2012 MLS Cup Preview: Beckham and the LA Galaxy take on Brad Davis and the Houston Dynamo

Posted on November 28, 2012 by nrspiller@gmail.com

The MLS Cup occurs on Saturday and will be dominated by the news that it is likely to be David Beckham’s final match for the LA Galaxy. You may have even noticed that I wrote an article about that very matter in last week’s post, but besides the fact that this could be Beckham’s last game and all, there is a serious match on the field for the other 21 players on the same field too. The game will decide the MLS Champions of 2012, and brings especial intensity due to the fact that it is a rematch of last season’s final that the LA Galaxy won 1-0 due to a Landon Donovan goal.

The Galaxy is the heavy favorite for this game. They boast all the big name players including Beckham, Donovan, and Robbie Keane. Also, the match is being played at the Galaxy’s home stadium, the Home Depot Center. Therefore, the Houston Dynamo will have seemingly everything against them in this match, though I personally believe that they will rally around that exact point.

Both teams were lowly seeded in the MLS Playoff tournament, and had to play tricky wildcard matches in the first round. Defeating the likes of Sporting Kansas City, the San Jose Earthquakes, Seattle Sounders, and DC United, both teams proved that they were the strongest of their conferences and have earned the right to play in this MLS Cup.

Houston has developed a very powerful team that won back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007. Their final appearance last season was evidence of their more recent success, but they had to play that match without the injured Brad Davis. The playmaker earned 12 assists and 8 goals this year and should be a factor if the Dynamo earns the win. The team has a veteran striker in Brian Ching as well.

However, I think the defensive side of this team will be the difference in the game, specifically the goalkeeping of Tally Hall. The keeper is very solid and will be able to stop the likes of Beckham’s spicy shots on the goal.

Many fans will be hoping to witness a final David Beckham “special” free kick that swerves into the net and allows the soccer star to depart the MLS as a MLS Cup winning hero. But, I think it will not happen this time. The Galaxy won the trophy last season, so Beckham has nothing left to prove. Similarly, another of the team’s star players also has a serious off-field concern in Landon Donovan’s voicing of retirement thoughts before the playoffs began. Although that interview did little to prevent the team from pushing through the MLS Playoffs, I do think this game may be a bit too highly anticipated for the team because of reasons other than soccer.

The Houston Dynamo, on the other hand, resembles a real team with hunger for revenge and I would be surprised to see them back down from the challenge. Therefore, I am predicting a tough 1-0 victory for the Dynamo with a David Beckham free kick clanging off the crossbar in stoppage time, preventing him from leaving a last mark on American soccer.

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The 5 Most Important Soccer Players for USA Men’s National Team

Posted on October 25, 2012 by nrspiller@gmail.com

With CONCACAF qualification going on hiatus for the next several months, the American National Soccer team will have some time to determine who will take part in the next set of important qualification matches for the 2014 World Cup. With a rather sketchy progression in the 3^rd round, the margins will be slimmer for the USA in the final round where America will need to play at their best to beat the likes of Mexico, Honduras, and Costa Rica. Here are in my opinion the five most important players for the team heading into these games ranked in order:

5. Eddie Johnson – It is a bit of an odd choice given that he has been largely absent from the squad the past few years, but when given a chance this month in the matches against Antigua and Barbuda and Guatemala, Johnson came through in amazing fashion scoring two goals and one assist in the games. His 90^th minute winner in the first match was simply clutch. This is the type of player that Jurgen Klinsmann will want in his side in Brazil, and I fully expect him to be in the squad for the remainder of qualification and could become one of the team’s best scoring threats.

4. Michael Bradley – The central midfield player provides physical stability in the middle of the park and dominates the opposition. He has excellent scoring capabilities as well, evidenced by his 10 goals for the USA team. Playing for Roma in Italy, Bradley now has an opportunity to learn from some of the world’s best midfield players like Daniele de Rossi and Miralem Pjanic. At just 25 years of age, the best is likely to come from Michael Bradley and he should become a key figure for the national team by 2014.

3. Tim Howard – The goalie is often the most important player on a team, especially for those considered underdogs when they play against the major soccer nations like Germany and Argentina. Tim Howard has the ability to keep America in games in which they struggle, and that is a vital weapon for the team going forward. Especially considering the defensive deficiencies of this team (Notice how not one defender made this list!), the Everton star goalkeeper is vital to American success, and at age 33 is the veteran leader that the nation needs at the back.

2. Landon Donovan – After having been the most exciting player in America for a full decade and featuring in three World Cups, its incredible to realize that Donovan is just 30 years old. His drive and quick work-rate make him one of the team’s most dangerous weapons, and I attribute much of the struggles that the USA has dealt with in recent qualification games to his absence from the team due to injury. Although he has been quoted to be contemplating retirement after next year, I think that those words come from frustrations of a player who has been injured for more than a few crucial games this season. Once he recovers, he will probably start loving life again and be a key ingredient in leading America to glory.

1. Clint Dempsey –Far and away the most vital player to this team, Dempsey has been the creative force and leader of the offense for America. One of the few players to enjoy sustained success in the English Premier League, Dempsey now plays for Tottenham where he recently scored a game-winning goal against Manchester United. Playing against the world’s best week in and week out should keep Dempsey producing for the American team, and he will be the vital player in American soccer in the final qualification round of CONCACAF.

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America Reaches Final Stage of 2014 World Cup Qualification with Ease

Posted on October 17, 2012 by nrspiller@gmail.com

Anxious American fans had to endure several weeks of tense nervousness ahead of the last two matches in the second round of CONCACAF World Cup qualification, but fortunately, the team was able to overcome the obstacles and comfortably win the final match against Guatemala to spare the blushes of manager Jurgen Klinsmann.

The first match was an away trip to Antigua and Barbuda that proved to be a rather difficult task. The match was deadlocked at 1-1 until the dying moments, when Alan Gordon and Eddie Johnson combined for a glorious headed goal to steal the game right at the end. It was a brilliant moment for the player and one must sit back and praise Klinsmann for his brave roster decision to select Johnson over the younger Jozy Altidore.

Eddie Johnson has had a great season for the Seattle Sounders of the MLS but hasn’t featured for the US Men’s National Team in several years. The game-winning goal against Antigua and Barbuda was actually Johnson’s second goal of the match and highlighted the type of display that America needs from its strikers. Johnson was able to find goals when the team wasn’t playing at its best. In the Guatemala match, Johnson added an assist with a good cross for Dempsey’s goal and this cemented him in the team for me.

Two goals and an assist in two crucial matches is the type of performance that America needed and I believe that Eddie Johnson is likely to have more call-ups in the near future. Jozy Altidore is for the moment placed on the back burner and hopefully he will have the fight to go ahead and reclaim his place on the team.

Elsewhere on the pitch, Clint Dempsey had a remarkable match against Guatemala. He was around the goal all throughout the match and proved too much for the defense to handle with his two goals and assist in the game. Clearly he is America’s finest player and it was nice to see what he is capable of when he is in top form.

Michael Bradley also had a decent game back with the team and is also a solid performer for the national team. He put in a lovely chip over the goalie that Dempsey finished for the goal and also had a clear penalty call denied late in the match. He now plays for Roma and has performed well in his few appearances despite being injured for much of the young season.

With team leader Landon Donovan still sidelined, one has to presume that we have yet to see the best of this American side, and hopefully they can produce some results in the final stage of qualification to ensure that the United States has a place at Brazil 2014.

The recent games were a bit nerve-wracking, but considering the vital players that have been hurt, I think Jurgen Klinsmann’s side displayed great poise and strength to navigate through the troublesome group. The team walked the tightrope but managed to come out unscathed and I think that they will be better for it. Eddie Johnson earned his call up and this team is destined for success in the near future. Let us hope they can prevail in the final group round and qualify for the World Cup.

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USA faces Mexico in International Friendly

Posted on August 14, 2012 by nrspiller@gmail.com

The United States Men’s National team faces Mexico in a friendly tomorrow at Azteca stadium, where the USA has yet to win. The match is always a heated affair, regardless of the fact that it is merely a friendly game. Since the glorious groin kick on Alexi Lalas and the infamous Landon Donovan urination upon the stadium’s holy grass, these two countries have always had a sincere and mutual hatred when it comes to soccer.

So how does America look to fare in the upcoming match? Based on history, the United States is likely to lose this match. They have never won in the stadium that houses over 100,000 screaming fans. Fortunately, the team that won the Olympics for Mexico will not take part in this game. However, Chicharito of Manchester United will lead the Mexican attack and is sure to create problems for the American defense that will be without usual starting center-backs Carlos Bocanegra and Oguchi Onyewu.

The US is also set to feature without Clint Dempsey, who is the nation’s best player. The Fulham forward is currently discussing a big time transfer to Liverpool and is set to miss out. Thus, the scoring responsibility will fall largely on Landon Donovan and a few key youngsters who have been called up by coach, Jurgen Klinnsman.

One player I hope to see in action will be Chris Wondolowski. He is having a great season with the San Jose Earthquakes and leads the MLS with a dominant 17 goals. He has seen little action in the national team and will be hoping for an opportunity to break into the starting lineup.

This is set to be an extremely tough test for America. Although the match is simply a friendly, this rivalry extends beyond such trivialities. This is a match that both nations desperately want to win. For the United States, pride is on the line too as we haven’t beat Mexico since early 2009. The US also can recall the horrific match that ended the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup hopes for the country when they were beaten 4-2 last year.

Therefore, I expect that America will come out with some real desire to win the game. I boldly predict that the United States will come away winners in a 1-0 grudge match to end the recent woes in the rivalry. The country has yet to conquer this feared stadium so luck will have to be on our side, but I sense that the time is ripe for an American victory.

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USA Gets the Job Done

Posted on June 14, 2012 by nrspiller@gmail.com

The USA national soccer team was successfully able to lick their wounds and come out firing for their two 2014 World Cup qualifying matches this past week. They dominated both games, first against Antigua and Barbuda and then against Guatemala.

America won the Antigua and Barbuda game 3-1 but it easily could have been 6-0. We finally got to see the potent capabilities of the Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey duo that easily cut through the opposition’s defense. The team played exceptionally well to create a plethora of chances at goal, but they could have used a bit of fortune to convert more of those opportunities. The Antigua and Barbuda goalie, Molvin James, had a great game and kept the island nation in it, but the USA was simply far too good.

One poor spot I did notice during the match was American defender, Oguchi Onyewu. I cannot understand why the player is given so much playing time because he is rather terrible. The single goal that Antigua and Barbuda scored was entirely his fault. Yes, he is a physical presence that can score headers off of corner kicks, but his defensive woes far surpass any goals he creates. I recall his grave defending that gave England a lead in the 2010 World Cup match, and I fear he is holding the team back. His lazy defending last week nearly let Antigua and Barbuda back into the game and could have cost America dearly.

Team USA played impressively again versus Guatemala, but found it harder to score when playing away from home. Although Clint Dempsey found the back of the net and the team had loads of chances, their inability to kill the team off came back to bite them when a fantastic free kick goal by Marco Papa gave Guatemala a draw. The result exemplifies the painful nature of soccer and how any professional player can create a moment of brilliance. When you don’t convert all your chances to build a solid lead, a single moment can ruin the game.

Although that is exactly what happened to America, the two results were impressive overall. Yes, it would have been nice to have all six points from the two matches, but any points won on the road are points earned, and the USA is well on their way to 2014 World Cup qualification. The side should look for ways to become more clinical, and I feel that striker Chris Wondolowski deserves a chance. Likewise, I feel that Onyewu could serve to sit a few matches on the bench until he begins to limit his defensive errors. Clearly there are steps that need to be taken before America will win the World Cup, but those are tomorrow’s issues. For today, let us rejoice in getting qualification off on the good foot.

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Antigua and Barbuda to Supply America with Confidence…We Hope

Posted on June 5, 2012 by nrspiller@gmail.com

It seems a long time has passed since the inspiring 5-1 victory over Scotland. What was initially seen as a rallying point for American soccer to gain international attention turned into a minor blip following the beating by Brazil and the humbling 0-0 draw with Canada; I may add that the match featured the starting duo of Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey that all of America seemed to be eager to watch and were regretfully disappointed in actual viewing.

It was not to be, and team USA stumbles ahead into 2014 World Cup qualification. The first match pits America against Antigua and Barbuda, a combined island nation from the Caribbean. The United States players seemed to be dreaming of such island beaches during their poor recent showings and as such this match will hopefully repair some of their bruised egos.

A quick scan of the Antigua and Barbuda team shows a squad made up mostly of players from Antigua Barracuda FC, a startup club in the new USL Pro League, which comprises of a host of Caribbean clubs. A few of their players reside in the lower echelons of British soccer, such as Mikele Leigertwood who plays for Reading FC.

This match is a must win for America. They will have a roaring home support in Tampa, Florida at Raymond James Stadium. The players play for far more competitive clubs such as Dempsey’s Fulham and Jozy Altidore’s AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands. There is absolutely no way that coach Jurgen Klinsmann can let the United States lose this match. In fact, I would go as far as to state that such a loss should result in his immediate dismissal.

The fun games are over. America showed that we can dominate a European team, play averagely against a marginal border rival, and get plastered by the world’s best. It seems as if the friendly matches asked a lot more questions than it did to answer them. The USA team can seemingly beat anyone on their day but can also be abused if things aren’t going their way. Now it is time to prove that we belong in the 2014 World Cup.

I fully expect America to win this match, and by a wide margin too. Surely heads will have been hanging after the disappointing Canada draw, but Antigua and Barbuda aren’t even on that talent level. I feel people will start talking about that Dempsey and Donovan relationship a whole lot more once they set off some fireworks in this one. America will win, 6-0.

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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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