What Does the U.S. Soccer Win Over Germany Mean?

 In advance of the qualifier vs Jamaica, NBC2 videographer Jon Moore looks at the meaning of the U.S. win vs Germany last week.

For the first time since the 1999 Confederations Cup the United States defeated Germany in a soccer match. The U.S held onto a 4-3 victory Sunday in Washington on the 100^th birthday of the national team. After a disappointing 4-2 lost to a very young and talented Belgium team earlier in the week many thought the Germans would come into RFK Stadium and dismantle the Americans.

Courtesy: brownsvilleherald.com

The German national team which is ranked second in the FIFA world rankings and are some experts favorites to win the 2014 World Cup. However, the starting lineup for the Germans on Sunday did not feature most of the stars expected to lead them to victory in Brazil. Even though the German team did not feature some of its premier talent, the eleven that wore the green away jerseys for Germany have a chance to make the team that will travel to Brazil next summer.

Nineteen year-old Julian Draxler who started and scored Sunday for Germany has a very bright future in both club and international play. Also in the lineup Sunday was Lukas Podolski, and Miroslav Klose who have both been featured in World Cup and Euro Cup matches in years previous. Many soccer writers will mention, “Well the U.S. basically played Germany's 'B' team so there isn't much to take away from this victory.” I disagree, does this win mean the U.S will challenge for a World Cup title in Brazil? Not a chance, but it does mean the gap is closing and the Americans are making strides in the right direction to eventually compete in the “worlds game”.

Courtesy: sbnation.com

Jozy Altidore scored on a venomous volley breaking his goal-less streak in a U.S uniform. If he can find his form and continue to put the ball into the back of the net, that would be a huge boost to the U.S attack. Also scoring for the Americans on Sunday was arguably the best player to ever wear a USMNT (United States Men's National Team) jersey, proud Texan Clint Dempsey. With his two goals yesterday Dempsey is now the third leading goal scorer in all competitions for the U.S. Though he recently celebrated his 30^th birthday Dempsey will need to be a force in Brazil for the United States if they hope to compete.

Courtesy nytimes.com

With six world cup qualifiers still remaining and three of those being played in June and July the USMNT must continue to make strides similar to the win over the Germans to not only qualify for Brazil but hopefully make some noise and shock the world. Sunday's game may have only been a friendly with not much riding on the outcome. However, when this country is looking for a reason to jump on a bandwagon every time the red, white, and blue takes the field, you hope to leave an impact.

Premier League Offseason Outlook

NBC 2 Videographer and soccer aficionado Jon Moore takes a look at the upcoming offseason in the Premier League 

Courtesy: thescratchingshed.com

The circus that is the summer transfer window of the Barclay’s Premier League is underway. If you are unfamiliar with how the transfer period works, basically teams are only allowed to bring in new players twice a year. The window occurs during the summer off season and in January for a short time. Unlike most American professional sports, transactions almost rarely include a player for player trade. Instead, teams offer a transfer fee for specific players. Rarely will a player be included along with the fee. Players who are no longer under contract like free agency in American sports are free to sign with any team they deem fit.

The Liverpool Football Club has agreed to terms with former Arsenal and Manchester City defender Kolo Toure. This marked the first move of the summer for the club on Merseyside. Toure will most likely be the first of a couple defenders brought in by second year manager Brendan Rodgers. With the retirement of longtime defender Jamie Carragher, Liverpool's back four will definitely need some reinforcement. There are whisperings that current Liverpool defender Martin Sktrel, who lost his starting job to Carragher midway through the 12'/13' campaign, is on his way out.

Courtesy: guardian.co.uk

Toure may be the first of multiple signings to strengthen the Liverpool defense. The 32 year Ivory Coast international will not only add plenty of skill to the Redmen defense, but plenty of experience and a winning mentality. He also adds many leadership qualities as he wore the captains armband on multiple occasions for 2011/2012 Premier League champions Manchester City. Some are skeptical that Toure's best years are behind him, but many of the skeptics also wrote off the 35 year-old Carragher. In the second half of the 2012/2013 season the veteran became arguably Liverpool's most consistent defender. Though Toure should not be viewed as a long term fixture, he will make plenty of appearances and add much needed depth. It should also be noted that Toure's contract with Manchester City expired, so no transfer fee was required of Liverpool's owners, Fenway Sports Group.

Courtesy: footytube.com

Also in the Liverpool transfer rumor mill is current Schalke defender of the German Bundesliga, Greek international Kyriakos Papadopoulos. The 21 year-old Papadopoulos is coming off a rough year, where he only made ten appearances for Schalke in the 2012/2013 season due to illness and knee surgery. Liverpool fans should not let this worry them too much; Papadopoulos had a great 2011/2012 campaign and added seven goals from a defensive position. Many scouts have said that one of many Papadopoulos's strengths is in the air which could really help Liverpool who were vulnerable against free kicks and corners in 2012/2013. Many Liverpool supporters look at the big man from Greece as a long term replacement for the recently retired Carragher. He is under contract for a rumored price tag of £12million. If Liverpool finds themselves in a bidding war with deep pocketed clubs such as Manchester City, the Redmen may need to start looking elsewhere for defensive reinforcements. It has already been a busy summer for Liverpool and the rest of world football....better known as soccer here in the states.