This is funny...

My camera phone isn't very good, but the boxes read "Classic Forks"

That's it for a while

Hey guys, I'm sure many of you know, but I'm not part-owner of an NPSL team. I'll continue to blog about the USMNT at their site. One day, I'm sure I'll need this space, but there are already too many bloggers spread far too thin. I won't be one of them.

From here-on-in, you can read my American soccer thoughts HERE:

http://blog.fcbuffalo.org

Jones switch to U.S. complete

After months of speculation, Schalke midfielder Jermaine Jones is no longer German property, as FIFA approved his move to the USMNT. Jones' father is American.

Jermaine is likely not nude in this photo unless they have lenient public nudity laws in Germany. Huge shin guards.

What a trip!

I don't know how well it translated to television, but the atmosphere at RFK Stadium on Wednesday night -- even at half-full -- was as "electrifying as a hair dryer tossed into a bathtub", as Roy Hudson once cried.

Already charged up by Saturday's World Cup qualification and saddled with emotions from forward Charlie Davies' devastating car accident earlier in the week, the US crowd found even more to get loud about in the form of a dirty, dangerous and ultimately embarrassing Costa Rican soccer team.

It began innocently enough, with States striker Conor Casey blowing a chance to send the stadium into ecstasy. As fans held up handed-out "9" signs for Davies during the ninth minute, Casey ripped what should've been an easy goal over the net as the game clock struck 9:00. It was the first of an entirely forgettable and borderline offensive game for Casey, who played with the gusto of a chicken liver. You could've been convinced his cement shoes were on the take.

Maybe it was Costa Rica's defense, because Jozy Altidore was also pushed around a bit, but the other members of the mens team played dominating soccer save for a four-minute span that saw FC Twente striker Bryan Ruiz strike twice to put CRC up, 2-0.

It would've been easy for the Yanks to pack up and stay home, but they played inspired soccer against a team that refused to work for their World Cup berth, milking the clock with humiliating tactic after humiliating tactic. At one point, a defender was taken off the field on a stretcher, crossed the sideline, jumped off it and re-entered the game at the next opportunity.

While the Costa Rican fans celebrating, racing their flag around the 400-level of the stadium, even of the heads of American fans, the States kept plugging away. The U.S. kept switching fields and hammering crosses into the box. Down two goals at half, you could still be confident that the Yanks would come marching back, though America used stunning drama to do it.

Michael Bradley showed typical grit in the 72nd minute, pushing a ball into the CRC net and closing the gap to one, but the attack wasn't complete until Jose Francisco Torres entered the game to put extra calm in the midfield, and Casey was substituted with Kenny Cooper, who at least endeavored to be in the proper position to win 50/50 balls.

There were five minutes of added time, and the Yanks made sure to use every drama-drenched moment. Jonathan Bornstein's head met the equalizer off a corner kick, and the celebration was on at 90+5. With a Mexico draw and a Honduras win, the Yanks had claimed CONCACAF and sent Costa Rica into a playoff with Uruguay (Told you Argentina would qualify on its own, drama kings).

The crowd exploded along with the fireworks, and the celebration was on, players circling the field after skipper Carlos Bocanegra addresses the home fans. The players snagged posters from the stands honoring Davies, and Tim Howard wore a cowboy hat. It was incredible.

I have to go do my real job now, but good looks to the effort from our boys, especially Stuart Holden and Steve Cherundolo, who never quit running and hitting great balls into the box. Also, a nod to Landon Donovan, who never hung his head despite working himself into several wonderful opportunities, only to miss. It's going to be a fun ride next summer...

The States have only announced one international friendly so far, Nov. 18 in Denmark against the Danish squad. Twenty-three of the 32 teams that will play in SA2010 have qualified, and Denmark is one.

Safe and Sound to South Africa!

Before I get into my notes from Saturday night's qualifier, viewed quite pirate-like on the information superhighway, here's the recap I typed for my 9-5er at WGR in Buffalo:

The United States is the 19th nation to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa after a thrilling 3-2 road victory in hostile Honduras.

Unlikely starter Conor Casey tallied twice as the States countered the game's first tally. His first goal came off an attempted header that connected with the top of his back and bounded into the Honduran net. The second came off a beautiful feed from Landon Donovan, who later scored off a free kick to put the States up, 3-1.

Honduras' Julio Leon made it interesting late, scoring his second of the game to halve America's lead, and the game looked all but tied when Jonathan Spector was whistled for a handball in the goal area late in the goings. Yet immensely talented Carlos Pavon sailed his penalty kick high, and missed on a late header a few minutes later, sending Honduras into a very dangerous spot if they want to end up in South Africa. With the political unrest in Honduras, here's hoping Pavon safety in his home nation.

The United States remains in first in the North and Central America qualifying group known as CONCACAF, and will likely need a win Wednesday against Costa Rica in Washington, D.C., to finish on top. It won't be easy, as Costa Rica will need a win to ensure a trip to South Africa, while Honduras will have to beat El Salvador and hope the Costa Ricans tie or lose to the States.

Joining the States in South Africa so far are:
Australia
Brazil
Chile
Denmark
England
Germany
Ghana
Italy
Ivory Coast
Japan
Korea DPR
Korea Republic
Mexico
Netherlands
Paraguay
Serbia
South Africa
Spain

32 teams in total will qualify for next summer's tournament.

QUICK THOUGHTS:

-- I'm genuinely worried for Pavon. Central America is all sorts of crazy, and he has put the Hondurans in a tricky spot. I hate the Honduran team, but maybe he can be a hero on Wednesday in El Salvador.

-- I was alarmed and upset by Bob Bradley choosing to play Casey, and I'm happy to peel several eggs off my face. What a long way I've come from wondering whether Bradley had the smarts to coach the team. His son was right and righteous with his summer anger.

-- Oguchi Onyewu made a couple brilliant tackles tonight to make up for later looking goofy on the second Honduras goal.

-- It was really good to see Landon Donovan get nutty off a free kick. The States really need that.

-- Stuart Holden made some sensational crosses and through balls. Way to go, Stu.

Rocktober: Do it or lose it

When my three friends and I head South to see the States tangle with Costa Rica on Oct. 14 in D.C., there's a solid chance it'll be the most important American soccer game since the 2006 World Cup.

If the States earns one point or less in Honduras on Oct. 10, they'll need another point to guarantee a berth in the World Cup, and Costa Rica have everything to play for.

Heading into that game in Honduras, a nation undergoing so much civil unrest that they've banned everything from freedom of speech to freedom to dress yourself without government superviasion, the table looks like this:

(First three qualify for WC, fourth place earns play-in game with fifth place team from CONMEBOL, who in my opinion will be Antonio Valencia's Ecuador squad).

1. US, 16 pts, +5
2. Mexico, 15 pts, +3
3. Honduras, 13 pts, +6
---
4. Costa Rica, 12 pts, -4
---
5. El Salvador, 8 pts, -2
6. T&T, 5 pts, -8

An extremely unlikely scenario could make it all moot for the States. If moribund Trinidad and Tobago can somehow topple Costa Rica in San Jose (the Costa Ricans beat T&T at T&T, 3-2, in their previous match-up), the States would be assured South Africa.

The Oct. 10 matchday features the two aforementioned games, plus El Salvador's trip to Azteca. In all likelyhood, CR, Honduras and Mexico come out on top, though the States chances at an upset are the best of the three visitors.

