U.S. men’s national team wins Copa America Group A

Posted on June 11, 2016 by Thuc Nhi Nguyen

United States’ Clint Dempsey (8) reacts after scoring against Paraguay during the first half of a Copa America Group A soccer match Saturday, June 11, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

One week ago, the U.S. men’s national team was facing elimination. By Saturday night, the United States topped its group.

With a 1-0 win over Paraguay and Costa Rica’s stunning 3-2 win over Colombia, the Americans locked up not only their first Copa America quarterfinal berth since 1995 (and second ever) but also the top spot in Group A. This is the first time the United States has ever advanced out of the group stage at a major tournament after losing the first game.

The United States will play the runner up from Group B, either Brazil, Peru or Ecuador, in Seattle at CenturyLink Field on Thursday in the quarterfinals. Continue reading “U.S. men’s national team wins Copa America Group A” »

How the United States can advance to quarterfinal at Copa America Centenario

Posted on June 8, 2016 by Thuc Nhi Nguyen

United States’ Clint Dempsey (8) celebrates after a goal during a Copa America Centenario group A soccer match against Costa Rica at Soldier Field in Chicago, Tuesday, June 7, 2016. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

The United States got a much-needed win against Costa Rica on Tuesday to stay in contention to advance out of Group A at Copa America Centenario. The 4-0 win puts the United States in the best position to take the second quarterfinal spot out of Group A after Colombia became the first team to sew up its quarterfinal berth with a win over Paraguay on Tuesday.

With one group game left, the United States can advance to the quarterfinals with:

a win over Paraguay
a draw against Paraguay AND a win from Colombia over Costa Rica OR a Costa Rica win with a margin of victory equal or less than six

With one group game left, the United States can advance as the top seed out of Group A:

A win over Paraguay with a margin of victory more than two AND a Colombia loss to Costa Rica

Group A and Group B are paired together in the quarterfinals.

Copa America Tuesday TV Preview: USMNT-Costa Rica starts at 5 p.m. on Fox Sports 1

Posted on June 7, 2016 by Nick Green

It's GAMEDAY, y'all!! #USMNT vs. Costa Rica, 5 pm PT on FS1 watch @QsBilliards 11835 Wilshire Blvd. #AOCopa pic.twitter.com/TgBQe3XPDC

— AO Santa Monica (@AO_SantaMonica) June 7, 2016

How should the #USMNT line up vs Costa Rica? @AlexiLalas and @AlyWagner would like to see some changes. #USAvCRC https://t.co/rBBSdqTdiw

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 7, 2016

Join us today at 5 @ @ShannonsOnPine for #USAvCRC. #USMNT game two of the group stage for #CopaAmerica! #LongBeach

— AO Long Beach (@AO_LongBeach) June 7, 2016

Copa America Preview (and the hottest games on the secondary ticket market)

Posted on June 3, 2016 by Nick Green

Read the Copa America preview from staff writer Thuc Nhi Nguyen here.

The above chart, compiled by secondary ticket seller rukkus.com, shows that U.S. isn’t the biggest draw in the tournament it is hosting.

The get in price, BTW, is essentially the cheapest ticket on the secondary market, said Jake Sharpless, rukkus.com data and content manager.

“In some cases these tickets are selling for less than face value, which truly indicates the demand of the event,” he said. “Average prices to see Argentina or Mexico games are higher than those of the U.S. For Mexico we know there is a strong contingent of Mexican American fans that attend games whenever they play in the US, but the Argentina draw is coming from Americans who want to see Messi in person.”

Join us at @QsBilliards tonight for #USAvCOL as the #Copa100 kicks off at 6:30 PT on @FOXSports #AOFamily pic.twitter.com/tIxEIlQNDo

— AO Santa Monica (@AO_SantaMonica) June 3, 2016

Matchday! 6:30pm kickoff tonight @UNDERGROUNDPUB ! Cya then! #USAvCOL #AmericanOutlaws pic.twitter.com/eJm6ABAW6a

— AO South Bay, L.A. (@AO_HermosaBeach) June 3, 2016

Infographic: Copa America Centenario by the numbers

Posted on June 1, 2016 by Nick Green

Source: WalletHub

Weekend TV Preview: UEFACL Final, USMNT, MLS and more

Posted on May 27, 2016 by Nick Green

Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid battle city rivals Atletico in the #UCL final Saturday, 2pm ET @FOXTV. #UCLonFOX https://t.co/nAq51jOLV5

