US Men's National Team (7 Viewers)

[Sinn Fein]

John Brooks made a cameo appearance today for Hertha - coming in at 86 minutes

 

[El Floppo]

Toronto signed old friend Herculez Gomez.

Another small signing that slipped by me was that SJ picked up US U23 player Marc Pelosi, who was released from Liverpool.

I guess that's good. other than being released by a good club without ever getting to play for them. that parts not so great. speaking of... what's the deal with Lederman (cripes- just googled him and dammmmn... the pictures that turn up... he's just a little kid)?

hopefully he'll get to play and do a Ljetgetsj resurgence.

 

[El Floppo]

btw- Guzan had a couple of nice saves.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Americans in Mexico

In his second start of the season, Joe Corona set up new club Veracruz's winning goal as he played a one-two with Juan Albin in the 90th minute for a 2-1 win over Chiapas. The win was the second in three games for Veracruz, which is in fifth place.

Liga MX, Torneo Apertura

Ventura Alvarado (Club America), sub-3 minutes, 3-0 at Pachuca

Paul Arriola (Tijuana), sub-21 minutes, 1-0 at Santos

Jonathan Bornstein (Queretaro), 90 minutes, 1-0 at Dorados

Edgar Castillo (Monterrey), 90 minutes, 3-0 at Atlas

Joe Corona (Veracruz), 90 minutes, 2-1 vs. Chiapas

Gabriel Farfan (Chiapas), DNP, 1-2 at Veracruz

Greg Garza (Atlas), DNP, 0-3 at Monterrey

Alejandro Guido (Tijuana), sub-11 minutes, 1-0 at Santos

Miguel Ibarra (Leon), sub-8 minutes, 0-2 at Cruz Azul

Michael Orozco (Tijuana), 90 minutes, 1-0 at Santos

Jose Torres (Tigres), sub-10 minutes, 2-2 vs. Guadalajara

William Yarbrough (Leon), DNP, 0-2 at Cruz Azul

Torneo de Ascenso, Torneo Apertura

Daniel Cuevas (Lobos BUAP), DNP, 2-2 at Alebrijes de Oaxaca

Juan Pablo Ocegueda (Alebrijes de Oaxaca), 90 minutes, 2-2 vs. Lobos Jesus Gonzalez (Atletico San Luis), DNP, 2-0 vs. Mineros de Zacatec

Sonny Guadarrama (Atlante), DNP, 2-2 at Venados

Alonso Hernandez (FC Juarez), 59 minutes, 1-3 vs. Necaxa

Alan Huerta (Atlante), DNP, 2-2 at Venados

Benji Joya (Necaxa), DNP, 3-1 at FC Juarez

Julio Morales (Coras de Tepic), 45 minutes, 1-1 vs. Celaya

Jesus Vasquez (Leones Negros), no game

Marco Vidal (Atletico San Luis), 90 minutes, 2-0 vs. Mineros de Zacatec

 

[NewlyRetired]

From SA

The New York Cosmos have signed 17-year-old Southern California product Alexis Velela, who started every game for the USA during its successful qualifying campaign for the 2015 U-17 World Cup. Velela, who played for the San Diego Surf and Nomads, joins fellow U.S. U-17 Haji Wright at the NASL's Cosmos.

“I’m very happy about joining the New York Cosmos,” Velela said in a press release. “I spent a week with the team on trial last month and felt really comfortable with the environment. I feel this is where I can continue to develop as a player.

“Being able to train with world-class stars such as Raúl and [Marcos] Senna will definitely help me to become a complete soccer player.”

Velela, who most recently played for the Surf's U15/16 team U.S. Development Academy, captained the Cal South 98 ODP/Pro+ Team in 2011 and 2012.

“Alexis is an exciting prospect with great potential,” Cosmos coach Giovanni Savarese said. “He is a young player with strong technical qualities and is capable of playing in multiple positions. We are delighted to have signed him.”

 

[El Floppo]

Interesting that the Cosmos are now getting quality youth players, after spending on the aging superstars.

Nice article about Miazga, btw, on ESPN. a bunch of points caught my eye- mostly that he's a dual citizen (Poland) and hasn't ruled out playing for them- didn't know that he played for their u18 side. (also makes it easier for him to jump to Europe when that time comes).

 

[NewlyRetired]

Interesting that the Cosmos are now getting quality youth players, after spending on the aging superstars.

Nice article about Miazga, btw, on ESPN. a bunch of points caught my eye- mostly that he's a dual citizen (Poland) and hasn't ruled out playing for them- didn't know that he played for their u18 side. (also makes it easier for him to jump to Europe when that time comes).

It would be just our luck if Miazga plays for Poland and the Old Man plays for England :(

We just need to keep moving these two up the chain and hope for the best.

 

[NewlyRetired]

If you are wondering what the smell is, I think you can file it under "bad karma"

http://www.starsandstripesfc.com/2015/8/11/9130979/us-soccer-is-trying-to-trademark-dos-a-cero-mexico

 

[NewlyRetired]

From ESPN

BOLTON -- Bolton Wanderers have rejected offers from Queens Park Rangers and Fulham for the United States international Tim Ream.

Manager Neil Lennon said Wanderers' Championship rivals are yet to meet their asking price for the 27-year-old but admitted the centre-back could leave the Macron Stadium.

"We have had two bids, one from QPR and one from Fulham," Lennon said in a news conference after League One Burton knocked his team out of the Capital One Cup.

