dempsey With a Brace

Clint Dempsey's impressive run of form for Fulham continues, as the USMNT midfielder bagged two more goals today in the Cottagers' 3-0 home win over Blackburn. After failing to score in the first 8 Premier League games of the season, Dempsey has now scored 5 goals in the last 5 matches, making him Fulham's highest scorer thus far.

With Fulham leading 1-0, a deflected cross found the feet of a wide open Dempsey cutting through the box. The former New England Revolution star easily put away the bouncing ball to double the lead in the 67th minute. In the 88th minute, Dempsey made it a brace with good strength and composure on the ball. He received a pass into his feet at the top of the six yard box, held the defender off, then turned quickly and slotted home his second goal of the match. His solid play earned him Sky Sports' Man of the Match honors and has also helped vault Fulham into the top half of the league.

Dempsey's goal-scoring form is only adding fuel to the argument that he should be paired with Jozy Altidore at striker for the USMNT. But Clint has been streaky in the past, so who knows how long this run will last. Regardless, it's always good to see a Yank in Europe consistently getting on the scoresheet. Dempsey has really become a star for Fulham and is representing the US well in the EPL.

Elsewhere, Jozy Altidore and Tim Howard squared off in Hull, and it wasn't long before the two matched up. 9 minutes in, a high floating ball to the backpost found Jozy Altidore with two Everton defenders converging. Altidore did very well with his first touch to cut the ball behind the two defenders and towards the center of the field before blasting a shot off the bounce. Howard was able to save this initial effort from Altidore with a fantastic reaction, but the rebound was put away by an unmarked Stephen Hunt to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead. Jozy would go on to play 75 minutes before eventually being subbed off, as Hull went on to a 3-2 win. After a very slow start to the season, the Tigers have taken 7 points from their last 3 matches and put themselves out of the relegation zone.

While Jozy did not figure in the last two goals, it still must be noted that over the last two games he has played approximately 150 minutes, and in that time, Hull City has scored 6 goals. That is incredible production for a Hull City attack that isn't far from the bottom of the league in goals scored, and the correlation between this kind of offense and Altidore starting is not likely to go unnoticed by Hull boss Phil Brown.

Tim Howard, meanwhile, made 3 saves in the match and could not have done much about the three goals he conceded (which included a fantastic free kick into the upper corner from 25 yards out and a deflected shot that had him wrong-footed). The Everton defense, which has been shaky for a good portion of the season, turned in another middling performance, as the Toffees slide to 14th in the EPL table.

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Daily News 11/25

USMNT

National Soccer Hall of Fame on verge of leaving Oneonta- ESPN Soccernet

Preview: Midweek English action- Yanks Abroad

Clint Dempsey: Fulham won't be bullied by Blackburn- Mirror Football

CONCACAF supports US World Cup bid- US Soccer Daily


International

World Cup 2010 draw: all you need to know- Telegraph

Hanover pay tribute to Robert Enke with special shirt- BBC Sport

FIFA World Cup 2010: Looking out on the horizon- Bleacher Report

EPL chief quits England's 2018 World Cup bid team- AFP

FIFA Executive Committee to meet on Robben Island- FIFA.com

Caborn: Russia main rivals to England 2018 bid- ESPN Soccernet

Africa's standard-bearers- FIFA.com

FIFA World Cup reporting rule sparks South Africa row- BBC News

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CONCACAF Supports US World Cup Bid

The US bid to host either 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cup just got a lot stronger. The CONCACAF Executive Committee met earlier in the week and unanimously supported the United States' bid to host the world's premier soccer tournament.

CONCACAF President Jack Warner said, "The United States can count on the full support of CONCACAF, including Chuck Blazer, Rafael Salguero and myself." These are strong words of endorsement, particularly after Warner has been so outspoken in criticizing England's World Cup bid.

Bids for 2018 and 2022 were originally submitted back in March, and as it stands now, there are 10 bids for 2018 and 12 for 2022. For the 2018 edition, the submitted bids include Australia, a Belgium-Netherlands joint bid, England, Indonesia, Japan, a Portugal-Spain joint bid, Russia, and the US. All of these countries have also submitted bids for the 2022 World Cup, with South Korea and Qatar also throwing their hats into the ring for the right to host. Mexico also put in a bid, but has since withdrawn themselves from consideration.

FIFA is no doubt eager to return to the US after the 1994 World Cup smashed attendance records. The support from CONCACAF makes a World Cup in the US an even greater possibility now, as the bids jockey for support from the various voters. Going ahead, there are two dates to mark on your calendar. All of the aforementioned countries need to submit the full details of their respective bids by May 14, 2010, and the 24-man FIFA Executive Committee will announce the winning bids on December 2, 2010. So even though fans will find themselves in international soccer purgatory next winter with the 2010 cycle finished and the 2014 cycle not yet started, they will still have some World Cup news to look forward to.

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Monday News and Notes: Tough End to '09 for Donovan

Here are some Monday evening news and notes for you:

PK miss ends stellar year for Donovan
For those of you who did not see the MLS Cup final last night, it was an unfortunate way for Landon Donovan to end what has been the best year of his career. The USMNT star stepped up to the penalty spot after extra time and proceeded to sail his shot well over the crossbar. The Galaxy went on to lose in the shootout, in what could potentially be Landon Donovan's final game in MLS.

It's been an incredible past couple months for the Galaxy captain, who has scored 18 goals and assisted on 16 others with club and country. Donovan was named MLS MVP for the first time in his career, while also adding another Honda Player of the Year award and the title of Player of hte Decade to his resume. Had the US won the Confederations Cup, Donovan very well could have added two more trophies to his mantle, with the winners' medal and maybe even the Golden Ball. Overall, it's been another spectacular year for the California native, and his play has certainly caught the eye of the international soccer community.

