U.S. 2, T&T 0

The U.S. picked up another win in Gold Cup group play, defeating Trinidad & Tobago 2-0 on goals by Brian Ching and Eddie Johnson. And as the annoying FSC announcers told us 4.5 million times, Landon Donovan's assist on the Johnson's goal made him the all-time blabbady bla with the blabady blabab bla (or something like that). Really, FSC needs to fire ALL of their announcers and start over. The best part of the broadcast was when the video feed cut to some fans beer bonging (if 'bonging' is the correct gerund) during the match.

In summary, a better second game than the first for the US. Nice work by Frank Simek at right back and Justin Mapp & Ricardo Clark in the midfield. On the flip side, the US is still seeing too many chances go wanting (or in some cases go flying into row ZZZ).

Goals
Ching (Mapp) 30
Johnson (Donovan) 55

USA line-up
18-Kasey Keller; 12-Jay DeMerit, 16-Michael Parkhurst, 15-Frank Simek, 17-Jonathan Spector; 19-Ricardo Clark, 5-Benny Feilhaber (10-Landon Donovan, 46), 21-Justin Mapp, 14-Steve Ralston, 11-Brian Ching (6-Michael Bradley, 65), 9-Eddie Johnson (20-Taylor Twellman, 71)

Subs not used: 1-Tim Howard, 2-Frankie Hejduk, 3-Carlos Bocanegra, 7-DaMarcus Beasley

U.S. bookings:
none

TYH's 'Patriot of the Pitch': Frankie Simek


ussoccer.com's Match Report

U.S. 1, Guatemala 0

The U.S. escaped with a win in the opening match of the CONCACAF Gold Cup on Thursday night. Clint Dempsey scored on a low cross from Taylor Twellman in the 26th minute for the game's only goal. Our Yanks played well in the first half and then appeared to switch jerseys with Carson Community College for the second. But even with poor officiating, Gooch's red card in the 73rd and some rather strange substitutions (Eddie Johnson for Clint Dempsey?), the US holds on. Not pretty, but a win is a win.

USA line-up
1-Tim Howard; 2- Frankie Hejduk, 22-Oguchi Onyewu, 3-Carlos Bocanegra (capt.), 13-Jonathan Bornstein; 6-Michael Bradley, 5-Benny Feilhaber (12-Jay DeMerit, 81), 10-Landon Donovan, 7-DaMarcus Beasley; 20-Taylor Twellman (14-Steve Ralston, 71), 8-Clint Dempsey (9-Eddie Johnson, 61)

Subs not used: 4-Jonathan Spector, 11-Brian Ching, 18-Kasey Keller, 19-Ricardo Clark
Head Coach: Bob Bradley

U.S. bookings:
USA – Frankie Hejduk (caution) 42
USA – Oguchi Onyewu (caution) 56
USA – Oguchi Onyewu (caution) 73
USA – Oguchi Onyewu (ejection) 73
USA – Carlos Bocanegra (caution) 77

TYH's 'Patriot of the Pitch': Clint Dempsey

ussoccer's Match Report

A Celestial Event: Galaxy turns into Cosmos

The obsessive-compulsive shut-ins over at bigsoccer (I say that with love) discovered this gem that seems to indicate that the LA Galaxy will soon be a Euro 2000 all-star team: Los Angeles Galaxy hoopt ook op Luis Figo. Now I don’t speak Dutch. In fact, there are only two things that I hate in this world: People who are intolerant of other people’s cultures and the Dutch. However, I assume that to “hoopt ook op” means that they are trying to sign the one-time Footballer of the Year or perhaps they just spit a loogie in his face. I know the phrase “epp op ork ah ah” means I love you (according to the Jetsons, anyway). For the sake of argument, let's assume it means the former.

No doubt Lalas and the other boosters attempting to turn MLS into European footballers version of Cocoon will begin to write stories with rote headlines like, “Another star to be added to the Galaxy.” But MLS should think seriously before adding yet another marquee player to the Galaxy roster. Becks, Xavier and now Figo? Has single-entity gone out the door and with it all the fears of MLS turning into the NASL? I’m certainly not against bringing an incredible talent like Figo to MLS, but shouldn’t another franchise get a nip from the world all-star whiskey jug? Juan Pablo Angel is already proving what a single marquee allocation can provide. Why not share the wealth? That was the original intention of single-entity, that and to pool resources, something that MLS still needs to do. Despite the financial windfall of Spice Boy (which may not fully materialize this year if England continues to call him up), MLS isn't out of the woods. Many teams operate in the red, lack stadiums and/or boast pitiful attendance. Does Commissioner Garber and all the owner-operators around the league really feel that MLS is strong enough now to withstand a blackhole. Galaxy ... Cosmos ... What's in a name? A lot apparently.

