Clint Dempsey started the scoring in the 12th minute and the United States men won going way, 4-0 over Guatemala in Columbus, to move into second place in Group C with two games to play. The top two teams qualify for the next round, a group of six team with the top three going to the 2018 World Cup in Russia and the fourth entering an inter-continental play-off for a spot.
Just four days ago after the Americans had lost in Guatemala, after a tie with Trinidad and Tobago (Trinidad and Tobago!), there was concern that this would be the first time in eight World Cups in which the U.S. did not qualify. For now those fears have been quieted and all is well in Planet U.S. Soccer.
Andrew Keh provides a game analysis in the New York Times.
The U.S. is three points behind Trinidad and Tobago and one ahead of Guatemala. The next match is not until September 2 against winless St. Vincent Grenadines.
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
Friday, March 25, 2016
Johann Cruyff, Star of "Clockwork Orange" Dies
Johann Cruyff, the face of Dutch soccer and the "total football" style of its national team in the 1970s, died of cancer in Barcelona yesterday. He was 68. His passing was announced on his website. The cause was cancer.
The English journalist David Miller labeled him “Pythagoras in boots” for his ability to see open space and advantageous angles on a field. David Winner, in his book on Dutch soccer, “Brilliant Orange,” compared Cruyff’s play to the perfection and organization of a Vermeer painting.
The former England striker Gary Lineker, who played for Cruyff at Barcelona, was quoted in the New York Times as saying, “Football has lost a man who did more to make the beautiful game beautiful than anyone in history.”
According to the Times, Cruyff was a heavy smoker until he had heart problems in the 1990s.
Cruyff joined Ajax as a 10-year old and made his debut with the first team in 1964 at age 17. A year later the legendary coach Rinus Michels arrived and Ajax became one of the best sides in the world, winning three straight European Cups beginning in 1971. The national team coached by Michels became known as "Clockwork Orange" for the color of its jerseys and its total football style. It was said that while some teams played a 4-3-3 or a 4-4-2 formation, the Netherlands played a 10.
Before hanging up his boots for good at age 37, Cruyff played in two World Cup Finals, was named European Player of the Year in 1971, 1973 and 1974, won nine Dutch League championships one in Spain and played for Barcelona, two U.S. teams in the old NASL, Levante and Spain and finally with Ajax rival Feyenoord in Rotterdam. In his last year Feyenoord doubled by winning the league and the cup. After retiring as a player Cruyff coached Ajax and Barcelona.
The English journalist David Miller labeled him “Pythagoras in boots” for his ability to see open space and advantageous angles on a field. David Winner, in his book on Dutch soccer, “Brilliant Orange,” compared Cruyff’s play to the perfection and organization of a Vermeer painting.
The former England striker Gary Lineker, who played for Cruyff at Barcelona, was quoted in the New York Times as saying, “Football has lost a man who did more to make the beautiful game beautiful than anyone in history.”
According to the Times, Cruyff was a heavy smoker until he had heart problems in the 1990s.
Cruyff joined Ajax as a 10-year old and made his debut with the first team in 1964 at age 17. A year later the legendary coach Rinus Michels arrived and Ajax became one of the best sides in the world, winning three straight European Cups beginning in 1971. The national team coached by Michels became known as "Clockwork Orange" for the color of its jerseys and its total football style. It was said that while some teams played a 4-3-3 or a 4-4-2 formation, the Netherlands played a 10.
Before hanging up his boots for good at age 37, Cruyff played in two World Cup Finals, was named European Player of the Year in 1971, 1973 and 1974, won nine Dutch League championships one in Spain and played for Barcelona, two U.S. teams in the old NASL, Levante and Spain and finally with Ajax rival Feyenoord in Rotterdam. In his last year Feyenoord doubled by winning the league and the cup. After retiring as a player Cruyff coached Ajax and Barcelona.
