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What have we learned from the USMNT this winter?

Bruce Arena’s first two matches as manager of the United States national team have concluded, and there are decidedly mixed opinions on his and the team’s performance. For some, 0-0 and 1-0 results against C and B level Serbia and Jamaica is simply not enough, while for others, the incremental progress seen throughout the MLS-filled […]

SAN DIEGO, CA – JANUARY 29: Jozy Altidore #17 of the United States goes to the turf after being fouled against Serbia in the first half of the match at Qualcomm Stadium on January 29, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kent Horner/Getty Images)

USMNT fails to make a statement in Bruce Arena’s first game back

First of all, let me be clear about something. Of all the non-important friendlies the USMNT plays over the course of a four year cycle, none of them are less important than the two annual January friendlies. There was no outcome to the USMNT’s match against Serbia that could have proved Bruce Arena is the […]

LOS ANGELES, CA – JULY 11: Head coach Bruce Arena of the Los Angeles Galaxy looks on during warmups for the match with Club America in the International Champions Cup 2015 at StubHub Center on July 11, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. The Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

USMNT face Serbia in Bruce Arena’s comeback as manager

Sunday’s U.S. vs. Serbia friendly will present a welcome sight for many U.S. Men’s National Team fans, a manager other than Jurgen Klinsmann patrolling the American touchline. Bruce Arena will manage his first game as USMNT coach since he was fired in 2006. Klinsmann was axed after bombing two crucial November World Cup qualifiers and following years […]

LOS ANGELES, CA – JULY 11: Head coach Bruce Arena of the Los Angeles Galaxy looks on during warmups for the match with Club America in the International Champions Cup 2015 at StubHub Center on July 11, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. The Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Breaking down Bruce Arena’s January camp USMNT roster

Bruce Arena has called in his first set of players as manager of the US national team. 32 MLS players will attend his January training camp (all European and Mexican based players are busy with their clubs) prior to friendlies against Serbia and Jamaica. You can see the official release on the US Soccer website. […]

HAMBURG, GERMANY – JUNE 19: US Manager Bruce Arena speaks to the media druing a press conference for the United States national Team on June 19, 2006 at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Hamburg, Germany. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

Is Bruce Arena right to not consider players who aren’t getting consistent playing time with their club?

During the Jurgen Klinsmann era, one of the US Soccer media’s favorite activities was to point out whenever Klinsmann said one thing, then acted differently, and make it into a big deal. This was never more apparent when criticizing Klinsmann’s squad selections. Klinsmann often said one of the big factors that determined whether a player […]

CARSON, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 10: Head coach Bruce Arena of the Los Angeles Galaxy looks on prior to a game against the Portland Timbers at StubHub Center on April 10, 2016 in Carson, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Five potential long term possibilities to manage the USMNT after 2018

Now that Bruce Arena has signed on to manage the U.S. Men’s National Team, what does this mean for the future of the team? All we know is that Arena has been signed on through the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Whether or not Arena stays on after will be decided at that time. But now […]

LOS ANGELES, CA – JULY 11: Head coach Bruce Arena of the Los Angeles Galaxy looks on during warmups for the match with Club America in the International Champions Cup 2015 at StubHub Center on July 11, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. The Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

U.S. Soccer takes eight steps back with Bruce Arena hire

There’s no question that U.S. Soccer’s firing of Jurgen Klinsmann was justified. Even the staunchest Klinsmann supporter will admit that (and believe me, I very well might be the staunchest Jurgen supporter out there). But to hire Bruce Arena as his replacement not only solves none of the issues that Klinsmann has been criticized for, but it will […]

CHESTER, PA – JULY 25: Head coach Jurgen Klinsmann of the United States looks on before playing Panama during the CONCACAF Gold Cup Third Place Match at PPL Park on July 25, 2015 in Chester, Pennsylvania. Panama won in a penalty shootout. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Putting players in wrong roles among many factors in Jurgen Klinsmann’s USMNT demise

