3-29-11

Sounders weekly news and notes for the team, one DP was surprised he didn't play on Friday, and one ex-DP has retired officially.

The USA plays Paraguay tonight in Nashville, will there be a let down after a big game against Argentina or will they step it up and display the same effort?

The USA did a decent job of slowing Argentina's midfield on Saturday, we may see more of the Triangle in USA's games to come.

Here is a look at the US Players ratings from their game Saturday against Argentina.

Winners and Losers in the USA game, the USA definitely showed encouraging signs Saturday night, one centerback looked very good in his return to the US team, and one German-American gave a very solid performance.

2 games 2 goals for the 18 year old Juan Agedulo, now the hard part begins!

It's an age old debate "Club vs. Country" who foots the bill when a player is injured on international duty, clubs are obligated by FIFA to release player to play, and they must insure them.

Go Vote for the "Top 10 Goals of the Week", most players don't reach the 100 goal mark for a career but in Brazil 1 Goalkeeper has!

USA 1 – Argentina 1 (International Friendly, March 26, 2011)



It's official, "Juan Agudelo is the new darling of USA soccer. Unfortunately, the USA has had a number of new darlings over the years, and after the Red Bull youngster scored to level the match against Argentina, the veterans on the team were quick to caution against putting too much pressure on Agudelo to be the savior of the strike force.


Wales 0 – England 2 (Euro 2012 qualifier, March 26, 2011)



He is a proven winner and to win at the highest levels you need grit, fire, and the desire, plus a little nastiness. Zlatan has all of that, but a lot of times uses it against his teammates!


Bike Ride of the Week.



Thomas Rongen has enlisted plenty of talent for the CONCACAF U-20 Championship in Guatemala, but he needs a select few to excel if the favored Americans expect to advance to the World Cup. MLSsoccer.com takes a look at five players who will fill that role.


Brazil 2 – Scotland 0 (International friendly, March 27, 2011)



Fabio Capello will make at least seven changes for England’s friendly against Ghana on Tuesday and has named Gareth Barry as stand-in skipper for the Wembley match. Newly re-instated captain John Terry was one of five players released from the squad following the 2-0 Euro 2012 Group G qualifying win over Wales at Cardiff, and with Rio Ferdinand and Steven Gerrard out injured, Barry will take the armband against the World Cup quarter-finalists.


Germany 4 – Kazakhstan 0 (Euro 2012 qualifier, March 26, 2011)



Go Vote for MLS Goal of the Week.


Republic of Ireland 2 – Macedonia 1 (Euro 2012 qualifier, March 26, 2011)



Norwegian-American Mixx Diskerud has only played twice for the full USA national team, but it's likely he left a positive impression, since he has been called back into the roster.


Bosnia-Herzegovina 2 – Romania 1 (Euro 2012 qualifier, March 26, 2011)



In the heated race for the 2010-2011 Premier League title, the two games that may decide who will be crowned champion this season will both be featured on Fox Soccer Channel. In one week in May, Fox Soccer Channel will broadcast both the Arsenal versus Manchester United game (May 1) and Manchester United against Chelsea (May 8). Depending on what happens between now and those matches among the top three in the Premier League, either of those games may help decide the fate of the Premier League title winner.


Mexico 3 – Paraguay 1 (International friendly, March 26, 2011)



How to occupy oneself in international week is always a bit of a quandary. Imagine how much more so it must be for one of the world’s most occupied, in-demand coaches. Pep Guardiola left the ghost town of La Masia to go and see old friends this week, going back to Brescia, where he last played in European football, before drawing the curtain on his playing days in the Middle East and Mexico.


Portugal 1 – Chile 1 (International friendly, March 26, 2011)