UAH Season Opener, USA v Costa Rica Viewing Party, TV Updates

UAH Kicks Season Off Thursday

UAH hosts Talladega in their season opener at 2PM on Thursday.  Coach Mike Mitchell is looking forward to playing the NAIA school to guage his teams progress from a disappointing season last year.

American Outlaws host USA vs Costa Rica Viewing Party Friday at the Brickhouse

The local American Outlaws chapter will be hosting a viewing party for the USA v Costa Rica match this Friday at the Brickhouse.  Game time is at 10PM and as always there will be food and drink specials.



Soccer On TV Just Got Sexier

Soccer on TV in the USA has reached a few milestones recently.  MLS has announced a major deal with NBC Sports where 45 MLS and USMNT matches will be shown on NBC and the NBC Sports Network (currently called Versus).  Originally, I was lukewarm about the deal, but in the days since,  NBC has announced a major effort to challenge ESPN's dominance and will feature live sporting events like MLS and NHL.  

Another sign that soccer is coming to the mainstream sports consciousness is FOX's announcement that they will broadcast 4 EPL games this season.

RCU Return Home; MLS Welcomes an Old Villain

Rocket City Faces Jacksonville United in Homecoming Match

Rocket City United will finally return home this Saturday after a three game road trip to play their last two games in front of their home fans. After last weekend's disappointing loss to Atlanta, RCU can no longer win the region. Gerry Cleary is adamant, however, that these last two games will not be used to run-out young players.

“We’re not running out, we’re still going to stick to the same team,” he said. “Stay with our philosophy and do something we haven’t done all season which is win at home.”

They will face Jacksonville United on the 9th, a team they beat 3-1 earlier this season. RCU will hope to repeat that result, but it won't be easy with JUFC on a four game win streak.



Toronto Brings in Two DPs
Toronto has bought two designated players in an attempt to revitalize their less-than-stellar season. One of them is German international Torsten Frings, who US fans are sure to remember for his infamous handball in the 2002 World Cup quarterfinal. Frings comes in alongside striker Danny Koevermans in a move that Toronto are hoping can help them push for a playoff spot.

Never hurts to have some quality villains in the league, and US fans have long memories.

Gold Cup Final: USA v Mexico Watch Party at Brickhouse on Saturday

Gold Cup Final Watch Party at Brickhouse

 The Gold Cup Semifinal watch party last Wednesday night was a huge success.  The place was standing room only; songs were sung; the ubiquitous U-S-A, U-S-A chant rang out; and most importantly the US won. 

Gold Cup Semis USA 1 0 Panama AO-Huntsville at the Brickhouse 

 

USA vs Mexico is the final everyone wanted and that's what we got.  So now, join the American Outlaws - Huntsville for the Gold Cup Final watch party at the Brickhouse Sports Cafe on Saturday night at 8PM.  It's bound to be a classic.

Another RCU Loss to CFC, USA v Jamaica Watch Party at the Brickhouse on Sunday

RCU Loses to CFC Again

They say "the third time's a charm", but that wasn't the case for Rocket City United as they fell to Chattanooga FC by the same 2:0 scoreline for the third time in 4 weeks.  Goals from CFC's Mark Sharrod and Chris Ochieng sealed the three points for the Blues while torpedoing RCU's chance to play in the NPSL Championship in Madison at the end of July.



Gold Cup Quarterfinal: USA v Jamaica Watch Party at Brickhouse

The US Men's National Team's form hasn't been very good, but that is not for lack of support from the American Outlaws, and the local would-be Huntsville chapter has been stellar in that regard.  They have had terrific crowds for each of the three first round matches, and are hosting another watch party for the Gold Cup Quarterfinal match between the USMNT and Jamaica at the Brickhouse Sports Cafe on Sunday at 1:30PM.  Come out and join us and bring your father, too!

RCU at CFC, CFC Fall In US Open Cup, My New Favorite Writers

RCU Try To Be First To Win At CFC Since 09

Rocket City United have had a strange season so far.  Undefeated on the road and winless at home (2-3), RCU will try to keep that undefeated part going this Saturday at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga.  RCU will have to overcome inconsistent play if they want to be the first team in years to come out of Finley with three points.  The team has looked disjointed at times, perhaps due to the revolving lineups as players have joined the squad late.  I spoke to RCU veteran Brian Hadley who is the ranking player on the roster, having been with the team since 2008.  He's optimistic that the team will come together soon.

