International Round-Up: 3rd & 4th September

Four Everton players have represented their countries in the past two days.

I'll start the round-up with a match that took place in the early hours of Saturday morning. Tim Howard played in goal for the USA as they went down 0-1 to Costa Rica. Former Everton loanee Landon Donovan also featured and both players will hope to play again on Tuesday in the USA's friendly with Marouane Fellaini's Belgium.

Shkodran Mustafi won his second cap for the Germany U20 side today as they won 2-1 in Switzerland thanks to goals from Pelle Jensen and Julian Weissmeier. Everton defender Mustafi has only just been promoted to the U20 side after representing his country at various other youth levels.

Everton duo Joseph Yobo and Victor Anichebe both featured for Nigeria in the Super Eagles' 0-2 win in Madagascar - but had contrasting afternoons. Defender Yobo opened the scoring after 68 minutes prior to Obinna Nsofor's late strike, but Anichebe picked up a groin injury in the final moments of the match and is though to be out for 2-3 weeks.

Anichebe, who is expected to fly back to England tonight, had had a very good game according to his international manager, Samson Siasia: "It is very sad for him. He was huge for us today, he did all the right things, played well but unfortunately picked up an injury in the last three minutes.

"But that's football. It's very unfortunate, but I hope he gets well soon so he can continue to feature for his club. That pitch was not very good and we are lucky our players did not get serious injuries.

"Hopefully, Anichebe will be fine after getting some medical attention. Our thoughts will be with him."

Howard Set For USA Friendly Action

Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard has been included in Jurgen Klinsmann's US squad for the upcoming friendlies against Costa Rica and Belgium.

The US host Costa Rica on September 2 in California before travelling to Belgium for a second friendly match on September 6.

Howard, along with former Everton loanee Landon Donovan, will hope to face Marouane Fellaini, who has been named in the Belgian squad for the friendly.

The full 24-man US squad is: Bill Hamid, Tim Howard, Carlos Bocanegra, Edgar Castillo, Timmy Chandler, Steve Cherundolo, Clarence Goodson, Zach Loyd, Michael Orozco Fiscal, Heath Pearce, Tim Ream, Kyle Beckerman, Clint Dempsey, Maurice Edu, Fabian Johnson, Sacha Kljestan, Jeff Larentowicz, Robbie Rogers, Brek Shea, Jose Torres, Juan Agudelo, Jozy Altidore, Teal Bunbury, Landon Donovan.

International Round-Up: 11th August

Two Evertonians were in international action in the early hours of Thursday morning, here's a round-up of how they fared.

We'll start across the pond where Jurgen Klinsmann's first game in charge of the USA ended in a 1-1 draw with neighbours Mexico.

As usual Tim Howard kept goal for the Americans, who fell behind on 16 minutes to an Oribe Peralta goal. The USA responded well and equalised with 15 minutes to go through Robbie Rogers to earn a 1-1 draw.

Now from North America to South America, where James Wallace's England crashed out of the U20 World Cup in Colombia. England, who advanced through the group stage without scori a goal, came up against a Nigerian side whose group stage performances had made them one of the tournament favourites.

Wallace started on the England bench but was introduced just 22 minutes into the game following an injury to Reece Wabara.The Everton man put in a good shift in central midfield but England paid the price for failing to score again as they lost to a 52nd minute Edafe Egbedi goal.

Klinsmann Selects Everton Custodian

Newly-appointed American coach Jurgen Klinsmann has selected Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard in his first USA squad for the friendly with Mexico on August 10.

Former Everton loanee Landon Donovan is also in the squad for the fixture, which is a re-match of the Gold Cup final, won by Mexico. It will be played in Philadelphia, where Everton went down 1-0 to the Philadelphia Union on their recent American tour.

Former manager Bob Bradley was sacked last week and German Klinsmann has been elected as the new boss. His first game sees his new charges take on rivals Mexico - in a match that is certain to be anything but 'friendly'.

The full USA squad is as follows: Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Tim Howard (Everton), Carlos Bocanegra (St. Etienne), Edgar Castillo (Club America), Timmy Chandler (FC Nurnberg), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Michael Orozco Fiscal (San Luis), Heath Pearce (Chivas USA), Tim Ream (NY Red Bulls), Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Michael Bradley (Borussia Monchengladbach), Ricardo Clark (Eintracht Frankfurt), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04), Brek Shea (FC Dallas), Jose Torres (Pachuca), Freddy Adu (Benfica), Juan Agudelo (NY Red Bulls), DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Edson Buddle (FC Ingolstadt, Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy).

Mexico Rally to Clinch Gold Cup Title

Everton's American custodian Tim Howard kept goal for his international side last night as they were beaten by Mexico in the final of the 2011 Gold Cup. Goals from Michael Bradley and ex-Everton loanee Landon Donovan had put the U.S. in a strong position, but Mexico rallied and replied with four goals of their own to take the title.

