Kicking and Screening Soccer Film Festival - NYC: July 20 - 23

Good news Sensible Soccer fans in and around New York City: a soccer film festival is headed our way! Culture meets the beautiful game at the Kicking and Screening Soccer Film Festival in NYC from July 20 - 23.  Five films will features at the festival, which takes place at the historic Tribeca Cinemas. They are:

Wednesday, July 20, 7:30 pm
Argentina Fútbol Club w/ Sivan & Opprykk

Thursday, July 21, 7:30 pm
Rise & Shine: The Jay DeMerit Story
w/ Swarbrick animations & Blind Ambition


Friday, July 22, 7:30 pm
Soka Afrika w/ The Final Fax

Soka Afrika - Trailer 1 from Masnomis on Vimeo.

Saturday, July 23, 7:30 pm
Match 64 & The Referee

These all look very exciting! To purchase tickets or learn more about the festival, check out Kicking and Screening's website.

Friendlies In General - USMNT In Particular

Some say friendlies are a waste of time. I say people who say that have not really thought about national team setups other than their own. That's just selfish.

Friendlies are crucial for countries like the United States who do not have huge competitions every two years like European teams do. Each training camp is an opportunity to realign the squad and introduce prospects. Without friendlies, teams like the USMNT would end up mashed together rather than refined. I'll admit, sometimes the timing of these matches is bad, but friendlies in general, are not.

Allow me to sum up the USMNT's two friendlies this past week in three words (each):

USA 1 - Argentina 1
Hard fought draw
USA 0 - Paraguay 1
Experimental kick around

We didn't win a match, but we certainly learned a few things:

Juan Agudelo is...

...our striker of the future? Many news sources and bloggers are trying in earnest not to label the 18-year old striker as our savior just yet, but their bursting hope shines through with each keystroke. FSC reported since Brian Mcbride retired from international soccer (*tear), the United States has started 74 different strikers. I'm not sure I believe Eric Wynalda's ridiculous stat, but the fact remains - the USMNT needs a reliable regular up-top.

Is Juan the answer? We can't say he is just yet, but he did strike again for his country last Saturday, preserving a vital draw with powerhouse Argentina. This is the kid's second goal in three appearances for the red, white, and blue.

Defensive hopefuls
Since the careers of Carlos Bocanegra, Jay Demerit, Steve Cherundolo, and Oguchi Oneywu are beginning to sunset, new players are being introduced into the fray. My biggest defensive takeaway from these two friendlies is that we may have reason to celebrate two hopeful wing-backs in Timothy Chandler and Eric Lichaj. Both in their early 20s, Chandler and Lichaj swooped into the lineup and barreled down the wings with ferocity and speed. They defended relatively well and seemed to be up to the international pace of the game, most likely since they both play in European clubs at high levels. I love Cherundolo, but am pumped about seeing these two scamper down the wings in the future.

Another person I am excited about is Tim Ream. His start against Paraguay proves he should be a regular in camp. He marked well and seemed calm and collected on the ball. His one hiccup could be the lone goal scored by Paraguay, but overall, his first start with the rest of the regulars was positive.

Man-machine Jermaine Jones

Man...machine. Man Machine MAchine MAChine MACHine MACHIne MACHINe MACHINE. Channeling a Kraftwerk song seems appropriate for Jones, a German-American, and effective man-machine in the midfield. His start against Argentina was not very successful, but that could be said of many midfielders having to mark Lionel Messi. Against Paraguay, we saw what I hope to see in the future - Jones and Bradley acting as a solid anchor in the midfield. They worked quite well with each other. And goodness gracious, Jones is strong in a tackle. Some advice for Bob Bradley though: why not rest your son and give Maurice Edu a crack with Jones? See how that goes?

Dempsey

Though Dempsey was lethargic against Argentina, we saw the true Deuce against Paraguay. He was cunning, powerful, and willing to take anyone on. The progression he has made over this past year has been tremendous, and if he can keep bringing the intensity he has in the Premier League to the national team, we are in for success.

Well, it's been fun seeing the USMNT back in action. It brings me back to what could have been in South Africa (*a few tears). I look forward to our date with Spain in June and urge any of my friends who are reading this to buy tickets and invite me.