Longtime RCU player Brian Hadley   

CFC Can't Hold On To Lead, Fall in OT

Chattanooga FC may be a little tired for this weekend's match with RCU after they bused around 24 hours to and from Pittsburgh and played 120 minutes before falling 3:2 in the US Open Cup match on Tuesday.  CFC held a 2:0 lead with about 30 minutes left to play, but gave up two goals late and one in overtime to lose 3:2 to the USL Pro's Riverhounds.  Only one of the four NPSL teams in the tournament survived the first round as the Madison 56ers beat USASA team AAC Eagles 4:0.  


Writers Rip US team, Becomes My Hero

We all know the US team has played terribly in the past two weeks.  This AP writer gives it to us straight saying Clint Dempsey failed to finish a chance "a third grader should make".  NICE! She's not the only one criticizing the US team.  This writer compares coach Bob Bradley to George Lucas, and if you've seen Episodes 1-3, you know that's not a compliment.

RCU v CFC, Greg Petersen Update, AOHA US v Panama Watch Party, Book Review

RCU Host CFC Saturday Night

Rocket City United will be hosting defending NPSL Southeast Region champions Chattanooga FC on Saturday night.  The teams are familiar with each other after CFC beat RCU 2:0 in the US Open Cup qualifying tournament 2 weeks ago.  Coming off the heart breaking, soul sucking, gut wrenching loss to Atlanta last week, this match is huge for RCU.  The team is 0-2 at home and needs to get a win in the Madison City Schools Stadium Saturday to have any chance of winning the region and the spot in the NPSL championships which is also being held at in Madison.  Expect a fairly large amount of traveling fans from Chattanooga to provide some atmosphere that has been somewhat lacking at the MCSS this season. 


Former RCU Coach Finds Home in Plant City FC

Former Rocket City United coach Greg Petersen has been hired as Technical Director by Plant City FC outside of Tampa, FL.   Petersen who has been a strong critic of US youth soccer in the past was impressed with the community involvement in the club, and sees this as an opportunity to play his part in changing the youth soccer culture.  "Ultimately, I see this as the ideal opportunity to really establish a proper club in the U.S., a club in the European style, where the Club is the focal point of the whole community. "


AOHA US v Panama Watch Party at Brickhouse  

The second of three US Gold Cup group matches will be against Panama on Saturday night and the American Outlaws-Huntsville will be hosting another watch party at the Brickhouse.  The game starts at 7PM and the fun lasts all night.

AOHA Gold Cup Watch Party: USA v Canada at the Brickhouse

The Huntsville Chapter of the American Outlaws are at it again.  They'll be having Gold Cup watch parties for all of the US matches in the Gold Cup starting Tuesday night at 7PM at the Brickhouse Sports Cafe.

Here's the US Gold Cup schedule:

Date, Opponent, Kickoff Time, 

Tuesday June 7, Canada, 7 p.m.

Saturday June 11, Panama, 7 p.m.

Tuesday June 14, Guadeloupe  8 p.m.

Sat/Sun June 18/19, Quarterfinal, TBD

Wednesday June 22, Semifinal, TBD

June 25, Final, TBD

The US is a favorite to make it to the final.  So, there will be plenty of chances to join the AOHAs at the Brickhouse for a game.  So, mark your calendar.

If you're still on the fence about joining the American Outlaws, here's a brief interview with the man behind the Huntsville Chapter, Andrew Adams.

Andrew Adams- American Outlaws of Huntsville, AL

AOHA USA v Spain Watch Party at Brickhouse

The group of rabid soccer fans who are attempting to start an official American Outlaws in Huntsville are getting together at the Brickhouse Sports Cafe on Saturday to watch the USA v Spain match at 3:30PM.

The watch party is open to all, and AOHA officers will be there to help register new members.  The group is just a few members away from the minimum necessary to be officially designated as the 55th AO chapter in the country and the first from Alabama.

USMNT Studio 90

The US faces the World Champions as a warm up to the Gold Cup beginning on Tuesday against Canada.  I think it will be very interesting to see who steps on the field against Spain and who is rested for the main event next Tuesday.

American Outlaws in Huntsville, Rocket City Invitational

American Outlaws Want You!

