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Current USA Soccer Team Roster
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Published: April 10, 2007
Slowly, but surely, soccer is taking hold in the United States of America. Over 10 million American children participate in youth leagues every year, and the success of American-born players is finally showing these talented youngsters that they, too, can succeed playing The Beautiful Game.
With Major League Soccer making its first strong push to sign major foreign talent, the growth rate of American soccer is no longer a joke. And, though the USA soccer team's recent World Cup was ultimately disappointing for American fans who hoped for greatness, a hard-fought and undermanned draw against eventual champions Italy proved to the world that the USA soccer team cannot be taken lightly.
This year, the USA soccer team prepares to prove itself to rivals Mexico and the rest of Central America in the always fast-paced, if not elite, CONCACF Gold Cup. Though the competition may not be the fiercest, there is a lot on the line personally and professionally for the USA soccer team. A look at those on the USA soccer team roster with the most to win or lose:
Brad Friedel – Among the most talented American goalkeepers of all time, Friedel announced his retirement from international competition in 2005. However, since that time he has continued his exceptional performance with the EPL's Blackburn Rovers, winning Player of the Year honors from his team and all-team recognition from the Premiership. He has also allowed US coach Bob Bradley to recall him from England for the upcoming tournament. Respected worldwide for his skill and sportsmanship, Friedel should make a big impact in the back for a USA soccer team that could greatly benefit from the comfort of knowing that they have a Brick Wall behind them.
Frankie Hejduk – Though hardly the most technically skilled player to ever put on the boots, Hejduk has made a name for himself throughout his career for exhibiting a toughness and relentlessness that has time and again given spark and aggression to the USA soccer team. After being replaced on the 2006 World Cup roster with a torn ACL, the defender/midfielder will need a strong and error-free performance in order to maintain his standing on the USA soccer team.
Pablo Mastroeni- Although a red card incurred in the World Cup draw against Italy will keep him out of action for the first two games of the Gold Cup, the Argentine-born Mastroeni is one of the most skilled and aggressive defenders on the USA soccer team and will have to play with control if the US is to do well in this competition.
Landon Donovan – Still in many ways the face of the USA soccer team, Donovan seemed poised to bring a US style of play to the European clubs, but struggled as a member of the German Bundesliga. Since returning to Los Angeles, however, the midfielder acquitted himself well, scoring 16 goals in the 2006 season. Though he struggled in the World Cup, where he was held scoreless, he is a hard worker who will doubtless be looking for a measure of public redemption. Look for a solid performance.
Bob Bradley (manager) – Though initially designated the interim manager of the USA soccer team while the search for a permanent replacement is found, Bradley is making a powerful argument for the full-time job after a decisive 2-0 friendly victory over Mexico on 7 February on this year. If he has any hope of retaining the job, however, he must make a decisive statement in his first major tournament. Sunil Gulati and the rest of US Soccer management will be watching Bradley very carefully, and against this competition, playing primarily in familiar US stadiums, anything less than a championship game appearance for the USA soccer team will doubtlessly be considered an insurmountable failure.
The future of the USA soccer team is bright. This talented and motivated USA soccer team roster approaches the CONCACAF games knowing that a powerful showing will set the stage for the next four years of American soccer. For the old guard and the young up-and-comers alike, this summer is crucial for the USA soccer team not only because of the actual games to be played, but as a test of the will and skill of this squad. Fans of the USA soccer team are in for a very exciting summer.
Sources:
United States. ESPN Soccernet. 2007. ESPN Internet Ventures. 13 March 2007. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/team?id=660&cc=59 01.
Sam's Army. Wheeler, Mark. 2007. 13 March 2007. http://www.sams-army.com/
American Soccer News. 2007. Cyber Soccer Associates LLC. 13 March 2007.http://www.americansoccernews.net/othernews/0 70130_open_cup_format.shtml
With Major League Soccer making its first strong push to sign major foreign talent, the growth rate of American soccer is no longer a joke. And, though the USA soccer team's recent World Cup was ultimately disappointing for American fans who hoped for greatness, a hard-fought and undermanned draw against eventual champions Italy proved to the world that the USA soccer team cannot be taken lightly.
This year, the USA soccer team prepares to prove itself to rivals Mexico and the rest of Central America in the always fast-paced, if not elite, CONCACF Gold Cup. Though the competition may not be the fiercest, there is a lot on the line personally and professionally for the USA soccer team. A look at those on the USA soccer team roster with the most to win or lose:
Brad Friedel – Among the most talented American goalkeepers of all time, Friedel announced his retirement from international competition in 2005. However, since that time he has continued his exceptional performance with the EPL's Blackburn Rovers, winning Player of the Year honors from his team and all-team recognition from the Premiership. He has also allowed US coach Bob Bradley to recall him from England for the upcoming tournament. Respected worldwide for his skill and sportsmanship, Friedel should make a big impact in the back for a USA soccer team that could greatly benefit from the comfort of knowing that they have a Brick Wall behind them.
Frankie Hejduk – Though hardly the most technically skilled player to ever put on the boots, Hejduk has made a name for himself throughout his career for exhibiting a toughness and relentlessness that has time and again given spark and aggression to the USA soccer team. After being replaced on the 2006 World Cup roster with a torn ACL, the defender/midfielder will need a strong and error-free performance in order to maintain his standing on the USA soccer team.
Pablo Mastroeni- Although a red card incurred in the World Cup draw against Italy will keep him out of action for the first two games of the Gold Cup, the Argentine-born Mastroeni is one of the most skilled and aggressive defenders on the USA soccer team and will have to play with control if the US is to do well in this competition.
Landon Donovan – Still in many ways the face of the USA soccer team, Donovan seemed poised to bring a US style of play to the European clubs, but struggled as a member of the German Bundesliga. Since returning to Los Angeles, however, the midfielder acquitted himself well, scoring 16 goals in the 2006 season. Though he struggled in the World Cup, where he was held scoreless, he is a hard worker who will doubtless be looking for a measure of public redemption. Look for a solid performance.
Bob Bradley (manager) – Though initially designated the interim manager of the USA soccer team while the search for a permanent replacement is found, Bradley is making a powerful argument for the full-time job after a decisive 2-0 friendly victory over Mexico on 7 February on this year. If he has any hope of retaining the job, however, he must make a decisive statement in his first major tournament. Sunil Gulati and the rest of US Soccer management will be watching Bradley very carefully, and against this competition, playing primarily in familiar US stadiums, anything less than a championship game appearance for the USA soccer team will doubtlessly be considered an insurmountable failure.
The future of the USA soccer team is bright. This talented and motivated USA soccer team roster approaches the CONCACAF games knowing that a powerful showing will set the stage for the next four years of American soccer. For the old guard and the young up-and-comers alike, this summer is crucial for the USA soccer team not only because of the actual games to be played, but as a test of the will and skill of this squad. Fans of the USA soccer team are in for a very exciting summer.
Sources:
United States. ESPN Soccernet. 2007. ESPN Internet Ventures. 13 March 2007. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/team?id=660&cc=59 01.
Sam's Army. Wheeler, Mark. 2007. 13 March 2007. http://www.sams-army.com/
American Soccer News. 2007. Cyber Soccer Associates LLC. 13 March 2007.http://www.americansoccernews.net/othernews/0 70130_open_cup_format.shtml
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