I don't think Johnson is eligible, despite remarks he may have made. He obviously doesn't understand US citizenship if he is basing his hopes on the fact that one of his grand parents is/was African American. "Johnson qualifies for the USA though his African-American grandfather and he admits he has already held talks with head coach Bob Bradley, although a shock call-up is unlikely to happen beforeSouth Africanext summer. The winger admits he would jump at the chance of playing international football and would not hesitate in playing for the US should Bradley ever come knocking. "My grandfather is an African-American. I've spoken to the USA coach over the phone," he said. "The football takes care of itself. If I get called up I'll be happy." http://www.skysports.com/opinion/story/0,25212,16710_5617882,00.html Also, while I won't argue that Torres and Edu are world beaters, I think they have both demonstrated that they are capable of playing decently at the international and CONCACAF levels.
I don't think Johnson is eligible, despite remarks he may have made. He obviously doesn't understand US citizenship if he is basing his hopes on the fact that one of his grand parents is/was African American. "Johnson qualifies for the USA though his African-American grandfather and he admits he has already held talks with head coach Bob Bradley, although a shock call-up is unlikely to happen beforeSouth Africanext summer. The winger admits he would jump at the chance of playing international football and would not hesitate in playing for the US should Bradley ever come knocking. "My grandfather is an African-American. I've spoken to the USA coach over the phone," he said. "The football takes care of itself. If I get called up I'll be happy." http://www.skysports.com/opinion/story/0,25212,16710_5617882,00.html Also, while I won't argue that Torres and Edu are world beaters, I think they have both demonstrated that they are capable of playing decently at the international and CONCACAF levels. [/quote] well if that is the case it is unfortunate because he is better than all of our CMs except Bradley, Jones and maybe Williams at his best. and the sad fact that fans still cling to Torres and Edu as "decent" NT level players is revealing. no self respecting top 20 NT should accept guys as crap as them as part of their 2 deep roster ... they aren't any good ... they have huge giant flaws in their games, Edu with lack of passing accuracy and ball turning over and Torres being generally a weak pansy who can only play when there is ZERO pressure on him (not a common occurrence in real NT games, lazy Scotland friendlies aside). we have got to get past these guys and the 30 year old journeman MLSers who are great for MLS but not good enough physically or in some other way for full WC NT level (Beckerman, Davis, Evans, Wondo, etc). i'd rather see Mix get a chance because i don't know for a fact he can't hack it at the highest NT level whereas i know Edu can't. if a guy over 28 isn't 1 or 2 on the depth chart at his position he has no business in the NT picture (baring injuries and a reshuffling of the depth chart of course) over a u23 guy who hasn't had his chance to prove one way or the other whether they are full NT quality or not (or have the potential to be).
I love Beasley. I think he is right now as good as he has ever been. He is playing like a true professional. Keep possession, high pressure, and well timed runs and attacking passes. Just a hunch here, but Beasley is not eating what JK is serving.
I like this, not because I don't think Beckerman is not good enought, but because it tells us that Klinsman is not locked to anyone. This creates competition and shows everybody that just because you did great last time doesn't guarantee a spot. I figured Beckerman was shoe in from here on based on recent history. So Boca and Cherundolo you have been warned, both of you were great, but you still have to show up and continue to do great things.
First, we haven't been a top 20 team for a number of years. Second, I wouldn't characterize Torres as "a weak pansy" but you are entitled to do so. Edu is flawed, I agree, but unless/until Williams gets consistent minutes and FIFA signs off on Alonso, we don't have a lot of clearly superior options. Torres has had some underwhelming performances for the US [Slovenia, Czech friendly, Canada, friendly, Guat wcq come to mind] but has also put in some shifts I would characterize as good [2 off bench vs El Salvador WCQ, Costa Rica at home in WCQ, Costa Rica, Belgium and Turkey friendlies].
