La Gran Final de la MLS Cup XVI Ya Tiene Protagonistas

La Gran Final de la MLS Cup XVI ya tiene rivales. El Houston Dynamo, que por tercera vez en su historia llega a la final, logró el tan ansiado pase tras un sufrido triunfo 2-0 frente al favorito Sporting Kansas City, en Kansas City. Los Angeles Galaxy derrotó por 3-1 a Real Salt Lake en un vibrante partido de principio a fin, y se enfrentará al Dynamo en el Home Depot Center de Carson, California el domingo 20 de noviembre.

Houston fue dominado en casi la totalidad de los noventa minutos que jugó en el Livestrong Park de Kansas City. Sporting KC tuvo la pelota, pero fue desordenado en el ataque y en la definición. Una jugada de pelota parada a los 53' permitió que Houston, por intermedio de Andre Hainault, aproveche una falla del arquero de Kansas City, el danés Nielsen, para incrustar el balón en las redes del equipo local. El gol de Houston sorprendió a las casi 21,000 personas que se dieron cita al encuentro. Sin embargo, la respuesta de Sporting KC no se hizo esperar. Siguieron arrinconando a Houston, pero de forma desordenada y no supieron aprovechar las innumerables ocasiones de gol que crearon. Un veloz contra golpe a los 88' encontró a Carlo Costly sólo frente a Nielsen y convirtió el segundo y definitivo gol de Houston que los envió a la gran final de la MLS.

En el otro encuentro, por la Final de la Conferencia del Oeste de la MLS, Los Angeles Galaxy con todas sus estrellas, David Beckham, Landon Donovan, Juninho y el irlandés Robbie Keane -ex Tottenham Hotspur y Liverpool, entre otros- se enfrentaba al Real Salt Lake en el Home Depot Center, el estadio del Galaxy.

Esta final prometía ser un mejor partido que el anterior, por el mayor calibre y trajín de sus protagonistas. Y así fue; un partido abierto, con ocasiones de gol en ambas porterías, con un Galaxy que sabía aprovechar el mayor oficio de sus armadores, de los que piensan con el balón en los pies, como Beckham, Donovan y Juninho alimentando a los que saben definir, com Robbie Keane y Mike Magee. La figura de Nick Rimando, el excelente arquero del Salt Lake, empezó a sobresalir. Real Salt Lake causaba peligro con lo que mejor sabe, la pelota parada. Así llegó un controversial penal a favor del Galaxy -Omar Gonzáles fue derribado dentro del área- que el experimentado Landon Donovan se encargó de convertir. Al minuto y medio después, en una pelota parada, Saborío de Salt Lake de cabeza anotó el empate.

El Galaxy continuaba generando ocasiones de peligro en el arco del Real, Robbie Keane tuvo el gol en sus pies hasta en dos ocasiones, cuando uno de sus remates salió a escasos centímetros del arco de Rimando, y el otro pegó en la base del parante. Sin embargo, en la última jugada de la primera etapa, Kyle Beckerman del Real Salt Lake también estrelló el balón en el parante del Galaxy, y así se fueron al descanso.

El segundo tiempo comenzó de la misma manera que terminó el primero, con jugadas de peligro en ambos arcos, cuando a los 58' una centro magistral de Beckham al área chica encontró a Mike Magee en una palomita espectacular para anotar el segundo del Galaxy. Ni un minuto más tarde, Espíndola del Real Salt Lake estrelló un zurdazo en el travesaño del Galaxy, lo que hubiera puesto el partido de candela. Pero fue el granítico, incansable y efectivo Robbie Keane -máximo goleador de la selección irlandesa- quien se encargara de aumentar la cuenta para el Galaxy 3-1 a los 68'.

Hubiera resultado ingenuo pensar que el Real Salt Lake estuviera muerto con 20 minutos restantes en el partido. Pugnaron, intentaron, buscaron el arco del Galaxy, aunque un tanto desordenados, y el cansancio que ya no dejaba piernas que respondían. La figura de Suanders, portero del Galaxy, empezó a crecer, y tuvo por lo menos dos espectaculares atajadas que evitaron la caída de su valla. Espíndola falló dos claras oportunidades, y ya no le alcanzó a Real Salt Lake.

