The Week Ahead: Part 1 - The Schedule

The first international break of the season.  It always comes too quickly and seems like it goes on forever.  I'm sure there are all sorts of reasons not to do this but why wouldn't the nice people at the Premier League suggest (read: Force) FIFA to have their international date in late August so that:

1. People could get back from their vacations;
2. There wasn't an unseemly break just after the start of the season; and 
3. The transfer window could be completed (or all-but) before the matches start up.

The benefits would be as follows:

1. The presence of families back from their vacations might increase attendance in places where that is an issue.
2. Clubs would have their actual squad for more matches that count.  The velocity of change between the first Premier League match of the season and the end of the window is pretty stupid and doesn't exist to my knowledge in any other sport in the world.
3. There would be more continuity to the story lines as they develop rather than getting the club narrative started only to have it interrupted almost immediately.  It doesn't take a genius storyteller to notice this. 

I'd assume that there are logical arguments about fixture congestion that mean that the changes would have to be more sweeping than just one switch out of international fixtures with Premier League matches but I'm sure some grouping of internationals in late August with the elimination of corresponding breaks in the Autumn months could be figured out pretty easily to allow a post-August 31 start to the season without the type of interruptions that we are now experiencing just when we were getting into the season.

If I thought really hard about it I could argue that a solid two week block of international matches in August would be great for both clubs and countries.  It would give the national teams a rare solid block of time together.  It would give clubs some pre-season time to play and train with some younger (and squad) players.  It would give teams without a ton of internationals a slight advantage early in the season.  Can anyone think of a reason that this might be a bad thing?

OK, enough ranting and on to the schedule breakdown for the week ahead:

Live Commentary - USA/France

Our live, minute-by-minute (almost) reactions to the first half of the USA/France Women's World Cup Semi-final.

Jeremy Spitzberg: let's go, USA!
Neal Thurman: happy to be back home in the office to be able to watch - wouldn't have been so lucky if I were still in Indy
Jeremy Spitzberg: ;-)
Jeremy Spitzberg: we don't get espn3 anymore :-(
Jeremy Spitzberg: but found an okay feed
Neal Thurman: firewall?
Jeremy Spitzberg: recording at home, just in case
Jeremy Spitzberg: provider?
Jeremy Spitzberg: dunno
Neal Thurman: got it
Jeremy Spitzberg: women keepers should just stay on their line
Jeremy Spitzberg: #justsaying

Australia Denied Penalty on Blatant Handball

Hard to see from the original (high) angle shot, but the replays show an amazing penalty that was not called!



A tip of the hat to @GrantWahl for the catch (no pun intended).

Video: Worst uncalled handball penalty I've ever seen http://t.co/pa3TIF5 (via @101greatgoals) #WWCless than a minute ago via web Favorite Retweet ReplyGrant Wahl
GrantWahl

USA 3 - Columbia 0

While not quite the famous USA 1 - Columbia 0 from 1994, this was a good win by the USA women and showcased some spectacular goals. Special mention for Heather O'Reilly's screamer to open the match. Well worth a few minutes of your time.

USA/Belgium Friendly Scheduled

Neal, die-hard United States Men's National Team fan and recent admirer of the Belgian Red Devils is a happy man today. The Belgian Royal Football Association has on its website a friendly between the two countries scheduled for September 6, 2011.

Woohoo!! *Looking @ calendar* RT @jspitzberg: @nealjthurman wet dream! Official Belgian website US v Belgium on Sept. 6 http://bit.ly/jbsCxYless than a minute ago via yoono Favorite Retweet ReplyNeal Thurman
nealjthurman

It doesn't appear that the match is finalized yet as the US hasn't announced it, but this is certainly something to look forward to over that first, HIGHLY ANNOYING international break right after the Premier League season gets underway.

