McCarthy's Musings: A Day To Remember

By Kyle McCarthy

If you're an American soccer fan, it won't be difficult for you to find something to love today.

Between the United States - Spain Confederations Cup semifinal, midweek MLS action and SuperLiga play, there's a little something for everyone. I'll deal with the latter two competitions at some length in the Around the League section, but top billing must go to the afternoon kickoff from South Africa.

Others will analyze the X's and O's of this match to death – check out Noah Davis' preview and Greg Lalas' view from South Africa for more – but this isn't a match that will be won or lost based on whether Bob Bradley plays a different formation or tinkers with his midfield personnel.

Barring an unexpected and peculiar confluence of events, Spain will defeat the United States and progress onwards to the final to face Brazil. The gulf in class between the two teams is so staggeringly large as to make the result fait accompli unless something truly special occurs. Repeat after me: it's perfectly o.k. for the United States to go out at this stage, even by a multiple-goal defeat and even without scoring a goal. There is no shame in losing to a team in midst of a world-record winning streak (15 matches) and world-record unbeaten streak (35 matches, with this afternoon's probable number 36 breaking a tie with Brazil and to claim sole possession). A defeat is expected, particularly for a limited American side that mustered one good performance in three group stage matches and rode that one match and a significant amount of luck to get this far.

With the result all but certain, today should be a day simply to savor a soccer match. Forget about the critiques and the criticism. Ignore the tactical bashing and the questions about leadership and heart. Stop wondering whether there are players who should be in the squad or on the field instead of the ones who are actually there. Pause the discussion about Bradley's fitness to lead the U.S. into the World Cup. Those discussions are important and necessary in the days and weeks ahead in preparation for next summer's high-stakes return trip, but they can wait one day.

Competitive matches against European superpowers don't come along too often when the stakes aren't particularly high. Many countries around the world – including Egypt and Italy – would gladly swap places with the Americans and relish the chance to play the reigning European champions in preparation for the big event next year. This type of experience is invaluable to the American players on the field and to the American fans off of it. As wonderful as a win this afternoon would be for the United States, the result is not nearly as important as the process.

With that in mind, find a local establishment with a supporters' group, huddle in solitude close to the television or gather a group of friends together somewhere to watch. Hope for a Herculean performance, but don't go away disappointed if it never arrives. This is one day and one match worth remembering, win or lose.

Around the League

- With two MLS and two SuperLiga games on tap tonight in addition to the Confederations Cup semifinal this afternoon, this is one busy day for American soccer fans. Fortunately for the fan glued to the couch or the pub stool, the Musings will guide you through the action.

Midweek MLS Action

- New York travels to Toronto for the second time in three weeks (7:30p.m.), while FC Dallas travels to Colorado (9:30p.m.).

New York @ Toronto

- The Red Bulls will be without Mike Petke and Kevin Goldthwaite through suspension. Petke served a red card ban at the weekend and received an additional two-match ban on Tuesday for a verbal, post-match confrontation with the match official after New York's 2-1 loss in Toronto on June 13. Goldthwaite misses out after picking up his fifth yellow card in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Seattle to trigger an automatic one-match ban.

- Andrew Boyens and Carlos Mendes are the only available central defenders for New York and are likely to pair up if Boyens is fit enough to start after recently returning from Confederations Cup duty with New Zealand. Seth Stammler or Luke Sassano could deputize if Boyens isn't fit enough to go.

- Red Bulls coach Juan Carlos Osorio will also sweat out the fitness of three key players. Juan Pablo Angel (quadriceps), Albert Celades (hamstring) and Mac Kandji (hamstring) are all questionable to participate in this one.

- Toronto FC announced the long-rumored signing of forward Ali Gerba on Tuesday. The Canadian international has been called up to his country's Gold Cup squad and wouldn't be available to play in MLS until the transfer window opens on July 15 anyways.

- TFC has few injury concerns coming off a bye last weekend, but there are fitness concerns over regular starters Amado Guevara (ankle) and Adrian Serioux (foot). Marvell Wynne will also miss the match due to Confederations Cup duty with the U.S. national team.

- New York hasn't won away from Giants Stadium in 20 matches (0-14-6), so it's hard to see the Red Bulls escaping BMO Field with any points given the injury and suspension situation.

FC Dallas @ Colorado

- The Hoops picked up a surprising 2-1 home win over Columbus at the weekend. Eric Avila was instrumental as a late substitute in that match and could push for a rare start after notching a goal and an assist against the Crew.

- Injuries remain a critical concern for FCD coach Schellas Hyndman, particularly along the back line. Steve Purdy (knee), Dario Sala (knee), Alvaro Sanchez (ankle), Marcelo Saragosa (hip) and Daniel Torres (hamstring) are all out, while George John (hamstring) is questionable.

