Does anyone care to take an early guess on what our team will look like? I'm fairly new to following soccer so I don't have a good idea (other then the younger guys who were on this past year's team). I'd love to see some early roster projections from the more knowledgeable fans.
23 names off the top of my head? Hopefully we can have a roster something like this: GK: Howard Cannon Pickens DF: Gibbs Onyewu Bocanegra Spector Cherundolo Bornstein Conrad MF: Mastroeni Dempsey Beasley Convey Donovan Mapp Clark Adu Olsen FW: E. Johnson Ching Rolfe Jaqua I know I left out a lot of people's favorite young stars, and the roster is a bit more MLS-slanted than some fans would like to see, but I think this could shake out. Obviously, there are 50 or 100 guys who have at least some shot at making it right now. I think its just too early to tell.
Goalkeepers: Tim Howard Joe Cannon Brad Guzan Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra Oguchi Onyewu Cory Gibbs Steve Cherundolo Jonathan Spector Heath Pearce Jimmy Conrad Midfielders: Clint Dempsey Ricardo Clark Pablo Mastroeni Bobby Convey DaMarcus Beasley Benny Feilhaber Justin Mapp Freddy Adu Forwards: Landon Donovan Eddie Johnson Taylor Twellman Kenny Cooper Chris Rolfe Close Calls: Michael Bradley, Troy Perkins, Josmer Altidore, Jay DeMerit, Brian Ching Obviously there's a long way to go, and plenty of other guys have lots of time to make a move. We won't know too much until a new coach starts calling players in and we start to see which guys he prefers. For example, a guy like Mapp has lots of fans and lots of detractors. Whoever the next coach is may fall into either category.
GK: Howard, Adin Brown, Guzan Def: Onyewu, Spector, Gibbs, Boca, Nate Sturgis, Boswell, Dolo, Pearce Mid: Adu, Dempsey, Convey, Donovan, Bradley, Feilhaber, Clark, Mapp Forward: Cooper, Altidore, Zimmerman, Rolfe Forwards are the least determinable at this point. I'm also thinking Beasley does not make it.
GK Howard, Hahnemann, Guzan D Spector, Bocanegra, Onyewu, Gibbs, Pearce, Wynne, Cherundolo, DeMerit M Bradley, Feilhaber, Donovan, Adu, Convey, Beasley, Clark, Dempsey, Altidore F Casey, Kirk, Cooper I bet I'm at least 50% and no more than 75% correct. I left Conrad and Mastroeni off - Mastroeni may not even have a roster spot under many coaches, and he's battling more talented, younger alternatives. Conrad is just too slow, and we have too many CB options - he'll be a liability no matter what, and we have talent at that position.
Well I'll take a stab at it what the hell. GK Howard GK Hahnemann GK Wild Card (A current (2006) U-20/U-17 brought for the experience) Defenders (8): Onyewu Gibbs Cherundolo Spector Pearce Bornstein --- Last 2 on the roster: Wynne DeMerit Midfielders (8) Dempsey Adu Feilheiber Mapp Convey Bradley -- Last 2 on the Roster: Beasley Clark Forwards (4) Donovan Altidore Cooper ---- Last to make the Roster: Jemal Johnson Last 3 players cut from the roster: Mastroeni Eddie Johnson Taylor Twellman I think that the new manager is going to take a mix of experience in the center of defense, and take a couple of fliers on talented but unproven players (see: Altidore, Wynne) and play aggressively ala 2002 rather than passively with all established players (see 2006).
