Only Two Tickets Left

[peledre]

In my mind we're now down to only two question marks for the 23 man roster. Barring injury, and the full recovery to game fitness of O'Brien, I see all of these as locks at this point:

Goalkeepers: Keller, Hahnemann, Howard

Defenders: Gooch, Gibbs, Cherundolo, Lewis, Pope, Bocanegra, Hejduk, ________ (Spector, Berhalter, Conrad, Dunivant, Albright)

Midfielders: Reyna, O'Brien, Beasley, Donovan, Dempsey, Convey, Mastroeni, ________ (Olsen, Zavagnin, Noonan, Ralston)

Forwards: McBride, Johnson, Wolff, Twellman

I think Spector will win the battle for the 8th defender spot, because of his upside potential and the fact that he has gotten consistent quality minutes this spring for Charlton. The midfield spot is a little bit harder to call. Olsen has shown himself pretty well, Ralston is struggling with some nagging injuries, Zavignin seems to have faded a bit, and Arena seems to have a bit of a thing for Noonan. We really don't need a third left winger though, and Olsen can play both on the right and as a d-mid, I think he might end up winning the battle there because of his flexibility.

Arena will probably not make his final decision until he's had a chance to look at all 9 options for the two positions in camp.

[JugglinNCWest7]

As much as I hate to say it because he's not any good... you're forgetting Albright as a defender..

I'd rather have Spector or Conrad over Albright and Berhalter any day of the week and twice Sunday...but I think the defenders list is probably:

[Berhalter, Albright, Spector, Conrad, Dunivant] in that order

I completely agree with your midfield list and the order... I just hope that it's not Ralston. Any of those other 3 guys would be find. I'd prefer Olsen because of his work ethic and versatility but who knows.

For the forwards... I think Twellman is on thin ice but I agree that he's probably in. I'd add a maybe for Connor Casey... but I doubt that would happen.

[peledre]

As much as I hate to say it because he's not any good... you're forgetting Albright as a defender..

I'd rather have Spector or Conrad over Albright and Berhalter any day of the week and twice Sunday...but I think the defenders list is probably:

[Berhalter, Albright, Spector, Conrad, Dunivant] in that order
You're right I overlooked him, he's got an outside shot.

[JoeW]

I personally think that it's likely to be Olsen. My rationale is: Arena loves versatility. All of these MF players have both their advantages plus none of them has made a compelling case why he should be "the one" (or "the last one" chosen).

In which case, what Olsen brings that the others don't:
--Olsen is a great practice player. That's the single biggest reason Richie Williams kept being invited to camps when the game (technically) had passed him by.
--Olsen is versatile. He's okay as a defensive midfield, okay as a holding midfielder, an option outside (especially if he only had to play there for the last 10-15 minutes of a match b/c DMB had gotten hurt in the previous match and then your starting left mid Convey pulled a hamstring). He can play outside defense if really pressed. He's had a few games as a forward and A-mid (though that's a horror scenario to see him in one of those roles for the USNT).

I think the versatility angle can't be overemphasized b/c if there is one lesson that Arena learned from Japorea, it's that if your team advances, you will start to run out of bodies. So everyone on the roster had better be capable of playing. And the more guys you have like John O'Brien and Landon Donovan who can play multiple positions, the better you are.

On defense, I don't think Berhalter is a question mark. He was good in 2002. He was outstanding as a starter against Italy in our WC warmup in 2002 in Italy. He now plays in Germany, He knows Arena's system. He's a good organizer. He was terrible in our friendly in Germany but then many of our players were. I think he's either on the squad or the first option.

The defender that you list on the roster that I think is a bubble player is Hejduk. I think Hejduk, Spector and Albright are the options for that last outside defender spot. And I suspect it will be Hejduk b/c he's a veteran, scores the best in all of the camp tests (which tells you he's takes conditioning seriously) and I wish he'd chose Albright or Spector instead. Dunnivant looks good but is too raw internationally and we don't need attacking ability down that flank (Lewis would give us that easily) as much as we need an outstanding defender/shut-down man.

