MLS Insider Blog

BY SHAWN FRANCIS

Today is a day off in Princeton for the USMNT players and subsequently a day back in the office for me. So it’s ironic that I would see more from actual training today than I have seen all week. With the exception of one day, the media viewing was mostly limited to fitness training i.e. lots & lots of running. But today we get to see some actual drills courtesy of USsoccer.com. Bob Bradley likes the word “sharp” doesn’t he?

BY SHAWN FRANCIS

One of the myriad of USMNT players to acquire a serious injury over the last nine months is former Houston Dynamo midfielder Stuart Holden, currently of Bolton Wanderers, who suffered a broken leg during a friendly against Holland in Amsterdam. He’s now well on his way to obtaining his pre-injury form and nearing “100% match fitness” he can have a laugh about an added bonus of his recent surgery: he’s got a pretty wicked scar to show for it.

BY SHAWN FRANCIS

The Daily EXTRA is back with another look at the latest news out of USMNT camp in Princeton, NJ. Today was all about the return of Oguchi Onyewu and his post-practice press conference.

The big man was fairly open about most things relating to his rehab and his outlook on the upcoming World Cup but his unconventional contract extension with AC Milan was something he was a bit more hesitant to discuss. Nick Firchau and Jaime Uribarri touch on all of this and more from Myslik Field.

BY SHAWN FRANCIS

Clint Dempsey is widely regarded as one of the most creative American players ever produced. The Texan plays with a flair that is seldom seen in domestically-developed collegiate, MLS or USMNT players and attributes some of the dash in his game to a pair of influences grounded in Hispanic culture:  a youth spent playing in Mexican pick-up leagues and televised South American soccer.

BY SHAWN FRANCIS

Could the next stop in Jay DeMerit’s career be playing professionally in America for once? “Maybe,” the USMNT said after yesterday’s workout in Princeton. “I think at the moment I am checking all the options and seeing what opportunities are there.” Following the 2009/10 campaign, his contract with Watford was not renewed.

Having taken one of the least traditional paths to the European soccer, DeMerit has only played professionally in the U.S. as a member of the U.S. national team but seems open to making his domestic club debut if the right fit comes along. “I’ve never played at home and never played in the states so those opportunities are now open and it’s just a matter of me seeing what the best option for me is.”

BY SHAWN FRANCIS

If selected for the 23-man roster, Edson Buddle may be the man to bring a scoring touch to the USMNT’s strike force but he also brings with him a great bit of chemistry with Galaxy teammate Landon Donovan. Can the two connect for Bob Bradley as well as they do for Bruce Arena?

BY SHAWN FRANCIS

The afternoon edition of The Daily tackles the issue of roster trimming with the opinion that DaMarcus Beasley and Chad Marshall look like early favorites to not make the cut. Are they on-point or off their rocker?

BY SIMON BORG

After the opening of camp on Monday and the Landon Donovan therapy session on Tuesday, there was very little newsworthy notes coming out of U.S. camp in Princeton on Wednesday. Overall, except for the rain on Tuesday, things have gone according to plan for USA manager Bob Bradley who said “so far, so good.”

Here’s where things stand: Bradley seems to have a strong feeling of who his 23 are and will use the match in Hartford to confirm those thoughts. The three injured players who will likely be in the final squad are progressing well (Eddie Johnson, Carlos Bocanegra and Jay DeMerit). Defender Chad Marshall is unlikely to make it to South Africa after a hamstring injury kept him out of the third day of team practice. Also, reading into Bradley’s comments on Wednesday, it’s tough to see DaMarcus Beasley figuring into his plans.

Lastly, forward Edson Buddle says the only forward he has not been paired up with thus far during camp is Herculez Gomez, which likely means that the two are in direct competition for a spot on the 23.

LIKELY NOT TO MAKE FINAL 23: Chad Marshall, DaMarcus Beasley, Alejandro Bedoya, Robbie Findley, Robbie Rogers, Sacha Kljestan, Herculez Gomez OR Edson Buddle

BY SHAWN FRANCIS

Shortly after today’s wind-swept USMNT practice, I collared former Princeton and MLS midfielder Jesse Marsch about his days in the Ivy League. Now an assistant on Bob Bradley’s coaching staff, the one-time Chivas USA, Chicago Fire and D.C. United hard man is far removed from his co-ed days in New Jersey but he can still recall a time of quaint facilities and decadent off-campus dining at the Hoagie Haven, my Princeton lunch obsession.

BY SHAWN FRANCIS

It’s not just the usual press that’s covering practice in Princeton. The Daily Show’s John Oliver is here too and I can’t wait to see what he comes back to New York with. From what I could see, he spoke with Jonathon Spector, Tim Howard and Jay DeMerit, the latter of which ended in some extended hugging and a few whispered words in DeMerit’s ear from the English comedian…which were most likely June 12th related.