Soccer By Ives

USMNT settles for scoreless draw with Canada in final friendly before qualifying

2012-06-03T21:39:52-04:00

By FRANCO PANIZO

The U.S. men's national team may have been hoping to head into World Cup qualifying with a confidence-building win, but they instead finished their summer friendlies with a frustrating result.

The United States was held to a scoreless draw by Canada at BMO Field in Toronto on Sunday night in its third and final friendly before World Cup qualifying begins. The Americans struggled to create chances against a compact Canada side, and goalkeeper Tim Howard made a handful of saves to prevent the hosts from picking up their first win over the United States since 1985.

Canada did not have many quality looks either, but they saw a first-half goal waved off for a questionable Dwayne De Rosario foul on left back Edgar Castillo. Canada also missed a late chance to come out victorious when substitute Simeon Jackson missed a shot from point blank after De Rosario got by Michael Parkhurst on the left flank.

Clarence Goodson came closest to scoring for the United States in stoppage time, but Canucks goalkeeper Lars Hirschfeld swatted away his headed effort seconds before the final whistle.

Castillo, who was given a late start after Fabian Johnson picked up a knock in pre-game warmups, also had a chance in the first half to break the deadlock before Hirschfeld parried away his volleyed effort from distance.

Playing in their third friendly in nine days, the United States was not able to create the number of chances that it had in a loss to Brazil and a lopsided victory over Scotland. Canada's midfield pressured the Americans and the hosts' back four stayed compact and disciplined.

U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann started Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey together for the first time since he took over. But the American duo were not able to muster much in the way of offense as Canada closed in on them quickly to prevent the quick combination passes that the U.S. team demonstrated in the two prior friendlies.

The United States will next take on Antigua and Barbuda at Raymond James Stadiun in Tampa Bay, Fla. on June 8 to start its World Cup qualifying campaign.

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What do you think of the United States' 0-0 draw with Canada? Who impressed/disappointed you? Are you feeling good about the team's style of play as the head into World Cup qualifying?

Share your thoughts below.

USA vs. Canada: Match Night Commentary

2012-06-03T18:26:31-04:00

The U.S. Men's National Team takes on Canada tonight in a match-up of CONCACAF rivals preparing to begin World Cup qualifying later this week.

The Americans have dominated this series, having most recently posted a 2-0 victory over Canada in last year's Gold Cup. The Canadians will be looking for their first victory against the USA since 1985, and should provide a tough test at BMO Field in Toronto.

U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann will look to sort out some final decisions on his first-choice lineup, with central defense and the team's preferred formation being among the issues Klinsmann will look to address.

SBI will be providing live commentary on tonight's match, so please feel free to follow along here. As always, you are welcome to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below.

Enjoy the action (Tonight's commentary is after the jump):

&lt;a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=f28b56efb1" _mce_href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=f28b56efb1" &gt;USA vs. Brazil: Match Night Commentary&lt;/a&gt;

USA v. Canada: The Pre-Match Tailgate (and who should the USMNT start?)

2012-06-03T16:02:28-04:00

The U.S. Men's National Team moves a step closer to the start of World Cup qualifying tonight in Toronto with a match against Canada (7pm, NBC Sports) that will serve as the final tune-up before qualifying kicks off on Friday in Tampa.

The Americans will be looking to recover from last Wednesday's 4-1 loss to Brazil by beating a team they haven't lost to since 1985. The United States is unbeaten in 14 matches against Canada, having shut the team out in 11 of those meetings.

Here is my Fox Soccer preview on tonight's match, a match that should help Jurgen Klinsmann make some final decisions on the starting lineup he goes with when the USA takes on Antigua & Barbuda in qualifying on Friday.

Another piece you should check out is my Fox Soccer feature on 33-year-old defenders Steve Cherundolo and Carlos Bocanegra, who remain top starting options despite their age.

Should we expect a full-strength side for the USA tonight? With Friday's qualifier a total of ten days after the Brazil match, it seems unlikely Klinsmann will rest any starters who are not carrying knocks. Steve Cherundolo left the Brazil match early and could be rested, but aside from that it would appear all hands are on deck tonight.

So what might tonight's USMNT lineup look like? Here is one possible lineup we could see:

If Jozy Altidore is fit enough to start he will start in Boyd's place. If Klinsmann has real doubts about Onyewu then look for Clarence Goodson to get the nod. What would be interesting to see is a Goodson-Onyewu tandem, or Goodson-Cameron tandem to see who really is ready to start alongside Carlos Bocanegra. I'm sure many fans don't want Onyewu anywhere near the lineup, but Klinsmann sounded like he was happy with Onyewu's second half against Brazil, so another start for him shouldn't come as a surprise.

What do you think of this starting lineup? Who is missing that you would like to see start? Who don't you want to see face Canada tonight?

Share your thoughts below.

Behind The Crest: Final Rehearsal for USMNT

2012-06-03T15:21:43-04:00

Soccer By Ives

Soccer Sunday: Your Running Commentary

2012-06-03T14:08:14-04:00

There aren't many matches on the schedule today, but the few on the slate should provide plenty of entertainment, including the Brazil-Mexico showdown this afternoon in Texas (2:30pm, Univision).

Brazil is coming off a stellar 4-1 victory against the United States, and will be facing a Mexico side that needed a late Javier Hernandez winner to beat Bosnia. Neymar and Chicharito will be the headliners of a match set to be played in front of more than 100,000 fans at Cowboy Stadium.

