US Womens National Team are coming off one of the most sensational games in US Soccer history along with the most dramatic game in Olympic soccer history. A 123 minute goal to by Alex Morgan to win the game and put the US through to the gold medal match is surreal. Coming from behind three times and winning 4-3 is unheard of. The type of drama and excitement that encompasses the USWNT is something out of a video game or movie.
Last year in the world cup these ladies put on a show filled with drama including an amazing goal from Abby Wambach in the 2nd minute of stoppage time in the 2nd half of extra time. Just like this year, last year the women advanced to face Japan in the final of the world cup. In last years final the US loss in the most heartbreaking and cruel fashions on PK’s. Penalty Kicks are the most unjust way to decide a game. Japan showed great grit to rally twice to force ET and penalty kicks.
Since the epic WC finale Japan and US have faced eachother three times in friendly matches in 2012. With an astonishing record of 1-1-1, thus making this Olmpyic match the ultimate tie breaker. A great series between two of the best teams and winner gets gold. The last match between the two nations was June 16th when the US downed Japan 4-1. Morgan and Wambach both scored two goals in that game. The duo up front have been able to get goals against Japan, Alex Morgan has 4 goals in 4 games and Wambach with 3 goals.
It is uplifting to know that the two most dynamic goal scorers have been able to get goals against Japan but it is a bit troubling that they are the only two. This game is going to be intense to say the least, Japan will have Abby marked tightly and playing her roughly. She has scored a goal in every game this Olympics, Japan will need to stop her. Someone else needs to step up, someone who isn’t Abby or Alex Morgan. The pressure turns on Megan Rapinoe who is the catalyst in the midfield. Her and her flank mate Tobin Heath will have to play better, and create more. Megan has the speed the service and skills to score goals. She scored two goals in the last game against Canada but her play has been sporadic over this Olympics. Tobin Heath has played well and showed why she is in the starting 11. She has great technical skill, and pace along with solid vision to pick out passes. Heath has gone off the radar at times I would like to see more of her as far as commanding the ball and making plays. I have faith in her and her technical abilities. I strongly beleive that she will be a great number 10 attacking midfielder in the future for US, now is a great time to show the world why. Speaking of number 10′s, I expect a big match from the US’s. Carli Lloyd has an absolute cannon of a shot, and is a great orchestrator of the game. It is unfortunate that Shannon Boxx was injured because their is no better holding midfielder in the womens game but Lloyd brings an attack flair that will benefit the US.
On the defense is where US fans should be worried about the US. They played a tough game against Canada, and where consistently beat. The outside defenders were beat with ease at times, Beuhler and Amy Lepeilbet had rough games and logged big minutes. Due to the physicality of the game and the poor play it would not be suprising if coach Pia Sundhage starts Becky Sauerbrunn. A concern is the aging Christie Rampone. She left it all on the pitch, her body has to be exasperated from the physicality of that game. But lets be honest Rampone is a warrior she gave birth to two kids she can handle anything.
Japan had a much easier time qualifying for the gold medal match. Japan beat France 2-1 in a dramatic game that ended in regulation. Japan commited a number of errors but ultimately France could not finish. The French missed a PK and could not convert several goal scoring opportunity. Japan will be significantly more rested and mentally ready for the biggest match outside the World Cup final.
This game is going to be must see TV. It will be a drama filled match that is highly competitive. The US may have tired legs but they have heat and great endurance. They will push Japan to the brink. Both teams will look to capitalize on mistakes making this a chess match for the ages. The beginning will be a touch an go feeling out period the US will most likely be on the offensive and trying to push the tempo and score early. As we know no lead is safe, the US will need to score multiple goals and continue exploiting the weaknesses of the Japanese defense.
Ultimately what I am trying to say is if you enjoy sports watch this game.
