Style, substance—this soccer-stuffed weekend had it all. On Saturday afternoon the US WNT debuted its special edition gold jerseys and Abby Wambach overcame some physical defensive marking to head home the second goal in a 2-0 win over Brazil. Then, less than 24 hours later, the US MNT took the field against bitter rival Mexico in what would go down as the best, most exciting meeting between the two CONCACAF powers in recent memory. After going into the locker room down 1-0 at halftime, Brian Ching drew a PK in the 62nd minute that Landon coolly finished before Benny Feilhaber volleyed home a jaw-dropping, game-winning goal 11 minutes later. Mix in some point-blank stops by keeper Tim Howard and you’ve got yourself the 2007 Gold Cup Champions.

And then there’s Benny.

The Blogosphere is buzzing with insights and opinions on the US MNT’s performance against Mexico and the upcoming Copa America. Check out two of our favorite here at 365 Todays, one by our boy, and American soccer guru Adam Spangler and the other by ESPN contributor Ives Galarcep. What most of us can agree on is that the comeback in Chicago can’t be described adequately with the word “quality.” It meant so much more than a good second half or yet another 2-1 result. When 2010 rolls around we’re going to be remembering this past Sunday as a milestone and point of rapid maturation, both individually and for the team as a whole. It’s great to see tournaments that actually build to a climactic final, one that both teams walk away the better for participating in. Mexico-US normally spells choppy soccer and lot of unnecessary trash-talk, but on Sunday a wide open, up-tempo game highlighted the impressive young talent on both sides of the border that’s ready to rejuvenate an amazing rivalry. Somehow Mexico-US seems like it’s just getting started.

A couple of observations. We normally write about Beas’s speed or tireless work rate, but Sunday confirmed that the winger can serve an early, bending cross with the best of them. Remember the pass that led to Deuce’s goal against Ghana last summer? We saw a couple this tournament, one of which to Ching in the final that almost led to a goal. And speaking of Ching, Mexico had no answer for his practically unstoppable roll-dodge slash spin-move in the second 45. Twice he received possession with his back to the goal before fluidly making his turn, using his body to shield the ball from his defender the whole time. The first attempt resulted in a justified PK and the second time, as a little bad luck would have it, in a clank off the right post. It’s important Ching asserts himself on the US MNT as more than a wall to be played off of or as an aerial target.

And then there’s Benny. This is a young player that makes his cleats look like dancing shoes. The finish will garner all the attention, but we should also appreciate the way he held possession in tight situations and distributed the ball to every spot on the field. His pairing with Rico in the 2nd half worked wonders on Sunday. Great to know that the two will be able to continue developing their partnership at Copa America, against some of the best in the world (namely Argentina, which you can watch Thursday at 8:30 ET on GolTV and Telefutura).

Now the US WNT’s win against Brazil was more of a battle than a thing of beauty. The South Americans brought a competitive attitude and five yellow cards and 20 fouls worth of aggressiveness, but neither was successful in intimidating the WNT or breaking through its defense. It was definitely a different approach than the Americans normally see, but one that a team like Nigeria could employ in September.

The send-off series continues and Copa America is only days away, so be sure to stay with US national teams as summer goes into high gear. The next WNT match is on July 14th against Norway and in addition to Argentina, the MNT will be facing Paraguay (7/2) and Colombia (7/5) down in Venezuela. Rest assured, 365 will be keepin’ up with all the action.

The US WNT show off their new gold uniforms in the Big Apple.

Some of the US WNT take a picture with their picture at Niketown in NYC.

This Saturday the US WNT plays Brazil in the second match of the Americans’ six-game, summer send-off series. Barring any unfortunate setbacks or injuries, the tournament team is set and ready to go. All that’s left on the four-year checklist is developing a little added chemistry and reminding themselves and the world of their collective mission—to win in China (no exceptions). That’s where Nikesoccer comes in.

On Saturday, the WNT will unveil special-edition gold jerseys, shorts and First2 cleats. The color is a nod to past WNT glory and a future legacy that current members will soon have the chance to seize.



This is not an alternate’s jersey. This is a champion’s jersey. Gold isn’t about matching skin complexion or hair or jewelry. Nor is it quite the same as the team’s special-edition pink jerseys worn this past Mother’s Day to raise breast cancer awareness. In this case, gold is about meeting goals through literally years of hard work. It’s about sacrificing family time, summer vacations, and that extra hour of sleep to turn a dream into a reality. It’s about Americans taking back their rightful position as the best in women’s soccer and not being too afraid or timid or polite to face expectations head on, wearing their intentions on their sleeves. The stakes are high, and we’re all in.

For the US WNT, a championship can only come at the end of the hardest road possible.

No disrespect to the rest of the world. Gold isn’t about arrogance or entitlement. This team knows that there aren’t going to be any easy games on the world’s greatest soccer stage. As the depth of talent and investment in the women’s game increases with each passing year, this is going to be the most challenging, most competitive women’s soccer tournament to date. Everyone agrees that the US WNT has drawn into the Group of Death, along with North Korea, Sweden and Nigeria, each the best in their respective regions. Many of the players on North Korea are young, but they are also accomplished, having won the 2006 U-20 FIFA Women’s World Championship. Sweden is probably one of the top four teams in the world and is known for a dynamic offensive style of play that highlights the team’s individual talent. With a formidable strike duo and speed in the midfield, the Scandinavians can put up serious numbers if the opposing defense doesn’t stay on their toes and organized. Nigeria is by far the best team in Africa, as well as one of the least familiar to the Americans. No doubt, the potential for an upset in group play is very real. For the US WNT, a championship can only come at the end of the hardest road possible.

