This does underscore a cruel trick by the football gods. The American-born son of a world-class, World Cup-winning striker plays...goalkeeper.
This is how I see Klinsmann's ideal squad selection for this match: Howard, Guzan, Rimando Bocanegra, Cameron, Goodson, Onyewu Cherundolo, Johnson, Castillo, Parkhurst Bradley, Jones, Edu, Torres, Beckerman, Williams Dempsey, Donovan Gomez, Altidore, Boyd, Wondolowski I see Brooks, Morales, Clark, Corona and Pontius as likely to benefit from any of the players listed above missing out.
I can see a situation where JK will bring in most of the Mexican based players to this game (Torres, Gomez, Castillo, Corona, Beasley).
I'm dubious whether Boyd, Altidore, Bradley or Dempsey make this game. Although this is technically a FIFA date I think JK is aware that Boyd and Bradley need to stay put for now and secure their spots. Dempsey doesnt need an injury right now, so that might be a reason to leave him off, but it could also be a showcase for him since EPL clubs seem hellbent on dropping 10 millions pounds on some prospect, but wont pony up for a proven goal scorer. Altidore is a different story as it would seem the AZ coach and Jurgen are not BFF's. Parkhurst season already started. Onyewu looked last legs, and his position at Sporting is no where close to guaranteed at this point. Cameron and Guzan are also question marks due to their new club situations. I am also fairly confident we will be seeing Chandler again at Azteca This seems like the last US Roster before the real experimentation starts with Russia and Camp Cupcake, in trying to find the young guys and newer prospects who could help out in the Qualies, the Hex and WC 2014 Here's what I got for the 23: GK: Howard, Johnson Fullback: Cherundolo, F. Johnson, Castillo, Chandler Centerbacks: Goodson, Bocanegra, DeMerit, Ream Midfield: Jones, Torres, Beckerman, Edu, Zusi, Corona, Williams Mid/Fwd: Donovan, Pontius, Beasley Forward: Gomez, Wondo, E. Johnson Alts: Kljestan, Gonzo, Robbie Rogers, Lichaj, Adu,
I think they still got Jamaica, Jamaica, Antigua and Guatemala before the REAL experimenting begins..
Beasley is a good option off the bench. He's basically Puebla's offense. And we haven't seen enough of Corona to make a decision on his international quality.
last go... GK Tim Howard, Dan Kennedy omit: Brad Guzan, Caleb Patterson-Sewell FB Fabian Johnson, Edgar Castillo, Steve Cherundolo, Michael Parkhurst omit: Eric Lichaj, Jonathan Spector, Timmy Chandler CB Clarence Goodson, Tim Ream, Seb Hines, Michael Orozco omit: Carlos Bocanegra, Oguchi Onyewu, John Brooks, Zak Whitbread, Geoff Cameron MF Daniel Williams, Jermaine Jones, Kyle Beckerman, Jose Torres omit: Michael Bradley, Stuart Holden, Maurice Edu, Sacha Kljestan, Alredo Morales WG Landon Donovan, Chris Pontius, DaMarcus Beasley, Joe Corona omit: Clint Dempsey, Josh Gatt, Robbie Rogers FW Herculez Gomez, Chris Wondolowski, Kenny Cooper omit: Jozy Altidore, Terrence Boyd -----------------------Gomez----------------------- ------------Pontius---------------Donovan--------- ---------------Torres------------Jones--------------- -----------------------Williams--------------------- Johnson--------------------------------------Cherundolo ------------------Ream-------Goodson--------------- ------------------------Howard------------------------ Bench: Kennedy, Parkhurst, Castillo, Beckerman, Beasley, Corona, Wondolowski
SEB HINES!!!!!! Eleven, I will buy you a personalized Seb Hines US jersey if he is called up for this game. <fingers crossed>
JK should take some of the young guys, who need to get some experience at Azteca if we want to have a shot against them next summer. and Brek Shea is a must take
I am sorry, I think Brek Shea is going to be a big part of wht the USA can do this cycle. He can start for an injured Gomez or Altidore, or can come in the the 70' if the US needs a goal.
Shea hasn't done anything for FC Dallas in a long time, it's more than likely that Klinsmann will call up Chris Pontius or Beasley over Shea.
i'll take you up on that... seriously, look at all our options on the backline: -Carlos Bocanegra (needs to find a club) -Geoff Cameron (just found a new club) -Zak Whitbread (just found a new club) -John Brooks (just recently found his place on the first team) -Oguchi Onyewu (bust) -Omar Gonzalez (just recovered from a MAJOR injury and not back to form) -George John (just recovered from an injury and has not been in the best of form lately) -Jay DeMerit (we don't need anymore senior citizens) -Matt Besler, Austin Berry, Matthew Hedges, Amobi Okugo, & AJ Soares (Camp Cupcake at the earliest) I suggested we take Goodson because he is our only veteran that would be available and the call-up would not hurt his role with his club, Ream because he needs another chance with the full team despite the fact that his role with his club is not exactly locked down, and Orozco because the game is in Mexico and he has been called up before. And if i am desperate enough to call in Michael Orozco then a call-up for Seb Hines, a well regarded young CB who starts for a top Championship side is definitely possible.
