Donovan can lead US to World Cup run

Tickel Yer' Fancy

By Hunter Tickel | The News Record
Published: Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Landon Donovan, the greatest American-born soccer player, set foot on an English pitch at Emirates Stadium Saturday, Jan. 9, in his Premier League debut.

The 27 year old is playing at the highest level of his career. Against Arsenal on Saturday, Donovan didn’t resemble the same player that had failed to impress fans in his three previous stints in Europe.

Donovan finally caught a break with Everton, as he was given a chance to start his first game in arguably the world’s best league.

Donovan played inspiring soccer against Arsenal, a world powerhouse. He assisted on Everton’s first goal in the 12th minute with a perfect delivery off a corner kick.

He played with pace, helped his teammates on defense and, most importantly, he played with the same confidence and swagger he showed when playing in America.

His efforts contributed toward Everton earning its first tie against Arsenal since 1996.

But Donovan isn’t the only American on Everton making his presence felt.

Goalkeeper Tim Howard was recently named by the team as one of the top-12 Everton players of the decade, and he continues to prove that he is one of the best goalkeepers in soccer.

Howard could start for any team in the world, but U.S. fans will be fortunate enough to have him starting for their team come June.

We’re just five months away from this summer’s World Cup in South Africa. Not every player’s spot on the U.S team is secured, and several players currently playing abroad are still looking to earn their place on the national team.

Clint Dempsey shouldn’t have too much to worry about.

The Fulham midfielder is currently tied for the top scorer on the team with six goals, one shy of the 10th leading scorer in the league. He was the only goal scorer for the U.S. at the last World Cup, and even more will be expected from him this summer.

Jozy Altidore, a forward for Hull City, has cemented his place in the starting lineup with his club as expected, but it may not be enough for him to get significant minutes in the World Cup. He has yet to score in 15 league games.

Midfielder Stuart Holden has a crucial decision to make after finishing up his contract with Houston, making him a free transfer for European teams. There are rumors circulating that Rangers in Scotland is interested, but if he cannot get playing time immediately, he would be better served to stay in the United States for the time being.

Many players in Europe are making a late push to make the cut for the U.S. team. The determining factor will be whether or not these players can get a regular playing team with their clubs leading up to the World Cup.

An American duo, midfielders DaMarcus Beasley and Maurice Edu is currently playing for Rangers.

Beasley saw a huge drop off in form with Rangers last year and has not made an appearance for the U.S. national team since last summer, but as of late he has
re-emerged with two goals and four assists in his last five games with Rangers.

I’m guaranteeing right now that Beasley will make the U.S. national team and start at least one game in the World Cup.

Edu made his return to soccer in December after a knee injury sidelined him for seven months. If he plays at the level he was performing at before the injury, not only will he make the team, he will be starting for the United States.

If there is one American whose bubble is close to bursting, however, it’s the talented - yet disappointing - midfielder Freddy Adu.

Adu was once dubbed the most talented young player in the world and the savior of
U.S. soccer, but he has failed to be consistent.

Adu is on his third loan in as many years, this time with Aris, of Greece. If he is unable to break into the first team, Adu may be out of options. A to return to the states may be in order if this loan fails.

American players are sprinkled all over Europe and, playing time or not, it has to be a positive sign for U.S. soccer moving forward. With some of America’s best players making their presence felt across Europe, I like our chances against Europe’s and the rest of the world’s national teams this summer in South Africa.

Impressions on Bearcats win over Cal State Bakersfield

The Bearcats blew out the roadrunners and sent them crawling back to California like they were supposed to.

But wait isn't this the first week of January? Why is UC playing a team that are in their first year of division one play, three games into conference play?

First and foremost, UC had problems scheduling their last non-conference home game. One because any elite school is sane enough to know they do not want to play UC at the Shoemaker Center, excuse me Fifth Third Arena. Secondly head coach Mick Cronin did not want to schedule another game around Christmas time.

The game actually turned out to be more of positive than I thought it would be. This year's team is the deepest squad since the Bob Huggin's days. With that said, this team is also very young and has a lot to learn. Freshman Cashmere Wright for instance has gotten little playing time this season and probably would have started last year if he hadn't gotten hurt, but that was when he was our only point guard. Freshman Jaquon Parker was supposed to be his back up but has not gotten those minutes because Vaughn played point last year and feels comfortable there now.

Last night was a chance to give these boys minutes in a game at the mid-season point. Parker played 15 minutes and was 3-5 from three. Wright played 23 minutes, the most since Vaughn was moved back to point guard and after only playing 17 minutes in the last three games combined. Fan favorite center Anthony "Biggie" McClain played a season high and an efficient 13 minutes. He was 4-5 from the field with eight points and eight rebounds.

Cronin played a total of 13 players, including the first ever minutes for local boy Alex Eppensteiner from Elder. More importantly it allowed Cronin to rest Vaughn, Stephenson and Gates who all played under 18 minutes. That off the heels of those three players collectively playing 100 minutes against Pitt.

This game will pay off in late February and March when players starting feeling the grind of playing some many minutes. This game was more than just another 29 point win against a small school.

Cats 2-0 in Big East, Big Monday next

Hunter Tickel | The News Record
The University of Cincinnati men’s team is almost halfway through its season, but the daunting Big East schedule has just begun.

UC knocked off in-state rival Miami just as students were leaving for break.

Then came the Crosstown Shootout at the Cintas Center against Xavier. The Bearcats dropped a double-overtime thriller against the Muskies 83-79.

Then UC hit the road to play the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The Bearcats couldn’t keep up and UAB won by 17, handing the Bearcats their second-consecutive loss.

“We have played a tougher schedule,” said head coach Mick Cronin. “Who in the Big East played back-to-back road games against Xavier and UAB? We played three great neutral site games. We have already shown that our guys will compete at a high level.”
UC returned home and easily took care of Lipscomb and Winthrop just before Christmas in the final tune ups before Big East play.

Then came a season highlight when the Cats opened conference play in Fifth Third Arena in front of more than 10,000 fans with a 71-69 victory against No. 10 Connecticut. Freshman guard Lance Stephenson won the game when he knocked down two free throws with .7 seconds remaining giving UC its third win of the season against a top-25 team.

The Bearcats maintained momentum when they traveled to New Jersey for the final game of Winter break to face Rutgers.

Despite being down five points at halftime, UC rallied and beat the Scarlet Knights
65-58.

The bench made all the difference against Rutgers, scoring 34 points versus 31 points from the starters.

“That was the difference in the game, our second unit came in the game and got us the lead,” Cronin said. “We went from down to tied or down to up. The bench takes effect now, here on out for the rest of the season.”

The win gave UC (10-3, 2-0 Big East) a share of first place in the conference and matched the school’s best start in league play since 2005-06.

“We’re a team that is recruited to be a big strong, athletic team,” Cronin said. “We have to play that way. We’re as big and strong as any team in America.”

Next up, the Cats will be featured on ESPN’s Big Monday. First place in the Big East will be up for grabs when Pittsburgh (12-2, 2-0) comes to Fifth Third Arena, 7 p.m., Jan. 4.

Pittsburgh enters Monday’s game fresh off a 10-point win at then undefeated Syracuse. A win would give the Bearcats its first 3-0 start in the Big East.

“For three years since I got the job, it’s the chicken and the egg when you’re trying to rebuild a program and they don’t want to put you on Big Monday,” Cronin said. “I have been lobbying and fighting hard to the conference office to get Big Monday and the eyes of the basketball world on Monday night will be on Fifth Third Arena so we need to pack the arena.”