US Soccer Players

R.I.P. Harry Keough

United States National Team alum, Olympian, National Soccer Hall of Famer, and National Soccer Coaches Association of America Hall of Famer Harry Keough passed away on Tuesday morning.  Keough was 84, a member of the 1950 USA World Cup team that beat England.  He was also the architect of the St. Louis University soccer dynasty, leading them to five NCAA championships starting in 1967.  Keough had 17 caps with the National Team.  At a time when the USA rarely played, Keough appeared in every game from his debut in 1949 until his last appearance in a National Team shirt in 1957.   Keough's fellow members of the United States National Team Players Association join the American soccer community in their sadness at hearing of Keough's passing, along with offering their sympathy to his family. 

Video: USA - Canada History

Highlights from the March 16th, 1997 World Cup Qualifier and the January 18th, 2003 friendly courtesy of US Soccer Communications.  The United States Soccer Federation announced last week that the two teams would meet on June 3rd.

USA - Canada Set For June 3rd

The United States will play Canada on June 3rd at Toronto's BMO Field (7pm ET - NBC Sports Network), the US Soccer Federation announced on Thursday.  The game will be part of the Canadian Soccer Association's 100th anniversary. 

"First of all, we are honored to be chosen to be part of Canada's Centenary Celebration," US National Team coach Jurgen Klinsmann said. "This is exactly the type of challenge we are looking for as we grow the team and get ready for the start of World Cup qualifying. There is a great history in the rivalry, and Canada is a team we could see in the final round of qualifying. It's a win-win for everybody."

Video: Panama 0 - USA 1

Highlights from the January 25th, 2012 friendly between Panama and the United States from Estadio Rommel Fernandez in Panama City.

Panama 0 - USA 1

Graham Zusi got his first National Team goal in his second National Team game, putting the United States up eight minutes into Wednesday night's friendly against Panama.  Both teams pressed the offense in the first-half, with US goalkeeper Nick Rimando and his counterpart Luis Mejia called into service.  Rimando would exit for Sean Johnson at halftime, with the second-half starting similarly to the first.  US defender Geoff Cameron was red carded in the 52nd minute, leaving Panama with an extra player and several missed opportunities to find an equalizer.  The United States would wait until extra time before winning their first corner kick.

Video: Panama Pre-Game

US Soccer Communications updates us on what's happening with the United States National Team in Panama.

Scouting Report: Panama - USA

By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Jan 25, 2012) US Soccer Players -- The United States takes to the road for the second game of 2012.  The match at Panama City's Estadio Rommel Fernandez is aimed at simulating the atmosphere players will experience during World Cup Qualifying.  The dress rehearsal serves the younger players called up by coach Jurgen Klinsmann for January camp as well as the coach himself, giving them a firsthand look at what it's like to play away in CONCACAF. 

Four days after downing Venezuela 1-0 following a Ricardo Clark stoppage time goal in Glendale, AZ, the National Team will take on a Panamanian side composed primarily of Under-23 players.  Panama coach Julio Dely Valdes called up 18 players for the game, including defender Carlos Rodriguez and veteran striker Blas Perez, who signed with FC Dallas during the offseason, and defensive midfielder Gabriel Gomez, who recently agreed to join the Philadelphia Union.

“The most important thing for us against the United States is to use this game to give players experience,” Valdes told reporters Sunday after announcing the squad.

Williams Takes U-17 Job

On Tuesday, the United States Soccer Federation announced that Richie Williams has been named coach of the Under-17 National Team.  Williams - a former National Team and Major League Soccer player who also served as an MLS assistant coach - had been coaching the U-18 team.  The U-17 coach is a fulltime role.  Williams had 20 caps with the United States.

History: USA - Panama

The last time the United States and Panama met was the 2011 Gold Cup.  The US lost the June 11th group stage game in Tampa Bay 2-1.  Trailing from the 19th minute, the US was down two goals after giving up a 36th-minute penalty.  Clarence Goodson pulled a goal back in the 68th, but the USA was unable to come up with an equalizer.  “You can’t start that way," US midfielder Landon Donovan said. "I think for some reason we were just a little lackadaisical, a little complacent early."

An opportunity to make amends came quickly, with the two teams meeting in the semifinals on June 22nd.  Clint Dempsey scored the game's only goal in the 76th minute for the 1-0 win at Houston's Reliant Stadium. 

Saprissa Reserves 0 - US U-23's 0

The United States Under-23 National Team scrimmaged Saprissa's reserves today in Costa Rica.  Playing at the Monster's Cave, aka Estadio Ricardo Saprissa Ayma, the two teams finished scoreless. 

