In contrast to 2015 when he criticized the fitness levels of some of his players and their lack of the pressure to perform, Jurgen Klinsmann‘s evaluation of the U.S. national team’s annualJanuary camp was this time largely positive. In an interview with U.S.Soccer, Klinsmann said he liked what he saw in terms of the spirit […]
jozy altidore
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
For once, USA starts off a year just as it's supposed to
By Ridge Mahoney (@ridgemax) Defensive miscues. Sloppy touches. Blown assignments. Confusion. These negative facetsof play have been part and parcel of U.S. friendlies played in January and early February, and they were present against Iceland a week ago Sunday and Canada last Friday. Iceland left most of itsstarters home yet scored twice, and Canada nearly […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
Jozy shows he's still the man up front
By Paul Kennedy (@pkedit) U.S. soccer fans have a love-hate relationship with most of their big stars. For every fan wholoved Landon Donovan as the greatest American player of all time, you could find another who thought he was a wuss for failing in Germany. Fans are equally divided about MichaelBradley and Jozy Altidore. For […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
USA-Iceland Takeaways: Youngsters make their cases
Headed goals by defenders Michael Orozco and Steve Birnbaum overturned a 2-1 deficit and earned the U.S. a 3-2defeat of Iceland at StubHub Center on Sunday. The mix of veterans and young players fielded by head coach Jurgen Klinsmann labored at times defensively but sustained an attacking impetusfor much of the game. Six players played the […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
USA-Iceland International Friendly Player Ratings
USA-ICELAND EXPRESSJan. 31 in Carson, Calif.USA 3 Iceland 2. Goals: Altidore 20, Orozco 59, Birnbaum 90; Steindorsson13, Sigurdarson 49.——————-The USA responded both times Iceland took the lead and surged late in the game with five subs on the field to open 2016 with a 3-2 win thanks to alast-minute header from Steve Birnbaum, who was […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
T&T-USA Takeaways: Klinsmann shouldn't worry about job
No matter how you view the USA’s 0-0 tie at Trinidad & Tobago — better than recent end-of-year results or many recent results on the road in World Cup qualifying but not as good as the resultsfor Mexico, Costa Rica, Jamaica and Guatemala, which all won on the road Tuesday in Concacaf play — one […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
T&T-USA World Cup 2018 Qualifying Player Ratings
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO-USA EXPRESS: Nov. 17 in Port of Spain Trinidad & Tobago 0 USA 0. ——————————————————— The USA emerged with apoint in its first road game of the semifinal World Cup 2018 qualifying round by tying Trinidad & Tobago, 0-0, Tuesday in Port of Spain. 6 Fabian Johnson(Borussia Moenchengladbach/GER) 42/2. Very active and efficient […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
USA-SVG Takeaways: Altidore's importance grows
The USA opened play in World Cup 2018 qualifying with an easy 6-1 win over St. Vincent & the Grenadines. Even when it was winning earlier in the year against other Concacaf opponents, it was oftenoutplayed. That wasn’t the case before a record crowd for a national team game in St. Louis as the USA […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
MLS Wednesday: Toronto FC finally reaches the playoffs
They’ve waited through nearly nine full seasons and 288 regular-season games. Now TFC fans can plan for their firstpostseason party. Needing just a tie against the Red Bulls at BMO Field to clinch its first postseason slot since joining MLS in 2007, TFC rode past the Eastern Conference leader, 2-1, with goalsfrom Herculez Gomez and […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
USA-Costa Rica International Friendly Player Ratings
USA-COSTA RICA EXPRESS: Oct. 13 in Harrison, N.J. USA 0 Costa Rica 1. Goal: Campbell 70.——————————————A listless display by the USA produced a 1-0 loss to Costa Rica at Red Bull Arena on Tuesday and piled more pressure on head coach Jurgen Klinsmann. Joel Campbell‘s goal inthe 70th minute inflicted a third straight defeat on […]