| Don’t miss this summer’s biggest soccer event! Copa America – Tix Are Available Pre-Sale Now until Tuesday !! | |
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So its official the pricing is out for Copa America and the 4 games in Chicago are on pre-sale now. I see this as a once in a lifetime chance to see some of the best players in the world – with Argentina based in Chicago with a game on June 10 and the US coming on June 7th and of course the SEMI FINALS (read Final 4) on June 22 Argentina vs Brazil maybe – I am excited to make the trek over a few time in Early June. You have to buy all 4 games but seats are in the $75 to $140 range per game – really good for the SEMIS. Can buy up to 8 together. If interested in planning a trip over – reach out to me (shanebestsoccer@gmail.com).
The US will wrap up the Winter Camp for MLS players with the Sunday match 3:45 pm on ESPN2 vs an improving Iceland team. I always like to see what young players will emerge – last year was Zardes. This year? Nagbe maybe, Finlay or Morris? Should be fun to watch during this important year of Copa America and WC Qualifying. (Don’t forget the US hosts Guatemala on March 28 in Columbus – will let you know when tix go on sale)
This weekend is FA Cup action on the Fox Sports Networks so no EPL. Liverpool vs West Ham on Sat 12:30 looks ok Fox Sports 2. Great to see US defender Matt Miazga headed to Chelsea from NY Red Bulls – would be great to have another US player in the EPL. The Game of the weekend is La Liga Spanish leaders Athletico Madrid facing Barcelona at 10 am on Sat on beIn Sport. Enjoy and keep on Kicking – The Ole Ballcoach
US
Tim Howard Headed to MLS – Colorado Rapids in May source says – NBCSports.com
Portland’s Darlington Nagbe, Wil Trapp Drive to catch Klinsmanns eye on Sunday
Nagbe, Finlay, Nguyen looks to make move for US – EPSN FC – Jeff Carlisle
US top 25 Players – ESPN FC Doug McIntyre
Nagbe, Altidore Getting Up to Speed at US Camp – Mcintyre – ESPN FC
3 Players to Keep an Eye On vs Iceland Sunday – Brian Straus – SI
Grant Wahl – SI – Matt Maizga to Chelsea, Tim Howard coming Home and Barcelona vs Athletico
5 Players with Most to Gain in Next 2 US Games
Former US Coach Bob Bradley Climbs the Global Coaching Ladder despite being American–NY times
Fantasy Girls Camp with US Women’s Team Mar 6 in Nashville, TN just $3,400 per player
EPL + World
Weekend Roundup Overseas NY Times
Understanding Financial Fair Play in Europe’s Soccer Leagues
City Advances to Finals in League Cup over my Toffees
Everton Blames Missed Call on Last Goal
Liverpool Awaits City in Final
Champions League Returns Feb 16/17 on Fox Sports
Champ League Records Renaldo and Messi Haven’t Broken EUFA
The Legacy of the Finals Venue – Italy’s San Siro
CONCACAF’s Stars in Champions League All Time
Zidane Takes Over as Real Madrid Visit Roma
Bayern have History on Side in showdown with Juventus
Man City Should Advance vs Dynamo of the Ukraine
GAMES OF THE WEEK
Fri, Jan 29
2:55 pm Fox Sports 1 Derby County vs Man U.
Sat, Jan 30
9:30 am fox Sports 2 Dortmund vs Ingolstadt
10 am beIn Sports Barcelona vs Athletico Madrid
10 am, Fox Sports 1 FA Cup – Arsenal s Burnley
10 am Fox Soccer plus FA Cup Nottinghams Forest vs Watford
12:30 pm Fox sports 2 FA Cup – Liverpool vs West Ham United
Sun, Jan 31
6:30 am beIn Sport Chievo vs Juventus
8:30 am Fox Sports 2 Everton vs Carlisle United
11 am Fox sports 1 Milton Keynes Dons vs Chelsea
11:30 am Fox soccer plus? Bayern Munich vs Hoffenheim 2:45 pm beIn Sport AC Milan vs Inter
3:45 pm ESPN2 US Men vs Iceland
Tues Feb 2
EPL
Weds Feb 3
2:45 pm NBCsN Everton vs Newcastle
Fri, Feb 5
10:15 pm Fox Sports 1 US Men vs Canada
Tues, Feb 16
Champions League
2;45 pm FS 1 PSG vs Chelsea
2:45 pm FS2 Benefica vs Zenit St. Pete
Wed, Feb 17
2:45 pm FS1 Roma vs Real Madrid
2:45 pm FS2 Gent vs Wolfsburg
Thurs, Feb 18
Europa League
1 pm Anderlecht vs Olympiachos, Dortman vs Porto, Fioreentina vs Tottehman, Midtiland vs Man U, Villarreal vs Napoli
3 pm Ausburg vs Liverpool, Sporting Portugal vs Bayern Leverkusen, Valencia vs Rapid Vienna, Galatasaray vs Lazio
Tues, Feb 23
Champ League
2:45 pm FS 1 Arsenal vs Barcelona
2:45 pm FS 2 Juventus vs Bayern Munich
8 pm FS1? Queretaro vs DC United
10 pm FS2? Seattle Sounders vs Club America
Wed, Feb 24
2:45 pm FS1 Dynamo Kiev vs Man City
2:45 pm FS 2 Eindhoven vs Atletico Madrid
8 pm Tigres UNAL vs Real Salt Lake
10 pm LA Galaxy vs Santos Laguna
Tuesday, March 1:
D.C. United vs. Querétaro, CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal second leg, 8:00 p.m. (TV TBD)
Santos Laguna vs. Los Angeles Galaxy, CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal first leg, 10:00 p.m. (TV TBD)
Wednesday, March 2:
Club América vs. Seattle Sounders, CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal first leg, 8:00 p.m. (TV TBD)
Real Salt Lake vs. Tigres UANL, CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal first leg, 8:00 p.m. (TV TBD)
Sunday, March 6:
Portland Timbers vs. Columbus Crew, 4:30 p.m. (ESPN, ESPN Deportes)
Seattle Sounders vs. Sporting Kansas City, 7:00 p.m. (Fox Sports 1, Fox Deportes)
Los Angeles Galaxy vs. D.C. United, 10:00 p.m. (UniMás, Univision Deportes)]
Friday, March 25:
Guatemala vs. United States men, WC qualifier, time TBD (beIN Sports,)
Tuesday, March 28:
United States men vs. Guatemala, WC qualifier, time TBD (ESPN2,-Columbus, OH)
http://www.1070thefan.com/blogs/soccer-saturday
USA vs. Iceland: Three players to watch as USMNT kicks off 2016
BY BRIAN STRAUSTwitter EmailPosted: Thu Jan. 28, 2016
