UPDATE: USA-Egypt match cancelled

Forget about it, they just cancelled it all together.  Probably for the best; no one's willing to take any risks, and no one should blame them.

The match, originally scheduled for February 9th at Cairo International Stadium, has been up in the air since last week, when what may very well turn into a political revolution began all over Egypt.  Over 1,000 people have been arrested, and the death toll is believed to be in the hundreds.

“We were excited about the opportunity to play against Egypt, but due to the current situation all parties agreed it was best to cancel the match,” said U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati. “We appreciate the efforts of the Egyptian Football Association and the U.S. State Department as we worked through this situation.” 

Again, it's probably for the best.  The next matches are March 26th and 29th, against Argentina and Paraguay, in East Rutherford and Nashville, respectively.  I'll be rocking out at the Meadowlands, of course.

Egypt match in jeopardy as US begins evacuations

For once, we're not talking about FIFA politics, oil money, or Sepp Blatter's disgraceful re-election "campaigning".  We really are talking about people's lives at this point.

On Friday, the US Soccer Federation said they were monitoring the ongoing episode in Cairo, host to the February 9 friendly between the Yanks and the Pharaohs, and what is now seven straight days of protests that have turned into bloodshed.  About an hour ago, the US State Department announced that they were beginning to evacuate Americans from the region.

Rosters for the match are expected to be announced next week, with players arriving in Cairo on the 6th.  The Stars and Stripes would most likely field their full senior squad, sans Landon Donovan.

While it may be a reminder of the situation in 2009 in Honduras before the World Cup Qualifier, it may be a bigger deal this time.  It doesn't seem terribly safe to send our boys to such an unstable city at this time.  While the soccer federations are exploring other options (postponment, another venue, etc.), it may come down simply canceling the match altogether if an agreement can't be reached.  And while I'm the last person who wants to see that happen, the priorities are obvious.  Stay tuned.

USA 1-1 Chile

Can't say I have any idea what happened here.

I'll be honest.  I didn't see a second of the game last night.

I went out last night to downtown Hartford for my birthday with a bottle of Jim Beam and 20 of my closest friends, with every intention to stumble into a soccer-friendly pub by 10pm.

Already wasted, I got lost after I got separated from the people I was following by a red light.  We finally were able to convene at Asylum Cafe, which was more or less an excuse to get warm.  That place is the lamest establishment in southern New England.  Not an ounce of personality in anyone there, we felt rather uncomfortable being there.

We then moved onto Vaughan's Public House.  I now know why the American Outlaws no longer affiliate with them.  I asked the bartender to put the game on, and he looked at me like I had a surface tumor.  It took him 15 minutes to even try to change the channel, only to find they didn't have Telefutura.  Lame.

Irritated and absolutely shitfaced, I crawled into City Steam Brewery Cafe, which seemed to be a sweet place for beer and live music.  I asked them if they could turn one of the TVs to the game (probably well into the second half by then), and the host plainly said no.  I'm not sure why I didn't clock him given my current state, but I turned to my friends, all of whom were looking at me like "make a decision, dickbag".  I don't blame them; I could barely speak, and the night was poorly planned to begin with.

So we stayed, drank, and were entertained by a typical cover band.  Thanks to my buds that came out, and for the song dedication.  I love you all.

I blacked out on the ride home, was carried into my house where I subsequently vomited and passed out in my living room.  A special thanks is in order to my girlfriend, Valerie Anne, who is half my size and was tasked with holding my body up so I wouldn't fall face-first in the toilet.  Thank you dear, I owe you one.

I watched the highlights this morning, still drunk.  A legit recap of the game would be senseless.

I'm staying home for the Egypt game next month, and heading to Jersey for the Argentina game.  Hartford, you kinda let me down last night.  Now I finally realize why you don't have any major league sports teams to speak of--you suck pretty bad.

UPDATE: CONCACAF Gold Cup field is set

In what was one of the most hideous displays of the beautiful game I've ever seen, the Guatemalan national team was able to come from behind and edge underdogs Nicaragua, 2-1.  It was the Central American Cup fifth-place match, but there was no shortage of inspiration, for it was to squeak into the final Gold Cup spot. And again, the match wasn't very good.  Nicaragua is what you can call a CONCACAF "minnow," there's not a whole lot to be said for international talent there.  Guatemala, who can (when playing their best ball) has shown the likes of the United States some good competition-- but they didn't play like it yesterday.  Wild crosses, poor tactics, and mismatched socks simply made for an unimpressive game (the one exception was a 35-yard volley from Nicaragua's Feliz Rodriguez).  Good news being, obviously, this in many cases is the nature of the difficulty the Yanks will face this summer in the Gold Cup.

As the GC schedule is put together in the coming weeks and we get closer to the tournament proper, I'll be looking at the players and teams to pay attention to--although they are the powerhouses, the Yanks and Mexico aren't the only talented squads in CONCACAF.