Los Angeles Galaxy, con sus estrellas, fue el equipo superior y el justo ganador. Finalmente, después de 5 años de haber llegado a la Major League Soccer, parece que David Beckham logrará su sueño de coronarse campeón de la MLS con el Galaxy, al ser claramente superior a Houston Dynamo. Pero como todos sabemos, una final nunca se puede pronosticar, cualquier cosa puede suceder.

Adiós a Kasey Keller y Seattle Sounders. Real Salt Lake a la Final del Oeste

Seattle Sounders se encontraba 0-3 en el marcador global ante Real Salt Lake, en su serie semifinal de la conferencia Oeste de la MLS. Sin embargo, el partido de hoy se jugaba en Seattle, donde la hinchada del Sounders FC siempre responde con su aliento incondicional y con su asistencia masiva. Llenaron el CenturyLink Field con 36,021 espectadores, lo convirtieron en un mar verde, alentaron, cantaron y saltaron sin cesar.

Necesitaban por lo menos un gol en los primeros 15 minutos para así poder arrinconar a Real Salt Lake e intentar remontar los 3 goles en contra del primer partido. Las cosas no le salieron a Seattle como lo planearon. En los primeros 20 minutos del partido, tuvieron que realizar dos substituciones obligadas por lesión. Eso le cambia los planes a cualquier entrenador, por más experiencia y conocimientos que tenga. Si a esto le sumamos la implacable lluvia que caía sobre Seattle, la desesperación en la que cayeron los jugadores del Sounders desde el arranque del encuentro, y la férrea defensa de Salt Lake -una espectacular salvada de cabeza de Tony Beltrán evitó la segura apertura del marcador- no fue sorpresa que los primeros 45 culminaran sin abrirse el score.

El segundo tiempo comenzó igual que el primero, con excepción de la incesante lluvia, que hizo un paréntesis. Seattle volcado en territorio de Salt Lake, presionando, creando situaciones de peligro y arrinconando al actual campeón. A los 54' una jugada dudosa que tuvo a Beltrán supuestamente jalando y derribando a Fucito dentro del área del Real Salt Lake resultó en la pena máxima que el cubano Osvaldo Alonso -de un impresionante parecido con Residente de Calle 13- convirtió a los 55'. Así se puso el partido 1-0 a favor de Seattle, dándole un respiro y esperanza de poder pelear en la serie. Una falla garrafal en el despeje de la defensa de Salt Lake a los 60' ocasionó un gran pase de Montero a Neagle, quien de buen remate cruzado, rasante y de zurda venció la resistencia de Nick Rimando, guardameta del Real Salt Lake. 2-0 a favor de Seattle, y ahora, cualquier cosa podía suceder.

Los últimos treinta minutos del partido fueron de un sólo lado, con la cancha inclinada a favor de Seattle y una constante presión y ataque de los verdes que intentaban conseguir el tercer gol, y así igualar la serie. Un sólo contra ataque de Salt Lake a los 76' pudo cambiar la suerte de este playoff cuando Espindola, tras un casi letal contra golpe, fusiló al veteranísimo portero Kasey Keller de Seattle, quien en una reacción y atajada felina evitó lo que hubiera podido ser la eliminación de su equipo en ese momento, y su último partido como futbolista profesional a los 41 años de edad -ya había anunciado su retiro del fútbol-.

Así, con un partido emocionante y con Seattle luchando con uñas y dientes para poder lograr el tan ansiado tercer gol, y con Real Salt Lake defendiendo como león a sus cachorros, llegó el minuto noventa y los 5 adicionales que había otorgado el juez Jair Marrufo, ante sorpresa de todos. No se movería el score final y Real Salt Lake avanzó a la gran Final de la Conferencia del Oeste de la MLS.

No fue un partido de buen fútbol, pero sí un partido que tuvo emoción, entrega, y se jugó con todo lo que se tiene que poner en partidos como estos. Nos hubiera gustado ver a Kasey Keller en una final más, pero no se dió. Le faltó un gol a Seattle, pero una gran trayectoria como la de Keller no quedará en el olvido.