The U.S. national team is nearly three weeks into a January camp that appears to be the most low-key gathering of Jurgen Klinsmann’s tenure. Time, plus four points from a pair of November World Cup qualifiers, have eased a significant portion of the pressure that built up through a frustrating summer and fall.The games that matter are two months away, and Klinsmann’s decision to split the camp between senior players and members of the U-23 team aiming to qualify for this summer’s Olympics removes a bit of tactical intrigue. Some partnerships or chemistry may take root out at StubHub Center, but for the most part, this month is about personal form and development. It’s about helping players through the long MLS offseason (most will go around four months without competitive games) and giving them a jump-start on the year ahead.It’s been relatively quiet so far. Most of the recent news has concerned players who left early (Matt Miazga), arrived late (Jordan Morris) or weren’t invited at all (Benny Feilhaber). Some, like Clint Dempsey, were given the option of skipping camp altogether—an approach that might have created external controversy or internal consternation in years past. And Klinsmann has eased his foot off the gas pedal, giving his players far more freedom than usual.
He told ESPN that locals like Gyasi Zardes and Jermaine Jones have the option to stay at home while out-of-towners can bring in their families or opt for a different hotel.”They already have the schedule for the month, but we just confirm it day by day,” Klinsmann said. “The rest is, ‘You are your own boss. You’re driving it. If you want more treatment here, stay longer here. If you want to run out and do something else, it’s fine. It’s your camp. It’s for you.’ I think that helped a lot. It keeps camp really, really light and positive.”BIRD: How Iceland’s rise is a result of calculated growth, development
Camp will conclude with home friendlies against an Iceland squad playing without many of the stars who helped seal European Championship qualification (Sunday, 3:45 p.m. ET; ESPN2, UniMas) and Canada (Feb. 5, 10:15 p.m. ET; FS1, UniMas). Klinsmann always prefers a positive result, but the nature of his roster, which now features nine U-23 players, means he also may prioritize fielding partnerships or combinations of players he’ll want to use when the games matter in late March.For example, it may make sense to pair U-23 forwards Morris and Jerome Kiesewetter up top. They may be a few years away from starting together for the senior team, but the challenge presented by Colombia in the upcoming home-and-home Olympic qualifying playoff is more pressing than winning a low-profile friendly.Advancing to Rio is important, but Klinsmann ultimately will be judged by the success or failure of the senior squad. A pair of World Cup qualifiers against Guatemala in late March and then the Copa América Centenario in June will indicate whether 2015 was a hiccup or the start of a more troubling trend. And there are several men now training out in Southern California whose 2016 form will play a significant role in determining that course. For them, the pressure and opportunity is a bit greater.
Here’s a look at three such players:
Defender Matt Besler
January camp was a bit more demanding one year ago, and Klinsmann’s public complaints about the offseason fitness of several unnamed players received return fire from Besler and his Sporting Kansas City coach, Peter Vermes. Besler, a World Cup starter, wasn’t in Klinsmann’s first 11 for another eight months.Klinsmann’s reliance on Ventura Alvarado and John Brooks at the Gold Cup proved to be the manager’s biggest misstep of 2015, and Besler’s strong season in MLS paved the way for a return. He started the Confederations Cup playoff loss to Mexico in October and then the ensuing qualifiers. Now, the 28-year-old is back in camp and in position to get a head start on establishing himself as an anchor in a unit that’s seen far too much upheaval in recent months.Geoff Cameron is nursing an ankle injury back with Stoke City, Omar Gonzalez (who hasn’t played for the U.S. in nearly five months) has started well with Pachuca while Brooks, Alvarado, Miazga, Michael Orozco and others knock on the door.Where Besler may have been fatigued or even defiant one year ago, he now seems eager to assume a leadership role“You come in for your first January camp and there’s a lot of focus around yourself,” he told U.S. Soccer. “One you’ve been around for a few years, I think there’s different responsibilities. One of those responsibilities is helping others. This is a great opportunity to be a leader in this camp—me specifically. There’s a ton of young defenders here. [I’m going to] just try to help get everybody on the same page as quickly as possible and help them have an enjoyable experience.”Getting everyone on the same page is what good center backs do, and in this January camp Besler now has the opportunity to make a different sort of lasting impression on Klinsmann.Photo: Jeff Roberson/AP
Midfielder Darlington Nagbe
The national team’s lack of a bona fide midfield playmaker has had a significant domino effect. It’s forced an enormous amount onto Michael Bradley’s plate, isolated Jozy Altidore and left the Americans struggling to hold the ball, dictate terms or play the proactive, attacking soccer Klinsmann advocated.Nagbe’s much-discussed shift inside during the Portland Timbers’ stretch run has thrust him into that conversation.The 25-year-old, who was born in Liberia and moved to Ohio when he was 11, is quick, creative and deft on the dribble. His impact was obvious as the Timbers surged toward their first league championship and resulted in his first two caps in November. If he gets comfortable in a central role for the U.S., it would allow Bradley to focus on organization and tempo or to return to his original position as a defensive midfielder.Either way, Nagbe’s potential emergence would add an element the Americans have been missing while helping to define roles more clearly throughout the rest of the side.It also would require a significant shift in tactics and chemistry in a short period of time. If Klinsmann is going to try it in the qualifiers or Copa América, there needs to be hints that it’s working during the upcoming friendlies.“I think Darlington, especially in the attacking third, can really make a difference because he’s calm on the ball. He has great vision. He sees runs of players, and he knows how to connect all the way around. [He’s] very complete in what he’s doing,” the coach told reporters.
Forward Jozy Altidore
The past two years have been a tough stretch for Altidore, who’s not young anymore. At 26, he’s closing in on 100 caps (89) and now is embarking on his 10th year as a senior international. It’s no longer about potential for the Toronto FC striker. It’s about performance.And Altidore seems to know it. After enduring injury-plagued years that saw him miss most of the 2014 World Cup and 2015 Gold Cup and included a brutal stretch at Sunderland and a season of transition at TFC, he was eager to get started this winter. So he arrived in California a week early to commence training. “I just wanted to come in and start moving a little bit early…getting ready for the year thinking about all the competitions coming up, the MLS season and some fine games that you circle on the calendar,” Altidore told U.S. Soccer. “The last couple of years have been rough, so I just want to stay healthy, stay fit and try to help my team the best that I can.”He managed six goals in 13 U.S. appearances last year, including a pair in the November qualifier against St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and scored 13 times in 26 MLS appearances for Toronto. He’s looking for more this year. Dempsey hopes to stick around long enough to play in the Copa América and break Landon Donovan’s scoring record (Deuce is nine goals behind), while Morris, Bobby Wood and others remain prospects.The mantle of ‘go-to’ finisher is Altidore’s to seize.“He has big goals,” Klinsmann said. “He’s dreaming about the next World Cup. He’s dreaming about the Copa América. .He’s dreaming about winning the MLS Cup with Toronto. He wants to put his stamp on the national team program. And so over the years in his maturing process. He’s gathered all that information from the other older players, and now he becomes one of those as well. So he now wants to make sure that he makes the right decisions. So we see a Jozy now coming in prepared. He’s eager to take advantage of every training session, not wasting a minute on the field, preparing himself the best way possible for the next day.”
Nagbe, Finlay, Nguyen, Diskerud looking to make move at U.S. camp
CARSON, California — The annual January camp for the U.S. national team has long been a vehicle for catapulting players into bigger roles.The list of performers who have taken advantage includes World Cup veterans Matt Besler and Geoff Cameron. Last year it was Gyasi Zardes, who went on to make a whopping 19 appearances for the U.S. in 2015.In the current incarnation, opportunity is beckoning once again, even as manager Jurgen Klinsmann hints that the concept of the January camp is nearing the end of its shelf life.One question that has plagued the U.S. team in the past year is where the next wave of creative players is going to come from. Landon Donovan has retired. Klinsmann indicated last week that Clint Dempsey is still in his plans, but at age 32, it’s fair to wonder for how long.The CONCACAF Cup defeat to Mexico, as well as the friendly loss to Brazil, stand out as games in which the U.S. struggled to impose itself offensively. For all the talk about forwards like Bobby Wood and Jordan Morris, getting them the ball in good positions remains a significant area of need.So for the likes of Portland Timbers midfielder Darlington Nagbe, Columbus Crew winger Ethan Finlay, New York City FC midfielder Mix Diskerud and New England Revolution attacker Lee Nguyen, the camp and subsequent games against Iceland this Sunday and Canada five days later amount to an opening that is there to be exploited.The aforementioned players each offer something different. Nguyen is the conventional No. 10, Finlay provides more of a classic wing presence, Nagbe is more of a two-way player — although his strengths lie more on the offensive side of the ball — and Diskerud is a crafty, attacking player.”You always hope for the next player around the block to bring this piece of being a difference-maker,” Klinsmann said in an exclusive interview with ESPN FC. “So if you come in, I think Lee [Nguyen] could be a player that brings a lot of vision on the field. Darlington [Nagbe] has this natural gift to keep things flowing.”Nagbe has moved up the depth chart in the past few months after receiving his U.S. citizenship back in September. He appeared as a substitute in two World Cup qualifiers in November, and looks to have the inside track to take on more responsibility.At club level, a move late in the season to more of a central-attacking role alongside Diego Valeri proved to be a boon for Nagbe, culminating in an MLS Cup triumph with Portland. The move allowed him to get on the ball more and bring both composure and chaos to the game. Under Klinsmann, Nagbe has been placed in a wide midfield role, but with a brief to use his playmaking ability in central positions.”My mentality here is the same as it is with the Timbers: Be patient and wait for the opportunity to show what you can do,” Nagbe said. “Keep it simple, make sure you’re clean with your touches, and then when you do get gaps and opportunities you try to take them.”Nguyen has been on the fringes of the U.S. team for much of the past year. He made three appearances, but all of them were off the bench and amounted to just 78 minutes. Nguyen’s previous appearances in national team camps giv him a good idea of what Klinsmann wants. Now it’s a question of impressing under game conditions.”The coaching staff, they have high demands and they’ve been watching us during the season, so they know what to expect,” Nguyen said. “This camp is to push ourselves not only fitness-wise but to get to that higher level. For me, it’s always an honor to be here, no matter what. Whatever piece I have to play, I’m grateful. But you always want to push for more. That’s what