Check out the US Roster for the Mexico game below and click here to see the press release from US Soccer. Notable exclusions from the squad are Freddy Adu, Maurice Edu, and Steve Cherundolo (injury), while Robbie Rogers and Marvell Wynne are strong candidates to get dropped from the 18-man roster on game day. I will be leaving for Columbus on Wednesday morning. Is 10 am too early to start pre-gaming?
U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPERS (2): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa: 4/3 SO), Tim Howard (Everton FC: 7/5 SO)
DEFENDERS (7): Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes: 16/2), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA, 1/0), Danny Califf (FC Midtjylland: 3/0), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew: 14/1), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege: 12/1), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock: 7/0), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC: 0/0)
MIDFIELDERS (6): DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers: 21/6), Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach: 6/2), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo: 3/0), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA: 6/0), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew: 0/0), José Francisco Torres (Pachuca: 1/0)
FORWARDS (5): Jozy Altidore (Xerez C.D.: 3/1), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo: 12/6), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF: 1/1) Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC: 12/4), Landon Donovan (Bayern Munich: 25/9)
Monday, February 9, 2009
20-Man US Roster (A little late)
Friday, February 6, 2009
Convey to San Jose, Close to Done Deal
2006 World Cup veteran, Bobby Convey, is close to making a move to the San Jose Earthquakes and MLS. Reading FC has released him from his contract and a move to San Jose will give the Earthquakes a formidable midfield of Convey, Darren Huckerby, Arturo Alvarez, and Ramiro Corrales (unless he moves back to defense). At only 25, Convey is a great signing by SJ if he stays healthy. Although, one can only wonder how much he is going to cost the team against the salary cap.
Lil Wayne - Top 10 List on Letterman
Lil' Wayne delivers the Top 10 reasons why he is looking forward to the Grammy Awards on Letterman. It's Letterman so it is a little corny, but it still made me laugh. I think it is hilarious how much the mainstream has accepted that crazy bastard.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Youth Development in the US, Part 3
As I mentioned before, ESPN and Jeff Carlisle are doing a 5-part piece on the USSF and its youth programs. Check out Part 3 here, where they look at where the USSF got their ideas from on how to shape their new developmental system. Click here to go back and read parts 1 and 2. Once again, I am really impressed with these articles and glad to see the USSF putting so much effort into doing things the right way.
Soccer365 Does My Job For Me
Soccer365 hits us with a bunch of stories today, which makes it much easier for me because now I can take their good work and pass it off as my own (Just kidding guys). First, we have Jared Jeffrey (of Club Brugge and pictured above) looking to make a debut with the first team after just being called into the latest U-20 camp. Second, Benny Feilhaber is close to making his return to practice. Wait does that mean they didn't amputate his leg out of sympathy for the dwindling support that US soccer fans have for the oft-injured player? Finally, Eddie Johnson's career might get a lifeline and he might get some playing time with Swedish club Malmo, after Cardiff City recruited more strikers during the January transfer period.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Rongen Calls 26 in for U-20 Camp
Thomas Rongen has called in 26 players for a camp taking place in Bradenton, Florida from Feb. 4-15. The CONCACAF U-20 Championships begin March 6th and this camp roster should give us a pretty good idea of who will be on Rongen's final 20 player squad. After an injury Gale Abossoumonde replaced Ike Opara from Wake Forest. Check out the list, is anyone missing that you would like to see? How do you think this squad compares to past U-20 teams?
P.O.S. - Drumroll
Check out the brand new video from P.O.S. called "Drumroll" off of his album "Never Better". I have to admit I had never heard of him before a few days ago, but this video and the song itself are definitely pushing the boundaries of music videos as well as hip hop itself (especially without a big budget). What do you think?
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
MLS Signings and Player Moves
There have been a few signings, moves and trades in American soccer the past couple days so I am just going to jump right into them. Scott Sealy is no longer an MLS player, having signed with Maccabi Tel Aviv FC yesterday. Toronto FC dealt Todd Dunivant(pictured above) to LA for allocation money (I thought TFC needed defenders?) and re-signed Rohan Ricketts after already re-signing Carl Robinson and Danny Dichio earlier in the season. Currently, the TFC website only lists 5 defenders in all on their entire roster. DC United GK Zach Wells is apparently considering retirement and San Jose just signed a big forward in Cam Weaver(kind of lessens the blow of losing Sealy).
