Given the restrictions caused by the Open Cup and injuries, this isn't a bad roster. I would have liked to have seen Phil Salyer given a look based on the fact that he's one of the few wing backs to get minutes in MLS this year. Interesting to read Mooch's comments on Eddie Johnson and trying to use him as the right mid. And, despite what we've read in a LOT of media reports, it doesn't sound like Freddy's chances of going to Athens are too good.
Also, you gotta figure that Mooch will be rooting for Kansas City, whose only U23 player is injured, and New England, which doesn't have any U23 players, to advance in the playoffs so he has two teams he doesn't need to worry about taking players away from.
GersMan, thanks for posting this. I'm happy to finally see the roster, and the interview, and especially Mooch's responses, were excellent. This quote in particular I really liked reading: Despite them not playing, Myernick said he has monitored their progress this year. “For all the players in the pool, I’ve kept in constant contact with their coaches, probably talking to them twice a month to see how they’re progressing. One of the major topics with a coach is what are his daily training habits? Is he becoming a pro, embracing what it means to be a pro? Is he saying ‘I have to get better one day at a time?’ Guys that embrace that and have that mental toughness to stick with it are the guys that survive and who I’m going to call in.”
Regarding this quote from the article: “Landon is very excited about the opportunity to play with the Olympic pool and play with players his own age,” said Myernick. “Unfortunately, I’m not sure if he’ll play Wednesday because he took a knock to his ankle this weekend against Colorado. I was Hoping to play Edson and Landon together as dual strikers. I’m excited about that combination, as are they. Not so sure it’s going to happen this time, we’ll have to see how (Donovan’s ankle) does.” According to none other than Jordan Stone,who is posting a daily diary for 3rddegree.net, Donovan won't be in the starting lineup. The starting lineup should go as follows: GK-Countess D-Ricky Lewis, David Stokes, Nat Borchers, Chris Weingert (I might have spelled that wrong) MF-Eddie Johnson, Kyle Beckerman, Kyle Martino, Brian Carroll F-Alecko Eskandarian, Edson Buddle. Reserves: Josh Saunders, Casey Schmidt, Nelson Akwari, David Testo, Seth Trembly, Landon Donovan (battling an injury), and yours truly. That's not a bad lineup, though I'm a bit surprised that Stokes is starting over Akwari and a wee surprised Carroll is getting the nod over Trembly at left mid. BTW, from reading Stone's articles on 3D, he seems like a really sweet kid.
I still don't understand this. Granted Phil hasn't gotten a ton of minutes, but when he has played he has done fairly well, and he's still been in the professional environment for two years. Wingert must be some player to keep getting called in as the only collegian. And based on this comment: Phil definately should've been called in; if you read the training reports on 3rddegree.net, you'll pretty much always read he stays after practice and does extra fitness or skill work.
Tex, I've seen both Wingert and Salyer play several times (Salyer more) and I think they are almost identical players. Both are smart and technically solid for defenders. They both pass well and understand and read the game at a high level. Both are right-footed but capable of playing, and have played, on the left. Both are 5-10. Wingert is probably a bit faster but Salyer has more international experience, even with Wingert getting a look at every one of Mooch's U23 camps. The only difference I really see is that Salyer has some pro experience that Wingert doesn't. I would think that would tip the scales in favor of Salyer, or at least get him more of a look, but apparently not. At the end of the day, though they both will be good pros, neither player will likely be dominating pros you build your team around and whichever one makes the Olympic team, if either do, will likely be a reserve wing back so it's not like we're debating the omission of a starter or key player on the team. But, at the same time, I still think Salyer showed enough in MLS to warrant a call-back from Mooch. But, as much as I like to think otherwise, I don't make the player selections.
Game day article USA v Haiti Nothing groundbreaking here, although it does mention that Fernando Clavijo is leaving the U20's to coach the Haitian National Team.
I'm drooling over the thought of a Donovan and Buddle combination. We've NEVER had that much talent in pairing. Nto LD Mathis, not Mathis Wolff, not anything. The possibilities of those two playing next to each other.....dear lord. If both played to their potential....
The idea of Buddle-Donovan is definitely intoxicating. And, a MF of Beasley-Martino-Choice of Right Mid-Clark is also pretty tantalizing too. And, a central back pair of Gooch and X (Gray, Whitbread, Burciaga) is also pretty cool. And DJ in goal with Warren backing him up makes me confident. Really, the only areas I'm not overly confident about are the wingbacks. (I think the RM will be competently filled by some one who is converted from forward or left mid like Convey, Johnson or Mapp.) Of course, with the wing backs, we really don't need them to be dominant, just compitent.