The U.S. took the lead early on, when a ninth minute corner from Freddy Adu (remember him?) was headed home by Michael Bradley. The outstanding Adu then fed Clint Dempsey, who crossed for Landon Donovan to double the American's lead.

Mexico, though, were still in control of the game. Taking advantage of the lack of pace in the American defence was Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez, who ran the back four in front of Howard ragged. His energy and enthusiasm gained reward when, on 28 minutes, he found Pablo Barrera, who wrong-footed Howard to half the U.S. advantage.

Mexican winger Andres Guardado added a second on 35 minutes to level the match. It didn't take long after the break for El Tri to go in front - it was just four minutes after the restart when Pablo Barrera surprised Howard, scoring with the outside of his boot to make it 3-2.

Mexico added some gloss to the result with a fine fourth goal, after a solo run and finish by Giovanni dos Santos. It was a deserved result as the U.S. were made to pay for poor defending and - unlike Howard though it was - some poor goalkeeping. Mexico's energy and determination saw them clinch the Gold Cup title and gain a spot in the 2013 Confederations Cup.

After the game, Howard said: "they’ve got some special players. I thought we’d knocked the stuffing out of them at 2-0 really, it hit them where it hurt, but take your hat off to them they are a good bunch of players.

“Our game plan worked to a ‘T’ they came out and possessed it and spread us out but we picked and chose our spots and when to get them. Our combinations were really good up front and it's beyond me how they rallied back from that.

"We felt good about what we were doing, playing from a good shell and then springing and breaking and we did that really well, there was no sense in retreating we didn't want to do that.

"Every team in this tournament has sat back and waited on them, and they just picked them apart we didn’t want to do that, going for the third goal was just being aggressive.”

Howard was clearly hurt by the defeat and was seen leaving the field gesturing angrily, after having suffered regular taunting from the predominantly Mexican crowd during the match. Howard also felt that CONCACAF - a governing body prone to a spot of controversy - were wrong to hold the awarding ceremony solely in Spanish.

In an interview with Yahoo! Sports, Howard vented his ire: "CONCACAF should be ashamed of itself. I think it was a f***ing disgrace that the entire post-match ceremony was held in Spanish. You can bet your (butt) if we were in Mexico City it wouldn't all be in English."

So the season has ended in disappointment for our no.1 - but cheer up Timmy H, there are more important things in life. Everton, for one.

Howard's USA Reach Fourth Consecutive Gold Cup Final

Tim Howard's United States earned a fourth straight trip to the Gold Cup final and eighth overall, beating Panama 1-0 on Wednesday night to avenge their earlier Gold Cup loss at the hands of the Central Americans.

Clint Dempsey lunged at the back post to touch in a Landon Donovan cross in the 76th minute and the goal proved to be the winner, as the Americans redeemed themselves for the 2-1 defeat to "Los Canaleros" in the group stage.

Freddy Adu sent a ball wide on the right hand side to Donovan, who sprinted up the flank and turned into the penalty area. With Jermaine Jones making a near-post run, Donovan sent a low, angled cross to the back post, where Dempsey stretched with his right leg to redirect it in.

"Once Landon gets in those positions, he normally finds a player," Dempsey said. "All I had to do was try to put myself in position that he could find me and I felt far post was the place to go. He hit it hard and low and all I had to do was put my foot on it.

"That's why after the goal I tried to go and celebrate with him because without that pass, there wasn't going to be a goal."

The U.S. will play for the title on Saturday in the Rose Bowl against Mexico, who overcame Honduras 2-0 in extra time in the other semi-final.

Howard's USA Beat Jamaica to Progress

Tim Howard kept a clean sheet for the USA tonight as they eased into the semi-finals of the Gold Cup courtesy of a 2-0 victory over Jamaica.

The quarter-final clash pitted the US against the Reggae Boyz and the USA were handed the advantage of home support - the game was played in Washington D.C. Ex-Everton loanee Landon Donovan only arrived in Washington in the early hours of the morning after attending a wedding and so was rested on the bench - the first time since June 2007.

Everton goalkeeper Howard made a fantastic early save to prevent the US from falling behind, diving magnificently to deny Jamaican forward Ryan Johnson.

The first period was a cautious affair but the breakthrough came shortly after half-time courtesy of Blackburn's Jermaine Jones, whose long-range effort took a huge deflection before finding its way into the net. Donovan entered the fray on 66 minutes and Fulham's Clint Dempsey doubled the USA's lead on 80.

Just before the end Tim Howard made another excellent save to protect the two-goal cushion and the game finished 2-0, meaning that the US progress into the semi-final stage.

