Olympics FanHouse

Brazil's Olympic Soccer Team Is Just as Loaded as Argentina's

David J. Warner — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 20:38:00 EST

Filed under: Soccer, International Soccer, Americas

Last week, I looked at the roster for Argentina's Olympic men's soccer team and declared them the prohibitive favorites. Our friends from Brazil might have something to say about that.

Brazil announced it's Olympic men's soccer roster yesterday, and it features none other than Ronaldinho and Robinho as two of its overage players. It also features AC Milan's teenage striker Alexandre Pato, Manchester City new boy Jo, Manchester United midfielder Anderson, Werder Bremen scoring machine Diego and Real Madrid fullback Marcelo.

I suspect Big Ronnie is on this roster primarily to help him shed a few pounds. I'm sure the fresh air in Beijing will do wonders for him.

Brazil is in Group C with Belgium, China and New Zealand, which looks like a cupcake schedule on paper. It also puts them on the opposite side of the bracket as Argentina, so a Brazil v. Argentina final seems quite plausible. Brazil knocked off Argentina in the final of last summer's Copa America with a fairly young squad.

Also, Brazil has never won gold in Olympic soccer. Clearly, they want it now. Perhaps they need it. Brazilians have lost some confidence in their football after the national team fell behind in World Cup Qualifying and Fluminese lost to Ecuadorian club LDU Quito in the Copa Libertadores final. Could their first Olympic gold bring back the magic? Or will this competition knock Brazil back even further?

Brazil's Olympic Soccer Team Is Just as Loaded as Argentina's originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Tue, 08 Jul 2008 20:38:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Argentina Just Became the Favorites to Win Men's Soccer Gold in Beijing

David J. Warner — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Soccer, International Soccer, USA, Americas, US Soccer

So Argentina recently announced the roster for its Olympic soccer team. It's overage players are Boca Juniors midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme, Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano and Inter Milan center-back Nicolas Burdisso. That's in addition to Lionel Messi from Barcelona, Fernando Gago from Real Madrid and Sergio Aguero from Atletico Madrid, who are all under 23.

The rest of the field suddenly looks quite doomed, doesn't it? With Ivory Coast, Australia and Serbia in Group A with them, Argentina looks like a lock to go through as the group winner.

That's really bad news for the USA, which is in group B with Japan, the Netherlands and Nigeria. The Group A winner plays the Group B runner-up in the quarterfinals. If the USA wants any hope of a medal in men's soccer, it must win Group B. Finishing second likely means a quarterfinal tie against Argentina. Yes, the senior team held Argentina to a 0-0 draw a month ago, but that wasn't a competitive match at a neutral site. Plus, most of that USA backline won't be in Beijing.

U.S. Soccer has yet to announce its roster for the Olympics, though Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley and Freddy Adu are expected to be on it.

Argentina Just Became the Favorites to Win Men's Soccer Gold in Beijing originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Thu, 03 Jul 2008 12:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Attractive Olympian: Soccer Player and Tattoo Enthusiast Natasha Kai

Matt Ufford — Fri, 09 May 2008 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Soccer, Olympics, Women's Sports, USA, Soccer Posts, Attractive Olympians

Olympic athletes often don't get paid to do anything other than look good. In that vein, Attractive Olympians handicaps which athletes may rake in endorsement deals after the Olympics.

Natasha Kai -- known as "Tasha" or "TK" to her teammates -- is the most immediately noticeable player on the U.S. Women's National Team; her ever-growing canvas of tattoos (she's presently up to 19, according to D.C. Sports Bog's brief but splendidly detailed profile) and full sleeve make sure of that.

In addition to the ink, Kai's flashy on-field style and flat-out skill garner her even more looks. After three consecutive WAC Player of the Year awards at Hawaii, she became the fourth American woman to score in her first two international appearances. Through seven caps she had scored four goals. Now at 35 caps, she's a fixture on the national team and looking to improve upon her last trip to China, where the Americans finished a disappointing third in the Women's World Cup.

