Gold Cup 2011

[Lineker]

Does anybody know anything about this kid? Is he any good?

Scotland coach Craig Levein admits that American 16-year-old Jack McBean is one of a number of players on his radar as he searches for fresh talent.

McBean played for the USA at the Under-17 World Cup, but the Los Angeles Galaxy striker's parents are Scottish.

"He's a young lad and he's one of a number we are looking at," said Levein.

"We are looking quite extensively, all over the globe almost, to try to find the people who are eligible to play for the national team."

Scotland's chief scout, Michael Oliver, confirmed at the weekend that McBean is a player the Scots are keeping tabs on.

"Michael spoke to his father," said Levein. "If he does qualify to play for Scotland, it would be between the player, his parents and ourselves.

"There is no need to go through US Soccer.

"We just have to find out if he wants to play for Scotland and if he does then we can progress it."

Levein's regime are anxious not to miss out again on the likes of Stuart Holden, the Bolton Wanderers midfielder who plays for the USA's senior side despite being born in Aberdeen.

However, the national coach stressed that the international future of the United States-born striker who played in the youth World Cup finals in Mexico remains in the early stages.

"He's just a young lad whose name came up," added Levein.

"He's got a contract in the States and he's of a standard that would be of interest to us.

"But he's just a kid and he's a long way away from playing full international football.

"It's an example of just how wide the net is that we are using to try to catch people."

[HailtotheYo]

He's straight from the Galaxy Academy and just signed on with the Galaxy in April. Interesting.

He's torn up US Soccer Development Academy (for what that's worth) and has helped the Galaxy U16 club be one of the better clubs at that level. Biggest accolade for him really is that he was on the roster they sent to the SUM CUP last summer (pretty big deal, if not the biggest deal for youth/academy clubs in the US outside of the Dallas Cup). He was also selected to join the Bradenton development academy (THE US development academy). He was also named to the US roster for the U17 WC. He's 6ft too and weighs roughly 170 pounds or so, so he's got good size.

Last guy the Galaxy signed from their academy was Tristen Bowen in like '08 so they don't do it often.

All things considered I'd say he's as much of a prospect as most any other 17yr old that get's this kind of attention.

[RTS]

Oh my god, the US played so dreadful against Guadaeloupe. I can't believe Dempsey missed that much.

[Meacon Keaton]

I'm convinced Dempsey was on some type of sedative. Dude easily could have had a hat-trick.

[HailtotheYo]

Dempsey is beyond exhausted .... on the other hand ... that was an amazing strike by Altidore.

<iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Gu4dCrl4964" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[HailtotheYo]

EL PESCADITO !

At the half Guatemala is up 1-0 on Mexico

[HailtotheYo]

aaaaand that was fun ... not even at the 65m mark and Mexico is up 2-1 ... fucking awesome.

Other news, Honduras advances on penalties over Costa Rica

[GoGo Yubari]

Marco Rodriguez is just the worst referee ever. It's hilarious. Continually makes bullshit calls against the US, then he finally gives the other team a red card... and it's for a dive by Jermaine Jones.

[HailtotheYo]

Yeah, that was pretty bad. He was terrible the whole night ... he either got every call he made wrong, or flat out didn't make a call when he should have.

Freaking El Salvador ... you suck, and I wish you would have won. Went to penalties though so maybe Panama will be drained.

I do like that Bob switched the formation and actually tried to make some things happen. We played well honestly and I like the 4-5-1. I just hope Altidore isn't hurt too badly.

[Meacon Keaton]

I thought we looked good. 1-0 doesn't look or sound great, but we played better than we have lately (which isn't saying much). Should be interesting to see what we change up against Panama this time.

[GoGo Yubari]

1-0 doesn't look or sound great, but we played better than we have lately (which isn't saying much).

2-0 sounds alright, though.

[HailtotheYo]

He must be stuck on the Vancouver/Philly score line

[Meacon Keaton]

1-0 doesn't look or sound great, but we played better than we have lately (which isn't saying much).

2-0 sounds alright, though.

(N)

Forgot about Dempsey's late goal.

[Lineker]

NEW YORK - Mexico have been given permission to replace the five players who were suspended from the CONCACAF Gold Cup for failing out-of-competition doping tests.

The Mexican Football Federation (Femexfut) has denied their players did anything wrong, saying they tested positive for a banned anabolic agent after eating contaminated meat, and asked that they be replaced for the rest of the tournament.

The CONCACAF Gold Cup Organising Committee announced on Sunday it had agreed, after consulting with the sport's world governing body, that Mexico be allowed to replace the players while the case is continuing.

"Based on the specific facts of this case, and on FIFA's advice on the matter, the situation at hand is a case of force majeure as contemplated in the competition regulations," CONCACAF said in a statement.

"Therefore the Mexican national team shall be permitted to replace the five... players with up to five other players for the remainder of the competition.'

Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, defenders Francisco Rodriguez and Edgar Duenas, and midfielders Sinha and Christian Bermudez all tested positive for clenbuterol and were suspended from the regional tournament.

Femexfut attributed the positive results to ingestion of clenbuterol in meat eaten by the players when on a training camp in Mexico to prepare for the Gold Cup and has conducted independent tests they hope will exonerate them.

Despite being five players down since the opening match of the tournament, Mexico remain undefeated and are safely through to the semi-finals, against Honduras, in Texas this week.

[Meacon Keaton]

http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/6693975/hamstring-strain-forces-united-states-forward-jozy-altidore-gold-cup

So Altidore is done for the rest of this competition.

[GoGo Yubari]

Wasn't pretty but barring disaster it looks like we're beating Panama.

[HailtotheYo]

Wow, Freddy Adu looking good ... what is this 2006 ?

Not too bad overall, Panama is a rough team to breakdown when you're a team with zero off the ball movement. I'm really hoping for an upset in the 2nd match. Mexico will tear us a new asshole.

[Meacon Keaton]

Hahaha, I just said the same thing to my buddy not two minutes ago. Actually I think I said Mexico would 'cornhole' us.

[Blue Rosler]

Who says Honduras won't do it? >_>

[Meacon Keaton]

I sure hope they do.