this is great, I get to belittle Red Bull twice in the same week, since DC United just knocked out RB New York from the US domestic cup. This won't be an easy tie, but I think we can win it good luck on decent travel for all of you attending

1-1 with this defense (sans Nelsen), can't see us not conceding

It's time for the predictions 1 Chelsea 2 Liverpool 3 Arsenal 4 Blackburn 5 Manchester United 6 Tottenham 7 Newcastle United 8 Everton 9 Aston Villa 10 West Ham United 11 Bolton 12 Charlton Athletic 13 Middlesbrough 14 Fulham 15 Reading 16 Manchester City 17 Portsmouth 18 Wigan Athletic 19 Watford 20 Sheffield United

Portsmouth 1 Rovers 3

Rovers 4 New Zealand 2

Djorkaeff is playing with Red Bull New York in MLS - I didn't see that on here yet

I concur that this was a disappointing showing for most of the US players. Keller had nothing to do except a shot he had no chance on in 2nd half stoppage time. Onyewu looks like a Champions League player and I think the most compelling time he will have in the world cup is watching Italian forward go flying after running by him. Cherundolo (Bolton target), while short, played well until his gaffe at the end, and was one of the few bright spots in the first half, especially for his pace and desire to move up the pitch Pope was anonymous Gibbs looked like he isn't made to be playing left back, and yet, still is ages better than Regis ever was. In the MF Reyna didn't look impressive to me before he was injured. Hopefully he's OK, but I wonder if people may realize he may have a greater impact for this team coming on as a sub than being a starter Beasley looked better on defense than he did on offense - never seemed to fully link up with the other offensive players O'Brien - the best playmaker (with Cherundolo) in the first half, and clearly not match fit. His pace is 2 or even 3 rungs below where it needs to be for a WC. Do you start him or bring him in? Mastroeni was wonderful coming in for Reyna. Played the holding role well, linked up both ways with his passes, and made some nice runs. Other than fitness for O'Brien, I wondered why he wasn't starting this match. Convey - I've admittedly been a fan of his since day 1 at DC United, because I saw what he could do if he had the chance to showcase his talent and speed on the pitch. He lacked the speed of his teammates at DC, but was immense yesterday. Not only showed his ability to have an impact but to start to take control. Unlucky on the FK at the end. Dempsey - gave a spark and some spunk when he came in. I can't wait to see him next month. Dononvan - Landon who? Simply a poor match for him, and indicative of his club form of late where he's supposed to eb the hope and the hero and then doesn't deliver. Scuffed his chances in both halves, and wasn't much of an offensive impact until Convey created some space in the second. Apparently didn't like being double and triple teamed, I can't imagine why. Wolff - I saw someone running out there and that was about it. no further comment McBride - good effort. showed he's used to playing against height and I thought did a good job, given the fact he's a target forward. Shame he didn't come to Rovers - he could do so much better than Kuqi in the same role Ching - was out there for a few minutes and that's about it EJ - somewhere between Donovan and Wolff - shoulda made that header on target man of the match really goes to the entire morocco defense - they were composed against a more talented side, had better speed and determination to win the loose balls, and were not outplayed in the air Next match, I think we go 4-3-3 again goalie (probably Hahnemann and Howard splitting a half) Cherundolo Pope/Gibbs Onyweu Lewis Mastroeni O'Brien/Beasley Donovan Dempsey Convey McBride if Beasley doesn't start, look for him to possibly play on the right

I'm not sure how much of this can be based upon his talent and ability versus his competition. From the international level, Twellman has looked no better than Heskey - needing 4 or sometimes 5 (or more) golden chances to score. I think he went 19 matches without a goal as well, more than half of them starting. The game against norway's B- team notwithstanding, even in regional Concacaf play, he simply didn't stand out, nor create the golden chances as some of the other players in the pool. That last reason, IMO, is why Wolff is on the squad - the ability to create at this level (mostly because of his speed, but certainly helped by his experience). Quite simply, think of this when regarding forwards. Do they have the potential to score 10+ goals in a top league? McBride did. Wolff, I doubt, but matched with someone like McBride, will help them both. (Sorta like a poorer version of FSP - although I can't see a Wolff Kuqi pairing tearing up the Premiership, I can see them holding their own in the Championship). EJ - the big enigma. Showed great promise to actually be the kind of international scorer the US needs - then got injured and an ego, and has yet to regain his form. Like Mathis in a way, but not at the same level. And finally Ching. the best alternative? no. Capabale of the scoring mantle? Doubtful, but stranger things have happened. Looked hopeless against Scotland, but playing with the B/C US team midfield will affect your chances and service up front. Personally, the player I've seen in the past few months who has size, speed, the ability to challenge and sacrifice, and a vision of the game, is Kenny Cooper, the former ManUre player now with Dallas. If he keeps playing like he has, he gets a call up this fall for certain.

I believe it was over a year ago. And he did so to lengthen his club career with Blackburn Rovers. Actually, I think he retired internationally a few months before extending his contract at Rovers

