Total Futbol

USA? Jamaica? You pick the winner.

US needs win over Jamaica tonight

The US national team faces a critical World Cup qualifier tonight at 8 against Jamaica (ESPN2) in Columbus, Ohio. The Jamaicans beat the Americans 2-1 on Friday night in Kingston, taking the lead in the group. Coach Jurgen Klinsmann, Clint Dempsey and the rest of the guys say they realize how important this game is. Read more here...

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - A reporter asked U.S. men's national coach Jurgen
Klinsmann Monday what it would be like if his team were to lose to Jamaica for
the second time in five days.

"No, we won't (lose),'' Klinsmann said with a smile. "Don't worry.''

A lot of people are concerned, however, after the Americans lost 2-1 against
host Jamaica in a World Cup qualifier on Friday night - their first loss ever to
the Reggae Boyz.

That defeat dropped the U.S. into a tie for second in Group A. Jamaica
(2-0-1) leads, followed by the U.S. and Guatemala, both 1-1-1, and then Antigua
and Barbuda (0-2-1) round it out. The top two teams advance to next year's
six-nation regional finals, with three of those moving on to the 2014 World Cup
in Brazil.

With games remaining against Guatemala in Kansas City, and a road trip to
Antigua, yes, there is reason to be somewhat on edge. Klinsmann, however, said
his team knows what is at stake.

"Pressure is always there in professional sports,'' he said. "Obviously, we
wanted to get points in Jamaica, to be in a better kind of position than we are
right now. We need tomorrow night, which is our goal and which we are focused on
very strongly. It would put us in good position in that group.''

Forward Clint Dempsey said the loss at Jamaica's home field, called The
Office, certainly grabbed the team's full attention.

"It's no different if you look in years past. It was difficult getting points
on the road, but we were able to come together and get important results at home
to put us back in good position,'' said Dempsey, who scored 35 seconds into his
first competitive match in three months - the fastest goal ever in U.S. World
Cup qualifying. "That'll be no different if we can get the job done on Tuesday.
We're excited about the challenge and everybody's ready and the focus is to get
these points.''

Veteran Jozy Altidore said at Sunday's practice if the Americans don't win,
"It gets pretty scary.''

The U.S. should have some reinforcements on hand, however.

Goalkeeper Tim Howard collided with Jamaica's Luton Shelton 8 minutes into
the second half and left with a lower right leg contusion. He did not
participate in an open practice Sunday here, but Klinsmann said he would be 100
percent and ready to go for the rematch.

Defender Steve Cherundolo missed Friday's game with a strained right calf but
is expected to be available. Another defender, Clarence Goodson, is suspended
for an accumulation of yellow cards but will likely be replaced by Carlos
Bocanegra, the longtime captain who was held out of Friday's game.

Klinsmann said Bocanegra is "hungry'' to see action.

"Carlos is a very, very important piece of the whole puzzle,'' he said.

Bocanegra declared himself fit and ready to go. He also said his teammates
were prepared to prove themselves after the disappointment in the Caribbean.

"We know we're a good team,'' he said. "We didn't have a very good game on
Friday. It can't get much worse than that. We're still confident that we'll play
the game that we can.''

The match is a sellout at Crew Stadium, home of the MLS franchise in
Columbus.

Dempsey said the match will be made even more special because it falls on the
11th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11. He was a student at
Furman University that day and recalled watching the horror enfold on a TV set
in a dining hall.

"As a country, we always remember that and it's impacted everyone's life,''
he said. "Everybody remembers where they were on that day.''

The U.S. Soccer Federation selected the venue because of a loyal following
and past success. And so far, so good. After all, more than 3,000 cheering fans
showed up on Sunday for the American open practice.

The U.S. side has a record of 5-0-3 overall and 4-0-2 in World Cup qualifiers
in Crew Stadium.

