The first match of the summer produced few positives as Belgium dominated throughout en route to a rather comfortable 4-2 victory over the United States Men’s soccer team in Cleveland, Ohio.  American defenders gifted the Belgians several goals and clearly looked second best throughout the match.  But although the opening game of the summer was rather demoralizing, there were several positives that America can look to as we progress towards our next daunting task of Germany.

Although the score got away from the Americans in the end, the game was tied until Christian Benteke’s goal in the 56^th minute.  That shows a toughness that the Americans can hang around in games against tougher opponents.  Instead of a general collapse after giving up an early goal, the team actually got back into the game and eventually equalized off of a corner kick in the 22^nd minute.  Such a resolve cannot be understated.

America also held on through the first half and could have possibly taken the lead with several opportunities that arose.  Although American chances were rare, there was a sense of good chances created, especially through the air.  Although Belgium has a team of imposing aerial figures like Marouane Fellaini, the Americans were the ones finding chances from set pieces.

Geoff Cameron’s goal was brilliant and showed that the United States has the resolve to compete against such big boys.  Additionally, by keeping the score level until the later stages of the game, America proved that they can swing with the punches of a strong European side.  This trait could be very beneficial at next year’s World Cup, because had several of those chances fallen America’s way and resulted in goals, we could have led in this game and put real pressure on the Belgians.  Unfortunately, that didn’t occur, but for the future the way in which our team withheld the assault for so long was promising.

One player who stood out to me was DaMarcus Beasley.  Making his 100^th appearance for America, Beasley was deployed as a left back and showed real potential both defensively and going forward.  He actually caused some headaches for the Belgian defense and forced several corner kick opportunities.  For the American team that seems to need set pieces in order to score goals, Beasley’s efforts are a major plus in this team.

Another positive to take from the game was that America wasn’t obliterated by this top European side of Belgium.  Although not really considered a major force yet in international soccer, this Belgium side is full of young stars and will be a test for any team.  Yes, losing in soccer is no fun, but anyone who expected America to win this game has no idea what they’re talking about.

And yes, it is unfortunate for American soccer to reveal its general inadequacy when facing top teams.  And yes, such a result does not bode well for our 2014 World Cup hopes, but there were some positives that the American team can build off of.  Additionally, the players got a taste of what it feels like to play against a true team of superstars.  Fortunately, the Germany team on the horizon is not the full German squad, and so America does have a slim hope at competing at a higher level.  However, after Germany’s 4-2 victory over Ecuador, it appears that whoever the Germans put on the field for Sunday will be a difficult task for America to handle. Let’s hope for a better display and a strong result this weekend!

Yes, the Gold Cup final is months away, and America could possibly not even make it to the final of July’s CONCACAF Gold Cup, but with a full summer of important matches for the American Men’s National soccer team ahead in the next 6 weeks, we will surely which players stand out and which others fade into the bench or off of the roster altogether.  Therefore, I decided to predict who would be the strongest 11 in American soccer by summer’s end.  Here are my picks to cement their spots in the team over the summer:

Goalkeeper:

Tim Howard – One of the top goalies in the world, Howard helped Everton to allowing just 40 goals this entire English Premier League season.  Howard has also been the man between the sticks for ages with America and has all the experience and veteran leadership to help the team.  At age 34, he should be around for a while and will surely be the starter all summer long barring injury.

Defense:

Omar Gonzalez – Young and strong, he is the clear favorite to become America’s center back.  Playing with the Los Angeles Galaxy, Gonzalez has won the MLS Cup twice, and was the MLS Cup final match MVP last year.  He also played well against Mexico and has had a bright start to his career.

Geoff Cameron – After a successful MLS career at the Houston Dynamo, Cameron now plays for Stoke City and has performed well.  Versatile and a threat in the air, Cameron is a calming presence on the ball and rarely makes mistakes.  I expect him to be the other center back in this lineup by the end of summer.

