What's Next for #USMNT After World Cup Qualification

The United States Men's National Team completed its World Cup Qualification season by scoring two stoppage-time goals and defeating Panama, knocking the hosts out of contention. In so doing, the USMNT finished the Hex with a record-tying 22 points.

Watch highlights of the US win over Panama here.

With eight months remaining before the World Cup kicks off in June, 2014, the U.S. is planning a series of friendlies to work on team chemistry and identify the best lineup and substitute options for Brazil. Going into these next eight months, here is my predicted roster of 23 players for World Cup 2014 with starters in bold:

GK: Tim Howard, Brad Guzan, Nick Rimando
These three look locked in, barring injury. The U.S. is very fortunate to not only have a solid starter in Howard, but two very capable backups.

Defenders: Steve Cherundolo, Clarence Goodson, Matt Besler, Fabian Johnson, Omar Gonzalez, Brad Evans, Geoff Cameron, DaMarcus Beasley
The weakest link on this team continues to be the outside backs, but Steve Cherundolo's recent return from injuries offers promise to upgrade the right side. Johnson has looked good both in the midfield and on the outside, but midfield depth is strong so look for him to remain in the back and help push forward the attack in Brazil.

Midfielders: Landon Donovan, Michael Bradley, Jermaine Jones, Graham Zusi, Mix Diskerud, Kyle Beckerman, Alejandro Bedoya, Brad Davis
A strong and deep midfield looks better and better. Brad Davis' stellar showing against Panama, assisting on two goals and providing great service on set pieces, puts him in my roster of 23 for the first time.

Forwards: Jozy Altidore, Clint Dempsey, Eddie Johnson, Aron Johannsson
The U.S. is in great shape with these four front men. Johannsson has been impressive and could be a great threat off the bench in Brazil.

The USMNT has two upcoming friendlies to finish off 2014: November 15 in Scotland and November 19 in Austria.

#USMNT Clinches World Cup Berth!

In front of a record crowd in Columbus, Ohio, the USMNT defeated Mexico, 2-0, to clinch a berth in the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Second half goals from Eddie Johnson and Landon Donovan gave the U.S. its fourth consecutive "Dos A Cero" win over its arch rival in Columbus.

Watch highlights of the match, courtesy of U.S. Soccer, here.

The win was the seventh in ten matches for the Stars and Stripes in Columbus (the other three resulted in draws). Columbus has become one of the true homes of U.S. Soccer, and the atmosphere in Columbus Crew Stadium was electric more than an hour before kickoff. The crowd of 24,500+ was in full throat for most of the match, and many serenaded the team nearly an hour after the final whistle, when the draw between Honduras and Panama officially clinched the World Cup berth for the USMNT.

I was fortunate enough to be there last night, along with some great friends from the Cleveland Chapter of the American Outlaws. No doubt the greatest experience I have ever had at a sporting event. See below for a few of my favorite photos:

Met Kasey Keller and 

Brian McBride before the match!

Group shot before kickoff

Celebrating the USA's first goal

#USMNT Can Clinch World Cup Berth Tonight With Win Over Mexico

One of the biggest matches in recent U.S. Soccer history happens tonight about two and a half hours from my house, as the U.S. Men take on Mexico in Columbus, Ohio. I am incredibly excited to be going to the match, along with a few dozen fellow members of the Cleveland Chapter of the American Outlaws.

A U.S. win, coupled with a Honduras win or draw against Panama, will clinch a spot in next year's World Cup for the Americans, despite there being two additional qualifying matches on the Hex schedule. Clinching tonight would give Jurgen Klinsmann and the coaching staff some time to evaluate younger players and maybe experiment with some different lineups and formations.

Here are my three big questions for tonight's match:

• Can the USMNT continue its dominance of Mexico in Columbus? The U.S. has won six and drawn three in its nine-match history of playing at Columbus Crew Stadium, with three of those six wins coming against Mexico (all by a 2-0 scoreline, which is why you will often here American soccer fans refer to "Dos A Cero"). Columbus is a great home for the Stars and Stripes. 

• How will the absence of many American regulars affect the match? Jozy Altidore, Matt Besler, and Geoff Cameron will all miss tonight's match due to yellow card infractions. However, the biggest absence for tonight will likely be Michael Bradley, whose ankle injury in pre-match warmups on Friday was a big factor in the U.S. giving up two early goals to Costa Rica. Bradley is the heart and soul of this team - it's true most valuable player - and players like Jermaine Jones and Kyle Beckerman will need to step up in the defensive midfield.

• How will Mexico respond to its recent coaching change? Luis Fernando Tena, the head coach of Mexico's gold-winning Olympic team last year, was named interim coach after Jose Manuel de la Torre was fired following Friday's loss to Honduras. Tena did not have much time to change personnel or much else, but the mental aspect of this change could inspire Mexico to play well. Mexico is desperate - a loss here and they will likely have to win its two remaining matches to have a chance at qualifying for next year's World Cup.

So what do I think will happen? My heart says the U.S. will win by a 2-1 score. My head says Mexico will play with the desperation they need and earn a 1-1 draw. Either way, this match will feature the same things it always does: physicality, controversy, and tension. When it's all said and done, I hope I am celebrating a World Cup berth for the United States!

