Keane "Saves" Tottenham

Is this messianic enough for you.

In injury time.

good times

2-0

Even in friendlies, the result matters. So even though Mexico controlled the ball for almost the entire night, and even though the midfield and forwards did next to nothing (until the late clincher by Donovan, more on that later), this was a good game for the USA.

It is not true that in order for there to be a rivalry both teams need to win. The United States has not given up a goal against the Mexicans on American soil this decade, their only recent losses have come at the Azteca, a mile above sea level and filled with 100,000 people throwing bags of human excrement. The fact that they can't beat the Americans clearly drives the Mexicans nuts, evidenced by their consistently dirty play (see the background of the above photo).

Eric Wynalda is great as the new voice for American soccer. He is insightful, and most importantly, not afraid for a second to criticize the performance of the team and of individual players. Bruce Arena certainly knows this team well, but didn't seem totally comfortable in the booth.

As to the actual play, the back looks good, starting with Tim Howard, who after looking shaky in the very beginning, took over the game for the USA. He was strong vocal presence and his positioning saved the USA a couple times. Playing without stars Onyewu and Jonathon Spector, the back line did an excellent job. Bocanegra and Conrad were terrific, and newcomer Jonathon Bornstein worked hard all night. A converted striker from UCLA, the future is bright for the half-Mexican half-Jew.

The midfield was not so good. Dempsey and Convey failed to make any serious headway down the wings and the middle with Clark and Mastroeni might as well have not showed up since the Mexicans did whatever they wanted in the middle of the field. Someone is going to have to step up to be the central playmaker for the USA, since Claudio Reyna is now gone. It's unclear what the make-up of the midfield will be with Beasley in the mix as all of the best American midfielders seem to be most effective on the wings.

Up top there was nothing for most of the game. Donovan is a complimentary player, that is becoming more and more clear. Though to his credit he played a great ball on the corner that resulted in the first goal. Donovan is the main villain for the Mexicans and he only added to that with a couple great moves that ended in the clinching goal. I think Donovan can be an effective player for the USA, but he is not going to be the superstar that some had hoped. Rolff had a disastrous game, as Wynalda was quick to point out. Eddie Johnson came on and got off a good shot from the top of the box, but didn't really impact the game.

All in all it was a good, brave performance. I disagree that it was a mistake to not recall all of the overseas players, as Arena pointed out, many of the players left in Europe are fighting for spots on their respective teams, and it is in the long-term interest of the national team for them to get playing time. The fact that Mexico brought virtually a full-strength team and still couldn't beat the relatively undermanned Americans is a very good thing. Had this been a full strength American side we would have to focus more on the negatives in terms of the quality of play, instead we get to revel in the result.

Sicilian Chaos

I've seen this photo in a couple places and I am yet to see an explanation for why there is a dog running around the field.

Benny and Bobby

Pitchers and catchers report to Port St. Lucie February 16th. That's less than three measly weeks. Excellent...
According to the Honolulu Advertiser, Benny Agbayani signed a two-year extension to continue playing in Japan under Manager Bobby Valentine. Notice how Bobby always knows exactly where the camera is.
This is my favorite Christmas card, the sign says "From the 'Curva Fiesole' and... from the most beautiful city in the world, merry christmas Fiorentina." La Viola took 26 shots in a 2-1 win over Livorno today. Big second half and you never know, there might be some purple in Europe next year.

Vacación

I apologize for the lack of posts, but I'm in Argentina. Follow along if you wish.

I will say this however, the Mets had to have Glavine back, and to be honest they probably have to sign Barry Zito, who two months ago I didn't really like, but I'm starting to come around.

the stove is very very hot

The stove is on fire. 8 years $136 million for Soriano from the Cubs. Good lord that's a lot of money. Carlos Beltran sees like a bargain by comparison. In theory this gives the Cubs a very dangerous batting order anchored by Aramis Ramirez and Derek Lee in the infield and Soriano in the outfield. This all is on the supposition of course that Derek Lee return healthy, and that the Cubs can figure out a way to piece together a pitching rotation. Is Kerry Wood really the new closer?

Having missed out on Soriano, this puts a lot of pressure square on the Los Angeles/California/Anaheim Angels to make a splash somewhere somehow. The owner there promised to bring in a big bat to protect Valddy, and the route to that end may now be found in the trade market by dangling young starting pitching in the form of Ervin Santana. The question is, what slugger is out there to be traded? Sheffield has already moved, and to trade a potential star like Santana you need to get real quality back, not damaged goods like Pat Burrell.

On to more important things...

The Mets, had to this point made relatively minor moves resigning El Duque and John Valentin, bringing in Damian Easley to back up the infield, and acquiring Ben Johnson and Jon Adkins from the Padres. Now we get our first really serious move from the mind of Omar. Ladies and gentlemen i give you Moises Alou (apparently).

Moises has apparently spurned two year offers from the American League to join the Mets. Basically he's a right-handed Cliff Floyd. It will be interesting to see how Willie structures the lineup, will he stick to the right-left-right-left format he seems to like? Will that mean David Wright hits sixth?

1. SS Jose Reyes

2. C Paul Lo Duca

3. CF Beltran

4. LF Alou

5. 1B Delgado

6. 3B David Wright

7. RF Shawn Green

8. 2B Jose Valentin

Wild stuff.

Injury is of course the big concern with Alou, but putting that aside for a moment, Moises Alou can really hit. He's a right-handed hitter with a higher .301 average. When healthy he's one of the most dangerous hitters in the game. Whn given the opportunity in the playoffs he has taken advantage. His one trip to the World Series, with the Marlins in 1997 saw him lead the team to the title, hitting .321 with 3 HR and 9 RBI in the series.

I will miss Cliff Floyd, and believe me, if there was a way to give Shawn Green back, and have both Cliffy and Alou in the outfield I would jump at it. But at this point the door is probably closing on Cliff Floyd's injury plagued four year career in New York. When healthy he was a good hitter for the Mets, and I think every Mets fan appreciated the passion that Floyd brought to the ballpark every day. He was one of the only players left over from the pre-Omar era, and despite only having been in Queens four years, was one of the most senior Mets.

He was also the most visible African-American player on the team, and his departure leaves an important part of the Mets fan base relatively under-represented. The rols payer Ben Johnson has been added, but with Darren Oliver not necessarily returning, and Milledge on the block, the Mets, like much of Major League baseball, are seeing less and less Black players on their roster.

Speaking of Lastings, he other thing that this move means is the likelihood that Milledge will be made available on the trading block rises. From a baseball standpoint I think it makes sense for the Mets. They have exciting young outfielders in the system, and while Lastings had flashes, his first taste of the Majors didn't exactly make you think he is destined to be a star in the league. I don't think they should give him away, but if there's a way to package him in a deal for a quality starting pitcher then I think you have to pursue it.