Photo by Ben Queenborough/ISIPhotos.com
By CAITLIN MURRAY
The World Cup is over and the time begins to look ahead to 2018 in Russia. U.S. Men’s National Team coach Jurgen Klinsmann appears to be doing just that, with reports from Ireland indicating the USMNT will head there for a friendly this fall. That would mean the U.S. men have secured two post-World Cup friendlies, with a confirmed September friendly against the Czech Republic.
Meanwhile, the soccer world has a new champion and it’s Germany. After a scoreless deadlock through regulation with Germany and Argentina likewise failing to convert the few chances they had, the Germans found the one breakthrough they needed in extra time. Sunday’s 1-0 victory may have been tight compared to the other blowouts Germany accumulated in their World Cup run, but it was enough to edge Lionel Messi’s side out and claim the title.
For U.S. Men’s National Team midfielder Freddy Adu, his chance to join AZ Alkmaar is over. The club had decided after less than a week to end his trial without offering him a contract. And with that, it’s back to the drawing board for Adu, leaving his future in soccer looking uncertain.
Here is a rundown of all the stories featured on SBI this weekend:
U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM
Report: USMNT lining up Republic of Ireland friendly
WORLD CUP
Messi, Neuer, Rodriguez headline 2014 World Cup awards
Germany ousts Argentina in extra time for fourth World Cup title
SBI World Cup Man of the Match: Mario Götze
World Cup Final: Argentina vs. Germany (SBI Live Match Commentary)
Brazil ends World Cup in free fall as Netherlands rolls in third place game
SBI World Cup Man of the Match: Robin van Persie
Soccer Saturday: Your Running Commentary
MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
MLS Ticker: Negotiations ongoing with Robinho; Nguyen suspended; and more
Henry leads Red Bulls over Crew with goal, three assists
Galaxy hold off RSL in Western Conference showdown
Dwyer continues dominance in Sporting KC win over Impact
Amarikwa’s early tally sends Fire to victory against reeling Revs
On-fire Torres extends Chivas USA streak in win vs. Whitecaps
Rapids rally to overcome two-goal deficit, draw 10-man Union
Defoe caps off TFC comeback victory over Dynamo
AMERICANS ABROAD
Adu trial with AZ Alkmaar ends
I am not sure why people still get upset when we schedule a friendly against a particular team. I am guessing international friendlies are fairly difficult to set up, and a team like the U.S. probably ends up playing who they can when they can. I don’t think Sunil can just make a call and say, ‘Okay, France, we are playing you in Paris on Novermber 18, and you better show up with your full squad, or we’re going to tell FIFA on you!’ and then hang up without a response. Just be glad we are playing decent competition in Europe; it will ultimately be good for the squad.
We have 2 other very interesting friendlies to look forward to that are not being mentioned.
Thursday July 31, Bayern Munich vs. Chivas Guadalajara in NYC and the big one:
Saturday, Aug. 6, Bayern Munich vs. the MLS All-Stars in Portland.
Does anyone here think Pep will play Julian Green or will he pull a Klinsmann?
At this point, Adu needs to decide whether he’s going to work hard at playing/training for soccer or work hard in the real world like the rest of us working stiffs.
Maybe he needs a shot of reality to realize then that playing/training for soccer is a much easier lifestyle than working in the real world. It will be too late for him to go back to soccer if he quits and joins the workforce.
Adu is done and has been done. Get over it
It sounds young in ‘real world’ terms, but if you haven’t figured out by 25 that you have to work hard in athletics (not just soccer) to make it, there is a very low chance that you will ever figure it out (if that is indeed Adu’s problem). There seems to be an overvaluation of Adu by either himself or those around him; being told you are not good enough by Stabaek and then expecting to catch on at Alkmaar is like being turned down when asking for 10 dollars and then immediately requesting 10 grand (to steal a line from High Fidelity). Adu needs to either accept reality and beg onto an MLS squad and prove himself or just retire.
We need to bring some new and young players like: Rubio, Hoyos, Junior, Sonora, Arriola or young players. USNT main issues were holding ball, creating chances and shooting, USNT looked outclassed three games out four games, with some time and expierence these young players (like 25 to 30 caps) could develop something from World Cup 2014.
No we don’t
thanx Portland…
Here is a final thought from today’s events as relates to this World Cup and the USMNT. It won’t teach you anything, just a bit of trivia and reflection, particularly as relates to the original draw and our “old” nemesis.
