Landon Donovan has returned to the public spotlight with a couple of high profile appearances in the last week. On Monday, Donovan took part in Major League Baseball’s All-Star festivities by participating in a celebrity softball game. The USA’s all time leading scorer hit an inside-the-park home run that showed off the 34 year olds still electric pace.
Having played for Mexico at the 2015 U-20 World Cup in New Zealand and having smoothly transitioned from Queretaro to Chivas in Liga MX, it was widely reported that Orbelin Pineda would make the natural progression to El Tri’s U-23 setup for the Olympic Games. However, Pineda, still only 20 years old, was omitted from Mexico’s roster for the Rio Games.
Jordan Morris is enjoying the finest form of his professional career to date. On Saturday, July 2nd, Morris scored a highlight reel equalizer against Toronto FC in MLS regular season action. It was the American striker’s sixth goal in 16 games in his rookie season.
Mexico have announced the U-23 squad, along with three overage players, that will represent El Tri at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio. Having won the gold medal at the previous Olympics in London in 2012, this Mexico squad will be looking to defend their title with the likes of Oribe Peralta, Alfredo Talavera, Erick “Cubo” Torres and Jorge Torres Nilo.
Peralta, Talavera and Nilo represent the three over-23 players for Mexico.
Tim Howard’s presence in MLS was clearly felt during his return on Monday as the American goalkeeper registered a shutout in the 0-0 draw between Colorado Rapids, Howard’s new club, and the reigning MLS champion Portland Timbers.
Howard’s debut electrified Colorado’s fanbase — the club typically averages 14,978 spectators per match but had a season-best 18,759 attend Monday’s July 4th matchup.
Rapids fans were keen to see Howard and Jermaine Jones, both returning from Copa America action with the United States, take the field together for the first time for the club.
A quick disclaimer: producing live sports is a really, really hard job and it's a testament to the competence of the FOX Sports crew that mistakes like the ones they made Tuesday are rare enough as to be newsworthy. With that said, let's now make fun of them for screwing up.
The USMNT's loss to Argentina was depressing for a number of reasons, one of which was that FOX Sports seemed to be about as on their game as the USMNT, which is to say not very.
Lionel Messi scored his 55th goal for the Argentina National Team, surpassing Gabriel Batistuta and becoming Argentina's single all-time leading scorer in a 4-0 victory over the USA.
Honestly, it was not as bad of a blowout as we thought is would be.
Ezequiel Lavezzi opened the scoring in the third minute and Messi broke the record with a free kick just before halftime. Gonzalo Higuain scored twice in the second half and that was it.
Sometimes the stars align and things just go as they are supposed to. Sometimes heart wins over skills and fighting like a lion pays off against precise footwork.
This was the case during the last group stage match between the United States and Argentina in a warm Uruguayan night back in 1995. The Albiceleste lined up the likes of Gabriel Batitusta and featured Diego Simeone off the bench.
There will not be any pressure on the USMNT Tuesday.
If they win, this is their moment. If they lose, they become part of Argentina's moment. That is a half-decent consolation prize.
Saying there's pressure on the USMNT against Argentina is like saying there is pressure on the bull in a bullfight. The bull is going to die anyway. It is up to the matador to perform.
There are established fan bases across America that all self proclaim themselves "greatest fans in America" like Red Sox Nation, the Cameron Crazies, Big Blue Nation, the Dawg Pound, the list is long and full of a lot of great fans. But there is a "new" kid in town that I feel is taking the nation by storm, and they call themselves the American Outlaws.