USSoccerPlayers

Gold Cup: USA 2 - Panama 1

PHILADELPHIA, PA (Jul 18, 2009) USSoccerPlayers -- The United States needed an over-time penalty from Kenny Cooper for the 2-1 Quarterfinal win over Panama, setting up a Group B rematch with Honduras in the 2009 Gold Cup semifinals. The USA came back against a Panama squad that required the best of their defense on Saturday night in front of 31,087 at Philadelphia's Lincoln Field. Once again, the US started a mostly Major League Soccer eleven, reworking the lineup as more players left the squad for the start of preseason training with their European clubs.

US Soccer Statement On TV For Mexico Qualifier

In response to Telemundo's decision to show the English-language feed of the August 12th USA - Mexico Qualifier on Mun2, the United States Soccer Federation issued the following statement:

"With every game, our main objective is to provide the television broadcast to the widest audience possible in both English and Spanish. For the match against Mexico, neither US Soccer nor our broadcast partners (ESPN/ABC, Fox Soccer Channel, Univision) own the rights to televise the match. However, it will be on the air through other networks.”

Telemundo has the US broadcast rights to all Mexican National Team games played in Mexico.  The Spanish-language feed will be shown on Telemundo. 

Saturday's TV

Gold Cup on Univision: Honduras - Canada at 5pm. On Fox Soccer Channel: Panama - United States at 8pm. Major League Soccer on ESPN2: Houston - Toronto at 1pm followed by the Chelsea - Seattle friendly at 3pm.

Brasileirao on GolTV: Palmeiras - Santo Andre at 5:30pm. Colombian League on GolTV: Quindio - Millionarios at 7:30pm and Medellin - Cali at 9:30pm.

McBride Out With Shoulder Injury

Chicago Fire forward Brian McBride is expected to miss three-to-four months after needing surgery to repair a labral tear in his left shoulder.  The early notice from the Chicago Fire had him missing four-to-six weeks. 

Kicking Contest In Philadelphia

Dallas Trades Saragosa For Harris

Atiba Harris is now a member of FC Dallas after the club completed a trade with Chivas USA on Friday.  Going the other way is midfielder Marcelo Saragosa. 

Holden: This Is A Big Tournament For All Of Us

By Clemente Lisi - PHILADELPHIA, PA (Jul 17, 2009) USSoccerPlayers -- It must feel good to be Stuart Holden right now.  After an impressive string of performances for the US in the first round of the Gold Cup, Holden is ready to take on Panama in the quarterfinals Saturday to help the Americans remain in the hunt to win the CONCACAF trophy for a third straight time.

“This is a big tournament for all of us,” said Holden. “When you are representing your country at this level, you always want to go out there and do well.”

Scouting Report: Panama

By Graig Carbino - ALBANY, NY (July 17, 2009) USSoccerPlayers -- Panama enters their Gold Cup quarterfinal match up with the United States on somewhat of a high. After a disappointing 2-1 reverse in game one against Guadeloupe, Los Canaleros were able to right the ship and get things going with a controversial and hotly contested 1-all draw with regional powerhouse Mexico. 

That result gave meaning to group game three against Nicaragua, a match that saw a somewhat undermanned Panama side ease to a relatively comfortable victory over their Central American counterparts. That win granted Panama a spot in the knockout rounds as one of the two best third-place group finishers and a meeting with the United States on Saturday in Philadelphia.

Friday's Daily: In The Turn

With J Hutcherson -- Another crowded weekend for the Summer of Soccer™, as the Gold Cup reaches the quarterfinal stage, the US Women host Canada, and the leagues play through. For The United States, Saturday night in Philadelphia becomes the major test for this tournament. No safety selections in this squad, and a number of players who are building off their performances in the group stage.

Troy Perkins has shown he belongs in the discussion for elite US keepers. He's solid, keeps his position, and doesn't put himself in spaces to make his defenders' jobs harder.

Compare that to some of the creative keeping we've seen from the other squads in this tournament, and the strong spot for the United States over the years remains in place with Perkins. DC United should be wondering why it was such a problem to keep hold of him. He would easily be the best keeper in the Eastern Conference.

LA Extends Streak

The Los Angeles Galaxy won their fourth game in a row on Thursday night, beating Red Bull NY 3-1 at Giants Stadium.  Alecko Eskandarian put the Galaxy up in the third minute.  Working a second chance off a corner kick, Eddie Lewis found Landon Donovan for the second goal in the 31st.  Just before halftime, the two reversed roles.  Donovan setup Lewis, who volleyed in the cross to make it 3-0. 

For all the Galaxy offense, RBNY had their chances but couldn't beat LA keeper Donovan Ricketts.  A handball in the box put Juan Pablo Angel on the penalty spot, scoring in the 87th minute to make it 3-1.  Within three minutes, he was back courtesy of another Galaxy handball.  This time, Ricketts made the save.

"His first kick was so perfect I just said, 'might as well wait until he kicks it'. So I just waited and obviously I went the right way," Ricketts said.

Univision CEO Joins USA Bid

Joe Uva is the latest addition to the USA Bid Committee.  Uva is the chief executive of Univision.  “In the US, Univision is ‘futbol’ for millions of viewers looking to feel the passion and energy that defines the sport,” Uva said. “Because of the growing influence and impact of the Hispanic population in this country, we know we will have a critical voice in helping the United States secure the opportunity to host the FIFA World Cup in 2018 or 2022. I am personally honored to be able to support this bid on their behalf.”

Red Bull NY Adds Öbster

Red Bull Salzburg midfielder Ernst Öbster is now a member of Red Bull NY, the MLS club announced today.  “We were interested in bringing Ernst to New York since our preseason trip to Austria last year,” said Sporting Director Jeff Agoos. “Ernst can play a variety of positions on the field and we think that he has a bright future ahead of him.”