Tests in Polish and German

[Maximum Optimal]

For some players whose roles are very secure (Donovan, McBride, Keller, Cherundolo), the Poland and Germany friendlies do not mean very much. But for others, even some very likely to be on the WC squad, they will matter a lot because for one reason or another there is a lot of uncertainty about those players roles. Those friendlies will answer a lot of questions about these players:

Zavagnin: Because of all the injuries to other defensive mids, he could well start against Poland. His showing there will tell a lot about how viable an option he is against a strong team.
Berhalter: Probably will be saved for the Germany game because the other European based central defenders will get their chance against Poland. His strengths are well suited to defending against a physical team like Germany. A poor game in such a role would raise questions about what exactly he brings other than veteran leadership.
Gooch and Boca: Will probably get a chance to stake an early claim to be the starting CDs in the Poland match.
Lewis: Ditto but at left back.
Convey and Dempsey: The two guys most likely to be called upon in the WC to fill any void left by Reyna and O'Brien if they can't go. We will get an early indication of how well they can fill those shoes.
Johnson: Was he a flash in the pan or the real deal? By March, he should have much of the rust scraped off and we'll see what kind of damage he can do against top notch defenders.

[Zeppelin]

Will the MLS players be in the Poland's game ? if they will, there will be a lot of possibilities on who will be on the starting line-up, oculd be combination of both or majority european-based players combined with few MLS players.

[braun]

Will the MLS players be in the Poland's game ? if they will, there will be a lot of possibilities on who will be on the starting line-up, oculd be combination of both or majority european-based players combined with few MLS players.

Keller
Dolo
Gooch
Boca
Lewis
Zavagnin
Donovan
Convey
DMB
McBride
Johnson, Wolff, or Twellman

That's the starting XI vs Poland. That is the squad that is most likely to win after no real practice together. Reyna and JOB not being available makes of Donovan, a #10. The premise is the best XI on the field.

The Bruce will not be experimenting much vs Poland after Guatemala, despite statements about MLS players coming. The squad named will attempt to simulate the game vs the Czechs with mostly YA's. The players that most likely start vs the Czechs.

[Roehl Sybing]

The Bruce will not be experimenting much vs Poland after Guatemala, despite statements about MLS players coming.
See, this is why I think no one should believe anything Bruce says. He gives a point in MLS' favor, people think it has to be ignored; he puts down MLS in favor of Europe, it's like the written gospel to everyone.

[TxFan]

these are big tests for eddie. he really has a chance to solidify the starting spot alongside mchead.

[midnightman]

Is it coincident or the US team really goes after those who beat them in previous WC? :rolleyes:

[tbgh]

People keep on putting Zavagnin in for this game, but I just don't see it. Bruce has a history of putting the best players on the field and changing the formation to fit them. I think it's much more likely we see Clint Dempsey or another midfielder and a box formation rather than a diamond with Zavagnin as the D-Mid.

Zavagnin has done well, but I just don't see him in our top five or six midfielders even with the injuries.

[BenC1357]

Will the MLS players be in the Poland's game ? if they will, there will be a lot of possibilities on who will be on the starting line-up, oculd be combination of both or majority european-based players combined with few MLS players.
I for one can confirm that someone in the Wizards organization told me that Conrad, Zavagnin, Wolff and Johnson will be in Germany for this game. Others (Donovan, Dempsey, Twellman, Ralston, Noonan, etc.) will probably be there too. Now as to what the lineup and official subs bench are is anyone's guess.

[Zeppelin]

Are they expected to stay through the Germany's friendly ? ..than Donovan should go, we can't play against Germany without him (since Reyna probably won't be ready)

[Maximum Optimal]

Interesting that Conrad is reported as being called in for the Poland game. Gooch, Boca, and Berhalter should be available for that game. Gibbs might be called in just to see where he is physically and in terms of sharpness. And Spector should get a callup. I would think Jonathan is at least as high in the pecking order as Dunivant and the Poland game could be the last chance for the Bruce to have a look at him. I guess Conrad is being included with the idea that some conclusions can be drawn by seeing him go head to head with some of the Euro-based players in practice.

[Dan B]

Are they expected to stay through the Germany's friendly ? ...Any Revolution or Galaxy players called for the Poland "friendly" will need to be back with their clubs for the second leg of the CCC.

The Revolution will be training in Costa Rica, so players from both teams are going to get quite a bit of air miles.

[Zeppelin]

Interesting that Conrad is reported as being called in for the Poland game. Gooch, Boca, and Berhalter should be available for that game. Gibbs might be called in just to see where he is physically and in terms of sharpness. And Spector should get a callup. I would think Jonathan is at least as high in the pecking order as Dunivant and the Poland game could be the last chance for the Bruce to have a look at him. I guess Conrad is being included with the idea that some conclusions can be drawn by seeing him go head to head with some of the Euro-based players in practice.

Conrad is surprisingly a good defender, i think Bruce knows that.