these camps are for, to keep pushing and make a statement.”Diskerud remains something of an enigma. He’s a player who has had his opportunities, including as a member of the 2014 World Cup squad, yet he remains a man in search of a dedicated midfield position. Is he better off starting out wide and then tucking inside when the opportunity allows? Is he a deep-lying playmaker or better off further up field? Diskerud’s strength appears to lie further up field, but he appears to have been passed up by others.As for Finlay, this is his first foray into the international game. By his own admission, his game “is not super elaborate” but he can threaten both with his crossing ability and his penchant for cutting inside and striking at goal.”Off-the-ball movement remains extremely important in my game, and then when I get the ball, be dynamic,” Finlay said. “I think when you get in the final third, whether you’re playing for your national team or you’re playing for your club team, try to make something happen and make an impact on the game. Those are two things I look to hopefully bring to the squad.It is now up to Klinsmann to see to what extent these attacking pieces can be fused into the lineup alongside mainstays like Michael Bradley, and it’s up to the players to take advantage. There always seems to be one who does, and the ensuing months will reveal precisely who will take that next step.Jeff Carlisle covers MLS and the U.S. national team for ESPN FC. Follow him on Twitter @JeffreyCarlisle.
Fabian Johnson and Michael Bradley top the list of the U.S.’s best 25 players
Ranking the 25 best U.S. players is a quick way to get called stupid. As we acknowledged at about this time last year, there’s never going to be consensus on the proper pecking order at a particular moment.That also goes for people who get paid to know: coaches, former pros and other close followers of American players around the world. Once again, we picked their brains. And once again, their opinions on certain players varied greatly. All of their points were valid, though, as was whatever criteria they used to arrive at their conclusions.After all, ranking players is often completely subjective. Don’t believe it? AskBenny Feilhaber, who won 38 caps under former U.S. coach Bob Bradley but couldn’t get a sniff last season from current coach Jurgen Klinsmann in the best period of his career. The hard truth is that Feilhaber doesn’t fit as far as Klinsmann sees things, just as it is fair to wonder if Kyle Beckerman, whom Bradley never seemed completely sold on, would have gone to the 2014 World Cup (where he was among the better American performers) had Klinsmann not been appointed selector-in-chief.And that’s OK. Different people like different players. It’s part of what makes this subject endlessly intriguing. So, after careful consideration and much deliberation, here’s a snapshot of where we think the United States’ talent pool stands.
- D/M Fabian Johnson, 28, Borussia Monchengladbach (Germany)
The quiet German-American has come into his own this season, starring for the Foals in the UEFA Champions League. It’s a far cry from how 2014-15 started for Johnson, who initially rode the bench following his summer transfer from Hoffenheim. The big difference now is he’s settled. “I’m very comfortable at ‘Gladbach,” Johnson told ESPN FC in November. “I like the club, my teammates, everything.”Monchengladbach didn’t qualify for the competition’s knockout stage, but Johnson credits the Champions League experience for helping improve his game. “I think it does,” he said. “Everything goes quicker; the players you play against are stronger. Their touches are better.” Right now, no American is better than Johnson.Fabian Johnson has established himself as one of the Bundesliga’s top midfielders this season.
2 M Michael Bradley, 28, Toronto FC (Canada)
Because he has served as the national team’s heart and soul for so long, it’s easy to forget that Bradley — who was named U.S. Soccer’s top player in 2015 — has barely entered the prime of his career. He’s in his first full year as U.S. captain and despite more than 100 caps for his country, he insists he has room to improve.
3 D/M Geoff Cameron, 30, Stoke City (England)
The only American outfield player who is a regular starter in the English Premier League, the versatile Cameron was playing some of the best soccer of his life before suffering an ankle injury against Liverpool on Jan. 5. He was also the national team’s best defender at the end of last year.
- F Clint Dempsey, 32, Seattle Sounders (United States)
Simply put, Dempsey remains America’s best pure goal scorer. One could even argue that the Texan — with nine goals in 10 international appearances in 2015 — deserves to be in our top three overall. But Dempsey did start to show signs of slowing down a little last season, with nagging injuries limiting his production in MLS play for the Sounders.
- M Alejandro Bedoya, 28, Nantes (France)
The South Florida native is approaching the height of his powers in Ligue 1. He’s consistent, he’s a leader and he’ll be counted on heavily in qualifying and at the Copa America Centenario, although whether he’ll play on the wing or behind the forward(s) remains unclear.
- G Tim Howard, 36, Everton (England)
Howard has been criticized for making mistakes at times this season, but he’s still more than capable of stealing games at the highest level. He’s also well positioned to win his starting job back for the U.S. after Brad Guzan lost his place at Aston Villa.
- D John Brooks, 23, Hertha Berlin (Germany)
The imposing young centre-back is maturing rapidly; this is his third season in the Bundesliga, and it has been his best. A Berlin native, Brooks has his hometown club on pace for a Champions League berth next season.