So it was certainly a tough way for Landon to end 2009 on Sunday night, missing from the spot and watching RSL celebrate the title. Hopefully it has no affect (and I don't think it will) on Donovan's confidence as he potentially pursues a move to Europe and leads the USMNT in the buildup to South Africa.

FIFA calls executive meeting
Sepp Blatter and company will hold an emergency meeting on December 2nd to discuss, amongst other things, the France-Ireland controversy and the match-fixing scandal in Europe. While it does not appear that FIFA has changed their stance on a potential replay of the second leg of the playoff, it is also not yet known what exactly the desired outcome is of this meeting beyond simply discussing the controversies. There has been a lot of outrage over this game, and FIFA surely would like to do something to quell that anger and clear their own image after many have said that FIFA wanted France in the World Cup finals.

Beyond the whole Thierry Henry incident, the FIFA executives will also discuss betting irregularities in lower division competitions across Europe, as well as fan violence that surrounded both Egypt-Algeria fixtures from the last week of qualification.

Findley and Beckerman instrumental in RSL victory
Gold Cup standout Kyle Beckerman and national team prospect Robbie Findley were the key contributors in Real Salt Lake's first MLS Cup title, as the two helped turn the game around in the second half and take control. Beckerman showed a lot of poise in the midfield, distributing well and breaking up a number of Galaxy attacks. Findley, meanwhile, only added to the desire of many USMNT fans to see him called up to the senior squad, as he scored a goal and created several quality chances with penetrating runs and speed. The Oregon State product should get his opportunity in January and could very well be Bob Bradley's answer at striker.


Well that's it for now. If you'd like some extensive analysis on the MLS Cup Final, head over to Match Fit USA, where USSD has also posted a small guest piece.

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World Cup Logic: How the USMNT is Guaranteed To Win

The field of 32 is set for next summer's World Cup, but we at US Soccer Daily are going to tell you who the champion will be seven months in advance. Here's our World Cup Logic:

1) No European team has won a World Cup played outside of Europe.

Eliminated: Spain, France, Italy, Germany, England, Slovakia, Netherlands, Greece, Slovenia, Portugal, Switzerland, Denmark, Serbia
Teams remaining: 19


2) No team has won the World Cup with a foreign head coach.

Eliminated: South Africa, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Chile, Paraguay, Australia, Honduras
Teams remaining: 11


3) No team has won the Confederations Cup and World Cup in consecutive years.

Eliminated: Brazil
Teams remaining: 10


4) No country has won the World Cup when they are more than 25 miles away from the nearest other qualified nation.

Eliminated: Japan, New Zealand, Algeria
Teams remaining: 7


5) No team has hosted the U-17 World Cup and then gone on to win the next World Cup.

Eliminated: South Korea (U-17 hosts in '07), Nigeria (U-17 hosts in '09)
Teams remaining: 5


6) No team has won the World Cup after finishing lower than third in their qualification group.

Eliminated: Argentina, Uruguay
Teams remaining: 3


7) No team has won the World Cup in their first appearance after going more than 20 years between appearances.

Eliminated: North Korea (44 years since their last appearance)
Teams remaining: 2


8) No team has won the World Cup exactly 24 years after hosting it.

Eliminated: Mexico
Teams remaining: 1

And who is that one remaining team? None other than the United States. So there you have it, folks; start planning your celebrations now. Sepp, tell your boys to start engraving the trophy, it's already decided.

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Daily News 11/22

US team's World Cup success depends on luck of draw- Los Angeles Times

Donovan leads and everyone follows to lift Galaxy- The Brownsville Herald

Donovan credits coach Arena for Galaxy's stability- Denver Post

Donovan sees winning signs in Galaxy- MLSnet.com

Football in America: The work of development goes on- The Guardian

Said & Done- The Guardian

FIFA: France's Thierry Henry could face World Cup ban over Ireland handball- The Telegraph

Egypt-Algeria: When fair play died- AuburnPub.com


Tune in to the MLS Cup final at 8:30 PM ET on ESPN, as Los Angeles and Salt Lake battle at Qwest Filed for the 2009 crown.

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Draw Set for 2010 Africa Cup of Nations

Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Algeria, and Cameroon will get a good warm-up for next summer's World Cup when they take part in the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations. The tournament, hosted by Angola, will feature 16 teams and begins on January 10.

The teams that qualified are the teams that finished in the top three of the five CAF World Cup qualifying groups, plus the hosts. On Friday, the draw took place in Luanda to set up four groups of four. Here is how the groups look:

Group A: Angola, Mali, Malawi, Algeria

Group B: Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Togo

Group C: Egypt, Nigeria, Mozambique, Benin

Group D: Cameroon, Gabon, Zambia, Tunisia


It looks like Group B will be the toughest in the tournament, with World Cup contenders Ivory Coast and Ghana being joined by Togo and a Burkina Faso side that had a solid qualifying campaign. Group D will also be hotly contested, as Cameroon and Gabon will renew acquaintances after battling in World Cup qualification. They will also be joined by a talented Tunisia side that missed out World Cup qualification on the last matchday.

The tournament runs until the final on January 31st, and we'll keep you updated on how things shape up.

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Yanks in Europe Tidbits

Here are just some quick tidbits on how the day went for USMNT players in Europe:

-Jozy Altidore started and played 74 minutes for Hull in their 3-3 draw with West Ham. Altidore did not score or set up any of the three, but it's encouraging that Hull were able to generate that kind of offense with Jozy as a lone striker. Jonathan Spector was an unused substitute in the match.

