We gather together a bunch of no hopers with a few who have a shot to be last man on the roster, spend all this time on camps and a couple friendlies and for what? So we can watch some poor performances by guys who really don't belong on the team anyway? Does looking like one of the better options compared to guys who are never going to see the field for us in a meaningful game really mean anything? Wouldn't the guys with a real shot prove themselves at their clubs enough to get a call in with the big boys? I'm not trying to be too harsh, but I am seriously wondering if this January things isn't a bit of overkill for what we get out of it. If the guys called in were good enough they would prove it with their clubs and if they were good enough, they would get shots with the full team, when it would actually mean something and we could see how they blend with the guys we will actually use in South Africa. Just seems to me that perhaps the US has enough guys playing at decent clubs and getting experience and having decent careers that the time when it made sense to call in a bunch of guys in for a month and run 'em up against each other to see who's who may be nearing an end. Player selection is way less a black art of watching them battle it out over an extended camp when you can actually watch the players careers and take stock of how they play over time. Do we really need this to know who we want to bring to South Africa?
yes: 1) Camp Cupcake is primarily a money making camp. Brings money into the USSF to spend elsewhere 2) players on the fringe like Perkins, Rogers, Cunningham, etc. Get another look to prove they are worth a spot 3) to keep players fit during their offseasons in case the worst occurs. A mere week ago, Dempsey got injured and people were pushing the panic button on whether he'd be ready for WC. These camps are to show depth (or lack there of) and find a suitable potential replacement if there is one so while these games might not be glorified nor great to watch, they serve a purpose.
Talk about overreaction. Last three years when the U.S. won, no one brought this up. Now the team loses one and we see this? Typical BigSoccer stuff. The team was horrid on Saturday, no questions about it. But guess who played in last year's game that many fans weren't too familiar with? Charlie Davies, Troy Perkins and Robbie Rogers. Davies turned out to be a stud as the year went on, Perkins proved he is capable of performing and Rogers contributed throughout the year, too.
Nothing to do with the loss as such to me. Just seems a silly exercise because I think we could pretty easily surmise Charlie's club accomplishments would have gotten him a shot with the full team and he could have taken his shot there, or at least I would surmise that. The other 2 you mention aren't horrible but are back-ups to back-ups at best. I guess it can be fun to watch the guys for this deal. But, I think the idea that is is particularly meaningful as to picking the team is quite exaggerated.
I completely agree. It would be much more beneficial to everyone if they would call in a mixture of U17's and U20's to move them along. I'd be willing to bet that those youngsters would beat these scrubs as well.
highly doubtful as our former U17's and current U20 pool is down in Mexico struggling to notch a win against U18 sides. Not saying our U20 pool is weak by any means (some will prove to be formidable pros), im simply pointing out that a U17 and U20 team would flop misreably against seasoned pros most players in this roster are backup options... like it or not, but our CB options are getting thinner and thinner. Gooch, Boca, Demerit then you have Marshall. Wings are Dempsey and LD. Then Holden and then Rogers. Though one could argue Feilhaber would be above Rogers, but lets be honest his position is clearly in the middle (though a capable winger IMO) Forwards are thinned as well, even with Davies healed. Ching, Cooper, Casey, Findley and Cunningham. Anyone of these guys are quite likely to be competing for the forward slots as well. 3rd gk'er?? Perkins seems to be Bob's choice as he was used in meaningless friendlies as well as GC 09. Then you include all the players who havent had much of a look but potentially could be called up if they prove something. These games are FAR from worthless, though they are meaningless friendlies.
Actually, most national team coaches yearn at a chance to have B-teams. By default, the U-23 teams have sort of become the B-teams for most nations but there are very few true B-teams around and, often due to the fixture conjection, the new blood has to get their first taste of action with the A-rosters or not get any testing at all. Once you understand the need for B-teams, the question becomes - who do you bring into such camps? The Frankie Hejduks and the Jimmy Conrads or the Jeff Camerons and the Omar Gonzaleses? I tend to go for the young-uns for sure. Bob? He mixes it up a lot more. PS. I am not sure if Camp Cupcake is a money maker. One can bring these guys in for a week before the Honduras match and play. The poorly attended matches themselves are marginal money makers. The training sessions are clearly an expense.
Wow.......the original poster doesn't get it..........at all. Otergod did a good job summarizing the reasons for this camp/match. Don't forget that the players want this camp. They get paid to be there by the USSF, and many of them make very little money in MLS. Justin Braun made 34k last year with Chivas.......to live in LA? You don't think we needed to supplement his income? Plus, they get to demonstrate their abilities to the US coaching staff, in the hope that more opportunities will come their way.
Some of these players could be useful to us in the future. The near future? Probably not. Think long term. In this regard, Camp Cupcake is a very good thing.
No. It's useless. Why have a camp? One where guys can get their feet wet, learn for the future, or possibly even find a diamond in the rough. Dumb exercise.
agree with everyone here, it's a carrot and stick for some guys like Pontius with the message: work hard and there may be national team in your future. But I agree with nobody that the Honduras friendly was a waste of time or even a negative exercise for the US.