USA-Argentina: Goal.com Player Ratings Debacle

Dear Goal.com,

I caught you in a fib. You may think you fooled everyone, but you haven't fooled me!

On Sunday morning, I woke up and noticed how horrible Goal.com's rating of the USMNT was after their draw with Argentina. Aside from Tim Howard, USA's starting 11 did not have one player rated over a 6.0. Rule of thumb - a team that draws Argentina should have at least one player rated over a 6.0. They're Argentina! They've got Messi, Di Maria, Zanetti, Burdisso, etc... How can a team not lose to Argentina and have all 4.5 - 5.5 ratings? Frankly, it's not possible.

I guess the editors of Goal.com realized this, in hindsight. Today, as I sat down to re-rate my countrymen after their massive draw, I noticed Goal.com changed their initial ratings to shed a more positive light on the USMNT. Let's review: first Goal.com puts up ratings indicating they did not watch the game at all. Then, they correct their ratings and pretend nothing happend. Professional? Hardly. Exhibits A and B, below, will show you what I mean:

USA vs. Argentina: Player Ratings - First Edition

USA vs. Argentina: Player Ratings - Second Edition

Good for Goal.com for realizing they were terribly wrong and posting more deserved ratings for the USMNT. But unfortunately, they even screwed that up! For some reason Jermaine Jones was rated higher than Maurice Edu, when he was yanked at half for having a dreadful time handling the Argentine midfield (which also means he did not have "a few moments of danger late on"). Jozy Altidore was not "deservedly replaced," he played the full 90. Lastly, substitutes were not rated, which is a big deal in this case because Juan Agudelo, the 18-year old who came on for Jones at half, scored the leveler. So, they went from terribly wrong to a little less terribly wrong. COME ON GOAL.COM!

This is a huge problem! Journalists should not pump out news without thinking. Goal.com did not think before publishing these player ratings, twice. I find this truly pathetic and unprofessional. Moreover, I find it hard to trust a source that is riddled with mistakes.

Sensible Soccer's helpful suggestion to Goal.com when rating players:
1) Open eyes
2) Watch game
3) Think
4) Write
5) Publish
6) Don't re-think, re-write, and re-publish (get it right the first time)

Simple enough, right?

USA vs. Argentina: Are You Ready?

This Saturday, March 26th, the United States will host Argentina at New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. In case you have been living in a cave for the month of March, the Argentina starting 11 will include Lionel Messi and a host of other stars in a much anticipated rematch with the US of A. Some content to digest:

The battle of '08

In June 2008, the United States squared off with the then number one ranked team in the world, Argentina. The South Americans, who were gearing up for a summer of qualifiers, threw their best at the USMNT. In front of thousands of fans mostly regaled in light blue (I was there - us Americans were outnumbered) Messi skipped around the old Meadowlands and did everything but score, as the US defense held strong. Surprisingly, the Americans almost emerged the victors, striking the bar late on in the game. The crowd was electric and so were the skys, as lightning and thunder tensed the atmosphere as the tie came to a 0-0 end. Playing out a draw against a world number one is a triumph for a side like the USA.

This time around
It's been over two years and a lot has changed. The USA has grown as a soccer nation, with many bigger names in the team now located in Europe; the Argentines have grown brighter, younger talent and Lionel Messi is two Ballon d'Ors older.

On Saturday, both squads will be loaded with players of quality, as European leagues have taken the weekend off to allow for Euro 2012 Qualifiers. We will see:

Lionel Messi

Two-time World Player of the Year, La Liga winner, Champions League winner, European Golden Boot winner and the list goes on and on and on and on. The fact that this player is stepping foot in New Jersey (AGAIN) is incredible. We must soak him in.

Landon Donovan
The World Cup hero and top American goal-scorer is back with his mates in the red, white, and blue and eager to impress the large crowd this game will draw. Hopefully we'll see Lando sliding towards the corner flag after a heroic injury-time winner in this match.

Real American

Javier Pastore
One of the hottest properties in world soccer at the moment, the youngster from Serie A side Palermo will likely feature and dazzle the crowd with his fleet-footedness and flair for goal. Truly a player to watch.

