It has been a busy week for the men as the women are still enjoying the lime light of winning the World Cup. Let’s jump right into it, shall we?
USMNT
The International Break is upon us, and the Americans who are playing in the top flight leagues across Europe will receive no break as the USMNT focuses all eyes on Mexico. The October match will be of the utmost importance for the USMNT since the World Cup. What’s at stake is a trip to the 2017 Confederations Cup, which is the ultimate tune-up for the 2018 World Cup. The USMNT has had some success in the eight team tournament that puts the host nation, previous World Cup winner, and the champions of each FIFA Confederation into a dress rehearsal for the big tournament the following summer.
The USMNT took a trip to South Africa in 2009, and shocked the world by beating Spain, then ranked first; and leading Brazil 2-0 at the half. Brazil ended up winning the match 3-2, after waking up after half-time and deciding to play, to make the USMNT settle for runner-up. That has been the best finish by and USMNT in a FIFA Tournament to date.
Standing in the way of the October showdown with Mexico are Peru on Friday and Brazil next Tuesday, respectively. These two matches are a chance for the veterans to get in some game time together, but also for some new guys to show they are ready for a match with huge implications. Last week we mentioned Tim Howard and DeMarcus Beasley making their returns to the USMNT, but an injury has kept Beasley from being called in. In a strange move, Klinsmann added Jonathan Spector after a strong start at Birmingham City. Spector has not been in the USMNT camp in well over a year, and this is a move that makes you want to scratch your head and yell incoherently at a wall. But I digress, this roster is a spectacular mixture of old and young; MLS, Mexico and Europe. Here’s the breakdown:
GK: Brad Guzan, Tim Howard, William Yarbrough
DEF: Ventura Alvarado, Matt Besler, John Brooks, Geoff Cameron, Greg Garza, Omar Gonzalez, Michael Orozco, Tim Ream, Jonathan Spector
MID: Alejandro Bedoya, Joe Corona, Mix Diskerud, Jermaine Jones, Alfredo Morales, Danny Williams, DeAndre Yedlin
FOR: Jozy Altidore, Aron Johannsson, Bobby Wood, Andrew Wooten, Gyasi Zardes
Obviously one does not see Clint Dempsey or Michael Bradley on that list. Do not fret, they will join the team before Brazil and are sure fire locks for the Mexico match, barring any illness or injury of course. Besler rejoins the team and should get the start in one of the matches, as he and Alvarado fight for the other center back spot next to John Brooks, and the forwards are leaning in the favor of the future. Never count out Jozy, but with the style of play that Klinsmann likes to run, Johannson and Zardes are a much better fit, though still in the infancy of their National Team careers. It is also expected that Tim Howard will play one of the matches to get his feet wet, and to keep the pressure on Brad Guzan. These two have battled for years for the number one spot, and it is Guzan’s to lose, but no one should ever count out Timmy Howard. What a decision Jurgen has for the Mexico match with those two, which will be the talking point in the weeks to come.
U-23 MNT
Andy Herzog has called in 24 players to Manchester, England for the last camp before Olympic Qualifying. This group has the usual names you would see for a young American team, such as Cody Cropper and Luis Gil. However, the attention for this camp is on the young up and coming star Gedion Zelalem. Born in Germany and raised in Maryland, Zelalem was called by both the US and German Federations before he ultimately decided to play for the US. He is the type of player that the US would like to utilize to prove it can run with the big dogs of the world, but at 18 years old, he is not even close to ready for the USMNT. This camp experience, and the two friendlies against England and Qatar, will prove to be a great experience for him. I expect him to be a part of the Olympic Qualifiers as well as the January USMNT camp next year.
Here is the full roster of Herzog’s young guns:
GK: Cody Cropper, Ethan Horvath, Zack Steffen
DEF: Cameron Carter-Vickers, Matt Miazga, Eric Miller, Boyd Okwuonu, Shane O’Neill, William Packwood, Dillon Serna, Oscar Sorto
MID: Gboly Ariyibi, Luis Gil, Emerson Hyndman, Benji Joya, Mac Pelosi, Matt Polster, Wil Trapp, Gedion Zelalem
FOR: Alonso Hernandez, Jerome Kiesewetter, Mario Rodriguez, Rubio Rubin, Maki Tall
The friendly against England is today, September 3rd, and they will face Qatar on September 8th. Fans can follow @ussoccer for all the action and updates within those friendlies.
USWNT
The USWNT does not have much going on right now, but it is safe to say that the players are still enjoying the benefits of winning the World Cup. Attendance at NWSL matches is steadily increasing with the chance to see some of the players; and Christen Press, Julie Johnston and Lori Chalupny threw out the first pitch at a Chicago Cubs game recently. Tickets for the Brazil match went on sale September 1st, and there is an auction for autographed USWNT Jerseys for the Chattanooga Heroes Fund. Proceeds from this auction will go to the families of those lost in the attack on July 16th as well as those who were wounded. You can view the auction here.
