Roster of 18 for Canada

[rollo]

Well, we've all seen the reports and the predictions of the blue team being the starters (http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=290664&page=2). This thread has some discussion of the players on each squad (http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=290617&page=2).
from Shadrach
Blue: Hartman, Pearce, Pope, Ugo, Hedjuk, Olsen, Clint, Donovan, Ching, EJ, Rolfe
Red: Conrad, Boswell, Dunivant, Carroll (sp?), Klein, Santino, Noonan, Adu, Twellman, Wolff

Now for some fun and testing of your USMNT acumen and ability to predict the mind of BA. Who do you think will start against Canada?

I like the blue team with a tweak. Here is the team I would like to see start and would predict to be close to BA's version. Differences may be Ching with EJ (a la blue team with Rolfe on the right, but I think Ching has been sucking so):
EJ Rolfe
Donovan
Dempsey Klein
Olsen
Heath Pope Ugo Hedjuk
Goalie #x

[rollo]

My team is based on the following impressions:
I have been so far impressed with Rolfe over any forward since EJ. I think Wolf is still an excellent player but I favor Rolfe for future potential (all esle being equal right now). I would like to see EJ and Rolfe playing together. Both can shield and win the ball with their back to the goal and both have the explosive steps and quick shots. Noone replaces McBride, but EJ is pretty good header and Rolfe is really excellent for a short guy.

Donovan needs to explaining. Klein has been close to being a regular on this team for a while and injuries have slowed his progress with the USMNT. If Klein can show his best then he can be a very useful player especially on the right wing where we are really short of prospects. Klein also has a great outside shot and defends and attacks well out wide. I think Olsen may have a shot at defensive mid with injuries to Mastroeni, Armas, and JOB. I do not rank anyone else better than him at this position right now for us.

Pope in form is a great thing and a very useful player for Germany (if not a starter then definitely on the roster). I do not have much of a cas for Ugo but then again not for any of the other center backs on the roster. Heath seems an exciting prospect and would love to seem him take over the left back postition and give Arena some hard choices. Frankie really has earned a start with this group and is in there for consistency. We know what Frankie can and cannot do and he shows up well for big games.

[Galaxian]

I think the blue team is close to possibly being the starting line up, but I have made some changes ( it doesnt matter im not BA ) I think Hartman or Reis could start , they are both very good IMO , and I really dont care who gets the nod. I like the blue team back line, and I am surprised Ugo is in a position for a starting role , because he is very young , but a great player . For CDM , I like Carrol over Olsen , just my opinion . Out wide will either be Tino and Adu ( if BA wants to just throw him out there for a try ) . Donovan playing offensive midfielder. Up top , Rolfe and Ej ( i ahve already voiced my opinions on Ching plenty of times) . I love the way Rolfe plays, exciting and has great skill . For EJ, i hope he can get back to where he was a little while ago for next summer .

[pwip]

I hate to think in these terms but who is the one person we can not have injured before the WC? Donavan. he needs to sit. He has nothing to prove. I'm not one of those persons trying to shoe horn Adu into thelineup but there isn't any left footed LM in this camp. I see a chance Pearce or Adu starting there.

[Walter3000]

I hate to think in these terms but who is the one person we can not have injured before the WC? Donavan. he needs to sit. He has nothing to prove. I'm not one of those persons trying to shoe horn Adu into thelineup but there isn't any left footed LM in this camp. I see a chance Pearce or Adu starting there.

Players shouldnt sit in fear of injruies, he needs to be out there, playing, staying sharp. Injries will happen, no use being cowardly about them.

[Yankee_Devil]

I still dont get why Ching still in there.

[swedust]

Here's why I think Donovan will play 90 or almost that much, and I'll set it up by a question: who among Euros appears most likely to miss time or miss the tournament entirely? Right: JOB and Reyna.

These friendlies will be crucial to seeing if a midfield combo (no one-to-one substitutes being available) from this camp is capable of lining up in Germany. Key to that will be if that combo can consistently find Donovan in his AM role. So I think that will be a major focus in these friendlies, even though one of those roles might go to Convey if both Reyna and JOB can't go.

[NBlue]

I'm not sure whether BA will use his choice "A" line-up in this match but instead may use it to take a look at some of the "B" players before the bigger matches against Norway, Japan and Korea. I doubt he'll have very many players start all 4 matches four weeks in a row. Thus, if we are thinking he will start and "A" or close to "A" line-up this week, I would guess we'd probably be looking at the following:

----------Pick a Keeper-----------
Hejduk----Pope-----Conrad---Pearce
Dempsey--Olsen--Donovan----Noonan
------EJ-----------------Wolff-------

Subs:
Klein
Dunivant
Twellman
Rolfe
Adu
Quaranta
Keeper #2

I would expect very liberal substitutions in this match and, if Donovan were to play, I seriously doubt he will go more than 60 minutes, if that. I think it may be more likely that this match is treated like the Cuba Gold Cup match where we start our "B" team and let them run around a bit and then bring some of the more veteran players in around the 60-70 minute mark or so . . .

