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:
Soccer birthdays:
Mexican national team coach Jose Manuel “Chepo” De La Torre turns 47 today. Celebrate by watching his team fall inside Azteca Stadium last August, a very rare los for El Tri inside Mexico City. Let’s see now … who was the opposition that day? Oh, that’s right!
Big Important Stories of the Day:
United States national team has landed in Krasnodar, Russia, for tomorrow’s friendly. This match (10 a.m. ET on ESPN2) closes out Jurgen Klinsmann’s first full year in charge.
RASNoD (Random American Soccer Name of the Day: Mike Lapper
*Ahead on the blog today:
A little more on the United States roster, about a couple of missing men.
Plus more on the upcoming MLS playoffs, the second legs of the conference finals that started last weekend.
Twitter daps:
What you should watch on TV today:
The “kids” take center stage when England meets Northern Ireland in an under-21 clash. That’s on at 2:30 p.m. on Fox Soccer Channel at 1:45 p.m. ET.
About the photo: U.S. players Sacha Kljestan, Herculez Gomez and Nick Rimando come off the plane from Frankfurt into Krasnodar, Russia, site of tomorrow’s friendly.
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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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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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Premier League decides to put FA Cup final at season’s end
Jun 19, 2013, 9:15 AM EDT
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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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The Premier League has released its fixture list for the 2013/2014 season in its entirety. Find out the opening fixtures plus your favorite team’s derby here!
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Jozy Altidore to the U.S. rescue! And there is a lot of that going around lately
Jun 19, 2013, 2:00 AM EDT
Feel free to ask yourself at this point: where would the United States be in World Cup qualifying without its young, in-form striker:
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How the United States men did individually in Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Honduras at Rio Tinto Stadium:
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What we learned from the U.S. World Cup qualifier win over Honduras
Jun 19, 2013, 12:26 AM EDT
Some take-aways from the he United States’ 1-0 win at Rio Tinto outside Salt Lake City:
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Jozy Altidore was the hero for the United States, cooly slotting a left-footed shot to hand the Stars & Stripes a 1-0 victory over Honduras.
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Graham Zusi? Fabian Johnson? Jozy Altidore? Who ya got?
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Is the Pablo Mastroeni trade another smooth move from that wily Bruce Arena?
Jun 18, 2013, 8:33 PM EDT
The LA Galaxy coach has taken aging players and made them useful parts of the roster before:
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Everyone loves “The Pope”
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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