The American Outlaws, a supporters group for the US Men's National Team started in 2007 by some soccer buddies in Lincoln, Nebraska, are looking to expand to the Rocket City.  AO member Andrew Adams is looking to organize the new chapter in Huntsville and needs 25 paid members to become official.

The chapter will gather for USMNT viewing parties at the AO's home bar, organize trips to USMNT games, and generally support soccer in the Huntsville area.  It will also be the first AO chapter in Alabama.  Right now, Andrew has 12 members.  I've just signed up, and if you are a fan of US Soccer, you should too!

With your $20 membership fee you get an AO t-shirt and bandana, discounted tickets for USMNT games, flight discounts on Continental airlines to any US Soccer game, even games in other countries.    
Join now through the AO Membership page.  


Rocket City Invitational Announced

The Rocket City Invitational 6-aside tournament is back.  The 2011 version will be held at Dublin Park on the weekend of July 23-24.  Southern Soccer is going all out once again to provide the best tournament possible including several divisions for all skill levels, on site massage and mist tent.  Register your team now.

Another New NPSL Club, USA U-20s Out of World Cup, and Dumb Send-offs

Hollywood United Defects to NPSL from PDL

Hollywood United, the celebrity filled LA based club has moved from the USL's PDL to the NPSL for the 2011 season.  The club often fields celebrities for charity matches like actors Anthony LaPaglia, Dermot Mulroney and Donal Louge (who stars in one of my favorite movies, The Tao of Steve); musicians Ziggy Marley and Steve Jones (Sex Pistols); and ex-soccer stars Alexi Lalas, Eric Wynalda, Vinnie Jones, and Frank LeBoeuf.  However, the club's Hitmen team is a serious contender in the NPSL's West Region. 


US U-20s Crash Out of World Cup Qualifying

Conor Doyle's Classy Finish in Loss

The USA's rising stars were brought back down to earth by losing 2:1 to Guatemala in the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying tournament.  The loss eliminates the Young Yanks, but sent Guatemala to its first World Cup appearance of any age group.  To be fair to the heavily favored US team, injuries and the prospect of playing the home team in front of a hostile 30,000 fans, tilted the match against them, but the USA's missed early chances came back to haunt them.


Vancouver's Hassli Tossed for Removing Shirt!?

Eric Hassli scores PK and gets tossed

The Whitecaps forward Eric Hassli was tossed from Wednesday night's game after celebrating his PK goal by taking off his jersey to reveal a short sleeved version of the same jersey.   It was Hassli's second caution of the match, and he was shown a red card.   Idiot!  But should he been thrown out from the match?

The FIFA Laws of the Game state a decision from the IAFB:

Players must not reveal undergarments showing slogans or advertising. The basic compulsory equipment must not have any political, religious or personal statements.  A player removing his jersey or shirt to reveal slogans or advertising will be sanctioned by
the competition organiser. The team of a player whose basic compulsory equipment has political, religious or personal slogans or statements will be sanctioned by the competition organiser or by FIFA.

But Hassli "undergarment" was exactly the same as his outer garment!  Does that count?

Fortunately, FIFA released a position paper to further elaborate :

A player who removes his jersey to celebrate a goal must be cautioned for unsporting behavior...  It doesn't matter if the player has anything on underneath nor does it matter exactly what the player may have on underneath (including an exact replicate of the removed jersey).  Bolding added for emphasis.

So, let this be a lesson to any players out there.  Don't take off your shirt!  BTW, if Grant Wahl had been elected FIFA President, these types of cautions would be eliminated. 

UPDATE:  You think that send-off was dumb, check this one out from Santos' Neymar.

Photos from Nashville

Here are some of my photos from Tuesday's match in Nashville along with several from friend of the PWT-blog Mario. 

Starters

Kickoff

RCU's Andy Zorovich (left) and Jan Henner (right)

FSC's sideline reporter Brian Dunseth delivering the dirt

Waiting for 2nd half kickoff

Final score

On the bus ride home, through the wet city streets

More USA v Paraguay

I put together a little vid of our bus trip, the pregame tailgate, and some game highlights.  As you can see, we had pretty sweet seats and a pretty great time, despite the result.