Sporting Kansas City Avanza a la Final de la Conferencia del Este en la MLS

No le resultó muy difícil a Sporting Kansas City avanzar a la final de la Conferencia del Este de la MLS, tras derrotar a Colorado Rapids -por idéntico marcador que en el partido de ida- 2-0 en Kansas City.

El partido fue intensamente disputado, ya que Colorado Rapids había salido a buscar el gol tempranero que lo ponga en buena situación de poder igualar la serie ante el favorito Sporting KC. Sin embargo, fue Sporting KC el que se puso adelante en el marcador a los 28 de la etapa inicial por intermedio de Collin con golpe de cabeza ante centro de Zusi y así terminó el primer tiempo.

A los 76' otro centro de Zusi encontró a Sapong en el centro del área y de impecable cabezaso puso el 2-0 final. El partido se jugó bajo intensa lluvia y la frustración de los jugadores de Colorado fue evidente en el campo, sobretodo cuando no pudieron equiparar el marcador,, volviéndose el juego muy fuerte en varios tramos del partido.

Sporting KC ahora enfrentará al ganador de la llave entre Houston Dynamo y Philadelphia Union, para así poder acceder a la gran Final de la MLS Cup a jugarse el 20 de noviembre en el Home Depot Center de Carson, California.

Is Klinsmann the Answer for U.S. Soccer?

During the rumor-mill period following Bob Bradley's dismissal of the United States Men National Team, in which German-born Jürgen Klinsmann's name was louder than an Argentinian-supporter-section, my opinion was not in favor of hiring him.

For years Sunil Gulati, president of U.S. Soccer, had tried to get California-based Klinsmann to coach the national team without much success. Klinsmann, during that time period, coached German power-house Bayern München and the German National Team during the Germany 2006 FIFA World Cup. During those tenures Klinsmann had many detractors of his coaching style -and results, I might add- including yours truly. For starters, he failed to take the Germans to a much anticipated World Cup Final appearance, specially when the World Cup was being played at home.

Don't get me wrong, Klinsmann was a superb forward during his playing days. But he has been unable to duplicate his success on the pitch while on the bench. Many of the world's top players are in the same boat, Klinsmann is not alone there. Want examples? OK, how about Argentina's Maradona, or Holland's Ruud Gullit or Marco Van Basten, just to name a very few. Other of the world's superstars probably knew that and never attempted it. Case-in-point? The great Pelé! It really is one thing to play, and something completely different to coach. Former players will agree with me.

The United States National Team has now played three matches under Klinsmann's guidance to a 1-1 draw against regional arch-rivals Mexico in Philadelphia, a 1-0 loss to Costa Rica in Los Angeles, and a recent 1-0 loss to Belgium in Brussels. Alarming results? To me, YES! To many others is the same old conformist outlook of "Results don't matter now", or "Klinsmann needs more time to develop his style". For the most part, with the exception of very few players, Klinsmann is utilizing the same players Bob Bradley did in the past. So the question has to come up, what needs to change for Klinsmann to get results? Anyone who has played the sport knows that at some point during a match inspiration kicks in. Initiative kicks-in. You take chances on the pitch for the benefit of your team and your teammates, and take a sprint half-way down the field with the ball at your feet, or chasing an opponent carrying the ball. We are not seeing any of that in the last three U.S. matches, which is exactly why I don't understand why Klinsmann "needs more time". For what? Is he playing with robots on the pitch who need to adapt to a completely new and different way to play the game? I also hear as an excuse from many conformists, "He is evaluating players, and that's OK". Yes, he has been evaluating a few players who have failed miserably the last three matches (Sorry Edgar Castillo, you are first on my list,) but again I have to ask, Why Bob Bradley never evaluated these players? The answer is very simple: they were not national team material, people! Simple as that. Edgar Castillo was extremely unlikely to ever play for his country's absolute national team -he represented Mexico in the U-23 level- so, guess what? Klinsmann gives him a chance in the U.S. Is he the only one who finds enough "talent" in Castillo to represent the United States of America?