- Colorado has no real injury concerns aside from Terry Cooke's left knee sprain. However, the Rapids are missing Conor Casey due to Confederations Cup duty with the United States.

- Omar Cummings made sure the Rapids didn't miss Casey's presence against New York by notching two goals and adding an assist in a 3-0 dismantling of D.C. United on Saturday night. Cummings earned the Player of the Week nod for his efforts.

- While Colorado could be in for a letdown after the United romp at the weekend, it's tough to go against the Rapids here given the venue and FCD's inconsistency.

SuperLiga Group B Action

- After the Group A doubleheader at Toyota Park on Tuesday night – Chicago beat reeling Chivas USA, 1-0, while San Luis thumped Tigres, 3-1 – Group B joins the the fray with a pair of matches at Gillette Stadium. New England hosts Kansas City in the opener (7:00p.m., Telefutura), while Atlas and Santos Laguna tussle in the nightcap (9:00p.m, Galavision).

Kansas City @ New England

- Kansas City drew 0-0 with Atlas in St. Louis on Sunday, while New England currently tops the group after beating Santos Laguna 4-2 at Gillette Stadium.

- Steve Ralston (hamstring) and Kevin Alston (hamstring) are the latest casualties for the Revolution. New England boss Steve Nicol said he expects to name just 16 fit players for the match.

- “They play a different style,” Revolution defender Amaechi Igwe – who is expected to start in Alston's place with Mike Videira coming into the side for Ralston – said about a K.C. side that beat the Revs 3-1 at CommunityAmerica Ballpark on June 13. “Their home field is small. ... Opening it up and playing them on a bigger field will be a good thing for us. Playing at home is good for us.”

- Wizards coach Curt Onalfo will check on Jimmy Conrad's fitness before deciding whether his veteran defender will play against the Revs. Conrad is nursing a hamstring strain. Herculez Gomez trained on Tuesday after being withdrawn due to heat exhaustion on Sunday and is expected to be in the squad.

- “The surface plays a little bit of a role,” Onalfo said about playing at Gillette Stadium. “It's important in the first 15 minutes to get accustomed to it as quickly as you can. Depending on whether it's slick or not, we have to take that into consideration. We know exactly how they go about things. We know they are a tough team to play against, especially here at home. Our mindset is the same as it always is. We want to be smart and disciplined and take our chances when they come.”

- With a win, New England would clinch a spot in the semifinals. That win might be difficult to find against the Wizards. Kansas City sports a 6-1-4 record at Gillette Stadium and has won the last three MLS meetings against the Revs.

Santos Laguna v. Atlas

- Santos Laguna will be without Juan Santiago for the match. The Santos defender was suspended three matches on Tuesday for sucker punching New England midfielder Pat Phelan in an off-the-ball incident in Sunday's 4-2 loss.

- Aside from Santiago, Santos technical director Sergio Bueno said he expects to stick with the players selected against the Revolution.

- “We know that when we're playing the MLS teams, they are in the middle of the season and they are ready,” Bueno said. “Those are the circumstances in which we are playing. We are in a stage of growth, trying to get ready for the season.”

- Atlas is marginally better off after a 0-0 tie against the Wizards on a steamy Sunday afternoon in St. Louis. Even with the point, Atlas manager Ricardo La Volpe said his team needs a victory against Santos to compete for a place in the semifinals.

- “This game is key for Santos and it's key for us -- the second game is always key in a four-team group,” La Volpe said. “We have to go and look for three points, and they are perhaps even more obligated to do so. But the most important thing is to have a good showing and continue our preparation.”

- La Volpe is suspended for the match after being ejected from the technical area on Sunday. Without La Volpe and its first team players, Atlas may find the task too much to bear against a Santos Laguna side that has already played one match on the Gillette Stadium turf this week.

Brief Tidbits

- Houston is close to sealing its long awaited stadium deal after securing financing and completing negotiations with the city this week, according to the Houston Business Journal.

- With the Gold Cup approaching, more than a few MLS players are preparing to spend some time away from their club sides. MLS fans will want to take particular note of the Canadian and Jamaican rosters before waiting patiently for the American Gold Cup roster expected to be released on Thursday.

- In case there wasn't enough soccer going on today for NYC-based fans, Steve Nash and Claudio Reyna will invade Chinatown with a few of their famous buddies. The festivities start at 5:30p.m. at Roosevelt Park.

Kyle McCarthy writes the Monday MLS Breakdown and frequently writes opinion pieces during the week for Goal.com. He also covers the New England Revolution for the Boston Herald and MLSnet.com. Contact him with your questions or comments at kyle.mccarthy@goal.com and follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/kylejmccarthy.

For more on the Confederations Cup, visit Goal.com's Confederations Cup page.

For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page.