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Klinsmann Calls 26 Players To USMNT Camp

By on May 16, 2013 | Follow @WVHooligan |

Hang on to your hats folks, this one is about to get interesting.

U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann has called in 26 players to begin training camp in Cleveland in advance of the five-game stretch in May and June that includes three FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and the Centennial Celebration Match against Germany.

A total of 29 players will participate, including four MLS goalkeepers that will rotate through camp.

Yes, in total there are six, count them SIX keepers in camp.

GOALKEEPERS (6) :Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tally Hall (Houston Dynamo), Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Tim Howard (Everton), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)

DEFENDERS (8) : DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Edgar Castillo (Club Tijuana), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Michael Parkhurst (Augsburg)

MIDFIELDERS (10) : Michael Bradley (Roma), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Maurice Edu (Bursaspor), Stuart Holden (Bolton), Jermaine Jones (Schalke), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht), Brek Shea (Stoke City), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)

FORWARDS (5) : Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar), Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna), Clint Dempsey (Tottenham Hotspur), Herculez Gomez (Santos), Eddie Johnson (Seattle Sounders FC)

Whatcha think folks? Surprised to see names like Shea out there given his injury status? Are you laughing at the number of keepers like I am? Any players lacking (outside Landon Donovan) in this?

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US-Mexico: What We Learned

By on March 27, 2013 | Follow @WVHooligan |
Matt Besler and the US defense were all over Mexico last night. (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)

Matt Besler and the US defense were all over Mexico last night. (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)

What else can you say about last night’s 0-0 draw for the US National Team against Mexico? Was it pretty? No all the time? But was it effective? Absolutely.

Jurgen Klinsmann and the US squad had a game plan and stuck with it. Defend, defend, defend with some silky passing through the midfield to test the Mexican defense at key moments. And the big thing, luck. They had a fair amount of luck in this one to get the 0-0 draw, the second ever at the Azteca against Mexico.

So what do we take away from this game? Plenty. This isn’t the same squad that struggled through a 2-1 loss in Honduras back in early February. This is a squad that is progressing.  Continue Reading →

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Keys To US-Mexico Game

By on March 26, 2013 | Follow @WVHooligan |
Can the US keep Mexico winless in 2013? (Photo by Miguel Tovar/Getty Images)

Can the US keep Mexico winless in 2013? (Photo by Miguel Tovar/Getty Images)

Let me just say, all the pressure is on Mexico. Yep. All of it. After the US Men’s National team victory in the SnowClasico last Friday over Costa Rica, the pressure went south to Mexico.

I’m not making this up either. Mexican press fell the pressure on their squad going into tonight’s big US-Mexico game at the Estadio Azteca.

The Mexicans are winless in 2013. Yep, winless. Tonight’s game marks El Tri’s 70th World Cup qualifier at home, where it has a 63-1-5 record, its only loss coming in 2001 against Costa Rica.

This has little to do with the last trip the US took to Mexico. We all remember that one by now. A sunny August day that saw the US do what had been thought as the unthinkable. A win. In Mexico. At the Azteca. Before it hadn’t been done, the US were 0-23-1 all time there.

But now the demons have been exercised in a way. The stigma of not being able to win down there appears, at least slightly, gone. Mexico is still good and while that day in August didn’t have their best squad, it did give this US squad the kind of hope that it needs to get a result in this one. Continue Reading →

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US World Cup Qualifying Venues Announced

By on March 21, 2013 | Follow @WVHooligan |

The remaining four home 2014 World Cup Qualifying games venues have been announced.

  • Seattle will host the June 11 qualifier against Panama
  • Salt Lake City will host the June 18 qualifier against Honduras
  • Columbus will host the September 10 qualifier against Mexico
  • Kansas City will host the October 11 qualifier against Jamaica

The announcement also included the confirmation of the Centennial Celebration Match between the Men’s National Team and Germany that will be played on June 2 at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., as part of U.S. Soccer’s 100-year anniversary celebration.

The June 11 match against Panama at CenturyLink (Seattle) will be only the second World Cup Qualifying game in Seattle. The first was more than 35 years ago when the U.S. defeated Canada on Oct. 20, 1976. The last time the USA played at CenturyLink (formerly known as Qwest Field) was on July 4, 2009, during a 4-0 victory against Grenada in the opener of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

The only previous U.S. MNT game at Rio Tinto (Salt Lake) was the team’s 2-1 victory against El Salvador on Sept. 5, 2009, in World Cup Qualifying.

The U.S. returns to Columbus Crew Stadium nearly one year after blanking Jamaica 1-0 in qualifying on Sept. 11, 2012, in front of 23,881 spectators. The Mexico game will be played at Crew Stadium for the fourth consecutive time in World Cup Qualifying. In the previous three matches, the USA has posted 2-0 victories. The USA is 6-0-3 all-time and 5-0-2 in World Cup Qualifying at the home of MLS side Columbus Crew.

 

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US Roster For Costa Rica Match

By on March 18, 2013 | Follow @WVHooligan |

Juergen Klinsmann has set his 23-man roster for the U.S. Mens national team’s World Cup qualifiers against Costa Rica on Friday night at DSG Park and a week from Tuesday against Mexico at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.

Brace yourselves.

Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa, England), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire).

Defenders: Geoff Cameron (Stoke City, England), Clarence Goodson (Brondby, Denmark), Omar Gonzalez (Los Angeles Galaxy), Justin Morrow (San Jose Earthquakes), Tony Beltran (Real Salt Lake), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City).

Midfielders: DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla, Mexico), Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Michael Bradley (Roma, Italy), Joe Corona (Tijuana, Mexico), Maurice Edu (Bursaspor, Turkey), Jermaine Jones (Schalke, Germany), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht, Belgium), Brek Shea (Stoke City, England), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City).

Forwards: Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar, Netherlands), Clint Dempsey (Tottenham Hotspur, England), Herculez Gomez (Santos Laguna, Mexico), Eddie Johnson (Seattle Sounders), Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna, Austria). Continue Reading →

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US To Host Belgium In May Friendly

By on March 14, 2013 | Follow @WVHooligan |

The US Soccer Federation has announced the first of two friendlies for late May/early June on Thursday. The US Men’s National team will host Belgium on May 29 at Cleveland’s FirstEngery Stadium. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET, and the match will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and WatchESPN.

The US is also expected (rumored) to play Germany on June 3 in Washington D.C. as part of the Centennial celebration for the USSF.

These are two good tests for the US just before the June World Cup qualifiers. I am a bit wary of a repeat of last year’s summer qualifiers that saw the US struggle a little bit after three quick friendlies just prior to WC qualifiers.

The previous four meetings against Belgium have been on foreign soil. Playing in its first World Cup match ever, the US collected a 3-0 victory against Belgium on July 13, 1930, in Montevideo, Uruguay. That would mark the US’s only win against the Belgians.

The other three encounters took place in Belgium, where the U.S. has failed to score. Overall, the Belgians hold a 3-1-0 advantage in the series. In the last meeting, a disallowed goal by Maurice Edu in the 86th minute left the U.S. with a 1-0 loss in rainy conditions on Sept. 6, 2011, in the third match coached by Jurgen Klinsmann.

Cleveland last hosted the US National team back in 2006, during the Send Off series before the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

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CONCACAF Gold Cup Schedule Released

By on March 13, 2013 | Follow @WVHooligan |

Wednesday marked the unveiling of the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup schedule.

GROUP A: Mexico, Panama, Canada, Martinique
GROUP B: Honduras, El Salvador, Trinidad & Tobago, Haiti
GROUP C: USA, Costa Rica, Belize, Cuba

A total of 13 different US cities will host matches. Among the sites are five MLS stadiums: CenturyLink Field, JELD-WEN Field, Red Bull Arena, BBVA Compass Stadium and Rio Tinto Stadium.

Complete tournament details follow below:

GROUP A:  Mexico, Panama, Canada, Martinique

Matchday 1: Sunday, July 7 – Rose Bowl (Pasadena, Calif.)
Canada vs. Martinique, 5:30 pm ET
Mexico vs. Panama, 8 pm ET

Matchday 2: Thursday, July 11 – CenturyLink Field (Seattle)
Panama vs. Martinique, 8:30 pm ET
Mexico vs. Canada, 11 pm ET

Matchday 3: Sunday, July 14 – Sports Authority Field at Mile High (Denver)
Martinique vs. Mexico, 4 pm ET
Panama vs. Canada, 6:30 pm ET

GROUP B:  Honduras, El Salvador, Trinidad & Tobago, Haiti

Matchday 1: Monday, July 8 – Red Bull Arena (Harrison, N.J.)
El Salvador vs. Trinidad & Tobago, 7 pm ET
Haiti vs. Honduras, 9:30 pm ET

Matchday 2: Friday, July 12 – Sun Life Stadium (Miami)
Trinidad & Tobago vs. Haiti, 7 pm ET
Honduras vs. El Salvador, 9:30 pm ET

Matchday 3: Monday, July 15 – BBVA Compass Stadium (Houston)
El Salvador vs. Haiti, 7 pm ET
Honduras vs. Trinidad & Tobago, 9:30 pm ET

GROUP C: USA, Costa Rica, Belize, Cuba

Matchday 1: Tuesday, July 9 – JELD-WEN Field (Portland, Ore.)
Costa Rica vs. Cuba, 8:30 pm ET
Belize vs. USA, 11 pm ET

Matchday 2: Saturday, July 13 – Rio Tinto Stadium (Sandy, Utah)
USA vs. Cuba, 3:30 pm ET
Costa Rica vs. Belize, 6 pm ET

Matchday 3: Tuesday, July 16 – Rentschler Field (East Hartford, Conn.)
Cuba vs. Belize, 5:30 pm ET
USA vs. Costa Rica, 8 pm ET

QUARTERFINALS 
Saturday, July 20 – Georgia Dome (Atlanta @ 3 pm ET and 6 pm ET)
QF1: A2 vs. B2
QF2: A1 vs. B3/C3

Sunday, July 21 – M&T Bank Stadium (Baltimore @ 4 pm ET and 7 pm ET)
QF3: B1 vs. C2
QF4: C1 vs. A3/B3

SEMIFINALS 
Wednesday, July 24 – Cowboys Stadium (Arlington, Texas @ 7 pm ET and 10 pm ET)
QF1 vs. QF2
QF3 vs. QF4

FINAL 
Sunday, July 28 – Soldier Field (Chicago @ 4 pm ET)

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US Soccer Releases 100th Anniversary Kits

By on March 1, 2013 | Follow @WVHooligan |

Keeping it simple. That is the theme of the new US Men’s National team kits to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the USSF.

On Friday, celebrating the centennial of the federation, Nike unveiled new home uniforms for the men’s and women’s national teams. The accent is on classic white in the jersey, shorts and socks with trim in what Nike calls obsidian blue.

In addition, the enlarged crest (roughly the same size as 100 years ago) has 13 stars and 13 stripes pay homage to the original United States flag and the original 13 colonies. A feature I absolutely love about these kits.

The men’s national team will play its first match in the new uniforms when it faces Costa Rica in a World Cup qualifying match in Commerce City, Colo., on March 22. The US is planning to play a centennial match against Germany in the Washington D.C., area on June 2, though it has not yet been announced officially.

What do you all think of these new kits?

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Robbie Rogers Comes Out And Steps Away From The Game

By on February 15, 2013 | Follow @WVHooligan |
We have nothing but respect for Robbie Rogers. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

We have nothing but respect for Robbie Rogers. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

I have to say, I have nothing but respect for Robbie Rogers. In one blog post on Friday, Rogers spoke honestly about his personal life and his future. Rogers came out to the world and also revealed that he is stepping away from the game.

Secrets can cause so much internal damage. People love to preach about honesty, how honesty is so plain and simple. Try explaining to your loved ones after 25 years you are gay. Try convincing yourself that your creator has the most wonderful purpose for you even though you were taught differently.

I will never forget the friends I have made a long the way and the friends that supported me once they knew my secret … Now is my time to step away. It’s time to discover myself away from football.

I hope for the game’s sake that Rogers just takes some time off from playing and doesn’t do a full on retirement from playing. My bet is he isn’t stepping away due to lack of acceptance but more of a desire to find himself outside of the game.

But saying that, all I can say is that I have nothing but respect for the man. Good for him indeed. He had the courage to speak out about himself honestly, something many struggle with when coming out.

The former Columbus Crew midfielder most recently played for Stevenage in England’s League One, on loan from Leeds United, and has represented the United States 18 times at senior international level.

Again, all the best to you Robbie. The soccer world is very proud of you today.

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Four World Cup Qualifying Venues Named?

By on February 11, 2013 | Follow @WVHooligan |

It sounds like we’ll soon know the rest of the World Cup qualifying venues here soon. Earlier this weekend it was reported that Crew Stadium in Columbus would get the Mexico game but what about the other three? Well, Grant Wahl has you covered.

No real shocker in all of those to be honest. The Seattle game is indeed looking more real by the second while Salt Lake and Kansas City are 100% bets at this point. KC getting the Jamaica game is something I’ve been predicting for a while now, it seemed like a likely venue for such a game.

What do you all think of these four venues? Happy to see Seattle get a game (finally)? Bummed that there isn’t a game in Houston, Philly, D.C. or New York?

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