Fringe players that would be most useful to us.

[SpursTDITD]

It might not be an important thread or maybe been discussed before but im curious. Who are some fringe players that may be most useful to the team in our qualifying games or beyond?

[Matrim55]

The one who could be the most useful is Nathan Sturgis, simply because he plays the position where we have the most need and looked fantastic there for the U-23s before he got hurt. I'm not as down on Pearce as most, but there's little question that Sturgis is more skillful technically and equally adept tactically. Of course there is the question of whether Sturgis even qualifies as a "fringe player," due to his injury history. But given Nowak's high opinion of him and the fact that he has a good chance to be Seattle's starter at the spot, I'm going to keep my fingers crossed.

Spector, Holden and Cooper are the others who spring to mind. I don't see any of them becoming starters this cycle (barring injury), but all three have valuable skills that are useful in the pool.

[Clint Eastwood]

As far as uncapped players go, I think there are only a few who have achance of making the WC squad. Perhaps Holden, but there's a lot of competition at his position. The more likely positions where an uncapped player could make an impact are at the full back and wide midfield positions. Maybe Arturo Alvarez for instance on the left, and Jemal Johnson on the right. Perhaps even Luis Robles of Kaiserslautern will get called up for one of these tournaments during the summer. I'm sure there will be some players who have really strong MLS seasons, who might get a look. What if Brek Shea has a standout season (although I always wonder what position is actually his natural position.)

There are also some capped players who could make an appearance should injury problems develop. Justin Mapp, Kyle Beckerman, Taylor Twellman, Nate Jaqua, etc. You know, while Taylor is certainly not in the picture now, we're so thin of quality forwards he's not entirely out of the frame. Same with Eddie Johnson.

[Heathens '87]

Good question, although I'm sure we could argue about a definition of "fringe." That issue aside, a few thoughts...

- We're still looking to solidify back-ups behind Bocanegra and Onyewu at center-back. The "fringe" player that I think deserves a lengthy evaluation for that role is Chad Marshall, who was dominate in MLS last season.

- Third-string keeper is still a bit of a mystery. We know what a Hahnemann could bring to the role. It's clear that Marcus won't be an option past WC10, so it may be time to look at the future a bit and take an extended look at Troy Perkins or perhaps Luis Robles.

- Lastly, I've got a sneaking suspicion that we'll see another name for consideration at left-back, and my guess is Michael Orozco is going to be given a chance to compete with Borstein and Pearce at that slot.

I don't think we need these players for the first half of the Hex. But I hope that the Gold Cup is used as an opportunity for such evaluations and that the competition for WC10 roster slots becomes more heated as we move into the fall........

[camasterton]

I've got to believe the weakest spots on the team are at LFB and LW/LM. What do you think about these fringe guys, they may be too fringe. Where are they in career, could they step up ala Pablo 2002?
LFB
Hunter Freeman- Any chance he can come back and make a runout?
Chance Myers- Liked what I saw with him at KC.
Kamani Hill- Nowak tried him there a while back. He is a good/versitile player.

Arturo Alvarez at left middie is another fringe guy I would think.
Jamal Johnson is the most intriging. Every time I see a clip of M K Dons, he's lashing in an on target shot, loosing in a mate with a beautiful pass or whipping in a dangerous cross from the left side. He looks like he has pace and size (6' ?) to go inside or out.

[mattmanp]

- We're still looking to solidify back-ups behind Bocanegra and Onyewu at center-back.

I think that Clarence Goodson (currently with IK Start) had a strong showing in his WCQ against Guatemala. He's tall, physical, and good with his head. I'd like to see him get some more looks.

[WraithXx]

I've got to believe the weakest spots on the team are at LFB and LW/LM. What do you think about these fringe guys, they may be too fringe. Where are they in career, could they step up ala Pablo 2002?
LFB
Hunter Freeman- Any chance he can come back and make a runout?
Chance Myers- Liked what I saw with him at KC.
Kamani Hill- Nowak tried him there a while back. He is a good/versitile player.

Arturo Alvarez at left middie is another fringe guy I would think.
Jamal Johnson is the most intriging. Every time I see a clip of M K Dons, he's lashing in an on target shot, loosing in a mate with a beautiful pass or whipping in a dangerous cross from the left side. He looks like he has pace and size (6' ?) to go inside or out.

Arturo Alvarez plays for El Salvador

EDIT: Actually I just read otherwise. what the hell is going on with this guy?

[Mr Martin]

I was wrong about this guy making the roster for the Mexico match, but I still think he is a fringe player who will get a surprising number of call-ups this cycle -- John Thorrington.

He's a gritty, hard-working, versatile veteran. That's a useful bench role any time you have to assemble an 18-man roster. He can play CM, RM, or RB, and it seems like he's a good team-oriented guy.