USA v Paraguay in Nashville

According to the announced attendance figures, the match was the biggest in Tennessee history at 29,059.  That's about 7,000 walk up tickets sold, and a lot more than I thought would come out on a cool rainy Tuesday.  Well done, soccer fans!

Record crowd cheering on the USA

As for the game itself...  We certainly had enough chances to score, but when was last time the US were the first team to score in a game?  As much as I respect Bob Bradley as a coach, our team sucks in the first half.  Maybe we can get a interim coach just to run out the starting line-ups and tactical formations, and then let Cheatin' Bob (That's what I call him.  Ask me about it sometime if you see me) finish coaching the match, since he seems to make decent adjustments and substitutions as the game goes on.

Here's a pretty good recap with plenty of pics from the Tennessean, who treated the match as a big event.  Nice!

I'll share some photos of our trip in my next post.

Guest Post: USA v Paraguay, An Armchair Analysis

PWT-Blog is happy to welcome back our guest blogger, Chris Shaffer.  I'm tired from getting home from Nashville wee hours.  So thankfully, Chris breaks down the game for us, as only he can.  I'll have further coverage of the game in the next day or two.

In tonight’s USA/Paraguay friendly, seen as a key warm-up for the USA as it prepares for this summer’s Gold Cup competition, the US succumbed 1-0 to a typically hard-nosed, defensively organized Paraguay side.

I was going to go with a blow-by-blow, minute-by-minute account of the match but, honestly, it’s just not worth the effort.

The approach, therefore, will be a Lessons-Learned tutorial. Mind you, none of these lessons will deal specifically with Paraguay.

Let’s also remember that some key players in the USA’s stunning 1-1 draw with Argentina were not involved, including GK Tim Howard.

USA: 23-Marcus Hahnemann (18-David Yelldell, 46); 21-Timmy Chandler (2-Jonathan Spector, 80),15-Jay DeMerit (3-Carlos Bocanegra, 41), 6-Tim Ream, 12-Jonathan Bornstein (16-Sacha Kljestan, 77); 8-Clint Dempsey, 7-Maurice Edu (13-Jermaine Jones, 46), 4-Michael Bradley, 10-Landon Donovan (capt.); 17-Jozy Altidore (19-Eric Lichaj, 60), 9-Juan Agudelo

 

USA 0:1 Paraguay

 Lessons Learned:

• If Honduran referee Jose Benigno is any indication, Hondurans have utterly failed to appreciate the great things US companies like United Fruit and our government’s financial and military support of their death squads and dictatorship have done for their people. Also, Jonathan Bornstein’s last gasp goal against Costa Rica in an otherwise meaningless final World Cup Qualifier for the US vs. Costa Rica put Honduras into the 2010 World Cup finals.
• This is the last positive thing I’ll say about Mr. Bornstein.
• Paraguay is not just defensively organized and stout, they are masters of the professional foul, yet only one Paraguayan was booked at all despite repeated fouling of US players holding the ball at midfield with their back to goal.
• Paraguay’s Directo Technico Gerardo Martinez must find a sport coat that doesn’t cause pixallation on TV.
• Kyle Martinez, doing color commentary, referred to US left back Jonathan Bornstein as, “not the best one-on-one defender.” This is a vast understatement in more ways than I care to list.
• The aforementioned may have something to do with just how much Bornstein blows at every phase of the game. He minored in giving the ball away under no pressure.
• Conversely, Timmy Chandler, a right back of Amero-Germano (sic) parentage is really, really good. He defends, he goes forward, he can cross the ball. He plays for Nurnberg. He is the real deal. Meanwhile, Bob Bradley’s out looking for David Regis on the Streets of Metz after the Born-de-bacle.
• Nike’s new “Indivisible” US Jersey will be plugged continuously from now through the Gold Cup
• Oscar Cardozo (Par) knows how to finish, especially when US central defender Tim Ream (NYRB), who played respectably, is pulled down from behind. Or maybe he just fell.1-0 to Paraguay. Tim Ream was a Billiken in College.
• Paraguay received one booking (yellow) and the US none.
• Did I mention the Honduran ref was awful?
• Estonia inexplicably drew 1-1 with Serbia today as a Serbian goal in stoppage time was not acknowledged. Look up Luddite in the dictionary and you’ll see a pic of Sepp Blatter.
• One moment Clint Dempsey seems somnambulant and the next he’s hit a knuckling 30-yarder on goal.
• The Nashville crowd was great, and was repeatedly acknowledged as such by JP Dellacamera. Evidently 1,000 more than WC qualifier!
• 37^th minute: J. Bornstein completes his 1^st pass of the game
• Jay Demerit is no Carlos Bocanegra…J. Spector is no Jay Demerit.
• Evidently there’s a product called “ProActive,” you know for acne and whatnot. I’ve never heard of it.
• BTW, props to Eric Wynalda for his ad promoting AYSO soccer, where you can, “learn soccer and have fun doing it.” And I thought you were an arrogant jerk…
• 2 halftime subs for USA: GK David (Who?) Yelldell (Duisburg) for Hahnemann, and Jermaine Jones for Mo Edu. I can’t believe Bornstein is still on the pitch.
• Did you know the new Nike USA “Indivisible” jersey is available?
• OK, Bornstein’s mark fell down and lost the ball, yet Bornstein still was beaten. Doesn’t this violate a law of physics?
• 50^th minute: Bornstein completes 2^nd pas of game.
• Dempsey/Altidore/Agudelo repeatedly fouled, yet they’re not…Thanks a lot Allen Dulles. (If you didn’t know, who owned a whole bunch of United Fruit stock)
• US player Eric Lichaj’s last name is pronounced “Lehigh.” He comes in for Altidore, not Bornstein. He actually plays sometimes for Leeds Utd., but is on loan from Aston Villa, where Michael Bradley sits. Bradley is having a solid game in the holding mf spot. Why can’t this guy get a start for Villa?
• Best US chance of the game comes in the 69^th minute when Agudelo crosses from the right side and Landon Donovan, unmarked, can only hit side netting as the ball bounces through the Paraguay box.
• Clint Dempsey now looks like he’s taken a worse beating than at a Fulham away match to Stoke.
• Lots of subs now. Sasha Klejstan on for US. Every time he touches the ball the game seems to go into slow motion.
• Aside from Agudelo and Timmy Chandler, the squad lacks pace and plays too slowly. Of course when Paraguay has 9 field players behind the ball after the 18’ mark and fouls at will with no consequences, Barcelona might have problems.
• Last 10 minutes: US has some offensive breaks, but they’re all 3-on-6
• Final: 1-0 Paraguay.
• This ProActive stuff must be really effective.
• Credit to the USSF for playing a tough schedule of Amistosos (“friendlies” not in MSWord dictionary), instead of padding its FIFA ranking with games vs. Macedonia and Austria.

Nashville Notes

A few last things before I get on the RCU bus up to Nashville:

As of this morning, 22,000 tickets have been sold.  I would expect a few thousand walk-ups and a possible crowd of 25,000.  Despite the frustration I have with the USA's support at home, that's not bad for a cool, wet Tuesday night game.

USA v Paraguay Pregame Press Conference

If you are not heading up I65, the game will be shown on FSC with a full pre-game and post game show.  Coverage begins at 6:30 PM.

There area also some other pretty good matches on TV today.
1:30 PM, Germany v Australia, ESPN2
2 PM, England v Ghana, FSC
4 PM, Columbia v Chile, FSC

There's plenty of speculation that the Yanks goalscorer on Saturday Juan Agudelo will get his first start for the USMNT.  But if it weren't for his call up, he'd be in Guatemala with the US U-20s as they attempt to qualify for the U20 World Cup.  This USA U20 is chock full of seasoned professionals and is probably the most experienced U20 group the US has ever put on the field.  If you have access to ESPN3.com, you can also watch the U-20s play Suriname at 7 PM, but if I were you, I'd watch the replay after the US v Paraguay match finishes.

USA U20s Preparation for World Cup Qualifying

USA in Nashville News

USA 1:1 Argentina

After surviving Saturday's match with Argentina, the US Men's National Team now turn their sights on Paraguay.  Over 20,000 tickets have been sold for the first match at LP Field since the 2009 World Cup Qualifying win over T&T, but I'd be surprised if the attendance numbers will reach the nearly 28,000 that were sold for that match.  You see, the weather and the Tuesday night game time won't be optimal for a large walk up crowd.  

Jozy Altidore Remembers Nashville

Let's not forget Paraguay no slouch of a team.  The Yanks will be facing fellow 2010 World Cup group winner and top 25 ranked team.  No, they may not have their star players, but they will have a few exciting young players just like the US does.   This should be a really fun match especially since I'll be riding on the Rocket City United bus to and from the game.

