United States National Team (PES 2007)

[PeruvianPlaya954]

Q&A with Michael Bradley



Your 20 years old, most guys your age are our partying while your playing football. Ever get jealous?

Not really. I mean I might attend an occasional party in the offseason but I am playing the sport I love. I wouldn't change it for anything in the world.

Speaking of your age, you started your US MNT career last year at the age of 19. How do you feel your game has progressed in one year?

Well the pace of the game is a lot quicker at the International level. You have to make smart decisions quickly. Every game that goes by is experience though and I am still learning.

What is your most memorable moment of your young career thus far?

Winning the Gold Cup Final has to be it. In Soldier Field, with the Mexicans up 1-0. Coming back from that was incredible, and then to be able to hold the Gold Cup trophy was priceless. Pity I didn't get to play in that game though. (laughs)

What are your future goals for the US MNT?

I just want to contribute in World Cup Qualifying and make it to the World Cup. Maybe a goal or two wouldn't hurt either (laughs)

One last question, how is your relationship with your father, Head Coach Bob Bradley?

The relationship is great. I am learning a lot from him as we continue to meet up for USA Training Camps and other events. But when it comes to that, it is all business as usual, he is as strict on me as anyone else. No clowning around as he would say.

Well thank you for your time Michael and good luck in the Summer.

Thank you!

[PeruvianPlaya954]

Final 6 Concacaf Teams set for World Cup Qualifiers

The United States now knows all of their 5 opponents that they will play in 10 games in the next two years for World Cup Qualifying. The United States plays at Trinidad and Tobago on the first fixture. T&T has been playing some inspired football so the U.S. cannot over look their first match. The rest of the teams are 2005 Gold Cup Finalists Panama, Honduras, Costa Rica and arch rival Mexico.

Here is the United States schedule:

Fixture 1 - @ Trinidad and Tobago
Fixture 2 - v Honduras
Fixture 3 - @ Mexico
Fixture 4 - v Costa Rica
Fixture 5 - @ Panama
Fixture 6 - v Trinidad and Tobago
Fixture 7 - @ Honduras
Fixture 8 - v Mexico
Fixture 9 - @ Costa Rica
Fixture 10 - v Panama

The first six are played this summer in 2007 and the last four next year. The United States takes on T&T in June and the U.S. will begin its run for the 2010 World Cup.

Top 3 teams qualify and fourth place team will have a playoff with the fifth South American team.

[PeruvianPlaya954]

United States Calls up 18 for World Cup Qualifier vs Trinidad and Tobago


Veteran Goalkeeper Kasey Keller returns to the U.S.

The United States has called up their 18 players for their first World Cup Qualifier for the 2010 World Cup against Trinidad and Tobago. T&T has been playing some impressing football as of late and will look to also start off on a high note. Bob Bradley has called up mostly players to be considered apart of the "A" team and said they cannot take any game for granted. "Every game will be a challenge. Each one will offer something different due to positioning, time, setting but we will attack every challenge with our best effort. There is no gimme game when it comes to World Cup Qualifying. Every team wants to qualify, every team is going out there to win." Bradley has a point, United States has struggled in the past to qualify for the World Cup, most recently for Korea and Japan in 2002. But as Bradley said, the United States will aim to get first place, "We want first. We'll take second or third, but we want first. That is one of our goals and we will have to work hard to achieve it." It will be difficult, but the road for 2010 begins in Trinidad and Tobago.

Goalkeepers (2) - Marcus Hahnemann, Kasey Keller

Defenders (6) - Carlos Bocanegra, Steve Cherundolo, Jimmy Conrad, Oguchi Onyewu, Heath Pearce, Frank Simek

Midfielders (6) - Michael Bradley, Bobby Convey, Benny Feilhaber, Kamani Hill, Pablo Mastroeni, Lee Nguyen

Forwards (4) - Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, Eddie Johnson, Taylor Twellman

[PeruvianPlaya954]

United States Trounce Trinidad and Tobago


Landon Donovan jumps in the air as he scores for the fourth time this year

Landon Donovan just cannot be stopped. He has been in great form all year long for the United States and continued to do so on a bigger stage versus Trinidad and Tobago in the team's first World Cup Qualifier. More ammunition for Donovan to throw against his critics.