"Obviously [they are] not the valuation we see the player at so it is as you are. If and when a bid comes in that satisfies the club, we have a decision to make."

Ream has won Bolton's Player of the Year award for each of the last two seasons but while Lennon is keen to keep the American, he revealed he has considered possible successors.

"You always make contingency plans," he said. "Every player has his price but at the moment we are in no panic to sell."

Ream has missed Bolton's first two games of the season with a dead leg incurred playing for his country in the Gold Cup but Lennon said he would have no problems selecting him at Middlesbrough on Saturday, despite the uncertainty about his future.

"He should train on Thursday so he should be in the squad for the weekend," he added.

 

[NewlyRetired]

A press conference today will reveal the new USL expansion club in Cincinnati owned by the Lindner family.

According to the trailer video to announce the team that was leaked, John Harkes will be the head coach of the new team.

 

[NewlyRetired]

US Soccer is implementing some changes across youth soccer. I love the "build out area and not allowing the keeper to punt".

Does anyone know if in other parts of the world, they use smaller balls for the real young kids?

Here are some details of the changes:

===================================================

USSF is implementing a new model for youth soccer with an emphasis on small-sided games. The objective is to develop "more confident, skillful and smarter players at an early age."

The premise for necessitating the change is that eleven-a-side is an adult game devised by and for adults, not necessarily appropriate for youth level. U.S. Youth Soccer sees small-sided games as a stair step for players to grow into the adult game.

The initiatives:

· The initiative's four-tier structure affects youth development up to U13.
· Up until U8 games will be four-aside, without a goalkeeper, using size 3 balls. The focus is on developing motor skills (walking, running and changing direction) whilst getting as many touches of the ball as possible.
· U9 and U10 games will be seven-aside, now adding the goalkeeper and the offside rule, using size 4 balls. Once again a focus is lain on physical ability, as the stated rational is that "players at this age are [sic] need to develop speed and agility." Therefore the pitch is extended, and the hope is that 1v1 situations will be created in different parts of the pitch.

The major change for the U9 and U10 age groups is that build out lines will be established fifteen yards from the end line, which opposition players cannot cross when the goalkeeper has a goal kick or has the ball during play.

The goalkeeper may not 'punt' the bull, but can only roll, throw or pass the ball out. Upon so doing, the build out line may be freely breached.

· At U11 and U12, the games go to 9v9 and the focus is on quickening decision making and improving vision and game intelligence.
· From U13 and upward games become 11v11 and size five balls are introduced.

These initiatives are stipulated best practice beginning in August 2016 and are mandatory by August 2017.

U.S. Youth Soccer theorize multiple benefits for the small-sided game model:
· More involvement in games as players have greater contact with the ball and greater instances of experiencing tactical problems (a theory that is backed not only by common sense but also by some experimental studies.)
· Players cannot hide, as they are forced to attack and defend to succeed
· Less bunching on the pitch entails that the game is less complicated and easier to understand
· Avoidance of the situation where players are prematurely given a formalized position before generating an understanding of large group tactics
· More fun and enjoyment

 

[berndog]

The major change for the U9 and U10 age groups is that build out lines will be established fifteen yards from the end line, which opposition players cannot cross when the goalkeeper has a goal kick or has the ball during play.

The goalkeeper may not 'punt' the bull, but can only roll, throw or pass the ball out. Upon so doing, the build out line may be freely breached.

I'm in Charlotte and the majority of the u9 u10 club games have followed these rules for several years.

 

[NewlyRetired]

The major change for the U9 and U10 age groups is that build out lines will be established fifteen yards from the end line, which opposition players cannot cross when the goalkeeper has a goal kick or has the ball during play.

The goalkeeper may not 'punt' the bull, but can only roll, throw or pass the ball out. Upon so doing, the build out line may be freely breached.

I'm in Charlotte and the majority of the u9 u10 club games have followed these rules for several years.

forcing kids to build out of the back is fantastic in theory.

How does it work in reality? Is it a giveaway fest or do the kids adapt to learn how to pass their way out of the back?

 

[El Floppo]

US Soccer is implementing some changes across youth soccer. I love the "build out area and not allowing the keeper to punt".

Does anyone know if in other parts of the world, they use smaller balls for the real young kids?

Here are some details of the changes:

===================================================

USSF is implementing a new model for youth soccer with an emphasis on small-sided games. The objective is to develop "more confident, skillful and smarter players at an early age."

The premise for necessitating the change is that eleven-a-side is an adult game devised by and for adults, not necessarily appropriate for youth level. U.S. Youth Soccer sees small-sided games as a stair step for players to grow into the adult game.

The initiatives:

· The initiative's four-tier structure affects youth development up to U13.

· Up until U8 games will be four-aside, without a goalkeeper, using size 3 balls. The focus is on developing motor skills (walking, running and changing direction) whilst getting as many touches of the ball as possible.

· U9 and U10 games will be seven-aside, now adding the goalkeeper and the offside rule, using size 4 balls. Once again a focus is lain on physical ability, as the stated rational is that "players at this age are [sic] need to develop speed and agility." Therefore the pitch is extended, and the hope is that 1v1 situations will be created in different parts of the pitch.

The major change for the U9 and U10 age groups is that build out lines will be established fifteen yards from the end line, which opposition players cannot cross when the goalkeeper has a goal kick or has the ball during play.

