Doesn't the US and Mexican fed. have something worked out with SUM to play X amount of friendlies to earn big bucks? Or is that only in the US?
I got my list up to 23. GK: Howard, Hamid Fullback: Cherundolo, F. Johnson, Castillo, Chandler Centerbacks: Goodson, Bocanegra, DeMerit, Ream Midfield: Jones, Torres, Beckerman, Edu, Zusi, Corona, Williams Mid/Fwd: Donovan, Pontius, Beasley Forward: Gomez, Wondo, E. Johnson *I think it is fairly evident that Chandler is going to get a run very soon. Why not now? *If Pontius deserves a call, then so does Johnson *If Bradley can make it, remove Corona *If Altidore can make it, remove Johnson *If Dempsey can make it, remove anyone *There are alot of players on the bubble that could easily be replaced by someone like Kljestan, Robbie Rogers or Gonzo.
Only problem I have with this is Hamid over a couple of other MLS keepers. He only just won his starting job back at DC United. Meanwhile, over the past 2 months Johnson has been arguably the best keeper in MLS and Kennedy hasn't been far behind.
Whoops...I didn;t check that. I copy and pasted the format of someone else's list and forgot to change the GK. Absolutely. Johnson, Kennedy or Rimando I would put over Hamid as possibilities for Azteca. EDIT: GK: Howard, Johnson (Kennedy will get his chance in January) Fullback: Cherundolo, F. Johnson, Castillo, Chandler Centerbacks: Goodson, Bocanegra, DeMerit, Ream Midfield: Jones, Torres, Beckerman, Edu, Zusi, Corona, Williams Mid/Fwd: Donovan, Pontius, Beasley Forward: Gomez, Wondo, E. Johnson
I would really be happy if Jurgen gave these guys a shot vs Mexico.. Demerit Zusi Davis Mccarty Eddie Johnson John Anthony Brooks And maybe Seb Hines, I dont know if he could play straight away when/if called though.. Pontius is another different option but he doesnt beat out EJ for me. Eddie Johnson not only has experience internationally, but he is obviously also on great form & a very quick & skillfull option when he is. Someone might call me out on this but this role is actually replacing Wondo. He isnt a striker that is useful off the bench. I think this is an area where Jurgen can call someone else in to for now since there are others on good form. With Gomez & Jozy, this forward isnt starting anyways
Dax McCarty? Maybe it was his time with DC United or that he currently plays for the red Bulls, but I have seen Dax at RFK to think he doesn't make the Ralston Line. Just my opinion -- he is a quality MLS level player, someone who you can cap in Cupcake friendly but he is behind a lot of people in the pecking order. EDIT: If you are talking about a different McCarty then, I'm all ears. I;m not saying Dax is terrible. I'm just saying he would be a fringe Nat and I find it hard to see him surpassing our other midfield options.
Well thats simply not the case this year. Its not some random opinion that I myself have. He has been one of the best central midfield players in all of MLS this season. A huge reason for NY's success & statistically the best passer in the league this season.
- DeMerit isn't getting any younger. I'd prefer a younger option. - Zusi is fine but he shouldn't be starting, might not make the bench. - Davis just isn't cut out for the system or international play. - McCarty? Not a chance he's good enough especially the position he plays. - EJ on form but it will be the same old story. EJ and skillful in the same sentence... - JAB isn't ready, too young, too soon. - Pontius is better than EJ IMO. Pontius can beat players off the dribble. And I've seen EJ flop enough with the USMNT. -For Seb Hines, I haven't seen him play. Any new CB options are welcomed to be explored. The one important thing with a new CB is to integrate with a veteran. So Boca - Hines or Goodson - Hines. As previously stated Hines said he would listen if Klinsmann called him. Of the player's you listed I can see 3, Zusi, Pontius, EJ called up. Not saying I agree with EJ being back into fold but I can see Klinsmann doing it. Klinsmann might also be without Dempsey, Boyd, Bradley. Dempsey is probably in the process of switching clubs, Bradley has picked up a light knock? It might be best for Bradley to stay and battle for a starting spot at Roma. Boyd is at a new club. Maybe even Cameron missing. We'll see.
The longer Clint Dempsey goes without a club the more chance he gets called-in, right? No club to settle in at yet...though he won't be match fit in any shape or form. The other European based players like Bradley are at least playing pre-season games. Clint's hanging with the Fulham youth team. Not like he's a slob or anything, but still, haven't played a game in awhile, and first game back at Azteca isn't a cakewalk. Now I've talked myself in a circle. If he doesn't have a club by the time roster is released, call in or no? It is also Clint Dempsey. Have the feeling he wouldn't miss a game at Azteca unless his leg was cut off.
We probably don't have another RM to do this, but would anyone consider playing EJ and LD up top together at any point during this game? Would be a weird flashback to 2007. I don't even know if I'm seriously recommending it... just wanting to hear what people think.
OK, so after poking around a few threads to hear about who is in-form and who is chasing a position at their team, and to stay with most of my original post about leaving behind some of the "usual suspects", I get my list down to 20. GK: Guzan, H. Johnson CB: Boca, Demerit, Goodson FB: Fab-J, Castillo, Lichaj MIDS (2-way): Beckerman, Torres, Feilhaber, Zusi, Edu MIDS (attack): Pontius, Donovan, Beasley, Kljestan FW: EJ, Wondo, Gomez Some new faces with enough of the stalwarts to keep focus. And some personal preferences, obviously, since Klinsmann has been ignoring some of these guys.
I know there is a big rivalry with Mexico but in all honesty I happy for them. They're building their reputation internationally the right way from the ground up. They're dominating at all the youth levels and it's the perfect model to copy. I hope they win gold.
This. Especially if its against Brazil who are a bunch of diving twats. They are all overrated and overpriced as hell.
All of these players are on form. You seem so sure that JAB & Mccarty arent justified, but Mccarty has been one of the best holding mids in MLS & JAB is perfectly fine to start integrating consudering he has begun starting for Berlin. Im not calling for any of these guys to contribute heavily vs Mexico but I dont see any of these as undeserving. As for Davis, He is perfectly able to fit in our system since Jurgen often always has 3 central mids on the pitch & Houston has been using a 433 lately. & Pontius is simply not as good at taking players on as EJ is. EJ has been very good lately taking players on & Pontius honestly has skill but is less likely to try & take someone on. EJ's speed takes him past players more easily. Pontius is also the better finisher i'd say. Has an excellent finish. I personally would take EJ's speed, dribbling ability, & form lately over Pontius. Depends if Altidore is there or not i'd say.
I know I'm a Houston homer, but how would you actually know that? Based off a few caps and his work on and off the ball? If so, I would disagree. His work rate is second to none, distributes good or better than some that trot out on the pitch with the US jersey on, great set piece taker, hell of a left foot. Help me out here
I gotta learn to take my DC United glasses off I"m not saying he doesn't deserve mention but he does have a lot of quality in front of him that he needs to prove himself over in order to be anything more than a fringe Nat.
I would have been cool with it last Gold Cup. I don't think he'd be anything more than a bench player. You're advocating for him at CM right? Just making sure.