But he doesn't stand a chance for the bigger 23-man roster at the World Cup.

[passtheblizz]

Hard to call Spector a fringe player, but you are right. He has had some of the most ill-timed injures in USMNT history. A healthy Spector is one of our top five players. It is only because of injury that he is not a lock at this point. If he can stay healthy, he could bring a LOT to our team. Definitely one guy capable of coming from relative obscurity (the EPL?) into a meaningful role for us. Also, he is only 22.

I am waiting for Jemal Johnson to get called up. He looks to be playing very well. He needs to get into a camp to be evaluated. Great pace and 1v1 ability, plus he has an accurate shot and good vision and delivery. He seems to be a very intense player mentally as well. He creates opportunities. I wouldn't expect to see him make the 2010 squad, but he is a player who could make some contributions in the future.

[m vann]

Arturo Alvarez plays for El Salvador

EDIT: Actually I just read otherwise. what the hell is going on with this guy?

What do you mean what's going on with him? Good player when he wants to be and when he's motivated. I think he's going to be a crucial element to SJ's attack and success this season. I hope he's ready for the challenge. As to the El Salvador think, I'm not sure who made contact, him or their officials, but he was eligible due to fact he had played in a FIFA sanctioned match (youth WCQ). If he can look down his spot, produce, and curve the attitude a bit, I think he's definitely worth brining in.

[Bruce S]

I would also like Jamal Johnson to be brought in. It is useful to have a healthy Johnson, even if it is a small one.

[Brandinho]

After his 2007 international campaign he shouldn't be a fringe player but I still think Benny Feilhaber has talent to where he can be a very strong sub and still a solid starter. He needs to mature and get his shit together but if he does he's definitely a strong weapon to call on.

[Bluecat82]

good thing we've made clear we're taking about American fringe players, since the first thought that came to my mind was David Beckham... ;)

Seriously, we're still looking...and looking...and looking! for a good left back. Any decent US eligible player who can see lightning, hear thunder, and defend reasonably well (i.e. not fall down) may get a audition.

Bob Bradley calls Central Casting.

[Smithsoccer1721]

Does Robbie Rogers qualify as a fringe player? I think he could really help us out.

[Grumpy in LA]

I would also like Jamal Johnson to be brought in. It is useful to have a healthy Johnson, even if it is a small one. Honestly.

[Prime Time]

Jonathan Spector, Marvell Wynne, Benny Feilhaber and Freddy Adu.

Spector, especially, would provide depth all over the backline, including LB.

[Brandinho]

Jonathan Spector, Marvell Wynne, Benny Feilhaber and Freddy Adu.

Spector, especially, would provide depth all over the backline, including LB.
Spector, when healthy, is easily our best left back. I can only hope he gets healthy and stays healthy.

[deuteronomy]

This is a great and provocative topic. There are players capable of making qualitative leaps to be sure. Regretably, there are those who should who do not. Often hard to say who will be next. Who would have suggested Jose Francisco Torres would be such a consideration 6 months ago? I wonder if there are any other potential gringos in the Mexican league. I might also suggest Edson Buddle is a candidate who stepped up a couple of levels last MLS season. Could another plateau be reachable for him?

[raza_rebel]

Not to be pedantic but how does one classify a "fringe player"? Is it someone who has yet to earn a full men's cap, someone who only gets called up to cupcake camp and has less than X amount of caps, or someone who was capped X amount and has not made an appearance in X months? For me it is someone not regularly called in and doesn't imminently seem to be featured in the mix. Going by that loose definition, I would call Simek, Orozco, Zizzo, Szetela and Spector fringe players that would definitely help out the Men's National Team. At the minimum to create depth and competition.

I suspect Spector and Simek, due to their use in 2007 Gold Cup would have featured more prominently if not for their injuries. I would call Wynne less a fringe player since he was on the bench for the US-Mexico game.

I would really like to see Szetela paired with Bradley in a friendly. I have seen Danny play scantly and only clips of him in Italy and crap youtube highlights.

Unfortunately, I see Orozco out in the cold for a while. He's not a horrible player but not a better option than what we have. He was called up for Cuba, so opinions may differ.

[Mr Martin]

Jonathan Spector, Marvell Wynne, Benny Feilhaber and Freddy Adu.

Spector, especially, would provide depth all over the backline, including LB.

How are these guys fringe players? Spector was a likely starter last summer in the big three friendlies and the Olympics until he got hurt. Marvell may have the #2 RB spot locked up in the next few months. Benny was the once and future savior, over whom billions of gigabytes have been spilled. Freddy really is the future, our most individually skilled player and already has more Caps than Beasley did at the same age.

Fringe has lost its meaning if these guys qualify. :D