The US Men's National Team will play 2 games in 4 days this week. Sunday, March 25 USA vs. Ecuador Raymond James Stadium Tampa Bay, FL 11 AM, ESPN2/Galavision and Wednesday, March 28 USA vs. Guatemala Pizza Hut Park Frisco, TX 8 PM, ESPN2/Galavision The squad for the US is more of a Euro-based squad than the previous two friendlies vs. Denmark and Mexico as the European leagues have taken the week off for Euro 2008 qualifying. Here's the squad that's been in camp this week: GOALKEEPERS Brad Guzan (Chivas USA) Tim Howard* (Everton FC) Kasey Keller* (Borussia Moenchengladbach) DEFENDERS Wade Barrett (Houston Dynamo) Carlos Bocanegra* (Fulham FC) Steve Cherundolo* (Hannover 96) Jimmy Conrad* (Kansas City Wizards) Jay DeMerit (Watford FC) Oguchi Onyewu* (Newcastle United) Heath Pearce (FC Nordsjælland) Frank Simek (Sheffield Wednesday) Jonathan Spector (West Ham United) MIDFIELDERS DaMarcus Beasley* (Manchester City) Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen) Brian Carroll (D.C. United) Clint Dempsey* (Fulham FC) Benny Feilhaber (Hamburger SV) Justin Mapp (Chicago Fire) Brian Mullan (Houston Dynamo) FORWARDS Brian Ching* (Houston Dynamo) Kenny Cooper (FC Dallas) Landon Donovan* (Los Angeles Galaxy) Eddie Johnson* (Kansas City Wizards) Taylor Twellman (New England Revolution) * Member of 2006 World Cup team As far as Houston soccer, there are 3 members of Houston Dynamo on the roster and another, Ricardo Clark, was called up but couldn't participate due to an injury.
Thanks for the heads up! The US should win both matches...why do the US natl team pick Ching when they don't even give him a chance when it really matters? Is this Jonathan Specter's first call up? I remember him while he was at Man-U but never remember him playing for the natl team.
Good luck to the Orlando Magic : That's the "third" jersey. Sorta makes me want to shoot a three-pointer seal the deal on them...
I think you'll see Ching get more of a shot in these games. He didn't get into the WC because we were playing a 1 striker formation with Brian McBride who is light years ahead of Ching. McBride's retired now, though, and until some of your young players develop further (Altidore) I think Ching and/or Kenny Cooper are going to be the new target forwards.
USSoccer.com recently interviewed many of the players in the current camp and here are the links if any of you are interested. If some of you haven't heard Jay Demerit's story, it's a pretty interesting one to hear. Interviews Bob Bradley and Oguchi Onyewu Tim Howard Kasey Keller Jonathan Spector Steve Cherundolo Jay Demerit Here's some snapshots from the week in camp taken by ussoccer.com also: http://www.ussoccer.com/sights/index.jsp_photoGallery-296-1.html
Early strike in the first minute by Landon puts the US up 1 - 0. Took advantage of misplayed ball by Ecuador and Landon hit a volley from the 18. Was a really nice shot.
3-1 USA in the 72nd minute. Landon Donovan with a hat trick including 2 goals in the span of 1 minute or so.
An absolutely perfect strike by donovan on his 3rd goal. Put perfectly in the top right corner. Where was this guy in the world cup. Also Michael bradley (coach's son) has done a great job after coming on in the second half.
I saw that (assume you're talking of the Mexico game) but it was mainly him being upset that Mexico didn't shake hands. As he was walking off attempting to shake hands, the camera crew came up and tried to get in the middle.
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I hate to admit it, but... ECUADOR got a taste of what Mexico feels. A contender that waits and waits and waits, then strikes. There's no attack. Just a COUNTER, score and sit back tight. SMART. A Win is a WIN. Congrats, Orlando MAGIC. JK, f*ckers. It's a good win.