The goalkeeper may not 'punt' the bull, but can only roll, throw or pass the ball out. Upon so doing, the build out line may be freely breached.

· At U11 and U12, the games go to 9v9 and the focus is on quickening decision making and improving vision and game intelligence.

· From U13 and upward games become 11v11 and size five balls are introduced.

These initiatives are stipulated best practice beginning in August 2016 and are mandatory by August 2017.

U.S. Youth Soccer theorize multiple benefits for the small-sided game model:

· More involvement in games as players have greater contact with the ball and greater instances of experiencing tactical problems (a theory that is backed not only by common sense but also by some experimental studies.)

· Players cannot hide, as they are forced to attack and defend to succeed

· Less bunching on the pitch entails that the game is less complicated and easier to understand

· Avoidance of the situation where players are prematurely given a formalized position before generating an understanding of large group tactics

· More fun and enjoyment

u13 seems a year or two late to play "real" rules, but I like the rest of it a lot.

 

[berndog]

The major change for the U9 and U10 age groups is that build out lines will be established fifteen yards from the end line, which opposition players cannot cross when the goalkeeper has a goal kick or has the ball during play.

The goalkeeper may not 'punt' the bull, but can only roll, throw or pass the ball out. Upon so doing, the build out line may be freely breached.

I'm in Charlotte and the majority of the u9 u10 club games have followed these rules for several years.

forcing kids to build out of the back is fantastic in theory.

How does it work in reality? Is it a giveaway fest or do the kids adapt to learn how to pass their way out of the back?

On goal kicks the other team had to back up to midfield so it did encourage building out of the back. It helped the kids gain confidence and encouraged passing the ball and helped to level the playing field. Unfortunately some of that disappeared when the goal kicks can be pressured at u11 and it was often kick the ball as far as you can and fight for possession. I think that was also do to the coaches wanting to win and not risk giving up a goal when building out of the back..

 

[Steve Tasker]

I kinda like the idea of young GKs not being able to punt the ball.

 

[Ned]

I kinda like the idea of young GKs not being able to punt the ball.

I do too. My oldest is moving up to U9 this fall. I'm anxious to see how the game changes when they jump to 7-7 with keepers.

U8 here also has the midfield rule on goal kicks also. It helps, but still quickly turns into bunch ball when the opposing team all swarms the player that received the goal kick.

I'm not buying that these changes will help alleviate bunch ball at the younger levels. Most kids are all too eager to touch the ball regardless of the rules.

 

[Battles]

U10 Academy here. Teams with lower skill level "pass" it by pulling their biggest leg back to take kicks and just boot it downfield anyways. Playing out of the back can get difficult as players can close down faster than half the kids can make a turn and pass. It's also a delicate balance with field size. We're playing 6v6 and the field sizes we have been playing on are too small imo. Any team above average can play it to the side and pick a pass down the line or to a center mid.

 

[El Floppo]

My oldest is going to u9s too.

I'm debating keeping him out of the rec leagues this fall and just going with a soccer "class".

Rec leagues that I've found here in NYC play 1x week with a collective seminar practice before hand for about 15 minutes; teams don't practice as teams.

He's got some decent natural ability, but Floppinho isn't Mr Aggressive about getting the ball- actually looks guilty trying to take the ball or keeping the ball when somebody else tries to take it from him. These leagues give him the minimum opportunity to get his feet on the ball and develop skills. What I've seen, it's one or two kids who are the aggressive types (and usually better athletes too) who are on the ball for 90% of the time with the rest of the kids trying to take it from them- whether they're teammates or opponents. I'd like him to develop the idea of teamwork with a consistent group of kids, and I'd like to instill some aggressiveness in him, but so far I'm not seeing either of those things happening in these type of leagues.

I'm torn.

 

[Battles]

My oldest is going to u9s too.

I'm debating keeping him out of the rec leagues this fall and just going with a soccer "class".

Rec leagues that I've found here in NYC play 1x week with a collective seminar practice before hand for about 15 minutes; teams don't practice as teams.

He's got some decent natural ability, but Floppinho isn't Mr Aggressive about getting the ball- actually looks guilty trying to take the ball or keeping the ball when somebody else tries to take it from him. These leagues give him the minimum opportunity to get his feet on the ball and develop skills. What I've seen, it's one or two kids who are the aggressive types (and usually better athletes too) who are on the ball for 90% of the time with the rest of the kids trying to take it from them- whether they're teammates or opponents. I'd like him to develop the idea of teamwork with a consistent group of kids, and I'd like to instill some aggressiveness in him, but so far I'm not seeing either of those things happening in these type of leagues.

I'm torn.

Can you do both?

Those together are what we get out of our Academy. Per week we have 1 pool training (U8-U10), 1 team training and usually 1 game. We probably end up playing 14-16 games with friendlies, league and tournament.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

I kinda like the idea of young GKs not being able to punt the ball.

Its familiar territory if they play indoor or futsal in the winter.

 

[El Floppo]

My oldest is going to u9s too.

I'm debating keeping him out of the rec leagues this fall and just going with a soccer "class".

Rec leagues that I've found here in NYC play 1x week with a collective seminar practice before hand for about 15 minutes; teams don't practice as teams.