English Premier League Predictions

As the 2013-14 English Premier League gets set to kickoff in a few minutes, I thought I would compile a quick list of predictions for the season. Here goes...

20. Crystal Palace - Most agree Palace are over their heads in the EPL, so don't look for much chance at avoiding relegation.
19. Norwich City - The Canaries spent heavily in the offseason, especially on Dutch forward Ricky van Wolfswinkel, but I don't see enough to avoid relegation in its third season back in the top league.
18. Hull City - Biggest additions were a couple Tottenham bench players, which aren't going to be enough to keep Hull up in its return.
17. Cardiff City - smart spending for the promoted side should be able to keep Cardiff up.
16. Newcastle United - I came close to moving them into a relegated position, as I just don't see much chance of Newcastle having a good season. A managerial change during the season is inevitable for Alan Pardew.
15. Stoke City - An influx of American talent will make this one of the more popular teams in the US, but Stoke looks like it will once again play a conservative style that won't be very fun to watch.
14. Sunderland - Jozy Altidore joins Sunderland in top form and could spark manager Pablo Di Canio's offense.
13. Aston Villa - Coming off a very disappointing season, the once-mighty Villains will once again rely on young phenom Christian Benteke up front to avoid relegation.
12. West Brom - One of last season's early surprise squads, West Brom lost top goal scorer Romelu Lukaku and struggled at the end of last year.
11. West Ham - Andy Carroll and Kevin Nolan lead a solid squad that could finish anywhere from sixth to sixteenth, depending on health and luck.
10. Fulham - A week ago, I was talking about Fulham as a candidate for relegation, but some outstanding transfers make its outlook much more positive. Darren Bent's addition at forward could be a steal.
9. Swansea - Wilfried Bony joins a talented Swansea side that features one of the attackers in the EPL in Michu.
8. Southampton - Rickie Lambert is one of the best young forwards in the world, and he leads a Saints club that should shine this season after a solid summer transfer season.
7. Everton - Roberto Martinez begins his first season as Blues manager with a solid squad that will once again rely on excellent play from left back Leighton Baines, but lack of quality forwards continues to be a big problem.
6. Liverpool - Luis Suarez will sit out the first six matches of the season, which will likely cost Liverpool a strong start, but they will be better than last season because of continued growth from young phenoms Philipp Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge.
5. Tottenham Hotspurs - The Spurs are likely to lose Gareth Bale and gave up on Clint Dempsey after one year, but they added Roberto Soldado and Paulinho among a host of transfers, spending most of the money they are about to get whenever the Bale saga ends. Spurs will once again threaten to make the top four until the very end.
4. Arsenal - A surprisingly quiet transfer season, despite a lot of rumors, has the Gunner faithful wondering what this season will bring, but Jack Wilshere should lead this team to another Champions League berth. Arsene Wenger will once again make the moves necessary to be in the top four in the January transfer window, if necessary.
3. Manchester United - David Moyes takes over as manager, but everyone is talking about what is going to happen with unhappy Wayne Rooney. Man U needs Rooney to contend with the top teams, but Robin van Persie will have a 20+ goal scoring season no matter what.
2. Manchester City - Manuel Pellegrini joins as manager, and he takes over maybe the most talented squad on paper in the EPL. They've lost enigmatic Carlos Tevez, but added Alvaro Negredo and Fernandinho, two of the best signings this summer in the league. Sergio Aguero will be one to watch this season, as he could have a big year or be relegated to the bench because of all the talent on this squad.
1. Chelsea - Jose Mourinho returns to lead a talented squad that should be able to get back to the top. Look for Eden Hazard and Juan Mata to benefit most from a more widespread attack.

Player of the Year
5. Jozy Altidore - maybe a little homerism here, but Altidore is in great form and will need to have a productive first year for Sunderland to avoid relegation
4. Jack Wilshere - Arsenal needs a big year from JW to hold on to its perennial Champions League berth
3. Leighton Baines - the best left back in the world once again returns to Everton despite rumors of joining Moyes at Manchester United...after another stellar season, a bigger offer from the Red Devils will likely mean a transfer
2. Robin van Persie - will once again lead the league in goals
1. Eden Hazard - Mourinho will help make a great player even greater

USMNT Wins Comeback Thriller Over Bosnia and Herzegovina

The United States Men's National Team won it's 12th consecutive match last night, defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina by a 4-3 count. Jozy Altidore's second-half hat trick led the way, with Michael Bradley and Tim Howard providing strong leadership and quality play to defeat the world's 13th ranked squad.

The 12-match win streak is the longest in American soccer history and is the longest current win streak in world soccer. Bosnia and Herzegovina is undefeated in World Cup Qualifying and was playing at home, so this was a difficult task.

Watch highlights of last night's match here, courtesy of US Soccer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATJxoShmW64&feature=c4-overview&list=UUk1pcWQ5E19g0Cgp4c1eI1w.

The USA, ranked 19th in the world in the latest FIFA rankings, was in dire straits at the half, trailing 2-0. After watching a mostly listless attack from his side, head coach Jurgen Klinsmann made a tactical adjustment, coming out of the locker room with a 4-4-2 by moving Eddie Johnson alongside Altidore up top. He also moved Fabian Johnson to a more attacking midfield spot.

