Recently in International Soccer Category

I'm under a directive to burn some vacation hours so will take an extended break through next Tuesday.

That means no column next week, but one of this country's best soccer writers has stepped in with an apt Galaxy-centric column that breaks down the past and, hopefully, future sucess of the club.

In other local soccer news:

*No fewer than seven - yup, seven - MLS teams including the Portland Timbers, Houston Dynamo, Montreal Impact, Colorado Rapids and Chicago Fire (I'll let you guess the other two) are training at Home Depot Center this week.

Want to see some upcoming scrimmages?

Here's a (partial) schedule:

*10:30 a.m. Friday HDC Portland-Montreal
*Noon Saturday Oxnard College Chivas USA-Chicago Fire.
*10:30 a.m. Sunday HDC Portland-Houston
*11 a.m. Wednesday HDC Portland-Chicago.

Games involving the Galaxy are open to the media, but remain closed to the general public, BTW (the Galaxy and Dynamo meet at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the HDC).

*Rolling Hills Etates' Robbie Rogers reflects on signing for Leeds - and then seeing the coach that signed him promptly getting fired.

*No, Aston Villa you don't get to keep the Galaxy's Robbie Keane until a couple of days before the March 7 CONCACAF CL quarterfinal season opener (which isn't mentioned in this story). Villains, indeed.

*Guess which Galaxy player just got picked for their national team?

*If you only watch one game this weekend...make it Manchester United-Liverpool (4:30 a.m. Saturday ESPN2).

Also of note:

Landon Donovan and Everton against Chelsea (6:30 a.m. Saturday Fox Soccer)
Robbie Keane and Aston Villa against Manchester City ( 8 a.m. Sunday Fox Soccer)

*Finally, The U.S. exhibition game against Brazil will be played May 30 at Landover, Md., U.S. Soccer announced today.

Clearing up a few odds and ends before the weekend (that would have posted hours sooner had our soon-to-be-replaced blogging software not freaked out):

*Galaxy midfielder Michael Stephens, Chivas USA's Jorge Villafaña (formerly Flores) and UCLA midfielder Kelyn Rowe were named today to the U-23 camp set for Sunday through Jan. 25 at Carson's Home Depot Center and in Costa Rica. All but four of the 22-player roster, including Rowe, were in the December U-23 camp in Florida. Full roster, camp details here.

*The increasingly unimportant MLS Combine, a precursor to the increasingly unimportant MLS Draft, is under way in Florida.

There are several Southern California-based players involved from the likes of UCLA and Cal State Northridge. The complete roster of combine participants is here. You can watch the combine here.

*Chivas USA President Jose Domene tweeted this morning that a new player signing was imminent.

The club has also released four players who won't be missed: starting midfielder midfielder Marcos Mondaini; defender Michael Umana, a second time wash-out in MLS after featuring for Steve Sampson's Galaxy back in 2005; striker and noted braggart Victor Estupiñán, who boasted he would score 25-plus MLS goals and ended up with one; and third choice goalkeeper Sergio Arias.

*Former Chivas USA coach Thomas Rongen has joined Toronto as Academy director, the club announced today.

*Toronto also announced today that tickets for the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal against the Galaxy will go on sale next Friday. Tickets start at $29. Anyone making the trek from LA?

*Hermosa Beach native Dan Tobias has joined the South Bay Force as director of coaching for the club's girls program. The Mira Costa High grad and was a two-time PAC-10 Coach of the Year at the University of Arizona during a seven-year tenure at the school.

*Glasgow Rangers manager Ally McCoist said the club turned down an inadequate offer from French club Sochaux for midfielder Maurice Edu of Fontana.

McCoist was quoted by the Associated Press as saying the bid, which he didn't disclose, "was so far away that I would be very surprised if they came back in."

Sochaux is already home to American forward Charlie Davies, who spent last year on loan with D.C. United.

"I can tell you that I want Maurice Edu to sign a new contract rather than go anywhere," McCoist said.

*There's yet more on the scandals involving FIFA and CONCACAF today:

ZURICH (AP) -- FIFA says former vice president Jack Warner peddled "inaccuracies and falsehoods" when he claimed last month that he got World Cup television rights for $1 in exchange for supporting Sepp Blatter's presidential campaigns.