Over-reaction to the US loss and Chicharito

Why Can't the U.S. Build a Soccer Star - WSJ.com

Funny thing about the emergence of Chicharito for Manchester United and Mexico.  Somehow the presence of one exceptional forward has given everyone the impression that the entire US system of player development is broken because, as the above article says, we haven't developed a superstar (which I'm pretty sure is code for dominant goal-scoring forward).  The implication is also that Mexico has it all figured out now that they've developed Hernandez and he is starting for one of the top few clubs in the world at a young age.  Here's the thing, if you look around the world, no one seems to have figured out the secret to regularly producing exceptional goal-scoring talent.  The implication seems to be that there is an assembly line of Chicharito clones ready to invade the football world while the US is turning out players who are barely good enough for MLS.  The evidence just doesn't point to this being the case.

Consider...

Xherdan Shaqiri

Say it with me...

"Xherdan Shaqiri"

Yeah, I don't know how to pronounce it either. But that's an "All-Name Team" winner if I ever heard one! And it seems that he's been noticed in the U21 tournament. Neal posted about him yesterday, and today this shows up in my Twitter feed:

9 - Only Xherdan Shaquiri (10) created more chances from open play at U-21 Euros than Juan Mata who also recorded most assists (2). Spark.less than a minute ago via web Favorite Retweet ReplyOpta Sports
OptaJoe

He's been linked with Liverpool for a while now, and they could use someone like him in the midfield. He's a difference maker, and would play out wide - avoiding the congestion in the center. But the strongest rumours have him going to Hamburg as former Spurs and Chelsea man Frank Arnesen looks to reshape that club.

Bale ruled out of England clash

Blow for Wales as Gareth Bale ruled out of England clash - ESPN Soccernet

Tottenham winger Gareth Bale has been ruled out of Wales' Euro 2012 qualifier against England on Saturday with a hamstring injury.

Bale did not train on Wednesday, despite reports that he was injured during a session, and he has only recently returned from a back injury that kept him out for six weeks from the end of January until early March.

Crucially for fantasy managers:

The Tottenham winger will now return to London for treatment on Thursday morning, but it is not yet clear whether he will be fit in time for Tottenham's Champions League quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid on April 5.

Of course that match is after Spurs' April 2 match at Wigan. #latefitnesstest

Injuries and International Friendlies

The Injury Files: Monday November 16

You have to imagine that a lot of high profile managers in the Prem are F U R I O U S to say the least after a spate of injuries to important players that happened in matches that meant exactly nothing in the grander scheme of things.

The biggest of the injuries came to RvP and Drogba (granted Drogba's injury theoretically came during the ManYoo clash) who likely face 6 and 3 weeks on the shelf respectively. 

Elsewhere, Lamps and JT were both out of England's friendly with Brazil (at least they didn't pick up their injuries in a match that meant nothing but regardless, they seem likely to be crocked for Chelsea's next match if not more).  Just in case you thought things couldn't get more Arsenal-like at Chelsea, it looks like Ballack has some sort of knee infection concern that may or may not keep him out for a while.

At Eastlands, the news is no better with MPet picking up a fresh problem with his knee. 

What do I take from all this? 1) it's a good thing for them that CHE are playing Wolves next weekend; 2) Kalou, Deco, and Joe Cole just got a lot more interesting; and 3) ditto Eduardo.

Just some items to contemplate as you get ready to resume the fantasy season this coming weekend...

Cheers - Neal

Bill Simmons on Mexico City soccer game

Sporting emotions at the highest pitch:

Beyond that, what the hell was happening to me? Why was I starting to get hooked by soccer -- a sport I have never totally liked and even actively hated at times? Was this an extremely early midlife crisis? And if so, why soccer of all things? Couldn't it have been a Porsche or an 18-year-old Starbucks barista? Wait, am I saying that out loud?

The good news? My trip to Mexico quickly morphed into one of those "I'm going to remember everything that happened 40 years from now."

Read the whole thing on ESPN.com. For an admitted soccer newbie, he is very perceptive about the game - this one in particular and soccer in general.

The Sports Guy Explains it All

Q: I am a die-hard soccer fan living abroad and agree with your theory that international soccer could take off in the States. But not everyone listens to your podcasts, so could you please make the same case in one of your columns so everyone can see it? I think it's important. Thanks and cheers from the UK!
-- T.J., Leeds, England

SG: Sure. I'll do it in five short paragraphs and 500 words total. The theory goes like this ...