GK: Howard, Hahnemann, Cannon D: Onyewu, Gibbs, Bocanegra, Spector, Cherundolo, Pearce, Demerit, Wynne M: Adu, Dempsey, Convey, Beasley, Feilhaber, Bradley, Mastroeni, Mapp F: Cooper, Donovan, Rolfe, Altidore The interesting picks: hahnemann; not too many other US keeps play in the EPL these days, and i dont imagine he'll go quietly into the night at Reading in the next 4 years. wynne; it was his rookie year and he's got another 3 and a half seasons to build on it. That is speed you just cannot deny. He is a pure shut down defender in nature. Obviously the downfalls are his crossing abilities and first touch. But thats what Cherundolo and Spector are for. If we are called on to require a pure speedy shut down wing he is the closest thing. Last defender to make the roster mastroeni; ive said it before ill say it again, Mastroeni will be 34 and going strong next go around. Pablo shuts people down, thats what he's about and he has no signs of slowing up on that at all. Bradley makes it very very interesting though. itll be close. Both make the team easy but starting position is going to be fun fun fun! Mapp; i was tinkering between him and Q Kirk with my last pick. This one will be close too and i think Mapp goes because he can play anywhere on the offensive side of the ball, INCLUDING the right. Insurance for Dempsey. Not too defensive minded mind you, but its something he can work on Altidore; last one to make the roster due to a great showing in the MLS and performs well with the MLS nats to sneak into that last fourth forward spot, insurance for Cooper. just missed; Kirk, Bornstein, Twellman, Ching, Guzan
oh dang Tigerpunk that is a good point i didnt even think of that. thats going with my own philosophy of what would happen too with the older players. Even a talent like Mastroeni is probably expendable in bringing in the new order no matter what unfortunately. Bradley is therefore the man at destroyer now. Therefore i change my pick from Mastro to Clark. As much love as i have for Mastro i dont think its going to be happening now, and as much as i want to bring Kirk along we need insurance at destroyer and Clark is more than a capable up and comer by the look sof things.
its crazy to do a prediction list now... especially when we still have a lot of young kids scattered all over Europe and MLS... example I havent seen one mention of Dax McCarthy or Robbie Rogers, McCarthy has been the best u20 player this year, and Rogers has jus made a move to Heerenven and has impressed... most of the squads mentioned resemble the WC squad of this year... lets give it some time, imo... or Johann Smith, who got in for Bolton yesterday in the League Cup...
Donovan would definitely be a forward as far as I'm concerned. It's where he's excelled and is excelling now.
I generally stay out of these threads, but i will hitch my wagon and come back in 4 years to see how close i came. Altidore Cooper Zimmerman Donovan Adu Convey Dempsey Bradley Fielhaber McCarty Beasley Clark Gibbs Bocanegra Onweyu Wynne Rogers Spector Howard Guzan Pickens Ill be happy if i hit 30%
As of now, here's my 23 with alternates prediction Roster- GK- Howard lock Pickens if he keeps improving than he will become a great keeper...i see more potential in him than Perkins and Guzan. My prediction is that he'll win the best GK award next year (or a least a serious candidate). Reis a little more sustained than Cannon...who i can see blowing a lead by one of his crazy plays. Reis seems to be the keeper that should be a reliable number two GK behind Howard. DF- Cory Gibbs if he can stay healthy...he should be a lock. Bobby Boswell I'm suprised more people don't mention him. he was the best defender in MLS for a reason. yeah, he might not be the flashiest, but he makes very few mistakes. Jonathan Spector Is he hurt again? i know he was starting for awhile, but then i haven't seen his name on the roster for a couple weeks now. either way, i expect him to be on the roster if healthy. Oguchi Onyewu lock, but leave Standard NOW!!! Jonathan Bornstein some might disagree, but he has all the tools plus a good workrate. i'll be the first to say it...LOCK Marvell Wynne Cherundolo i expect to be the Pope, Agoos, and Burns of 2010...so i hope Wynne can cut the mustard. Jay DeMerit It was between him and Pearce, and i decided to go with DeMerit because i think he'll be more motivated in the world cup. MF- Bobby Convey is he hurt? either way, he SHOULD be on the roster unless he DMBs on us. Benny Fielhaber hopefully, we are seeing of what's to come...and hopefully he'll surpass Reyna's and O' Brien's legacy as our holding mid type player (just stay healthy!). Michael Bradley getting more and more playing time, by 2010 i expect him to be a key player for a good European team...and will be a key figure for the nats. Clint Dempsey I have high expectations. Ricardo Clark He has the potential to be twice the player Mastroeni could ever have dream of. Pablo Mastroeni i expect him to be the leader of our players...just he needs to learn how to be smarter on the tackle. otherwise, he should be cut. Freddy Adu should be a lock and possibly our best player. the question is where will he be playing...i'm thinking he'll bump Donovan up top as a forward. Justin Mapp he would be a lock, but the new coach needs to sit down with him and give him a list of expectations...such as 1) be able to play 120 minutes and then some. in other words, the coach needs to run his ass in the ground. 