Gomez. Gomez. Gomez. Gomez.

Puebla forward Herculez Gomez bagged a goal for the fourth straight game (and fifth from six) against Pumas on Sunday - not that it ended up doing his side much good. His moment comes on the first play in the clip.







- Greg Seltzer

Barnburner of the Week

Sweep up the hay ashes, it's Real Madrid v Sevilla - in German.

Real Madrid v Sevilla
von plazios201

- Greg Seltzer

Parting gifts? (updated)

Everton loan item Landon Donovan hopped on for the last 20 minutes against Hull on Sunday, and it would be all he'd need to notch a goal and an assist to help the Toffees cap a 5-1 win.

In minute 82, Donovan found the perfect chance fall to him in the right channel and he buried it inside the far post. Scant moments later, the U.S. star was in nearly the same position, but opted to cutback for a Jack Rodwell strike.

Video to come...

UPDATE THAT I DON'T WANT TO OBSCURE UNDER THE CLIP UPDATE: Right on cue, Donovan admits there is a chance he could stay and hints at ongoing and/or forthcoming talks over the matter.

UPDATE: All the goals here, I'll switch it to MOTD's reel in the morning.




- Greg Seltzer

We have a scoring change!

This goal was originally credited to Raymond Marveaux, but a later close inspection showed that it was instead U.S. skipper Carlos Bocanegra that applied the fatal touch to this 1-0 winner over Monaco on Saturday.

The victory snapped a three-game losing streak for the home side, pushed them up to ninth and kept alive slim hopes of a return to Europe.




- Greg Seltzer

No, guys... the late Friday afternoon news dump is for when you have BAD news.

Sakes alive, fellas, work the news cycle!

Anyway, MLS have offered two big bits in the last hour:

• The L.A. Galaxy insist that Landon Donovan will return from Everton on March 15th, come hell or high water, and that there's never been any opening for a loan extension from their side - and then proceed to offer a "well... if there's a work stoppage" caveat. One problem with that line; how can the team (or league) know if there will be a work stoppage just because there isn't one starting on March 14th? I don't even have to say it, you all know what I'm thinking.

• The league has curtly divulged that they will sit down with the players and a mediator next week.

- Greg Seltzer

Who needs some good USMNT injury news?

I'll just assume you all have hands up and turn it over to Benny Feilhaber.


- Greg Seltzer

Guy off to a flyer (updated)

It took just eight minutes of their 2010 season bow for St. Pat's attacker Ryan Guy to bag his first goal of the term. The home side now lead Galway 2-0 in the waning moments. If you're keeping track at home, Guy has now scored in all three league tilts since his son was born last year.

UPDATE: It's a 2-0 final now. I'll get the clip up as soon as it surfaces, likely some time this weekend.

UPDATE UPDATE: The goal clip (play starts around 1:20) and the post-match presser featuring Guy (his bit begins at about 6:17 in the video).






- Greg Seltzer

A few things...

It seems like forever since one of these went up. I just wanted to say that I had a great week - saw some old friends, caught up with some great colleagues I hadn't seen in a good while, met some nice new folks (including several NSC readers) and ate the best food in town everyday because I was always taking travelers along. After the USMNT game on Wednesday and my own last night, I am daydreaming about tonight's sleep. I'm gonna shoot for 11 hours worth.

Oh, and please don't think I'm ignoring emails. I've just been hella-busy and I am sitting down to a stack of them right now...

#1 - The last of my Amsterdam USMNT reports is up, with Carlos Bocanegra reminding all who the 'Nats were up against on Wednesday. Also, in case you missed it, I spoke with DaMarcus Beasley for an MLSNet article and Oranje defender Johnny Heitinga told me that he wants Landon Donovan to stay at Everton.

Then, suddenly this afternoon, Toffees manager David Moyes has changed his tune quite a bit, saying 'all parties are keen' to extend Donovan's Merseyside tenure.

Heh. I told ya.

UPDATE: I forgot this earlier... former USMNT defender Tony Sanneh offers up a diary of his trip to help the people of Haiti. Good show, Tony.

#2 - ESPN ace Leander Schaerlaeckens (among those I was able to meet this week) try to figure out the deal with Aris FC forward Eddie Johnson.

