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In a move that shocked no one, the United States Soccer Federation chose to renew head coach Bob Bradley's contract for four more years.
How do I feel about this? Frustrated, to say the least.
In Bradley's first term he compiled a less than stellar 30-20-8 record, highlighted by the USA making it to it's first ever final in a FIFA competition (2009 FIFA CONFEDERATIONS CUP), beating #1 ranked Spain and topping the group at the 2010 World Cup for the first time in sixty years.
It's not as if Bradley doesn't deserve to be coach, but he already had his chance. The last US coach to repeat as manager was Bruce Arena, after a quarterfinal journey in 2002, Arena and the Yanks crashed out in the group stage of Germany 2006.
Bradley, it should be noted, also made terrible personnel decisions during the last World Cup. Going back to Ricardo Clark after he showed no reason to be on the pitch in the first place.
My main beef with Bradley is his blind loyalty to certain players. Deciding to start Clark over Feilhaber and Edu was ludicrous. It was a prime example of what could happen in the next four years. Certain guys need to hit the "dusty trail" and move on from international soccer, but will Bradley have the stones to tell them to go?
Bradley must also address a rapidly aging back line. As of now, Jonathan Bornstein and Oguchi Oneywu will be the only holdovers from the last World Cup.
Bradley must also solve two more riddles, first an overcrowded mid-field and second and probably the most important, he must find a world class striker.
The first problem will be easier to deal with. Micheal Bradley, the coaches son, was solid this past world cup as well as Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan. Bradley however, failed to find a suitable partner for his son in his first four years giving me little hope he will this go around.
Finding a striker will be tough, unless Jozy Altidore breaks out of his shell and becomes world class. Let us not forget that Charlie Davies was tearing up the pitch with his pace and finishing prowess, but he was almost killed in an October car crash before the USA's last qualifier. If he can return to be 95% of the player he was, then he could be a huge boost.
It appears that coach Bradley has a long tough road ahead of him if he hopes to duplicate his success from 2010. Four years seems like a long time, but Brazil 2014 will be hear before he knows it. Can Bradley change his formula and create a team that infuses youth and skill with savvy veterans? Or will he be doomed to repeat the same mistakes his predecessor Arena made?

That's it and that's all....

It was a good run. Right?

A hollow feeling blanketed US soccer as the final whistle blew in the USA's 2-1 defeat at the hands of Ghana. So much promise, waisted.

The USA seemed to start the match flat, like may be just may be too much positive press had inflated their egos. In doing so the USA fell behind early, and I mean early, like the first 5 minutes. It was an odd personal decision that lead to the early hole. For some reason Ricardo Clark, the man partially responsible for Steven Gerrad's early goal in the England match was back in the starting eleven. Clark once again looked terrible, and let Ghana take the ball from him in the defensive third and score. Clark was subbed out twenty-five minutes later.

The second half was better, but it was too little too late. Ghana scored a sparkling goal early in overtime sealing the USA's fate.
It's too early to decide if Bob Bradley should remain coach. He made a huge error in starting Ricardo Clark, but he was man enough to admit it.
Literally a tough pill to swallow, to be so close to catching the imagination of a nation, to being sent home. The ebb and flow of high level futbol proved to be too much for a US squad that conceded early, scored late and had no attack from their forwards.

Moving on... The Cup has entered it's most exciting portion....KNOCK OUT ROUND. That's right America, you finally get a winner, NO MAS TIES!!!

So we're on Day 3 of the round of 16, here's a brief re-cap...

Controversy: In group play it was the Jubalani ball that was causing all the problems. Now it's technology or lack thereof. England and Germany played on day two, down 2-1, Frank Lampard scored a goal that wasn't. It clearly fell a foot over the line on replay, but not to the line judge and referee, who both said no goal. Then in the nightcap of Day 2, Carlos Tevez of Argentina was more than a foot offsides on the games first goal.

FIFA doesn't want goal-line replays because they are worried it will tarnish the games image. So what about blown calls doesn't tarnish the image of FIFA? I'm in favor of goal-line replays, but not full replay. Replay slows the NFL to near stand stills, I would hate for a game with no stoppages to become stagnant.