Here's how the table would look before the final match day (without goal differential):
1. Mexico, 18 pts
2. Honduras, 16 pts
3. US, 16 pts
---
4. Costa Rica, 15 pts
---
5. El Salvador, 8 pts
6. T&T, 5 pts

If you're a States fan hoping for qualification on the first matchday, hope for one of the following:
A) a win
2) a Costa Rican loss
D) a draw and a Costa Rican draw

Email: nicholas.mendola@gmail.com

Bradley names 22-man roster for final matchdays

Bob Bradley's decided who's going to match up with Honduras and Costa Rica. Here's an accidentally lewd picture of Stuart Holden -->

Altidore, Jozy (F)
Bocanegra, Carlos (D)
Bornstein, Jonathan (D)
Bradley, Michael (M)
Casey, Conor (F)
Cherundolo, Steve (D)
Ching, Brian (F)
Clark, Ricardo (M)
Conrad, Jimmy (D)
Cooper, Kenny (F)
Davies, Charlie (F)
Dempsey, Clint (M)
Donovan, Landon (F)
Goodson, Clarence (D)
Guzan, Brad (GK)
Holden, Stuart (M)
Howard, Tim (GK)
Onyewu, Oguchi (D)
Rogers, Robbie (M)
Torres, Jose Francisco (M)

Clearly, Bradley is prejudiced against most players with names that begin with letters in the second half of the alphabet. Notable names missing: Beckerman, DeMerit (injured), Kljestan, Marshall, Pearce

Snooze Express Towards South Africa

Thanks to Ricardo Clark's stunning outward bender, the United States took all three points in Trinidad & Tobago on Wednesday night, moving temporarily to the top of the CONCACAF qualifying table and coming to the verge of qualification for World Cup 2010.

The game was about as non-descript of a crucial win as you'll find, with ultra-homeless-looking Clint Dempsey's otherwise lackluster play the most remarkable aspect of the 1-0 American win. Luckily for the Yanks, Dempsey crossed a ball that Landon Donovan fed to Ric, who pounded home the game's lone goal.

The States win guarantees them no less than the CONCACAF/CONMEBOL playoff, which pits the No. 4 seed from the former against the No. 5 seed from the latter for one of the final World Cup slots.

I don't know if I can stay up any later, but in the 63rd minute, both the Mexico/Honduras and El Salvador/Costa Rica matches are scoreless. My calculations say we should hope to El Salvadorian and Honduran victories. I'll update everything else tomorrow (or tonight when I punish my morning my staying up).

States in danger? Not if we humbly opine...

Sometimes you have to let your credibility flag fly -- I can't talk at length about the States' 2-1 win over El Salvador at Rio Tinto because I was working myself into a spot via a wonderful variety of scotches and whiskies that will likely lead to me having to wear a disguise the next time I want to go to the splendid soccer bar that is Piper's Pub in Pittsburgh (I also left my red US track jacket behind. Hopefully whoever dealt with my handiwork earned that swell piece of attire as a reward. I'm sorry, Piper's. You have a truly great pub).

The States were superior enough to overcome a rare Tim Howard mistake and emerge with all three points. Landon Donovan hit two picture perfect passes to assist on both Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey's goals. As promised on Twitter, Altidore and Charlie Davies celebrated by doing their own version of the Stanky Legg. Nice.

Media-types are saying the States are in danger, but I'd place my worries at a relatively low and scientific 13 percent. Over three games, the States have to be one point better than one of three teams, and can all but ensure qualification with a win in Trinidad&Tobago this Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. The Yanks also have the second-best goal differential of the Top Four, at plus-4.

The Americans also have defender Edgar Castillo in the fold. The Tigres backliner had played in four friendlies for Mexico before requesting to align himself with the Red, White & Blue. He's been granted his request, and will be available beginning with the States' two October match-ups. Jermaine Jones has not yet been cleared to skip sides from Germany to America. According to Goal.com, FIFA is waiting for extra information from the German footballing federation.

Prediction for Wednesday: In home fixtures, T&T has taken all three points from El Salvador, just one from Honduras, and zero from then in-form Costa Rica. Look for the US to fall into the latter category, with a defender's goal off a corner, and an open field tally from either Davies or Altidore: States 2, T&T 0.

Adu on loan to Belenenses

Two days after being left out of the American squad for the next round of qualifiers, Freddy Adu has taken a step toward doing something that could get him back in Bob Bradley's good graces.

The former DC United/Real Salt Lake/Monaco midfielder is on loan again from Benfica, this time with a club -- no lie -- that I know very little about: Portuguese club Belenenses.

Five clubs in three countries at the age of 20 is misleading when you consider he turned pro at 15. It'll be a nice step assuming he can crack the Belenenses line-up and play regularly (he hasn't made more than 11 appearances for a team in a single year since 2006).

24-man Roster Yields a Surprise or Two

The US roster for the next two World Cup 2010 qualifiers has been released, and there is a surprise or two for the Yanks.

Real Salt Lake's 24-year-old striker Robbie Findley is a part of the squad, while new 1860 Munich boy Kenny Cooper is not. Findley has played mere minutes in the red, white and blue kit, but has 10 goals in 15 MLS games this year.

Also out? Freddy Adu won't be in the mix, which is surely making his bout with Benfica even less fun. It's hard to argue for his inclusion at the expense of any midfielder who did make the 24-man. Freddy might want to think about going somewhere where he can actually play soccer, because he's no longer a cute teenage story on the bench. I really wish the best for him.

The full roster sees no surprises in goal (Tim Howard and Brad Guzan), but Clarence Goodson's inclusion in the group of backliners may raise an eyebrow. The other defenders are Carlos Bocanegra, Jonathan Bornstein, Steve Cherundolo, Jay DeMerit, Chad Marshall, Oguchi Onyewu and Jonathan Spector.

Joining Findley up top are big men Brian Ching and Conor Casey, with new Hull City striker Jozy Altidore, Landon Donovan and Charlie Davies rounding out the group. The midfield includes Kyle Beckerman, Ricardo Clark, Benny Feilhaber, Michael Bradley, Stuart Holden, Clint Dempsey, Robbie Rogers and Jose Torres.

So Good, He's Gotta Go

It's just not funny anymore. Landon Donovan is so much faster, smarter and -- well -- better than the majority of Major League Soccer. He has 10 goals this year in just 17 games with the Galaxy, and has added five assists. During most L.A. games I've seen, he's been the most dynamic player on the field, including David Beckham.

The problem is the breakaway goal he scored Wednesday night against the Chicago Fire. Donovan used a blazing run through the Fire defense to eventually poke a ball past Jon Busch, but in most good leagues that play doesn't happen. There's a small chance the well-timed run works, but no premier goalkeeper is going to allow Donovan the powerful and sloppy first touch, and they certainly wouldn't sit on the line, refusing to cut off Lando's angle (not to say Busch is a slob).

So when I write that Donovan must go overseas when the MLS season ends, it is with a selfish motive. I need the States to be good in the World Cup, and while -- even as a TFC season ticket holder -- I would love to see him time and again in person, tormenting the opposition,he's gotta move on.

If England manager Fabio Capello is demanding Beckham move back to Europe after the MLS campaign to keep his game sharp, then Donovan must as well. Assuming the Yanks get their act together and qualify for South Africa, imagine the States in the semis against Italy, and Donovan on a breakaway. It's hard to believe Wednesday's effort works against Gianluigi Buffon.

Wouldn't it be slick to see Landon Donovan working the wings with Clint Dempsey at Fulham, warming up for the World Cup on a club that's been kind to Americans? Maybe back to Germany with Borussia Monchengladbach, where he can work with Michael Bradley, or England's Hull, partnering with Jozy Altidore (not to mention non-Yank Stephen Hunt)?

He doesn't have to play alongside a Yank, or on a Champions League club, but there's no question Donovan will head somewhere to play. If he doesn't, it will be a major disappointment, homesickness or not.

EPL Preview

We've had our first Breakfast With Barclays, so I typed up a little piece to help newcomers to the Premier League choose a team to follow. I am in no way a super expert, but I think I know enough to pass along a slightly-biased list of recommendations:

Nick's WGR EPL 2009/10 "Team Choice" plus Predictions

The Mexicans poisoned Lando! (Not really)

Okay, okay, it's not as dramatic as that, but Landon Donovan has swine flu, and was suffering through a bout with the virus during the States' 2-1 loss to Mexico at Azteca.