USMNT in Nashville Update

Disappointing Turnout Expected?

There's a minor debate going on about the turnout for Tuesday night's match between the US and Paraguay at LP Field.  As of yesterday, 17,000 tickets had been for a game in a stadium that holds nearly 70,000.  Some are arguing that a match versus a top twenty-five team that is coming off their best World Cup showing ever should attract more interest.  I'm not so sure, but I do see the valid points of the arguments.

When you compare the 63,000 tickets sold for the Argentina match, the number for next Tuesday's match seem paltry, but Paraguay is not a world power the likes of Argentina.  Despite coming off an appearance in the round of 8 where they were beaten by the eventual champions Spain in last year's Wold Cup, but La Albirroja are certainly not one of the "sexy" teams of world football (unless you count the team's unofficial mascot, Larissa Riquelme).

No word on whether Larissa Riquelme will be in attendance next Tuesday.  Now, that might sell more tickets!

Also, Paraguay aren't bringing their star players.  Even if they did, I'm guessing not too many folks who weren't born along the Rio Paraguay would buy tickets just to see Roque Santa Cruz and Nelson Valdez who are being left out in favor of some of the younger talents.  Educated soccer aficionados may know the likes of Lucas Barrios (Borussia Dortmond) and Oscar Cordoza (Benfica), but the typical EPL obsessed fans I know don't know them at all.

But enough about the opponent.  I'm more concerned that a match with the USMNT's first choice players hasn't already drawn more than 20,000.  Landon Donovan. Tim Howard. Clint Dempsey.  These are legitimate international professionals, if not star players.  Considering that the USA's finish in last year's World Cup made these guys household names in countries on the other side of the globe, it boggles my mind that there isn't more interest on the other side of town here in the USA.

USMNT Training Ahead of Argentina/Paraguay Friendlies

Maybe I'm just getting old and impatient, but it's about time the soccer community in the US woke up and started supporting the professional game here in the US.  I know... Rome wasn't built in a day and all that hooey, but hurry up already! 


Bussing It with Rocket City United

At least the Huntsville/Madison area will be well represented.  Rocket City United has provided fans a free trip up to Nashville on their team bus, and if you haven't reserved your seat, it's too late.  All 60 seats on the bus have been taken.  The bus will take off from the Walmart on Madison Blvd. parking lot at 3:15 on Tuesday afternoon. 


Rocking the Red

Looks like the Yanks will be sporting a new look when they step on the field this week.  Nike and the US Soccer have unveiled a red third jersey.  The shirt is an attempt to appease the hard core USMNT fans who always wear red and have been asking for a return to the red shirts for a while.  The last time the US wore red in a real competition was the "last place finish" of the 1998 World Cup.  I think someone at the US Soccer house became superstitious and decided the red shirt was to blame rather than the horrid 3-6-1 tactical formation and the bickering between the players.

Welcome Back Charlie

Charlie Davies' first match back from his accident was a storybook affair, and I can't help but get a little misty watching the interview at the end.

Charlie Davies- The Return

NPSL Southeast News, USMNT Bus

NPSL Southeast's New Look Keeps Changing?

With the previously announced two new teams in Knoxville and Conyers, GA and the rebranding of the Atlanta FC to Silverbacks Reserves, the NPSL Southeast Region will have a few new franchise locations and there could be an additional one on the way.  Rumor has it that a team from Jacksonville, FL will be added to the mix.  The league has not announced anything, but if it happens, it would make the already strong division even stronger.

Jacksonville is the home of the powerful amateur club Lynch's Pub and Lynch's could be an excellent addition to the league.  Lynch's battled RCU to a 2:2 draw in a friendly in 2009 and has had success in qualifying into the US Open Cup in 2007 and 2009.

Another potential organization involved in the rumored NPSL team is the youth club Jacksonville United FC. The newly formed youth club has high aspirations and could set up an NPSL squad to serve as their "senior team" similar to the Georgia Revolution's relationship with the Rockdale Youth Soccer Association. 



Take the Bus to Nashville

Rocket City United is providing a bus to travel up to LP Field for next Tuesday's USMNT match against Paraguay.  I've got my seat picked out, but the bus is filling up quickly.  So, contact Kristen Pierce (kpierce@rocketcityunited.com) to reserve your seat, free of charge!