But they’re not going to walk it quietly. Frankly, they deserve the spotlight. Maybe a little gold will wake sleeping fans up to the greatest team they’ve never heard of. Carli Lloyd, Shannon Boxx, Abby Wambach, Lindsey Tarpley, Brianna Scurry, Cat Whitehill, Natasha Kai, Hope Solo. These are the names of some of our best ambassadors and trust us, it’s pretty easy to cheer them on. With a 42 game unbeaten streak, this is a program that hasn’t lost in over two years. The word “dynasty” comes to mind, though oftentimes in the sports world it’s used to describe a relatively set group of players that manages to rack up a few championships in a decade or so. That’s not exactly the case with the WNT and a tournament that only comes around once every four years. The roster Coach Ryan sets for this September will most likely feature several athletes with over 100 caps and several athletes with less than ten. Scrappy, seasoned vets and energetic, audacious 20-somethings. No matter what happens in China, the WNT has a core of young stars that will live to see another day, but for this team, this mixture of players, there’s only one time—right now.

Looks like the hardest working team in women’s sports will be teaching the Brazilians a thing or two about style.

US WNT v. Brazil, 5pm ET this Saturday in Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ. Covered live on ESPN2.

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When the going gets tough, this US MNT gets going. Panama was this team’s first real test in Gold Cup 2007 play, and if not for a defensive lapse and a clinical strike by Panamanian striker Blas Perez in the 85th minute, the Americans would have passed with flying colors. For a brief moment there in the second half—from Landon’s converted PK in the 60th to Los’ header two minutes later—it looked like the downpour of US goals we can all see in the distant sky was finally ready to flood Foxborough. Credit the Central Americans for keeping the game tense through the final whistle. As Ives Galarcep of ESPNsoccernet notes, it’s these types of games that will help our young national team mature.


The quarterfinal match served as a timely reminder of just how important experienced keeper Tim Howard is to Bradley’s squad. Not only did he stonewall Perez in the 48th minute, but he was never once caught out of place. Good keepers know that although positioning may be less glamorous than acrobatics, it’s what pushes a shot from the inside of a post to the outside (e.g. Perez in the 32nd). Timing also has a lot to do with it, and despite rarely being forced to make a save, Howard was quick and resolute off his line when called upon.

The first thing that comes to mind with Landon these days is the word “class.” In this tournament it seems like he’s been quietly going about his business, outrunning defenses and finding the back of the net every other game, always in crucial moments. In many ways, the way Donovan finished the PK was a microcosm of how he works on the field: let the keeper make the first mistake and then coolly, calmly start your team on its way to the semis. From the very beginning Donovan was a threat. As early as the 19th minute, when playing off an amazing, bending ball to the center of midfield by Beas, it was clear that Panama, like every other team in CONCACAF, would not be able to run with Landon. It wouldn’t be surprising if he becomes the US MNT’s all-time leading scorer in the final two games of Gold Cup.

Aside from ‘Los’s getting into the box score, we saw more of the same from the other MNT players: Clint breaking down ankles (ask #14 Manuel Torres for confirmation) and then defenses, defender Frankie Hejduk making himself an offensive threat down the flank, Twellman slipping his way around the box for two post rattling scoring chances.

Canada certainly upped the ante after beating Guatemala 3-0, the same team out of which the Americans could only squeeze one goal. Be sure to watch the semifinals, Thursday, 6pm CT in Chicago, and then check back with 365 Todays for what will hopefully be both a recap and a finals preview.

Lots to talk about after a hard fought 1-0 victory for the US MNT in its opening match of the 2007 Gold Cup. A first half chalk full of creativity, incisive thru-balls, and dangerous crosses for the Americans, and then a second half of grit, scrap, a couple of cards that made the contest look little bit more personal than necessary. In the end, the US walks towards Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday afternoon with three points in its back pocket.

Here are some comments on the first half:

Maybe it’s the cactus-colored Merc Vapors Clint sported on Thursday night, but we’re definitely seeing a spike in his game (badum-ching…ahh, cactus humor). After heading home another goal in the friendly against China, Deuce seems more than adept at finding his spots in the box and using his taller frame to attack the net. On the goal against Guatemala, he ran well alongside Twellman, whose burst of speed along the left side and then short cross back to the PK spot made it an easy finish for the Texan. Deuce also seemed to be linking up really well with DeMarcus. In the 20th, Beas sent an ambitious cross from the left side that floated over the Guatemala backline and gave Deuce the opportunity to finish what would have been a ridiculously acrobatic volley. He just mis-hit it, or else we would all be watching top ten highlights right now. Then three minutes later, Clint found DeMarcus on a well timed through ball that left the winger alone in front of the goal for what was probably the second best US scoring chance of the night. All in all, Coach Bradley’s decision to try Deuce up top worked out well for nearly 60 minutes.

(By the way, those Cactus Merc Vapors are a Eurosport exclusive. Here’s a rendering from a German site.)

In general, the US’s offensive strategy against a Guatemalan team that we all know is more than willing to pack it in and play for the tie looked solid for the first 45. In addition to his assist, Twellman looked dangerous a number of times, especially in the air. Who can blame Bradley from having his offense rely on crosses when the US had a significant height advantage down the center of the field? Like Clint, Twellman found his chances inside the box, and if not for a couple wary headers, the score could have easily been higher.

In case you didn’t notice, Carlos Bocanegra was wearing the captain’s armband on Thursday. For solid defender whose contribution doesn’t always show up in the box score, it’s a testament to his maturation as a technical player and a leader. Maybe it’s because he’s used to a physical brand of soccer from his experience with Fulham, but he looked composed when things started going haywire late in the game and kept an organized US defense. Maybe it was because they were more interested in “other,” more ticky-tack aspects of the game, but aside from set-pieces, Guatemala really never crafted a legitimate scoring opportunity.

Rooney takes out a camera from 60 feet. Enough said, watch and learn.