1. Americans enjoy watching the best (fill in any sport). We are elitists. That's why we like the Olympics, that's why we enjoy any finals, that's why we watch Wimbledon and the Masters, that's why we don't care about sports like the WNBA, MLS or arena football as anything other than a niche sport. International soccer plays into this. It's the best of the best. Hell, we even liked "The Best of the Best" even though Eric Roberts was the biggest star in it.

2. The games zoom along: no commercials, no sideline reporters, no corporate tie-ins, no four-hour games like in baseball, no "takes 20 minutes to play the last two" like in the NBA. You can sit down for a soccer game and say, "I'm going to spend the next two hours watching this and then I'm going to do something else." Like watch more TV.

3. Give credit to ESPN for committing air time in non-Cup years to elite international soccer tournaments like the UEFA Cup. I know that's how I started paying more attention. If you like sports, you cannot NOT get caught up in the level of play, the maniacal crowds, the intensity and tension and everything else. It's impossible.

4. Widescreen TVs make it easier to see the field; HD makes it easier to see faces and numbers (and the grass looks green and vibrant); and better camerawork (and also more cameras) make the games more intimate. Now you feel like the players are flopping right onto your living room rug! Just kidding, soccer fans. Seriously, settle down. Jokes.

5. International soccer never took off here for the simple reason that American sports fans had trouble following anything they couldn't attend in person and/or watch on television at their leisure. Now? We're turning into a sofa culture; since it's more expensive to go to games, many of us find it just as rewarding to stay home, save money and watch games on a nice TV. Throw in the Internet, DirecTV, fan blogs and everything else and you really can follow soccer from across the Atlantic.

That's why, over the next decade -- starting with the World Cup in 2010 -- I predict international soccer takes off to a modest degree in America during the '10s. Not to compare everything to "The Godfather," but for America, the NASL was Sonny (exciting, impetuous and ultimately self-destructive), the MLS is Fredo (weak) and international soccer is Michael (the heavy hitter who was lurking all along). That's how this plays out I think.

From the master

Neal and I are both big fans of The Sports Guy, Bill Simmons. He pioneered the online running diary which I blatantly stole for my USA/Spain 'contemporaneous' blog. And lo and behold, he's taken the idea to the Twitter where he live tweeted(?) the USA/Brazil final.

OK, soccer - after 4 decades of talk, here's your chance to finally make a legitimate dent in the USA. We're all watching.
11:01 AM Jun 28th from web

So tense. Hey, name me one reason why the NBA shouldn't move to the yellow/red card system starting next season. You can't.
12:13 PM Jun 28th from web

Third great save of the half by Tim Howard! He's sooooooo getting laid by Lindsay Lohan when he gets back to the States.
1:01 PM Jun 28th from web

I don't care if we're going to lose - Brazil got to play 20 vs. 11 in the second half. (Pause.) Wait, the sides were even?
1:18 PM Jun 28th from web

And so much more...

MLS Players on Gold Cup Rosters

Canada

• Kevin Harmse (Chivas USA - just traded from Toronto FC)
• Andrew Hainault (Houston)
• Dejan Jakovic (DC United)
• Will Johnson (Real Salt Lake)
• Ali Gerba (Toronto)

** Dwayne De Rosario and Adrian Serioux - opted to stay behind with Toronto FC.

Costa Rica

• Gonzalo Segares (Chicago Fire)

Greneda

• Shalrie Joseph (New England, injured)

Jamaica

• Donovan Ricketts (LA Galaxy)
• Tyrone Marshall (Seattle)
• Andy Williams (Real Salt Lake, out as his wife is ill)
• Omar Cummings (Colorado)
• Dane Richards (NY Red Bull)
• Shavar Thomas (Chivas USA, pending CONCACAF approval to replace Williams and King)

United States

See this earlier post on the USA's Gold Cup roster.

• Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City)
• Jay Heaps (New England)
• Chad Marshall (Columbus)
• Davy Arnaud (Kansas City)
• Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake)
• Colin Clark (Colorado)
• Sam Cronin (Toronto)
• Brad Evans (Seattle)
• Stuart Holden (Houston)
• Logan Pause (Chicago)
• Robbie Rogers (Columbus)
• Brian Ching (Houston)
• Kenny Cooper (Dallas)
• Santino Quaranta (DC United)

US goes with backups for Gold Cup

Looks like there are more MLS players being picked than were announced in the preliminary roster. Via Yahoo! Sports:

Goalkeepers: Jon Busch (Chicago Fire), Troy Perkins (IK Start, Norway), Luis Robles (Kaiserslautern, Germany)

Defenders: Steve Cherundolo (Hannover, Germany), Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City), Clarence Goodson (IK Start, Norway), Jay Heaps (New England), Chad Marshall (Columbus), Michael Parkhurst (Nordsjaellands, Denmark), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock, Germany)

Midfielders: Davy Arnaud (Kansas City), Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Colin Clark (Colorado), Sam Cronin (Toronto), Brad Evans (Seattle), Stuart Holden (Houston), Logan Pause (Chicago), Robbie Rogers (Columbus)

Forwards: Freddy Adu (AS Monaco), Brian Ching (Houston), Kenny Cooper (Dallas), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF, Sweden), Santino Quaranta (D.C.)

However, "goalkeeper Jon Busch will remain with the Chicago Fire unless needed due to suspension or injury."

Elsewhere, Canada will be taking...

4- D- André Hainault | USA / Houston Dynamo
9- F- Ali Gerba | CAN / Toronto FC
10- M/F- Willi Johnson | USA / Real Salt Lake
14- D- Dejan Jakovic | USA / DC United
19- D/M- Kevin Harmse | CAN / Toronto FC

... but oddly, not DeRosario.

Jamaica will probably take Marshall (Seattle) and Richards (NYRB). Mexico may take Blanco, etc. We'll certainly blog as the rosters are announced.

USA 2 - Spain 0

A live... well, contemporaneous, blogging of USA-Spain Confederations Cup semi-final.

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lineups - Riera? where's Silva or Iniesta? Cesc with the start. Neal will be happy.

US has Bocanegra back, and playing on the left. A more solid defender than bornstein. but good on the US for going 4-4-2 and not packing the midfield or backline

early chance for riera to cross, villa there but onwyewu clears. uh oh.

(BTW, I know how it ends but not how it happens. Dad with a big mouth.)

push on villa, but Howard with a punch right back up the middle. uh oh.

altidore earns a corner. lando to take... good one but no one there

nice pass out of the bck by gooch but casillas clears. donovan throwing himself around and earns a yc. uh oh.

and ESPN just runs the final score across the scroll. GOD DAMN THEM how stupid is that?

US seems to have identified their forward speed against Spain's backline as an advantage. we'll see if it pays off.

great bike from Davies! but jozy should have shot first time.

another good cross that davies gets a head to. NICE work. US working hard and.... Dempsey close from the top of the key! Great spell of pressure from the US. Spain not holding the ball in teh face of US pressure.

9 minutes in and this is like ManU/Barca. Almost feel like Spain will score now and turn the match. Cesc tries from distance, but that's not the magic moment. Clark needs to close down quicker.

Torres! Oh... Spain so dangerous but the didn't really have an angle - on replay. Still nice cross. Again Villa. How much do Valencia want for him? Might be worth it.

Spain passing better and getting the ball into the box. NOthing yet but they're sticking to plan A so far.

Lot of space b/w spain's midfield and defence. alonso the holding player and he's a playmaker not a water carrier. could be the space for the US to work.

torres in ACRES of space. great save by howard though torres was called - incorrectly - offsides. someone missed an assignment there!

riera a black hole for spain. was he really their best option for that spot?

shoot jozy! Shoot!

nice tackle by clarke at the top of the box. and he hasn't been sent off yet.

lando shoots from distance... again lots of space in front of the spanish defence.

pinball in the box from spain. anything can happen, but they aren't as sharp as expected for whatever reason.