FIFA confirms that Warner received Caribbean broadcasting rights for $1, though from 1986 and not -- as Warner claimed -- from 1998 when Blatter was first electe d.

FIFA says the deals had "nothing to do" with Blatter's election campaigns.

FIFA says World Cup rights were often sold until 1998 for nominal sums to maximize coverage in developing nations, and provide soccer bodies with extra revenue from selling on rights to broadcasters.

The governing body says Warner was expected to raise money for the Caribbean Football Union.

*Finally, if you only watch one game this weekend, I recommend the Manchester derby in the FA Cup third round that's set to air locally at 5 a.m. Sunday on Fox Soccer.

Enjoy what is shaping up to be another stunning winter weekend in Southern California.

*CHICAGO (AP) -- Borussia Dortmund forward Terrence Boyd and UCLA midfielder Kelyn Rowe have been added to the U.S. under-23 roster for a training camp ahead of men's Olympic soccer qualifying.

Thirty players will gather for the camp with new coach Caleb Porter. It will be held from
Thursday through Dec. 23 at Lakewood Ranch, Fla.

The U.S. opens qualifying against Cuba on March 22, then plays Canada two days later and El Salvador on March 26, with all three games at Nashville, Tenn. The top two teams in the group advance to the semifinals of the North and Central American and Caribbean region, and the two semifinal winners qualify for the London Olympics.

The updated roster -

Goalkeepers: David Bingham (San Jose), Bill Hamid (D.C.), Sean Johnson (Chicago), Zac MacMath (Philadelphia)

Defenders: Gale Agbossoumonde (Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany), Royal-Dominique Fennell (Stuttgarter Kickers), Sebastien Ibeagha (Duke), Kofi Sarkodie (Houston), Zarek Valentin (Montreal), Jorge Villafana (Chivas USA), Andrew Wenger (Duke), Sheanon Williams (Philadelphia)

Midfielders: Freddy Adu (Philadelphia), Bryan Arguez (Montreal), Joe Corona (Tijuana, Mexico), Danny Cruz (Houston, Mixx Diskerud (Stabaek, Norway), Dilly Duka (Columbus), Jared Jeffrey (Mainz, Germany), Sebastian Lletget (West Ham, England), Amobi Okugo (Philadelphia), Kelyn Rowe (UCLA), Michael Stephens (Los Angeles)

Forwards: Terrence Boyd (Borussia Dortmund, Germany), Will Bruin (Houston), Teal Bunbury (Kansas City, Jann George (Nuremberg, Germany), Joe Gyau (Hoffenheim, Germany), Jack McInerney (Philadelphia), Andrew Wooten (Kaiserslautern, Germany)

*The team from Torrance's Japanese sister city, Kashiwa, was bounced from the Club World Cup today.

The lovely Neymar goal is worth watching:

Lastly, here's a video update from the USWNT camp going on out at Carson's Home Depot Center right now:

Galaxy owner Anschutz Entertainment Group is a part-owner of Swedish club Hammarby, so the news isn't as strange as it first appears.

Still, Gregg Berhalter has been an assistant coach at the Galaxy for less than a year, so it's still a big step up.

And it's a sign of how highly the former central defender is regarded by Galaxy Coach Bruce Arena and clubs in Europe, where Americans generally don't get much respect, but where Berhalter spent the bulk of his career.

Congratulations to Berhalter, a class act in the locker room and as a person, but as a journalist I bemoan the loss of a great quote. Wonder if he'll be just as quotable in Swedish?

And here is a quote from Berhalter, supplied by the Galaxy:

"I am excited for the challenge that lies ahead and could not be more thankful to AEG and everyone at Hammarby for giving me the opportunity," Berhalter said. "While I am saddened to leave a club that means so much to me, I feel that my experiences with the Galaxy both on and off the field have helped prepare me for the journey that lies ahead."

Full details here.

Who Knew Department: current Galaxy Academy Senior Director Chris Klein is on the Swedish club's board, the Galaxy said today (now the move makes even more sense).

First: U.S. midfielder Stuart Holden has been ruled out for up to six weeks after fracturing his left leg Wednesday in the game against the Netherlands in Amsterdam. Details here.

Also this morning:

Chivas striker Javier Hernandez celebrates after scoring for Mexico against New Zealand Wednesday at the Rose Bowl (AP Photo).