But enough about her athletic capabilities; let's tackle what really matters to the underworld inhabited by sports bloggers: is Natasha Kai a hottie? After the jump, examine more visual evidence (including video of her dancing) and rock the vote in our Internet poll.

Note the mismatched cleats:

One of her dance routines with U.S. teammates:

Breaking Down the Basics

Age	24
Hair	Bleached blonde
Heritage	Hawaiian, Chinese, Filipino, Caucasian; aka "Hachifilca"
Boots	Mismatched
Arms	Lithe, tattooed
Legs	Muscular, tattooed
Abdomen	Flat, tattooed
Hips	Don't lie, tattooed
Body parts generally covered by clothes	I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess: tattooed

Presentation of Medals

*When judging, assume that Gold suggests a future a of GoDaddy.com-level of endorsements, and Bronze points toward appearances in local circulars.

Attractive Olympian: Soccer Player and Tattoo Enthusiast Natasha Kai originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Fri, 09 May 2008 19:01:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Soccer Streaker Poses Nude for Playboy

David J. Warner — Mon, 05 May 2008 10:44:00 EST

Filed under: Soccer, USA, Soccer Posts

It doesn't take much to be famous in the 21st century. All you have to do is take off most of your clothes, tie on an American flag and run into the middle of a soccer game that most sports fans wouldn't care about otherwise.

At least, that was the plan for Tiffany May, who went pitch invading during the USA v. Honduras Olympic qualifying match and became an Internet sensation. Now after taking off most of her clothes for the game, she's cashing in on her 15 minutes of fame by taking off all her clothes -- for Playboy.

You can see the full NSFW teaser trailer here at The Offside Rules, which notes ironically that Tiffany "may make more money doing that than a few US soccer players will make this year." Plus, in the video, Tiffany herself offers a solution for getting more people to become soccer fans:

"Maybe if there were more girls like me streaking at soccer games, we'd have a lot more fans."

Well, isn't that why NFL teams have cheerleaders? Perhaps MLS clubs should look into that. Mexico is way ahead of the curve there.

Soccer Streaker Poses Nude for Playboy originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Mon, 05 May 2008 10:44:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Attractive Olympian: Goalkeeper Hope Solo

Matt Ufford — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 18:10:00 EST

Filed under: Soccer, Olympics, Women's Sports, USA, Attractive Olympians

Olympic athletes often don't get paid to do anything other than look good. In that vein, Attractive Olympians handicaps which athletes may rake in endorsement deals after the Olympics.

Hope Solo has been on the U.S. Women's National Team since 2000 and went to the 2004 Athens Olympics as an alternate on the gold-medal winning team, but she is probably best known for her controversial statements during the Women's World Cup in China last year. Going into the semifinals against Brazil, Solo had recorded three consecutive shutouts and was becoming a breakout star on the team. That's when coach Greg Ryan benched her for 36-year-old Briana Scurry. The U.S. lost 4-0, snapping a 51-game unbeaten streak, and an angry Solo stated that starting Scurry was the "wrong decision" after the game. (Ryan's contract was not renewed.)

Back in the starting spot after a lengthy fallout, Solo will return to China this summer as the American women try for a return to the gold medal podium. The 26-year-old goalie from Washington once recorded 1,054 straight minutes without a goal allowed for the national team, and she's clearly the best female goalkeeper in the country -- and maybe the world.

Oh, and she's kinda hot, too. How hot? You decide. After the jump, peruse more photos, analyze data, and vote in FanHouse's Attractive Olympian poll.

No, seriously: it really IS butter.

Breaking Down the Basics

Age	26
Height	5'9"
Hair	Blonde
Eyes	Blue
Limbs	Long
Reflexes	Cat-like, if cats stopped soccer balls
Middle name	Amelia
Good news	She's the only girl on the team allowed to use her hands
Bad news	You're not likely to score
Delightfully bogus name etymology	Part Obama speech, part Star Wars hero

Presentation of Medals

*When judging, assume that Gold suggests a future a of GoDaddy.com-level of endorsements, and Bronze points toward appearances in local circulars.