To be fair to Klinnsmann, his two best wide options, Shea and Donovan, aren't available to him right now. I suspect the lineup we will see later in the Hex will be fairly different. Especially if Stu Holden can get into form
Yup. Of course Boca's a slightly different case as he's still the captain of the USMNT, and a great locker-room leader. We may keep calling him up even though he's past his expiration date.
well he is not Castillo when it comes to being weak and pansyish i agree, but he isn't exactly what one would call robust. which would be fine if he could overcome pressure and physical defence by cool calm collected passing and touch ... which from everything i've seen he can't. so he can't physically stand up to high pressure/physical defence and he can't out think/pass/technique high pressure/physical defence because he collapses like a flan in a cupboard under such. in other words he's fine for LigaMX but not for a top 20 NT. and yes, we aren't NOW a top 20 NT but isn't that our goal ... where we want to be? we aren't getting there if guys like Torres, Edu, Davis, Evans, Wondo, etc etc etc populate our rosters.
Wow. A bit over-the-top regarding Edu. Edu is currently 26 years old, and he is almost certainly #2 on the depth chart at DM behind Williams. And Williams has had a rough run of form lately. Edu totally belongs on the US squad as the #2 DM, or potentially the starting DM if Williams isn't performing well.
Inclusions I like: Chandler, Gonzo, Castillo (can't believe I'm saying that, but he's been playing really well), Sacha Inclusions I don't like: Evans, Torres Exclusions I like: Beckerman, Gooch, Goodson, Orozco-Fiscal Exclusions I don't like: Feilhaber, Lichaj, Beasley, Shea & Gatt (we could use these three's speed), Landon of course but that isn't the fault of Klinsmann I suppose. Yep, that's just about it.
True, it may be a strong roster, but I am afraid that it is not good enough to continue forward. In a way, JK is playing the guys he has, so can't totally fault him. But I think the lack of good, speedy wingers, a really competent forward, and a playmaker is going to kill us before this final round is over. Is this JK's fault? Maybe it is because he did not use all of the time he has had to dig deep and attempt to find these necessary players. To send back Benny, a good second half sub, in favor of Zusi who did not impress me against Canada, shows me he is lacking in judging players...and/or whoever he designates to select players is lacking this judgment. I truly hope we get through, but without LD to shore up our team, I am really afraid for the first time in a long time. Please JK, prove me wrong.
I think this is the first time Klinsmann has gotten the defense almost completely right, with maybe one exception which is more of a judgement call. I'm pretty happy with this overall except for our lack of speed on the wings.
Alright lineup although I don't like the redundancy of Evans and Parkhurst on defense. There is one spot wasted. In midfield same thing with Torres and Kljestan although they have similar game one plays it a bit higher than the other, it would have been more advantageous to get a faster winger like Gatt instead. I suppose JK's thinking is using either of them in the wing since he is not looking for attack but rather build up and defend which looks to be his game plan for this game...defend and steal one at the end.
Klinsmann loves his veteran players. No surprise that the younger ones like Gatt were left off the roster. Danish Super Liga are still on break, and Goodson was actually looking for another club last I read. Gooch is a cup player for Malaga and otherwise gets next to no minutes. His previous outings for the US weren't good. Beasley looked past it in the Azteca match. I've watched him in LigaMx. The breakaway speed is gone. With no Gatt, Donovan, or Shea this team has no one with breakaway speed on the roster. And no, EJ ain't on that level. Gonzalez had the hype but it's nice to see Besler also get in as imo he is the better all around centerback. Looked more composed, less error prone, and the superior passer. I don't think this is the end for Wondo. Torres' inclusion shows that continued strong play at club level can earn a player additional chances. Aside from Dempsey nothing in the way of proven creativity at this level. Hoping that EJ is not deployed as a forward. He's only a winger at this level. Hoping that Fabian Johnson is not deployed as a left back. Not looking forward to yet another foul in a dangerous area. And he'll much more useful for the team in midfield.
Beasley has been and is frail. He's certainly likely to be cut down in CONCACAF as much as he is against other physical teams.
Here's a more detailed "probably not" link: http://www.soccerbyives.net/2009/10/bradley-johnson-not-eligible-to-play-for-usa.html
Shea's still recovering from injury, so was never likely to be in this squad. He's almost back, but still not in shape to make this kind of roster.
I was wondering whether Castillo may be deployed on the left wing, as he does this for his club rather effectively, and he wont have all the defensive responsibility. But given his LB roots, he can track back very well if needed, I think it'd be a win-win to play him out there given what the rest of the roster looks like.
Nah. He hasn't played a game since a couple weeks before the end of the 2012 MLS season. He's just now returning to the fitness levels necessary to train.