11.19.13
ASN Morning Read: Yes, It's Game Day in Vienna
We are so happy that it's finally time of the United States national team to take on Austria. But what's that? We're also talking about Junior Flores, Andreas Herzog, and the Declaration of Independence?
BY
Jesse Yomtov
Posted
November 19, 2013
9:39 AM
It’s game day in Vienna, with the U.S. taking on Austria in the final match of 2013. It’s on NBC Sports Network at 2:45 p.m. ET. No matter what the result today, the team has guaranteed its best winning percentage in a calendar year, entering this contest at 16-3-3 (.795), topping the .750 mark from 2005 and 2012. The U.S. has only ever played Austria twice, the first being a 2-1 loss in the 1990 World Cup in Italy, and the most recent a 3-0 win in a 1998 friendly in Vienna. Did you know the team has never lost a match Mix Diskerud has appeared in? Neither did we. [Editor's note: I did.]
Brian Sciaretta chatted with 17-year-old Borussia Dortmund attacker Junior Flores, currently on international duty with the U-20s. Though he can’t play in competitive games with Dortmund until he’s 18, he’s spent some time training with the first team. “You've seen those guys on TV and [then you're] training with them,” Flores said. “It's an experience. You learn from them and they give you tips. They're great guys."
U.S. assistant Andreas Herzog was a hero as an Austrian international, and his name swirled around this year as a candidate to be Austria’s head coach. Jon Arnold takes a look at Herzog facing off against his homeland. Capped 103 times for Austria, Herzog played in the 1990 and 1998 World Cups. This stunning goal against Sweden secured qualification for the 1998 edition.
UEFA and CAF wrap up World Cup qualifying today. In Europe, Portugal leads Sweden 1-0 on aggregate, while France tries to dig its way out of a 2-0 hole against Ukraine. Iceland and Croatia are at 0-0 and is intriguing if not only for the Aron Johannsson angle. In Africa, Bob Bradley and Egypt host the return leg against Ghana, trailing 6-1 on aggregate. Not looking good. The UEFA matches are all streamed live on ESPN3.
LeBron James is in talks to partner with David Beckham on the potential MLS team in Miami. Because, of course. “David has become a good friend of mine over the last few years,” said LeBron, a minority owner of Liverpool. “I think it’d be great for this city to have a football club for sure. So there’s interest on both sides.” Miami Heat fans can take this as a good sign concerning his upcoming free agency.
Want field-level highlights from the 0-0 draw with Scotland? U.S. Soccer is happy to oblige. Feel free to put "highlights" in quotation marks.
While we are here doing highlight-type things, #patriotism
