Soccer in the USA

The U.S. Women's soccer team is with no doubts, an example of how much the sport can develop if investments and dedication are put together. That was used as an inspiration by many other countries to create a favorable environment for women's soccer around the world.

Who could ever imagine 10 years, or even 5 years ago, that Costa Rica would become a tough challenge in the USA's path for the 2008 Olympic Games?

Not that the Costa Ricans played beautifully or anything but they worked out as well as they could defensively in order to stop Lindsay Tarpley, Natasha Kai, Carly Lloyd and Abby Wambach. And should we mention the great performance by goalkeeper Priscilla Tapia.

The US Women's Team created inumerous chances to score but most of them ended up blocked by the bunked Costa Rican defense or saved by Tapia.

But in the end the intense attack paid off. In the 58th minute Natasha Kai received a low cross from Tobin Heath - who had replaced Lindsay Tarpley in the beginning of second half - and the Hawaiian smacked it hard into the goal! USA 1, Costa Rica 0

The United Statyes kept their players up, pressuring Costa Rica's defense and at minute 73 Natasha Kai headed a cross from Carly Lloyd, Pricilla Tapia couldn't hold it and the ball found Heather O'Reilly's foot. USA 2, Costa Rica 0.

Only then the Ticas decided to risk some attacking plays forcing Hope Solo to work a little.

And with a little bit more space and the speed of Amy Rodriguez on the field (she came in for Abby Wambach), the USA scored again on added time. Natasha Kai (the name of the game in my opinion) received a pass from Angela Hucles and slammed the ball into the goal.

3-0 the final score. The Costa Ricans showed a lot of improvement but it's the USA that gets their ticket to the 2008 Olympic Games. Now they play again on sunday for the CONCACAF title against the winner of Canada x Mexico.

Beijing, here we go!!!

Let's GO USA!!! Let's win this third Gold Medal!!! 

A huge rumor is going around this morning when many media vehicles annouced the possibily of a trade between Barcelona and the New York Red Bulls involving Thierry Henry and young american striker Jozy Altidore.

All I have to say is that I truly believe the possibily exists for the deal.

Thierry Henry is unhappy at the Catalan club and Barcelona is open to hear offers for him. One of the clubs that showed interest in the french striker was new MLS franchise Seattle Sounders FC but it seems that the New York RedBulls has something else to offer Barcelona.

18-year old American striker Jozy Altidore, that has already been in the eyes of Real Madrid last year, would be traded for Henry with Barcelona.

Henry, who is 30 years old, would certainly become the second most famous player on the mLS (after David Beckham) and very possibly the most sucessful one. The league and soccer in the USA in general, lack of talented strikers and if Henry plays all he is capable of he will certainly destroy defenses here.

I would definetly love to see that happen.

So here it is... it's a rumor but HEY, many people didn't believe when Galaxy announced that Beckham was coming either.

 Do you believe in it?

Will we see this scene? Henry smiling again wearing the RedBulls jersey

Hi Everyone,

As I posted before, the U.S. Men's National Team will play a two-legged match against Barbados as part of the CONCACAF 2010 World Cup Qualifying.

So here are the other matches that will define the teams that will move to the next goup stage. All the matches will be played in a two-leg system. The dates are: First Leg Matches -> June 14 and 15; Second Leg Matches -> June 21 and 22.

 Our sources also confirmed the schedule for the USA Mens National Soccer Team after they demolish Barbados (any doubts?) and if the other favourites also win their matches as expected.

If that all happen, the US Soccer will be placed in a group with Guatemala, Cuba and Trinidad & Tobago

The dates will then be:

Aug. 20th Guatemala (away)
Sept 6 or 7 Cuba (away)
Sept 10 Trinidad (home)
Oct 11 Cuba (home)
Oct 15 Trinidad (away)
Nov 19 Guatemala (home)

USA WOMEN'S TEAM 

The US Women's National Soccer Team plays against Jamaica today in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. The match is valid for the CONCACAF Qualifying for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

Twenty players were picked out of the twenty-six that were part of the group that's been practicing at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. Even though the team is largely the favourite, Coach Pia Sundhage and midfielder Shannon Boxx made it clear to me that they should count on that because women's soccer had been developing very fast everywhere.