Amazing news for Union fans came out of the MLS headquarters yesterday as it was announced that Michael Farfan would be joining teammate Carlos Valdes and the rest of the MLS All Stars as they battle European giant Chelsea FC tonight. Despite only scoring one goal so far this season, Farfan has been a force in the midfield by pushing forward and opening up defenders to create scoring opportunities. Michael Farfan, or Marfan as he is know by the Union loyal to distinguish him from his twin brother Gabe, was added to the game day roster after Chelsea requested the number of subs allowed in the All Star game to be increased from 6 to 10. Although already being located in Philadelphia may have helped the choice to include him in the roster, this is not the only reason he was picked for the squad. In spite of him only being a second year pro, Marfan has been consistently one of the best players on the field for the Union this season especially as of late. It is extremely unlikely that Michael will get a start but with 10 subs it is very likely he will come on as a second half sub. Marfan is no beginner when it comes to scoring on experienced foreign teams. Last summer he scored the only Union goal in a 2-1 lost against Spanish side Real Madrid. Farfan’s beautiful chip shows the potential he has and backs up Ben Olsen’s and John Hackworth’s decision to bring him onto the All Star squad.
Check out the Michael Farfans goal against Real Madrid here.
The MLS All Star game kicks off at 8:30 PM from PPL Park in Chester, PA. The game will also be broadcasted live on ESPN 2.
Last week our writer Pat posted a list of 15 reasons why you should have been at the US Open Cup semi final. We decided that we will try to post a similar list once a week on a variety of MLS or soccer related subjects. Today we will look at why the Philadelphia Union, and MLS as a whole, deserve more media coverage then they are receiving.
1. The Union recently look good
Over the past few weeks Union fans have been enjoying some of the most exciting soccer we have seen from the team since their creation. We are scoring goals, playing incredible defense, and using an entertaining style of soccer. If non-soccer fans are going to watch a match, this is the type of team they should take a look at. Unfortunately, Union games are only broadcast on the Comcast Network with a minimum amount of advertising. The games that do make it onto channels like ESPN 2 or NBC may hit more viewers but still are not marketed well. When was the last time you saw a commercial for a soccer game on a major network that was not shown during another soccer game? Exactly.
2. Other Philadelphia teams either look bad or are out of season.
The Eagles are in pre-season, the Sixers and Flyers are also in their off season, and the Phillies are in last place of the NL East with a 40-51 record. Being a Philadelphia sports fan is a bit of a drag right now. Many people in the city are looking for a team that has been performing well and strives under pressure; the perfect fit for the Union. Sport’s news has also been slow and will probably continue to be until the Olympics start, so why not fill some of that gap with a local team?
3. There is an audience for soccer in Philadelphia
PPL Park holds a little over eighteen thousand fans and the Union have consistently sold out the stadium for league games. When the Union played Spanish giants Real Madrid at Lincoln Financial Field last season the total attendance was over 57 thousand. Over 30 thousand fans came out to see the US Men’s National Team play Mexico last year also. These numbers all prove that soccer does have an audience in the Philadelphia area. Of course teams like the Phillies and Eagles have a stronger hold on the sports fans of the city but these numbers are not low enough to 100% cut soccer out of the media spot light.
4. Philly is already a sports town
As mentioned multiple times above, Philadelphia is a huge sports town. The city tends to soak in any major sporting event that comes to it. If more marketing and advertising were done in the area, there is no doubt in my mind that the number of Union and soccer fans will grow. Thankfully the city is seeing its fair share of large teams coming in, with the next being the return of Real Madrid as they play Scottish Premier league champions Celtic. These games with well known foreign teams are probably the best advertisement the Union can get until they are shown more through television ads.
5. The Union and fans can basically market themselves
Anytime I bring a soccer virgin to a Philadelphia Union game they always leave telling me the same thing: “the atmosphere was amazing.” Yes, the River End is full of passionate and loud fans but so is most of the stadium. Being part of this “third team” in the stands whose only purpose is to yell at players and question the referee’s decisions is quite the experience for most non-soccer fans. It makes you want to go to as many games as you can and to support this club. The team also wants you to pay attention to them. They are a third year team full of young but talented players. This underdog of a team basically is a movie script. All you would need to do for commercials is show the passion of the SoBs and the youth of the team and BAM, commercial. Then you would need to air it once in awhile. I know the Union have some commercials like this already but how often do you see them used?