Meanwhile, New York Times stalwart Jack Bell features "late bloomer" Clarence Goodson.

#3 - This issue has bugged me greatly for eons: the Wall Street Journal looks into efforts to ban penalty shooters from using the stop step on their run-ups. It simply should not be allowed, and I don't want to hear all this "Oh, but I don't stop all the way" business.

#4 - Like me, have you found yourself wondering how Real Salt Lake boss Jason Kreis is going about their MLS Cup defense this preseason? Well, let's all give thanks that there's such a thing as the Jared Montz podcast.

#5 - A couple of bad news Crew backline bits from Columbus Dispatch all-star Shawn Mitchell: both Chad Marshall (hamstring) and blog superstar Jed Zayner (MCL sprain) are on the med for a time.

#6 - Nick Green of 100% Soccer wonders: is Chivas USA signing Osael Romero "the next Mauricio Cienfuegos" in MLS?

#7 - Philly Union boss Piotr Nowak talks to the Inquirer about line-up construction.

#8 - As reported by NSC several weeks ago, Conor Casey has signed an extension with the Colorado Rapids. It took a while longer than usual to pop, but there ya go.

#9 - Toronto FC attack wizard Dwayne De Rosario is not very happy with the CBA situation, is he?

Nevertheless, Manchester City appear to be answering Don Garber's call for Prem investment in MLS.

#10 - Seattle Times scribe Joshua Mayers reports that Seattle is all abuzz over the capture of FC Twente strike veteran Blaise N'Kufo. I will try to get the Switzerland forward on the phone before long to hear what he has to say about it.

#11 - Due to nearly continuous fan violence, Paris Saint-Germain has opted on their own to halt away ticket sales to their supporters for the time being.

Are you paying attention, Serie A? This is called "doing something about the problem" - check it out.

#11 - As Russia reportedly tries to swoop in for Fabio Capello, Times ace Oliver Kay breaks down England's depth chart heading into the World Cup selection homestretch.

#12 - Ya know, the other night, I asked Sean 'How is Raymond Domenech still France manager?'. The Guardian read my mind.

#13 - The Globe-Democrat reports that AC St. Louis and the Kansas City Wizards will play a preseason home-and-home set of friendlies.

And so it begins MWAHAHAHAHA.

Ahem.

#14 - Finally, allow me to drop Nike's Oranje World Cup viral ad...





- Greg Seltzer

Advanced Scouting: the full round robin

England in red. Algeria in white. Slovenia in green.

As The Distracter would say: Readysteadygo!

England v Egypt
von oodinjeta

- Greg Seltzer

One last question about Wednesday...

And I'm really at a loss on this one, so I need some help. Can anyone tell me what Alejandro Bedoya did to make Carlos Bocanegra suddenly haul off and deck the kid during the goal celebration?

I did not see that coming at all.




See what happens when I'm low on sleep?

Just kidding, guys.


- Greg Seltzer

Just another manic Wednesday

And I do wish it was Sunday. Whoa whoa.

My USMNT Player Ratings are up, but let's start our video look back at Wednesday by sampling something more pleasant: the USWNT's thrilling Algarve Cup final win over Germany. I will also drop a triple dose of Group C Advanced Scouting shortly.








- Greg Seltzer

2 out of 2 Toffees agree: the pitch was crap

I've just posted a bit with Everton/Oranje defender Johnny Heitinga wishing for Landon Donovan to remain a Toffee and discussing last night's game from the other side - but I also have some quotes from both players about how bad the field was on Wednesday night. Though it was no carrot patch (think Aris FC's field), apparently the recent dry cold in Amsterdam did it no favors.

Instead of trying to fashion a full story from the issue, I figured it'd be best to just pop those quotes here... so... pop. And do note how they had different complaints about the same surface problem.

Said Donovan: "It was sticky, so it made it hard to get the ball out of your feet. Most of the players play here in Europe where the fields are usually wet and faster, so it was a little hard to adjust to. But both teams had to deal with it."

