It's a day of non-Sounders soccer, but lots of it is high quality on ESPN's family of stations. Up next is a 4PM start on ESPN for the United States v Antigua and Barbuda. The USA are clear favorites as outlined in the SBN/Soccer storystream; the A&B team is made up primarily of players from a single USL Pro side. Interestingly enough they have a shot at playing against the Sounders in the upcoming CCL with the Antigua Barracudas if they do better than the PR Islanders in the CFU Clu Championship.
Today's match in a Tampa will be on a waterlogged pitch with seam issues and a small crowd because they wanted to avoid Seattle weather and temporary sod?
With both left backs injured the USA is starting Jose Torres there, which would be a disaster against most opponents. Dempsey, Gomez and Donovan start up top. Edu, Bradley and Jones are in the midfield and Cheundolo, Goodson, Bocanerga in defense in front of Howard.
Klinsmann's room for error is gone. These games count, and while this round shouldn't be tough, but losing the best of the selected fullbacks could prove troublesome in later matches.