In honor of the fact that the U.S. is playing Venezuela the University of Phoenix Stadium, and that the stadium staged Super Bowl XLII, and that it's playoff time in the NFL, we decided to look at the USA's record in venues that have hosted the Super Bowl.
The U.S. has played in 13 stadiums that have hosted the domestic American Football championship, one as many as 15 times (Rose Bowl).

By FRANCO PANIZO

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- If you were to ask MLS coaches which players at this year's combine helped their cause the most, David Silva would surely be among the more common names mentioned.

The Mexican-born attacking midfielder from UCSB was one of the brightest spots at the combine, showing the playmaking ability that his him considered a top prospect.

Bob Bradley -- AP photoBy Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com
Former Chicago Fire head coach Bob Bradley, coaching for the first time since his tenure with the U.S. National Team, saw his Egyptian national team debut end in a 2-0 loss to Brazil on Monday in Doha, Qatar.
Brazilian forward Jonas netted goals in the 39th and 59th minutes to pace his side past Egypt.

That the Seattle Sounders will set another MLS attendance record is not really news. In fact, they already have the single-season MLS attendance record. In the game against DC United, the Sounders broke their old record, which they set in 2010 when they broke the record they set in 2009. Sense a pattern?

10 years ago the US played Costa Rica at Arrowhead Stadium in KC. It was my first trip to see the team in person and a game that I will never forget. At that time, it was difficult to find US games on TV (many games were on pay-per-view if they were broadcast at all) and you had to scour the internet for hours just to find any news relating to the team.

Mais um jogo da Copa Ouro, foi realizado no dia 25/06/2011, na cidade de Pasadena-USA, no Rose Bowl, onde jogaram as seleções dos Estados UNidos (22º no ranking da FIFA) e a seleção do México (28º no ranking da FIFA).
Antes desse jogo, as 2 seleções jogaram:
Copa do Mundo
2002Jeonju 17/06/2002 MEX0:2 (0:1)USA Round of 16
Eliminatórias Copa do MUndo
2010Mexico City 12/08/2009 MEX2:1 (1:1)USA 2010Columbus 11/02/2009 USA2:0 (1:0)MEX 2006Columbus 03/09/2005 USA2:0 (0:0)MEX Third stage2006Mexico City 27/03/2005 MEX2:1 (2:0)USA Third stage2002Mexico City 01/07/2001 MEX1:0 (1:0)USA Final round2002Columbus 28/02/2001 USA2:0 (0:0)MEX Final round1998Mexico City 02/11/1997 MEX0:0USA Final round1998Foxboro 20/04/1997 USA2:2 (1:1)MEX Final round1982Fort Lauderdale 23/11/1980 USA2:1 (1:1)MEX round481982Mexico City 09/11/1980 MEX5:1 (4:0)USA round481978Puebla 15/10/1976 MEX3:0 (2:0)USA round481978Los Angeles 03/10/1976 USA0:0MEX round481974Los Angeles 10/09/1972 USA1:2 (1:1)MEX First stage1974Mexico City 03/09/1972 MEX3:1 (1:0)USA First stage1966Mexico City 12/03/1965 MEX2:0 (1:0)USA First stage1966Los Angeles 07/03/1965 USA2:2 (0:1)MEX First stage1962Mexico City 13/11/1960 MEX3:0 (3:0)USA First stage1962Los Angeles 06/11/1960 USA3:3 (1:3)MEX First stage1958Los Angeles 28/04/1957 USA2:7 (2:3)MEX First stage1958Mexico City 07/04/1957 MEX6:0 (3:0)USA First stage1954Mexico City 14/01/1954 USA1:3 (1:0)MEX First stage1954Mexico City 10/01/1954 MEX4:0 (2:0)USA First stage1950Mexico City 18/09/1949 MEX6:2 (3:0)USA First stage1950Mexico City 04/09/1949 MEX6:0 (3:0)USA First stage1934Rome 24/05/1934 USA4:2 (2:1)MEX First stage
Copa das Confederações
1999Mexico City 01/08/1999 MEX1:0 a.

So how to feel about Wednesday's result in Philadelphia, where a tie felt like a win because: 1) It came off a rally; 2) Because the United States was clearly better through the final 20-30 minutes, and; 3) Because the Americans didn't get run plum off the field, a la the Rose Bowl roasting they took from Mexico six weeks back.

Doing some reporting for SI.com's U.S.-Mexico preview piece that should go up some time today, I spoke by phone to a couple of American players Monday from Philadelphia. There's definitely a newness around it all, a fresh slate for some, a curiosity among the established hands – and maybe even a little nervous energy that might serve the U.

Paul Garner is most definitely not down with any of that new age crap, got it? Nor does he want it infiltrating his national team.