Said Heitinga, who played for Ajax at the Arena for eight seasons: "The pitch was terrible today. It was dry, and this is not in our advantage. We want to play football, and if the pitch is dry, the ball bounces a lot. I think the USA was a bit tired, and that's why we played the positional game."

I also found it interesting that Heitinga observed that the 'Nats looked tired out there. Was there a bug going around camp? I did see a few players cough, but didn't think enough of it to ask until I had one question left to Carlos Bocanegra, the last player available. I tried to phrase my question so he could answer it and also possibly mention something about sickies. But he didn't.


- Greg Seltzer

Holden out 'til mid-April

Urgh. The good news bits are that Bolton are still pressing ahead with an extended deal for Stu and that he should be back well before pre-World Cup camp opens. Of course, Nigel de Jong still needs a hearty reprimand...


- Greg Seltzer

Sean-O-Vision

Some sights, sounds and all-arounds from the USMNT v Netherlands friendly, courtesy of Sean's snappin' finger.

As for me, I already have an MLSNet article up on DaMarcus Beasley, creator of the first goal ever scored by the 'Nats against Oranje. Tomorrow, you can look for two game stories and my U.S. Player Ratings over at S365, plus one match bit I will drop here. Now... sleepytime.




















- Greg Seltzer

Sort it out Bob - an Amsterdam post-mortem

I keep telling TV fans to get into the stadia but last night was a good advert for the sofa. As the quality of US soccer plumbed the depths, the temperature in the Arena plummeted too, leaving a distinctly cold and unappetising dish for all to savour.

No-one likes to watch a game like that. The charge at the end was scant consolation for the surrender that had preceded it and one suspects the Dutch had already gone home mentally.

From the early exchanges it was clear Arjen Robben was ripe for a repeat of his terrorizing of Frankie Hejduk at this stadium in 2004. His latest victim was the hapless Jonathan Bornstein, so painfully out of his depth he might have won the Man of the Match award for Holland if they had allowed it. Bizarrely, Bornstein began the second half with Heath Pearce having to wait until twenty minutes from time for his chance. Why?

Before long it was clear the Netherlands were a class apart. Their attacking was varied and inventive and as their midfielders switched positions at will, the US' rigid formation looked to be from a different era. While the Dutch changed the speed and direction of their attacks, the Americans' passing was sluggish and easily intercepted. The Dutch flowed, the US slowed and telepathy was almost nowhere to be found. Keeping your shape is an old soccer mantra, but as David Icke will tell you, your shape can also be a shifting one.

We had no-one to compare to the wizardry of Wesley Sneijder, the penetration of Arjen Robben or the striking class of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. Just look at the two squads' club lists - Real, Inter, Milan, Bayern, Ajax and Liverpool versus Hull, IK Start, FC Dallas, Watford, Orebro and Real Salt Lake. There were some pluses - our goalie and the centre-back pairing were sound, while Jozy Altidore was good in patches and DaMarcus Beasley had a welcome return. But the Dutch were better, much better, and if we can look beyond the eulogizing of the Spanish and Brazilians for a moment, Oranje must be semi-final material at least.

Goliath can be slain after the Confederations Cup 2009, but David needs to bring his slingshot to the fight. It was the US of old again in Amsterdam - an emerging team too easily bullied by the big boys. Whiffs of the Wembley defeat by England and even the debacle against the Czechs in 2006 returned, as once again the States looked toothless and disjointed in the face of an established soccer power. An overcoached team lacking spontaneity and creative guile? That was us last night.

Davies and Dempsey was missing but so too was Donovan, who must have played one of his worst games for his country. Where was the Everton star who has been wooing and scaring English fans in equal measure in recent weeks? Let's stop using missing players as excuses - that's the same for every country and you need a strong squad to win tournaments. The US first eleven is a good one, but we cannot expect them all to be fit and fresh on the night.

I am a fan of Bob Bradley, but what does he do now against the big sides? Repeat the brick wall and break tactics which downed Spain so memorably, or attempt an expansive game the like of which failed so miserably last night? Radical changes are unwise so close to tournaments, but some rethinking is required. We don't want the US to make it out the group stage only to meekly surrender as soon as they meet a top nation like Holland.

