WC Qualifiers in June, 2004

[braun]

Now that it seems likely that WCQ will begin in June, it is tempting to list both Reyna (if not reinjured) and O'Brien (if recovered) on the USMNT rosters, given that MLS will be in full swing and the Europeans will have finished (or nearly so).
The trio of Friedel/Keller/Howard might all be available. These potential players will make it easier in the first round I'd suspect.
Also, it gives time for Twellman, Wolff, Olsen, and maybe Sanneh to heal and be in form.

[appoo]

thats good and all, but what the hell am I supopsed to do until June?

[IASocFan]

We need some January - February mini-tournaments in the south or in some mild weather country to test players and keep them in shape. Winter is a great time for a GOLD Cup Type tournament. I would think some of the Scandanavian countries would be interested since they have a spring-fall schedule also.

[Simon Birch]

It would be nice to bring back the Nike US Cup in LA at the new HDC. Germany (on winter break), Russia (also I believe on Winter Break) and South Korea (a fitness test for sure). Then in February, play one friendly in Florida, versus a side like Sweden, and then an away match in Jamaica to get some of these guys used to a hostile environment.

[spike]

Originally posted by braun
Now that it seems likely that WCQ will begin in June, it is tempting to list both Reyna (if not reinjured) and O'Brien (if recovered) on the USMNT rosters, given that MLS will be in full swing and the Europeans will have finished (or nearly so).
The trio of Friedel/Keller/Howard might all be available. These potential players will make it easier in the first round I'd suspect.
Also, it gives time for Twellman, Wolff, Olsen, and maybe Sanneh to heal and be in form.

Since that is several months away, and O'Brien was injured several months ago, I would hope that he would be recovered by then. He doesn't have cancer, does he?

[nancyb]

The cancer of being chronically injured.

[sch2383]

Originally posted by braun
Also, it gives time for Twellman, Wolff, Olsen, and maybe Sanneh to heal and be in form.

If DC was to have a game a week from today, Benny would be ready to play. Of course he will get hurt between now and WCQ, but he is just about recovered from his current problem.

[Bruce S]

I think Sanneh is out of the picture for good-he will be 35 at the next WC, and hasn't played in a year now. Olsen may be nearly out of the picture, too, though that is not for sure.O'Brien is very much in the picture, as he is near fitness from what one hears( mainly from posts on this baord)