There are many reasons why I do not think Klinsmann is a good choice for the USMNT. He has an archaic way to see the game playing with only one forward. Very few, if any, scoring opportunities are being created up front -one goal scored in three matches is poor-. He favors a latin-style of play which is not the U.S. style. He will likely make José Torres his play-maker in the midfield. Torres has excellent ball-handling skills, but -a big but here- he is too slow with the ball and that doesn't suit the American style very well. Many of these negative points about Klinsmann are reversible, such as sending another forward up front, or selecting a player other than Torres as his creator in the midfield, or not calling to the USMNT many Mexico-based players, etc. But that would be the equivalent of him changing his name to Jorge Klinsmann...just not gonna happen!

Yes, it is too early to tell how this is going to develop -specially for those who don't follow the game too closely- but history repeats itself, and although I was not a huge Bob Bradley fan either, we have regressed tremendously with Klinsmann as the head coach. The main objective -qualifying to Brazil 2014- I don't think is in jeopardy, but having a much better showing than in the previous two World Cups I think is definitely out of the question.

El Golazo de Fabian al FC Barcelona

Este el espectacular gol que marco Fabian de las Chivas de Guadalajara al FC Barcelona, en Miami, FL el 3 de agosto, 2011.

Manchester United Con Un Pie en Wembley

Manchester United viajó hacia Alemania para conseguir un resultado que lo pusiera ad portas de conseguir su pase a la final de la UEFA Champions League. Enfrentaba al Schalke 04, del peruano Jefferson Farfán y del español Raúl González; y equipo que sorprendió a propios y extraños al alcanzar las semifinales de esta Champions League. Nunca antes en su historia, el Schalke había llegado tan lejos en este importante certámen europeo.

El mucho mayor oficio individual y colectivo del Manchester United se puso en evidencia rápido en el partido. Apenas a los 3 minutos, Wayne Rooney exigió al portero alemán Neuer a una estirada felina. Luego sería el mexicano Hernández, el galés Giggs, el brasileño Fabio, el ecuatoriano Valencia quienes se encargarían de convertir en gran protagonista a Neuer. Schalke intentaba salir, pero el aporte de Raúl, Farfán y Edu era totalmente nulo. El japonés Uchida intentaba salir por derecha, pero no encontraba aliados; es así que los primeros 45' se convirtieron en dominio total del Manchester United, y si no se fueron al descanso con ventaja en el marcador, fue justamente por la espectacular actuación de Neuer.

El segundo tiempo se inició exactamente igual, con el Manchester dictaminando el tempo del partido. Es así que el timonel alemán Ralf Rangnick se decidió por su primera variante apenas a los 52' al enviar a Kluge en reemplazo de Baumjohann. Este cambio pareció darle cierta confianza al Schalke, que empezó a llegar con más frecuencia al arco de Van der Saar, empujados también por el apoyo de su hinchada.

Sin embargo a los 67', un pase magistral de Rooney encontró en inmejorable posición al veterano Ryan Giggs para que tan solamente añadiera el balón en la portería de Neuer. No pasaron ni dos minutos más, y a los 69' otro pase magistral, ésta vez del mexicano Hernández, dejó a Rooney sólo para anotar ante la salida apresurada de Neuer. Con el 2-0 a favor, el Manchester se dedicó a mantener la pelota y jugar en cancha del Schalke.



Aunque el equipo alemán ha jugado mejor en la Champions League en sus partidos de visita, este resultado debe ser determinante para que el Manchester logre su pase a la final en el legendario Wembley frente al ganador del Barcelona-Real Madrid.

Bradley Can't Figure Out South Americans

I called it via Twitter way before the game started. The Paraguayan team that lost ugly against Mexico a few days before the game against the U.S., was an impostor one. Paraguay is a solid team defensively, and offensively, and the fact that they were completely out of sorts against Mexico didn't mean the U.S. National Team was going to have a walk-in-the park. Especially with Bob Bradley's track record against South American teams.