England will not have lost much sleep watching the video. The Three Lions downed the African champions Egypt 3-1 tonight, while Slovenia beat Qatar 4-1 and Algeria lost 0-3 to Serbia.

What threat can the Nats pose at the World Cup if they play like this? Not much of one. We know they can and must play better than this, but the tournament is less than 100 days away now.

So c'mon Bob, sort it out!

-Sean O'Conor, Amsterdam

Netherlands v USA as it happened

Amsterdam Arena - 20:30 39F/4C

Kick-off - This should be a friendly international or is it a fashion show - both nations sporting their new away kits and several players wearing lurid boots in yellow, green, red or anything but black.

3' Arjen Robben jinks past Jonathan Bornstein in the box. The Chivas USA defender's looking nervous, understandably as Robben ran Frankie Hejduk ragged here six years ago.

10' Neither team has forged an opening yet, but the Dutch have had the lion's, or de leeuw's share of possession.

13' A crazy moment as Jose Torres tangles with Wesley Sneijder and the ball loops towards goal off the US midfielder's foot - a frantically backpedalling Tim Howard tips over to prevent an embarassing opener

17' Torres is lucky to escape the referee's book for taking Sneijder's legs away from him in center field

A lucklustre opening for the States so far with predictable passing being frequently intercepted and the formation appears rigid compared to the Dutch midfield who are switching positions.

Sneijder has dirtied Howard's gloves twice froi distance but the US keeper is on form tonight.

30' Robben is an irritant on the right, in the middle and now on the left flank, attacking Jonathan Spector.

Stuart Holden is bowled over in the middle by Nigel De Jong and stays down in pain. Torres is yellow-carded for his protests.

34' Torres releases his frustration with a long-distance effort that flies a yard over - at least someone is having a go.

DaMarcus Beasley replaces Holden - the stage is set for Bease to triumphally return to the Nats.

39' GOAL Disaster strikes as Sneijder wriggles into the box and Bornstein yanks him back, even though he's heading away from goal. The ref points to the spot and Dirk Kuyt sends Howard the wrong way.

45' Bornstein handles in the box accidentally - only a cruel ref would have blown up again for a PK. Bornstein must be praying for the half-time whistle after a torrid opener.

Half-time Maurice Edu replaces Torres and Robben the tormentor is off too, replaced by another dangerman - Klaas Jan Huntelaar of AC Milan.

50' Eljero Elia, Holland's livewire left winger, smuggles himself into the box to latch onto a long chip from Sneijder but Howard smothers at his feet

60' A big cheer from the Ajax-heavy crowd as former hero Rafael Van der Vaart replaces Nigel de Jong. The US remain bereft of ideas and Landon Donovan is struggling to impose himself.

62' Alejandro Bedoya comes on for Robbie Findley

64' A flowing US attack at last ends with Beasley scraping the ball across the face of the goal and Jozy Altidore sliding in at the far post but the ball ends up wide of the upright.

70' Heath Pearce comes on but it's Jay DeMerit who makes way, forcing a defensive reshuffle as Bornstein moves into the middle.

73' GOAL - Huntelaar fires on goal from the 18 and the ball deflects off the unlucky Bornstein to wrongfoot Howard and end up in the net.

76' Eddie Johnson replaces Donovan in an effort to inject some life into the ineffective US attack

82' Holland still look the likelier scorers as Van der Vaart lets rip and Howard pulls off a spectacular stretching save

86' Bornstein's night to forget is over as Clarence Goodson replaces him

88' GOAL Beasley curls in a free-kick and the unmarked Carlos Bocanegra does his trademark crashing of the box, ghosting in to nod past Maarten Stekelenburg.

90' The US, suddenly looking dangerous, win another set piece on the edge of the box but this time Beasley curls the ball into the goalie's arms.

Injury Time - The Dutch fail to clear a US corner and in the melee, Goodson scoops over the bar when he might have scored; it's all US pressure with the Dutch on the back foot, but surely too late to save the game. Stekelenburg dives to parry a 20-yard Altidore blast as the US finish a very disappointing night very strongly.




