your poland starting 11 + 6 subs

[luvdagame]

here's mine (the match is next wednesday already):

----------------------------howard--------------------------------
cherundolo---------gooch---------------boca---------------pearce
----------------------------spector-------------------------------
demps-----------------------------------------------------convey
----------------------------bradley-------------------------------
--------------------------------------adu-----------------------
----------------------------ej-----------------------------------

subs:feilhaber, lewis, davies, hahneman, califf, noonan

i know, i know, its a weak team.

but...

no mlsers, cause the league starts in a few days and coaches want their players with the team before the first game of the season.

prediction: we get stomped 3-0.

[Flipstar508]

----------------------------howard--------------------------------

cherundolo---------gooch---------------boca---------------spector

----------------------------feilhaber-------------------------------

demps-----------------------------------------------------convey

-----------------------------bradley-------------------------------

----------------------johnson--------adu-------------------------


Subs: califf, noonan, Pearce, davies, simek, lewis

prediction: 3-2 USA

[Kevin8833]

No players from Olympic Qualifying will be there either with the final or third place game only 3 days prior, so no 23's from Olympic Qualifying, MLSer's highly unlikely we will have a very watered down side.

--------------------Howard------------------
Cherundalo----Onyewu---Bocanegra----Pearce
White-------Bradley----Feilhaber------Dempsey
--------------Johnson-----Jaqua--------------

Subs:
Hahnamann, Califf, Demerit, Szetella, Arguez, Nguyen, Zimmerman

Prediction: 2-1 USA

[hoya]

Might just have to start Lewis over Convey (Convey has yet to break back into Readings first team following a possible knee problem around the Mexico game). I also think Nguyen should get some minutes and Bradley should at least contact Subotic even though hel turn it down.

--------Howard--------
----Boca----Gooch-----
Dolo------------Spector
----Bradley------------
----------Feilhaber-----
Dempsey----------Lewis
----------Adu----------
----------EJ-----------

Bench: Hahneman, Demerit, Pearce, Nguyen, Davies, Noonan

I really hope we can get at least a few MLSers. Depth at CM is non-existent so Clark would be helpful, Parkhurst could help at CB and Donovan would be great as well.

[Sinter]

Something tells me Landon will be there, because well when isn't he?

----------------Howard--------------------
---Dolo-----Gooch-----Boca-----Pearce----
---------Bradley---------Feilhaber---------
-----Donovan---------------Convey-------
------------Dempsey----------------------
-------------------------EJ----------------

If no Landycakes maybe slide Dempsey back into his spot and put in Jaqua or hell I really don't know :)

[Maximum Optimal]

No players from Olympic Qualifying will be there either with the final or third place game only 3 days prior, so no 23's from Olympic Qualifying

Given that the final or 3rd place game is meaningless, I wouldn't be surprised if two or three of the U23s were released for an early flight to Poland.

[Maximum Optimal]

Fulham might ask Bradley to show some sensitivity to the situation they are in--relegation battle where several Americans may be called on to play key roles. Assuming that they are ok with those players being used for 60-70 minutes and that we can call up a couple of players from the U23s, this would be my optimal lineup.

--------Altidore----EJ-------
-----Adu------------Dempsey
-----------Donovan-----------
------------Bradley------------
Specs----Boca----Gooch--Cherundolo
-----------Howard--------------

[mike4066]

-------LD----Jacqua----
Nguyen----------Alvarez
----Bradley---Clark-----
Pearce-Gooch-Boca-Dolo
---------Howard--------

Bench: Guzan, Demerit, Davis, Noonan, White, Califf


I am interested to see who starts at LM and RM cause I'm not sure Nguyen is ready for a start and who knows if Davis is ready to play.

[Maximum Optimal]

I am interested to see who starts at LM and RM cause I'm not sure Nguyen is ready for a start and who knows if Davis is ready to play.

Freddy is ready

[mike4066]

Freddy is ready

Adu? He won't be there because he is with the U-23's.

And anyone who thinks any of the U-23's will be there is dreaming.

[Maximum Optimal]

Adu? He won't be there because he is with the U-23's.

And anyone who thinks any of the U-23's will be there is dreaming.

Do you realize the 3rd place/finals match is meaningless?

[mike4066]

Do you realize the 3rd place/finals match is meaningless?


Do you realize that a friendly is more "meaningless" than a tourney final or 3rd place match? If any of the guys are asked to play in the friendly and agree and miss our game (no matter if its 1st or 3rd) I wouldn't want those guys playing for us. It shows a lack of loyalty and drive.

