In-between friendlies?

[SabreKhan]

What do we think are our chances of a friendly between the 2nd Barbados game and the September qualifier? Does this type of thing happen? It's so long between qualifying cycles that I can't remember how it went last time. I'd like to see us get some kind of friendly in the middle there, just so our Euros don't get cold. Maybe against a minnow, maybe just an informal scrimmage. Something to keep the legs in action.

[bshredder]

What do we think are our chances of a friendly between the 2nd Barbados game and the September qualifier? Does this type of thing happen? It's so long between qualifying cycles that I can't remember how it went last time. I'd like to see us get some kind of friendly in the middle there, just so our Euros don't get cold. Maybe against a minnow, maybe just an informal scrimmage. Something to keep the legs in action.

We better have something towards the end of the summer because with our Olympic team sucking up many US regulars (Altidore, Adu, Edu, Bradley, and 3 overagers) plus a few other experienced regulars being injured (Benny, Spector) we are going to be extremely thin.

It's essentially going to be a very very thin senior squad and we have to prepare for that. A friendly would be a great idea even if it's not with a major power.

Nowak has hinted that the U23s will be very busy prior to the Olympics by possibly playing in some sort of tournament.

[cleansheetbsc]

Zero chance.

[Dirt McGirt]

The new manager will need this time to bed in, meet the players, and get his stuffed shipped over from Barcelona.

[ThreeApples]

Last time there was a July friendly vs. Poland in Chicago between the prelim round vs. Grenada and the first semi match at Jamaica in August.

[FW__]

Last time there was a July friendly vs. Poland in Chicago between the prelim round vs. Grenada and the first semi match at Jamaica in August.

But there weren't Olympics (well there were, not for us).

[chimac4u]

What about the majority of the National Team who won't be playing at the Olympics?

[TCNJFan]

If there is a match, I'd expect it to be in August. It seems like July is just too close to publicize the match properly.

As for the opponent, Poland was a team that missed Euro 2004. Scotland would be a nice opponent to get this year.

[Nerazzuri]

If there is a match, I'd expect it to be in August. It seems like July is just too close to publicize the match properly.

As for the opponent, Poland was a team that missed Euro 2004. Scotland would be a nice opponent to get this year.


Yes but conversely, by August, European players will be with their club teams. I doubt too many clubs in Europe would be very willing to release too many players for a one-off friendly across the atlantic, especially since Euro WC qualies will be taking players away from their squads in both September and October for two rounds each.

It's possible, but I don't see it happening.

[TCNJFan]

Yes but conversely, by August, European players will be with their club teams. I doubt too many clubs in Europe would be very willing to release too many players for a one-off friendly across the atlantic, especially since Euro WC qualies will be taking players away from their squads in both September and October for two rounds each.

It's possible, but I don't see it happening.

Travel to the US would be a problem. Scotland at Hampden (or a smaller venue in Scotland) could be an option. I know that it was done in November 2005, but a fair amount has changed for both teams since then.

[cleansheetbsc]

Zero chance.

Again, zero chance. Between MLS going full schedule and the Euro clubs opening training camps in mid-late July, and Olympics there won't be any teams releasing players for friendlies.

[Fussballman 7]

I bet we have at least one and I'm willing to bet it will be on August 20th as that is the only international friendly date before we resume qualifying.

http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/worldfootball/calendarlive/intl_mc_2008_2014_en_34822.pdf

[cleansheetbsc]

I bet we have at least one and I'm willing to bet it will be on August 20th as that is the only international friendly date before we resume qualifying.

http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/worldfootball/calendarlive/intl_mc_2008_2014_en_34822.pdf

I believe that would be our first qualifier match.

[RalleeMonkey]

I know that neither of these will happen, but . . . . .

Maybe they could set up a scrimmage against the Olympic team, before they go.

Or a "B" (c ?) squad of guys that are on the periphery (pitch it as an "audition" for them), like Davis, Mullan, Burciaga, Dunivant, Alvarez, Rolfe, Zizzo, Twellman (lol), Ralston (roflmao), Quaranta, El Sueno, Finley, Gaven, Cooper, Alvarez, Holden, Harrington, Conrad, Beckerman, Mastro (if he's not on the A squad), . Make your own list.

I know it would never happen, but it would be fun to watch. USA v. USA. As if it would get televized.

Actually, if I was taking all the leftovers to play against the WCQ team, I'd go something like

-----------------------Cooper
------------------------Rolfe

Mapp---------------------------------------------Alvarez

--------------Beckerman----------Lawrentowicz

Burciaga--------Conrad-----Parkhurst----------Mullan

-----------------------Reis
Bench:

Colin whatshisname
El Sueno
Marshall
Davis
Outside back of your choice
Back up keeper of your choice
Buddle


I know, Mullan is an odd choice. But, we don't have awesome depth at RB. And, Mullan can cross, hold the ball, pass, work his azz off. Maybe he could be a Stevie C clone.

Obviously, if Mastro doesn't make the WCQ roster, then he'd replace Lawrentowicz.

I didn't put any Euro's in there, but if I did, I'd have included Zizzo. And, I'd have to include BennyF, if he was available.

[KennyWoo]

What do we think are our chances of a friendly between the 2nd Barbados game and the September qualifier? Does this type of thing happen? It's so long between qualifying cycles that I can't remember how it went last time. I'd like to see us get some kind of friendly in the middle there, just so our Euros don't get cold. Maybe against a minnow, maybe just an informal scrimmage. Something to keep the legs in action.

Our first qualifier is Wed., Aug. 20. The schedule for the semifinal round:

Matchday
1. August 20
2. September 6
3. September 10
4. October 11
5. October 15
6. November 19

[Fussballman 7]

I guess I'm mistaken...I thought our first match was in September. I guess we probably won't have a friendly in between then. As others said, it is just too hard logistically with MLS and the European guys starting up.

[RalleeMonkey]

Oh come on, no one else want's to play?

I think my "left overs" would give the Full Nat's a pretty good game. And, that's w/o any Euro's (except Feilhaber). No one else has 11 "left overs" (plus reserves) that they'd run out against the Nat's?

[quitoamature]

we should play mexico in giants staduim.
and canada in toranto.

[SabreKhan]

Our first qualifier is Wed., Aug. 20. The schedule for the semifinal round:

Matchday
1. August 20
2. September 6
3. September 10
4. October 11
5. October 15
6. November 19
We don't have anything scheduled (yet) for that date. We have the away Cuba match semi-scheduled for Sept. 6 and the T&T/Bermuda (c'mon Bermuda!) winner set for Sept. 10. As we have seen in this round, the scheduling dates are more what you'd call guidelines than actual rules. (unless, of course, I missed a tentatively-scheduled game date and we do in fact have someone scheduled to play on the 20th)

[cpwilson80]

Oh come on, no one else want's to play?

I think my "left overs" would give the Full Nat's a pretty good game. And, that's w/o any Euro's (except Feilhaber). No one else has 11 "left overs" (plus reserves) that they'd run out against the Nat's?

God, no. Your leftovers would get torched on the flanks. Alvarez plays little defense, Mapp plays even less, and Mullan and Burciaga are either out of position or out of depth at outside back.

I'd roll with Cooper and Parkhurst, though.