Yeah Kennedy and Gruenebaum are better than Johnson and Hamid right now. But youth/potential over the older guys I guess.
I think JK has selected the players who are most likely to possibly help (and maybe like Zusi or Eddie Johnson even start) in Honduras. Here is my list of head scratchers who were not included (who a case could have been made for inclusion) 1. Steve Clark 2012 Norwegian Goalkeeper of the Year 2. C. J. Sapong has more of an upside than the struggling Buddle. 3. Austin Berry and Okugo worth checking out at the Central Defender concern. 4. Nick DeLeon, Conor O'Brien and Dax are better than a couple of the midfielders selected. and, of course, these are not major omissions. Coaches are entitled to fill out their rosters with whomever they choose.
Agreed, but we are going into three Hex games with who at CB? Cameron is the only lock, and well Demerit at least has WC experience. Hopefully, Gonzalez will rise to the challenge, but it seems a lot to ask of him to become the starter over night. If we fail mightily in these early qualifiers it will be because of our CB problem.
That's a good point. I think JK is hoping it's big Omar who will be the next in line. Obviously too, Edu will be looked to be plugged in there if Boca isn't working out as well.
Me too. I think Omar is ready, and I would not be surprised to see him start against Honduras. In a pinch Gooch is at least getting games here and there, but the last we saw him for the nats he looked weak. Goodson scares me. Boca, I think is done, but maybe he gets a last run out to bide the time looking for his replacement.
Heath Pearce. He's already had opportunities with Nats and was behind Bornstein. The pool has moved on with Parkhurst, Chandler, Cherundolo, Johnson, and Castillo being on another level(s). Not a comparable situation to Cooper's. One of Gonzales and Besler had better be ready to WCQing action as one will probably be needed.
At this point I think Pearce is more interesting at CB than fullback; if we want to play a high line with more skill and mobility in the back, he seems like he would be worth trying there, he's played primarily at CB the last few years and has done pretty well there. He could also provide some utility by being able to cover at LB in case of injuries, cards, whatever.
I'm also among those not befuddled by the Buddle selection. He IS a World Cup vet, and on this roster is the only real target option. Jozy is our #1 guy up top, and if he were unavailable for a qualifier, it makes sense for Klinsmann to have another natural option to slot at the top of a 4-3-3- or 4-5-1. I expect that Eddie Johnson is going to continue to be used as a wing forward, especially in light of the lack of Brek Shea or any other emergent option there. ----------------------Jozy-------------------- Eddie------------------------------------Herc On his new team, the Colorado Rapids, he will probably be playing at the top of a three man line like above. So, here's hoping Edson is fit, and we're looking forward to seeing him in Colorado.
To paraphrase SNL, I need more CBs. The Nats needs to at least develop some real depth at CB and if they are lucky, discover a guy who can contribute in the next few months. It is such a need, that JK should have brought in pretty much every available and eligible CB so he could see for himself who might be able to do that, including DeMerit and Pearce. (It is particularly good for CBs who may mature at different rates than most other field players.) I only saw two games from him, so FWIW, but Conor Lade looks way out of place at this camp based on that sample. The Corey Ashe comparison sounded apt and even a little charitable. MaybeI caught him on some bad days. Feel bad for Pontius. Would like to see Perry Kitchen, but he will have plenty of opportunity if he keeps playing well.
Would you agree that Pearce has slowly improved his game while Bornstein has fallen off the face of the earth? Again, if we were hit with a rash of injuries THAT is when Pearce becomes a possibility. In that regards I do think his situation is similar to Cooper's. They are both know quantities that have a very solid overall game for the MLS level.
I look at the fullback depth chart as: Cameron Cherundolo Chandler Castilo Johnson Parhurst Torres Spector All of these guys are in leagues significantly better than MLS. The striker pool just doesn't resemble that.
I respect the way Pontius is taking care of himself. Sometimes athletes can be their own enemies with respect to managing injuries.
It is It is extremely unfortunate no new defensive player has carried through last cycle. That essentially means we need either Boca or Dolo on the line for each qualifier. You can't throw 4 new players into the back for a qualie, I dont think. Early red card, go down a goal, histrionics, etc can get the better of any inexperienced player. Goodheader would be the only hold over with a chance, but with his limited pace, you have to wonder if that space would be better used on a player for the future. Tough call when you think Chandler cross to Dempsey or Cameron-Gonzo CB pairing might be the best call for skill, but not experience.