SI's Grant Wahl has the report that Donovan tested positive for the H1N1 virus after requesting a test Sunday in Miami, where the team was preparing for Wednesday's match in Mexico City. Donovan said he contracted the disease in the US, despite the fact that the disease is widely-considered to have Mexican origins.

Donovan said he felt as bad as he has on the field in a long time during the loss to Mexico, though he did assist on Charlie Davies' ninth minute goal. We attributed Donovan's relative offensive struggles against El Tri to a need to play box-to-box while Clint Dempsey unexpectedly came up with the touch of a three-year old, but perhaps it was the pigs.

Stop poisoning our players, Mexico. I no longer consider this loss a fair one, and I expect a rematch... next week... at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo, N.Y.

The Day After Standings

(great picture I first saw at The Big Lead)

The dirty Hondurans really shook up CONCACAF yesterday far more than Mexico's win over the States did, as their four-nil shellacking of Costa Rica sets up a furious final four game dates in 2010 World Cup qualification.

Trinidad's -- sorry, Tobago -- 1-0 win over El Salvador ensures that it will be at least another two games before anyone is strictly playing for pride. This also means the States cannot take T&T lightly on Sept. 9. With the inconsistent play we've seen, that game in Port of Spain is more than a little frightening.

The updated standings:

Costa Rica, 12 pts, +/- 0

Honduras, 10 pts, +4

United States, 10 pts, +3

---

Mexico, 9 pts, -1

---

El Salvador, 5 pts, -2

Trinidad and Tobago, 5 pts, -4

No lesson learned; 2-1 loss

Well, that provided very little fun.

The States' supporters could be forgiven for having confidence heading into Wednesday's tussle with Mexico at Azteca despite a 0-22-1 record in the building. This was the A-team looking to avenge an ugly Gold Cup loss with all the confidence of their strong Confederations Cup performance behind them.

So when the States struck early thanks to Charlie Davies right foot, it felt like the party was on. Oh, how the young don't learn. The Yanks sat back and let Mexico equalize and eventually topple their hopes at cracking the longheld goose egg at Azteca.

It's hard to fault Bob Bradley. His subs made sense, with Benny Feilhaber, Jozy Altidore and Stuart Holden all providing a lift whether for performance or injury. The big guns just weren't there when needed. Save for an assist on the US goal, Landon Donovan had to be essentially invisible offensively while dedicating so much time to playing box-to-box.

Why would he have to do such a thing? Perhaps the second Mexico goal gives us a big clue, as Oguchi Onyewu was caught in a terrible spot high inside the box, enabling Miguel Sabah all the time he needed to give El Tri their late winner.

So many players were ghosts, but it may be better to focus on those player who allowed this game to end 2-1. There's only one worth singling out, as Jay DeMerit continued his excellent international play with some terrific tackling. Onyewu was otherwise very good, but the mistake will be what's remembered.

(Just so it doesn't seem I'm an idiot, I realize how terrible the officiating was. I know there's a huge edge to having 100,000 people threatening death on a referee, but you'd like to think he could make a single call).

Four games remain for the States, who luckily have the two teams at the bottom of the table ahead. If the US can take all six points, which is a completely reasonable expectation, they should be safe for World Cup, but it shouldn't be about that. Here was a chance to do the undoable, and the Yanks let it be done to them.

How poor.

STANDINGS (Top three into WC2010, 4th team plays 5th team of CONMEBOL for final spot):
12 pts - Costa Rica (vs. Honduras, Aug. 12)
10 pts - USA
9 pts - Mexico
7 pts - Honduras (vs. Costa Rica, Aug. 12)
5 pts - El Salvador (vs. T&T, Aug. 12)
2 pts - Trinidad and Tobago (vs. ESL, Aug. 12)

Prediction

Just for the record: States 1, Mexico 0.

The streak will be over in 3hrs13.

Good news if you don't get Telemundo/mun2

If you're sick like me and wishing Time Warner or some other cable provider would dish out and show the US/Mexico game, you're in luck (maybe).

According to several sources, including US Soccer, DirecTV is opening Telemundo for the 4 p.m. EST affair, and many other cable outlets are following suit by airing mun2 from NBC Universal as a free preview. Good news, qualifying juice.

Altidore NOT to Greece, loaned to Hull?

According to several reports, including Yanks Abroad, the transfer of Jozy Altidore from Villarreal to Olympiakos was never official, and the young American forward is expected to complete a loan move to an English club in next 48 hours. The Hull Daily Mail has the destination listed as -- shocking -- Hull, potentially beyond one year.

More as we hear it.

P.S. FIFA's August ranking has the US staying at No. 12. Mexico rose three sports to No. 30, while Costa Rica dropped eight (38th) and Honduras, seven (46th).

Cooper heads back to Europe

It's a good time to be an American striker abroad, and Kenny Cooper is joining Charlie Davies and Jozy Altidore as Yanks forwards making transfer season moves. The former FC Dallas forward is now a member of 1860 Munich in Bundesliga 2, where he'll compete against Yank keeper Luis Robles, who plays for FC Kaiserslautern.

Cooper scored 40 times in 93 games for Dallas, but his professional career began abroad. His father was a Blackburn reserve before moving to the States for regular playing time, and Cooper had to do the same. The 6'3" younger Cooper spent time at Manchester United, Oldham Athletic and Academica Coimbra before moving to Dallas.

He's scored four times while being capped on nine occasions for the States. He notched two tallies for the US in the recently-completed Gold Cup. Americans Josh Wolff and Greg Berhalter have also suited up for 1860 Munich during their careers.

Gold Cup Roster - Midfielders

It's a crowded house in the middle of the field for the USMNT. With the Confederations Cup success of Michael Bradley and Ricardo Clark in the middle, flanked by Clint Dempsey and the conversion of Landon Donovan to the left side, the United States midfield appears to be set for the next World Cup.

Right?

Maybe?

Benny Feilhaber came off the bench and did well in the Confederations and Gold Cups as a creative spark. Feilhaber's excellent passing adds some composure to a US team that seems to over-rely on long passes coming out of the back. So Feilhaber's in. Jermaine Jones recently announced he'll be trading in his German kit for the US digs, and he's the sort of defensive midfielder that can make the US's back four look world class. Jones is a tough tackler, the type of player who sets the tone in the midfield, the type of player that can will lock up other team's best forwards and attacking mids and take a lot of pressure off of his defense. So Jones is in. There are a few more options in the middle including Jose Torres, Freddy Adu, DaMarcus Beasley, and Sacha Kljestan. Torres is a starter for Pachuca in Mexico, add some more experience to his international game and I believe he's in. Adu is still looking for playing time with Benfica, or anywhere for that matter. His two games in the group stage of the Gold Cup were marred with inconsistent play. This upcoming European season could be a make-it-or-break type of year for his 2010 chances. Adu's a 50-50. Beasley is in the same boat as Adu. His stint at Rangers looks to be heading towards its end and if he wants to figure in Bob Bradley's 2010 plans he needs to play regularly and stay healthy. Another 50-50 shot. Kljestan is one of Bradley's favorites, but he needs to perform more mistake-free football. That aside, Kljestan is in.

Let's recap: Donovan, Bradley, Dempsey, Clark, Jones, Feilhaber, Torres and Kljestan. That's seven midfielders. Bruce Arena carried eight on his 23-man roster at the 2006 World Cup. Beasley has a boatload of international experience but needs to regain his confidence. Adu is talented young player but needs to find a home where he plays regularly and rounds out the rough edges to his game.

