USA Gold Cup High Lights Topps MLS Players

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.

Here's to The Old Guys and A 20-Goal Season

Trivia Time: Who is the oldest player to score a goal in the FIFA World Cup ?

Thanks to this British card set (A QUESTION OF SPORT) for the answer -

Yes. ROGER MILLA. The 42 year old Cameroon International first appeared for the Lions in the 1982 World Cup.

He also appeared in the 1994 world Cup here in the USA where he set the record for the oldest players to score a goal in the world Cup.

He scored 4 goals in the 1990 Tournament in Italy leading Cameroon to its best finish ever.

His most memorable goal came after stealing the ball from Colombian goalkeeper Rene Higuita and shooting from 35 yards to put his country into the semi-finals.

His was one of the first trade-mark celebrations - running to the corner flag and dancing.

Immortalized here in a statue made by the Fanatico Football Figure Co. in the UK.

Not only do I own this Limited Edition statue, but I also picked up Milla's rookie in the 1982 Panini World Cup sticker set along with the above Question of Sport card.

Here's to the old guys !

Major League Soccer has not had a 20-goal scorer since 2008 when Landon Donovan got exactly 20. 

This season there is a guy on course to reach 20 and ... dare I say it, break the all-time season record ?

The San Jose Earthquakes forward CHRIS WONDOLOWSKI has record an 18-goal and 16-goal seasons in the last two years. This year he already has 17 in 18 games !

Upper Deck card with a crappy band-aid autograph

The record is held by ROY LASSITER who score 26 for Tampa Bay in 1996. 

Wondolowski only score 7 goals in his first 6 season in MLS. So now, at age 29, he is scoring like there is no tomorrow.

Here's to the older guys !

Do you have a favorite "old guy" ? If so, post me here on the blog. If you are inspired to blog about an old guy, send me a link.