Timothy Chandler – Young and actually not called up for the first action of the summer, Chandler is an exceptional right back and needs to be in the starting lineup to gain experience.  He is a player of great quality and could develop into a star.  Once he gets an opportunity, he will seize it.

Fabian Johnson – Speedy and talented going forward, Johnson is the impact player that teams love in the full back position.  Usually playing on the left, Johnson will cement his status and role in the USA team and be ready to lead for the future.

Midfield:

Michael Bradley – This one is a no-brainer.  With a strong, physical presence and the ability to lead attacking play, Bradley is the prototypical central midfielder that will dominate the heart of the team.  Having had a successful year in Italy for AS Roma, and having been a force for America in recent years, Bradley is on the path to potentially becoming the captain of the team.

Graham Zusi – Having been a solid playmaker for Sporting Kansas City, I see Zusi emerging as a key player for the American National team.  With Landon Donovan not quite ready to re-join the side for the first matches of summer, someone must emerge who can make impact plays and Zusi looks the most capable to me.

Jermaine Jones – Jones is a real late bloomer of a soccer player.  He has finally reached his full potential at age 31 and has shown his capabilities in leading the German club, Schalke 04 well in the UEFA Champions League this year.  Big and strong, Jones will be a vital cog to slowing down opposing attacks and controlling the center of the field alongside Michael Bradley.

Clint Dempsey – The best player by far on the American team.  A star player in the English Premier League at Tottenham, Dempsey can score goals, create goals, and generally wreak havoc on a defense.  In the prime of his career he is the clear captain of the side.

Forwards:

Jozy Altidore – After breaking the American record for goals scored in a European league, the 23 year old absolutely needs to come back strong into the side this summer.  He has the most talents, but simply hasn’t produced for the country in years.  Now that he has finally settled in at a club, expect Altidore to come in confident this summer and lead the attack with some goals.

Landon Donovan – Yes, he is in the doghouse after semi-retiring last winter and ignored for the first matches.  But since he just returned to the Los Angeles Galaxy, Donovan should play for an extended period with his club before taking a call-up.  He has returned well domestically with 2 goals and 3 assists in 7 games.  I expect by the time the Gold Cup comes about, it will be time for Donovan to return and help lead the American assault.

So what do you think of this starting 11?  Please let me know by leaving a comment.

American soccer always faces a bit of a dilemma.  While we want to have an exciting league (MLS) with the best American soccer players, there is also a desire to perform at the international level with the American Men’s National team.  And for players to get experience playing against the best, having Americans playing in the best European leagues like the English Premier League or Germany’s Bundesliga can greatly improve our top players.  Look at the career of Clint Dempsey for an example.  Here are 5 current MLS players that could be on the move as soon as this summer, as the European soccer leagues wind down and enter the transfer period.

1.  Omar Gonzalez – Everything was set for a 2012 move abroad when the central defender and Los Angeles Galaxy star was loaned to FC Nuremburg in January of 2012.  But a torn ACL delayed those plans.  The 24 year old has since recovered and has played very well at the heart of the Galaxy defense, helping them along to an MLS Cup victory last year.  He has also started several games for the American National team and impressed during a 0-0 draw in Mexico this year.  A move to a European club is vital if Gonzalez will develop to be the key man at the heart of America’s defense.  The sooner he heads across the ocean the better!

2.  Matt Besler – Perhaps the partner of Gonzalez at the heart of the American defense, Besler has been a force for Sporting Kansas City, who have been a strong defensive team in the MLS, largely because of Besler.  Besler has also earned several national team call-ups.  Already 26, if Besler ever wants to move to a European club, now is the time.  In a few years his potential will have been maximized, so he should take advantage of this opportunity to prove himself abroad.  Further starts for America could result if he plays well in Europe.

