Well said. Some are acting like Evans was just handed a slot by JK. He was the 2nd alternate called in when all the FBs were down before the May/June Hex camp last year. He was called after the 1st alternate, Corey Ashe got hurt in his last club match. Evans came into camp, ran through brick walls during training (and literally almost did trying to get on the end of a back post cross in his sub appearance v Belgium) and won a spot and has hung on. A great locker room guy and I am rooting for him even if he will most likely not make the 23.
Evans had starts before Jamaica and has had starts after Jamaica (9 starts in 2013) Gooch played extremely well for Sporting in 2011 - 2012 before Sporting had financial concerns. He is currently playing extremely well for Wednesday. Reports from Sheffield suggests that he will move to a bigger club at the end of this season. Beasley started 17 matches in 2013 at LB for the USMNT and currently plays LWB for his club. He is now a LB.
As other have mentioned, this question is incomplete. Saying "I don't want player X on the team" really doesn't mean much, without knowing who it is that would take his place. Because, surely you would take Eddie Johnson or Brad Evans over nobody, or some random guy from your rec league. The interesting statement is "I don't want player X on the team, if it means that players W, Y, or Z don't make it."
I can't think of anyone that's likely to go that shouldn't. In general, there's no such thing as someone who "shouldn't" be there. If they have a good chance of going, it means they are the best American in the world at that position; not their fault our pool isn't very deep. You only get to play with what you have.
This is a message-board meant for discussing these things. If people here have personal connections to some of these players then state it.
Yet you could easily see JK not bringing Bedoya on the 23, but bringing Shea (very, very, very unlikely) or Green (very unlikely) because they bring something different to the squad. Green or Shea can be an effective attacking Joker to bring on at 65 to run at defenders and make something happen. Bedoya, while a better overall and much more steady two way player does not bring that attacking flair aspect to the table.
He'd be very useful: left Fabian, right Chandler, Cameron with Mike. Since he's unlikely to play for Nürnberg yet, right now is a moot point. We don't know how he's returning from injury. He may be poorer than other RB options. After all, he's only been true for the NT once, the other times he wasn't that good, IMO.
The point was that there are players that have contributed over the years, or to the qualifying process -- and deserve some measure of respect. Bashing them hoping they don't make the squad is not constructive, as joebarnin said. Stating who you prefer over another is one thing -- blindly saying so-and-so shouldn't go has no merit. The Ching thing always comes to mind, effing disgraceful beyond belief. These guys work hard, it's not our place as USMNT fans to mock or belittle them. Cristiano Ronaldo -- have at it.
Conor Casey? It's constructive because Evans playing would hurt the team which is deconstructive. Loyalty is one thing but this is professional soccer and a World Cup. He put his head down and worked hard that's great, I'd still take a healthy Chandler over him because it gives the team a better chance to win. Not handing out medals for effort.
What exactly is "the Ching thing"? I seem to recall fans being surprised that Findley was chosen over Ching.
This thread shows the worst of BS. People want to leave a player out because they don't believe in their abilities or have a bias against them while sitting behind a computer.
Maybe it's about the "World Cup reject!" chants he got in an MLS game after being left out of the squad. I think I remember that being a story at the time.
It was in LA after hed been replaced by Findley. And Ill be honest -it was the right call to not take him.
No one is mocking anyone how Ching was mocked and we are on a soccer forum where I don't know we critique behind computers. I am in the camp that wants the best fielded team that would play collectively well and get us the best results. If that means leaving behind a few that helped our team along the way and hurting some feelings, then yes.
Never heard about that. There is nothing wrong with speaking your mind about who will be cut in the WC camp, that's part of this whole internet message-board let's talk sports thing. As far as that chant, that's ridiculous, Brian Ching was nothing but class.
The guys that will not make the team are not going to be taken out behind a shed and shot in the back of the head, they'll simply go back to their clubs, no big deal. Hell, most of the guys who DO manage to make the bench won't see any action in Brazil either, so what exactly is the difference?
I imagine the experience of being on the team for a WC in Brazil would be pretty incredible even if you didn't play a minute. I'm sure quite a few people would pay a pretty penny to switch places with Brad Guzan or Clarence Goodson for this tourney.
Well sorry, we don't live in a "everyone gets a trophy" civilization. That does not minimize the contribution that these players made to the U.S getting here but that is the reality. Sounds like you seem to have some kind of issue with that.
An issue with what? A free trip to Brazil and a front row seat for all the festivities would be a lot better than sitting at home watching on TV. I think most people would agree with that. I'm sure a guy like Nick Rimando will be delighted to go to Brazil even if he doesn't get into a game. It's not that complicated. Nevermind that it's an honor to be named in your country's 23, even if you aren't among the guys who end up getting any minutes in the tourney.
Because we're fans, it's nothing personal. Stop acting like their relatives or their mom's. People don't like Eddie Johnson because of his past exploits and failures, and a contingent, including myself, do not think Brad Evans is good enough to play RB at the highest level. Also the argument of "who cares we don't have world class players anyways, not like it matters!" INFURIATES ME. You should try and take the best players for the job this summer. If Chandler isn't committed or not ready for 90 min soccer so soon coming back from his injury then so be it. But this sympathy bullshit acting as if the team is one big family is ridiculous. As long as no one's feelings get hurt! It's professional soccer, not AYSO.