The Buddle selection is only puzzling because he hasn't looked in the mood to score in some time now. He's had a serious dry spell, and not one of those that makes you think he's due for a streak. Guy just doesn't look motivated.
I certainly hope not. Wasn't he playing injured or coming off an injury this past year? Plus sitting behind Donovan, Keane, Magee, etc. In Colorado, he should be the featured target man in a 4-3-3, so hopefully it'll be good for his motivation & form, especially since JK wants to use that type of line up top as well.
Agreed. However, I would play Altidore, Deuce, Donovan, and Wondo before I would play Cooper. Maybe a few other guys too.
Totally agree. I'd love to see Morales thrown on for Beckerman with 10 minutes or so left. It just seems he is fullback cover here, unfortunately. Maybe he is meant to be both. He's certainly not going to start as a holding mid but Edu has been listed as a defender several times and has ended up playing midfield. He certainly could play midfield or be looked at there. The point of the original statement was that there is only Beckerman when it comes to holding mid options that can start and are listed as that.
Some random comments about the January Camp: - Once again, Klinsmann showed his words are often just a suggestion of what he might do. I was worried when he said he might do away with the January camp, or make it just a U-23 camp. Then he said the camp would be shorter and smaller, focusing just on players who could contribute to the Hex. He ended up extending it to 3 weeks and calling in 25 players, including a mix of young and veteran, as I hoped he would all along. - I really liked how last year's camp involved a scrimmage with the U-23 team and then 2 friendlies. I liked that it gave coaches a chance to test players multiple times in real game situations. Obviously the situation is different this year with a Hex match following camp and no Olympics to prepare for, but I think playing multiple games is worth exploring again in the future. - I'll be interested to see what kind of roster Canada assembles. More of their first choice team is based in MLS and Scandinavia than ours, so they could bring a much more internationally experienced team than us. But since they didn't make the Hex, will they really bother calling in all the vets, or will they focus more on a developmental squad? - Our defenders collectively have 5 caps. Yet despite the inexperience, I'm optimistic about Besler and Gonzalez, the last two reigning MLS defenders of the year. I hope one can emerge as a Boca replacement at least by the end of the Hex. I'm less enthused about our fullbacks, and I doubt will help the senior team any time soon. But that's ok since it's a deep position for us at the moment.
Plus, JK seems quite committed to the 4-5-1/4-3-3 setup. Cooper doesn't fit as one of the wingers, so his only potential role is as the target striker. Gomez, Altidore, and Boyd already all rate ahead of Cooper in the target striker depth chart. At this camp I'd much rather see Bruin tested in such a role before Cooper. Buddle is the "meh" veteran target striker rather than Cooper, which could be debated but does have a stylistic logic. Explains Gordon's callup for the qualifiers, too. I don't dislike Cooper, and a few years ago I was annoyed when BB was so hesitant to give him looks. But without a committment to a 4-4-2, I'm not sure how Cooper fits.
This seems like the "best" quibble or concern with JK's camp roster. The CB situation is serious. Yes, JK called in the two most logical guys in Gonzo and Besler. But Parke doesn't seem like a real serious option as the only other CB. I would have thrown a bit more shit against the wall of this camp and looked at one or two more CBs, at least in training. Otherwise, this seems like a perfectly logical camp, with only minor, marginal debates about one marginal prospect over another. Pontius' health trouble is the biggest dissappointment.
Yeah............I don't really understand the Parke callup. He's a decent, experienced defender. However, I would have preferred if Klinsmann had taken a look at one of Berry, Hedges, or Okugo instead.
I'd expect Morales to get some minutes. One of Klinsmann's most important strengths is that he really tries to help his players; and Morales needs some help. His club coach never liked him, and he's looking for a new club; I regard his call-up as some kind of support for a stagnating, not-that-young player who could really use the "US international" label as a selling point in negotiations with new clubs.
Somewhat answering my own question was this MLSsoccer.com report about the new Canadian interim head coach: Canadian depth is sufficiently limited that they've called up at least two players without any professional appearances. Of course, having a bunch of younger, inexperienced players there doesn't mean the vets won't be there too.
are we expecting our "A" team to start in the Friendly vs Canada ? then, 5 or so subs in the 2nd half ?