So what does that mean to the midfielders that performed so well at the Gold Cup? That means Bob Bradley was exploring his depth options. In case of injury, catastrophe, suspension (his son has something of a temper), whatever else, it's good to have options.

Kyle Beckerman had an outstanding tournament. He was tough defensively, kickstarted the attack with his precise through-balls, and for the length of the tournament was box-to-box doing the little things to help the US succeed. To a lesser extent, Logan Pause played a similar role. His play was a scattered at times, but otherwise, with Beckerman created the catalyst for the US attack by winning 50-50 balls and distributing effectively.

The revelations in the US midfield were along the sidelines. Stuart Holden was cap-tied to the US during the Gold Cup and he made the most of it. One-v-one, passing, set pieces, in the air, long-range shooting, defense, Holden was all over it during the Gold Cup. His counterpart Robbie Rogers gives the US a natural left-footed player whose pace and skill lend him plenty of opportunities to serve from the flank. Rogers took advantage and besides some immature mistakes, made it clear that he will be getting more looks on the left side in the future.

Santion Quaranta, Brad Evans, Colin Clark, and Sam Cronin all got a look at some point during the Gold Cup, but I can't imagine any of them climbing up the chart too soon.

Let's imagine Bob Bradley is thinking eight in the middle in 2010. Barring whatever circumstances we've got seven. I'd like to see Holden off the bench a few more times during qualifying before I give him the advantage. The spot is there, who's man enough to take it?

The Gold Cup Roster - Who's In, Who's Out

The 5-nil drubbing Mexico hung on the USMNT yesterday still fresh in our minds, I'm taking a look at the US Gold Cup Roster and trying to make sense of who's moving forward today, who put themselves on the map for the 2014 World Cup, and whose national team careers are over.

In net:

With Tim Howard entrenched as the first choice keeper and Brad Guzan his heir apparent, the number three spot is wide open. Troy Perkins started 5 of 6 matches and was solid in net. The third spot for 2010 is up for grabs between Perkins and Marcus Hahnemann. Luis Robles is still young and starting in the 2nd Bundesliga for Kaiserslautern. Robles should factor in a depth roll in the future as Howard and Guzan are 30, and 24 respectively. Jon Busch is a respectable MLS keeper, but should not factor again for the USMNT.

Defense:

The starting back four is set in the middle with Oguchi Onyewu and either Carlos Bocanegra or Jay DeMerit next to him. Chad Marshall and Clarence Goodson each performed well enough to move them up the depth chart. Michael Parkhurst is still an option at center back, but the depth at the position could find him hard-pressed to see more time with the MNT. Jimmy Conrad was playing very well before he suffered a concussion to end his tournament. Right back Jay Heaps finally got the call to represent his country at the international level and after receiving four caps won't get called back. Heaps is a likable player and a strong competitor (and he was absolutely wronged on the penalty call for Mexico's first goal) but he's on the wrong side of 30 and didn't do much to impress. Left back Heath Pearce had some up and down performances and hasn't done much to cement himself as the first choice left back. With Luis Castillo declaring his American allegiance and Carlos Bocanegra's capabilities at left back Pearce may find himself on the bench in a battle with Jonathan Bornstein for depth.

Next up: Midfielders and Forwards

States Embarassed by El Tri in Final

The United States fell on its own soil for the first time in ages, and "fell" is an understatement. The States were picked apart by Mexico, 5-0, at Giants Stadium in the Gold Cup final.

Thanks to head-scratching defense from the Yanks, and superlative performances by Premier League attackers Giovani dos Santos and Carlos Vela, the "C-plus" team ceded their trophy back to El Tri, who will certainly have a chant or two for the visiting Americans come Aug. 12's World Cup qualifier at Azteca.

Where to start with the back end? Jay Heaps was an abhorrent for the second time in two weeks, while Heath Pearce wasn't much better. The latter defender remains unsigned, and would be best suited to hit the Major League Soccer circuit and practice against less than world class talent.

It's a shame for goalkeeper Troy Perkins, whose defense played tentative. Strike that, they played scared, and that's the most embarassing label you can apply to any unit. After a scoreless first half, the four backs played all sorts of ugly. This was more like the 3-1 loss in Costa Rica than the first team's losses to Italy and Brazil in group okay of the Confederations Cup.

Other notes...

-- Watching the Mexicans dance all over the New York grass -- and rightfully so -- really puts some heat and fervor back in a rivalry that has been one-sided. The States real squad needs to get something special going for the trip to Azteca next month.

-- Dos Santos was stunning, and Vela's addition to the game really underlined what the States were missing. As Max Bretos pointed out during the broadcast, Charlie Davies up top would've helped a ton.

-- Sure, I'm bitter right now, but before I suit up for a mens league match, let me comment on the broadcasting. Fox Soccer Channel's Bretos picked his most inept moments for the States most embarassing game. Tell me, Max, do they keep a whipping post inside a woodshed? Mixing up his metaphors with a shocking lack of knowledge for an announcer on his stage, Bretos couldn't believe Heaps was whistled for his PK ("not in my books"?) and completely skipped over the clear offside on the Mexicans second goal.

Throw all of that together with his first half disbelief that anyone could call this US team "less than a B-team." Hey, Max, B-teams are commonly referred to as reserve teams. Besides Ching, who else on that field is going to be there on Aug. 12? Maybe Stu Holden. Also, when Bretos is doing a better job, it's a heck of a lot easier to brush over his horrible pronounciation of every player with any sort of different name. You don't have to sound like a Mexican to properly announced a last name.

As a last note, the FSC crew might want to put the microphone a little closer to color man Christoph Sullivan's mouth.

Final set, rivalry renewed: States and Mexico on Sunday

Well, this will not be pleasing to my wife at all -- our first anniversary will feature something I have no desire to watch on DVR.

The Mexicans defeated Costa Rica 5-3 in kicks after the game ended at 1-1, clinching a berth in the Gold Cup final and setting up another USA/Mexico match-up.

The States and El Tri for hardware deserves live viewing.

Thursday night's semifinal found the Mexicans thrived in a thrilling setting, and showed great gumption in not quitting after a stunning injury time equalizer from Costa Rica helped send the game to kicks.

El Tri scored the game's first goal in the 88th minute, as Guillermo Franco followed up what appeared to be a goal with a no-doubter rebound, but the 93rd minute found Froylan Ledezma alone and ready to equalize.

Ledezma went from hero to goat minutes later when Mexican keeper Guillermo Ochoa guessed right before the Costa Rican had taken his first step. Couple that miss with all five Mexicans converting their attempts, including a nasty guessing game goal from Giovani dos Santos, and we're set for -- hopefully -- another "Dos a Cero" at Giants Stadium. It's a 3 p.m. kick-off on Sunday, and will be aired on Fox Soccer Channel and Univision.

An early guess at the outcome? 2-1, States, though this is where my prediction skills generally deteorate into patriotic fandom. The Americans need a strong showing, with their next WC2010 qualifier coming up in August down in Mexico.

First-half goal, second-half excitement: US to Final, 2-0 over Honduras

Unlike a great many of the Gold Cup games, I genuinely enjoyed the soccer on display during Thursday's semifinal between the States and Honduras. The Hondurans play with such passion -- and dirtiness -- that they have skipped the stairs and taken the escalator to 1a to Mexico's 1 on the list of CONCACAF teams I despise.

While the first half was almost entirely the teams feeling each other out -- odd for squads that have met several times in recent months -- it ended with a spectacular corner kick goal that set the tone for a dynamic second half.

Clarence Goodson headed home a picture-perfect corner service from Stuart Holden in the 45th minute to give the US its first of two goals on the night, but the second 45-plus minutes were a sales pitch for soccer in America.