So I will just have to overlook the fact that Klinsmann has shown alarming tendencies to think and act like a Californian. He took a team of Californian fitness gurus with him to Germany (supposedly they worked wonders, but one couldn't help noticing that in the two overtime games that Germany played, it was the opponents, Argentina and Italy, who looked fitter).

The score read 4-2 in favor of Mexico, following a crippling second half performance by the U.S.'s Southern neighbors. Two early goals in favor of the Americans was a dream start after several nearly disastrous performances leading up to the Gold Cup Final, in the sold out Rose Bowl of Pasadena, California.

Some final thoughts on the business aspects of the 2011 version of the Womens' World Cup. We'll start with the television ratings where the numbers were outstanding for ESPN. According to multiple sources, the game earned an 8.6 overnight rating taken from the largest 56 television markets across the United States.

By ADAM SERRANO

Spanish giant Real Madrid has arrived in the United States eager to make waves.

The star-studded Madrid, led by head coach Jose Mourinho and stars Cristiano Ronaldo, Iker Casillas and Kaka, among others, start their U.S. sojurn against the Los Angeles Galaxy Saturday night.

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It could be a mess out there this weekend for fans heading to the Galaxy-Real Madrid game at the Rose Bowl.

Real Madrid arrived in Southern California Monday.

Me, I'll be heading the short half dozen miles or so to Home Depot Center (I take surface streets anyway) to watch Thierry Henry and the Red Bulls against Chivas USA.

REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch

To be fair, U.S. soccer history doesn't have a huge collection of great moments.

A few that quickly come to mind:

The United States beating England in the 1950 World Cup.

Brandi Chastain's PK against China to win the 1999 Women's World Cup in front of a sold-out Rose Bowl.

The United States Soccer Federation (USSF) announced today that the United States Men's National Team (USMNT) will play Mexico, in an international friendly at Lincoln Financial Field, on August 10 at 9 pm.

Coming off of a 4-2 loss to Mexico in the CONCACAF Gold Cup Final, the USMNT looks to build up form in August before heading to Belgium to play a friendly on September 6.

*The San Jose Earthquakes announced today they have signed former Loyola Marymount University midfielder Rafael Baca of Lawndale who has trained with the club since mid-February.

The native of Mexico appeared in three games for the club's reserves, starting two of them.

Baca scored 19 goals for LMU.

Jason and Jared are ready to move on from the disappointment of the Gold Cup and the uncertainty surrounding Bob Bradley. Except...we kinda have to address the Bob Bradley thing. The boys talk about the "statement" that led to so much speculation, run down two very different lists of possible candidates, and debate the merits of changing things up.

Evan Ream, Russell Jordan and four friends walked into the Rose Bowl parking lot before the Gold Cup final bedecked in USMNT gear. The final was still hours away, but the group of six wanted to get the lay of the land and tour the area before meeting up with some American Outlaws compatriots at a pregame tailgate.

An Open Letter to USA fans from the US Soccer Federation .
To our U.S. Soccer fans,
After receiving several complaints about unacceptable behavior towards U.S. fans at the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup final at the Rose Bowl, we felt it was necessary to address this issue directly with our supporters.

La Plata is the venue for Argentina v Bolivia today, the opening game of 2011's South American Championship - the Copa America.
The 24-team tournament culminates in the final at River Plate's Monumental Stadium (pic) - the scene of riots on Sunday when the club was relegated for the first time in its 110-year history.

An English take on the American dilemmaBob Bradley might be fired tomorrow and if he is I cannot say I would be wholly surprised following that embarrassing surrender in the Rose Bowl. US Soccer has lofty ambitions, which is noble, but Rome was not built in a day.With no Confederations Cup to plan for, the World Cup is the next major international competition on the horizon in 2014, so there is

Two weeks ago I wrote an article entitled Why the Gold Cup Final Should Be on FOX, which argued that the chance of a USA against Mexico Gold Cup Final would have been a potential home run ratings bonanza for FOX. However FOX stuck to its guns and decided to keep the final on FOX Soccer instead of putting it on FOX, the broadcast TV network.

Might as well pile on. Better never than late, after all.
Tim Howard clarified his comments, according to Major League Soccer Soccer.
Quote: "In any important international match with postgame ceremonies, you would hope the tournament organizers would make sure that the primary language of each participating team is used so that the participants can understand what is being said," the statement continued.

It was a tough day to be an American soccer fan. Saturday's 4-2 loss to regional rivals Mexico after holding an early, 2-0 is one of those games that we hold onto for awhile. Processing what went right, what went wrong, and what to do about it all is a question for the players, the coach, Sunil Gulati, and the Big Soccer message boards.

U.S. men's national team goalkeeper Tim Howard caused a stir following Saturday's Gold Cup final loss to Mexico when he lashed out at CONCACAF for the format of the post-game ceremonies at the Rose Bowl, which were held mostly in Spanish.

