Hey, hey, folks, let's get to it, why don't we? Predictions, please. Get them logged in before kickoff. Click to continue reading...

This should be fun, after that 4-0 arse-whoopin' we got in March. We are certainly a better team than the one that showed up at Dick's that day.

The Rapids, with a record of 5-5-0, are leading the Western Conference standings. However, with their 15 points, the Rapids would only be tied for 4th in the Eastern Conference standings.

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Ok folks, here are some last-minute Euro 2008 kernels. Questions of the tournament: 1. Will anyone be able to score? Think about it, this tournament could alternately be titled the world's best goalkeeping competition. Petr Cech, Gianluigi Buffon and Iker Casillas regarded as the top trio. On top of that guys like Edwin van der Saar, Jens Lehman, Artur Boruc, Antonis Nikopolidis are on the Click to continue reading...

The U.S. and Mexico are each one game away from playing a pair of critical World Cup qualifiers. But neither side is providing many reasons to cheer or feel confident about lately.
The United States went 0-for-Europe in a week's span, losing 2-0 to England and 1-0 to Spain. Sunday's opponent could wipe the floor with the US, as evidenced by Argentina's 4-1 thrashing of Mexico. Click to continue reading...

First, I must admit when Xavi knifed through the United States defense with a brilliant individual play that I applauded. What a move! What a first touch! In the words of Marty Schottenheimer, "he wasn't going to be denied." That was the only difference in the scoreline in Spain's 1-0 victory over the USMNT at Santander Wednesday, though the gulf in class between the teams was quite noticeable. Click to continue reading...

So, This Is Extra Time and I co-hosted a liveblog of the US/Spain game. However, because I am a dingbat, I didn't think to post the link here so y'all could follow it live. We'll just call this a ... I don't know. Almost-live blog. Click to continue reading...

Blissful ignorance . . .
I don't get ESPN.360. Before anyone screams out about, "I thought you worked for them" - it's apparently my cable internet provider's fault. Even so, I don't really like watching matches on my computer screen. It's hard to blog that way for one. For another, it's a pain straining at the poor resolution. Click to continue reading...

You're not that pretty. You're not that special.
Enough already with the "We are Mexico, inscrutable and impenetrable" act that some veterans on that national team have been pulling lately.
I'm not singling them out - I thought the same thing when Bruce Arena's time was up and players with the U. Click to continue reading...

Brad Guzan talks about Spain and how England went for him. Click to continue reading...

A week after the most depressing possible performance this side of Frankie Hedjuk coming onto the field with his uniform backwards, the United States senior national team returns to the international friendly stage to play against Euro-bound Spain in Santandar. Not to set an even more negative tone, but here goes anyway. Click to continue reading...

Sigi Schmid is straightfoward, even a bit sarcastic at times, and that's not a bad thing.
Still, while no MLS coach likes to lose his players for international duty, I'm not sure I understand the point by Sigi grousing about Frankie Hejduk's travel for the USMNT.
"Maybe he should get a groin pull. Click to continue reading...

No LD for Spain. Click to continue reading...

It's not that I disagree with Rob Hughes about how the U.S. needs more skillful players, I do agree with him on that. I also think that Latino players, their style of play and making sure that talented players in their ranks receive opportunities in the U.S. is very important.
But the U.S. just needs better players - no matter where they come from. Click to continue reading...

A little redux from the USMNT 2-0 loss to England on Wednesday... * Thinking a little more about the match, it reminded me of 'The Simpsons' episode 'The Homer They Fall'. You know, the one where Homer becomes a championship-level boxer after fighting a string of hobos. Yeah, that one. Basically the U. Click to continue reading...

Yeah, okay, England won. But Michael Bradley upset Frank Lampard, and really, that's all I ask these days. Bonus points to Baby Bradley for wearing black shoes with the black socks and shirt. I respect a boy that knows basic principles of color coordination. Click to continue reading...

Alright, I'm officially starting the Start Kenny Cooper Against Spain campaign. Anyone else want to join?
Cooper and Brian Ching played on the same field Wednesday as FC Dallas hosted Houston. Cooper scored a goal in the 2-2 draw, and it really was an awesome goal. The long ball was splendid from Pablo Richetti but Cooper's touch, poise and finish were sublime. Click to continue reading...

Alright, so let me consult the notes I jotted down whilst (when virtually in London . . .) watching the game last night and attempt to assemble some talking points . . . * I love Dempsey's daring, and I don't want to see it get hammered out of him, but what is he playing at in the defensive third? He's trying tricks and little dink passes that inevitably end up with a loss of possession and Click to continue reading...

England 2, USA 0 Well, I suppose that makes up for the War of 1812. It's truly going to be a test to write something after watching that putrid 90 minutes of football from the Yanks. I might even have to revert to the old, 'they put their uniforms on properly' at the onset. It was truly miserable from a American perspective. Click to continue reading...

This is it, folks, Wembley the Great, England, the Three Lions, and the U.S. Upstart Colonists (we really have to get a decent nickname, no?)
Starting lineup for the U.S.:
Howard
Cherundolo – Onyewu – Bocanegra – Pearce
Dempsey – Clark – Bradley – Beasley
Johnson - Wolff
England
David James
Wes Brown, Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, John Terry
Owen Hargreaves, David Beckham, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard,
Jermain Defoe, Wayne Rooney
John Harkes has already bobbled "injury against the Galaxy" No, John, LD was hurt against the Wizards, playing FOR the Galaxy. Click to continue reading...

