The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

It's that time of the year when fixtures come at us fast and furious. For me it doesn't get any better than Boxing Day. It's as much a part of my traditon as Christmas. It wouldn't be the Holidays without it. This year the matches from the Prem run four days in a row due to the calendar. We start on Saturday the 26th for the traditional Boxing Day matches and due to T.V. contracts there are some Sunday matches as well. Follow that with the Mon/Tues 2nd Holiday matches and it's as close to heaven as you will get.

Fulham versus Tottenham is the Gem for me followed by Monday at the Bridge. You know what bridge. What a great weekend coming up. Whoever you are rooting for, enjoy it and Happy Holidays.

The Defenders Of The USA

I was reading Soccer By Ives and was looking at the probable list for the USMNT in Sout Africa next summer. For the first time I took a look at the list of the defenders and I have to say they don't exactly strike fear into any hearts do they?

This was the list by Ives. DEFENDERS- Carlos Bocanegra, Oguchi Onyewu, Jay DeMerit, Jonathan Spector, Steve Cherundolo, Chad Marshall, Clarence Goodson, Jonathan Bornstein

The mind wobbles, as Kelly Bundy was fond of saying. The only one that will be top quality come 2010 in my book is Spector. Gooch is going to see about zero playing time for A.C. Milan so will be useless. I don't even want to talk about the rest. Good guys who have their moments (Boca is finished) but above average is about the norm for them. We have more problems than left back folks. Wake up to this.

I want players like Demerit and Goodson to succeed. I especially want Demerit to become a top notch one step below World Class defender. Do you see it happening?

More Is Expected From The US Men's Team

Dear Bob & Co.

I am sorry of you feel the criticism of your performances is unjust. I am sorry if you feel the fans are being too hard on you. I am really sorry that you think we don't know what we are talking about. The days of you just skating by are done. It's no longer good enough to eke by inferior teams late in the game. That doesn't show character when you have to win late against opposition you should trounce. It shows lack of foucs, lack of motivation and lack of heart. Bob, you confuse gutty with gutless. The whole team needs to work on how to adjust to changing circumstances. Change comes to slowly and valuable time is lost while you pull your heads from your collective bottoms.

I haven't forgotten you finished 2-3 at the Confederations Cup and had an embarrassing collapse in the final. You were losers of that tournament, not winners. I was delighted you beat Spain. Can you beat Costa Rica? Honduras? What have you done lately? That is and will always be the question. Get used to it or quit.

USA versus T&T. Who's Worried?

If you are not worried about tonight's World Cup Qualifier then you have an iron stomach. This game is a disaster waiting to leap upon a U.S. team that has struggled to put teams away when they should. Last Saturday's game could have easily been a 6-0 USA rout instead of the 2-1 nail biting annoyance it turned into. I feel for Bornstein. His name is Mudd now. What was that overhead kick? Is a 5 year old on the minimus field? Yikes. But I digress.

This is another must win in Port of Spain. I would like to see the U.S. paste T&T like Mexico beat Costa Rica on the road. Who thinks it will happen? I don't have any nails to bite and no dog to kick so will our boys just do me the favor of getting this game in hand from the kickoff, please.

Just Do It

U.S. Faces Two Must Win Games

If you think these next two World Cup Qualifiers facing the U.S. Men's National Team are not must wins, think again. The U.S. has dropped from the top of the group to treading water. A loss at home to El Salvador is unthinkable. A loss on the road September 9th at T&T while possible, better not happen. The USMNT needs to relieve pressure on themselves and keep it squarely on Mexico and Honduras. The last thing the US of A needs is to go to Costa Rica on Oct. 14 needing a win.

The time to step up is now. Heard that before? Maybe they will actually step up at the proper time and for 90 minutes each game. One can hope.

On a side note. I have read many quotes from USMNT players praising Bob Bradley for his preparedness and game plans. I have never argued he doesn't have a good plan to START games. I think Bob gets a failing grade on altering his game plan when events arise that DICTATE a meaningful and authorative change.
Haven't seen any players commenting on that.....

