GOALKEEPERS (3) : Brad Guzan (Aston Villa - 5/3 SO), Tim Howard (Everton – 22/9 SO), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire – 0/0) DEFENDERS (9) : Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City – 0/0), Carlos Bocanegra (Racing Santander – 31/5), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City – 5/0), Edgar Castillo (Club Tijuana – 0/0), Timmy Chandler (Nuremberg – 0/0), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders – 0/0), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy – 0/0), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim – 3/0), Michael Parkhurst (Augsburg – 3/0) MIDFIELDERS (8) : Michael Bradley (Roma – 19/5), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo - 0/0), Maurice Edu (Bursaspor – 9/0), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04 – 5/0), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht – 12/0), Jose Torres (Tigres – 9/0), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim – 4/0), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City – 3/0) FORWARDS (4 ): Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar – 17/6), Clint Dempsey (Tottenham Hotspur – 26/10), Herculez Gomez (Santos – 6/2), Eddie Johnson (Seattle Sounders – 11/10)
Looks like a solid team (add Donovan and Adu and I'd be happy) Too bad the game is in 48 hours and the team is just assembling in Miami. Huge advantage for Honduras.
In the past I would have laughed and waited for the thread to devolve into the usual nonsense. It's sad in a way that I doubt folks even comment.
JFT. Why oh why? Not an International player. Beyond that, not much to see here until we see the starting XI and formation before I can really start to bitch and complain.
So Evans is called up to be the emergency RB with Dolo out as I'm sure he's behind Castillo and Parkhurst as well. I'm actually glad Davis got the call as well. Not that he looked good against Canada, but when he was able to move inside or teammates moved a bit more he looked fairly comfortable. Not a huge fan of calling Edu in right now since he's had so little first team action, but it's not a huge deal. I think it all depends on how Jurgen decides to come out. I honestly don't think I'd start Jozy and Herc together though. Nothing against either of them, but the few times they've played together they tend to get in each other's way. oh yeah, would not call JFT up either, but if he's used more as cover for Bradley I have less of an issue. If we try starting him on the wing again I make break something. Can be a tidy player, but he kills too many breaks trying to slow the game down
If you were as confused about the numbers listed as I was, here's the header from USSF: (World Cup qualifying Caps/Goals) The "0" Club includes Sean Johnson, Matt Besler, Edgar Castillo, Timmy Chandler, Brad Evans, Omar Gonzalez, Brad Davis.
Interesting omissions: Gooch, Goodson, Spector, and Beckerman. I thought Beckerman earned a spot on the roster with his performance against Canada, and Klinsy always seemed to like him, so I'm surprised he's left off. I guess Gooch is really over the hill at this point. And I'm glad he didn't bring in Goodson -- he's looked awful lately.
Not much in the way of surprises. Would have liked to have seen Gatt, just to provide some actual pace on the width if needed, though I suppose if they want some flank play in the MF that some of the fullbacks like Castillo, Chandler and Johnson can play there.
This is a pretty reasonable roster. Mild surprise that Beckerman didn't make it, but JK must feel OK about Williams and Edu in the DM role, and surely 2 DMs is plenty when the squad also has so many #8s. The winger/attacking width issue is an on-going concern that only a fully ready Donovan could help much in the short run. In the longer run, young players like Gatt and Shea need to step up. Personally, I think Gatt over one of Zusi, Torres, or Davis would have given the roster more options and variability, but it's not a make-or-break problem. And all the Evans callup agita in some other threads the last few days becomes largely wasted, since he appears to be coming along for the ride as the 24th player, the 9th defender, 3d at RB and maybe 3d at LB. He is injury insurance and almost certainly won't make the match day bench.
Callups for Yanks in Mexico: At first I didn't think Joe Corona's absence from the list was notable since Tijuana is in the midst of a hot title fight, but Edgar Castillo (also Tijuana) and Herculez Gomez (Santos Laguna) also have Saturday games in Mexico, and Jose Torres (Tigres) plays Sunday and they're all on the roster for Honduras. (Tijuana played Tigres two days ago in an exciting battle for first place, and I laughed to notice that Torres's jersey says "Gringo," which is also what the announcers call him.)
This is what JK has done from day one, so there should be zero surprises from anyone...love him, hate him, or don't care either way. This is JK. Didn't even notice the Beckerman omission. Wow, there goes another guy who proclaimed how happy he was for getting a real chance because he never felt like he did under Bob. Ya did. Just weren't good enough now or then my friend...and I'm a guy who respects what Becks can do BTW. Williams looks to be on the outs at Hoff, while Edu is gonna get a chance to take a step up in his career. I will be interested in that decision. If we do play the way we have away Edu is actually perfect for this match. Just one speed guy on the bench...just one. Under BB u knew u could fall behind easily, but u knew u could catch up. Under JK u know it will be real hard to fall behind, but if u do can u score. That's really the big change emotionally.
I'm not trying to be a jerk. I always get ahead of the crowd when I see myths in the making, and Corona is that guy right now. Don't be surprised and don't expect that much of him. Hasn't shown that he is much of a standout or ready for this level in any way shape or form. Yes, I've watched him a lot. We need to stop creating false hope for guys who really haven't shown all that much.