Bummer
He's not even available as a sub. Click to continue reading...

I have to drop stuff off at work today, but I'm "sick", so I'll be here for the U.S. versus England. Is anyone else struck by a mysterious malady that can only be cured by copious amounts of soccer? Or have the planners among soccer fans already taken vacation time for today? Click to continue reading...

Um, finals and graduation and moving back home meant something had to give, and apparently it was everything related to soccer in general and this blog in particular. I would promise to do better, but I just started my bar review course this week, so I'm pretty sure that'd be a lie. I'll do my best, though, and hey, at least it's the off-season? Click to continue reading...

I mentioned it in my US Soccer Players article, and it looks like Donovan may not recover in time to play versus England. Click to continue reading...

Landon Donovan goes for the one-double-Z. Click to continue reading...

"I don't agree with that in the workplace." -- David Brent "I like to wake up to the smell of crispy bacon" -- Michael Scott Two quotes. Two paper merchants. Two countries. Two laughs. Either you watch 'The Office' or you don't. If so, skip ahead because the next couple graphs will be over your dead. Click to continue reading...

Roster is set. I was a little off in my guesses, as Michael Orozco, Ricardo Clark and DaMarcus Beasley were all selected for the match (as well as Dominic Cervi). Honestly, though, I'm glad I was wrong on them, especially about Orozco.
Here's the entire roster:
G: Dominic Cervi, Brad Guzan, Tim Howard
D: Carlos Bocanegra, Dan Califf, Steve Cherundolo, Jay DeMerit, Oguchi Onyewu, Michael Orozco, Heath Pearce, Jonathan Spector
M: Freddy Adu, DaMarcus Beasley, Michael Bradley, Ricardo Clark, Benny Feilhaber, Eddie Lewis
F: Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, Nate Jaqua, Eddie Johnson, Josh Wolff
What do you think of the United States' chances with this squad? Click to continue reading...

We won't know who makes the final list until it's actually released but I'll take a guess at who may or may not be on it based on some Bob Bradley tendencies.
- Bradley doesn't like to yank guys away from MLS games if he doesn't have to. That being said, don't expect Brian Ching, Ricardo Clark or Kenny Cooper to make the team for England, as Houston and FC Dallas play on May 28 as well. Click to continue reading...

The US will announce its roster for the England match soon, perhaps as early as Tuesday. While the task of paring down the original 33 players to a squad to face England was likely difficult, the task of selecting 33 players was likely even more challenging. Coach Bob Bradley had to consider - among many factors - injuries, drop in form, unexpected rise in form for the upcoming friendlies against England, Spain and Argentina all while keeping an eye on World Cup qualifying. Click to continue reading...

US national team coach Bob Bradley called in thirty-three players, from which he will select rosters for games in England, Spain and against Argentina. He'll select 22 from this list for the England match, and that will be announced next week.
Here's the roster:
Goalkeepers: Dominic Cervi (Out of Contract), Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Tim Howard (Everton), Troy Perkins (Valerenga IF), Chris Seitz (Real Salt Lake)
Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham), Dan Califf (FC Midtjylland), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Jay DeMerit (Watford), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Michael Orozco (San Luis), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United). Click to continue reading...

US Soccer announced venues for the semifinal phase of qualifying, should the US get past mighty Barbados.
Sept. 10, Toyota Park, Bridgeview, Ill. (vs Trinidad/Bermuda)
Oc.t 11, RFK Stadium, Washington D.C. (vs Cuba/Antigua)
Nov. 19, Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, Colo. Click to continue reading...

Apparently De La Hoya's soccer ties extend farther than just owning the Dynamo. The USMNT gets a mention here in an article about why so many in Oscar's own community have shunned him.
Comedian Paul Rodriguez, a friend of De La Hoya, said the audience that rooted most venomously against De La Hoya was "the Mexican who speaks Spanish and who roots for the Mexico soccer team over the U. Click to continue reading...

Good morning folks. It is a clear and sunny Tuesday morning here in New Jersey and if you're like me, you are counting down the hours to today's Champions League clash between Liverpool and Chelsea.

To get the day rolling, I have decided to knock out the first part of the most recent Q&A session.

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It was a rough weekend for Americans in England. of the 12 currently playing in the English Premier League, none of them tasted victory last weekend and only Brad Friedel's heroics against Manchester United kept his Blackburn from facing defeat.

There was better news elsewhere, from Oguchi Onyewu's Standard Liege clinching the Belgian Jupiler League title to Michael Bradley's Heerenveen clinching a Champions League playoff spot with its own victory.

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The U.S. men's Olympic soccer team will face Holland, Japan and Nigeria in this summer's Olympic Games.

The draw, held early this morning, placed the Americans in a group with a tough Dutch squad and a Nigeria team with a strong collection of young players that will include key figures from the squad that reached the 2005 Under-20 World Cup final as well as the team that just won the 2007 Under-17 World Cup.

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Photo by ISI Photos

If you are a U.S. national team fan with plans of seeing the USA-Argentina friendly at Giants Stadium, and you weren't one of the fortunate souls who took part in the VISA-sponsored pre-sale this weekend, get your phones and computers ready.

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