Thank You Egypt?

Most people would hope that at this point of the year---halfway through World Cup qualifying, Confederations Cup games against Italy and Brazil out of the way---the US National team could be looking at their squad, picking out just a position or two that needs to be improved, and trying (at least) to understand what system works best for this team, so that the next year could be spent refining it in preparation for the World Cup in South Africa next June. Instead, the US is just short step shy of being in complete disarray. An inability to keep players on the field (red cards in back-to-back games, losing key players to yellow card accumulation), and an inability to keep the ball out of the net---especially in the early stages of the game (the US has given up a goal in the opening 7 minutes in 3 of the last 4 games) are hurting this team. Having to play from behind constantly is a difficult task, but the need to constantly do it ruins confidence.

Today's 3-0 loss to Brazil is a game nobody in their right mind would've expected the US to even be in. But nobody should be pleased with the way the US played---passing was ineffective, marking (especially on set pieces) was almost nonexistent...the overall effort was severely lacking. The two new faces for this one---DaMarcus Beasley and Sascha Klejstan---were as close to useless as you can get on the field...until Klejstan was sent off for a reckless and unnecessary challenge and Beasley was replaced by Connor Casey at halftime. And Klejstan's foul was only one of countless unnecessary fouls---one of which led directly to the first Brazilian goal. The US team has a long way to go if it's going to be prepared for next year's World Cup---the first step being to actually qualify. It's going to take a far better performance, on a consistent basis, to lock up qualification.

As for the rest of the Confederations Cup, only Egypt's shock 1-0 win over Italy has prevented the United States from already being eliminated. That said, the Yanks still have a HUGE mountain to climb... In order to advance to the quarterfinals...1) the US MUST beat Egypt...2) Brazil MUST beat Italy...and 3) the US has to make up a 6-goal disadvantage on goal differential (the first tiebreaker) to Italy, while 4) making up a 5-goal differential disadvantage to Egypt. That basically means that a 3-goal win over Egypt is required, as is a 3-goal Brazil win over Italy. Nothing less will allow the US to advance. Possibly the only thing working in the United States' favor is that Brazil isn't assured of a spot in the quarterfinals yet, despite winning their first two games (4-3 over Egypt, 3-0 over the United States). A 2-goal loss to Italy, combined with a large Egyptian win over the US, would actually eliminate the Brazilians on goal differential. For all those confused by all of that, here's the Group B standings:

Team Record Points (Goal Differential (1st tiebreaker))
Brazil 2-0-0 6 (+4)
Italy 1-1-0 3 (+1)
Egypt 1-1-0 3 (0)
USA 0-2-0 0 (-5)


One last USA note: US Soccer Federation has already reserved a training camp site for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Should the US qualify, the team will be based out of Southdowns College in Irene, about 30 minutes from Johannesburg. The highly-rated facility, which the Italians are using as their base for the Confederations Cup, is one of the most sought-after in the tournament, and includes use of the Irene Country Lodge. Should the US not qualify, the site would be reopened for applications by FIFA.




Still no motion from the front office in New York in terms of firing head coach Juan Carlos Osorio. Sorry Red Bulls fans, we'll all have to sit through another painful performance this weekend. Only bright spot---this week's opponent, Seattle Sounders FC, blew a 2-goal lead to DC United last night. A cross-country flight and a blow to this team's confidence might just make them vulnerable...then again, blowing the lead could serve as motivation for a good, 'ol fashioned whooping (which would fit the way NY has played).

For those of you who tuned into ESPN2 last night to watch that Seattle/DC United game...I feel your pain. College baseball? Aluminum bats? And UVA trying desperately not to win that game---even if you know nothing about baseball, you have to figure that a team that blows a 2-run lead in the top of the 9th, loads the bases in the bottom of the 9th and 10th, second-and-third in the 11th, and 3rd base in the 12th (now down a run), all with the chance to win (or tie in the 12th)...and not score a single run? When did Virginia move to New York and become the Red Bulls of college baseball?


Enough rambling from me today...tune in Monday for a recap of all the weekends action!