Gold Cup Announced & AO Interview

Thanks to everyone that went to nashville game and our events and enjoyed the 3-0 domination of T&T by The US and the Hat Trick Hero Altidore. Let us know what you thought: http://www.surveygizmo.com/s/60206/american-outlaws-game-day-experience

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Gold Cup Games Announced:

July 4
US vs. Grenada
Qwest Field, Seattle, WA

July 8
US vs. Honduras
RFK Stadium, Washington DC

July 11
US vs. Haiti
Gillette Stadium; Foxborough, Mass.

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Also check out Korey and our Houston Chapter head Whisky Sam talk about The American Outlaws on The Game Radio show in Houston: http://thegame.podbean.com/2009/03/30/soccer-show-3-30-2009-2nd-seg/

Thanks,
Justin Brunken

American Outlaws T-Shirt Gets Published

American Outlaws T-Shirt Design by Jeremie Memming, gets published: http://www.zeixs.com/books_logo2.php, look at bottom right square.
Thanks Jeremie,
Granted it is in a German Publication, but that's ok. That just means we are taking over the world, not just the US.

This also reminds me to thank all of our talented friends who have helped us through out the last 2 years, we wouldn't be where we are with out you guys.


If you would like to wear this piece of history, visit: http://www.theamericanoutlaws.com/content/view/50/45/

US Game Venues for Gold Cup Predictions

Hey American Outlaws, 

Gold Cup Venues for this summer were announced, with a record number 13 cities going to be involved.  Check all of them out here: 

http://www.concacaf.com/competitions/goldcup/2009/venues.aspx

The teams have already qualified, but what teams are in what groups, and who is playing in what cities hasn't been announced, but that doesn't mean there aren't any predictions going around.  

I seems to look like US will be in Group B, which will be playing Seattle on July 4th, DC on July 8th, and in Boston on July 11th.  Winner of Group B, likely to play in Philadelphia, and then semis in Chicago, and final in New York.

This isn't a guarantee, but it looks very possible.  Not sure what type of team we will be bringing to the Gold Cup, since we are playing for nothing, but it will be a good chance for more people to see our boys play.  We might be playing some young players for Bob Bradley to get a feel for some players on the bubble of being on the World Cup Team.

We will let you know when it gets announced. 

Look forward to another US v Mexico match, which might be the only really important game, which would be important only for pride sack.

Here continues an amazing year of US Soccer.

Brunken

Random Points from the Mexico Game

Like a lot of US fans, I am coming down after an engrossing couple of days in Columbus. Here are some random things that come to mind from the game:

-I was excited by our quick, one-touch passing for large stretches of the game. It was a little worrisome, though, that it wasn't coming from some of our younger players, such as Jozy and Rico, although you could argue they weren't given much time to do anything.

-Heath Pearce did the job defensively but was very wasteful with the ball.

-This was the largest U.S. supporters section ever to witness a home game.

-It would be hard to find someone I dislike more than Rafa Marquez.

-It would be hard to find anyone I love more than Frankie Hejduk or Michael Bradley.

-It was a wonderful feeling walking out winners 2-0, but I will likely first think of the march from the bar into the ensuing hail monsoon first when I think back on this game.

-Had a chance to say hi to a few of the players at the hotel after the game. We support a bunch of descent, friendly guys.

-Much props to US Soccer, who treated us very well through the ticketing process.

I'm gonna hit the sack feeling very fulfilled. Many thanks to everyone who contributed to such a glorious night.
Korey

USA v Mexico (World Cup Qualifier)
02/11/09 Columbus Crew Stadium, Columbus, OH

AO SCOUTING REPORT

The Big One

Put on your seatbelts, kids. It’s the match we’ve all been waiting for, US v Mexico WCQ in Columbus. Last time out, the mighty
yanks qualified for Germany with a sound 2-0 performance with goals from Steve Ralston and Damarcus Beasley. The US will expect
a similar result against a Mexican squad looking to avenge their lackluster pre-qualifying campaign. Mexican boss Sven Goran-Erikson
has done little right since joining with “El Tri” last year, and will need a miracle to bring down a US team brimming with confidence.
It has been said that if Sven can’t beat the US here, he will be out of a job. The US is coming off an 8-0-2 record against the Mexicans
on home soil since 2001, and the Mexicans will need something amazing to break down the US defense that has been brilliant in
recent outings.

