Steel Army: USMNT

Showing posts with label USMNT. Show all posts

Worst Case Scenario

Posted by espo On 5:13 PM 0 comments

On paper, a 1-1 draw with Argentina looks like a great result, complete with a goal from newly crowned savior Juan Agudelo. In reality, the game highlighted the gross deficiencies along the US back line and our inability to control play throughout the midfield. Argentina dominated possession and generated countless scoring opportunities. Granted, that attack was led by arguably the best player in the world, but the US defenders had absolutely no answers. Dropping more players into the defensive 3rd only seemed to create additional pockets of space for Lionel Messi and company to exploit. If it weren't for the heroics of US keeper Tim Howard, we could have easily been witness to a 4 or 5 nil drubbing. As it turns out, Howard made several fantastic saves to keep the US within striking distance. We did play a better 2nd half, which saw previously mentioned young-gun Agudelo convert a poorly played rebound off a set piece. However, the US still had problems creating offense and holding possession, especially in the middle of the park. The headlines read 1-1, but I see a scoreline that masks a terrible performance and possibly a step in the wrong direction.

USMNT |

Those of You Standing on the Back Line, Please Take a Step Forward...

Posted by espo On 4:34 PM 0 comments

This summer the USMNT will once again compete in a Gold Cup tournament that has real importance. The winning nation will qualify for the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil. It's important that we qualify, as evidenced by the momentum we built in 2009 by shocking the globe and ending Spain's 15 match unbeaten streak before giving Brazil a scare in the final. The Confederations Cup in 2013 will serve as a springboard for the 2014 World Cup, much like it did last summer in South Africa.

Okay, as someone, somewhere once stated...cups are cups. A bit confusing, all of this? It's okay. All I am trying to get across is that the upcoming friendly this weekend vs Argentina is actually an important game for our boys. We need to find out which guys we're going to be able to rely on to win the upcoming Gold Cup, which will lead us into the Confederations Cup and on to the World Cup...phew.

The good news: we're returning most of the core team that reached the knockout stages in South Africa.

The bad news: we've still got glaring holes on a back line that has got to be the weakest we've fielded in a decade. Where oh where have you gone, Eddie Pope?

It's been a little over one full cycle since manager Bob Bradley took control of the squad and we're no closer to being able to rely on anyone at center or left back. Let's take a look at who Mr. Bradley has called up for this important contest:

Oguchi Onyewu - the great american dope. Major disappointment who's regressed over the past 4 years. Terrible in the world cup. Possibly the weakest muscular person on the planet. Absolutely no composure on the ball.

Carlos Bocanegra - old and slow....probably our best CB who happens to play LB because we're even worse at that position. I actually like Bocs, and he'll probably captain our side, but he is what he is: all heart, short on skill.

Jonathan Bornstein - please don't get me started. This is a waste of a cap. This guy is not going to get any better and plays terrible in pressure situations. I guess we need someone at LB, but this stiff is nowhere close to international caliber.

Steve Cherundolo - decent player. He plays RB. Our only "deep" position on the back line. He's marginally better than Spector, but not as good as Hejduk in his prime.

Jay DeMerit - undersized and getting older. Had a good run with Watford but it seems like he missed his international window. Might have been our best CB in last year's World Cup yet still made major mistakes that lead to goals. Playing for expansion Vancouver cannot be that great for his game either, can it?

Jonathan Spector - Not a bad RB moving forward but not a great defender. He's got decent pace and can cross. Guess what? West Ham found out that this guy is really a midfielder. Mr. Bradley, please take note.

Timothy Chandler, Tim Ream and Zak Whitbread - newbies hoping to fill those holes. Someone better step up, because right now it looks like our best option at LB is a CB and our best option at CB is midfielder Marice Edu!

So what do I want out of this friendly? I want to see us defend, period. I don't care if we score, I want us to defend against the incredible, all out attack that is Argentina football. This game is going to tell me a lot about who we've called up and give us a hint as to who Bradley has confidence in. I'm not that excited about the prospects of sticking with a Cherundolo - DeMerit - Gooch - Bocs back line throughout the Gold Cup.

To me, it's important that we develop a new crop of defenders that will mature by 2014. I am a bit disappointed that emerging LA Galaxy CB Omar Gonzalez was snubbed. The kid has the size and athleticism that we need at the international level. We absolutely must find out if he can play or if he's Gooch part II. Out of the crop we've capped for this weekend, I am most anticipating Tim Ream. He's a big guy who everyone says is tactically aware (not a dumb ass) and passes well. I don't care about his passing skills, I want to see him play a classic CB role and clear the box!

So in closing, someone, please, take a step forward and be counted!

