Introduction

Brad thanks for the opportunity to cover this blog. I will try and provide insight as to the MNH and also the EPL where i support Liverpool unlike you gooners. For those of you who don't know a whole lot about the EPL and are looking for a team to support watch this..


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3k9Eb8-KUE

Perhaps even better than those goals is Andy Greys commentary on number one...
"Awwww ya Beauty, what a hit son, what a hit."

Gold Cup Recap:

Coming into this tournament as the favorites i thought we were doomed to lose. We were undefeated under Bradley (still are knock on wood), the young players seemed to be gelling, everything just seemed poised for a letdown. Fortunately it didn't happen and we came out on top, all credit to the squad. In the aftermath of the tournament, i have seen nothing but criticism for our team and that is disappointing. Sure we didn't finish great, but Beasley puts that ball in 100 times out of 101, same with Ching and LD in previous games. I haven't seen anyone shoot more balls right at the keeper than Clint, but I have also seen him score a good amount of times. I attribute our lack of finishing to two things; one luck, and two not having a clinical striker. Beasley, Dempsey, and LD will all finish more than enough for us, they are our three best finishers by far and I wouldn't worry too much about the misses by them. However the miss by Ching, and the fact that EJ and Twellmen when in the match just completely disappear does present a problem. The best i saw the front line preform was when Twellmen and Ching were paired together after Dempsey was subbed. However I wouldn't want Dempsey out at all and that pairing wont be viable in 2010. An interesting possibility however would just be playing Dempsey, LD and Beasley out front by themselves, no real box forward in. Play a 4-3-3 have Clark (or Mastroini), Benny, and Bradley in the middle and leave the three big guns up top. Benny and Mike are both excellent passers and i think with the creativity of those three up front the midfield will have plenty of options to pass too. It would help our defense, basically having 8 or 9 men behind the ball at all times. It remains to be seen if we could score from this formation consistantly, but i think with the 3 up front working their magic we could get something going. It at least is worth a shot. This is until Altidore or Lee Nygen are ready to play in the senior squad.

U-20 World Cup

I for one am very excited to see us perform in this competition. Bradley, Altidore and Adu are all potent threats with loads of potential and i am eager to see how they match up against the best in the world. I will have more information on this when the tournament kicks off. Adu will present an interesting option when he is ready for the national team. For all of you who say he is over hyped and not near as good as he is supposed to be, look at him minus all the hype. He is 18 years old. A kid. At 15 he had the weight of American Soccer thrust upon his shoulders (a baton now being passed to a David Beckham, an Atlas of sorts). In the last U-20 friendly he scored a goal, set up another, and just missed scoring another one. This is an 18 year old kid, sure he might not be a Rooney, but he is still maybe the best young player we have. He has loads of potential and I think the spotlight being off him for a few years will only help him to mature and become the player he can be. However, saying he is ready for 2010, where do we put him? Have Dempsey be the striker, throw Beasley on the right, LD in the middle, and Adu on the left. But then where is Altidore? Bobby the Princeton grad will tackle this task when it comes, but for now we are left to wonder.

Adu: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7FQv5Dv9w4

Liverpool FC:

Despite being promised new signings by our new American owners, Gillet and Hicks, there have been none as of yet. Torres from Athletico seems to be the best bet to come to Anfield, but his buy out clause is something ridiculous like 27 mil (pounds). However even with this price tag these are the guys who signed A-Rod from Seattle, and gave him an even more Astronomical contract, so anything is possible. Also we need to improve along the wings, Jermaine Pennant, and STEVIE GERRARD (all letters of his name shall be capitalized at all times as a rule), are on the right for us but i would like to see STEVE in the middle where he can do the most damage. Unfortunately Pennant cannot cut it day in and day out at RW so we need a new one. They are a scarce commodity and it looks more like we will get a left wing instead. Malouda the Frenchman seems to be our best bet at left. But like i said i think we are fine on the left, i really like our Aussie: 'Arry Kewell and instead of finding a replacement i think we should look for a Pennant caliber player to back him up. No names as of yet and i will be back to discuss any eventual signings and whatnot.

I bid you good night.