I think Conrad has played well enough to be picked. His problem is that we've got plenty of guys who can play in central defense (Gooch, Pope, Bocanegra, Berhalter, Gibbs, even Mastroeni). Plus, if one of our midfielders is nicked and might or might not be ready by WC time (so Arena wants to bring another mid as insurance) OR if tactically he's thinking of a 352 against one of our opponents, then there may be less need for a central defender. But outside backs--that's another situation. So Conrad makes the team only if there is an injury OR if Berhalter doesn't make it.

Also, I will say that Arena is waiting to see if another forward catches fire. I think McBride and Johnson are definite. I think that if Reyna and JOB are healthy, unless we play a 352, Donovan will start next to McBride and EJ is the guy we bring onto the pitch late in the game against tired legs. Wolff and Twellman are the defacto reserves at this point. But if someone was really on fire.....well, we could see a change. Especially since I think Arena's preference is to pair Donovan with McBride.

[ursula]

I would agree that if there are two of your locks that might be on the bubble they are Hedjuk and a forward, probably Twellman. We'll see.

[appoo]

are we taking Twellman soley for the saking a 4th forward? Because unless he adds to the Locker room chemistry, he adds absolutly no value to the National team

[scruggs45]

are we taking Twellman soley for the saking a 4th forward? Because unless he adds to the Locker room chemistry, he adds absolutly no value to the National team

i totally agree with this...i cant imagine having to watch twellman come on the field as a late sub when the us needs a goal...that would be pretty rough

[ChelseaMatt]

You might want to reconsider Hejduk as a lock, although I agree that he's likely to go

[BenfromUSA]

Forwards: McBride, Johnson

Midfield: Mastroeni, O'Brien, Reyna, Donovan, Beasley, Dempsey, Convey,

Defenders: Onyewu, Gibbs, Bocanegra, Cherundolo, Lewis, Hejduk, Pope, Berhalter

2 locks at striker
7 locks at midfield
8 locks at defender

...that leaves 3 spots

defenders: the only def. I could see being added to the squad would be albright.

midfielders: noonan, ralston, olsen for 1 spot probably.

forwards: toss up between, twellman, ching, wolff, razov, casey, buddle, razov, kirovski.

[BenfromUSA]

i totally agree with this...i cant imagine having to watch twellman come on the field as a late sub when the us needs a goal...that would be pretty rough

.... in the middle of the penalty area jumping up and down waving his arms hoping for a ball to come right to his forhead, and also for the center backs to zone out to another dimension at the same time.

[footfetish]

Forwards: McBride, Johnson

Midfield: Mastroeni, O'Brien, Reyna, Donovan, Beasley, Dempsey, Convey,

Defenders: Onyewu, Gibbs, Bocanegra, Cherundolo, Lewis, Hejduk, Pope, Berhalter

2 locks at striker
7 locks at midfield
8 locks at defender

...that leaves 3 spots

defenders: the only def. I could see being added to the squad would be albright.

midfielders: noonan, ralston, olsen for 1 spot probably.

forwards: toss up between, twellman, ching, wolff, razov, casey, buddle, razov, kirovski.

i'm sorry but i have to disagree with a lot of this.

razov, buddle, and kirovski are basically nowhere near the 23 man roster and probably aren't even candidates for alternate slots.

whereas berhalter and hejduk cannot really be considered locks. frankie probably has the best chance out of the two due to the lack of competition at his position, his past world cup performances, and his well-known locker room chemistry (everyone loves the guy when he's in a nats camps). but i wouldn't be surprised if albright goes instead. spector would be surprising, but not unbelievable.

i honestly do not think that berhalter is going... and it has nothing to due with his germany performance and everything to do with the emergence of some really talented american centerbacks this past world cup cycle. he's just the odd man out on a younger backline (gibbs, onyewu, bocanegra).

