by GIANFRANCO PANIZO
As the United States national team took the field in windy Miami Shores, Florida on Thursday morning, there was one glaring absence as the team practiced. Oguchu Onyewu.
The towering center back sat out of Thursday's practice with a mild right knee sprain but Onyewu is expected to play against El Salvador.
When asked whether or not he felt that Onyewu would be ready in time for Saturday's match, head coach Bob Bradley replied with a simple "Yes."
Another interesting tidbit from the U.S. practice was the news that some American players and coaches will partake in Futbol Forever, a soccer program designed to help teach kids specific exercises from the beautiful game.
U.S. Soccer will be donating gear to the kids at the event, which will take place on Friday at the Universidad Don Bosco in El Salvador. The U.S. national team representatives will also be joined by some of El Salvador's national team players and coaches. No word on which players and coaches will participate.
What do you think of Onyewu sitting out of practice? Think that Bradley should just give DeMerit, Califf or Spector a look instead
Share your thoughts below.
Too bad the games aren’t in reverse order. Much easier to give Gooch a rest vs. T&T at home . . .
Pretty sure Bradley will play him if he can go, too important to stack up 9 points and get some early breathing room.
Someone needs to make a “Don’t Mess with Gooch” Banner with that picture of him staring down Borgetti. That would be epic.
goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooch! i hope he is okay! i love this guy.
Good article. I first heard this news on a TV channel not-to-be-named. I was hoping my Mafia lords would be all over it…
Bradley is a highly disciplined coach. He will make the right decision about Gooch. I see him getting the start, barring any setbacks, and coming out at halftime depending on how the team is playing.
He should just go home after Saturday though, and make way for DeMerrit or Califf.
Thanks Sonic…good stuff. Nery was never angry, or at least not in out of control angry, he basically said the reporter was two faced and “inventing” rather than focusing on criticising (sp?) the team. I think he handled himself pretty well…and also likely is thinking why didn’t I play for Uruguay…
Dan, try this…..
http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/soccer_redcard/
sonic deathmonkey
Got a web page ref for that video. No luck with a you tube search.
when is he moving to PSG or Marseille? PT with the national team will only help that cause.
held out of practice, but he is pouring with sweat.
Rob’s comment on Gooch’s mind powers is hilarious!
Gooch is not a pu55y, he will play and dominate.
A perfect example of a Gooch foul is in the “behind the scenes vs. Mexico” video. He slides, gets the ball, stands up, the guy turns back, into Gooch’s back, falls over, whistle blown. Overall, I love the guy. When he tapes the wrists AND has the full neck beard, he’s one of the most physically imposing players in the world.
DeMerit is a better defender anyway. Gooch gives away too many clumsy fouls in the most dangerous positions.
@ Tom
You must not be watching the USMNT because if you were you would see that Gooch has gotten a whole lot better both on the defensive side and is also now a threat in the offensive box on set piece’s. I think with his improvement over the last 2 years he deserves to be in the starting 11.
Plus Gooch gets most of his cards because he is huge and can topple people over just by looking at them. Most of the cards he has gotten are just harsh decisions by the ref based on how Gooch looks and not because it was a bookable foul.
Tom
You are entitled to your opinion and so am I. Mine? You’re a moron.
No time like the present to start looking for a replacement for this goon.
Without his hands he is useless. He picks up too many cards an really doesn’t know how to play proper defense.
We are not deep enough as a nation to play a man down in the world cup.
OT, but worth a mention. The video of Nery Castillo going off on the Mexican media has to be seen (especially if you understand Spanish). At the end of it, the Mexican Media booed and whistled at him. Oh, the meltdown of El Tri continues!!
ah ha ha! Don Bosco is also a soccer club in haiti. Peguero played there.
g-loff,
yesss!… i love it!
For anyone who thinks soccer isn’t a rough sport, play against Gooch for 90 minutes and see how you feel the next day. That man is a killer! Get well soon Gooch we need ya!
They’re going to Don Bosco? What will Coach Greg Toal, Sr say?!?!?!
😛
Ya joey, Thats enough. Not funny! ok Kind of
Wow! Thanks for that overly long and pointless story, Travis. I’ve always been curious as to how “huge” and “good looking” Danny Califf is in the hot tub…
Do you get excited thinking about how “big” soccer players can get?
Hopefully Gooch can play, but the alternatives aren’t terrible if he can’t go. Though they are a little green when it comes to qualifying.
Gooch apparently can control the ball with his mind… I knew it.
I just want to see Gooch take lay someone out with a right hook. Preferably Marquez. Don’t think he would make it out of Mexico City alive.
I think we need the points…to early to sit anyone who can play.
Stop with that, Joey – lol!
it is good to hear that he is okay.
My orthopedic assesment teacher is on the sports medical staff at Barry University. I asked her if she had seen the team there. She said she saw a “huge, good looking, tattooed guy in the hot tub” (assuming Califf) but otherwise no one from the university or the public was allowed near the field while they were practicing. She didn’t really see anyone else. But she kept on about how huge Califf was. She didn’t know soccer players could get that big! Imagine if she saw Gooch!
Can’t Subotic replace him ?
*ooops, Plays
Gooch players….unless his are amputated,the end haha.
Califf, he is our number 3 center back correct? Or is it spector or demeritt first? I don’t think I’ve seen Demerrit get a cap…
Give DeMerit some PT. Sprained knees are not something you want to mess with so give Gooch some rest and our defense will be fine.
Bradley should only hold Gooch out if his knee will significantly slow him down. For all the talk about experience and hostile environments, now is not the time to go screwing around with your center back pairing (especially when that pairing is almost certainly the pair we will start at the World Cup).
I just like how Gooch always has his hand/wrists taped up like he KNOWS he’s going to knock someone out in a brawl or something.
Gooch is ripped man.