Sunday, March 6, 2016
R.I.P. Kara
The card that arrived in yesterday's mail was heartbreaking.
The front showed a photo of a girl dribbling a soccer ball and the text at the top read, "In Loving Memory of Kara Lynn Lemanowicz July 11, 2001- September 5, 2015."
Kara was the Eastern H.S. freshman who died at a sleepover with friends from her club team shortly before the school season began last September.
The card came to me as treasurer of Haddonfield's girls soccer program because many of our families contributed to send a donation to the Lemanowicz family in Kara's memory.
I did not know Kara or her family and cannot imagine the grief they felt and surely still feel to this day. I can only hope there was some comfort in the support from the Haddonfield team and so many others in the South Jersey soccer community and that Kara's spirit lives on.
The inside of the card read:
A friendly smile
A casual touch,
These are the things
That mean so much,
To know you are with us
In our time of sorrow,
Sharing our prayer,
Today and tomorrow,
God gives us comfort
In the form of good friends,
May his peace be with you,
His love never ends.
The family of
Kara Lynn Lemanowicz
The front showed a photo of a girl dribbling a soccer ball and the text at the top read, "In Loving Memory of Kara Lynn Lemanowicz July 11, 2001- September 5, 2015."
Kara was the Eastern H.S. freshman who died at a sleepover with friends from her club team shortly before the school season began last September.
The card came to me as treasurer of Haddonfield's girls soccer program because many of our families contributed to send a donation to the Lemanowicz family in Kara's memory.
I did not know Kara or her family and cannot imagine the grief they felt and surely still feel to this day. I can only hope there was some comfort in the support from the Haddonfield team and so many others in the South Jersey soccer community and that Kara's spirit lives on.
The inside of the card read:
A friendly smile
A casual touch,
These are the things
That mean so much,
To know you are with us
In our time of sorrow,
Sharing our prayer,
Today and tomorrow,
God gives us comfort
In the form of good friends,
May his peace be with you,
His love never ends.
The family of
Kara Lynn Lemanowicz
Saturday, March 5, 2016
MLS Kicks Off 21st
Major League Soccer starts its 21st season tomorrow with all 20 clubs in action, including the Union, who visit Dallas. Here's the letter to fans from Commissioner Don Garber:
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Dear MLS Supporters, Led by your incredible passion, last year clearly was our most successful to date, with two new expansion teams, an influx of world-class players, new media rights partnerships and record attendance. In 2016, soccer in the United States and Canada is poised to reach new heights. On Sunday, Major League Soccer's 21st season kicks off with all 20 Clubs playing on opening day, including four marquee matches broadcast live by the League's national television partners. "Soccer Sunday" will feature 11 consecutive hours of MLS matches and programming, including MLS Soccer Sunday: Week 1 LIVE, our digital "whip around" show that will air on MLSsoccer.com, ESPN3, FOX Sports GO and SkySports.com. This year we'll celebrate an incredible Summer of Soccer, highlighted by Copa America Centenario, the most prominent men's soccer event in the United States since the 1994 World Cup. More than 50 Major League Soccer players will participate in the June tournament, joining Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Neymar and many other global soccer stars as 16 countries compete in 10 cities, including nine MLS markets. MLS will take a two-week break from our season during group play of Copa America. We're pleased to have MLS Heineken Rivalry Week return in 2016, as two weekends will showcase the most anticipated rivalry matches of the season. In July, one of the most successful clubs in the world, Arsenal FC, will take on the MLS All-Stars in the AT&T MLS All-Star Game at Avaya Stadium in San Jose. We'll conclude the regular season with Decision Day as 10 games featuring every MLS club will take place simultaneously to determine which teams will qualify for the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. For a complete guide to the 2016 MLS season, click here. On behalf of Major League Soccer, I want to thank you for your support and hope you enjoy the 2016 MLS season. Enjoy Soccer Sunday!  - Commissioner Don Garber
The guide he references towards the end of the letter is here.
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