[Maximum Optimal]

Do you realize that a friendly is more "meaningless" than a tourney final or 3rd place match? If any of the guys are asked to play in the friendly and agree and miss our game (no matter if its 1st or 3rd) I wouldn't want those guys playing for us. It shows a lack of loyalty and drive.

I don't want to get into a pissing contest about this, but under the Olympic qualifying rules, the final/3rd place match is effectively a friendly for U23s. Call it what you want, but it is as meaningful or meaningless as any old friendly.

Did you notice that Spector is coming in only to play in the semis? I'm willing to bet he flies back to England as soon as the semis are over. That's what Jonathan himself seems to be saying in his Studio 90 interview, although I have to admit that his new accent makes it difficult for me to understand everything he is saying.

[TheRightPants]

I would be surprised if Wolff wasn't called in for this one, due to a combination of geography, availability, and match fitness. And maybe, to a lesser extent, Zimmerman. Even lesser, Arguez.

Wouldn't Spector be a non-entity if we're not taking the Olympic qualifying guys? To my knowledge he's been released from WH to join the U-23s here for the knockout rounds. And I imagine all the U-23s will be out of the picture, seeing as they'll be playing in Nashville 3 days prior to the Poland match and I couldn't imagine Nowak releasing any guys before the end of the tournament for a friendly. Here's to me being dead wrong.

It'll be interesting if any MLS guys are used, most of whom would be playing that following weekend. NYRB (April 5th) and San Jose (April 3rd) don't have their first league matches until the following week, so there is a possibility that those players could be made available. I doubt anyone but Corrales would be considered anyway. Hopefully this post doesn't jinx that into happening...

Otherwise, I would agree that the usual suspects will be supplemented by some of our Scandinavian prospects.

[mike4066]

It'll be interesting if any MLS guys are used, most of whom would be playing that following weekend. NYRB (April 5th) and San Jose (April 3rd) don't have their first league matches until the following week, so there is a possibility that those players could be made available. I doubt anyone but Corrales would be considered anyway. Hopefully this post doesn't jinx that into happening...

Otherwise, I would agree that the usual suspects will be supplemented by some of our Scandinavian prospects.

You could also see FC Dallas and CUSA players as they start on Sunday instead of Saturday.

[TheRightPants]

Did you notice that Spector is coming in only to play in the semis? I'm willing to bet he flies back to England as soon as the semis are over. That's what Jonathan himself seems to be saying in his Studio 90 interview, although I have to admit that his new accent makes it difficult for me to understand everything he is saying.


Good call. It would seem as if Spector is referencing returning for West Ham's March 22nd match v. Everton.

Krakow is only a 3 or so hr. flight away from London... But that'd be a hefty load, 3 matches on 3 separate land masses in 1 week. With Pearce, Boca, Gooch, and Dolo available I'm not sure Bob will see the need. Now, Bradley could speak with Curbishley and find out Jonathan is not in the Everton game plan. This is quite possible, since his last two starts have been in Upson's absence and Upson should be back by this coming weekend. Prior to Upson's injury, Jonathan hadn't played a full half since early January. All in all, it might be better for Bradley to leave Spector behind to maintain the momentum he's got at his club now.

[luvdagame]

i've got to agree with those who say that the first place olympic qualifying game is meaningless, since both teams in that game are already going to the olympics - add to that, it's been pointed out that some mls teams don't have a game until sunday of the first weekend, or don't have a match the first weekend at all.

i've also got to agree with therightpants who says that geography might necessitate giving wolff a callup for this one.

with that in mind, here's my refurbished lineup:

-------------------------------howard----------------------------------

cherundolo----------gooch-----------------boca-----------------pearce

-------------------------------spector---------------------------------

------wolff---------------------------------------------convey--------

------------------------------bradley---------------------------------

-------------------dempsey------------ej-----------------------------

subs:altidore, califf, adu, feilhaber, (if benny and adu don't punch each other out), hahnemann, lewis.

i still don't like either convey or lewis on the left, but we've got no better options.

[StillKickin]

Well, last Olympic qualifying, Beasley, Donovan and Convey (and possibly another player, I can't remember) were whisked away to Holland while the rest of the U23s played the 3rd place game. And there's nothing wrong with that. The final games (1st place, 3rd place) are nothing more than friendlies either. And if the full National team coach says he wants you there, you've pretty much got to go. It's probably already been arranged as to which U23s will be called in for the friendly since that final game doesn't matter.

[Smithsoccer1721]

[quote=hoya;14137193] and Bradley should at least contact Subotic even though hel turn it down.quote]

Not to take this off topic or to be a dick do you know that Bradley has not tried to reach out to him?

[FakeFlopper]

You could also see FC Dallas and CUSA players as they start on Sunday instead of Saturday.

Be nice to see Cooper on the field again.