US National Team

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It looks like Quakes defender Nick Lima will have his chance to earn his first cap either against Panama or Costa Rica. All of the players on Gregg Berhalter’s team are MLS based players and are hoping to earn a further look as the US team begins their Gold Cup run this year, and eventually their World Cup qualifying run in 2022.


NEWS: Earthquakes Defender Nick Lima Named to Final USMNT Roster (sjearthquakes.com)

And the take from QuakesFan.com

http://www.quakesfan.com/2019/01/22/nick-lima-makes-the-cut/

The Quakes will begin their pre-season camp in Cancun, Mexico. One game is slated to be played there before returning to the US for a 3 game warmup at Reno on February 9, a closed door match against LAFC on February 16, and the traditional pre-season warmup on February 23 against the Seattle Sounders.

Some news from Sacramento regarding their MLS bid. The team currently plays in the USL Championship.

Sacramento Republic acquire new lead investor for MLS expansion push (nbcsports.com)

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs8vP9InqH1/

From the SF Glens Instagram. Their USL League Two (previously the PDL) schedule will be announced on Wednesday January 30, and that will include the home and home matches against cross town rival SF City–which we can best presume they will announce their season as well. (We await their schedule but 2019 memberships are available here.) A major note is that Fresno FC U23s is not on the list and that the Northern California group will include the San Francisco teams and the second year Santa Cruz Breakers. Stay tuned to 3pointsport for more USL League Two news.

Throwback-Flashback: USA Women

Originally this was on the docket for the Throwback-Flashback series but because we could only be in the stands for the recent match we considered putting this article on the backburner until next year. However, because of Instagram interest we decided to post the XI from the vault.  From Candlestick Park 30 some odd rows up in 2013 and Avaya Stadium on the field in 2016.

All photos by Nap Badillo. All rights reserved.

Of note: 2016  Quakesfan/FootySF and 2013 with the American Outlaws in the stands.

 

Previous Throwback-Flashback blurbs:

Manchester City FC

SF Deltas

Arsenal

Liverpool

Tottenham Hotspur

Manchester United FC

USA MNT

Everton FC

 

USA v Chile: The Fans

As noted, we hit a snag with the match by not being able to get on the field.  Regardless of the match no matter how big or small we strive to give the best story as possible as fans of the game and for the love of the sport.

So, presenting the scenes from the stands.  Either as a presser or a supporter this best personifies the spirit of the game.  Something back to basics and fun and once again thank you to the American Outlaws family for hosting.  We love to give the women as much of the fandom and supporter culture as the men so it’s all for country, and club.

 

Photos by 3pointsport

Update: That’s the series.  Also an easter egg.

The other half of the story (part one)…

USA v Chile

 

USA v Chile

Once again, holding little or nothing back, and Nap speaking here.  Under FootySF I was able to get on the pitch for at least one women’s game, and the men’s World Cup Qualifier and that is always appreciated. I haven’t been pleased since last year and the site was started in March to pick up where the old FootySF left but with an expanded emphasis on off-the trail sports that gets overlooked in the regular outlets.  However,  I’m still going to be at the matches, and being a supporter in the stands means being rogue in the press assignment and the option to film video, which is not allowed on the sidelines. So, the game was a good time to further experiment and to give a more artisan take. Plus I have the preference just to shoot photos and the outside of the box approach means something different.

I’ll leave the further vitriol off and just report on the match, not in one but in two parts.  Plus this spot is about the fans, the fun, and the game itself.  This being the usual in-game action summary, and the second one devoted to the American Outlaws, whom I owe a big thank you and gratitude.

In the final tuneup before CONCACAF Women’s World Cup Qualifying, the USA continued their test play with a 4-0 win over Chile before a crowd of 14,340 at Avaya Stadium.  Despite the absence of Christen Press and Megan Rapinoe on the bench, the defending champions put on a clinic for the fans thanks to college locals Julie Ertz (Santa Clara) and Alex Morgan (Cal) in the lineup.   The goal scoring was in textbook fashion thanks to Mallory Pugh and the 34th minute and Tobin Heath 5 minutes later. The loudest applause came from World Cup hero Carli Lloyd, who came in the early part of the second half and accounted for the brace with her goals on the 47th and 93rd minutes.  This match was the 4th at Avaya Stadium since 2015–having previously played Ireland (2015), Romania (2016), and Canada (2017).

Chile has already qualified for the Women’s World Cup through the  CONMEBOL Copa America tournament along with Brazil.  As for the USA they have been drawn in with Mexico (October 4), Panama (October 7), and Trinidad and Tobago (October 10) in their group for qualifying which starts next month.  The top three teams (two in the finals, plus the third place game winner) head to France while the fourth place finalist will go against Argentina in a playoff to determine who heads to the 2019 World Cup.

Photos by 3pointsport

The other half of the story (part two)…

USA v Chile: The Fans

 

Related:

 

Throwback-Flashback: USA

Update 9/5: attendance added to the report.

Clint Dempsey

On Wednesday Clint Dempsey announced his retirement from soccer effective immediately.  He caps off an illustrious career that started with the New England Revolution, then to Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur of the English Premier League, and back to MLS with the Seattle Sounders.   He also has been a decorated player for the US National Team appearing in 3 World Cups, a Confederations Cup in 2009, the 2016 Copa America, and 5 Gold Cup tournaments.

As a tribute here are some photos from the vault – either from FootySF, QuakesFan, or in the stands courtesy of Nap.

 

Yes, he did play for Seattle in his later years and has been that thorn on the side of Quakes fans, but as one of the greats for the US National Team he has taken that club to greater heights.  His achievements ought to be applauded so, thank you Clint and the best of luck in the next career path.

Throwback-Flashback: USA

Since the World Cup kicks off this week, I’d like to share a few shots from the US national team.  Some from Candlestick, and others from Levi’s Stadium and even Columbus, Ohio.  I’ll just share them with a few words.

FootySF stint – USA vs Honduras

FootySF stint – USA vs Jamaica (Gold Cup Final)

All photos by Nap Badillo. All rights reserved.

While is it a major disappointment the US team will not be in this tournament after a run from 1990 to 2014, there are other nations and some players that will be of major interest such as Cris Ronaldo of Portugal, Lionel Messi of Argentina, Neymar of Brazil, the defending champions Germany, contenders France, and hyped England.  In the Hispanic markets Mexico has been promoted at the team to follow plus fellow regional qualifers Costa Rica, who hope to improve on their 2014 run, and newcomer Panama. Not to worry Americans, the Dutch and Italians are also not playing in the Final.  For this edition the tournament will have their share of stories of glory and heartbreak.  Most of all, it will be a celebration of the world’s game.  The next round begins soon, with the hope to getting back to the 2022 edition.

For now the photo article/blog is about the men’s team.  I’ll give the women’s team their own story later on this year.  They have a very good chance of qualifying for France 2019 and defending their title.  Until next time.

Previous Throwback-Flashback blurbs:

Everton FC