-Clint Dempsey went the full 90 for Fulham in their 1-0 road loss to Birmingham. Eddie Johnson made the bench but was an unused substitute.

-Michael Bradley went 90 minutes for Borussia Monchengladbach in their 2-1 road win over Frankfurt. After a slow start, 'Gladbach have enjoyed a nice run of form over the last month or so.

-Steve Cherundolo was not in the squad for Hanover in their 2-0 road loss to Schalke.

-DaMarcus Beasley, who had a very good game for Rangers before the international break, was left out of the squad for Rangers' 3-0 win over Kilmarnock.

-Carlos Bocanegra did not start, but made his first substitute appearance of the season for Stade Rennes, coming on in the 21st minute. Bocanegra played the final 70 minutes of the match, which Rennes won 2-1 over Le Mans, and picked up a yellow card in the 40th minute.

-Tim Howard made 2 saves in Everton's 3-0 loss to his former team, Manchester United. After a 5th place finish in the EPL last season, Everton are currently sitting in 13th and have struggled defensively.


The MLS Cup final, featuring Landon Donovan, Robbie Findley, and Kyle Beckerman, will kickoff tomorrow night at 8:30 PM ET on ESPN. Enjoy the games!

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Daily News 11/21

Bradley has interesting questions to answer- ESPN Soccernet

MLS Cup displays past, present, and future of USMNT- Match Fit USA

USA team at World Cup 2010- The Telegraph

Scottish club sets sights on Holden- Houston Chronicle

Report: Aberdeen targeting Stuart Holden- Goal.com

My Sportsman: The US Nat'l Team- SI.com

Donovan and Beckham desperate to take advantage of final- Goal.com

FIFA better act soon- Soccer America

Thierry Henry's handball puts goalline referees on FIFA's World Cup agenda- The Guardian

One more dance in the sun for Mathis- MLSnet.com

Diplomatic row after African playoff- CNN.com

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MFUSA: MLS Cup Shows Past, Present, Future of USMNT

Check out our guest post over at Match Fit USA, looking ahead to this Sunday's MLS Cup. The game will feature many familiar faces for USMNT fans, as well as some guys who might be future fixtures in the squad. Enjoy!

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The Friday 4-4-2: Thierry, Jozy, and more

With two international matchdays and the conclusion of World Cup qualifying, there was definitely a lot to choose from for this week's edition of the 4-4-2. So after careful deliberation, here's what we settled on:

What USSD liked:

1) Donovan named MVP: I was somewhat surprised to learn that Landon Donovan had never won this award in his career, but he put an end to that drought by claiming this year's honor. Donovan beat out Jeff Cunningham and Shalrie Joseph, adding another accolade to an already crowded mantle. He will look to put the finishing touches on one of his best years as a professional soccer player this weekend, as he leads the LA Galaxy in the MLS Cup final.

2) Cunningham's finish: It's always a special moment when a player scores their first international goal, and you couldn't help but feel good for Jeff Cunningham, who has finally risen back into the national team picture after years off the radar. Cunningham showed a soft touch to chip the ball over a sliding Danish defender before finishing with a good strike off his left foot from outside the box. Though it was just one goal in a November friendly, it will certainly help Cunningham's confidence going forward, as he fights for a spot on Bob Bradley's World Cup roster.

3) Slovenia upsets Russia: FIFA's controversial decision to implement a seeding system for the UEFA playoffs just a couple months before the end of UEFA qualification rubbed many people the wrong way, USSD included. So it was nice to see that one of the "lower seeds" were able to move on despite FIFA's best efforts to favor the big boys. Slovenia's dramatic win over Russia was filled with some hectic final moments, and it will certainly live on for many years in the collective memory of the country. The Slovenes will be looking for their first World Cup win when they make their second appearance in the competition next June.

4) Benny Feilhaber's first half: There was definitely a little extra motivation for Feilhaber, who was playing in front of his club team fans in Aarhus. In the opening 45, Feilhaber was all over the field and looked very confident on the ball. The US has been severely lacking in creative options outside of Landon Donovan, so it was good to see Benny take control of the attack in the first half. He did taper off in the second half, like most of the other USMNT players, which might add fuel to the argument that he is most effective in the super-sub role. Either way, he turned in a good first half that finished with the US on top 1-0 and playing with some confidence.


What USSD didn't like:

1) Jozy Altidore: Following Charlie Davies' unfortunate accident, Jozy Altidore seemed to be on a mission to play each game like it was his last, to honor Charlie and not take for granted the opportunities that he has. In the Costa Rica game, it looked like Jozy really meant what he said, turning in a great performance despite not finding the back of the net. In the two friendlies last week, however, Jozy was largely invisible, contributing very little to a sputtering US attack. His spot is pretty much secure on Bob Bradley's roster based on his World Cup qualifying performances, but it is still disheartening to see Jozy sleepwalk through two games, particularly when World Cup preparation time is at a premium. Hopefully he sees more playing time at Hull City to keep his form at a high level in between international duty.

2) Thierry Henry's hand: Say what you will about what should be done to resolve the feud over the conclusion of the second leg between Ireland and France, but there is no denying that Ireland were robbed. It seemed like Henry used his hand intentionally (twice), and it's a shame that such a classy player has sullied his reputation by choosing to cheat on one of the world's biggest stages. Henry surely couldn't have anticipated the postgame firestorm of criticism that was waiting for him outside Stade de France, and he seems to be backtracking a bit to try to restore some of his reputation, going so far as to back the idea of a replay. Too little, too late, Thierry, FIFA have made their decision, and you must live with your actions.