How do you look at this and not want to be in the middle of it?
Credit to Paul of Jersey Shooter
6. No one knows who we are
You ask any Philadelphian to name some players on the Philadelphia Union and you will get one of two responses: either “The Philadelphia who?” or “Freddy Adu”. There is no connection between the Union and Philadelphians mostly because no one knows who is on the team. Even if you are not a football fan you knew who Donavon McNabb was. The signing of Freddy Adu was great if just to give the team a face that people recognize. Now that the team has a player that most people have at least heard of we can start getting him out there more. Get him interviews on TV, then start bringing in a few other players with him. Eventually, and slowly, the city will start recognizing the faces of the team.
7. Watch the future of American soccer grow up
Last summer we learned that the only time America cares about soccer is during the World Cup. What many people in Philadelphia don’t know is that there are many players on the Union that have a legitimate chance of playing for the US Men’s National Team either this World Cup cycle or early next cycle. Talented players like Amobi Okugo, Sheanon Williams, Freddy Adu, Michael Farfan, Jack McInerney, and Zac MacMath all have shot to be called into the men’s camp. Of course not all of them will be chosen but wouldn’t it be cool to say you were a fan of them before they became national sensations?
8. You still have time to be a fan and not a bandwagoner
Since this team is only three years old the fan base is still growing. If you start following the Union now you will not be thought of as jumping on the bandwagon because you will be one of the originals. Add the fact that the Union started off shaky at the beginning of the season and there is no way you can be called a front runner. Being able to market the team to the population by saying they can be part of the beginning is not something many franchises get the opportunity to do.
9. Union fans are awesome
As passionate as the Union fans are, they are also genuinely good people. There is a sense of community among fans, particularly the Bens, that you do not get with many other teams. I have met numerous awesome people by just going to a few tailgates, walking around the parking lots before games, or talking on Twitter. The Sons of Ben give back to the community by holding charity events or doing public works. The SoBs will be joining the Philadelphia Union Foundation with building a playground in Chester that was partly designed by Chester kids.
Morrosini, Muamba, Garcia, Jarque. Maybe I haven’t been following the game long enough. Maybe I’m too young to remember that this isn’t really that bad. The number of professional soccer players in the world means that a few are bound to have devastating injuries such as cardiac arrest. I just don’t remember it being such a big issue 5 years ago. I just don’t understand it. Has this always been an issue? I want to say it only has to do with the increased number of leagues and countries offering the game at a top level around the world but all of these examples are from Europe. Are they being pushed too hard at the top? Should Europe consider a shorter schedule rather than us considering a longer one? What is going on here?
So I was reading the open Q&A on Soccer By Ives and started reading the questions. I realized I was answering them all in my head, but didn’t want to fill up their board with my less thanimportant answers, so I figured I’d leave them somewhere.
Ives…I think I need therapy after this Olympic qualifying failure. For real. First the U-20 fail, now this fail. Are hardcore U.S. soccer fans becoming a little shell shocked?? But more importantly, what are these failures doing to the overall “winning” mindstate of the US program?? Sincerely, a big Joell Ortiz fan.
I’ve always thought that the idea of a winning program is a little bit of bull-shit. Good players come out of losing youth systems, bad players come out of winning ones. U-23′s are about development, and I was super happy with the development we had over the course of qualifying. For me its not “losing program as much as losing playing time. These kids could have gained a lot more playing time together, and against better opponents, just by qualifying
When I watch Tim Ream, I get the feeling that he should switch to defensive midfield. He’s such a good passer, and is a good defender… just prone to mistakes which, when made by your CB are catastrophic, but he’d be really strong from the midfield. Thoughts?
I’ve always thought the same thing, but he’s spent so much time in the cb position and still doesn’t seem to have the positioning down. Imagine how long it’d take him to relearn a new position.
Sebastian C-M said…
Hola Ives. I’m still PO’d from the US Olympic team’s failure to qualify for the London games. Anyway, who can you see from this team (including those could have been on the team but weren’t such as Gatt) do you see actually contributing to WCQ & Brazil in ’14 (assuming we qualify).
