U.S.A. National Soccer Team

For 90 grueling minutes I sat in anguish watching the U.S. team come oh so close to scoring on the Algerians (They did score early on but another referee mistake nullified that one).

I couldn't believe the missed opportunities and unlucky bounces. The team just couldn't seem to get the ball past the chalk line on the ground underneath the crossbar. When the 90 minute came, I felt lost. Just couldn't believe that we were out of the World Cup. It seemed unfair, not right. But then, it happened.

Tim Howard made a routine save in front of his net and launched a 40 yard pass to a streaking Landon Donovan. Landon then found Jozy making a run down the right side and passed a perfect ball to him. Jozy then headed towards the goal with a full head of steam. Once in the box Jozy made a square pass to Clint Dempsey who put a shot off of the Algerian goalkeeper. The rebound seemed to linger in the box for an eternity when out of the right from of my T.V. Landon appeared and buried the ball into the back of the night.

Everyone in my house went crazy! I high fived my son and hugged my mom. We were screaming and jumping and pretty much out of control. I'm sure if any of my neighbors were not awake yet, they were now. It was an incredible, unbelievable moment. I'm getting the chills right now as I type this.

I can remember the U.S. team barely qualifying for the 1990 World Cup with a last second goal by Paul Caligiuri, dubbed "The Shot Heard around the World". This team and this country have come along way since then in soccer and I can't wait to see what the future has in store.

The U.S. got a pretty favorable draw. England will be a great game (I can't wait!) but we should be able to handle both Algeria and Slovenia. If we bring it every game and that's the only part that scares me.

1. England
2. United States
3. Algeria
4. Slovenia

What a proud dad Bob Bradley must be. I know I would be in heaven if I saw my son score 2 goals against Mexico in a World Cup Qualifying game. Not to mention if I happen to be his coach.

The U.S. men's national soccer team continued their dominance over Mexico at home with a very well deserved 2 - 0 win in Columbus last night. On a frigid night the U.S. showed that they still own the Mexican's on home soil. Michael Bradley played a brilliant game (he just looks like a player) scoring 2 goals while Tim Howard turned away every chance the Mexicans had. Landon Donovan controlled and passed the ball the way he is expected to. Eventually having a hand in the first goal.

Other players that deserve a mention are Frankie Hejduk who at the age of 34 (or 35) showed he can still give and take a tackle. Very strong at his position last night. Onyewu was his massive self, at times looking like he couldn't clear a ball, at other times the Mexican players knew exactly where he was. Heath Pearce seemed to be everywhere. Beasley seemed to disappear at times but when he did have the ball he caused havoc for Mexican defenders.

Overall a great game. I look forward to this crop of players as they play more games together.

I was not able to attend this game because of work but I did receive a text from my friend who was there:

"Kljestan is the man today"

Hopefully he will be for more than one day...

Man is Southern California great to live in. The U.S. National team took on Barbados in a World Cup qualifier today at the Home Depot Center in Carson California. And what a beautiful day it was. Not only because the sun was out and there was hardly a cloud in the sky but the U.S. started their quest for a World Cup bid with a 8 - 0 win. What a great Fathers day gift that was.

That being said, it was hard to tell how well the team did. Sure they won. By a lot. But the competition wasn't up to par so it's kind of hard to evaluate the U.S. play on the field. I do know that that Landon and Clint looked good. I also noticed that Heath Pearce looked really shaky in the first half but improved as the game went on. Gooch was a monster. The goals were nice and play in the midfield looked great. That being said, it really doesn't mean much.

All in all the game was entertaining and the 11,000 people in attendance were loud and fun. Let's hope the rest of the road to the World Cup is as easy as this game was.

Pictures from the game:

After the high of beating Mexico in the Gold Cup some may think we hit a low in Copa America when we lost to Argentina 4 -1. I think not.

Now anytime you lose 4 - 1 it's not fun. And unfortunately the score is the only stat that counts if you want to move on in a tournament. But when your trying to move forward a soccer team, the score isn't always indicative a a team moving forward.