Attractive Olympians

Nastia Liukin Two-time world champion gymnast is a six-time world medalist and a four-time U.S. National Champion.

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Jennie Finch: Pitched the USA to gold in 2004. She and her teammates have many fans, none more so than Terrell Owens of the Dallas Cowboys.

Mark Davis/Getty Images

Becky Hammon: The WNBA star from South Dakota will play for the Russian women's basketball team in August.

Jennifer Pottheiser, NBAE / Getty Images

Luciana Aymar Named International Hockey Federation's World Player of the Year four times ('01, '04-'05, '07), helping Argentina to a bronze and silver in the last two Olympics.

ANTONIO SCORZA/AFP/Getty Images

Leisel Jones Won silver in the 100-meter breaststroke in her home country of Australia in 2000, and earned bronze and silver in the 100m and 200m, respectively, in Athens.

Paul Broben/Getty Images

Yan Zi: Tennis player from China ranks 13th in the world on the WTA tour, and partnered with Zheng Jie to win the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2006.

Michael Steele/Getty Images

Sally McLellan: Australian Hurdler and Sprinter was a semifinalist in both the 100m and 100-meter hurdles at the 2007 Worlds.

Mark Dadswell/Getty Images

Kim Gevaert: Belgian record holder in the 60m, 100m, 200m and 400m races and won a relay bronze at the 2007 Worlds.

MICHEL KRAKOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images

Adam van Koeverden: Canadian canoe-kayak racer won gold in the 500m and bronze in the 100m the the Athens games in 2004.

Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images

Maria Sharapova: This will be the first Olympics for the Russian tennis star, who has won three Grand Slam titles.

Brad Barket/Getty Images for IMG

Attractive Olympian: Goalkeeper Hope Solo originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Wed, 23 Apr 2008 18:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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USA Draws Tricky Group in Olympic Soccer

David J. Warner — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Soccer, Olympics, USA, Soccer Posts

If the U.S. men's U-23 soccer team wants to get through the group stage of the 2008 Olympic soccer tournament, it will have to earn it.

The U.S. team has been drawn into Group B with the Netherlands, Nigeria and Japan, which could prove to be a stiff challenge -- much stiffer than the competition facing heavyweights Brazil, Argentina and Italy in their groups. The Netherlands have a reputation for developing strong young players, and their team might be the odds-on favorite to win Group B. Nigeria, however, won the FIFA U-17 World Cup last year and is expected to field a strong side as well.

The women's soccer draw is a bit more favorable for the U.S. women's team, who were placed in Group C with Norway, Japan and New Zealand. The U.S. women defeated Norway 4-1 in the Bronze Medal game of the 2007 Women's World Cup, while Japan and New Zealand never made it out of the group stage in that competition. Plus, there are only three groups of four in the women's competition, and eight teams will advance to the quarterfinals. New U.S. coach Pia Sundhage couldn't have it much easier in the group stage.

U.S. men's coach Peter Nowak, however, faces a few challenges in advance of the Olympics. The first challenge is bringing in Michael Bradley, who's expected to be a hot commodity in the European transfer market after his 18-goal season (so far) for Heerenveen. Everton, Blackburn Rovers and Hamburg SV are expected to make offers, and those new clubs might not be so eager to release Bradley for Olympic competition, which stretches through August -- right when the European club season begins. Bradley's new club might "suggest" that he remain with the U.S. men's senior team, which has an World Cup qualifying match against Guatemala on August 20, a designated FIFA break in Europe.
That World Cup qualifier might prove tricky for Nowak to pull any other senior players off Bob Bradley's side. Fulham striker Brian McBride has been rumored to come out of international retirement for this Olympics, but that leaves two over-age spots still available. Who gets them? Does Nowak dip into MLS and pull players like Landon Donovan, Taylor Twellman or Brad Guzan? Does he look to Europe and take someone like Eddie Johnson, who could play up front with McBride or Jozy Altidore?