The US has come off a solid qualifying campaign. Clearly, the Bocanegra-Onyewu backline has left little to the imagination, but will
surely be tested in Columbus. Dos Santos should get a run-out, and will put Gooch’s speed on trial. But who will start alongside
Michael Bradley in the heart of the midfield? Very likely Sacha Kljestan, after his hat-trick performance against Sweden, with Ching
and Dempsey up front. Bob Bradley clearly recognizes the magnitude of the match at hand, and has proved successful in the past.
No-one could forget Benny Feilhaber’s volley to seal the Gold Cup in 2006, and US fans will be looking to Bob Bradley to deliver once
again.

The US squad is as follows:

GK: Tim Howard, Brad Guzan
DEF: Carlos Bocanegra, Jonathon Bornstein, Danny Califf, Frankie Hejduk, Oguchi Onyewu, Heath Pearce
MID: Damarcus Beasley, Michael Bradley, Ricardo Clark, Sacha Kljestan, Robbie Rogers, Jose Francisco Torres, Marvel Wynne,
FOR: Josmer Altidore, Brian Ching, Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan

Projected line-up:

T.Ho
Hejduk, Boca, Gooch, Pearce
Beasley, Bradley, Donovan, Kljestan
Dempsey, Ching

Make no mistake, this game has social, cultural, and political value along with the football. The US/Mexico rivalry surely ranks among
the top in the world. Therefore, expect an extremely tense atmosphere at Columbus Crew stadium on Wednesday. These 2
CONCACAF dominates have struggled to prove superiority for years, and will continue to forever. Anyone who is anyone will
appreciate what is at stake on Wednesday, bragging rights to the region that will content for 2010 in South Africa.

Expect a chilling occasion both on the pitch and off the pitch.

Full roster info below:
Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Birthdate Caps/G Hometown Club
Altidore, Jozy F 6'1" 175 11/06/89 6/2 Boca Raton, Fla. Xerez C.D. (Spain)
Beasley, DaMarcus M 5'8" 145 05/24/82 82/17 Ft. Wayne, Ind. Glasgow Rangers (Scotland)
Bocanegra, Carlos D 6'0" 170 05/25/79 62/10 Alta Loma, Calif. Stade Rennais (France)
Bornstein, Jonathan D 5'9" 145 11/07/84 14/1 Los Alamitos, Calif. Chivas USA (MLS)
Bradley, Michael M 6'2" 175 07/31/87 25/3 Manhattan Beach, Calif. Borussia Mönchengladbach (Germ.)
Califf, Danny D 6'1" 175 03/17/80 22/1 Orange, Calif. FC Midtjylland (Denmark)
Ching, Brian F 6'1" 195 05/24/78 32/9 Haleiwa, Hawaii Houston Dynamo (MLS)
Clark, Ricardo M 5'10" 150 05/10/83 16/1 Jonesboro, Ga. Houston Dynamo (MLS)
Davies, Charlie F 5'10" 160 06/25/86 5/1 Manchester, N.H. Hammarby IF (Sweden)
Dempsey, Clint M 6'1" 170 03/09/83 46/13 Nacogdoches, Texas Fulham FC (England)
Donovan, Landon F 5'8" 150 03/04/82 105/37 Redlands, Calif. Bayern Munich (Germany)
Guzan, Brad GK 6'4" 210 09/09/84 11/0 Homer Glen, Ill. Aston Villa (England)
Hejduk, Frankie D 5'8" 155 08/05/74 81/6 Cardiff, Calif. Columbus Crew (MLS)
Howard, Tim GK 6'3" 210 03/06/79 35/0 North Brunswick, N.J. Everton FC (England)
Kljestan, Sacha M 6'1" 150 09/09/85 13/3 Huntington Beach, Calif. Chivas USA (MLS)
Onyewu, Oguchi D 6'4" 210 05/13/82 38/5 Olney, Md. Standard de Liege (Belgium)
Pearce, Heath D 5'10" 175 08/13/84 21/0 Modesto, Calif. Hansa Rostock (Germany)
Rogers, Robbie M 5'10" 165 05/12/87 1/0 Huntington Beach, Calif. Columbus Crew (MLS)
Torres, José Francisco M 5'7" 135 10/29/87 2/0 Longview, Texas Pachuca (Mexico)
Wynne, Marvell D 5'9" 170 05/08/86 2/0 Poway, Calif. Toronto FC (MLS)

