Forgotten USMNT Players for WCQ???

[galaxyfan03]

Just thought it might be interesting to see what US fans think of players who might not be included in WCQ and, whether or not, they should be given a look. I got the names from the US Player Pool, listed on the website. Some names are familiar & some are included based on their present club form:

Wade Barrett/LB (Denmark)
Edson Buddle/F (Columbus Crew)
Dan Califf/CB (LA Galaxy)
Brian Ching/F (San Jose Earthquakes)
Ricardo Clark/DM (NY/NJ Metrostars)
Jim Curtin/CB (Chicago Fire)
Jeff Cunningham/F (Columbus Crew)
Brad Davis/M (Dallas Burn)
Clint Dempsey/M (NE Revolution)
Alecko Eskandarin/F (DC United)
Nick Garcia/RB (Kansas City Wizards)
Eddie Gaven/RM (NY/NJ Metrostars)
Chris Klein/M (Kansas City Wizards)
Ritchie Kotschau/D (Colorado Rapids)
Mark Lisi/M (NY/NJ Metrostars)
Justin Mapp/M (Chicago Fire)
Kyle Martino/M (Columbus Crew)
Brian Mullan/M (San Jose Earthquakes)
Richard Mulrooney/M (San Jose Earthquakes)
Pat Noonan/F (NE Revolution)
Ben Olsen/M (DC United)
Steve Ralston/M (NE Revolution)
Ante Razov/F (Chicago Fire)
Robbie Russell/D (Norway)
John Wolyniec/F (NY/NJ Metrostars)

It's quite a large list and I didn't even include EVERY player on the pool. I also left out John O'Brien because we ALL know about him & if he's healthy, he'll be included. Unfortunately, that's a BIG if. If I left anybody off, please list them.

Thoughts??

[kylesoccer]

will califf be healthy in time?

[appoo]

can you be forgotten when you've never been involved with the senior team? Maybe we need a thread for all those who have never been "gotten" :)

[JoeSoccerFan]

can you be forgotten when you've never been involved with the senior team? Maybe we need a thread for all those who have never been "gotten" :)

Such as Chad Marshall? ;)

Appoo - I've got to admit that you have the best stable of avatars!

[galaxyfan03]

will califf be healthy in time?

Don't think so but I included him since, if he WAS healthy, he would considered an "on the fence" player IMO. I believe Califf to be a solid CB but, with the depth at central defense, there may be no place for him in this WCQ cycle.

As far as the title of the thread, you have a very good point, appooOnU. Guess I didn't really think that way when I posted it. I meant it to be players who, regardless of age or experience, don't appear to be on Coach Arena's "radar." At least, not for now. But as we saw in the 2002 WCQ cycle, whoever plays NOW doesn't mean that they WILL be in Germany. Just like players who aren't being considered NOW won't be in Germany, perhaps even starting.

[appoo]

Such as Chad Marshall? ;)

Appoo - I've got to admit that you have the best stable of avatars!
of course!! :)

haha. Nah I don't think Chad will have much of an impact. Why? Cory Gibbs, Eddie Pope, Carlos Bocanegra, Gregg Berhalter, Tony Sanneh, and Pablo Mastroeni. Thats alot of depth. If we have a string of injuries I think we'll see him, but its not neccasary otherwise. I'd prefer stable experience over young, explosive talent at this position. too many bad things can go wrong with a mistake here


And you should see who else I have in the bullpen!

[appoo]

As far as the title of the thread, you have a very good point, appooOnU. Guess I didn't really think that way when I posted it. I meant it to be players who, regardless of age or experience, don't appear to be on Coach Arena's "radar." At least, not for now. But as we saw in the 2002 WCQ cycle, whoever plays NOW doesn't mean that they WILL be in Germany. Just like players who aren't being considered NOW won't be in Germany, perhaps even starting.
Yea I knew what you were talking about, I was just being stupid with a failed attempt at humor. Sorry about that.

And looking over you're list I don't think you missed anyone outside of the young guns looking to break through with their respective first teams in Europe. I was actually just going to point out Robbie Russel who just transfered to FC Rosenborg, a pereniell Champion's League club, but see that you got him to. I will point out that Ching has been called up for the Poland match so he may not belong on the list anymore. Another name to add would be Eddie Johnson. But he may not count either. He would have been on the roster but got injured while in training. Oh, and Brian Mullan has also been called in

the players I'm really looking forward to seeing with the Senior side:

Alecko Eskandarian
Justin Mapp

[prk166]

You forgot to list Kenny Arena. :)

[Unorthodox Yank]

Ritchie Kotschau?




Really?

[lmorin]

Brian Ching and Eddie Gaven forgotten? Both are on my copy of the US roster called for Poland on July 11.

[galaxyfan03]

Brian Ching and Eddie Gaven forgotten? Both are on my copy of the US roster called for Poland on July 11.

I guess I mistitled my thread. I didn't mean to say that ALL these players are "forgotten. I just meant that they're players who might or might not be included in Arena's WCQ plans. And in that frame of nmind, I wonder what BS people think of their chances to be called up for WCQs & whether they have "earned" a shot.

In Ching's & Gaven's cases, I think Ching deserves a shot but he's doing well in MLS & we're a bit thin at forward. In Gaven's case, he's been tearing it up for the Metros & he plays a position (RM) that we're SORELY lacking depth in.

However, he is ONLY 17 yrs old & he hasn't been capped yet. Perhaps we'll see Gaven in Germany but I'm not sure how fast Arena wants to rush him.

[Delta Blues]

I guess I mistitled my thread. I didn't mean to say that ALL these players are "forgotten. I just meant that they're players who might or might not be included in Arena's WCQ plans. And in that frame of nmind, I wonder what BS people think of their chances to be called up for WCQs & whether they have "earned" a shot.

In Ching's & Gaven's cases, I think Ching deserves a shot but he's doing well in MLS & we're a bit thin at forward. In Gaven's case, he's been tearing it up for the Metros & he plays a position (RM) that we're SORELY lacking depth in.

However, he is ONLY 17 yrs old & he hasn't been capped yet. Perhaps we'll see Gaven in Germany but I'm not sure how fast Arena wants to rush him.

Good points. I think Ching and Casey are neck and neck. Conor's injury isn't doing him any favors. Ching has fantastic touch and vision, better than Casey, who may be more physical. I think Ching is simply a better player right now.

Gaven would be a nice development if he continues to improve. He'll likely fill out and probably have a stouter frame by 2006. If his skills also grow he could certainly be our right side answer.

DB