USA ready for Argentina meeting

The United States will lock horns with Argentina in New Jersey on Saturday in the first of two friendlies ahead of their Gold Cup campaign.

The USA will be looking to extend their four-game unbeaten record that has seen them twice draw with South American opposition in Chile and Colombia.

US coach Bob Bradley has named three uncapped players for the friendly, summoning Nuremberg attacker Timothy Chandler, Duisburg keeper David Yelldell and Norwich City defender Zak Whitbread.

The game also offers Bradley the first chance to have his favoured starting squad together for the first time since a 2-2 draw with Poland.

However, the US midfield – the side’s weakest component – has been dealt a blow with Bolton midfielder Stuart Holden ruled out for six months following a collision with Manchester United defender Jonny Evans on Saturday.

Bradley’s men crashed out of last year’s FIFA World Cup in the second round after a 3-0 defeat to eventual semi-finalists Ghana, but will be hoping to secure their fifth Gold Cup crown come June.

Argentina also have a regional competition to contend with, the Copa America which kicks off in July on their home turf.

Coach Sergio Batista’s side will be buoyed by their recent international friendlies, which has seen them account for Portugal, Venezuela and great rivals Brazil.

Barcelona superstar and world player of the year Lionel Messi has recovered in time for the clash after suffering a knee injury in La Liga.

Manchester City’s Carlos Tevez has been left out of the squad with reports suggesting the prolific scorer, who has netted 18 goals this term, was being punished for his late withdrawal from the friendly against Brazil, which saw him subsequently feature for his club only three days later.

Atletico Madrid’s Sergio Aguero is also out of the Argentina squad while Benfica striker Eduardo Salvio comes in in the absence of Inter’s prolific marksman Diego Milito.

Elsewhere, Mexico hosts Paraguay at the Estadio Azteca, with both sides looking to record a positive result ahead of the Copa America, while Chile tackles Portugal at the Estadio Dr. Magalhaes Pessoa in Leiria.Earlier in the day, Colombia will face Ecuador at the Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Melendez.

Wed 23 March, 2011

USA ready for Argentina meeting

The United States will lock horns with Argentina in New Jersey on Saturday in the first of two friendlies ahead of their Gold Cup campaign.

The USA will be looking to extend their four-game unbeaten record that has seen them twice draw with South American opposition in Chile and Colombia.

US coach Bob Bradley has named three uncapped players for the friendly, summoning Nuremberg attacker Timothy Chandler, Duisburg keeper David Yelldell and Norwich City defender Zak Whitbread.

The game also offers Bradley the first chance to have his favoured starting squad together for the first time since a 2-2 draw with Poland.

However, the US midfield – the side’s weakest component – has been dealt a blow with Bolton midfielder Stuart Holden ruled out for six months following a collision with Manchester United defender Jonny Evans on Saturday.

Bradley’s men crashed out of last year’s FIFA World Cup in the second round after a 3-0 defeat to eventual semi-finalists Ghana, but will be hoping to secure their fifth Gold Cup crown come June.

Argentina also have a regional competition to contend with, the Copa America which kicks off in July on their home turf.

Coach Sergio Batista’s side will be buoyed by their recent international friendlies, which has seen them account for Portugal, Venezuela and great rivals Brazil.

Barcelona superstar and world player of the year Lionel Messi has recovered in time for the clash after suffering a knee injury in La Liga.

Manchester City’s Carlos Tevez has been left out of the squad with reports suggesting the prolific scorer, who has netted 18 goals this term, was being punished for his late withdrawal from the friendly against Brazil, which saw him subsequently feature for his club only three days later.

Atletico Madrid’s Sergio Aguero is also out of the Argentina squad while Benfica striker Eduardo Salvio comes in in the absence of Inter’s prolific marksman Diego Milito.

Elsewhere, Mexico hosts Paraguay at the Estadio Azteca, with both sides looking to record a positive result ahead of the Copa America, while Chile tackles Portugal at the Estadio Dr. Magalhaes Pessoa in Leiria.Earlier in the day, Colombia will face Ecuador at the Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Melendez.

Wed 23 March, 2011

Martinez: Wigan meeting challenge head-on

Roberto Martinez is backing his Wigan Athletic players to prove their mettle in the pressure-cooker atmosphere of a local derby at Bolton.

The Latics went down 1-0 at home to Newcastle on Sunday, missing the chance to move up to 12th position in the English Premier League table.

They have an immediate chance to hit back at the Reebok, and Martinez has been pleased with the way they have reacted this week.”There was still a feeling of disappointment after Sunday as we did not perform in the way we can after two very good performances,” the Wigan boss said.”Now we feel we cannot wait to get back on the pitch and get rid of that disappointment.”

“Mentally we are full of desire, and the reaction has been fantastic.”

“Taking away the performance against Newcastle, we have been very strong recently.”"We always face adversity in a very good way and will continue to work hard for each other.”

Bolton have lost their last two matches – at Chelsea and Liverpool – but Owen Coyle’s men are still riding high in seventh on the table.

“We know how difficult this game is going to be because Bolton have been in very good form, especially at home,” Martinez added.”They have a group of players who have been working together for a long, long time, and have had some outstanding results this season.”"You know you are going to be very tested in every department as they will fight until the last second. They are playing with a smile on their face and enjoying their football.”

The Latics will be without on-loan goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi, who is unable to face his parent club, while Charles N’Zogbia serves the second match of a three-match suspension for his sending-off against Arsenal on December 29.

James McCarthy (ankle), Franco di Santo (ankle), Emmerson Boyce (hamstring) and Victor Moses (shoulder) are all out.

Tue 4 January, 2011

Martinez: Wigan meeting challenge head-on

Roberto Martinez is backing his Wigan Athletic players to prove their mettle in the pressure-cooker atmosphere of a local derby at Bolton.

The Latics went down 1-0 at home to Newcastle on Sunday, missing the chance to move up to 12th position in the English Premier League table.

They have an immediate chance to hit back at the Reebok, and Martinez has been pleased with the way they have reacted this week.”There was still a feeling of disappointment after Sunday as we did not perform in the way we can after two very good performances,” the Wigan boss said.”Now we feel we cannot wait to get back on the pitch and get rid of that disappointment.”

“Mentally we are full of desire, and the reaction has been fantastic.”

“Taking away the performance against Newcastle, we have been very strong recently.”"We always face adversity in a very good way and will continue to work hard for each other.”

Bolton have lost their last two matches – at Chelsea and Liverpool – but Owen Coyle’s men are still riding high in seventh on the table.

“We know how difficult this game is going to be because Bolton have been in very good form, especially at home,” Martinez added.”They have a group of players who have been working together for a long, long time, and have had some outstanding results this season.”"You know you are going to be very tested in every department as they will fight until the last second. They are playing with a smile on their face and enjoying their football.”

The Latics will be without on-loan goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi, who is unable to face his parent club, while Charles N’Zogbia serves the second match of a three-match suspension for his sending-off against Arsenal on December 29.

James McCarthy (ankle), Franco di Santo (ankle), Emmerson Boyce (hamstring) and Victor Moses (shoulder) are all out.

Tue 4 January, 2011