Here is your roster for the friendly against Brazil:
Howard, Tim GK 6-3 210 03/06/79 24/0 North Brunswick, N.J. Everton FC (England)
2 Pearce, Heath D 5-10 175 08/13/84 7/0 Modesto, Calif. Hansa Rostock (Germany)
3 Bocanegra, Carlos D 6-0 170 05/25/79 50 Alto Loma, Calif. Fulham FC (England)
4 Bradley, Michael M 6-2 175 07/31/87 11/0 Cedar [...]

Germany is a killer for the United States in knockout roudns of World Cups. Sure, this does not compare at all to 2002, but its a decent way to start a post.
The USA lost 2-1, the 1 being another Mykell Bates goal, to the Germans this morning. All in all you could say [...]

During the USMNT’s recent trip to Europe for the friendly with Sweden, USSF president Sunil Gulati and head coach Bob Bradley met with former Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello in London to discuss “international and American soccer”.
About a month ago the rumor was flying about Capello “being in talks” for a job in the states. [...]

Blah.
That’s what that was.
No one looked great.
In my pre-match briefing, the three guys I talked about were Clint, Landy, and Bob Bradley.
I said Clint needed to really step up and show that fire and flair that would blind you if you were anywhere in the country of Germany last summer. I didn’t really [...]

Some thoughts the night before the Sweden friendly…
- Once again, it must be said that it is about time the USA headed to Europe to play a friendly against a quality opponent.
- Not to say expect a stinker, but Landy Cake’s head will probably be back home with the floundering Gals and how he is [...]

In what cannot be considered an ideal start, the American U-17’s lost early this morning to Tajikistan in their first group game of the U-17 World Cup in Korea.
The fact that I cannot even find Tajkistan on the map (although that may be in part to the fact that my map does have the U.S.S.R. [...]

As I looked over the roster for the upcomming friendly with Sweden one thing really stood out.
The clubs our Americans are playing at have become an unmeasurable amount better in a very short time.
I know that may seem obvious but it is truly quite remarkable the increasing quality the Yanks abroad are now [...]

Here is the roster for the Aug 22 Matchup against Sweden:
Goalkeepers (2) – Marcus Hahnemann (Reading FC), Tim Howard (Everton FC)
Defenders (6) – Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham FC), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Jay DeMerit (Watford FC), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United)
Midfielders (6) – DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers), [...]

Goff is reporting that the USA vs. Mexico friendly at the Azteca schedualed for Sept. 9 will be officiall cancled in the comming days.
The reason for the cancelation is unclear, but Goff says it may have been Spanish TV rights.
Replacing the Mexico friendly will be a very intriguing fixture.
USA vs Brazil, Sept.9 at Soldier Field.
I [...]

A few news items today…
-Peter Nowak was officially announced as coach of the U-23 Olympic Squad for the 2008 games in Bejing as expected. I got to thinking of the squad a little bit more and another player I really want to see is Stuart Holden (the American (sorta) Beckham). I say sorta [...]