We ran into a high quality download of the full USA vs Trinidad and Tobago game from last Wednesday, October 15th, 2008 on Megaupload. So, in case you missed this game, here's a link to it. DISCLAIMER: We DID NOT upload this video to the Megaupload. It was found via a web search. Here are the current [. Click to continue reading...

The Spanish press isn't easy to please, but they seem to like what they see so far from Jozy Altidore. Myself, I'd have liked for him to score, but I was actually happier to see his passing touch. Nothing increases popularity with teammates more than dishing off sweet assists, even if the other players are so surprised to get the ball that they hash up the shot. Click to continue reading...

I have to hand it to Bob Bradley and the U.S. National Team, they really came through and took care of business with the 3-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago. We even got to see a goal from Brian Ching so you know it was a terrific night. Clint Dempsey got his 4th goal in 4 matches. The defense looked really solid and Michael Bradley took his European success and showed what the hype was all about with a nice goal. Click to continue reading...

No Cooper.  No Adu.  No Altidore.  Really?  To the disappointment of many American fans (myself included), Bob Bradley continues to call up players like Brian Ching, Eddie Johnson, Frankie Hejduk, and Eddie Lewis over younger players.  The most common excuse given by supporters of Bradley's strategy is the experience argument. Click to continue reading...

Here's a link to an article that contains the U.S. National Team's squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Cuba and Trinidad and Tobago. The squad looks very similar to the recent one that was called up for the Guatemala game and I still would like to see some different players included. I don't really know what is accomplished by including Brian Ching, Eddie Lewis, and Frankie Hejduk. Click to continue reading...

Here is a link to an interesting article that Jozy Altidore has written for the New York Times. It describes the whirlwind of experiences that he is having going from playing in the recent Olympic games to playing for his new club Villareal. Jozy is trying to secure a place within the team as a regular forward and I wish him well. Click to continue reading...

Here is Jack Bell's article from the New York Times that reviews each player's performance in the game with a rating scale of 1-10, which is commonly done in soccer. To begin, I believe that Jack's ratings vary a bit too much. Its usually pretty rare that players on the same team get a score of 3 and also 8. Click to continue reading...

Bob Bradley named the squad that is going to face Guatemala in the upcoming World Cup qualifier and while looking through the roster the question that comes to my mind is - don't we have a better team then this? Hasn't the time for Eddie Lewis, Frankie Hejduk, and Pablo Mastroeni come and gone? Who is being looked to as the main goalscorer - Landon Donovan? Click to continue reading...

Grant Wahl from Sports Illustrated wrote an excellent analysis of the U.S. - Holland game in this article. I have to say though that I still can't believe that GERALD SIBON of all people is the Dutch player to beat that U.S. team. This is the same Gerald Sibon who has bounced around Europe playing for Sheffield Wednesday, Nurenburg, and various teams in the Dutch Eredivise. Click to continue reading...

Just thought I'd include a link to an item that Jozy Altidore contributed to the New York Times blog. Its an interesting first hand account from him on his early time with his new club Villarreal. Click to continue reading...

Shaka sits down with Jozy and it might just be me, but the teenager seems more composed and articulate than the former goalkeeper.

Plus, Shaka, Thomas Rongen was Jozy's U20 coach and guided that team to victories over the likes of Brazil. Peter Nowak is the Olympic team coach and that team didn't win the qualifying tournament. Click to continue reading...

Jozy kicks ass in a farewell post to New York - and he even promises to continue contributing to the GOAL blog at various times. Go well, young man. Click to continue reading...

A lovely day for mellow yellow.

They spelled it right.

AP's take.

Interesting news - Villa is looking at keeping Jozy on the team proper, rather than loaning him out.

I'll bet Jozy got translated into Spanish and then back into English here. Click to continue reading...

Yep, there it is on Marca's futbol page, Ronaldo is going to Real Madrid, Gio Santos is going to Spurs, and Jozy to Villareal.
Readers commenting on the story seem quite positive, though one admits never having seen him play, while another is basing his analysis on Football Manager.
One also believes Izzy Sesay is a good prospect from that same game. Click to continue reading...

I read today in the Toronto Star that Ronaldo was named after Ronald Reagan, not so much for the late ex president's strange blend of down-home populism and ruthless neoconservatism, but more for his old terrible cowboy movies. But in light of the tomfoolery going on between Madrid and Manchester, let's take a look at our crisco-haired friend for a second and compare him to that old forgetful Click to continue reading...

It's a little crude at times and some strange song selections (Phil Collins?!?) but here's a compilation of Jozy Altidore's goals. Yes, there is actual video once you get past the beginning. Since this is mostly MLS stuff, perhaps Villarreal scouts saw this same video. This doesn't include, though, Jozy's goal against Mexico. Click to continue reading...