My thoughts on the above moves are as follows. I am already liking Bruce Arena's influence on the Galaxy as he acquires more modestly priced defenders to shore up his defense (no more Abel Xavier). Toronto has a talented midfield and attack, but they are definitely lacking in defense and goalkeeping (they did draft Stefan Frei, but I am sorry Greg Sutton is Pat Onstad's far less talented twin). As a DC fan, I could care less about what Wells does as long as we sign our second round pick, Milos Kocic, to a contract. Concerning San Jose, I don't see them winning the league, but they have done a pretty good job of building a pretty solid roster. That being said, I am not totally sold on Cam Weaver becoming the impact striker they definitely need.
Youth Development in the US
Check out the following articles "examining the structure and organization of the USSF and it's youth programs." Basically, Jeff Carlisle from ESPN is doing a five-part piece examining the current setup of the USSF youth setup. Click here to read Part 1 and here to read Part 2. Hopefully, the reforms that are being made will help us produce better players (Like Jozy), and eliminate the politics and disorganization of the American youth soccer system. It's a pretty interesting read, especially for those have dealt with the BS of youth club soccer.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Rhett Bernstein Interview
Rhett Bernstein was a 3-time First Team All-Ivy League defender at Brown University and was recently invited down to the MLS Combine in Florida. While he was down in Florida for the Combine I conducted this interview with him. After having been passed over in the 2009 MLS Superdraft, Rhett is now exploring his opportunities in Europe. He is a good friend of mine and a promising center back who I am sure will have solid, productive professional career. Check out the full interview after the jump as well as the highlight video from the 2005-2006 Brown season in which Rhett was a freshman and helped Brown to an Ivy League Championship and a NCAA tournament berth.
1. What made you choose Brown over some of your local, higher profile Cali Schools?
I chose Brown based on its reputation both within academics and athletics. Brown is considerably a top academic institution, which I found suitable towards both my needs in the classroom and on the soccer pitch.
2. How are things going down at the combine? Why haven't you been able to get in any games?
Unfortunately, my opportunity of playing at the MLS combine this year came to abrupt halt during the friday training session with my team. I unexpectedly pulled my hamstring towards the end of the training session, and I knew that I would be unable to participate in the weekends matches. However, I persisted to rehabilitate my hamstring in efforts to play. Finally, I decided to cut my weekend short and leave the combine. Hopefully, I will be able to pursue alternative opportunities, and prove myself with some of the nations best soccer players.
3. What is the housing situation down at the combine? Do they have you guys in bunk beds or are you living large in a nice hotel?
Its terrific! They put us up in a very nice hotel on the beach. I shared a room with another Ivy League Player, Sean Milligan (Dartmouth GK). Things worked out well at the hotel, and I think the MLS did a great job running the event all in all.
4. What kind of free gear is Adidas hooking you up with? Cleats, Warm-ups, or just a souvenir water bottle?
Adidas hooked us up with loads of stuff. We got jerseys, training tops, tracksuits, hats, and a bag. I think most of the players were stoked to receive all this cool gear.
5. Are you just looking at MLS or are you also looking at opportunities abroad? I believe you have an Israeli passport, correct?
Personally, I'd prefer to play overseas, because of the great exposure one has to bigger and better clubs. I would consider playing in the MLS, if I were offered something more than an unsatisfying developmental contract. I do not possess an Israeli passport, but I do have access to one if I were to play overseas in Israel.
6. What had you done to prepare for the combine? Had you been cranking out 3-mile fitness tests or just working on your superior heading skills?
Prior to the combine, I worked out everyday, twice a day, with both friends and other combine players. I setup daily pickup games with college/professional players at the local university (University of San Diego). Also, I trained with some elite players with a local club soccer coach, who worked us to death. Basically put, lots of 1 v1's, lots of speed drills, and lots of shooting. It was very difficult, but very productive.
7. You scored an impressive 14 goals as a center back during your time at Brown, how did you manage to find yourself open so much? Were opposing coaches just really bad at scouting?
I think I've matured and developed in several areas to help myself score goals at the collegiate level. I wouldn't say opposing coaches were bad at scouting. Most of the time, they would usually yell out "find number 5", but on the days they didn't, it certainly worked to my advantage. I think scoring goals is something that I can contribute to any team I play on, even if I'm playing center back.
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