He's got some decent natural ability, but Floppinho isn't Mr Aggressive about getting the ball- actually looks guilty trying to take the ball or keeping the ball when somebody else tries to take it from him. These leagues give him the minimum opportunity to get his feet on the ball and develop skills. What I've seen, it's one or two kids who are the aggressive types (and usually better athletes too) who are on the ball for 90% of the time with the rest of the kids trying to take it from them- whether they're teammates or opponents. I'd like him to develop the idea of teamwork with a consistent group of kids, and I'd like to instill some aggressiveness in him, but so far I'm not seeing either of those things happening in these type of leagues.

I'm torn.

Can you do both?

Those together are what we get out of our Academy. Per week we have 1 pool training (U8-U10), 1 team training and usually 1 game. We probably end up playing 14-16 games with friendlies, league and tournament.

maybe- it's only extra money to do both. and schedule.

there's a few options out there. wife wasn't impressed with his last neighborhood class- more street-futsal-style... but pretty laissez-faire with their coaching technique. point out some things and then have the kids run through them- didn't notice a lot of corrections happening while the kids were drilling. they build up from individual skills to 1v1, 2v2 into bigger games- never more than 6v6. it's closest and cheapest and puts him on the ball the most.

there are other options that are a little more structured- he's being evaluated for a developmental class this week- a step up from the kinds of things he's done in the past. or he can do a rec league with a practice session mixed in (his mom is against this due to scheduling issues with his and daughter's afterschool stuff that mom handles).

the real issue is playing 1x per week is never going to make anybody better. he needs more time on the ball... something I was trying to work on with him 1 additional day per week after work, but my work schedule has been ####e for months.

 

[NewlyRetired]

A "where are they now" type piece from SA on John O'Brien

===============================================

Landon Donovan once called John O'Brien the "best soccer player in the USA." Bruce Arena said O’Brien was "as talented a midfielder as U.S. soccer has ever had."

Donovan was one of O’Brien’s teammates on the USA’s 2002 World Cup team that Arena coached. Five minutes into that World Cup, O’Brien scored against pre-tournament favorite Portugal in a 3-2 U.S. win. O’Brien was one of only three players, along with goalkeeper Brad Friedel and Tony Sanneh, to play every minute of all five games of the USA’s quarterfinal performance.

O’Brien, who also set up Clint Mathis’ goal in a 1-1 tie with host South Korea, was 24 years old at the time. Two years earlier, he started every game for the USA in its best-ever Olympic performance, fourth place at the Sydney Games. He also started all four games for the USA in its second round run at the 1997 U-20 World Cup and was on the 1993 U-17 World Cup squad.

O’Brien’s career also stands out because he is one of the few Americans who ventured to Europe as a teenager -- and made it. He left his Southern California home at age 17 for Ajax Amsterdam and went on to win two Dutch Eredivisie titles.

Injuries cut short O’Brien’s career. He suffered from scoliosis -- a curvature of the spine -- which compounded the usual injuries a professional player must endure. After spending more than a decade in the Netherlands, he joined MLS’s Chivas USA but managed to play in only one game and retired at age 29 in 2006.

“I didn’t play much in my last couple of years because of injuries,” says O’Brien. “It was really disappointing and frustrating not being able to play. I was looking forward to taking more responsibility as an older player, but that stage never came to fruition for me. I decided I was going to do other stuff.

“The positive part of was that I felt, ‘I can learn. I can develop in other areas.’ I was interested in going to school.”

O’Brien had left Southern California for Ajax before finishing high school and got his diploma by attending the International School of Amsterdam and correspondence with his old school, Brentwood High School. Then he went to a Dutch high school for a year to master the Dutch language. Also while playing, he studied international management at a Dutch college, which gave him about a year of credits that would go toward the bachelor’s degree in psychology he earned in 2011 at Antioch University Los Angeles.

Soccer, however, remained part of his life. He coached some youth soccer, including at the LA Galaxy academy.

“It was great,” he said. “It was really interesting. I felt like I knew a lot about soccer but I didn’t know how to get it across. … My most recent experience had been as a professional player, where everything is pretty intense. With youth you have to learn how to look at it differently.”

O’Brien spent a year and a half as a volunteer assistant coach at UNC Asheville when he “decided to go the psychology route.”

“I started taking classes in performance psychology in a master’s program,” O’Brien said. “I decided that wasn’t enough for me to really learn it well, so two years ago I started a doctorate program in San Francisco for clinical psychology [at the Alliant International University].”

In the Bay Area -- O’Brien and his wife, Amy, live in Berkeley and have a 3-month-old son -- O’Brien continued to volunteer in youth soccer and with Soccer Without Borders, on whose board he serves. He’ll also be working with Coach Kevin Grimes’ men’s team at Cal this fall season.

He’s three years away from completing his studies and aims to pursue the field of sports psychology.

“Getting my clinical psychology training I think helps me understand people, and be able to work with people,” he said. “Help them meet whatever goals they want to meet. … How can you get the most out of yourself? How can you remove these barriers we sometimes create for ourselves?”

O’Brien certainly has experience to draw on, having beaten the odds in the Netherlands as an American teen, and playing for Ajax coaches such as Louis van Gaal, Morten Olsen and Ronald Koeman.

On the state of American soccer, O’Brien says:

“Professionally, oh my gosh, it’s changed so much. When I went to Holland, they were just thinking of launching MLS. Now it’s a totally different landscape. Kids are growing up with MLS. The state of the league right now is phenomenal.”

As for the national team?