- M Jermaine Jones, 34, unattached
Just because Jones remains a free agent doesn’t mean he can’t still play. The German-American was excellent against Trinidad and Tobago in November in the Americans’ most recent World Cup qualifier, and he figures to play a key role at this summer’s Copa America if he’s employed and stays healthy.
- G Brad Guzan, 31, Aston Villa (England)
It has been a brutal year for everyone at Villa, but especially so for Guzan, who recently lost his starting role to understudy Mark Bunn. But the benching doesn’t undo Guzan’s previous 3½ seasons at the club, where he proved himself a reliable Premier League starter.
- F Jozy Altidore, 26, Toronto FC (Canada)
Still the top U.S. forward, Altidore managed a respectable 13 goals in 25 games in his first season back in MLS after bouncing around Europe the previous six years. The former teenage phenomenon also has matured off the field after a decade spent in the spotlight.
- M Darlington Nagbe, 25, Portland Timbers (United States)
The technical, slick-passing playmaker made his international debut in November, less than a month before he helped Portland win the MLS Cup. If he claims a starting U.S. spot in 2016, his stature will continue to grow.
- D/M DeAndre Yedlin, 22, Sunderland (England)
The Seattle-born speedster has acquired valuable top-end experience this season on loan from Tottenham to Premier League struggler Sunderland, where he has started 10 games (eight in the Prem).DeAndre Yedlin has picked up plenty of Premier League experience on loan at Sunderland this season.
- M Kyle Beckerman, 33, Real Salt Lake (United States)
The dreadlocked destroyer is in the twilight of his career, and his national team future is uncertain. But even as he celebrates his 34th birthday in April, Beckerman still is perhaps the top dedicated defensive midfielder in the American player pool.
- D Matt Besler, 28, Sporting Kansas City (United States)
The Kansas native struggled mightily in the year following the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where he started all four games for the United States. But he won back his starting spot in central defense by the end of 2015.
- D Omar Gonzalez, 27, Pachuca (Mexico)
Moving to Mexico in December has rejuvenated the longtime Galaxy centre-back, who badly needed a change of scenery after six seasons (and three MLS Cups) in Los Angeles. Gonzalez has been superb in his three games withLos Tuzos.
- F Aron Johannsson, 25, Werder Bremen (Germany)
Nobody doubts Johannsson’s talent or potential. But in his two-plus years with the national team, the Icelandic-American — whose first Bundesliga season has been beset by injuries — seems no closer to winning a full-time job with the U.S.
- F Gyasi Zardes, 24, LA Galaxy (United States)
The hard-running Zardes got more comfortable in each of the 19 international games — more than any national team rookie in 21 years — he played in 2015.
- F Bobby Wood, 23, Union Berlin (Germany)
The Hawaiian striker’s confidence grew during a breakout year for the U.S. After scoring important goals off the bench against Mexico, Germany and the Netherlands in 2015, he’ll now vie for a bigger role.
- D DaMarcus Beasley, 33, Houston Dynamo (United States)
The four-time World Cup veteran’s experience is unmatched in the U.S. player pool. Whether his national team days are over — he came out of international retirement at Klinsmann’s request in 2015 — Beasley is still playing at a high level in Houston.
- D Tim Ream, 28, Fulham (England)
After being overlooked during most of the Klinsmann era, Ream started the first two qualifiers of the 2018 cycle as the coach’s first-choice left-back.
- D Brad Evans, 30, Seattle Sounders
Evans isn’t a world-beater in terms of talent, but he’s proven to be a serviceable international player who rarely makes mistakes — no small thing for a defender at the top level.
- M Alfredo Morales, 25, Ingolstadt (Germany)
The tri-national (American-German-Peruvian) is leading all Bundesliga-based U.S. players in minutes played in 2015-16.
- M Eric Lichaj, 27, Nottingham Forest (England)
Lichaj has made just two substitute appearances (both in 2013) in Klinsmann’s four years in charge, but the Illinois-born full-back is quietly having a career season in the English second tier.
- D Jorge Villafana, 26, Santos Laguna (Mexico)
Villafana was the best left-back in MLS last season, helping Portland hoist the hardware in December before heading to Liga MX.
- F Jordan Morris, 21, Seattle Sounders (United States)
As an established international player, the former Stanford University standout will be expected to produce immediately in his maiden season as a pro.Doug McIntyre is a staff writer for ESPN The Magazine and ESPN FC. Follow him on Twitter @DougMacESPN.
Darlington Nagbe getting up to speed for U.S., Jozy Altidore early for camp
CARSON, Calif. — For many U.S. fans, Darlington Nagbe’s November debut with Jurgen Klinsmann’s squad in a pair of World Cup qualifying games provided a badly needed bright spot at the end of a mostly disappointing 2015 for the national team.The Liberia-born Portland Timbers midfielder had recently become an American citizen. At 25, he was still three or so years from entering his prime. And in his two brief substitute appearances, against St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago, he showed off the Velcro-like touch on the ball that he has displayed since arriving in MLS in 2011.The expectations on Nagbe only grew when he led the Timbers to the league title in December, to the point where it’s easy to forget he’s currently participating in only the second U.S. camp of his career.”I’m still trying to figure it out,” Nagbe told reporters before the U.S. trained Thursday, three days before Sunday’s friendly here against Iceland (3:45 p.m. ET, ESPN2/WatchESPN). “But I feel confident being here. It’s a lot of good players and hopefully I can show what I can do.”So far, circumstances haven’t made putting his best foot forward easy. Nagbe joined the group late, following the birth of his second child. The demands are different this month than in shorter get-togethers, with fitness the primary focus. Practices are fast and grueling and it’s still unclear exactly where Nagbe’s best spot on the field with the Americans might be. That question isn’t likely to be resolved before the full contingent of European-based players return for a pair of qualifiers against Guatemala in March.Which is why U.S. captain Michael Bradley, for one, would like to see the hype surrounding Nagbe toned down just a bit”I think everyone needs to be a little bit careful in terms of trying to put too much on his plate too soon,” Bradley said of Nagbe, who has been deployed at the tip of a midfield diamond as well as on the wing this week. “He’s still young — certainly young in terms of the national team. He will start to get his chance now o come into the group and see where it all fits in.”He has natural ability, for sure. But again, I think for any new player who comes into the group, you want to be careful not to expect too much.”U.S. fans would be wise to listen.
