by Greg Seltzer - Most popular for 2011
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It's time for riffing.#5 - The 'Nats are beginning to become a real nuisance to the big boys.Since
the last Argentina meetings in 2008, the USMNT has played a total of nine matches against a group
or world powers listing the Albiceleste, Brazil, England, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain - the
two CONMEBOL monsters and four Euro-beasts.
As I readied to trek over to AZ training for Jozy Altidore's first session last Friday, I finally
came to a sad conclusion after so much denial: my camera is old and crap.Fortunately, there was a
nice fan who regularly snaps photos at the ground. She mentioned that the players often ask her for
shots, so I asked if she'd be willing to share some with the folks back in America monitoring Jozy.
By the way, ref: Worst. PK call. Ever.- Greg Seltzer
His trial officially hits day five on Monday with a chance to run out in a Sporting KC reserves
friendly. I will revisit this post if new clips surface of that event or the reaction aftermath.The
mainstream (as in non-soccer-specific) media is already nailing up his audition coffin, but I have
seen at least two soccer bloggers predict he'll be signed as a reserve player.
Just a guess, I don't know anything. Per DC United press release:D.C. United announced today
midfielder Andy Najar will be made available to the media on Tuesday, April 5 at approximately 2:30
p.m. ET to discuss his national team future.- Greg Seltzer
Rizespor playamker Freddy Adu scored from close range mere seconds after entering the match in 56
minutes, but it was not enough to avoid a 2-1 road defeat. Clip when I find one...- Greg Seltzer
A report dropped late last night the Egypt were set to interview three candidates for their vacant
manager job, including erstwhile USMNT boss Bob Bradley. I have now confirmed this with the EFA,
and have been told that Bradley is their first choice. I'll have a proper report up at MLSS once
the fine folks in New York arrive at the editorial offices.
Ingolstadt forward Edson Buddle toys with the defenders, the keeper and the pitch on this
equalizer.- Greg Seltzer
I swear to Christmas hams and star-spangled blather that I am not trying to annoy the Los Angeles
Galaxy and their fans.All jokes aside, I have some real news here and it's well past 6 AM for me.
Otherwise, I would not have jumped in right past Will's flash post-Group C thoughts. Please go see
that, but this goodie is probably going to be splashed all over the Italian rags on Wednesday and
I'm
Okay, this time I didn't forget it or lose it on my Notepad or even get lazy... I just kept getting
called away to wee hours USMNT ratings duty and transfer chases the last few days. Stuff is
happening, folks. But for now, a little Distracter decree non-soccer fun.It was difficult just to
lay parameters for this exercise - for instance, some could argue this or that person is already
becoming a
While we wait for my MLSS report to be published, I'll just give you all the lowdown on Alejandro
Bedoya's Rangers deal (work permit pending). It is a three-year contract to join when his Örebro
deal expires this winter. I've asked, and both his agent and the club are feeling confident he can
win a UK Home Office rubber stamp on appeal.
D.C. United speaks.- Greg Seltzer
Don't don't don't don't! Bình Dương's Lee Nguyen scored twice from restarts, including the late
winner from a devilish corner kick, to key a 4-3 win over Thanh Hóa.Side note: Isaac Acuna also
scored again this weekend, but his Mexico call-up seems set to pull him out of our pool. Of course,
if he turns it down, I'll go back to putting him up at NSC.
I have a Top 5 USMNT v Parguay Afterthoughts coming in a bit (translation: after I cook/eat
dinner). For now, let's just make sure everyone is caught up on my latest output elsewhere...-
Earnie Stewart reacts to his HOF selection- Postcard From Europe: new Osnabrück boss Joe Enochs-
My USMNT v Paraguay Player Ratings- All that's left to play for with Americans Abroad, Pt 1- An
international break
We don't need no stinkin' ceremony.#5 - One thing that may or may not make you go "Hmm."I wondered
when was the last time a USMNT captain started on the bench and then ended up working much of the
game with another player still wearing his armband. Sadly, I imagine this answer is too hard to
find. But next time it happens, we will all be at the trivia-ready.
Things will probably be a bit light from me over the next couple weeks. I actually have some cool
stuff to post, but time is the essence as there's a whole lot of regular life going on at the
moment. Nevertheless, we will soon be adding a new contributor and I'd have to be a total jerkface
to not dishing up the weekly fix.
Soooooo... Chivas USA oddly passed and Philly Union much less mysteriously did the same, allowing
the New England Revs to pluck U.S. playmaker Benny Feilhaber with the third allocation slot.They
may apparently still trade him, but that kinda feels like Steve Nicol due diligence (I've heard
Houston want Benny bad).
I am still trying to round out full reports for MLSS on these two (and other) items, but why not go
ahead and crank up the ol' transfer Nugget-a-tron 3000 for season?I was told last week that
Bursaspor are trying to land Jozy Altidore from Villarreal on a permanent deal. This finally hit
the Turkish tabloids, so I figured it was safe to reveal as much.
Sorry if I am slightly behind these days, it's always the most hectic right before
vacation...You've already seen the sick madness of Carlos Ruiz, so let's not forget to give serious
free kick props to NSC pal Bobby Convey on the MLS Goal of the Week shortlist.Pumas hero Javier
Cortes will probably never need to buy a drink or meal or suit or Tiny Town kit in Ciudad
Universitaria again after
Both seniors teams are set for big tourneys after the weekend action. World Cup-bound ladies
first...Next, we'll check in with a Motor City Studio 90, listen to a few of our boys talk Gold
Cup, catch the latest USMNT In England episode with Stu and enjoy a sublimely titled indivudal
highlight reel of Michael Bradley against Spain.
