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Golden Tie For U.S.

Total and complete domination on the pitch was pointless for the Mexican National Soccer Team on Tuesday night as they failed to defeat the United States in Mexico's Azteca Stadium.  The 0-0 draw allowed the Americans to earn their first point in World Cup qualifying in Mexico's "Cathedral of Soccer" since 1997.

The result is a national embarrassment for all involved with "El Tri", as failure to put the ball in the back of the net has put more strain on a national team that has failed to win against inferior competition in three attempts.

This result will make it a very long two months until World Cup qualifying resumes for the Mexicans, while the Americans will feel comfortable and well on their way to punching their ticket to Brazil 2014.

Chivas Touchdown In Borderland...

Yesterday Chivas de Guadalajara and Chivas USA arrived in Juarez for the exhibition matches that will take place today and on Saturday.  The game on Saturday will be between Chivas de Guadalajara and the Under-20 Mexican National Team.

In a press conference that was held yesterday in the team's hotel, head coaches for both teams promised to give their best effort despite it being an exhibition match. By the roster of players that made the trip anyone would have to say that this is true.

Both teams arrived with their entire roster and no "superstar" on the team missed the trip due to questionable circumstances as it usual happens in these exhibition matches.

For Chivas de Guadalajara, these pair of games  will serve as preparation for next week's national rivalry game against Club America.  That game will be Saturday, March 30th in Guadalajara.    

U.S. Roster Released...

Yesterday afternoon, USMNT head coach, Jurgen Klinsmann announced the United States roster for the next two World Cup qualifiers that will take place on March 22 (at home against Costa Rica) and on March 26th (in Azteca Stadium against Mexico).

Here is the list:  Brad Guzan, Sean Johnson, Nick Rimando, Tony Beltran, Matt Besler, Geoff Cameron, Omar Gonzalez, Clarence Goodson, Justin Morrow, DaMarcus Beasley, Kyle Beckerman, Michael Bradley, Joe Corona, Maurice Edu, Jermaine Jones, Sacha Kljestan, Brek Shea, Graham Zusi, Jozy Altidore, Terrence Boyd, Clint Dempsey, Herculez Gomez and Eddie Johnson.

Notables left off the list, aside from Landon Donovan, include defensive midfielder Jose Torres and center defender Carlos Bocanegra.  Bocanegra has been the team's capatain since 2007.  Bocanegra is sidelined with injury.

Mexico's Latest Roster...

Late last week Mexican National Team head coach, Jose Manuel de la Torre, released the roster of players that have been called for the upcoming World Cup qualifying matches against Honduras (March 22) and against the United States (March 26).  Here it is:

1.- Guillermo Ochoa- AC Ajaccio
2.- Jesús Corona – Cruz Azul
3.- Alfredo Talavera- Toluca
4.- Severo Meza – Monterrey
5.- Jonny Magallón - León
6.- Francisco Javier Rodríguez – América
7.- Héctor Moreno- RCD Espanyol de Barcelona
8.- Hugo Ayala - Tigres
9.- Diego Reyes – América
10.- Jorge Torres Nilo – Tigres
11.- Carlos Salcido – Tigres
12.- Jesús Zavala- Monterrey
13.- Gerardo Torrado- Cruz Azul
14.- Jesús Molina – América
15.- Héctor Herrera – Pachuca
16.- Javier Aquino – Villarreal
17.- Andrés Guardado- Valencia CF
18.- Ángel Reyna – Pachuca
19.- Giovani Dos Santos- RCD Mallorca
20.- Oribe Peralta – Santos
21.- Javier Hernández- Manchester United
22.- Omar Bravo- Atlas
23.- Raúl Alonso Jiménez- América

The roster for the United States Men's National Team will be released later today.  The team that represents the "Stars and Stripes" will face Costa Rica (March 22) and Mexico on (March 26).

New Pope Fan Of San Lorenzo de Almagro...

Hours after the new Pope was announced, supporters of the Argentinian team, San Lorezno de Almagro (know commonly and simply as San Lorenzo) took to the Vatican singing soccer chants and waving flags that represent the teams colors in celebration.

As it turns out Pope Francis is a big fan of San Lorenzo.

I thought it was a cool side note that came out of Rome yesterday and wanted to share this with you.I guess the team will be in good hands spiritually speaking for this Pope's tenure.   

Barca Went Barca...

Just when a world full of jealous haters thought they were having their day in the sun,90 minutes of play silenced them.  When critics were saying that their magic was just about done, they made a comeback Harry Potter could only dream of.  Yesterday afternoon, FC Barcelona showed the world that they are still the best soccer team in the world.

With their back against the wall, needing to win by a three gol differential, FC Barcelona defeated AC Milan in Camp Nou 4-0, to advance to the round of eight in the UEFA Champions League.

