2013 Camp Strudel surprises ... good and bad

All right, ladies and gentlemen, with the camp not yet started, who will have surprised positively - i.e., exceed the consensus's expectation - or who will have disappointed after all is said and done?

Make your predictions with the results to be tabulated after the Canada match.

My prediction - Donovan will surprise in a good way (OK, I know he is not in camp but I like long shots).

To start out the first half, this is likely what will pan out.



Despite it looking the same as my previous XI, this is really, imo, the only player selection that would make sense to me when we start it out, The creativity will start with Zusi and Diskerud, Beckerman becomes the veteran enforcer of the some-what young backline (Average age 25).
Gatt becomes a winger and at some point in the match he will become an inside forward as Zusi or Diskerud gives him some service, Agudelo uptop like in the Russian match, and Eddie Johnson, unfortunately not in his natural position, to finish up the 50/50 balls. This is the most offensive formation I could create, and we will definately have Canada in their own half for much of the match.

By the second half, we'll probably go a little more defensive, depending on how well we do in the first half.


I'm a little more flexible about this, so you may judge me on this part of the lineup for the second half.

I know the game is in Houston but I really doubt they will change into Dynamo jerseys for the second half...

I see what you did there...

I think @miklagard will supplant Williams, Edu, etc. as our #3 CM by the time Strudel 13 comes to a close.

On the bad side, we still will not have a legitimate partner at CB for Cameron.

Thanks for the heavy lifting. I like this lineup, but would prefer to have Hall in goal.

Is hall better than hamid right now? I think he tends to be.

Between Hall, Johnson, and Hamid, I would say that he is the better player today and I suspect for the next couple of years. He is the most consistent, doesn't make mistakes, and makes the saves that he should make. Johnson probably has the biggest upside. I have seen games where he dominates the penality area and makes some impossible save. However, I have seen games where he overcomits and makes terrible gaffs.

Actually, I would like to see Kennedy get a chance. Earlier last year, he was really playing well for Chivas...

I am biased, but I don't think there is a keeper in the league better at coming out on crosses than Hall. His distribution is a very weak link in his game though.

So, who - pick a couple - is expected to stand out among these hypothetical First XI? (let's not downgrade those who may not see many minutes just yet).

Mix? Gatt? Who?

PS. Isn't Zusi in the East End at the moment?

Most of our midfield and attackers have some 'A' team experience already.

We will dominate Canada too easily to tell much from that game.

your first lineup has a very good chance, the second one you have a couple of players playing out of position. I'm curious to see Beckerman vs Morales, I want to know who is the better player, there may be surprises.

Gonzalez or Besler could be that legitimate partner at CB for Cameron.

i agree and brooks is an option too, by the end of the hex, we will know our central paring and be happy with them

Yeah because we were sooo good vs. them during JK's 5-game tournament last May.

I was making one good prediction and one bad prediction, which was my interpretation of the OP. We could find a decent partner for Cameron out of camp strudel. My prediction is that we will not.

You're right, but this is a different situation. We won't have players who are just going through the motions and we will be up against Canada's B/C team.

Agudelo's haircut will impress.

Wondo will be mistaken for a 1940's railroad worker and sent packing.

Disk get's his head shaved.

Morales breaks his nose on someone elses broken nose.

Sean Johnson launches a bathing suit line for full size ladies.

These would surprise me.

I doubt it, Mix is not a true defensive midfielder, he is more of a attacking/setup mid

I think that's the point.

Bad: Today was core training, Athletic nutrition including proper portions for athletes and pilates.

Tomorrow, learning how to eat.

It would surprise me if Donnie Moore was invited back.



We lost to Jamaica for the first time ever after this . . .

Not only did we lose to Jamaica for the first time ever, but afterwards Klinsmann, who has been criticized for being more motivational speaker than coach and who presumably brought in Donnie Moore or at least signed off on it, said the Jamaicans "were hungrier and more determined"....

Well, food is more expensive down there ... the resort living and all.