2015 Gold Cup: How is the roster shaping up?

Bowing to pressure isn't bad per se. You dont think he discussd this with with Sunil or US Soccer brand honchos?

It's a CEO type decision where there is not necessarily any right or wrong. I would have kept Dempsey as Captain but I wasnt the one taking the phone calls . For all I know, Klinsi has a personal code on behavior that swayed him. I don't know. If I had to guess, I would say Klinsi decided based on what's best for #1

my bottom line is that winners make good captains.

 

Just from memory from his many interviews and quotes.

 

Confirmed by @ussoccer: Greg Garza replaces Brad Davis (knee) on Gold Cup roster. #USMNT

— Kyle McCarthy (@kylejmccarthy) July 2, 2015

 

Great news for us Garza fans. Looks like they just had to wait for the request to go thru before making it official. I hope he gets some minutes.

 

I have to vouch for @Suyuntuy - he has been just about the most even-keeled person regarding friendly results in the JK Analysis thread.

 

One marginal selection for another.

 

Really glad to see Garza on official23. Brad Davis' inclusion was a real head scratcher. Wonder if Klinsman planned to use Davis as a left fullback? That would have been crazy but guess Will never know.

 

Brad Davis is in the starting lineup for Houston tonight.

 

I wonder if JK would get in trouble.

 

Klinsmann said he didn't need to see Beckerman tonight and noted Bedoya has a lot of work to do to get physically ready for Gold Cup. #USMNT

— Kyle McCarthy (@kylejmccarthy) July 4, 2015

I thought the Bedoya part was noteworthy.

 

Just noticed Geoff Cameron is touring Asia with Stoke:

http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Stok...ark-Hughes-s/story-26864847-detail/story.html

 

Ok, I give up. I 've no idea why JK refuses to incorporate Cameron. He hasn't even tried to do so....... does anybody have insight ?

 

Allegedly Stoke didn't want Cameron to go to the Gold Cup. Playing in low key Asian preseason friendlies isn't the same as playing in a high pressure tournament. Just look how physical Honduras was.

Anyway, Cameron had only 2 caps before Klinsmann brought him in, so I don't think Klinsmann is anti-Cameron. I just think that in Klinsmann's mind, Cameron has fallen on the depth chart in all 3 positions where he is useful. To some degree, I understand that - Cameron doesn't play CB for his club, and as a result, I think he has looked pretty mediocre there for us. And while Cameron plays RB for Stoke (and I think 4-5 times there for the US) I don't think Klinsmann views him as a RB.

But I still would have brought Cameron in. Versatile players are useful in tournaments in case of injuries. I probably would use him as Beckerman's back up/rotational starter at defensive midfield, as I remain unconvinced by Morales or Mix in that role.

 

Playing Cameron as a RB could threaten Chandler's almost-secure seat for Russia.

 

I might also add that he might be the best 6 currently in our pool.

And yes, I am aware that he does not regularly play there for Stoke.

 

There is a reason why Cameron was selected over Beckerman to play the 6 in the crucial Belgium game.

 

Just the idea that giving Cameron the full offseason to rest his injuries is clearly in Stoke's best interest. Had he been in the GC squad, he would have had to ramp up his fitness regiment weeks ago, denying him 'the proper recuperation.' Just because he is on the trip, doesn't mean he is full 90.

Of course had this been UEFA Cup or Copa, Stoke would not have any problem. Gold Cup is 'shite.'

 

What Stoke wants is imaterial as JK could call up Cameron if he wanted. What is material is why JK did JK agree to Stokes wishes? A few possibilties:

1. JK doesn't rate Cameron;
2. Cameron told JK he wanted to focus on his club situation.
3. Stoke promised to play Cameron in midfield (complete BS speculation, but this is BS).

 

Or, JK does rate Cameron, but only a Cameron that is playing consistently for his club. If Cameron misses training camp for this 'minor tournament', he could lose his place in the club in which case he is useless to JK.

This is not a major player who could demand what he wants. This is a squad player for a mediocre team.

 

Any switches for the knockout rounds? I can't see any happening...

 

Besler for Ream, Shea (if healthy) or Beasley for Garza, maybe Agudelo for Johannsson/Wondo. I'd be surprised to see either of the first two on the knockout roster.

 

Beasley looked great for the Dynamo last night from what I saw. I think he starts for us in the knockout round and allows us to push F Johnson either to rb or to midfield, either of which would be extremely helpful.

 

Hopefully, we get to see this during the knockout phase...

-------Zardes------Dempsey--------
Johnson------Bradley------Bedoya
-------------Beckerman--------------
Beasley--Brooks--Gonzo--Chandler

 

Sooo...do we think Besler is going to get called?

 

He should. But probably Shea will, instead.