The USA will come up against Panama, who beat El Salvador in their quarter final, and will try to exact revenge for their shock defeat in the group stage. Should Tim Howard's international side be victorious, they will meet either Honduras or Mexico in the final on June 25th.

USA Advance after Narrow Victory

Tim Howard's USA have advanced from the group stages of the 2011 Gold Cup after beating minnows Guadeloupe by a Jozy Altidore goal to nil in Kansas City last night.

The former Hull City forward struck in the ninth minute with a rasping effort from 25 yards, and the early goal proved to be the winner. It turned out to be a deserved victory and the US will now face Jamaica in a quarter-final fixture at the RFK Stadium in Washington DC, which incidentally will, later this Summer, play host to a pre-season friendly between DC United and Everton.

The quarter-final line-up is completed by Costa Rica and Honduras, Mexico and Guatemala, and Panama and El Salvador. The USA are seeking their 5th Gold Cup title and their first since 2007 when they defeated Mexico 2-1 in a final in Chicago. The victors of the competition earn a berth in the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil.

Howard's USA in Shock Gold Cup Defeat

Tim Howard was in goal last night as the USA suffered a shock defeat at the hands of minnows Panama in their second Gold Cup fixture. It was the USA's first ever loss in the group stages of the competition and leaves them second in Group C after the second round of matches.

The US started slowly and quickly found themselves behind to a 19th minute Luis Tejada goal, before Gabriel Gomez doubled the Panamanian lead from the penalty spot, lifting the ball over Tim Howard. Clarence Goodson - who, incidentally, has a near-perfect surname - pulled one back for the USA with 20 minutes to go but it was a case of too little, too late, as the USA were punished for a lacklustre start.

American forward and ex-Everton loanee Landon Donovan said afterwards: "Sometimes you just come out flat for whatever reason. At this level, and against a good team, you can't do that. Some nights you come out flat and you don't get punished, but other nights you do. We learned a valuable lesson.

"First of all, give Panama a lot of credit. They started the game well. They put us on our heels at times. It took us a while to get into the game. Our second half was very good, but when you dig yourself a hole that huge, sometimes you can't get out.

"CONCACAF teams are getting better and better. It's a pretty good team we played against. It's disappointing, but the reality is it's over now. We've got to win on Tuesday, see what else happens and see where we end up. We're still fine."

Despite the loss, a victory over Guadeloupe in Kansas City on Tuesday night will see the USA clinch a quarter-final spot.

International Round-up

A host of Everton players have had to postpone their Summer holidays due to international commitments, with no fewer than 6 being involved with their countries yesterday.

I'll kick off this international round-up with England, who could only muster a 2-2 draw with Switzerland in a Euro 2012 Qualifier. Everton defenders Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka were both named amongst the substitutes, but Baines replaced the injured Ashley Cole after 30 minutes. Two fluky Swiss free kicks stunned the hosts, but Frank Lampard pulled one back from the penalty spot before half-time. After the break England equalised through Ashley Young and Everton man Baines got the assist. James Milner chipped a ball into Baines, whose chested pass was perfectly weighted to enable Young to drive home. Baines was a standout player in a poor England side, recognised by the fact that he was trending worldwide on Twitter.

In Group B, Seamus Coleman's Ireland won 2-0 against Macedonia in Skopje. Our man was an unused substitute as a Robbie Keane brace left Ireland top of the group.

In the same group, Diniyar Bilyaletdinov was also an unused substitute as Russia overcame Armenia by 3 goals to 1. Armenian Marcos Pizzelli opened the scoring on 25 minutes, only for Tottenham's Roman Pavlyuchenko to level for the Russians within a minute of the restart. The Spurs frontman went on to complete his hat-trick.

Elsewhere, John Heitinga featured for Holland as they drew 0-0 with Brazil in a rematch of the World Cup semi-final. Heitinga played the full ninety minutes and picked up a booking.

Tim Howard kept goal for the USA in a Gold Cup warm up match against World Champions Spain. Ex-Everton loanee Landon Donovan did not feature as goals from Negredo, Cazorla (2) and Torres handed Spain a 4-0 win in Massachusetts.

More International action for Everton stars

A three-course serving of international news today. For starters I bring you the news that Victor Anichebe has been selected in the Nigerian squad that will play a friendly against Argentina in Abuja on 1st June, then an 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifier against Ethiopia four days later. Joseph Yobo, who is still an Everton player, but will probably move to Fenerbahce in the Summer after helping them win the Turkish league, is also included in the squad. However, there is no place for Yakubu.

Next up is the news that Seamus Coleman is on stand-by to play for Ireland tonight in the Carling Nations Cup match against Northern Ireland. Manager Giovanni Trapattoni has named his team but Liam Lawrence is a fitness doubt, and should he fail a test prior to the match then Coleman will play in his place.

