Nearly four years ago, when Oguchi Oneywu took what can only be fairly called a “soft penalty” after appearing to win a clean header against Ghana’s Razak Pimpong in the waning moments of extra time of the first half, the United States faced a spot kick that had the most honest of USMNT followers turning away. Moments later, Stephen Appiah fired the ball past a diving Kasey Keller and the Yanks were faced with the difficult position of needing two goals… Read more
Experience tells us that a number of coaches throw in the towel after their teams fail to obtain a desired objective in major tournaments. It has happened so many times in the US even in recent years. But the Yanks’ current coach says he is not around for just one World Cup, rather to build a solid football future for the CONCACAF country. Speaking to TYAC yesterday, Bob Bradley said: “I will not resign as team manager even if the US does not win the… Read more
Yanks fans! You may be wondering, “Where the hell has Raf been?” Things were going along smoothly in the Yanks home office when one day, I caught this nasty stomach bug. That fucker knocked me out for 36 hours, but I arose victorious and like Connor, the original Highlander, after his epic battle with the Kurgan, I was ready to kick ass again as I screamed “There can be only one” after my fever broke. Sadly, I fell behind at work because of it, and… Read more
Now that the first post established that times are uncertain for the USMNT, it is important to talk any of you off the ledge and assure that this is not quite yet the winter of our discontent. Much like the State of the Union, where the President emphasized that the audacious have reason for hope and that better times are around the corner, there is reason for optimism in the American camp. In fact, even at a time where one senses the harrowing… 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
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
Ladies and gentlemen, Thierry Henry haters of all ages, please allow me to introduce myself, I am PUCK. I like to consider myself a man of all things sports. Growing up in Western New York, I am a long tortured Buffalo Bills/Sabres (Adios Dicky Boy) fan, and an unapologetic New York Yankees and Blackchester…err Manchester City enthusiast. I have never blogged before, so hopefully you and I can get through this in one piece. As a roommate and friend of the… 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
U.S. Soccer just hit a huge high with the boost of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup, and promptly followed that with the brutal low of Charlie Davies’ car crash. A fractured tibia and femur along with a laundry list of other injuries will almost certainly keep Davies from returning for the World Cup, but USMNT fans should just be hoping that he plays soccer again. These are the kinds of injuries that can end careers, but my gut tells me we’ll see Chuck… 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
