What we’re thinking, what we’re watching, what’s coming on the blog today and the RASNoD (Random American Soccer Name of the Day). Setting up your day in soccer …
Birthdays of Note: Aston Villa’s Charles N’Zogbia turns 26. Yep, that’s all we got.
Ahead on the blog today*: Rolling out individual thumbnail previews of all four teams in Group A of the European Championships. Look for the first around noon ET. (The tournament starts Friday. Can. Not. Wait!) More follow-up on Saturday’s national team win, plus the usual Monday MLS staples, the Player of the Week and Team of the Week.
What we should all be watching on TV: Mexico-Belarus at noon (ET) on Telemundo.
RASNoD (Random American Soccer Name of the Day): Sara Whalen
Twitter daps: Former U.S. women’s national team star Mia Hamm (@MiaHamm): Congrats to the USWNT for their 4-1 victory over China. Keep it going.
U.S. women’s national team striker Alex Morgan (@alexmorgan13):Thanks Philly for showing up huge tonight!! Awesome team win… Getting super excited for #LondonOlympics2012
U.S. women’s national team defender Heather Mitts (@heathermitts): Thanks for showing up and bringing the energy PHILLLY!!!! Next stop Sweden. Ciao for now
We’ll leave you with this: Kei Kamara is having a fantastic season for Sporting Kansas City. He’s about to solidify a place on my All-Underrated team.
*Always subject to change; you know how it is
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MONTCLAIR, N.J. – Thursday’s United States women’s national team match falls smack in the middle of the inaugural National Women’s Soccer League season. It’s a friendly. It’s against the same team, Korea Republic, that the United States just handily defeated 4-1 on Saturday. But its relevance is critical, particularly to Abby Wambach – and for…
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AP
Among the many assets in Jurgen Klinsmann’s portfolio, few are trending down.
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Get to your DVRs as soon as possible, because that Italy-Japan match was a classic
Jun 19, 2013, 8:44 PM EDT
Reuters
Confederations Cup completely worth it when it provides matches like these.
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Stock Rising: United States men whose values are rising out of Salt Lake
Jun 19, 2013, 7:35 PM EDT
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There’re no shortage of players to praise after the U.S. completes a nine-out-of-nine run.
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Most U.S. players were still in the locker room an hour after final whistle Tuesday … watching a basketball game. Hmmm.
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Even while struggling, LA’s still the standard, but can they turn things around enough to keep Portland from the top of the West.
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Goal, assist from Neymar give Brazil win, prolong Mexico’s woes
Jun 19, 2013, 5:25 PM EDT
Neymar’s show compounded problems for CONCACAF’s champions.
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The 42-year-old American revealed he is taking coaching courses to prepare for whenever his career is over.
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Some of those old issues of communication and understanding between Jones and Michael Bradley were on display once again in Utah:
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Montréal can open a gap atop the East with a win tonight. If Houston springs the upset, they’ll be within one point of the conference leaders.
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Pepe Reina wants to see out his contract at Liverpool…for now
Jun 19, 2013, 2:44 PM EDT
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He didn’t exactly say much, but Pepe Reina’s club is Liverpool – at least, right now.
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USA can theoretically clinch a World Cup berth in their next match
Jun 19, 2013, 1:24 PM EDT
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It’s a bit of a longshot, but the United States has a mathematical chance of securing qualification for Brazil in the next round of play.
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Graham Zusi keeps making it harder for Landon Donovan to get back into U.S. national team
Jun 19, 2013, 12:48 PM EDT
The Sporting Kansas City man had a lot to say about last night’s breakout (finally!) in the second half vs. Honduras:
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De Gea message to Thiago on signed match ball sparks rumor flurry
Jun 19, 2013, 12:04 PM EDT
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Cameras caught a message from Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea, could it foreshadow a move?
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Reuters
Fabio Capello is the latest manager to say “no” to the defending Ligue 1 champions.
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Liverpool take a huge net loss on the 24-year-old while West Ham set their transfer fee record.
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Tragedy struck Chivas USA’s youth squad Monday night.
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Reuters
At the call of fans and media alike, the FA Cup final at Wembley will return to its post-league date.
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The United States had the perfect lineup to slowly whittle away at the Honduras defense before it finally broke.
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The 24-year-old American has found a new team after spending 5 seasons at Villa Park.
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Video: Police clash with protesters in Brazil
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Video: Highlights: Sounders win in final minutes
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Video: Highlights: Revolution dismantle Galaxy
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Video: What does New York FC have to do to succeed?
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Video: The Hype: Bending the screen like Beckham
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Video: Galaxy's Rogers talks about coming out to the public
