I wonder how many people would agree with me that Rimando is a better keeper than Guzan? They are both in the 23 but the ranking is pretty important in the event Howard goes down. My only reservation with Nic is that I think he is a little nervous going in cold and needs time to warm up.
There has been a longggggg conversation about this. Nothing can happen unless Cuba approves it and that ain't happening anytime soon.
All the USSF has to do is ask Jack Warner to talk to his friends with the Cuban Federation (and bring a bag of cash of course).
The only FIFA statute that allows players who have already been cap tied is this one: "If a Player who has been fielded by his Association in an international match in accordance with art. 5 par. 2 permanently loses the nationality of that country without his consent or against his will due to a decision by a government authority, he may request permission to play for another Association whose nationality he already has or has acquired." To me the key phrase is "against his will." Osvaldo Alonso defected. That was his choice. He's never going to play for the US national team.
You are completely, 100% wrong. The key phrase is "due to a decision by a government authority". Did Luis Suarez "defect" to England? Of course not. Why would it be any different with Alonso? Answer: due to a decision by a government authority.
If there was ever a chance for Wondo, boy, tonight it is. If he scores one and/or sets up one, he can punch his ticket IMO. Not that I truly rate the guy at this level, but JK seems to keep calling him in and obviously wants to give him a chance to shine.
Bradley and Donovan above Howard? Really? Quite a surprise. In a way, I guess I agree. We have Guzan and Rimando, good enough to take Timmy's spot. Mike and Landon may still be irreplaceable. PS: Jozy above Johannsson? Hmm... no, can't excuse that one.
#43 Pontius... I remember having high hopes for this lad. Shea deserves a better spot on that list. Brooks and Kljestan need to be bumped down. Adu didn't even make the cut. You'd think they'd give him the #100 spot as a kind of sarcastic joke, but damn, he didn't even get that.
Yeah agreed I can't see Jozy above Johannsson based on present form. Jozy's neck and neck to my eye with Sacha at about #15; and sinking. Unfortunately.
Aronjo is still a bit unproven on the international stage, IMO. We know what Jozy requires: service. I do know that Aronjo looks more technical in the box, but let's get him out of Holland and see what he can do. I'd be willing to bet that Jozy would be lighting it up at AZ if he were still there. Maybe
I know what I'm about to say has been regurgitated, but that's exactly the way I feel. If Wondo was younger and if the US strictly operated out of 2 FW system then Wondo would be perfect. The team needs a boss #9 that can hold up and bring everyone in the attack without being marked out of the game. The only MLS striker that this doing that right now is Will Bruin. I like Wondo but he plays with the "Goonies" and that was a detriment to his potential and his talent. If he didn't want to go to Europe, he should have moved on to another team/system in MLS that would help him realize his potential. Wondo is slowing down now, so playing as a #9 against world class competition is next to impossible. Bruin is young and in a system that plays more fundamentally sound, dare I say "sexy, attractive" football and although it's against MLS-type talent, is producing.... For these reasons, Wondo isn't a good fit for the team. Bruin is ready and needs a chance.
The argument to be made would be that his government's actions forced him to leave. That it wasn't by choice but that he had no option. Having said that, you're right and he will never play for the USA.
If it were up to me.... GK (3) - Howard, Guzan, Rimando DF (8) - Yedlin, Gonzalaz, Besler, Fabjan Johnson, Cameron, Brooks, Goodson, Beasley MF (9) - Jones, Beckerman, Bradley, Feilhaber, Donovan, Dempsey, Green, Mix, Gil FW (3) - Altidore, AJ, Wondo What I predict.... GK (3) - Howard, Guzan, Rimando DF (8) - Cameron, Gonzalaz, Besler, Beasley, Evans, Brooks, Goodson, Castillo MF (9) - Jones, Beckerman, Bradley, Edu, Donovan, Dempsey, Zusi, Mix, Fab Johnson FW (3) - Altidore, AJ, EJ
Your predicted team has too many defenders. Since Fab Johnson can play in the back, I think JK would leave Castillo home and bring Green. If Edu makes the team, he may even leave off Brooks and bring a 4th striker, Wondo. It also wouldn't be all that surprising to see Evans left home for Parkhurst (who would be a better emergency centerback). The EJ/Wondo debate kind of boils down to the roles that Dempsey and Donovan are going to play. If JK is seriously considering Donovan in a SS role (think Roberto Baggio), than I think Wondo is the guy to go. If it's going to be Dempsey there, that likely means EJ as a direct replacement for Altidore (if he's injured, carded, ect). JK may find a way to bring them both if he wants to play two distinct styles against different opponents. Since he listed both Dempsey and Donovan in the SS role for the Mexico game on the famous whiteboard picture, it has me wondering if he is thinking of doing that. The natural pairings would be Dempsey/Altidore (EJ) and Donovan/AJ (Wondo)
Always weird to me that we consider Cubans "defectors" rather than "refugees". Maybe someone more informed than me about it knows why?
Granted this is a stab in the dark but I'd assume it dates back to Cold War tensions. Russian's were considered defectors and because of Cuba and their relations with Russia I'd venture to say that they too were consider defectors and it's stuck since.
I like the way the word "chemistry" keeps coming up. http://www.mlssoccer.com/worldcup/2...-steve-sampson-usmnts-1998-world-cup-disaster
Straight from Wiki: Armas played for Puerto Rico in the 1993 Caribbean Cup. The competition was not then recognised by FIFA and so his five matches were classed as friendlies.