By COLE KELLOGG
Three groups are in action during European Championship qualifying today, with powerhouses Italy, Belgium, Netherlands and more set to battle for their spot in Euro 2016.
Croatia currently sits atop Group H, ahead of Italy by two points after six matches played. Niko Kovac’s side will hope to post another favorable result today when they visit Azerbaijan. Italy finds itself in action against Malta, who sits last place in the group with only one point from six games.
Other action comes from a very tightly contested Group B, where Bosnia and Herzegovina is in fifth place despite only being three points down to second place Belgium. Edin Dzeko and company will have the chance to correct that today, though, as they face off against the Belgians. Meanwhile, Gareth Bale and Wales will attempt to stay at the top of the group as they take on last place Cyprus.
In Group A, Netherlands will host Iceland, who shockingly leads the group with 15 points. The Dutch side, under new coach Danny Blind, will attempt to cut the gap between itself and Iceland to two points with a home win this evening.
Elswhere today, Andi Herzog will lead the U.S. U-23 team in a friendly against England, and ESPN will broadcast a few college matches online.
Enjoy the action (today’s soccer on TV schedule after the jump):
12 p.m. – WatchESPN – Azerbaijan vs. Croatia
2:45 p.m. – WatchESPN – Netherlands vs. Iceland
2:45 p.m. – WatchESPN – Bulgaria vs. Norway
2:45 p.m. – WatchESPN – Cyprus vs. Wales
2:45 p.m. – Fox Sports 1 – Italy vs. Malta
2:45 p.m. – Fox Sports 2 – Belgium vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina
2:45 p.m. – WatchESPN – U.S. Under-23 Men’s National Team vs. England (Friendly)
5 p.m. – ESPNU – Rutgers vs. Princeton (Women’s)
7 p.m. – WatchESPN – Barton vs. Wingate (Men’s)
8 p.m. – WatchESPN – Marquette vs. Milwaukee (Men’s)
I thought we looked better once we made wholesale changes but as always, we get beat by our weakest player, in this case it was Sorto #20. Miazga looks very good, CCV, O’Neil, RR, Trapp are players that can play at this level. I hope Payne gets well soon, U23 sure can use a bonafide RB.
Yeah personally I’d rather see Yedlin with the U23’s. Just feel like he is needed more there.
Ugh.
Only player that impressed me was Miazga. (and what’s happened to Luis Gil??)
Luis Gil has been a shell of his former self for the last year maybe 2…
I was thinking the same thing, Gil was probably the best of this age group at one point. I thought Rubin looked decent, at least brought some life to the side. O’Neil looked decent actually considering, he hasn’t played much recently. Cropper looks like a solid starter.
The U23 look like a bit of a lost generation as many U20s have or are close to passing them by.
He is a technical played who stopped progressing in MLS or maybe lost a little interest. Gotta figure that’s a mix of environment and coaching. There are a couple technical coaches in the MLS. He should move to a couple of those teams or move to another league (Netherlands).
“Confidently stroking it around like a 30 yr old against schoolboys……” hmmmmm commentator
If you touch an England player that is a foul……
I love the fact that most of you guys have never made a dime playing the game know more than so many of these professionals. Yeah I know its a message board, but when all you is criticize it makes you seem small.
One other thing, “Who would you hire in his place?” “Who wants the job?” There is no body in MLS that would do better. JK is trying to get the US to play a more technical game, which is the only way we will improve, and the guys are ready yet. So do you keep playing Bob Bradly Bunker and counter or do you take your lumps and try to improve. I agree the US has regressed in results recently, but it’s not JK’s fault that Jozy can’t trap, and our CB’s are really bad or really young.
It would be one thing if this team looked like it was trying “take [its] lumps” to try to improve but they actually look like a bad version of bunker ball. So I’m not sure why you’re criticizing the critics.
Well I think that’s where the Klinsmann technical director vs manager discussion comes into question. Most people are pretty happy with some of the steps he’s taken as technical and believe he has a solid plan. However its the day to day manager job some people question. As that’s more about making the best of the players you have.
yeah, I think more people are seeing this now. I don’t think he should be in both roles – his managing abilities are not his strength.
This may have been a good point a year or two into JKs cycle Byrdman but at this points your digging for fools gold.
Typical JK fanboy nonsense – “you can’t criticize because you never played professionally.” That’s nonsense. Besides, I assume you never “made a dime playing the game” so why are your pro-JK opinions any more valid?
Haven’t seen any of the game, but is it the England U21s?
Starting to see all the age group play in a similar way. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing. Often feels like we are trying to play the ball faster then we are actually able to.
Hopefully just some growing pains, rather then forcing players to play in a way they just aren’t able to.
Right now they appear developmentally behind in a lot of areas, however they also look generally unprepared, which I would blame on the coaching. Probably a combination.
They are lacking in sharpness and quickness, can’t find each other, taking too much time, etc. I hope they can show something more in the second half.
Hernandez needs to come off Rubin needs to come on plz
USA U23s look like a team that has barely trained together
Like father like son
yes one thing I have noticed is the longer Klinsmann has been here, the less together the team looks. There is a collective team mentality being lost, probably due to poor player management and ego. This used to be one of the strengths of the team, doubtful they can get it back under this leadership.
England manhandling the USA. Quicker and stronger. Still 0-0 with all out defending but come on, get some possession and stopped being knocked off the ball.
US U23 struggling vs England, cant keep possession and having trouble getting out of their own half. 0-0 at the 20 min mark.
I turned in late, but US seems more threatening.
They had a brief spell with a corner and some possession in the final third but otherwise its one way traffic, Cody Cropper active early.
yea its been pretty even with each team having their streches, England perhaps slightly more threatening.