Three Thoughts on US 1-0 Jamaica

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Danny Williams soccer, Graham Zusi, Jozy Altidore, Steve Cherundolo, US Jamaica Recap, US Soccer

Three nuggets on last night’s 1-0 win for the United States over Jamaica.

• World Cup Qualifying is back on track. 

After the shock 2-1 loss in Kingston last Friday, the US needed maximum points and they got it. They still need to take care of business next month against Antigua and Barbuda as well as Guatemala. Still, they can breath a little easier now.

• Danny Williams was a revelation.

For those who know about his role at club team Hoffenheim, it’s no surprise Williams flourished in his central midfield spot. He worked to break up attacks on defense and moved the ball quickly on offense. His deft touch to the outside set up a beautiful Steve Cherundolo shot from distance. When Michael Bradley comes back, it’s likely Williams/Bradley will be the new CM pairing and possibly move Maurice Edu and Jermaine Jones to the bench.

• Klinsmann’s lineup changes paid off.

His biggest shock was handing a start to MLS’ Graham Zusi at right midfield. He responded well by combining with Cherundolo on the right side and forcing the action. Zusi made the most of his chance and will certainly have a place on the roster going forward. Klinsmann benched Jozy Altidore if favor of a Gomez/Dempsey pairing at forward. Gomez scored the games only goal. Klinsmann was heavily criticized after losing at Jamaica but responded well. He’s been solid but still has to guide the US through the tricky “Hex” qualifying from CONCACAF.

 

Champions League Draw

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12-13 Champions League.

Group A: FC Porto, Dynamo Kiev, Paris Saint-Germain, Dinamo Zagreb.

Group B: Arsenal, Schalke 04, Olympiacos, Montpellier.

Group C: AC Milan, Zenit St. Petersburg, Anderlecht, Malaga.

Group D: Real Madrid, Manchester City, Ajax, Borussia Dortmund.

Group E: Chelsea, Shaktar Donetsk, Juventus, Nordsjaelland.

Group F: Bayern Munich, Valencia, Lille, BATE Borisov.

Group G: Barcelona, Benfica, Spartak Moscow, Celtic.

Group H: Manchester United, Braga, Galatasaray, CFR Cluj.

 

Analysis: USA World Cup Qualifying Roster

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Brad Guzan, Brek Shea, Carlos Bocanegra, Clint Dempsey, Danny Williams, Fabian Johnson, Geoff Cameron, Graham Zusi, Herculez Gomez, Jermaine Jones, Joe Corona, Jonathan Spector, Jose Torres, Jozy Altidore, Kyle Beckerman, Maurice Edu, Michael Orozco Fiscal, Nick Rimando, Sean Johnson, Steve Cherundolo, Terrence Boyd, Tim Howard, US Soccer, usa roster jamaica

From US Soccer

Here is a brief analysis of the roster named by United States manager Jurgen Klinsmann for the next two World Cup Qualifiers, Friday and Tuesday against Jamaica,

Goalkeepers (4):

Tim Howard (Everton): Unquestioned number one for the team. Starter.

Brad Guzan (Aston Villa): Started for Villa over the weekend. Solid backup.

Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire): Will only be around for first match. Still, another learning experience.

Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake): Joining team for second match in Columbus. Won’t play but another veteran for the team.

Defenders (9):

Carlos Bocanegra (Racing Santander): The team captain but questions on his form because he was playing in Scottish 3rd Division before a loan to Spain.

Geoff Cameron (Stoke City): An immediate fan favorite and great debut in central midfield for Stoke. Should start at center back for the national team.

Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96): Lock starter for the right back spot. Captain of his club team and dependable veteran.

Maurice Edu (Stoke City): Played well at center back against Mexico, will probably be deployed at midfield but could play a few minutes in defense.

Clarence Goodson (Brondby): Strong in the air but probably a bench player with this roster.

Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim): Not well known to casual USA fans but he’s probably the team’s second best player on this roster behind Clint Dempsey. Will start at left back.

Michael Orozco Fiscal (San Luis): His game-winner against Mexico probably got him onto this roster. He won’t see the field.

Michael Parkhurst (Nordsjaelland): Helped his team qualify for the Champions League. Can fill in at right back or center back. Valuable backup.

Jonathan Spector (Birmingham City): A surprise selection by Klinsmann. Has experience at right back. Could also be useful in central midfield.

Midfielders (7):

Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake): A Klinsmann favorite. A simple player who plays mistake-free soccer and offers toughness on the field.

Joe Corona (Tijuana): One of the few wingers selected on this roster. Could be a late sub to provide some speed and stretch the field.

Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04): Scored against Jamaica in the 2011 Gold Cup. Has a two-way role in midfield for the US. He could be more offensive this time around.

Brek Shea (FC Dallas): Started the sequence that lead to the goal at Mexico. He could possibly start if Klinsmann wants his creativity and crossing on the left side.

Jose Torres (Pachua): A potentially bad matchup for Torres because of Jamaica’s speed and size. Torres hasn’t been playing well for the US and could see himself on the bench soon.

Danny Williams (Hoffenheim): Continually played out of position at right midfield when he’s best in a defensive role. Offers nothing on offense and shines when he’s given defensive responsibility.

Graham Zusi (Sporting KC): He could surprise many fans with his play in these games. Has familiarity with Jamaica because they brought in nine MLS players. Has a good defensive work rate and delivers well on set pieces.

Forwards (4):

Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar): Maybe the most in-form American player in the world right now. His development at Alkmaar has been stellar. A good bet for at least one goal.

Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna): Scored two more goals over the weekend for his club team. Another tall and strong forward who’s physicality makes him a great bench option.

Clint Dempsey (Tottenham Hotspur): He hasn’t played a competitive match since June because of club turmoil. Remains to be seen what his fitness level is. Still, he’s the best American player in the world.

Herculez Gomez (Santos): Continues to impress for club and country. He scored in the last set of qualifiers and is a good bet to start the first match against Jamaica. A true poacher who’s always in the right spot to pounce.

Other Thoughts:

• Still no Eric Lichaj, the defender from Aston Villa. His inclusion could potentially move Fabian Johnson up to attacking midfield and help the offense.

• Michael Bradley and Landon Donovan are both injured and unable to play. They would be starters.

• Speedster Josh Gatt was called up but had to withdraw with a hamstring injury. He’s a player to watch going forward.

Two More Goals For Terrence Boyd

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Rapid Vienna, Terrence Boyd

The German-American forward had two more goals for club team Rapid Vienna. Both came off crosses.

His first is at the start of the video and his second starts at 1:55.

Molde Highlights

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Josh Gatt, Molde FK

American winger Josh Gatt picked up an assist for Molde in their win over Heerenveen yesterday. Gatt was dangerous throughout the match. Molde moves on to the group stage of the Europa League.

Highlights are here Gatt’s assist starts at 2:28

 

Terrence Boyd Goal

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Rapid Vienna, Terrence Boyd

German-American forward Terrence Boyd continued his hot start to the 2012-2013 season with a header goal for club Rapid Vienna against PAOK. It was part of a 3-0 Rapid win that puts them in the group stage of the Europa League.

Play starts at 1:28

Mix Diskerud Volley Goal

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Europa League, Mix Diskerud, Rosenborg

Norwegian-American midfielder Mix Diskerud scored a beautiful volley goal to help send his club Rosenborg to the group stage of the Europa League.

Play starts at 55 seconds.

Michael Bradley Debut For AS Roma

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AS Roma, Michael Bradley, Serie A

US midfielder Michael Bradley started and played 90 minutes in his first Serie A match with club team AS Roma. Bradley picked up the game-tying assist late after a long ball over the top of the defense was finished by Nicolas Lopez.

The website whoscored.com gave Bradley the third highest rating for Roma behind Pablo Osvaldo and Daniele De Rossi.

Highlights:

Bonus video of Bradley speaking in Italian:

Josh Gatt Goal for Molde

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Josh Gatt, Molde FK

From Molde FK

 

Young American midfielder Josh Gatt scored another goal for Norwegian club Molde over the weekend. The 20-year-old used his impressive speed to outrun several defenders and finished with a smooth hit into the corner.

Check out his goal here it’s the first of the match.

Geoff Cameron Debut for Stoke City

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EPL, Geoff Cameron, Stoke City

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States defender/midfielder Geoff Cameron made his English Premier League debut Sunday with Stoke City. The center back was deployed in midfield against Arsenal. The match finished in a 0-0 draw.

Here are some thoughts from around the soccer world on Cameron’s debut.

Daily Mail: 8/10 Man of the Match for Stoke.

“Tall midfielder who impressed on his debut. Athletic and physically strong. Stood up well to Diaby. However, he tired towards the end.”

Guardian minute-by-minute report:

“Debut-man Geoff Cameron looked pretty solid in midfield, and is the new long-throw man for the Potteries.”

This Is Staffordshire, Stoke Fans on the Match:

“Cameron, in particular, impressed as he harried well and looked assured in central midfield, picking up countless loose balls and breaking up Arsenal’s attacks.”