I, for one, still rate Boca as our current best center back. Unlike Cherundolo, he doesn't have three young bucks starting in top leagues breathing down his throat.
He could have more than three soon: Cameron, Ream, Hines, Gonzalez, John, Whitbread, Parkhurst (okay I'm reaching) I think the smart move post 2011 Gold Cup would have been to assume that both Cherundolo and Bocanegra would be out of the picture by 2014 and find their replacements. If it turns out one or both are still good enough to start or even just play, excellent.
Age in and of itself means nothing. The concern with older players is the gradual loss of their physical ability. So put aside age and ask if Cherundolo ad Bocanegra are physically keeping up with the game around them? Sure seems like it to me. I'd take Boca's physical ability over Goodson's in a heartbeat. And Cherundolo keeps quietly going about his business. No harm in grooming their successors, too, but let's be careful to write off guys because of a number.
Cherundolo didn't have a particular good season last season. Especially in the Europaleague there were some games were he made some bad mistakes. Though he was struggling with an injury he picked up with the USMNT before the season, if I remember correctly. Hannover have also finally sold Adil Chihi and gotten in an exciting 22 year old Japanese right back, Hiroki Sakai. Of course Sakai is not just going to replace Cherundolo now and they'll have to see how he adapts to Germany, etc, but I do think Hannover are preparing for life after Steve.
IMHO, Boca could lose his starting spot and still be valuable as a backup. He's going to Brazil. Steve on the other hand will likely go from the starting lineup to the outside looking in. Lichaj, and his ability to play both outside back positions, is a much more valuable bench player
In that case, Lichaj & F. Johnson are on the team. Who else? Chandler, if he decides to play for the US. After that, who is better than Cherundolo? Castillo? I'd rather Cherundolo, unless another young guy steps forward by then (assuming Cherundolo doesn't completely lose it, suddenly).
Saw H.Sakai vs Mexico and the kid as tough as nails with a good set of wheels. I think DOLO's days as a starter are numbered.
Possibly, but he hasn't even really begun to create much of a professional resume. Klinsmann seems to like him as a young prospect, but he hasn't capped him yet. Morales still has a ton of work to do.
He is expected to be the starting RB for Hertha BSC this season and with Parkhurst and Spector injured I see him getting called in next month.
Maybe it's just me, but Cherundolo looks like he's been having his hands full when he faces pace. Not totally overmatched, but it's taking everything he's got. My feeling is that he's still fit to start, but that his days truly are numbered.
Let's hope Lichaj can lock down a starting spot at AV, as I am not even considering Chandler for a damn thing until he's officially tied to us.
Uh, no s***. Given he's played friendlies for us and then resisted playing in official matches on two separate occasions, I'll wait until he is playing in an official match before I consider him a contributor to our program going forward. If you'd rather get your hopes up again, go for it. But, all you have is blind hope at this point. Have fun with that.
He hasn't told the German media that he wants to to wait for a callup to play for Germany and said last month that everything is good with him and Jurgen so it isn't blind hope, but I understand that you wont believe it until he plays in a WCQ game that will finally cap tie him.
I hope he doesn't show because when he's cap tied we'll never get rid of him and much better fb's will appear but we'll never know because of all the silly hype about a middling fb which means the others will not get a chance. Poor Donovan having to play with this mule.
What's with your inane bias against Chandler? I can understand someone being upset that he snubbed a call-up, but to think he's not one of the most talented prospects in the American pool is asinine. He's a 22 year-old in the Bundesliga playing at a position in which the USMNT is thin.