A Ricardo Clark howler set up by (Who Else?) Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan gave the U.S. its first three road points of the Hexagon and vaulted the Americans to the top of the group and ever closer to South Africa 2010 last night in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. That’s about all you can say about the game that doesn’t involve guarded optimism or outright criticism. The good news now is that it would take a monumental collapse in the final two games,… Read more
Dear Sir: Bobbo, Bobbo, guess what?!?!?!?!! Neil and I figured out a way to make all of your problems go away! Here’s what we realized – the US National Team must have a player named “M-something-90” on the pitch at all times. This is because Brian McBride retired; he would have been B-M-90, but I think internally Bobbo….you kind of switched the letters. I’m actually 100% sure this is what happened, but it’s OK, I got your back on this one and… Read more
Look, it is well known and established below that the United States has had a few issues in being as impressive as we know after this summer they are capable of being in the last two qualifying matches. Tonight’s match in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago is one more chance for the U.S. to play the complete game it is capable of. Let’s put the cookies on the lowest shelf too: The United States has to play a huge game tonight because these three points are the… Read more
There’s a poignant moment in the vastly underrated Disney film “Miracle”, which of course documents the triumph of a group of U.S. collegiate hockey players over the seasoned and world’s more talented Soviets in Lake Placid in 1980, when Kurt Russell, who plays Herb Brooks, is talking to Craig Patrick, excellently portrayed by Noah Emmerich, and a couple of other U.S. hockey advisors. Brooks and Patrick are hopeful and bold, but at base realize that the matchups… Read more
Sure, we’re in the middle of two of the most important qualifying matches the U.S. has played in ages, and there’s a nerve-wracking logjam at the top of CONCACAF that would make Congressional gridlock over health care reform blush. But let’s not forget to celebrate Southern California’s Audrina Patridge, the September 2009 Yankette of the Month. If you are as excited as I am about this Friday, and I imagine you are, you’ll know that Audrina has a huge role… Read more
The Yanks showed two different faces on Wednesday in The Azteca; unfortunately while one of those faces was on display for only one moment of brilliance, the other reared its ugly mug for the other 92 minutes. Landon Donovan’s through ball to Charlie “Chuck D” Davies and the ensuing cool finish conjured images of everything that was right about the American attack in the Confederation’s Cup. As for the rest of the soccer match, the only images it… Read more
I just watched the USA vs. Mexico monstrosity, and I’m FURIOUS with that game, the general direction of US soccer, and most importantly Bob Bradley’s (who from this point onward will be known as Bobbo) baffling lineup choices. Before I explain any further, let me introduce myself. I am member #3 of the USA power rankings. I’ve been a contributing thought provider for TYAC since its inception, and I’ve been alluded to several times since the creation… Read more
Porques Mexico jeuga como chicas este ano. Or something like that. Three custodial things before a final game preview: a. The game is on Mundo 2, as noted before. If you would like a link to a live stream b/c you are at work, or because you found that finding Mundo 2 on your cable company’s channel guide is like trying to find Sasquatch– here you are: www.futbolestelar.tv. b. If you haven’t read Kristian Dyer’s piece about Landon Donovan’s immense… Read more
Diminutive Mexican mid Andres Guardado sure is confident heading into tomorrow’s clash between the Yanks and El Tri @ the Azteca. (4 PM, Mundo 2 for an English Broadcast)Insisting that the presence of a U.S. “A Team” will not matter, Guardado, who is battling a bit of a knee injury, said Monday morning– “Of course we will win, 3-0. We have players of high quality and you can see that the team has prepared well, now there is only the question of showing it on… Read more
Ahead of Wednesday’s important World Cup qualifier/grudge match/bounce back game against El Tri the USMNT has plenty of questions to answer: Can the Yanks pick up their first win in The Azteca? Will the team be able to keep up its blistering form from the last three games of the Confederations Cup? Will Landon Donovan be in a throat-slitting mood to backup his comments? How does J.F. Torres fit into Bob Bradley’s view of the team? Have we seen the… Read more
Bob Bradley wisely waited until the last minute to release this roster for the Yanks qualifier in Mexico City at the fabled Azteca Wednesday. The game can be seen on ESPN.No real surprises per se on this roster– Chad Marshall gets the nod over Danny Califf and The Dude in the back, and given that Jermaine Jones is battling a shin knock, he was omitted. Also left out are Benfica exile Freddy Adu, Confed Cup disaster DeMarcus Beasley, and the mystifying Sacha… Read more
August’s Yankette of the Month Minka Kelly is a truly American story. The Friday Night Lights star (If you don’t watch, I’m really, really, really, really sorry for you) describes her childhood as “pretty rough”, which is tough to believe when you are the daughter of former Aerosmith guitarist Rick Dufay, but it’s the story nonetheless. It seems having a difficult relationship with a father extends beyond the Lyla Garrity-Buddy Garrity relationship that is one of… Read more
Yanks forward Jozy Altidore will be loaned out to Hull City, a team starved for offense, and a place where he will really get a shot at making his mark, according to his TWITTER entry four hours ago:First match is against chelsea subject to a work permit *wink* *wink* lol thanks for the support and love keep it coming. ESPN SOCCERNET has confirmed the story, noting that Hull City was a surprise in not being relegated last season, despite a tepid offensive attack…. Read more
