With all of the international scouts, coaches and staff here in Bradenton, the question of the day has been "what's the score of [insert favorite EPL team here]?" The U.S. Soccer staff work area has internet access to keep everyone informed, and Reading vs. Liverpool is on in the office area. Some of the scouts found a local bar that was playing the games, and got over there as quickly as they could.
Keep up with U.S. Soccer Global to stayed informed on Americans overseas.
You didn't think we forgot about you, did you? Like the players in this first camp of the U-23 National Team under Peter Nowak, we're all getting adjusted to each other and the environment, so we figured we'd ease into it. We'll get you quickly caught up to speed:
GOALKEEPERS (2): Zac MacMath (St. Petersburg, Fla.), Chris Seitz (Real Salt Lake)
DEFENDERS (6): Hunter Freeman (New York Red Bulls), Patrick Ianni (Houston Dynamo), Jon Leathers (Furman University), Mike Randolph (Los Angeles Galaxy), Tim Ward (Columbus Crew), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Arturo Alvarez (FC Dallas), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Michael Harrington (Kansas City Wizards), Aaron Hohlbein (Kansas City Wizards), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Sacha Kljestan (CD Chivas USA), Dax McCarty (FC Dallas)
FORWARDS (5): Josmer Altidore (New York Red Bulls), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), Sal Zizzo (Hannover 96)
OK, folks. Sounds like they are calling our flight. Check back in Sunday morning - on U.S. time, that is - for Sacha Kljestan's travel blog. In the mean time, if there's something you want to know, don't be afraid to ask.
In spite of all the activity here on the IMG soccer fields, the Nicole Megaloudis Foundation has a table set up amidst the madness.The Foundation was established to assist students who hope to attend and graduate college. Scholarships are awarded based upon leadership qualities and demonstration of financial need. The mission of the foundation is to help students realize their dreams and to allow Nicole's memory to live on.
Autographed jerseys from Freddy Adu, Michael Bradley, Eddie Johnson, Clint Dempsey and others are up for auction at the table. There is also a 50/50 raffle and various merchandise available, with all profits going to the foundation.
For more information about, or to donate to the Foundation, please visit remembernicole.com
There was some camaraderie and national pride here at the Friendlies, and no it wasn't from the Americans. IMG has one of the premier tennis training centers in the world, and draws international talent. The Russian tennis players were well aware of their countrymen's soccer game against Turkey this afternoon, and came out in full force. The girls made signs and cheered loudly as their team won, 4-3, against Turkey in the day's only international match. Though we don't speak Russian, we're sure that the players were happy to have the girls' support.
The U.S. won 2-0 over Russia this afternoon in the International Bracket of the Development Academy Nike Friendlies. In the hot afternoon weather, the U.S. got goals from Carlos Martinez and Stefan Jerome to cap an exciting performance in the group's first ever competitive game.
We talked to Martinez, Jerome and midfielder Charles Renken after the victory and they told us they felt really good during the match, despite the heat, and now are looking forward to the match-up with Brazil. Renken was telling us he's excited because it's a chance for the U.S. to go up against one of the best team in the world.
Josh Lambo, Jared Jeffries, Brandon King, Mykell Bates and many, many more players provided ample support for the 92s this afternoon. A whole section stationed in the bleachers at midfield was bouncing up and down the whole game, yelling, singing and blowing horns. The face and body paint was out in the stands, and surely the 92s appreciated the camaraderie, as they celebrated with their teammates and friends after both goals.
The Development Academy Nike Friendlies “Helper of the Day Award” today goes to ‘92er Aaron Horton. Aaron wins this coveted prize thanks to his impeccable cable running for FSC during today’s broadcast. We’re also pleased to report that Aaron, who will be on the roster for the Brazil game on Saturday, encountered no quicksand during his two-hour shift. The reason we’re happy for this, is that apparently the Ohio native is terrified of quicksand. Today’s starting goalkeeper Earl Edwards, in his own words, can’t even sit on a car without getting vertigo. What happened to people being afraid of more sinister things like zombies or aliens? Kids these days…
Lots of scouts are roaming around the grounds here, many from foreign countries and big teams. One scout, from a G14 football club nonetheless, made like the fans at the USA-Russia game, and cruised around the premises sans-shirt before returning to the lodge for a dip in the pool.