Otherwise the group stage has been exciting, with lots of goals so far. Argentina scored three, highlighted by a brilliant strike by Tevez. The kind of goal that could be the goal of the tournament. The Germans put four goals on England. Argentina will meet Germany in the next round and that has me drooling. What a match-up! If Brazil can take out Chili, they will face the Netherlands, who won 2-1 early today. A Brazil v Netherlands match has the potential to be extremely free flowing and full of goals.

The World Cup may be done for team USA and the casual followers, but us futbol die-hards are in heaven. This is when the cream rises to the top, it time to sit back and enjoy the beautiful game....

That's it and that's all....

It was intense. It was torture. Then in the waining moments of the game, it was pure ecstasy!!
Few moments in US Soccer have felt like that one did. A last minute goal in the final minutes of a must win game and in the World Cup non to less.
Insert any cliche you want, it felt like the world was against us.
Then like many games over the past eight years, the game went the way Landon Donovan did.
With all the weight of a nation on his shoulders Donovan cleaned up a loose ball and slotted it home for the win.
As Donovan slid on to the pitch and awaited the dog pile a huge monkey was lifted off his and the US National teams shoulders. The USA had not only advanced, but it had won it's group. The screw jobs were over and no one could deny the US their spot in the knock out round.
For awhile it felt like the soccer gods were hell bent on denying the US Soccer team and it's fans any joy. Then in one frantic moment everything including the terrible call from the game before was forgotten.
As a life long fan of the beautiful game I must say that today is one of the best days of my life. My team, playing my sport, hiked up their boots and fought like dogs scratching and clawing and refusing to quit.
Today I'm am proud to be an American!!
Piss off to everyone who has ever said that soccer players are soft or that the game is boring, if you can't realize the moment that we are in right now then don't call yourself a sports fan. Because you're not.
But I digress. Big ups to my boys Landon, Clint, Jozy, DeMerit, Cherundalo, Bradley, Gooch, Howard and even Bornstein.
I'm going enjoy this one for a few days, watch the highlight of Donovan streaking towards the ball over and over again.
On Saturday June 26th, the United States of America will field a team of eleven men who have proven themselves worthy of playing with the best the world has to offer.
USA!!! USA!!!
That's it and that's all!!

Time to get out from under the rock and realize that in less than 24 hours the biggest sporting event in the world kicks off, literally!!
At 10 am Eastern Time tomorrow morning South Africa defends home soil against US rivals Mexico. Hosts usually play well in the tournament, so Mexico should tread lightly.
Following the opener we get a salivating match-up between two former World Cup Champs in Uruguay and France. And that's just day one.
For one month the World will have one eye on South Africa and who can blame them, this is what we've been waiting for.
Day 2 marks the start of the USA's World Cup run against the UK. The hype surrounding this game is immense. Can the USA, a country that most weren't aware even had a soccer team; defeat the country that claims to have created the sport?
Local area fans can watch USA v England at the circle in DuPont on a giant television screen. Now that's European.
That's just day one and two and I didn't even mention that Argentina opens play against Nigeria on Saturday morning. So Saturday you get to see Messi and then watch the USA game. Guess what, it doesn't get any better than this.
For all the old school sports fans and the down right haters, DO NOT MISS THIS!! Seriously, because if you do, you have to wait four years, FOUR YEARS!! To a guy like me that is a freaking eternity.
As soon as Italy hoisted the cup in Germany, I turned off the television and sat in silence for a moment. "Four more years," I said to myself. It's too long to wait. For the next thirty days I will be a kid on Christmas morning, my favorite sport is finally going to be on display. Don't be afraid to jump on the bandwagon, because unlike Capitals fans, I welcome all United States citizens and illegals for that matter. Let us unite for our country. USA!! USA!! USA!!
I hate to preach, but you're a dummy if you miss this.
That's it and that's all....

Yours truly was on hand this past Saturday as the US came from a goal down in the first half to defeat Turkey 2-1. Landon Donovan anchored the US attack assisting on both goals in the second half. Clint Dempsey's goal in the 75th minute proved to be the game clincher and sent the US to South Africa with confidence.
The US will play on more tune-up match against fellow world cup participant Australia on June 6th and then set their sites on England.

The US has qualified for the past six editions of the World Cup, here's how they faired:

1990 Italy: It was 40 years until the US returned to the World Cup and 1990 proved why they had been gone for so long. The Yanks were outscored in their three group stage games 8-2 and failed to gain any points. It was a disappointing performance for the US, but just making that tournament was a huge accomplishment.