U.S. camp notes
– Despite two fast-approaching friendlies (after Iceland, the U.S. plays Canada at StubHub Center on Feb. 5), the American players are still very much in preseason mode. Overall, though, Bradley is pleased with how 2016 has started.”It’s been a good few weeks,” he said. “I think the mix in the group has been good. The younger guys are excited and motivated and certainly see their two [Olympic] qualifiers with Colombia right on the horizon. The older guys are committed to leading and showing them, as much as possible, the right way on a daily basis. Guys have come in every day ready to train and compete.”What they’re not doing, however, is spending a lot of time dwelling on last year. Not that they haven’t talked about it some. “We’re certainly very aware that we let ourselves down in big moments last year. That’s sports,” Klinsmann said. “You play big games, you play in big moments where everything is on the line, and one team has to lose. That’s reality. We’ve looked back at things. We’ve thought about things. The way we played in certain moments weren’t good enough.”[But] It’s the start of a new year, a lot of big things ahead of us: qualifying, Copa America. We’re excited.”- After being plagued by hamstring issues in recent years — injuries that prevented him from completing Gold Cups in 2011 and 2015, as well as the 2014 World Cup in Brazil — Jozy Altidore has made some adjustments to his lifestyle. “I’ve definitely changed my diet, sleep habits, little things like that to try to adjust,” he said Thursday. “I’m trying to keep myself as lean as possible. [The hamstring problems] have been unfortunate for me but it’s something I’m looking at this year to try to take away.”Part of that process included arriving in Carson a week early, on his own dime, to train ahead of his teammates. “I think I needed to just come in a little bit and get myself moving and get going.”I’m feeling good. I’m excited. I’m just trying to get myself fit and excited for what looks to be a long, long year.”- U.S. U-23 coach Andi Herzog doesn’t have all his players available this month, and lost another when defender Matt Miazga left camp Tuesday to complete his reported transfer to Premier League champions Chelsea.”Obviously we’re missing some from Europe, but we have 10 or 11 players here, which is really good for me,” Herzog said. “So at least they’ve started. They’re in OK shape right now. We train real hard, so their [fitness] is getting better and better.”So what does he make of Miazga’s move?”It’s not easy to get the starting job there, but it’s huge for him,” Herzog said, adding that he expected Miazga to be available for his team in March. “It’s good for U.S. Soccer that a young player gets the opportunity and signs with one of the best clubs in Europe. It will be a huge adventure for him, because everything will be new. He trains and plays with the best players in Europe. It’s amazing.”Doug McIntyre is a staff writer for ESPN
Here is the updated USMNT camp roster by position (all US Based Players in Camp): Game on Sunday 3:45 pm vs Iceland
GOALKEEPERS (3): David Bingham (San Jose Earthquakes), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire), Luis Robles (New York Red Bulls)
DEFENDERS (8): Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Steve Birnbaum (D.C. United), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders), Matt Miazga (New York Red Bulls), Eric Miller (Montreal Impact), Tim Parker (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Matt Polster (Chicago Fire), Brandon Vincent (Chicago Fire)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Mix Diskerud (New York City FC), Jermaine Jones (unattached), Perry Kitchen (unattached), Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers), Lee Nguyen (New England Revolution), Tony Tchani (Columbus Crew SC), Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew SC)
FORWARDS (6): Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), Ethan Finlay (Columbus Crew SC), Jerome Kiesewetter (VfB Stuttgart), Jordan Morris (unattached), Khiry Shelton (New York City FC), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)
5 USMNT players with the most to gain in upcoming friendlies
The U.S. national team’s January camp is all about opportunity — opportunity to get your foot in the door; opportunity opportunity to be seen by USMNT manager Jurgen Klinsmann; opportunity to adapt to the USMNT program; opportunity to establish yourself as a regular on subsequent 23-man rosters; opportunity to audition for a job, for those currently without a club team.This year’s January camp consists of 26 players (25, now that Matt Miazga has departed to reportedly to complete his transfer to Chelsea), all of whom with something to prove in a Copa America and World Cup qualifying year, no matter their previous standing (or lack thereof) with the USMNT.Five players with the most to gain (or lose) from a strong (or weak) showing in this year’s January camp and friendlies against Iceland (Sunday) and Canada (Friday, Feb. 5)…
- Jozy Altidore, forward (Toronto FC) — Altidore has competition for minutes now, perhaps for the first time in his career; Jordan Morris and Bobby Wood are (in the eyes of Klinsmann) hot on his heels, and that pesky, young prospect Alan Gordon just won’t go away. Seriously, though, Altidore is the epitome of a “confidence player,” and 2016 is a big year for the USMNT, as well as TFC. A striker who’s full of goals has the ability to mask so many other flaws within a squad, so no pressure, Jozy, but you’re 26 now and everyone’s kind of counting on you. [ MORE: Zardes, Parker talk youth-heavy January camp]
- Ethan Finlay, midfielder (Columbus Crew SC) — Finlay is the type of player the USMNT doesn’t currently have, and has needed for quite some time — he’s not really a midfielder, he’s not really a forward, and he’s definitely not a winger; he’s a guy that plays between the opposition’s midfield and defense, and wreaks havoc with very good movement, vision and delivery of the final ball in a number of different scenarios. The three USMNT players starting behind the center forward on a given night is anyone’s guess these days, so Finlay’s got as much a case as anyone at this point.