Hamid, Adu, Mixx, Boyd, Gatt and Gyau all have a shot I think. In that order of likelyhood. Obviously along with Shea. Corona had a good qualifying, but a hat trick against Cuba is still against Cuba. If I were coach he’d still be a ways out. As far as Union players Williams has a shot, although the back spots are filling up quickly. I expect Fabian, Lichaj, Dolo and Chandler to hold them down for a while. MacMath would have to break Hamid’s stranglehold on the second keeper spot and Okugo has impressed for the U-23′s but has a real mountain to climb to get past the reel of names in front of him.
Ives,
In my opinion, one of the biggest downfalls of not qualifying for the Olympics is that is wastes a chance for our younger stars to be showcased in front of European eyes. Do you believe that the failure to qualify lowers the stock of some of our young players in the eyes of European clubs?
Definitely this, I don’t think it lowers the stock, but they all missed a chance to raise their stock. They were mostly going up, so they’re still on the right track. It hurts their development but definitely doesn’t stunt it.
Feel free to answer one or all. Thanks for bringing back a Q&A session.
Question 1: What’s next for Caleb Porter?
Question 2: Is Herculez Gomez the best striker in the USMNT player pool and should a MLS make a move to sign him in the near future?
Question 3: Based on what you’ve seen thus far, which MLS team has the best chance to win the Concacaf Champions League next year?
Caleb Porter could do anything in my eyes. He’s been one of the best American coaches and one of the best youth coaches around for a while. I’ve seen him compared to Jogi Low in Germany. This guys important and is going places.
I’d lvoe to see Herculez in MLS although you never know where he ends up. If you consider Dempsey a striker definitely not, if you’re just comparing him tot he likes of Altidore and Agudelo though, I think he’s as good a bet as anybody to be the best we’ve got. I’d call him and Jozy more or less a toss up.
I don’t see it in the cards for Toronto in 12 if thats what you’re asking. La and Seattle are always a threat for anything though. If I had to bet it’d be those two because of experience and willingness to run at it. Also because Salt Lake is getting older.
One would have to think that NBC has to be upset the men didn’t qualify for the Olympics. Does this have a potential effect on future deals MLS/SUM makes with NBC?
Absolutely sure they are, they lose a ton of their audience without the national team being in it. It’ll be rough, hopefully they understand that. I can’t imagine its a huge issue yet.
Smooth or crunchy peanut butter?
Jelly (& flavor) or honey?
Crunchy and Honey
Do you think there is a serious risk of US Soccer regressing back to pre-Klinnsman ways because of the OC disaster, or do you get the sense that most people within it realize the long term success of the reimagined youth setup is worth more than the 2012 Olympics?
A big question, I think everyone outside realizes that this teams style was the reason Klinsi was brought in. They’re still commited to him. If these kinds of things keep happening (read: senior team fails in Qualifying) then I could see some more serious steps backwards, but as far as development programs go, its not a big deal.
Can’t win championship if you don’t play DEFENSE, as much as I love the 4-3-3 formation as the beautiful attacking style, the U.S. under 23 team didn’t have that destroyer of a D-Mid to control the middle and a weak back 4, knowing that would be the case, why expose yourself? Do you think some of the blame falls on the Caleb Porter not working to his team strengths?
I thought this teams strengths were their creativity and ability to hold onto the ball. Porter played straight into that. Morales, might have done a little better, but I don’t see it being the difference maker. The destroyer has been dying a slow death for a while in international ball, and we’re all better for it.
Ives, the Under-20′s team was a good team, but failed to qualify, the Under 23 team is a also a really talented team and also failed…
Our team right now, also boast tons of talent and is expected to qualify, but with teams like Costa Rica, Honduras, and Jamaica doing well should there be some of kind of fear of not qualifying to WC2014?
Perhaps, these two tournaments should wake us up to have a healthy fear of other concacaf teams.