The moves paid off in the second half, as Altidore assisted Eddie Johnson on the first goal and Fabian Johnson provided Altidore with quality service for the tally to tie the score up at 2. Altidore then scored on a beautiful free kick to give the US the lead, and Bradley found Altidore on a world class pass for the fourth and final goal. Bosnia scored early in stoppage time, but it wasn't enough.

This match also provided the American debuts of center back John Anthony Brooks and forward Aron Johannsson. Brooks started and looked solid in the back, while Johannsson came on a sub and threatened to score a couple times late. Both look to be important future pieces for the USMNT.

The Stars and Stripes now get a few weeks off before a very important month of September, with World Cup Qualifiers at Costa Rica (September 6) and home vs Mexico in Columbus (September 10). If the US is able to win both matches, they will be assured a spot in next year's World Cup in Brazil. A win and a draw would likely keep the US atop the Hex with a clear path to Brazil, as well.

USMNT Wins Its Fifth Gold Cup!

The United States Men's National Team won its fifth Gold Cup on Sunday - its first since 2007 - by defeating Panama by a 1-0 score. Brek Shea tapped home the game-winning goal after Landon Donovan whiffed on a nice cross from Alejandro Bedoya, and despite missing on a couple of golden opportunities to put the match away, the Americans held on to finish a dominating performance in CONCACAF's bi-annual tournament.

Watch highlights of the match at: http://youtu.be/8r3z1app7yM

My three biggest takeaways from the Gold Cup for the USMNT:

1. Landon Donovan will play a significant role on this team over the next 12 months
Donovan went from an unsure participant in this tournament to its Most Valuable Player, scoring five goals and adding eight assists. He also seemed to embrace a leadership role with the younger guys on the team. By the final weekend, LD and Jurgen Klinsmann seemed to be getting along harmoniously. We will likely see Donovan starting in the USMNT's World Cup Qualifiers in September.

2. Depth is at an all-time high
Making up a starting lineup for next year's World Cup, or even the September matches, is virtually impossible right now. Not because of a lack of quality players, but because there are so many options at Klinsmann's disposal. We saw some of those options step up this past month in the Gold Cup. Do you start Dempsey up front with Altidore, or deploy him behind and allow a guy like Herculez Gomes or Eddie Johnson (who scored in the quarterfinal and semifinal, and should have put away a goal in the final) to partner with Jozy? Do Donovan and Zusi have the outside midfield positions locked up, or does someone like Bedoya or Joe Corona (both of whom played well in the Gold Cup) have a shot? Does Kyle Beckerman, who played exceptionally well in the knockout portion of the Gold Cup, get a crack at the defensive midfielder spot Jermaine Jones has owned in recent months? Will Shea make the roster in a "super sub" role after scoring the winning goals against Costa Rica and Panama coming off the bench?

3. It is fun cheering on this team
When a team runs off 11 wins in a row - and in the process win a trophy - it is bound to make its fans happy. But there is something about this team that is entertaining, and it isn't just the wins. They seem to have a great chemistry, led by Klinsmann's positive reinforcement and bonding techniques. They have played with much less of a "bunker down" approach when they have gone up against the likes of Germany, Belgium, and Italy since Klinsmann took over. There is no doubt that the opposition will get tougher in the coming weeks...an August qualifier against 14th in the world Bosnia-Herzegovina will be a stern test, followed by WCQ matches at Costa Rica and home vs Mexico. But there is no doubt this team is playing with a significant amount of confidence.

Gold Cup Preview and Predictions

The regional soccer tournament for North America, Central America, and the Caribbean, the Gold Cup, kicks off tomorrow. This year's Gold Cup is a 12-team tournament, taking place in various stadiums throughout the United States.

This is the 12th staging of the Gold Cup, which has been won by Mexico six times, the US four times, and Canada once. Mexico is the two-time defending champion.

The first and second place teams in each group move on to the quarterfinal knockout stage, while two of the three third place teams will also advance to that stage.

Here is my preview, along with a few predictions. Teams I see advancing to the quarterfinals are in BOLD. (Current FIFA World Ranking is in parentheses):

Group A - Canada (88), Martinique (unranked), Mexico (20), Panama (51)
This should be the most entertaining and competitive group. Mexico has struggled recently, stuck in the middle of the regional World Cup Qualification group and did not impress in the recent Confederations Cup. On paper, however, Mexico is the best team in this group. Panama made a great run in the 2011 Gold Cup reaching the semifinals and is just a couple points behind Mexico in WCQ. Canada has not been on a good run recently, having missed out on the WCQ Hex, but that makes it dangerous as its focus is solely on this competition. The French Republic of Martinique is unranked by FIFA and it would be a miracle for it to advance.

Group B - El Salvador (94), Haiti (69), Honduras (55), Trinidad and Tobago (87)
Probably the most difficult group to pick from is Group B. Honduras seems to be the favorite on paper, as it is the only team in this group which was able to make it to the Hex and lost in the semifinals in the last two Gold Cups. However, El Salvador just missed out on the final round of World Cup Qualifying and was a quarterfinalist in this tournament in 2011. Haiti has some talent and recently drew with Italy in a friendly, which gives it a bit of an edge on Trinidad and Tobago in my book.

