3.7.14
ASN Morning Read: The Send-Off is Set
Three opponents are confirmed in three very different locations before the team heads to Brazil; Tony Meola could have starred off Broadway; Stuart Holden is good people; Eddie Johnson is a DP.
BY
Jesse Yomtov
Posted
March 07, 2014
8:32 AM
The schedule for May and June’s "Send-Off Series" was officially announced yesterday. Before heading to Brazil, the U.S. will play Azerbaijan at Candlestick Park on May 27, Turkey at Red Bull Arena on June 1 and Nigeria at EverBank Field (Jacksonville) on June 7. That’s three matches in 12 days, similar to the World Cup schedule that will see the team play three times in 11 days. Say what you will whether about or not Azerbaijan is a worthy opponent, but the team held Cristiano Ronaldo scoreless in two qualification matches – though they lost both.
Roger Bennett concluded his spectacular oral history of the 1994 World Cup with a look at life after the tournament for the players. Tony Meola: “I was offered a Hollywood role in a pirate movie and a chance to join the cast of "Tony and Tina’s Wedding" off Broadway.”
Stuart Holden headed back to the United States to get his knee looked at after coming off in the 23rd minute of his return to action Monday. Bolton manager Dougie Freedman couldn't heap enough praise on Holden during a news conference Thursday. Some of the best quotes:
– “I want to be very clear to everybody that Stuart Holden will be here in some capacity at this football club – he is such a fantastic lad and is a great ambassador for this football club.”
– “He is a giver, and I believe that this football club needs people like that. Some people are just take, take, take, but Stuart has never once talked about his situation – he only ever talks about how we can win games and that is music to my ears."
– “I can’t speak highly enough of the attitude he shows in training. He’s never talking about himself, he is always concerned about how the fans see the game and his outlook will get him through life."
D.C. United signed Eddie Johnson to a new deal, making him a Designated Player. Steve Goff reports the contract "is guaranteed for two years and will pay him as much as $650,000 this season."
Deadspin has a scathing #HotTake on Major League Soccer that has set the soccer Internet on fire.
Omar Gonzalez still can't get out of David Beckham's shadow:
