A Few Quick Thoughts

Questions about the future of the U.S. central defense have been emphatically answered.
Photo credit: www.soccerbyives.net

Here are a few quick thoughts on the USA's 0-0 draw with Mexico in Azteca:

1. Omar Freaking Gonzalez. He has the physical tools and the mental sharpness to be a world-class defender, and they were on full display tonight. Gonna a be a fixture in the backline of the USMNT for years to come. What a player.
2. What a game by Besler as well. Oh, you only have one cap and you're playing your second game in front of 100,000 people in one of the most hostile environments in sports where you can't hear your partner when he's standing ten feet away? No problem.
3. Really can't believe Edu wasn't called for a penalty. Extremely lucky to get away with that, that's called 99 times out of 100 in CONCACAF, especially when the U.S. is involved. But I'm not complaining...
4. Anytime you travel to Azteca you know you'll have to rely on your keeper to make some crucial saves, and Brad Guzan delivered. Was confident in the air and bossed the penalty area. Another outstanding performance. Tim Howard has his work cut out for him to regain the starting spot when he returns from injury.
5. I almost threw my remote through the TV when Brad Davis fouled Guardado on the left side of the box near the sideline at the end of the game. Silly, totally unnecessary foul that could have easily resulted in a goal off of the ensuing free kick. That one mental lapse could have wasted 90 minutes of great team effort. Come on man.
6. MLS for the win! Every player that played for the U.S. tonight either currently plays in MLS or started out in MLS. Just a testament to it's talent and growth over the years. Don't look now but it's becoming a very respectable league.
7. Play of the Game - Graham Zusi sprinting back about 30 yards to barely get his head on a cross that surely would've been deadly as it was about to be headed at goal. That effort was emblematic of the entire team performance.

Can't ask for anything more than coming out of Azteca with a result. The backline was a revelation, Besler and Gonzalez have great chemistry and work effectively together. Our scoring opportunities were almost nonexistent but we came out with a point and that's all that matters.

Here's to Omar Gonzalez and Matt Besler forming the most formidable centerback pairing in the world. Or at least one good enough to get us to Brazil next year.

The SnoFro Game

Jermaine Jones is now immortalized in US soccer folklore. Photo credit: soccerbyives.net

In a game that will be remembered for quite some time, the United States Men's National Team defeated Costa Rica 1-0 in Denver, Colorado to secure a valuable three points and vault to second place in their CONCACAF World Cup qualifying group. Clint Dempsey, sporting the captain's armband with Tim Howard injured, managed to put the U.S. ahead early in the first half off a rebound and it proved to be enough to see the Stars and Stripes come away with the result.

But as important a result as this was, the constant snowfall is what will long live in the minds of USMNT fans. The U.S. was lucky to score an early goal in this one while the snow was still somewhat manageable because it only increased as the game wore on. In fact, the referee stopped the game early in the second half to talk  with the other match officials and decide if the conditions were unplayable. After consulting the other officials, he consulted with players from both sides. The players seemingly agreed to continue playing, including the Costa Ricans. This is an interesting point because Costa Rica is now planning to protest the decision to carry on with the game.

Incredible scenes from last night. Photo credit: Jozy's Facebook page

Obviously, multiple inches of snow doesn't make for ideal playing conditions in any soccer game and players have to adjust. With that in mind, here are some of my thoughts from last night's action:

1.  Jozy Altidore had an absolutely fantastic game. His holdup play was superb and it was his deflected shot that led to Dempsey's goal. Showed great strengh in shielding defenders and great technique in picking out short passes to keep the play moving. Perhaps his best overall game in a USA shirt since Klinsmann took over.
2. Geoff Cameron had a terrible, terrible game at RB. Constantly gave up possession and silly fouls. Not sure if it was the snow or his lack of experience playing the position with the national team as he's been playing CB under Klinsmann. Whatever it was, he needs to fix it, and fix it fast with a trip to the Azteca looming on Tuesday.
3. I'm not the biggest Clarence Goodson fan (not sure there are many anyways) but he was rock solid tonight with Omar Gonzalez. Maybe it had to do with being used to playing in snowy conditions in Denmark. The pair was dominant in the air, cutting out numerous long balls as the Costa Ricans tried to bypass the midfield due to the snow. Goodson had a great performance, which is something that can't be said about his last few outings with the USMNT.
4. I freaking love Eddie Johnson and what he brings to the team. He provides pace and the willingness and ability to take on defenders one-on-one. He beat two defenders last night the first time he touched the ball after being subbed on for Graham Zusi. EJ adds a different dimension to the team and always causes problems for defenders. Hope to see more of this in upcoming WCQs.
5. Considering the circumstances, Damarcus Beasley put in an admirable performance at left back. The ageless wonder was solid all night long despite playing out of position and receiving no favors from the weather. Did well getting forward and tracking back. Wonder if we'll see him again at LB on Tuesday.
6. Michael Bradley is a stud, simply put. He has become the rock upon which the USMNT is built. He had another solid performance in the midfield, which is to be expected by now. Michael is a natural leader and seems destined to eventually inherit the captain's armband.
7. Clint Dempsey and Herculez Gomez played well. Zusi was average and Eddie Johnson seemed to be more effective once he took Zusi's place. I feel for Zusi though, as he's being forced to play on the right wing when his natural position is in the center of midfield.
8. Brad Guzan was outstanding in Tim Howard's absence, though that's not really surprising given the fact that he's been one of the best keepers in the Premier League this year. There was one cross that he whiffed on that could have been dangerous, but other than that he did a great job dealing with the snow and controlling the box. Any worries about not having Howard for these games are unfounded.
9. With all the talk this week about there being a rift in the locker room between Klinsmann and some of the players, it feels good to come away with a win. The USMNT displayed some real character in dealing with this controversy and the adverse weather conditions.
10. And finally, WHERE WAS THE ORANGE BALL??? Certainly would've been easier to see than the yellow one.

Highlights:

It was great to see the boys come away with three points but now they must focus on Mexico with a huge trip to the Azteca coming up on Tuesday. Walking out of Mexico with a point will be a fantastic result.

Go Freedom. Go USA.

The Return of Cristiano Ronaldo

The time has finally come. Real Madrid will travel to Manchester, England tomorrow to face Manchester United in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals. With the two clubs having played out a 1-1 draw in the first leg in the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid find themselves facing elimination with Manchester United possessing the almighty away-goal tiebreaker. But all of this will take a back seat to the main storyline of the fixture - the homecoming of Cristiano Ronaldo to Old Trafford.

Then and now: Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Bolton on his Manchester United debut in 2002 (top)
 and vs FC Barcelona in the 1st leg of the 2013 Copa Del Rey semifinals (bottom).
Photo  credit:  www.guardian.co.uk (top); www.ronaldo7.net (bottom)

As I'm sure you know, Ronaldo is generally regarded to be one of the best two football players in the world right now along with Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona. Ronaldo was sold to Real Madrid from Manchester United in the summer of 2009 for a world record transfer fee of £80 million, but not before becoming a Premier League legend with the Red Devils. During his time at Old Trafford, Ronaldo won 3 Premier League  titles, 1 FA Cup, 1 UEFA Champions League, 1 FIFA Club World Cup, 2 Barclays Player of the Year Awards, 1 FIFA World Player of the Year Award, and 1 Ballon d'Or.

Ronaldo is still held in high regards by Manchester United supporters and he is sure to receive a standing ovation when he steps on the Old Trafford pitch for the first time in four years. It will be a very special moment for him, the supporters, and football fans all across the world. And with that, I leave you with a video of his Manchester United debut almost ten years ago. Here's to a great spectacle tomorrow.