The U.S. lost 1-0, with a goal by Oscar Cardozo off a corner kick and the U.S. defense inability to clear the ball during the ensuing play. In relation to last Saturday's match against Argentina, coach Bob Bradley made a few substitutions to the starting line-up. Hahnemann, for starters, replaced Tim Howard in the goal. Bornstein, Chandler and Ream were 3 starters on defense today who did not play, or start against Argentina. In the midfield Edu got the start, and up front 18 year-old Juan Agudelo made his first start with the U.S. National Team jersey. That's six different players from the match against Argentina, but -although it seemed as if Bradley read my last column- this time the offense fielded 2 players from the kick-off. In other words, Bradley sent a 4-4-2 formation to the pitch.

As I had said it would, the 4-4-2 formation worked much better than the experimental 4-5-1 Bradley seems obsessed with, as the U.S. created more scoring chances, controlled the ball more and kept good possession. A debutante Ream provided good distribution and soccer coming from the back, and Jay DeMerit, arguably the best U.S. defender currently was also playing well. Unfortunately, around the 30th minute DeMerit suffered a sprained right groin and would later be substituted by Carlos Bocanegra. Bradley went back to his questioned 4-5-1 in the second half when he brought Altidore off the field to be replaced by Lichaj, a midfielder. There were some line-up shifts and subs, but absolutely nothing worked. Once again, Bob Bradley falls very short against South American competition.

All these, plus today's lack of contribution from perennial National Team saviors Donovan and Dempsey made for a tough day on the pitch for the Americans.

Now to the positive points. Juan Agudelo, the 18 year-old forward who plays club for the New York Red Bulls, and who is turning lots of heads nowadays, made his first-ever start for the U.S. National Team. Given his age, his lack of experience, and the fact that he was playing against a solid and world cup-experienced, Paraguayan defense, Agudelo showed poise, confidence, and managed a couple of nifty plays, including a brilliant heel touch inside the 18 before he was illegally brought down, which the ref did not call. Agudelo then, is a very positive situation for the National Team.

Central Defender Tim Ream, who also plays for the New York Red Bulls, was a very nice surprise. Great vision coming from behind and distributing the ball very well. A well-rounded, good defender who could possibly provide a viable substitute for aging and slowing Carlos Bocanegra down the upcoming long stretch for US Soccer.

German-born Tim Chandler, who plays in the Bundesliga, is also showing good projection up the right side, coming from behind. He has a wicked cross which could be well capitalized by good headers.

In all, there were some individual highlights, as mentioned above, which made the sight of US Soccer's future a bit more encouraging than what we saw tonight -and quite frankly, against Argentina last Saturday, also- on the pitch, and the not-so-obvious tactical strategy -or lack of- Bradley is fond of. Especially, when the competition is against South American countries, the U.S. National Team has not won a single game in the last 5 against teams from the region, holding a 0-2-3 record against Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Argentina and Paraguay. Time to get back to the drawing board Mr. Bradley, if you've ever seen one!

What Can We Learn From the Match Against Argentina?

After being totally outplayed and outcoached for the first forty-five minutes, there are a few observations I came up with, and hopefully, so did head coach Bob Bradley.

First of all, sending a lone true-forward, Jozy Altidore to the pitch to battle the tough, world-class, and experienced Argentine defenders, was very similar to Jay Demerit's description of what it was like to defend against two-time FIFA World Player of The Year Lionel Messi. The American said, "It was like being a 12-year-old boy playing tackle football against your 16 year-old brother and all his buddies." Jozy Altidore I think could relate. So, it was no wonder the American side was "thrown against the ropes" the entire first half. Every time Altidore had the ball, it took, but a matter of seconds for 3 Argentine defenders to be all over him. Every time. And why not, if they had no other American player to worry about.

Bradley must have seen the same thing, because he sent in 18 year-old Juan Agudelo to replace midfielder Jones from the beginning of the second half. Obviously, this gave the American team a much deeper penetration up front, and a bigger headache to the Argentine defense. Agudelo was only making his third appearance as a substitute with the US National Team, and would eventually score the tying goal, and his second wearing the US jersey. I am not afraid to anticipate we are watching an American scoring machine in the making here.

