The USA announced their roster for the Cuba match, to be played at RFK Stadium on 10/11/08.  With advancement to the next round close to a sure thing, Bradley has taken a few more risks (well...I'd be happy to debate anyone on how "risky" they actually are) and called in some younger players.  I, for [. Click to continue reading...

Michael Bradley did not play again, while Steve Cherundolo helped Hannover to an upset over Bayern Munich in his return to action from injury. Click to continue reading...

Neven Subotic and a battered Borussia Dortmund will try to get back on track, while Steve Cherundolo and a recovered Hannover 96 squad will host champions Bayern Munich. Click to continue reading...

The LB/Sideline View Readers vote for the 2008 Honda Player of the Year is in. I just sent my vote over, about 11 hours before the polls close.

If our readers' opinions are any indications, a certain English-based player will win in a landslide.

There were 26 first-place votes submitted - 18 of them were for Tim Howard. Click to continue reading...

American Jozy Altidore was named to the squad for tonight's match against Primera newcomer Numancia. Given that coach Manuel Pelligrini is without three starters due to injury and is just coming off a midweek Champion's League draw with Manchester United, and Altidore's encouraging debut last week against Deportivo, there is a good chance that Altidore will see more playing time this week. Click to continue reading...

Roy Keane talking about Jack Warner: "He's a clown." Oh yeah! I have had my problems with Keane but this is priceless. See video in the Jack Warner/Sepp Blatter/FIFA Idiocy & Scandal News section.

~and~

Luxembourg scored one of the great upsets of all time on Wednesday, beating Switzerland 1-2 Zurich. Click to continue reading...

I owe, I owe, it's back to my club I go ...

OUR TEAMS

Everton (1-2-0, 17th in Premier League): Away to Stoke (8:30 a.m. ET Sunday; 11 a.m. on Fox Soccer Channel). Marouane Fellaini should be in the lineup, but new defender Lars Jacobsen is out for a while.

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This post is only tangentially related to the Galaxy, because of the presence of Landon Donovan in the US Men's National Team Player Pool. But I thought it would be fun to go through the candidates for player of the year and see what Galaxy fans thought about the choices. (I totally stole this idea from Luis Bueno over at Sideline Views who actually gets to cast a vote that counts in his capacity as a member of the media.

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Michael Bradley and Steve Cherundolo could possibly meet on the field for the first time as opponents, while Neven Subotic will hope to continue his stellar play for Borussia Dortmund. Click to continue reading...

Hey y'all. SF from The Offside Rules in for Il Bruce as he traverses his way across the midwest. He's on his way back home from last night's US match in Chicago last night so let's start there. Then we'll hit some MLS stuff. Then that's it because frankly I feel too disconnected to the Mexican and Euro leagues right know to even bother; long-distance relationships (no matter how hot she is) kinda suck. Click to continue reading...

Sporadic commentary will follow ...

USA lineup: GK Tim Howard, D Carlos Bocanegra, D Oguchi Onyewu, D Steve Cherundolo, D Heath Pearce, M Clint Dempsey, M DaMarcus Beasley, M Michael Bradley, M Sacha Kljestan, F Landon Donovan, F Brian Ching.

On the bench: GK Brad Guzan, D Frankie Hejduk, D Dan Califf, M Ricardo Clark, M Eddie Lewis, M Maurice Edu, F Eddie Johnson

Not playing: D Michael Orozco, D Marvell Wynne

Not called in: M/F Freddy Adu, F Jozy Altidore, D Jimmy Conrad, etc.

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So, in about six hours the US team will take on Trinidad and Tobago in first round World Cup qualifying after tallying a wins in Cuba and Guatemala. A win tonight in Chicago would give the USA nine points and all but assure a trip to the CONCACAF final six.

Not to disrespect T&T, who put forth a fine effort in the 2006 World Cup (nearly nicking a point from England) but they aren't quite the same squad these days under Francisco Maturana. Click to continue reading...

Well Bruce is gone on some sort of bus trip so I'm here to give you a short USA vs. Trinidad and Tobago World Cup 2010 Qualifier Preview. The USA come off a 1-0 win over Cuba that could have been 2 or 3 to nothing, but at the same time could have been 1-1 if not for Howard's heroics. Home Crowd, Stats in our Favor The "workman like effort" the media saw in Cuba should surface again today at Toyota Park. Click to continue reading...