3.  Graham Zusi – Also a playmaker at Sporting Kansas City, Zusi is one of those midfield players that make an impact in a variety of ways.  He has great command of striking the ball, which results in solid crosses and great free kicks.  His great play has earned him several national team appearances and a trial at West Ham.  Zusi trained with the British team for a week in January and said it was a positive experience.  I feel he would be a great player for a mid-table Premier League club like West Ham and would greatly improve from the intensity level that English soccer provides.  Also 26, this is the best time for him to make the switch.

4.  Will Bruin – Just 23, Bruin has already burst onto the MLS scene.  With 16 goals last season and 4 already this year for the Houston Dynamo, Bruin has the potential to be a top American striker.  With competition from players like Jozy Altidore and Hercules Gomez, perhaps he should think about moving abroad soon too.  With a large frame, he would be ideal for the physical English Premier League, though with so little experience playing professionally, perhaps another year at the MLS would be smart.

5.  Sean Johnson – American goalkeepers have had immense success at international clubs, and 23-year-old Sean Johnson could be the next one to move.  His Chicago Fire are having a woeful campaign, and Johnson has already been evaluated by English clubs like Everton and Manchester United.  Johnson has made several international appearances but could benefit by playing at a major league.  However, he must be smart with his decision as moving to a major club just to develop and sit on the bench is not ideal.  In Chicago, Johnson is the clear starter and wherever he moves to should also start to push his development.  He could well be the next American number 1 keeper.

Much has been said in the past weeks of the impressive year that American striker Jozy Altidore has had for AZ Alkmaar in Holland.  After netting 30 goals in all competitions this year, Altidore has cemented his legacy by becoming the highest goal-scoring season for an American playing abroad in Europe…ever.  Such a feat is quite incredible and shows that the 23 year old is well on the path of development that had seemed to stutter in recent years.

For a moment it appeared as though Jozy Altidore would stumble down the same path as Freddy Adu, the highly touted American prospect that has largely failed to live up to the hype.  Altidore largely failed when he played for Hull City in the English Premier League and found few opportunities with Villareal in Spain’s La Liga, but it seems that in the Dutch Eredivisie Altidore has found a happy home.

He has expressed his satisfaction at the club, and as the clear-cut starting striker on the team, and with his impressive goal-scoring statistics, this should come as no surprise. The big question everyone is wondering is what Jozy Altidore will decide to do in the summer.

Altidore has struggled to play as well in the big games and leagues. He had some success in the American National team several years ago, including this memorable goal against Spain in 2009:

But since then Altidore has largely disappointed, and has only scored against modest opposition or in friendlies.  America needs a striker who can produce in the big games and will surely be hoping for him to some goals in the upcoming 2014 World Cup qualifier matches this summer.

Friendlies against Belgium and Germany will provide a stiff test while qualifiers against Jamaica, Panama, and Honduras in June will surely give him opportunities to elevate his play to the level America needs from him.

Also, after such a fantastic season at AZ Alkmaar, Altidore will surely be hearing the beckoning calls from several clubs this summer.  Every team needs a great striker, and he has all the tools needed for success: a large frame, speed, ball control, and great finishing.  Take a look at this fine goal from earlier in the season:

Perhaps his agents won’t be fielding calls from major clubs, but surely a mid-table club in England or Germany could use Altidore to boost their attack.  His decision will be hugely important, but I think that eventually he may need to move to a new club to reach his full potential.

Personally, I think such a transfer should wait another year.  With next season being a huge season for all international players to showcase their skills ahead of the World Cup, Altidore would benefit from being in a comfortable setting ahead of the major tournament.  If he transfers to a new club and fails to find the same level of success, it could hamper his form or ability to compete for the starting role in Brazil next summer.  Perhaps after the World Cup would be the best time for a new challenge.

But regardless of whether he stays or not, Jozy Altidore has brightened the hope for American soccer that he could still be the premier player that our nation’s soccer team needs. This season has been nothing short of tremendous and bodes very well for both his and America’s future.