The Gold Cup Lineup
North America (qualified automatically):
- USA, Mexico, Canada
Central America:
- Costa Rica, Honduras, Panama, El Salvador, Guatemala
Caribbean:
- Jamaica, Guadeloupe, Cuba, Grenada

UPDATE: USA/ARG at the Meadowlands

The US Soccer Federation announced that the rumored US/Argentina match will in fact be at New Meadowlands Stadium in E. Rutherford, N.J. on March 26.  In addition, they have filled the international date set for three days later: vs. Paraguay, at LP Field in Nashville.

I'm both intrigued and confused by the venue selection for the latter match.  Nashville hosted a WC qualifier last year (the Jozy Altidore hat trick).  The match drew 27,000+, which is solid (I guess) for a southern city without professional soccer (their fourth-division club is horrendous and struggles to draw a couple hundred a game).  However, given all this discussion about contracts between stadiums and the federation, this has to mean that Nashville is doing something right, and something that Seattle refuses to do.

ESPN 3? Really?

Not surprisingly, for the second time in four months, ESPN and the US Soccer Federation fail to get shit done.  Next week's US-Chile friendly, while essentially a B-squad game, will be on ESPN3.com (formerly ESPN360.com) and TeleFutura.  The game is also being pushed from 9pm EST to 10pm, which puts a hitch in my birthday plans, but whatever.  What really grinds my gears is the absense of national television cameras at this match.

Jose Agudelo says: Hope you have decent Wi-Fi!

ESPN3 is easily accessible online, blah blah blah.  It's pretty much a reserves game blah blah blah.  Not the point, in the least bit.  Exposure on national television is one of the greatest weapons that the federation (and the sport in general) has from a marketability standpoint in this country.  Its growth depends on it.  And regardless of the names (or lack thereof) on the squads for this one--on paper, it's a FIFA-sanctioned senior team match, and should be (and will be, by the players and coaches) treated as such.  I don't care who you blame it on, the fact is that ESPN and the USSF dropped the ball on this one.  It'll be more than two months since the last match for the Yanks, and I don't think it's prudent or acceptable to let the team's popularity die down too much in between World Cups.  Just as it's our responsibility as fans to make sure that doesn't happen, it's on the shoulders of the federation and the media, as well.  Make it happen.

US-Argentina

Word on the street is that the March 26 friendly that was originally set to be staged in Seattle will now be moved to New Meadowlands Stadium in E. Rutherford, N.J. (who's down to make the trip?)  Nothing is set in stone yet, and as we've already found out, no venues are set under the auspices of the federation until all dotted lines are signed.  The US-Brazil match last August was held there, and drew 77,000+, a near-sellout.  Stay tuned for confirmation on that one.

FIFA Rankings

The new World Rankings are out, and the Yanks stayed put at #18.  The vast majority of the world didn't budge on the ladder, considering the relative lack of games during this time of year.  Over the next three months, the Asian and Central American Cups will be over, Euro and Africa CON qualifying start back up, as well as a few scattered friendly dates.  Expect more movement by then.  February 2 is the next ranking date.

US National Team Rumblings: Goings-on in Bradleyville

That time of year...

Take a look at the picture to the left.  It's of the annual USMNT January camp.  Every year, head coach Bob Bradley takes a full squad of players (mostly young prospects) to SoCal for a few weeks.  It culminates in an exhibition match against a solid opponent (last year was Sweden, this year it's World Cup participant Chile), and is mostly for evaluations of possible talent for the senior team for the Gold Cup, WC qualifying, etc.  (More pics)

For any true fan, this should give you goosebumps.  National teams only train every so often, especially in the heat of the European season.  This year, hardly different from any other January under the Bradley administration, young (28 combined caps, half the group has never played for the senior team) and exciting talent get a substantial amount of time to play together.  With key exhibitions (Chile, Egypt, and Argentina) coming up and the Gold Cup in less than five months, it's unbearably exciting to watch this go down.  Stay tuned--and keep an eye on individual performances at the Chile match (Jan. 22nd, 9pm ET).

Seattle out of running for match hosting

Although I do admit, no city in the US has shown this kind of passion (yet).

After weeks of being practically assured they were going to host the USA/Argentina friendly in March, Seattle and the record-breaking, raucous crowds at Qwest Field are reportedly completely out of contention, says the Washington Post.  Needless to say, that probably won't go over well in the Pacific Northwest.  One writer is even complaining of issues within the USSF.

I understand the city more than deserves to host such a high-profile match.  Seattle Sounders FC have far and away the highest attendance in MLS, and Qwest Field (which seats almost 40,000 for soccer and up to 67,000 if need be) could easily go standing-room only in a matter of hours for this match.

However, Seattle, you didn't get it.  And don't even think about comparing it to Qatar getting the '22 WC instead of the US.  The USSF doesn't deal in oil.  Just like any other stadium, logistics and contractual situations have to be dealt with, and if they fall through for one game, they fall through.  I highly doubt the USSF backed out because someone else greased their palms more vigorously.  Seattle has not hosted their last US match, and in fact will more than likely be rewarded with a huge match in the future--probably a WC qualifier.  We're all on the same side here.  So relax.  Details for this game, however, are expected to be finalized by next week.