Why is this not on ESPN?

Comedian and TV Star to Play Landon Donovan & Co. In EA SPORTS FIFA Soccer 07

The Official Competition Committee for the Drew Carey vs. U.S. Soccer EA SPORTSTM FIFA Soccer 07 on Xbox 360™ Challenge has released the rules that will govern the matches between Mr. Carey and the stars of U.S. Soccer at the $100K invitation-only event that will take place on June 5 from 7-10 p.m. PT in the Stadium Club at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

ESPN will televise the National Spelling Bee, as a sport, but not this?

Drew Carey vs. Landon Donovan in video game soccer? C'mon. I bet if they televised it and threw a number on the screen, people would call in and donate. It doesn't even look like ussoccer.com will be airing the match.

Here's an video of Drew Carey talking U.S. soccer on Jimmy Kimmel
Click Here

TYH'S PICKS FOR MLS BEST 11 (Week 9)

GOALKEEPER

Nick Rimando (RSL)

DEFENDERS

Marvell Wynne (TOR), Bobby Boswell (DC), Ty Harden (LA),
Michael Harrington (KC)

MIDFIELDERS

Claudio Reyna (NY), Ricardo Clark (HOU), Bakary Soumare (CHI),
Maurice Edu (TOR), Willian Oliveira (CHI)

FORWARD

Eddie Johnson (KC)

Bring Onyewu, Keller back home

Que pasa, bitch

Onyewu using summer to seek for new team

Both “Gooch” and “The Truth” are looking for new clubs and hopefully, MLS coaches, GMs, scouts, trainers, and even water boys are working their fingers raw dialing up and begging the Americans to come home.

There’s really no question that Keller should finish his career stateside, like his pal Claudio Reyna, so it shouldn’t be a tough sell for MLS. Both RSL and Toronto could use a veteran like Keller between the posts, as they have allowed a combined 30 goals in 18 games.

“Gooch” will be the tougher sell because he has only begun to prove himself in Europe, but MLS should beg, borrow and steal to get him, maybe under some type of loan or temporary arrangement. While I think playing in Europe is often beneficial for the development of our young Americans, MLS needs young, American stars to shine here at home, too.

Before there was Clint Dempsey's "Don't Tread on This," there was this:
Kasey Keller

The Beatles were overrated

Beckham might inspire a British invasion

The Beatles were overrated. There, I said it. I don’t care. The White album sucked. Sgt. Pepper should have been dishonorably discharged. I hate them…yeah, yeah, yeah. But that is beside the point of the ever-smiling Allen Hopkins (Did this dude just win the lottery? Sheesh tone down the happiness fireworks.) in the column that is linked above.

He writes:

David Beckham's arrival this summer still could provide the spark for a full-fledged 21st century "British Invasion." Reports continue to surface linking two former England internationals to MLS, Liverpool's Robbie Fowler linked to the New England Revs and Teddy Sheringham to New York Red Bull. Now there could be a third. Taking in the second Superclasico of the season May 21 in Carson, Calif. between the Galaxy and Chivas USA was former Liverpool and current Wigan striker Emile Heskey.

Apart from the fact that there were four guys, not three, that started the first “British Invasion,” can we really compare 41-year-old Teddy Sherringham, 32-year-old Robbie Fowler and 29-year-old Emile Heskey to English’s mop-topped foursome? And more importantly, is Teddy bringing his racist girlfriend?


Fowler and Heskey might be fun to watch for a season. Of course, Fowler could start dating Lindsay Lohan. It would be a line-snorting media bonanza. Teddy, however, should hang up the cleats and start his coaching career in MLS. Oh, and he should bring his racist girlfriend. (see picture).

U.S. 4, China 1

United States 4, China 1

The thing about beating the Chinese is that 30 minutes after the game you feel like going out and beating them again.

TYH's "Patriot of the Pitch" - Benny Feilhaber