Current US Nats Depth Chart

[B9milan]

Now, about one month from the first World Cup Qualifier, what do you think is Bruce's position by position depth chart? I don't think the Poland friendly will change much, just curious to see where everyone thinks each position stands in Bruce's mind...

[Sachsen]

I think the key to your post was in the phrase "in Bruce's mind." Not in what WE think the depth chart ought to look like, but what Bruce thinks it is. Makes this a little more interesting of an exercise.

Striker:
McBride, Wolff, Casey, Kirovski, Twellman
A-Mid/Forward:
Donovan, Mathis
Left mid:
Beasley, Lewis
Right mid:
Donovan, Klein, Gaven
D-Mids:
Reyna, O'Brien, Armas, Mastroeni, Zavagnin
LB:
Vanney, Convey
CB:
Pope, Bocanegra, Gibbs, Sanneh, Berhalter
RB:
Cherundolo, Hejduk, Albright
GK:
Friedel, Keller, Howard, Walker


There are obviously a lot more players in the pool, but I tried to list only those who might reasonably expect to be playing in qualifiers. Did I miss anyone? I don't think we'll see any more of Ching or Mullen this year. Also, some of these overlap, for instance, Sanneh could be center back, right back, or d-mid; Mastroeni could be d-mid or center back; Boca could be on the left, etc.

Incidentally, there was another thread about O'Brien that said he has already been training for Ajax's preseason and was feeling much more healthy. I bet we see him in some qualifiers this fall after he gets his fitness back.

[B9milan]

Exactly, the real key is what Bruce thinks...not us.

[fillmorejive]

Sachsen, I think you pretty much hit it. I might add Stewart to the A-mid/F or the R-mid position, as it looks like Bruce still considers him in the pool. Laying it out like this really shows how we have grown some depth at a few positions, namely CB, GK, and D-mid.

[turbostevo]

I'd like to see John O'Brien play some more. I thought he did great in the World Cup, but haven't seen much of him since.

I believe he did something to his achillies. When did he last play for the MNT? Have i just had my head up my rear and missed him? :)

[Carson Galaxy]

I'd like to see John O'Brien play some more. I thought he did great in the World Cup, but haven't seen much of him since.

I believe he did something to his achillies. When did he last play for the MNT? Have i just had my head up my rear and missed him? :)

1 match after '02 WC

90 minutes vs. Venezuela in March '03.

[Richie]

We have more new National players possibilities that may be added to the team in time for 2006 then we ever had before. We are moving into a new era for football in this country.

It is an amazing time for us and check out the speed that we have now.

Wait we will have 2 or 3 more possibilties before 2006. Personally I think Adu will come into his own next season, and he will make 2006 which means even more speed.

I am really looking forward to 2010 I believe our player pool will be hugh by that time.

[BannedInDC]

If Olsen continues in his comeback progress I would love to see him make the tail end of the roster. He could take over for the too old by '06 Stewart's utility, ultimate flexibility, role.

Zavagnin? I see you are from KC, or thereabouts, so it's undertandable (just like my Olsen comment) but come on man 4 d-mids.

[voros]

If Olsen continues in his comeback progress
I dunno, I saw Olsen get outrun by Chris Klein last week, and for the most part that's been the knock on Klein internationally: too slow. Olsen's been okay in MLS this year, Klein's been great, so I think there's a ways to go on Ben. If indeed the injuries have permanently robbed him of what once was an asset (his speed), he might not have much of an international future. The quality of young player the US is producing is really starting to impress (Gaven, Dempsey, etc.). Even Ben's young teammate Josh Gros may become a problem for Ben re-establishing his Nats career.

Unfortunately he may be stuck in a situation where he has to swallow the tough pill that injuries wrecked his potential Nats career. Unfair? Yeah, but it happens sometimes. Might be happening with Josh Wolff too who appears to have lost a step.

[szazzy]

If Olsen continues in his comeback progress I would love to see him make the tail end of the roster. He could take over for the too old by '06 Stewart's utility, ultimate flexibility, role.

Zavagnin? I see you are from KC, or thereabouts, so it's undertandable (just like my Olsen comment) but come on man 4 d-mids.
Umm, I don't even think it's close. Zavagnin has seen a ton of time this year unlike Olsen. The question was who is on Arena's mind for the next month. Considering Zavagnin played against Poland on Sunday and has 4 caps already this year I believe, that seems to be an easy one to put him on the list. He probably won't make an impact in 06, but he's got a much better shot of making an impact next month than Olsen does.

[BannedInDC]

I was definately being sentimental bout Benny. It's such a shame that his injuries have had such an impact

One of the things i have always loved bout Arena is his loyalty and desire to reward deserving players with a call up, ie: Zavagnin. See Earnie getting to 100 caps and Convey's automatic starting spot to help him get a work permit. It is all speculation to talk about who is on Arena's mind, when much of what he is doing now vis a vis call ups, esp. for friendlies, is for non WC purposes.

Zavagnin may make the squad for qualifying, though i seriously doubt it, but he will not play against the better teams.

[cleat/less]

the depth chart listed above seems to be spot on.

the question becomes, whose next to make the biggest impact? gaven? he'd be my guess, but dempsey, playing all kinds of postions for the revolution and scoring goals seems a sure bet to get a look.

[cleat/less]

[QUOTE=sachsen]I think the key to your post was in the phrase "in Bruce's mind." Not in what WE think the depth chart ought to look like, but what Bruce thinks it is. Makes this a little more interesting of an exercise.

Striker:
McBride, Wolff, Casey, Kirovski, Twellman
A-Mid/Forward:
Donovan, Mathis
Left mid:
Beasley, Lewis
Right mid:
Donovan, Klein, Gaven
D-Mids:
Reyna, O'Brien, Armas, Mastroeni, Zavagnin
LB:
Vanney, Convey
CB:
Pope, Bocanegra, Gibbs, Sanneh, Berhalter
RB:
Cherundolo, Hejduk, Albright
GK:
Friedel, Keller, Howard, Walker

next question, assuming we make it to germany, how many of the above guys won't be there due to age? I'm not sure of exact age, but mcbride, reyna, armas, pope, sanneh, berhalter, friedel, & keller should all be pushing "past their prime" age.

I wonder which of these guys will get the call and show their age (sorry mr. agoos)?