Holden was phenomenal for this cliched rag-tag group of misfits (and by "misfits," I mean "mostly second-choice players" in the nicest of fashions). His speed was fantasic, his creativity necessary and his services were first-class. With apologies to goalkeeper Troy Perkins, Holden was unquestionably the man of the match. He played a game very similar to that of Robbie Rogers during his brilliant group play, only -- maybe -- more disciplined.

Kenny Cooper's goal was another piece of great football. Brian Ching continues to impress, holding up his man and touching the ball to Holden who found the barely onside Cooper for his second goal in two matches. It looked a little funny from the camera angle, but Cooper's finish was very nice, perhaps even understated.

There was great pace and guts to the second half, with both teams providing a great contest. It's an absolute shame the Mexico/Costa Rica semifinal isn't be aired on FSC. The venue will be Giants Stadium on Sunday for the 2009 Gold Cup Final, and I've got absolutely zero love for it being scheduled on my first anniversary. I'll wait to see how the other semi plays out before I go predicting "Dos a Cero, v5.0"

Also important to point out that Bob Bradley has been pretty solid with his line-ups and substitues. Kudos.

By the way, Freddy Adu "tweets" that there are some interesting developments going on... full-time to Monaco? Actual time on Benfica? A transfer elsewhere? Getting back together with JoJo? What an American moment for soccer this music video was...

Look at this joker

"I just thought I'd support Brazil and Honduras, bro, cause like Brazil isn't playing. I know this guy from Brazil though, and I got this flag so, put two and together, bro... I'll take off these glasses, but I'm not saying sorry."

1-0 States at the half. Clarence Goodson gets up and over on a Stuart Holden corner. That's how you get some looks.

Two more Yanks to Serie A?

<-- Sometimes photos look remarkably awkward. I like to think they were trying to get their chests as close as possible without touching.

So, multiple reports have recently-promoted Livorno getting on the red, white and blue bandwagon. Yes, after a decade of shutting out the States*, Serie A may acquire three Americans in a month.

On the heels of Oguchi Onyewu's three-year deal with AC Milan comes the news that the Amaranto want both Ricardo Clark and Landon Donovan to join their Italian side.

Clark is out of contract at the end of this MLS season, so he could be a reasonable January transfer target for Livorno, but reports say their boss questions whether the smaller side could afford the transfee fee Donovan would command from Major League Soccer. Both moves would appear to be January moves.

Clark plays for the Houston Dynamo, while Donovan is a member of the L.A. Galaxy.

By the way, Onyewu's AC Milan debut didn't go too well Wednesday night, a 2-1 loss to Club America in which he was beaten for a goal

*I'm not ignoring Giuseppe Rossi. Does he qualify as an American playing in Italy when he's pledged allegiance to Italy?

Yanks have just enough to move on, 2-1

I'm not a big Van Halen fan, but there's extra time for Panama (or "extra hot shoes, burning down the avenue,").

Extra time: One of the principal rules of soccer is not kicking anyone in the stomach, especially in the 18, in particular in extra time. Roman Torres' decision to go boot-to-gut with Kenny Cooper is one of my favorites in recent memory, mostly because the Yanks deserved a break.

Cooper did the silly stutter-step run-up that looks so cheesy, but the guy finished and more power to him. 2-1, United States of America.

Regulation: Extra time between a States side that cannot even be described as the country's C-plus unit, and a Panama side that's playing about as clean as Redman's MTV Cribs episode. It's the Gold Cup quarterfinal, and the score is knotted at 1-1 right now.

There have been some nice moments of soccer in between bouts of laughter at Max Bretos' play-by-play. Honestly, I hate to dog on fellow commentators, but this crew has been especially brutal during Gold Cup.

Perhaps it's best to first note the goals. Panama struck first, just before half, as Pachuca's Blas Perez made no mistake off a series of awkward looking defensive decisions and touches by the Americans. Super slow-motion makes Stuart Holden's zero-touch non-clearance look extra awful, but you'd love to see Chad Marshall rise to the occasion and follow Perez, who buried the ball.

Dreadlocks brought the deadlock, as Kyle Beckerman's equalizer was straight out the cannon. Kansas City's Davy Arnaud set down a moonshot of a cross from Robbie Rogers, and he set it bouncing but on a line for Beckerman, who ripped it upper 90. I finally saw what some of my friends like about Beckerman tonight, and it came before, during and after the goal.

Quick thoughts on individuals:

-- Jimmy Conrad's post-concussion camera moments were among the scariest I've ever seen in head injury aftermath.

-- Manuel Torres' mullet/linebeard combo was straight out of the SNL "D*** in a Box" video. The bronzed bottom of the mullet for extra sheen was a legitimate touch. Bravo.

-- Heath Pearce was fine, but I did not understand the notion from the booth that he had re-asserted himself in the mix to play left back in 2010. It's not impossible, and is nitpicking, but not much he had done to that point in the game made me think any more than I had already thought of him.

-- Panama's Felipe Baloy reminds me of Oguchi Onyewu before Gooch learned how to control his physical aggression. Problem for Baloy -- you're a 1981 birthday, not a 1991.

-- Cooper needs more international polish. He reminds me of Jozy Altidore in that he's often in the right spot, but then what? Those who follow MLS know he can finish.

-- Bob Bradley has now capped 85 players during his tenure, according to Bretos. Great stat pull, and, well, great stat.

-- Panama was not very happy with the way the game ended, so they decided to pick up a couple of red cards by trying to fight officials and security guards. Stay classy, boys. Those actions always get the results you're looking for, right?

What now?

-- Eight years since the States have lost on US soil, but you have a feeling that could end before the finish of the tournament. Honduras is a talented and physical squad who has faced the Yanks twice in the last couple months, including a 2-1 US win in Chicago, where the two teams will meet on Thursday (July 23). The 2-0 US win in the group play wasn't what the score indicates, but luckily the Hondurans are also without stars like Tottenham's Wilson Palacios, Toronto FC's Armando Guevara and deadly striker Carlos Pavon.

-- Sunday will be Funday for the other quarterfinals. Guadeloupe and Costa Rica should be a fun matchup, while Mexico should top Haiti, but this Mexican group is so unpredictable.

"Beckham Experiment" author Grant Wahl on my radio show

As promised, a link to my interview with Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl, author of "The Beckham Experiment." He was a fantastic guest, and his Posh Spice impression is worth the price of admission.

Here it is: Enjoy.

Review: "The Beckham Experiment"

Our first proper book review provides an interesting query -- do we summarize and do the American thing by saving you the reading of the book, or do we tell you why you should read it?

In terms of Grant Wahl's "The Beckham Experiment," the answer most certainly should be the latter, though to be fair he may give a little more of the former when he joins my radio show Saturday at 11:30 a.m. EST. Major League Soccer sits on the periphery of the American sports landscape which allowed Wahl a terrific amount of access to the behind the scenes workings of the league, the LA Galaxy and -- somewhat -- David Beckham's camp.

To the league's credit, it didn't shut down Wahl when things were clear the "experiment" was a mess. The author gets almost unrivaled access to the Galaxy, and somehow maintains an unbiased feel while reporting on some actions that are -- at least from a sporting standpoint -- quite despicable.

Here's what it comes down to -- what the MLS has done to ensure competitive balance makes a player's life pretty tough. For example, the bottom five players on the Galaxy's 2007 roster made $12,700 per year. The hotels are barely a C-plus, the schedule is near impossible at times and the league gets in its way a lot. But you get the sense that Beckham could've handled all that if the team won, and the Galaxy squad was mis- and micro-managed in what read like a cruel, slow death.

For a guy who had never lost more than five consecutive matches, Beckham endured much worse with the Galaxy, and didn't react well. He was almost forceably installed as captain, and didn't really provide much leadership, eventually spiralling into a passenger on a garbage soccer team... that was still filling stadia.