There’s no doubt that America could use a potent striker. Although there are several players who have the potential to be that vital cog in the national team, no one has truly grasped the position and become the pure striker that our nation’s soccer team needs.  But one young 20 year old is in fine form this year and is showing the class and talent required at the position.  Jack McInerney is on the right path and could just become that crucial player that America needs.

Having joined the Philadelphia Union of the MLS in 2010, McInerney has been too young to really make a difference.  Last season he netted a respectable 9 goals for the team and showed some potential.  This year, McInerney has come out of the gates firing, scoring 6 goals in 7 games, and he is currently the MLS goal leader.  After his brace this past weekend, I am convinced that Jack McInerney has the potential to become a star striker.

Both goals oozed of natural talent at the position.  Here is the first goal he scored on the day:

McInerney did everything right on this play.  As soon as his team intercepted a pass from D.C. United, McInerney sprang into action and made a quick run.  This got him space.  Then with the ball at his feet, and withholding a shove from the back, Jack split the two defenders and calmly found an open space where he blasted in a ferocious shot.  He completely embarrassed the D.C. United defense and showed incredible poise for a 20 year old.

His second goal was also looked to be the work of a much more experienced striker:

Pulling down a cross-goal header, Jack McInerney wisely placed the ball into open space to allow himself just enough time to calmly shot the ball across the goal and into the net.  It was the work of a true striker, making the effort look easy and relaxed.

This is still just a young season though, and time will tell if McInerney is truly the striker he appears to be at the moment.  A huge thing for him and any other player is the level of consistency required to keep up this rate of scoring.  Additionally, we still need to see if McInerney can perform in the big games.  If he could lead the Union to the MLS playoffs this year and play well, he could begin to earn considerations for a national team call-up.  Still young, it may take several years for Jack McInerney to become America’s top striker. But with the form he has shown the last two months, he does give the country some hope that such lofty goals could be within reach.  Next year’s World Cup may come too soon for McInerney to make a strong impact, but by the time Russia 2018 roles around, an older McInerney might just be leading the line.  Big things can come from this player if he continues to develop.  Let’s hope his strong run of form continues!

With most MLS clubs having played 6 or 7 matches in the young 2013 MLS season, the early rankings are beginning to take shape.  As that shape enfolds, there are more than several surprises at either end of both the Eastern and Western Conferences of the league.

Last year’s regular season points champions, the San Jose Earthquakes, are currently second to last in the Western Conference, based on goal differential.  With 8 points on the season, they only have 2 wins from 7 matches, and to make matters worse, Alan Gordon completely lost his cool during a match against the Portland Timbers earlier this week.  Earning a red card and then an additional 3-match ban for using a homosexual slur, the Earthquakes are without one of their top players.

However, all is not lost already.  Chris Wondolowski has netted 3 goals on the season, and the team is currently tied for 4^th in the division with 4 other teams, just last in goal differential.  What this means is that there is still plenty of time to right the ship, but there is a clear frontrunner in FC Dallas, who lead strongly with 16 points.

FC Dallas just missed out on the MLS playoffs last season but has returned to get over the hump this year.  Brazilian forward Jackson is helping the team with 2 goals, a number that 4 players on the team have matches.  With goals coming from everywhere, FC Dallas is currently the league’s top-scoring team.  With returning veteran Kenny Cooper just simmering with 1 goal, FC Dallas could becomes a true force this year if he finds form.

Another surprise team near the top of the Western Conference is Chivas USA.  Strangely ahead of the champion Los Angeles Galaxy, the LA rival is seeing Juan Agudelo coming back to form.  After a decent end to last year, Agudelo currently has 2 goals, and has helped his side to 10 points in the table.  Still struggling to fight back into the American National team, a strong MLS season is exactly what Agudelo will need to earn a spot on the roster for the World Cup in Brazil next summer.

Although there are some surprises in the Eastern Conference standings, Sporting Kansas City has continued their strong defensive ways by only allowing 3 goals through the first 7 matches.  However, they will still be ruing their wasted MLS playoffs last year, but have begun the year off in good fashion, showing resiliency.