[BenfromUSA]

razov, buddle, and kirovski are basically nowhere near the 23 man roster and probably aren't even candidates for alternate slots.

we're gonna need more than two forwards, and i hate to break the news but sadly they have as much chance at a spot as anyone else at the moment.

whereas berhalter and hejduk cannot really be considered locks. frankie probably has the best chance out of the two due to the lack of competition at his position, his past world cup performances, and his well-known locker room chemistry (everyone loves the guy when he's in a nats camps). but i wouldn't be surprised if albright goes instead. spector would be surprising, but not unbelievable.

i honestly do not think that berhalter is going... and it has nothing to due with his germany performance and everything to do with the emergence of some really talented american centerbacks this past world cup cycle. he's just the odd man out on a younger backline (gibbs, onyewu, bocanegra).

onyewu
gibbs
bocanegra
cherundolo
hejduk
lewis
pope

....leaves plenty of room for berhalter and either albright or spector.
I also think it is necessary to have a defender on the squad with world cup experience who is in form, unlike pope who is still a question mark.

[scruggs45]

.... in the middle of the penalty area jumping up and down waving his arms hoping for a ball to come right to his forhead, and also for the center backs to zone out to another dimension at the same time.

what a horrible visual to start the day....funny but sad

[Atouk]

Arena will probably not make his final decision until he's had a chance to look at all 9 options for the two positions in camp.I don't agree with this. I don't think Arena will and I don't think MLS should allow Arena to call in seven extra MLS guys (Conrad, Dunivant, Albright, Olsen, Zavagnin, Noonan, Ralston) for a couple of extra weekends/games away from their teams when just two or one (if Spector/Berhalter gets the last spot in defense) will actually be on the squad.

The camp should be the 23, not most of the 33/35 he names. If he's bringing any of the alternates into camp, it should be out-of-season Euro guys (like Vanney in the last cycle).

[Dr Jay]

are we taking Twellman soley for the saking a 4th forward? Because unless he adds to the Locker room chemistry, he adds absolutly no value to the National team


Compared to who ?

Who would you take in his place ?

As a late sub for McBride, down a goal, with people like Cherundolo and Lewis on the wings, Twellman can be very effective.

[appoo]

Compared to who ?

Who would you take in his place ?

No one. I only take 3 strikers.

[Ghost]

When FIFA finally gives up on the little round ball and turns the World Cup into a beep test competition, then Frankie Hejduk should be considered a lock. Until then .......

[JugglinNCWest7]

....leaves plenty of room for berhalter and either albright or spector. I also think it is necessary to have a defender on the squad with world cup experience who is in form, unlike pope who is still a question mark.

Did you really just say Berhalter is more in form than Pope? Pope was the only one who could play defense against Jamaica. Berhalter played awful against Germany and is not playing very well over in Germany now... who would you rather have: The proven veteran starter who can still contribute (Pope) or the proven veteran backup who has been on form for 6 months (Berhalter).

[BenfromUSA]

Did you really just say Berhalter is more in form than Pope? Pope was the only one who could play defense against Jamaica. Berhalter played awful against Germany and is not playing very well over in Germany now... who would you rather have: The proven veteran starter who can still contribute (Pope) or the proven veteran backup who has been on form for 6 months (Berhalter).

that proven veteran backup seemed to do well in the starting lineup for the key games against mexico, and just recently with the A team against poland. as far as the germany game, it was his first time partnering with jimmy conrad so one communication mistake between the two would be punished, (like we saw) especially with klose and podolski in there. not to mention his first time having to be the main man for a team of MLSers against a good germany squad. i think the good with the A team outweighs the bad with the B team.

stop living in the past with pope, he played nothing more than ok against weak opponents who had nothing remotely close to a good striker. you can see with RSL and the US that his legs just don't have it anymore even though he still reads the game well.

like i said he is still a question mark, and its too bad he will go into the world cup with that status. as far as contributing, if you have trouble with andy johnson then...

[peledre]

stop living in the past with pope, he played nothing more than ok against weak opponents who had nothing remotely close to a good striker. you can see with RSL and the US that his legs just don't have it anymore even though he still reads the game well.
You must be watching different games than I have the past 6 months.