The Match That Must Be

Finally watched the USA match from the weekend. They looked better, but not great. Jamaica didn't quite come roaring out of the gates and it is hard to judge the performance against some of the opposition in this tournament.

Tonight's matches will provide sterner tests for the Juggernauts of CONCACAF, with Panama and Honduras looking to upset the perennial dominant forces. I don't know that the Gold Cup organizers would like an upset too much considering the revenue they dream about from a USA Mexico final in Los Angeles. They need that final. We need that final. It is the only match in this tournament that anyone really cares about.

The American team has looked like shit. Let's not dress up a turd, it is what it is. We all know the team can play better. We have seen nearly the same squad play much better in the World Cup only a year ago. They will need to step there game up if they are to even get a shot against Mexico. Panama will not lie down. Mexico has easily looked the best team in the tournament. Considering the opposition that may not be saying much, but its more than the Americans have been able to do. Unless we see an utterly convincing display from the Americans today I'd still say Mexico is playing better at the moment, and are probably the better team.

The Americans have dominated Mexico in recent years, but this seems to be a different team. With Chicharito they have an emerging superstar with the ability to get a goal out of nothing, something the USA lack and that could give them the edge. The thing is that the Americans seem to hold a psychological advantage over Mexico, with my friends and I suspecting the pressure mounted on the Mexican players so immense by comparison to the Americans it affects their play. Can you say LeChoke?

I was watching Sportscenter an hour ago and they decided to give the matches tonight a quick minute breakdown. How sweet of them. turn on the Spanish language channels and that's all they are talking about. There is much national pride at stake and they don't fail to let the team know that. Its ok for USA to lose, not many here will really care or remember after a day or two. For Mexico it looms over them for 4 years until their next chance at redemption. Should the two teams get there i believe we will be in for one hell of a match.

We intend to be at the Rose Bowl for the match and I want to see some passion. Not to berate the other teams but the build up and preparation will be something special should we get the match the nation wants.

I want to see 90s Aerostars littering the fairways of Brookside in Pasadena with the smell of carne asada and Tecate in the air. I want to hear a tambarazo playing and the colors of El Tri flying high. I want to party with The American Outlaws and all the other American supporters that give USA soccer a good name. There should be bandanas and beer pong, burgers and brats, Buds and burning weather!



Deeply entrenched in silly season people everywhere can hope for a match that will ignite some passion and cause for real interest to spell us from the doldrums of football summer.

Who remembers this?



All that's left is for the football teams to take care of business tonight to give the fans what they deserve. Don't fuck this up.

The Pint and Verminator Rise From the Ashes

Back from an all too long barren spell that rivals that of our trophy cupboard, I've been motivated by @Chilangooner's new blog. That and the fact I actually felt like writing something.

Arsenal's fans know all too much about the team's late season collapse. Whether it was bad luck, injuries, or bad timing this has happened all to often to be coincidence. The team has blown it, time and time again. Many point to match against Newcastle where Arsenal went four nil up and... nevermind.

Injuries are always a problem of The Arsenal of recent years and the squad suffered quite a few injury blows throughout the season as is customary. The funny thing was that when they blew the season, nearly all of the squad were fit. More so than any other recent season if my memory serves me. So if the injuries weren't the problem, the blame lies squarely on the shoulders of the players, and rightly so.

The English media like to say that Arsenal lack that "English Spine" that would give them the toughness they need, lacking since the departure of Tony Adams. One could argue that "The Invincibles" team of 2004 wasn't very English, with only two major contributors, Sol and Cashley. But the idea that The Arsenal need a Scottie Parker and Gary Cahill is a bit far fetched. Yes, they need steel, but who cares if its English?

Vermaelen was easily the standout new performer in 09/10 and brought an intensity and vigor to the team unlike many of late. The Belgian's hard tackling, great pace, and nose for goal led to a meteoric rise of his stock in the eyes of Arsenal fans. His steely demeanor and cold assassin eyes struck fear into the opponents. Many were saying just months into his first season that he was a future captain of The Arsenal.

Injuries struck the best striker, midfielder, defender, and all the GK's throughout the year. I would have argued before the season that the one player that had to be fit in order for Arsenal to succeed was Thomas Vermaelen. The cornerstone of the defense. The senior partner of the CB pairing following the departure of Gallas. His loss was immeasurable. Many think of what could have been were he fit, but no use crying over spilled milk. What is important is to move forward and progress as a team.

So as the journo's speculate as to who is the solution to the problem I say look no further than Thomas Vermaelen. He has that drive, the desire to win. Look into his eyes and tell me this man isn't determined. Belgian steel is as good as English to me, just imagine Fellaini in the midfield... I'm getting carried away. The point is that this team has fight, especially in certain players and they can help lift their teammates to that level. Doesn't matter where they come from should the attitude be right.

People have been speculating about changing his position should some anticipated transfers occur. It looks likely that Clichy has played his last match in the red and white and some want to see the Verminator playing left back. No thank you.

The man is the best CB. Plain and simple. An integral part of the spine of the team and needs to play through the middle. If ANYTHING,and only if the right personnel were brought into the defense, he could thrive as a defensive midfielder as an alternative to Song. Alex has done a job there the past 2 seasons and can continue but it seems Thomas offers some qualities that may not be in Song's repertoire. Vermaelen's ability to shoot from range and make those bursting runs through the middle would make him a viable threat to all opposition. The man's commitment and effort is unquestioned and should the adequate signings come in to bolster the defense I'd like to see it tampered with. That being said I don't see it likely, but it wouldn't surprise me if he experimented with one of the current CB's in that role in pre-season. http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

It is time to put up or shut up for this squad and if there is any year for it to happen, this has to be the season. It seems that most understand this and Wenger seems to be active early in the window. Should Nasri be only posturing in contract negotiations when asking for ambitious signings or really asking for a sign of intent, Arsenal fans may be thanking him if it helps move Wenger's hand. Pay the man, keep the best players, make this the year.

Check out Luis' new blog and thanks to The Beautiful Groan for inspiring this post in our conversation earlier on twitter.

In case you have forgotten.