US v Sweden & Sacha Show

US - 3
Sweden - 2

A good win to start of the year and a good confidence booster before the all important Mexico Game February 11th. US won 3-2, from a hat trick from Sacha Kljestan, his first and the 11th of US Soccer. US dominated most of the game, which is a good sign from a young team, comprised of domestic players with most of them, less then 10 caps.

The games first goal, was the best. An amazing free kick from Sacha about 30 yards out. I didn't think Sacha had it in him, but it looks like he might be heading to Celtic, especially after that performance. Our offense looked good, but are young defense looked like they could have dominated a little more and not let in 2. I have to give Sweden credit for coming trying to come back, but it was never in doubt.

I hope everyone had a blast either at their respective viewing parties or at the game. We will see you in Columbus.

Below is the Match Report from ussoccer.com

Thanks and enjoy,
Brunken



Match: United States Men's National Team vs. Sweden
Date: January 24, 2009
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: The Home Depot Center; Carson, Calif.
Kickoff: 5:30 p.m. PT
Attendance: 9,918
Weather: 59 degrees, mostly cloudy

Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 2 1 3
SWE 0 2 2

USA – Sacha Kljestan 17th minute
USA – Kljestan (PK) 40
SWE – Daniel Nannskog (Alexander Farnerud) 73
USA – Kljestan (Brian Ching) 74
USA – Mikael Dahlberg (Farnerud) 89

Lineups:
USA: 1-Troy Perkins; 12-Marvell Wynne, 2-Danny Califf (capt.), 4-Michael Parkhurst (3-Ugo Ihemelu, 82), 6-Jonathan Bornstein (15-Chris Wingert, 79); 17-John Thorrington (20-Chris Rolfe, 61), 13-Ricardo Clark, 16-Sacha Kljestan, 30-Robbie Rogers (22-Brian Carroll, 69); 10-Charlie Davies (27-Kenny Cooper, 46), 11-Brian Ching (29-Eddie Gaven, 77)
Subs not used: 18-Jon Busch
Head Coach: Bob Bradley

SWE: 12-Johan Dahlin, 7-Markus Jonsson, 8-Marcus Lindberg, 9-Max von Schlebrügge, 5-Adam Johansson; 10-Andreas Dahl (14-Rasmus Elm, 62), 6-Daniel Andersson (capt.) (13-Martin Ericsson, 71), 20-Gustav Svensson, 16-Samuel Holmén (15-Alexander Farnerud, 62); 11-Mikael Dahlberg, 19-Daniel Nannskog
Subs not used: 1-John Alvbåge, 2-Patrik Anttonen, 3-Rasmus Bengtsson, 4-Mattias Bjärsmyr, , 17-Andreas Johannson, 18-Andreas Landgren, 21-Denni Avdic
Head Coach: Lars Lagerbäck

Stats Summary: USA / SWE
Shots: 13 / 9
Shots on Goal: 6 / 6
Saves: 3 / 3
Corner Kicks: 7 / 1
Fouls: 15 / 15
Offside: 2 / 5

Misconduct Summary:
SWE – Daniel Andersson (caution) 27th minute
USA – Danny Califf (caution) 59

Officials:
Referee: Silviu Petrescu (CAN)
Assistant Referee 1: Hector Vergara (CAN)
Assistant Referee 2: Darren Clark (CAN)
Fourth Official: Baldomero Toledo (USA)