28 mins - jozy turns his defender he's free! he must... iker gets a hand on it but it's a goal!!!!!!! USA 1 - Spain 0.

defender went for the ball off a deflection - capdevilla i think - but has to go the wrong way around jozy and gives him a straight run at goal. Lucky bounce but terrible defensive decision.

spector crosses wildly. oy!

ramos with a rainbow cross that lands right on villa's boot. no pot of gold though as the US clears.

villa again after riera's shot comes off torres but he balloons his shot! phew. layoff for the US.

i'm at my dad's place and have officially fallen in love with HD. just saying.

Spain getting away with seemingly clear free kicks. but dempsey called for the same thing. double standard?

US defending well. Hope I don't jinx something that happened 10 hours ago.

Altidore mugged by Capdevilla. Booked, but has Jozy's credit cards now.

Resulting free kick and Demps has a free header and manages to head it away from Bocanegra and the goal. D'oh!!!!

SO pretty when spain moves the ball around but with the final pass Cesc bangs the ball off Torres' heel. Not a good night so far for Spain's Scouse contingent.

Alonso chops down Jozy. 0-3 for Liverpool so far.

Sloppy free kick from Spain. Don't see that often. But they get the ball back and ram it right down the US and almost score. That's why they're so good. Ramos has the ball bounce off both his feet as he was escorted down by DeMerit, but no call. Couldn't have argued a PK there. Demerit has an armlock on him.

Can the US keep the lead through to halftime?

US doing a good job denying Xavi and Cesc the ball.

Torres shoots! Near post save from Howard. Leaning out, but kick save and a beaut! Great burst of speed and a nice cut back move from Torres.

HALFTIME

No halftime show from ESPN in this replay. Why not after ALREADY ANNOUNCING THE FINAL SCORE!?!??!?

Lando abuses Capdevilla again. Corner. Up and over from Dempsey. Karate kicked for his troubles too.

Howard clears Torres' cross. Then saves from Villa! Nice strike w/ the outside of his left boot. Guzan would have flapped at that first cross, I guarantee it!

Onyewu dribbles into trouble on the flank... but Demerit and Howard clear up against Villa through the middle. Uh oh.

Torres doesn't get the 2 in a 1-2, but the US under the cosh now as the ball isn't leaving their half. Another shot from distance and another Spain corner... nothing, but again the ball doesn't leave the US half and another corner. A bouncing shot from Villa a that Howard holds. But here comes Spain again. Demps whacked by Alonso again and the US gets a breather.

Davies onside from Lando... but over hits the cross

Xavi goes down in the box... no call. What the hell happened there? Great pass from Cesc and Lando leveled Xavi who was in on Howard.

Clarke carries the ball all the way to Spain's box to show how lousy his passing can be. Thanks.

Villa shoots again. Howard saves. How much for Villa again?

Jozy earns a corner with some nice footwork... Lando to take... nothing.

Alonso a step slow in anticipating Xavi's pass and the US break. Throw... Pique intercepts and brings it up... back to Howard now... Xavi spreads it to Ramos for ANOTHER corner.

Villa shoots wide from distance. US can't hold the ball at the moment.

Hour mark... time for changes?

Pique breaks again... Kolo Toure-like. He LOVES carrying the ball upfield. He'll get burned one day.

Riera hesitates and Demerit blocks his shot. Villa on it and it's 1-1.

Big shot... howard deflects the ball JUST wide of danger. Then another save with his fists.

Davies can't beat Puyol when he had options in the box.

Demerit and Spector JUST deny Torres. Again the US can't hold on ... Ramos' shot blocked! Nice work by Clarke who hasn't been sent off yet.

THo wasting time after a BRUTAL five minute spell. Where's Cobi Jones? No one carried the ball into the corner like he did in his prime. Or long past it for that matter.

68 mins - Cazorla for Cesc for width. Feilhaber for Davies for composure.

Torres can't bring down a long cross. Not his night.

Clarke saves a bad Bocanegra throw... Demps away... US possession around the Spain box... comes to nothing.

Good cross from Riera. Demerit snuffs out Torres run. Goal kick. Not Torres' night.

73 min - What a sequence! Bradley wins the ball... Feilhaber feeds lando who crosses... mix up in the defence and the ball falls to Dempsey who made a smart far-post run and it's 2-0!!! USA!! USA!! Great work by all involved. A beautifully worked goal.