“We’ve got some amazing players, like Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley. But internationally we still haven’t made that next step.”

Indeed, the USA has yet to match the 2002 World Cup team that O’Brien helped reach the quarterfinals.

 

[NewlyRetired]

US U23 keeper Cody Cropper finally got his first professional game in his start for MK Dons in the League Cup

 

[NewlyRetired]

So I got frustrated again last watching KC play. It was yet again clear that Benny was the best player on the field.

One of JK's strongest traits at picking players is refusing to allow where they play influence him.

One of JK's weakest traits at picking player is overlooking clear candidates based on their club form

So lets take JK's own words on why Benny is not in his thoughts: "There are many players in front of him"

I don't think anyone could honestly say Zusi, Davis, Mix, Ibarra, Green, Shea or a few other midfielders JK has preferred to Benny are ahead of him as a player.

One thing we do know is that Benny is best suited to play in the middle and run the show. But that would mean Bradley would have to move. It is fair to say Benny is not at Bradley's level, so perhaps JK sees Benny's lack of versatility as a detriment to the team.

Also, it is fair to acknowledge that Benny has been in camp with JK before and I think we have to assume he gave JK some sort of Landon type vibe. In many ways he is the opposite player to Bradley in terms of effort. He is never going to give the effort that Bradley gives at that advanced spot which is something that JK appears to very much like.

But with Beckerman coming to the end of his national team run, I am starting to think this might be a good time to move Bradley back to Becks spot and then allow another player like Benny to run the show.

Giovinco has all but locked up the MLS MVP award this year but Benny very easily could be number 2 if the season ended today. When you think of how many MLS players JK has had as important parts of the National Team, this says something to me that he is being overlooked.

 

[Sebowski]

I've stopped trying to make any sense of JK's call-ups and positioning a long time ago.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

In terms of current setup (the US playing a 4-1-3-2), the players that I would consider Benny in competition with are Bradley, Jones, Bedoya, Mix, and Moreno. I don't think it's crazy to think that all of the first three would be ahead of him. I've liked Bedoya in that central shuttling role, and he also has the versatility to play outside.

Mix is an open question. Jurgen has more experience with him, Benny is playing better at club level, Mix is in kind of a weird situation. There are arguments both ways. Based on national team form, I don't see how Moreno is automatically ahead of Benny (or Sacha for that matter).

This assumes essentially three 8's ahead of a 6 with the fullbacks providing the width. I still think Bradley is a better 8 than a 6 and more valuable to the US as an 8, so I'd rather see if Williams or Kitchen (or Dax for that matter) can play that #6 role. I don't think the US has enough talented flank players to move out of that base system. I'm fine with Yedlin and Shea as wide impact subs depending on who else is on the team.

 

[NewlyRetired]

In terms of current setup (the US playing a 4-1-3-2), the players that I would consider Benny in competition with are Bradley, Jones, Bedoya, Mix, and Moreno.

Probably have to add Corona into that group too (not because he belongs but more because JK seems to keep giving him some chances)

Out of that list I don't see Jones and Benny in competition. Jones has never played the advanced central attacking role for either club or country if memory serves and that is the one spot Benny might have an impact on.

 

[NewlyRetired]

The holding midfielder role is one I want to keep an eye on for the upcoming friendlies in September.

This will be JK's last chance to try out either Williams or Kitchen in an extended role before the Gold Cup playoff game and qualifiers start.

I am sure Beckerman could see us through the first round of qualifiers given the favorable draw but I would love to see a younger player given a shot knowing that the likely hood of Beckerman affecting the Hex much less the WC should the US qualify are pretty low.

Also how JK intends to use Jones will be of interest since he should be back to full health with multiple games under his belt by the time the friendlies come around.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

In terms of current setup (the US playing a 4-1-3-2), the players that I would consider Benny in competition with are Bradley, Jones, Bedoya, Mix, and Moreno.

Probably have to add Corona into that group too (not because he belongs but more because JK seems to keep giving him some chances)

Out of that list I don't see Jones and Benny in competition. Jones has never played the advanced central attacking role for either club or country if memory serves and that is the one spot Benny might have an impact on.

There really isn't a 10 in that formation. Jones has played in the type of positions that Bedoya and Mix often play in that formation. As a narrow right-sided midfielder who is a shuttler (Bedoya normally does it from the left). Bradley plays as a central box to box 8 that is the closest thing to a 10 when Dempsey isn't dropping deep to receive the ball (which is often). If Benny can't put in at least as much effort as Mix, there's not a spot for him unless Jurgen insists on having a tip of the diamond (which I just don't see right now). But if he's willing to work at it, he obviously brings a big advantage in calmness and passing.

 

[NewlyRetired]

In terms of current setup (the US playing a 4-1-3-2), the players that I would consider Benny in competition with are Bradley, Jones, Bedoya, Mix, and Moreno.

Probably have to add Corona into that group too (not because he belongs but more because JK seems to keep giving him some chances)

Out of that list I don't see Jones and Benny in competition. Jones has never played the advanced central attacking role for either club or country if memory serves and that is the one spot Benny might have an impact on.

There really isn't a 10 in that formation. Jones has played in the type of positions that Bedoya and Mix often play in that formation. As a narrow right-sided midfielder who is a shuttler (Bedoya normally does it from the left). Bradley plays as a central box to box 8 that is the closest thing to a 10 when Dempsey isn't dropping deep to receive the ball (which is often). If Benny can't put in at least as much effort as Mix, there's not a spot for him unless Jurgen insists on having a tip of the diamond (which I just don't see right now). But if he's willing to work at it, he obviously brings a big advantage in calmness and passing.

agreed.