With a recent streak of losses in important matches, and a inconsistency of leadership at the head coach position (Coach, Tito Villanova has had health problems) FC Barcelona had demonstrated some vulnerability as of late.  After yesterday's performance, one could say, "Rumors of their death had been greatly exaggerated"

Lionel Messi scored in the first 5 minutes of the match and the team from Catolonia steam rolled from there.

The gols were impressive, the domination was crystal clear.  And just like that guess who is favorite once again to win the greatest club competion in the world?

Mexico vs Chivas To Come To Borderland...

The Mexican Soccer Federation has announced that the Under-20 Mexican National Team will play an exhibition match on Saturday March 23rd at Benito Juarez Olympic Stadium in Ciudad Juarez.  Their rival for this match will be non other than Chivas de Guadalajara.  The game will be at 5:00pm local time.

The game will take place on the weekend that play will be suspended at the club level worldwide due to FIFA World Cup qualifiers happening from March 22nd thru March 26th.

Chivas will use that game to maintain form and rhythm while league play is suspended for the qualifiers, while the under-20 squad will use this contest as a preparation match for the the Under-20 FIFA World Cup to take place later this summer in Turkey.

Mexico won the Under-20 CONCACAF Championships two weekends ago when it defeated the United States by a score of 3-1.

Ticket information (price and where they will be sold) will be released within the next few days.  We will keep you posted.

Ochoa To Return To Mexican National Team...

Yesterday the Mexican Soccer Federation announced the players that are currently playing in Europe that will be called to represent the Mexican National Soccer Team later this month.  "El Tri" will face Honduras and the United States on March 22nd and 26th in World Cup qualifiers.

The biggest and most surprising name on that list was that of goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.  Ochoa became a star with Club America in Mexico and is currently continuing to make a name for himself playing in France with Ajaccio.

One can argue that Ochoa was snubbed in the 2010 World Cup from being the starting keeper, Oscar Perez got the start in all four games Mexico played in.  Many people, including myself, feel that once again he will not be the starting keeper in Brazil 2014. 

Yet, this latest call to service by Mexico head coach, Jose Manuel "El Chepo" de la Torre, is another opportunity for him to prove himself.

Here is the complete list of Mexican players that play in Europe that will be called by de la Torre:

Guillermo Ochoa(Ajaccio/France)
Javier Hernández (Manchester United/England)
Andrés Guardado (Valencia/Spain)
Héctor Moreno(Espanyol/Spain)
Giovani dos Santos(Mallorca/Spain)
Javier Aquino (Villarreal/Spain)

 

Man U Head Coach Still Upset...

One day after Manchester United's exit from the UEFA Champions League, Manchester United head coach, Sir Alex Feguson is still upset.  United was elminated by Real Madrid at Old Trafford, Man U's home stadium on Tuesday.

Manchester United's fate was pretty much sealed when Nani was given a red card leaving the Red Devils one man down.  At this point in the match United was up 1-0 (2-1 aggregate) and ended up losing 2-1 (3-2 aggregate)

The red card on Nani was extremely questionable.  Personally, I feel it was unnecessary and should have been a yellow card.

After the game, Ferguson did not attend the mandatory post-game press conference.  Assistant Mike Phelan attended instead.  Yesterday, one day after the game, Ferguson still did not address the media at United's practice facilities.

Disciplinary proceedings are underway by UEFA against Ferguson to determine what disciplinary action will take place.

 

MLS Goals Are A Joke...

To be among the "world's best" is a goal that the MLS has set for itself by 2022.  That is what MLS commissioner Dan Garber said in a recent interview with the Associated Press.  That's 9 years people.

Yeah, and I want to join Paul Foster is that little Forbes list he made earlier this week.  Honestly speaking, I think I have a better shot at that than the MLS becoming one of the best soccer leagues in the world, in less than 10 years none the less.

I know that in the good ol' U.S. of A. we aspire to be the best.  That's all fine and dandy, let's just be a tad more sensible when these declarations of ambition are made.

There are more than several second division leagues across Europe that are better than the MLS.  Oh, and we've haven't even brought in Latin America into the conversation.

For generations, the ultimate goal of youth of soccer players worldwide has been to make it to Europe.  Period.  That will not change...ever.  Clubs like L.A. Galaxy, Seattle Sounders, Houston Dynamo, and D.C. United will always be beneath clubs like Barcelona, Manchester United, AC Milan and Bayern Munich.  By a lot.

To declare you want to be in the same realm is laughable.

Mr. Garber, how about first stop making your league an elephant graveyard where "has been" world soccer figures turn to for one final hoo-rah and one final more than adequate payday?  Then you can talk about moving forward in a diligent and humble manner.