Strikers on verge of playoff spot

By Michelle Kaufman
mkaufman@MiamiHerald.com

The Fort Lauderdale Strikers can clinch an NASL playoff berth with a
home win or a tie Saturday night against the Puerto Rico Islanders at
Lockhart Stadium. The Strikers (9-9-7) are tied with the Carolina
Railhawks for fourth place with 34 points, two points behind the
Islanders. If they finish third or fourth, they will host a
first-round playoff game Sat. Sept. 29.

A season-high crowd of 5,659 showed up last week for the game against
the Tampa Bay Rowdies, and the Strikers would love a similar
atmosphere for Saturday's critical match, which kicks off at 7:30 p.m.
The game, being billed as Legacy Night, will feature a tribute to
former Strikers players -- including Ray Hudson -- and ticket prices
will be sold at throwback prices, $7 general admission, $9 reserved
seats.

“We know how important this game is, first to qualify for the
playoffs, but also to try and get us seeding to have a home game in
the playoffs,” said Strikers coach Daryl Shore. “We know Puerto Rico
has had some results that didn’t go their way so we have to be
prepared for their best game. We are focused on those things that have
made us a good team over the last month including defending as a team,
creating more chances and finishing those chances when we get them.”

The Strikers are 1-1-1 against Puerto Rico. The last time they played,
Aug. 18, it ended in a scoreless tie.

Puerto Rico is coming off a 3-1 home loss to the RailHawks.

The Strikers will be without Michael Tetteh, who received a red card
for violent conduct in the game against Tampa Bay and was given a
two-game suspension by the league.

 

USA-Jamaica: possible lineups

No way to know until gametime what the coaches have planned, but here's a guess as to the lineups for both teams (note that Landon Donovan and Michael Bradley are injured and didn't make the trip, and Jamaica did not call up Marlon King):

USA: GK - Tim Howard. D- Steve Cherundolo, Carlos
Bocanegra, Geoff Cameron, Fabian Johnson MF - Maurice Edu, Kyle Beckerman; Clint Dempsey (or Danny Williams), Jermaine Jones F - Hérculez Gómez (or Terrence Boyd), Jozy Altidore.

Jamaica: GK - Dwayne Miller; D - Lovel Palmer, Shavar Thomas, Adrian
Mariappa, Nyron Nosworthy MF - Dane Richards, Jason Morrison, JeVaughn Watson, Ryan Johnson F - Omar Cummings, Luton Shelton.

Full rosters:

USA

 GOALKEEPERS: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Sean
Johnson (Chicago Fire), Nick Rimando (Real Salt
Lake)

DEFENDERS: Carlos Bocanegra (Racing Santander), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover), Maurice Edu (Stoke City), Clarence Goodson
(Brondby), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Michael Orozco Fiscal (San Luis),
Michael Parkhurst (Nordsjaelland), Jonathan Spector (Birmingham
City)

MIDFIELDERS: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04), Brek Shea (FC Dallas), Jose Torres (Pachuca), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)

FORWARDS: Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar), Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna), Clint Dempsey (Tottenham Hotspur), Herculez Gomez (Santos)

JAMAICA

GOALKEEPERS: Jacomeno Barrett (Montego Bay United), Duwayne
Kerr (Strommen), Dwayne Miller (Syrianska)

DEFENDERS: Andrae Campbelll (Notodden), Adrian Mariappa
(Reading), Nyron Nosworthy (Watford), Lovel Palmer (Portland Timbers), Jermaine
Taylor (Houston Dynamo),  Shavar Thomas
(Montreal Impact), Dicoy Williams (Toronto FC), O’Brian Woodbine (VPS)

MIDFIELDERS: Rodolph Austin (Leeds United), Jason Morrison
(Aaelsund), Ewan Grandison (Portmore United), Dane Richards (Vancouver
Whitecaps), Joel Senior (Harbour View), Errol Stevens (Arnett Gardens),
JeVaughn Watson (Houston Dynamo)

FORWARDS: Kavin Bryan (Vicem Hai Phong), Omar Cummings
(Colorado Rapids), Ryan Johnson (Toronto FC), Darren Mattocks (Vancouver
Whitecaps), Luton Shelton (Karabukspor, Turkey), Tramaine Stewart (Aalesund)

 

Good luck trying to watch US-Jamaica

Good news: The supremely talented Phil Schoen will be calling the US-Jamaica game Friday night, along with former US player Marcelo Balboa and Robbie Earle.

