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.

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.

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.

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