Second of all, when you play against a world-class team like Argentina, and your head coach does not "know" they are going to come at you with fury, given the type of players they have on their line-up, I believe that coach does not deserve to be sitting on the sidelines. Granted these are friendly games, coach Bradley has been experimenting for way too long with a 4-5-1 line-up which has not produced winning results. And that's exactly what Argentina did. They attacked at will for the first 45 minutes, and if the score did not reflect the abysmal difference on the pitch was because of Tim Howard; without a doubt, the Man-of-The-Match. It was too obvious that in order to deflect the Argentine attack, the US team had to pressure their exit out of their own 18, but that was too much to ask of Bradley.

The second half, as I said, had Agudelo in for Jones, and Chandler -debuting with the US National Team- replacing Spector. Spector had done a decent job on the right-back side, but Chandler provided a fast, projecting right-side attacker who has a very good, lethal cross. That's how the US goal was born. The US had a few more chances which were mostly created from Chandler's side. That was good to see. However, Argentina created a lot more opportunities by having faster, younger and more skilled players than our aging, slower defensive line in the likes of Bocanegra and Onyewu, both of whom had a real tough night in New Jersey. Again, Argentina was kept to only one goal because of the superb performance of American keeper Tim Howard, who denied Messi and company on a few point-blank shots to the goal.

Next for the US National Team is Paraguay in Nashville, TN on Tuesday. The Paraguayan team was unrecognizable on Saturday against Mexico in Oakland, and succumbed 3-1. They will certainly be looking to revert that debacle, and believe me, they have the players to do so. Again, it will be very interesting to see what Bob Bradley has learned from playing against South American teams like Argentina, Brazil and Chile in their last few games, where the US has not won any of those matches.

U.S. National Team Will Face World Champion Spain

The U.S. Men's National Team will square-off against Spain, current world champion and number 1 ranked team, on June 4 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Kickoff against defending European Champion is set for 4:30 p.m. ET

 

The high-profile friendly takes place three days before the U.S. begins group play in the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

 

"Spain is clearly one of the most talented teams in the world," said U.S. head coach Bob Bradley. "We value the opportunity to test ourselves against a team of their quality, and we couldn't ask for a better match to prepare for the Gold Cup."

 

The U.S. and Spain have met just four times previously, with Spain holding a 3-1-0 edge. The USA's lone victory during the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup is the most famous of the encounters. Facing a Spain team that had been on an international record run of 15 consecutive victories and a 35-game unbeaten streak, goals by Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey gave the U.S. a 2-0 win, and a place in its first final of a major FIFA tournament.

 

This is the first meeting between the countries on U.S. soil. It will be three years ago to the day that the U.S. traveled to Spain, the teams remaining scoreless through 78 minutes before a goal from Xavi Hernandez carried Spain to a 1-0 victory. The first meeting between the teams came at the 1950 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, with Gino Pariani scoring the only U.S. goal in a 3-1 loss in group play (although the goal is disputed in the record books and FIFA still credits John Souza). The only other meeting between the teams was a friendly on March 11, 1992, in Valladolid, Spain, that was won 2-0 by the host.

The U.S. is making its 12th appearance in Foxborough, posting an impressive 9-1-2 record. Remarkably, 10 of the 12 matches have been either in the Gold Cup or FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The U.S. has tallied 28 goals and surrendered six in the facility, with eight shutouts.

The match against Spain will be the team's final preparation before they join Group C of the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup along with Canada, Panama and Guadeloupe.

Bradley Names Roster for Friendlies against Argentina and Paraguay

U.S. Men's National Team head coach Bob Bradley has named a 24-man roster that will train in Cary, N.C., ahead of a pair of international friendlies against Argentina and Paraguay.

 

The U.S. will first face two-time FIFA World Cup Champion Argentina on March 26 at New Meadowlands Stadium. Kickoff against the No. 4-ranked Argentines is set for 7 p.m. ET, and the match will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and Univision. Three days later, the U.S. will face 2010 FIFA World Cup quarterfinalists Paraguay at LP Field in Nashville, with Fox Soccer Channel and Telefutura broadcasting that game live at 7 p.m. CT. 

 

The group will begin gathering March 20 in North Carolina for training, and a travel roster will be chosen to head to New Jersey on March 24, where more than 52,000 tickets have been sold for the high profile friendly against Argentina. Following that match, a roster will be announced for the game in Nashville.