[dabes2]

I love Chris Rolfe, but I think maybe folks are misreading the camp.

He did play with blue in the scrimage, but he only played the second half. So, I was inferring that he is currently 5th on the pecking order of strikers (e.g. top 4 started the scrimage).

I expect EJ and Twellman to start vs. Canada. I think it may take Rolfe until the second match to get some field time.

[pwip]

I'm not sure whether BA will use his choice "A" line-up in this match but instead may use it to take a look at some of the "B" players before the bigger matches against Norway, Japan and Korea. I doubt he'll have very many players start all 4 matches four weeks in a row. Thus, if we are thinking he will start and "A" or close to "A" line-up this week, I would guess we'd probably be looking at the following:

----------Pick a Keeper-----------
Hejduk----Pope-----Conrad---Pearce
Dempsey--Olsen--Donovan----Noonan
------EJ-----------------Wolff-------

Subs:
Klein
Dunivant
Twellman
Rolfe
Adu
Quaranta
Keeper #2

I would expect very liberal substitutions in this match and, if Donovan were to play, I seriously doubt he will go more than 60 minutes, if that. I think it may be more likely that this match is treated like the Cuba Gold Cup match where we start our "B" team and let them run around a bit and then bring some of the more veteran players in around the 60-70 minute mark or so . . .

It will be interesting. Whether BA will reward the players who are having a good camp versus identifying specific combination he wants to see.

[Dammit!]

I think Bruce will go AYSO and sub the entire "A" team for the entire "B" team at half-time. Can you do that in a friendly?

[NBlue]

I think Bruce will go AYSO and sub the entire "A" team for the entire "B" team at half-time. Can you do that in a friendly?

I'm not certain of the number of subs that will be allowed for this game but, regardless, that is not BA's typical mo. He likes to give players a chance to play good minutes with each other and rarely substitutes at halftime. I think most of the starters will play at least to the 60 minute mark.

[FirstStar]

I think Bruce will go AYSO and sub the entire "A" team for the entire "B" team at half-time. Can you do that in a friendly?

Number of subs is agreed to by the teams prior to the match. It is possible, therefore, to have 11 subs. I doubt it, though.

[mikeivan]

Are we limited to 18 players? What is the limit on subs? Man, I would like to watch this game. I just ordered my tickets for Guatemala on Feb 19.

[E Diddy]

When will this be announced? I'm at work and a bit distracted- sorry if I've overlooked this.

E

[CCTX SoccerFreak]

----------Pick a Keeper-----------
Hejduk----Pope-----Conrad---Pearce
Dempsey--Olsen--Donovan----Noonan
------EJ-----------------Wolff-------

Subs:
Klein
Dunivant
Twellman
Rolfe
Adu
Quaranta
Keeper #2

I would expect very liberal substitutions in this match and, if Donovan were to play, I seriously doubt he will go more than 60 minutes, if that. I think it may be more likely that this match is treated like the Cuba Gold Cup match where we start our "B" team and let them run around a bit and then bring some of the more veteran players in around the 60-70 minute mark or so . . .

I agree with this line up it looks like something BA would pick against Canada IMO at least. Keeper will be Hartman.

[Bluecat82]

When will this be announced? I'm at work and a bit distracted- sorry if I've overlooked this.

E

Agreed....do we have an actual roster from The Bruce yet or are we still in the realm of "well, these 18 guys are still standing...let's pick them!" speculation...

[Rocket]

Agreed....do we have an actual roster from The Bruce yet or are we still in the realm of "well, these 18 guys are still standing...let's pick them!" speculation...
Looks like we'll have to wait until the last minute to see who makes the cut.

From ussoccer.com:

U.S. Manager Bruce Arena has decided to keep the entire 27-man roster in camp until the team's scheduled three-day break at the end of the month. The full group will travel to San Diego this Saturday, where the final 18-man roster for the Canada match will be determined. The U.S. will return to Los Angeles immediately following the match.

http://www.ussoccer.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=296016&itype=113&iCategoryID=0

[russ]

Number of subs is agreed to by the teams prior to the match. It is possible, therefore, to have 11 subs. I doubt it, though.

Thanks to SGE and his sub pattern in friendlies,I believe six subs is the maximum now.

[robchap628]

I love Chris Rolfe, but I think maybe folks are misreading the camp.

He did play with blue in the scrimage, but he only played the second half. So, I was inferring that he is currently 5th on the pecking order of strikers (e.g. top 4 started the scrimage).

I expect EJ and Twellman to start vs. Canada. I think it may take Rolfe until the second match to get some field time.

ditto on EJ and Twellman up front. I don't expect Rolfe to be starting unless EJ is out in which case Arena might start Rolfe next to Twellman to add some speed to the lineup. I think Arena plans to bring Rolfe on at around '60+ minutes into the match to see if he can use his speed and change the game. If Rolfe does make it to germany thats most likely going to be his role there,