Major Link Soccer: European Vacation comes to an end

U.S. Soccer

The USMNT take on Germany today in Cologne. The last meeting between the two nations ended in a 1-0 victory for those other guys on their way to winning the World Cup.  The U.S. is 3-0-7 all time against Germany and although it is only a friendly, the German/American contingent in Jurgen Klinsmann's squad have other ideas as confidence rises.

The U.S. U20 team knocked Columbia out of the World Cup. The U.S. did suffer losses in the game with Bradford Jamieson carted off with an injury in the 12th minute and Kelly Perryn-Acosta earning a redcard in the 81st minute. Goalkeeper Zach Steffen saved the ensuing penalty kick and Rubio Rubin had the game winner in the 58th minute.

In a re-branding announcement Germany officially changed their name and logo. Alfredo Morales won't let the change affect his game or his goal-scoring celebration.

If you watched the U.S.-Holland game last Friday you will no doubt remember the run Michael Bradley had that helped create the winning goal for the U.S. That "leading by example" drive is what the U.S. needs from their best players.

Seattle

A called back goal, a penalty, and a loss could describe the Seattle Sounders weekend. I believe it was a conspiracy so Sporting KC could finally top the MLS Power Rankings.

Seattle Sounders 2 have a home game and an opportunity Thursday night against LA Galaxy II to get back to their winning ways at home.  Seattle is ahead of LA in the standing and Andy Craven has a lot to do with that.

Major League Soccer

Chasing passions, getting married, and dreaming. Yup, that's what Landon Donovan has been doing since he retired. He is also down in New Zealand helping coach the U20 USMNT in the World Cup.

Sebastian Giovinco is on fire and is tied with Clint Dempsey for most goals and assists in the league with 13. What's more impressive is he has done it in his first 12 games in MLS. Has anyone done better?

World Soccer

Last week the New York Cosmos, Pele, and a plane full stars embarked on a Cuban adventure feeling like the rock stars of the golden days.

Running on the small Social Democrat Party ticket, Cuauhtemoc Blanco was elected mayor of Cuernavaca, a town south of Mexico City. Not sure who referred this election but I know it wasn't Jair Marrufo!

25 years ago I was a young GI in Italy and I watched as Gazza cried, Pavarotti sang, and Toto scored.  The 1990 World Cup in Italy was full of emotion, but it also gave the world new heroes like Roger Milla, Salvatore "Toto" Schillaci, and Paul "Gazza" Gascoigne. It also was the return of the U.S. to the world stage after a 40 year absence.

Goal of the week Nominees : Back Flip for fun, Top 10 "Goals of the Season"