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 24, 2016

How did Real and Atletico Madrid reach the #UCLFinal? Take a look back at a dramatic semifinal round @HeinekenSoccer https://t.co/LQ5vopqx8W

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 27, 2016

Watch Mexico play their penultimate test before Copa America, Saturday vs Paraguay, 5:30pm ET on @FS1. #ElTri https://t.co/MVyGp5gHDB

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 25, 2016

USA vs. Bolivia | International Friendly Match Preview #MLS https://t.co/glGlc3FzEa

— MLS in MIAMI (@Miami_MLS) May 27, 2016

Gyasi Zardes called up for Copa America

Posted on May 21, 2016 by Thuc Nhi Nguyen

USAs Gyasi Zardes, right, scores the 1-1 goal past Netherlands Daryl Janmaat during an international soccer match between Netherlands and the US at ArenA stadium in Amsterdam, Friday, June 5, 2015. (AP Photo/Patrick Post)

L.A. Galaxy forward Gyasi Zardes was called up to the U.S. men’s national team on Saturday for the next month’s Copa America Centenario.

Zardes made 19 appearances for the USMNT in 2015, tying Claudio Reyna’s 1994 record for most caps by a U.S. player in their debut year with the National Team.

With the Galaxy this season, Zardes has four goals and four assists in 10 games started.

The national team opens the tournament against Colombia on June 3 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., and plays games against Costa Rica in Chicago at Soldier Field on June 7, and Paraguay on June 11 in Philadelphia.

U.S. Roster By Position:
GOALKEEPERS (3): 1-Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), 12-Tim Howard (Colorado Rapids), 22-Ethan Horvath (Molde IK)

DEFENDERS (8): 5-Matt Besler (Sporting KC), 3-Steve Birnbaum (D.C. United), 6-John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), 20-Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), 21-Timmy Chandler (Eintracht Frankfurt), 23-Fabian Johnson (Borussia Moenchengladbach), 14-Michael Orozco (Club Tijuana), 2-DeAndre Yedlin (Tottenham Hotspur)

MIDFIELDERS/FORWARDS (12): 15-Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), 11-Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), 4-Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), 8-Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), 13-Jermaine Jones (Colorado Rapids), 16-Perry Kitchen (Heart of Midlothian), 10-Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers), 17-Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund), 18-Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes), 7-Bobby Wood (Hamburg SV), 20-Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy), 19-Graham Zusi (Sporting KC)

Weekend Soccer TV Preview: MLS, FA Cup, Copa del Rey, USMNT and more

Posted on May 20, 2016 by Nick Green

We'll be split in @NewYorkRedBulls' red & white and @NYCFC's blue & orange for the start of @MLS #RivalryWeek. pic.twitter.com/AAU3vzOCJb

— Empire State Bldg (@EmpireStateBldg) May 20, 2016

Fox telecasts its first-ever FA Cup final-MLS doubleheader Saturday; the noon New York derby immediately follows the 9:30 a.m. Manchester United-Crystal Palace final.

@CPFC @ProudandPalace @BBCSport Our cat Palace is ready for #FACupFinal pic.twitter.com/x1sshwctkB

— Sapphire (@poledancersaph) May 20, 2016

@CPFC Alfie showing his colours ❤ pic.twitter.com/dfeedSTwHP

— Doreen Krellé (@DkKrelle) May 20, 2016

When and where to watch the Copa del Rey final: FC Barcelona v Sevilla FC https://t.co/cT3EnXW2Vq pic.twitter.com/fIgzplfM24

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 20, 2016

WATCH: @landondonovan, @SLletget & Bruce Arena preview the #CaliClasico: https://t.co/uXCvdHKu1v #LAvSJ pic.twitter.com/IKD9ALwOZp

— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) May 20, 2016

Also: England-Turkey 9:15 a.m. Sunday Fox Sports 2

100 Percent Soccer Column: Ready for a packed summer of soccer?

Posted on April 28, 2016 by Nick Green

So I suppose it’s tempting fate to write a column about the busy summer of soccer that lies ahead and then elevate the wrong team to the final four of the UEFA CL (not that the two alert Barcelona fans who noticed really minded).

Anyway, the corrected column is here, so mark your calendars or stick it on your fridge or whatever to ensure you don’t miss a game.