These two and the Gold Cup, CONCACAF is definitely getting better. It’ll never be UEFA or CONMEBOL, but its taking significant steps forward. The US and Mexico should continue to be giants among men, but they’re no longer giants among babies.
If Adu continues to grow and develop do you see him as a realistic replacement for Dempsey, when Deuces time is done with the national team?
I like Adu more than most, and am definitely a biased source, but I wouldn’t bet on it. I think it could happen but Freddy has been way too inconsistent for me to say he’ll be capable of replacing one of the best players to ever play for the Nats. Its a big step and I’m not quite readyt to give him that much.
1. Why hasn’t the media taken Porter to task on failing to make one field player substitution until the 88th minute? I’ve heard people mention it, but no one has adequately called him out in my mind. This was inexplicable and unacceptable considering they played 3 games in 5 days. We all know tired players make bad decisions (i.e. Brek’s giveaway) and cannot possess the ball nearly as effectively.
2. Why do you think Joe Gyau was utilized so little in this tourney? By all accounts, he was one of our best players agains Mexico.
Legitimately the most interestin question so far. Looking forward to Ives answer. I got nothing.
Andy said…
Where does Clint Dempsey play next season?
My money’s on him staying put although there are a lot of reasons for him to leave. Liverpool seems the most likely landing spot, but I just can’t see him going anywhere.
Zombie apocalypse. Who is the USMNT/USWNT player that you feel you have the best chance of survival with as a partner. Bonus: which player would make the most dangerous zombie.
Past or present? Because there’s a few names from the history books I’d like to have. McBride, Lalas and Clint Mathis are definitely top picks. Although Dempsey would absolutely be the current guy, even if I think Tim Howard could eat a zombie for breakfast. On the women’s side I’d probably go with Shannon Boxx or Tasha Kai from the current team. Boxx’s agression and spatial awareness are the reason here but Kai’s speed and general craziness put here a half step ahead I think. All time women’s pick is probably Brianna Scurry, there was the same look in her eyes that Dempsey had with his patented angryface.
Thanks as always for the awesome website. Who do you think will get more senior team caps in 2012: Corona, Adu, or Boyd?
Boyd or Adu, I still don’t think Corona has quite earned it yet. I know that’s hard to say, especially in comparison with Boyd, but maybe its having seen Corona in Mexico for longer and never having been particularly impressed.Combine that with the fact that the midfield is so much deeper than the striker spot. I think that unless Jurgen wants to call in Gomez then Boyd could be as far up as number 2 or 3 on the list where Adu is around 8 in the midfield and Corona is even lower.
UPDATE: I obviously just forgot to mention it because its become such a standard thing recently but we have another great midfielder plying his trade in Belgium and helping his team push through the Europa League who hasn’t gotten very much of a look from Klinsmann yet. Sacha Kljestan is exactly the type of player we thought Klinsmann would want but he refuses to give him a real look. The only possible reason I can think of for this is that he doesn’t like Sacha’s little moustache. Its a real shame cause a team lacking connection between attack and defense (and therefore not scoring) could use a Sacha Kljestan (or a Benny Feilhaber, not to say Torres and Dempsey can’t do it, but the two outsiders seem to deserve a more serious look than they’ve gotten. Especially Sacha.)
We’ll finally get to see Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey together under Jurgen Klinsmann. It’s been a long time coming but they managed to line up a pretty good opponent for the reunion. Italy will announce their rosters Sunday, but here’s the US followed by my best guess at a potential starting lineup.
A few of the names we haven’t seen with the A team(or at least not in a while) are Brad Guzan who played well while Shay Given was out, Geoff Cameron and Michael Parkhurst who apparently impressed enough at Camp Cupcake to get a call up,
Jose Torres back from injury, and the new face of Terrence Boyd who has shown up big time for Borussia Dortmund 2 in the 2. Bundesliga. Im most excited to see Parhurst and Cameron who (due to the lack of Onyewu) split halves in this game alongside Bocanegra and hopefully one pans out. I’m most curious about Terrence Boyd obviously given that I’ve been hearing his name but haven’t had a chance to see any 2. Bundesliga games ever.
Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa, England), Tim Howard (Everton, England), Nick Rimando (Salt Lake)
Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland), Geoff Cameron (Houston), Timmy Chandler (Nuremberg, Germany), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover, Germany), Clarence Goodson (Brondby, Denmark), Michael Parkhurst (Nordsjaelland, Denmark), Jonathan Spector (Birmingham, England)
Midfielders: Michael Bradley (Chievo Verona, Italy), Maurice Edu (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim, Germany), Jermaine Jones (Schalke, Germany), Jose Torres (Pachuca, Mexico), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim, Germany)
Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Alkmaar, Netherlands), Terrence Boyd (Borussia Dortmund, Germany), Edson Buddle (Los Angeles), Clint Dempsey (Fulham, England), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles)
I expect something of the 4-4-2/4-3-3 formation we’ve been getting lately but it’ll be interesting to see whether having Donovan and Dempsey together changes that shape (along with not having Brek Shea who has become a mainstay and gaining Jose Torres who was a starter before his injury) It’ll be interesting.
Howard
Dolo Bocanegra Cameron/Parkhurst Chandler
Bradley F. Johnson
Donovan Torres
Dempsey
Altidore
A lot of people have complained about our teams loses over the past week but its impossible to compare with what has happened in Egypt last night. We knew the country was in a state of absolute turmoil but no one wants this to happen. The last number I saw was 74 dead from the incident. In a match between Al-Masry and Al-Ahly, major rivals in Egyptian soccer, which ended with the host Al-Masry winning dozens of people were killed in the flooding of the field that insued. Fans rushed the field and chased the opposing team off of the field while security seemed to have done very little to control the situation. How much could have been done is up for debate. Egyptian Ultras are a serious issue for the countrys sporting population, and the rivalry with Algeria has been known as one of the fiercest and most aggresive in sports. They have also been cited as a part of the revolutionary force in the country.
It’s an absolute shame to see anything like this happen anywhere, but especially in a country where the government and media will surely spin it in the worst of ways. Although even the numbers on the field tonight wonn’t compare to the number who have passed in the streets of Egypt over the past year it’s a harsh reminder that emotions there are extremely high strung. Hopefully things will calm down in the near future and we won’t see these kinds of tensions in the streets or in the stands.
Update: It seems that the Egyptian league has called an indefinite suspension of games.
“Al-Ahly goalkeeper Sharif Ikrami, who was injured in the melee, told the private station ONTV that dead and wounded were being carried into the locker room.
”There were people dying in front of us,’ he said. ‘It’s over. We’ve all made a decision that we won’t play soccer any more. How will we play soccer after 70 people died? We can’t think about it.” It’s unclear if this means that they will stop playing temporarily or permanently but the manager of Al-Masry, Kamal Abu Ali is resigning in protest. Of course all sides are already translating these events in the context of the political turmoil and trying to find someone to blame. Despite a seeming lack of action from security, along with a definitive lack of availabilty and action by police in the surrounding are, most of the blame seems to be falling on the protesters. If you’re a praying person, Egypt is a good place to send your prayers.
Apparently with their new-found depth at the forward position the Union are now shopping Danny Mwanga.
From Ive’s Galarcep’s Mock Draft
“13. Philadelphia Union
Dom Dwyer, F, South Florida
5’9″, 180 pounds, Senior
21 games, 16 goals, 2 assists
The Union are believed to be shopping forward Danny Mwanga, and even with the recent addition of young Costa Rican forward Josue Martinez, Philadelphia can use some depth up top. Enter Dwyer, a player who’s stock took a dip but who is much better than he showed at the MLS Combine. Strong like a bull and boasting deceptive speed, the English-born Dwyer could wind up being the steal of the draft.”
…but the 76ers haven’t been good since I was in grade school and they’ve got a group like this showing up to games so I felt it was neccesary. I’m not a huge basketball fan but if the Son’s of Ben can turn a city on to soccer, maybe these guys can turn a city on to basketball.
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bpmangan
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Pat