Group C - Belize (130), Costa Rica (39), Cuba (82), United States (22)
The host USA is the favorite in this group, and its Gold Cup squad demolished Guatemala in a friendly last night by a 6-0 count. Costa Rica has surprised many in World Cup Qualifying so far, as it sits in second place, and should not be underestimated in this tournament where it is often one of the final four. Cuba has won only one match out of 16 in its previous Gold Cup appearances. Belize will likely be overmatched in its first ever Gold Cup.

Quarterfinals:
Panama (A2) over El Salvador (B2) - should be competitive, but Panama will take care of business
Mexico (A1) over Haiti (B3) - Haiti shouldn't be able to keep this close
Costa Rica (C2) over Honduras (B1) - this one will be interesting, with CR winning in a penalty kick shootout
United States (C1) over Canada (A3) - Canada always plays the U.S. tough, so look for this to be a nailbiter

Semifinals:
Mexico over Panama - Panama gives Mexico a scare, but El Tri is able to hold on to a 1-0 win
United States over Costa Rica - this one could go either way, but I'll take the home team with a late winner

Final:
United States over Mexico - this is always a high-energy match, but Chicago will give the U.S. a nice home crowd advantage and Mexico won't have the firepower that the Stars & Stripes bring this time around with Landon Donovan and Herculez Gomez up front. USA 2, Mexico 1 in the final.

Who do you see winning this year's Gold Cup? Do you see a Cinderella-type run for someone like Canada?

USMNT Nears World Cup Qualification With Win Over Honduras

Last night, the USMNT moved one step closer to qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup by knocking off Honduras, 1-0. Jozy Altidore scored off a nice feed from Fabian Johnson in the 71st minute to put the Stars and Stripes on the scoreboard, and despite not being able to put a number of other chances into the net, the US held on to win its third consecutive qualifer.

Watch Jozy Altidore's game-winning goal

The US dominated play last night, both visually and statistically. Honduras seemed to play for a draw in the first half, often keeping all but one of its players behind the ball and daring the US to come forward. Honduras' best threat of the match came near stoppage time when Tim Howard saved an Andy Najar shot, an opportunity was created by a bad clearance by an otherwise-solid Matt Besler.

The US's started out much more aggressive in the second half, creating chances in the 56th minute (Evans header saved) and 63rd minute (Dempsey header hit the arm of a Honduran defender in the box, but no call was made for what should have been a penalty kick awarded to the US). It seemed inevitable there would be a goal, and the red-hot Altidore was able to convert on his best opportunity of the night.

The US outshot Honduras 13-6, shots on goal 5-1, and had 9 corner kicks to HON's 3.

The Hex standings show the US on top with 13 points, followed by Costa Rica with 11, Mexico with 8, Honduras with 7, Panama with 6, and Jamaica with 2. Each team plays four more matches, so there are loads of points left to play for. The US will mathematically clinch by earning six more points.

That sets the stage for its next two qualifiers, both critical matches in September: at Costa Rica on September 6 and home vs Mexico on September 10 in Columbus, Ohio. If the US wins both, they will rest easy in their final two matches. Obviously, Costa Rica and Mexico are not quite as solidly positioned, so they will be a bit more desperate, promising some interesting drama between the best three teams in the Hex this fall.

NEXT UP: World Cup qualifying does not begin again until the match at Costa Rica on September 6, but that doesn't mean the USMNT will rest this summer. Many of the core players on the team will also represent the Stars and Stripes in the Gold Cup, the regional tournament hosted by the US, which kicks off in July. The first match of the group stage for the US will be on July 9th when they take on Belize in Portland, followed by July 13th against Cuba in Salt Lake City, and Costa Rica in Connecticut.

Stoppage Time Goal Gives USMNT Important World Cup Qualifier Win Over Jamaica

Last night, the Stars and Stripes won a critical World Cup Qualifier in Jamaica, 2-1. Brad Evans scored the winning goal in stoppage time, moments after a questionable goal from the Reggae Boys tied things up (replays showed the goal should have been waived off for offsides). The win puts the US in a tie atop the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying Group just shy of the Hex's halfway point.

My three positives from last night's match:

1. Graham Zusi and Jozy Altidore continue to shine
For the second match in a row, Zusi fed Altidore with a beautiful cross, which the enigmatic American forward once again netted for an important early goal to set the tone for the match. Zusi has been stellar for the better part of the last two matches, while Altidore's recent goal production seems to have sparked more effort in all other phases of his game. Zusi will miss the match Tuesday against Panama because he picked up a questionable yellow card late in last night's match. Let's hope someone can bring a similar level of threat to the US attack.

Altidore Goal: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFdQnBz4mqk


2. Michael Bradley remains the most important player on the pitch
While watching Belgium rout the US in Cleveland in person a couple weeks back, my mind wandered to consider how different the squad would have looked with Bradley in the midfield. Since his return, the US has controlled much more of the ball and the boys have seemed much more composed when threatened in the final third of the field. Clint Dempsey may be the USMNT captain, but Bradley is its most irreplaceable player.

3. The rest of the Hex schedule bodes well for the USMNT
The US plays its next two matches at home, with Panama in Seattle on Tuesday and Honduras in Utah on June 18. Four of the final six matches will be on home soil, which should benefit the USMNT in its quest to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Brad Evans Game-winning Goal: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8prjW6w-yow

Busy Summer of USMNT Action Starts with Loss in Cleveland to Belgium

The U.S. Men's National Team began its busy summer with a loss to Belgium in an international friendly hosted at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, 4-2. More than 27,000 fans were on hand, a solid crowd given the weeknight, school year scheduling of this match. Kudos to the American Outlaws Chapters of Cleveland and Akron for being great supporters, helping fill the lower level of the stadium and singing the National Anthem so loudly that fans could not hear the anthem singer!

On the field, the passion of the U.S. players did not seem quite as inspired in the early minutes. Belgium ran out to the early lead on a goal by Everton's Kevin Mirallas, thanks to a misplaced ball by club teammate and U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard in the sixth minute. The U.S. equalized in the 23rd minute, thanks to a beautifully headed pass by Tottenham's Clint Dempsey to Stoke City's Geoff Cameron, who buried the header to tie things up at 1. That was all the scoring in the first half, leaving the fans in red, white, and blue feeling pretty good about their team.

In the second half, the American substitutes struggled. Surprisingly, the one who was most at fault was probably Aston Villa's Brad Guzan, the U.S. #2 keeper. Guzan, who was outstanding in the World Cup Qualifier draw against Mexico earlier this year, allowed three goals in the second half last night - and probably could have avoided two of them by being more aggressive toward the ball. The result was a 4-1 lead, which was made a bit closer by Dempsey's penalty kick goal in the 80th minute after Seattle Sounder Eddie Johnson's cross resulted in a handball call in the box.

All in all, a disappointing result for the USMNT. While there were stretches of decent play - in particular the second half of the first half - Belgium proved they were the better side for most of the night. That should not have come as any big surprise, as Belgium is ranked 15th in FIFA's world rankings, while the U.S. is ranked 29th.

Wearing my "Glass is Half Full" hat, allow me to point out three positives from last night:

1. DeMarcus Beasley was Man of the Match - another in a series of recent good performances for DMB, this on the night where he earned his 100th cap for the U.S. and likely further solidified his place as the left back starter.

2. The USMNT was missing some important pieces - how much better would the U.S. have looked with Michael Bradley, still recovering from Coppa Italia, in the midfield? Or Fabian Johnson, recovering from his club team's relegation playoff, playing on the left side at a wing? Or Tim Howard, not quite 100% after a physical finish to the EPL season, playing an entire match? I think we could have seen a much better U.S. squad. I would love to see Beasley and Johnson pair up on the left side of the field on Sunday.

3. Stuart Holden returned to action after a two-year recovery - one of the loudest roars from the Cleveland crowd last night came in the 81st minute, as American midfielder Stuart Holden jogged onto the pitch. For Holden, it was a return to play for the national team that was more than two years in the making, after he suffered a gruesome and troubling knee injury that needed multiple surgeries. Holden was solid in his limited time last night, and hopefully he will be able to regain the form that made him one of the best midfielders in the Premier League just three seasons ago.

Up next for the USMNT is a friendly with Germany on Sunday (2:30 pm on ESPN2). After that, World Cup Qualifiers take place on June 7 at Jamaica, June 11 vs Panama (in Seattle) and June 18 vs Honduras (in Utah).

Final Week Drama in the English Premier League

Everyone talks about championship drama as being the most exciting part of sports...and usually it is. However, in this year's English Premier League, Manchester United has led the way for most of the season and clinched the title weeks ago. Most of the late-season drama of the 2012-13 EPL season instead has focused on two very close races - the final two spots in the Champions League and the final relegation spot. Here's where everything stands at the moment:

Champions League berths:
Clinched - Manchester United, Manchester City
Looking Good - Chelsea, Tottenham
Outside Looking In - Arsenal

Arsenal plays Wigan this afternoon in what should be a spirited affair, as the match means a lot to both teams. An Arsenal win gets them to 70 points and leapfrogs them ahead of Tottenham, meaning all Arsenal would need to do is win its final match against Newcastle to secure the fourth and final CL spot. Tottenham plays Sunderland on Sunday and needs to win along with having Arsenal drop one of these two matches. Chelsea would need to lose its final match by around 12-14 goals to have any fear of losing one of the CL berths, so they are in great shape.

My prediction: Arsenal beats Wigan and Newcastle; Tottenham beats Sunderland. Arsenal to Champions League while Tottenham gets a Europa League berth.

Relegation berths:
Clinched relegation - Queens Park Rangers, Reading
In Trouble - Wigan
Still May Be in Trouble - Sunderland, Aston Villa, Fulham, Southampton

Wigan must win its final two matches to avoid relegation - at Arsenal today and then home against Aston Villa on Sunday. If Wigan pulls off the upset today, its match against the Villains on Sunday will be huge, as a Wigan win there would put Villa in jeopardy of falling back. The other squads on the list would need Wigan to win both and a lot of other things to happen in order for their place in the top division to be jeopardized.

My prediction: Wigan drops a close one at Arsenal and is relegated.

USMNT Looks For First Ever Qualifier Win in Mexico

We are about 24 hours away from kickoff in Estadio Azteca, where the USMNT will take on Mexico in a critical World Cup Qualifying match that will go a long way in dictating how stressful this qualifying campaign will be for the two most dominating squads in CONCACAF over the past two decades.

Currently, the US is in second place in the Hex with three points after a win over Costa Rica in Friday's snow globe match in Denver. Right behind them is Mexico, which has two points having drawn both of its matches including last Friday when Honduras clawed its way back from a 2-0 deficit to remain in the lead with four points. The top three teams in the group all automatically advance to the 2014 World Cup, and most agree the three teams most likely to move on are the United States, Mexico, and Honduras.

USMNT captain Clint Dempsey celebrates his first-half goal against Costa Rica on Friday
(AP)

The match tomorrow night means more than securing a stronger position in the Hex. It is for bragging rights...at least until September 10 when the return match comes to Columbus. It is also for revenge for Mexico, after the US beat them last August in a friendly in Azteca (the US had been 0-23-1 in Mexico prior to the victory). For the USMNT, this match is also about reclaiming some of the dominance that Mexico is perceived to have claimed in recent years in the region.


Michael Orozco Fiscal celebrates his game-winning goal against Mexico in August

The USMNT will once again be without two of its stars, goalkeeper Tim Howard and all-time leading goalscorer Landon Donovan. Newly minted captain Clint Dempsey looks to be rounding back into good form after scoring the lone goal Friday night, and he will likely be the top attacking threat for the US in Azteca. But the key to this contest will be the young American back line keeping Chicharito and the rest of the talented Mexican forwards off the scoresheet.

I am predicting a 1-1 draw, with the USMNT scoring in the first half and Chicharito earning Mexico a third draw in the hex with a second half goal. If this happens, the US will come away pretty confident in its quest to qualify, while Mexico will be disappointed in not defending its home turf well enough to earn three crucial points.

How do you see the match playing out? Share your predictions!

2013 MLS Season Preview

Today marks the beginning of the 2013 Major League Soccer season. Let's tackle my top five questions going into the league's 18th season:

1. How will the L.A. Galaxy respond to the departure of David Beckham?
Beckham's six-year run in MLS ended last season, and he went out in style by helping the L.A. Galaxy win back-to-back MLS Cups. He is now playing at Paris Saint-Germain, capping off his incredible career. Beckham's veteran presence will be missed, but Robbie Keane and Landon Donovan should have no problem taking over more of the leadership role. Brazilian youngster Juninho returns to anchor the midfield, Omar Gonzalez continues to shine as one of the top young central defenders in the world, and Carlo Cudicini joins the club to improve its inconsistent goalkeeping from last year. All this adds up to the Galaxy being a strong contender again this season.

2. Who will win MLS MVP?
Thierry Henry of the New York Red Bulls is the best player in the league at the moment, so I am picking him. Henry scored 15 goals last season and contributed 12 assists. With the Red Bulls improving their roster in the offseason, I think Henry will surpass the assist number and maybe his goals, leaving everyone else battling for second in the MVP race. San Jose's Chris Wondolowski won the award last year and will once again be a top candidate. Irish striker Keane should also be near the top of the contender list.

3.Which teams will be the biggest surprises?
The Portland Timbers struggled immensely last season, but new manager Caleb Porter brings a more dynamic style of play from his days leading the University of Akron to becoming one of college soccer's most  successful programs. The Timbers have some good young talent, including one of Porter's former Akron stars, Darlington Nagbe. They should be a fun team to watch, and they are always tough to beat when Timbers Army is rocking Jeld-Wen Field. In Columbus, the Crew made some significant moves in the middle of last season, sparking an exciting run that nearly got them into the playoffs. Federico Higuain begins his first full-season in MLS to lead the Crew's attack, accompanied by Jairo Arrieta up top and always reliable Eddie Gaven in the midfield. Chad Marshall's health will be the key to keeping the Crew's backline strong and helping the 2008 MLS Cup Champions get back into the postseason.

4. Who will make the playoffs?
Seattle will win the Supporters' Shield as best team in the league, and will be followed in the West by Real Salt Lake, Los Angeles, San Jose, and Portland. Houston will be the class of the East, followed by D.C. United, Red Bulls, Sporting KC, and Columbus.

5. Who will hoist the MLS Cup in 2013?
I am going with the Seattle Sounders. The Sounders have a strong club, a manager who has led an MLS team to the title, and they have the best home stadium advantage in the league. As long as the Sounders win the Supporters' Shield as I have predicted, they will ensure home field advantage in the playoffs and that would spell doom for the rest of the league. Houston will likely face the Sounders in the final, and they will be tough to beat...but I don't see anyone going to CenturyLink Field and beating Rave Green when it matters most.

Who do you think will win the 2013 MLS Cup?

