Calling all Forwards

[dcole]

Bradley called six over-23 forwards into this camp: Ching, Cooper, Donovan, Johnson, Rolfe and Twellman. What does this large number of forwards tell us about Bob’s view of the forward pool? In my view, the five forwards in this camp other than Donovan need to make a big impression over the next five months. After this summer, it’s going to get tougher and tougher to get called into camp with Altidore, Smith, Ferrari, Hill and Davies entering the fold. Not to mention that each of those guys is going to get an extended audition with Bradley as a potential member of the U-23 team. And don’t forget about dark horses like Casey, Jaqua, Eskandarian or even relative unknowns like Cam Weaver (remind anyone of Brian Ching from last cycle?). With McBride out of the picture, these next 18 months will go a long way toward establishing our next crop of forwards.

[nobody]

Up front is where we have probably the biggest gap on the field...although I'm not as enamored of our midfield either as many around here seem to be.

I'm not entirely sure that it's gonna ever truly get crowded in this cycle. Maybe some of the youngsters you mention will step up, but none have really done anything of note over a period of time yet, so it's still wait and see time for any of 'em.

We may get crowded in the sense that we've got a lot of guys who are all equally mediocre, but I can't see this spot getting crowded with real quality options.

Looks like Bradley is leaving Donovan up top, so the big question for forwards on this team is gonna be, who plays well with him.

[RalleeMonkey]

Looks like Bradley is leaving Donovan up top, so the big question for forwards on this team is gonna be, who plays well with him.


Overheard after practice: Ching: "Hey, Lando, ol' buddy, wanna go get some grub?" Rolfe: "Wait a minute, Landon, I wanted to go play video games" GAM: "Video games? that's kid's stuff. Come on, Landon, let's go talk about what a great decoy I'm going to be for you." Cooper*: "you lads run along, my dad's best mate tells me I'll be back in the squad at Man U. after I tear it up this summer."

*No disrespect to Coop intended. Just trying to be funny.

[braun]

Bradley called six over-23 forwards into this camp: Ching, Cooper, Donovan, Johnson, Rolfe and Twellman. What does this large number of forwards tell us about Bob’s view of the forward pool? In my view, the five forwards in this camp other than Donovan need to make a big impression over the next five months. After this summer, it’s going to get tougher and tougher to get called into camp with Altidore, Smith, Ferrari, Hill and Davies entering the fold. Not to mention that each of those guys is going to get an extended audition with Bradley as a potential member of the U-23 team. And don’t forget about dark horses like Casey, Jaqua, Eskandarian or even relative unknowns like Cam Weaver (remind anyone of Brian Ching from last cycle?). With McBride out of the picture, these next 18 months will go a long way toward establishing our next crop of forwards.

You are assuming that Bradley loses the interim title.

Ching (just watch him last night vs Pachuca) does not have to impress per se. He just has to stay consistent and score (which he is capable of). He most likely will pair with Donovan (if used this way) up top.

The other forwards must prove themselves this month. I am surprised Rolfe is in the group and that Wolff (was he injured recently?) wasn't called in instead, Wolff being one of the veterans. But Bradley must like something about Rolfe and most USMNT fans probably hope for the young uns being given the chance anyway.

If Bradley is replaced (based on upcoming results?) by Gulati's most recent taker, then all the forwards stand the chance of being rejected by the new coach (Rijkaard anyone?).

[dcole]

You are assuming that Bradley loses the interim title.

Not necessarily. Whoever the permanent coach may be, he'll likely use player perfomances in these two friedlies and the two upcoming tournaments to form his (at least initial) impression of the established players, and he'll likely use the upcoming U-20 YWC and U-23 Olympic competitions to form his (at least initial) impression of the young guns. Whoever emerges from the U-20 side will have a good chance with the U-23, and whoever emerges from the U-23 team should stand a good shot of winning a spot with the senior side, admittedly more so if Bradley is in charge of the senior side, but even if it's someone else.

[Martin Fischer]

... After this summer, it’s going to get tougher and tougher to get called into camp with Altidore, Smith, Ferrari, Hill and Davies entering the fold. ....

This is optimistic to say the least.

Altidore is the only one of this group that has impressed at all at the professional circuit.

Smith and Ferrari will have to show something at the Under 20 level first as well as getting some decent pro playing time at a decent level.

Davies is a possiblity, but unless he really rips it up this spring, he will probably have to show something at the Under 23 level first.

Hill has got a smattering of playing time in the Bundesliga, though not for a while, and reportedly at right mid, not forward. He remains a long shot for the forward pool in the short term.

[On the Road Again]

One of the things that impresses (or depresses) me about some of the postings on BS is that most of us seem to expect guys with minimal international experience to step up to the international level and, after just a few appearances, be able to rival Wayne Rooney or some other top international forward. Rolfe's first sniff of international competition began a year ago in November against Scotland and last year's pre-WC camp. Cooper has some international experience so he is slightly ahead of Rolfe but not that much. EJ, in all fairness, made a big splash and became the darling knight in shining armor to rescue the US by suddenly pouring goal after goal into our hapless opponents' nets. At least Cooper and Rolfe are two of the top young forwards in the league as EJ would be if he were to regain his earlier form. Bradley has even commented that the more experience Rolfe got the better he would be and Conrad even made reference to him in one of his dialogs recently as being a very good player. Cooper impresses me with his skill and confidence on the ball. Other than Donovan, even Ching only has limited international experience relatively speaking.