Before the tournament began, the focus for the USMNT was the “must win” game against the Ghana — our “kryptonite” since 2006, when we slumped to an avoidable defeat that could have ended in qualification for the knockout stages,. Happened when I was on an airplane (ridiclous KVM pilot actually said it over the intercom). I felt sick but I watched it anyway soon as I got home. Could’ve been different. But… in the end it was 1 point, dead last in the Group.
[A few optimistic folks did point out that we were the only team to get a result against the eventual Champions, Italy.]
Fast forward to today, and the shoe is truly on the other foot.. Ghana must certainly feel that it all went wrong when they somehow slumped 2-1 to us. They were good — almost certainly better than a number of the eventual Round of 16 teams. But they lost concentration a couple of times against us and we made them pay. And when all was said and done in Group G, we were through, and they were out. Could’ve been different. But… in the end it was 1 point, dead last in the Group.
[A few optimistic folks did point out that they were the only team to get a result against the eventual Champions, Germany]
If you’re looking for a lesson here, I don’t plan on providing one. There could be 100 or zero. For me, that’s how this game is. You just have to learn to love it.
Wouldn’t mind leaving the Ghana plot behind next time, though. I think we’ve both had enough.
The new ‘WC results’ updated Elo rankings are out. The Elo list is definitely better than the FIFA one. The U.S. comes in at 17, which sounds about right.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Football_Elo_Ratings#Top_60_ranking
I think that is a bit low but close, I can’t agree with any ranking system that puts Costa Rica or Mexico ahead of the us. At home or neutral field the us would win against Mexico and Costa Rica and the us could probably grind out a result against both on the road. Costa Rica had a great World Cup but if they were playing anyone other than Greece I think they would have lost in the round of 16, and holland hit the woodwork 3 times against them in the quarters. Also no way England is the 11th best team in the world at this moment and Uruguay in not the 12 best team right now either. Ghana is also way better than 33rd in the world.
here’s a tip-look up US results vs Costa Rica and then re-think your statement…. since since 1998 Hex-Costa Rica has taken more points off the U.S. than vice versa…
people always forget about US-Costa Rica and focus on US-Mexico-but CR can claim that CR>US, just like US can claim US>Mexico and Mexico can claim MX>CR
Check out how many times the US had to play the Ticos with meaningful points on the line. Often the US played them after qualifying and used the game to relax and try out younger players. Or play on a gawd-awful CR pitch in jungle conditions, if not outright pouring rain. That Snow Game was just a form of payback for all their (CR’s) rain games. Oh, and any ranking that has Brazilinin the Top 10 or Portugal ahead of the US, is bogus!!!
Since 1998? WGAS?
“Dos a Cero” isn’t still a thing because it happened in 2001/2002. It’s still a thing because it happened in 2013…. again. For what it’s worth, it doesn’t change the math because the US and CR drew the US’s home match in 2010’s hex. In Hex matches between the US and CR the standings are CR 7, US 4. That said… CRC’s Gold Cup performances over that period have not been as strong as the US’s.
Here’s how the USMNT, Mexico and Costa Rica did in the last three Hex stages (i.e., the most recent 12 years):
US: 1st (2006), 1st (2010), 1st (2014).
Mexico: 2nd (2006), 2nd (2010), 4th (2014)
Costa Rica: 3rd (2006); 4th (2010); 2nd(2014)
No disrespect to Mexico or Costa Rica, but it is hard to argue that the USMNT is the third best CONCACAF team as the rankings suggest.
Yeah.
I’m a bit skeptical of the love that ELO is giving MEX and CRC, but certainly the second tranche of 16 is a reasonable place for USA–and would be more believable for for MEX and CRC.
I also think that BRA is coasting like a MOFO and should probably have surrendered more points.
or play Ghana or Ivory Coast or Japan or South Korea in London or Paris?
I mean come on USSF. Next thing you know they will schedule a friendly against San Marino
No one would watch those matches, so they would be total money pits of matches.
why Ireland? why no Poland?
All we’re gonna do with Ireland is either win 4-0
or struggle and finish 1-1
At least with Poland we play against 1 of the best strikers in the world – Lewandowski or even SWEDEN. That way we take on ZLATAN. Give our defense a worthy test
European teams start qualifying for Euro 2016 in September. The Friday before we’re supposed to play Ireland, they play Scotland in their second qualifying match. Most of the European powerhouses are playing qualifiers the night of November 18.