Now that the Snow Clasico is but a cherished memory, and now that the hard work has been done for Stars and Stripes soccer down in smoggy ol’ Mexico City, the men of the United States national team must get back to making a buck.
As to whether they will actually get on the field … let’s talk about that.
Brad Guzan will surely be in Aston Villa goal for the relegation-threatened side’s Easter clash with Liverpool. Listen to the U.S. goalkeeper with two recent (and immeasurably valuable) shutouts talk about his next EPL match here.
Stoke City makes a short trip north to Liverpool to meet Everton, so we’ll see if Geoff Cameron gets his usual starting spot along the Potters’ back line following two taxing matches and extensive travel, and whether Brek Shea makes the bench for Saturday’s match Goodison Park. By stamping “high-priority” on his team’s four remaining home matches, manager Tony Pulis has declared these road tests as opportunities for “bonus points.”
It might be a little surprising if Clint Dempsey starts for Tottenham given the Texans’ hard work at high altitude and tough travel over the past eight days, especially when he was just coming off injury. Plus, Aaron Lennon’s return from injury gives Spurs one additional (and well-rested) attacking option for Saturday’s date with Swansea at the Liberty Stadium.
Then again, 12 Spurs were away on international duty over the past week, so who knows what kind of lineup Andre Villas-Boas may have to field against the surprising Swans?
Five MLS men took part in Tuesday’s 0-0 draw in Mexico City, including two starters from Sporting Kansas City. Graham Zusi and Matt Besler were both in Jurgen Klinamann’s lineup at Azteca, and will now be in a race to get their legs back in times for Saturday’s outside Kansas City with Montreal. The Impact, perfect through four MLS matches, are about the best story in Major League Soccer’s young season.
What Besler told MLSSoccer.com’s Extra Time radio Thursday about whether he and Zusi can get the starting assignment Saturday:We both want to be. We practiced today, me and Graham were both doing regen [regeneration work], trying to get our bodies back. So it’s just going to be a question of how we feel tomorrow, and then we are going to make the final decision tomorrow. But just knowing me and Graham, we both really, really want to be on the field on Saturday.”
“We were talking on the flight back from Mexico City about how excited we are to play Montreal at home, how we really want to take it to these guys and give them their first loss this year.”