Great Moments in US Soccer Hair #4: Brad Friedel

March 10th, 2010 • Great Moments in US Soccer Hair • No comments

In this series, we look at some of the truly amazing heads of hair that have graced the field for the U.S. over the years…

This entry in our series is basically just to serve as a reminder that Brad Friedel did, in fact, once have hair. Friedel is significant in the history of US Soccer hair because he served as goalkeeper during a time of great transition for the Federation. During his tenure, the USSF’s position on goalkeeper hair followed Friedel’s hairline from hirsute (Tony Meola) to bald (Kasey Keller, et al). Thus US Soccer Federation bylaw 128.3 (aka “Friedel’s Law”) bears Brad’s name. This law states that no keeper for the USA will have more than 50% of their head covered with hair.

We can see the results in the careers of Kasey Keller, Tim Howard, Marcus Hahnemann, and Brad Guzan. Casualties of this law include Troy Perkins, Nick Rimando, and Kevin Hartman.

Did you know? Norwegian-American Espen Baardsen changed his allegiance from USA to Norway upon learning of Friedel’s Law.

Jermaine Jones sets World Cup goal

March 10th, 2010 • Americans Abroad, Link Blogging • No comments

Soccer By Ives is reporting that Jermaine Jones has set a goal of playing in the World Cup with the United States. Jones is still experiencing pain in his leg, but believes he can return in time for the cup. “The World Cup is my goal. I want to jump on this train.”

Read more at Soccer By Ives and Frankfurter Rundschau.

Sebastian Lletget making progress at West Ham

March 8th, 2010 • Americans Abroad, Link Blogging, Youth Teams • No comments

Soccernet has a good article about 17-year-old American Sebastian Lletget, who currently plies his trade at West Ham. Sounds like he’s doing well and could make his debut this year.

According to scout Mike Leigh, West Ham super scout Jimmy Hampson once told him that Lletget is the best 14-year-old to ever play for the famed club. Keep in mind, West Ham has developed, among others, Frank Lampard and Joe Cole.

Read the article here.

Landon Donovan scores vs. Hull City

March 7th, 2010 • Americans Abroad, Video • 1 comment

Landon Donvan came off the bench and scored his second Premier League goal of the season. He then added an assist a few minutes later. Not a bad sendoff in his final match at Goodison! Here are the highlights:

Chelsea interested in Donovan

March 7th, 2010 • Transfer News • No comments

Goal.com is reporting that Chelsea are looking to buy Landon Donovan this summer. The Blues will most likely lose Joe Cole to Manchester United on a free transfer during the off season, and are looking to replace him with the American midfielder.

Carlos Bocanegra scores for Rennes

March 6th, 2010 • Americans Abroad, Video • No comments

Carlos Bocanegra netted the winner in Rennes 1-0 victory over Monaco. Nice follow up to his midweek goal vs. the Dutch.

Great Moments in US Soccer Hair #3: Clint Mathis

March 4th, 2010 • Great Moments in US Soccer Hair • No comments

More than anything, the World Cup is a showcase for crazy hair. Players from across the globe break out the new dos for the sporting world’s biggest event. Whether it’s Ronaldo in 2002, Beckham at any of the last three tournaments, or the entire Romanian team in 1998, it always makes for interesting viewing.

The 2002 World Cup was a particularly loaded event in the hair department, and Clint Mathis came prepared with a mohawk. It seemed to come out of nowhere, as we’d never seen any evidence that he was adventurous in the hair department. I know it’s not a novel haircut, and there were a lot of mohicans and faux-hicans at the tournament, but Mathis’ hair holds a special place in my heart. Maybe it’s just a reminder of the USA’s performance that year, or Mathis’ excellent goal against South Korea. Maybe it’s a symbol of that magical year when Mathis was the best player in the country, seemingly scoring at will. Doesn’t matter. Great haircut. Great performance. Great tournament. Let’s hope for something similar this summer.

5 Predictions [3.3.10, at Netherlands] (GRADED)

March 4th, 2010 • 5 Predictions • 1 comment

1. Heath Pearce’s performance against El Salvador won’t be enough to surpass Jonathan Bornstein.  Bornstein will get the start, and despite looking lost out there for 65 minutes before getting replaced, he will still be widely regarded as our first-choice left back.

I pretty much nailed this one.  Bornstein did get the start and looked completely lost out there (unless you have another word for giving up an unnecessary penalty and handling the ball in the box).  Pearce came on in the 70th minute and looked far superior in his few touches.  The only thing I missed here was Bornstein’s move to center back (after which he managed to deflect a ball into his own net).  Good start.  GRADE: A

2. Robbie Findley will finally get a chance to impress with something resembling our first team (let’s face it–our troops are depleted).  Unfortunately, he won’t see much of the ball and will walk away from this game about where he was going in.

Again, I think this is about as close to correct as could reasonably be expected.  He didn’t look bad, but he certainly didn’t do anything to solidify his place in this squad.  I’m not sure if he’ll get more opportunities, but he’ll certainly have to make the most of them if he plans on going to South Africa.  GRADE: A+

3.  Someone in the American soccer media will regard Thomas Rongen as a key component to breaking down the Dutch in the lead-up to the game.  They will be wrong.