*Mexico beat New Zealand 2-0 Wednesday at the Rose Bowl before a rabid crowd of more than 90,000.

"It was a rambunctious crowd," Pasadena Police Lt. George Wiley said. "Ten minutes before the end it started raining. That settled things down a little."

About a dozen people were taken into custody on misdemeanor alcohol-related offenses.

Game story here.

*Guatemala beat El Salvador 2-1 Wednesday at the Coliseum. New Chivas USA midfielder Osael Romero came on as a 61st minute sub for El Salvador.

*David Beckham was an unused substitute in England's 3-1 win over Egypt.

*Alta Loma striker Jennifer Gonzalez, who plays for local youth team Arsenal FC, was selected Thursday for the 20-player squad that will seek to qualify for the 2010 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup at the upcoming CONCACAF U-17 Women's Championship March 10-20 in Costa Rica.

Updated:
Galaxy striker Alecko Eskandarian, struggling with a concussion injury he suffered last season, posted this on Facebook this morning:

Just wanted to let all my friends and fans know I will have an update soon on my injury status for the upcoming 2010 season. Stay tuned.

Final: Netherlands 2 United States 1

A push by Jonathan Bornstein on Wesley Sneijder, left, gave the Dutch a first half advantage from the penalty spot over the U.S. that they never relinquished in what was a comfortable win for the world's No. 3-ranked team (AP Photo).

And it was a flattering scoreline for the Americans considering they didn't really start playing until the 89th minute when Carlos Bocanegra scored from a DaMarcus Beasley free kick.

Did the U.S. even have a shot on target until that point?

A spectacularly stupid error by Chivas USA defender Jonny Bornstein gave the Dutch a penalty kick and a 1-0 lead at the half. The second Netherlands goal was also deflected into the goal by a ball-watching Bornstein, who failed to deny the attacking Dutch space in front of the U.S. net.

Landon Donovan was mostly AWOL, too.

But the No. 3 Dutch easily handled the outclassed Americans, who, of course, were without a half dozen or so likely starters through injury. Let's hope Stuart Holden, who limped off in the first half and was replaced, doesn't add to the list.

Quotable:

"Certainly it was a good test for us, and I think overall the team played well," U.S. Coach Bradley said. "The collective effort was pretty solid. There were moments where it needed to be sharper, quicker and better and we still need to raise the bar. Late in the game it was nice to see a good push. We had the ability to move the ball forward get people running off it and we created some good opportunities. We take a lot from the game."

All in all, another disappointing outing:

AMSTERDAM (AP) -- The United States fell flat in Europe once again, losing to the Netherlands 2-1 Wednesday night in the Americans' last match before coach Bob Bradley picks his World Cup roster.

Dirk Kuyt converted a penalty kick in the 40th minute after Jonathan Bornstein pushed Wesley Sneijder in the penalty area. Kuyt sent his kick to the right of goalkeeper Tim Howard, who dived the other way.

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar made it 2-0 for the third-ranked Dutch in the 73rd minute with a shot that deflected off Bornstein and left Howard with no chance to stop it.

U.S. captain Carlos Bocanegra scored in the 88th minute, beating Maarten Stekelenburg to the 6-yard box to head in DaMarcus Beasley's 35-yard free kick. It was his 12th goal in 77 international appearances.

Beasley had a chance to tie it in the 90th, but his free kick from just outside the penalty
area was easily grabbed by Stekelenburg.

Rejoining the national team for the first time since playing poorly in last June's
Confederations Cup, Beasley entered in the 34th minute after Stuart Holden limped off with a bruised shin sustained from a hard tackle by Nigel de Jong. Holden was taken for X-rays.

Maurice Edu, Beasley's Glasgow Rangers, teammate, replaced Jose Torres at the start of the second half, Edu's first international appearance knee surgery last June.

Robbie Findlay was paired up front with Jozy Altidore at the start, then was replaced in the 62nd minute by Alejandro Bedoya. Eddie Johnson entered in the 76th for Landon Donovan, who hardly touched the ball while playing a day before his 28th birthday.

The 18th-ranked U.S. has lost its last five matches in Europe and is 4-19-3 on soccer's most powerful continent since April 1998, with three wins over Poland and one over Switzerland. The Dutch are 4-0 against the Americans, outscoring them 7-1.