Perhaps it all depends on how seriously the U.S. wants to take this competition. Olympic men's soccer is not considered a major competition by most nations outside of South America. Does the U.S. Soccer Federation want to put more emphasis on Beijing, or on World Cup Qualifying? I suppose we'll find out soon enough when the final roster is announced.

USA Draws Tricky Group in Olympic Soccer originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Sun, 20 Apr 2008 14:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cuban U-23 Defectors Train With L.A. Galaxy

David J. Warner — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 08:20:00 EST

Filed under: Los Angeles, Soccer, MLS, Americas, Soccer Posts, US Soccer

Remember those kids from the Cuban U-23 squad that defected during the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying tournament? It appears three of them found a place to practice -- Los Angeles.

Goalkeeper Jose Manual Miranda, midfielder Yordany Alvarez and defender Yenier Bermundez made the trip from Florida to California to train with the L.A. Galaxy last week. They are not signed to any contracts yet -- there are likely immigration and asylum issues to settle first -- but the three amigos are expected to stay with the club through most of this week as the Galaxy prepare to face the Houston Dynamo.

No word on whether David Beckham bought them dinner at Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles.

Miranda in particular played brilliantly for Cuba against the U.S. U-23 team before he and four other players fled their hotel in Tampa. I'm a little surprised MLS hasn't tried to expedite his naturalization papers. The Galaxy need all the help they can get.

(H/T: The Offside)

Cuban U-23 Defectors Train With L.A. Galaxy originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Mon, 14 Apr 2008 08:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Would McBride Make Beijing His Swan Song?

David J. Warner — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 13:10:00 EST

Filed under: Soccer, Olympics, Premier League, USA, Soccer Posts

Brian McBride retired from the U.S. men's national team after its disappointing World Cup showing in 2006. Soccer by Ives, however, is reporting that the Fulham striker has expressed an interest in joining the U.S. Olympic team in Beijing.

Generally, the Olympic soccer tournament is a U-23 event, but the International Olympic Committee grants each team three roster exemptions for over-age players. McBride, who has never participated in the Olympics, will be 36 in August when the Games begin. Plus, several players on the U.S. senior team will be busy with World Cup qualifying in August, meaning McBride could easily be one of the U.S. Olympic team's three over-age players.

The timing of these games, however, makes this curious. After all, the English soccer season begins in August, and no club likes the idea of one of their starters missing the entire preseason because of national team duties.

However, McBride plays for a club that looks certain to get relegated from the Premier League by the end of April, and it's unclear whether the American forward figures into Fulham's future plans. Could McBride's interest in the Olympics be a sign that he doesn't want to end his career in a Coca-Cola Championship? Would he choose to cap his career with the kids in Beijing and ride off into the sunset?

Either way, a forward line featuring McBride and Jozy Altidore seems fairly formidable, no?

Would McBride Make Beijing His Swan Song? originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Thu, 03 Apr 2008 13:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Adu Free Kicks Send USA U-23s to Beijing

David J. Warner — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 23:38:00 EST

Filed under: Soccer, Olympics, Nashville, USA, Americas, Soccer Posts

So now we know where the USA U-23 team's offense has been hiding -- in the set plays.

Freddy Adu scored twice off free kicks, both set up by Canadian fouls on Jozy Altidore, to lead the USA to a convincing 3-0 victory over Canada in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Men's Pre-Olympic Tournament in Nashville. The win earned the USA a trip to Beijing to compete in the 2008 Olympics.

The USA dominated possession early and didn't gave Canada a chance to organize an attack until late in the first half. Canada, who only managed two shots on goal in the second half, responded by playing a physical game, aided by a referee who let a lot of contact go uncalled.

Altidore, though, did manage to draw several fouls near the box, and Adu bent the ball into goal twice -- first in the 27th minute, then in the 48th -- to put the USA ahead. Sacha Kljestan, who performed far better in this game than he did in the group stage, added a third goal to put the game away.