My prediction: United States 0 - 2 Argentina

Sorry boys, I'm a realist.

USMNT |

Great Time to be a Soccer Fan in Pittsburgh

Posted by espo On 9:33 AM 0 comments

As a Pittsburgh native and avid sports fan, summers tend to be the proverbial off-season. Normally marked by the end of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, continuing through another disappointing Pirates campaign and ending with Steelers preseason. Most people find the time to take in a few ballgames (for the fireworks and bands), speculate on who the Steelers will play as the third CB in the nickel or work on their golf game. However, there is a niche group of fanatical supporters who absolutely love this time of the year...the soccer fan. This hidden sub-culture is slowly growing and gaining momentum, sprouting up in local pubs, around our very own professional franchise, traveling to other cities to take in games and appearing on grass fields all over Western Pennsylvania.

Let me break down the next few weeks:

Sunday June 6th - The Pittsburgh Riverhounds (our previously mentioned professional franchise) travel south to battle Real Maryland. The Hounds are coming off an impressive road win at Richmond, the defending USL2 Champions. The Hounds are lead by first year manager and local soccer legend Justin Evans.

Friday June 11th - The Hounds travel to Harrisburg to play the City Islanders in the Pennsylvania derby. This will be the first meeting between the two clubs in 2010. Over the winter, the Hounds splashed the cash to sign the Islander's leading scorer, Chad Servers. Those involved don't wish to comment publicly, but bad blood remains. This game will be a war.

Saturday June 12th - Team USA takes on England in World Cup group play. It will be the first game for both teams and their first World Cup meeting since the US upset the juggernaut back in 1950. The 3-Lions look for revenge while the US is out to make a statement.

Sunday June 13th - The Tartan Devils Football Club defends their home turf at 1pm. The living legend, Super Mac, leads the heroes of Piper's Pub who play at Founders field, a beautiful pitch hidden off of SR 910 in Indianola. This is soccer in it's purest form...a bunch of 30+ year old men simply playing for the love of the game.

Tuesday June 15th - The Riverhounds host Detroit United at Chartiers Valley High School in the opening round of the US Open Cup. The Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is the oldest sports tournament in the history of the United States. Amateur and professional soccer clubs battle through qualifying rounds and tournament play for the chance to lift the cup. This is a truly unique tournament where the smallest of pub or ethnic teams have the chance to play the biggest MLS clubs.

Friday June 18th - The US national team takes on Slovenia in World Cup group action. A win vs Slovenia could help propel the US into the knockout round.

Alongside these games, Pittsburgh is home to several pickup leagues where both men and women get the chance to pull on some boots and show off their skills. Check out the Pittsburgh Pick-up Soccer Group for times and locations!

There are a number of ways to get involved. Mentioned above, if you have a passion to play check out a local league or contact PISA. If you love to watch live action, check out one of the many local pub teams or catch a Riverhounds game where the physicality and pace of play might just surprise you. Show up at one of the many World Cup viewing parties to support the United States as they take on England. A few of the places and events can be found here.

Once you've been bitten by the footy-bug...check out our local supporters groups, the Steel Army who support the Riverhounds and the American Outlaws who follow the US national team.

Then, as summer begins to come to a close, catch the best Premier League action every Saturday and Sunday morning down at Piper's Pub. There is nothing quite like pounding an Irish breakfast and watching Newcastle United on the hallowed grounds of St. James' Park live and in HD.

We are the vocal minority. We are the counter culture of the Pittsburgh sports fan. Soccer fans unite!

25 and Counting !!

Posted by espo On 5:29 PM 0 comments

Had a chance to rap with my ace Whitehall about the Pittsburgh chapter of the American Outlaws...rather than rehash what he had to say, I asked him to write up a little something for the blog...enjoy!

Hello all you fine Footie fans, my name is Brandon, but you can call me
Whitehall. I am a member of the glorious Steel Army and the leader of the
American Outlaws here in wonderful Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I have the
privilege of getting to share my thoughts with you good people, and today I am gonna tell you all a little story about the birth of the US Supporter's group here in my home town.

"The meaning of footie"
Ya know that feeling of friendship, brotherhood, and camaraderie that you happen to find in life some days? That sense that when you are with these people that you are one of them, and that you are part of a family and that they are the most important people to you at this very moment? To me, that is what it is like to be a member of the Steel Army and the American Outlaws. When I walk down the path past all the other bleachers and end up in our section at CVHS, I know that I am home and that my spot is waiting for me. When I walk into Piper's Pub and take my seat, and people walk up to say hi and talk about the game or to say thank you for inviting them to join the AO the feeling is the same. It is these two families that make soccer so important to me, and these are two groups of people that I will do anything for.