USA: 1-Zac MacMath; 4-Kofi Sarkodie (17-Sheanon Williams, 77), 3-Zarek Valentin (capt.) (19-Royal-Dominique Fennell, 77), 2-Sebastien Ibeagha (Andrew Wenger, 46), 5-Jorge Villafana; 6-Amobi Okugo (15-Mix Diskerud, 46), 8-Jared Jeffrey (13-Michael Stephens, 61), 10-Dilly Duka (12-Isaac Acuna, 67); 7-Freddy Adu, 9-Tony Taylor (11-Jack McInerney, 70), 11-Jack McInerney (14-Joe Corona, 46)
Head Coach: Caleb Porter

Video: U-23's In Costa Rica

The United States Under-23 National Team is currently training in Costa Rica, with scrimmages scheduled against Costa Rican clubs Saprissa and Alajuelense.

Postgame: USA 1 - Venezuela 0

The postgame comments from coach Jurgen Klinsmann and US National Team players following the 1-0 win over Venezuela on January 21st.

Media Roundup: USA 1 - Venezuela 0

Coverage of the United States 1-0 win over Venezuela.

Juergen Klinsmann puts U.S. soccer on fast track - from The LA Times' Kevin Baxter: "This is a different level," Klinsmann says of the international game.

Jones showing he's worth risk for US Soccer - from FoxSportsArizona.com's Tyler Lockman: It was the leadership that was unexpected.

Video: USA 1 - Venezuela 0

Highlights from the January 21st, 2012 friendly between the United States and Venezuela from University of Phoenix Stadium.

USA 1 - Venezuela 0

The United States opened its 2012 schedule with a 1-0 friendly win against Venezuela at University of Phoenix Stadium.  The USA got a last gasp goal, with Ricardo Clark scoring from a Jermaine Jones corner kick late into stoppage time. The goal was the third of his National Team career.

“I think the two corner kicks before were dangerous as well," Jones said of an attacking sequence that had the US pressuring Venezuela goalkeeper Jose Morales. "I had it in my mind that maybe this was my last chance and I needed to hit a good ball. I was happy to see Rico was in the right place and scored the goal.” 

Video: USA - Venezuela Preview

US Soccer Communications previews the USA - Venexuela friendly with interviews from players during Friday's public practice at University of Phoenix Stadium.

Panama Releases Friendly Roster

GK: Luis Mejia (Fenix), Kevin Melgar (Alianza FC)
DEF: Rolando Algandona (San Francisco FC), Edward Benitez (Sporting SM), Eduardo Dasent (Tauro FC), Carlos Rodriguez (FC Dallas), Sergio Thompson (Sporting SM), Eric Vasquez (Chorrillo FC)
MID: Rolando Botello (Tauro FC), Gabriel Gomez (Philadephia Union), Juan de Gracia (Chepo FC), Luis Ovalle (Sporting SM), Alberto Quintero (Chorrillo FC), Marcos Sanchez (Tauro FC), Amir Waithe (San Francisco FC)
FOR: Manuel Mosquera (Arabe Unido), Blas Perez (FC Dallas), Luis Renteria (Tauro FC).

Dempsey Wins USSF Athlete of the Year

On Friday, the United States National Team announced their Athlete of the Year award winners.  On the men's side, Clint Dempsey won the Athlete of the Year award with Brek Shea winning the Young Player award.  Abby Wambach and Syndey LeRoux won the women's awards.  Dempsey also won the Futbol De Primera award, the other player of the year award associated with the United States National Team.

"I'd like to thank the fans for voting me Athlete of the Year," Dempsey said. "It always feels good to be recognized for doing a good job at something you love to do. I'd like to thank my teammates and coaching staff for all their hard work, and hopefully we can have a better 2012."

Scouting Report: USA - Venezuela

By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Jan 20, 2012) US Soccer Players – Following the annual January training camp, the United States National Team opens its 2012 schedule with a friendly against Venezuela on Saturday at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ.  For US coach Jurgen Klinsmann, the game will be his first chance to test new players five months before the USA begins the task of trying to reach for the 2014 World Cup.  The USA and Venezuela will feature lineups composed primarily of domestic-based players since the match falls on a non-FIFA date.

Venezuela is the one South American country where soccer fights for attention against another pro sport.  That's baseball, though Venezuelan soccer has made noticeable gains in recent years.  Because they play in CONMEBOL, that hasn't resulted in a dramatic rise to Copa American challengers or qualifying for the World Cup, but it's a difference that has drawn attention to a country that until recently could be dismissed as a soccer lightweight.

Video: National Team vs U-23's

Highlights from Tuesday's scrimmage between the United States National Team and the Under-23 National Team.