I’m going to take a third of a grade deduction simply because I haven’t read or heard this yet, but I really have to assume it’s true.  [UPDATE: I found it! Not exactly what I was talking about, but good enough. See here.]  GRADE: B+

4. We get to see Maurice Edu as a starter.  Despite the team’s struggles, he will do well enough to become the first-choice pairing with Michael Bradley.

He didn’t get the start.  That honor went to Torres.  But each got a half, and Edu certainly looked the better of the two.  He was confident on the ball and strong on the challenge.  Perhaps others disagree, but he proved to me that he should be our first-choice pairing with Michael Bradley.  GRADE: B+

5.  Holland wins this one easily, 2-0.  It could be much worse.  The Dutch will shove it down our left flank and we’ll have an extremely difficult time stringing passes together.  We’ll have several good opportunities to score, but the finishing won’t be there.  The good: Maurice Edu, despite not having much time on the ball; Altidore will play hard, but can’t find the finish; Torres will look good in his 25 minutes on the field; and DeMerit will be a huge reason the Dutch don’t score more goals.  The bad: Bornstein gets torched and is completely ineffective offensively; Donovan has an off game and doesn’t make much of an impact; Holden will struggle a little bit; and Bocanegra won’t be at his best.

Considering how specific I got with prediction, I’m pretty pleased with the result.  The game was very close to being 2-0 to the Dutch (though you could argue after the US goal it could have just as easily gone to 2-2).  Could it have been worse?  I’d say so.  Tim Howard came up with a couple of key saves to keep it close, and Jonathan Bornstein’s handball in the box went uncalled.  We strung some passes together for short stretches, but for the most part couldn’t keep the ball.  We had some opportunities to score–particularly at the end–but couldn’t find the finish.  The good: Edu – yes; Altidore – spot on; Torres – got 45, but did look okay (not great); and DeMerit – probably my Man of the Match.  The bad: Bornstein – definitely; Donovan – dead on; Holden – broken leg, but looked alright before that; and Bocanegra – completely wrong–he had a great game.  GRADE: A

Wow.  I’m getting more and more adventurous with #5.  Believe me when I say this: I would love nothing more than to score this one an F-.  Come on USA!

Well, unfortunately I did not receive an F- this time around.  The good new is, however, the US–particularly the players we really wanted to see step up (DeMerit, Beasley, Edu) did pretty well.  De Jong should have been sent off for his nasty challenge, and if you factor out Bornstein’s pointless penalty, it was a fairly even match.  Not bad when you consider how many starters we were missing.

OVERALL GRADE: A

Stuart Holden suffers broken leg

March 4th, 2010 • Injury Update, Link Blogging • No comments

Turns out Nigel De Jong’s studs-up challenge was as bad as it looked on TV.  They are estimating the fracture in Holden’s right fibula will take six weeks to heal.  Fortunately–if this time table holds true, of course–this would allow Holden to finish the season with Bolton and regain fitness before the World Cup.

Despite the injury, Bolton have decided to exercise their option to extend Holden’s contract past the end of the current season.  Manager Owen Coyle had this to say:

“We’ve already spoken with him and his representative to assure him he will be here for longer because of the belief I have in him, and the quality he has shown since he came to the club.”

For the full story from Soccernet, click here.

5 Predictions [3.3.10, at Netherlands]

March 2nd, 2010 • 5 Predictions • 2 comments

1. Heath Pearce’s performance against El Salvador won’t be enough to surpass Jonathan Bornstein.  Bornstein will get the start, and despite looking lost out there for 65 minutes before getting replaced, he will still be widely regarded as our first-choice left back.

2. Robbie Findley will finally get a chance to impress with something resembling our first team (let’s face it–our troops are depleted).  Unfortunately, he won’t see much of the ball and will walk away from this game about where he was going in.

3.  Someone in the American soccer media will regard Thomas Rongen as a key component to breaking down the Dutch in the lead-up to the game.  They will be wrong.

4. We get to see Maurice Edu as a starter.  Despite the team’s struggles, he will do well enough to become the first-choice pairing with Michael Bradley.

5.  Holland wins this one easily, 2-0.  It could be much worse.  The Dutch will shove it down our left flank and we’ll have an extremely difficult time stringing passes together.  We’ll have several good opportunities to score, but the finishing won’t be there.  The good: Maurice Edu, despite not having much time on the ball; Altidore will play hard, but can’t find the finish; Torres will look good in his 25 minutes on the field; and DeMerit will be a huge reason the Dutch don’t score more goals.  The bad: Bornstein gets torched and is completely ineffective offensively; Donovan has an off game and doesn’t make much of an impact; Holden will struggle a little bit; and Bocanegra won’t be at his best.

Wow.  I’m getting more and more adventurous with #5.  Believe me when I say this: I would love nothing more than to score this one an F-.  Come on USA!