The game began with T&T feeling the love from the crowd. The atmosphere was intense and the United States was in for a challenge. It didn't take long before the teams began exchanging blows. Both teams were sloppy defensively and each team had its share of opportunities. It took 21 minutes before the first goal. The pair up top for the USA, Kamani Hill and Clint Dempsey combined for a nice give and go and Dempsey ran by a defender before being 1 on 1 with Keeper Marvin Phillips. He made an incredible fake shot that juked the keeper out of his boots, and then tapped the ball into the net with his left foot. United States was on top 1-0.

"That was the start we wanted. Take a lead as visitors." said the goal scorer for the U.S. But it didn't take long for T&T to respond. 5 minutes later Carlos Edwards received a beautiful lob pass from Christopher Birchall. Edwards lunged himself in a lateral dive and headered the ball past veteran keeper Kasey Keller.

The fans were electric and the USA managed to get on the scoreboard right before the end of the half. In stoppage time, the States earned a close range free kick. Donovan instead of kicking it, passed it to Dempsey who passed it off to Pablo Mastroeni. Mastroeni ran forward took a shot that was saved but deflected back to him. As Mastroeni looked up, he was alone in front of goal and tapped it in from a difficult angle to make it 2-1 at the end of the first 45 minutes. It was Pablo's second goal this year and second career goal for USA.

The second half began with neither team making any changes. Both teams still came out offensive minded and the United States added a third goal in the 64th minute. Landon Donovan blew by defender on the right side and then hit a hard shot that the Keeper could only get a hand on but to no avail as it went in regardless.

More chances were blown by both teams including a shot by Michael Bradley from the 6 foot line that was amazingly saved by Trinidad's keeper. The United States earned a corner in the 89th minute and Landon Donovan continued with his near-perfect form. The ball flew over the head of most players and amazingly landed to Benny Feilhaber's foot. Benny then just tapped it in as he was inches away from the goal line. It's Benny's third goal of his short US Soccer Career. "This one was probably my easiest of the three. Donovan gave me a perfect pass." said the Brazilian born player.

But Trinidad and Tobago gave their fans something else to look forward to in the future World Cup Qualifiers. As the US surely knew they had the game in the back. They sat back a little too relaxed and Birchall layed off a nice pass that left Glenton Wolffe all by his lonesome in front of goal. Wolffe nailed a one timer and it stung by Keller's hands making it 4-2 before the final whistle. Both teams surely impressed offensively, but defensively work must be done for both sides to improve. "We allowed a goal late. We were a little too relaxed. Thankfully we had a bigger lead. Next time we may not be so lucky. We have to defend better." said a critical Bob Bradley after the game. That they must as the U.S. will take on Honduras in their next World Cup Qualifier, but as Oguchi Onyewu pointed out "3 points is 3 points".

2-Trinidad and Tobago v United States-4
USA-Clint Dempsey 21'
TRI-Carlos Edwards 26' (Christopher Birchall)
USA-Pablo Mastroeni 45+'
USA-Landon Donovan 64'
USA-Benny Feilhaber 89' (Landon Donovan)
TRI-Glenton Wolffe 90+' (Christopher Birchall)

GK-Kasey Keller
D-Steve Cherundolo
D-Oguchi Onyewu
D-Carlos Bocanegra
D-Heath Pearce (Frank Simek 81')
M-Michael Bradley
M-Pablo Mastroeni
M-Landon Donovan
M-Bobby Convey (Lee Nguyen 70')
F-Kamani Hill (Benny Feilhaber 65')
F-Clint Dempsey

[chestnutz6]

Nice dynasty.

[PeruvianPlaya954]

18 Selected for Honduras


Teenager Josmer Altidore has been called up for the USA's next World Cup Qualifier

Teenage protege Josmer Altidore has been called up into camp this week for what could be his first taste of World Cup Qualifying. The U.S. has called up a strong squad, but this team isn't as strong as the one that encountered Trinidad and Tobago in the first match. "We know this match is going to be challenging and I am looking to see how our players respond to a team that is in need of points." said Head Coach Bob Bradley in regards to Honduras receiving 1 point for their tie against Mexico in fixture one. Bradley has left Steve Cherundolo out of this match and Jonathan Spector looks like he will get a chance to show what he's got on the right side of defense. Heath Pearce must have impressed Bradley in his first World Cup Qualifier, as he has been called back for that left back position in favor of Jonathan Bornstein. The self proclaimed left back told reporters "I am trying to take advantage of every opportunity I receive." Bradley has also made other surpise selections by calling up the likes Michael Parkhurst, Sacha Kljestan, Justin Mapp and Altidore. Even with these relatively low capped players, the U.S. will look for 3 more points this Sunday.

