USA v Poland Saturday, USMNT Captain Bocanegra at Smallbar Today

By Ben Schuman Stoler in Arts & Entertainment on Oct 6, 2010 5:40PM

There are still some tickets available for the USMNT's friendly against Poland at Soldier Field on Saturday at 7pm.

The roster for Saturday's match (and another one against Columbia on October 12) leans heavily non-MLS. Bradley said he would respect the league and its upcoming playoffs when we spoke with him last month, and he clearly stuck to his word.

It means, though, we get to see some new faces as well as old ones. Many are excited about finally seeing Jermaine Jones and Eric Lichaj sport the red, white, and blue. As emotional as any first cap is, Lichaj has the added bonus of being half Polish. Still, 13 players on the roster are familiar, they were on the squad that went to South Africa this summer, so we'll get to see players like Clint Dempsey, Jozy Altidore, and Tim Howard. There will be no Landon Donovan, sorry ladies, as he's one who's got an MLS season to finish. Maybe if he was GOOD ENOUGH to play in Europe...I kid, I kid, I know, that's another issue.

Another familiar face, especially for Chicagoans, is captain Carlos Bocanegra, who will be taping a segment for US Soccer's Studio 90 tonight at Smallbar Division st. at 7pm. Bocanegra got his professional start with the Chicago Fire, when they drafted him in 2000, before moving on to play in England and France. He did well here - winning Rookie of the Year in 2000 and Defender of the Year in 2002-2003 - and also, as you can see, had beers with Billy Clinton after THAT Algeria game. Would he have gotten to be shirtless next to Bill without Chicago? Doubtful. So, really, he owes Chicago everything. He'll be answering fans' questions in a Q&A, so the whole thing should be a good time.