[ MORE: Tim Howard “highly likely” to make move back to MLS this year ]
- Perry Kitchen, midfielder (free agent) — Kitchen is currently without a club job after his contract with D.C. United expired last year and the two sides have reportedly moved on from negotiations to re-sign the 23-year-old. That’s not Kitchen’s only incentive; there’s also a massive void at defensive midfield with Kyle Beckerman about to turn 34 and seemingly on his way out of the picture. Positive buzz from the friendlies -> getting signed by a peripheral European club -> his stock rises in Klinsmann’s eyes -> the USMNT’s no. 6 for a decade. You see how these things go hand in hand?
[ MORE: Critical stretch arrives for Bradley’s Le Havre in promotion bid ]
- Jermaine Jones, midfielder (free agent) — This camp’s elder statesman (he turned 34 in November) needs work. After letting his contract with the New England Revolution expire in 2015, Jones is free to sign with any club anywhere in the world. Just one problem: they’re scared off by the six-game suspensionhanging over his head. Beyond his uncertain club situation, Jones needs to prove he’s still got something tangible to give to the USMNT (i.e. gas left in the tank). Sidebar: remember this time last year when Jones was being groomed as USMNT center backof the (near) future? Those sure were fun times. [ MORE: Schalke in transfer negotiations for USMNT’s John Brooks ]
- Darlington Nagbe, midfielder (Portland Timbers) — Nagbe made “the jump” in 2015, from promising prospect to actually delivering two-plus months of the kind of game-changing, dominant performances we’ve been crying out for for years. With that leap forward comes the expectations of reaching yet another level in 2016. There’s a massive opportunity for someone — anyone— with a creative bone in their body to take ownership of the central midfield spot just ahead of Bradley and a more stationary no. 6 sitting in behind. Is 2016 the year of Darlington? It could be, with a strong showing in January camp and a pair of dynamic displays against Iceland and Canada.
Crucial stretch arrives for Bob Bradley, Le Havre in Ligue 1 promotion fight
2 CommentsBy Joe Prince-WrightJan 26, 2016, 7:43 AM EST
Bob Bradley’s French adventure with Le Havre has so far flown under the radar. Now, things are starting to heat up.Le Havre AC — proud to be France’s, and continental Europe’s, oldest team after being founded way back in 1872 — currently sit fifth in Ligue 2 and are embroiled in an all-out battle to gain promotion to France’s top-flight.[ MORE: Bradley new Le Havre coach ]
The top three teams in France’s second-tier are automatically promoted to Ligue 1 and a pivotal stretch has now arrived for Bradley, 57, and his players.Speaking to ProSoccerTalk last week before a disappointing defeat to fellow promotion hopefuls Clermont on Monday, Bradley knows a crucial time in the season is coming up as they face rivals Lens, Auxerre, Dijon and Metz in their next five games. Just five points separates Auxerre in ninth and Clermont who occupy third place and that all-important final promotion spot.
“The fight for the top three spots at the moment is very tight,” Bradly said. “We have a very important stretch coming up. This next stretch is very important. As a team, the way I try to do these things is establish some ideas on the structure of the team so that we have got a solid way of moving and staying as a unit but then how do we start to build up the football ideas within the structure, how do we start to find the right ways to move the ball. Can we play forward? How do we create chances? A lot of the football stuff but just as important is creating an identity as a team, that we are going to be a team that works hard, play with passion and energy and that there’s a real enjoyment as a team when we show up here every day. There is going to be a real push to create a football environment that can be successful.”
The former head coach of multiple MLS franchises (Chicago Fire, the MetroStars and Chivas USA), the U.S. national team, Egypt and most recently Stabaek in Norway’s top-flight, Bradley took charge of Le Havre on Nov. 10 and since then has had three wins, three draws and two defeats in league play.So, how has he settled into life in the second-largest port in France?“It’s been so busy, long days, and Lindsay and I are still in the hotel but we found an apartment we will get into next month. The apartment is in Le Havre and as much as there are nice options outside we thought it was important to live in Le Havre and that is always the way we tried to do things,” Bradley explained. “The owner Vincent Volpe [an American businessman from Texas], for him this has always been a socio-economic project. He was running Dresser-Rand operations out of Le Havre for many years and this is where he met his wife.“When the team ran into some difficulties Vince quietly came into the picture and his interest now is that this club Le HAC as they call it, is very important to the city. Obviously Stade Oceane is a fantastic stadium, a couple of years old. For me to come and start to settle into Le Havre, get to know the supporters, the different coaches in the academy and start to share new ideas and get a feel for how everything works. This is all part of the work in addition to the focus of the first team and how we can improve ourselves.”[ VIDEO: USMNT man Bedoya scores again for Nantes ]
The challenge of getting to know a new league in a new country isn’t something that’s new to Bradley, but coming in midway through a campaign provides plenty of challenges. He’s following the same formula which has led him to success throughout his career and most recently in Norway where he took newly-promoted Stabaek to a second-place finish and Europa League qualification in just two years before leaving for Le Havre.