Howard's comments were a reaction to what Howard felt was a slight by CONCACAF of the host nation, and he was clearly upset during his profanity-laced tirade.

STARTERS
Oguchi Onyewu has officially signed with Sporting of Lisbon Portugal. Its a 3 year deal.
-They have two veteran starting centerback on the roster already, so he will have to beat them out for a starting spot.
STORY OF THE DAY
There is a storm brewing among supporters of the USA men's national team about the way they were treated last Saturday night at the Rose Bowl.

Like many of you, I've been reading a lot about Saturday's Gold Cup final. Meaning, I've been reading a lot of complaining. I'm on board with most of it. The Nats have looked uninspired since the World Cup, and it's getting pretty frustrating. But I've come across a lot of writers focusing on where the final was staged, and I really don't understand what the problem is.

On Saturday, I was all ready to go. The Rose Bowl, site of the Gold Cup final, would host 90,000-plus fans and I'd be there to give as much of a full account as possible. With A.C. blogging away even before we got to the stadium, I was also set on providing my own inside info, complete with pictures and descriptions.

On Saturday, I was all ready to go. The Rose Bowl, site of the Gold Cup final, would host 90,000-plus fans and I'd be there to give as much of a full account as possible. With A.C. blogging away even before we got to the stadium, I was also set on providing my own inside info, complete with pictures and descriptions.

"Empty feeling:" U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard reacts after Saturday's Gold Cup final defeat (AP Photo).

Soccer fans in the U.S. like to think the sport is growing and it is, incrementally.

Last year pubs and bars in LA were packed with soccer fans watching World Cup games, last week a stunning 45,000 or so showed up for a regular season MLS game in Seattle and last weekend there were more U.

We've always known that a U.S. national team game on U.S. soil conjures a strange world, indeed.

On the one hand, I always appreciated what it meant in the bigger picture. People come from other lands to share in the opportunities of our great country, and I personally have zero issue with that.

Their Words As a coach, I'm fine. I'm going to enjoy the moment, live it, and many moments will come and in the meantime. We just have to enjoy it. Mexico coach Jose Manuel de la Torre. Other Sources Bigger Is Not Better in Battle of Neighbors - from The NY Times' Rob Hughes: Donovan, as good with words as he is with the ball, explained later why expectations evaporated in the Rose Bowl.

Sorry. We had to. Image: ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images

Having realised the honour we would be bestowing on a team or individual by using their photo to lead our final Weekend Results post of the season, we spent much of our weekend considering possible candidates. Should it be Javier Hernandez lifting the CONCACAF Gold Cup in a slightly oversized tee?

Out of favour Tottenham striker Giovani Dos Santos once again proved his worth for Mexico after he helped his country overcome the United States 4-2 in the CONCAF Gold Cup final.

Trailing 2-0 after a poor start, Mexico rallied back with aplomb and a double strike by Pablo Barrera either side of by a goal by midfielder Jose Guardado put the Mexicans back in control at the at the Rose Bowl.

Big weekend for soccer in the United States with the Gold Cup Final, kick off of the Women's World Cup and regular MLS action around the country. This includes the odd decision to run a number of MLS matches while the Gold Cup Final was going forward in California.

All 32 matches of the Women's World cup will be televised in HD on the ESPN family of networks.

México empezó perdiendo con dos goles en contra, todos los aficionados negativos empezaron hacer su aparición, pero los mejores momentos del tricolor estaban por empezar.

En pocos minutos de buen juego México perdia, pero el caracter y determinación de estos jóvenes guerreros dio frutos , en especifico cuatro goles y un campeonato.

Yesterday I devoted my writing time on this site entirely to the Portland Timbers. My daily traffic noticeably suffered for it, but I stand by that this is, above all else,a blog for and about the Timbers, questionable performances and all. Today, however, there doesn't seem to be any Portland Timbers news to write about, hence, a Gold Cup review.

First of all, I just wanted to say that I am blown away with all the soccer on TV right now.

In the past I would pretty much take a break from soccer once the Premier League and FA Cup Final were over. I enjoyed the break before I was full blown into soccer again with college pre season starting August 25th.

First of all, I just wanted to say that I am blown away with all the soccer on TV right now.

In the past I would pretty much take a break from soccer once the Premier League and FA Cup Final were over. I enjoyed the break before I was full blown into soccer again with college pre season starting August 25th.

It's been nearly 14 hours since Mexico defeated the U.S. 4-2 in the 2011 Gold Cup final at Azetca Junior, the Rose Bowl. In that time all that keeps replaying in my mind is an orange-glad Tim Howard flopping on the grass like a fish out of water, Gio Dos Santos chipping an inch-perfect 99-of-100 shot into the upper 90, followed by Howard punching the grass in a show of unchecked emotional