2:1

Kuyt (pen.) 40', Huntelaar 73', Bocanegra 88'

Netherlands - Stekelenburg, Van der Wiel, Heitinga, Mathijsen (Vlaar 45'), Van Bronckhorst (Braafheid 67'), Van Bommel (Affelley 74'), Robben (Huntelaar 45'), De Jong (Van der Vaart 60'), Kuyt (Babel 81'), Sneijder, Elia

USA - Howard, Spector, Bocanegra, DeMerit (Pearce 70'), Bornstein (Goodson 86'), Bradley, Torres (Edu 45'), Findley (Bedoya 62'), Holden (Beasley 34'), Altidore, Donovan (Johnson 76')

Att: 46,630

-Sean O'Conor, Amsterdam

FT: Netherlands 2:1 USA

Klaas Jan Huntelaar doubled the Dutch lead in the 73rd minute with a shot from the 18 which cannoned off Jonathan Bornstein's side and wrong-footed Tim Howard.

The US pulled one back with a minute to go when Beasley curls in a free kick and Bocanegra ghosts in unmarked to nod past Stekelenburg.

Reports, interviews and more to follow...

HT: Netherlands 1:0 USA

Holland lead at the half from a 39th minute PK from Dirk Kuyt after Jonathan Bornstein had yanked a raiding Wesley Sneijder back in the box.

Stuart Holden hobbled off just after the half-hour, replaced by DaMarcus Beasley in the 34th. USSoccer confirms a shin contusion with a precautionary X-Ray to follow.

2nd Half: Maurice Edu replaces Jose Torres at the interval; Klaas Jan Huntelaar replaces Arjen Robben and Ron Vlaar Joris Mathijsen for the Dutch.

Game on in Amsterdam

Greg & I are in our seats high up in the Amsterdam Arena. It's a chilly but not freezing night in Amsterdam and we are told 46,000 tickets have been sold for the tonight's clash

The lineups - Marcus Hahnemann and Frankie Simek have not dressed.

USA: Howard, Spector, Bocanegra (c), DeMerit, Bornstein, Findley, Torres, Bradley, Holden (Beasley 34'), Altidore, Donovan
Subs: Beasley, Johnson, Pearce, Edu, Bedoya, Guzan, Goodson

Netherlands: Stekelenburg, Van der Wiel, Heitinga, Mathijsen, Van Bronckhorst (c), Van Bommel, Robben, De Jong, Kuyt, Sneijder, Elia
Subs: Ooijer, Verhuizen, de Zeeuw, Braafheid, Boschker, Afellay, Engelaar, Huntelaar, Vlaar, Babel, Schaars, Van der Vaart

HT Netherlands 1:0 USA - Kuyt PK 39'. Holden off injured; replaced by Beasley...

On tap: USMNT v the Netherlands & USWNT v Germany

That's right... with so much focus on this Dutch friendly, one can easily forget the U.S. ladies are up against ze Germans for the Algarve crown today as well. I don't have time to expand on these two contests now, but I can swing open both reading rooms for you all, ladies first...

- USWNT match notes
- USWNT Blog: Lauren Cheney
- Big Apple Soccer: Vying for the title

--
And on to the fellas...

- USMNT match notes
- My MLSNet column on the match
- Michael Lewis: Dutch offer tough test
- Jack Bell's match preview
- Bradley adds Kubik to staff
- USMNT Blog: Pre-Game Primer
- USMNT Blog: Q&A w/ Torres
- USMNT Blog: Q&A w/ Demerit
- USMNT Blog: Q&A w/ Edu
- Grant Wahl: Q&A w/ Spector
- Bornstein patiently chasing WC dream
- Edu glad to be back with USMNT
- Goal's Noah Davis talks to Captain America
- Miami Herald: U.S. searching for right mix
- Star-Ledger: Injuries make Bradley's job harder
- TIAS' Adam Spangler interviews some Greg dude

--

And finally, we flip in the tube, unisex-style...







- Greg Seltzer

Video Wednesday

Having ceded the NSC floor to the honorable gentleman from London last night so that he could wax Brazilian (erm... wait... that turn of phrase didn't come out right), we now return to regularly scheduled tube...