2) consistency. If he can't meet the expecations, he should be cut despite the potential. FW- Landon Donovan i see Adu pushing him up, and if Mapp can reach his potential than we should be covered in the AM position. Also, this way he focus simply on attacking. Chris Rolfe i like Rolfe. granted, he was hurt a lot this season...but i just see a soccer version of "Rudy" in this kid. Kenny Cooper he just needs to learn how to play the target forward role, and we'll be set. Josmer Altidore yeah, yeah...i know what most of you are going to say, but i'm looking four years down the road...and i think Altidore will keep improving at a level that his potential can't be ignored. Nate Jaqua The Jaqua/Rolfe combination could be a deadly one in 2010. Plus, i wanted to see another big forward to back up Cooper in the roster. However, he'll definately need to pick up his performance...can he do it? with the proper coaching, he should be able to. Alternates- GK- Cannon-Crazy Cannon could easily make the roster, but i'm not going to count on it. Guzan Guzan could also easily make the roster, but i see Reis as more of the reliable number two and i think Pickens will be the better keeper by 2010. DF- Dunivant- for once, i think we'll be stocked at LB for 2010. and i don't see him cutting the mustard, but i think he'll be a reliable alternate. Pearce- the Guatemala game kind of ruined it for me with him, but he definately has a lot of potential. he should make some noise for the position. Marshall he should be a lock, but i question his workrate. Sturgis is in no way really battling for a spot, but with injuries i think he would be a reliable backup. Bocanegra not knocking his 2006 performance, but i see him getting slower and slower in four years. in other words, Berhalter 2. MF- Beasley What a crying shame Beasley turned out to be. I expect him to fade away. and only made the alternate list because he should have been one of our best players in 2010. Carroll- a reliable backup, but i don't see him in any way contesting with the guys on the roster. Davis he would be perfect if he was on the right side, but we have so much talent on that left side that he's only an alternate. Quaranta a year ago, i would have expected him just to fade away, but i'm expecting big things from him next year with LA. Reason why is because i think he'll get more playing time and more responsibility to lead the team. FW- E. Johnson- he SHOULD be on the roster, but not scoring goals isn't going to do that. Eskandarian he could be on the roster, but it'll depend on if he can step up his play on the international level. Twellman he will and should get chances with the team...but he's going to have to earn a right to be on the team this time. Barrett A broke man's Wayne Rooney, but he needs to leave Chicago. If he were to leave Chicago, i could see him really blossom into a great player. He's young so don't count him out just yet. Smith will he become a regular first teamer for Bolton? i don't know. Hopefully, Anelka will meet most people's expectations (a crybaby that will complain his way to the bench) and he'll make the most of all his chances with the first team that Bolton have no other choice but give him more PT. Close but no cigar- GK- Perkins I could be wrong, and he could push to make the team...but i see him not being able to ste up to the plate... i hope i'm wrong. Hahnemann too old. Keller too old. DF- Sarkodie too young. Cherundolo my predicition to follow the legacy of Pope 06, Agoos 02, and Burns 98. hopefully, he'll prove me wrong or the coach will nip him in the but. Gros could make the alternate list. Burciaga " MF- Noonan other players will push him out. Gaven needs to pick it up...could not only make the alternate list, but actually make the roster if he picks his performance up Kljestan could be an alternate and a reliable backup, but our MF is pretty stocked. Beckerman he's fighting an uphill battle Nguyen he'll need to crack the first team Szetela needs to stay healthy. Rogers needs to crack the first team McCarty he seems to be one of the best players for the 20s but needs to get more 1st team games Nakazawa we'll see how he does when he turns pro Holden i love his workrate, but he's fighting an uphill battle. Kirk one of the most uncoordinated soccer players i've seen, but he's young so you never know. FW- J. Johnson two goals in two games for Wolverhampton had most of us excited, but he hasn't scored since. Ching too old and too slow. Buddle- has the potential, but i don't think he'll be able to cut it. Gomez i'll wait till he's tested on the national level before i slam the door, but i don't think he's that good. Cunningham it'd be great if he could keep it up, but at 33, i doubt it. Casey he'll have to do something at Mainz to get more attention on the national level. Alvarez he has the potential, but i don't know if he has the mental strength to reach his potential Zimmermann probably too young. Davies wait to see how he does on the pro level Ochoa some might be excited about it because he plays in the Mexican league, but i honestly don't see that the Mexican league is better than MLS. so unless he starts banging in goals in the bundles, he doesn't cut the mustard. Also, i worry about him Guadarrma on us and switch nationalities.