And finally, the news that, as expected, Tim Howard has been included in the USA squad for the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup. The Gold Cup takes place from the 5th June until the 25th at thirteen venues across America. The US side will gather for initial training on May 26th, leading up to a friendly with Spain on June 4th. The USA will play their matches against Canada (June 7th), Panama (June 11) and Guadeloupe (June 14th). The USA, who have also included ex-Everton loanee Landon Donovan in the squad, are hot favourites to win the competition and win the right to represent CONCACAF at the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil.

Baines: Should he stay or should he go?

We have only just passed the mid-point of May, but once again there are rumours aplenty linking our players with exits from Goodison Park this Summer.

At a special Q&A evening for Season Ticket holders last month, chief executive Robert Elstone was refreshingly honest in his admission that we would have to 'sell to buy' this Summer. We are led to believe that David Moyes will meet Bill Kenwright this week to discuss the our intentions in the upcoming transfer window. With our budget one can assume that it will a short meeting.

One rumour that persists in most of the newspapers is the one linking Leighton Baines to FA Cup winners Manchester City. There has, reportedly, been interest from a number of other clubs, namely Arsenal and Tottenham, but it is unlikely that these clubs would be willing to match a bid the size of the £25 million one that Manchester City are said to be preparing. It is also thought that Baines would prefer to stay in the North-West of the country.

It was only last Summer that City spent £26 million on a pair of left-backs, with the signings of Aleksandar Kolarov and Jerome Boateng from Lazio and Hamburg respectively. Kolarov has been solid throughout his debut season in England and, like Baines, is a potent attacking threat. However, Boateng is said to be unhappy at being second in the pecking order and at times he has even been overlooked in favour of Joleon Lescott, who was, of course, the individual at the centre of a monumental transfer tussle between Everton and City during the Summer of 2009.

Here's my views on the Baines transfer possibility. I DO NOT want Leighton Baines to leave the club. Undoubtedly our player of the season, he has been our saviour at times in an extremely tough campaign. There are so many highlights from his individual season; the free kicks at White Hart Lane and in the fourth round of the FA Cup at Stamford Bridge, his performance against Chelsea in the league match at Stamford Bridge which single-handedly salvaged us a point, not forgetting his FA Cup goal at Glanford Park that has made the shortlist for goal of the season.

I really hope that Baines stays at the club. If I were to place a bet on where he would playing come September, I would say Goodison Park. He is a boyhood blue, is in the form of his life and enjoying his football.

However, we must face the facts, and there are reasons why he may want out. He is 26 years old and may feel that he needs to move to make he most out of his prime footballing years. Due to whatever reason (money, money and more money), City are much more likely than us to win a major trophy. They would provide a stage for Baines to compete on a level that he is capable of playing at, a level that he will not be able to play at with Everton for the foreseeable future at least.

He will be able to test himself in the Champions League against the best players in the world, the ultimate aim in club football. On the international stage he is currently on the fringes of the England squad, but it is a sad fact of life that he would be first-choice ahead of Ashley Cole if he played for a 'bigger club'.

Again, I state that I would love him to stay, but I recognise he may have good reason to leave. So, if the worst came to the worst, what would happen?

Moyes needs to confront the dilemma now. He needs to talk with Baines and his agent, discuss the possible moves. He should try to convince him to stay and if a more lucrative contract is needed to do that then so be it. If, however, Baines has decided he wants to move on, get the deal done quickly. We need time to replace him, to use the money to strengthen other areas of our squad, and to prepare for life without him. When Lescott left in 2009 he did so in the very last week of the window, leaving little time for us to adjust. It left us unsettled and badly prepared and I have no doubt that this was a major factor behind our disastrous start to that season.

If we do decide to sell, Moyes needs to get a deal that will appease the fans and, at the same time, benefit the club.

If I were the Moyesiah, and IF Baines wanted to leave, I would sell him for £15 million + Jerome Boateng. The City left-back is a good defender of international class and if Baines arrived at Eastlands he (Boateng) would be relegated to being the third choice left-back there. At a Baines-less Everton he would be first-choice. He may not carry the attacking threat of Baines but he is a more than able replacement.

What's more, this could provide us with about £15 million to improve other areas of the squad. I reckon we could sign Landon Donovan on a permanent deal for £10 million - surely he would love another stab at the best league in the world? The remaining millions would be given to Moyes to work his magic - to find a signing in the mould of the Cahill and Arteta signings. As per usual at this time in the footballing calendar we have been linked with a number of players and £5 million could secure someone such as Espanyol winger Jose Callejon, who we are said to have been tracking.

I repeat again, I want Baines to stay. But if he wants to leave, tell him to pack his bags straight-away. Get in a replacement left-back and use the rest of the money wisely.

No player is bigger than Everton Football Club.