Tim Howard, 7 - Saved everything he needed to and came off his line to punch away the few crosses that came his way. You could see the joy on his face, finishing off this three-game set with a shutout. Brad Evans, 6 - Looked a little lost in defense. Graham Zusi and Eddie Johnson didn't do him any favors, but he did recover, just didn't add enough to get more than a passing grade.
Kyle Beckerman has been added to the US roster for Tuesday's 9 p.m.ETqualifier against Honduras in Salt Lake City. TheReal Salt Lake midfielder'saddition makes it a 22-man roster. Jermaine Jones remains in that number. Geoff Cameron's performance in Seattle should make this news irrelevant. But hey, good for Beckerman.
Tim Howard, 7 - Had little to do, for which he deserves some credit. And what little he had to do, he did. The yellow card was silly on the ref's part, but Guzan deserves a game anyway. Good thing this country produces goalkeepers like most produce people that make a living kicking a ball.Brad Evans, 7 - Steady tracking back and useful on the overlap, Evans turned in his fullest performance ever
We're mere hours away from kickoff and I feel the same merrily tense gameday anticipation I've known ever since the internet, and with it, the national team's schedule came into my life. Yet that excitement doesn't come from the usual days-long wonderment over who will win the midfield battle, what striker(s) will start and just watching and/or writing about a game between two teams representing
After a dramatic stoppage time win against Jamaica, the United States now find themselves in second place in the CONCACAF qualification table. This Tuesday, the US will host CONCACAF rivals Panama, who sit just one point behind the US in hexagonal qualifying, at Century Link Field in Seattle.
Both teams have a some injuries to contend with- the United States will be without holding midfielder Jermaine Jones, who has played very well of late, whilst FC Dallas forward Blas Perez will miss out for Panama.
As the summer approaches and the Confederations Cup inches closer, World Cup qualifying heats up and the CONCACAF hexagonal fourth round standings get tighter and tighter.
After the recent June matches, Costa Rica, The United States, and Mexico are tied at the top with seven points with Costa Rica leading the tiebreak with a plus two goal differential.
The United States needed a bit of last minute heroics in Kingston, Jamaica on Friday evening as the Reggae Boyz tied the match in the 89th minute courtesy of Jermaine Beckford's, only to see Brad Evans tally what proved to be the game winner in stoppage time.
On the evening, the United States held the clear advantage in terms of ball possession, but the physical nature of the Jamaican's style of play successfully disrupted the Americans play within their own midfield.
Well, this about sums it up. I have one thing to say- @brad_evans3@brad_evans3 @brad_evans3 @brad_evans3 @brad_evans3 @brad_evans3 @brad_evans3 @brad_evans3 is a boss! — Sacha Kljestan (@SachaKljestan) June 8, 2013 Now who to start for Zusi and Jones? - Jacob Klinger
The United States Men's National Team have a long month of June ahead of the them. After failing to truly get after Belgium in their friendly earlier in the week they now face an even more challenging friendly against highly rated Germany. Although it is a home match, the Americans know that there is little that is anticipated to distract one of the world's top national teams from having only one goal in mind, getting a result in preparation for 2014 World Cup Qualification.
The United States Men's National Team played to a disappointing 2-4 loss against Belgium earlier this week. Despite a few good moments, for the most part Jürgen Klinsmann's side were not up to par and looked off their game.
However, the team have only until Sunday night to set the record straight ahead of their three match World Cup qualification as they host Germany in Washington DC at RFK Stadium.
I want to share this video. Perhaps a lot of people disagree, surely a lot of people, football fans, would rather ignore it. But there is truth in the fact that a world cup overshadows a lot of things that are, much, much more important. Football is the most important of all unimportant thins, but sadly a lot of powerful and rich people want to make us think that it is the most important to
Confederations Cup Recap: Spain's First Performance is a post from: Serie A Weekly Confederations Cup Recap: Spain's First Performance is a post from: Serie A Weekly Spain eased past Uruguay in their first match in Group B of the FIFA Confederations Cup. The 2-1 score line fails to reflect Spain's dominance of the game as they were comfortable throughout and went 2-0 up in the first.
Brasilia experienced everything a World class event has to offer Saturday. A dominant 3-0 win for the Home team, angry protesters engaging in conflict with the police outside the stadium, and a crowd superior to 67,000 soundly booing FIFA President Joseph Blatter and Brazilian President Dilma Rouseff.
FIFA made available close to 12-thousand extra tickets for the Confederations Cup, which kicks off this Saturday, according to their official website. Prices will remain the same as when tickets first got distributed, starting from $28 (national market) and $60 (international market) for a group stage match to $209 (national market) and $220 (international market) for the final on June 30.
Although South Africa feels like it was just yesterday, today marks one year until the opening game of World Cup 2014. Brazil is gearing up to host the 20th FIFA World Cup, with the first game in Sao Paulo on 12th June 2014, and qualifiers have been taking place around the world this last week as the road to the finals heats up.
With less than a week to the start of the FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil, many questions pertinent to the participants of the competition are being asked. Is Brazil going to be ready to host the FIFA World Cup next year, considering the persistent issues they've faced so far? Will Spain be the third country after Italy and Brazil to win back-to-back World Cup titles?
Brazil put in a sterling display as they smashed France 3-0 in a very entertaining friendly match in Porto Alegre. Goals from Oscar, Hernanes and a late penalty from Lucas Moura did the damage with the 2013 Confederations Cup just around the corner. In truth the victory owed much to France being awful as to [.
The 2014 World Cup Qualifiers continue on June 4th as Jamaica host the traveling Mexico side in Kingston. The CONCACAF rivals continue their quest for an automatic place in the World Cup in Brazil next summer as the battle of The Hex heats up. The Reggae Boyz previously tied El Tri with an impressive 0-0 draw in the Azteca back in February, but soon after their qualification hopes took quick tumble without being able to conjure up a crucial three points since.
