Major League Soccer, the U.S. domestic league, has slowly grown in stature since its birth in 1996. Its future is all but secure. And it’s an important feeding ground for U.S. national team development. But how does the league compare to other professional leagues around the world? Continue reading…
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Soccer by Ives reports: “Robinho (pictured) and Dani Alves join Chelsea target Ramires as the three World Cup veterans named to a young Brazil squad for the August 10th friendly against the United States at the New Meadowlands Stadium in New Jersey. Young sensations Neymar and Paulo Henrique Ganso and World Cup snub Alexandre Pato were also called up by newly-named Brazil manager Mano Menezes.”
Fast but lacking in leadership. Thus, beatable, provided we field our World Cup team (hint, hint, whoever our coach is).
Here is the full squad: Continue reading…
Leave commentToo bad we didn’t win that Ghana game. 
Speaking to the Associated Press, “I think I’d be silly not to try and tackle the next four years and give it everything I have. I feel fitter than I ever have at 31. I feel like I’m playing the best I have.”
When asked about the upcoming Aug 10 exhibition against Brazil, Howard added, “The fact that it’s Brazil, it’s the first time we’ve been back on U.S. soil since the World Cup, Giants Stadium, that atmosphere is going to be rocking.”
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In doing so, the team’s last minute win against Algeria beat the Saints’ Superbowl win, Phil Mickelson’s Masters win, and Joannie Rochette figure skating routine at the 2010 Winter Olympics. Not the greatest competition, but hey, they won. (via World Cup Blog)
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Thanks to a strong (albeit anti-climatic) showing at the World Cup, the United States jumped to 13th in the FIFA World Rankings, the highest ranked team in North and Central America.
Spain and Netherlands took the 1 and 2 spots respectively, followed by Brazil in third, Germany in fourth, and Argentina in the fifth spot. Uruguay, England, Portugal, Egypt and Chile rounded out the top 10 in that order.
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I usually tell people how I really feel. But this guy is an idiot for thinking better athlete participation wouldn’t result in a more competitive U.S. soccer team. To him, soccer is more about life-long practice than any innate ability to move your body in highly skilled ways.
Dumb.
Until U.S. soccer is able to lure in aspiring athletes with more fame and money, it will always play fifth fiddle behind football, baseball, basketball, and hockey.
The tide is changing, thanks to globalization. But praise by your peers (i.e. fellow Americans) is generally more satisfying than any international accolades.
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In honor of USA’s 2010 World Cup run.
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Bradley’s equalizer against Slovenia takes no. 7. Donovan’s last-minute winner against Algeria no. 1.
So you watched the U.S. sadly lose in the sweet 16 of the World Cup this summer, but don’t want to wait four more years before seeing the team compete again?
Good news. There are a lot of exciting tournaments (and even a few high-profile exhibitions) to tide you over until Brazil ’14.
Exact dates are still pending, with exception to a high-profile exhibition game later this year against Brazil. But the following should give you an idea of what to look forward to in the coming years. Go, USA! Continue reading…
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