Clint Dempsey
With an astonishing 10 goals in Premier League play to-date, Deuce can certainly be considered one of the country's most accomplished player.

Angel Di Maria
The wizardly Madrid man has been turning heads at the Bernabeu this season and will look to do the same on Saturday.

Michael Bradley
USA needs Bradley to bring his tenacity and gleaming bald head in hopes of canceling out Esteban Cambiasso's shined up skull in the middle of the park.

Javier Zanetti
The ageless treble winner will run the flanks with the zest and zeal of a young Steve Cherundolo.

What to expect
Speaking as a fan of the USMNT, I am not expecting the mammoth performance we saw in 2008. Sanity dismisses the notion of shutting Lionel Messi down twice in a row. I can only hope we make our presence known and fight hard.

Speaking as a fan Roma, I am pumped to see the Wild Man Nicolas Burdisso once again.

One last thing:

Support the USMNT - be a real American.

This Week's Pointless Yet Exciting Friendlies

International friendlies are at times warranted. These fixtures are often critical for national team setups in preparing for qualifiers and tournaments. But now? In February? Between league, domestic cup, and European cup play? The timing of today and tomorrow's friendlies is terrible. Club coaches have every right to be furious at national teams for trying to yank star players midweek, with crucial club fixtures coming up. Why are these games being played? They seem pointless.

However, there are some awesome friendlies on the docket:

Romania vs. Ukraine

This regional battle begins today at 1:30 pm EST.

Croatia vs. Czech Republic
Another regional fixture starting tomorrow at 11:45 am EST.

Turkey vs. South Korea

A rematch of the 2002 World Cup 3rd place match, South Korea will want revenge after being undone by Hakan Sukur after just 11 seconds. This match begins tomorrow at 1 pm EST.

Denmark vs. England
The Danes have a cagey past with England, drubbing the powerhouse in a similar friendly 4-1 in 2005. The fireworks start tomorrow at 2:15 pm EST.

Germany vs. Italy



In a rematch of possibly the most exciting semifinal in World Cup history, the Germans square off against regional foes Italy. The Italian squad will be highly provisional, as some newcomers will get their shot at a first cap. I expect the same from the Germans. It should be a cracker of a match. 2:45 pm EST tomorrow.

France vs. Brazil

These massive international rivals will do battle tomorrow at 2:45 pm EST. They have faced one another in the biggest games at the World Cup, so there is obvious bad blood.

Argentina vs. Portugal

Messi vs. Ronaldo...Another chance for journalists to pit the two players against each other and sort out the eternal question, who's better? I find this comparison extremely persistent and annoying. Nonetheless, it should be an exciting game. 2:45 pm EST tomorrow.

NOTE: USA vs. Egypt is cancelled due to the ongoing protests in Egypt.

Enjoy these pointless friendlies, mis amis!

Upcoming USA Friendlies

Sensible Soccer is PUMPED about the upcoming USMNT friendlies! USA will be playing Chile, Egypt, Argentina, and Paraguay in the near future. The games are:

USA vs. Chile

The Home Depot Center; Carson, California
Jan. 22, 2011 @ 7 p.m. PT

USA vs. Egypt

Cairo International Stadium; Cairo, Egypt

Feb. 9. 2011 @ TBD

USA vs. Argentina

New Meadowlands Stadium; East Rutherford, New Jersey

March 26, 2011 @ 7 p.m. ET

USA vs. Paraguay

LP Field; Nashville, Tennessee

March 29, 2011 @ 7 p.m. CT

This is a wonderful set of friendlies, if I do say so myself. The Chile match will be a good chance for younger players to prove themselves in the national team setup. Egypt will be a delightful rematch after the USA shellacked them 3-0 at the Gold Cup in 2009. The Argentina match is of much interest and one that I will be attending. Given the prestige of the Argentineans and last match between the two at the Meadowlands (which I was lucky enough to attend), this game should be a cracker. Last but not least, Paraguay should be a good test for the USA, given their liveliness at the last World Cup and increasing pool of talent.

Enjoy the games, friends!

For more information on the USMNT please visit US Soccer's website.