USMNT Drops Hex Opener to Honduras

The ten-match competition that is "The Hex" began in disappointing fashion for the US, as the Stars and Stripes lost to Honduras, 2-1. After getting on the scoreboard first courtesy of a Clint Dempsey goal, the US watched Honduras get a highlight-reel, bicycle kick goal from Juan Carlos Garcia and it seemed to deflate their spirits. Honduras dominated possession for most of the remainder of the match, scoring the decisive goal in the 79th minute when Tim Howard, Geoff Cameron, and Omar Gonzalez all seemed slow to the ball, allowing Jerry Bengston to tap in the game winner.

Here are my three positives from today's match:

1. Dempsey dazzles again
Clint Dempsey is without a doubt the most dangerous threat to score on the US team these days, and he showed his class in the 36th minute with a spectacular goal off an equally stellar feed from Jermaine Jones. Dempsey did not have many other opportunities to score, which can be attributed mainly to lack of chances created by the midfielders behind him.

2. The Timothy Chandler Saga is over - he is one of us
Over the past two years, USMNT fans have ridden a roller coaster when it comes to Timmy Chandler. In 2011, Chandler played for the US a handful of matches and looked to be the future at outside back. In 2012, Chandler declined an offer to play in World Cup Qualifiers that would have cap-tied him to the US (cap-tied means you can no longer play for another country). Many thought he was reconsidering his international allegiance, hoping for his native Germany to invite him to play for them (he has an American father and German mother, giving him options to play for either). Today, Chandler started at right back for the US in the qualifier, meaning he is cap-tied to the stars and stripes. Chandler had an up-and-down day, but he is just shy of 23 years old so he should only improve as he gets more comfortable in the Starting XI backline.

3. There are nine matches left in the Hex - five of which will be home
When the Hex schedule was released, I was worried. I did not like the fact that two of the first three matches for the US would be at the toughest places to play in the region, Honduras and Mexico. Sandwiched between those matches is the next qualifier, at home vs Costa Rica on March 22. The US must win that match and get an important three points - and momentum - heading into what will be a high-spirited affair at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on March 26. After that match, four of the seven remaining matches in this final round of qualifying will be on home soil. With today's loss, there is less room for error as the US strives to finish in the top three in order to secure an automatic berth to the 2014 World Cup.

USMNT vs Honduras Preview

The U.S. Men's National Team is less than 24 hours away from starting "The Hex," the final round of World Cup Qualifying in its region. The six-team, round-robin format will run over the next several months, with the top three teams qualifying for the 2014 World Cup and the fourth-place team advancing to take on a team from the Oceania region in a home-and-home playoff for a fourth slot. 

First up for the USMNT in Hex play is Honduras, with the match taking place in San Pedro Sula...which the Washington Post recently dubbed "the world's most violent place." The match is a very big deal in Central America, with the Honduran government declaring it a "National Holiday" so people can get off work early and cheer on "La Catrachos."

Honduras is considered a leading contender for one of the 2014 World Cup berths. They qualified for the world's greatest tournament twice, including 2010. Many of its starters play in Major League Soccer, so there will be some familiarity on the pitch tomorrow between players from both squads.

The all-time record between these two CONCACAF rivals is 12 wins for the US, four wins for Honduras, and three draws. The US has outscored Honduras by a 33-20 goal margin. In the most recent FIFA World Rankings (January 17, 2013), Honduras was ranked 59th, while the US was 28th.

This should be a very interesting matchup, with Honduras wanting to get off to a good start in front of what should be a raucous crowd, while the US would probably be content with a draw in a tough road environment. If a team can win most of its home matches and draw a few on the road in The Hex, a World Cup berth is theirs.

As is most often the case, I will be at Mavis Winkles Irish Pub in Independence, Ohio, with the American Outlaws Cleveland Chapter to cheer on the stars and stripes. If you are in the area, please come by and join us. GO USA!

USMNT Draws with Canada in First Match of 2013

The USMNT played Canada to a scoreless draw last night in its final match before the Final Round of World Cup Qualifying begins next Wednesday. Jurgen Klinsmann fielded a mostly "B" squad made up of MLS players and a smattering of other leagues, with only a handful of them likely to make next week's squad when they play at Honduras on February 6. Here are my hat trick points from last night's match:

1. Gonzalez, Beckerman, and Gatt shine brightest
The best three players on the field last night could all play a role in World Cup qualification for the USMNT. Omar Gonzalez is in the best form of his young career, having just won MVP of the MLS Cup for the Los Angeles Galaxy. He played a solid centerback last night and should be paired with Geoff Cameron in the starting XI next week against Honduras. Kyle Beckerman captained the squad from the defensive midfield position last night and was solid. He could challenge Danny Williams for that spot in the starting lineup in seven days. Josh Gatt showed off his speed and tenacity on the wing last night and would be a good threat off the bench for the top squad.

2. Canada once again frustrated the US by packing it in.
In recent years, Canada has seemed more than willing to play for a draw against the US, using a very conservative strategy. Last night was no different, as the US had significantly more possession, but could not get many shots on goal because the Canucks packed the midfield. You got the feeling watching last night's match that had the Stars and Stripes scored a goal, the floodgates would open on counterattacks since Canada would likely become more aggressive. Unfortunately, the result was just as Canada seemingly wanted.