Since it's a little late, let's not make you wait. It's a very special edition of 2 Good 2 Bad. Ahhhh, the things people will do for charity! It would take a very sizable, very important donation to get me in an F-word shirt; I imagine my skin would sizzle.




If like me, you greatly enjoyed Sean's Brazil-Eire post, well, then you just need to see the highlights... dontcha?




For all I know you're seeing this every four minutes back home, but in case, it's the full new Pepsi World Cup ad. Clever, clever stuff.




As the World Cup countdown dips below 100 days, CNN checks in quickly on the country's prep progress.




Finally, we have the latest One Goal trailer-ette.





- Greg Seltzer

Dunga's men throw down the gauntlet

Brazil 2-0 Republic of Ireland Emirates Stadium, London, 40,082

Here's a scoop for ya - Brazil can win the World Cup this year!

They should really win it every time what with those rich resources of millions of beach soccer-skilled lads and a legacy of five World Cups to inspire them. Since the Dutch total-footballers closed the book on the beautiful team in 1974, the selecao has added steel to the flair. Yes they have only won two of eight subsequent World Cups, but do enter South Africa 2010 primed to make it six.

Having come away tonight from Ashburton Grove, the place Arsenal call home, I find it really hard to look beyond Brazil for the cup again this summer, much as I would like others to triumph instead.

It was a lot like the Confederations Cup Final all over again, except Brazil went into the break a goal ahead. Dunga's men shadow-boxed the Republic of Ireland for 45 minutes before turning on their afterburners at the break and blowing their European hosts apart in a devastating half-hour spell. Kaka once more was the fulcrum of their best work, the reborn Adriano an ogre again at centre-forward and the rejuvenated Robinho terrorized the poor Irish defenders on his triumphant return to England.

The Santos star's efforts forced Ireland's Keith Andrews into wrong-footing his own goalkeeper to give Brazil a 1-0 lead a minute before half-time, before Robinho coolly slotted past Shay Given in the 76th to seal the win. Ireland played a good first half but Brazil could have three or four after the break - it was not a fair fight in the end and for a while a rout was on the cards.

Robinho had another disallowed for offside, Daniel Alves almost scored as soon as he came on, and keep an eye out in South Africa for Wolfsburg's dangerous marksman Grafite and Lyon midfielder Michel Bastos, who appears to be worming his way into Brazil's starting eleven.

The World Cup door however seems firmly shut now to Ronaldinho as well as Alexandre Pato, judging by Dunga's words at the press conference, where he reiterated the Milan stars had had their chances but that his mind was now made up on his final squad.

Brazil have weaknesses - some clunky defenders and an over reliance on attacking down the middle, but their marrying of pace to power with a dash of silky skill remains devastating, as the US and now Eire have discovered. Poor Ireland - this was their first match since the Hand of Henry denied them an African summer and it was more dejection. Even the usually ebullient Giovanni Trapattoni was subdued afterwards, only able to crack a couple of his usual jokes.

"The world will say both Brazil & Spain will be favourites," Dunga told us post-game. Much as I'd love Spain or another European nation to pull it off, my head is telling me tonight there is only going to be one winner and they'll be wearing green and gold.

- Sean O'Conor, London

The ArenA Presser - Part Deux

As promised, more press conference quotes from today...

--

Bradley on the call-up of Eddie Johnson:

"The thinking on our end was simple. We track the progress of all of the players. Our coaches, our staff has watched some games of Aris.... He's had some solid efforts there. And he's still young and developing as a player, so whenever a player is making progress in his club and we feel he can help what we're doing, we take advantage of that to see where he is."

Bradley, when asked about England, riffs perhaps his best one-liner of the cycle:

"Well, as a coach, I don't read the papers. So, as far as I know, England's doing really well."

Then, on to his serious answer:

"They have a great team, and there's one player who has been in tremendous form, and that's Wayne Rooney. So we certainly respect what they're all about. We're all excited abou that match. It's a great game to start World Cup to grab everyone's attention and for soccer in the United States."

--

Donovan on what would constitute success at WC10:

"I think, for the last six World Cups, the goal has been the same. And that's to get out of group. For most countries in the world, it would be the same."

