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.