ussoccer.com Man of the Match:
Sacha Kjestan

February 11th: Looking Forward

On September 3rd, 2005 I attended my second U.S. National Team match, a World Cup qualifier against Mexico in Columbus, Ohio. My first was the friendly against England in May of the same year, during which I sat in the upper level of Soldier Field opposite Sam’s Army. The English fans impressed me with their songs and passion and I was able to hear little more from the U.S. supporters than the faint beat of a drum and the occasional “USA” chant. In Columbus my seats were again opposite Sam’s Army but, to my surprise, I saw in the home end a section of thousands of rabid U.S. fans who stood, jumped and chanted through the entire game, drowning out the Mexican fans and creating a true home atmosphere for the U.S. team. It was a perfect match in almost every way; the weather, the supporters and the result; qualification for the World Cup comes only once every four years and doing it against our fiercest rival to the tune of a familiar, 2-0 scoreline couldn’t have been sweeter. Once the fireworks had ended and the players had taken their victory lap, I had only one regret – that I hadn’t experienced the match with those supporters in the home end of the stadium. I had good seats and was able to hurl some newly-learned insults in Spanish at the Mexicans in my section but I wanted to be with people who, like me, took the support of a soccer team more seriously – and obviously had a lot more fun doing it.

Roughly three-and-a-half years later, it is once again time to get ready for the home qualifier against Mexico. I’ve been to ten U.S. matches since then, standing for all of them in the U.S. supporter’s section. I’ve seen the birth and success of the American Outlaws, a supporter’s group that shares not only my passion for U.S. Soccer but my attitude as well. Although it’s not yet official, we can optimistically assume that the match will again be at Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. The weather won’t be perfect, at least not by neutral standards, but we can make sure that the atmosphere and support will. And this time, barring an act of God, I will be there, standing and singing in the U.S. supporter’s section.


It’s been a while since I last took the time to post a blog entry. I’d like to blame it on my busy schedule and it’s true; it’s hard to find the time between work, my band, school, my soccer team and my slightly excessive drinking habit to sit down and come up with anything more interesting or thoughtful to say than, “Thank god Guatemala’s not in the hex.” But I’ll be honest, the real reason for my lack of posting (other than the fact that the head haunchos at American Outlaws haven’t asked us to) is pure laziness. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve spent many hours driving to work every day coming up with intriguing – no, brilliant! – things to say and write about, only to have them die slow, painful deaths through the course of my day. Seeing as the MLS season has ended and we’re less than three months away from the hex and the most important match in two-and-a-half years, now seemed to be a good time to fire up Microsoft Word and see if I remember how to type. At least I can get it out of the way before I add “plan trip to see Mexicans freeze their chalupas off” and “buy presents for people I see twice-a-year” to my schedule.


I was ecstatic to learn that we’d be playing Mexico in February. I’ve always wished I had been to the cold war in Columbus in 2001, the match that ushered in the “dos a cero” era. This is a great chance for newer fans like us to experience the same kind of game in the same atmosphere and hopefully, see a similar result. After seeing the advantages of heat, altitude and smog used by Mexico at Azteca, I find it satisfying to know they’ll have to play the game outside of their own element in unfavorable conditions.

I have to point out that the date of the match presents the U.S. team with an interesting set of issues. We look solid in the back and I don’t see any reason to change the lineup here. Howard, Cherundolo, Onyewu, Bocanegra and Pearce are all playing in colder environments in Europe, with the slight exception of Bocanegra in France; they are all getting consistent playing time and look to be in good to great form. Pearce is the exception in this case, but his consistent performances for the national team clearly make him our best choice at left back.

The question is more difficult to answer in the center of midfield. Whether or not Mastroeni would be the right choice for this match is a moot point, given his suspension due to yellow card accumulation. Here more than anywhere, the MLS off season becomes an issue. Ricardo Clark (yes, Ricardo Clark) has been our most consistent CM against Mexico since Bradley took over as coach (full 90 in the friendly in Arizona, subbed in for Mastroeni at halftime of the Gold Cup final, 79 minutes in the friendly in Houston). His off season fitness, however, makes him a questionable pick. A lot will depend on his performance in the January camp and friendly.

Michael Bradley has started the most consistently of late and he is getting a decent amount of playing time for his club in a cold environment, but his experience against Mexico is limited to the friendly in Houston in which he was subbed off in the 63rd minute after a poor performance. His replacement, Benny Feilhaber, taught us an important lesson: When playing the 4-4-2 “empty bucket” formation against quality oppostion, we need a playmaker in the midfield. Despite his lack of form, Feilhaber’s attack-minded presence kept the Mexicans honest and put a stop, at least momentarily, to their domination of the run of play.