1994 USA: The unthinkable happened in 1994, the World Cup made its first appearance on US soil and the US advanced to the knockout stage. The US stunned the world by drawing 1-1 with the Swiss in game one. Game two pitted the US against a tournament favorite in Columbia. After an own goal by Columbia, the US added another and behind a brilliant performance by keeper Tony Meola, they escaped with a 2-1 victory. The US lost their final group stage game, but they still advanced to the knock out stage. The knockout stage was short lived as the US was matched with eventual tournament winner Brazil. The US bowed out with a 1-0 loss to Brazil

1998 France: In 98 US soccer was riding on an all-time high. Not only had the US played above and beyond their level in 94, but the creation of MLS was furthering the USA's player development. Sadly, 98 showed the World just how far behind the USA's soccer program was. As in 1990, the US failed to gain any points in the group stage and only scored one goal (Brian McBride).

2002 Korea/Japan: Lead by head coach Bruce Arena, the US once again shocked the world. Game one pitted the US against the talented Portuguese. When the final whistle blew the US left with a 3-2 victory. A draw against Korea secured the USA's advancement to the knockout stage for the second time in four tournaments. The knockout stage pitted the US against continental rivals Mexico. The US scored in the first eight minutes and Brad Friedel has amazing in goal as the US beat Mexico 2-0. The next match up pitted the US against Germany for a chance to go to the semifinals. Germany won 1-0, but not without controversy. An apparent hand ball by the Germans was not called and the US was dispatched.

2006 Germany: A much hyped US squad traveled to Germany with a daunting group in front of them. The Czech Republic, Ghana and eventual champs Italy made up the rest of the group. After a deflating 3-0 loss to the Czechs in game one, the US found themselves in an unflattering position. Italy was up next and the US fought valiantly after going down to just nine men to draw 1-1. In the final game against Ghana, the US needed a win to advance. They fell short losing 2-1.

So what does all this mean? It means that if the pattern holds, the US should not only advance out of this year's group stage, but they should make some noise in the knockout stage.
The US contingent has stated all year that getting out of the group stage is their main goal at the Cup. Don't think that this is any easy task. A tough English squad is up first followed by another tough European team in Slovenia. To rap up the group stage the US must face Algeria, an African nation playing on home soil.
Whatever happens in Africa, the US must play with the same confidence they displayed last year against Spain. They have to believe they can play with the world.

That's it and that's all

I'm having trouble breathing as I begin this post. The anticipation that the World Cup is only a month away is killing me. I wish I could go to sleep tonight and wake up June 11.

To mark the one month countdown and to further tease me, the US has released their preliminary 30 man roster for the 2010 World Cup.
Much like what free agency has become for the NFL; this is the official start of the World Cup season.
US National team head coach Bob Bradley was given the unflattering task of selecting this year's group, with countless injuries to monitor.
The worst injuries coming in an October car crash that nearly killed promising striker Charlie Davies.
Davies fought valiantly to recover from two broken legs and brain bleeding, but time played a huge factor as the cup was just months away.
The race was on as Davies made a remarkable recovery, but sadly Davies was left off Bradley's preliminary roster.
The exclusion was not only a crushing blow for Davies, but also the US attack. His pace and finishing prowess took a lot of pressure off teammate Jozy Altidore.
As the US moves on, so shall we. Let's take a closer look at the roster:

Goalies: Tim Howard (Everton), Brad Guzan (Aston Villa) and Marcus Hahnemann (Wolves)

By far the easiest decision Bradley faced. Tim Howard has been impressive between the pipes for quite some time now and is considered as one of the top players on the team. Hahnemann should be a good challenge to Guzan for the second string, since Guzan hasn't seen much time backing up retired US keeper Brad Friedel at Aston Villa.

Defenders: Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan), Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Jonathan Borstein (Chivas USA), Steve Cherundalo (Hanover), Jay DeMerit (Watford), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Chad Marshall (Colombus), Heath Pearce (FC Dallas), Jonathan Spector (West Ham)

Biggest factor for the defense is the health and quality of play that Oguchi Onyewu will display. Onyewu is looking to make amends for a poor showing in 2006.
The rest is a crap shoot really. Bocanegra and Cherundalo give the team experience and poise. Spector and DeMerit played big roles in the Confederations cup. Look for Jonathan Bornstein to challenge for one of the starting spots.

