Player Pool Breakdown

Bob Bradley released his 33 man player pool for the upcoming friendlies last night. While the usual suspects made the list there are certainly some surprising inclusions. By position:

(note: I went ahead and put players where they likely will play i.e. Donovan in the midfield)

GOALKEEPERS: Dominic Cervi (Out of Contract), Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Tim Howard (Everton FC), Troy Perkins (Valerenga IF), Chris Seitz (Real Salt Lake)

Bradley has gone away from the experienced keepers for now but I don't read too much into that. If we needed a win in a qualifier and Howard wasn't available I'm pretty sure he'd still call in Keller or Hahnemann. The only two from this group I think see the field are Howard and Guzan.

DEFENDERS: Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham FC), Dan Califf (FC Midtjylland), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Jay DeMerit (Watford FC), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Michael Orozco (San Luis), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United)

I'm ecstatic that Frankie Hejduk got the call-up here, especially as he was arguably our best defender in the Gold Cup and has played consistently well for the Crew. It's also nice to see Orozco get the call-in after his very impressive Olympic qualifying performance. Other than these two there are not any huge surprises. Cory Gibbs evidently didn't show Bradley much in the Poland camp to warrant playing time or a call back for the friendlies, which is too bad as he seemed poised to make his MNT comeback.

MIDFIELDERS: Freddy Adu (SL Benfica), DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Benny Feilhaber (Derby County), Eddie Gaven (Columbus Crew), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Eddie Lewis (Derby County), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew)

Great to see Beasley back with the Nats after having to watch Bobby Convey vs. Mexico. It's somewhat surprising to see Feilhaber called in after his long, strange season with Derby and omission from the Olympic qualifiers. As an experiment, Bob Bradley should give Edu, Feilhaber, and Clark the start in one game each alongside Michael Bradley. This may be the best way to determine who our two center mids are going into WC qualifying. The only major surprise to me from this group is Eddie Gaven. Not sure he brings anything to the table whatsoever. The player who I'm most ready to see out of this group is Robbie Rogers. With Beasley coming back from injury and Eddie Lewis being so old, I'm really hoping Rogers sees some playing time on the left wing. Too bad Stuart Holden didn't get the call-up but his time will definitely come.

FORWARDS: Jozy Altidore (New York Red Bulls), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Kenny Cooper (FC Dallas), Nate Jaqua (Out of Contract), Eddie Johnson (Fulham FC), Josh Wolff (1860 Munich)

Pretty average group of forwards but it's what we've got. I think our best option is probably Adu-Altidore or Dempsey-Altidore but we'll see how it plays out.

Overall I am happy with this group. Some players seem to have been called in just to get a closer look for the Olympics (Cervi, Seitz, Gaven, Kljestan) but nonetheless should benefit from any full national team experience. The roster for the England game, which will include approximately 22 players, is due out next week. Here is my best guess (what I think Bradley will actually do):

----------------Howard-----------------
Dolo-------Boca-------Gooch-----Pearce
------------Bradley----Edu-------------
Dempsey------------------------Donovan
------------Altidore----Ching------------

Bench: Guzan, Hejduk, DeMerit, Spector, Beasley, Adu, Clark, Mastroeni, Lewis, Feilhaber, Wolff

-Believe me, I cringe when I look at this line-up too. Same back line as the Poland friendly, and same outside mid combination due to Beasley not being 100%. I think Bradley has enough confidence in Jozy to start him up top but I don't think he is as willing to start Freddy. Altidore replaces EJ from the Poland line-up and Edu replaces Clark (two changes that I feel he will make). I'm hoping for something a little different (see my last blog "Daydreaming") but we'll see what happens. Regardless of who plays I don't think I've ever been this pumped for a friendly, and I really think we can pull it off in London. Only 12 more days!
--Outlaw Veteran

Cool Heads, Clenched Fists

It is now almost a year since I had my favorite experience as a supporter of the U.S. National Team, the 2007 Gold Cup final. The day was packed full of unforgettable moments; chanting off with Mexicans at the tailgate, being kissed by a girl in red, white and blue as my friend and I walked through a horde of hostile Mexicans, randomly recognizing and meeting Chris Armas, and of course, jumping nearly out of my skin when Benny Feilhaber unexpectedly volleyed a ball from outside the box past one very dirty Oswaldo Sanchez. These moments are what made the experience so rewarding; however, they are not the reason I take pride in having attended the match. It is knowing that I and my fellow supporters proudly displayed our nations colors and supported our team in the midst of vicious, sometimes violent opposition from Mexican fans. This viciousness culminated, for me, at halftime.

With the U.S. down 1-0, my friend and I went to the bathroom behind the U.S. supporters section. We found it full of Mexican fans who, needless to say, were very happy to have just witnessed their team score a goal against us on U.S. soil for the first time in years. They yelled and chanted at us and we chanted back. It was a relatively stable situation until, as my friend was urinating, two Mexicans tried to pull the American flag off his back.

One of the things that has attracted many, including myself, to the American Outlaws is their younger, edgier image. Though the ranks of Sam’s Army are filled with all sorts of people from all walks of life, the organization has always been stigmatized as being a group for old hippies. “The pony tail brigade” is an unfortunate, though common nickname found on BigSoccer.com. Though I believe this stigma to be fallacious, I do believe it is important, in the interest of growing support for soccer in this country, that an alternative be provided for those who may shy away from a group whose image is somewhat… soft, for lack of a better word. This is why I continue to support both Sam’s Army and the American Outlaws.

However, this harder, edgier image is one that has and will foster harder, edgier action. Many of those drawn to the American Outlaws are males between the ages of 18 and 35 who have a thirst for alcohol. I myself am included in this demographic, and I am the first to admit that we are less likely to shy away from violence. It is important, therefore, that we keep cool heads at matches. After the U.S. conceded a goal in extra time at U-23 final in Nashville, some of the younger Outlaws threw not only streamers, but other projectiles that I was not able to identify, onto the field and at Honduran fans. At the Mexico friendly in Houston I saw beers lobbed by Mexican fans at our tailgate; I must admit that, in my anger, I lobbed my own beer in their direction. I am not proud of this, as I am more likely to have hit a woman or child than anyone throwing beers at us.

At halftime of the Gold Cup final, however, I believe I did the right thing. When I saw two Mexicans nearly snatch the American flag off my friend’s back, I rushed them and shoved them away. I stood in front of the flag with my hands behind my back and told them, loudly, to back off. There was more shoving and shouting, and I believed for a moment that I may have been in for a beating at the hands of at least 20 opposing fans. Thankfully, one very large member of Sam’s Army, I believe he was from D.C., came between me and the Mexicans and told everyone to calm down; and we did. No one got hurt, and the American flag remained intact.

So here is my advice to the members of the American Outlaws. Remember that we represent our country as well as our team, and that showing our class is just as important as showing our passion. Remember that passion must always be tempered by reason. Be loud, be proud, and be respectful. Let everyone know who we support, but don’t taunt people who don’t taunt us. Stand by your fellow supporters, be they Outlaws, Sammers, or any other fan of the U.S. National Team, and never let one of our own be left to fend for himself or herself. If you must resort to violence, be not afraid to do so; HOWEVER, make sure that you have no other option and remember that other options almost always exist (even if you have had a beer or two too many). Never provoke. We go to matches to support our National Team, and violence for the sake of violence helps that cause in no way, shape or form. Make sure they don’t tread on us, but make sure you don’t go treading on them without due cause.

-Ben Girard (aka BMGSouthCity)

O when the yanks!

Outlaws!! The time is now!

With International Competitions in sight and World Cup Qualifiers around the corner it is time for Outlaws to unite, plan, and save up to support our NATs in their pursuit for the cup! Before you know it the US Men's National Team will be battleing for a spot in the 2010 FIFA World Cup which will be held in South Africa. At this time there is nothing more important on an Outlaws list of things to do then to set plans with fellow outlaws, future outlaws, family and friends on supporting our nations team in their pursuit of qualification. The video above depicts the support the US had in Nurnberg, Germany before their hard fought loss to Ghana. The March of us supporters and the original outlaw crew, (I remember seeing the guys from Nebraska my group and I found the pre party pub with them). The march was longer then the camera can see and it that lasted for probably twenty plus minutes growing every block. Us Yanks marched from the pub, through the streets, into the subway, onto the subway, out of the subway, and into the stadium. O when the yanks go marching in... how I want each and every one of you to be in that number supporting our team all the way to South Africa.

It is now time to discuss, organize, and plan how you will support the NATS on their long and hard fought road to South Africa. Everything from putting together a chapter, joining the outlaws, organizing a public viewing at your local pub, or simply telling your friends that they should save up some money to go to a game "it has to start somewhere, it has to start sometime, what better place then here, what better time then now" -Rage Against the Machine

-OUTLAW AJACK

"the shirtless guy"

When we roll into town

Anytime that we roll into town for a US game, I always feel that no one knows we are here.

Its time we change that. 

1. The local group

You must rally the troops in your home town.

From the Pub Crawl, To the Tailgate, the march to the game, and yes the victor party.

Please make it easy to find everything and bring a lot of people.

2 Bring people

If your in town or out of town, Bring people. It dose not matter if they are fans or not, because once they came to a game, they will want to come back.