3) Frankie Hejduk: It's really hard to knock on a guy like Frankie Hejduk who has invested so much emotion and effort into representing the Red, White, and Blue. His performance against Denmark, however, was definitely one to forget, and could be the game that indicates to Bob Bradley that the Crew defender just doesn't have the stuff for the international level anymore. Hejduk went the full 90 despite some shaky play, and he failed to follow the runner that cut behind the US backline and eventually scored the tying goal.

4) 10 minute collapse: It was a promising start for the US in Aarhus, finishing the first 45 with a 1-0 lead. It all went horribly wrong when the two sides came out of the locker rooms, however, with the Danes scoring three goals in a matter of minutes to completely turn the match around. The US defense has given up its fair share of goals this year, and Bob Bradley will have to tighten things up at the back leading up to South Africa.


What USSD is looking forward to:

1) MLS Cup 2009: Like we said in our guest post over on Match Fit USA, Sunday's game will show the past, present, and future of the USMNT. Landon Donovan will also be playing his final game of 2009, definitely a year to remember for the Galaxy captain. Tune in to ESPN at 8:30 ET to see Real Salt Lake and LA square off at Qwest Field.


2) Hull City v. West Ham: Hopefully we will get to see Jozy Altidore square off against Jonathan Spector, who has been playing consistently for the east London side over the past couple weeks. Spector looked solid for the US as a centerback during the international friendlies, while Altidore failed to make any kind of impact in either game. Jozy will try to change that in this battle of relegation candidates.

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Daily News 11/20

Galaxy's Landon Donovan selected as MVP of MLS- Los Angeles Times

Henry says France-Ireland game should be replayed- The Associated Press

USA coach Bradley: We didn't handle Denmark's pressure- Tribalfootball

Frustrating conclusions from US defeat- Covering the Pitch @ Ole Ole

US v Denmark player ratings- Soccer365

FIFA rejects Ireland's demands to replay World Cup playoff- Times Online

Preview: Weekend English action- Yanks Abroad

Stuart Holden: Getting interest from Aberdeen of SPL- Rotowire

What we've learned from the USMNT European adventure- MLS Talk

Landon Donovan wins AT&T Goal of the Year- Examiner.com

Landon Donovan: USA star player at World Cup 2010- The Telegraph

Tigres midfielder Castillo delighted after USA debut- Tribalfootball

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Ireland Demanding Replay

The FA of Ireland and the Irish government are demanding that the second leg of the Ireland-France playoff tie be replayed after it was decided by a blatant handball by Thierry Henry. FIFA have confirmed that they have received a formal request for a replay, but have not yet given a verdict.

For those who missed the play, you can see it here. In the 103rd minute, a Florent Malouda cross fell to the backpost, where Thierry Henry hit the ball twice with his hand before crossing to an open William Gallas for the goal that ultimately decided the tie. The play has resulted in substantial criticism of Thierry Henry, referee Martin Hansson, and the French team as a whole. Ireland, meanwhile, who looked like the better team over the two legs, rightfully feel completely cheated by the whole situation.

FAI chief executive John Delaney said after the game, "There is a team that should be in the World Cup today, and that's us. It's up to them, in particular the French, to recognize there was a travesty last night, an injustice."

Ireland assistant Liam Brady echoed similar sentiments, saying, "If the game's going to survive, it's got to be an equal playing field. If we're going to have integrity and dignity in the world game, the game should be replayed. And we'll go to Paris to play it."

Ireland believe that FIFA has set a precedent for such a situation with their ruling in a 2005 World Cup qualifier between Uzbekistan and Bahrain, which saw the result of that match declared invalid because of a refereeing error. While some have a little bit of optimism that this just might work, manager Giovanni Trapattoni is not so hopeful, calling a replay "impossible." He did, however, go on to advocate that FIFA and UEFA institute replay technology to prevent similar travesties in the future.

USSD's take? The lack of integrity on Thierry Henry's part was sickening, and it's a shame that so many except this as "part of the game." It will only continue to be a part of the game because so many use that reasoning. It was truly a disgusting display that marred a riveting tie and robbed the Irish players and fans of their dream. While I hope that FIFA will grant a replay, I am not optimistic, as it seems like FIFA have been favoring France from the beginning with their decision to implement a seeding system. It really is a shame that such a great game was decided by cheating. No matter how you slice it, Henry clearly violated the rules, and it ended being the difference between the two teams. As angry as the whole situation has made me as a neutral observer, I can only imagine the bitterness and rage that the Irish feel right now, and I admire the Irish players for not going completely nuts when all of this happened.

With that, here's hoping that Sepp and company do the right thing and order a replay.

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Daily News 11/19

It was 20 years ago today that the US qualified for '90 World Cup- Big Apple Soccer

US team falls apart in Denmark with shaky display- ESPN Soccernet

Exclusive: FIFA responds to Thierry Henry handball incident- World Football Insider

The Short List: Lessons learned from Denmark and Slovakia- Goal.com

Player ratings: Cunningham makes his case- Soccer America

Three second half goals give Denmark 3-1 win over US- US Soccer

Is Edgar Castillo the future for the USA- Goal.com

2010 World Cup field complete as Uruguay qualifies- Los Angeles Times

FIFA & UEFA gloss over Henry handball incident- ExtraFootie

Greece stuns Ukraine to qualify for World Cup- Los Angeles Times

FIFA yet to decide on World Cup seedings formula- USA Today

Algeria defeat Egypt to qualify for the finals- Tripoli Post

Portugal makes the grade without Ronaldo- USA Today

Slovenia overcome Russia on away goals- Tribalfootball

Stubborn Rehhagel's tactics pay off for Greece- ESPN Soccernet

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Dramatic End to World Cup Qualification

It started way back in 2007, and now World Cup qualifying is finally drawing to a close. Following today's afternoon games, 31 of 32 spots in South Africa are decided, with Uruguay and Costa Rica battling for the final berth as I type. It was a day full of drama in Europe and Africa, with a few moments that will certainly be talked about for years to come.

