USMNT WCQ 2013

Don't get why EJ is still there - all he does is walk the whole time.

 

Brad and Eddie Johnson are for late set peices.

Glad to see Jozy included. Expect a tired performance from Clint due to the excessive number games he has had with Tottenham the last two weeks.

This is going to be a rough game physically and I expect refereeing to be heavily influenced by the home crowd. Let's hope our team keeps thier cool.

I absolutely do not understand the Brad Evans inclusion. He doesn't have the pace and athleticism needed for International play.

 

Every qualifying cycle needs its Robbie Findley or Chad Deering to give fans something to think about and create tactical errors. Brad Evans is like an average MLS player.

I saw a note somewhere that said you can dress more players for qualifiers now than the usual 18. So having EJ on makes some sense. Brad would be great in late game set piece chances

 

With Chandler accepting the callup for this qualifier it looks like he's ready to commit. He's avoided any game that would cap-tie him up to this point.

 

I agree completely. Chandler likely gets cap-tied this week, but I actually had a conversation recently about Sarkodie and 2014. I recall Bruce Arena once noting that the World Cup is a young man's tournament.

 

I see this as a distinct possibility because as it appears both LB and RB is wide open if you project two years forward.

 

I don't know if Sarkodie is quite there yet, he's still prone to mistakes and his speed helps him make up for in MLS. I think he'll get there though, he's only 21 right now.

I also think he may end up as a winger at some point in his career, but that's a whole separate debate.

 

Agreed. He's not there yet. I think we're contemplating his continued improvement over the next year and into 2014.

 

I'll believe it when I see him on the field.

 

Which part? That he would continue to improve? Or that he could improve enough to earn a roster spot for 2014?

 

I've got to say that I AM surprised that Brad Davis was named to the roster but good to see the Klinsmann has realized what his skill set is and what he can bring to the squad.

Good on him.

 

While Davis being there is nice, Klinsy called up 24... when only 18 dress up. Let's wait and see if Davis ACTUALLY dresses up.

 

http://www.soccerbyives.net/2013/02...roster-is-shaping-up-heading-to-honduras.html

According to Ives they changed the rule so 23 players dress. So it's likely he'll at least make the bench but may not get any gametime.

 

Yeah for some reason 23 dress now....so only one guy gets disappointed unless an injury occurs.

 

That he gets cap-tied.

 

Btw, I'm glad that Kljestan got his hard work and excellent play rewarded. Dude has been solid for Anderlecht.

 

Any suggestions on bars that'll be showing the game on Wed? Lucky's, maybe?

 

Definitely possible, there's a number of good young fullbacks coming up and a few of them will make the roster depending on who impresses. Sarkodie, Lichaj, Castillo, Johnson are probably all competing for a few spots, with Chandler (if he's in) looking pretty set to book a ticket to Brazil IMO. Klinsmann seems to like a few of the MLS guys like Besler as well.

There is a lot of room in this next generation of defense though, Cameron has emerged and that's about it. Cherundolo is certainly on his last WC cycle (one of the most underrated players ever to wear a US shirt IMO) and Bocanegra's starting spot is probably up for grabs in the tournament.

 

In the '01 Hex for Japorea'02 in the Honduras away game it was a free kick from Clint Mathis that deftly went up over the Honduran wall and into the back of the Honduran net in the 86th minute that absolutely silenced the massive crowd and gave us a shock 1-2 road victory.
Perhaps our guy Brad could get the same chance on a set piece late in the game and turn up money!

DALE USA!!!

 

Lucky's definitely has the game. The American Outlaws Houston will be watching there.

 

Just as an interesting note, I heard Marc Connolly point out that in the opening game of the last WCQ cycle, a home win against Mexico, four of the starters didn't make the final 2010 WC roster. Just keep that in mind on Weds.

 

i know its a longshot (but stranger things have happened), but i'm starting the Brad Davis for 2014 campaign as of today .

 

Isn't he "1000% committed" now?