USMNT boss Jurgen Klinsmann is not shying away from the critics following Friday night’s World Cup qualifying loss to Jamaica.
In this video, Klinsmann details what the US did wrong and the specific areas of improvement in Tuesday’s rematch in Columbus: “It’s going to be a completely different story compared to Kingston in Jamaica. But we definitely have to improve. We have to step it up.” (VIDEO)
MLSsoccer.com’s own Greg Lalas is in Columbus and witnessed Sunday’s open practice session, which saw 3,000 fans in attendance. Here are his five observations from training. He also spoke to Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey, who had some revealing statements about the loss in Jamaica and the stakes of Tuesday’s match.
Just what the US didn’t need as they get set to face Jamaica in a critical World Cup qualifier: Another change is forthcoming in central defense with the suspension of Clarence Goodson due to yellow-card accumulation.
We’ll see if Klinsmann opts for a more attack-minded USMNT with FC Dallas winger Brek Shea against Jamaica. It’s more of a sure thing that Shea will figure among the ultimate ranking of the top 24 players in MLS under the age of 24: The third annual 24 Under 24 countdown kicks off later today and Shea comes in as the reigning champion.
So how are the players preparing for this big match? A handful of the biggest names made sure to stop by a local “barber studio,” while Jermaine Jones was laying low in his hotel room. (PHOTOS)
Klinsmann seems to be in a positive mindset even though he was citing some dated articles in a couple of tweets this morning, including from MLSsoccer.com.
In all the debate about what Klinsmann’s lineup should look like for the second matchup against Jamaica on Tuesday in Columbus, some fans might be wondering when Eddie Johnson will ever get a look. His brace keyed a 2-1 Seattle Sounders victory over Chivas USA in the lone MLS match of the weekend (watch the highlights here).
Chivas right back James Riley may have been going head-to-head against former Seattle teammate Steve Zakuani during Saturday’s match, but that did not stop the two from a good night on the town. (PHOTO)
The win puts the Seattle Sounders in second place in the Western Conference, just six points behind the league-leading San Jose Earthquakes, who had a productive weekend despite not featuring. They became the first team to clinch a playoff berth.
But wait, it gets better for the Sounders. Eidur Gudjohnsen, who is still on trial, scored a back-heel goal in a Sunday Reserve League match (VIDEO). Meanwhile, it was revealed that another European veteran is trying out: ex-Ajax right back and a friend of Mauro Rosales, Romanian George Ogararu. Here’s what Sounders GM Adrian Hanauer says about the two potential signings.
The Sounders may be looking to add foreign talent, but they could be losing one of their prized American talents: women’s team goalkeeper and Olympic champion Hope Solo is wanted by Paris Saint-Germain.
Staying in Seattle and a video that’s making the rounds: One Sounders fan did not appreciate that the two fellow supporters in the row in front of him decided to stand for the entire match. And he made his displeasure known, so much so it made Deadspin. (VIDEO … STARTS AT 1:30)
Chivas USA manager Robin Fraser is not too pleased these days, admitting he’s struggling to see a silver lining in the latest stretch of results. The string of matches has prompted this bigger look at the franchise by Los Angeles Times reporter Kevin Baxter.
Perhaps the last thing that Chivas USA need is a major controversy but young striker Juan Agudelo gets into it with his former employer: the New York Red Bulls. In a report on Goal.com, he takes them to task for benching Kenny Cooper and also takes this jab at his ex-club: “It wasn't a place where they were looking to develop young players.”
The Sounders get set for a Cascadia Cup clash against the Portland Timbers this weekend. Traveling fans looking to make a weekend of it can catch a special rivalry edition of the Kicking and Screening film festival.
There are only a few days left until the MLS roster freeze date this Saturday and here’s another deal that one team has gone public about: Colorado is helping Wells Thompson find a new home and he already has teammates bidding him adieu.
The Canadian national team are saying hello to Panama, where they will face the Central American side in a crucial qualifier. Turns out they will be getting the US treatment after that impressive victory on Friday which put them tops in Group C. Kurtis Larson of the Toronto Sun reports a plan that could involve up to 1,000 Panamanians keeping the Canadians up at night on the eve of Tuesday’s matchup.
This was no hollow threat. Here’s the video proof of what was taking place last night. (VIDEO)
The Panamanians are all fired up. Montreal Impact midfielder Patrice Bernier tweets about the reception the team received from the locals: “This is 3rd war.”
It isn’t World War Three, but US vs. Mexico is always intense, even on the club level. This weekend we saw the Chicago Fire battle Mexican champs Santos Laguna to a 2-2 tie (watch the highlights here) and a thoroughly entertaining 3-3 affair between FC Dallas and up-and-coming Mexican outfit León (watch the highlights here).
For those who are still left starving for some soccer after a slow weekend due to the FIFA international fixture dates, there’s Brazil vs. China on GolTV (9 pm ET) and some MLS Reserve League action this morning. The LA Galaxy host the Portland Timbers at 11 am PT at The Home Depot Center (free admission and parking).
Staying out west, there’s also a Reserve League match at the same time between San Jose and Vancouver which may not feature the return from injury of the Whitecaps’ Omar Salgado, but it will likely serve as the debut for Brazilian Tiago Ulisses.
Whitecaps manager Martin Rennie will appreciate being distracted today from this Paul Gardner column in Soccer America, where the writer wonders whether Vancouver is heading “down the same dead end” that Toronto FC once faced.
One of Rennie’s star signings during midseason, Scottish forward Kenny Miller, says he is contemplating a loan deal during the MLS offseason to be ready for Scotland’s World cup qualifiers in March. Miller is already under some heat for his country’s inability to score in its first match against Serbia.
Toronto FC’s Serbian ‘keeper Milos Kocic had a busier weekend than if he were manning the nets for his club team: His wife gave birth to triplets!
It’s all about the wife for Wesley Sneijder who must have the wrong idea about MLS these days. He tells Gazzetta dello Sport that “if my wife continues to be an actress, the MLS might be an idea."
In news from the women’s game, the US Under-20s captured the world title in their age group and the name of a potential candidate has emerged in the race to succeed Pia Sundhage at the helm of the women’s national team.
The NFL season played its first full weekend of games and LA Galaxy star David Beckham was front and center, hosting a new NFL on Fox pregame show segment at his “residence.” (VIDEO)
Kicker David Akers struck a record-tying field goal and injured US national team and Bolton midfielder Stuart Holden reminds us he once kicked toe-for-toe with the NFL legend. (VIDEO)
Lastly, the good and bad from the weekend in the goalkeeping world. First, a ‘keeper in the Danish second division dashes to the other end of the field to score on a late bicycle kick and celebrates with the fans. But the most astounding highlight is the own goal by this ‘keeper in Brazil. (VIDEOS)
MLSsoccer.com Musts
Defense proves key to Canada’s early World Cup qualifying success
Watch: Preview of Jimmy Conrad’s American Soccer Spectacular
MLS players find success in World Cup qualifying
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