If you missed today's live broadcast, don't worry: We'll have highlights coming up later tonight, and in tomorrow's Studio 90 we'll have a full game recap and preview of Saturday's big match against Brazil!
In the first game of the morning on the Showcase Field, the U-17s won 2-1 over Philadelphia club FC Delco. Goals from Amobi Okugo and Bryan Dominguez in the first half set the tone for the U.S. team who are now 1-0 on the weekend. You can read the full match report here ...
Later on the same field, the Brazil U-17s beat Turkey 7-2. The game was close at halftime, with Brazil leading 1-0, but a second half barrage of goals created the lopsided scoreline. Check back here later for highlights of the game ...
Everybody here is in preparation mode for this afternoon's big game. That includes the Blog, as we take our place field side for the kickoff. Be sure to check back here for highlights and thoughts after the match...
The International portion of the Friendlies is officially underway... Turkey and Brazil '92s have kicked off on Field 1. The bleachers are filled with spectators, scouts and National Team coaches. The perfect weather here in Bradenton has added to the atmosphere at the Friendlies, and so has the high-level competition taking place on seven fields.
The Blog is at the field bright and early Thursday morning, and the tournament kicks off in less than an hour. Teams are registering left and right, and things are becoming increasingly hectic as the unique atmosphere of a tournament begins to creep in. Games occur on seven fields throughout the day, but undoubtedly the pick of the bunch is the USA '92s vs. Russia at 3 p.m. That match will be televised on FSC, so be sure to either cut out from work early, or take a long lunch hour. Don’t worry about the consequences: you have our permission.
Last night we sat a few guys from the team down for a few quick interviews, some of which could make their way on to FSC during halftime of today’s game. If they don’t, be sure to hit up ussoccer.com throughout the weekend, as we’ll be posting news, highlights and everything else that comes of interest throughout the weekend….
As an annual Nike Friendlies tradition, the players in Residency lined up for a photo shoot and took updated headshots. It was quite a process getting 50 players through, but there was an apparent contest to see how much we could make the subject of every photo laugh. Maybe it took a little longer than necessary, but we had to make it fun.
Once we ran over our alloted time, the U-15 boys came in for their turn, and any sort of efficiency in the process was then completely gone. There was a lot of camaraderie between the teams... players coming from the same clubs or local areas, or familiar faces from previous National Team camps. We did get everything accomplished, it just took a little longer than expected.
Time to go rest up for tomorrow's games - check back for more inside info, and check out the '92s as they take on Russia live on Fox Soccer Channel at 3 p.m. ET.
Well... It's Wednesday of Nike Friendlies week here in Bradenton, and we can all tell that things are gearing up for a big weekend. There are signs being put around Field 1... scaffolding is being put up for the TV cameras, U.S. Soccer staff has taken over the facility.
One of the great aspects of the Nike Friendlies is having other Youth National Teams around campus. Today on the fields next to us were the Under-15 boys, who will be split into two teams this weekend. It's always nice to feel a sense of community among the different National Teams, and this weekend is a great opportunity for all of us to be a part of it.
The weather is perfect today, and is supposed to stay like this all weekend. Hopefully that will add to the great atmosphere of the weekend.
Well, as you all know, some changes are afoot down here in Bradenton. Coach Cabrera is here today for the first time, going through some meetings, and will lead his first practice tomorrow. We’re excited to meet him and see what he’s like – we’ve all heard great things about him. There are a lot of unknowns with new coaches, but here is what we do know:
* Two-time World Cup veteran
* Played in two U-20 World Cups
* Grew up in the Colombian youth system
* Played for some of the best clubs in Colombia
* He's fluent in English after just three years of learning
It's all pretty impressive. We'll start getting to know him (and he'll start getting to know us too) this weekend.
For a complete biography of our new coach, click here.
