TOPPS has got a winner on its hands. The US National Team's CONCACAF GOLD CUP victory put a spotlight on MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER. With a majority of the European based Americans taking a summer break, USA Manager Jurgen Klinsmann opted to use a domestic league "B side".
Topps' 2013 MLS card set is loaded with variations of cards that feature Gold Cup Champions -
A late call up, Sporting KC's MATT Besler was tough on defense.
Chicago's goalkeeper SEAN JOHNSON recorded a clean sheet in his one chance between the posts.
EDDIE JOHNSON scored 14 seconds after coming on as a sub. He also scored in the semi-final.
GRAHAM ZUSI was seen as the successor to Landon Donovan.
LANDON DONOVAN erased all rumors of his demise. His 5 goals netted him of the Golden Boot as top scorer (tied with 2 others) and the Golden Ball as tournament MVP.
Once forgotten midfield enforcer, KYLE BECKERMAN was a surprise to everyone except maybe Klinsmann.
With the # 1 and # 2 U.S. netminders playing in England, NICK RIMANDO was called to duty and came up big. He's going to Brazil - but maybe as the # 2 not # 3 goalkeeper.
The dangerman, and Mexico's nemesis, was FC Dallas' Panamanian star - BLAS PEREZ.
Top scorer in MLS over the past 2 seasons, CHRIS WONDOLOWSKI came to play. Wearing and extra "W" on his jersey nameplate, the error resulted in a hattrick against Belize. He tied for the Golden Boot with 5 goals.
Other MLS players who fared well were Marvin Chavez and Clarence Goodson of the San Jose Earthquakes, and Alvaro Saborio of Real Salt Lake.
The Gold Cup has come a long way and is a showcase for many of the regions best players. It might be time for PANINI to step up and do a sticker set for the next tournament.
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2 comments:
I'm a wee late to the party... did Upper Deck lose it's MLS licence? Or is it now shared???
also, am I the only North American who thinks Guzan should be first choice over Howard? Everyone in Europe seems to think so, but those idiots on Fox Sports that covered the Gold Cup never mentioned his name, let alone talked about him starting...
Yep - Capt. - the Canadian news is slow, eh ? UD lost the MLS contract (like all their other licenses). Topps is the MLS official distributer now. Other than the "on sticker" autograph cards, I'm pretty pleased with thier first efforts. The redeeming factor is that UD MLS produced the rookie cards of Altidore, Guzan, Dempsey and McBride.
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