U.S. Men Escape Russia With A 2-2 Tie Thanks To Mix Diskerud's Stoppage Time Goal

I can't sit here and tell you that the U.S. men played particularly great this afternoon in Russia. Russia dominated for large portions of the international friendly and Tim Howard (6 saves) was forced to make his usual assortment of incredible saves. However, if you are a U.S. fan, you can't complain with the result: a 2-2 tie at Kuban Stadium in Krasnodar, Russia after rallying twice.

The last game in 2012 for the U.S. men was a particularly memorable one since it looked certain they would go down 2-1. That is until substitute Mix Diskerud (in his 3rd career game) scored in the 93rd minute when his shot was deflected by a Russian defender into the goal. Did I mention that it was his first international goal? Talk about wonderful timing.



In a way, all four goals were rather crazy. Russia got on the board first in the 9th minute as U.S. defender Danny Williams gave the ball away on a free kick in his own end. Russia's Fedor Smolov went in on a rush and blasted it by Howard.

The Americans didn't show much of an attack in the first half and rightfully trailed 1-0 at the break. Slowly, they turned things up a bit in the second half and were eventually rewarded in the 77th minute as Michael Bradley scored an incredible goal (his 11th for the U.S.). Substitute Juan Agudelo headed it back to Bradley, who volleyed it out of the air, off the post and in.



Carlos Bocanegra limped off in the first half with an injury and that reared its ugly head as the man who replaced him-Clarence Goodson-was called for a foul that resulted in a penalty kick. Roman Shirokov calmly converted it in the 84th minute and it looked like that would be it. The U.S.' winless streak vs. Russia (0-2-2) would continue.

Complaints of the U.S. not having some of their top players like Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan should be tempered with the fact that Russia likewise was without many of its best guys. Still, this was a team that's currently ranked ninth in the world and hadn't allowed a goal so far in World Cup qualifying. Any time you can earn a win or tie in Europe, against a quality opponent, you have to be content.

Jurgen Klinsmann's team finished with 9-2-3 record in 2012 and a .750 winning percentage which ties for best mark in national team history. Think of it this way: they won in Italy and Mexico while gaining a tie in Russia. We get caught up in the sluggish World Cup qualifiers but it's hard to argue with those results. They get back in action on February 6, 2013 when they resume 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying with a match in Honduras as the hexagonal begins.

Tweet


Follow @RichSlate

Are You Ready For U.S. Men Vs. Russia? Me Neither But It's Almost Here

Since it is smack in the middle of European club seasons and at the end of MLS' postseason, there has understandably been very little talk about the U.S. men's friendly against Russia on Wednesday morning (10 a.m. ET, ESPN2, ESPN3.com). Still, make sure you set your DVR for what sound be an interesting game against the No. 9 team in the world.

This afternoon, U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann unveiled his 20-man roster that is dotted with some new names and familiar faces. This team's players currently compete in 11 different countries, led by the German Bundesliga with five guys. They began arriving in Frankfurt, Germany yesterday where they trained twice earlier today. They'll depart for Krasnador, Russia (site of the match) tomorrow. It is the final U.S. match of 2012 but they've already at least tied their best calendar year in the modern era (9-3-2 in 2008). They are 9-2-2 (.769 winning percentage) in 2012 so a win or tie would have some extra special meaning.

From ussoccer.com
“We ask for these games because they are big learning curves for us. Playing in Italy, in Mexico and in Russia – we are not the favorites there. For us, we can take a lot from the games no matter how the result ends up. But still we want to go there and beat Russia knowing that it’s one of the top teams in Europe at the moment. In World Cup qualifying they are 4-0, so that’s not going to be an easy task. We need to measure ourselves against the best teams out there and build even more confidence. We want to close the year in a very positive way and then go into a busy 2013 that includes World Cup qualifying, the Gold Cup and some exciting friendlies.”

There is not much of a rivalry between Russia and the United States since they've only faced each other four times, beginning with a 1-0 Russian win on February 13, 1993 in Orlando, Fla. The U.S. is 0-2-2 all-time against Russia so I don't want to get too ahead of ourselves but a victory would be a perfect way to close out an excellent year that saw them record their first ever win against Italy and their first ever win at Estadio Azteca in Mexico.

U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPERS (3): Tim Howard (Everton), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
DEFENDERS (6): Carlos Bocanegra (Racing Santander), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Timmy Chandler (Nuremberg), Maurice Edu (Stoke City), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Michael Bradley (Roma), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Joshua Gatt (Molde), Joe Gyau (Hoffenheim), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim)
FORWARDS (4): Juan Agudelo (Chivas USA), Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar), Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna), Herculez Gomez (Santos Laguna)

Gatt and Gyau are making their first appearances in the senior camp after playing for the U.S. Under-23 squad together. Diskerud and Agudelo reunite after they combined for a goal against South Africa in 2010. It's also nice to see Jozy back in the fold while Klinsmann tries to get Chandler CAP tied with his squad rather than Germany.

