American-born defender Edgar Castillo has been cleared by FIFA to play for the United States,
meaning the questions can begin about whether he will eventually be the answer for the team at left
back.
Jonathan Bornstein's disappointing showing vs. El Salvador served as a reminder of the lack of
options at left fullback, with captain Carlos Bocanegra looking like the most reliable option there
these days.
Saturday's World Cup qualifiers in the CONCACAF region were supposed to help clear things up in
the race to make the 2010 World Cup, but the results have only served to make it even tougher to
tell which teams will qualify and which will struggle.
Mexico's 3-0 romp in Costa Rica, coupled with Honduras' 4-1 thrashing of Trinidad & Tobago means
four teams are within a point of each other atop the CONCACAF standings.
by GIANFRANCO PANIZO
Freddy Adu has not played club soccer in quite some time, but that could all change this
weekend.
Adu and his new club Belenenses take on Academica de Coimbra on Sunday, and a debut for Adu
could potentially signal the beginning of the end to the club drought that has plagued him
throughout the majority of 2009.
by GIANFRANCO PANIZO
For the Americans Abroad, Wednesday was a decent day in terms of performance.
Kenny Cooper scored his third goal in European competition, netting in the 50th minute of 1860
Munich's match vs. Hertha Berlin. Cooper's goal gave 1860 Munich a 2-0 lead at the time, but
Hertha Berlin would pull level and force penalties.
by GIANFRANCO PANIZO
After a few forgettable weekends, the Americans Abroad bounced back with some positive
performances this weekend.
by GIANFRANCO PANIZO
With the majority of the European seasons off due to the international date, this weekend boasts
a plethora of international matches for all to watch.
The game most Americans are looking forward to will be on Saturday night as the United States
takes on El Salvador in a critical World Cup qualifier, a qualifier that could give the U.
Photo by
ISIphotos.com
Toronto FC is set to lose a player who its fans won't soon forget, but appear ready to add a
star in the process.
TFC striker Danny Dichio will announce his retirement today, ending a three-year run that saw
him score the first goal in club history and establish himself as a fan favorite.
During this World Cup cycle, the United States national team has tested itself against some of
the very best teams, including Spain, Brazil, England and Argentina.
You may soon be able to add Holland to that list.
According to the LA Times, the U.S. is likely to play an exhibition against the Netherlands on
March 3 in Eindhoven next year.
by GIANFRANCO PANIZO
While there were few positives to draw from the U.S. U-20 national team's World Cup opener,
there were reasons for optimism from some of the Americans Abroad this weekend.
Tim Howard once again provided Everton with a solid performance, making three saves en route to
a 1-0 win over Portsmouth.
Hertha Berlin midfielder Bryan Arguez has been added to the U.S. national team roster that
will compete in the U-20 World Cup in Egypt later this month.
Arguez was summoned to replace forward Sam Garza, who will miss the tournament due to injury.
The 20-year-old will join a team that already boasts talented youngsters such as Mikkel Diskerud,
Brek Shea and Dilly Duka.
by GIANFRANCO PANIZO
Brazil and Ghana were the latest teams to book their place in next year's World Cup, posting
wins over the weekend to make the picture of which teams will be in South Africa a little
clearer.
Brazil became the first team from CONMEBOL to secure its place by disposing of arch-rivals
Argentina, 3-1.
by GIANFRANCO PANIZO
It was a relatively light weekend for the Americans Abroad, but there was still plenty to talk
about at despite the
Mike Grella scored the game-winning goal for Leeds United in their 2-0 win over Stockport
County. Grella, who was subbed out in the 72nd minute, netted in the ninth.
by GIANFRANCO PANIZO
It was another weekend to forget for the Americans Abroad contingent as many U.S. national team
players failed to see action.
Oguchi Onyewu and Michael Bradley were just two of the top Americans to miss out on the weekend
festivities, while Freddy Adu also failed to find some playing time in his first official game
with new Portuguese club Belenenses.
Saturday's World Cup qualifiers in the CONCACAF region were supposed to help clear things up in
the race to make the 2010 World Cup, but the results have only served to make it even tougher to
tell which teams will qualify and which will struggle.
Mexico's 3-0 romp in Costa Rica, coupled with Honduras' 4-1 thrashing of Trinidad & Tobago means
four teams are within a point of each other atop the CONCACAF standings.
by GIANFRANCO PANIZO
Freddy Adu has not played club soccer in quite some time, but that could all change this
weekend.
Adu and his new club Belenenses take on Academica de Coimbra on Sunday, and a debut for Adu
could potentially signal the beginning of the end to the club drought that has plagued him
throughout the majority of 2009.
by GIANFRANCO PANIZO
Brad Friedel is enjoying a great start to the Premiership season, and it could get even better
for him this weekend.
Friedel and Aston Villa head to Ewood Park this Saturday to take on Friedel's former club,
Blackburn Rovers. A win for Friedel in the stadium he is so familiar with, in front of the fans
that used to cheer him on, would truly cap off the 38-year-old's remarkable start to the season, a
start that includes three shutouts and 23 saves.
by GIANFRANCO PANIZO
The U-20 World Cup in Egypt officially kicked off on Thursday with the hosts convincingly
defeating Trinidad and Tobago.
A first half 1-1 draw turned into a route as Egypt midfielder Hassan Hussam Arafat Abdalla's
brace led the way to a 4-1 victory over the Soca Warriors in front of the 80,000-plus in
attendance.
The U.S. Under-20 national team takes on Cameroon today (12:30pm, ESPN) in a match it needs to
win to keep its hopes of advancing to the second round going.
The Americans dropped a 3-0 decision to Germany in their opening match, while Cameroon opened
its tournament with a 2-0 win vs.
Photo by ISIphotos.com
The U.S. Under-20 national team needed a positive result in its match against Cameroon to keep
alive its hopes of reaching the second round of the Under-20 World Cup.
by GIANFRANCO PANIZO
Brazil and Ghana were the latest teams to book their place in next year's World Cup, posting
wins over the weekend to make the picture of which teams will be in South Africa a little
clearer.
Brazil became the first team from CONMEBOL to secure its place by disposing of arch-rivals
Argentina, 3-1.
by GIANFRANCO PANIZO
It was a relatively light weekend for the Americans Abroad, but there was still plenty to talk
about despite the international fixture schedule.
Mike Grella scored the game-winning goal for Leeds United in their 2-0 win over Stockport
County.
American-born defender Edgar Castillo has been cleared by FIFA to play for the United States,
meaning the questions can begin about whether he will eventually be the answer for the team at left
back.
Jonathan Bornstein's disappointing showing vs. El Salvador served as a reminder of the lack of
options at left fullback, with captain Carlos Bocanegra looking like the most reliable option there
these days.
photo by ISIphotos.com
If the U.S. national team is to qualify for the 2010 World Cup, it
will likely have to do so without Jay DeMerit.
by GIANFRANCO PANIZO
While there were few positives to draw from the U.S. U-20 national team's World Cup opener,
there were reasons for optimism from some of the Americans Abroad this weekend.
Tim Howard once again provided Everton with a solid performance, making three saves en route to
a 1-0 win over Portsmouth.