On learning from the disappointment of WC06:

"I learned a lot. I learned that I never want to feel that way again. And most importantly, I learned that you only get so many opportunities in life to do things that are special. And that one, I let slip by."

On the Dutch test:

"The idea is that we're playing a top-five, top-10 national team, and you don't usually get many chances for that, especially before a World Cup. So for us, in a more general way, it's a massive opportunity. Obviously, this is the last chance for Bob to see they guys before he makes his selection for the World Cup team, but for us it's a massive opportunity and we want to take advantage of it. It's a difficult test, away, in Europe. We've had a few of those in the last few years, but this is about as good as it gets."

Donovan after being asked how much he wants to stay at Everton:

"Let's talk about that tomorrow (after the game)."

--

Bocanegra on the challenge of facing the Dutch attack:

"I think tomorrow, a big part of our game plan - I'm sorry, not our game plan (laughs looking at Bradley) - but a big part of it for us is showing a lot of patience. The Dutch are good on the ball, and they'll probably have a bit more possession than us. So we need to be patient, but we also need to get after them in a smart way."


- Greg Seltzer

Geez... MLSNet will give a column to just anybody, huh?

Yes, I have joined the MLSNet crew in time for the impending Super Friends site re-launch. I did so on one condition: I get to be Wonder Dog.

Be on the lookout for those sweet new digs, which will house much more than MLS content. It's gonna be goooood.

Regular programming note: More USMNT press conference quotes coming in a new post shortly.

- Greg Seltzer

Live, from Amsterdam, it's Tuesday afternoon!

I am going to zingzap out some of the presser quotes for you in a moment, but first I'll set the scene for you, literally.

Oh, and Jermaine Jones has joined the group and is taking part in all non-training team activities. Good stuff.

(click for full size)


Bob Bradley opening comment:

"I think the opportunity to play here aganst the Dutch team in Holland is great for us, and the players have a lot if motivation, so we're looking forward to a good match."

On having this particular group together:

You can tell the players are excited. The first time they all worked together in this camp, there was a good level of conversation and catching up. Obviously, there's a little bit of talk about the match, but mostly the camaraderie in this group is very strong. Especially going through (World Cup 2010) qualifying and Confederations Cup, and seeing things taking hold."

On Mo Edu's Sunday winner against Celtic:

"To do that in the Old Firm is exciting for him, and really, for all of us."

On whether he'd like to have more FIFA dates or not:

"The schedule is always challenging on either side.I think when you consider howmany games guys are playing with their clubs - like Landon (Donovan, seated to Bradley's right) at Everton, look how busy he's been. You have to understand that you can't bring the National Team together all the time. So we look forward to, not only this match, but having that time together. In May, when the season's over, we can have a good solid month before we play. So in that respect, I think (the current set-up) works well."

On recovering players:

"Oguchi Onyewu is making very good progress. Hopefully, he will be ready to be back in full training at (AC) Milan shortly. Clint Dempsey, also, things are going quite well. In his case, I think the possibility of him being back on the field for Fulham is a good possibility. Of course, everyone asks about Charlie Davies. The best part there - I know many of you have had a chance to talk to Charlie or see him - the determination and positive attitude he has is perfect. It's what you need when you're coming back from a difficult situation. And it gives us all a lot of hope."

On what Fulham is telling him about Dempsey's comeback target:

"Whenever a player is that back end of a rehab, the final decision is one that can only be made inside a club. You don't want to rush on one hand, but you also don't want to give it more time if the player's ready. Fulham has done a great job in this situation. Any conversations I have with Roy Hodgson are good ones. The relationship between Fulham and our team has always been strong, so players do really well - Carlos (Bocanegra, seated to Bradley's left), for example. We expect that (Dempsey) will be back shortly, and that will give him a good amount of time playing and contributing as he's done. And he'll be ready to go in May."

--

I'll have more from the coach as well as plenty from Bocanegra and Donovan in this post when I get back from dinner. I'm headed out to meet a proper American crew. In addition, I will also have a Video Tuesday for you later.


- Greg Seltzer

The coach speaketh

I missed part of Bob Bradley's Q&A with the assembled American scribes at Monday's Amsterdam training session chasing down Maurice Edu, but managed to grab a few of the quotes.