3 Wear your Gear

Wear your Red, White and Blue the whole time your in town.

4 Talk the game up

When your out and about

Tell people why your here,

Tell them about the Outlaws,

Tell them to go to the game.

5 Sign and Flag

Bring US Flags and signs.

The Signs need to be about your chapter, your town or just rooting on the US.

OK and how we always beat mexico.

Dress up our section.

6 Drums and Voices

Look there is nothing that I F&*^ hate more then when our section is Quite.

We need to Put as many Drums In the middle of the section and  hit those damn thing from the warm ups until the end of the game.

The rest of us need to sing, chant, and yell. If you don't lose your voice your doing something wrong.

Share the PASSION,

Bring it to every GAME,

Because if we dont, 

Who will?

   

By 

Coachgi

Daydreaming

For starters, I'd like to apologize for including Eddie Johnson in the honorable mention section of my top 10. Won't happen again. That being said, I will be the biggest EJ fan tomorrow for Fulham assuming he plays. The game against Reading is essentially Fulham's last gasp to avoid relegation so they need whatever help they can get. We have reached a dead period of sorts in the national team schedule, so I figure now would be the best time to examine the future of the team and some possible line-ups for the upcoming friendlies and qualifying. Here is my ideal line-up with an eye towards the future:

----------------Howard-----------------
Dolo-------Boca-------Gooch-----Pearce
------------Bradley----Edu-------------
Donovan-------------------------Beasley
------------------Adu-------------------
----------------Altidore-----------------


-To me, the only question about this line-up is Left Back. Pearce has played pretty well in the past couple friendlies and I think he'd get the nod over Bradley's boy Jonathan Bornstein. You may be asking yourself where is Clint Dempsey. As much as I love Deuce I think he may be the odd man out in the future especially as Freddy and Jozy continue to develop. This is a very young and dangerous line-up, one I feel is capable of beating England. Howard is a monster in goal and the backline is solid. In the midfield you have two very good Defensive Mids in Bradley and Edu and plenty of speed on the outside with Donovan and Beasley. Up top, we just let Freddy go to work and allow him to connect with Jozy as they did in the U-20 World Cup. If nothing else, it would make for some exciting, fast-paced soccer. Let me know what you guys think about this line-up and post your ideal line-ups in the comments section.
--Outlaw Veteran

USA 3: Poland 0

My time in Poland was pretty much defined by this. I had orginally heard about the game and decided that I needed to get there by any means possible. It really wasn't too hard for me after all since I am living in the middle of Slovakia until July (I teach English at a high school here). I met up with a group of 4 other Americans through contacts on the bigsoccer.com forum section. One of our group members had secured tickets from the federation since the ticket process was all in Polish and quite a debaucle. There had been reports that it had sold out, and there was people telling us that there would be seats available. US Soccer pointed us to the Polish federation and they directed us right back. Needless to say, we scored 7th row tickets near the half line. We met up before the game to get some dinner and have a few drinks (I usually feel loosened up and ready to sing after a few brews). I knew I was going to have to be on my A game if we were to be heard at all. From the reports I heard, we were pretty much going to be the only American contingent. We walked to the stadium decked out in our US gear and started singing some songs. I have never felt so singled out in my life. I had also heard rumors that the Polish fans were a pretty rough crowd. So I had to keep my eyes out for trouble so I wouldn't end up under a few thousand Polish boots. We made it to the stadium with no altercations. Just Poles trying to outsing us. We were so out of place it was crazy. We were in a sea of Red and White. No blue in sight. We, on the other hand opted for more of a Blue, Red, and White look. Really outlining the odd color out of Polands Red and White duo. The national anthems were played (although the US anthem was played rather quickly) and the game got underway. Everytime the US did something good apparently we were on tv (as reported to me by prime US soccer supporters watching the game in Minnesota). The Polish photographers were also snapping pictures of us throughout the game since the 5 of us were louder than our section. That wasn't true for the rest of the stadium though. We had to pick when they weren't screaming to counter-attack. For the most part we had some very well-placed cheers and chants. After the game I switched game scarves with a Polish fan that asked me to. We left the stadium and decided to have a victory beer, then go to the USA team's hotel and see if we could catch a glimpse of them. We ended up seeing almost all of them and I got to get pictures with most and talk to some of them. I asked Heath Pearce how his situation was going at Rostock. He gave the classic "my coach doesn't believe in me so I am working hard to stick it to him" answer. It was nice to hear that. I hope he finds his way to a team that appreciates his services.

