Germany and the Central Defenders

[Maximum Optimal]

The friendly with Germany is shaping up as very important for some of the central defenders hoping to make the team. In particular, I think both Berhalter and Conrad will be given a chance to play themselves on or off the team.

At the moment, I would say three central defenders--Gooch, Pope, Boca--are close to locks for making the team. This leaves Berhalter, Conrad and Gibbs competing for one or possibly two spots. Conrad has obviously impressed the Bruce in the friendlies earlier this year. Enough so that I think he will be given PT against Germany. This will be his one chance to answer the question of whether he is a genuine international defender or a player whose improvement is more an illusion caused by the weak opposition he's been played against. Berhalter is probably ahead of Conrad at the moment, but there are always questions about whether he is athletic enough to hang with international level forwards. A poor showing against Germany will probably cost him a roster spot.

I don't expect Corey Gibbs to be called in for the Germany match. But he has a lot riding on it too. Poor performances by Conrad and Berhalter would boost his chances. A strong performance by either might cost Gibbs a roster spot.

[NBlue]

Agreed -- my sense is that this will be the most important decision coming out of the Germany match. We have central backs who should get time -- Pope, Berhalter and Conrad and one of these, almost certainly, will not go to Germany. My guess is that Pope and Berhalter start and Conrad gets the second half for Berhalter but who knows how BA will elect to play it. Let's hope they make it a tough decision for him (and not because they all play like crap ;) )

[sidefootsitter]

I hope Cory's invited ... he'll have had 3-4 reserve matches by March, 22 and should be in a good enough shape. At this point, the starting 11 is more important than the bench and Cory was a strong candidate to be a starter even before a less-than-stellar streak for Carlos Bocanegra at Fulham.

[FirstStar]

Not too sure I agree. I think it's possible that Gibbs could play Boca off the roster, although he's not going to do that playing for ADO's reserve side. Also, I think Pope's spot on the roster ought to bedependent on his excellent form continuing through all of the MLS matches he plays prior to the WC. I'm not sure Bruce agrees and may have already inked Pope in due to his experience. I won't cry over that-- Pope has physical skills that far exceed anything Agoos ever had so I don't see Pope pulling an Agoos, but I do think that there's an aweful lot of talent in our CB pool and only Gooch should feel safe right now.

[Rob Base]

I seem to remember reading that Gibbs played outside back in one of the recent reserve matches he was in for ADO. In my mind, versatility is one of the things that could get a guy onto the roster this late in the cycle. That said, Cory is in desperate need of some first team minutes.

[The Perfesser]

I'm still not sold on either Boca or Berhalter and would rather seen Gooch, Pope and/or Gibbs in the central positions.

I've seen Boca get smoked too much for Fulham as well as making bad decisions. Sure he can get forward and be dangerous but I can't see him really staying with Baros, Koller, Totti or Toni without hacking them, getting cards and giving up freekicks around the 18.

Berhalter has size and can cover big men pretty well, but he's even slower than Boca. Remember he's in the 2. Bundesliga, so he's not facing the really dangerous forwards the way that, say, Dolo is.

Finally, neither one of them is very good with the ball at their feet, as Gooch, Pope and Gibbs seem much more comfortable dribbling out of trouble.

[marmand]

The friendly with Germany is shaping up as very important for some of the central defenders hoping to make the team. In particular, I think both Berhalter and Conrad will be given a chance to play themselves on or off the team.

At the moment, I would say three central defenders--Gooch, Pope, Boca--are close to locks for making the team. This leaves Berhalter, Conrad and Gibbs competing for one or possibly two spots. Conrad has obviously impressed the Bruce in the friendlies earlier this year. Enough so that I think he will be given PT against Germany. This will be his one chance to answer the question of whether he is a genuine international defender or a player whose improvement is more an illusion caused by the weak opposition he's been played against. Berhalter is probably ahead of Conrad at the moment, but there are always questions about whether he is athletic enough to hang with international level forwards. A poor showing against Germany will probably cost him a roster spot.

I don't expect Corey Gibbs to be called in for the Germany match. But he has a lot riding on it too. Poor performances by Conrad and Berhalter would boost his chances. A strong performance by either might cost Gibbs a roster spot.

I think it's a little bit too late for Conrad, although I really like him. I see him as an alternate if someone goes down. He might not make it even if he plays well against Germany. I don' t think the Germany game means anything for the likes of Gibbs, Pope and Gooch. These three are going to Germany if they are healthy & fit to play because they are simply superior defenders.

Bruce is simply not going to decide based on a 90 minutes game. Bruce is very loyal and will not leave Berhalter home. Boca is going because of his versatily & is actually the one CB playing in a Big Europe League.

Here is what I think is going to happen in June.

Gooch is a lock to start.
Pope is not going to Germany to be a bench player. The only thing that would stop him from going if he hurts himself with Real salt Lake. Otherwise, he is starter.
Gibbs will start a game or two because of yellow cards and suspension. Remember we will be playing the Italy, Czeck Reb. & Ghana not Poland. I would not be surprised to see him on the left side (he will definitely play against ghana)

Berhalter will never leave the bench.
Boca won't play either.

I would not be surprised to see Frankie Hejduk play either on the right or left side. I am not sure if Eddie Lewis will be effective.

[Arcticrules]

I am not sure if Eddie Lewis will be effective.

