Fiscal got hurt. Ream isn't all that good. Parkhurst doesn't play CB anymore. And unlike Johannsson, Brooks isn't cap tied so we have more incentive to start him to make him feel valuable to the program. So no, I'm not all that surprised.
Someone here mentioned here that if Brooks needs to be evaluated on a fast-tracked basis, it would be best to have him go against Dzeko and other first teamers. I forget who mentioned it, but the point was astute.
Anyone know who didn't make the 18? (We still do that for friendlies right? I know official matches now allow a full 23)
I think your assumptions are wrong about the lineup. I'd think one of LD/Clint would replace Diskerud, and the other would be deployed wide. At least at this point. FJ would probably be the other wing, and Beasley the LB. If FJ comes in at LB, then the other wide position is up for grabs between Zusi, Bedoya, Corona, Shea, EJ, Gomez, and now, Johannsson. First Team: 4-2-3-1 GK: Howard RB: Cherundolo RCB: Gonzalez/Goodson/Cameron LCB: Besler LB: Beasley/F. Johnson CM1: Jones CM2: Bradley RM: Donovan OR Zusi/Bedoya/Corona/Gomez CAM/SS: Dempsey/Donovan LM: F. Johnson/Dempsey/EJ ST: Altidore
I think it depends on how Mix plays in this advanced role. If he plays well, helps create chances, it will be tempting to play him there and deploy Dempsey and Donovan wide.
While it is great to have so many different attacking options among the ever-expanding player pool, it is frustrating that (barring a miraculous recovery from injury and rise to form from Brek Shea), we have no true wingers. They are all players being played out of position. The only caveat is if Beasley is deployed there, but that's doubtful. So we are left with either slow players who can provide decent service but will struggle to create enough seperation (Zusi, Bedoya), pacey players who can create separation but don't cross well (EJ, Corona), or great players who will be missed in the middle (Donovan, Dempsey).
I expect to see Parkhurst and Corona replace Evans and Bedoya for the majority, if not the entire second half. If Cherundolo or Chandler regain their form, Evans and Parkhurst may end up fighting for one rb roster spot in Brazil. Likewise, Bedoya and Corona are likely competing for the right to stay in the conversation with Shea and Torres for possibly the final wing/attacking spot off the bench.
Might we actually ROOT for Evans to do well, that way if he succeeds against top talent, we have even more depth at our weakest position? This reminds me of the time certain posters rooted for Bob to fail.
Brooks is starting in the Bundesliga. He'll have plenty of chances to be evaluated against world class players. They play Munich, Monchengladbach, Stuttgart, Schalke, Leverkusen, et al twice a year. If Fiscal doesn't get hurt, I don't think Brooks would have started. JK likes to ease guys in. But Brooks has to be ahead of Ream.
I wonder if we'll see ej & mix switch spots and shift to more of a 4-4-2 if mix struggles in the cam/ss role.
I, like most, am very excited about Johannsson, but I really hope that Boyd gets some decent minutes. With aj joining the group, this might be Boyd's last chance to get enough minutes to show whether he deserves to remain in the discussion for a world cup roster spot.