The USA still has one more game to play on Sunday against Honduras, who defeated Guatemala on penalty kicks after a 0-0 snoozer to earn the other CONCACAF bid, but these U-23s achieved their primary objective. Now we'll wait and see which three senior players will join this team in Beijing. Given the timing of these Olympics, don't expect any Premier League players.

Adu Free Kicks Send USA U-23s to Beijing originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Thu, 20 Mar 2008 23:38:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Memo To Nowak: Jozy Needs a Strike Partner

David J. Warner — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Soccer, Olympics, Nashville, USA, Americas, Soccer Posts

The irrepressible Ives Galarcep is reporting that West Ham defender Jonathan Spector has joined the U.S. U-23 squad in Nashville for Thursday night's CONCACAF Olympic qualifying semifinal against Canada. The winner of that match goes to Beijing.

Here's the thing, though -- the U.S. has allowed only one goal in 270 minutes. It has scored just as many goals in the run of play during those three matches. The other two goals were penalties. Meanwhile, the Canadians didn't really start scoring until Guatemala practically pointed them at goal to get back at Mexico.

And USA coach Peter Nowak bolstering his defense? Really?

If anything, what Nowak needs to do is recognize that Jozy Altidore doesn't play well as a lone striker. When the 18-year-old prodigy is the only scoring threat up front, defenses can key on him and make it much harder for him to get the ball. Yet Nowak kept giving us that dreadful 4-2-3-1 for two matches, and Jozy spent most of his time looking frustrated.

Then Nowak busted out the Christmas tree (4-3-2-1) for the finale against Honduras. As a Carolina Railhawks supporter, I can tell you this: that tree does not light up.

Admittedly, Jozy was on the bench for the finale against Honduras, but it wouldn't have mattered. The Christmas tree formation is an international symbol that signifies a complete inability to score goals. The Railhawks finished next to last in scoring in USL-1 last season, and they spent the entire offseason signing scoring forwards and midfielders so they could play in the more traditional 4-4-2.

A 4-4-2 would do wonders for Jozy Altidore on Thursday night. When the back line has someone else to worry about -- like, say, a Juan Pablo Angel or a Clint Dempsey -- Jozy has more room to operate and use his finishing skills much more effectively. Nowak needs to put Jozy up front with Charlie Davies and get guys like Freddy Adu and Stuart Holden to cross the ball into both of them. Yes, Davies is no Deuce, but that's not the point. If Canada's defense has to split its attention between two strikers, one of them will be more likely to score.

That would be a big improvement over what we've seen from these U-23s thus far. If not for the Guatemalan spite, the Cuban defections, and that barely-dressed pitch invader, this pre-Olympic tournament would be a complete snooze. If the USA beats Canada on Thursday, let's hope this isn't the style of play Nowak takes to Beijing.

Memo To Nowak: Jozy Needs a Strike Partner originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Tue, 18 Mar 2008 13:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Guatemala: Player Haters of the Year

David J. Warner — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 23:22:00 EST

Filed under: Soccer, Olympics, USA, Americas, Soccer Posts

You thought Jose Mourinho held a grudge like a champ? He's got nothing on Guatemala.

Two years ago during the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, Guatemala needed Mexico to draw against Trinidad & Tobago to have a shot at finishing fourth and making the play-in game against Bahrain. However, Mexico had already earned its World Cup spot and fielded a weak reserve side against T&T, who won 2-1 and eliminated Guatemala from contention.

Apparently, the Guatemalans didn't forget. After beating Mexico 2-1 on Friday, they put the screws to their rivals Sunday -- by letting Canada score 5 goals on them in their final Group B match.

End result? Mexico could no longer just win their final match to get through. They had to beat Haiti by six, count 'em, six goals in order to advance to the semifinals. Oh, and they had to do this against a Haiti team who could advance with a win.

That, my friends, is hate. Mucho, mucho odio. Yet Mexico nearly overcame it.

