6.18.13
ASN Morning Read: Game Day in Salt Lake City
The United States national team prepares to play Honduras in Utah. A win will mean the Americans grab control of the Hexagonal with both hands. A loss... well, they aren't thinking about a loss.
BY
Jesse Yomtov
Posted
June 18, 2013
7:59 AM
It's America time and as per usual, ASN has you covered. Tactical breakdown! Game preview! And of course, the interactive Starting XI tool, which can help you win a trip to Brazil next summer (knock on wood).
Omar Gonzalez struggled in Honduras back in February, his first World Cup qualifier, and now he’s ready for Round 2. “That first time I stepped on the field in Honduras it was pretty crazy,” Gonzalez said. “Now it’s just like any other game. You just have to focus on the things you do before every game, and hopefully things go your way.” The U.S. has conceded just one goal in the four World Cup qualifiers since the debacle in San Pedro Sula.
Leander Schaerlaeckens continues his excellent run of player profiles with one on Tim Howard. The veteran goalkeeper shows why we love him so much. “You have to yell, you have to talk, you have to go out to dinner, you have to have drinks together, you have to go through ups and downs, you have to make mistakes,” Howard said. And his attitude on the pitch? “It’s all an act,” he says. “All of the bravado is an act. It’s all to get a reaction. The next play could make the difference, especially in the back.”
The New York Times has a nice Q&A with Clint Dempsey. After a grueling campaign with Tottenham and the month of national team duties, Dempsey is looking forward to a few weeks off. “I want to go into it on a good note. I don’t want to have this last result set the tone,” he says. Interestingly, he turns the Q&A around, posing the question: “I’m curious... why do you say Jozy and I are playing better? We’re hearing that a lot.” Watch the tape, Clint!
Some choice nuggets from the official game notes. The U.S. is 8-1-1 against Honduras since 2002, the lone loss coming back in February. Nine players carry yellow cards into tonight’s match. It probably wouldn't be the worst thing if any of them picked up another tonight to miss the next qualifier at Costa Rica, rather than getting a card in that game and sitting out vs. Mexico.
We revealed our inner nerd last night, and gave U.S. soccer icons alter egos in the Game of Thrones universe. Take a look and let us know who we can add.
Finally, Terrence Boyd informs us that Fabian Johnson is now on Twitter. Stop. The. Presses:
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