I kind of figure JK is not in any way married to the 4-1-3-2

When you factor in the combination that JK has used multiple formations over the years for the US and that we are coming off arguably the worst string of games in a long long time using the 4-1-3-2, I don't think I would be at all surprised to see him change it up again.

 

[NewlyRetired]

To dove tail our Benny discussion I just saw this.

============================

Benny Feilhaber continues to raise bar with Sporting Kansas City: "There's no more confident player"

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – With all due respect to Spinal Tap's amps, this is what really happens when a No. 10 turns it up to 11.

Sporting Kansas City playmaker Benny Feilhaber, who already has racked up career-best season totals in both goals and assists this year, is on an unprecedented run of form that has seen him score, record at least one assist – or do both – in six straight matches across all competitions.

“He's locked in,” center back and captain Matt Besler told reporters on Wednesday night, after Feilhaber had a first-half assist and scored the game-winner in the 80th minute of Sporting's 3-1 victory over Real Salt Lake in a US Open Cup semifinal. “Everyone loves scoring goals. Everyone loves getting assists. Everyone loves winning. Benny's focus to do it day in, day out is something I've never seen from him before.”

The 30-year-old Feilhaber hasn't seen it from himself before, either.

“No,” he said in Sporting's post-match news conference, after being asked if he had ever been on another streak as hot as this one. “You guys always want a lot of words from me, but it’s that simple. I feel good and confident. The team is performing at a high level right now, and that makes it easier, but to answer your question I haven’t felt this good, this confident, this fit in my whole career.”

In his third season with Sporting, Feilhaber has 10 goals and 17 assists across all competitions. His five assists in Open Cup play are already a club record, and his next assist will tie Preki's single-season mark for all competitions, which has stood since 2003.

“He's crazy,” winger Krisztian Nemeth told reporters after Wednesday's semi. “I don't know what he's doing, what he's eating, but he's good. He's the best now.”

Feilhaber will be glad to see the assists record fall, and not just for his own sake.

“It's fun to beat Preki in something,” Feilhaber told MLSsoccer.com after Wednesday's news conference. “I don't know if he's going to be too happy about that, but as long as the assists mean that other guys are getting goals and we're getting wins, then that's what it's all about. That's what my responsibility is on this team, and I'll keep trying to do it.”

But as his teammates and manager Peter Vermes have said all season, Feilhaber's offensive work is only part of what has made him so valuable to the club.

“One of the things I just told him walking in here was that his work ethic has been fantastic on both sides of the ball,” Vermes said during the news conference. “That’s why he’s found opportunities and we have been successful. He seems to be much more in tune, and because he defends he has more opportunities to get the ball. That is a credit to him. You need balls to be able to do that, and that’s not soccer balls I’m talking about.”

Feilhaber has rarely lacked for self-confidence – but club success had largely eluded him until he came to Sporting in a trade with New England before the 2013 season. At the time, Sporting were coming off a 2012 US Open Cup title – their first silverware since 2004 – while Feilhaber had struggled through a one-goal, two-assist season with the Revs.

“I don't know if you envision having this kind of season or having this much success,” Feilhaber said. “I think what I envisioned coming here was that this is a winning team. It's a team that's going to vie for championships every single year. The decision that I made and Sporting KC made to bring me here was one that was solely based on the team. I knew I wanted to be part of a winning organization. I hadn't been part of too many winning organizations in my professional career up to that point.

“So it was something that I wanted, and obviously it's been what's happened here.”

Feilhaber first had to adjust to Vermes' system and Sporting's stringent fitness requirements, a transition that took up the first half of his first season in Kansas City. But once he got up to speed, Feilhaber made himself a key component of Sporting's success – not to mention a fan favorite and, this season, an MLS All-Star and legitimate MVP candidate for the first time in his career.

“He's taken the responsibility on his shoulders, and so much of this game is confidence,” Besler said. “Right now, there's no more confident player on this team than Benny.”

Feilhaber embraces that confidence, but is keeping his main focus on his club's chances to win trophies rather than on individual records or accolades.

“We won MLS Cup in 2013. We're in the finals of Open Cup this year,” he said. “Both years that I've been here, we've made it into the playoffs. This year, we should definitely make it into the playoffs again and vie for another championship. So that's why I came here, and the personal success comes with the team success. That's what it's all about.”

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

@philsupportrsca: @MLSTransfers Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws reports that KRC Genk are in talks with Zardes (LA Galaxy) http://t.co/Xf4DUwaXl7

And German media is reporting that Zardes is also in discussions with 1860 Munich:

http://www.tz.de/sport/1860-muenchen/tsv-1860-muenchen-us-import-gyasi-zardes-neuer-loewen-stuermer-meta-5318420.html

 

[Kafka]

@philsupportrsca: @MLSTransfers Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws reports that KRC Genk are in talks with Zardes (LA Galaxy) http://t.co/Xf4DUwaXl7

And German media is reporting that Zardes is also in discussions with 1860 Munich:

http://www.tz.de/sport/1860-muenchen/tsv-1860-muenchen-us-import-gyasi-zardes-neuer-loewen-stuermer-meta-5318420.html

Just curious; do you think it would help or hinder Zardes development if he went abroad? It seems to me that the LA Galaxy have done a good job of bringing him along.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

@philsupportrsca: @MLSTransfers Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws reports that KRC Genk are in talks with Zardes (LA Galaxy) http://t.co/Xf4DUwaXl7

And German media is reporting that Zardes is also in discussions with 1860 Munich:

http://www.tz.de/sport/1860-muenchen/tsv-1860-muenchen-us-import-gyasi-zardes-neuer-loewen-stuermer-meta-5318420.html

Just curious; do you think it would help or hinder Zardes development if he went abroad? It seems to me that the LA Galaxy have done a good job of bringing him along.