Sadly, if you're in this book just for the incindiery Landon Donovan quotes about Beckham, every single controversial one has been leaked, but reading about Donovan himself is a pivotal point of interest in the work, and Alexi Lalas is a terrific personality as well.

The book is absolutely worth reading, if only because it feels like Wahl picked the exact parts of the brain needed to make something intriguing. The inner workings of the entertainment business are splayed about like open-heart surgery, and the guts are a beautiful and ugly wonder.

For a full conversation with Wahl, tune into WGR550 AM in Buffalo at 11:30 a.m. EST this Saturday (July 18). You can listen online here.

2 goals for, 2 goals against, 2 transfers

So, we learned something very valuable in the 2-2 tie against Haiti in Game Three of the States' 2009 Gold Cup campaign: the United States' "C-plus" team isn't better than Haiti's "A" squad.

On a day when two young American strikers found new overseas homes -- more on that later -- the US rolled out a starting line-up of players extremely unlikely to make a dent in the 2010 World Cup's XI, and still played alright.

The States first goal was nice, but poorly defended by Haiti. Stuart Holden sent a swell low pass in to Davy Arnaud who used a calm, left-footed finish to put the States up 1-0.

Haiti's first goal was a comedy of errors. First, defender Jay Heaps was turned inside out. Then, goalkeeper Luis Robles can't get a finger on the big cross. Finally, no back post defender marks the goal scorer, and we're tied at one.

Hard to fault Robles on the second goal. Mones Chery -- pronounced like the French mon cherie -- hit a sick and somewhat lucky 20-plus-foot yard strike into the far-upper-90. It was essentially unstoppable. 2-1 Haiti, all in the span of four minutes.

But Holden would equalize with a strike just as nifty. To go near post from the angle he had was incredible, almost breathtaking when you consider it came in the second minute of stoppage time. 2-2 tie, and clinching the B1 seed for the rest of the tournament, which means the US will draw a much easier match-up the rest of the way. If Guadeloupe can upend Mexico on Sunday, the States may finish with only the second-best record in the tournament's group play.

The States will likely take on Panama or Jamaica on July 18 in Philadelphia, though there's an extremely outside shot they'd face Nicaragua. It would take a miracle, but after the Confed Cup, we know better than to assume anything.

If the States wins that matchup, they'll take on the winner of Canada vs. Honduras for the right to go to the Gold Cup final.

--- As for the transfer market, Jozy Altidore's Spanish adventure is over for now. After forgettable campaigns with Villarreal and Xerez, the Yellow Submarine has agreed to loan the 19-year-old to reigning Greek champion Olympiacos, so it'll be Champions League football for Jozy after all. Altidore will have to work for playing time over former EPL player Matt Derbyshire and young Brazilian striker Diogo.

Charlie Davies has moved spots on the continent as well, eschewing Hammarby in the Swedish Allsvenskan for Sochaux in France. A Ligue 1 squad, Sochaux finished 14th last season. Davies will get to take on his Yank teammate Carlos Bocanegra when his new team matches up against Rennes, and the most notable of his new teammates are Slovenia defender Bojan Jokic and Ivory Coast international Kandia Traore -- at least to me.

-- Good looks to Heaps, even if he looked awkward once or twice. The 32-year-old defender earned his first cap the hard way. Heaps played 299 MLS games before getting his first look with the national team. Congratulations, Jay.

-- My computer's out of juice and it's late. Good evening, and apologies for the shorter post. And if I missed some completely obvious things, forgive me... I've been awake for far too long. Went to the Taste of Buffalo, then helped some friends move before doing play-by-play for the Buffalo Flash and going to a wedding reception. Wow.

Santino's homefield advantage lifts US over Honduras

It's unreal how a boring contest such as the the States' second game of the 2009 Gold Cup can be lifted into grace by a spell of beautiful soccer. That's exactly what happened in the 75th minute of Wednesday's 2-0 win over Honduras at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.

Sixty-fourth minute substitute Benny Feilhaber showed some real class by sliding a pass to the top of the 18, where fellow 64th minute add-on Charlie Davies alertly found Baltimore native and DC United vet Santino Quaranta. Quaranta finished hard and low past Honduran keeper Donis Escobar, popping the US into the lead in a game in which they had been of better class, admittedly by a narrow margin.

As for the second goal... well, by now, we shouldn't be surprised when Charlie Davies asserts himself as a force in a game, but for the second-straight game, he helped open up the 18 for a fellow forward. Steve Cherundolo gets a deserved assist on a Brian Ching-headed goal, and the Yanks go up 2-0 with two goals in five minutes.

Other notes:

-- Honduras is certainly mounting an effort to be as hated as Mexico. They are a filthy, whiny team that dives as much as any in CONCACAF.

-- The most fun from the first 74 minutes of Wednesday night was the following texted observations about Kyle Beckerman:

*"His jazz ensemble is playing the Tralf next week," Scott
*"He was great in 'Encino Man,'."
*"Beckerman's hair - Bob Marley tribute band."

-- Robbie Rogers has silly skills, and would have to lose a foot to not be included in the 2010 WC squad.

-- Freddy Adu is still extremely green, but his raw talent shows up in undeniable flashes. Still, he needs to do work to make the 2010 squad.

-- Two clean sheets for Troy Perkins. Good on him.

-- 23-0-1 in the group stages of the Gold Cup. For a moment, let's ignore that most have been home games.

-- As a fellow soccer broadcaster, I try to be kind to announcers, but Max Bretos was as brutal an example as you can find. I could almost swear he wasn't watching the same game as us, and his idea of play-by-play as screaming an attacker's name before waiting a good 10 seconds after the shot goes in or wide to announce what happened was laughable. He did have dry toast for a color man, but life goes on. Both fellas are better than they showed Wednesday.

-- I'm glad the Haiti game won't be a "be-all/end-all" event, because I'll be watching it several hours later after the Flash game and my buddy Brad's wedding.

Gooch's Italian stunner

Oguchi Onyewu is now a Rossoneri, and must certainly be kissing the crest on his American kit for the Confederations Cup run.

The States' center back has signed with AC Milan, and if you think the US won't benefit from Gooch getting -- presumably -- first team touches with Gennaro Gattuso in front of Dida. Practicing against Pirlo, Inzaghi, Ronaldinho and more? A priceless opportunity.

Now, if he ends up keeping the bench seats warm for Zambrotta, Kaladze and Nesta, then it's not-so-good, but Milan is quite an upgrade from Standard Liege.

Gooch to Holland or Madrid?

Since Yahoo! is reporting as "exclusive" the same thing we've been reading internationally for days, I suppose it's time to inform those who don't know that Oguchi Onyewu is talking with Ajax.

*EDIT: El Mundo Deportivo adds that Real Madrid may be in for the American defender.

Of course, Fenerbache, Fulham and Wolverhampton have also had their names mentioned in connection for the center back, whose contract with Standard Liege in Belgium has expired. As much as I'd love to see him a Cottager, an Ajax kit bearing his name would be pretty slick.

His agent told Yahoo! a decision is expected next week.

Come on, C-Ron...

Surprisingly, there aren't an overwhelming amount of still frames from Gerardo's "Rico Suave" video available via the old Google image search, so I had to screen capture the scene of the video I was thinking of when I saw the third -- and clearly recent -- photo of the "stunning" Cristiano Ronaldo.

One thing's for sure, C-Ron loves dickshorts.

Rogers a Revelation in four-nil start to Gold Cup

Great image from Getty.

A few hours later, some first-watch running commentary.

First off, thanks so much to Fox Soccer Channel for providing two commentators who didn't take the time to think about what they were going to talk about in the introduction segment. Max Bretos and Christopher Sullivan seem to think the Gold Cup is imperative for the States to maintain their momentum. Yep, either that, or the whole Egypt/Spain thing did that, and the world will notice that America's B+ side set up for this tourney. One or the other, boys.