I think that many more people in the world will be following the US should they beat the Czechs... I hope for that to be quite an opening round match (and as I'll be there, it will be fun to watch). From the roster, the US weakness remains - lack of a proven international (i.e., matches at the international level) striking force. After McBride, who is a target forward, there simply isn't the same amount of quality as compared with other sides in this tournament. If anything, and this is not intended to start a war with the England folks, but our forwards are much like the ones Sven selected (presuming Rooney isn't fit). By that, I mean there is one very proven player (who although recovering from injury is one of the top in the world) and then several others who have some experience and a few goals, but not the dynamic history you want at a World Cup. The US has improved dramatically in MF, which was their surprise at the last WC. I will not be surprised to see a rotation of 17-18 players through the cup play, mainly because of having the depth to play more tactically against the competition. If anything, I wouldn't be surprised to see some of the younger players try to take the stage (Dempsey and Convey especially) to places where other players (i.e., Donovan) just don't go. And the US will be very dangerous down the left. Defensive MF will be up to their health. Some good folks back there but are either injured (O'Brien) or injury-prone (Mastroeni). Defensively, again the US is improved, but they lack sufficient depth this time around. Aside from 2 players (Cherundolo who is likely Bolton bound) and Onyewu, who may be the breakout player of this squad if he can do to the Europeans as he did to Concacaf), the other spots are really still to be determined. Centrally there are good players with experience and others up and coming who may or may not be ready for this stage. On the fullbacks, they're still experimenting with converted MFs, but as this has gone on for 18 months now, aer much mroe comfortable with it. Then they're Cory Gibbs, who just signed with Charlton, who can play central or left, but may not play either. Keeper - still solid, even if a step down from Big Brad, who almost certainly would still be starting if he did not retire. I think we'll see something like this (4-3-3): Keller Cherundolo Pope Onyewu Lewis (cent. sub Gibbs, then Bocanegra, then Conrad; right sub Albright, left sub Gibbs) Mastroeni (sub Olsen) Reyna (sub O'Brien) Beasley (sub convey) Donovan (sub Dempsey/EJ) Wolff (sub Convey/Beasley/EJ) McBride (sub EJ/Ching)

Staying in Liege and taking the train in But I will be at USA v CZE on 12.06 (American, doctorryan) and KOR v TOG on 13.06 (Ste B )

he plays behind another attacking midfielder, an Argentine named Gomez, who is 32 now, and doesn't usually play more than 70 minutes in a match, yet retains the starting position. (DC United usually plays 3-5-2). Often though, one of the forwards, another 30+ player will start in the playmaking position instead (a Bolivian named Moreno, who had a short stint at Boro in the mid 90s). He's probably the 4th preferred forward on this team most of his starts actually were on the left wide position, which is definitely not his natural position, and even there, there were others on the team who were probably starting ahead of him most of the time.

Adu will almost certainly not be at the world cup unless there are at least 2 injuries to other American forwards/creative players. He was released early from the national team camp to train with his club side, in hopes of actually breaking through as a starter. He's been behind on the depth chart on the club level the past 2 years. If he can somehow break out and score 6 goals by May 1 (US league starts 4/1), then he has a shot, or at least being an alternate. But as of now, don't bet on him at the World Cup. Some of his skills, however, after seeing him up close, are quite impressive, especially for one of his age. He was outplayed at the U-20 World Cup by Messi, and has struggled against more physical players even in the US league. But he keeps getting better and better. As a ticket holder for his club side, we would love to see him suddenly start playing like one of the world's best talents, instead of one of the world's best hypes. But he will be in Europe at some point, perhaps in 2 years, although i may not be surprised if he initially bypasses England to be a starter somewhere else first. Dutch league comes to mind...

same for me, although I have Cat 2 for the first match, and a separate Cat I for the CZE-GHA match as well. but I also plan to see what happens in the swap/resale portal that opens Feb 1

Match 26 in Cologne (17.6) of course, the draw in December will determine the real fun, but I imagine I should be able to find other games along the way...

after dealing with the annoyance of not winning tickets in the lottery, or being awake an a reasonable enough hour to compete with all of you Europeans when the national team series tickets became available, today I was offered a reprieve: We are delighted to inform you that, as a result of an additional draw, we have been able to allocate you individual tickets for the following match as a result of your application in ticket sales phase 1 of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany: I guess that means I'm going.

Now that we're a week away, I think it's safe to make some predictions 1 Chelsea 2 Arsenal 3 Ajax West (Tottenham) 4 Liverpool 5 Manure 6 Bolton 7 Middlesbrough 8 Blackburn 9 Everton 10 Charlton 11 Aston Villa 12 Manchester City 13 Newcastle (would be higher, but they'll wait too long to sack Souness) 14 Portsmouth 15 West Ham 16 West Bromwich Albion 17 Birmingham 18 Sunderland 19 Wigan 20 Fulham

as of this moment, there is virtually no chance of securing tickets through the FIFA site. Every team still available has a very little chance, if not already eliminated from regional qualification, to actually advace to the World Cup. Hope you managed to secure tickets while they were around. I wish I did. Oh well.

I too was shut out in my hopes of getting into any of the 7 matches I applied for. That said, I'm still planning on going!

1. Rovers 2. DC United 3. Dinamo Kiev 4. Arsenal - in Argentina that is 5. anyone playing against Manure I'm doing this given that someone asked. However, I also agree with the notion that in football, there are no "second" teams to support.

Not unbelievable as it wasn't a great penalty kick. Not enough power and not far enough in the corner :-( that's unfortunate. Even BBC claims that the penalty was "well-struck" still plenty of time left...

or at least be willing to re-sell them at a profit...

I will definitely be there for the entire preliminaries before I have to leave. Best use of frequent flyer miles I can think of!

I personally don't think he has the pace to play outside the centre in the Premiership. Perhaps in Germany... on the other hand DC United played 3 in the back, and he often had to switch with one of the other defenders on defensive assignments. Did rather well, but was more liekly covering on the left than the right. More likely to be able to come in like Mokoena and be a holding midfielder if necessary - I just can't really see Nelsen bringing the ball up the pitch on the side. I'd love to, but I just don't see it. Anyone know if Mokoena can play RB? Perhaps this is why Hughes still wants Spector?

Nelsen played last year as the Centre back of a 3 man defence. the previous year, as part of a back 4, he played Centre-right. His first year in the American league he was a defensive mid, but DC United seemed much better when he played on the back line instead of roaming forward. After that first year, he played solely in the back. Hope that helps