Didn't he just save two points in his last game by scoring the game tying goal? Plus, in the Palace game he was in the mix of several opportunities. This is for a team that is having a dominating season in the Championship league and is on the verge of promotion. Not to mention that he had a strong showing at the Poland match. Do you really think Hejduk would replace him?

[galileo]

Bruce loves Frankie. Frankie is there. In my opinion, he shouldn't play but whatever. Cherondulo should slot in at right back. CB Gooch and Pope end of discussion (unless injury occurs). Boca will go. Gibbs, Lewis and Conrad one of these three will join them. Berhalter has no business being in that mix! He is positionally poor. hey, whatever happen to Tony Sanneh?

[scaryice]

I would expect Berhalter and Pope to start against Germany.

[Sachsen]

hey, whatever happen to Tony Sanneh?

The Big Cat got declawed.

[drace768]

Bruce loves Frankie. Frankie is there. In my opinion, he shouldn't play but whatever. Cherondulo should slot in at right back. CB Gooch and Pope end of discussion (unless injury occurs). Boca will go. Gibbs, Lewis and Conrad one of these three will join them. Berhalter has no business being in that mix! He is positionally poor. hey, whatever happen to Tony Sanneh?
I'm sorry to be this negative, but if you are asking, "whatever happened to Tony Sanneh?" Then you are a little out of touch on the USMNT. If anything, Berhalter's positional play, size and strength are his strengths. Berhalter's speed and athleticism are his greatest concerns. Lewis is just as much of a lock as Frankie, especially after a deserved MOTM performance at LB against Poland. Boca, Gibbs, Conrad and Berhalter are fighting for the two remaining CB spots, although I could see Boca being brought as a LB with along with Lewis, which give Arena some more flexibiltiy on choices. It would just mean the team would not have true LB on the roster.

[sidefootsitter]

The Big Cat got declawed. And neutered ... I saw the ceremony on TV (US-Cuba) ... it wasnt pretty.

[balatonsurfer]

After my 2 starter locks, and first central defender sub, I would take only defenders that can play anywhere in the back. So after 3 solid central defenders, I take all subsequent defenders that can play anywhere in the back. Having a 4th or 5th deep player that can only play ONE position doesn't make sense to me. I'd rather fill that extra spot with a 5th striker.

[USA4Life]

My picks for the back players.
Cherundolo ---Onyewu---Conrad---Lewis
Hejduk--------Pope----Berhalter---Albright

Bocanegra and Gibbs get left behind.
Not everyone gets to dance......

It seems to me that Conrad is bigger and more agile than Bocanegra.
Conrad seems to be faster than Berhalter and about the same height. Berhalter may be an inch taller.
Conrad seems to be the most durable which is a big factor in a tournament.

Why not see what Conrad can do in a tough match versus Germany?
I would pair Conrad and Pope and see how they do.

Albright should also be given a look at left back. He has the speed, size and strength to play outside back. Bocanegra is too slow to play out there.

[russ]

Didn't he just save two points in his last game by scoring the game tying goal? Plus, in the Palace game he was in the mix of several opportunities. This is for a team that is having a dominating season in the Championship league and is on the verge of promotion. Not to mention that he had a strong showing at the Poland match. Do you really think Hejduk would replace him?
Remember Lewis plays in midfiels for Leeds.He is a consumate professional there.

Lewis in defense is still an unknown quality.It's a legitimate concern IMO.

[marmand]

Remember Lewis plays in midfiels for Leeds.He is a consumate professional there.

Lewis in defense is still an unknown quality.It's a legitimate concern IMO.

my point exactly. Lewis is a great offensive player, but remember that we will be playing Italy, Ghana and Czech Rep., we basically need someone to defend there. I just wish we would play friendlies with the likes of England, France and Holland. Just curious to see how he would defend Robben or wright Phillips? Just a thought......

[swedust]

I think people under-rate Berhalter's value as on-field tactician. Czechia and Italy will bring very sophisticated offensive linking to the table; athleticism alone will not be enough.

I'm not saying Captain Cottbus doesn't still have to earn his place, but to me Gibbs is a bigger threat to Boca than to Berhalter. And I'm not taking my money off Conrad yet, either.

[marmand]

I think people under-rate Berhalter's value as on-field tactician. Czechia and Italy will bring very sophisticated offensive linking to the table; athleticism alone will not be enough.

I'm not saying Captain Cottbus doesn't still have to earn his place, but to me Gibbs is a bigger threat to Boca than to Berhalter. And I'm not taking my money off Conrad yet, either.

That's why most people believe that Pope & Gooch is by far the best combination if you want combine athleticism, skills and experience. Obviously, everything depends on Pope being 100 % fit and healthy. Berhalter only focuses on defense and will rarely join the offense, therefore his positioning is going to be good. At the end of the day, there is not going to be a spot for him if everyone else is healthy. With other options, I don' t think Conrad will see any action.

[Adam Zebrowski]

the most athletic pairing is gibbs and onyewu...

a young pope would give gibbs a run...

as to who goes, I assume there are 4....

onyewu is a lock
gibbs is playing now, and continued health would give him a solid edge...

i think bocanegra, because he can double as a big left back goes...

pope and berhalter fight till june 9, or whatever the real last date is, for the final slot...

i think the group of 4 will be the best usa has ever sent...

if we get theb gibbs who exceled against RVN and the onyewu who manhandled borghetti, that's the best of all worlds...

if berhalter or pope or bocanegra play, these will be solid guys who give usa a shot to win