Midfielders: Landon Donavon (Everton/LA Galaxy), DeMarcus Beasley (Rangers), Alejandro Bedoya (Orebrao), Michael Bradley (Mönchengladbach), Ricardo Clark (Eintracht), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Benny Feilhaber (AGF), Stuart Holden (Bolton), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Robbie Rogers (Columbus), Jose Torres (Pachuca)

The midfield is packed with talent and experience. All-time leading US goal scorer Landon Donovan anchors the unit and brings experience, quickness and determination with him.
Michael Bradley will be doing a lot of the dirty work, while Stuart Holden should provide good speed on the flanks.
The guy to watch is Clint Dempsey (the lone goal scorer for the US in 2006), before his injury he was in top form with Fulham and he's had two "goal of the year" worthy goals this season.

Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Hull), Edson Buddle (USA), Brian Ching (Houston), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Herculez Gomez (Puebla), Eddie Johnson (Aris)

The most intriguing story of this group is the possible redemption song for Eddie Johnson.
Johnson was considered a rising talent during the last world cup, though he never found the pitch in the tournament. He was wildly inconsistent scoring few goals in the games following the 2006 world cup. Johnson was almost buried until he moved to Greek club Aris, where he recently scored three goals in the Greek League playoffs. Davies injuries let Johnson sneak in and now he is playing with house money. Can Johnson finally find his form and write the ultimate redemption story.
Herculez Gomez has found form in Mexican soccer leading the league in scoring, Brian Ching adds a ton of international caps, and Edson Buddle has been solid this season for the LA Galaxy.
Altidore is the key for the attack, and he will be taking on a lot of pressure playing without Davies. Is he ready for the spot light?

Notable exclusions: Freddy Adu, Charlie Davies, Connor Casey

As the beautiful game is inching closer to its climactic four year culmination, my duty is to prepare the reader as best as I can. That's it and that's all, only 30 days 10 hours and 25 minutes until Mexico v South Africa.

Not Ronaldo who contributed to 2 World Cup wins for Brazil, but rather Cristiano Ronaldo from Portugal, who plays for Manchester United. If you haven’t been paying attention to European soccer over the past two years, you’ve missed some brilliant performances from Cristiano Ronaldo. While he did get off to a slow start this season amidst rumors of his displeasure at United and his desire for a move to Real Madrid, Ronaldo returned to form and has only gotten better as the season progressed. That progression was capped off by tonight’s performance in a 3-1 victory over Arsenal that saw United advance to the Champions League final. Ronaldo was all over the pitch and always in the center of the action in addition to scoring on a rocket of a free kick.

If you haven’t had the chance to see Ronaldo yet, set your DVR to ESPN on May 27 for the final of what has become one of the world’s best sporting events, the Champions League.

OK, this is one of those rare DC United articles.

The Prince George's County Council rejected a study of the construction of the new soccer stadium. In effect, it negates the possibly of the United moving into PG County.

The United will be back to the drawing board trying to figure out where they can build their stadium. In these troubled economic times, it is a wonder how they expect to get any government support. This affects the Washington Redskins indirectly, as the rumored dome that might be built on the RFK Stadium site hinges on RFK being empty of a home team. The United have few options. The Anacostia site has been on hold for years. One suggestion to play at the Germantown Soccer Complex in MD is a rather long stretch given that it is situated in an essentially far suburb for some fans and is still a few miles from the nearest Metro stop.

I usually go to the sports book at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas one Sunday a year during NFL football season. I make sure to arrive before 10am local time before the first game of the day starts. On a recent trip, I arrived shortly after 9am and was amazed to find that there was hardly an empty seat in the place.

My first thought as to why it was so busy was that there must have been an NFL game that had started earlier than scheduled. My second thought was that I had incorrectly set my watch to the local time in Vegas and that the games had started already. Neither of those thoughts were correct.

Apparently Cubans don't like Cuba either. At least not in the current state it's in. Reports are that 2 Cubans are missing from their hotel in Arlington and presumed defecting to the US. The Cuban National Team in in town to play the US National Team in a World Cup qualifying match. This seems to happen everytime a Cuban sports team touches American soil. It would seem that the Castro regime would not allow their team to travel to the US for any sporting events.

The current slate of missing players, while not confirmed as defections, reminds us of baseball players like Livan and Orlando Hernandez with their defections. Even Fidel Castro was a great baseball prospect who let his political aspirations get in the way of a Major League career.