Yeah but with us carrying only 3 true CBs and with Onyewu's recent injury problems, it's a big possibility. Plus, you should never bring a player unless you know he won't be a liability.
I hope Bob actually uses his entire squad. He was awful at that in the World Cup and it caught up to us in the knockout stage. We can't pick one starting 11 and roll with them every game.
The only issues I have personally are with Kljestan, Rogers and Wondolowski. Sacha is really underwhelming, Rogers just isn't any good, and certainly isn't international caliber, and Wondo over Bunbury or Agudelo isn't my idea of bright either. That said, we're talking about reserves here-I don't expect Rogers to play unless we've already wrapped up 1st in the group and make wholesale changes in match 3. Sacha has got to be behind like 3 players at least, and Wondo is probably the 4th striker behind Jozy, Juan and Clint. I'm quite pleasantly surprised by Adu's inclusion. Even if he doesn't play but shows dedication in training, it means he's likely to get some burn in some other friendlies. It's nice to see Bradley being willing to give him a 2nd/3rd look. I think it's a positive trait. It seems that they are going to be working Jozy alot like a target man in a 4-4-2 with Agudelo behind him. Finally, I think we're going to see Dempsey up front a lot in this tourney.
I agree great finisher and makes good runs, but not very 1 vs. 1 imposing. In fact if he played for a team like Everton he would only have half the goals.
Still not understanding the picking of Adu and Rogers over Bedoya and Mix. Both are having (great/good) seasons with their Scandinavian sides and yet they are not playing. I hope Timmy is just tired and not thinking of switching back over to Germany, just saying.
Name them. I can't wait to hear the list of a half dozen guys that were inexplicably left off the roster.
His tactical awareness and intelligent runs quotient are off the chart. His goal scoring is not luck. He is that good, and no not just anyone could score as well as he could for Man Utd.
Not too shabby. Should be good enough to get to Mexico. [LINEUP-4-4-2]Altidore, Agudelo,Dempsey,Jones,Bradley,Donovan,Bocanegra,Onyewu,Goodson,Cherundolo,Howard[/LINEUP-4-4-2]
He's not Dwight Yorke. He's very good. Easily better than any current Nat overall. If we can get Jozy to be good at his finishing and get Adu to be a tactically aware and make consistent runs, we would have two very good players. Right now Donovan and Dempsey is are best and they aren't very good but they are close to being very good and have been for years now.
Goodson has had a great season and he's in form. Goodson and Ream should start together one game. I think he needs to sit Gooch for at least one game to see how they do together. Gooch has not looked good lately.
For as much consternation as there's been today, it's all been over backups who won't or wouldn't see much time. The Chandler situation is clearly complicated, but frankly you could make a reasonable argument he isn't in our strongest 11 vs. Mexico. Donovan/Dempsey are still better on the wing, and Dolo has been a defensive rock for about a year straight now. Chandler brings more going forward, but defensively I'd still pick Dolo. I suspect our starting lineup will be as good as it could be, for the most part, excepting the injuries and Chandler.
A few different times in the thread Wondo vs Bunbury has come up with many people wondering how Bunbury could be passed up. It's possible Bunbury could have a big future down the line, but right now the numbers back up Wondolowski as a selection. Wondo was a consistent starter last season, won the Golden Boot, and hasn't dropped in form this season. Bunbury started 13 of 26 games played and had 5 goals last season. How many times has the strategy of speedy guy without clear finishing ability failed the USMNT? Johnson and Findley come to mind for me personally. I just watched Bunbury's goals from last season and a few of them have some real luck to them IMO. Again, I think he could have a bright future, and he may be much more the athlete Wondo is at least in speed... but Wondo scores with either foot and his head, from inside and outside the box. If he gets time in every game from the friendly on through the tournament, he will score (as long as the system is correct and chances are provided for him).
He is excellent, but he won't get the same quality of service for Mexico as he gets for Man U. He's clearly their biggest threat, but a chaotic enough midfield (something Bradley and Jones are good at creating) might be enough to stop his chances before they start. Obviously I'm taking it for granted that we won't dominate the ball.
let's bring back Jay HEaps i say...I mean he was there like Rogers in the GC final last time Sacha has been a fave of Bob for the longest since his Chivas days...Aside from a friendly hat trick he has far been more of a disappointment than not wearing the NT shirt...I do nto think anyone (but Bob ) would argue with this.. Compared to how many chances other players get.....even more so... Adu?!!?!?!?! Not called for one friendly, now in the GC?!?! and no Chandler?!?! Wow, just wow.... And i'll argue like Appoo seems to be ..Chicarito is fast and dangerous breaking the offside trap.... Bob's defense is a a turtle's lair..Hopefully the US does not get torched butr all that kid need is ONE chance... He is truly dangerous.... ManU midfield present or not...
This is how I would line up with the roster BB selected: [LINEUP-4-4-2]Altidore,Dempsey,Donovan,Bradley, Jones,Spector,Lichaj,Boca,Goodson,Cherundolo,Howard[/LINEUP-4-4-2] If Onyewu were in strong form, I'd gladly start him. But I'll wait to see about that. I'd keep Agudelo and Wondo as the striker reserves most of the time, although starting one in the 3d Group match if advancement is locked up would be fine. I'd expect guys like Edu, Feilhaber, Onyewu, Ream and Bornstein to all see a start along the way. Not sure about Kljestan. I see Adu and Rogers as purely role-playing subs.
Please, for the love of all that is right in the world, read the thread or some article before you post. Chandler was selected, but his club basically asked him not to go. So he isn't going. That's it.