“When you come in during the middle of the season it makes the challenge even greater,” Bradley said. “Philippe (Bizeul), Francois (Seguin) and Christophe (Revault) had been here from the start this year so hearing their thoughts and discussing things with them, Oswald (Tanchot) had worked with a club he bought from the fifth league to the fourth league to the third league, so he has very good knowledge, along with Philippe, of Ligue 2. I remember, it was the same in Norway, you get there and you try to get a good as feel for every team and different players so that every week you make sure your team is ready. That part, so far has gone well. I’ve done that in enough different places that the way you do that never changes.”
One thing Le Havre has always been know for is its youth program. Its famed academy is one of the best in France and is highly regarded throughout Europe.
Riyad Mahrez, Paul Pogba and Lassana Diarra are just some of the star names to be nurtured in Upper Normandy and with Bradley’s experienced of working closely with young players during his days at Princeton, then in MLS, plus with the U.S. and Egypt and more recently with a youthful squad at Stabaek, he seems like a good fit to make the most out of Le Havre’s historically excellent academy.Has he seen any news stars coming through right now?
“There are some great names that have come through the academy. I think the pure ability in the academy, in terms of the recruiting top talent has been challenged a little bit when the club as a while isn’t quite as strong. Qe are all trying to make sure that we are keeping that part going,” Bradley said. “For me I have gotten to know the director of the academy, Johann Louvel, and he also coaches the second team which is the same setup as we had at Stabaek. A lot of the academy coaches have now started to come out and watch our training so they start to get a feel for things that we believe are important. At first it is everybody getting to know each other and sharing ideas. It would be early for me to say ‘the next Paul Pogba here or the next Mahrez is here’ look, let’s wait and see. But certainly, some great players have come through the academy and hopefully we can make sure that good work continues and plays a big role in the success of the first team.”
Source: Chelsea will not loan Matt Miazga upon transfer from Red Bulls
GRANT WAHLTwitter EmailPosted: Wed Jan. 27, 2016
When ESPN.com reported on Wednesday that New York Red Bulls defender Matt Miazga was soon to be sold to Chelsea, the first reaction of most in the U.S. soccer community was: Surely Miazga won’t play for Chelsea but rather be sent out immediately on loan like so many other players owned by the Blues.Not so fast, SI.com has learned. A source close to the Miazga deal tells SI.com that if the deal goes through, Chelsea would keep Miazga with its senior team for the remaining four months of this season and then evaluate his performance this summer.At that point, Chelsea would decide either to keep Miazga or loan him out to another team. That would give Miazga at least four months to train (and perhaps play) with Chelsea’s first team and make his case for inclusion moving forward.Miazga, 20, is set to move for around $5 million to Chelsea. He had a promising season with the Red Bulls last year and made his U.S. senior debut in November. Miazga turned down a contract extension from New York at the end of last season and would have been entering the final year of his MLS deal. When that contract refusal happened, the chances increased that New York would sell Miazga to avoid letting him go on a free transfer at the end of the 2016 season.Because Miazga owns a Polish passport, he wouldn’t need a U.K. work permit.
Source: Tim Howard “highly likely” for Colorado Rapids, MLS move in May
2 CommentsBy Joe Prince-WrightJan 26, 2016, 5:40 PM EST NBCSports.com
Bob Bradley Climbs the Global Soccer Ladder With an Impediment: He’s American
By JAMES MONTAGUEJAN. 24, 2016
AMERICANS OVERSEAS = US SOCCER
Luis Robles – New York Red Bulls
David Bingham – San Jose Earthquakes
Chelsea Capitalizes on Red Card and Drops Arsenal to Third
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSJAN. 24, 2016
Champions League
Records Ronaldo and Messi have not broken (yet)
Published: Tuesday 19 January 2016, 10.40CET
- South American stars
- Ballon d’Or reaction
- Pick of the Ballon d’or photos
- Greatest group stage hauls
- Group stage record-breakers
Totti’s landmark goal and more
Fastest Champions League goals
against FC Basel 1893 in October 2008
Single-season total
Most goals in a single European season: Radamel Falcao (18), Porto 2010/11
Champions League final venue: San Siro’s legacy
Published: Wednesday 20 January 2016, 10.30CET
Highlights: 2001 Milan showdown
There have also been four UEFA Cup final legs played at the San Siro …
Márquez, Chicarito, Sánchez: CONCACAF’s European stars
Published: Wednesday 20 January 2016, 15.00CET
Financial fair play: all you need to know
Published: Tuesday 30 18.12CET
Q&A: Financial fair play explained
1) How do you explain financial fair play in one sentence?
Financial fair play is about improving the overall financial health of European club football.
2) When did financial fair play start?
3) Are clubs no longer allowed to have losses?
4) Are clubs automatically excluded if they are not in line with FFP?
5) Are owners allowed to inject money into their club as they like or through sponsorship?
6) Who grants a licence to clubs to compete in a UEFA competition?
8) Has it happened that a club has been denied access to UEFA competitions because of FFP?
9) Is FFP in line with European law?
11) Why has the UEFA Club Financial Control Body reached settlement agreements with clubs?
12) Can you explain the financial measures handed out and how the figures were determined?
13) What are the player registration restrictions and how they are determined?
14) What is the appeal process for other clubs?
16) Where does the money from the financial measures go?
17) How does financial fair play deal with debt?
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The Old Ballcoach – Coach Shane Best
The Ole BallCoach 