It’s been said that Sacha Kljestan is the new Benny Feilhaber, and that probably isn’t too far off the mark. Sacha has been that playmaker as of late and has put in some solid performances for the full national team late in the year. He has to be considered an option, though fitness in the MLS off season again raises questions. He’s not the most consistent of players and being out of form could make him a defensive liability. My hope is that he’ll be transferred during the January window to a club in Europe where he can train and, hopefully, get some starts under his belt.

Maurice Edu is training with a good club in a cold environment but is getting precious little playing time. I believe his future is bright and that he is likely to be an outstanding, 1st-team defensive midfielder for the U.S. but, unless he starts getting real playing time for Rangers in the next couple months, he is not the best choice to start.

Of course, the necessity for a central midfield playmaker in the 4-4-2 is a moot point if we don’t play a 4-4-2, which is a solution Bob Bradley has discovered in some of the qualifiers in the second half of the year. In the 4-5-1 Donovan becomes the playmaker as an attacking midfielder and the central midfielders focus more on defense; although even in this case, Bradley has chosen Kljestan as one of those CM’s, adding more weight to our attack. I think the 4-5-1 is our best option against Mexico, as Donovan gets to play his preferred position and we have two players who can focus on stopping Mexico’s attack and also have the option to get forward. Playing Bradley and Clark didn’t work in the friendly in Houston; but if Donovan is used as an attacking midfielder, the game changes. Unless Kljestan can maintain form or Edu can find it, I think it’s what we’ll see.

As for the rest of the midfield, Beasley seems to have the left side locked up. Training and playing, though inconsistently, in a cold environment, his partnership with Donovan and his successful performance against Mexico in Columbus in 2005 make him a pretty clear choice. Donovan is also a sure thing, barring injury, either on the right or, as I hope, as an attacking midfielder. Skipping the MLS off season to join Bayern Munich was a great decision, in my opinion, and one that should keep him in form and get him used to the cold. Who knows if he’ll be successful or get a tremendous amount of playing time, but sitting around watching his wife suck at acting in the Los Angeles weather could easily have left him unprepared to play the most important match of the year in the Ohio winter. Sorry Bianca.

In a 4-5-1 with Donovan as the AM, the right side presents a question. All of our options, including Donovan, lack strong defensive capabilities but offer a good amount of speed and punch in the attack. Dempsey is getting some playing time in a somewhat colder environment and is the most likely candidate. He’s looked good in the past and, when it comes to the national team, has performed solidly this past year. Kljestan is another option and it remains to be seen if he’ll stay with MLS or go this winter; yet another option is (surprise surprise!) Freddy Adu. The only thing more unexpected than seeing Kljestan start on the left and Adu on the right against Guatemala, was how well it worked. I guess that’s why I’m not the coach. As interesting as either of these options would be, I expect to see Dempsey on the right and it’s probably the pick I would make.

And finally, the forwards. The important thing to remember here is that Bradley loves Ching. It’s not a completely unjustified love, either, as Brian Ching has both a great ability to hold up the ball (essential in the 4-4-2) and a great partnership with Landon Donovan. His weakness, as we all know, is his ability to finish with any part of his body other than his head or his ass. It should also be noted that the Dynamo will begin the quarter-finals of the CONCACAF Champions League in late February and may begin training in late January or early February – they certainly should and will if they have any memory of how MLS teams, including themselves, have performed in later stages of past competitions. This could make Ricardo Clark and Brian Ching at least slightly more viable options. In a 4-5-1 I’m less a fan of Ching but I just don’t think we’ll see Coach Bob deviate from the past. I would be excited to see Altidore or Cooper up top, but I just don’t see anyone taking Ching’s spot when the most important game of the year is played at the beginning of the year before we’ve had a chance to give anyone else a serious look in a truly competitive match.


So, in case I don’t get around to posting again before the 25th or the American Outlaws top brass tells me my services are no longer desired, I’d like to say Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Joyous Kwanza, or (insert your well-intentioned, seasonal greeting of choice) to all the Outlaws out there; may your stockings be stuffed with jerseys, scarves, calendars, airline miles and match tickets. It’s a jungle out there this time of year, drive safely and don’t get trampled to death in any Wal-Marts – you’re no good to us dead! We’ve got the most important match of qualification coming up in February, make sure you get there in one piece… well, make sure you get there.

- Ben Girard