The Tricolores ran end-to-end against Haiti for 90 minutes. They forced Haiti into not one, but two red cards. They attacked the porous Haitian backline relentlessly. Alas, horrid finishing and a heroic performance by Haitian goalkeeper Johnny Placide ultimately doomed Mexico. They won the match 5-1 -- one goal short of overtaking Canada for second place in Group B.

So shockingly, the USA will play Canada in Nashville on Thursday night for the right to play in the 2008 Olympics. Guatemala will face Honduras for the other CONCACAF spot in Beijing. Mexico goes home, and coach Hugo Sanchez will probably get fired next week. Had his side gotten the job done against Canada in the first game of this competition, none of this would have happened.

When Mexico and Guatemala meet in World Cup Qualifying next year, there will be blood. Bad, bad blood. The odio will flow like the Rio Grande. Bring your popcorn and your flak jacket.

Guatemala: Player Haters of the Year originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Sun, 16 Mar 2008 23:22:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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USA: 1, Honduras: 0, Pitch Invader: 7 or 8

David J. Warner — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 10:55:00 EST

Filed under: Soccer, Olympics, USA, Americas, Soccer Posts

Usually, when a fan gets drunk and wanders out onto the field, TV cameras turn away so as to discourage such behavior. In the case of last night's USA v. Honduras U-23 match in Tampa, however, Fox Soccer Channel will gladly make an exception:

So, to recap, streaking is discouraged, unless the streaker is A.) female and B.) hot. I smell a Maxim photo shoot in that girl's future.

As for the game, the USA U-23s managed to get the better of those Honduran drama queens -- stop rolling around and crying, you big babies! -- but with the likes of Freddy Adu, Jozy Altidore, Maurice Edu and Chris Seitz on the bench, Peter Nowak's team needed a penalty in stoppage time to put the winning goal on the board and give the USA first place in Group A. The winner of tonight's Mexico v. Haiti match will face the USA in the semifinals.

Let's hope Nowak leaves Chad Barrett, Robbie Findley and Sacha Kljestan on the bench for that semifinal. Those guys couldn't score in a brothel, let alone this competition.

UPDATE: Our pitch invader has a rap sheet.

USA: 1, Honduras: 0, Pitch Invader: 7 or 8 originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Sun, 16 Mar 2008 10:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mexico Stumbles in Olympic Soccer Qualifying

David J. Warner — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Soccer, Olympics, USA, Americas, Soccer Posts

If you thought the USA U-23s were struggling in the CONCACAF Men's Pre-Olympic Tournament, just remember that it could be worse -- they could be Mexico.

Indeed, Mexico's shocking 2-1 loss to Guatemala last night has sent shockwaves through Group B and has left the Tricolores with only one point after two matches. Mexico must now win its Sunday night match against Haiti, which has three points after its win against Canada, to advance to the semifinals. A draw won't be enough.

As for the USA U-23s, they can clinch a semifinal spot from Group A with either a win or a draw over Honduras tonight or a Panama win or draw over defection-depleted Cuba. If the USA beats Honduras tonight, they will win Group A and will likely face the winner of the Mexico-Haiti match -- presuming Canada doesn't pull off a huge upset of Guatemala tonight.

The USA would do well to win tonight and avoid Guatemala in the semifinal. This Mexican team is clearly down, and this would be a good time for Freddy and the Wonders to exact some revenge on the Tricolores for denying the USA a spot in the 2004 Olympics -- presuming Haiti doesn't deny them the opportunity, of course.

Mexico Stumbles in Olympic Soccer Qualifying originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Sat, 15 Mar 2008 15:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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USA 1-0 Panama: Americans Clinch, Still Struggling to Finish

David J. Warner — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 10:45:00 EST

Filed under: Soccer, Olympics, USA, Americas, Soccer Posts

I'm tempted to call this USA U-23 team "Freddy and the Wonders" -- as in, "Wonder where the goals are going to come from."

This time, it came from a penalty on Jozy Altidore, who was brought down by Panama goalkeeper Jose Calderon in the box. Freddy Adu converted the penalty for the only score of the game, but it was enough to give the USA the 1-0 win and all but clinch a spot in the CONCACAF Men's Pre-Olympic Tournament semifinals.

