Either simmering, reflecting or sublimating on the draw to
archrivals Mexico on
Well …
Until the MNT visits Krakow, Poland on March 26 (the last international release date before 2010 World Cup CONCACAF qualifying this summer) very little will be seen of the boys in the red, white and blue. Kudos to Bob Bradley for scheduling the Poles later this month and top-flight Spain on June 4 because both fixtures give the US much-needed European experience, which was visibly lacking in a little-known tournament in Germany 18 months ago. But two matches in three months is still something to be desired.
So, what is a US Soccer fan to do until then?
Prepare for the annual Carolina rush of pollen and tourists, stave off classroom (and workplace) apathy as summer approaches and above all things: WATCH SOCCER. Little epiphanies about strategy, roster additions/exclusions and jersey fashions will reveal themselves to you in the most mysterious ways.
Here are some questions you (and Bob Bradley) will need to answer before we meet again:
• Will Jozy Altidore (F) perform in Major League Soccer?
Altidore’s embarrassment of Mexico’s Rafael Marquez three weeks ago has
teams from around the world talking. If Altidore can mirror his national team
performance against
• Ranger’s Demarcus Beasley’s (M) season-ending knee injury against Stuttgart FC in last November’s UEFA Champion League clash will result in a long rehabilitation process that should pit him ready to return for the start of the Scottish Premier League in August but likely to miss this summer’s qualifying matches. His absence leaves the left-midfield position wide open as Bobby Convey (M) appeared unsure of his role against Mexico and players like Justin Mapp (M) and Sacha Kljestan (M) have yet to catch fire. Will Bradley sacrifice Clint Dempsey’s (F) good form to the left midfield or will someone fill the void in attack?
• US fans were shaking their heads after some woeful
defending along the outside of the US defense against Mexico. Who will become
the outside duo to the Carlos Bocanegra / Oguchi Onyewu tandem at the heart of
defense? Watch for Jonathan Bornstein (D) to start the
• Bradley has developed a reputation for experimenting with younger lesser-known players so don’t be surprised if he looks closely at the performance of the US U-23’s as they vie for a spot at the Olympics. The official U-23 Olympic Qualifying roster won’t be set until March 9, but here are some notable names on Peter Nowak’s squad: Altidore, Freddy Adu (F), Benny Feilhaber (M), Kljestan, Robbie Rogers (M), Marvell Wynne (D), Kamani Hill (D) and Sal Zizzo (M).
Keeping these questions in mind … WATCH SOCCER.
Your country appreciates your service.