2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup

Hosts Panama (red, defending champs) and Honduras (only Central American nation in the 2010 World Cup) could easily end up in the title game.

Yup, 150 days left until the next statistically meaningful series of games for the Yanks.  It's still a long way off, so you can't blame me for getting excited for the UNCAF Central American Cup starting next week.  All seven Central American nations (can you name them all?) will compete for a title and bragging rights, as well as the final five slots in the Gold Cup.  I'm a dork, I get it, but the rivalries in this region are outstanding, and there are particular match-ups that could prove to entertain even the snobbiest of Eurosnobs.

2014 World Cup Qualifying

If you're thinking I'm too obsessed and thinking too far ahead--shut up, this is relevant.

One of the planet's best international soccer rivalries has been completely ignored and spit upon not only by CONCACAF, but FIFA as well.

Oguchi Onyewu's "staredown" in 2002 is one of the most memorable moments in this rivalry's history.

The best parts about the USA-Mexico rivalry are the WC qualifying matches--inevitable in the past given the format of the final round (top 6 teams in a single group).  CONCACAF has ratified (and FIFA recently approved) a new WC qualifying format, in which the final round will consist of two separate groups of four teams.  Meaning (if you've ever seen the way the World Cup Draw works, you understand), in the spirit of fair and even distribution of competition, the US and Mexico will definitely not be drawn together in that final round.  Arguably the New World's greatest international rivalry will not happen under the revenue-devouring flag of WC qualifying.

The new format was adopted to give the minnows of the confederation more meaningful and competitive games, whereas the previous format meant certain and sudden death for the likes of the US Virgin Islands and Anguilla.  In this regard, I like the new format, for the sake of CONCACAF's growth.

However, this hurts the US in two main ways.

First, in revenue, popularity, and exposure.  No matter where the game is, USA-Mexico sells out and then some, on account of the Mexican fan base and the heated rivalry itself.  Popularity of the rivalry = exposure of the US national team = growth of the sport on a domestic level.  Simple shit.

Secondly, fewer matches per qualifying round means more difficulty getting through.  Especially in the final round, where the US would have a mere six games (as opposed to ten in the past) to qualify for the Cup.  This could be awesome or disastrous, depending on the Yanks' performances in these games.  We shall see, I guess.  And for those of you weirdos who don't have the widget on your computers, there are 1,253 days left until the opening kick off at Brazil 2014.  Consider yourself informed.

Review: How Soccer Explains the World: An Unlikely Theory of Globalization

Call me a lousy "educator," but I don't read many books.  And really, it's simply because I can rarely find the time to sit down and read an actual book of certain length.  I made an exception for this book--I simply replaced the time I spend daydreaming about Stuart Holden's rise to EPL stardom with some time spent reading How Soccer Explains the World, by Franklin Foer.

The book was finished in 2004, but it does a phenomenal job of avoiding an otherwise inevitable dating of itself.  Foer smartly proves that soccer is more than a game--it is a culture, a lifestyle, a necessity--but also a medium for the exploitation of (and recovery from) war, a religious experience, and an unavoidable force in a rapidly-globalizing world.

The book begins with a chapter explaining, more or less, how nationalist soccer gangs in Belgrade, Serbia influenced the Balkan Wars by taking advantage of the need for paramilitary groups and using their political influence to accomplish independence from Yugoslavia.

The Celtic-Rangers rivalry transcends
a mere sporting hatred.

The following chapter zeroes in on the Celtic-Rangers rivalry in Glasgow, Scotland (and elsewhere in the British Isles, as well).  The "Old Firm" rivalry, while outwardly a result of geographic proximity, is explained in this book as a battleground for the unfinished business of the Protestant Reformation.  It's mind-bogglingly sensible.

Other chapters include stories on the Jewish identity (through clubs such as Tottenham, Ajax, and actual Jewish clubs in Europe), economic exploitation among elites in Brazil and Italy, the African movement of soccer talent in the Ukraine, Islam's affect on the game in post-revolution Iran, the "discreet charm" of Catalonian nationalism of Barcelona fans as it relates to other nationalist movements worldwide, etc.

The final chapter briefly talks about the almighty American soccer debate, relating it to American culture wars and pro- and anti-European sentiments.  This is the only chapter where the book's age becomes a remote issue--it obviously cannot include the exponential growth of the sport in the public eye since the book's publishing.

The book is incredible for soccer fans of all levels, as well as those who would appreciate the obvious geopolitical essays it contains.  If you identify with any of the cultures listed above, you need to read it.  Shit, if you've ever been to church or a place of religious worship of any kind, you need to read it.  Franklin Foer shows us not only why fans like us need the game, but also why those who resent the game can't avoid it.

NEXT: How the newly-approved World Cup qualifying format hurts the US in more ways than one.