But last night Jamaica played against Mexico in the opening match of the tournament and were severely beaten 8-1. So thing are looking good for our girls. The game will start at 7:30pm (PT)

2008 U.S. CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Roster:
GOALKEEPERS: 24-Nicole Barnhart, 18-Hope Solo
DEFENDERS: 2-Rachel Buehler, 17-Lori Chalupny, 14-Stephanie Cox, 13-Tobin Heath, 15-Kate Markgraf, 3-Christie Rampone, 4-Cat Whitehill
MIDFIELDERS: 7-Shannon Boxx, 16-Angela Hucles, 11-Carli Lloyd, 12-Leslie Osborne, 5-Lindsay Tarpley, 10-Kacey White
FORWARDS: 8-Lauren Cheney, 6-Natasha Kai, 9-Heather O’Reilly, 19-Amy Rodriguez, 20-Abby Wambach

*** You can click here to see my interview with Amy Rodriguez, Shannon Boxx and Pia Sundhage ***

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DAVID BECKHAM AND THE LA GALAXY

After the 2-0 win last night over the recently rebuilt San Jose Earthquakes all I can say is HOLD YOUR HORSES!!! I mean, don't go jumping to conclusions that because Landon Donovan is back the team will now become this super team and win all the next matches and so...

We cannot forget that the team started the season losong 4-0 to Colorado and even before that, the pre-season was not very successful either. The choice of going to Asia was already bad as a learning preaparation for the team (financially it was probably great) and the lack of better players on the roster is an indication that this season will not be much easier for the Galaxy.

*** Click here to watch Beckham's opening goal last night at the Home Depot Center ***

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 MORE MLS 

The first week was already intense with a good number of goals and some surprises like the 3-0 win of New England over the two time Champions Houston Dynamo. Of course it tasted like revenge for the Revolution and they surely didn't expected to be defeated 4-0 last night by a well balanced Chicago Fire lead by "grandpa" Cuauhtemoc Blanco.

Maykel Galindo (picture) saved Chivas USA from a defeat last saturday with an equalizer goal at the 84th minute against Dallas FC. This weekend the team will visit Real Salt Lake that also tied 1-1 in their first match against Chicago Fire.

***Click here to watch Galindo's saving goal for Chivas USA ***

Hi Folks,

After living in the Los Angeles for almost two years and being involved with soccer here in the United States all this time, it was about time I created an exclusive blog to keep you guys updated on all the news and also share with you points of view on the fastest growing sport in the country.

Let's then get this blog started with fresh news about the US Men's National Soccer Team:

The team who recently beat Poland 3-0 showing solid performance in midfield will face tougher friendly challenges in the coming months.

The US Team Celebrating a great victory over Poland

To start, Bob Bradley and his boys will travel again to Europe to face England at the Wembley Stadium on May 28th. It will be the second time since 1994 that the team of the stars and the stripes play against the British at their home. I heard a lot of non-sense talking that the USA will be heavily beaten by England but by what they showed against Poland compared to what England didn't show against France I wouldn't be so certain.

David Beckham might play his match 101 for England 

The European tour then goes to Spain where the team faces the Spaniards in June 4th. That will probably a much more difficult match for the US once Spain has a good combination of youth, talent and strengh.

El niño Torres 

The Americans come back home after the match against Spain to play their toughest challenge: Argentina. The venue couldn't be more appropriate, the Giants Stadium in New York. All I really wanr from this match is that the USA learn some lesson and include some of the South American style into their game.

 Argentina. Tough challenge.

And then comes BARBADOS... A small Caribbean paradise but with no tradition in soccer whatsoever. The USA however should face this game, part of the Round 2 of the CONCACAF Qualifyings for the 2010 World Cup, as a serious one. We don't want ANY kind of surprises.

 Barbados vs. USA in 2000

The two-leg knock out will have its first match be played on June 15 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California and the second leg will be played a week later, June 22, in Bridgetown - capital of Barbados. 

WHAT ABOUT SOME SCORE PREDICTIONS?

ENGLAND  x  USA  -> Repeating the great 1950 upset I believe in a victory by the Americans ... 1-0

SPAIN x USA -> With Fabregas, Villa and Torres it will be tough for the US. Spain wins 3-1

USA x ARGENTINA -> Maybe the USA will learn important lessons from the European tour and playing against an Argentina without Messi they might able to hold on to a tie at least. 1-1 (I know I'm being ultra optimistic here)

USA X BARBADOS -> C'mon...

What do you guys think??