Some Facts about Me in Regards to Soccer
I have followed soccer since my freshman year, in 2008, when a couple of acquaintances, at Ladue High School, unintentionally got me into soccer. I was a United States Mens National Team (USMNT) supporter until I got hooked on following England. I was going to choose them as my favorite European team originally, but then I played FIFA, which is now one of the few video games I play everyday. They became my FIFA team to play against others online and eventually I knew them through and through. Up until my sophomore year I was a full on England supporter and seldom cared about the USA.
Yes, I did cheer for England over my birth country in the 2010 World Cup. The United States got a gift goal they didn't deserve and went to top the group, while the 3 Lions barley made it out after getting an atrocious 0-0 draw with Algeria and narrowly beating Slovenia 1-0. The USA lost to Ghana 2-1 in extra time and England lost 4-1 to Germany because of the worst call in the history of soccer happened. Frank Lampard, who will be going to Brazil at age 36, but then was 32, hit the top crossbar with his shot that bounced 2 yards in to the goal, but was not seen by the linesman or the referee. 1 minute before this happened England scored to make it 1-2 and it should've been 2-2 7 minutes before half-time. England had to chase the game and Germany scored 2 goals in 3 minutes to run away with the match.
I was 16 then and now I am 20 with a new load of optimism with a young and promising squad. The same goes for the United States after what happened yesterday.
USMNT Update
I've gotten back into following the United States a month ago and now know their squad pretty well. Just as of yesterday afternoon, longtime player and all-time scorer, Landon Donovon, was omitted from the squad. The move by coach Jurgen Klinsman has sparked much criticism. A lot of critics have brought up the fact that Julian Green, 18, was selected, but not Donovan, who has been to the past 3 World Cups and scored 5 goals. However Green, who was technically German a couple of months ago, but Klinsman convinced him to switch allegiances. He is a Bayern Munich product, who are one of the best clubs in the world. Green has a very bright future with a country that will give him every opportunity to shine and we have just seen why.
England National Team Updates
England have started off well this summer with the U17's winning the UEFA Under 17 Championship over the Netherlands in a penalty shootout, which England historically have struggled with. The 17 year olds however proved deadly by converting on all 4 of their shots. It is England's second U17 European title and the first since 2010 when most of the current U21 players won it back then.
A player to watch out for in the future is 5'6", wonder kid, Patrick Roberts of Fulham FC. The skillful winger, who scored 3 goals in the tournament, is coming off of an impressive season, which has caught the eye of almost every Premier League Club and some foreign clubs as well. He scored an eye catching goal against Malta when he beat his defender, cut in, and unleashed a laser shot from 30 yards out that beat the keeper with ease. That goal is being considered as the goal of the tournament.
Here are some highlights of him in action for England: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pr6ICJ6p2OQ
The England U21's defeated Wales 3-1 to all but secure 1st place in their UEFA U21 group with 2 games to spare. 20 year old Nathan Redmond, of Norwich, got a hat trick. England won with a mostly depleted squad with half of the regular starters playing in the English Championship playoff final and the others in the England World Cup squad. It just shows how England are deep at the U21 level with most of the players being born in the 92', 93', and 94' years.
World Cup Update
Uruguay striker Luis Suarez will be out of action for 2-3 weeks, but is expected to be ready to go in time before Uruguay's first match against Costa Rica. Suarez, who tied a Premier League record by scoring 31 goals in 38 matches this season for Liverpool, is in race against time for fitness as he had surgery on his leg a day ago. He himself has said that he will be ready to go for the World Cup. If things go astray then he will be a massive blow to Uruguay's World Cup hopes as he is widely regarded as the best inform strikers in the world and one of the best overall players in the world.Uruguay will face Costa Rica, England, and Italy respectively in the World Cup. Many people have Italy and Uruguay to make it out of the group ahead of England, but his injury may change the minds of many.
Back in 2006, Wayne Rooney suffered a leg injury a couple of months before the World Cup in Germany started. His first action was in England's second game of the competition. He would start the rest of England's matches, but never made an impact all the way until his tournament ended when he was sent off in the 62nd minute against Portugal in the quarterfinals.
Could this be for Luis Suarez? He will not be able to participate in any of Uruguay's upcoming warmup contests for the World Cup and can not go full throttle in training surly. Either way it will be very hard for him to transform into top form.