Sure, I'm expecting dropouts as well but I'm not expecting many. I'm sure Altidore will be one, but Klinsmann will try to call him up. I do expect Bocanegra and Edu unless they have signed with new clubs by Sunday, otherwise Rangers will want them in the shop window. My expectation with Bradley and Dempsey is that Bradley will come and Dempsey will miss, but I wouldn't be certain enough to bet money on either case. Onyewu is a mystery. I'm not really sure how Klinsmann will handle the 4th CB spot behind Bocanegra, Cameron and Goodson. I expect Brooks to have the inside track since he plays in the Bundesliga II and is German-American. I don't expect many surprises by Klinsmann unless their are a lot of dropouts. Pontius is the new attacking player I most expect will be picked by Klinsmann.
Alright, my last intake before the roster becomes revealed. I'm still pretty sure there will be some odd selections yet again. GOALKEEPER (3): Tim Howard (Everton), Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire) DEFENDERS (7): Clearance Goodson (Brondby), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenhiem), Eric Lichaj (Aston Villa), Jay Demerit (Vancouver Whitecaps), Timothy Chandler (Nuremberg), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City) MIDFIELDERS (7): Jose Torres (Pachuca), Michael Bradley (AS Roma), Jermaine Jones (Shalke 04), Maurice Edu (New Co. Rangers), Daniel Williams (Hoffenhiem), Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Joe Corona (Tijuana) FORWARDS (6): Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar), Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna), Landon Donovan (L.A. Galaxy), Clint Dempsey (Fulham F.C.), Herculez Gomez (Santos Laguna), Eddie Johnson (Seattle Sounders)
Meh, thats not true but for now I would prefer to just see those 2. Wouldnt mind too much if Beasley snuck on though
We can hope to see new blood all we want, but Klinsmann is not going to bring an experimental roster down to Azteca. The only omissions i might see are Bradley, Edu, Boyd, Guzan, and Altidore, and the only new blood is going to be Chris Pontius, Danny Williams at CDM, and some random MLS GK as the back-up. I also doubt we'll see one of the May/June snubs in Ream, Lichaj, and Kljestan. Dempsey and Bocanegra are both likely to go given that both don't really even have a club right now and Klinsmann will not only want the reinforcements but to show them off also. And if Chandler wants to go then he is going to go. Note that i think it is a mistake to bring Cameron, but all signs point to him going. Starting XI: -----------------------Gomez------------------------ ------------Dempsey----------Donovan------------ -----------------Torres------Jones------------------ ------------------------Williams---------------------- Johnson--------------------------------------Cherundolo ---------------Bocanegra----Cameron--------------- -------------------------Howard----------------------- Bench: Kennedy, Goodson, Chandler, Beckerman, Corona, Pontius, Wondolowski -
18 man roster only, since this is a 1-off friendly, not an extended training camp with multiple games. Klinsmann's Starting XI: ---------------------Gomez-------------------- Donovan----------------------------Williams ----------------Torres----Jones-------------- ----------------------Edu---------------------- Johnson--------------------------Cherundolo ---------------Boca-----Goodson------------- ---------------------Howard------------------- Klinsmann's 7 Subs: Rimando, Chandler, Ream, Beckerman, Zusi, Pontius, Wondolowski Bradley, Cameron and Boyd skip due to new clubs. Dempsey skips due to potential transfer. Onyewu skips due to unsettled club starting spot. Guzan not called because not needed (long flight for purely bench time). Altidore skips due to pressure from club. ******************************************** My Starting XI: ---------------------Altidore-------------------- Donovan-------------------------------Gomez ----------------Torres----Jones-------------- --------------------Williams--------------------- Johnson----------------------------Chandler ---------------Ream----Goodson------------- ---------------------Guzan------------------- My 7 Subs: Rimando, Lichaj, Gonzalez, Edu, Beasley, Pontius, Wondolowski Bradley, Cameron and Boyd skip due to new clubs. Dempsey skips due to potential transfer. Onyewu skips due to unsettled club starting spot. Howard not called because it's long overdue to let Guzan get some game time. Screw Altidore's pressure from club; he's our #1 striker and he didn't play much in May/June. I want to see Williams at his best position for a change. Time to test some new defenders (but not 100% new) and Boca and Cherundolo are totally known quantities. Lichaj and Pontius play final 45 minutes. Yeah, it's a bit soon for Gonzo, but I'd give him a token 15 minutes at the end subbing for Goodson.