Lando's cross hits off Pique ( i think) and wrong foots Ramos who can only kill the ball, not clear it. Demps on hand to finish. US made their luck there.

Jozy milking a foul. Jozy was offsides on the goal. Lucky it didn't run to him.

Ricardo Clarke still on the pitch. For better or worse.

Torres surprised as a cross lands at his feet. Not his night.

Villa hits it from the free kick... Howard holds again.

Shot from distance. Howard saves. Lather, repeat.

10 minutes left...

US holding the ball well. Nice change... Jozy offsides as they move it forward. Close call.

US living dangerously with the ball in and around their box... but what's new tonight? Spain could have a hatful but just don't look right tonight. Just a beat off.

(I can't believe i just typed that.)

Gooch clears this time. Another corner... Spain with 3 chances that time before the US clears for another corner... Now Lando on the break... but gives it right back. Sigh.

Casey (on for Jozy) could have taken it to the Cobi corner but is offsides. Here comes Spain again...

Red card! Bradley not Clarke. Hard challenge, but didn't look malicious. No studs showing... no trailing leg. Well, maybe maybe studs up on the replay but no need for a red card. US will miss Bradley if they advance.

Puyol gets the ball stuck under him. Anyone else - save for Riera - and Spain score there.

Gooch clears again. FIFA could have saved money and only played this match on one side of the field. Well, except for those two goals.

3 minutes added.

Good covering from Feilhaber. 2 minutes left.

Shaq to Cleveland. Too little, too late. Whooops, reading the crawl again. Almost bored with Spain's attacking now. It's constant but it's not very inventive. Just crossing for Torres and the US can deal with that. No Villa for a while... wait, there he is... goal kick. Looked like a corner.

GAME!!!!!!!!!!!

USA! USA! USA!!

Torres and Gooch trade jerseys. Torres doesn't look happy. I'm guessing that one doesn't get hung up in the rec room at Casa Torres any time soon.

What a night for US soccer. What a turn around from the team we saw against Spain and Italy. See you Sunday for the finals! The US will miss Bradley, but hey... this is ALL gravy for us! Delicious, delicious gravy.

Do you believe in miracles?

Okay, it's not quite the "Miracle on Ice" but after the first two rounds of Confederation Cup matches, the idea that the USA could advance to the semi-finals seemed laughable. In Group B, Brazil was leveling everyone in their path; Italy was grinding out wins as only Italy can; and Egypt were the surprise package and dark horse pick. The USA were out-of-sorts and down-and-out.

But what a difference a day makes. Brazil steamrolls Italy 3-0, and the USA surprises Egypt by the same scoreline. And just like that, the USA advances to play Spain in the semi-final of a major (kinda) tournament. What a crazy old game.

Preliminary U.S. roster for Gold Cup announced

Via Soccernet:

Preliminary roster

GOALKEEPERS: Brad Guzan, Marcus Hahnemann, Luis Robles, Troy Perkins,

DEFENDERS: Jonathan Bornstein, Dan Califf, Steve Cherundolo, Jay DeMerit, Clarence Goodson, Eric Lichaj, Chad Marshall, Michael Orozco, Heath Pearce, Michael Parkhurst, Marvell Wynne,

MIDFIELDERS: Freddy Adu, Davy Arnaud, Ricardo Clark, Benny Feilhaber, Eddie Gaven, Stuart Holden, Pablo Mastroeni, Robbie Rogers, John Thorrington, Jose Francisco Torres,

FORWARDS: Jozy Altidore, Conor Casey, Kenny Cooper, Charlie Davies, Jeremiah White.

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Nice to see Bradley giving youth (and MLS talent) a chance. We should have a much better chance in these games than against the likes of Italy, Brazil, and yes even Egypt. The US Nation team needs a confidence boost, and some hungry players looking to make an impact in a winnable tournament could go a long way towards turning around our slide.

The USA plays matches on July 4, 8 and 11. If they advance to the finals, they could be playing through July 26. So adjust your MLS fantasy rosters accordingly.