America Needs to Regroup after Brazil Spanking

Posted on May 31, 2012 by nrspiller@gmail.com

Facing Brazil is never an easy task, even in a simple friendly when they only play half their starters. But the USA Men’s National Team must certainly be reeling from the 4-1 drubbing they just received and will need to get their confidence lifted ahead of two important qualifying matches for the 2014 World Cup.

America came into this match riding high on the international soccer scene. Their five successive wins in international friendlies included victories over Italy, Slovenia, and a 5-1 thrashing of Scotland earlier in the week. The USA was starting to turn heads on the international scene and the thought of adding a victory over Brazil surely would have brought America into the discussion of the world’s best soccer nations.

But all that was wiped away when Brazil completely dominated the match with a group predominantly made of youngsters as they prepare for the 2012 Olympics in London. The USA saw very little of the ball, and although they looked a bit stronger after bringing Clint Dempsey on as a substitute, Brazil added to their onslaught with a late Alexandre Pato goal.

America continues its wait to become a world super power in soccer. People felt we were there after a quarterfinal appearance in the 2002 World Cup. Fans got excited again after the 2009 Confederations Cup tournament when the USA beat Spain and nearly topped Brazil in the final. But every time the team reaches the cusp of greatness, they seem to fall apart.

So how will America recover from its latest setback? Coach Jurgen Klinsmann needs to preach some confidence back into the side. The USA looked dominant against Scotland and their victory over Italy was impressive. But everyone needs to realize that these matches were all just international friendlies. As good as their victories were, and as terrible as the Brazil defeat was, none of these matches actually matter. The only matches that the USA cares about are in the World Cup when everyone watches.

Therefore, America needs to get their heads right before the 2014 World Cup qualifying matches coming up against Antigua and Barbuda, followed by a trip to Guatemala. Qualification is an absolute necessity and we can all recall how embarrassing it was that our Olympic team failed to qualify for this summer. Hopefully the upcoming friendly against Canada will provide just the confidence boost the players will need to rebound.

Yes there are wounds to be licked after Brazil, but all that match displayed is how much more work is required to be done. Even had America won, it would have proved nothing. USA needs to win World Cup games and they definitely need to qualify in order to get there. With Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore coming back to the side to support Landon Donovan, I fully expect this team to rebound and do just that.

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New York Red Bulls Look to be Contenders for MLS Title

Posted on May 23, 2012 by nrspiller@gmail.com

The Red Bulls of New York look to have established a team that could well be the best in the MLS. Currently on a hot streak of five consecutive wins, the Red Bulls are first in the Eastern Conference with 25 points. Whether or not the hot start will lead to an MLS Cup championship remains to be seen.

The team is led by the dynamic striker pair of Kenny Cooper and Thierry Henry. The two currently sit second and third in the MLS in goals scored, with Cooper bagging ten and Henry firing nine in the first twelve games of the year. Both marks are very good and will give defenses fits as they try to account for two incredibly potent forwards.

Thierry Henry has adapted well to the American game. A legendary former striker at Arsenal and Barcelona, the Frenchmen played well last season before now taking full control of the league. Unfortunately, he has been slowed by a nagging hamstring injury and hasn’t featured for the last few matches.

In his place, Kenny Cooper has been great. The former FC Dallas star is a large physical presence that can wear down any defender. This goal against his former club was a beauty that shows off his talent to be calm in front of the goal.

Another bright spot on the team is the exceptional goalkeeping by youngster, Ryan Meara. Meara is only 21 years old and played for a few USL teams before entering the MLS draft this spring. Selected by the Red Bulls, he has started every game since and has played very well. Obviously experience is key for a goalie, and we will have to see how he handles adversity. However, Meara did gather good experience by playing professionally before the MLS so he is not a complete rookie. His abilities may dictate how far the Red Bulls progress in the post-season.

Another bright spot for the team is Dax McCarty. The midfielder has done a fine job dictating the flow and pace of the game, and his hard working ethic is giving the Red Bulls victories even though they are short-handed through injuries. McCarty entered the league with FC Dallas but has been traded about to DC United and may now have found his home in New York.

Clearly there has been drama amidst the team in the wake of trading Juan Agudelo to Chiva USA for defender Heath Pearce. Agudelo is an up and coming star striker for America but hasn’t found minutes due to the amazing play by Henry and Cooper. Trading him was the right move for everyone, including the team who will have helped strengthen the back line with Pearce, a talented left back.

The pieces are being put in place and the New York Red Bulls are looking more and more like the team to watch this season. With the dismal start by the LA Galaxy, the door has been thrown wide open for the entire MLS to claim the top prize. Currently it looks like the Red Bulls are seizing the opportunity behind their star strikers and may well feature in the MLS Cup final.

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Clint Dempsey the Hot Transfer Topic of this Summer

Posted on May 16, 2012 by nrspiller@gmail.com

Rarely has America produced the type of talent that engages the major European soccer clubs, but Clint Dempsey could well become the greatest soccer player in US history. Currently he plays for Fulham in the English Premier League. He is the team’s best playmaker and has amassed 23 goals for the team in all competitions this season.

Dempsey began his professional career in America. After growing up in Texas, he played in college for Furman University before entering the MLS draft. He played for the New England Revolution for three seasons and dazzled scouts from around the world.

In 2007, Dempsey was recruited to the English Premier League to join Fulham. He began his English career uncertainly, but he has improved each season and now is gathering calls from a wide array of teams, many of whom are major clubs.

Liverpool has been a shell of their former self the last few seasons and will be keen on improving their squad. Although they have potent strikers already in Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez, adding Clint Dempsey to the mix could make the team an offensive power.

Liverpool was recently bought by an American investors group and it is of no surprise that they would chase an American player, especially one of Dempsey’s quality. They have revealed their interest in the player and could be in hot pursuit.

Another giant English club that may instigate a move is Arsenal. They are led by striker Robin van Persie and have already added Lukas Podolski to the side this summer, but they could also look to Dempsey to add more goals from the wing positions, which have been very inconsistent for the Gunners. Arsenal also has a large stake-holder from America in Stan Kroenke, and he could well like to see the American playing Champions League matches next season.

Clint Dempsey’s success is a bright spot for American soccer. Plenty of players have moved abroad, such as Tim Howard and Landon Donovan, but few have had Dempsey’s level of success. Earlier this season, the striker had a hat trick against Newcastle. This was the first hat trick by any American in the Premier League and put Dempsey on everyone’s radar.

Dempsey should be ready for the grand stage. He has performed well in multiple World Cups, scoring goals on two occasions. He has also performed well against major clubs, especially during Fulham’s 2010 Europa League semifinal match against Juventus of Italy. His brilliant chip goal at the end of the game was world class brilliance.

So where will Clint Dempsey move off to? My best guess is Liverpool, but I also suspect he may stay with Fulham. Although he has proven himself on the major stage, he is an integral player for Fulham, and the club could compel him to stay with a great contract offer. One thing is certain though. We will hear much transfer gossip and speculation regarding Clint Dempsey this summer.

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