In the first of its two European friendly matches, the U.S. men’s national team delivered another lack-luster performance.  Missing several regular starters including Landon Donovan and Tim Howard, the U.S. had its chances, but fell to Slovakia on a penalty-kick.
Marek Hamsik’s first-half penalty was all that the hosts would need in front of a barren crowd at [...]

Patience is a virtue, or so they say.  With World Qualifying finished and less than a year until South Africa 2010, it may seem as most of the waiting is over.  But for the U.S. men’s national soccer team and its supporters there is more to wait for now than in the past three years.
Waiting [...]

In Europe, three teams have already won their World Cup qualifying groups, earning passage to South Africa. After Saturday’s action we will have a good idea who will win five of the other groups, with only Group 2 likely to remain in the balance. By the time Wednesday’s final round of qualifying kicks [...]