A few links for Wednesday.

Stuart Holden had a good chance to play in a reserve match for Bolton earlier this week, but the game was called off due to that lovely December weather in England.

The US ended the year ranked #28 in the latest FIFA world rankings, one spot down from last month.  Mexico holds down the top spot in CONCACAF at #15.  Brazil is actually at #18, which I believe is its worst ranking ever.

Jimmy Conrad spent some time with Brad Guzan in Birmingham.  Both guys seem like good people.

Do you want a story on Bobby Wood?  How about a second one?

EPL Index recently broke down Tim Howard’s last few seasons.  If you are a fan of stats, I recommend checking it out.  Looks like he has made a few more defensive errors this year than in previous seasons.

Mathew Wagner recently checked in with Matt Taylor as he enters the winter break.

Brian Sciaretta talked to Marc Pelosi as he joins up with the US U-20 camp in Florida.

Lyle Martin is returning to the US with the San Antonio Scorpions after spending some time in China.

Just some random links that I have missed over the last 24 hours.

Here are two more US-Paraguay post-game thoughts that I missed last night coming from Neil W. Blackmon and Jay Bell.

Ives was also tweeting today that Oguchi Onyewu told him that he picked up some kind of small injury during the Argentina game, but played through it.  And he is hopeful he can play for FC Twente this weekend.

I spotted this over at du Nord today, but IMSoccer News has this great/crazy two-part story on how US Soccer almost had to use USL players for the USMNT after the current players at the time had a little strike in 2005.  Bruce Arena and Co had one day of training with the no-namers before everything was resolved with the normal senior team.  The second part is on how DC United’s Clyde Simms was sort of found through this training and still got to train with the senior team while all the other USL players were sent home.  Check it out right here:  Part 1 and Part 2.

We mentioned last week how Lyle Martin was on a new team in China, Beijing Baxy FC to be exact, and Yanks Abroad’s Kenya Brown caught up with Martin to talk about his new club.

Arch Bell talked to Rhett Bernstein last week, so he decided to talk to the other American defender at Norwegian side Mjondalen in Kyle Helton.  Bell also spoke to goalkeeper Colin Burns about his loan deal to Sandefjord.

I tweeted this last night (you should follow us, we need two more people to reach 400 followers….shameless plug), but Jon-Paul Pittman scored twice for Wycombe Wanderers in their 4-1 victory over Chesham United in the semifinals of the Berks & Bucks Cup (it appears to be some local cup competition with mostly non-league teams).  But he also picked up a strained muscle in his back and is doubtful for this weekend’s match against Stockport County.

And I leave you with the Juan Agudelo Tweet of the Day™:

(The kid in me) but is it weird if one of my motivators this year is improving my fifa video game ratings?

As posted earlier today, the USMNT will face Spain in a friendly before the Gold Cup in June.   I know some people dislike Bob Bradley, but you have to give the man credit for scheduling tough over the years.

You want some US-Argentina previews?  Howie broke down how the upcoming friendlies will affect the Gold Cup roster.  Part I is right here.  Part 2 is on the way.  Steve Davis of SI has his preview right here.  The Shin Guardian has two previews up.  One where Matthew plays Jose Mourinho, while the official TSG preview is right here.

Brent Latham thinks Josh Gatt’s ceiling should rise under former Manchester United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Molde FK.

Brian Sciaretta caught up with Jozy Altidore during training this week to talk to the 21-year-old forward about tomorrow’s game.

Arch Bell talked to one of the two Americans, Rhett Bernstein, at Norwegian side Mjondalen with the Adeccoligaen starting up next weekend.

Last year, Lyle Martin became the first American to play in the Chinese Super League.  After being released by Shaanxi Chan-Ba, he has bounced around and has now found himself with Beijing Baxy FC in the Chinese League One (the second tier in China).

Stuart James of the Guardian talked to Marcus Hahnemann earlier this week about being the only Premier League player that is also a pilot.  Yes, he can fly planes.

Finally, the Bolton News’  Tony Kelly is sad that Stuart Holden’s great season has come to an end due to injury.

Enjoy the weekend and the USMNT games.  I should hopefully posts some highlights and links after the game.

» Landon Donovan will be the main threat England must counter [The Telegraph]

» Bradley reaps benefits of young life in football [The Sunday Times]

» With confident star and its deepest team, U.S. has cause for optimism [SI.com]

» DaMarcus Beasley goes from ignored to a US leader [AP]

» Continued growth [Yanks Abroad]

And after we first saw the rumors brewing about Sacha Kljestan headed to Anderlecht on Thursday, Arch Bell of Yanks Abroad got some quotes from Anderlecht’s press officer about the potential signing.

“We have not signed him yet,” confirmed Anderlecht Press Officer David Steegen to YA. “We will announce it when we do. The general manager isn’t here right now so we can’t sign anybody [without him]. Sacha’s been on our list for years now and is a player we admire.”

Kljestan did not take part in Chivas USA’s 1-0 loss to the New York Red Bulls on Saturday night fueling speculation that a deal with the Belgian giants is imminent.