We Love Ya, And Where You Go We’ll Follow

Just four years ago, I was in my driveway at my high school graduation party without a care in the world of the people there to see me. I was glued to a TV which I had tuned to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. It was the Round of 16, where the United States, coming off of Landon Donovan’s heroics against Algeria, took on Ghana. People wanted to talk and congratulate me, but I was too bummed that the U.S. lost 2-1 and were eliminated from the World Cup.

I couldn’t believe I had to wait four years for this to happen again. I watched as many United States friendlies as I could. I attended coach Jurgen Klinnsman’s first ever match against Mexico in 2011. I tried getting friends and family excited for the Women’s World Cup, Olympics, Gold Cup, friendlies, World Cup Qualifying, and anything that had to deal with the United States soccer program.

 

After qualifying for the World Cup, winning dos a cero against Mexico in the fall 2013, supporters were riding high. That high dramatically changed when the US was drawn into the “Group of Death” with nemesis Ghana, world power Germany, and Cristiano Ronaldo powered Portugal.

The send-off series leading up to the World Cup was exciting, albeit with many questions. But the World Cup began in absolute style for the United States, with Clint Dempsey scoring 31 seconds into the game, and John Brooks cementing himself in US folklore with his game winning header for a 2-1 win over Ghana.

The US dominated Portugal for most of the game, with Jermaine Jones scoring an “absolute cracker,” and Dempsey scoring as well before ultimately drawing.

They played eventual World Cup winner Germany to a 1-0 loss, and almost pulled off the biggest miracle in soccer history before falling to Belgium in the Round of 16.

It was too early of an exit. With all the excitement surrounding this edition of the World Cup, everything felt so special. As a diehard supporter of the United States, and just soccer in general, I was sad that this run ended.

Imagine, the United States beats Belgium. They get to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002. A date with arguably the best player in the world in Lionel Messi and Argentina, the day after the Fourth of July. What a script.

Alas, it was not to be. Germany took down Argentina in the final 1-0. Brazil 2014 is over. And to many, that means the end for international soccer. For some, that means the end for soccer in general. It’s a shame, because soccer was really taking off in this country.

The United States – Portugal match was the most viewed game of all time in the U.S., with 24.7 million viewers. Which is insane. The Germany-Argentina final drew 17.3 million viewers on ABC. Viewership is up, soccer is growing, and it really brings joy for me to see my favorite sport grow.

I saw tweets and heard people saying how they’re happy the World Cup is over, and how excited they are for real American football to be back. I’m excited for it too, I love American football. But there’s something so special about an event that truly engulfs an entire nation once every four years.

For the crazies like those in the ever growing American Outlaws, there still are many United States to look forward to aside from the World Cup.

Well, okay, the next big event is another World Cup, except the women’s edition led by the likes of Abby Wambach and Alex Morgan.

In 2015, the United States Men’s team will compete in the Gold Cup, a regional tournament with the likes of Mexico and Costa Rica. Should the United States win, they’ll automatically qualify for the 2017 Confederations Cup, an enormous tournament with one representative from each region around the world.

2016 may be the best summer of soccer not called the World Cup ever. For one, the women’s team will compete in the Rio Olympic Games.

But for the first time in it’s history, the legendary Copa America tournament, a soccer tournament between the best teams of South America, will be held in the United States for its 100th anniversary. That means the likes of Brazil, Argentina, Colombia will compete against the US and Mexico in cities like Philadelphia, Los Angeles and New York.

Later that year, World Cup qualifying will begin. Qualifying for the World Cup should be expected for the US, but regardless of expectations, it is not easy especially in the CONCACAF region.

The United States received unbelievable support in Brazil. Jermaine Jones said that they were motivated and pushed to come back with chants of “USA” at the end of the Round of 16 loss to Belgium. Soccer fans from around the world learned of the American Outlaws and the passion of soccer in the United States as a whole.

And with that support and excitement from Brazil, I hope it springboards into an even larger following than ever before. The team deserves it. Soccer deserves it.

So to help do my part, this blog will turn from general World Cup coverage to focus mainly on the United States (I’ll mix in other things as well). I want to help you get to know what’s going on with the team, when new friendlies are announced, and any and everything as best as I can about the United States.

Four years ago, I was looking forward to Brazil. Somehow, the best tournament ever contested has come and gone. I miss it already. But I’m already looking forward to the next time the United States takes the field.

And that’s a lot sooner than you may realize.

Clint Dempsey Raps….No Really

Clint Dempsey, aka “Deuce,” dropped a new rap single called “It’s Poppin’.” He is set to release a rap album in the coming months.

Allen Iverson. Lou Williams. DeSean Jackson. Clint Dempsey?

All of the above have recorded a rap song. Yes. That’s right. Clint Dempsey, the Texas-born soccer player of the United States Men’s National Team.

Dempsey goes by “Deuce” and is set to release his debut album “The Redux” within the next couple of months. Here is his song from that album titled “It’s Poppin.'” Dempsey’s verse begins at about the 1:35 mark of the video.

“Scramble haters, omelet.” Classic.

This isn’t the first time Dempsey has ventured into the rap game. Before the 2006 World Cup in Germany, he released a track titled Don’t Tread.