As always, you can find my USMNT player ratings at MLSS.- Greg Seltzer
Alright. I'm in a crappy mood. And of course there's that constant internal fight over what to
spill when and how much. But there's no need to take it out on you NSC readers.I'll give some now
and some tomorrow, that seems fair...Thing One: Let's be clear off the bat. There is no impending
offer or talks over Tim Ream, but PSV was the one team of apparently many watching him that I could
pinpoint
I'll be back later with some of those teased goodies about Roma and Jozy later, but right now
there's too much good stuff on the tube...We spend so much time focused on goals of all sorts here,
let's begin by not forgetting to spread some love to the keepers. From this week's MLS Saves of the
Week nominees, my vote goes unreservedly to Sean Johnson.
Silly rabbits (shakes head)...- Greg Seltzer
Looks like Bob Bradley haters need a new hobby. I can't wait to hear how this went down. And also
what happens now.- Greg Seltzer
I will update this post through the day. I have several pots boiling on the stove, but let's start
this day with one small sample taste, shall we?- I have learned that Fulham forward Eddie Johnson
has at least two Championship loan suitors. And not much more yet, but I'm on it. I will add,
though, that I think it's a swell idea.
Some very interesting remarks about certain hypotheticals from Mr. 85 here. I'll add reaction and
action clips as they surface...- Greg Seltzer
I was told he looked dramatically better than on the first day - still a bit off the game at times,
but much better.- Greg Seltzer
As much a staple in your Monday as cursing the alarm clock, but significantly less painful...Let's
just start with the MLS Goal of the Week nominees. I gotta go with Khari Stephenson, you all know
how I love those "don't wake him" crackers.Speaking of MLS, it's a real shame they never managed to
lure Boca Juniors free kick demon Juan Riquelme.
Okay, this has been bugging the hell out of me. I had to say something. It is one of those times as
humans when we feel we must certainly be alien, because no one else is catching what seems to be
glaringly obvious. It's weird.As we all know, the USMNT played two friendlies last week. In the 1-1
draw against Argentina, Oguchi Onyewu played left center back.
I see there are no Modern Family episodes in April. Therefore, I've decided, April is a lesser
month...#1 - Molde FK winger Josh Gatt hopped off the bench to help his side rally for a road draw
today, and here is an interview he did with the club website before the game.#2 - This was also
from the weekend, but apparently, Hannover 96 skipper Steve Cherundolo believes young MLS players
should be
I was going to get this up yesterday, but was waiting until the Goodson clip surfaced. It has, so
in case anyone missed it, let's drop a beat for Chuck D.- Greg Seltzer
The Studio 90 crew preview an exciting new summer series here, but the feature attraction is a
check in on injured Bolton ace Stuart Holden.- Greg Seltzer
No, Clint Dempsey is not playing blackjack tonight, he's playing Bolton. And he has sent the hosts
into halftime with a 1-0 lead, thanks to his career-best 11th goal of the season. Not only that,
but his 15th minute volley strike from a corner kick also pulled MC Deuce level with countryman
Brian McBride and Steed Malbranque as the club's top all-time EPL scorer.
Honestly, I barely understand who Justin Bieber is - as in I know he's a male kid who is a Tiger
Beat genre phenom somehow, maybe singing. That's about it. He's simply not in my personal pop
culture bubble. I never even was sure what he looked like until he was on The Daily Show.However, I
could not be more struck by what the little dude wears to play pick-up soccer in Madrid.
Alternate title: "Meet the cast of Galaxy Quest 2!!!"See the photo on the USsoccer.com front page
to see why. Then read about the team here.G: Nicole Barnhart, Jillian Loyden, Hope SoloD: Rachel
Buehler, Stephanie Cox, Ali Krieger, Amy LePeilbet, Heather Mitts, Christie Rampone, Becky
SauerbrunnM: Shannon Boxx, Tobin Heath, Lori Lindsey, Carli Lloyd, Heather O'Reilly, Megan Rapinoe,
Lindsay
U.S. attacker Lindsay Tarpley will miss World Cup 2011 after suffering an ACL injury in Saturday's
Send-Off Series win over Japan. Is it just me or does it seem like the USWNT is always without one
key player at every World Cup?Despite that rotten bit of news, here are the highlights...- Greg
Seltzer
[Photo: Ajax.nl]Much of the championship Ajax squad is flying over today for games with D.C. United
and the Portland Timbers, but there are a handful of explained absences.Mounir El Hamdaoui and
Rasmus Lindgren are remaining in Amsterdam to heal injuries, while Christian Eriksen and Nicolai
Boileson are sitting back to rest up before heading off to Denmark U-21 European Championship duty.
Ladies and gentleman, start your moaning...G: Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton), Tim Howard
(Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)D: Carlos Bocanegra (Saint-Étienne), Jonathan Bornstein
(Tigres), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Clarence Goodson (Brøndby), Eric Lichaj (Aston Villa),
Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan), Tim Ream (New York Red Bulls), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United)MF:
Freddy Adu (Rizespor
Another of the great things about Ajax is the way the club and the team cycle everything back
through the kids of Amsterdam - the enthusiasm, the instruction, the style. It's much of how the
city keeps producing players like Sjaak Swart, Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Kluivert, Urby Emanuelson
and Gregory van der Wiel.