I hope to hit 50% with these "top 33 candidates": GKs: Howard Brown Guzan Keller Cronin Pickens Defenders: Wynne Spector Cherundolo Onyewu Gibbs Demerit Califf Boswell Pearce Midfielders Convey Dempsey Mapp Adu Feilhaber Bradley Kljestan McCarthy Donovan Clark Forwards: Cooper Eddie Johnson Jemal Johnson Smith Jaqua Davies Rogers
I'm going with an agressive list: Forwards: Altidore, Rolfe, Donovan, Cooper, Davies. Forward is a position you can risk on inexperience so I'm going with class and potential over the likes of Ching, EJ, and Twellman. No forward with questionable technical skills or athletic ability is making my list. I could see an Eddie Gaven or Johann Smith breaking through. Midfielders: Bradley, Beasley, Mapp, Feilhaber, Deuce, Adu, Kljestan Pretty easy list with the midfielders. Only one or two current pros like a Szetela is in the same class as these guys. I don't see anyone not a pro right now making it. I'm expecting Beasley to return to his normal self once he's fully rested and recovered. If not, then a Convey can replace him. Defenders: Bornstein, Gibbs, Bocanegra, Ugo, Gooch, Spector, Wynne, Clark GK: Howard, Guzan, Cannon
Hey ... did I leave Chinger off? (shame on me) Despite my omission, I think he'll be a more likely candidate than someone like Altidore or anyone not in the U-20 set-up right now. But if someone makes a jump to a decent Euro league/squad, they'd be jumping to the top of my list as well.
BTW, has anyone noticed that none of these 2010 squads included DaMarcus Beasley? And that's despite the fact that he was pretty serviceable when he played his true (and only) left mid position at this World Cup.
Starting XI GK: Howard RB: Wynne CD: Gooch CD: Gibbs LB: Spector DM: Mastro RM: Dempsey LM: Convey AM: Adu FW: Cooper FW: Donovan Bench: GKs: Hahnemann, Brown DEF: Dolo, Boca, Demerit, Pearce MF: Clark, Feilhaber, Beasly, Mapp FW: EJ, JJ Close Calls: GK: Cannon, Perkins, Guzan, Westberg-any of the 4 could really move into the 2nd or 3rd string keeper slots though DEF: Bornstein, Califf, Conrad, Dunivant, Boswell, Marshall-any of these guys would do fine coming off the bench I would think in 2010, but won't challange for a starting spot. MF: Bradley, Kljestan, McCarthy, Gaven- out of these guys only see Bradley, challanging for a WC spot, Gaven needs to make a big turnaround quick, and the other two are too unproven. FW: Rolfe, Casey, Jaqua, Altidore, Davies, Rogers- Can see maybe Rolfe and Casey fighting for a spot, don't think Jaqua has enough and the others are too young for this cycle.
I still don't think he'll make it but he probably should be one of the last 33. And you never know, he may get to a decent level of play after knocking in Europe for a few more years. On the other hand, if his PSV contract runs out this year and MLS scoops him up on a free, then he is as good as done.
I hate it as much as anyone because Beasley use to be one of my favorite players, but i just see him regressing more and more. Plus, with guys like Convey, Bornstein, Pearce, Mapp, Dempsey, Adu, Bradley, Fielhaber, Rogers, Nguyen, and company i just see Beasley not being able to compete with any of those guys. His touch is just too poor and he's one athelete that needs to stop at McDonalds every time he sees one.