Following a remarkable victory over Italy and a debacle in Nashville during Olympic qualifying,  the US Men will once again take the field May 26th, starting a round of friendlies and leading into the first World Cup  Qualifier of 2012.  US Mens National Team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann is about a month away from naming his May camp roster for the Yanks.  The end of most of the European seasons, and a series of FIFA dates…
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As the 2010 World Cup draws to a conclusion, it is surely a tournament that no one will forget. When the story concludes on Sunday it will be looked back on in two ways: the year of firsts, and the year of fucktastic refereeing. 2010 saw the first African host nation, a first time winner, and a first time group stage win for the USA. But poor refereeing lent a shadow of debacle and debate…
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Michael Bradley, whose play and decision making was erratic during qualifying, was my pick for man of the match on Wednesday, when the U.S. netted a 1-0 win against Algeria. He did everything one could possibly ask of a box-to-box middy. He confidently guided his team down field, controlling the pace of the game and almost always providing an easy outlet for teammates. (When you watch a replay of the match—and I know you will—keep…
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After being embarrased yet again by a minor player on the stage, Italy has bitten World Cup dust.  Losing 3-2 to Slovakia (yes, Slovakia) after having been held to a draw by New Zealand  (yes, New Zealand), the Azzuri watched any hope of diving their way to another championship slip away.  The aged squad gathered their walkers and limped out of the tournament with a 0-2-1 record.  For the first time in 4 years, one great nation is…
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Landon Donovan is our country’s Danny Mwanga. Is there anything sweeter than a stoppage-time game saver?  While Union fans have gotten a little used to those, it’s a lot different during a World Cup match, especially one that determines whether we live or die.  In case you didn’t know…how the hell could you not know?!  After a hard fought scrap against a fierce Algeria, replete with multiple frustrating wasted chances by our side, we have emerged…
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Dear France, Sweet, sweet France.  Just so you know, I had your back for years.  I never ONCE called them freedom fries or freedom-kissed my wife.  And of course, thank you ever so much for Le Toux.  He’s a keeper, like Gerard Depardieu, only he doesn’t suck. But you knew you had this coming.  You knew the moment a certain Frenchman, let’s call him…Henry…stuck his little hand out and palmed the ball like it was…
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Koman Coulibaly, currently the 2nd most detested official in world soccer (yes, Martin Hansson, you still have the title), may well face consequences for his recent mysterious call.  In case you didn’t know, he’s the guy who decided the US’s game-winning goal against Slovenia Friday didn’t happen.  Or at least it didn’t count, because…well, he’s not saying.  And neither is FIFA.  However, FIFA is conducting an “expedited” standard review of the incident, and if Coulibaly…
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Dear Mr. Beck, Fuck you. Damn that felt good.  There have been so many, many reasons to say that, but none that were appropriate for a soccer website- until now.  You, my porcine propagandist, had this to say about the supposed lack of enthusiasm for the World Cup in our beautiful nation: “It doesn’t matter how you try to sell it to us, it doesn’t matter how many celebrities you get, it doesn’t matter how many bars open early, it doesn’t…
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You knew it was coming.  We want to know where PUT readers stand on the South Africa fans’ official mating call, the Vuvuzela.  You’ve watched enough World Cup games to know how you feel by now. But before you make your decision, take a moment to educate yourself on the history of the iconic instrument.  According to some shit a guy on Wikipedia probably made up, the first vuvuzela was fashioned by a Kaizer Chiefs fan…
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