Bad news: Unless you have DirecTV (in HD) or DISH (in SD), you will not be able to watch the game at home. BeIN Sport, the new Al Jazeera-owned soccer network, now holds the rights to US qualifiers, Spanish league, French league, Italian league, and regular cable providers have not signed on yet.  

 

 

US team forced indoors

Dear US National team:

Welcome to Miami in September...rain, lightning, thunder, suffocating humidity.

Jurgen Klinsmann and his US team are in town for a few days  training for Friday's World Cup qualifier at Jamaica -- and the second leg of the home-and-home series Sept. 11 at Columbus, Ohio. They certainly are getting a taste of tropical weather.

A lightning storm moved Tuesday's workout at FIU indoors to the basketball gym, where word is Tim Howard and Sean Johnson showed their hoops skills. Howard was a promising basketball player in high school before choosing soccer. Afterward, Howard posed for photos with a group of giddy FIU women's soccer players.

Clint Dempsey is enjoying being back on the field after his drama-filled summer. Read about it here:

http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/09/04/2984946/clint-dempsey-is-eager-to-hit.html

The US has never won in Jamaica, and the Americans would like to continue their streak of winning where they hadn't won before: Mexico, Italy. The team is scheduled to train once more in Miami on Wednesday (weather permitting) and then head to Kingston.

What are your thoughts on Friday's game? Can the US get three points off the Reggae Boyz on Jamaican soil?

Transfer Window: CLOSED!

The Premier League transfer window just closed, at 6 p.m. Eastern on Friday, and Tottenham sealed a deal for Fulham's American star Clint Dempsey just in the nick of time.

Dempsey made it clear all summer he wanted to leave Fulham for a team with a better shot at the Champions League. He was hoping to land at Liverpool, but the two clubs couldn't agree on a price. Aston Villa wanted Dempsey, but he didn't want them. Enter Tottenham in the 11th hour. They had money to spend after getting hefty transfer fees for Rafael van der Vaart (moved back to former German club Hamburg) and Luka Modric (moved to Real Madrid). They also sent Mexican forward Giovani Dos Santos on loan to Mallorca.

The fact that five teams were bidding on an American midfielder is a major sign of progress for US Soccer.

Other transfers of note...

Carlos Bocanegra on loan from Rangers to Racing Santander.

Dimitar Berbatov from Manchester United to Fulham

Ju Young Park from Arsenal on loan to Celta Viga

Scott Sinclair from Swansea to Manchester City

Maicon from Inter to Manchester City'

Nigel de Jong from Manchester City to AC Milan

Charlie Adam from Liverpook to Stoke

Nicklas Bendtner from Arsenal to Juventus on loan

Alessandro del Piero from Juventus to Sydney FC

Giovani dos Santos from Tottenham to Mallorca

 

 

Friday Headlines

Hi there, Soccer Fans.

I'm baaaaack from the London Olympics. Amazing event. Among the many events I covered were the USA women's soccer win over Japan and Mexico's historic win over Brazil. Great atmoshpere for both. Even the media bus TO Wembley Stadium was fun on the day of Brazil-Mexico. Those journalists are a lively bunch, to say the least.

Just getting back to work. Here are some quick Friday headlines as we head into the Opening Weekend of the English Premier League.

-Robin Van Persie seals deal with Manchester United. The former Arsenal star signed a four-year $38 million contract with ManU and said he made the decision because the "little boy inside'' him was "screaming'' for ManU. Van Persie led the EPL with 30 goals last season, and Wayne Rooney was second with 27. In other words, ManU fans are very happy today. His debut is Monday vs. Everton, 3 p.m., ESPN2

-Brazil coach Mano Menezes under fire after losing to Mexico at the Olympics (no big surprise there). There were rumors that former Barca coach Pep Guardiola was a possible replacement, but his agent says there have been no talks.