Like anyone else it comes down to playing time. Plus Zardes isn't that young (turns 24 in a few weeks), so if we wants to test himself in Europe, he probably needs to do it soon.

That said, I'm also not sure about LA's cap/DP situation. Can they afford Zardes much longer with Gerrard, Gio and Keane on the books among others? I'll defer to Andy on that.

 

[El Floppo]

My friends who played pro in Germany all said the same thing (caveat- this was the 80s & 90s)... every player was a machine with the basic skills.

I don't see that kind of environment being too accommodating to a guy who's rolling the dice every time he shows for the ball. obviuosly, when the touch is on, he could play anywhere- just not sure if germany will support the many misadventures of Zardes control.

I don't know belgian soccer wll enough to comment on Genk. Sascha has the minimals when it comes to skills, so not really apples to apples.

How about Holland? If Jozy can excel there, why not Zardoz?

 

[NewlyRetired]

@philsupportrsca: @MLSTransfers Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws reports that KRC Genk are in talks with Zardes (LA Galaxy) http://t.co/Xf4DUwaXl7

And German media is reporting that Zardes is also in discussions with 1860 Munich:

http://www.tz.de/sport/1860-muenchen/tsv-1860-muenchen-us-import-gyasi-zardes-neuer-loewen-stuermer-meta-5318420.html

Just curious; do you think it would help or hinder Zardes development if he went abroad? It seems to me that the LA Galaxy have done a good job of bringing him along.

Like anyone else it comes down to playing time. Plus Zardes isn't that young (turns 24 in a few weeks), so if we wants to test himself in Europe, he probably needs to do it soon.

That said, I'm also not sure about LA's cap/DP situation. Can they afford Zardes much longer with Gerrard, Gio and Keane on the books among others? I'll defer to Andy on that.

I don't know how LA is affording everybody right now under the current rules to be honest. They had to have blown their entire TAM wad to get Gonzo reclassified as a non DP and there are rumors that they had to let their starting keeper Jamie Penedo go this summer due to cap issue.

Zardes is carrying a $223k salary right now which is the 6th highest on the team.

Gerrard, Keane, Gio, Gonzo, Juninho, and Vayrynen are ahead of him.

It would not shock me if either Zardes, Juninho or AJ DeLa Garza might have to be moved next season to stay under the cap, depending on what their contract raises are set for next season.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Here is the Brazil squad that will face the US. Kaka has been recalled to the team and it looks like a good squad

Goalkeepers: Jefferson (Botafogo), Marcelo Grohe (Grêmio), Alisson (Internacional)

Defenders: Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Danilo (Real Madrid), Filipe Luís (Atlético Madrid), Douglas Santos (Atlético-MG), Miranda (Internazionale), David Luiz (PSG),
Gabriel Paulista (Arsenal), Marquinhos (PSG)

Midfielders: Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg), Elias (Corinthians), Ramires (Chelsea), Fernandinho (Manchester City), Oscar (Chelsea), Douglas Costa (Bayern Munich), Willian (Chelsea)
Lucas Lima (Santos), Kaká (Orlando City)

Forwards: Neymar (Barcelona), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Lucas (PSG), Hulk (Zenit)

 

[NewlyRetired]

Morales went the full 90 for Ingolstadt as they won their first Bundesliga match ever 1-0 away to Mainz. Morales had a nice assist on the goal.

The news was less good for Bacon who subbed in at the 57th minute mark in a 3-0 home loss.

 

[NewlyRetired]

From ESPN

========================

Fulham are set to win the race ahead of Queens Park Rangers to sign Bolton defender Tim Ream, sources have told ESPN FC.

QPR and Fulham have made U.S. international Ream one of their top targets and have seen several offers rejected for the player.

However, QPR agreed a fee in the region of £1.4 million ($2.19m) with Bolton for Ream earlier this week, before Fulham matched the bid.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Fab tore his calf muscle yesterday. At least there's not an important game coming up for the Nats in the next few months.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Fab tore his calf muscle yesterday. At least there's not an important game coming up for the Nats in the next few months.

oof :(

Any speculation for how long he will be out?

 

[NewlyRetired]

Jones had his first start since May yesterday but there can be little read from it because of the weather issues in the Revs game. Every one looked off.

The game started for 13 minutes and then had a 2 hour break, then finished the first half and then another hour break during half time.

Heaps sat Jones after half knowing that too many long stops and starts would likely lead to a re-injury.

In the second half, Lee and Agudelo hooked up for a pretty fast break goal. It will be nice to have a dynamic player like Lee some day on the national team (with out his draw backs).

See the 2:49 mark of this link for a highlight of the goal

http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2015-08-15-new-england-revolution-vs-houston-dynamo/details/video/47199

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Fab tore his calf muscle yesterday. At least there's not an important game coming up for the Nats in the next few months.

oof :(

Any speculation for how long he will be out?