Following their dramatic conclusion to group play, Algeria and Egypt took to the field in Sudan for a one game playoff for the final African berth. It was a tense affair that featured clutch goalkeeping and one great goal. In the 39th minute, Anthar Yahia smashed a volley just underneath the crossbar from about 7 yards out to give Algeria the lead. Despite Egpyt's best efforts to equalize, the Algerians were able to hold the lead for the rest of the game. Goalkeeper Faouzi Chaouchi turned in a heroic performance for Algeria with several point-blank saves in the second half, and he was deservedly carried on the shoulders of joyous fans after the match. The result earns Algeria a berth in the World Cup, their first since 1986.

In Europe, France and Ireland is what most soccer fans are talking about after an extremely controversial ending. Robbie Keane was able to score for Ireland in the first half to level the aggregate score and stun the French crowd. Ireland had several other golden opportunities to add another, but were unable to find a second goal. The match went on to extratime, where France scored a goal in the 103rd thanks to an obvious handball by Thierry Henry. The FC Barcelona striker handled the ball (twice) off a Florent Malouda freekick before passing it across goal to William Gallas, who finished from close range. The full spectrum of reactions were present after the goal, as Henry sprinted in jubilation, the Irish players shouted in anger, and the Irish fans watched in disbelief. Most telling, though, was the look on Gallas' face after scoring the goal. He seemed almost embarrassed, surely having seen Henry's blatant infraction. Nevertheless, the officials missed the call and France are moving on to the World Cup as a result. We'll surely have more on this play later in the week, but for now, back to the rest of Europe.

Ukraine were stunned in front of their home fans, as Greece stole a 1-0 win on the road to earn just their second trip to the FIFA World Cup. Giorgos Samaras played a magnificent throughball to the feet of a streaking Dimitrios Salpigidis, who went in on goal and finished cooly to the far post for the critical away goal. This proved to be the difference in the tie, as Ukraine squandered chance after chance. The Greeks return to the World Cup for the first time since 1994 and are led by Otto Rehhagel, who was the manager during Greece's memorable Euro 2004 title.

Elsewhere, Portugal earned another 1-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, this time on the road. Despite missing Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese were able to win both legs of the tie, earning them a spot in their third consecutive World Cup. Russia did not have the same luck, however, as they lost 1-0 to a plucky Slovenian side that will now play in the World Cup for only the second time (the first being in 2002). The late goal that Slovenia scored in the first leg in Moscow proved to be crucial, as their superior away goals total gave them the edge over Russia.

So, 3 of the 4 higher seeds won their ties in the UEFA playoffs, with only Russia missing out on the World Cup.

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Follow the Action on Twitter!

Head over to our Twitter page (@USsoccerDaily) to get live updates of all the World Cup qualifying games and the USMNT against Denmark.

We will have a full recap of the day's qualifying action, as well as analysis of the USA-Denmark friendly later in the evening.

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Daily News 11/17

US faces another test on European soil against Denmark- ESPN Soccernet

World Cup decisions looming- The Daily Record

Johnson revels in USMNT return- Yanks Abroad

USMNT players headline MLS Best XI- US Soccer Daily

Houston Dynamo face losing stars Clark and Holden- tribalfootball

Edgar Castillo gets first US call-up - Soccer America

Parreira concerned by South Africa's poor form- ESPN Soccernet

Fabio Capello speaks- ESPN Soccernet

Shay Given: Ireland can still qualify for World Cup- The Mirror

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USMNT Players Headline MLS Best XI

With the MLS season drawing to a close, the league announced the season's best XI earlier today. Of the 11 players, 5 have recently been called to camp by Bob Bradley, showing that the best of our domestic league are catching the eye of the National Team coaching staff.

Chad Marshall matched his second consecutive MLS Defender of the Year award with a second consecutive MLS Best XI honor. The Crew standout anchored a defense that finished tied for third in fewest goals against, while also having quite a successful Gold Cup.

In the midfield, it's no surprise that Landon Donovan was honored for the third time in his career. Donovan finished the season with 12 goals and 6 assists, leading an LA Galaxy team through a worst-to-first turnaround. Joining him in the midfield is Dynamo star Stuart Holden, who is earning this honor for the first time in his young career. Both players have provided a creative spark for club and country, with speculation that they both might be headed to Europe in the winter.

At striker, Conor Casey and Jeff Cunningham earned Best XI honors for their successful seasons. Casey finished the season with 16 goals and 1 assist, forming a dynamic partnership with Omar Cummings for the Colorado Rapids. Cunningham, meanwhile, won the Golden Boot, scoring 17 goals with FC Dallas. This was the second time Cunningham finished with the most goals in MLS, the other being 2006 when, not coincidentally, he earned his only other MLS Best XI honor.

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Swiss Win U-17 World Cup

Heading into this year's U-17 World Cup, it was considered unlikely that Switzerland would even make it out of their group, which featured Brazil, Mexico, and Japan. The Swiss defied the odds by winning all three of their group stage games, and they kept the momentum going through the knockout rounds, culminating in a surprise run to the title. This was the first time that Switzerland participated in the U-17 World Cup, and it obviously could not have gone any better for the debutantes.