As for the game itself, I thought it was an excellent result given the current state of the Polish team. They qualified top of their group over Portugal taking 4 points off of them. Maybe they underestimated us, who knows. Many people were saying that Leo Beenhaker was going to blow Bob Bradley out of the water with his superior tactics. Others argue that we only scored on set plays. This may be true, but a goal is a goal. A converted opportunity is a converted opportunity. The object of the game is to score, no matter how it goes in. Say what you will, this was an excellent result that will hopefully give the US some confidence to take on true world super powers in Spain and England. A result from even one of these games will surely turn some more heads. Spain is sure to bring a nearly full squad to prime themselves for the Euros this June. England, on the other hand, will just have to saddle up and play for pride since their arrogance has kept them out of the Euros. I am not belittling Croatia at all because they deserved to get in. But I digress...The Poland win was a great result on Euro soil. End of story.

Until next time...

Qualifying for the Olympics

In the summer of 1996 I was twelve years old. I was an honor student and loyal boyscout, as well as one of the finest 1st year trumpet players at my school. My favorite foods were pizza and cookies n’ cream ice cream and my favorite band, I’m still ashamed to say, was Hootie and the Blowfish. I had been raised to be unquestioningly proud of my country, my family and my school. I was sure to attend an illustrious college where I would meet and marry the girl of my dreams, before beginning my career as America’s next great author. The life I lived was unrealistically simple, and my mind was utterly unquestioning. It was exactly one year before punk rock would tear through my life like a rabid gorilla on experimental steroids.

For a young, simple, unquestioningly patriotic mind like mine, the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia were the most fascinating, glorious, awe-inspiring spectacles fathomable. I had looked forward to them for years. I made sure to see the torch when it passed through St. Louis. Once the games started I watched NBC’s coverage religiously, taping what I couldn’t see live. I whistled the Olympic theme song in summer day camp until the counselors forbade it. I remember watching Michael Johnson win gold medals in the 200 and 400 and Amy Van Dyken win four gold medals in swimming. I practically bounced off the walls of my family’s living room when Kari Strug landed a dismount on a broken leg to secure a gold medal for U.S. Women’s team gymnastics; and yes, I cheered for the U.S. when we won the first Olympic gold medal for women’s soccer.

As puberty and punk rock took a collective stranglehold on my life the Olympics, along with patriotism, pride and hope, fell off my radar. The trumpet was replaced by the electric guitar, honor grades were replaced by an apathetic 2.3 grade point average, sports were replaced by vandalism and punk rock shows, and Hootie and the Blowfish were replaced by the Ramones and the Stiff Little Fingers... okay it wasn’t all bad. It wasn’t until after the 2002 World Cup thatI began to take an interest in U.S. Soccer, although even this has to be attributed in some measure to punk rock, as it is the goal of many American punk rockers to emulate the British as much as possible.

Almost 12 years after the 1996 Olympic Games, I found myself in Nashville, Tennessee, again rooting for potential American Olympians. This of course was last week, at the CONCACAF U-23 Championship semi-final against Canada. The three of us who drove the five hours from St. Louis to Nashville were myself; Justin, in my mind one of the best drummers you’ll find in a U.S. Supporter’s section; and our friend Johnny, the self-proclaimed U.S. Soccer cowboy. We met at a bar across the river from LP Field with other supporters, who included four more from St. Louis, about ten from New York, several from Nashville and at lest one each from Chicago and Atlanta. I apologize to anyone whom I’ve left out, as I know there were more. The New Yorkers, I believe, knew each other as Red Bull fans, and many of them had traveled to Montreal to support the U-20's in the World Cup last year. There is no doubt that these NewYorkers brought the noise, and much of the fantastic support you could hear on Fox Soccer Channel’s broadcast is credible to them. They came up with many of the songs, provided a strong base of voices and clapping, and generally kept the supporter’s section riled up. The fantastic drumming was that of Justin, and the smoke bombs... well let’s just say they were from St. Louis, too.

My life isn’t what I thought it would be 12 years ago. In some ways worse, in some ways better, but all-around more realistic. My patriotism has been back for a few years now; someone once told me that you have to hate the country before you can truly love it. I allow myself to take quiet pride in certain elements of my life, and believe that there is hope for myself, my country, and yes, for U.S. Soccer. In the 90th minute of last Thursday’s game, with the U.S. up 3-0 and having virtually secured a place in this summer’s Olympics, the New Yorkers led us in the singing of the Olympic theme song. As I belted it out with them, it was impossible not to be reminded of the summer of ‘96. Though I can’t be sure where my life is going, I have as good an idea as I've had since that summer twelve years ago. And I can say honestly that, for the first time since that summer of 1996, I am looking forward to the Olympics.

Ben Girard (aka BMGSouthCity)