Dempsey will be in action Sunday against Portugal after sustaining a kick to the face against Ghana.

United States’ Altidore Ruled Out Sunday; Dempsey to Play Without Mask

With Jozy Altidore ruled out of Sunday’s Group G match against Portugal, manager Jurgen Klinsmann has two choices at striker: Aron Johannsson (left), or Chris Wondolowski (right). Credit: ESPN FC

The United States thrilling 2-1 win against Ghana has come at a price.

Striker Jozy Altidore, who sustained a left hamstring strain during the match on Monday, has been ruled out for Sunday’s match against Portugal (6 p.m. on ESPN). This means the United States will be without its strongest body up front. After the loss of Altidore, the U.S. had trouble building a consistent attack.

Aron Johannsson, the Icelandic-American who came on for Altidore after the injury in the 21st minute, is the likely candidate to start against Portugal. The 23-year-old has appeared in 9 international matches for the United States, tallying two goals.

If manager Jurgen Klinsmann decides against Johansson, he has the option to start Chris Wondolowski. Wondolowski, who plays for San Jose Earthquakes of MLS, is a little more experienced internationally with 20 caps. He did not appear in the match against Ghana.

Klinsmann said he hopes for Altidore to return at some point during the World Cup, but did not give a time frame of when this would be.

In other United States news:

Clint Dempsey will play after sustaining a kick to the face against Ghana on Monday. He said to have trouble breathing out of his nose the rest of the game. It will be of concern to the United States however, because their next match against Portugal is in Manaus in the heart of the rainforest, where it is extremely hot and humid. Dempsey will not wear a protective mask.

Matt Besler, who also suffered a hamstring injury against Ghana, is okay and will play against Portugal.

 

John Brooks, Meet America. America, Meet John Brooks. USA Earns Three Points.

NATAL, BRAZIL – JUNE 16: John Brooks of the United States scores his team’s second goal on a header past Adam Kwarasey of Ghana during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group G match between Ghana and the United States at Estadio das Dunas on June 16, 2014 in Natal, Brazil. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Ask any casual soccer fan to name player on the United States,  you’ll undoubtedly hear a few familiar names.

Clint Dempsey. Tim Howard. Landon Donovan. Michael Bradley.

But a player only the diehard soccer fans would have heard of became a national hero.

John Brooks, the 21-year-old German born center back making his World Cup debut, headed home a goal in the 86th minute of a 1-1 game to give the United States a needed 2-1 victory and a valuable three points.

“I told some teammates that I had a dream, that I would score in the 88th minute,” said Brooks. “Now it was the 86th minute but I’m happy about it.”

It didn’t come easy though. Striker Jozy Altidore left the game with a strained left hamstring. Clint Dempsey looked like he was in a welterweight championship fight with a bloodied nose. Matt Besler also left the game with a hamstring problem, though it was far less serious than that of Altidore’s.

Clint Dempsey is kicked in the face during the first half of the USA’s 2-1 victory over Ghana. Dempsey claimed to have broken his nose on this play.

After giving up an absolutely beautiful goal from Dempsey 31 seconds into the match, Ghana looked lost. Seemingly stunned, the Black Stars could not get anything going offensively in the first half. But in the second, things changed. Ghana controlled possession, forcing the United States to turn the ball over. When substitute Kevin Prince Boateng came on for Ghana, they poured on the attack even more. Tim Howard made a few big saves, coupled with timely defending from Jermaine Jones and Geoff Cameron to keep the Black Stars at bay. Ghana finished with 21 shots, and controlled 62 percent of possession.

But late in the game, Ghana finally broke through off a beautiful give and go that Andre Ayew was able to touch past Howard. With only minutes remaining, it looked as if Ghana had stolen the two points back from the United States.

The aforementioned Jermaine Jones played one of his best matches of his career. Though he did not create offensively, he did set up the ball on a superb pass to Dempsey for the first goal. He was stalwart defensively and played with a tenacity not before seen by Jones.

Geoff Cameron also had a big game for the US. He was able to block big shots when needed and dealt with balls in the air extremely well to aid the defensive unit.

This win came at a price though. Altidore’s hamstring sounds serious, and he could miss the match Sunday against Portugal. Besler, also coming out with a hamstring injury, should be okay to go Sunday but will still be of concern. It was an extremely hard played match that left both teams coming out black and blue.

Also discouraging is that star midfielder Michael Bradley did not look sharp for the United States. He gave away the ball countless times uncharacteristically and completed only 50 percent of his passes.

What’s encouraging to United States fans though? They got the three points they needed while still playing their best game.

It was an American win. Play hard though sometimes sloppy, have the opposition attack, score on set pieces, be physical and score a stunning goal late in the match.

But the United States can play better. Bradley was not himself that game and should be back in form. And with five days off between now and Portugal, the Yanks will have time to recover to hopefully pounce on a demoralized Cristiano Ronaldo and company.

For right now, the United States are second in Group G with three points. Three points manager Jurgen Klinsmann said they had to have. Three points they needed if they hoped to continue to have any chance to advance. Three points they deserved.

And it was all thanks to some grit, a little luck, and a German-born American no one had ever heard of, and whom no one will soon forget.