Succeed with Villareal? Play in Olympics? What is in store? Speculate away.
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No, not for the match today, but permanently, for Villareal.

Can I just say how excited I am to have young American talent going to La Liga again?

I've known Jozy since he was fifteen and playing ping-pong with Dan Kelly at the U17 World Cup in Peru. What struck me at the time was that his parents weren't along for the trip - although he was the youngest one there. Click to continue reading...

I really enjoyed watching the US team emerge with a convincing victory against Canada tonight to earn their way into the Olympics this summer. The team has definitely shown improvement in each match. Makes you wonder how well we'll actually do in Beijing against the top world powers, because right now, a pretty good run certainly looks possible. Click to continue reading...

Good afternoon folks. Apologies for the light posting today but I'm still recovering from the trip to Houston. I had a good time in Texas but am definitely glad to be back in Jersey.

Before we get to the weekend I thought it would be a good time for another You Write the Caption. When I saw this photo I knew American soccer fans could have a field day with it, so here goes.

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Photo by ISI Photos

Good morning everybody. If you are still talking about or thinking about the USA-Mexico game, don't fret. You are not alone.

There is so much to talk about from that game but one thing I wanted to say is that while there are some issues raised from that game I really don't think there is reason to be in panic mode about any particular aspect of the U.

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Photo by ISI Photos

Good morning everybody. If you are still talking about or thinking about the USA-Mexico game, don't fret. You are not alone.

There is so much to talk about from that game but one thing I wanted to say is that while there are some issues raised from that game I really don't think there is reason to be in panic mode about any particular aspect of the U.

Click to continue reading...

Photo by ISI Photos

What a match.

That's what comes to mind when thinking of last night's USA-Mexico friendly. Yes, there were plenty of mistakes and turnovers and missed chances but the intensity and back and forth nature of the match made it a truly memorable encounter.

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Photo by ISI Photos

What a match.

That's what comes to mind when thinking of last night's USA-Mexico friendly. Yes, there were plenty of mistakes and turnovers and missed chances but the intensity and back and forth nature of the match made it a truly memorable encounter.

Click to continue reading...

Some good and some bad from the "Friendly" match last night.

Despite all the criticism, and all the emergence of new talent, Landon Donovan proved again in the first half that he was still the best player on the field. And actually, for the first time in a long time, I'm pretty satisfied with the offense on the USMNT. Click to continue reading...

I must say, after reading this from Ives a bit ago, the MLS and New York Red Bulls showed their secrecy once more on how they handle the media. But you read the title correctly, Jozy Altidore was nearly sold to EPL side Reading last month during the transfer window. As Ives put it: The bid was [...] Click to continue reading...

Here's a snip of my interview with Josmer Altidore, where he talks about playing with Landon Donovan and Freddy Adu. Click to continue reading...

(EDITOR'S NOTE)-- SBI Mafia member and pro sports writer Dominghosa made the trip to Los Angeles on Monday and took the time to head to Home Depot Center to watch U.S. national team practice. Here is his report.)

Hafa Adai and Mabuhay SBI Mafia.

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Real Madrid is after young MLSer Jozy Altidore. Yup, the rumor is actual fact and apparently they are scouting him pretty hard right now. "Real Madrid is searching the international market for players who are young, talented and inexpensive, all qualities found in forward Jozy Altidore, the grand sensation of MLS. " Woah. With no Bruce Arena [...] Click to continue reading...

Interviewing Jozy

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So, I am separating this into two parts.

Part I will feature FIFA 08, and the actual playing of the video game v. Jozy, review on its features, some trash talkin in between, and other stuff . . .

Part II, is the actual interview, where we discuss everything from gaming to the U-20 WC, to the current Red Bulls situation and more

So without further ado .

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I just got off the phone with Jozy Altidore. We had a quick interview set up through EA Sports, since Jozy is their new FIFA cover boy.

I asked Jozy if he was any good at the game.

"Undisputed champ," he responded.

Honestly, he sounded like he had wiped out the local competiton. He also said that he had been the best FIFA player back in his Bradenton days as well. Click to continue reading...

This will be short and sweet.

Yesterdays loss left a bitter taste in my mouth (which then turned to vomit when I watched the rest of the Yankees game).

We have a World Class Coach, World Class players, Youngsters who play hard and well, and are a piece or two away from having a truly dominant club. At least, thats what we thought.

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. . . . WHO WOULDA GUESSED?!?! . . . .

First off, People Magazine (in espanol) has A RED BULL as one of the 10 SEXIEST MEN in AMERICAN in its newest magazine. CHECK IT OUT.

Simultaneously, they are breaking down the possible end of year award winners on MLSNET (MVP, rookie of the year, etc.).

And of course, the only RBNY representative in BOTH catagories and currently trailing Luciano Emilio for league MVP?

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Since this was already 3 days ago, here are just some late thoughts from your fractured fingered blogging wonder kind :

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