The point of all this rambling is that Bradley sees something in these younger guys that maybe we are missing. Physically, Rolfe won't reach his peak for another two or three years (right in time for the WC) because he has been a late bloomer and has a lot of ground to catch up yet he is one of the most skillful players in the league. Cooper already has the physical size to compete as does EJ and Ching. These guys are just now starting to find their way around the international scene so it seems to me that we need to exercise a little patience before we call up a bunch of younger guys who have not yet proven themselves professionally other than playing in mostly second division leagues in Europe.

While I may have some doubts about one or two of these guys, I also know that as they get more exposure to the international level of play, they will either get better or they will get washed out. However, we have to give them time to get acclimated to that environment. Someone once said that patience is a virtue.

[Adam Zebrowski]

Altidore, Smith, Ferrari, Hill and Davies

aren't all of them u-23 eligible, which means they'll be dedicated to the olympic campaign, and become SENIOR candidates once beujing ends or usa fails to qualify...

given the wcq semifinal starts in 2008, i'm not sure if the schedule is BEFORE or AFTER beijing...

but i'd think usa goes with the current crop, and once usa advances to the hex, blood the group of u-23...

i'd even think adu follows this schedule too...

now, entering the HEX, form of the new guys could easily mean some one hammers down a slot, but I'd see bradley being conservative...

say go with ching and donovan with cooper a possibility...

one of the kids becomes the option off the bench....as will adu too

[dcole]

The schedule over the next year and a half will allow our forward situation to sort itself out. For the five forwards (other than Donovan) called into this camp, the two upcoming tournaments and the friedlies that come before them will present them with their best opportunity to make their case.

For the U-20s, I see them as competing for spots on the U-23 team. If the schedule follows the schedule for the 2004 olympics, 2008 olympic qualifying will commence in February 2008, with the olympics themselves coming in August 2008. Right after that, the question will be whether any of the U-23 forwards can step in and contribute in WC qualifying, which will have just gotten underway (probably in June-July of 2008). Whoever wins the battles among Altidore, Davies, Smith, Ferrari, etc. for U-23 supremacy will establish themselves as the leading candidates from that pool to make the jump to the senior side, especially if Bradley is still in charge but even if he is not.

My guess is that two of the U-23s will be ready for the jump in August 2008. Today, I'm guessing Altidore and Davies, with Ferrari nipping at their heels. But if I'm Twellman, Ching, Cooper, Rolfe or Johnson, I'm not waiting around to find out. I'm stating my case now.

[CDM76]

Lot of speculation here about who's gonna do what when.

Back to original post...LD and Ching (looked very strong against Pachuca last night) are your top tandem. EJ's got too much potential to not push, prod, threaten, cajole, whatever it takes to help him find his game. TT paid his dues last camp and saw no field time. Rolfe is a project. Coop is heir apparent to Ching until Altidore takes the job.

BB could've called in fewer guys but after LD and Ching there are no givens right now. We need eight forwards for GC/CA. So, bring in a bunch of 'em and see who rises to the top. Now is the time.

I hope we play beautiful soccer and totally dominate Ecuador and Guatamala but the reality is these are tune-ups and try-outs for the summer tournaments.

Good call, Bob.

[Adam Zebrowski]

6 forwards, so i suspect we have a unique set of starters for each match...

the 5th and 6th guys gets sub playing time...

i'd agree, ching and donovan would be the starters against ecuador...

now rolfe with either twellman or cooper would be the starters against guatemala....

i'd lean towards twellman, solely on seniority, which leaves cooper as the guy off the bench at about the 60th minute...

and this leaves EJ off the bench against ecuador

[united6953]

I do agree it will be Ching and Donovan vs Ecuador. Thas not a bad thing we know how well donovan and ching work to gethere they have potential to be a lethal force. What slowed down ching was his injury in 04 if it wasnt for that inury he could have given Mcbride a run for his money in 06.

[dustcowpoke]

IMO Ferrari and Johann Smith deserve call-ups just so Bradley can take a look at them. Ferrari is about to break into Serie A.

[USMNT]

One of the things that impresses (or depresses) me about some of the postings on BS is that most of us seem to expect guys with minimal international experience to step up to the international level and, after just a few appearances, be able to rival Wayne Rooney or some other top international forward. Rolfe's first sniff of international competition began a year ago in November against Scotland and last year's pre-WC camp. Cooper has some international experience so he is slightly ahead of Rolfe but not that much. EJ, in all fairness, made a big splash and became the darling knight in shining armor to rescue the US by suddenly pouring goal after goal into our hapless opponents' nets. At least Cooper and Rolfe are two of the top young forwards in the league as EJ would be if he were to regain his earlier form. Bradley has even commented that the more experience Rolfe got the better he would be and Conrad even made reference to him in one of his dialogs recently as being a very good player. Cooper impresses me with his skill and confidence on the ball. Other than Donovan, even Ching only has limited international experience relatively speaking.