In a game that was in danger of not being played, Sunday's match in Rio de Janeiro produced fireworks and provided a great test for both sides. The two teams faced off earlier this year at Wembley, a game that England won by a score of 2-1 behind goals from Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard. The year's second fixture between these two footballing powerhouses offered Brazil the chance to even the score and playing at the legendary Maracana, Luiz Felipe Scolari's men wanted to give the fans a show.
Normally we'd sit you down in front of the e-TV and break it down for you a little more. But here's what I know I'll be looking at from afar in Salt Lake tonight. 1. Edgar Castillo It's looking like he'll play either at left back or left mid. So be it. I want to see if he can handle fast, physical aggressive wing play for 90 minutes.
He's two games away from becoming a legend in Egypt. With their 1-0 road win against Mozambique The Pharaohs sealed one of 10 spots in Africa's final-round playoffs that award the confederation's five spots in the World Cup. Egypt's last World Cup was Italy 1990. Mohamed Salah, 21, scored in the 42nd minute.
Great times are known to be great because they rise to the occasion. Defending South American champions Uruguay have had a difficult qualifying campaign for the World Cup in Brazil, and it had come down to them needing a victory away to Venezuela, who is desperately trying to clinch its first time in a world cup.
I did not watch Denmark's humiliating defeat to Armenia in today's world cup qualifier in Copenhagen, so I cannot comment much on the actual match. That said, to lose 0-4 at home to the world's number 89 is a debacle no matter how you turn it. Denmark is effectively out of the world cup and in any country they should seriously consider whether Morten Olsen should continue as coach.
It's a busy week, plus I'm getting prepared for my trip to Turkey next week - and by "getting prepared" I mean hoping I leave there in one piece. As such, you all get thrown in front of the tube while I nap ahead of tonight's World Cup qualifier... The ESPN Press Pass crew discuss tonight's tilt with Panama.
3 To See: Montenegro, Argentina, Villarreal World Cup qualifying + Scorcher in Spain is a post from: Just Football
With the regular season over in most of Europe's major leagues our attention switches to World Cup qualifying this weekend with some big games taking place around the world on the road to Brazil 2014.
Mexico look to uphold their unbeaten run in their World Cup Qualifiers at the Estadio Azteca on Tuesday night as Costa Rica looks to further their chances of qualifying for Brazil in 2014. For Mexico who has two consecutive home draws in The Hex, Chepo will look to see a resurgent attacking threat and get back to their winning ways.
As a banner hanged from the box seats of the Aviva Stadium, the entire 19,000 fans packed into the Dublin Ireland venue prepared to witness history for their national team. The banner read, "Well Done Daddy on your record 126th cap."
Lionel Messi of Argentina (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)
Almost from the first whistle in Buenos Aires, it seemed that Venezuelan referee Marlon Escalante and his officiating crew were not up for the monumental task of overseeing the World Cup qualifier between leaders Argentina and third-placed Colombia.
On Friday, CONMEBOL qualifying leaders Argentina will host third-placed Colombia in Buenos Aires. Captained by four-time FIFA World Player of the Year Lionel Messi,theAlbicelestes are in need of only four points from the next two fixtures to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in neighboring Brazil.
Every year prior to the FIFA World Cup, the FIFA Confederations Cup takes place. The event's main goal is to test whether the host country is ready or not to receive a World Cup caliber event. But it also serves to give soccer fans a taste of what is to come.
Let's look at each of the squads who will be playing in the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 starting with Mexico.
Mexico visit Jamaica on Tuesday evening in what should be another difficult match in CONCACAF's Hexagonal World Cup Qualifying. Conditions at Independence Park in Kingston, Jamaica never make it easy for the visiting side, but with World Cup Qualifying on the line, expect an incredibly exciting match between Mexico and Jamaica.
Hatem Ben Arfa is not in the France squad for the two friendlies to be played against Uruguay tomorrow and Brazil on Saturday. Ben Arfa in action for France last summer at Euro 2012 And Newcastle's mercurial winger may find it difficult to get in the World Cup squad for France for next summer's World [.
There was some good news for Newcastle players Yohan Cabaye and Mathieu Debuchy today, and each will start only one game for France during their two match South American tour. Yohan Cabaye - exhausted last summer Alan Pardew would be much happier if both of them were already resting up before pre-season starts in early [.
Despite both Iran and South Korea qualifying for next Summer's World Cup Finals in Brazil following Iran's 1-0 win in Korea, hostilities were still aplenty with an overjoyed Iranian keeper getting punched in the nose for getting to close to the opposition in celebration.
Wingers Graham Zusi and Eddie Johnson both played an important role in the perfect qualifying haul for the United States in June. The United States won all four June matches including a spectacular 4-3 victory in Washington against Germany to celebrate the US Soccer Federation Centennial. While much of the clamoring at the start of the month among US supporters was for a return of Landon Donovan, the exiled one-time poster boy of the game in the states, now the discussion revolves around the quality, commitment and consistency demonstrated recently by Jürgen Klinsmann's side.
Australia have become the third side to cement their place in next summer's World Cup after a last gasp 1-0 win over Iraq. An 83rd minute header from substitute Josh Kennedy proved enough for the Socceroos at the ANZ Stadium, who had to win to be sure of qualifying for Brazil 2014. Cue scenes of [...
Nike only just unveiled the new England home shirt less than two weeks ago, but they're already planning on launching a new England home kit in the Spring for World Cup 2014 if/when England qualify.
In Nike's defense, they want to issue new shirts on a two year cycle (World Cup 2014, Euro 2016, etc).
