Ukraine Tops United States In Friendly Match

 2-0 

Political instability in the Ukraine was the looming factor in today's international friendly match against the United States.  The match was originally scheduled to be played in the Ukraine, but civil unrest and a foreign military presents forced the match to be relocated.  The United States met the Ukrainian national team in Cyprus for the friendly in a near empty stadium.

The Ukraine opted to fielded a more experienced side while the United States had a more jumbled line-up as coach Jürgen Klinsmann continues to search for the right combination.  The defense for the U.S. was particularly suspect with a struggling veteran Oguchi Onyewu and an inexperienced John Anthony Brooks in front of Howard in goal.

The Ukraine scored early in the first-half when Denis Garmash beat the offsides-trap to create a shot on target.  Keeper Tim Howard did well to stop the initial shot, but the rebound came back to Garmash.  He then laid the ball off to Yevhen Yarmolenko who scored with an easy tap-in finish (12').

After the break both teams made several changes over the course of the second-half as friendlies allow more substitutions than tournament matches.  One of the substututes for the Ukraine was Marko Devic who was quick to contribute.  A long ball over the top allowed Devic to run right through the U.S. defense and get a shot at goal.  Again keeper Howard made a good save to deny the initial shot, but the rebound fell to Devic who scored with the second chance (67').

The United States were outplayed for nearly the entire match.  There was a moment in the second-half when the U.S. showed signs of producing a goal, but the best chances did not find the net.  Starting forward Josy Altidore only had one real chance and he missed high with a header.  Clint Dempsey's best chance was really a half-chance that was snuffed out by Ukraine keeper Pyatov coming off his line.

Winning was not nessessarily the goal for the United States in today's friendly match, rather further assessment for Jürgen Klinsmann heading into the World Cup.  The Ukraine team did not qualify for the World Cup so for them the match was about pride and maybe even distraction.  In this sense the match was a success for both nations as the Ukraine get the satisfaction of victory and Klinsman now knows more about his players.  Most noticably, Klinsman knows John Anthony Brooks is nowhere near ready for the national side.

USA Punch Ticket to Brazil, Beat Mexico

2-0

Tonight's World Cup Qualifier against Mexico has been anticipated for several weeks now.  Playing in Columbus, Ohio the United States were again without Michael Bradley in midfield and Jozy Altidore up front.  Eddie Johnson and Kyle Beckerman replaced the two crucial players in this crucial match.  Mexico of course were facing a different form of adversary with a change in head coach coming just days ago.

Mexico got off to a decent start and were close to winning a penalty in the first minute of the game.  Keeper Tim Howard was spared by the referee and the match remained scoreless for the first-half.

The second-half was all USA as the men's national team scored twice, and nearly a third time, while shutting out Mexico.  Earlier in the match Eddie Johnson won a clean header during a corner-kick, but Mexican keeper Corona denied the forward.  Johnson got another chance in the second-half and scored with another clean header from a corner-kick (49').  

Mexico did all they could to get the goal back including using all three substitutes.  However a second goal late in the game by the US ensured the outcome.  Substitute Diskerud was able to fire a cross from the end-line that reached Donovan at the far-post for the final goal of the match (78').  USA had a chance to score one more when a penalty was awarded in stoppage-time, but Dempsey missed from the spot to end the game 2-0 for the US.

The US still have to play Jamaica and Panama to finish off the qualifying stage, but they now have enough points to ensure their place in the 2014 World Cup.

Costa Rica Snaps U.S. Win Streak

3-1

The U.S. Men's National Team went south to Costa Rica for a World Cup Qualifier rematch.  Costa Rica have been vocal about their protest of the first meeting in March that featured a snow storm in Colorado.

Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan started for the U.S. while Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore were out with injuries.

Costa Rica got off to a perfect start and scored two goals in the first ten minutes of the match.  Defender Acosta got forward on a corner and scored a near-post header (2)'.  Shortly after Bolaños delivered a cross that setup Borges in the box for another header finish (10').

Late in the first-half the U.S. got one back when a penalty was given following a foul by keeper Navas.  Fabian Johnson was tripped by Navas trying to reach a loose ball in the box and saw a yellow card for the infraction.  Dempsey stepped up to take the penalty and he was successful from the spot (43').  His shot was practically right down the middle and Navas got behind the ball, but he could not turn the shot away from his goal.

The second-half started to look better for the United States as Costa Rica played more defensive to protect their lead.  This allowed the U.S. to possess more and press forward.  However one big play by Costa Rican forward Campbell took all the wind out the sails for the U.S.  A long pass out of the back released Campbell who beat defender Besler in a foot race to the ball.  Campbell finished confidently, going through the legs keeper Howard coming off his line (75').

This loss snaps a twelve game winning streak for the United States, but more importantly it keeps the race to the 2014 World Cup much tighter.  The United States will host Mexico on Tuesday in another important World Cup qualifier.

Altidore Scores Hat-Trick in US Friendly

3-4

The US Men's National Team travelled to Sarajevo to play an friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina today.  Team USA had a number of changes to their line-up from their previous match, the Gold Cup final, and got off to a slow start.

Manchester City's Edin Dzeko put Bosnia and Herzegovina in front early in the match when he found space behind the US defense.  His initial shot was saved by keeper Tim Howard, but the rebound came right back to Dzeko and he finished with his second chance (8').  Later in the first-half Ibišević also scored for Bosnia on a second effort corner by winning a header (30').  The replay showed that Ibišević was slightly offsides, but since the game was a friendly, the US did not protest much.

After half-time Bosnia and Herzegovina made four substitutions while the US only made one.  The changes to the Bosnian team opened the door for the United States, especially Jozy Altidore.  First Altidore setup Eddie Johnson with a goal by trapping and laying off a well played ball over the top (55').  Soon after Fabian Johnson was able to play Altidore in-on-goal for his first score of the match (59').

Following the equalizer, the US and Bosnia made more substitutions including Aron Johannsson making his debut for the United States.  Johannsson made a positive impact on the game, creating two good shots on goal.  However it was Altidore who made all the plays for the US.  From a free-kick, Altidore scored his second of the match with a perfectly struck shot, curled into the upper-ninety (84').  Moments later Altidore completed the hat-trick when he scored after being played in behind the defense by Bradley (86').

Dzeko also had one more goal late in the game, finishing with a glancing header to the far-post (90').  The game ended with a final score of 4-3 in favor of the United States.  Bosnia and Herzegovina are not really known as a football powerhouse, but right now they are leading their World Cup Qualifying group and are ranked 13th in the FIFA world rankings.  Although it was just a friendly match, this is a good win for the US as coach Jurgen Klinsmann has shown he can win with a number of different lineups.

USA Win 2013 Gold Cup

1-0

The US Mens National Team continued their winning-streak today defeating Panama in the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup final.  Playing at Soldier Field in Chicago, The US dominated possession throughout the match with over 70% in their favor.  The first-half ended scoreless, but the US had to make an early substitution when Stuart Holden went down with a knee injury.

The lone goal of the match came in the second-half immediately after Brek Shea came in off the bench. Fullback Michael Parkhurst fired a cross into the box that put Donovan in-on-goal, but he uncharacteristically whiffed the shot.  Fortunately Shea was crashing the far-post and finished with an easy tap-in (69').

Team USA are showing real signs of progress and have much to be proud of.  In today's match not only did they shutout Panama, they did not allow a single shot-on-goal.  They have won eleven straight matches including this Gold Cup victory and they lead their group in World Cup qualifying.  What is also encouraging is the resurgence of Landon Donovan in the Mens National Team after his hiatus from international competition.

Altidore At It Again

1-0

Honduras travelled to Utah to play the United States in a World Cup Qualifier.  Team USA were not especially threatening in the first-half and only put one shot on target.  Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley handled the midfield relatively effectively, but it was the striker Jozy Altidore who came through once again for the United States.

Late in the second-half fullback Fabian Johnson was able to make a cutting pass inside the box that Altidore was able to run onto an strike cleanly for the only goal of the match (73').  

The United States remain on top of their group, and look like they will qualify for 2014 World Cup in Brazil.  Up next is a friendly against Guatemala before the next qualifier rematch against Costa Rica.

US Coast Past Panama in World Cup Qualifier

 2-0

Team USA were lucky to come away with in a win over Jamaica thanks to a late goal by substitute Brad Evans.  Today against Panama, team USA were much more convincing, winning 2-0.

Playing in Seattle, the US had a rather easy time dealing with the Panama attack as they put nothing on target until the final moments of stoppage-time.  Panama were forced to drop back for most of the match allowing team USA to work possession and attack the Central American visitors.

Michael Bradley initiated the first goal of the match when he played Fabian Johnson into space on the left flank.  The winger then crossed the ball to the far-post for Jozy Altidore who finished easily to put the US ahead (36').

After half-time team USA added a second goal when Eddie Johnson was played in behind the Panama defense by a great ball over the top from Geoff Cameron.  Eddie Johnson timed his run perfectly to stay on-sides and finished a clean shot to put the US further ahead (53').

The US are now on top of the CONCACAF group and face Honduras next week.  Nothing is assured, but as it stands the US look like they are destined for a trip to Brazil in 2014 World Cup