Speaking of the USMNT, they arrived in Cary, NC for training camp prior to next week's games. 

Nashville USA Friendly and Caps

US Roster Released

US Coach Bob Bradley announced the roster for the USA v Paraguay match on March 29th and the match against Argentina three days earlier in New Jersey.  If you are one of the 15,000 already for tickets for the match at LP Field, we should see a pretty good squad line up for the US.  Sixteen of the twenty-four named played on the World Cup squad and the FIFA international date allows most of the European contingent to travel in preparation for the summer's Gold Cup.  This year's Gold Cup is being taken seriously as the winner will qualify for the 2013 Confederations Cup.  One interesting name on the list is outside back Timothy Chandler who has been strong for a surprisingly good Nürnberg team in the Bundesliga.

Here's the full list.
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)


USA Fan Caps

Preparing this post got me thinking about all of the US games I've been to.  Serious USMNT fans track the games they've witnessed first hand and award themselves caps just like the players.  Now, I'm no Cobi Jones (164 caps), but I think I've done pretty well.  The USA v Paraguay game will be my 15th cap.  That would put me equal with Freddy Adu!

Here are my caps and the results:

1. May 30, 1992, USA v Ireland, 3:1 W, Washington, DC
2. June 18, 1995, USA v Mexico, 4:0 W, Washington, DC
3. June 12, 1996, USA v Bolivia, 0:2 L, Washington, DC
4. November 3, 1996, USA v Guatemala, 2:0 W, Washington, DC
5. November 10, 1996, USA v Trinidad & Tobago, 2:0 W, Richmond, VA
6. August 7, 1997, USA v Ecuador, 0:1 L, Baltimore, MD
7. October 3, 1997, USA v Jamaica, 1:1 D, Washington, DC
8. May 30, 1998, USA v Scotland, 0:0 D, Washington, DC
9. June 13, 1999, USA v Argentina, 1:0 W, Washington, DC
10. June 3, 2000, USA v South Africa, 4:0 W, Washington, DC
11. September 3, 2000, USA v Guatemala, 1:0 W, Washington, DC
12. September 1, 2001, USA v Honduras, 2:3 L, Washington, DC
13. November 17, 2002, USA v El Salvador, 2:0 W, Washington, DC
14. April 1, 2009, USA v Trinidad & Tobago, 3:0 W, Nashville, TN

My record is 9 wins, 2 draws, and 3 losses. Most of those games came during the 1995-9 period when I was living in DC the US basically used RFK as their home stadium.  This didn't work out to well when the other team had a large population of immigrants in the area and they outnumbered the "home" crowd (see Honduras).  Fortunately, there's little chance of Paraguay crowding out US fans on the 29th. 

How many caps do you have?

RCU News, Sabio Plays for Phillipines, USA 90 Music Video

RCU to Upgrade Website, Hold Tryouts

Sources indicate that Rocket City United is planning to upgrade their website.  RCU already boasts one of the best sites in the NPSL, but a few features I would like to see are live streaming of matches, archiving of the matches, and more player bio information/stats.  Hopefully, some of those features are part of the plans.

RCU is holding another set of tryouts this Saturday morning at 1 PM at Pt. Mallard Park in Decatur.  RCU is looking to add firepower after learning that former RCU winger Paul Willoughby is out for the season with a serious knee injury after resigning with the team. 


Sabio and Azkals Advance

Huntsville native and UA law student Jason Sabio started and played the entire match for the Philippines in the second leg of the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup qualifying against Mongolia in Ulon Bator.  The Azkals dropped the game 2:1 but won the tie 3:2 and move on to play in Group A of the Challenge Cup later this month.  Sabio was in the center of a major talking point of the match when he was whistled for a penalty leading to Mongolia's second goal.

Sabio and his teammates had planned on training in Japan leading up to the match, but last week's massive earthquake understandably upset those plans.  


The "Running Man" is the "Stanky Leg" of the Late 80s

Is that former RCU coach Desmond Armstrong doing the "running man" to the terrible rap song produced to celebrate the USMNT's qualification for the 1990 World Cup?

The only thing worse than the song are the "soccer rocker" haircuts.  So glad I didn't have one of those.