A Busy Week

Who's excited for the big game? Umm, anyone?

With the U.S. game this afternoon to analyze and MLS Cup on Sunday to look forward to, there will be plenty to write about in the next couple of days. But, before we get to that, there’s plenty of news to talk about. So here we go:

- Not a great showing against Slovakia for Bob Bradley’s side. More than anything else, it was a boring game to watch. I wasn’t impressed at all with the offense, which significantly missed Charlie Davies and Landon Donovan. Eddie Johnson was a joke, but the midfield did little to create chances for the forwards overall. The defense was okay, aside from Jonny Bornstein who was torched at left back. I wasn’t terribly impressed with Jonathan Spector in the middle and thought that Clarence Goodson had a better game in his few minutes than the West Ham defender. The big winner in my book was Brad Guzan with a couple of big saves -- can’t fault conceding a penalty -- and I hear Mr. Deed’s liked that Abe Lincoln style beard.

As for today’s game, a few injuries have altered the lineup. I’d like to see Castillo get some minutes at left back and either Conrad or Goodson start in the center of defense with Spector moving to right back for the injured Cherundolo. Wouldn’t mind seeing Dax McCarty get some time in a midfield devoid of creativity. And how about a start for Jeff Cunningham to see what he can do. For a good read of a guy who should’ve been there, check out Greg Seltzer’s impassioned argument for Jeremiah White.

- New U.S. jerseys have allegedly been revealed. They’ve grown on me and I’d be happy to see a red shirt back in the mix, but my first and lasting impression is who will win Mr. Congeniality?

- Sad to see the Irish lose at home to the French. Nicolas Anelka must have learned something from Chelsea teammate Frank Lampard with that lucky deflection for the lone goal. Holding out hope for the Irish, but not expecting anything.

Elsewhere, it’s pretty disappointing that Costa Rica is heading to Montevideo down a goal. Didn’t see the game, but I’m surprised the Ticos didn’t win in Saprissa. Guess it’ll just be three CONCACAF teams to disappoint next year in South Africa.

The game slash event of the day will be in Sudan where Egypt and Algeria square off, both on the field and in the stands. According to Steve Goff, 15,000 security officers will be on hand for the game to control violence. Comparatively, eight MLS teams didn’t average 15,000 fans per game this year.

- The two Conference Finals were filled with drama as both went to OT. Sadly, about five people on the east coast saw the end of the West thanks to a pair of power outages at RFK Memorial Stadium The Home Depot Center. Glad to see L.A. go through as they were the better team of the 50 minutes I saw. Houston had some good chances in the second half including a goal that was called off from a foul that probably wasn’t a foul (though I don’t fault the referee for blowing the whistle). Plus, that Beckham guy might make a few more people tune into the game. Good to see Becks that excited after LD’s penalty too. One last observation: in what could be his last MLS game, Ricardo Clark committed the two fouls that led to both L.A. goals.

Chicago would have been the better market (even if da Bears play Sunday night) but Real Salt Lake was the better team on the night. I was rooting for them because of guys like Beckerman, Andy Williams, Cleetus, Nicky Rimando, and Robbie Findley. I’ve never seen penalties taken in an attempt to chip both ‘keepers and I wondered if Jason Kreis would consider using Chris Seitz as his final sub -- he put Ned Grabavoy, who wasn’t one of his first five kick takers, on in the 123rd minute -- for Rimando to add size, but the athleticism of Nicky won out.

- Speaking of that Beckham guy, he’s claiming the controversy earlier this year has brought the team together. He’s certainly a player who has thrived when his back is against the wall, it’s just a shame it took a book to do so this time. And speaking of that book, here’s a tweet from its author, Grant Wahl, last week: Indiana won title a year after Season on Brink. So did Permian a year after Fri Night Lights. Galaxy too a year after Beckham Experiment?

- Reports out of Columbus make it sound like Guillermo Barros Schelotto might be gone as of this Friday. It’s a contract dispute which is not surprising considering he plays for the frugal Hunts, but it would be a shame for the league to lose one of their best players. Add to that the likelihood Donovan could go, and MLS will be without two of most creative players. Even worse for MLS is the embarrassment that will be Columbus in the knockout stage of Champions League without GBS. I can’t see the Crew signing a significant replacement and Robbie Rogers could be gone as well. Can’t quite see Emmanuel Ekpo and Eddie Gaven carrying that midfield against Toluca in what is essentially pre-season for MLS teams.

- Finally, to leave with a laugh, go watch Drunk Ewoks if you haven’t already.

Back tomorrow with thoughts on the Yanks game.

- Pat Walsh