who are the 3 over-aged players you would choose for the Olympic team?

[klins]

i would choose

1- Chris Armas, he has done so much for the National team and missed Olympic 2000 and WC 02.

2- O'brien, he would be a great playmaker for the team

3- Twellman, pair him with Casey or Donovan to prepare them for WC 04 qualifying round

[eneste]

1. Armas - He is an absolute lock for one of the overage slots, if healthy.

2. O'Brien - Like you said, great playmaker and can play many positions.

3. Cherundolo - Missed out on last Olympics due to injury and we will need defensive help more than offensive help.

[Sandon Mibut]

I think it's way too early to tell who the overage players should be. Let's see what the strengths and weaknesses of the current U20 team are and how other 81s and 82s develop over the next year and then how they all mesh.

Ultimately, qualifying will likely tell us who the overage players should be as it should show us who and where our weak links are.

Personally, I'd love for the US to send an all U23 team to Athens but if there are weaknesses, we should certainly shore them up.

[The Wanderer]

My choices will be guys who are likely to want to play. It is going to disrupt their club careers after all. JOB's been in one and already been in the WC. I tend to think that he wouldn't play in another one.

The needs are going to be on defense, that I can tell you.

[Hatrick]

Not to be sounded cold-hearted, but Armas must earn the spot by his form, not past contributions . The main goal of participating in a good tournament like the Olympics is getting results. Past contributions shouldn't be preferred to real merit. Frankly, I think it's time to develop two or more defensive mids and the Olympics is a perfect opportunity to harden these guys.

[Preston North End]

Send a all U23 squad. No overage players!

[metroflip73]

I'd send Sanneh, I heard around BS that he wants to be a part.

I'd also send Corey Gibbs, big strong defender, like Sanneh. God knows we need help in the Olympic defense.

Midfield and strikers seem OK. Maybe an overaged middie. I'd like to say O'Brien, but maybe someone else.

[GersMan]

Originally posted by Preston North End
Send a all U23 squad. No overage players!

I agree completely.

[terrywilson]

Two of the players interested would be Steve and Thorton both were in the mix for 2000 but missed out due to injury. As for O'brien forget about it as he'll be playing 60 games + a year in Ajax. Sanneh if he wanted to would be great at the Libero.

[notebook]

I think the 3 over age players are likely to be from MLS since MLS will likely be more cooperative and has more to gain from getting MLS players exposure at an event that is well followed in the US. I think Wanderer is right that they are likely to be defensive players. Bocanegra, Suarez, and Howard are three names that come to mind.

[PAW]

I agree with Wanderer that JOB should not be considered. Not only did he play in 2000 but Clive ran him into the ground, and I think we sent him back to Ajax injured. I would prefer to see an all U-23 squad and watch how the players progress, but we have a chance to increase the favorable coverage we have been receiving by backing up our WC performance by winning a medal. I would take Howard, Gray and Gibbs/Boca, players that would help our defense and pick up some experience as well.

[Excape Goat]

The Athens Games will be in the mid-summer. The Sydney Olympics created so many problems for European-based players because it was held in September. The Atlanta Games did not really conflict with European season. Most teams at Atlanta had their best possible lineups with three overaged players. I think the Athens Games will be the same. So if the US team wants to win the Gold, it should send three overaged players.

[beineke]

Originally posted by notebook
I think the 3 over age players are likely to be from MLS since MLS will likely be more cooperative and has more to gain from getting MLS players exposure at an event that is well followed in the US. I think Wanderer is right that they are likely to be defensive players. Bocanegra, Suarez, and Howard are three names that come to mind.

Nice post -- since the Athens games will be held in the second half of August, your analysis is probably correct. The only way we'll get any Euro-based overage players is if they're glued to the pine (see Friedel and Hejduk last time).

[The Wanderer]

Originally posted by PAW
I would take Howard, Gray and Gibbs/Boca, players that would help our defense and pick up some experience as well.

My two cents on the overage thing--if we really want to win it, then we should send some overagers. Now, this should be used as an international opportunity for those players who are being looked at for the senior national team, not for emotion based players selections IMHO like Armas. This competition could be valuable international experience for 3 guys who don't have the WC qualifying experience with the senior national team.
This is why I want Arena to have lots of input with the coach of this team/player seleciton.