 

"This is an important opportunity to get our core group together along with some relatively newer faces as we consider the roster decisions for the Gold Cup this summer," said Bradley. "We have not had these players together for quite some time, so this is a great chance to get in a solid week of training and then face two quality opponents in Argentina and Paraguay."

 

The U.S. will be playing its first match on an international fixture date since last November. These two matches are the final games before the team gathers to prepare for the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup. The U.S. will be seeking its fifth Gold Cup title, and a berth in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil.

 

New Jersey native Tim Howard enters camp with 27 career shutouts in 57 career appearances for the national team. He is one of six players on the roster that played all 390 minutes at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, along with midfielders Landon Donovan and Michael Bradley, and defenders Steve Cherundolo, Jay DeMerit and team captain Carlos Bocanegra. Donovan, who last appeared for the U.S. on Aug. 10 against Brazil at New Meadowlands Stadium, added all-time leading goalscorer for the U.S. in the World Cup to his long list of accomplishments.

 

Six players, including Howard and Bradley, will be traveling from England for the camp. Clint Dempsey became the second U.S. player to score in multiple World Cups with his strike against England this summer, and has nine Premier League goals for Fulham this season. Blackburn Rovers-based midfielder Jermaine Jones returns to the U.S. fold after making his first two appearances for the U.S. last October.

 

The New York Red Bulls are the only team to send two players to the training camp, the young duo of Juan Agudelo and Tim Ream joining Donovan and DeMerit in representing Major League Soccer.

 

Two players are still competing with their clubs in the UEFA Europa League. Maurice Edu and Glasgow Rangers took a 0-0 draw away from PSV Eindhoven in the first leg of their Round of 16 series, while Oguchi Onyewu's side FC Twente hold a 1-0 lead heading into the second leg of their series against Zenit St. Petersburg.

 

The German-based duo of FC Nürnberg defender Timothy Chandler and MSV Duisburg goalkeeper David Yelldell are receiving their first invitation to any U.S. national team. Zak Whitbread represented the United States at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2003, starting every match and scoring against Germany. Appearing in one match in Olympic qualifying in 2004, he is making his first appearance with the full team.

 

U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION -

GOALKEEPERS (3): Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Tim Howard (Everton), David Yelldell (MSV Duisburg)

DEFENDERS (9): Carlos Bocanegra (Saint-Etienne), Jonathan Bornstein (UANL Tigres), Timothy Chandler (FC Nürnberg), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Jay DeMerit (Vancouver Whitecaps), Oguchi Onyewu (FC Twente), Tim Ream (New York Red Bulls), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United), Zak Whitbread (Norwich City)

MIDFIELDERS (9): Michael Bradley (Aston Villa), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Mikkel Diskeruud (Stabaek), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Benny Feilhaber (AGF Aarhus), Stuart Holden (Bolton Wanderers), Jermaine Jones (Blackburn Rovers), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht)

FORWARDS (3): Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bulls), Jozy Altidore (Bursaspor), Edson Buddle (FC Ingolstadt)

Earthquakes Launch Buck Shaw 2.0

San Jose Earthquakes President David Kaval announced sweeping changes to the in-game atmosphere at Buck Shaw Stadium for the 2011 season, including a new concessionaire, improved merchandise options, gourmet food trucks and an iPad app. The team also announced that they have revamped the fan zone area, which will now be known as the Epicenter.

 

The Earthquakes have partnered with concessionaire Bon Appétit to create a new menu for the stadium. While fans will still be able to enjoy stadium food staples such as hot dogs, pretzels and nachos, Bon Appétit will now offer fans fresh range of food products. Consistent with Bon Appétit's mission of providing local and sustainable food, the menu will include fruit and vegetable options from local farms.

 

Additionally, fans will be able to order team merchandise, food and beverages from the comfort of their seat using yorder on their iPhone or Android smartphone, and pay with PayPal. On the Web 2.0 side, the Earthquakes have partnered with Liveshare to allow fans to share photos on the Jumbotron, Facebook and SJEarthquakes.com using smart phones.