--

On the return of Oguchi Onyewu, who ran and did a few drills with the team:

"I can't give a definite answer of when he's back in full training. That's a decision that gets made at Milan."

On the difficulty of playing the Netherlands:

"First, they have a talented team, some really great individuals. I think, technically, they're very good, They play at a high speed. They do a good job pressing, so they close you down fast. When they get the ball, they play quickly, so that means you're challenged to think and execute at a top speed."

On Charlie Davies' comeback road:

"The most important thing that you get when you hear Charlie talk is the positive attitude that he has, the determination that he has. It shows up in his rehab, it shows up just in terms of his new attitude on a lot of things. I think that when you have that kind of mentality, that kind of attitude, you always have a chance. The reminder for anybody is just that, for any athlete coming back from an injury, if it's 100 steps to get back to the level that you were playing at, the last steps are the hardest and they're the ones that are most difficult to predict how long they take. So in the moment you just want to see him continue to work hard. The fact that it's a World Cup year means that everybody has in a way a target and a calendar in mind. But that being said, it's just important that he continues to cover all the steps and gets back to the level."

--

Final Monday training notes:

• Recovering Hannover 96 right back Steve Cherundolo trained with the team today, although he will not be added to the game roster. I have to say, he looked pretty good.

• Jozy Altidore looked the best in finishing drills at the end of training. Alejandro Bedoya also had a lively, heavy shot from about 20 on display. Wide back candidates Jonathan Bornstein, Heath Pearce and Frank Simek all looked very sharp in a takedown touch/crossing drill.
  

• I could swear I actually heard Brad Guzan growl as he made a particularly good diving save. It frightened me just a little, so I will now begin pretending it never happened. Yeah... surely I heard wrong. Musta been the wind.
  

• I also think the Earth actually trembles when Marcus Hahnemann hits the ground.

- Greg Seltzer

Who likes goals?

A little late, but just as great...

Let's being in the Europa League, where CSKA Moscow's Mark Gonzales has a left foot so nasty that the Sevilla keeper doesn't even bother trying. That is some kinda nasty.




Last season, Martin Paterson was Burnley's top scorer. He's been out all season. He's back. This is what they've missed (play starts at 0:25 mark).




F-word defender Ron Vlaar celebrated his first Oranje call-up in eons with this dandy.




Arsenal's Nicklas Bentdner wrote in to say that I don't feature enough sparkling headers.




Luka Modric and Spurs made Everton blue with this one.




Finally, Maicon and Inter Milan do their best Lakers Showtime imitation by working some magic on the break.




- Greg Seltzer

NSC Kickaround Time Change! (updated)

After checking the forecast, I have moved tomorrow's NSC pick-up kickaround at Museumplein to 1PM. It'll be sunnier, warmer and further away from potential late afternoon showers. Even if you're not up to play (and not everyone coming is), do come and hang out.

Unfortunately, Sean won't make it in time for this as he finagled a last gasp cred to the Brazil-Ireland friendly on Tuesday night. He will still make it in time for the gameday meet-up.

Okay, now to business... I just got back from USMNT training (and showing Grant Wahl the best Indonesian food in town). I talked to Mo Edu and Jonathan Bornstein, and those articles will go up at S365 shortly and tomorrow morning, respectively.

UPDATE: The Edu article is up.


- Greg Seltzer

A Hat Trick Of Scorers - Part Deux

You've already seen Charles Kazlauskas bag a goal for the second consecutive Friday and Stockport loan item Jemal Johnson then struck (video via Matty) for the second straight Saturday.

Finally, on Sunday night, Puebla forward Herculez Gomez completing this triple double by sliding home the late equalizer to complete a triple rally for the 10-man hosts.

This will also serve as our Barnburner of the Week, but if you're in a hurry, the play featuring the Gomez goal starts at about 6:38 in the clip.




- Greg Seltzer

Last minute Amsterdam tip!

I have just learned that you can now buy the unlimited 1-2-3 day tram/metro/bus passes at a ton of locations around town, including numerous hotels. So before you head down to the GVB office across from Centraal Station, check this list (pdf). There is probably a sales point right around the corner.


- Greg Seltzer