The point of all this rambling is that Bradley sees something in these younger guys that maybe we are missing. Physically, Rolfe won't reach his peak for another two or three years (right in time for the WC) because he has been a late bloomer and has a lot of ground to catch up yet he is one of the most skillful players in the league. Cooper already has the physical size to compete as does EJ and Ching. These guys are just now starting to find their way around the international scene so it seems to me that we need to exercise a little patience before we call up a bunch of younger guys who have not yet proven themselves professionally other than playing in mostly second division leagues in Europe.

While I may have some doubts about one or two of these guys, I also know that as they get more exposure to the international level of play, they will either get better or they will get washed out. However, we have to give them time to get acclimated to that environment. Someone once said that patience is a virtue.

good post...I think Rolfe will adjust to the international game with time. People are too down on him for the Mexico game in which we had a strange forward lineup. He played well against Scotland in his first cap. He has qualities that can translate to this level; I'm not so sure about some of these other guys (e.g. Twellman) but now is the time to winnow them out.

[USMNT]

The schedule over the next year and a half will allow our forward situation to sort itself out. For the five forwards (other than Donovan) called into this camp, the two upcoming tournaments and the friedlies that come before them will present them with their best opportunity to make their case.

For the U-20s, I see them as competing for spots on the U-23 team. If the schedule follows the schedule for the 2004 olympics, 2008 olympic qualifying will commence in February 2008, with the olympics themselves coming in August 2008. Right after that, the question will be whether any of the U-23 forwards can step in and contribute in WC qualifying, which will have just gotten underway (probably in June-July of 2008). Whoever wins the battles among Altidore, Davies, Smith, Ferrari, etc. for U-23 supremacy will establish themselves as the leading candidates from that pool to make the jump to the senior side, especially if Bradley is still in charge but even if he is not.

My guess is that two of the U-23s will be ready for the jump in August 2008. Today, I'm guessing Altidore and Davies, with Ferrari nipping at their heels. But if I'm Twellman, Ching, Cooper, Rolfe or Johnson, I'm not waiting around to find out. I'm stating my case now.


The good thing is that forwards/attackers can be integrated late and generally need less experience. I'd be more concerned with blooding young defensive and midfield players at this point and allowing them to play with this "experienced" group of forwards, who this year will demonstrate whether they're worth further investment or not.

[Smithsoccer1721]

I do agree it will be Ching and Donovan vs Ecuador. Thas not a bad thing we know how well donovan and ching work to gethere they have potential to be a lethal force. What slowed down ching was his injury in 04 if it wasnt for that inury he could have given Mcbride a run for his money in 06.


I dont think Ching even if he was healthy had a shot at taking BMB's starting spot. For these next to tune up games I would like to see Bradley give all 6 forwards a shot to prove themselves in the game. After that then he can figure out who is going to be the main focus and in what order for the rest of the summer.

[BenfromUSA]

good post...I think Rolfe will adjust to the international game with time. People are too down on him for the Mexico game in which we had a strange forward lineup. He played well against Scotland in his first cap. He has qualities that can translate to this level; I'm not so sure about some of these other guys (e.g. Twellman) but now is the time to winnow them out.

I think Rolfe could turn into a better version of josh wolff. He is savvy, confident, and he can create/finish his own chance... which is a welcome sight when were talking about the usual forward like ching, twellman, or mcbride.

[united6953]

Well im just saying Ching looked really good until he got injured in 04, If i remember corectly alot of people on bs where talking about Ching and EJ in the first 11 in the world cup both of them where on fire at that time and then both of then got injured and never showed that kind of form again. Maybe this time one of them might wake up, and by the way things are looking it going to be Ching he scored a big goal against pachuca and was on fire last year in mls.

[USMNT]

Well im just saying Ching looked really good until he got injured in 04, If i remember corectly alot of people on bs where talking about Ching and EJ in the first 11 in the world cup both of them where on fire at that time and then both of then got injured and never showed that kind of form again. Maybe this time one of them might wake up, and by the way things are looking it going to be Ching he scored a big goal against pachuca and was on fire last year in mls.

Who on earth was touting Ching to start in the World Cup in 2004? People who get bent out of shape about beating Guatemala and Panama. I hope this last World Cup taught some people some things about inappropriately extrapolating from useless competition, but I presume the same kind of drivel will permeate these boards in the run to 2010.

[united6953]

hey im not saying i was one of those people im just saying the truth, alot of people did thinkg that and where writing on bs about it, It think bob is doing a good job and he is going to give all of the forwards he called up a chance, so lets see what these guys really got. so dont give me that crap who the hell thought that because alot of people on these boards where thinking that, got that? maybe you didnt post on bs back then so thats why you didnt know.