Think about it--Bocanegra, Suarez, Gbandi, Gibbs et al. These guys could be hardened and ready come WC Qers in late 2004. And we definitely need to upgrade the defensive spots on the senior national team.

[davide]

Originally posted by The Wanderer


My two cents on the overage thing--if we really want to win it, then we should send some overagers. Now, this should be used as an international opportunity for those players who are being looked at for the senior national team, not for emotion based players selections IMHO like Armas. This competition could be valuable international experience for 3 guys who don't have the WC qualifying experience with the senior national team.
This is why I want Arena to have lots of input with the coach of this team/player seleciton.

Think about it--Bocanegra, Suarez, Gbandi, Gibbs et al. These guys could be hardened and ready come WC Qers in late 2004. And we definitely need to upgrade the defensive spots on the senior national team.

Yeah, it would be ideal to give the young defenders in the senior pool some needed experience before the real pressure filled WCQ.

The set of younger defenders you mentioned have little international experience. Suarez has never played for the USA at any level. Bocanegra has only a handful of caps at the senior level and wasn't called into very many Olympics camps by Clive Charles. Gbandi hasn't even played a pro soccer game yet. Gibbs, last played internationally for the USA at Nigeria 99.

I think Onyewu will be a lock to start at one of the spots, probably RB.

Of course, we have to qualify without any overage players. IMHO, it's not going to be easy, especially if the final round is held outside the USA.

[The Wanderer]

Originally posted by davide
Of course, we have to qualify without any overage players. IMHO, it's not going to be easy, especially if the final round is held outside the USA.

And we're quickly becoming the team in CONCACAF that has the bullseye on our shirts. Mexico has failed quite miserably at the youth level lately. I'm sure that it hasn't gone unnoticed that we made the semis of the Olympic tourney and our run in this past WC was quite visible to everyone.

[Preston North End]

I think a backline of Onyewu, Gray, Yi, Akwari, Burciaga, Salyer will be experienced enough. Only two aren't playing pro ball, though one is in the reserves with his club.

Yi and Akwari should be playing pro ball soon. UCLA mentions them as former players on their website. Who knows when Salyer will get 1st team ball in 1.B or 2.B. He might end up doing the "Twellman" thing - spend two years in Germany, come home in 2004 and shine in MLS.

Onyewu, Gray, and Burciaga will have more experience than Dunseth, McCarty, and Califf. There probably better to begin with anyway.

Whitfield (Cherundolo was injured) and Corrales were the outside backs at the Oly's. I think Onyewu is better than Whitfield now and will be better than Cherundolo in two years. Akwari, Burciaga, and Salyer will be better than Corrales was in 2000. Because of this a Hejduk and Agoos (substitute Suarez and/or Bocanegra for 2004) don't need to be brought in.

I have said in another thread that the defense would be a spot that would need help, so that tune hasn't really changed. I just don't think it is necessary.

The 'keepers do have me worried, though if Kameni for Cameroon can have a good tournament in 2000, why can't Countess or Warren?

All the players mentioned as possible overage additions, well at least the young US Nats, will have two years playing time with the USNT to help them get ready for WCQ in 2004. The US is in the 2003 Confed Cup and Gold Cup and very well could be in the 2004 Copa America. I think any youngins that Bruce Arena wants to bleed for the WCQ will already be bled. If anything he should look at the U23's as who can supplement the senior team during the WCQ. Use the Oly's as a place to find more depth.

[metroflip73]

We need a dmid that not only destroys, but also who can distribute.

Armas doesn't distribute well, but I wouldn't mind him in there.

[BoulderBuck]

I want to win the damn thing.....

Twellman (if he is overage at the time, this would be great WCQ experience and help a lot.)

Obrien (Our best midfielder)

Sanneh (Solid defender with offensive capabilities)

I have faith in Countess and I want him to play.

[SeismicShift]

I think it's weird to have all u-23's and then add 3 guys who are 30+. Use the 3 overage spots for guys who are slightly above the age cutoff that can best contribute.