 

"It was our mission to improve the overall fan experience in 2011," Kaval said. "Silicon Valley is a hotbed for cutting edge technology and we felt it was essential to introduce innovative solutions like yorder, Liveshare, and an iPad app to Buck Shaw Stadium."

 

Technology and food products aren't the only improvements at San Jose's home grounds next season. The Epicenter Fan Zone will be outfitted with additional games for children, along with foosball tables and various carnival games. The Epicenter will also feature a new adidas merchandise store and additional vendors. Finally, fans can enjoy a pregame show hosted by the voice of the Earthquakes, John Shrader. Shrader will be joined by former players, fans and other invited soccer guests to discuss that night's game and other topics in the world of soccer.

 

Additionally, the Earthquakes have created a new VIP pregame area located in the barbecue area next to the new Locatelli Building, adjacent to the Epicenter Fan Zone.

 

In an homage to their past, the Earthquakes have rebranded Gate C as the George Best Gate. Best played for the Earthquakes indoor and outdoor teams in the North American Soccer League in 1980 and 1981. He scored what many soccer observers consider the greatest goal of his career in 1981 as a member of the Quakes against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers.

 

The Earthquakes open their season at home on March 19 against Real Salt Lake at 7:30 p.m. PT.

20 Jugadores Sub-17 Fueron Inscritos por la FPF

FPF INSCRIBIO 20 JUGADORES SUB-17 PARA CAMPEONATO SUDAMERICANO ECUADOR 2011.

 

La Federación Peruana de Fútbol inscribió oficialmente los 20 jugadores de la Selección Sub-17 para participar en el Campeonato Sudamericano Sub-17 Ecuador – 2011.

 

La nómina es la siguiente:

 

N° camiseta	JUGADORES		POSICION	CLUB PROCEDENCIA
16	ARANA CAMARENA BRAYAN	21/01/1994	Defensa	ESTHER GRANDE
2	ARAUJO BLANCO MIGUEL	24/10/1994	Defensa	COBRESOL
6	AQUINO SANCHEZ PEDRO	13/04/1995	Volante	SPORTING CRISTAL
14	BENAVENTE BRISTOL CRISTIAN	19/05/1994	Volante	REAL MADRID (Esp.)
13	BENINCASA OLAYA HORACIO	11/04/1994	Defensa	ESTHER GRANDE
19	CARTAGENA MENDOZA WILDER	23/09/1994	Volante	ALIANZA LIMA
1	DUARTE PREUSS ALEJANDRO	05/04/1994	Arquero	ESTHER GRANDE
15	FLORES PERALTA  EDISON	14/05/1994	Delantero	UNIVERSITARIO
17	GARCIA PAREDES RAZIEL	15/02/1994	Volante	UNIV. SAN MARTIN
20	JUAREZ MUÑOZ JOSEPH	16/06/1994	Defensa	ESTHER GRANDE
8	LARRAURI CONROY PIER	26/03/1994	Volante	ESTHER GRANDE
11	POLO ANDRADE ANDY	29/09/1994	Delantero	UNIVERSITARIO
10	PONCE PARDO ALEXANDER	16/02/1994	Delantero	A. CANTOLAO
18	SILVA FANARRAGA EDISON	02/05/1994	Volante	SPORTING CRISTAL
4	TAPIA CORTIJO RENATO	28/07/1995	Defensa	ESTHER GRANDE
5	TAPULLIMA PEÑALOZA YASSER	27/10/1994	Volante	ESTHER GRANDE
7	URQUIAGA CABRERA CARLO	12/06/1994	Defensa	SPORTING CRISTAL
9	VALLES CARDENAS RAIMO	25/06/1994	Defensa	UNIV. SAN MARTIN
3	VIZCONDE PAREDES WILSON	09/01/1994	Defensa	SPORTING CRISTAL
12	VIDAL CHIHUAN ANDY	23/08/1994	Arquero	SPORTING CRISTAL

 

Cabe resaltar que los jugadores Wilder Cartagena Mendoza,  Raimo Valles Cárdenas  y Miguel Araujo Blanco  han salido de la Primera Promoción año 2005 del Proyecto Nacional de la FPF. "Creciendo con el Fútbol" que poco a poco empieza a brindar sus frutos.