I'm proud of what our young U.S. team showed agaisn't a veteran squad of Argentinian players. We took the lead, kept the argentenian team on thier heels in the first half, and only faltered because, well, Argentina is a better team. But our young guys howed heart. They showed flashes of skill. They showed they belonged.

So on to todays game. I hope the result on the scoreboard is different. I also hope that U.S. soccer continues to move forward. The latter is the most important of the two.

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U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati named Bob Bradley as Head Coach of the U.S. Men's National Team at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square. Bradley, who becomes the 33rd coach in MNT history, is currently preparing the United States for two major tournaments in June and July, the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup and the Copa America in Venezuela.

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Mooch was the coach of the Olympic Qualifying team in 2004 and was an assistant coach with Bruce Arena for the last two World Cups. From what I have been reading he was highly respected and liked throughout U.S. Soccer.

He passed away Monday morning at a Denver-area hospital, four days after suffering a heart attack that put him in a coma. He leaves behind his wife, Nancy, their daughter, Kelly, and son, Travis, and a U.S. soccer community that is grieving over the sudden loss of one of its own.

Has the U.S. found it's next coach? And more importantly, can this coach take us to the next level? With the stepping down of Juergen Klinsmann from the German National Team the U.S. is that more closer to signing him to a contract.

Juergen has stated that he will go back home to California to his family and take a six month break. Then he will "think" about his future.

I personally hope he takes the job. I think it's about time the U.S. gets a high profile coach who knows the european side of the game. I know he won't have the players he had in Germany, but he can always share his knowledge and introduce his system that will only help the U.S. side. Now I ask, what do you think? Vote below and let me know:

It's pretty obvious that the U.S. still has some way to go to be a true contender. Let's not kid ourselves. There are only a few countries that really have a shot at it. It's an elite group. But, I really do believe that we will be there some day.

I can still remember way back, when the U.S. team struggled to qualify. When it took a miracle goal by Caliguiri agaisn't Trinidad and Tobago to get us to the World Cup. And beleive it or not, that was good enough. There was no talk of getting out of the first round. No talk of tying Italy. No talk of beating mexico to get to the second round. No commercials for the team. So we have improved immensely, and we will continue to improve. We will be contender, just give us a little more time...

And can I just say this, we shouldn't be looking for a savior of our team. We should be looking for a 'team' that doesn't need one.

I know a lot of people are calling for his head. And I do believe he's taken us as far as he can take us. But let's not forget what he's done for us.

First off, he changed U.S. Soccer's attitude towards themselves. He brought an air a professionalism to the organization that was passed on to U.S. Soccer and the team. He also gave us a taste of what the second round is all about. I will always be appreciative of that. He also help bring soccer to another level here in the states. Never have I seen so much 'hype' here for a soccer team. It was nice to see some ESPN shows dedicating time to the U.S. Team.

So thanks Bruce.

I waited till tonight to write this blog. I wanted to let it all sink in. Think about it. What we did right and what we did wrong. And I will not mention the worst penalty call in this World Cup. So here I go...

Since when are we good enough to score with one attacker? Let alone an attacker that cannot create a chance on his own? I never liked the formation that Bruce decided to use. I just didn't make any sense to me. We don't have that kind of team.

Next, why didn't Eddie Johnson get more playing time? I will never understand this one either. He has shown he can score and be dangerous (Twellman anyone?)whenever he is on the pitch.

Why the hell is Cherundolo starting? What has he ever done on the national team? And I know I'm going to get flack for this, but get Bobby Convey of the pitch. He gets so much praise for doing nothing. And what the hell happened to Beasley and Donovan? I will give Beasley a little more slack since he was playing everywhere but his natural position. But Donovan seemed to timid. He was almost afraid to attack.

Now the good stuff. We tied Italy. Bocanegra showed he can play at this level. Clint Dempsey gave me hope for the future. And Project 2010 hasn't passed us up yet...