It was a hostile environment in the final for the Swiss, who were facing off against hosts Nigeria in front of 60,000 Nigerian fans at Abuja's National Stadium. They were able to weather the storm early on, however, and kept the hosts off the score sheet. The best scoring opportunity in an otherwise defensive first half came from Nigeria's Sani Emmanuel. Emmanuel, who would go on to win the tournament's Golden Ball award, muscled off a defender and broke in on goal, but his attempt to curl a shot inside the far post went well wide.

In the second half, Haris Seferovic threatened to put the Swiss on the board when he used to body to shield and turn his defender before firing a hard shot just wide of the post. Seferovic, who finished the tournament tied with the most goals scored, would find the back of the net soon enough, though, as his header off a corner kick in the 63rd minute just found its way over the head of the Nigerian defender on the near post.

The Nigerians nearly equalized via Yusuf Otubanjo, whose thumping header rang off the crossbar. The rebound fell to another Nigerian attacker whose short-range effort was stopped by a fantastic scrambling save by Switzerland's Benjamin Siegrist, who would be awarded with the tournament's Golden Glove award. The Nigerians would continue to press for a winner, but were ultimately unsuccessful. The final whistle sent the Swiss bench into a jubilant celebration, while also sending most of the fans home in disappointment.

Switzerland looked like champions throughout the tournament, defeating perennial powers Brazil, Italy, and Germany before besting the Nigerians in the final. The Swiss federation will hope to defend their title two years from now in Mexico, while this group of players will set their eyes on the professional ranks.

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Daily News 11/16

Clark, Holden, Castillo added to US roster- The Associated Press

US-Slovakia: Forget the scoreline, US impressed- Bleacher Report

With world at stake, far more than a game- New York Times

Americans don't show much in attack in loss to Slovakia- SoccerTimes.com

Americans disappoint in Bratislava- Soccer America

Swiss seal U-17 World Cup victory- BBC

Bradley announces US roster for Denmark game- ESPN Soccernet

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Roster Update: Torres Excused

Jose Francisco Torres, who was called up by Bob Bradley for Wednesday's friendly in Denmark, has been excused from camp for personal reasons. So, the final changes to the squad are that Edgar Castillo, Stuart Holden, and Ricardo Clark have been added, while Clint Dempsey, Steve Cherundolo, and Chad Marshall have been sent home.

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Bradley Changes Roster for Denmark

Bob Bradley has called in four new players to camp for the USMNT's upcoming friendly against Denmark in Aarhus, while also sending three others home. Stuart Holden, Ricardo Clark, Edgar Castillo, and Jose Francisco Torres will join the team, while Clint Dempsey, Chad Marshall, and Steve Cherundolo will return to their respective clubs. It's not known at this time why the aforementioned three will be leaving the team, though it did appear that Steve Cherundolo suffered an injury just before the final whistle yesterday.

Holden and Clark were added to the fold after the Houston Dynamo were eliminated from the MLS playoffs by Landon Donovand and the Los Angeles Galaxy. Castillo and Torres, meanwhile, were in Mexico finishing their club season this weekend with Tigres and Pachuca, respectively. This will be the first camp for Castillo, who recently took advantage of FIFA's rule change allowing players to switch national teams at any age so long as they have not played in any competitive matches.

Castillo will likely see his first minutes for the USMNT at left back, a position that has been plagued by a lack of depth and inconsistency over the past couple years. Jonathan Bornstein's play against Slovakia did not do him any favors, and it might have been enough for Bob Bradley to give Castillo the starting nod ahead of the Chivas USA defender (though Castillo's lack of experience at the international level and minimal time at camp might mean otherwise). It will be interesting to see if Castillo, who has great ability going forward (as shown by his spectacular goal with Tigres last week), can provide the lock-down marking on the left side that the US backline has been lacking.

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Daily News 11/15

US sorely misses Donovan against Slovakia- ESPN Soccernet

Bornstein gives up penalty as US fall- Yanks Abroad

Player ratings: Slovakia 1, USA 0- New York Times

USA-Slovakia: Postgame thoughts- US Soccer Daily

France catches break vs. Ireland; Russia, Greece not safe- USA Today

New Zealand, Cameroon, Nigeria reach World Cup- The Associated Press

Egyptians force playoff- US Soccer Daily

Winners and losers: US vs Slovakia- Goal.com

New faces in US team's offense fail to mesh- ESPN Soccernet

Uruguay grab first leg advantage in play-off Costa Rica- Fox Sports

Aberdonian's American World Cup dream- Scotland on Sunday

US Men v. Slovakia: The glass is half...- Bleacher Report

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Egyptians Force Playoff

Heading into today's clash with Algeria, Egypt need to win by three goals to advance to the World Cup. Algeria, meanwhile, just needed a win, draw, or one goal loss to earn a berth. There was still a chance, though, that qualification would not end today for these two sides, as an Egypt win by two goals would force a one game playoff in Sudan on Wednesday. With so much on the line, today's game did not disappoint, as the two sides combined for a tense game and a riveting finish.

It was a dream start for the Pharaohs in front of a packed Cairo International Stadium, as Amr Zaki scored in the second minute. The hosts, however, were unable to find the critical second goal for the next 93 minutes despite persistent attacking, and the Algerian faithful in attendance grew more and more excited as the match neared its end. Fortunately for the Egyptians, though, there were 6 minutes of added time, and that last minute proved to be crucial.

