Soccer Update
My kid brother daniel (now calling himself "Soccer Sully"--man, the kid likes giving himself nicknames) has sent me another soccer commentary. Since he has agreed to be my Best Man, I guess he deserves his say. The following is presented without editorial input from me, so I wash my hands of all responsibility for it. We'll get back to talking about interesting things tomorrow.
That’s right, it’s time for “Soccer Sully” to highjack Yukon Sully’s blog once again to quench the reader’s thirst for news of the approaching World Cup. Anticipation is warming to a fever pitch as the calendar draws ever closer to the summer months and the June, 6 opening match between host Nation Germany and CONCACAF representative Costa Rica. The United States National team continues it’s preparation with a series of friendly matches that will be played on home soil. In the first game in this series the U.S. will face the Regge Boyz of Jamaica tonight in Cary, North Carolina. Fans can catch the game live on ESPN2 at 7pm eastern.
Jamaica did not fare as well against their CONCACAF competition as the U.S. did during world cup qualifying and as a result, they will not be joining the U.S. in Germany this summer. However, they must continue to re-group and build for the future on the backs of several young players the U.S. will be facing tonight. On the other hand, the U.S. has two very important goals in mind for tonight’s match: finalizing the world cup roster, and building team chemistry on the field. U.S. Head Coach Bruce Area has searched long and hard for the right combination of players with the talent, skill, and fitness to compete at the highest level in this most anticipated event.
Among the players that we will see tonight fighting for roster spots are fan favorite John O’Brien, Josh Wolff, and even Tony Meola, who will be earning his first cap since 2002. Though O’Brien and Wolff both have considerable qualifying and World Cup experience with the national team, neither has been able to consistently claim a place in the starting line-up. The injury bug has bitten the man they call “J.O.B.” all too often since his brilliant performance in midfield at the World Cup in South Korea and Japan. If healthy and fully fit, his creativity and skill with the ball at his feet will be quite an asset to the boys in red, white and blue. As for Wolff, this may be his last chance to show Area that he is capable of scoring goals at the national team level. Everyone knows that Wolf is athletic and tireless work horse up front, but he has lacked the deadly final touch he will need to compete with the world-class defenders he would butt heads with this summer in Germany.
Meola’s appearance tonight is a milestone and will likely be his final match in a U.S. jersey barring any unforeseen string of injuries to the top domestic goal-keepers. Most American soccer fans remember the 37-year-old ‘keeper as a key figure in the domestic soccer renaissance that began when the United States hosted the World Cup in 1994. Soon Meola will retire, but fans will always remember solid performances he gave us along with Tab Ramos, Marcello Balboa, John Harkes, and the man with the goatee: Alexi Lalas. Meola, along with the others mentioned above, certainly deserves his moment in the sun.
Only four games remain before this summer’s trip to Germany. Who will step-up their game and claim their place on the World Cup roster? Bruce Area just might get an answer to that question tonight.
That’s right, it’s time for “Soccer Sully” to highjack Yukon Sully’s blog once again to quench the reader’s thirst for news of the approaching World Cup. Anticipation is warming to a fever pitch as the calendar draws ever closer to the summer months and the June, 6 opening match between host Nation Germany and CONCACAF representative Costa Rica. The United States National team continues it’s preparation with a series of friendly matches that will be played on home soil. In the first game in this series the U.S. will face the Regge Boyz of Jamaica tonight in Cary, North Carolina. Fans can catch the game live on ESPN2 at 7pm eastern.
Jamaica did not fare as well against their CONCACAF competition as the U.S. did during world cup qualifying and as a result, they will not be joining the U.S. in Germany this summer. However, they must continue to re-group and build for the future on the backs of several young players the U.S. will be facing tonight. On the other hand, the U.S. has two very important goals in mind for tonight’s match: finalizing the world cup roster, and building team chemistry on the field. U.S. Head Coach Bruce Area has searched long and hard for the right combination of players with the talent, skill, and fitness to compete at the highest level in this most anticipated event.
Among the players that we will see tonight fighting for roster spots are fan favorite John O’Brien, Josh Wolff, and even Tony Meola, who will be earning his first cap since 2002. Though O’Brien and Wolff both have considerable qualifying and World Cup experience with the national team, neither has been able to consistently claim a place in the starting line-up. The injury bug has bitten the man they call “J.O.B.” all too often since his brilliant performance in midfield at the World Cup in South Korea and Japan. If healthy and fully fit, his creativity and skill with the ball at his feet will be quite an asset to the boys in red, white and blue. As for Wolff, this may be his last chance to show Area that he is capable of scoring goals at the national team level. Everyone knows that Wolf is athletic and tireless work horse up front, but he has lacked the deadly final touch he will need to compete with the world-class defenders he would butt heads with this summer in Germany.
Meola’s appearance tonight is a milestone and will likely be his final match in a U.S. jersey barring any unforeseen string of injuries to the top domestic goal-keepers. Most American soccer fans remember the 37-year-old ‘keeper as a key figure in the domestic soccer renaissance that began when the United States hosted the World Cup in 1994. Soon Meola will retire, but fans will always remember solid performances he gave us along with Tab Ramos, Marcello Balboa, John Harkes, and the man with the goatee: Alexi Lalas. Meola, along with the others mentioned above, certainly deserves his moment in the sun.
Only four games remain before this summer’s trip to Germany. Who will step-up their game and claim their place on the World Cup roster? Bruce Area just might get an answer to that question tonight.
posted by Yukon Sully | 3:02 PM
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