World Cup Preparations Continue Around the World

USA 2-1 Turkey
The USA had a shaky first half but a very composed 2nd half and came from a 1-0 deficit at half time to defeat Turkey 2-1.

The first half showed an extremely disorganized back line and defensive mids who dropped their coverage numerous times. I counted 5 quality chances Turkey had in the first half and only took advantage of one of those. A better team may have put the US away in the first half. It reminded me of the US v Czech game in 2006. Sloppy defensive play in a World Cup game can seal your fate in moments. That could have happened in this game as well. In the goal that Turkey scored, Jonathan Spector made a run up the flank and ended up in the opposing box and was dispossessed. While I would have liked to see Spector get rid of the ball a bit earlier, it certainly wasn’t Spectors’ fault as his defenders and midfielders need to cover back. Sadly, it was Spector who made a run from box-to-box-to-box to try to catch up to Arda Turan, the goal scorer. Demerit slid over but not soon enough. Even if Turan had not shot the far post, run by Turkey was left unmarked with the late marking of Goodson and Bocanegra. Where were Clark and Bradley? Sadly it wasn’t even a rapid counter, but one that had a bit of a build up. Yet we still didn’t get ourselves organized. What a mess.

The good news is the US has time to get organized before the start of the World Cup, but not too much time. They will have to get things straightened out quickly. It’s apparent that Bob Bradley trusts Jonathan Bornstein on left fullback duty as much as we do so it is Bocanegra who will take the spot. His hernia has seemed to heal quickly and I think he will be good to go come June 12th. Gooch looked all right with the 45 minutes he played. But he will need to play most of the next friendly against Australia if he is going to be a factor with significant minutes against England.

On the positive, who would have thought it but repeat after me: Robbie Findley. Speed and physicality kills in international play and Findley has the wheels but on top of that his touch was really special at times. Especially when he needed it. He was creative with his passing and took a nice chance at goal almost curling one into the upper 90. Could Robbie Findley be the surprise of the tournament for the US? He’s never been very impressive when he previously donned the red, white and blue. Let’s hope we are all singing his praises in the 3rd week of June.

Social Media and US Soccer
The US traveled to South Africa on Sunday. The trip was filled with lots of photos linked on Twitter and Studio 90 started reports right away this morning. Lots of good stuff coming from US Soccer. There is NO DOUBT! US Soccer has by far the best social media crew in the world of international teams. You can find all this stuff plus blogs and photos at US Soccer.com.

US Players Get Their Numbers
The US received their FIFA 2010 WC Squad Numbers today. So if you were waiting for this moment  you can now go ahead and order your custom Nike jerseys.
1 Tim Howard, 2 Jonathan Spector, 3 Carlos Bocanegra, 4 Michael Bradley, 5 Oguchi Onyewu, 6 Steve Cherundolo, 7 DaMarcus Beasley, 8 Clint Dempsey, 9 Herculez Gomez, 10 Landon Donovan, 11 Stuart Holden, 12 Jonathan Bornstein, 13 Ricardo Clark, 14 Edson Buddle, 15 Jay DeMerit, 16 Jose Torres, 17 Jozy Altidore, 18 Brad Guzan, 19 Maurice Edu, 20 Robbie Findley, 21 Clarence Goodson, 22 Benny Feilhaber, 23 Marcus Hahnemann.

Meanwhile in England
Our June 12th opponents played Japan on Sunday. Japan scored three goals. One for themselves and two own-goals for England. They were defeated by England 2-1 in a very uninspiring game. The Brits were not at all impressive and Japan gave them a good run for their money.

England coach Fabio Capello picked his 23 today. England wing Theo Walcott was left off the squad. Who made it?
Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Manchester City), David James (Portsmouth), Robert Green (West Ham).
Defenders: Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ledley King (Tottenham), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa).
Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), James Milner (Aston Villa), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City).
Forwards: Peter Crouch (Tottenham), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United).

Pack Your Bags Giuseppe – This Ain’t Jersey Anymore.
Italy also picked their final 23  today and New Jersey-born Giuseppe Rossi, who turned his back on the US to play for Italy, was one of 5 players snubbed today and sent packing by coach Marcelo Lippi. Rossi most likely would have been a shoo-in for the US squad.