Jonathan Bornstein after practice

I have to admit that I didn't know who Bornstein was at first, I didn't recognize him but I saw other writers putting their recorders in his face so I followed suit. I have ripped him in the past but I have to say that he seems like a really nice guy. Oh and he's tiny, the U.S. site lists him at 5-9 and 145 pounds.

-"Soccer is soccer, sometimes throughout my career I've been asked to play different positions at different times. I think it's adding to my abilities as a player. I think i'll be transitioning back to my old spot. Try to play as I can when I get the opportunity."

-"I think even after the season ended, I do a lot of running on my own. Don't wanna be out of shape coming into camp. Get past where I was a week ago. I think i'm ready, you never know until you get out on the field."

-"Trying to be sharp every day, some days are better than others but overall I think its getting better."

-"Healthy competition. A great quality, move around in the back. Always look forward to learning as much as I can."

Tim Howard after practice

"I'll be anxious and nervous, that's how I've always been. I love that feeling."

-"It's going to be a big game. You have to stand up, a long 90 minutes. Over the last 4 years, we've played some pretty big games. If you ask them, we've given them all they can handle."

-"I watched Barcelona all season, I think everyone does. They're a tough not to crack so I wasn't surprised that they beat Man. U."

-"Argentina plays a 4-3-3 and molds it around Messi. I think Spain will play a version of that. It seems like Barcelona is ruling the world in terms of strategy and style right now."

-"Tough game but good game to start the Gold Cup with (vs. Canada). We're an older brother against Canada in soccer so I expect them to come out swinging. Because its the first game, a good result for us would go a long way. You always want to start a tournament well no question."

-"We've always said, we'll take on all comers. The tougher games you get to play leads to good things. I think playing on the border (in Detroit) will give them a lot of neutral fans."

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.