Goalkeepers (2) - Marcus Hahnemann, Kasey Keller

Defenders (6) - Carlos Bocanegra, Oguchi Onyewu, Michael Parkhurst, Heath Pearce, Frank Simek, Jonathan Spector

Midfielders (6) - Michael Bradley, Bobby Convey, Kamani Hill, Sacha Kljestan, Justin Mapp, Pablo Mastroeni

Forwards (4) - Josmer Altidore, Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, Eddie Johnson

[PeruvianPlaya954]

Altidore Shines in Dominant U.S. Victory

Josmer Altidore fought hard to earn his first hat trick

The United States has earned 6 points through two games. But they have not only won these games, they have dominated for the most part. The exception was not during today's match. The United States dominated in all phases of the game. This was the type of game fans look at and really get excited about.

But it wasn't only the fact that Oguchi Onyewu and Carlos Bocanegra defended masterly against Honduras or that Michael Bradley held the ball well in the midfield. The main highlight of this game and something for stars and stripes' fans to look forward to is the play of teenage sensation Josmer Altidore.

In his one game this year against France he showed signs of technical genius, but he didn't show much offensively. This may have been because he only played 20 minutes and didn't get to find his rhythm. He played all 90 minutes in today's game and continuously outhustled, outmanuevered and out played anyone from Honduras.

Altidore created chance after chance but couldn't find the net in the first half. In fact, noone could. Honduras only got one shot from long rage that looked like a field goal kick due to its elevation. The United States created many opportunities, most involving Josmer but to no avail. The first half ended 0-0, and it looked like it could be one of those unlucky games for the U.S.

Then the second half came. Altidore came out just as aggressive. His first goal for his national team only took 5 minutes in when he received a pass and made a dash towards goal. He tried to take a defender on, but as the defender reacted quickly and got his foot on it, the ball stayed a top of the 18. Both players overran the ball, but Altidore ran back and nailed it with his right foot past the keeper. Altidore's first goal makes him the youngest player to ever score for the red white and blue.

11 minutes later, the United States had earned a corner off a Altidore shot. Altidore took the corner and found Landon Donovan close to goal. Donovan leaped up and headered it but it was saved by the keeper. The ball bounced back to Donovan and he hit it with his left foot and struck it past the front post man. Landon Donovan has scored in every game so far this year for the United States. "I am very proud of my play right now and look forward to continue playing in this form to help us qualify for the World Cup" said the American's #10.

7 minutes later, the U.S. struck again. Josmer Altidore was standing alone in the middle when he received a pass from the left side from the USA's other forward Clint Dempsey. Altidore struck it as it came and blasted into the net to make the score 3-0. Altidore celebrated by running wildy all over the pitch.

Altidore was on the verge of a hat trick and you could sense that the USA's goal was to give it to him although Bob Bradley denied that in the press conference. "We were just trying to end the game on a high note. Josmer accomplish a great achievemen." His third goal, which made him the youngest player to ever score a hat trick occurred when Pablo Mastroeni shielded the ball away from a defender and layed it off to Altidore. Altidore received the past and he hit the ball low and away from the keeper. Josmer had accomplished the hat trick.

The offensive was dangerous, the midfield was smart, the defense was strong, but the play of Altidore was sensational. Altidore now has momentum going and if he receives a well deserved call up for Mexico, then he will gain his first experience against the rivals from the south. His play looks to excite fans for years, and give the U.S. a dangerous option up top which could lead to unseen success for U.S. Soccer.

4-United States v Honduras-0
USA-Josmer Altidore 50'
USA-Landon Donovan 61'
USA-Josmer Altidore 68'
USA-Josmer Altidore 74' (Pablo Mastroeni)

GK-Kasey Keller
D-Jonathan Spector (Frank Simek 56')
D-Oguchi Onyewu
D-Carlos Bocanegra
D-Heath Pearce
M-Pablo Mastroeni
M-Michael Bradley
M-Landon Donovan (Sacha Kljestan 70')
M-Bobby Convey (Justin Mapp 65')
F-Josmer Altidore
F-Clint Dempsey

Man of the Match-Josmer Altidore

[Acid]

Send Donovan to the Women's National Team!

Looks like you should be able to qualify for the WC pretty easily judging by your first two games.