Playing on Bradley's 52nd birthday, the U.S. debuted new obsidian road jerseys with white sashes that harken back to the jerseys the Americans wore at the 1950 World Cup, where they upset England 1-0.

The Americans play England on June 12 in their World Cup opener and complete the first round against Slovenia and Algeria.

The Americans are now off until May 25, when they play the Czech Republic at East Hartford, Conn. They face Turkey four days later in Philadelphia before heading to South Africa, where they may play Australia on June 5 in Johannesburg.

Observations? Speculation? Condemnation? Leave a comment below.

Here's what's on tap on a busy day full of significant international fixtures:

*The U.S. Women's National Team beat Germany 3-2 today to lift the Algarve Cup in Portugal on a lucky 70th minute goal by UCLA's Lauren Cheney. Not an insignificant victory against the nation that hosts next year's World Cup. More here.

*The newly-anointed 18th best team in the world, the U.S., at least according to the widely-disparaged FIFA rankings (the latest edition was released today) plays the Netherlands at 11:30 a.m. on ESPN2 and Galavision. More here. And here's the U.S. starting XI.

*Mexico plays New Zealand at the Rose Bowl (8 p.m. on KVEA). One correction to the article: New Zealand's Ryan Nelsen is out injured and will not play. Also, Mexico will likely play England at Wembley May 23, although the date still has to be confirmed.

*El Salvador plays Guatemala at 8 p.m. at the Coliseum where Chivas USA's new signing Osael Romero will be on view.

*In other games, Germany faces Argentina at 11:45 a.m. on GOLTV, while the same channel has Italy-Cameroon at 1:45 p.m.

*U.S. Soccer has confirmed the East Coast location of the previously scheduled game against the Czech Republic:

AMSTERDAM (AP) -- The United States will start its World Cup send-off tour by playing the Czech Republic at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Conn., on May 25.

The site of the match was announced Wednesday by U.S. Soccer Federation. The U.S. has played at Rentschler Field twice previously, defeating Trinidad and Tobago 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier in August 2005 and beating Latvia 1-0 in its final warmup before the 2006 World Cup.

The Americans play Turkey at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field on May 29 before leaving for South Africa. They also might play fellow World Cup qualifier Australia in an exhibition on June 5 in Johannesburg.

Making its sixth straight World Cup appearance, the U.S. opens June 12 against England, plays Slovenia six days later and completes the first round against Algeria on June 23.

In addition to playing the U.S., the Czechs meet Turkey on May 22 in the first match between national teams at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J.

At the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the Czechs outplayed the Americans in the tournament opener for both teams, winning 3-0. In 1990, Czechoslovakia routed the U.S. 5-1 in the Americans' return to the World Cup following a 40-year absence.

The Czech Republic failed to advance to the 32-nation field for this year's World Cup in South Africa, finishing behind Slovakia and Slovenia in its European qualifying group.

*Lastly, MLS Commish Don Garber says bring on the Brits:

MANCHESTER, England (AP) -- Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber wants English Premier League clubs to invest in teams or start new franchises in the United States.

As part of wider discussions with English clubs about co-operation, Garber said Wednesday that money can be made in the expanding MLS.

Some English clubs already travel to the U.S. in the offseason to build their profile by playing exhibitions. Garber said helping to grow the sport in North America is the next logical step for them.

The game, the last before Coach Bob Bradley selects his 23-player World Cup roster, will air at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday on ESPN2 and Galavision.

Notable:

*The U.S. will wear its World Cup strip for the first time, seen here being modeled by Clint Dempsey, who will not play Wednesday because of a knee injury. Made from recycled plastic bottles, the jersey is a throwback to the design the U.S. wore for the 1950 World Cup, when they beat England 1-0 in a game widely considered one of the biggest sporting upsets of all time. And, of course, the U.S. plays England in its World Cup opener.

*The game will also be the first for former Chicago Fire defender Lubos Kubik as an assistant U.S. coach. The former Polish intrnational was named to the post Tuesday Coach Bob Bradley was Kubik's coach at the Fire.

Here's more:

AMSTERDAM (AP) -- American players hoping to make an impression on U.S. coach Bob Bradley before he picks his World Cup roster have one last chance Wednesday night.

In its final match before the World Cup team gathers in mid-May, the United States plays an exhibition at the Netherlands, the world's third-ranked team.

"My last memory playing Netherlands in Amsterdam Arena was not the best," midfielder Landon Donovan said. "I think we chased the ball for probably 90 minutes, so it's hopefully a little different this time. Hopefully, we have a little more of the game. It's really our last chance against a top, top, team before the World Cup and so we want to make the most of it."

The Netherlands is 3-0 against the No. 14 U.S., winning 2-0 in Miami in 1998, 2-0 at
Foxborough, Mass., in 2002 and 1-0 in Amsterdam in 2004.

Donovan, enjoying a successful loan stint with Everton, is assured of a spot on the final 23. Others, such as Glasgow Rangers midfielders DaMarcus Beasley and Maurice Edu, might need good matches to earn their trips to South Africa.

"You feel that the World Cup is coming. It's real," U.S. captain Carlos Bocanegra said.
"Amsterdam Arena is cool venue to play in. So, it should be a good atmosphere, you know, another good test before we go down to South Africa."

Sixteen of the 20 players on the U.S. roster are based in Europe, with just three players from Major League Soccer and one from Mexico.

"It's a good opportunity to play against a real good team, size ourselves up one more time and know that in a few months when we come together again it's with everything right in front of us," U.S. coach Bob Bradley said.

The U.S. is missing AC Milan defender Oguchi Onyewu (Oct. 21 surgery to repair ruptured patellar tendon in his left knee); Hannover defender Steve Cherundolo (injured a shoulder in practice Jan. 31); Fulham midfielder Clint Dempsey (injured right knee on Jan. 17); Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Ricardo Clark (pulled right calf muscle); Aarhus midfielder Benny Feilhaber (damaged ankle cartilage); and Sochaux forward Charlie Davies (recovering from injuries sustained in Oct. 13 car crash).

Jozy Altidore figures to start at forward, with Michael Bradley -- the coach's son -- joined in the central midfield by Edu. Stuart Holden or Beasley could get a start in midfield along with Donovan.

"It's a good way to gauge where we're at, a good way for Bob to gauge where the team is at and also in the bigger scheme to make some assessments on how guys are going to be and help make choices for the World Cup," Donovan said.

The Dutch and Spain were the only teams in European qualifying with perfect records -- the Netherlands was 8-0 and outscored opponents 17-2 in coasting to first place in Group Nine.

Even with Arsenal's Robin van Persie still sidelined after tearing ankle ligaments in November, Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk could start AC Milan's Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Bayern Munich's Arjen Robben and Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt up front in a stiff test for the U.S. defensive line and goalkeeper Tim Howard.
Getting ready for its World Cup opener against England on June 12, the U.S. is looking to boost its confidence.

"I think a good performance will go a long way," Howard said.

Manchester City's Nigel de Jong is set to partner with Bayern Munich's Mark van Bommel, the coach's son-in-law, in midfield along with Inter Milan's Wesley Sneijder. Wingers Eljero Elia of Hamburg or Ryan Babel of Liverpool also are potential starters.

"What you see is a top team with great players," Bob Bradley said. "So you're challenged by the technical ability that they have. You're challenged by the speed that the game will get played, the way they press, the way they move the ball, the way they run off the ball. So it just gives you a chance to play in a game where the bar is real high in terms of just reactions and executing plays. It's good for us."

After this, the Americans gather in mid-May and play exhibitions against the Czech Republic (May 25, possibly in East Hartford, Conn.) and Turkey (May 29 at Philadelphia), with a June 5 exhibition against Australia in Johannesburg also possible.

After playing England, the U.S. meets Slovenia on June 18 before finishing the first round five days later against Algeria.

"Obviously we're still missing a few guys through injury, but I think this is a big test for
us," Donovan said. "And we're going to take advantage of it."

NOTES: Schalke MF Jermaine Jones, sidelined by a shin injury since last summer, joined the U.S. team Monday night. He has not played for the U.S. since opting to switch to the American national team from Germany's last year. ... All three U.S. opponents have matches Wednesday. England hosts Egypt, Slovenia is home against Qatar and Algeria hosts Serbia.

The 20-player roster for the March 3 game:

goalkeepers - Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Tim Howard (Everton)

defenders - Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Jay DeMerit (Watford), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Heath Pearce (FC Dallas), Frank Simek (Sheffield Wednesday), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United)

midfielders - DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers), Alejandro Bedoya (Orebro), Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Landon Donovan (Everton), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Stuart Holden (Bolton Wanderers), José Torres (Pachuca)

forwards - Jozy Altidore (Hull City), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Eddie Johnson (Aris Thessaloniki)

Considering this is a FIFA-designated international game date and the final contest before U.S. Coach Bob Bradley names his 23-player World Cup squad this is a pretty good indication of who is likely to go to South Africa.

And don't forget, the likes of Ricardo Clark, Charlie Davis, Clint Dempsey, Benny Feilhaber and Oguchi Onyewu are all out injured.

Have such players as Robbie Rogers, Sacha Kljestan and Brian Ching seen their chance of making the squad evaporate?

Notable: Johnson only played 75 minutes in two appearances as sub for the USMNT last year and Bedoya, who earned his first U.S. MNT cap against Honduras in January, must have impressed Bradley at the HDC camp. Simek hasn't made a national team appearance since 2007.

Quotable:

"This is the final match before we bring the team together for the World Cup, so to have a match against one of the top teams in the world like the Netherlands is a big benefit and a good challenge for our group," Bradley said. "They are expecting a large crowd to turn out for the game, and we are looking forward to an exciting atmosphere in Amsterdam."

The U.S. is 0-3 against the Netherlands.

Columbus Crew midfielder Robbie Rogers of Rolling Hills Estates is tackled by El Salvador's Juan Carlos Moscoso today in the penultimate U.S. game before Coach Bob Bradley selects his World Cup squad (AP Photo).

Chivas USA's Sacha Kljestan may have booked his spot to South Africa with the kind of opportunistic play Coach Bob Bradley will be looking for when he stole the ball late on from a dithering defender, played a one-two with Brian Ching and smashed the ball home to snatch a U.S. victory in stoppage time.

But for the third consecutive game against El Salvador, the U.S. had to come from behind to win and few players covered themselves with glory today.

Robbie Rogers showed poor decision-making ability when he shot instead of crossing in the second half as two U.S. attackers lurked in the box, earning him a withering look from Ching.

It was Ching's well-taken near-post header that gave the U.S. the equalizer.

Here's the game report:

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Without its Europe-based regulars, the U.S. appears far from ready for the World Cup.

Brian Ching scored on a diving header in the 75th minute and Sacha Kljestan got the go-ahead goal in the second minute of stoppage time Wednesday night in a 2-1 exhibition victory over against 71st-ranked El Salvador.

Ching, a second half sub, scored on a 7-yard shot off a long cross from Heath Pearce that goalkeeper Miguel Montes misplayed, offsetting Rudis Corrales' 59th-minute goal
for Los Cuscatlecos.

Kljestan intercepted an errant pass, exchanged passes with Ching and scored from 6 yards.

Ching, Kljestan and Pearce were among only a handful of U.S. players on the night's roster who appear to have a decent chance of being selected for the World Cup roster. Ching was on the 2006 team but didn't get into a match.

All but one of the U.S. players was from Major League Soccer, which appears to be on the verge of its first strike. The Americans again badly missed their Europe-based starters, who also weren't used in the 3-1 loss to Honduras on Jan. 23.

For next Wednesday's exhibition against the third-ranked Netherlands in Amsterdam, the No. 14 U.S. lineup should more closely resemble the team that helped the Americans qualify for their sixth straight World Cup. That is the last match before U.S. coach Bob Bradley selects his 23-man World Cup roster.

Players will gather in mid-May and have exhibitions against the Czech Republic (May 25) and Turkey (May 29 at Philadelphia) before leaving for South Africa. Coming off first-round elimination at the 2006 World Cup, they open the tournament June 12 against England, play Slovenia six days later and close the first round June 23 against Algeria.

Pearce started at left back and Brad Evans at right back, with Jonathan Bornstein and Clarence Goodson -- the lone Europe-based player -- in the center. Ching entered at the start of the second half in place of Conor Casey. Nick Rimando was surprise starter in goal in place of Troy Perkins.

Corrales put El Salvador ahead after Evans made an errant header deep in the U.S. zone that appeared intended for Rimando.

The U.S. had five shots on goal to one for El Salvador in the first half, with Montes making diving saves on Kljestan and Robbie Rogers.

Who from this game should make the World Cup roster? Ching? Rogers? Kljestan? Anyone?