USA: Back in Action

Hi! We’re the Red, White and Blues Brothers and this is our color-coded U.S. Soccer blog. Chip writes in red and Danny writes in blue. We cheer for the U.S. and you better too! 

On Wednesday, May 29, our U.S. National Team resumes play on American soil. A couple of friendlies are scheduled before our June World Cup qualifying games.
May 29 vs. Belgium in Cleveland
June 2 vs. Germany in Washington, D.C.

Here's Chip with our preview...

OK USA fans... here we go! Probably the most important 4 months of soccer in the USA is upon us. Starting in June with more qualifiers and ending in September with Mexico in my hometown of Columbus! There are still a lot of unanswered questions I feel, and so I am nervous AND excited to see how it plays out.

Well, I'd be surprised if it does play out by September. The CONCACAF Hexagonal is way too tight and I wouldn't be surprised if it went to the end. In October we have Jamaica in Kansas City and then we travel to Panama. After that the top 3 will be in and our 4th place representative plays New Zealand in a playoff. So I'm saying it's an important 5 months!

Jurgen (Klinsmann, the coach) has decided to bring in 6 goalies to training camp. That seems a bit excessive to me, especially since we have 2 goalies locked in with Timmy (Howard) and Brad (Guzan). The 3rd goalie is almost never that important to World Cup. He tries to explain is reasoning in a recent interview, but I just don't agree with the decision. We shall see I guess.

Yeah, I think he should just pick a number 3 and then spend his energy figuring out how to get us some goals.

Defense is our biggest question mark I feel. I only see one proven player on the roster and that is Omar Gonzalez. There is potential of course, IF they step it up. Mr. (DaMarcus) Beasley can still show us some things I hope. Geoff Cameron and Matt Besler have sure showed promise, but lack the experience we may need in Brazil. Still hoping that Carlos Bocanegra will make a strong return. We should know by September!

And I hope Jurgen settles on one lineup and lets the guys get used to playing together. They need to build chemistry. If Bocanegra is in the plans for Brazil, he should at least call him into camp.

Strangely, our midfield is probably our strongest asset at this point (excluding the goalies of course). That has not been the case for American soccer as far back as I can remember. But with likes of Bradley, Holden, Davis, Edu (injured) Jones, Shea (injured) Zusi and even Williams if he is healthy. Jurgen might have a tough time deciding who to play there. I know which 4 I would pick at this time, but want to see the others play in up coming games against Belgium and Germany to decide. That's probably what Jurgen is thinking and feeling too right now I suspect.

What about Kljestan? He's on the roster. Did you not mention him because you can't spell his name?

Kljestan

Kljestan

Our forwards are good, but they still make me wonder. Are we going to have to rely on Clint (Dempsey) to score all of our big goals? Or will Jozy (Altidore) show some of his early USA form and continue his form from Holland? Jurgen says he is making progress on his maturity, which is much needed and I would LOVE to see personally. But I would also like to see him play harder for longer. Is his stamina up for the task? That is my big question for him. Will Hercules (Gomez) finally break through with some much needed goals? Eddie (Johnson) scored twice for Seattle recently and that is way promising to me. I hope Jurgen has paid attention to that. Our last World Cup went south because I believe (Bob) Bradley should have played Edson Buddle when he was in TOP form. He never got much chance. Being in form is critical in World Cup, regardless of how "great" other players may be. And speaking of form, can we DREAM that Landon (Donovan) will be in form soon and come back to save the day! He is a super hero in my opinon, and could out-play pretty much anyone on the front line even when not in form. But we do need him in form!

By the way, Donovan the musician wrote a song called Sunshine Superman. Maybe Donovan will start being a Superman now that his winter break is over and the sun is shining again.
Ok, maybe it will go to October, but I still think we should have a spot wrapped up after we BEAT Mexico in Columbus! And I know how to spell Kiljestiran's name.... just don't know much about him to be honest... experience! I agree that Jurgen should just pick a lineup and get on with it! Oooh, Sunshine Superman... I will have to look that up and when I see Landon in Salt Lake, I will ask him to make it his theme song! Go USA!!

 

What say YOU?! Agree with me or disagree, I want to know what USA fans are thinking out there!

And what do you think of our match ups with BELGIUM and GERMANY? We could have picked anyone to play our Centennial Celebration friendlies with. The European sides might help us get ready for playing in The World Cup, but we could have found other Latin American teams that might help us better prepare for qualifying. And one last note, I'd hold out on playing Beasley tonight. Save him for the Germany. Only because he would get his 100th Cap for U.S. Soccer on U.S. Soccer's 100th Birthday- that's way cool!

And Danny and I will be heading to the Honduras game in Salt Lake and 90% chance we will be in Columbus for the big Mexico game! Come out and meet and greet us, the Red White and Blues Brothers!! You won't be disappointed I promise!