Tidbits From Thursday and Friday

Kyle Beckerman and Robbie Findley were called into the 24 man USA Camp for the Sept Qualifiers. Findley was a nice surprise but I am really rooting for Beckerman to make South Africa. I'm sorry haters but he's flat out better than Ricardo Clark. Nuff said.

With Brad Guzan in goal Aston Villa crashed out of the Europa. Guzan did well to stop the first shot. Unfortunately the rebound went into the center and his defenders were lax. Away goal exit stage right!

Everton and Fulham went through to the Group Stages. Timmy played for Everton but EJ and Dempsey were not involved though EJ was on bench.

Everton is in a group with Benfica and Fulham drew Roma. Both groups are semi-hard I guess. Did any other Americans make it into the Europa with their respective teams?

Dempsey picked up an ankle whack in a Wednesday training session. He is scheduled to play Sunday. It still worries me ahead of El Salvador at Rio Tinto.

Here's a Way To Follow Americans in England

I subscribed to "Player" thru the Hull City FC website. Many clubs in England apparently utilize Player for their fans. It provides live audio coverage of matchdays and video highlights and more. I paid a year subscription at 39.99 pounds. You can do a monthly of 3.99 if you choose. It looked like roughly 80% of the Carling Cup games were available with live audio/commentary/stats for Tuesdays games. I listened to Jozy Altidore score his first goal in England using Player.

NOTE*** Doesn't matter what club site you sign up at. Player will let you experience ALL clubs who use this service.

Altidore Opens His Account

Jozy Altidore has opened his goal scoring account with a cracking 30 yarder off a touched free kick in the Carling Cup against Southend. It's HT at the KC with Hull up 2-1 over Southend. A lot of reserves in the Hull side but sounds strong enough.

Football Depression

I'm suffering from depression because not only did RSL and Fulham lose, they lost badly. Neither team looked that interested in matching their opponents enthusiasm and that is just a bummer. I'd like to declare canings for all. It's just unacceptable. All I ask is some effort and energy. So booooo to both teams.

Altidore Arrives In Style

In case you were in hiding or a coma yesterday... Jozy Altidore made an assist on his first touch in English football as Hull hung on to win 1-0. Jozy looked good, rusty but good.

MLS to Buy the USL?

I heard or read that the USL is up for sale and that MLS is interested. Would be nice to see a Division 1 and 2 thing with relegation and promotion. We might be taken seriously then.

Americans in England Today

Fulham (Dempsey, EJ) Aston Villa (Friedel, Guzan, Lichaj) Everton (Howard, 2 Nubs) all have Europa legs today. I believe all are away and they should all three come thru unscathed if not untested. Haven't really run down what other Yanks are in action today. Doing a scan now.

GOLTV And Their New League...

GOLTV should be announcing a new league to be aired on their channel within the week. They have said it will be a weekday league from Europe. I'm guessing it will be the Europa which would be awesomeness incarnate. Hopefully one of these crack I-Journos will crack the story and get a scoop soon.

Altidoreless Hull Pounded to Hull and Back

Spurs gave Hull a lesson in football today with a 5-1 thrashing. Michael Turner and Boaz Myhill were awful. Yes awful. Maybe Phil Brown should have tried to buy defenders and a keeper instead of bidding for every player who played as a striker in the last 10 years. I hope Jozy gets in the side soon. He's gonna need to score 2 a game just to have a chance at winning though.....

Champions League and More

The UEFA Champions League kicks off on FSC today. No HD is the problem, but one that should be rectified come January. Arsenal v Celtic is the 2nd match. Will be hard NOT to see live scores with all the other matches I'm watching. Chelsea/Sunderland and Wolves/Wigan, not to mention FC Sheriff v Olimpiacos.

I love match filled weekdays. They definitely make the week go faster. I am double checking but I do not believe there any Americans in action today in Europe.

Back to this blog

I've been blogging elsewhere but am returning to this site. I'm sure I was not missed.