Goals:

States 1, Grenada 0 -- It's hard not to love Robbie Rogers, who plays with such energy for the Columbus Crew, and Grenada gives him far too much time to operate on the States' first goal of the Gold Cup. Rogers takes a miscue down the left wing and into the 18, having three options: shoot, find Charlie Davies on a terrific full run or lay off to Freddy Adu. He chooses the latter, and Adu releases the frustration of seeing precious little playing time in South Africa last month with a low kick past Grenada keeper Noel.

States 2, Grenada 0 -- Fault porous Grenada marking, but Rogers sends another filthy cross into the box that Stuart Holden powers into the net with his forehead. Rogers has the opportunity to really open some eyes with the way DaMarcus Beasley has underperformed in recent matches.

States 3, Grenada 0 -- Logan Pause's first cap leads to a well-placed long ground ball to Rogers, who had a look at assist No. 3 should he have played it to Davies, but instead he places a spinning far-post finish as pretty as any you've seen this summer. The Yanks are toying with poor Grenada. Let's hope this doesn't lead to cockiness in the rest of Group B's play.

States 4, Grenada 0 -- I'm also a big fan of Heath Pearce, and his lay-off to Davies for the fourth goal was the stuff of fantasy. Nice to see Chad Marshall get a moment, using great vision to send the long ball 2/3 of the way down the field to Pearce. Davies deserved a goal after a solid day.

Thoughts:

I've got a lot of love for Stuart Holden, the Scottish-born, Dallas-raised 23-year old. He showed a lot of gumption in his performance, letting fly with some nice rips from gutty distance and angles.

The Gold Cup made it easy to forget what Steve Cherundolo brings to the fold. His runs from the back are generally well-timed and often dangerous.

Robbie Rogers is so exciting to watch, even if he plays a little too excited himself on occasion.

I continue to fall in love with the physical and speedy play of Davies. He is, as our British friends would say, a joy to watch. The rocket he unleashed wide of the Grenada goal just before the start of stoppage time served as further awakening for American supporters.

Brad Evans of the Sounders hometown ovation upon entering in the 62nd minute was tempered by his getting a yellow card for coming on before Steve Cherundolo was off.

Adu hit a chip in the 71st minute that is the stuff legends are made of, even if it was off a keeper's mistake. The ball was as close to upper 90 as you can get without fitting it in the window. Adu shows the flair that earned him the hype every now and then, even if he continue to struggle to make club and country impact.

Game Two of the US' Gold Cup journey is 9 p.m. EST Wednesday in Washington, D.C., against Honduras. It will be televised on FSC again. Game Three is July 11 (Sat.) at 7 p.m. EST in Foxboro against Haiti.

Updating a previous story... Jermaine Jones should be eligible for a US roster as early as Sept. 5 against El Salvador. Left defender Edgar Castillo, who recently renegged on a commitment to Mexico to play for his native US, does not have a set date, but it may be the same.

Gold Cup, match 1 tonight: States v. Grenada

It's been a busy week, so I'm a day or so late to report that the States have been granted a special provision allowing them seven more players for the Gold Cup selection. From here-on-in, any Gold Cup featuring a team competing in the Confederations Cup will be allowed to select 30 players instead of 23, meaning Jozy Altidore, Conor Casey, Ricardo Clark, Benny Feilhaber, Sacha Kljestan, Jonathan Bornstein and Brad Guzan will be available for the tournament, though the US is not announcing who will be in each match's 18.

If all are available, I expect to see Jozy and Brian Ching up top, with Freddy Adu and Robbie Rogers behind. Then, Clark and Feilhaber holding above Steve Cherundolo, Chad Marshall, Heath Pearce and Bornstein. I'm not sure who would play inside, and I'm trying to get to the gym before Fourth festivities kick off, so forgive me if I'm missing something, like Guzan between the pipes.

Grenada vs. United States, 9 p.m. EST (yes, during fireworks) on Fox Soccer Channel.

States rise to No. 12 in latest FIFA Rankings

The United States unlikely run in the Confederations Cup has lifted its star to No. 12 in July's FIFA rankings, their highest showing since dropping from No. 5 to 16 between June and July of 2006, due to an abysmal showing in the World Cup.

The world rankings show a lot of volatility. The biggest winner is the Ivory Coast, which rose 20 spots up to No. 18 in the world. Denmark, Serbia and Australia made notable runs into the Top 20 as well.

The biggest loser? Turkey dropped from No. 12 to No. 28 after a loss to France and a win over Azerbaijan. Iraq and New Zealand also lost a lot of ground after bowing out in the first round of the Confederations Cup.

Brazil is the new No. 1, with Spain and Holland each dropping a spot, to 2 and 3, respectively.

More analysis after work, but here's a nice nugget from FIFA: Australia (16), Gabon (30), Grenada (88), Montenegro (98) and Antigua and Barbuda (105) have ascended to their highest spots since FIFA starting the ranking system in 1993.

Pride and Going Forward: States fall in Final

There are a lot of bridesmaids in world soccer. Take the World Cup, for example, a tournament which only seven teams have won. If you toss in the Confederations Cup, only two more nations are added.

This, of course, is little consolation to the average American hoping to grasp onto soccer, and of just a bit more to the established US Soccer fan. That the Yanks played brave soccer against a team that hadn't lost in 15 matches is worth contemplating. For three games, the States were a fine representation of the guts and class America wants out of its athletes, and it's important to remember that they had nice stretches in the two red-card-aided losses to Italy and Brazil.

Again, heathens will point to the shot disadvantage, wantonly ignoring that the American side went up 2-0 and chose to defend rather than continue attacking. The philosophy is the real thing to question here, but this was America's first dance in a FIFA Final, and we learned plenty. The States stepped up and continued to attack in the first 30 seconds of the second half, but you can argue that they played their soccer too guarded after Brazil's counter stunned them one minute in. Expect them to learn from this, though I'd argue they were simply outclassed in the final half.

Against a Brasilian Selecao with top-club starters on their bench, the Yanks came out fearless and brought true athletic valor to their play. It was brilliant, albeit short-lived, and you simply have to be excited for the States' expected return trip to South Africa in 2010.

So if you're asking me, feel free to sound the vuvuzela and salute your soccer team, States. Even FIFA's recap used the adjective "brave" to describe the inner strength of the red, white and blue. From the Egypt game onward, they showed a refusal to stop fighting, and even an error-filled half-hour in the final shouldn't tarnish your pride. It simply isn't choking against a team like Brazil, and shame on you if you want to label this runnes-up finish that way.

The goals:

-- States 1, Brazil 0 -- Clint Dempsey with a creative side kick off a beautiful Jonathan Spector cross, and how far have we come from Game One of this tournament, when Spector appeared to be outclassed and Dempsey a passenger. Dempsey still had little to offer defensively, and that's something to speak of moving forward, but not right now.

-- States 2, Brazil 0 -- Charlie Davies left-footed pass on a long 1-2 was splendid, and Donovan's touch to shoot looked awkward but was wonderful. His left-footed side-panel rip was pretty, and he was celebrating before it was in. True strikers know those sorts of things.

-- States 2, Brazil 1 -- Brazil counters the States early attack with terrific transition play, and Luis Fabiano makes a brilliant turn before blasting a ground rip through Jay DeMerit's legs and past Tim Howard.

-- The "non-goal" -- How Kaka's 59th minute effort inside the six wasn't called a goal is kinda absurd, but that's a tough call to make. If the official had called it a goal, there is no way we could argue against it, either.

-- States 2, Brazil 2 -- One of the few time we can criticize Carlos Bocanegra and Oguchi Onyewu, and it's the worst time for the States. Bocanegra whiffed on a potential clear -- though of course slow motion makes it look easier than it would've been -- and Gooch wrongly assumed Howard would snag the Elano's blast, and let Fabiano step in front. At this point, it was hard to envision the Yanks coming back.

-- Brazil 3, States 2 -- The US' spot kick bugaboo is their undoing. Lucio gets over Dempsey, who apparently thought he was marking a small child. A great header, a perfect header, a heartbreaking header.

The stars, and the criticism...

-- Tim Howard was named goalkeeper of the tournament, and how could any player possibly be chosen as better class. As early as the 12th minute Howard was responsible for keeping US hopes afloat with a wonderful save of a Robinho strike.

-- It would be too dramatic to call Jay DeMerit's play a "revelation," but the 15-times capped American used the Conf. Cup to exhibit the skills, smarts and leadership that lead him to be named captain of Watford, a second-tier team in England. Even if Brazil's first goal came through his legs, he's a tough nut to crack, and the Spector/Boca/Gooch/DeMerit backline is quality.

-- Landon Donovan, a.k.a. PK Lando, responded brilliantly after a miserable couple of games, and you can be genuinely proud of the American star. While he'll need to show it consistently, No. 10 showed himself to be a world class talent, and his "it's me" moment while touching the US crest on his kit after goal No. 2 is worth noting.

--Kaka truly looked like the best player in the world. Charlie Davies' 54th minute bear hug coverage of the Brazilian star on a free kick is emblematic of the respect the new Real Madrid player deserves.

-- The difference in depth was underscored when Daniel Alves entered. The Barcelona man was outstanding in so many ways after entering in the 66th minute.

-- Onyewu came so close to equalizing in the 87th minute off a Donovan corner.

-- I do not understand the Bob Bradley's Conor Casey obsession, even in the absence of Brian Ching. He hasn't done much for me yet.

-- I like John Harkes as a color man. I don't get the hate.

-- Sometimes Landon Donovan makes faces that make him look like Hilary Swank.

-- Night soccer is stunning in HD.

What's next...

The next time the novice fan sees the States team, he will see the equivalent of a "C" team, but this will not be mentioned by mass media. Only seldom-used subs Freddy Adu and Luis Robles, as well as new star striker Charlie Davies, will be in the fold for the Gold Cup. It's a shame because a nice run in that tournament will be pretty impressive, and losses understandable, but those bitter 40-year old men terrified of losing their jobs will have precious little patience.

US Gold Cup dates (all LIVE on Fox Soccer Channel):
July 4- vs. Grenada at Qwest Field in Seattle (6 p.m. EST)
July 8- vs. Honduras at RFK Stadium in Washington (9 p.m. EST)
July 11- vs. Haiti at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro (7 p.m. EST)

P.S. I love the Lionel Messi commercial, even if I don't think it makes much sense. The Atomic Ant!

Soccer gets in the way of soccer

Give a moment of angst-explanation before I preview this afternoon's contest, please.

I have had zero complaints up to this point about my appointment as play-by-play voice of the Buffalo Flash, the local womens professional soccer club. They generally win, and I have a tremendous time calling the game with former Rutgers player Oliver Petersen, an Arsenal supporter and Brit by birth.

That was until today, when America's lack of true love for soccer has kicked me square in "The Family Matters." In many nations, the 3 p.m. kickoff for the Flash and Hamilton Avalanche (televised Monday and Tuesday on TW-13 in WNY) would be move so the soccer-adoring public could watch their national team battle traditional power Brazil.

In this case, however, the Flash have no true reason to touch the start time -- their 300-500 fans are more folks that come out for local soccer than anything since the Buffalo Blizzard played their brand of indoor madness at the Aud years ago, and these casual red, white and blue supporters can DVR their little hearts out.

My British cohort will be doing the same, but I can't wait that long. I will need to get text updates from my teammates, who will be watching the game together while I broadcast. Then, I'll have to hear about the game for a couple more hours while my mens team, Baker's City FC, tries to score a second major upset in a row. Finally, after a beer or two, at 9 p.m., I can sit down to watch what could be up for debate as the greatest moment in the history of American soccer.

In no way am I complaining about being paid money to watch soccer. C'est la vie. Go States!

--- As for the FINAL... ---

As for this afternoon's Confederations Cup final, I'm going to take the easy way out and say that while I generally do believe in miracles, losing Michael Bradley to a wrongly-given red card is going to give the US even more fits than usual when it comes to the 2 p.m. kickoff. Kaka and Luis Fabiano have a certain chance to give the US defense fits, and Bradley's absence will help nothing.

For the States to win, they will need more superior marking from Carlos Bocanegra, and another fabulous game from Oguchi Onyewu. Expecting Tim Howard to play mistake-free has become a near-certainty. You never say never after Wednesday, but I'd prefer to see the Yanks refuse to run with Brazil early, and attempt to dictate some of the pace, which would be a more-than-minor victory in itself.

Then again, if the US put up a performance like no other they've done offensively, and Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan both played unparalleled in ball movement, this could be a high-numbered classic. If you forced me to select an outcome, it'd look something like this:

Brazil strikes about 25 minutes in after a decent "feeling-out" period, with the world's No. 5 team surprised to see a different States team than they faced a week ago. They strike again 10 minutes later, but the US answers just after half. Trailing 2-1, the Americans have a handful of second half chances, but Brazil pokes one home with under 10 to go to claim the hardware with a 3-1 victory.

Needless to say, I hope I'm horribly incorrect.

--- Third place game thoughts ---

Barring late dramatics, you can't say enough for the South African performance, mostly of their team, but also of their supporters. I am firmly committed to trying to find the economic means to send my wife and me to next summer's World Cup, to see at least one States game and one other match.

On the winner... Xabi Alonso's shot was good, but it would not have scored had South African keeper Khune not had to account for Llorente's attempted elbow deflection. There's nothing you could do to legislate this without getting an official killed, but it's unfortunate for the hosts. Still, fourth place sounds like a coup for them, even if it simply means they outclassed Iraq and New Zealand. As I pointed out in the Cup preview post, I felt RSA would be able to use the home field to their advantage, and their No. 72 FIFA world ranking was slightly better than Iraq and NZ.

Comment away!

On To The Finals!

Four pints of Guinness were totally expected for Wednesday afternoon's Confederations Cup clash between No. 1 Spain and No. 14 USA. I just expected them to come in misery, not to stave off nerves as myself and several friends bounced up and down at a local establishment (Coles) in anticipation of one of the greatest upsets in US Soccer history.

Yes, the Yanks knocked up Spain, 2-0, to reach the Confederations Cup Final, but it's so much more than that. The States ended a 35-game Spanish unbeaten streak. The Spaniards had won each of their last 15 matches. They had been ranked No. 1 in the world for over a year.

The States? Not-so-much. They needed a miracle to reach the semi-final, but everything worked their way, beginning with Jozy Altidore hammering a ball right at Iker Casillas that hit the Spanish keeper's hand before going in to make it 1-0 less than a third of the way in. Clint Dempsey's 74th minute made it all but certain the States would become the first team since the 2006 Romania squad to top Spain (by the way, huge thanks to Sergio Ramos for trapping a ball in his own six).

But, it was what happened in between and after those tallies that mattered. The States sold their selves for the ball. They draped themselves on Fernando Torres, and made sure any ball that got to unbeatable Tim Howard was saveable. Pick a player, and they made an outstanding play: Landon Donovan, Ricardo Clark, Michael Bradley, etc. Even Bob Bradley's sub choices were outstanding, particularly in the face of a "red for red's sake" from the officials late in the goings.

They played with panache -- Charlie Davies almost opened the scoring with an absurd attempted bicycle. They played with guts. They played with everything you want in an American side. Every Yank fan can be proud of their boys today, regardless of what happens Sunday.

And to make the day complete... fat babies on Maury!