In the 96th minute, a defensive clearance by Algeria knocked the ball just outside the box. The ensuing chip into the area was met by the head of substitute Emad Moteab, whose header across the goal bounced just beyond the outstretched hands of goalkeeper Lounes Gaouaoui and into the side netting. The goal sent the stadium and Egyptian bench into a frenzy and left the Algerians in disbelief. The final whistle sounded soon after, setting up a one game, winner-take-all playoff in Sudan on Wednesday.

As dramatic as the finish was to this match, expect just as much intensity and excitement in the playoff, as these two regional rivals square off for one spot in South Africa.

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USA-Slovakia: Postgame Thoughts

The USMNT lost to Slovakia by a score of 1-0 in a friendly this morning, their first since a friendly against Sweden back in January. Here is a collection of some of our thoughts about the match:
-We still don't know about Eddie Johnson. He didn't look bad, but at the same time, he didn't look great either. He made one good attacking run that led to a shot into the side netting, but he drifted outside a little too much and got lost in the mix at times. To be fair, the US attack didn't exactly have a great game, and there was a lack of quality service to the forwards. He'll have to show something more in Denmark, where Robbie Findley, a direct competitor for a roster spot, might also get a run.

-Cunningham needs to refine his game for the international level. The FC Dallas striker came on late in the match and provided a lot of energy, but it did not have a big impact. In MLS, Cunningham is used to running past defenders, and he tried to do the same thing today, with no success. His speed is a great asset, but he needs to learn how to change pace and keep the defenders guessing if he wants to create goalscoring opportunities for himself.

-Guzan is an extremely capable #2. The big Aston Villa keeper made several clutch saves on point-blank shots that kept the US in the match. USMNT fans will be comforted to know that the goalkeeping position is in safe hands in the event that Tim Howard is unable to play. Guzan still has some room for improvement, particularly in distribution, but he definitely seems to be another quality USMNT GK in the making.

-Feilhaber and Bradley are a great center midfield tandem. These two imposed themselves in the center of the field, particularly Feilhaber, and were able to break up a number of Slovak attacks. Feilhaber also did well in receiving from the back and turning up field to start the attack. Bob Bradley seemed to favor Ricardo Clark for much of the summer because of the defensive benefits, but Feilhaber showed that he too can combine with Michael Bradley for a strong pairing in front of the backline.

-Robbie Rogers is getting there. The Columbus Crew midfielder had a disappointing finish to the Gold Cup, but he redeemed himself with a decent showing against Costa Rica. Today, Rogers had a solid showing, with a couple good crosses and good composure on the ball. At times, he tried to do too much, but he did provide spark to a flat US attack. With Clint Dempsey possibly moving up to forward, the USMNT needs depth out wide, and Rogers can provide that.

-Jonathan Bornstein can learn a lot from Steve Cherundolo. Bornstein frequently looked to get into the attack and had one particularly good service to Benny Feilhaber, but he also had a couple bad turnovers that led to counterattacks. Cherundolo did a much better job of picking his spots going forward and also protected possession better. Bornstein also got torched repeatedly on the left side, with one such incident leading to his foul inside the box that proved to be the difference in the match. Cherundolo, meanwhile, had a good game on the right side and showed some of his veteran wisdom and guile.

-Jonathan Spector can play at center back. The West Ham outside back looked good paired with Carlos Bocanegra in the center. His solid performance is a blessing for the US depth chart that is currently thin at the position. Though there is hope that Oguchi Onyewu will be back for the World Cup, Americans can take solace in the fact that Spector can step in and do the job if Onyewu is not available or fit. This also allows Bob Bradley to get Spector and Cherundolo on the field at the same time.


Overall, this wasn't a pretty game, and the US attack clearly was lacking a creative spark (Landon Donovan). Bob Bradley's squad will try for a better result and performance on Wednesday in Aarhus.

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The Friday 4-4-2: aka the 6-1-3

Another week gone by, and another edition of the Friday 4-4-2. There wasn't much negative this week, though, so we meet just tweak the formation and make it more of a 6-1-3 (even though I have serious doubts that such a formation has ever actually been used in professional soccer). We're in a good mood at US Soccer Daily, and who doesn't want to get an extra dose of positivity on their Friday to help them into the weekend? With that, enjoy:

What we liked:

1) Charlie Davies released from the hospital: An explanation for this one isn't really necessary. We all know how fortunate Charlie was to make it out of that tragic car wreck alive, and it's really great to see his recovery moving along. With an estimated 6-12 months of recovery and rehab, a tough road awaits the Sochaux striker. It's good that he's finally made the first steps in what will be a arduous journey.

2) Ching's spectacular goal: For those who haven't seen it, here is Brian Ching's goal in overtime that propelled the Houston Dynamo into the Western Conference final. Ching certainly has plenty critics, but there is no denying that he showed great ability and instinct on this finish.

3) Dempsey keeps on scoring: It's three weeks in a row now that Clint Dempsey has scored a goal for Fulham after previously going goalless in the first 3 months of the season. Dempsey drew a PK against Wigan after he was cut down from behind while trying to turn and take a short range shot. He then converted from the spot, which ended up earning Fulham a 1-1 draw on the road. With Dempsey playing striker this weekend a very strong possibility, we're going to predict that the MLS product bags another one.

4) Tim Howard gets a break: When Bob Bradley named his roster, one name that was conspicuously left off the roster was Tim Howard. Bradley is giving the Everton keeper, who has had a busy year with EPL, Europa League, and international play, a break and giving the nod to Aston Villa's Brad Guzan. Not only is it good for Timmy to get a break for once, but it will be valuable playing time and experience for Guzan, who is coming off a heroic Carling Cup performance.