-Clint Dempsey wants to leave Fulham, reportedly refuses to play for the team, so he was left off the opening-day starting lineup. Most reports have him heading to Liverpool, but there is no deal to speak of.

-Finally, US soccer fans will no longer see La Liga matches on GOL-TV. The rights were sold to BeInSport, a new Miami-based company operated by Al Jazeera. Their matches are available on DirecTV and DISH Network. See TV listings below.

What are your thoughts on today's news? Thoughts on the US win over Mexico Wednesday night? Is it significant? Share your views. We want to hear from you.

Michelle.

 

Weekend TV listings...

Soccer fans, take note that La Liga matches are no longer on GOL-TV. The league TV rights, along with French Ligue 1 and Italian Serie A are now owned by BeInSport, a Miami-based company run by Al Jazeera that hired Phil Schoen and Ray Hudson among its commentators. Games are available on DirecTV and DISH Network.

SATURDAY...

Arsenal vs. Sunderland 10 a.m. ESPN, ESPN Deportes

West Brom vs. Liverpool 10 a.m. Fox Soccer, Fox Deportes

Lyon vs. Troyes 11 a.m. Univision

Newcastle vs. Spurs 12:30 p.m. Fox Soccer, Fox Deportes

Celta Vigo vs. Malaga 1 p.m. BeInSport

Lorient vs. Montpellier 2 p.m. Univision

Sevilla vs. Getafe 3 p.m. BeInSport

Mallorca vs. Espanyol 5 p.m. BeInSport

Queretaro vs. Club America 6 p.m. Univision

 Monterrey vs. Atlante 8 p.m. Univision

SUNDAY:

Marseille vs. Sochaux 8 a.m. BeInSport

Wigan vs. Chelsea 8:30 a.m. Fox Soccer, Fox Deportes

Manchester City vs. Southampton 11 a.m. Fox Soccer, Fox Deportes

Real Madrid vs. Valencia 1 p.m. BeInSport

Toluca vs. Pachuca 1 p.m. Univision

Neza vs. Pumas Morelos 1 p.m. GolTV

Barcelona vs. Real Sociedad 3 p.m. BeInSport

Ajaccio vs. Paris Saint-Germain 3 p.m. Univision

Santos vs. Corinthians 3 p.m. GolTV

Levante vs. Atletico Madrid 5 p.m. BeInSport

Tigre vs. River Plate 6:10 p.m. GolTV

New York Red Bulls vs. Portland Timbers 7 p.m. Galavision

MONDAY

Everton vs. Manchester United 3 p.m. ESPN2, ESPN Deportes

Chelsea roster for US tour...

Looks like Chelsea will have its A-list players for the July 28 game against AC Milan at Sun Life Stadium. Ticket sales were around 50,000 already with a few categories sold out. Ticketholders invited to open training sessions Friday night July 27 at 6 p.m. Doors open 5 p.m. You must have game tickets to enter. Here is the travel roster released by the club:

 

CHELSEA
FC ROSTER:

Goalkeepers: Petr Cech, Henrique
Hilario, Ross Turnbull, Jamal
Blackman 

Defenders:
Branislav Ivanovic,
Ashley Cole, John Terry, David Luiz, Paulo Ferreira, Gary Cahill, Sam
Hutchinson, Todd Kane, Nathaniel
Chalobah 

 

Midfielders:
Michael Essien,
Ramires, Flourent Malouda, Raul Meireles, Frank Lampard, John Mikel Obi, Eden Hazard, Marko Marin, Yossi
Benayoun, Josh McEachran, George
Saville 

 

Forwards:
Romelu Lukaku,
Fernando Torres, Gael Kakuta, Kevin De Bruyne, Patrick Bamford, Lucas
Piazon