“Calling in players like Mix Diskerud, Joe Gyau and Joshua Gatt is a clear signal to this generation of players that we are watching you, follow you, and want to help you get to the next level. This is a first taste for them and what it means to be with the senior National Team. They can train alongside guys like Timmy Howard, Jermaine Jones and Carlos Bocanegra and say ‘I want to get to this level.’ It’s also really an opportunity for them to come in, get accepted right away and show what they can do. Maybe they will even get some minutes in the game against Russia. It also means for them that they go back to their clubs with bigger expectations. We will tell them that now we expect you to become starters in your club team, break through there and get even hungrier. So it’s important that we give these guys the opportunity to join us.”

Tweet


Follow @RichSlate

Nightcap To A Spectacular Day: U.S. Under-23 Men's Team Blanks Mexico 2-0

I honestly can't remember a full day quite like this one for U.S. soccer in my lifetime. Between the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame Class of 2012 announcement, the U.S. women's 5-0 triumph over Denmark at the Algrave Cup and of course, the U.S. men's 1-0 shocking upset of Italy, who could ask for anything more?

Well the U.S. Under-23 men's team aka what will be most of the Olympic team this summer, capped off this memorable leap day with a 2-0 victory over Mexico.

The friendly was played in Frisco, Texas so there was a pretty even distribution of fans. What makes the win so impressive for the Americans is that they controlled play basically from start to finish. Mexico's Under-23 team is one of the best in the world but they looked frazzled the entire match.

Mexico is the U.S.' biggest rival and at any level, I honestly can never remember a performance like that. Usually the script is the complete opposite with the U.S. men forced to stem the non-stop Mexican attack.

The U.S. scored both of its goals during a wild two-minute span in the first half. Juan Agudelo (rocking a Neymar-esque blonde mohawk) headed in a corner kick from Mix Diskerud for a 1-0 U.S. lead in 35th minute. Less than a minute later, Freddy Adu's hard shot from outside the box was tipped in by Diskerud.

American goalkeeper Bill Hamid took a queue from Hope Solo and Tim Howard before him as he also posted a clean sheet. Collectively, the U.S. teams outscored their opposition 8-0 today between the three matches.

Tonight served as a mere tuneup for CONCACAF Olympic qualifying which begins on March 22. Even though it was broadcast on Telefutura, I was able to brush up on my spanish skills while the U.S. dominated. It was beautiful.

You'll want to pay attention to this squad since it figures to contain many of the United States' brightest young stars (Adu, Diskerud, Agudelo, Hamid, Shea, Bunbury, etc.). This game should serve notice that they are worth watching and paying attention to this summer for what should be an exciting tournament in London (I'm assuming they'll get there).

Tweet


Follow @RichSlate

U.S. draw 1-1 with Argentina at New Meadowlands

Before tonight, I can honestly say I had no idea who Juan Agudelo was. He had scored his first goal for the U.S. men's national team in November against South Africa but that totally slipped my mind.

Only time will tell if he can ever develop into a superstar but for one night, he can claim that he scored a goal in a game that Lionel Messi-the best player in the world-was held off the scoresheet.

The U.S. men's national team played a great second half and Agudelo-an 18-year-old striker that plays for the New York Red Bulls-had the equalizer as the Americans came away with a very satisfying 1-1 tie with Argentina.

Argentina came to the New Meadowlands tonight for an international friendly vs. the United States and for the first 45 minutes, I think Bob Bradley's team touched the ball about five times total (that might be a slight exaggeration). Still, Argentina didn't find the back of the net until Esteban Cambiasso scored in the 42nd minute.

Tim Howard made the initial save but Cambiasso was the first one to collect the rebound and blast it top shelf.

Agudelo will rightfully be remembered as the Man of the Match for the U.S. but anybody who watched the game can easily make the case that Howard had the best game of anybody on either team. For all the frustrating aspects of the U.S. team: coaching style, lack of attacking talent, creativity, etc., we can always bank on the fact that we have one of the greatest goalkeepers in the world.

Messi had a few great chances but each time, Howard stuffed him, he shot wide or over. It's so rare to see a team as talented as Argentina on our shores and that's why this had a great atmosphere with a sold-out crowd of 78,936 enjoying what seemed more like a World Cup match.

After looking so overmatched in the first half by the possession and composure of Argentina (two things they lacked against Germany in last summer's World Cup exit), the U.S. responded with an outstanding final 45 minutes.

I absolutely despise having Jozy Altidore play as the lone striker but I understand, there's not many options to partner with him. Still, Bob Bradley has to realize that Jozy doesn't have the holding ability to wait for teammates to pass to. Too often tonight, he tried to take on multiple Argentine defenders with predictable results (turnovers).

Agudelo started the second half and right away, he seemed to get into the flow of the game. His goal came in the 59th minute off a Landon Donovan free kick from way outside the box. Donovan served a perfect ball (a rarity), Carlos Bocanegra flicked it on, forcing Mariano Andujar to make a save. The ball popped loose and Agudelo was there to clean it up and put it in. Truly a special moment for such a young guy, in front of many of his home fans in only his third cap for the U.S.

No goals for Messi but he was a force as always. He started the Argentine goal by keeping the ball alive along the goal-line before laying it in front. As Ian Drake said during the game, if you like soccer you could watch Messi play all day. He's that good, just a special talent that has otherworldly foot skills and feel for the game.

The U.S. will face Paraguay (who lost 3-1 to Mexico today in Oakland) on Tuesday night in Nashville. That game will no doubt lack the atmosphere and buzz of the Argentina so expect a letdown of some sort.