Some more USMNT-oriented links before the weekend.
US Soccer has all its pre-match factoids and what not right here. The US is 11-3-3 all-time against Honduras, including a 8-2-2 mark on American soil.
They also have some photos from Thursday’s training session up on Facebook.
As for some interviews with some players: Christopher McCollum talked to Carlos Bocanegrea. Jamie Hill talked to Michael Bradley. And Franco Panizo talked to DaMarcus Beasley.
Panizo also has some more tidbits from this week’s training sessions over on Ives, including some comments from Jurgen Klinsmann about some notable roster omissions. This has sort of been a “hot topic” (the story, not the cheesy store at malls) as of late, especially with Omar Gonzalez recently telling ESPN Insider ($$) that he would at least listen to Mexico if they come calling. Gonzalez holds Mexican and American citizenship.
And from my own research, if the US does not win on Saturday, Jurgen Klinsmann would become the first USMNT coach to go winless in his first four matches since Lothar Osiander in 1986-87. And by chance he goes winless on Saturday, he would need a win over Ecuador to avoid becoming the first USMNT coach to go winless in his first five matches since Gordon Bradley in 1973.
And the US’ one goal is the fewest by the team under a new coach through three games since the US only scored one goal in Walter Chyzowych’s first three games as coach in 1976. The US then scored two goals against Canada in his fourth game.
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Omar Gonzalez is bitter. He’s definitely playing better than Tim Ream right now. As a fan, I do not think there’s enough of a gap between the two to get my panties all up in a bunch and second-guess Klinsi about it.
If Gonzo really wants a spot on either El Tri or the Nats he needs to play in Europe. He’s a good player, but I tend to think he’s a bit over-rated because he plays with such good players around him.
@Steve Actually, what annoys me isnt the Gonzo snub, but the John. John is a big guy, but his passing rate is 83% to Ream’s 85%. While you can argue leaving out Gonzo for Ream because of passing as the #4 CB, but John is very sound as a defender.
*the John snub* and when i say John I mean George John.
Until a defender plays in Europe I don’t think they have what it takes to start. An in form Gooch is bigger and better then anything the MLS has to offer. I really wish John and Omar can get transfers overseas.
I agree with Steve that there’s not a large enough gap between Gonzalez and Ream right now to get up in arms about. However, having said that, I am extremely worried about Ream’s propensity to gift the ball to the other team. In the latest LA-NY game he had all day long to decide what he was going to do with the ball and lobbed it right to the opposing team in the middle of the field. None of his teammates were within 20 yards and I couldn’t even tell what he was attempting to do. Talking about John, he has been miserable since his failed transfer to Blackburn. I am really anxious to see him play for the USNT but I understand his exclusion based on his recent performances.