I held off on mentioning him because he won't be playing with the National Team probably until late summer or the fall at the earliest. I want to see if he is committed to our U-20's for the U-20 WC before we start discussing him as a possibility. If we make the U-20 WC, and he plays for us, then I would start mentioning his name as someone that needs to be called in. In terms of form, he probably deserves to be starting for the USA February 6th at Honduras, I just don't think thats going to happen. JAB wants to play in the U-20 WC, and I really don't see him getting any caps with the USMNT until after he plays with our U-20's, if we do end up making the U-20 World Cup.
John Anthony Brooks is starting for a team that will probably be promoted to the Bundesliga, and from all reports he is playing well. I would consider him a serious option to get a call up in the late summer or early fall. I certainly think that he merits a call up now, but I think he wants to play in the U-20 WC first.
I am not advocating for a Boswell call-up, he is pretty dang slow. But he has very good footskills for a big man, so I'm not sure I agree with this point.
The advancements in nutrition and fitness in the last decade or so has made the old 30 year mark obsolete. The USMNT should only be concerned with the next year and a half right now. Age has almost no bearing in that short of a timeframe. If someone is good today, they're probably not going to lose too much in the next 18mo. The time for forward thinking was late 2010, 2011, and early 12.
My rule of thumb right now is once a player hits the age of 32 you take it year by year. They could be affective for another 5 years, or 1, hard to say.
Your problem is that you actually watch the games. These debates are far easier if you don't allow that to cloud your perspective. (For the record, I thought DeMerit started off great last year, but I've heard that he tailed off as the season went along.)
Steve Cherundolo is amazing that way. I sit wondering if he'll fade quietly, or just one day be crap. I hope that day is not for awhile, cause he still has lots to contribute - and I hope he also takes the time to train Chandler.
The Bundesliga will announce its ruling on the Jermaine Jones suspension today. If Jones is still suspended for the next 3 Bundesliga matches, I think he will be allowed to come over for Camp Cupcake since he can't play for Schalke until after 2/6. If there is any reduction to the suspension, I would not expect Schalke's new manager to grant him permission. On Edu, I'm not expecting a decision from Klinsmann until after next weekend.
You and every general manager in every sport other than NFL football (in that case it is around 28) have very similar conservative approach.
In the NFL, of course, it depends on the position. 28 or so is a year-by-year age for RBs, but not particularly for QBs.
I keep looking for Omar in any of those USMNT videos - can't spy him yet other than his interview. Hoping it's going well...it's feeling kinda silent so far. That doesn't mean anything, but I'm anxious for him and Besler. Hoping for no injuries in camp too - that would be a derailer.
The team was divided into 2 groups last week, there will be plenty of more videos. Supposedly Kyle and Benny got into it in the field, I hope they show it in one of the upcoming videos but I doubt it.
The January camp needs players fighting for and against and with each other. This is good news for the camp and team, and I'm sure JK welcomes it.
He actually has a reputation for that doesn't he? I always thought that was a Big Soccer myth, but maybe there's some truth to it. [I don't mind a fight now and again, but when it's the same player over and over...........................]
He reportedly got into an altercation with Adu during Olympic preparations. If I remember correctly that account was more reliable than your run of the mill rumor.
when did it become public knowledge that benny is a jerk and fights with teammates??....this was news as I heard it earlier today fighting with buddle and beckerman.