Spain will be playing their final pre-Euro tuneup match today against China (4pm, ESPN3.com), with the defending European and World champions looking to work out the kinks before the big tournament next week.

In South America, Peru and Colombia face off in World Cup qualifying (6pm, DirecTV Pay-Per-View), with the winner moving into the main pack in CONMEBOL, and the loser facing a serious uphill challenge to qualify for 2014.

If you will be watching today's action, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.

Enjoy the action.

Studio 90: USMNT prepares for Canada

2012-06-03T13:26:09-04:00

Soccer By Ives

England Ticker: Three Lions down Belgium, Cahill to miss Euros, and more

2012-06-03T13:01:07-04:00

The England national team were outplayed for stretches, and Belgium certainly provided a good test, but Danny Welbeck's game-winning goal provided the difference in a 1-0 England victory at Wembley.

Both sides saw goal-bound chance hit the woodwork, but Welbeck's beautiful finish off a pass from Manchester United teammate Ashley Young provided the difference in England's Euro tuneup match.

Belgium lost Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany to an injury in warm-ups, but the visitors still had enough talent to test England for much of the afternoon. Belgium enjoyed good spells of possession, but couldn't really mount many legitimate challenges to England goalkeeper Joe Hart.

England didn't exactly dazzle either, but Welbeck showed his quality when he expertly finished off a sequence.

The victory gave England fans reasons to celebrate, but news after the game proved to be disheartening, as centerback Gary Cahill was ruled of the Euros on Sunday after x-rays revealed a double fracture of his jaw suffered after being pushed by Belgium's Dries Mertens, and running into Hart in the process. England manager Roy Hodgson has called in Liverpool's Martin Kelly as a replacement for Cahill, a controversial decision considering Hodgson yet again snubbed Rio Ferdinand.

Here are some other news items from England this weekend to get you through the day:

ASTON VILLA HIRES LAMBERT

The search for a new Aston Villa manager didn't take too long, with the Villans appointing former Norwich City manager Paul Lambert to take over for fired former manager Alex McLeish.

Lambert led Norwich to a respectable 12th-place finish last season, just a year after earning promotion to the Premier League. Norwich City finished nine points ahead of Aston Villa, but will now be on the hunt for a new manager, as well as trying to keep the team's top players from leaving. Star forward Grant Holt has already stated his desire to leave the club.

KUYT SIGNS WITH FENERBAHCE

Long-time Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt is leaving Anfield after six years to sign with Turkish club Fenerbahce.

Kuyt's departure comes just days after Liverpool appointed Brendan Rogers as manager, though Kuyt has insisted his move away from Liverpool wasn't driven by Rogers' arrival.

GREEN LEAVING WEST HAM

England goalkeeper Robert Green stuck with West Ham United after the Hammers were relegated a year ago, but now, after helping the club earn promotion back to the Premier League, Green is set to leave.

Green is the target of several Premier League clubs after leaving Upton Park as a free agent, with Jussi Jaaskelainen set to replace Green as West Ham's No. 1.

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What do you think of these developments? Impressed or disappointed with England's showing against Belgium? Shocked to see Rio Ferdinand snubbed again? Think Lambert can help Aston Villa move up the standings?

Share your thoughts below.

World Cup Qualifying: Argentina cruises, Uruguay ties, and more

2012-06-03T01:01:32-04:00

The Argentine national team flashed the kind of form long expected of such a talent-laden side with a World Cup qualifying masterpiece on Saturday night.

Four different players scored goals, including Lionel Messi and birthday boy Sergio Aguero, to help Argentina post a 4-0 pummeling of Ecuador in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying action in Buenos Aires.

The victory moved Argentina into first place in the qualifying region, and gave Argentina fans plenty of reason to feel excited about their team's prospects.

Real Madrid teammates Gonzalo Higuain and Angel DiMaria also scored for Argentina, which has compiled 10 points from five World Cup qualifiers to lead the group.

Here are some other World Cup qualifying results from Saturday:

VENEZUELA TIES URUGUAY

Uruguay is the defending champion of South America, but continue to struggle to beat Venezuela, and dropped points to them yet again as a Diego Godin own goal helped Venezuela salvage a 1-1 draw in Montevideo.

Uruguay was just five minutes from posting a vital home victory, but Venezuela striker Jose Rondon sent a header at goal that Godin re-directed into his own net.

The tie keeps Venezuela and Uruguay tied on points in South American World Cup qualifying, with eight points apiece.

CHILE TOPS BOLIVIA

Fighting the altitude in La Paz, Chile put together a third straight World Cup qualifying victory, downing 10-man Bolivia, 2-0, on Saturday.

Charles Aranguiz and Arturo Vidal provided the goals to help Chile move within a point of Argentina for first place in South American World Cup qualifying, an impressive feat considering Chile opened qualifying with a pair of losses.

FAVORITES CRUISE IN AFRICAN QUALIFYING

Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Senegal all posted World Cup qualifying victories on Saturday in a day of African qualifying that saw few upsets.

One of the biggest upsets of the weekend saw reigning African Cup of Nations winner Zambia drop a 2-0 decision to Sudan, but for the most part it was a day of victories for Africa's footballing elite. Algeria trounced Rwanda while Tunisia fought back to hold off Ecuatorial Guinea.

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What did you think of Saturday's World Cup qualifying action? Impressed with Argentina's display? Starting to see Venezuela as a real contender to qualify out of South America?

Share your thoughts below.