Six points in the bag and little doubt the US will advance to the hexagonal. However the truth be told I think the United States finishes third in the hexagonal on current form and must improve its linkup play and general possession play in the final four matches of this qualifying stage. With this in mind this is the lineup I would like to see tomorrow assuming the bucket is being used by Bradley again.

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Before we get started, it's worth noting that Deputy MLS Commissioner Ivan Gazidis announced on the commissioner's blog on the league Web site Friday that the issue of scheduling will belatedly be reviewed.

About time. And why couldn't Garber blog about that himself? He's in Cuba for the U.

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Each Monday, we'll check in overseas to see how our two English teams and American players abroad have fared. It's especially interesting on Europe's frenetic answer to Labor Day, Transfer Deadline Day (you could also opt for The Guardian's aristocratic humor for your up-to-the-minute coverage):

EVERTON: Ouch.

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Steve Cherundolo went 90 as Hannover fell to last place, while Neven Subotic scored again as Dortmund continued their good start. Click to continue reading...

20 lucky folk were selected for World Cup qualifying beatdowns of Cuba and Trinidad and Tobago.

Enjoy:

Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan, Tim Howard.

Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra, Danny Califf, Steve Cherundolo, Frankie Hejduk, Oguchi Onyewu, Michael Orozco, Heath Pearce, Marvell Wynne.

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United States Men's National Team head coach Bob Bradley has unveiled the 20-man roster he has called upon to lead into battle in a pair of upcoming World Cup Qualifiers. Among them are seven players from Major League Soccer, as well as two others who recently completed moves overseas.

The United States will take on Cuba on September 6th in Havana and then host Trinidad & Tobago four days later from Toyota Park in Chicago. Click to continue reading...

U.S. men's national team coach Bob Bradley has named his 20-man roster for the upcoming games against Cuba and Trinidad & Tobago.

Here it is:

• GOALKEEPERS : Brad Guzan (Aston Villa: 2/2 SO), Tim Howard (Everton FC: 4/3 SO)
• DEFENDERS: Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes: 14/2), Danny Califf (FC Midtjylland: 2/0), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96: 16/0), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew: 12/1), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege: 9/0), Michael Orozco (San Luis: 0/0), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock: 3/0), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC: 0/0)
• MIDFIELDERS: DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers: 17/4), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen: 3/1), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo: 1/0), Maurice Edu (Glasgow Rangers: 2/0), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA: 1/0), Eddie Lewis (Los Angeles Galaxy: 20/3)
• FORWARDS: Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo: 8/4), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy: 22/8), Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC: 9/2), Eddie Johnson (Cardiff City: 8/8)

*numbers indicate all-time World Cup Qualifying caps/goals

Michael Orozco and Marvell Wynne are the new faces, earning call-ups after their performances at the Olympics while Ricardo Clark replaces injured central midfielder Pablo Mastroeni.

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U.S. Coach Bob Bradley has just announced a 20-man roster for the pair of upcoming World Cup Qualifying games against Cuba Sept. 6 in Havana and Trinidad & Tobago on Sept. 10 in Chicago.

There are just two changes and two additions to the squad Bradley selected for the recent qualifier in Guatemala.

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Sir Bob has released his 20-man roster for next week's World Cup qualifier in Cuba (Sept. 6) and for the home match in Bridgeview, Ill., against Trinidad and Tobago (Sept. 10). GOALKEEPERS: Tim Howard, Brad Guzan. DEFENDERS: Carlos Bocanegra, Oguchi Onyewu, Heath Pearce, Frankie Hejduk, Danny Califf, Steve Cherundolo*, Michael Orozco, Marvell Wynne. Click to continue reading...

GOALKEEPERS: Tim Howard, Brad Guzan. DEFENDERS: Carlos Bocanegra, Oguchi Onyewu, Heath Pearce, Frankie Hejduk, Danny Califf, Steve Cherundolo, Michael Orozco, Marvell Wynne. MIDFIELDERS: DaMarcus Beasley, Michael Bradley, Ricardo Clark, Maurice Edu, Eddie Lewis, Sacha Kljestan. FORWARDS: Brian Ching, Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Eddie Johnson. Click to continue reading...

Photo by ISIphotos.com

With three points in the bag after last week's 1-0 road win against Guatemala, the U.S. men's national team heads into the next set of World Cup qualifiers knowing that two wins could all but lock up advancement into the Hexagonal round.