The Americans kept possession of the ball most of the match, with the Panamanians sitting back and waiting to launch swift counterattacks. Adu and Stuart Holden gave the USA the best opportunities to score, but their crosses into the box came up empty.

Altidore, meanwhile, was a handful for the Panama defense, but he often looked frustrated by his teammates' inability to get him the ball. Perhaps he needs a strike partner up front. He seems to play better in the New York Red Bulls' 4-4-2 than as the lone striker in Peter Nowak's 4-2-3-1 formation.

Regardless, the USA is now in 2nd place in Group A, three points ahead of Cuba, and needs only a draw against Honduras on Saturday to clinch a semifinal spot. A win against Honduras would put the USA atop Group A. How important that will be may depend on tonight's Group B match between Mexico and Guatemala.

In the meantime, can we get someone to tell Fox Soccer Channel's Christian Miles that it's "Freddy ADU" and Maurice EDU?" Clearly, he can't seem to distinguish between the two.

USA 1-0 Panama: Americans Clinch, Still Struggling to Finish originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Fri, 14 Mar 2008 10:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cuban U-23 Defectors to Get Miami FC Tryout

David J. Warner — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 18:20:00 EST

Filed under: Soccer, Olympics, USA, Americas, Soccer Posts

The Miami Herald is reporting that two more members of the Cuban U-23 soccer team have defected, leaving the Cuban national team with 11 players. Should they take the field tonight in Tampa, however, the Cuban team can only field 10 players, thanks to Roberto Linares' red card against the U.S. on Tuesday night.

CONCACAF released a statement saying the games would continue as scheduled, which could be a major setback for the U.S., who only managed a draw against Cuba on Tuesday. The U.S. could still avoid Mexico in the semifinals, though, thanks to Mexico's shocking 1-1 draw against Canada on Wednesday.

Former team captain Yenier Bermudez told the Herald the players are looking forward to their new lives:

"We're nervous because we're young, have no family here, and we don't yet know the way of life here, but we hope the Cuban and American communities will help us get started."

Meanwhile, Luiz Muzzi, the general manager of USL First Division club Miami FC, has already scheduled a tryout for the Cuban defectors next week. Based on his performance Tuesday night, Jose Manuel Miranda might be an instant upgrade at goalkeeper for Miami.

Previously at FanHouse:
Cuban U-23 Players Go Missing in Tampa
USA 1-1 Cuba: Miranda Rights Ship for Cuba

Cuban U-23 Defectors to Get Miami FC Tryout originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Thu, 13 Mar 2008 18:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cuban U-23 Players Go Missing in Tampa

David J. Warner — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 18:26:00 EST

Filed under: Soccer, Olympics, Tampa Bay, USA, Americas, Soccer Posts

ESPN is reporting that five members of the Cuban U-23 national soccer team disappeared from their hotel last night, presumably with the intent to defect.

Among the players who left the hotel are Jose Manuel Miranda, who was brilliant in goal for Cuba last night, team captain Yenier Bermudez, Yordany Alvarez (pictured), Erlys Garcia Baro and Loanni Prieto. Cuban national team head coach Raul Gonzalez identified the players to ESPN's Fernando Palomo and insisted that Cuba would not forfeit the tournament, despite having only 13 players left on their roster.

Soccer By Ives has already predicted what will happen next:

I am calling it now, Jose Manuel Miranda will be the starting goalkeeper for Chivas USA in 2009. And that noise you hear? It is the stampede of MLS general managers rushing to the fax machine to get in their "discovery" claims on these players.

It may be more than MLS clubs. Lester More, a striker for Cuban team in the CONCACAF Gold Cup last summer, signed with the Charleston Battery of USL this week. I wouldn't be surprised to see Miranda pop up in Charleston as well.

