'Your papers, please' must never be heard in America
On a snowy night more suitable to slaloms than soccer, Clint Dempsey scored early in his first start as the American captain and the United States beat Costa Rica 1-0 on Friday in a key qualifier for next year's World Cup.
The 33-year-old Bocanegra, captain since 2007, has lost his starting job with Racing Santander in Spain's second division. He was in the U.S. squad for the 2-1 loss at Honduras last month in the final round of qualifying but didn't play.
Jozy Altidore broke Clint Dempsey's record for most goals by an American in a European club season, scoring his 24th Sunday in AZ Alkmaar's 2-1 loss at RKC Waalwijk in the Dutch Eridivisie.
Clint Dempsey put the Americans ahead in the 36th minute but the Americans, using a new-look defense that featured Omar Gonzalez and Timmy Chandler, gave up the lead when Juan Carlos Garcia tied the score in the 40th at San Pedro Sula.
U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann changed all 11 starters from November's 2-2 tie at Russia and is likely to change the entire lineup against for the Feb. 6 qualifier against Honduras at San Pedro Sula.
With injuries to Steve Cherundolo and Fabian Johnson, and Danny Williams' lack of playing time, the U.S. has defensive worries heading into next week's World Cup qualifier at Honduras, the opener in the final round to get to next year's tournament in Brazil.
Clint Dempsey has been voted the Futbol de Primera U.S. national team player of the year award for the second straight year and third time overall.
Mix Diskerud scored his first international goal in the third minute of injury time, giving the United States a 2-2 tie against Russia on Wednesday in an exhibition game at Krasnodar.
The primary objective for the United States against Guatemala was a win or at worst a draw, and squeaking through to the next round of World Cup qualifying.
The primary objective for the United States against Guatemala was a win or at worst a draw, and squeaking through to the next round of World Cup qualifying.
Clint Dempsey scored twice as the United States rallied to beat Guatemala 3-1 Tuesday night and reach the last round of continental qualifying for the World Cup.
Jozy Altidore was dropped Monday from the U.S. roster for a pair of critical World Cup qualifiers after disappointing U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann in games and practice over the last year.
A reporter asked U.S. men's national coach Jurgen Klinsmann on Monday what it would be like if his team were to lose to Jamaica for the second time in five days.
Beating Italy was a breakthrough moment. Winning at Mexico ended nearly a century of frustration.
United States international Clint Dempsey has refused to play for Fulham and is seeking a transfer to a Champions League team, the Premier League club's coach Martin Jol said Friday.
"Most of these guys are playing in Europe, and you come in here today at it's, like, 90 degrees, the game's at 3 o'clock," said Dempsey, who went the distance Sunday in London for Tottenham. "It's a difficult game because you can't press and run and have the endurance that you would have in other games."
"We know that there is still a lot of work to be done. We know that we can be better and sharpen up in order to qualify for the World Cup," Dempsey said. "We know the next round is going to be tough. We're going to do everything we can to make sure that we're ready for it."
