9.3.14
ASN Morning Read: Game Day in the Czech Republic
The American men's national team gets ready for its first post-World Cup test in Prague. A teenager could be the next Stars and Stripes superstar. Brek Shea continues to wander about aimlessly.
BY
Noah Davis
Posted
September 03, 2014
7:52 AM
The United States plays the Czech Republic at 2:15 p.m. today (NBC Sports Network, Unimas). It'll be good to see the Americans back in action:
Could 18 year old Emerson Hyndman be an emerging star for the United States? Brian Sciaretta thinks so: "Despite Fulham’s weak start, with just one point through five games, Hyndman has looked very strong each of the three times he was named to the Starting XI. Over the three games, he has completed 184 passes out of 204 attempts for a 90% rate. He also 239 touches in 270 minutes, which points to his heavy involvement."
Is Jurgen Klinsmann targeting more dual nationals? You bet: "Now a new World Cup cycle is ready to begin, and Klinsmann already has his sights set on several players. The list includes brothers Shawn and Devante Parker, who play for Augsburg and Mainz, respectively, and hold both German and U.S. citizenship. 'We are on all these kids, but in a very relaxed way,' Klinsmann told reporters ahead of Wednesday's friendly against the Czech Republic.
Still talking about Brek Shea? Sure, still talking about Brek Shea: "'Basically, [Stoke manager Mark Hughes] said he doesn’t have me in his plans and he wants to work with the guys in his plans,' Shea said. 'I’d rather him tell me than not tell me. It was kind of obvious, anyway. It wasn’t a surprise. I’d rather him be honest and give me the chance to sort something out for myself.' Shea is working on it, even now that the transfer window has closed, and Wednesday’s U.S. national team friendly against the Czech Republic has afforded him two welcome opportunities. The first came Saturday, when the need to run errands prior to Sunday’s flight to Prague removed the angst of having to decide whether to watch Stoke upset Manchester City without him. He was happy following along on Twitter. The second will come at the Stadion Letná, where a healthy and hungry Shea should make his first international appearance in nearly six months."
Here's one Starting XI for this afternoon's match. Now go make your own. A hint:
Klinsmann complains.
Shooters shoot:
