AO Boston Labor Day Weekend Update This Saturday at 8pm the US plays El Salvador in a World Cup Qualifier at Rio Tinto Stadium in Salt Lake City. Sure, El Salvador may have just five points but they earned one of those points by drawing even with us 2-2 at Monumental Estadio Cuscatlan back in March. Unfortunately the timing of this game conflicts with the home Revolution –Kansas City match and is forcing many people to make decisions – to DVR or not to DVR? If you’re not planning on going to the Revolution game we encourage you to come down to our regular watering hole – The Banshee – and watch the game with us. These three points are crucial particularly because we only have one home game left. The Banshee 934 Dorchester Ave, Dorchester, MA 02125 (617) 436-9747 Check out the Facebook Invite for more info. Check us out on: Twitter Facebook YouTube Myspace MyRevs And the general intertubes. AO Winter Ball American Outlaws Boston is hosting a Winter Ball at An Tua Nua on December 4th to raise money for America Scores. Details are still developing but we encourage you to save the date. It should be a wonderful time. Tell your friends! **Road Trip To Honduras A few AO Boston members are planning on going to the USA vs Honduras WCQ in San Pedro Sula. Currently roundtrip flights are as low as $250 with one stop. Please contact us for more details. **USA vs Trinidad & Tobago – Wednesday September 9th at 7pm Per usual we will be watching at the Banshee for this game. We look forward to seeing you there. Unce unce dance party at the Landing for those of you interested. AO National Write Up On USA vs El Salvador Bring it back The USMNT strolls into Salt Lake City this Saturday after a deplorable result against Mexico a month ago. The yanks took their first ever lead at the Azteca when Landon Donovan found a streaking Charlie Davies, who smoothly slotted home from 10 yards. However, the boys couldn't withstand the constant pressure from the home team, eventually losing 2-1 to a 82nd minute goal from Miguel Sabah. A truly disappointing result, as many Americans believed that Bradley's men prevail against their dirty southern neighbors. Bob Bradley has seen his side endure mixed emotions this summer. After nearly lifting the Confederation's Cup in their first ever FIFA Final, the Nats also saw themselves succumb to a losing margin of 7-1 against their most fearsome rivals in 2 games, albeit in completely different circumstances. The 2 consecutive losses have left American fans searching for answers as to where we went wrong. The tactics, energy, devotion, and skill that were so evident against Egypt, Spain, and even Brazil in the final, seem to be a thing of the past. Michael's dad still has his doubters, and will need a positive result in Utah to ensure that we are on the right track to qualification. As it stands, the United States sits in 3rd place in CONCACAF Qualifying, behind Costa Rica and Honduras, and a loss here would almost certainly see Mexico surpass us. As for Saturday, a respectable El Salvador side visits Rio Tinto Stadium, indisputably needing a win themselves. If you'll look back to March 28th, the US nearly conceded defeat in San Salvador, when Frankie Hejduk and Jozy Altidore sparked a late comeback, ending in a 2-2 draw. Worrying signs for the home team, who currently sit 69 places behind us in FIFA World Rankings(US-12th, E.S. 81st). Who could forget the speedy play of Cristian Castillo, who finished his chance sublimely in the 72nd minute at Estadio Cuscatlan. The away team also have Arturo Alvarez available, after the San Jose midfield missed last encounter through injury. But don't expect the hosts to sit back, as the US has only given up 1 goal thus far at home in qualifying, and scored 7. The squad is as follows: Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan, Tim Howard Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra, Jonathan Bornstein, Steve Cherundolo, Jay DeMerit, Clarence Goodson, Chad Marshall, Oguchi Onyewu, Jonathan Spector Midfielders: Kyle Beckerman, Michael Bradley, Ricardo Clark, Clint Dempsey, Benny Feilhaber, Stuart Holden, Robbie Rogers, Jose Francisco Torres Forwards: Jozy Altidore, Conor Casey, Brian Ching, Charlie Davies, Landon Donovan, Robbie Findley Oguchi Onyewu is suspended for El Salvador, so perhaps a Boca, 'Dolo, DeMerit, Spector back line is in order. The midfield conundrum is still a mystery, only Bradley knows. Where Deuce, Lando, and Jozy fit in is altogether another cluster. However we line up, we expect 3 points, nothing less. A shutout would be nice, as this may come down to goal differential. Well boys and gals, get ready for another US Soccer adventure. Rio Tinto Stadium is certainly in for a tense evening. Grab your beers (make sure they're legal in Utah), cheer on the boys (make sure it's legal to cheer in Utah), and look for the boys in the sputtering RV at the tailgate and at the bar. Come get rowdy with AO, and let's show our boys what it means to us to get a win here. Let's do this, boys. Come on US!
Thanks to everybody that came out last night for USA vs El Salvador. We had a lot of new people at the Banshee. We were very pleased - and surprised - with the turnout last night. Here are a few photos...