"First you were a Hooligan, and now your an Outlaw?? Whats going on???"
So...you may be asking, why in the heck is he talking about the Steel Army? Shouldn't he be talking about the Outlaws? Well, every journey has to start somewhere and my love of soccer really started when I joined the Steel Army and learned what it is like to be part of a soccer supporters group. As the Steel Army grew we decided to expand our focus and start supporting the USMNT, and thanks to the experiences of one member, we decided to partner with the American Outlaws. I won't bore you with the dramas and insanities of finding a home, (though a few Lavlaughlins might loosen my tongue), but we settled down at Piper's Pub and I can truly say that we are home. Drew takes good care of us, and I will be damn proud when we can present him with the banner of an official American Outlaws chapter.

"Ya, almost at twenty-five, just a few more, just a few more!"
So, to be an official American Outlaws chapter, we needed to acquire a band of brothers at least 25 strong, and I am so proud to say that we have met that mark, and are petitioning for official chapter status with the national organization. Once we get that, we will bet set! Fame, Glory, Free Stuff!!!!!!! And since people have upped the ante by supporting this venture to full status, that means I need to do more on my part. So watch for more fun to come. We are already organizing a road trip to the US vs Costa Rica match on October 14th, looking into chapter specific cups and shirts and other fun stuff, and maybe even an indoor team for the fall season. And this is just what we have accomplished in the first four months... imagine where we could be at the end of the first year!

So....thank ya for a few moments o' your precious time and I hope
to see you and yours at the next meeting of the AO to cheer the US onto
victory!

American Outlaws, steel army, USMNT |

Bone Head

Posted by espo On 3:40 PM 0 comments

It's been almost 24 hours since the defeat in Azteca and I've had just enough time to simmer down to the point where I can type out a few coherent thoughts.

It's way too easy to blame this one of the poor officiating we're exposed to in the CONCACAF. I'll save that topic for another day! At the same time, it's way too easy to say that we don't have enough world class players after our latest "big game" defeat. It is true that fringe guys like Brian Ching would have trouble cracking Andorra's national team starting XI, but this is a game that we should have won. Many argue that we were simply beaten by a good team in a hostile environment. I'm not buying that one, sorry apologists...

Coach Bob Bradley was completely lost from the time he filled out the lineup card. Starting Ching up front as the target man was questionable. Also, can anyone explain to me why Jonathan Spector was dropped for Steve Churundolo? Spector had been solid on defense and provided us with a spark up the left side in the Confederations Cup. Churundolo struggled in the Gold Cup against inferior competition. Again we played the two-deep or two-in-the-hole system and had no midfield presence with Donovan and Dempsey out wide. We made it way too easy for the Mexicans to control the midfield and dominate possession. Keep in mind, it didn't help that on the odd occasion where Bradley Jr. or Ricardo Clark won a ball they gave it right back. We had absolutely no form as guys ran around trying to keep up with the more creative El Tri attack.

It was only a matter of time until we conceded a goal. You just cannot defend for that long under those conditions and expect to shut down a determined squad. We grew tired and frustrated while the Mexicans gained more and more confidence as the game dragged on. The same thing happened in the second half of both the Gold Cup final and the Confederations Cup final vs. Brazil.

I guess we'll just have to tolerate these tactics through the 2010 World Cup and additional disappointment as it seems his job is secure. Maybe then the USSF will realize that he is just not the guy who's going to take us to the next level. Sigi Schmid anyone?

USMNT |

Showdown in Azteca...Who's King of CONCACAF ?

Posted by espo On 2:11 PM 0 comments

The United States National team has never won at Estadio Azteca, home of Mexican National team. It's tough to play in front of 105,000 rabid Mexican supporters let alone the high altitude and nasty pollution. Couple that with the 5 to nil drubbing that we suffered in the Gold Cup final and everything points to another win for El Tri. Not so fast...this is a US team coming off a gutsy performance in the Confederations Cup. This is a US team boasting one of the world's best keepers in Tim Howard. This is a US team with speed, fitness and finally, a backbone. Gone are the days when the boys would roll over and die during big competitions. Not this team, not these players. Despite manager Bob Bradley's lack of tactical knowledge, this is a game that we are going to win and win soundly. This is the game that finally defines us as the dominant footballing nation in the region and the final nail in the coffin of a once proud Mexican team that's been in decline for years. Besides exercising the demons in Azteca, this win is one more step forward for a squad that's been gaining some real international respect this season.

Come on down to Piper's Pub (http://www.piperspub.com/, corner of 18th and Carson) and party with the Pittsburgh chapter of the American Outlaws. $2.50 Carlsberg bottles, a variety of cask ales and the best UK inspired food you'll find this side of the Atlantic.

American Outlaws, USMNT |