Alejandro Bedoya after practice

"It's unfortunate that Benny got injured (opening up a spot for him), he's a good friend of mine, but things like that happen in football. You always have to be prepared, I'm here ready. My first major tournament. For me, its just keep on developing: learning from every training session and game."

-How he got the call to the team. "I was in Sweden on summer break (from his club season) and my girlfriend had just flown out there. We had a vacation set already for Barcelona. Already packed and ready to go so just changed my plans. Had to book my gf a ticket and came to the States. It's all for the better."

-"This is my opportunity, I have to show I belong here and hopefully I get the chance to play."

-"Disappointed not to make it initially but coach has some hard decisions to make. Good competition. See what I can do. We didn't go over it. Keep moving forward, gotta work hard."

-"Started out well in Sweden, 4 goals and 3 assists in 9 games so far in Sweden."

-"I have an agent for a reason (transfer rumors)."

-"I've had some texts and phonecalls in the area, nice to see my college coach Ed Kelly today. Some of the people will be coming to the game tomorrow so it's going to be fun to see them. I love this area, Boston, so it's nice to be back."

Carlos Bocanegra after practice

"We want to step on the field and do well but in the back of our minds, we realize that Canada is the real focus (in the Gold Cup opener next week). We've been talking about Canada a little bit, after the Spain game we'll watch some video and get to know all their players and their tendencies. It's not that hard to switch over."

"Normally you're not talking about the second team in a lead up. It's a little different."

"Anytime you can get a game like this, test yourself against the best. They do all the things right at the highest level. If we do it against these guys, we should be able to do it against the CONCACAF teams."

Dempsey after practice

After the practice, Dempsey and the players spoke to the media as they came off the field.


"We had Andy Dorman, Pat Noonan, Taylor Twellman, Matt Reis, Jay Heaps. It was a great team, I miss playing with those guys but at the same time you've gotta keep moving forward to the best competition you can. That's why I went to Europe."

"To get to Europe, it's tough to make it. All you can do is take care of yourself."

"Both are physical leagues, pace of the game is a lot faster in Europe. Skill set and weather conditions. Being warm in the summer, it's tough to move around."

Bob Bradley press conference

I have to admit that the one and only time I had sat in on a Bob Bradley press conference (a year ago after the friendly against the Czech Republic in East Hartford), it was one of the most boring experiences of my life.

So admittedly, today I had very low expectations but I have to say that Bob brought it up a notch. He even cracked a couple decent jokes that went over too much with the chucklehead media assembled before him.

Some highlights from the Princeton grad:

-This game vs. Spain is great for the fans. "Spain is a team that soccer people all get excited to watch."

-his joke came when he talked about Xavi being out and Iniesta playing: "Xavi had 10,000 passes in La Liga this season so that ruled him out. Iniesta is at 9500 so he has 500 left, that's why he's playing."

-"All of us watched Barcelona vs. Manchester United (last weekend in the Champions League final)."

-this is an opportunity to play a good team and see how the U.S. reacts. the challenge of trying to get the ball.

-they want to prevent Spain from coming thru the middle and make them defend, it's hard to get possession 50/50% against them.

-Barcelona's foundation is in its academy. "I have an appreciation for how they do everything."

-he related a story about talking to some of their players a few months after the U.S. beat Spain in the Confederations Cup, he said Spain's players were very humble.

Clint Dempsey press conference

Before training this afternoon, U.S. head coach Bob Bradley and Clint Dempsey sat down for a press conference in what seemed like a back room at Gillette Stadium.

Some highlights from Dempsey (the former New England Revolution star):

-He talked about playing out his contract (2 more years) at Fulham.

-He said the main focus of the U.S. is to win the Gold Cup

-He admitted to not watching the 2010 World Cup after the U.S. was knocked out. "I went back to Texas and went fishing with my dad. You might not know too that my grandfather died the day of the Ghana match."

-He said the U.S. is a tough team to breakdown, "if we're all on the same page."

-"I'm excited to win Fulham player of the year. Now I need to replicate what I did last season."

-Returning to New England: "It's great to be back, I have some great memories here. We had some really good teams. I owe a lot to MLS, this is where it all started."

-Talking about Barcelona and Spain, he said Arsenal is similar in style. Man. U found ways to win games this season.

All the U.S. vs. Spain you can handle

Check back in this afternoon/early evening and of course tomorrow as I'll be checking out all the U.S. vs. Spain I can handle.

The U.S. got into Boston last night and they practice today at Gillette Stadium. Bob Bradley and Clint Dempsey are having press conferences before training.

Later, Spain will also practice. I will probably stick around for that too.

Tomorrow's match is at 4:30 p.m. on ESPN, be sure to check it out. The Red Sox are at 1:10 p.m. and the Bruins are at 8 p.m. so I think this works out perfectly.

Follow me on Twitter: @RichSlate for updates

A Manchester United legend retires

When your career spans 17 professional seasons and you spend it all with one powerhouse club, odds are you are a legend in soccer.

With the news today that Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has retired, I'd say it's time to start making his statue for outside Old Trafford.

The England midfielder formed the core of one of United's greatest ever teams along with Neville, Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Nicky Butt and Phil Neville, which culminated in winning the Treble in 1999, though Scholes missed the final through suspension.

Fergie's Fledglings broke up in the subsequent years but Giggs, Scholes and the elder Neville continued to star as Ferguson built a new team. In 2008, nine years after missing out on a glorious night in Barcelona, Scholes started as United lifted the European Cup again, beating Chelsea on penalties in Moscow.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has frequently repeated this season that he wanted Scholes to continue for another year but, despite impressing at the start of the season, the Salford-born midfielder's powers had seemingly been waning in the latter part of the season.

Scholes, who will carry away a reputation for genius on the pitch and for humility off it, having shunned the celebrity spotlight his entire career, insisted deciding to quit was not an easy decision.

"I am not a man of many words but I can honestly say that playing football is all I have ever wanted to do and to have had such a long and successful career at Manchester United has been a real honour.

"This was not a decision that I have taken lightly but I feel now is the right time for me to stop playing. To have been part of the team that helped the club reach that 19th title is a great privilege."

Ferguson paid tribute to the midfielder, who has wowed fans since netting two goals on his debut against Port Vale in 1994, and revealed that Scholes will be joining the club's coaching staff.

"What more can I say about Paul Scholes that I haven't said before?" Ferguson said. "We are going to miss a truly unbelievable player.

"Paul has always been fully committed to this club and I am delighted he will be joining the coaching staff from next season. Paul has always been inspirational to players of all ages and we know that will continue in his new role."

United chief executive David Gill added: "It is very sad day for Manchester United fans around the world. We all know that Paul was one of the players that came through the ranks of the academy system in the 90s and has established himself as one of the greatest players to ever wear the United shirt.

"It is very important that the club keeps the associated with these great players and we are delighted that Paul will join the coaching staff.''

His final game for United was Saturday's Champions League final defeat to Barcelona, though fans will be able to show their final appreciation at a testimonial match in August.

United team-mate Rio Ferdinand led the tributes that flooded Twitter in the aftermath of the announcement.

Ferdinand said: "Paul Scholes retires from football....the BEST player of his generation, loved every minute of playing football with him. #legend.

"Paul Scholes aka Sat Nav went from a scoring midfielder to a dictator of the game (changed his game while still at top of the game) #genius."

It's always hard to see someone retire that has seemingly played at the highest level for as long as you can remember. You have to respect Scholes' choice to walk away rather than force United to the awkward stage of trying to get rid of such a storied player. I hate Man U but even I have to shower love on Scholes, a guy that always played hard, didn't say much and got the job done forever.