After five years of underachieving, underperforming, and failures to succeed at the top level, Jurgen Klinsmann has been fired as coach of the US national team. Look no further than Landon Donovan’s reaction to the news. Jurgen Klinsmann lost his job due in large part to his colossal failures against Mexico and Costa Rica in […]

NATAL, BRAZIL – JUNE 16: Jurgen Klinsmann of the United States celebrates his team’s 2-1 victory over Ghana in the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group G match between Ghana and the United States at Estadio das Dunas on June 16, 2014 in Natal, Brazil. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Jurgen Klinsmann wasn’t a perfect coach, but his firing was shortsighted

The news that Jurgen Klinsmann was relieved of his coaching and development duties with the U.S. Men’s National Team isn’t a great surprise. Klinsmann’s seat has become hotter and hotter ever since the 2014 World Cup. A disastrous start to the most recent round of World Cup Qualifying seems to have sealed the German’s fate. Sunil […]

PASADENA, CA – OCTOBER 10: Brad Guzan #1 of the United States reacts after allowing Mexico to score the game winning goal during the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup Qualifier at Rose Bowl on October 10, 2015 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jonathan Moore/Getty Images)

USMNT gets embarrassed in 4-0 loss to Costa Rica

It was never supposed to be easy when the United States traveled to Costa Rica, but it wasn’t supposed to go like this either. The US travelled to San Jose, Costa Rica having never won a World Cup qualifier there, posting an 0-8-1 record in nine previous attempts. Nevertheless optimism was high that on the […]

HOUSTON, TX – JUNE 11: Johan Venegas #11 of Costa Rica brings the ball up the field as Stefan Medina #15 of Colombia pursues at NRG Stadium on June 11, 2016 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Watch: Costa Rica strike right before halftime on the US

Once again it was an ugly first half for the USMNT. When you go into Costa Rica you know the conditions aren’t going to be great, and though this isn’t the old Saprissa Stadium, the field conditions left a lot to be desired. Players were slipping left and right in the first half for the […]

HARRISON, NJ – OCTOBER 13: Marcos Urena #21 of Costa Rica takes a shot defended by Michael Orozco #16 of the United States during the first half at Red Bull Arena on October 13, 2015 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)

Three keys for the US in World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica

The United States finish November’s international break with a game in Costa Rica after their horrendous home match against Mexico on Friday. Los Ticos are the third-best side in CONCACAF and traditionally provide a tough atmosphere in World Cup qualifying, so this will be nearly as tough as the Mexico game. All we can hope […]

COLUMBUS, OH – NOVEMBER 11: Jozy Altidore #17 of the United States dribbles the ball against Diego Reyes #5 and Carlos Salcedo #3 of Mexico in the first half during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier at MAPFRE Stadium on November 11, 2016 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

USA vs. Mexico isn’t as one sided as it used to be

For the last 20 years, the CONCACAF region has been owned by the Untied States and Mexico. When discussing the best teams in the region, those two are in a class of their own. Even though the two teams haven’t met in a Gold Cup final since 2011, it still comes as a surprise when one […]

COLUMBUS, OH – NOVEMBER 11: Jozy Altidore #17 of the United States defends against Miguel Layn #7 of Mexico in the first half during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier at MAPFRE Stadium on November 11, 2016 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Mexico defeat US 2-1 with late goal in World Cup qualifier

There will be no Dos A Cero this year, as Mexico defeated the United States in a thrilling 2-1 result in World Cup qualifying action from MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. [link_box id=”23231″ site_id=”158″ layout=”link-box-third” alignment=”alignright”]The US surprisingly came out with a 3-5-2 formation — a look that Jurgen Klinsmann has almost never used — […]

Watch: Rafael Marquez scores late winner for Mexico

At the very end of the game in Columbus, Ohio the Mexican National Team secured three points against the USMNT. The USMNT had a good second half but it wasn’t enough as Mexico grabbed a late winner following a corner in the 89th minute. Rafael Marquez ran to the near post and flicked the ball […]

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