Nearly two weeks ago, the President’s State of the Union Address struck a hopeful and at times confrontational tone. Informing both the ineffective Congress and an impatient country that there remained much work to be done, the President also noted with optimism that there was reason for hope and that happier days were around the corner. The “can do spirit” and centrism of the speech was half-Reagan, half-Clinton, a beckoning to lawmakers to stop saying… Read more
Bob makes a good elf… We here at The Yanks Are Coming have been known to enjoy a good time. Well, we may have taken it too far with our latest offering. For your viewing pleasure, we proudly present members of the USMNT (including Coach Bradley) along with Zakumi dancing to disco music. In elf costumes. Looking ridiculous. You’re going to laugh. Send your own ElfYourself… Read more
Netherlands. March 3. In Amsterdam. Who knew they had this one in the works? One day after announcing plans to play Honduras at home on January 23rd Bob Bradley and his men have officially scheduled a game against the Netherlands in Amsterdam on March 3rd. This is a daunting task, but a necessary one. U.S.A. soccer has been drawing some criticism, and deservedly so, for scheduling Honduras for a fifth time in the current calendar year. In the months… Read more
3:50: Hell freezes over. Raf: CASTILLO!!!!! AND HELL FROZE OVER. MB90 OFF THE PITCH!!!! Neil: Omfg. Good job Bobbo. AKA, the only thing that Bobbo did right all game. Get his boy off the field, and let Castillo on. And, even then, he screwed this up. Bad Benny had reared his ugly head when the effort level went to shit, and he was our only creative presence in the midfield. We were losing because there was a disconnect between the strikers and the… Read more
That game sucked. I’m pissed. I’m not even going to analyze anything. I’m just going to go over my real-time text message conversation that I had with Neil the entire time: 3:00 p.m. ET: I curse out the 4-letter network for not cutting to the US game when I realize 25 minutes have gone by. Instead, I had to watch the fighting Fanes Gekases beat the defeated Shevchenkos. Raf: Fanis Gekas to S Africa! Neil: Fanis Gekas = Eichmann. (Neil hates Gekas… Read more
Since we have another friendly Wednesday against Denmark, I thought it would be wise to illustrate what Bobbo “will do” and what Raf “would do differently.” As announced today, the roster for the Denmark game was just released. Here’s what Bobbo is “going to do” for his starting 11 I think: Keeper: Guzan Defenders: Bornstein (LB), Spector (CB), Boca (CB), Cherundolo (RB) Midfielders: Rodgers (LMF), MB90 (DMF), Clark (DMF), Holden… Read more
So there I was Friday night, minding my own business, watching some meaningless TV. I was having an internal debate about the merits of spending yet another night at Sh’booms. On one hand, it would be AWESOME, as I just discovered what a Vegas Bomb was about 2 weeks ago, and I recently got the top score on the Gemsbok adventure of Buck Hunter. On the other hand, I had like the best sports day ever set up for myself on Saturday. I knew I’d have to get up at… Read more
This is Part Two of a Three Part Series on The United States Men’s National Team’s run through qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. This section addresses particularly what changes need to made to the team to have a successful trip next summer and what challenges and obstacles will and have already presented themselves to the National Team as it now begins final preparations for the World’s most-anticipated sporting event. PART TWO: WHAT… Read more
This is the first of a three blog installment taking a look back at qualifying and as noted in the title, a look ahead to South Africa 2010, over the course of the next week. PART ONE: WHAT WE LEARNED We’ve come a long way, both as a blog and more importantly, as a national team since the summer of 2008, when the United States senior team hosted Barbados to begin World Cup qualifying and a Brad Guzan set-piece blunder coupled with Michael… Read more
My thoughts on the Honduras match and where we’re headed: 1.) Jozy is the real-deal. Jozy played the best game I’ve ever seen him play. He was clearly inspired by Chuck D’s injuries and was ready to take it out on the Ticos. He was remarkable, and he’s improved dramatically since he started playing for Hull. Last night, I noticed that his first touch is much improved, and now he can hold the ball up top by himself much like a Didier… Read more
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
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