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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...

There will be limited service today. I have a work commitment that will engagement me from early morning till late at night today. Please except my apology. Your refund will be reflected in your next credit card statement.


What a night! Did you ever imagine that Carlos Bocanegra would score 10 career goals for the USA? Click to continue reading...

Photo from Reuters

Mexico was fortunate to escape with a 2-1 win at Azteca tonight over a Honduran side filled with quality. Honduras played some quality football and was unfortunate not to secure at minimum a point as Mexico despite being out thought and flustered much of the night used two Pavel Pardo goals in a three minute span late in the match to escape.

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It's a cliche that there are no style points in World Cup qualifying. Just results. The US embodied that cliche last night in a 1-0 victory in Guatemala City in a match that announcer Glenn Davis correctly called a "street fight."

The US did a few things right, plenty wrong, and a few not so well in taking three away points to start the semifinal round of WC 2010 CONCACAF qualifying. Click to continue reading...

The United States Men's National Team got off to a great start in World Cup qualifying on Wednesday night, with Bob Bradley's squad marching into Guatemala and emerging with a 1-0 victory. It was the first time in history that the US earned a win in a WC qualifier on Guatemalan soil. Captain Carlos Bocanegra was the hero, heading home a DaMarcus Beasley corner kick in the 69th minute to give the Nats all they would need. Click to continue reading...

Just 19, Nevin Subotic showed exactly why Borussia Dortmund paid $5 million for him this summer, says Goal.com's Aaron West, while Steve Cherundolo could do nothing to stop Hannover's stumbling.

Carlos Bocanegra, Rennes (France)
vs. Grenoble, 90 minutes
Bocanegra has played every competitive minute for his new club since his summer move from Fulham. Click to continue reading...

Various UK news sources, including Sky Sports and the Globe and Mail are reporting that the final details are being worked out in a deal to bring American Maurice Edu from Toronto to Glasgow Rangers. After returning from Olympic duty in China, Edu was supposed to be in Glasgow yesterday for Rangers' home opener against Hearts to iron out a deal worth a reported $5 million. Click to continue reading...

United States Men's National Team coach Bob Bradley has unveiled his 18-man roster for the upcoming World Cup qualifying group game against Guatemala, which will take place in Guatemala City this coming Wednesday, August 20th. The game can be seen on ESPN2 and Galavision starting at 10 p.m. ET.
Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton FC)

Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Jay DeMerit (Watford FC), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock)

Midfielders: Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Eddie Lewis (Derby County), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids), DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers)

Forwards: Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC), Eddie Johnson (Fulham FC) Click to continue reading...

Everyone out there is upset that Kenny Cooper wasn't called up. Considering he's scored like 82 goals a game for FC Dallas this season, I'm upset too.

Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa, England), Tim Howard (Everton, England).

Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes, France), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover, Germany), Jay DeMerit (Watford, England), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard Liege, Belgium), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock, Germany)

Midfielders: Michael Bradley (Heerenveen, Netherlands), Maurice Edu (Toronto), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Eddie Lewis (Derby County, England), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado)

Forwards: Brian Ching (Houston), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles), Clint Dempsey (Fulham, England), Eddie Johnson (Fulham, England)

Young midfielders rule. Click to continue reading...

Interestingly no Freddy Adu called into this squad even though four other returning Olympians from the US side are called into the squad. The numbers are caps and goal in World Cup qualifying.

GOALKEEPERS (2): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa: 2/2 SO), Tim Howard (Everton FC: 3/2 SO)
DEFENDERS (6): Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes: 13/1), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96: 15/0), Jay DeMerit (Watford FC: 1/0), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew: 11/1), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege: 8/0), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock: 2/0)
MIDFIELDERS (5): Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen: 2/1), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC: 1/0), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA: 1/0), Eddie Lewis (Derby County: 19/3), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids: 10/0)
FORWARDS (4): Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo: 7/4), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy: 21/8), Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC: 8/2), Eddie Johnson (Fulham FC: 8/8)

What are everyone's thoughts about this squad?

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Once again, old man river has been called up.  Yes, we're still thin at right back, but after Marvell Wynne's recent Olympic showing, he seems the obvious choice for this position (behind Steve Cherundolo, of course).  I don't care if Frankie has the greatest intangible qualities (i.e. heart, leadership, blah blah blah) in the world they simply don't [. Click to continue reading...