Oh, and as I mentioned in a similar thread in the News and Analysis forum, I am very pleased to see both Gonzo and Besler called in as the (presumably) back-up CBs. Long over due to work these newer CBs into the squad. This is important.
Only three roster spots that I thought were completely wasted. Those being Evans, Torres and Edu. You look at the roster and it almost seems impossible for JK to get all of his favorites on the pitch at the same time without playing certain guys HORRIBLY out of position, which isn't outside the realm of possibility. The only obvious selections here are Fabian, Boca, Cameron, Chandler along the back line. Of course, Chandler [gender-based slur removed by mod] on the plan ride over when he realizes he'll be cap tied by playing, which likely means Parkhurst starts on the right. We actually have good balance in the defensive call ups with natural replacements at all 4 spots. The midfield is a cluster-******** of unimaginative and uncreative players. Even though EJ is listed as a forward, I see him more as depth at RW/LW than anything. But how does JK get Bradley, Jones and Williams on the field at the same time without doing one of two things? 1) Play Danny Williams on the right again (which has been proven to be a giant fail) and would require one of Jones or Bradley to play as the dedicated DCM. 2) Or play Danny at DCM and leave Bradley and Jones in the middle, meaning you can only start one of Dempsey, Altidore, Herc. That said, here is an absolutely crazy idea for a lineup. ----------------------------Altidore------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------Dempsey---------------------------- ------EJ-----------------------Bradley-----------------------------Herc----- ----------------------------------Jones---------------------------------------- Fabian---------------Boca---------------Cameron----------------Chandler If Jones can stay disciplined in the DCM role (I know, big ask) we have enough bite with Jones and Bradley in the center of the park. You know that Herc will be relentless in tracking back and would need the same from EJ (again, big ask). But Herc and EJ at least provide speed on the flanks to hopefully stretch the defense and with Fabian and Chandler overlapping, we still should be able to get crosses off. (I don't think Herc or EJ can provide consistent service from the flanks, but that wouldn't be their job). By stretching the width, we leave space open for Dempsey and Altidore in the box, and put Bradley closer to the box for those secondary runs that he is so good at. You would also get Herc and EJ crashing the box as well, as one or the other would pinch in depending on which side the ball was on. Granted, this is FAAAARRR too of an attacking lineup for JK to even consider, and with us being on the road, I have almost no hope of this actually happening. In reality, this is what we most likely end up with. --------------------------------Dempsey------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------Torres----------------------Bradley--------------------Williams---- -------------------------------------Jones------------------------------------ --------------------------------------Edu------------------------------------- Fabian----------------Boca------------------Cameron-----------Chandler Altidore will come on the 75th minute for Dempsey and the BigSoccer moron brigade will whine about how he sucks in a national team uniform because he wasn't able to score. Herc will sub on for Williams and cover 14 miles in just 30 minutes of play. He will only touch the ball one time, but JK will declare him to be the player of the game for his work rate.
I don't know how much I dig the Davis call up. We've already got one ball-striking specialist in Graham Zusi. I'm not sure it's really required for us to bring in another. What that probably means is Zusi will be starting and Brad Davis is a guy who can sub in for him either as an emergency injury replacement or a late-game sub. To be completely honest with you, I'm not sure I want to see either. Zusi is at least a young player who has his uses, has potential, and seems to be growing, but Davis is a situational player at best. I would rather have seen a guy like Mikkel Diskerud, Benny Feilhaber, or even Joe Benny Corona. These guys bring the kind of skill and creativity we need in the side, even if they lack the industry that the former two have. We're also wanting in some kind of attacking inspiration from the flanks. I know Gatt wasn't perfect, but the kid provided something against Canada. He and Eddie Johnson provide the kind of directness from the flank we've needed since Brek Shea's decline/injury and Landon's soap opera. Other weird calls include Jose Torres and Sacha Kljestan. I'm curious to see how Klinsmann wishes to use them. If Torres plays a role like he did against Scotland, then that could go a big way towards helping the U.S. be more comfortable in a Central American environment. Kljestan will likely be a sub/injury option that can play anywhere in midfield, which isn't a bad option to have.
Yay...can't wait too see this narrow attack with no pace on the wings what so ever. Honestly its a good roster but the lack of wingers is sad. Only position we lack the most depth now. Bet EJ gets thrown out there
Well, we've got some pace on the wings in the fullback slot with Johnson/Castillo on one side and Chandler on the other. It's also possible we'll see Herculez on the wing.........................JK did that once.
Nothing particularly surprising and a solid roster. It does lack somewhat in attack and width. But really, that's as much to me a function of the player pool as anything. Of course, there are a fair few names you could toss out to try to solve those issues but none of them are really sure things and are more experimental or roll of the dice types. Not like we have great attackers or wing players forcing their way into the lineup. We've got a few options that may work out over the next year or so if they show some improvement. I wouldn't have been disappointed to see a couple of those types filling out the lower reaches of the roster, but probably not guys who would have seen field time anyway.