I think I saw 6 weeks.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Here's Gedion Zelalem doing Arsenal-y things for the U-21s.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Also, Bild is reporting that JK has invited Andrew Wooten (5 goals in 3 games for Sandhausen in the BL2) into the next camp.

 

[NewlyRetired]

From Soccer America

==============================================

Unsettled picture puts cloud over U.S. national team's playoff prospects By Paul Kennedy
(@pkedit)

The USA-Mexico match for a place in the 2017 Confederations Cup is eight weeks away, but it is not too early to take a look at some of Jurgen Klinsmann's lineup decisions.

He certainly has enough to make.

Indeed, it is hard to remember a time in the modern era when the national team is heading into a key match with so many question marks. Part of that relates to the timing of the game itself, the first one-off match the USA has played since a World Cup playoff against Canada in Haiti in 1976. The game will be played on Oct. 10, still early in the fall campaign for Klinsmann's European-based players, whose preseasons were disrupted by this summer's Gold Cup.

More fundamentally, USA's disappointing performance at the Gold Cup has raised plenty of concerns about the core Klinsmann has been working with. The youngsters he was counting on to step up did not and too many of the veterans were not at their best or looked past their prime.

Eight weeks out, you could be sure of penciling just three names into the U.S. starting lineup against Mexico -- Michael Bradley, Clint Dempsey and Fabian Johnson -- and the latter two are currently injured.

That leaves plenty of lineup decisions Klinsmann must make. Here are five of them, all of them very tough calls.

Does Tim Howard return in goal? Howard says he's ready to return to the national team after taking a year's sabbatical, but will Klinsmann take him back? You can make a case either way. Unlike, say, Landon Donovan, who took a break in 2013, Howard continued playing club ball, starting for Everton, so there is no doubt about his readiness. On the other hand, Klinsmann gave Brad Guzan the starting job in his absence. And except for the semifinal against Jamaica -- a big exception -- Guzan has played well enough to justify finally earning the No. 1 job after nine years as a U.S. backup.

Do John Brooks and Alvarado Ventura stay at center back? All things being equal, you would assume Klinsmann will stick with the youngsters, like he stuck with them at the Gold Cup. The only thing that might change Klinsmann's mind is if Brooks (at Hertha Berlin) or Alvarado (Club America) isn't playing well at the club level. There are plenty of alternatives, though. Omar Gonzalez has started the last four USA-Mexico games -- 0-0, 2-0, 2-2 and 2-0 results -- teaming with Matt Besler for the first time when the USA and Mexico played at Azteca Stadium in World Cup qualifying in March 2013. Geoff Cameron, who started when the USA beat Mexico, 1-0, in their 2012 friendly at Azteca, is starting at center back for Stoke City.

Does Timmy Chandler remain at right back? Chandler did not have a good Gold Cup and finds himself having to work his way back into the starting lineup at Eintracht Frankfurt after missing much of preseason. If Klinsmann had a better option at right back, he'd have used him. Brad Evans, who started the semifinals of the Gold Cup, is the closest thing to that better option and Klinsmann didn't take him to the World Cup. DeAndre Yedlin was strictly used in midfield at the Gold Cup. For the World Cup 2014 qualifiers against Mexico, Cameron and then Johnson started at right back. It would not be unimaginable if Klinsmann went with his World Cup pairing of Johnson and DaMarcus Beasley on the outside one last time. Whoever Klinsmann puts at right back will have to get the job done as that's the territory where Andres Guardado, Mexico's captain and best player at the Gold Cup, lurks.

Where does Jermaine Jones play? If Jones is healthy -- he started his first game for the New England Revolution since May on Saturday -- there is no way Klinsmann does not take him for the playoff game. But where does Jones play? Klinsmann admitted that the experiment with Jones at center back was over. If Bradley holds down one of the two central midfield spots, is there also still room for Jones? Theirs has been an uneasy central midfield partnership when they've been on the field together. One option would be to go with a three-man central midfield, like that employed at the 2014 World Cup, with Kyle Beckerman as the third player, and go with Dempsey alone up front.

Does Jozy Altidore get his starting job back? That scenario of a three-man central midfield and lone striker would solve the problem of what to do about Jozy Altidore. It has not been a good year for Jozy. He picked up a red card in the friendly against Switzerland in March. Then he got hurt playing with Toronto FC, which put him out of shape for the Gold Cup, where he was dropped after two starts. He returned to TFC, where he has scored just once, from the penalty spot, in five games, and was red-carded in the 3-1 loss to New England, forcing him to miss a sixth game. Altidore has just one shot, none on target, in his last two starts for TFC, 3-1 and 3-0 losses. Not the kind of performances that will get him back in the national team picture any time soon.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Also, Bild is reporting that JK has invited Andrew Wooten (5 goals in 3 games for Sandhausen in the BL2) into the next camp.

Videos are hard to come by for this kid.

He looks like a physical specimen but no idea what his skill level is.

With Jozy going in the wrong direction, this is most certainly worth a try.

 

[Sebowski]

Here's a page with some Wooten highlights.

http://www.socceroverthere.com/?cat=170

 

[NewlyRetired]

Here's a page with some Wooten highlights.

http://www.socceroverthere.com/?cat=170

That is a very cool site. Thanks for the link!