A team that has yet to show that same amount of resiliency is the New York Red Bulls, whom many had picked to win the MLS Cup after joining Thierry Henry and Tim Cahill late last year.  With 4 losses in 8 games, the team has found goals, but has crumbled defensively under pressure, conceding 11 goals thus far (2^nd worst in the MLS).  With so much expected of this team, they had better start winning soon to avoid an embarrassing year.

A surprisingly happy team in the Eastern Conference is the Montreal Impact, whose 13 points from 6 matches has put them in the driver’s seat.  Canadian Patrice Bernier has led the way with 3 assists and a goal for the team.  Also, the quiet arrival of Italian striker Marco Di Vaio last season, the club’s first ever designated player, has paid dividends this year, and he has scored 3 goals thus far.  Having missed out on the playoffs last year, their good early form has opened up the door for a more successful 2013.

The 2013 MLS season is still young though, and there will surely be more shake-ups in the standings as we progress through the year.  However, as the Galaxy showed us last season, what matters is simply getting to the playoffs, and from there-on, it’s anyone’s game.  Such is the excitement with the MLS!

As evidenced by the Mexican team victories in the CONCACAF Champions League (CCL) semifinals over two MLS teams, the gap between MLS and the Mexican league is still quite wide.  Over the two-legged semifinal matches, neither the Los Angeles Galaxy nor the Seattle Sounders looked to have any real hope of qualifying for the final match when they lost to Monterrey and Santos Laguna of Mexico.  This has been the historical norm for the CCL, and shows that American soccer needs to improve greatly if they are ever to compete in this tournament and represent the region at the FIFA Club World Cup.

For the Los Angeles Galaxy, the experience was rather embarrassing.  Neither Robbie Keane, nor Landon Donovan, nor Mike Magee had any real answers for the powerful Monterrey, which dominated both of the games.  Although the Galaxy did take an early lead, they crumbled in weak fashion in front of their home fans in the first leg, giving up two late goals to the Mexicans.

On the road, the Galaxy was weak and couldn’t finish any chances.  Aldo De Nigris put away the Galaxy with a goal to qualify Monterrey for their 3^rd straight CCL final.

Seattle Sounders fared slightly better against Santos Laguna, but were also denied in the final stages of the match, as they couldn’t find the vital goal.  Several shots were saved or missed and it resulted in another all-Mexican CCL Final.

The resulting display of MLS teams failing in this competition is a major downer for American soccer.  How can the MLS prove its legitimacy if our club teams repeatedly fail in their only competitive international matches?  In the 5-year history of the current version of the CCL, only one American team has ever qualified for the final match, Real Salt Lake in 2011.  They ended up losing to Monterrey, who has taken over as the dominant team in the region, now aiming for a 3^rd straight CCL championship.  Although they haven’t won the Mexican league in several years, the team has been splendid with the goals produced by Aldo De Nigris.

So what can American soccer do to improve our domestic league?  The designated player rule has brought in a ton of talent, but the players like Robbie Keane need to make bigger impacts in these major matches.  Teams and players surely take these CCL matches seriously, as the opportunity for global recognition at the FIFA Club World Cup is an achievement worth striving for, but the players simply need to perform in these matches.

What pained me so much in the last moments of the semi-finals was the wasted chances by both the Sounders and the Galaxy.  Clearly, the teams had the ability to create such chances; the players simply couldn’t convert them.  For me, this shows that the difference in skills is largely due to a mental factor.  American players simply need to believe that they can overcome these Mexican clubs and start to compete for CONCACAF titles.  Unfortunately, each year that the Mexican teams continue to win these games, the more poor thoughts that will seep into MLS player’s minds about their lack of skills.  Let’s hope that next season an MLS team will have the courage to take the next step and win the CCL.  Until then, we return to MLS action!