Cuban U-23 Players Go Missing in Tampa originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Wed, 12 Mar 2008 18:26:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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USA 1-1 Cuba: Miranda Rights Ship for Cuba

David J. Warner — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 11:40:00 EST

Filed under: Soccer, Olympics, USA, Soccer Posts

Soccer can be a cruel game. You could spend 90 minutes outplaying your opponent, but if you don't finish, one defensive lapse could cost you points.

The U.S. U-23 team found that out the hard way last night during its first CONCACAF Olympic qualifying match in nearly-empty Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Peter Nowak's side outshot Cuba 19-6 but managed only one early goal from Freddy Adu, and one defensive lapse erased the Americans' lead late in the first half, resulting in a disappointing 1-1 draw.

Adu was strong most of the evening, scoring on a bending shot from outside and forcing Cuban goalkeeper Jose Manuel Miranda into multiple saves. Adu's teammates, however, struggled to finish despite better touches on the ball. Miranda was brilliant in goal, confounding countless U.S. attacks in the second half.

Jozy Altidore was strong as the lone striker in Nowak's 4-2-3-1 formation, but he left the game after one half. Charlie Davies, meanwhile, was booked for a rather shameful dive in the box.

The draw leaves the U.S. tied with Cuba on one point in Group A, two points behind Honduras, who defeated Panama, 1-0. The U.S. will need better finishing to win Group A. Finish second would pit them against Group B favorites Mexico in the semifinals. Only the finalists in this 8-team competition will advance to the Olympics. The U.S. team's next group stage match in on Thursday against Panama.

USA 1-1 Cuba: Miranda Rights Ship for Cuba originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Wed, 12 Mar 2008 11:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Feilhaber Dropped From U.S. Olympic Roster

David J. Warner — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 12:57:00 EST

Filed under: Soccer, Olympics, USA, Soccer Posts

Since his Gold Cup-winning golazo last summer, Benny Feilhaber's soccer career just keeps getting more star-crossed. Since transfering to Derby County last August, he's made only eight appearances for the relegation-bound club since then. Then potential exits to Maccabi Tel Aviv and MLS fell apart last January, leaving Feilhaber to keep fighting for a spot in the starting lineup.

Now it appears Derby County isn't the only place where he must fight for a roster spot. ESPN's Ives Galarcep is reporting that Feilhaber has been dropped from the U.S. men's U-23 side that will compete in the CONCACAF Pre-Olympic Tournament this week. This doesn't rule out a spot for him on the Olympic roster, but the fact that Eddie Gaven and Sal Zizzo are while Feilhaber isn't will raise some eyebrows. Is Feilhaber's lack of first-team play in England is hurting him that much in America?

Feilhaber wasn't the only notable absence from the roster. Michael Bradley was not listed, though that might be because Heerenven didn't want to lose their primary offensive weapon during a Champions League chase. U-20 star Danny Szetela, who is currently fighting for playing time in Serie B, was also off the roster.

The U.S. team opens its qualification quest against Cuba tomorrow night in Tampa. The two finalists will play in Beijing this summer.

Feilhaber Dropped From U.S. Olympic Roster originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Mon, 10 Mar 2008 12:57:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Michael Bradley: World's Worst Fierljepper

David J. Warner — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 12:45:00 EST

Filed under: Soccer, USA, Soccer Posts

The basic goal of any father is to keep his daughter off the pole. As this video shows us at the 0:47 mark or so, U.S. men's national team head coach Bob Bradley should have kept his son Michael off the pole, too.

Michael Bradley joined his Heerenveen teammates in a team-building exercise in fierljeppen, a traditional Dutch sport that involves using a long pole to jump over a body of water. For Bradley, however, fierljeppen is clearly Dutch for "forehead lump."

Clearly, Bradley is much better at soccer -- Everton and Blackburn seem to think so, anyway -- and, if Heerenveen allows, Bradley could be called up to the U.S. U-23 men's national team for the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifiers this month. Fox Soccer Channel will air all the U.S. team's qualifying matches next week.

(H/T: Soccer By Ives)

Michael Bradley: World's Worst Fierljepper originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Tue, 04 Mar 2008 12:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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