5) Jeff Cunningham and EJ get the call: The time to start experimenting with fringe players is now, and with a huge hole at forward requiring attention, we were happy to see that Bob Bradley called in these two speedy strikers. Whether either of them is the answer is yet to be seen, but at least Bradley is exploring his options and likely will leave no stone unturned.

6) DMB returns: DaMarcus Beasley could still very well work himself back into the conversation for South Africa if he can put in more performances like the one he had last week against St. Mirren. Beasley will probably need a transfer in the winter window to get more consistent playing time, and he did himself a favor by showing his stuff in his first league appearance of the season.

What we didn't like:

1) Jermaine Jones out until 2010: USMNT fans eager to see the Schalke midfielder suit up for the Red, White, and Blue will have to wait even longer now, as Jones has been ruled out until mid-January at the earliest. With the World Cup creeping closer and closer, time is running out to integrate Jones into the squad.

What we're looking forward to:

1) USA-Slovakia: Being as we're a site focused on the USMNT, we're obviously excited for tomorrow's friendly in Bratislava. With injuries and MLS duties affecting the lineup, Bob Bradley might get a little creative, so it will be interesting to see the starting XI tomorrow morning. Some fringe players have also gotten the call and will be looking to make a good impression. The game will be on Fox Soccer Channel at 10 AM ET.

2) World Cup qualifiers: There are a bunch of great games on tap tomorrow, including the UEFA playoffs, New Zealand-Bahrain, Costa Rica-Uruguay, and Algeria-Egypt. Get up early and enjoy a full day of intense international soccer, as teams fight for the final berths in South Africa.

3) Pacquiao-Cotto: Yes, we're also looking forward to tonight's Houston-LA playoff matchup that features Stuart Holden, Brian Ching, Ricardo Clark, and Landon Donovan. But we're also anticipating tomorrow night's bout between two of the world's best boxers in Las Vegas. Even if you aren't a huge fan of boxing, you will be in awe of Manny Pacquiao's incredible ability and Miguel Cotto's huge heart and determination. Find the fight online or shell out the cash for pay-per-view; it starts at 11:00 PM ET. We're going to predict a Pacquiao win by KO or TKO.


Well, there you have it folks. Enjoy the weekend, and if there's anything you think we should talk about it next week's 4-4-2, feel free to shoot us an email or leave a comment.

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MFUSA: Saturday Soccer Spectacular

Check out our guest piece over at Match Fit USA, looking ahead to tomorrow's slate of great international and MLS games.

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Daily News 11/13

Pregame tidbits: Slovakia vs US - New York Times

Free for weekend, US soccer team on European expedition- USA Today

US battle for spots begins- Soccer America

Dynamo's Holden has big plans ahead- Yahoo! Sports

Dynamo vs. Galaxy: How they match up - Houston Chronicle

Job openings: US Mens National Team positions and roles- Bleacher Report

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UEFA Playoffs Preview

Much has been made of FIFA's controversial decision to implement a seeding system in the UEFA playoffs very late in the qualifying process, with many claiming it's a blatant effort to help out the "big" soccer nations that have found themselves in the second round (see: France and Portugal). Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given summed it up succinctly, saying: "It's unfair on us smaller nations." We couldn't agree more, but despite the numerous criticisms, the draw went forward as planned and the final eight European teams are set to square off this weekend.

Karma is a funny thing, though, and it seems that this move to help out the bigger countries is being nullified by one key injury. Portugal will be without Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been ruled out due to an ankle injury that he aggravated in an October 10 qualifier against Hungary. They will be facing off against a strong Bosnian side the features several dangerous attacking options, including Bundesliga star Edin Dzeko. The first leg will be in Portugal, where Portugal compiled a 2-1-2 record in five first round matches. It seems like the fates are conspiring against Portugal with Ronaldo's setback, so we're going to pick Bosnia-Herzegovina to move on to South Africa.

The war of words between and Ireland and France has been building over the past couple days, and this tie should be a fun one. Giovanni Trapattoni's side had a solid finish to their first round of qualifying, with a great performance against defending World Cup champions Italy in Dublin. Ireland will definitely be playing with a chip on their shoulder, since they were the team that got the short end of the deal with the seeding decision. That, coupled with France's underwhelming form throughout qualification, could be the recipe for an upset. We're going to go out on a limb here and say that Ireland will come out of this two-legged affair on top and return to the World Cup.

The other two ties have attracted a lot less attention, but they should prove to be very compelling, as well. Slovenia boast a staunch defense that allowed only 4 goals in 10 first round games. They will square off against Arsenal star Anrey Arshavin and Russia, who scored nearly 2 goals per game in their group. The Russians narrowly missed out on an automatic berth after a heart-breaking loss to Germany in Moscow on the penultimate matchday, but they can't sneak up on anyone anymore after their Euro 2008 run brought them to the front of world soccer. We'll say that if Slovenia can get a draw out of the first match, they'll move on. But if they lose in Russia, we expect Guus Hiddink's squad to hang on to their edge and progress to South Africa.

Last, but not least, Greece and Ukraine will match up, with the first leg in Athens. The seeding system really didn't do Greece any favors, pitting them against a formidable Ukraine side that is ranked 22nd in FIFA's world rankings. Ukraine we're able to beat out Croatia for the #2 spot in Group 6 and handed England their only defeat in qualification, so we're going to give them the edge in this series.

So, despite FIFA's best efforts, we're predicting that 3 of the 4 ties will be won by the lower seed. Call us crazy, call us wishful, but whatever happens, this week's games are definitely going to be a lot of fun. Tune in on Saturday to see how the opening legs unfold.

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