3. Who else makes the USMNT squad for next week?
Gonzalez, Beckerman, and Gatt should all be safe. Seattle Sounders forward Eddie Johnson will likely make next week's squad as well, as he was a surprise catalyst late last year in qualifying matches. Also in the mix to make the WCQ roster is talented midfielder Graham Zusi. Longshots are Benny Feilhaber (could provide some creativity in the midfield) and Chris Wondolowski (might be able to offer some finishing talent despite his recent struggles when playing for the national team). Expect the final roster for next week's critical match to be released in the next day or two. 

2013 Major League Soccer Schedule Released

Earlier today, the 2013 MLS Schedule was released. Some highlights:

• Opening Day for the 2013 season will be Saturday, March 2. The best match of the day on paper is probably defending Eastern Conference Champion Houston Dynamo hosting D.C. United on NBC Sports Network. The following day, Portland Timbers host New York Red Bulls in what should be an exciting match on ESPN2.
  
• A total of 87 matches will be nationally televised in the United States, with most matches on ESPN, ESPN2, or NBC Sports Network. NBC's second year of MLS coverage takes another step forward with three live matches being shown on the "parent channel" - New York Red Bulls vs D.C. United on  March 16, Portland Timbers vs L.A. Galaxy on September 29, and D.C. United vs Houston Dynamo on October 27.
  
• Week 3 will be "Rivalry Week," with eight regional matches headlining MLS's version of March Madness. The week's most spirited contest will likely be Seattle Sounders hosting Portland Timbers.
  
• The defending champion L.A. Galaxy will host the Houston Dynamo in a rematch of their MLS Cup Final on May 5 on ESPN2.

To view the schedule in its entirety, click here.

Five Wishes for American Soccer in 2013

As we ring in the new year, I reflected upon an eventful and enjoyable 2012 blogging about soccer and thought ahead to 2013. Qualifying for the 2014 World Cup will be the big story globally, and it will be the focus of my blog in the upcoming year.

Specific to American Soccer, I have five wishes for 2013:

1. A relatively smooth World Cup qualification for the USMNT
The final round of qualifying for the US, the Hexagonal, begins in February with a trip to Honduras. Three of the first four matches for our boys are on the road - a difficult task to be sure. But if they can get a win over Costa Rica in their lone home match during that stretch, and pick up a couple draws or a win in the other three, they should be in the top half of the group going into June home matches against Jamaica and Panama. Remember, the top three of the six automatically qualify for the World Cup, while the fourth place team goes into a playoff. The USMNT should have no trouble earning one of those three spots, unless they start off poorly on the road.

2. Another trip to the Gold Cup Final for the USMNT
The USMNT will also be participating in the Gold Cup in July, a regional tournament that will be hosted here. Because of the tournament taking place in a World Cup Qualifying year, teams like the US and Mexico will likely field "B" teams, but USMNT head coach Jurgen Klinsmann should use this opportunity to get some young up-and-coming players who could make the 2014 World Cup team like Terrence Boyd, Chris Pontius, Josh Gatt, and Perry Kitchen. I would also like to see Stuart Holden, coming off more than a year of injury trouble, get significant playing time to see if he can get back to Premier League form. Revenge over Mexico in the Gold Cup Final for losses to them in the 2009 and 2011 finals would be icing on the cake.

3. A successful beginning for the National Women's Soccer League
Sustained success for women's soccer outside of the national team has been lacking in the U.S., but the third time may be the charm. The NWSL will begin play in the spring with eight teams - Boston, Chicago, Western New York, New Jersey, Kansas City, Washington, D.C., Seattle, and Portland. U.S. Soccer has promised to subsidize the league and help pay salaries for national team players to play in the league, which would be a good foundation. The Canadian and Mexican soccer federations have also pledged to help pay salaries for some of their national team players to participate in the league.

4. Seamless transition for new USWNT coach Tom Sermanni
There is no question that in recent years, the US Women have been the class of the world. Led by Pia Sundhage, the ladies in stars and stripes won gold in the 2012 Olympics in exciting fashion, winning a thrilling semifinal against Canada and then exacting revenge on Japan in the final. Sundhage was a beloved leader for the USWNT, but the native Swede resigned to take over as head coach of Sweden's women's national team - something she dreamed to do before ending her career. Enter Sermanni, former head coach of Australia's women's national team. Sermanni led Australia to the quarterfinals of the 2007 and 2011 World Cup, the best finishes in the history of Australian football. There will be some challenges for Sermanni, with many core players aging, but Alex Morgan is the probably the best overall player in the women's game today at just 23 years old, and Megan Rapinoe (27 years old) is a very good player in her prime, so there is strong young talent to build his team around.

5. US-Mexico in Columbus on September 10, 2013
A somewhat selfish final wish since Columbus is my home away from home and less than a three-hour drive away, but you cannot argue with the merits of why Columbus should host this match. Columbus has been a great host for US Soccer, specifically important matches between the two best teams in CONCACAF in recent years. The USMNT has beaten Mexico all three times they have played in Columbus. The lasting memory of this past September 11 World Cup Qualifier in Columbus, an important 1-0 win over Jamaica, was a raucous and patriotic crowd supporting the stars and stripes. What else could US Soccer want in a host for its most important home match in the Hex?